January 22, 1905
It had been a week since they arrived at Tsarskoye Selo. Officially, the family claimed they wanted time together, away from the court, but Alexei knew the truth. His father was once again fleeing from his responsibilities, while the unrest throughout the empire spiraled out of control. Across Russia, strikes and rallies by workers intensified as demands for better rights and working conditions grew louder. Some even called for limits on autocratic rule, urging the Tsar to share his power and establish a representative legislative body. Yet how could his father agree to such reforms? Nicholas II remained convinced that it was his sacred, divine right as monarch to rule with absolute authority. Alexei really wanted to know who brainwashed his father to such an extent. He would surely give him a medal for that.
The news and bits of gossip he overheard around the palace spoke of striking workers and their families marching toward the Winter Palace. He didn't know how his father would handle the protest, since he could no longer eavesdrop on discussions here as he had in the Winter Palace. All he could do was hope it would end quickly, and that his father still had the presence of mind to resolve the crisis.
Alexei was seated at his desk, pen moving steadily across the page, when his sister Olga burst in, her voice brimming with excitement. "What are you writing, brother? Is it a story? Like Frozen?"
He looked down at her with a soft chuckle. His sisters had been pestering him for more tales ever since he first recited one a few nights ago. On their first evening after arriving, when none of them could sleep, he had told them the story of Frozen. To his own surprise, he still remembered nearly every detail of the plot.
"Yes. It's the same story, but with more details than the one I read to you," Alexei replied, ruffling Olga's hair.
That bedtime tale he had told his sisters had sparked the idea of writing his own novels. Technically, he was plagiarizing stories from the future, because why shouldn't he? It would be a waste not to use the knowledge he still remembered. More importantly, he could reshape those stories and make them his own. In his version, the characters bore the names of his sisters, Olga and Tatiana, with two more added for Maria and Anastasia. That way, it would be far less troublesome to explain where his inspirations came from.
He knew how much these IPs would generate in the future once the film industry matured. For now, he only hoped his plagiarized novels would gain traction and be embraced by the public, especially overseas. All he needed was to convince his parents to buy him a publishing house, or establish one for his own purposes. That was why he had been writing this story in the first place, to present it as part of his business proposal. He wasn't an expert writer, but in time he could always hire editors and ghostwriters to bring his ideas to life.
"Really? Can I read it?" Olga eagerly reached for the papers on the table, but Alexei stopped her.
"Not yet. It's not finished. I promised that you and Tatiana would be the first to read it once I'm done."
Olga pouted at that. She couldn't wait to see it, but when she noticed her brother's eyes narrowing, she quickly yielded. Sometimes, she thought her brother could be scarier than their parents when angry. Widening her eyes, she put on her most pitiful, cute look and said, "Okay. But you have to read us another story tonight. Please?" She wasn't about to back down without getting something in return.
Alexei sighed. His sisters had learned exactly how to bargain with him. It wasn't as though their request was excessive, so he always relented. "Alright. But make sure all of you sleep together tonight, so I won't have to repeat the same story again and again."
"Yes!" Olga cried triumphantly, waving her hands in the air before dashing off to share the good news with her sisters.
Alexei shook his head, watching her retreat with a faint smile.
He decided then that he would make his sisters the protagonists of his first few stories. Not only would that earn him points as a good brother, but it would also serve as a clever way to persuade his parents to publish his future novels. After all, what parent wouldn't be delighted to see their children cast as the main characters of the story? Hopefully, that alone would be enough to win them over.
The thought of comic books and strips crossed his mind next. Were they already gaining traction overseas? If not, he could make a fortune by being the first to publish the popular comics and manga he still remembered from his first life. The very thought made him giddy. Who wouldn't want more wealth? Unfortunately, news from abroad was hard to come by unless he asked his parents or those around them directly, and that always risked raising unwanted questions.
One step at a time, he reminded himself. First, he needed the publishing house, everything else could expand from there.
Still, he had his worries. If the current populace would accept the ideas and humor of the future. What if they wouldn't? Alexei shook off that thought. There's no need to get ahead of himself.
Alexei kept writing even when Sednev arrived.
"Sorry to disturb your writing, Your Highness. It's time for lunch," Sednev said, leading the maids as they laid out the food on the dining table.
Alexei only glanced at them, continuing his work until he finished the section he felt was enough for the day. When he finally looked up, the maids were gone, only Sednev remained.
Rising from his chair, Alexei walked to the dining table. "Do you have any news about the protest today, Sednev?" he asked as he picked up his food and began to eat.
"There's no news yet, Your Highness," Sednev replied.
"Hmmm." Alexei ate in silence, finishing quickly. After wiping his mouth, he looked at Sednev. "How about some gossip? The people coming from the city? Did they share anything?"
Sednev's expression grew grave. He hesitated before answering. "The palace is in lock down, your highness. But I heard from a scouting party that just returned from the city, they reported hearing gunfire. I don't know any more than that, Your Highness. We should wait before drawing conclusions."
Alexei's brows furrowed. The situation seemed to be growing more dangerous. He couldn't recall if this protest had taken place in his first life, the only thing he remembered clearly was the revolution during the Great War. All he could do now was hope the unrest would pass and that his family would endure these uncertain times.
Even so, it was best to prepare an escape route in case matters grew worse. He wasn't sure if his father had arranged anything of the sort, but he certainly would.
Alexei gave a small nod. "Thank you, Sednev."
"Anything for you, Your Highness." Sednev bowed slightly before leaving, soon returning with the maids in tow. Together, they cleared the cutlery and tidied the table.
Alexei observed in silence until the work was done. Sednev and the maids offered their goodbyes and departed, leaving him alone at last.
Restlessness drove him to pace the room. He could only hope nothing grave was unfolding in the city. His little organization was still in its growth phase, even the smallest upheaval could turn all his efforts to dust. The thought of starting again from the beginning was something he could not bear. Especially when he grew fond of his little minions' antics and their cheerful faces.
The days following the chaos he had stirred caused quite a commotion in the slums. The incident drew both the politsiya and the Okhrana to investigate the massacre. Fortunately for him, their inquiry did not run deep, as the victims were quite known to be troublemakers themselves. Even so, their death brought about disorder for several days before things finally subsided.
The residents of the slums grew restless after such a massacre occurred so close to them, worried for their own safety. Luckily, the stability that followed eventually put them at ease. The harassment and coercion that had once been prominent in their area suddenly disappeared, replaced by calm and quiet, as no one dared to cause trouble while the politsiya and Okhrana were still investigating.
When the investigation ended, some people tried to encroach on the vacant territory and establishments left behind by the previous gang. A few even came from distant districts, attempting to assert their dominance in the area, but they were eventually killed under mysterious circumstances. After that, the encroachments gradually declined until they disappeared altogether.
However, restlessness soon returned when former workers and prostitutes found themselves without employment, as many establishments remained locked down by the authorities. Without their work, they couldn't feed their families. Some of the prostitutes even resorted to selling their bodies on the streets.
The sight of people desperate for work and food, of women forced back onto the streets, left a sour taste in his mouth. He knew what was going to happen when he decided to act. The cause and effect for the future he envisioned would not always be positive. There will always be collateral damage and this is just one of them. Still, he hardened his resolve.
Alexei decided it was time to intervene and act when desperation was at its height. He gathered the former workers of the gambling dens and brothels, along with prominent figures from the slums. They were cautious at first, unsure of his intentions, some even questioned why a masked man of unknown origin had the guts to order them to gather. He didn't really order them but more like he sent an invitation through his minions that he had a way to give them work. But some really like to just cause trouble and wouldn't listen. He was forced to kill a few to silence the rest and made them listen.
He offered them a deal to open their own businesses under his protection and rules. He even offered them loans and showed them the money. Some were quite skeptical of the offer. Some were eager to try just to get their hands on the money he had shown. But hesitated when he threatened them that they would die if they tried something funny. He told them that the moment they accepted the offer, they couldn't back out and betrayal means death. That got the gathering at a stalemate. Some even left but he didn't stop them. What he needed was people who had guts to embrace the hand of the devil.
After some questioning and inquiries from them in which he answered as honestly as possible. They gave in. Desperation eventually won out. The rest were handled by his masked minions.
He even used the gathering to recruit grown men to form a new gang that would be the face of his new organization. He couldn't use his minions in broad daylight. He trained them to be lethal and deadly, not some thugs who handled petty fights. They were more useful in the dark where they could use their skills more efficiently.
The recruitment for the Jackals, the name he had chosen for his gang, proved surprisingly popular among the children, youth and middle-aged men alike. The growing unrest among workers had forced many factory owners to lay off employees and halt new hiring. They preferred to wait out the turmoil before resuming production. As a result, unemployment soared.
Many of the jobless drifted toward rallies, revolutionary groups, or other unsavory circles such as gangs, bandits, and syndicates. Still, not everyone managed to join, competition for any form of livelihood was fierce. That was why, when word spread that he was recruiting, many rushed to enlist, especially after learning that he offered regular pay and commissions for every completed task. They didn't bother whether what he offered was true or not. They clung only into hope that they could soon feed themselves and their family.
Alexei stopped pacing around the room and decided that he would visit the city that night to check on his people. It would take him no more than thirty minutes to run from the estate to the city, assuming the weather favored him.
He checked his room for any unwanted people and locked the door. After that, he sat cross legged in his bed to cultivate. It wouldn't be long before he reached level three in his body cultivation, which would make him stronger than the average person. His cultivation had been stuck to level 2 body cultivation since he was five years old and it took him another five years to reach another level. He wondered how much longer it would take to reach the middle stages, knowing a bottleneck awaited him to reach there.
Still, he hoped cultivation alone would be enough. He had been searching for medicinal plants containing qi in this world to aid his progress, but so far, he had found none. Yet he remained optimistic, since qi existed here, there had to be plants or gems that held it as well. Unfortunately, without any knowledge of alchemy, the best he could do was consume whatever he found directly, without refining it into a proper concoction.
The disease that had gnawed at him since birth was finally healed a week ago. It had been a grueling struggle to suppress it, and even more so to purge it completely from his body. The effort had cost him precious time for cultivation, as he had to dedicate much of his focus to slowly and painstakingly healing an illness he couldn't even identify.
Now that his body was finally healed, he could devote himself fully to cultivation and, hopefully, accelerate his progress. The greatest relief of all was no longer having to live in constant vigilance, always wary of the fragile state of his body, of the possibility that even the smallest cut could turn fatal. Also, he could relax a little in front of his parents. For years, he had hidden every sign of weakness, every bruise and tremor, terrified that their concern or interference might shatter the delicate balance he had managed to maintain.
But with the sickness finally purged from his body, a weight lifted from his shoulders. He could finally breathe freely, though only just, for other problems were already waiting to be solved.
He was roused from his cultivation by a knock on the door. Glancing toward the window, he noticed that night had already fallen.
"Your Highness, your dinner is ready," came Sednev's voice from the other side.
Stretching, Alexei stood and worked the stiffness from his muscles and joints before unlocking and opening the door.
Sednev's face greeted him first, drawn and heavy with something unsaid, but the expression quickly shifted into a practiced smile and a polite bow. The maids behind him followed suit.
"Sorry, Sednev. I fell asleep," Alexei said, stepping aside to let them in.
"No worries, Your Highness," Sednev replied as he stepped inside, noticing that the room was still dark. He glanced at Alexei questioningly.
Alexei only shrugged, he had simply forgotten to turn on the lights. His senses had grown sharper lately, especially as he neared the next stage of his cultivation.
"I'm surprised, Your Highness. I thought you preferred to handle these things yourself," Sednev said with a faint smile as he turned on the lights one by one and guided the maids in setting the food on the table.
Alexei knew he was only joking, so he simply chuckled and sat down, settling comfortably near the dinner table. When the maids had finished and quietly left, he glanced at Sednev.
"Where's Anya?" he asked. It was usually her who handled these tasks, and he'd forgotten to ask during lunch.
"She's down with a fever, Your Highness," Sednev replied.
"Oh," Alexei murmured. Anya had been working hard to take care of him lately, as if afraid she might be replaced, yet her frail health often got in the way. She was diligent and meticulous, he'd give her that, but winter was always her downfall. Still, Alexei had no intention of excluding her from his personal attendants.
"Make sure she sees a doctor and is properly taken care of," he said.
Sednev understood well that the tsarevich valued Anya's service. Her loyalty had already been tested once, when the Empress herself had questioned her about a certain matter, and Anya had carefully deflected the inquiry for Alexei's sake. That act alone had earned her Alexei's trust.
"Yes, Your Highness," Sednev replied, then gestured toward the food on the table. "Please eat while it's still hot."
As Alexei crossed his legs, he asked, "What happened to the rally today, Sednev?"
Trusting Sednev, and even Nagorny, had always been difficult for him. Both men still reported everything he did to his father and mother. He understood they were only being loyal to their duty and their tsar, but he needed them to realize that his trust had to be earned as well. The challenge lay in finding a way to make that clear without being obvious about it. He didn't want them to change just because he asked them to.
Sednev's expression grew grave at the question. The reports he'd heard from the city were troubling. For a moment, he considered deflecting with a lighter answer, but the tsarevich's steady gaze and slowly narrowing eyes warned him against it. He knew he had no choice but to speak the truth.
Clearing his throat, he said solemnly, "There's been an incident during the protest, Your Highness. The guards stationed at the Winter Palace opened fire on the crowd. I'm not sure how many were injured or killed, but… it's more than two hands could count." He carefully watched Alexei's expression and felt a chill settle over the room. There were moments when Sednev could swear that his tsarevich exuded a palpable aura, its temperature shifting with his mood.
The news sent a sharp ache through Alexei's head. He pressed his fingers to his temples, silently cursing his father's poor handling of the protest. Even with countless advisers and ministers at his disposal, the tsar had still managed to bungle the response. Now, they would all have to tread carefully; Alexei knew that another misstep could spell disaster for the family.
For a long moment, Alexei said nothing. He tapped the armrest of his chair, each rhythmic tap echoing faintly in the silence, deepening the chill that hung in the air. Sednev shivered despite himself. When Alexei finally looked up, his voice broke the heavy stillness.
"Where is my fathe…" He paused, frowning. "What's wrong with you?" He had finally noticed Sednev's trembling.
"Nothing, Your Highness. It just suddenly feels… colder in here," Sednev replied, hastily moving toward the hearth to add more wood to the fire.
It was then that Alexei realized what had happened, he was unconsciously releasing qi from his body. It was a small lapse, one that occurred whenever his focus wavered. The energy gathered around him, forming a faint aura he still couldn't fully control. In time, it will prove useful, but for now, it only reflected his mood and unsettled those nearby.
He sighed and deliberately dispersed the qi surrounding him. "It might've been the weather," he said lightly.
"I think so too, Your Highness," Sednev replied, continuing to feed the fire.
"Where is my father now?" Alexei asked, returning to his earlier question.
"He's still in a meeting, Your Highness. I doubt they'll be finished anytime soon," Sednev answered, straightening after stoking the flames. He cast Alexei a fleeting, uneasy glance before quickly averting his eyes. That feeling again, something about his tsarevich always made the air feel heavier than it should.
"What about my mother?" Alexei said with a faint smile, trying to ease the coldness that still lingered in the air.
"Last I saw, she was with her ladies-in-waiting, doing her best to lift the mood in the palace," Sednev answered as he moved to the table, checking whether the food was still warm.
Great. As if that would solve anything, Alexei thought bitterly. His parents simply weren't suited to rule such a vast empire, they never understood the danger until it was too late.
"And my sisters?" he continued.
"They're in the room down the hall, Your Highness. Likely having their dinner as we speak." Sednev turned toward the door, about to summon the maids to reheat the dishes, but stopped when Alexei rose from his seat.
"Don't bother. I'll eat now," Alexei said, taking his seat at the dining table and beginning to eat right away.
When he finished, he stood and began pacing around the room to ease the heaviness in his stomach. After a few minutes, he went through a short set of light exercises to keep his body sharp. His growth spurt hadn't slowed since he turned eight, and he often wondered how tall he would be once it finally stopped. He only hoped it wouldn't exceed seven feet, being that tall would make it difficult to move unseen or fit into tight spaces.
When he was done, he glanced at Sednev, who had just finished clearing the dishes and was quietly observing him. "I'll wash up first, then visit my sisters' room to read them a story. You can rest afterward."
Sednev gave a respectful nod. "Yes, Your Highness."
Once he had freshened up and changed into a clean shirt and a soft wool robe, Alexei stepped out of his room with Sednev following close behind. Outside, he found Nagorny standing guard by his door.
"Good evening, Nagorny," Alexei greeted with a small nod as he started down the hall toward his sisters' quarters.
"Good evening to you as well, Your Highness," Nagorny replied, bowing his head slightly before falling into step behind his tsarevich.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors as they made their way down the quiet hall. The faint scent of burning wood and lavender soap lingered in the air, mingling with the distant crackle of hearth fires.
When they arrived, Alexei nodded to the guards posted outside his sisters' room before entering. The moment he stepped in, the room greeted him with gentle laughter and the soft rustle of fabrics. His sisters, Olga, Tatiana, and Maria, were already tucked into bed, while their maids busied themselves folding the last of the day's dresses. Little Anastasia was already fast asleep in her crib, her tiny chest rising and falling beneath a quilted blanket.
"Brother!" Olga called out with a bright smile, sitting up eagerly. "You came!"
He smiled faintly. "Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?" He moved to the chair clearly set aside for him between their beds and sat down. "Now, what shall it be tonight? Let me think… hmm." He rubbed his jawline in mock contemplation.
"Princess story!" Tatiana and Maria exclaimed in unison, while Olga rolled her eyes with an indulgent grin.
"Very well," he said, chuckling softly. "But let's make it a little more exciting, how about a warrior princess?"
He adjusted his seat to get comfortable as his sisters eagerly settled into their blankets, eyes wide in anticipation. The maids pretended to busy themselves with quiet chores, though Alexei could tell they were listening. He let them be.
When all was still, he began. "There was once a race of warrior women…" His voice was calm and steady, flowing through the story like a lullaby. Time seemed to stretch and soften as he spoke, the younger girls slowly succumbing to drowsiness, their eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.
By the time he reached the final lines, only Olga remained awake, watching him quietly. The maids slipped out one by one once he finished, leaving only the night attendant who would keep watch over the sleeping girls.
"You should sleep too," he said gently, standing and stretching his arms.
"I know," she murmured, smiling faintly. "Thank you for coming, Brother."
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and smiled. "Always."
With that, he cast one last fond glance at his sleeping sisters before leaving the room. The corridor outside felt colder now, the stillness of night settling deep into the walls.
"You can go rest now, Sednev," Alexei said, noticing his attendant fighting off sleep where he stood. He gave a nod to Nagorny, who he knew would be standing guard over his room tonight.
"Good night, Your Highness," Sednev bowed before patting Nagorny on the shoulder and heading off to his quarters.
Alexei watched Sednev's lonely figure disappear down the corridor before turning back toward his own room. When he arrived, he closed the door quietly behind him and locked it, the soft click echoing faintly in the still air.
He moved to the chair beside the hearth and sank into it, exhaling deeply. For a brief moment, he closed his eyes, allowing the lingering warmth of his sisters' laughter to fade. When he opened them again, the gentle gaze of a loving brother was gone, replaced by an icy, calculating stare. The warmth in his expression had vanished, replaced by a chill so sharp that, if looks could kill, anyone meeting his eyes would be frozen where they stood.
He sat there motionless, watching the flames dance in the hearth. The minutes bled into an hour, the crackling fire was the only sound in the room. When he finally rose, his movements were silent and deliberate. He changed into darker clothes, his hands steady and his expression unreadable.
Once ready, he paused by the door, listening. The hallway beyond was quiet, no footsteps, no whispers. Satisfied, he turned toward the window. With practiced ease, he unlatched it and pushed it open, the cold night air brushing against his masked face.
Without a sound, he slipped through the opening and vanished into the darkness.
—--
Alexei ran as fast as he could through the snowy wilderness, his breath forming misty plumes that vanished into the cold night air. The moon hung low, casting a pale silver light over the endless expanse of snow. He stayed clear of the main road, running parallel to it through the dark rows of birch and pine. The crunch of snow beneath his boots was the only sound accompanying him, steady and rhythmic like a heartbeat.
The biting wind tore at his cloak, but he ignored it. His body moved with practiced precision, each stride long, powerful, and silent despite the terrain. The world around him blurred into shades of white and shadow, the familiar forests of Tsarskoye Selo slipping past as he closed the distance toward the city.
Occasionally, the glow of distant lamplight flickered through the trees, the road, the rare carriage, or a lone patrolman's lantern. Each time, Alexei slowed, crouching low behind the snow-laden branches until the light faded away. He couldn't afford to be seen; not tonight.
His mind was calm despite the freezing air cutting into his lungs. The faint hum of qi within his body kept his blood warm, his muscles light. Every step was a whisper, every breath measured. The thrill of speed and the quiet of the winter night melded into something almost meditative.
As he crested a small rise, the faint golden glow of St. Petersburg shimmered on the horizon, a city of light and unrest waiting beneath the veil of snow and smoke. He paused only for a moment, watching his destination like a hunter eyeing his prey, before dashing forward once more, vanishing into the night's frozen silence.
When he reached the outskirts of the city, Alexei slowed his pace. He brushed the snow from his coat, adjusted his clothes, and began walking toward the city center. He wanted to see what had become of St. Petersburg.
As he passed through the dimly lit streets, he caught snippets of conversation from groups of people huddled together for warmth. He slowed, listening just long enough before moving on. From their words, he gathered that the city had been placed under lockdown, though the restrictions seemed to focus mainly on the central districts and government quarters. The outer neighborhoods remained largely untouched, life continuing as usual under the cold watch of winter.
Still, he knew he had to tread carefully. The deeper he went into the city, the more dangerous it would become, not for him exactly, but he had no desire to get tangled up with the authorities or troublemakers.
For a moment, he considered climbing onto the rooftops to move unseen, but quickly abandoned the idea. The snow-covered tiles were too slick, and a single misstep could alert the patrols.
As he ventured further into the city, the crowds began to thin. Patrolmen, guards, and even soldiers could be seen making their rounds. Yet amidst their presence, small groups of agitators still gathered in defiance, huddled together, shouting slogans into the cold night air. The guards tried their best to disperse them without resorting to violence, but it often ended in chaos. From time to time, sharp cracks of gunfire echoed through the streets.
Alexei kept to the shadows, slipping through alleys and blind spots, his movements silent and deliberate. Whenever he'd seen enough of one area, he'd move on to the next. The farther he went, the worse the situation seemed to grow. Flames flickered against the night sky as houses and buildings burned, people ran in panic, and guards chased them through the smoke-filled streets. The scene reminded him unsettlingly of The Purge: Anarchy from his first life, a city consumed by madness.
Once he had seen enough, Alexei turned toward the slums where his base and his "little organization" were located. He prayed the chaos hadn't reached them. But as he drew nearer, the streets grew eerily quiet. No civilians in sight, only the whisper of wind and snow. Anxiety pushed him to quicken his pace.
When he finally reached the edge of the slums, his tension eased slightly. His new gang members, the Jackals, were out on patrol, their insignias marked clearly on their coats. Some even chatted and laughed with the guards and politsiya. Still, Alexei avoided them for now. He wanted to assess the situation personally without revealing himself.
He moved deeper into the district, circling through narrow alleys and hidden paths. The slum was unnervingly still, but orderly. The Jackals maintained a tight patrol, occasionally shouting at residents to stay indoors. Seeing that level of discipline, Alexei allowed himself a faint smile. It seemed Anna had things under control.
With his observation complete, Alexei decided to head to the base of his new gang, the Jackals. It wasn't far from the house where Anna and his minions stayed. He had arranged things so that his men could respond quickly if anyone tried to attack the newly formed group. They had only begun their training after the New Year, so most of them were still inexperienced when it came to real fighting. Still, they were useful for patrols, maintaining order, and intimidation, tasks they handled well enough.
As he neared the base, Alexei made sure to stay out of sight. This was only a brief inspection, he wanted to see how things were running without alerting anyone. When the building came into view, he paused and observed. The guards stationed outside were vigilant, and he noticed a steady flow of people coming and going, clearly, they were patrolling in shifts.
Curious to see what was happening inside, he searched for a blind spot, climbed the wall quietly, and peered over. Inside, several people were busy cooking soups and porridge, while others sat eating, talking, and laughing. The atmosphere was calm and almost domestic.
Alexei smiled faintly. They weren't yet strong enough to challenge the city's major gangs, but it was a promising start. Satisfied with what he saw, he slipped back down and made his way toward where Anna and his minions were.
When Alexei arrived at the house, he exchanged brief greetings with his men before heading upstairs to find Anna. The wooden steps creaked softly under his boots as he climbed, the faint hum of voices fading behind him. When he reached the upper floor, he saw one of Anna's assistants, Alina, standing guard outside the door.
"Anna inside?" he asked, nodding in greeting.
"Yes, master," Alina replied quickly, her voice a little shaky as Alexei approached. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but he paid it no mind and stepped past her.
He rapped lightly on the door. "It's me. May I come in?"
There was a pause before a tired voice replied, "Yes, come in."
Alexei opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, a small oil lamp casting a warm glow over stacks of papers and ledgers piled on the desk. Anna sat there, leaning slightly forward, her hair a little disheveled and her eyes weary.
Alexei gestured to the mess of papers. "Someone's busy, I see."
She exhaled softly, gathering the scattered documents into a rough pile. "What do you think? Half the district's on edge, and I'm the one trying to hold it together."
He moved closer, pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. "You're doing fine, Anna. The slums are calm compared to the rest of the city. I've seen what's happening out there, it's chaos."
"That's only because we acted fast," she said, rubbing her temples. "I had the Jackals double their patrols after sunset. I mean, it was still manageable during the day but after they heard about the chaos and the lockdown, they panicked. Everything's under control now though."
Alexei leaned back, studying her. "You've learned quickly. You handle this place better than most officers in the capital."
A faint smirk tugged at her lips. "Coming from you, I'll take that as high praise."
"It is," he said. His tone softened slightly. "But don't burn yourself out. You need rest as much as the men."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about rest?"
He chuckled quietly. "Since I started realizing exhaustion makes people stupid. And we can't afford stupid right now."
Anna gave a small laugh and leaned back in her chair, the wood creaking beneath her weight. "Maybe you're right," she admitted, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Just… a little longer. I still need to finish the reports from tonight's patrols."
"Then I'll stay until you're done," Alexei said, glancing toward the frost-lined window. "Who do you pass your orders to, by the way?"
"I had your minions pass them along," she replied, not looking up as her pen continued scratching across the paper. "Don't worry, I won't show myself, even with a mask on."
"Good," Alexei murmured, nodding approvingly. "What about Nikolai? Is he handling his newfound power well?" He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. Nikolai had been his appointed leader for his gang, as he really couldn't manage it everyday.
Anna's lips curved slightly, her eyes flicking toward him. "You saw the area before coming here, didn't you? What do you think?"
"He's doing well," Alexei said after a moment's pause, shifting to a more comfortable position in his chair.
"There you go." Anna smiled faintly, setting her pen down and stretching her stiff fingers. "Didn't think he'd be good at it, but I'll take the pleasant surprise."
Alexei's mouth twitched into a grin. "So I worried for nothing. Anything I should know about?"
"Here." Anna slid a few crumpled pamphlets across the desk toward him. "They've started recruiting people to join them in the chaos."
He clicked his tongue softly as he unfolded the papers. "Tsk, tsk… propaganda and promises." His brows furrowed as he skimmed through the content. "Did anyone bite?"
"Some," Anna admitted with a sigh. "But we already moved the families of those who joined them, just like you ordered. The others started saying you're harsh and… pro-government." She looked at his eyes carefully, gauging his reaction through his mask.
Alexei snorted and tossed the pamphlets back onto the desk. "Doesn't matter. Did you spread the message I told you to?"
"Yes," Anna replied, smirking. "Chaos is bad for business, and stability is the future, right?" she recited playfully, a hint of amusement lighting her tired face.
"That's right," Alexei said, smirking in return. "What? You think it's cringe or something?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Nope. Actually, I think it's good. A bit dramatic, maybe, but good."
Her smile faded slightly as she leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Oh, and some people are still lurking around the area, asking questions about you, who took control of the slums. What do you think they're after? The gold? Or the territory?"
Alexei's expression hardened. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before answering. "Let's assume both. Either way, tell the men to be careful. And you, don't show your face to the gang, no matter what. Stick to your role as the mother of these children."
Anna blinked and pointed at herself incredulously. "What mother? They're calling me 'sister,' sister!" she said, stressing the word with exaggerated annoyance.
"Right, right, my mistake," Alexei said quickly, raising both hands in mock surrender. A faint grin tugged at his lips behind the mask as he stood. "It seems I worried for nothing. You did well, Anna. Tell Nikolai he's doing fine too."
Anna rose from her seat, stretching her back before crossing her arms. "Okay. You're heading out already?"
"Yes," he said, pulling on his coat. "I'll visit more often from now on, in case something happens. Don't forget, if things go bad, run straight to the hideout." He paused, glancing toward the window. "And another thing. Let's buy the houses surrounding this one and connect them. Extend the walls. This place will be our base, and I want it big enough before our 'family' gets too big."
Anna groaned softly, rubbing her temples. "You know I can't do all that at once, right?"
"I know," Alexei said with a small smile. "Just handle what you can for now. Do the rest later."
She exhaled, finally nodding. "Alright."
He gave one last look out the window, where snowflakes drifted lazily against the glass. "Good. Then I'll go now."
Anna watched him walk to the door, her expression softening. "Be careful out there, Alexei," she said quietly.
He paused, turning just enough to meet her gaze. "Always."
With that, he left.
As soon as Alexei stepped out into the cold night, the chill bit through his coat like needles of ice. The snow had thickened since he arrived, flakes drifted lazily under the faint glow of the gas lamps, settling on his hair and shoulders. He pulled his collar up, took one last look at the house, and then sprinted into the dark.
His boots left shallow prints in the snow as he moved swiftly through the narrow alleys, taking the same route he used to arrive. The slums stretched quietly behind him, dim and calm, a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed the rest of the city. He couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at his lips.
They did well, he thought, his breath steady despite the cold. Anna… Nikolai… everyone. The streets there had been orderly, and the people safe. Even the guards had seemed to respect the peace within the slums. It was more than he expected. More than he hoped for.
For once, he didn't have to fix anything. He didn't have to give another order for them what to do. They'd handled it on their own.
Pride swelled quietly in his chest, mingling with a sense of relief. For all the chaos consuming the empire, his little corner of it had held steady. It gave him hope that perhaps, one day, it could be more than that.