Deus Nos Ducit Ad Astra Per Aspera

As Anastasia spent days checking the progress of the Caucasus she got summons from her father to return to St.Petersburg.

"Your Highness, you father summons you back to St.Petersburg immediately with due haste." Stopping her duties Anastasia looks at Constantine.

"For what reason does father wish to see me?"

"That I do not know your Highness."

Constantine looked at Anastasia as she was in deep thought.

"Fine, get my ride ready, we're out by 10."

Constantine nodded as he exited her office.

"Father wishes to see me huh? Interesting."

-Later within the Imperial Palace at St.Petersburg-

As Anastasia entered the Palace she was greeted by her father's butler.

"I welcome you back Princess." The Butler gave her a bow.

"Mr. Indrek, thank you for the welcome. Do you know why father summoned me?"

Mr. Indrek shook his head.

"I apologize your Highness but his Majesty wants to inform you of the reason himself."

'Typical Dad'. Anastasia thought as she followed Mr. Indrek to her fathers office.

Knock Knock

"Enter."

Click

"Ah, Anastasia you arrived just on time."

Nicolas halted his work as he greeted his daughter. He still can't believe how fast she has grown.

"Yes, I'm here father and I would like to know why you summoned me."

Anastasia looked at her father as he stood up and came up to her.

"That is because we are visiting your Uncle."

Nicolas said as he smiled knowing what his daughter will say next.

"Really Dad, I have many Uncles. Which one." Anastasia facepalmed at her father's words.

"Well guess." Nicolas said as he looked at Anastasia whos face went stoic at his words.

"Urgh dad, fine is it Uncle Willheim?"

"Nope" Nicolas answered Anastasia.

"Uncles George?"

Anastasia saw as her father's smile grew and went back to his table and retrieved a paper and handed it to her.

She took it and read it then looked at Nicolas.

"A Ball?"

Anastasia looked visibly unnerved. She doesn't like Balls, they are useless, a waste of time and tax money.

Nicolas of course knew of this as he had a trick up his sleeve.

"You know that we are invited to attend and if we don't it will not look good on us. Besides you need experience as you will face more."

Anastasia though of his words. He's not wrong, reputation is important as it gives credibility in this backward society of Nobility.

"When do we leave?"

Nicolas smiled, his plan worked. If the task will give Anastasia influence and make her image stand out she will take it.

"Now."

-On the Baltic Sea-

Swoosh Swoosh

As the ship makes its way to the British Isles Anastasia watches from the bridge of the ship how it makes through the waters.

"Captain, how long have you been serving?"

The Captain of the ship looks at Anastasia as he turns to her.

"16 years your Highness. I served in multiple conflicts with my recent one being the one against the Japs."

Anastasia raised her brow at the Captains words. "You served in the Pacific Fleet?"

"Yes, I was the Captain of the battleship leading the fight."

"Whats her name?"

"It's the Dawn of Kamchatka."

The Captain answered. He had seen years of battle. The Russo-Japanese War was a new type of war he saw.

The newly upgraded and built ships gave them overwhelming advantage against the Japanese Fleet. His ship during the war was a marvel of construction. To be a Captain of such a ship was an honor for him.

"Dawn of Kamchatka, good name."

Anastasia nodded as she glanced out the window.

"Your Highness, we are about to cross the Danish strait." The Captain informed her.

She nodded as she thought of how the visit to Britain would be.

-Meanwhile in London-

"Hmm my Cousin and his daughter will arrive shortly how are the guestrooms."

King George V had taken the Throne as his father Edward VII health worsened who later abdicated it to his son.

"The rooms are ready for accommodation your Majesty."

The Butler answered his Kings question with a bow.

"I haven't seen Anastasia in a while, I wonder how she has grown. I have heard that she was in charge of the war against the Japanese, quite the skill at her age. Just like the kings of old."

George was impressed at his niece's performance. He calls her his niece as her father Nicolas is his first cousin. You don't have to be the daughter of a brother or sister to be called a niece.

While he is impressed at her leadership he's more glad that she was able to save the Koreans. Despite being a King of Britain he is also a deep believer in the Lord and learning of the Genocide against the Koreans angered him to the point were he would declare war against the Japanese.

Ultimately he was stopped by the Parliament and as the news of the Genocide spread across the World which turned them against the Japanese. Ultimately causing them to surrender due to pressure and Russian advancement.

With Anastasias activities in Russia that made them start industrialization and modernisation. Sometimes he envies his cousin for having such a daughter.

He stood up from his seat as he walked outside his office followed by his Butler.

"Come I will greet them personally."

-Anastasias pov-

As the ship arrived at Britain and docked at Dover, Anastasia and her father exited the ship followed by the Imperial Guards and her personal guard Constantine.

Anastasia looked who came to greet them and was shocked to see the King of Britain here.

"George, I see you came to welcome us."

Nicolas greeted his cousin with a handshake.

"Yes, I came to welcome you personally as I haven't seen you in quite a while."

"Anastasia how are you, my you have grown up so much, how was the ride."

Anastasia approached him and gave him a bow. "I am well your Majesty, the trip was smooth."

"No need for formalities, call me Uncle like you used to when you were little."

George smiled at her. She really has grown up. To think it was just yesterday when she would call him Uncle Georgie and hug him while asking for candy.

"Then I comply Uncle." Anastasia smiled. It's still Uncle George alright. The same smile and all.

"Come both of you, don't want to miss the Ball do you?"

Both Nicolas and Anastasia smiled and followed George to the train to London

'Maybe this day will be fruitful' though Anastasia.