When the October Manifesto was signed and proclaimed, the strikes in Saint Petersburg officially came to an end. Although some still wanted the unrest to continue and bring further chaos to the city, they could not press on, as the majority of its people were satisfied with the outcome, especially the Russian liberals. The same could not be said for other cities, however. Radical socialists and revolutionaries, who had strong bases elsewhere, denounced the October Manifesto and called for an armed uprising to overthrow the tsarist government. Alexei shook his head as he heard the news. Even with the major concessions his father had made, Nicholas II still could not please everyone.
Perhaps his father had been waiting for this moment, or perhaps he was simply venting his frustration toward his rebellious people. The crackdown and suppression resumed with renewed and brutal vigor against the unrest spreading in other cities. Factory workers, farmers, and mutinous soldiers organized strikes and uprisings, but they were swiftly and ruthlessly crushed by the military after fierce fighting. When the Trans-Baikal Railway fell into the hands of the strikers and mutinous soldiers returning from Manchuria after the Russo-Japanese War, his father did not hesitate to act. He dispatched loyal troops along the Trans-Siberian Railway and ordered them to bombard the rebels. The result was heavy casualties among the opposition and the restoration of order along the railway line.
Even after the brutal crackdowns and suppression of both major and minor uprisings throughout the empire, the unrest did not truly end. People still held demonstrations from time to time, unwilling to let their grievances fade. This was the first major upheaval the empire had faced since Alexei was reborn in this timeline. The worst part is he couldn't do anything about it and could only prepare for the worst outcome in case his family was overthrown.
The establishment of the Duma was met with passion and ambition among the people. It was heralded as the dawn of a new era, a promise of reform and a genuine representation of the people's voice in the government. Many saw it as a symbol that Imperial Russia was finally taking its first steps toward progress.
But even before the State Duma held its first session, cracks had already begun to form. Many of its promised powers faced resistance from the tsarist government. Alexei did not know how his father managed it, but when the Duma finally convened, it found itself trapped and deprived of the authority it had been promised. According to the revised Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire, the Tsar still retained supreme power, including the right to appoint or dismiss ministers and the power of veto. The State Duma quickly discovered that it could accomplish little without violating these revised laws. Defeated and frustrated, many of its elected officials resigned within just a few days of the first session.
Elected officials tried to rally support from the populace to rise again, but they found themselves without a base, thanks to the government's relentless suppression and crackdowns. When the State Duma's members turned to their affluent backers for help, they discovered that they had been abandoned. The Duma's wealthy supporters, liberal nobles, landowners, and certain government officials, quickly withdrew their backing when they realized that the Duma intended to pass laws that ran counter to their interests and, in some cases, directly harmed them. With their support cut off from the ground up, the Duma stood isolated and powerless.
Alexei couldn't help but feel a trace of amusement at these sudden turns of events. It reminded him of a series he had watched and read in his first life, the Game of Thrones. Backstabbing, treachery and intrigue, it seemed, were just as rampant in this era as in that fictional world.
Another one in his writing lists. He noted at some point.
His father did not let the opportunity pass him by and swiftly dealt a fatal blow to the State Duma by dissolving it. The Duma never even had the chance to prove itself before being suppressed by both the tsarist government and its former supporters. Alexei had to admire his father's decisiveness and cunning, though he was certain it was the advisors and ministers who had orchestrated much of the work behind the scenes.
—--
August 1906
It had been four months since Alexei left the capital to visit the military camps surrounding it. His mother approved of his visits to the nearby camps but forbade him from traveling to those farther away. She understood that, as Tsarevich, her son needed to build his image and establish a rapport with the soldiers, especially the officers, yet she could not bear the thought of him being too far from her.
Alexei had grown increasingly irritated by his mother's constant monitoring and controlling nature. At first, he had understood it as an expression of her love and concern, but he soon realized it was simply too much. Perhaps his mother, Alexandra, had grown accustomed to having influence over his father, Nicholas, who often yielded to her wishes, and now she wanted to exert that same control over him.
But not this time. Alexei had resolved that no one would control him in this life. Freedom was what he sought above all else, and not even his mother could take it from him. He knew, however, that the day would come when he would have to defy her wishes, and he could only hope that doing so would not irreparably damage their bond as mother and son.
He looked ahead at the procession as they made their way back to Saint Petersburg. His father had assigned him a company of 250 soldiers for his first journey alone. What should have been a three-day trip on horseback had stretched much longer because of the baggage, supplies, and provisions they brought with them.
They hadn't taken the train this time because someone had sabotaged the tracks leading to the capital. Repairs would take at least a month, and they couldn't wait that long, or rather, he couldn't. The captain suggested taking another train route that circled around and would take nearly two weeks, but Alexei wanted nothing to do with that. He insisted on traveling on horseback instead.
Luckily, the captain and Nagorny, who was in charge of his safety, didn't push back too hard and eventually agreed. Later, Alexei found out that they had secretly contacted his father for permission, and only after the military regiments around the area guaranteed his safety did they receive it. He shook his head at that. He couldn't even decide his own itinerary.
Noticing that they still haven't moved he finally asked, "What happened?"
"I'll check up front, Your Highness." Sednev didn't wait for Alexei's reply and urged his horse forward, while Nagorny stayed close beside him. A squad of soldiers, personally assigned by his father as his personal guards, followed Nagorny's gestures and soon he was surrounded.
"Tsk." Alexei couldn't help but feel annoyed by how overprotective they were, but he let it slide. He knew Nagorny wouldn't listen to him when it came to his safety anyway.
The worst part of this journey was having to deal with the sons of nobles and prominent figures in the empire who joined him under the excuse of gaining experience. When they heard that the Tsarevich would be touring the military camps around Saint Petersburg, they wasted no time using their family connections and favors just to get their sons included, hoping they would gain favor with him. Alexei wasn't sure how his mother chose who could come, but there were far too many for his liking.
When the trip began, more than thirty young heirs and noble sons accompanied him. Now, only about twenty remained. The others had given up, unable to handle the long travel and the lack of excitement along the way. Still, Alexei had to give some credit to those who stayed, the fact that they endured this far said something about their character, even if it was only on the surface.
He couldn't afford to act snobbish or distant toward them. If they had questions, he answered them, if they invited him to join their games and he found them interesting, he joined in. He understood that the purpose of this trip was to build a strong impression among the soldiers and to thank them for their service during these troubled times. Without their loyalty, he knew his family might not have survived this long. So, he decided to extend that same purpose to these noble sons and heirs, to make connections that might one day prove just as important.
It didn't take long for Sednev to come back and based on his expression, he was sure it would be another delay.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. We'll have to camp here for the night. There's been a landslide not far from here that blocked the road ahead. The captain said we can't take another route since he's unsure about its safety. But he promised we'll be able to continue our journey before midday tomorrow," Sednev reported.
He just nodded. Already expecting it. The noble sons and heirs who accompanied him, however, couldn't help but complain about another delay. They were subtle about it but with his sharp hearing, he heard them clearly. He was already accustomed to their day to day grumbling so he acted like he didn't hear anything and said to Sednev.
"Start setting up my tent. I want to rest."
"Yes, Your Highness," Sednev replied, then began barking orders to the servants.
Alexei guided his horse towards the shade of a big tree, dropped down from his horse and undid his hat. The heat of the sun was at its peak of the day but it was bearable. He gently rubbed the horse's neck a few times before handing the reins towards the servant who followed him.
"Give him some water."
"Yes. Your highness." The servant bowed then guided the horse away.
The soldiers began clearing space for the camp. Alexei watched as they measured the distance between each tent, making sure everything was set up neatly and in parallel rows. He remembered their first camp earlier in the journey back, they had looked more like a fairground from his first life, with tents scattered everywhere and no clear sense of order. You wouldn't even know where the exit was.
Sure, the soldiers were disciplined during formation and marching, but when it came to setting up camp, they simply did whatever felt convenient for them. Alexei wouldn't allow that however. They were on duty and responsible for his safety, there was no room for disorder and chaos if an attack happened. So he confronted the captain about it and made sure he understood the importance of an organized camp. Fortunately, the captain didn't make things difficult and began following his instructions without protest.
The captain, Kirill Vokov, did everything he could to impress Alexei. The marching discipline was top notch and the formation of soldiers when it was call time was fast enough for Alexei's taste. But when it comes to setting up camps, he'd give him a C if this was an evaluation. What's good for him though was that he adapted quickly when he was corrected.
He noticed a few nobles walking toward him and couldn't help but sigh. What do they want now?
When they were close enough, they stopped and gave a slight bow.
"Your Highness, since there's still time before nightfall, how about we go on a hunt? This forest is a bit sparser than others, but it still has plenty of game," said Aleksandr Ivanov, who was leading the group.
His father, Count Ivanov, was a wealthy man with many connections, so it wasn't hard to understand how his son had managed to be included in Alexei's entourage.
Alexei thought for a moment before replying, "Sure. Come find me once you've finished preparing."
"Excellent. Then, excuse us, Your Highness." Aleksandr bowed again before turning and leaving with his followers.
Alexei frowned slightly as he watched them walk away. He didn't particularly like this Aleksandr. The young man was the very definition of a bully and a schemer. The only difference now was that Aleksandr hid it well, using his lackeys to do the dirty work for him. Alexei wasn't entirely sure, but he suspected that three nobles of lower status had already become their targets of bullying since the journey started.
Still, Alexei decided to let it be. He wasn't interested in playing the hero unless it benefited him. Even so, he kept his eyes open, just in case something interesting happened.
He took his eyes away from the departing nobles as he noticed Nagorny approached him from the side.
"I don't think it is wise to stay away from the camp, your highness. Our situation bothers me. First the train tracks that would supposedly take you back to the capital got damaged. Now, a landslide during summer? Only a fool would believe that's normal." Nagorny said heavily.
Alexei noted the informal tone Nagorny uses in their conversation in the past weeks. That means he was relaxing his always formal way of conversation with him. He was glad that their bond during these past months got them closer. From teaching him how to ride a horse to teaching him how to fire a rifle and revolvers.
Of course, the teaching didn't really result in anything as he was just acting. The act of not knowing something even though in truth he is already a master of it didn't affect him now, in fact he got used to it. Ten years of acting like a child got him quite good at it.
If this were a century later, he thought wryly, I'd probably win an Oscar for it.
Still, he needed Nagorny and Sednev on his side sooner if he wanted someone to cover for him if he was caught. Especially now that he had a conquest to do after returning.
He nodded toward Nagorny then gestured towards the soldiers doing the work. "The captain already noticed the situation. Look, only half of the soldiers are doing the work while the others remain on high alert. I'm sure the captain will visit us later to tell us what he found out. Relax, Nagorny, I don't mind a firefight if it comes to that. You know what I'm capable of."
Nagorny shook his head slightly. "There's a difference between practice and a real battle, Your Highness. The hunts you've done these past few months don't even come close. Please don't take this lightly. Your safety is my utmost priority."
Alexei frowned a little but eventually sighed and nodded. "Fine. Let's wait for the captain's report before deciding whether to call off the hunt."
Nagorny seemed satisfied with that. He bowed, then returned to his squad of guards, reminding them to stay alert.
Alexei watched quietly, then sat down and leaned against the tree behind him. He wasn't afraid of a battle, if anything, he longed for one. The monotonous journey he spent in the past months made him a little bit restless. Even the morning exercises he did every morning couldn't cover for it. He desperately hoped that if someone planned to attack, they would do it sooner. That's when the adrenaline rush he almost forgot the feeling would wash his body.
As for the brats who accompanied him. Well, they made their bed with him the moment their parents sent them to him. They knew that the monarchy was in hot waters right now but still sent their precious children with him. He could only shake his head internally at that.
He eventually grew bored of watching the soldiers and the bustle around him, so he decided to continue working on the draft of his new novel. He called over the servant who had been hovering nearby and asked for his writing materials. Once everything was handed to him, he began to write.
Alexei soon lost all sense of time, completely absorbed in his work, and only snapped out of it when Sednev returned with a report.
"Your tent is ready, Your Highness. It's quite hot at the moment, so we set it up beneath the biggest tree we could find."
Alexei paused, gently gathered and organized his papers, then stood up. "Let's go."
Sednev led the way toward the tent, with Nagorny and Alexei's personal guards following close behind. When they arrived, Alexei asked, "What about the captain? Is he still occupied?"
"I checked earlier, he should be here to report to you any minute now. He was organizing the soldiers to clear a path so the carriages can pass through," Sednev replied as he opened the tent curtains and gestured for Alexei to enter.
Alexei nodded and stepped inside. The tent lacked some of the comforts appropriate for someone of his status, but he didn't mind. He placed his papers on the small desk and arranged them neatly before sitting down.
He undid a few buttons at the collar of his shirt and exhaled. "I'm going to change into something lighter. Prepare it for me," he said, and Sednev silently set to work. In no time, everything was ready.
After Alexei finished changing, the captain arrived and requested an audience. Alexei gave permission, and the captain entered after being checked by Nagorny.
"Good afternoon, your highness. Sorry it took me a while to report. I was checking on the soldiers' progress to make sure we can continue our journey tomorrow," the captain said with a bow.
Alexei nodded and gestured toward a chair. "No problem. Please, sit."
"Thank you, your highness." The captain sat down and began his report. "The landslide wasn't natural. It looks like someone planned it to slow us down or trap us here. I also received a message from the 21st Regiment of the infantry division stationed nearby, they reported sightings of possible bandits in the area, but nothing too serious. They're still scouting the surroundings right now as we speak."
He paused to take a sip of wine Sednev handed him, then continued, "There's no real danger at the moment. If anything happens, the 21st Regiment can reinforce us quickly. The 22nd Regiment also sent a battalion to follow behind us until we reach the capital."
The captain frowned slightly. "What's troubling is that someone clearly intended to attack us here, but abandoned the idea once they realized both regiments were close by. You don't need to worry about your safety, your highness. We're safe to camp here tonight and continue on tomorrow." He nodded toward Nagorny and Sednev as he finished.
Alexei furrowed his brows. For a moment, he felt a flicker of disappointment at the captain's report, but he quickly took a deep breath and pushed the feeling down. To everyone else, it probably looked like he was relieved that they had avoided danger. He didn't care what they thought though. He looked at the captain and asked, "The nobles want to go hunting around here. What do you think?"
"They already approached me for permission, your highness," the captain replied. "I wasn't going to agree at first, but after receiving the reports from the regiments, I eventually allowed it. I've already sent men to scout the forest, and the nobles can go once they return. Are you planning to join them, your highness?"
Alexei nodded. "Yes." Then he glanced at Nagorny with a slight smirk. "Looks like the hunt will continue."
Nagorny only nodded, his brows drawn tight.
"Is that all, captain?" Alexei asked, hinting that the meeting was over.
"Yes, your highness. I'll take my leave then. I need to arrange additional security for your hunting party." He stood up, and after Alexei thanked him, he bowed and left the tent.
When he heard the sound of the captain's horse fading into the distance, Alexei stood up and told Sednev to prepare his hunting gear.
Nagorny excused himself as well, heading out to ready the guards. He planned to bring all of them along and leave only the servants behind, he wasn't taking any chances.
Once everything was in order, Alexei went back to writing, continuing his draft while waiting for the hunt to begin. When he finally finished, he wrote the title on the first page of the stack of papers. The adventure of Tarzan.
Just then, the tent flaps opened and Sednev stepped inside. "Excuse me, your highness. The hunt is about to start. The nobles are already waiting for you at the edge of the forest."
Alexei didn't respond immediately, he carefully arranged the stack of papers first. Only when he was done did he say, "Alright. Let's go." He stood up, walked over to where his hunting rifle hung, and picked it up. After slinging it over his shoulder, he stepped outside, with Sednev following closely behind.
—--
They had been walking for over an hour, yet they still hadn't found a single animal. Even the trackers they brought along couldn't find any fresh traces. The scouts the captain sent ahead had likely scared off most of the wildlife. Still, the group continued deeper into the forest. The nobles didn't seem to mind the lack of game, they treated the hunting more like a chance to hike, chat, and gossip while their attendants trailed behind them.
Another hour passed before the trackers finally found signs of animals. They followed the tracks, and soon enough, they spotted the source, a lone hare quietly nibbling on leaves not far ahead. The trackers signaled for everyone to stop, and the group froze in place.
Alexei glanced back at the nobles, silently asking who wanted the first shot. As usual, they all gestured for him to go ahead. Even Aleksandr, standing among his usual circle of lackeys, gave him a nod and a smile. Alexei didn't like that smile though, it looked more like a challenge. Aleksandr had been hoping to see him miss ever since their first hunting trip. He knew that much from his facial expressions which he couldn't hide from him. He didn't get his wish then, and he certainly wouldn't now.
Alexei raised his rifle, lining up the sight with his eyes and steadying his breath. He waited patiently for the perfect moment. When the hare fully exposed itself, head and all, he pulled the trigger. Crack. The hare dropped instantly, without even a twitch.
For a moment, no one said anything. Then slowly, applause broke out, one noble after another joining in.
"As expected of the tsarevich! A clean shot," Aleksandr called out, leading the clapping.
Alexei's lips twitched, then turned around, simply nodded toward them and walked toward the fallen hare. He crouched beside it, checking to see whether he had hit where he intended. The hollowed eye and the exposed area behind it confirmed the shot. He smiled. His aim was clearly improving.
Soon, the nobles dispersed with their attendants and personal trackers in tow, each clearly determined to bring home a trophy this time. Alexei followed his own trackers at a leisurely pace, with Nagorny and Sednev close behind. This might be the last time for a while that he would be able to go hunting, and he wanted to make the most of it.
Though by the end of it, he only managed to find two game, another hare and a boar. All dead with a single shot. By now Nagorny and Sednev were used to it. They were shocked at first the first time he hit the targets cleanly but eventually got used to it. They were already used to the many skills by their tsarevich. Heck, they were exposed everyday to the peculiarities of his morning exercises and then some.
Alexei was about to turn around as the servant finished packing up his game when he noticed something moving about 250 yards ahead. He stopped.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Nagorny, who always kept his eyes on Alexei, immediately noticed his hesitation. He followed the boy's line of sight and tensed. He couldn't see anything, but he knew Alexei had sharp eyes. If the tsarevich stopped, there had to be a reason.
Alexei remained silent for a moment. After he confirmed it wasn't a person and that nothing seemed amiss in their surroundings, he finally spoke. "Follow me."
Nagorny knew there was no persuading him to turn back, not when the tsarevich's curiosity had been piqued. But he also wouldn't allow Alexei to take the lead. He stepped in front of him. "Let us go first, Your Highness. Please just follow behind. Which direction?"
"That way." Alexei pointed toward the spot where he had seen the movement, even now, he could catch a flicker of motion from time to time.
Nagorny turned to Sednev. "Stay close to the tsarevich."
Sednev nodded and readied his rifle.
Nagorny signaled to the guards, and they began to advance slowly.
The slow advance felt like an eternity to Alexei. After what seemed like an hour, they reached the area where he had seen the movement. There, they found a wolf and two little pups wandering around their mother's motionless body. Even then, they didn't move any closer right away, choosing instead to look carefully around the area. Alexei did the same, checking every possible hiding spot behind the bushes and trees. He refused to lower his guard, even though he didn't sense any danger. Once he was sure no one was hiding or waiting to ambush them, he relaxed slightly. Nagorny glanced at him, and Alexei nodded, letting him know it was safe.
Nagorny turned and signaled to the guards to look around the rest of the area, just to be sure. Then he stepped toward the wolf to examine it. He picked up a stick nearby and gently poked the wolf to check if it was truly dead. When it didn't move at all, even after several pokes, he eased up. He looked back at Alexei and said, "It's dead."
Alexei smiled. "Obviously." After a moment, he added, "What do you think happened?"
Nagorny shrugged. "I don't know. I'll check the body. Come on, Sednev. Take these two first."
He crouched down and picked up the black and white wolf pups, handing them to Sednev. The pups squirmed at first but eventually settled once Sednev held them comfortably.
Nagorny then examined the wolf's body with the help of the guards. They gently turned it over to look for any wounds. After checking thoroughly, Nagorny reported, "There's a gunshot wound on its shoulder. I didn't see any other injuries. It must have been shot and then ran here. The wound isn't fresh, so I think it was shot yesterday and managed to survive long enough to give birth to these pups." He nodded toward the pups, now fast asleep in Sednev's arms.
Alexei looked at the dead wolf for a moment, then said, "Let's go. The others should be heading back by now."
"What about these pups?" Sednev asked, gently rocking them in his arms as if he were soothing a baby.
Alexei's lips twitched before he answered, "We'll take them back for now."
Sednev smiled, while Nagorny remained silent at that and instructed the guards to prepare for the return.
They hadn't gone far when a group of soldiers, sent by the lieutenant in charge of the hunting party's security, found them. The soldiers reported that the others had already been sent back and that Alexei's group was the only one remaining.
Nagorny told them they were already returning, and the soldiers let out a sigh of relief. They had no authority to order nobles around, but if anything happened to them, the blame always fell on the soldiers. Knowing the last group was finally heading back, especially the most important group of the bunch, was a great relief for them.
When they stepped out of the forest. It was already bustling with activity as the soldiers prepared for their dinner and with a lot of game hunted by the nobles and the soldiers as they did their own hunting activity. It was quite a site. Even so, Alexei checked if the security was still tight and was satisfied that it still was.
He was about to head to his tent when a young noble heir approached with his attendant. They didn't get close as Nagorny stopped them about ten steps away. When he asked what they wanted, the noble heir answered, though he spoke with a slight stutter.
"I… I would like to request an audience with His Highness."
Nagorny didn't answer and instead looked at Alexei, waiting for his answer.
Alexei frowned. He recognized the boy as someone who was often bullied by Aleksandr and the others. Since it was still early, he decided to grant the request. "Let them follow us to the tent," he said.
With that, he walked off, followed by Sednev, Nagorny, and the guards. The noble heir hesitated for a moment, then eventually followed.
Alexei sat in his comfortable chair as soon as he entered his tent. He immediately unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his shirt and took off his shoes. Once he was done, he let himself relax. The hunting itself hadn't been tiring, but constantly showing his best side and appearing honorable in front of everyone certainly was.
He glanced at Sednev, who had followed him inside without the wolf pups. "Where are they?"
"I gave them to the handler of the hunting dogs, Your Highness. They have more experience than me," Sednev replied. He then took a pair of sandals from the rack, knelt on one knee in front of Alexei, and put them on for him. "You still have guests waiting outside, Your Highness. You can't receive them without something on your feet."
Alexei didn't respond to that, and once he saw Sednev finished fastening the sandals, he said, "Well, bring that man in. Let's hear what he has to say."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Sednev replied and left.
Soon after, he returned with the noble heir and his attendant in tow.
—----
Vasily Kurakin had never stood in front of a royal before. Even when his father sent him on this expedition with the tsarevich, he always kept his distance and only greeted Alexei from afar along with the others. He simply couldn't handle the pressure and anxiety of being around people above his rank, and the bullying he had suffered since he was younger from the other noble sons had only made his fear worse.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried to remain invisible in the group his father had forced him into, someone still took notice of him, not the tsarevich, whom he avoided carefully, but one of the noble heirs already known for constantly bullying others.
He had no choice but to put up with it. The past month had been a constant struggle of torment and pressure, but he survived. Each time he reminded himself that he would be going home soon, he felt a wave of relief and comfort. Still, he had a mission he needed to complete, the reason his father had spent so much money and called in so many favors just to place him near the tsarevich. He had been avoiding it for months, but now he had no choice but to face his fears and carry it out. Otherwise, his father would have his hide. He knew exactly how important this matter was to his family.
The moment he saw the tsarevich seated, he froze for a second before forcing himself to take a step forward. When they finally stopped in front of Alexei, he glanced at his attendant for support. After seeing him nod, Vasily took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "Good afternoon, Your Highness. My… My name is Vasily Kurakin, second son of Baron Fyodor Kurakin."
He forced himself to look at the tsarevich after that, surprisingly, he held the gaze on. Even though the tsarevich didn't reply immediately and only looked at him without much emotion. He couldn't even tell if he was being judged, dismissed or if the tsarevich was merely lost in thought.
After he felt that he couldn't hold the gaze any longer and was about to panic. The tsarevich spoke.
"Sit."
The word carried the weight of a command, though it was delivered without force.
"Thank you, Your Highness," he said, before taking the seat opposite the tsarevich.
Alexei did not think much of the boy seated before him. He only wished to finish the day so he could rest, or perhaps check on a few other matters as well.
Seeing that the boy remained silent even after sitting, Alexei said, "Night will fall soon, Vasily. Please speak. What is it that you want?"
"Cough… cough…"
Vasily was about to speak when he suddenly choked on his own saliva due to nervousness. He coughed several times before a servant offered him a glass of water, while his attendant gently patted his back. The water helped him recover, and he quickly tried to salvage the moment.
"I… I'm sorry, Your Highness. I'm… just a little nervous," he admitted. His mind was too clouded with anxiety to come up with any other excuse.
Alexei simply nodded, not bothering with the little mishap and waited for him to explain the reason he had requested an audience. If this was a plea for protection from Aleksandr, he would dismiss him immediately, he had no patience for petty disputes.
After nearly a minute, Vasily finally gathered his courage and spoke. "I came because my father instructed me to deliver something to you, Your Highness." He gestured to his attendant, who handed the documents he carried to Sednev. Sednev examined them briefly before passing them to Alexei.
When Alexei only glanced at the front page without turning to the next, Vasily hurried to add, "That's… uhm… my father said he wished to request a meeting with you, Your Highness, but he was unable to do so. So he asked me to personally deliver that document."
"Hmm… Anything else?" Alexei asked, still not flipping the pages. He would review the contents when he had the time.
Vasily nodded at once. "My father also said he can explain everything clearly in person if given the chance. You may summon him whenever it is convenient for you, Your Highness. Our address is included in the document."
He let out a long breath then, releasing the tension that had been coiled inside him. The task his father entrusted to him was finally complete. He could finally sleep peacefully. He even allowed himself a small smile.
"Very well. If that is all, Sednev will show you out. I still have matters to attend to," Alexei said, rising from his seat.
"Of course, Your Highness. Thank you for your time." Vasily bowed and left with his attendant. Once outside, he couldn't help but glance back. The meeting had been surprisingly simple and quick. He had stumbled at the start, but the tsarevich had not seemed bothered by his nervousness, unlike others who would have mocked or scolded him for it.
He turned to Sednev, who had guided them out. "Thank you for showing us the way. We'll be leaving now." After receiving a polite nod, he departed with his attendant.
Alexei set the document down beside his drafts just as Sednev returned. "What do you think?" he asked.
Sednev understood what the tsarevich meant and replied, "Some people already know that you are the author behind the novels currently making waves throughout the empire, Your Highness. It was only a matter of time. Especially now that you plan to translate them into other languages and need someone familiar with trade overseas. From what I've heard, Baron Fyodor Kurakin has business dealings with the United States. They mostly trade agricultural goods, but they have also exported literature before."
"Hmmm…" Alexei nodded thoughtfully.
Seeing that he had his tsarevich's attention, Sednev continued, "Ï think they also know that they couldn't deal with Pavel Yurovsky, your personal publisher, as everything related to the company has to go through you. There is not really a secret in the palace, your highness. As long as it's not confidential like those in the military. Nobles and aristocrats could figure out what's what after some careful digging."
Alexei couldn't help but look at his attendant. Sednev didn't look like much but he's observant to everyone around him.
"That's a very detailed analysis coming from you, Sednev. I didn't think you could come up with that." Alexei praised him with a smile.
Sednev on the other hand just smiled in return before saying. "That's what I observe working in the palace these past years, your highness. You would be surprised to know that the servants know more about palace gossip than the nobles living in it. It's just a question if they could keep their mouths shut or not."
Alexei nodded. "You're right. Do you think Mother was the one preventing anyone from meeting with me?" He couldn't help asking. Sending their own son just to deliver documents, people truly went far when they smelled profit. He was surprised his novels had become popular. The marketing he did through the newspapers with the help of Pavel certainly helped and since he deliberately shaped them to suit the Russian tastes, the people quickly accepted them. But overseas was different, and that uncertainty was the reason he had held back on foreign releases.
"I believe so, Your Highness. Anything concerning you must pass through Her Imperial Highness," Sednev replied respectfully.
"Tsk." Alexei couldn't help but click his tongue at that. Everything he did was being watched and controlled. Fortunately, he managed to push through the publishing house. It's a first and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.
Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Sednev, do you know why my uncle left before I finished the tour?"
"I'm not sure if I should tell you, Your Highness," Sednev replied hesitantly, avoiding Alexei's gaze.
"Just tell me about it already. I will find out sooner or later since we're already going back to the capital anyway," Alexei said impatiently. Sednev still tended to hide things from him if he thought they were inappropriate, which Alexei found irritating.
After a brief hesitation, Sednev sighed quietly. "It's a scandal, Your Highness. It is said that your uncle is involved with a married woman. He returned quickly to handle the matter."
"Hmmm…" Alexei accepted the news calmly at first, then couldn't help but chuckle. "Hehe…"
"Hmm? What is it, Your Highness?" Sednev asked.
"Nothing," Alexei said, shaking his head. He could already picture the scolding his uncle would receive from both his grandmother and father.
"Anyway, bring my dinner when it's ready. I want to rest for now." Alexei removed his sandals and flopped onto the bed.
Seeing this, Sednev bowed. "As you wish, Your Highness." Then he left.
—--
They arrived in Saint Petersburg three days after the minor delay. The journey had been tiresome, yet fortunately free from any serious danger. Without wasting time, the entourage proceeded to their final stop, the Page Corps, an elite military academy of the Russian Empire, reserved exclusively for the sons of nobles and individuals of exceptional standing. The institution, housed within the venerable Vorontsov Palace, stood as a testament to the discipline and prestige expected of those destined for high service.
Alexei stepped down from his horse with practiced grace, dressed in the military uniform Sednev had prepared for him beforehand. He needed to play the part befitting his station. He stood upright and waited for his entrance to begin with the nobles behind him doing the same. He saw the cadets and officers already lined up to receive him. He could've ridden on top of his horse while making his entrance according to Sednev but he refused it right away. He needed to show them a respectful behaviour, not too much, but enough to convey the message that he respected them. Especially now that his father and his family needed their support.
When the commandant approached and saluted, Alexei returned the gesture with equal precision.
"Your Highness," the commandant began, bowing slightly. "We are honored by your visit. The Corps stands ready for inspection."
Alexei nodded. "Let us begin, then."
The commandant signalled and the military band struck their drums. They moved along the rows slowly, Alexei examining every detail of their posture, equipment and discipline. A few cadets stiffened at his gaze, others held unwavering, determined expressions. Though tired from the journey, he carried himself with the quiet authority expected of a future emperor.
Inside the palace, he was shown the training halls, the classrooms and the sparsely furnished dormitories maintained with near-military precision. The instructors explained their curriculum, tactics, languages, history, and the arts of command. Alexei listened, offering a nod here and a brief question there.
By the time the tour concluded, afternoon had settled in. At last, it was time to leave. Alexei thanked the officers for their dedication and offered a few words of encouragement to the cadets before departing.
Once they passed through the gates of Vorontsov Palace, Alexei asked, "To Tsarskoye Selo?"
"To the Winter Palace, Your Highness," Sednev replied. "Your family moved back a week ago. One of the palace officers came earlier to confirm it."
"Oh." Alexei smiled a little at that. He wouldn't have to travel far if he visited the slums in a few days after settling in.
Alexei glanced at the nobles behind him, offering his thanks for their company over the past few months. He then told them they were free to depart if they wished. The moment his permission was given, they smiled, bowed, and left without delay.
The ride back was peaceful, thankfully. Upon arriving at the palace, he was warmly greeted by his father, mother, and sisters. He embraced them one by one, his sisters most eagerly, as they immediately demanded he read them stories later. Alexei could only nod in resigned fondness before urging them inside, but his mother suddenly paused.
"What is that?" she asked, her gaze fixed behind him.
Alexei followed her line of sight and smiled playfully. "Dog pups, Mother."
"Oh," his mother murmured, clearly unbothered by the idea of new pets. His sisters, in contrast, lit up with excitement at the sight of potential new companions.
His father, however, stepped forward with a furrowed brow, scrutinizing the small creatures held in the handler's arms. After a moment, his eyes widened. He turned sharply to Alexei and exclaimed, voice slightly raised,
"Those are wolf pups, Alexei!"