February 1908
"Here is the list of known revolutionaries throughout the Russian Empire, Your Highness, including those we suspect fled the country between 1900 and January 1908, along with their names and physical descriptions." Lieutenant Sokolov said as he handed Alexei a thick file containing numerous documents.
Alexei accepted the file. "Thank you, Sokolov. You truly delivered on your promise."
"It was nothing extraordinary, Your Highness," Sokolov replied with a modest smile. "The names and basic descriptions of most wanted revolutionaries are not considered highly sensitive information. In fact, they have already been circulated widely among the authorities to make it easier to identify and apprehend them. The truly sensitive files are the detailed reports of their activities, organizations, and investigations, which are restricted to those with the proper authority. All I did was compile the names and their basic descriptions into a single file."
"Even so, thank you for your hard work, Sokolov." Alexei returned the smile. It never hurts to acknowledge the efforts of capable and diligent subordinates.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Sokolov bowed his head slightly, clearly pleased by the Tsarevich's praise, before returning to his desk inside the office.
Seeing that, Alexei opened the file and began skimming through its contents. He had specifically requested the names, physical descriptions, and other identifying details of the revolutionaries because he had decided to have his minions quietly eliminate them whenever they were positively identified. Of course, provided that they ever step foot here in St. Petersburg.
Alexei was not fond of allowing agitators and troublemakers to continue living and sowing unrest. Although the Prime Minister had done an admirable job suppressing the revolutionary movement, even getting the hangman's noose named after him. Alexei felt that it still was not enough. Ever since he had received the news that Grigori Antonov, the revolutionary captured with the Jackals' assistance, had escaped from the Siberian exile, he had realized that he could not rely solely on the authorities to deal with these revolutionaries. If he wanted to prevent future trouble, he would have to lend a hand himself. Of course, he intended to do so discreetly.
To be honest, Alexei had never understood why the government continued exiling men who had become utterly consumed by revolutionary ideology and beliefs. In his opinion, they were beyond redemption and had nothing left to contribute to the Empire except disorder, violence, and rebellion. Exile merely gave them another opportunity to escape, regroup, and continue their activities elsewhere. From his perspective, the dead posed far less danger than the living.
He continued reading through the file, studying each name alongside its physical description. Some of the revolutionaries even had photographs attached, while others were represented only by written descriptions. He silently appreciated the effort Sokolov had put into compiling such a comprehensive dossier.
It took him quite some time to reach the final pages. The second-to-last entry was Number One Hundred Eighty-One, Grigori Antonov. The one he had to look out for as he was sure this man would take revenge on the Jackals. Then at the last entry was Number One Hundred Eighty-Two, Vladimir Lenin.
Alexei let out a slow breath before looking up. "I didn't expect the list to contain so many names, Sokolov."
"Hm?" Sokolov looked up from the report he had been reading. Realizing that the Tsarevich was addressing him, he immediately replied, "Y-Yes, Your Highness. From what I've heard from those with higher security clearance, this list will be updated again next month, and many more names are expected to be added."
"Is that so?" Alexei murmured, falling into thought. He could not help but feel that the number of revolutionaries seemed to be growing rather than shrinking. He pondered the reason for a moment but eventually shook his head. There simply was not enough information for him to draw any meaningful conclusions yet.
His attention soon returned to the file in his hands. Pointing at the final two entries, he asked, "By the way, why are these two names marked together, Sokolov?"
Sokolov rose from his chair and walked over to the Tsarevich to get a better look. When he saw the names Grigori Antonov and Vladimir Lenin, he frowned thoughtfully before speaking.
"I can't say for certain, Your Highness," he admitted. "But I believe I once heard one of our agents, someone with a higher level of authority than mine, mention that these two were reportedly seen escaping through the Grand Duchy of Finland together. I could be mistaken, however. It's possible that I simply misheard the conversation."
Alexei nodded silently. Whether Sokolov had remembered correctly or not, he mentally added Vladimir Lenin to the list of individuals who required the highest level of attention. He has to acknowledge anyone related to Antonov to be dangerous. Even if the report ultimately proved false, it was far better to prepare for the possibility than be caught off guard later.
"Thank you, Sokolov," Alexei said as he closed the file. "Keep your ears open for any news concerning them, but don't overdo it. I don't want one of your colleagues mistaking you for a spy because you're asking too many questions."
The last part was spoken with a faint smile, but the warning itself was genuine. Both Sokolov and Orlov had gradually become valuable assets, and the last thing Alexei wanted was to lose either of them through unnecessary carelessness.
"Yes, Your Highness," Sokolov replied seriously. "I've been very careful."
Alexei nodded in satisfaction before turning toward Orlov, whom he had noticed pretending to busy himself with paperwork while quietly listening to the entire conversation. "You too, Orlov."
"Hm?" Orlov looked up, feigning surprise at being called out. "Ah... yes, Your Highness. I'll be careful as well."
He offered both Alexei and Sokolov an easy smile, but inwardly he felt a twinge of jealousy. Lately, Sokolov had been the one accomplishing most of the important tasks, while he himself had contributed little of note. If things continued like this, Sokolov would soon leave him behind. It seemed he would have to step up his game.
After watching Sokolov return to his desk, Alexei set the file aside and cleared his throat. There was still one more matter he needed to discuss with the two men. Like many of the tasks he had entrusted to them before, it still involved gathering information.
"There's another matter I'd like the two of you to look into for me," Alexei said.
Before he could continue, Orlov abruptly sprang to his feet.
"I can handle it on my own, Your Highness," he declared eagerly. "Just tell me what it is, and I'll get it done. I promise."
As though afraid the assignment might once again go to Sokolov, he hurriedly added, "U-Um... You've already given Sokolov a task, Your Highness. I think he deserves a little rest. It should be my turn this time."
As he finished speaking, he shot a quick glance at Sokolov before turning back toward the Tsarevich.
Sokolov merely looked at his partner with an amused smile. He understood exactly what Orlov was thinking. If their positions had been reversed, he would probably have felt the same way. Rather than saying anything, he simply remained silent and allowed Orlov his chance.
Alexei watched the exchange with a faint smile. It seemed his decision to cultivate two capable subordinates with naturally competitive personalities had been the right one. A little healthy competition often pushed people to improve far more than constant encouragement ever could.
"Hm..." Alexei pretended to consider the matter for a moment before nodding. "Very well."
"What I need this time is information on the organizational structure of the Okhrana, specifically the headquarters and the Saint Petersburg branch. I'm not asking about the undercover agents, that would be unrealistic. What I want are the department heads, senior officials, and the personnel serving directly under them, all the way up to the head of the Okhrana. If possible, I'd also like photographs of them, assuming such photographs exist."
He paused briefly to make sure he had not forgotten anything before continuing. "For now, limit your investigation to the headquarters and the Saint Petersburg division. There's no need to gather information on the regional branches yet. Do you think you can manage that?"
Orlov blinked in surprise before asking cautiously, "W-Why do you need that information, Your Highness?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he had spoken out of turn. He had been trained never to question the requests of his superiors. "I... I'm sorry, Your Highness," he said hurriedly. "It's just..."
"No need to apologize." Alexei waved the matter aside, having already anticipated such a question.
"I've been here for over a year now, yet there are still many senior officials within the Okhrana whom I either don't recognize or have never properly met. I thought it would be useful to familiarize myself with the people serving this organization. Having their names, positions, and, if possible, their photographs would make remembering them much easier."
He smiled faintly. "Besides, I'm simply curious about the people working around me. That's all. Of course, if obtaining the information proves too difficult, I can always..."
"I can do it, Your Highness!" Before Alexei could finish, Orlov interrupted him enthusiastically. "I can definitely accomplish this task."
Relief washed over him almost immediately. The personnel files of Okhrana officials were certainly sensitive documents, which was why the tsarevich's request had startled him at first. However, after hearing the explanation, the request no longer seemed unreasonable. It would still be difficult to obtain the information, but difficult did not mean impossible. He just had to find a way and he was sure he could do it. He was better than Sokolov, after all.
Alexei clapped his hands together once.
"Good. That's what I like to hear." He smiled. "Don't worry, though. There's no rush. Take your time and be careful."
In truth, Alexei had no idea how Orlov intended to accomplish the assignment, nor did he particularly care. What mattered to him was the final result.
The reason he wanted the personnel records of the Okhrana had very little to do with remembering names and faces. That had merely been a convenient excuse. His true objective was to investigate the people within its ranks for signs of corruption, negligence, incompetence, or divided loyalties.
There were simply too many problems that remained unresolved despite the Okhrana having been established to deal with precisely those kinds of threats. The continued spread of revolutionary activity, the repeated escape of dangerous prisoners, and the steady growth in the number of known agitators all made him question whether the organization was truly functioning as efficiently as it should.
During his weekly visits to the headquarters, he had occasionally noticed personnel neglecting their duties, idling away their time instead of working. More importantly, he had also begun to notice weaknesses in the organization's internal security. For example, officers without the proper authority could sometimes obtain information that should have remained restricted. Sokolov and Orlov themselves were proof of that. Although their ability to acquire information had proven beneficial to him, he could not ignore the implications.
If two junior officers loyal to him could obtain information beyond their level of clearance, then someone with less honorable intentions could likely do the same. That was a dangerous flaw in an intelligence organization.
He knew he had to address the problem before it led to a serious incident. Investigating the Okhrana's personnel would be his first step. The task would undoubtedly stretch his minions thin for a time, especially since they also had to keep watch for the revolutionaries listed in the file he had just received. Even so, he was not particularly concerned. Ivan had already completed the latest round of recruitment, and the organization was continuing to expand. With more capable men joining their ranks, he was confident that Ivan could shoulder the additional workload until everything was properly in place.
Orlov relaxed slightly after hearing that the Tsarevich was not in a hurry. He would need plenty of time to compile a complete list of the personnel and gather whatever photographs he could find. Bowing respectfully, he asked, "Thank you, Your Highness. May I begin the assignment immediately?"
Alexei smiled, appreciating his subordinate's eagerness to get to work.
"Of course," he replied. "Go ahead, and don't forget to be careful. If anyone asks what you're doing, simply tell them that His Majesty has instructed me to familiarize myself with the personnel of the Okhrana, and that you're assisting me in compiling the necessary information."
Orlov considered the explanation for a moment before nodding in approval. It was a perfectly reasonable excuse and one that very few people would dare question.
"Understood, Your Highness." He bowed once more. "I'll begin at once."
With that, Orlov turned and left the office.
Sokolov watched his colleague leave with a faint smile before lowering his head and returning to the documents on his desk. Silently, he wished Orlov good luck. Compiling information on the Okhrana's personnel would be far more difficult than gathering a list of already identified revolutionaries.
Alexei watched Orlov leave with satisfaction before leaning back in his chair and propping both feet onto the desk. He could not help but appreciate how fortunate he was to have capable people working under him. Ahem, rather, it should be competitive people. He corrected himself.
Now that there was nothing particularly urgent demanding his attention, he finally had a chance to relax. He briefly considered cultivating while sitting in his chair, but after a moment's thought, he decided against it. There was still plenty of time to cultivate later, especially after his planned visit to his minions that evening.
For now, a short nap sounded far more appealing. With that thought, he leaned back comfortably, closed his eyes, and allowed himself a moment of well-earned rest.
The remainder of the day passed quietly as Alexei spent most of it napping in his office at the Okhrana headquarters. Before long, it was time for him to leave.
As always, he made no attempt to rush. Instead, he walked through the headquarters at a leisurely pace, observing the personnel at work while making sure they noticed his presence. Whenever someone greeted him, he returned the greeting with a smile and occasionally exchanged a few words with those he passed. Although these social interactions always drained his social energy for the day, he had long since accepted them as part of his responsibilities. The more he interacted with people whenever he left the palace or visited the various government offices, the more he realized that he could not afford to appear aloof or unapproachable. Otherwise, people would begin to see him as a distant and arrogant heir, and before long, rumors and misconceptions would inevitably start to spread. And that was the last thing he wanted.
By the time he reached his carriage, he let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling completely drained. Sometimes, he found it amusing that what exhausted him was not the work itself, despite spending hours in his office, but the constant social interactions that followed. Thinking about it, he could not help but let out a weary chuckle.
Standing beside the carriage, Sednev entered the carriage and closed the door after him. Before signaling the coachman to depart, however, he cast the Tsarevich a brief, curious glance.
Alexei noticed the look but chose not to dwell on it. By now, Sednev and Nagorny knew him well enough to realize that he often behaved differently. More importantly, they didn't report his nightly excursions to the Tsar. That alone spoke volumes and convinced Alexei that they could be trusted with many of his most sensitive secrets, though certainly not all of them. For the time being, he still could not tell them about the organization he had quietly established within the city. He simply had no believable explanation for how a boy of his age could have built such a network in secret.
Shaking his head slightly, Alexei pushed the thought aside. There would be time to deal with it in the future, just not today.
Turning his attention to the window, he quietly admired the snow-covered streets of Saint Petersburg as the carriage made its way through the city. Despite the cold, the streets remained busy. Merchants were closing their shops, laborers hurried home after a day's work, and others were only just beginning their evening shifts. Here and there, he caught sight of beggars huddled along the roadside, stretching out weathered hands in the hope that a passing stranger might spare a few kopecks or a piece of bread.
Alexei let out a quiet sigh. There was little he could do for them at the moment. The problems that plagued this country ran far deeper than simple charity could solve. Even if he handed every beggar he passed enough money to eat for a week, countless more would take their place tomorrow. What Russia needed was not temporary relief but lasting reform, something that would take years, perhaps even decades, to accomplish. And whether he would ultimately succeed in preventing the Empire from falling into the hands of the revolutionaries in the future... even he did not know.
Lost in thought, Alexei watched the snowy cityscape drift by until, before he realized it, the carriage rolled through the gates of the Winter Palace and came to a gentle stop.
Sednev stepped down from the carriage first before helping Alexei alight. As soon as the Tsarevich's feet touched the ground, one of the palace attendants hurried over to Sednev and whispered into his ear.
"Her Majesty wishes to see the Tsarevich in the drawing room."
Sednev glanced at the attendant. "Now?"
The attendant nodded. "Yes. Her Majesty specifically instructed me to inform His Imperial Highness the moment he returned to the palace."
Sednev acknowledged the message with a nod before turning to relay it to the Tsarevich.
However, Alexei had already overheard the brief exchange and simply nodded in understanding.
His mother must have finally reached a decision regarding the proposal he had brought to her a few days earlier.
He had asked for permission to personally visit each of his potential brides in their respective countries to know them better. The request had initially amused his mother, who remarked that he intended to court the young ladies like a proper gentleman. She had pointed out that such a journey would be unnecessary since the Imperial Family could simply invite the princesses to Russia instead. Alexei, however, had politely but firmly insisted on traveling himself, believing that meeting them in their own homes would allow him to know them far better than a series of carefully orchestrated visits at court.
Unable to decide immediately, his mother had postponed giving him an answer. And judging by her summons, she must have finally made up her mind.
Without another word, Alexei gestured for Sednev to lead the way. Together, they made their way through the palace corridors toward the drawing room, where the Empress was waiting.
The moment the doors were opened and he saw his mother seated on one of the sofas in the drawing room, a warm smile spread across Alexei's face. He walked over without hesitation.
"Mother! I missed you so much!"
Without waiting for a reply, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, which the Empress happily returned.
Alexei was gradually getting better at finding the right words and gestures to brighten his mother's day. Although it consumed what little social energy he had left after a long day of interacting with people, seeing the smile on her face which would make the following conversation easier made the effort worthwhile.
Alexandra was the first to pull away from the embrace.
"So," she asked with a gentle smile, "how is your hands-on training at the Okhrana? Have you considered leaving it and focusing solely on your training at the Ministry of Finance? It would save you a great deal of time."
Alexei smiled as he took the seat opposite his mother.
"It's all right, Mother. I've grown used to it by now." After a brief pause, he looked at her expectantly. "Anyway, why did you send for me? Have you reached a decision yet?"
The smile on Alexandra's face softened at her son's question. She still did not particularly like the idea he had proposed, but she had to admit that there was some merit to it. After all, Nicholas himself had traveled to visit her years ago, and it was during those visits that the affection between them had first begun to blossom.
Even so, the thought of Alexei doing the same, traveling from one royal court to another to meet the young women being considered as his future bride, filled her heart with mixed emotions.
Part of her wanted him to choose wisely and find someone who would truly make him happy. Yet another part selfishly wished she could keep her beloved son by her side forever. Unfortunately, she knew that such a thing was impossible. One day, he would marry, build a family of his own, and gradually become more occupied with his duties as the future Tsar.
After many discussions with Nicholas, she had finally accepted that reality.
"Yes," Alexandra replied with a gentle nod. "I've made my decision."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "You may begin visiting your prospective brides this spring. In fact, your father suggested that your first destination should be England. Since the Empire will be be sending athletes to participate in the Olympic Games there, and the delegation will be under the supervision of your sports organization, you can accompany them. While you're there, you'll also have the opportunity to meet Princess Mary. Naturally, you'll pay a formal visit to the King and the rest of the British Royal Family as well."
She looked at her son with a faint smile. Part of her wished she could accompany him on the journey, just as any mother would. However, after reviewing her schedule, she knew it simply wasn't possible. She would have to accompany Nicholas to several important state engagements during the same period, and she also could not leave her daughters behind for such a long journey. "What do you think of your father's suggestion, Alexei?"
Naturally, Alexei immediately agreed, his face lighting up with excitement. "That's wonderful to hear, Mother. Thank you so much."
He smiled brightly before adding, "To be honest, I had already been planning to accompany our athletes to England to encourage them during the Olympic Games, with your permission, of course. But it seems I won't have to ask after all." He let out a small chuckle after that.
He genuinely could not hide his excitement. He had expected to travel abroad only after coming of age, perhaps at sixteen or even eighteen, as part of the traditional tours undertaken by heirs to the throne. Instead, he was being given the opportunity years earlier than he had anticipated. More importantly, he would finally be able to see other countries with his own eyes rather than through the pages of history books or the memories of his previous life.
Alexandra's smile quickly faded, replaced by a look of gentle seriousness.
"Your primary reason for going there is to meet Princess Mary and get to know her, Alexei," she reminded him firmly. "Don't forget that. Otherwise, I won't let you go to Britain."
"Of course, Mother. I understand," Alexei replied immediately and reigned in his excitement, recognizing the seriousness in her tone. "I promise I won't forget."
Not wanting the conversation to dwell too long on the subject, he smoothly steered it in another direction. He began telling his mother about the gifts and dresses he planned to buy for her and his sisters while he was abroad.
The change in topic worked exactly as he had hoped.
Alexandra's attention was instantly captured, and before long, the two of them were enthusiastically discussing fabrics, jewelry, perfumes, and the latest fashions from Europe. Alexei, on the other hand, knew almost nothing about such things. He simply nodded along and offered comments about how elegant or beautiful the various styles sounded. Fortunately, whatever nonsense he ended up saying, his mother accepted it as his sincere opinion and happily continued the conversation.
By the time their conversation finally came to an end, Alexei felt as though every last bit of his social energy had been exhausted. Maintaining cheerful conversations all day had proven far more tiring than reviewing reports or attending meetings with his father.
After bidding his mother goodnight and politely declining her invitation to have dinner together, he made his way straight back to his room, looking forward to nothing more than collapsing onto his bed and enjoying a well-deserved rest to recharge his social battery for the next day.
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A/N: Please don't forget to rate and review the story after reading. And if you want to read ahead. You know where to look.