Authority

"Non ducor, duco!"

"I am not lead, I lead!"

~ Julius Caesar

---

Early June 1894

The whole Romanov family was gathered in the Winter Palace, in which the Tsar had hosted a routine Family Council Meeting.

The tension in the room was palpable while Konstantin Pobedonotsnev was reprimanding:

"Your Highness, you claim this association will secure Russia's future. I see it as a threat to our sacred traditions. The strength of the Russian Empire lies in Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality. Not in meddling with ideas which belong to the laboratories of Europe."

Nicholas's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady.

"Respectfully, Konstantin Petrovich, the strength of Russia also lies on its people. We cannot remain frozen in time while the rest of the world advances. This association will ensure that Russian minds lead the way, rather than follow the shadow of foreign powers. I keep saying these same words every time we meet and here I am again..."

"And yet, you try to fill this association with foreign minds. I know all about your attempts to contact the Nobel brothers. I know all about you trying to bring foreign technicians and intellectuals to Russia."

Before Nicholas could respond, Grand Duke Sergei interjected.

"Konstantin is right, Nicky. These so-called intellectuals are dangerous. Today, they build engines, tomorrow they demand constitutions.

We need stability, not intellect."

Nicholas turned to Sergei and confidently stated:

"Stability, Uncle Sergei, is built upon strength. Strength nowadays requires innovation. Without advancements in industry and military technology, what stability will we offer for the years to come?"

'I must curb this kid's ideas. If he comes to the throne with these thoughts in mind, he will be the opposite of his father. My and the Orthodox Church's authority will be heavily undermined.' Thought Konstantin.

"The future you envision risks undermining the very foundation of autocracy!" Konstantin raised his voice, clearly agitated.

A murmur ran through the room. Nicholas clenched his fists but Witte, seated further down the table, spoke up:

"Konstantin Petrovich, you paint all progress as revolution. Permit me to say that is quite short-sighted."

Pobedonotsnev's gaze snapped to Sergei Witte

"And you, Count Sergei, would have us turn this empire into a factory, run by financiers and engineers instead of statemen! Where does it end?!?!"

Nicholas almost wanted to laugh. Pobedonotsnev's words further reassured him Witte was the right man for the job.

Before anyone could respond, Alexander shouted:

"Enough!"

The room fell silent.

Alexander, his face pale, was obviously sick.

But his posture was still imposing and he still had that heavy air of authority.

"Nicky, your vision is bold, but Konstantin raises concerns that cannot be ignored.

This is not the time for division. If you wish to pursue this association, you will do so carefully.

I will monitor your every move, your every transaction-"

The sick Tsar had to take a deep breath before continuing.

"-Are you sure you can continue even like that?"

Nicholas bowed his head slightly.

"Yes, Father. I stand with the old Russian values and I will never work to undermine them. I only want us to move forward so we can better protect our values from outside or even inside perpetrators.

I stand by my belief that this is the path to securing Russia's strength."

"We shall see." Responded Alexander, his expression unreadable.

Then, he rose to his feet and looked at Konstantin and Grand Duke Sergei.

"Gentlemen, I will be the one monitoring his association. There is no need for you to be concerned from now on.

The meeting is over, you may leave now."

"As you wish!" Responded everyone present in unison, even though some of them were reluctant, but they could not oppose the Tsar.

Nicholas left the room satisfied. The Tsar's vocal support had given him an advantage in the power struggle against the conservatives, for now.

The Tsar's authority would cover for him until his own time came.

...

Later in the evening, the Tsar's room

"Dear, I completely agree with your decision. But if it was you from the past, you would've never allowed Nicholas to do it. So why did you?" Maria Feodorovna, the Tsar's wife asked.

"My love, Nicholas's time is coming, I can feel it. I'm not in my young and healthy years anymore.

And Nicholas has changed a lot this last year. I now know he is going to be a great Tsar and be able to take his own decisions.

I have tried curbing his ideas for his own good, especially last year, but I've come to understand he's a visionary, exactly like Father." Alexander said, smiling, reminiscing about his Father.

"So, in probably my last year on this Earth, instead of opposing his power, I will protect him and make sure he will have sufficient authority to be able to bring his visions to reality, even before he ascends to the throne." he stated while sighing.

"Don't talk like that, Dear. You will be the autocrat of all Russians for years to come." Tears dripped down Maria's cheeks while she hugged Alexander tightly.

"I dont know, my Love. I only hope Nicholas makes it and doesn't end up like my Father. For that, he will need your support and advice.

I will also advice him in the months to come."

...

While Alexander and Maria shared this moment of intimacy, Ivan Pavlovich Fedorvov, the junior assistant Nicholas had once met in the Main Chamber of Weights and Measures, was in his office.

He was born in 1871. He was the son of a modest clerk working in the bureucracy of St. Petersburg. Raised in the city's urban environment, he was well versed in the intricacies of administrative work from a young age.

His father, though not wealthy, ensured Ivan received a solid education.

His early years were marked by a sense of quiet ambition, which he didn't have the possibility to act on yet.

Upon graduation, he had joined the Main Chamber of Weights and Measures.

Now, he was part of Nicholas' scientific association and these last months, his organizational prowess had been recognized by Mendeleev.

Soon, with Nicholas's approval, he became Mendeleev's assistant, overseeing the distribution of the chamber's resources and organizing the data.

'The funds are being delayed by the damn bureaucrats. If we allow this to continue, the timelines will fall apart.

I should talk to Mr. Mendeleev. Maybe the Tsarevich could help by assigning a single officer to oversee imports, reporting directly to the association.' He rose to his feet, donned his coat and walked out of the door, going for Mendeleev's place.

Exactly these keen organizational skills made him an asset to Mendeleev, and the scientist often relied on him to coordinate various projects and initiatives

Ivan was rising steadily in his career, and his future, given Mendleev's mentorship and his loyalty to Nicholas, looked promising.