Princesses Do Marry Kitchen Boys

"Anastasia?"

"Call me Anya."

"Your Royal Highness Anastasia?"

"Call me Anya!" I shouted as I shook back my auburn hair. "Call me Anya!"

The Butler in front of me stared at me. "Anya? But you're a princess, you can't simply be called 'Anya'!"

"Wanna bet?" I growled.

The butler stared at me stupidly.

If being a princess meant I had to be called 'Your Highness' all the time, I didn't want to be one! And that's that! But, I had a family now, even if I had to be called 'Your Highness' all the time. That's what is important. That's what I had wanted. But I didn't want to be called 'Your Highness'. And what made things worse was Dimitri, looming in my mind. Oh, everything was just so confusing! Everything! Suddenly, it all went dark as the Butler in front of me disappeared.

"What's happening!" I screamed, terrified. "What's going on!" I saw Rasputin in front of me, a hideous smile on his face. But, no! That couldn't be! He died! I saw him die! He turned to dust! Then I saw Dimitri beside him, staring at me. "They're waiting for you," he whispered. It echoed and echoed into the infinite darkness.

"Dimitri!" I cried. I tried to get to him, to throw my arms around him, for him just to hold me tight and tell me everything would be okay. But, no. I couldn't have that pleasure.

Suddenly there was a glass wall between us, blocking me from him. "Dimitri!" I sobbed. "Oh, please!" I looked up abruptly, and there stood Rasputin in the thin air, laughing a raucous laugh.

"Anya…" Dimitri said quietly behind the glass. We were separated. Desperately, I tried to get around the glass, just to get to him. But it stretched out before me into the horizon, an endless wall.

"She's the Royal Highness Anastasia, and you're a kitchen boy!" The butler had reappeared.

I glared at him. "So?" I countered. "So, Princesses don't marry kitchen boys."

"Princesses don't marry kitchen boys," Rasputin joined in the chant.

Dimitri looked at me pleadingly. "What if I turn into a kitchen girl?" I asked desperately.

"You can't! You'd lose your family! You're a princess, Your Royal Highness!"

"Stop!" I screamed, covering my ears. "Stop!"

"Princesses don't marry kitchen boys!"

"Stop!"

"Princesses don't marry kitchen boys!"

"Stop!"

I woke up, flinging the covers away. My auburn hair was wet with sweat, sticking to my forehead. I usually don't cry, but I did then. Dimitri had saved me! He had saved me when Rasputin had tried to kill me! It was the night after that incident. That horrible incident when Rasputin had almost killed me. It was because Dimitri saved the day that I was still alive! I was here in my room, in my palace, where I supposedly belonged. After what had happened with Rasputin and Dimitri I had gone back to this house, this room, and had gotten ready for bed. But I couldn't sleep; either that or I had horrible nightmares. "They're waiting for you," Dimitri's voice echoed in my head. I looked at the luxurious bedroom, swallowed up by the night. That was why I was here. The only reason, besides my family, I was here. Because they were 'waiting for me'.

"Tell me what to do?" I pleaded into the darkness. "Please!"

But I knew what I wanted to do. They may be waiting for me, but I wouldn't be a princess anymore. I remembered my nightmare. That dream was a big lie. If I became a kitchen girl that didn't mean I'd lose my family. The family I had dreamed about all of those years. Grandmama would always be there for me, if I became a kitchen girl, or not. I knew what I wanted to do.

In the cold darkness of the night I slipped on the exact same dress I had had on when Dimitri had saved me. I took a shaky breath; this move would change my whole entire life. But I was ready, and strong enough of course, to do it. Quickly, I scribbled a note to my Grandmama and began to exit the room. Slowly, I looked behind one more time. A salty tear cascaded down my cheek, although I didn't know why. Maybe happiness, maybe sadness, maybe both. But I knew what I wanted to do, what I wanted to do in my heart, and I was going to do it. I picked up Pooka; I couldn't leave him behind. But I DID leave being a princess behind.

Later that night Dimitri and I, his new wife, were on a ship, heading who knows where. I didn't really pay attention, all I knew was that I had left being a princess behind, I was Dimitri's wife, and I was happy. Dimitri and I had eloped. I laughed softly and happily as Dimitri picked me up and kissed me. The stars above us sparkled like diamonds on a black blanket, as soft music from the ship reached us. I was happy, so very, very happy. Although I had eloped, I realized I still really WAS a princess. So, Princesses DO marry kitchen boys.

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