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The next day was back to the flesh and bone world of St Petersburg, for I was feeling slightly better I begged Ma, even though Dr Kruglevski had advised against it It would be my only chance to see Jelena Cornalba that season
She was dancing the lead in the preo&039;s The Talisman We dressed in our Sunday finest, heavily beaded, thick woolen dresses, and set out that evening for the Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky had been named in honor of our previous empress, Marie Alexandrovna, wife of Tsar Alexander the Second It was a very beautiful building, with a wide, sweeping staircase that rose three whole stories We were seated in our family box, and I noticed that members of the imperial family were seated in the majestic, central ie Alexandrovich from my seat, however I did not know if he was even present that evening
Prince Danilo and his sister Elena visited our box before the ball et started The prince loved hand So deep down inside ic would protectthe ball et, with her sister, Princess Alix, and their brother, Prince Ernest Louis of Hesse Their father, Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse, was enjoying a stay at the i along splendidly, as they both detested balls and ball ets Princess Alix had a little more color in her cheeks than she&039;d had the last time I had seen her I could tell she doted on her older brother, whom she called Ernie, and he in turn doted on her
Grand Duchess Elizabeth froith concern when she saw me "We had heard that you had taken ill recently," she said
"I am much better now, thank you," I replied Actually, I was still feeling rather weak and wobbly, but I refused to let Maman know She would have rushed me back home to bed
Princess Alix stepped forward and clasped ement I am so happy for you!" She s in beside me, with a protective hand on my waist
A cold nausea washed over erins than Princess Cantacuzene had "Princess Alix, ro? Prince Danilo, this is my friend Princess Alix of Hesse-Dar her hand and kissing it I did not think the princess approved of this She blushed deeply I hurried to introduce hirand duchess Elizabeth, neither of whose hands, I noticed, did he kiss
"We should get back to our family&039;s box before the ball et starts," Grand Duchess Ell a said "It was a pleasure hness," she said to the crown prince with a polite bow Her sister shness, we h I would not take any part in Princess Cantacuzene&039;s plans, and I would not risk er
"Indeed?" he said, bringinghe had a different kind of conversation inI looked seductive and coy at the saet away and old and enamel and enormous ornate chandeliers that sparkled
He kissedin the box of Grand Duke Pyotr Nikolayevich, Militza&039;s fiance Maman and Papa frowned as I sat down "You must take care You must not be seen with the prince alone," Maan to play and the curtain rose, so she could say no ht was the ball et&039;s debut, and I was intrigued by the Indian costuraphy so the first act, a group of university students in the general-seating area below us caused a ruckus, applauding and yelling bravos so loud that His Excel ency the Governor General of St Petersburg turned around and shook his finger at the students
"Mon Dieu," Maood" In the i bored Her brother leaned over and whispered sole
I waited impatiently for the second act so I could speak with Prince Danilo I hoped to use reason with hiood queen for him, and that he needed to find a more suitable princess I was still deter a doctor was one of the Count Chere, as usual I regretted having to miss her pas de deux, but I wanted loves off and looked down at , and the other the obsidian ring I whispered to Maht back," and slipped out of our box I hurried to the lobby, where hness," I said I did not smile coyly anymore
We walked over to a dim corner of the lobby and sat on a black velvet upholstered settee We were half hidden froe palm tree in a Chinese vase
Prince Danilo tookit to his lips "It is torture to be apart from you, my love I want to hear you callhow much power there was in a name
His see very important"
"Yes, Katerina?" His thuhted that you have come to me"
I shook my head "This is not what you think Danilo, I want us to have an understanding I know you are the heir to a kingdo your wife But I want other responsibilities I want to become a doctor and study diseases and their cures I want to care for sick women and children" Prince Danilo looked at me silently His black eyes showed no emotion at first, and I was suddenly more afraid of him than ever before Perhaps I should not have discussedin the prince&039;s face changed He picked up ently "You are a very special woman, Katerina When you are hout Montenegro in your na the sick" I pulled hness, that is nota doctor is not an option My queen shal never have an occupation"
"But-"
He stood up, pulling me with hi enough You must return to your family, and I to mine"
"We must talk about this," I protested
"No" His eyes flashed with anger "There will be nolike a proper fiancee" I saw red How dare he telloff er be your fiancee" How could I have fall en under his spell? He was an arrogant young ht hand, turning it to reveal the obsidian ring "I see so your head with lies aboutabout," I whispered, pulling away from him "Please leave me alone"
The crown prince smiled "Just because you are protected does not ave hiaze I could summon "Stay away from me And stay away from my farabbehind me
Maman turned to look at me as I slipped back into our box and sat down