Vinnie was tired from unloading so many flowers. As he rested in the empty wagon, he saw a side door of the palace open. A bearded man in dark clothes stepped out. He was speaking with another man. Vinnie sank down in the wagon, hiding.
"Rasputin, the Russian people are angry," said the bearded man’s companion. "They want the czar to pay attention to them!"
"I agree," said Rasputin. "But what can I do?"
"The people are desperate," the other man said sadly. "I’m afraid they will rise up and hurt the royal family."
The men walked away, and Vinnie got out of the wagon.
"Who is Rasputin?" Vinnie wondered, heading back into the palace.
Inside, Anastasia was telling Mandy about her older sisters. "They’re so annoying, really. All they care about is their powder and lipstick. I think they look like clowns," she said. "Do you have any sisters?"
"No, only a brother," Mandy replied. Suddenly, she missed Vinnie.
"I have a brother too. Alexei," Anastasia’s voice softened. "He’s a joy. Have you seen our piano room?"
"No, but Miss Pavlova . . . ," Mandy began, holding the ruffle.
Anastasia took the ruffle and stopped a servant passing by. "Take this to Miss Pavlova. Tell her I needed Mandy’s assistance," she said.
Anastasia linked her arm through Mandy’s. "Now, for the piano room!"
Meanwhile, Vinnie had found Mikhail in the kitchen drinking a glass of water.
"What are these flowers for again?" asked Vinnie.
"Today the royal family will receive another Fabergé egg. They get one every Easter," explained Mikhail. "The czar has a big feast to celebrate the new egg."
"What’s so great about an egg?" asked Vinnie.
"This is not an ordinary egg," laughed Mikhail. "It is a work of art made of jewels and gold. You have to see it to believe it."
At that moment, Anastasia was showing Mandy a cabinet filled with Fabergé eggs. Each egg was decorated according to a different theme.
"This egg was special," Anastasia said, pointing to a gold egg with a miniature golden carriage beside it. "My father gave this to my mother in 1897. That was the year he became the czar of Russia."
Mandy was fascinated. She looked at some other eggs. One had a crown on top that was covered in rubies and diamonds.
"Turn the pearl button on the side," ordered Anastasia.
Mandy obeyed. The crown rose and three small picture frames popped out.
"Here’s Papa, and Olga and Tatiana, my two eldest sisters," explained Anastasia.
"So each egg has a surprise in it," remarked Mandy.
Anastasia nodded. "We are getting a new egg today!"
Suddenly, Mandy remembered the egg-shaped object in the photo. "I must be in the right place," she thought.