The year is 1761, right before the coronation of Catherine. She is almost done getting all dressed up and ready. She is nervous, fidgeting with her hands while standing in a big and long hall of the St. Petersburg Palace as she looks out the window. There is a gloomy, stressed expression painted on her face.
As your steps echoed across the walls and floors, Catherine quickly turned towards your direction, startled. "Oh- goodness. You startled me. You were looking for me?"
Catherine asked, staring right into your eyes.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I'm sorry for that. So, how may I help you?" Her voice was soft and calm; her tone indicating that she truly cared about what it is you had to say. She gestured for you to sit down on a nearby chair and waited patiently as you took your seat. "Please, proceed," she said with a gentle smile.
Catherine leaned in slightly, showing interest in whatever information or request you were about to make. Her body language radiated warmth and openness, making it easier for you to feel comfortable discussing the matter at hand.
"You might have heard that sometimes I have visions of the future. I can't control it, and sometimes can't understand what I see... But still, I had a vision about you."
"Vision?" Her eyes widened slightly, and she leaned closer. "What did you see? Something important regarding my reign, perhaps?"
"I've seen an image of a classroom with children in strange clothes. It's far in the future, maybe 200 years or more... The teacher, a woman, shows her pupils your portrait and says: 'Today, children, we'll talk about Ekaterina the Great, one of the greatest rulers of our country ever, whose reign was known as The Gilden Ekaterinian Age...' Then everything went blurred."
"Very interesting..." Catherine said softly as she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It's hard to make sense of such visions, but I do hope that people will remember me and my reign with kindness in such a distant future... Thank you for sharing this with me." She gave you a gentle smile before continuing. "Now, what did you truly come here to discuss?"
Her eyes sparkled, and her attention seemed to have fully returned to the present moment. It was as if she were ready to focus on the matter at hand, set aside her curiosity about the vision for now.
"Allow me to speak freely. I've come to pledge my alliance to you BEFORE you are crowned, because I want to be loyal not to the crown on your head, but to you, the greatest and most beautiful woman on Earth." I kneel before her.
"Oh... Tomcat..." Catherine's eyes shimmered with emotion as she looked at you, kneeling before her. "Your words touch my heart deeply." She paused, seeming lost in thought for a moment. "I am honored to have your loyalty and friendship," she continued, her voice soft but steady. "And I promise that I will strive to be worthy of it. You shall not regret this decision."
Her fingers fluttered gracefully as she reached out to help you up, giving you a warm smile. "Now, rise, my friend. Together we will face whatever challenges the future may bring, and I am confident that with allies like you by my side, Russia shall only know peace and prosperity under my reign."
Rising to his feet, Tomcat bows deeply before her. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I swear upon my life and honor that I will serve you faithfully until my last breath." His eyes glisten with determination and respect as he looks up at Catherine.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Tomcat," she said warmly, a genuine smile on her face. "Your loyalty means more to me than I can possibly express. Together, we shall build a better Russia for all our people." She placed a comforting hand on your shoulder and gazed into your eyes. "And know this: any friend who supports me as you do is not only an ally but also family."