Sednev entered the Tsarevich's office and closed the door quietly behind him. His gaze immediately found his master near the hearth, where Alexei was calmly petting his wolves.
He still could not fully understand how such savage beasts behaved like obedient dogs whenever the Tsarevich was present. When Alexei was not around, Sednev could have sworn the wolves looked at him as though he were their prey, or at the very least, something edible. They had grown remarkably large as well, considering it had not yet been a year since they were born.
"What is it?" Alexei asked without looking back, his hand continuing its steady motion over the wolves' thick fur.
Sednev cleared his throat. "Your Highness, Mr. Yurovsky is waiting outside. Should I let him in?"
"Of course. I've been expecting him," Alexei replied.
He gave the wolves one last pat before standing. The animals rose immediately as well, lifting their heads to watch him. Alexei smiled faintly at their reaction, then turned and walked back to his desk, taking his seat with practiced ease. Katya and Trezor followed him, flanking the chair on either side before settling down at his feet.
This was not the first time Sednev had witnessed the scene, yet every time, he found himself quietly amazed by the wolves' obedient demeanor toward the Tsarevich.
Sednev noticed that the tsarevich looked at him questioningly. Only then did he remember that Mr. Yurovsky was still waiting outside. Sednev smiled faintly to himself, nodded toward Alexei, and stepped back out of the door.
Moments later, he returned with Mr. Yurovsky in tow.
"Good morning, Your Highness. I hope my presence is not disturbing your morning," Mr. Yurovsky said as soon as he saw the Tsarevich, bowing properly.
When he straightened, his gaze immediately flicked to the wolves flanking his tsarevich. He couldn't help but cast them wary glances. Though he had encountered them a few times the previous year, he still hadn't grown accustomed to their presence. Each meeting felt like standing on the edge of danger, as though a single wrong move might turn the moment into a life and death battle.
Alexei noticed the wary glances Yurovsky kept casting at the wolves and couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Come now, Yurovsky. You've met them plenty of times already. I think it's high time you got used to them."
Yurovsky managed a strained smile. "My apologies, Your Highness. I simply can't get accustomed to their presence."
"Well," Alexei said, shaking his head lightly, "you'd best learn to live with it, whether you like it or not. They'll be with me for a long time."
He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk. "Now, please, have a seat. Let's begin."
Yurovsky cast one last cautious glance at the wolves before stepping forward. Clutching his documents a little tighter than necessary, he took his seat and set the papers carefully on the desk.
He selected one from the stack and slid it toward Alexei. "It was difficult, Your Highness, but we managed to finish tallying the total profits for this year ahead of schedule."
Alexei did not reply at once. He took the documents and read through the reports carefully, his expression calm and unreadable as his eyes moved over the neatly organized figures.
Seeing that the Tsarevich was fully absorbed in the papers, Yurovsky waited in silence. Only when Alexei finally set the documents down did he speak again.
"As you can see, Your Highness," Yurovsky continued, "the total profit for last year amounts to fifty-three thousand rubles. That figure is after all the expenses, loans, and taxes have been paid. The loans, as noted, were taken from your personal allowance. They were treated strictly as loans, not capital infusions, and are scheduled to be repaid over three years."
"Too little," Alexei muttered under his breath.
Yurovsky leaned forward slightly, having missed the comment. "Pardon, Your Highness?"
Alexei shook his head lightly. "Nothing. Please, continue."
Yurovsky nodded and glanced back at his documents. "Most of our expenses last year came from establishing distribution networks across Europe and from translating your works to other languages. What really set us back last year are the paper and ink factories that we have bought recently. Now that those foundations are in place, we can expect our profits to grow significantly this year."
He paused, looked at his tsarevich for a brief moment, then added carefully, "Especially if we continue producing new stories and expanding our ongoing series."
Alexei nodded. "Don't worry. I still have plenty of ideas, more than enough to satisfy the readers' appetite."
Yurovsky smiled at that, visibly relieved.
"Other than that," he continued, "our profits from the United States have been quite respectable, considering we only began supplying books there three months ago. It seems Baron Kurakin has been working very diligently to make this venture profitable."
"Oh?" Alexei said, a note of surprise entering his voice. Baron Kurakin had fulfilled every condition set before him, and got the contract for being the distributor for the North America region but Alexei hadn't expected such results in such a short time.
"Yes, Your Highness," Yurovsky replied. "Baron Kurakin mirrored the advertising methods we used here. He placed notices in newspapers and hired people to spread word of the books in high society salons and public houses alike. The people there are quite fond of reading, but I believe the success ultimately comes down to the quality of your works." He smiled faintly at the Tsarevich.
Alexei waved a hand dismissively. "Don't flatter me, Yurovsky. You know I don't like that."
"My apologies, Your Highness."
"Still," Alexei said thoughtfully, "it seems we won our bet on Baron Kurakin this time." He paused. "What was his son's name again?"
Yurovsky blinked, momentarily puzzled by the question, but answered promptly. "Vasily Kurakin, Your Highness."
Alexei leaned back in his chair and rubbed his jaw, thinking. After a brief moment, he spoke again. "Inform Baron Kurakin that I would like to invite his son to court, to study alongside me for a time. Ask if that would be acceptable."
Yurovsky froze.
For a heartbeat, he could not find his voice. It was widely known that the Tsarevich kept very few companions close to him, and that earning such a position was no small matter. To be invited so casually…
Alexei noticed his reaction and chuckled softly. "What is that look, Yurovsky? I merely want to see whether the son possesses some talent for business like his father, aside from being rather timid, from what I recall." His smile sharpened slightly. "Besides, since I couldn't meet Baron Kurakin in person since my mother wouldn't allow it, it would be convenient to have his son nearby as a messenger should I need anything."
His parents had been advising him to have more friends recently and he couldn't really just choose anyone. Better to be surrounded by those with common interests than someone unknown and he knew nothing about.
One down, more to go. He chuckled at the thought.
Yurovsky finally recovered and bowed his head. "I understand, Your Highness. I'll relay your invitation at once."
The meeting continued as Yurovsky reported on other matters, everything from hiring workers from the slums for their new factories to the distribution of their products beyond the publishing house.
Alexei remained silent for a time, tapping his fingers lightly against the table as he absorbed every detail Yurovsky presented. Only after sorting through the information did he speak.
"We still need to expand further, Yurovsky," he said calmly.
Yurovsky straightened slightly at that. "Further, Your Highness?" he asked. "Where do you believe our next expansion should be?"
Alexei's tapping fingers came to a stop. He lifted his gaze and met Yurovsky's eyes. "To the east."
Yurovsky blinked, clearly caught off guard. "The eastern markets, Your Highness? I don't mean to question your intentions, but we were at war with Japan not long ago, and the Qing Dynasty has yet to fully recover as well."
"Business flourishes wherever there is money to be made," Alexei replied calmly. "There are always people willing to trade behind closed doors. And I'm not speaking only of the Qing Dynasty and Japan." He continued evenly, "Look to their south. There are still many untapped markets there. Beyond that, we could also consider the Middle East and India."
He paused, watching the thoughtful expression settle over Yurovsky's face, then added, "How about this? Study the feasibility of distributing our books to these regions. We can start there. I trust you can handle that?"
Yurovsky nodded, his expression focused. "Of course, Your Highness. I'll begin immediately."
"Good." Alexei rose from his chair and stretched his arms and legs briefly, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness that had settled in during the long discussion. "What else is on the agenda today?"
Yurovsky snapped out of his thoughtful silence at once. He glanced down at his notes, carefully recording the instructions his Tsarevich had just given, then straightened and continued with the rest of his report.
Alexei remained standing as he listened. He paced slowly behind the desk at times, stopping near the window or resting a hand against the back of his chair, his attention never leaving Yurovsky's words. Factory output, labor arrangements, transportation schedules, minor disputes between distributors, Yurovsky laid everything right there and then. Alexei did not interrupt. He simply listened, absorbing the information, and committing the important points to his memory.
When Yurovsky finally reached the end of his report, he let out a quiet breath and closed his folder. "That concludes everything, Your Highness."
Alexei smiled tiredly and nodded. "Very well. You did a commendable job last year, Yurovsky. A bonus will be arranged for you soon."
Surprise flickered across Yurovsky's face. "You don't have to do that, Your Highness. I'm already satisfied serving in this position."
Alexei waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. Just accept it when it's given."
Yurovsky hesitated. He hadn't expected a bonus and wasn't entirely sure how to respond, but when he noticed his Tsarevich's brows narrowing slightly as he looked at him, he swallowed and replied at once, "Thank you, Your Highness. Your generosity truly knows no bounds."
Alexei nearly gagged. "Enough with the flattery, Yurovsky. I swear, if I hear that again, I'll feed you to my wolves."
At that, Trezor and Katya seemed to understand his words. Both lifted their heads and bared their teeth toward Yurovsky, who immediately shuddered.
"I…I'm sorry, Your Highness," Yurovsky said quickly, bowing his head. "It wasn't flattery, only the truth. From the increased wages of our workers, including me, to other considerations, your generosity is evident."
Alexei studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Be that as it may, refrain from saying such things to my face from now on. Now, if there's nothing else, you may go. And don't forget to report once you've completed the tasks I assigned."
Yurovsky bowed deeply and gathered his documents. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll be sure to report back promptly."
With one last cautious glance at the wolves, who did not so much as stir, Yurovsky turned and made his way out of the office.
The door closed softly behind him, leaving Alexei alone once more in the quiet room.
He raised a hand and rubbed his forehead slowly, exhaling through his nose. The publishing business was thriving by most measures, its reach expanding beyond the borders of his father's empire but the profits still felt paltry compared to what he had envisioned. Not a failure, certainly, but not enough.
Expansion into other industries was inevitable if he wanted to build something truly substantial. The only question was where to strike next. Manufacturing? Transport? Or perhaps something that required fewer workers, yet promised just as much, if not more profit. Only one possibility came to his mind at that, and that was finance. The problem was trust. He had no one he could rely on to handle his money safely, at least, not yet.
His gaze drifted around the office, finally settling on the wolves. Katya and Trezor were still seated exactly where they had been when Yurovsky arrived, their posture disciplined and unmoving, as though they were carved from the stone itself. Only their eyes shifted, following him calmly. Alexei couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at his lips.
"At least you two are dependable," he murmured.
He crossed the room and sank into the sofa at its center, the cushions yielding beneath his weight. Leaning back, he allowed himself a rare moment of rest, letting the quiet settle around him.
He had just closed his eyes when a knock sounded at the door, followed by Sednev entering. Alexei furrowed his brows, tilting his head slightly as he asked, "What is it? I was resting."
Sednev bowed his head. "My apologies, Your Highness, but it is time for your lesson with your new English tutor, Mr. Gibbes."
Alexei let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes for another brief moment before standing. He straightened his clothes and replied evenly, "All right."
The lesson itself posed no difficulty for him. English was already familiar, carried over from his first life as naturally as breathing. Grammar, pronunciation, idioms, none of it challenged him. Still, he attended the lessons without complaint. Appearances had to be maintained, albeit, only for a while. In a few months, once his new tutor and his mother were sufficiently satisfied with his progress, he would have a reason to reduce or even end the lessons altogether. Every hour reclaimed mattered.
With that thought steadying him, Alexei followed Sednev out and found Nagorny standing beside the door.
"How has your day been, Nagorny?" Alexei asked as he started walking towards the library, where his lesson with Mr. Gibbes was to be held.
"The day has only just begun, Your Highness," Nagorny replied, moving in behind his Tsarevich as they set off. "But so far, everything is in order."
They walked through the palace halls at an unhurried pace, the morning quiet broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps and the distant murmur of servants going about their duties.
"That's good to hear," Alexei said lightly, rubbing his neck to ease the stiffness. "Let's hope it stays that way."
Nagorny allowed himself a faint smile but said nothing more, his attention returning to their surroundings.
They hadn't gone far when a familiar voice rang out ahead of them, bright and breathless.
"Your Highness!"
Alexei smiled slightly the moment he recognized it. He slowed, then stopped altogether, already knowing what would follow. A second later, light footsteps echoed against the polished floor as Marina came into them, skirts gathered just enough to keep her from tripping as she hurried toward him.
She skidded to a stop a short distance away, her cheeks flushed from the run, eyes bright despite her effort to straighten herself and compose her posture.
"Good morning, Your Highness," she said, curtsying properly, a little out of breath, though the smile never left her face.
"Good morning, Marina," Alexei replied warmly, crossing his arms and inclining his head toward her. "I didn't know you were in the palace. If I had known, I would have come to greet you personally. Are the others here as well?"
Marina glanced at Sednev and Nagorny. She would have preferred to speak more casually, but with his attendants present, she straightened and answered more formally.
"You don't need to greet me personally, Your Highness. I only arrived not long ago and came to look for you right away. The others couldn't come, they're still busy, as usual."
Not long after she said that, her own attendants arrived just behind her, slightly out of breath from the run but still composed enough to bow their heads to the tsarevich.
Alexei inclined his head in acknowledgment, then turned back to Marina. "Walk with me," he said simply, already resuming his pace toward the library.
Marina blinked for a heartbeat, then nodded at once. "Okay."
She fell into step beside him, her attendants slowing and keeping a respectful distance behind, naturally aligning themselves with Sednev and Nagorny. For a few moments, they walked in silence, the soft sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor as winter light spilled through the tall windows.
Alexei glanced at her sideways. "You looked quite rushed earlier," he said mildly. "You don't usually run through the palace unless something is important. Why were you looking for me so urgently?"
Marina hesitated for half a step, then smiled sheepishly. "I heard you had lessons scheduled this morning," she admitted. "And once you start those, it's almost impossible to get a moment with you until the afternoon."
She clasped her hands lightly in front of her as she walked, her tone lowering just a little. "I didn't want to wait that long. What I have to tell you… it felt better to say it sooner. I just couldn't wait."
Alexei chuckled at her antics. It seemed she still couldn't quite rein in her gossipy nature, and he briefly wondered if she ever would. Still, she had piqued his interest, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he asked, "So what is it that you couldn't wait until the afternoon to tell me?"
Marina's eyes brightened at his question, as if she had been waiting for the opening.
"There's going to be a motor show next month here in the capital," she said eagerly. "Lev told us about it. Different automobiles from across Europe will be displayed there, new designs, engines, and even experimental models. He invited all of us to go together. Haven't you always wanted one for yourself? Isn't this a good opportunity to see if you find something you like? So… how about it? Do you want to go with us?"
She glanced at him as they walked, her tone softening just a little. "Everyone already agreed, but the others are still busy at the moment. So they asked me to come and ask you personally."
Alexei slowed slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. He had always wanted to own an automobile for a while now, ever since he had seen his father purchase a few for himself and even commissioned a private garage to house them. The memory had lingered with him, a quiet fascination with machinery and speed. Now, it seemed, an opportunity had presented itself at just the right time.
Still, he couldn't give her a definitive answer yet.
He would need his parents' permission.
The thought irritated him more than he cared to admit. Every movement outside his carefully arranged schedule required approval, planning, and layers of security. It was necessary, he understood that, but understanding didn't make it any less stifling. Escorts, routes, and contingency plans… nothing was ever simple. And he knew that even something as attending a motor show came with strings attached.
He looked at Marina and answered honestly, "I'd like to go, but I still need to ask my mother's and father's permission."
She looked faintly disappointed, though not surprised.
After a brief pause, Alexei added, his tone turning lighter, almost conspiratorial, "Why don't you help me with it? Join us for dinner tonight and help me ask then. I'm sure it will improve the odds of them agreeing."
For a moment, Marina simply stared at him, then her eyes lit up.
"Dinner?" she echoed, already smiling, clearly pleased by the idea. "All right… but could I really join you for dinner? Even my mother finds it difficult to dine with your mother and father."
Alexei reached out and patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. My attendant here," he added, gesturing toward Sednev, "will take care of the rest for us. Right, Sednev?"
Sednev hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Your Highness." He wasn't certain the Tsar or Tsarina would agree, but he would have to try. And if they refused… he sighed internally at his current predicament.
Alexei turned back to Marina with a confident smile. "See? It's already taken care of. All you have to do later is help me persuade them. All right?"
Marina was practically skipping as she walked, her excitement impossible to hide. "All right! I'll do my best, don't worry."
They turned down the corridor together, and the doors to the library soon came into view.
Alexei slowed and looked at her once more. "That's settled, then. I'll send someone for you later." He gestured toward the door. "I have to attend my lesson now."
With that, he inclined his head slightly, already shifting back into his composed, dutiful demeanor, as Marina watched him go with a bright, anticipatory smile. She couldn't wait to tell her mother that she will dine with the Tsar and Tsarina tonight. Without her. Hehe