Long ago, in a world of glittering jewels and elegant parties, there lived the emperor and empress. A beautiful pair, they loved one another more than anything in the world. Peter IV Romanov, the emperor of his lands, had a reputation that balanced precariously on the edge of a blade, but by those who saw him as a white knight regarded him as the father of their country. His consort, a foreign princess of Poland who’s born name was unknown but who’s name upon conversion to Russian Orthodoxy was known as Sasha, was considered the darling of the empire, beloved not only by her husband but the country. Her fierce temper and embodiment of her chosen name’s meaning (defender of man) helped to ensure her loyalty to her public and her ability to protect her country.
However, due to an oversight on the emperor’s nephew’s part, who had at one time been considered the tsar’s closest advisor, a traitor snuck into the royal family. A vile fiend, she portrayed herself as a lovely and innocent woman, but was anything but. Desiring the fall of the monarchy and the destruction of the Romanov line, she got her wish in the form of a long awaited revolution.
In the basement of a supposed safehouse-turned-prison, Peter stood in front of his wife, nephew and niece, desperate to protect those he loved. With bayonets raised, he offered his chilling final words:
“I will return and when I do, I’ll tear your family from limb to limb.”
TL;DR Stiles can’t shake the feeling that they’ve met one another before. But where? When? The monster gazes upon her with sad crimson eyes, but she doesn’t understand. Was that recognition? Regret? Or something else she had yet to understand?
Peter would have his revenge, but not at the cost of losing his beloved again. Thankfully, his darling may have a trick up her sleeve.
