Breaks

Nicholas found his conversation with Durnovo to be a beacon of clarity amid his thoughts.

Peter Durnovo, a self-proclaimed "counter-revolutionary expert" with deep knowledge of revolutionary history, succinctly dismissed the current surge of liberal movements as "puppets lacking popular support," advising not to be intimidated by their false propaganda.

However, foreign examples alone were not enough. Durnovo also discussed domestic Russian events.

"Emperor Alexander II's indecision during his reforms similarly incited dissatisfaction, reminiscent of Louis XVI's vacillation. Fortunately, the late Emperor did eventually make a decisive stand, though it was regrettably insufficient to guard against those abhorrent revolutionary terrorists."

As a researcher of the French Revolution and reforms, Durnovo advised Nicholas that while considering and comparing options before committing to reform is prudent, once a decision is made and publicly declared, it must not be reversed.

"Your Majesty, making the right decision is right, and making the wrong decision is also right. The only mistake is indecision and vacillation. You must ensure that your supporters are convinced and determined to overcome any obstacles. Only then can you build political credibility and gain the trust of your subjects. Otherwise, you will face the same predicament as the late Emperor."

"I understand."

Even that night, Nicholas's mind continued to replay every word Durnovo had said.

"You seem preoccupied, Niki."

In the dim light of the evening, the imperial couple lay in their bedroom in Alexander Palace. Empress Alexandra's Russian was limited, so Nicholas occasionally communicated with her in French, which she was more familiar with.

"Tomorrow we'll go rowing. I'm thinking about what color boat we should use."

Since it was vacation time, even though Nicholas had received much inspiration, it was still summer, and the Russian government was on break. So, these matters could wait.

The Alexander Palace, located at the center of Tsarskoye Selo, was surrounded by pleasant gardens and artificial lakes. While it was less grand than other Russian palaces, it was charming in its tranquility.

"What if I fall into the water?"

Alexandra's question made Nicholas smile. What a classic topic!

"I can swim, of course, I'll be the one to rescue you, my lady."

Nicholas said this while holding Alexandra's hand and kissing it.

"How are things with Mother lately?"

Nicholas preferred not to dwell on the topic of falling into the water. If Alexandra started asking about her falling into the water with Maria, he would be in trouble.

"…Not too bad… Fairly well. Maria gave me the baby crib she used."

Alexandra's pregnancy made her a favored figure in the St. Petersburg court. In the eyes of the time, a queen capable of bearing imperial heirs was indeed well-regarded.

As a French noblewoman who had fled Paris for London, Alexandra had grown up under foreign scrutiny, leading her to be somewhat reserved. However, as a beautiful and fashionable Frenchwoman, she was seen as somewhat aloof but not arrogant.

"That's good. I don't want the court gossips to influence you."

"Mm, it's fine. Just that the court ministers keep hinting at how much I'm spending."

Alexandra nestled against Nicholas's chest, his arm around her, and the faint scent of her body lotion lingered in his nostrils.

"Witte has complained to me about this as well."

"Hmph, that rude German…"

Witte's father was a Baltic German noble, so Witte indeed had Germanic blood.

Alexandra had encountered Prime Minister Witte a few times, but his often blunt manner and lack of proper etiquette towards the Empress did not leave a good impression on her.

"He was astonished when he saw the budget, saying the court expenses are far higher than during my father's time."

"Niki!"

Alexandra poked Nicholas's chest with her finger and then spoke in a plaintive tone.

"I'll spend less next year."

"Don't be upset with my mother. Dad gathered quite a lot of jewelry for her, so it's normal you can't compare. But Mother is a kind person; if you get along well with her, she won't deliberately compare."

"Why are you always taking your mother's side?"

The Empress pretended to be annoyed, pushing against Nicholas's chest with both hands.

"Rest assured, my beautiful Nanna is my love."

"Mm, Niki—"

After a tender kiss, they fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next day brought good weather. At the end of June, the temperature around St. Petersburg was a pleasant 20°C for Nicholas.

"This one, this one, and that one. Father used to take us rowing on the lake."

The lake was small, its surface shimmering in the bright sunlight, with several small boats of different colors—red, white, and yellow—docked at the shore.

Nicholas pointed to these old but still sturdy wooden boats, recalling memories of his father Alexander III pushing a boat into the water.

Now the boats remained, but the Tsar had changed.

Nicholas, lacking the giant strength of his father, had several attendants help him push a small boat into the water.

Alexandra sat at the bow with a parasol, while Nicholas took the stern, gripping the oar.

The two were quite content and at ease.

"Nanna, do you see that tree stump over there?"

"Yes, Niki."

Nicholas pointed to a bare patch of land by the shore with a tree stump and a pile of firewood beside it.

"My father often cut wood there and then made a fire to roast apples and fish for us."

After they rowed across the lake, Nicholas moored the boat at the familiar shore and took out an axe that used to belong to his father.

"Today I've prepared a chicken for us to roast."

"Good, I'm looking forward to your cooking, Niki."

Nicholas, who kept fit, was not tired from chopping wood.

"Can we still eat this?"

Alexandra was surprised to see Nicholas wrapping the marinated chicken in clean cloth and then encasing it in mud.

"Of course, it's a magical Eastern method."

Nicholas acted mysteriously, instructing an attendant to dig a shallow pit, place the mud ball in it, cover it with earth, and then pile straw and wood on top. He lit the fire with matches.

After the fire went out and the mud ball had hardened, Nicholas broke it open to reveal the moist cloth inside, emitting steam and aroma.

"This method is a bit like a 'bread chicken.'"

Alexandra mentioned a French dish with a similar principle, where food is wrapped in dough and baked.

"You're the first to taste my cooking."

In their private time, the imperial couple ignored formalities and enjoyed their meal with their hands, eating with gusto.