This one is a little bit shorter than what I usually write lol. I already put it off one evening by looking up stuff about Hamilton and Anastasia and finding "In a Crowd of Thousands" karaoke duet with someone singing Dmitry's part, so of course I had to act that out instead of writing this XD

  The hot, June sun glared down on Dmitry as he scrambled onto a statue’s pillar to see over the crowd. Being an eight-year-old meant finding creative solutions to height disadvantages.

    A parade was taking place in the streets near the Yusapov Palace. He had no idea what it was for, but the adults seemed happy because they got a day off of work to watch it. That also meant that the whole population of St. Petersburg was packed into the streets.

    “Be careful, Dema!” his father scolded. “You could’ve just asked to get on my shoulders!”

    “I can see more up here!” Dmitry protested, yet still standing on his tiptoes to see down the street. “Horses! The royal carriage is coming!” He pointed excitedly. Murmurs and cheers spread through the crowd as it approached.

    Impulsively, Dmitry sprang down from the pillar and darted through the crowd, trying to get as close as possible. He could hear his father’s voice fading quickly behind him, but he didn’t care. He wanted to see the royal family since he didn’t get to any other time.

    People muttered and grumbled at him as he pushed past, but Dema finally made it right behind the guards lining the street--just in time for the carriage to pass by.

    It seemed to be plated with jewels and gold, but that wasn’t what caused him to catch his breath. It was the girl inside, sitting closest to the opening. Her red-brown hair glittered in the sun reflecting off the carriage’s shining metal. She smiled warmly, gazing out into the crowd.

    That was his chance to be seen. For no reason whatsoever, he darted in-between the guards to the edge of the carriage.

“Princess Anastasia! Princess Anastasia!” he called, stretching his hand toward her. The princess’ head turned as she looked down at him, surprise flashing across her face. She grinned at him. In that moment, Dmitry bowed. It was unnatural to him. He didn’t bow for anyone. Yet something about the girl intrigued him--aside from her royal status.

    Straightening back up, the sun glared in his eyes, blinding any further view of the princess. A guard grabbed his shoulder roughly and shoved him back into the crowd.

    Dema wiped a single tear away. Even in a crowd of thousands, he’d find her again.

                   
*  *  *

    The princess gazed out through the crowd, the June heat making her sweat in her dress. She felt sorry for the people packed together standing directly in the sun. All to see her family. That made her feel worse. She didn’t feel very special. Why should she be admired more than a common person?

    A small boy around her age caught her eye as he pushed past people toward the front. He was thin and dirty, his clothes worn to their bare threads. He weaved between a pair of guards, calling her name. She tried not to notice, focusing her gaze back on the crowd. He appeared almost right in front of her.

    Anastasia bit her lip, trying not to smile. Her reflexes won over in the end. The boy bowed to her before being grabbed by a guard and pushed back into the crowd. She rose from her seat, straining to see him. It was no use. There were thousands of people out there. However, she didn’t lose hope that she might see him again someday.