The night deepens, yet the Imperial Garden within the Winter Palace remains as bright as day.
Constrained by the cold winters of St. Petersburg, the garden was not constructed outdoors but situated within the Winter Palace.
Chandeliers inlaid with gold gently cast their light amidst the lush greenery. The garden is home to exotic flowers and plants brought from southern Russia and all over Europe, with the occasional sight of tropical flora, flowers, and shrubs. The central marble fountain emits a faint mist, the hazy vapor enveloping its surroundings, giving one the feeling of being in a fairyland.
Tsar Nicholas I walked slowly with his hands behind his back.
The soles of the Tsar's boots tread upon the mosaic path, producing a low sound.
Behind him was a nearly silent footstep, a figure gradually emerging through the thin mist into the light.
