April 1908
Alexei watched his sisters as they cried their hearts out, their figures growing smaller the farther the yacht carried him away. He stood on the deck of the imperial yacht Standart, smiling and waving in an effort to reassure them despite the distance widening with every passing moment. From where he stood, he could see his mother and father trying to console the girls, though their efforts seemed to do little to ease their distress. His sisters were clearly heartbroken at the thought of their favorite brother leaving on such a long journey, and for a brief moment, he felt a twinge of guilt as he continued to wave until they were no longer clearly visible.
He was now bound for Great Britain, specifically London, where he would attend the 1908 Olympic Games alongside the Russian athletes. Beyond the official purpose of the trip, there was also a more personal reason for his journey: he was expected to meet Princess Mary of York and determine whether any sense of compatibility existed between them. Alexei, however, doubted that such a connection could form at present, as he could hardly imagine himself entertaining thoughts of romance with someone so young. Perhaps, he admitted to himself, such considerations might make sense in the future when she had grown older, but for now, the idea felt entirely premature.
In truth, this was not the primary reason he found himself leaving his homeland, Russia. What truly motivated him was the opportunity to see more of the world in this new timeline and to observe international markets firsthand.
If he had been given the chance to be reborn as an ordinary person, he would have devoted this lifetime to traveling the world, experiencing everything it had to offer, and perhaps even searching for others who possessed abilities similar to his own. But such a life was not meant for him. Instead, he had been reborn into a position of great responsibility, bound to a family he could not simply abandon in pursuit of his personal desires.
As for the markets, his interest was more practical. He wanted to determine whether there were opportunities he had overlooked, avenues where he could invest his steadily growing wealth. After all, despite having lived twice before, he was far from omniscient. There were countless industries, ventures, and innovations he had never encountered or fully understood, and this journey offered him a rare chance to observe the current trend firsthand.
Alexei let out a quiet sigh as his family finally disappeared from view, even his enhanced vision no longer able to make out their figures. Leaning against the railing of the yacht, he allowed himself to relax and take in the scenery. Three ships trailed behind the imperial yacht Standart, serving as escorts for the journey, a precaution he welcomed. Security in this era, after all, could not compare to the relative safety of a century later. These accompanying vessels also carried the athletes and officials bound for the Olympics, as there had not been enough space aboard the yacht to accommodate everyone.
His thoughts drifted back to an incident from a few weeks earlier, when Zakharov had nearly made a critical mistake by forgetting that Imperial Russia still followed the Julian calendar, unlike the rest of Europe, which used the Gregorian system. Had Alexei not intervened with a timely reminder, the entire delegation might have arrived late for the Olympic Games, a blunder that would have reflected poorly on the newly established sports organization. Zakharov had been profusely grateful afterward, apologizing repeatedly for his oversight before rushing to reorganize the preparations for their departure. Fortunately, everything had ultimately proceeded without further issue.
Even so, he could not help but reflect on how far behind the empire lagged in comparison to the rest of the world. In nearly every aspect, Russia seemed to trail its European counterparts, and even something as fundamental as the calendar, they were falling behind. The thought made Alexei shake his head, though a faint laugh escaped him as well, amused and exasperated in equal measure.
Sednev heard the soft sound but chose not to comment. He had long grown accustomed to such moments. His tsarevich often drifted into his own thoughts, sometimes smiling, sometimes laughing quietly, and occasionally even making expressions that no one else could understand. Though curiosity lingered, Sednev had learned to hold his tongue. Instead, he turned his attention back to the open sea, watching as the distant outline of land gradually faded from view.
A moment later, however, Alexei's voice broke the quiet. "How is the training of the hitmen, Nagorny?"
Nagorny, who stood on the other side enjoying the view, was caught slightly off guard by the sudden question. He quickly composed himself, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before replying. "It is progressing well, Your Highness. We recruited thirty of the best marksmen from last year's shooting competition, and all of them accepted our offer. They are currently undergoing the training regimen you designed and should complete it within a few months. In fact, a number of them are aboard the escort ships behind us. They will also be participating in the shooting events at the Olympics."
"That is good to hear," Alexei replied with a nod. Nagorny had requested permission from the Tsar under Alexei's urging to recruit the finest shooters from the competition into the tsarevich's personal security. Fortunately, the Tsar had granted his approval without hesitation, allowing Nagorny to begin training them according to Alexei's specifications. The program itself was not overly complex, consisting mainly of physical conditioning, long-distance marksmanship drills, and a foundation of discipline suited for future snipers he had remembered from games and tv's in his first life. As for whether they were applicable in real life, Alexei didn't know, he could only test them out later in the future and adjust from them. After a brief pause, Alexei added, "Make sure to recruit more of the best shooters after the next competition in a few months."
The upcoming shooting event, organized by his sports association after the Olympics, would provide another opportunity to identify promising talents. Alexei intended to use it to expand what would eventually become a specialized unit of highly skilled marksmen that would be loyal to him and him only in the future.
Nagorny nodded without hesitation, clearly understanding the value of such men. "Yes, Your Highness. I will have my people keep watch for suitable candidates."
Alexei gave a small nod in return, offering no further comment as his gaze drifted back toward the horizon.
His thoughts soon returned to his investments in the automobile industry. So far, Yurovsky had everything well in hand and had already begun searching for a suitable location outside St. Petersburg for their first production plant. Alexei had made his expectations clear regarding the design and standards he wanted for their automobiles, and he trusted that Yurovsky would follow those instructions to the letter. After all, very few would dare to cut corners or deceive him, and Yurovsky was certainly not among them.
One of the directives he had given was to recruit workers from the slums or from areas under the influence of his underworld organization. Yurovsky had agreed without hesitation, having already witnessed firsthand how dependable the people from those districts could be. They had also discussed acquiring or licensing patents from existing automobile manufacturers, as they had little choice but to rely on established technologies while starting from scratch. However, Alexei had no intention of remaining dependent for long. Once he had gathered enough capable engineers, he planned to establish his own research and development division to create original designs and innovations.
He was drawn out of his thoughts when Zakharov approached and spoke respectfully. "Excuse me, Your Highness. I would like to report on the events our athletes will be participating in during the Olympic Games in London."
Alexei exhaled softly and shifted his attention to him before replying, "Very well. Let us discuss it inside."
They made their way inside, and it did not take long for them to reach his office. It was, in truth, his father's office whenever the Tsar used the yacht, but since his father was not present and Alexei had use of the vessel for this journey, he had taken it as his own for the time being. Once inside, he took his seat and gestured for Zakharov to do the same. The man complied at once, settling into the chair across from him.
Alexei leaned back slightly before speaking. "Is everything in order with our athletes?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Zakharov replied with a smile. "In fact, ever since we announced that they would receive additional monetary rewards from you for winning gold, silver, or bronze medals at the Olympics, they have been training with great enthusiasm. Many of them have even personally pledged to give their utmost in their respective events."
Alexei nodded in approval. "They had better. It would reflect well on the organization if we secure more medals than we did before its establishment. Success would not only earn my father's approval and continued support but also silence those who remain skeptical of what we are trying to build."
"I believe so as well, Your Highness," Zakharov said, handing him a document listing the events in which their athletes would compete. "These are the sports our delegation will be participating in during the Olympic Games."
Alexei glanced over the paper, noting the entries: boxing, shooting, archery, figure skating, wrestling, marathon, football, and cycling. The football team, he recalled, had been assembled rather hastily at his own instruction. He did not expect them to win, but that had never been the primary objective. What mattered was exposure, once they returned, word would spread, and interest in the sport would grow, encouraging more people to form teams in the future.
After finishing his review, he set the document down on the desk and spoke again. "Aside from aiming for more medals this time, we should also focus on promoting our athletes, especially those who achieve victories. Prepare to allocate funds for publishing their names and accomplishments in every newspaper in the empire after the Olympics. If people see their countrymen succeeding on an international stage, it will inspire interest. In time, we will have no difficulty recruiting participants even for the sports that currently lack representation."
"Yes, Your Highness," Zakharov replied, quickly noting the instructions in his notebook.
Seeing this, Alexei paused for a moment before asking, "Have you followed my instructions regarding the distribution of uniforms to our athletes?"
Zakharov set his notebook and pen aside after finishing his notes, then nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I have already issued each athlete a complete set of uniforms, including three shirts, two pairs of shorts, two pairs of trousers, socks and shoes. I have also instructed them to wear these during every competition so they can be easily recognized among the many participants."
"Good," Alexei said with an approving nod. He was not entirely certain whether other nations provided standardized uniforms for their athletes, but he had no intention of allowing his own representatives to appear disorganized or poorly presented. After a brief pause, he considered whether there was anything else he might have overlooked before speaking again. "I believe that covers everything. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
Zakharov hesitated for a moment before gathering his courage to speak. "Regarding your earlier suggestion to create a separate category for women in the shooting competition we plan to host after the Olympics, Your Highness… are you certain about it?" He paused briefly before continuing more carefully. "Many people may be skeptical, and some might even look down on the prestige of our competition if women are included. Not to mention the Church, they would likely react strongly if they heard of such a decision. Perhaps it would be wiser to proceed cautiously, to test the public's reaction first and determine whether it can be done without serious repercussions."
Alexei let out a quiet sigh as he listened. The idea had originally come from his sister Olga, who had asked for a women's shooting competition as a birthday gift, and he had agreed without much thought at the time. He had passed the instruction along to Zakharov without considering how such a proposal would be received in the current era. Now, hearing Zakharov's concerns, it was not difficult to imagine the resistance they might face about it. He would have to tread carefully, the last thing he wanted was to create unnecessary trouble for his father.
After a moment of reflection, he nodded. "I suppose you are right. I was too hasty in agreeing to it on a whim after my sister suggested it. Let me speak with my father about this when we return. If he approves, then there should be no issue in proceeding."
Zakharov let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Seeing that there were no further instructions to be given, he rose from his seat. "That will be all, Your Highness. Thank you for your time."
Alexei gave a small nod. "Very well. You may go."
Zakharov bowed respectfully before turning and leaving the room.
Alone at last, Alexei leaned back in his chair and casually propped both feet onto the table, allowing himself a moment of unrestrained relaxation. The journey from St. Petersburg to London would take about a week, leaving him with an abundance of idle time. After a brief moment of thought, he decided that starting the next day, he would resume working on the manuscript he had yet to finish. In addition, he needed to begin outlining the preliminary story for the comics he intended to develop after the Olympics. Yurovsky was already in the process of recruiting some of the most skilled artists in Imperial Russia for this endeavor, and Alexei hoped that by the time he returned, a capable team would already be assembled.
A knock sounded at the door, and knowing it could only be Sednev, Alexei did not bother to lower his feet. "Come in," he called out.
Sednev opened the door, and the sight of the tsarevich lounging with his feet on the table caused a brief frown to form on his face, though it quickly faded. He had reminded Alexei countless times about proper etiquette, yet it seemed his tsarevich had little intention of changing this particular habit. Fortunately, only a handful of close attendants had ever witnessed such behavior. If the Tsarina were to see it, Sednev knew he would be fortunate not to lose his position, as it was his duty to ensure the tsarevich conducted himself properly at all times. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a measured tone. "Your feet, Your Highness… please be mindful. If someone were to see you…"
Alexei waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I knew it was you so I didn't bother correcting myself." He paused briefly before adding, "Now then, what is it?"
Sednev sighed softly, resigned, before replying, "The captain of the ship is here to see you, Your Highness."
At that, Alexei let out a quiet breath and lowered his feet from the table, adjusting his posture and expression to regain his usual noble composure. He then gestured toward the door. "Very well. Let him in."
Sednev nodded and stepped out, returning moments later with the captain in tow.
Alexei was already well acquainted with the captain, as he and his family usually traveled aboard the yacht every year during their summer vacations. Because of that familiarity, he simply smiled and intended to greet the man amicably. Before he could speak, however, the captain beat him to it, immediately saluting and calling out, "Your Highness!"
Alexei had no choice but to stand and return the salute before replying, "Come now, Captain Chagin. It's only us here, and my father isn't aboard. We can dispense some of the formalities."
Captain Chagin lowered his hand and straightened his posture before shaking his head. "I'm afraid we cannot, Your Highness. We are soldiers and currently on duty. Formalities must still be observed, especially with you aboard the ship."
Alexei sighed at the captain's response before gesturing toward the chair opposite him. "Very well. Please, have a seat, Captain."
Captain Chagin nodded and sat down.
Seeing this, Alexei took his seat as well and went straight to the point. "So, what brings you here, Captain? We've only just left port, and I thought I wouldn't be seeing you until this evening."
"I came to report our planned route and schedule, Your Highness," Captain Chagin began. "It is standard procedure whenever His Majesty is aboard the ship. However, since the Tsar is not with us and you are the highest-ranking member of the Imperial Family aboard, it is my duty to report directly to you. If the weather remains favorable, the journey should take approximately five days."
Alexei shifted slightly in his seat, making himself more comfortable before replying, "Very well. Please begin."
Captain Chagin cleared his throat and began, outlining their planned route in careful detail. He traced their journey from the Baltic Sea toward the North Sea before continuing on to Great Britain. He spoke of expected weather conditions, potential delays, and the positioning of their escort ships, ensuring that every aspect of the voyage had been accounted for.
To be honest, Alexei was not particularly interested in this kind of information and only had a vague understanding of the terms the captain was using. After all, he had yet to begin his naval studies, as he was still undergoing military training under General Vladimir Nikolaevich Voeykov. Even so, Alexei nodded from time to time and asked questions whenever he encountered terms he did not fully understand.
Fortunately, the captain's report did not take long. Overall, from what Alexei could gather, there should be no issues with their journey, as they would be traveling through friendly waters. The only concern they needed to watch for was the weather, especially once they reached the North Sea.
Alexei leaned back slightly in his chair before speaking. "Very well. Everything seems to be in order, Captain. Keep me informed if anything changes."
"Yes, Your Highness." Captain Chagin rose from his seat and gave a crisp salute.
Alexei returned it with a small nod. "You are dismissed, Captain."
With that, the captain turned and exited the room alongside Sednev, leaving Alexei alone once more.
After a moment of thought, Alexei decided to review the list of things he should and should not do when meeting the British nobility, especially the King. He opened the drawer of the desk and retrieved the list his mother had given him, then began reading through its contents once more.
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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.