With nine years of rebuilding the economy and dealing with the people, Mother Russia sees some hope. Rasputin has watched over young Alexi as told, I would say healed but the young prince’s condition has only worsened. The war between the European nations slowly reached Russia. A nurse and I switch positions taking care of Alexei and prepping for dinner. His majesty and the queen sit upon opposite ends of the table and the children in between them. The room has an eerie silence, his majesty is the one to break the silence.

“I will be taking control of the Armed Forces, Germany is entering our borders and we need to push them out.” Her majesty’s eyes widen.

“But dear! What about the Duma!?” 

“And that...Alexandria is where I will be handing over temporary power to you.” The room’s eerie silence becomes tense and thick.

“As you wish my dear...” Her majesty’s handshakes a little, an obvious sign that she’s nervous. This gut feeling...Something bad will certainly happen. As soon as dawn breaks the following day, his majesty leaves for the armed forces. Her majesty begins her new royal duties, that holy man Rasputin follows. 

I step in front of him, “Sir if I recall you are a ‘holy man’, you have no such business being involved in the Duma. Her majesty specifically wanted you to heal prince Alexei.”

He looks down at me, “Of course shlyukha. Please take me to the prince.”

My eyes are wide but I still take him to the prince. Daria approaches me slowly as I thread a needle to patch some old clothes. “That man is to not be trusted, Daria...” She stops.

“Wise and clever as always Vika. May I ask why though Vika?” Worry lurks behind her eyes.

“That man, Rasputin, called me a shlyukha*.” I stop what I’m doing. 

Daria’s eyes widen, “But he’s a holy-” Her voice edges a shout.

“Shhh!” I put my finger against my mouth.

She nods, “S-sorry Vika.”

I sigh, “I don’t understand it either Daria, but the queen trusts him, why? That I’ll never understand either. But we cannot infer into her business. All we can do is keep him out of the Duma.” She nods and she leaves.