It took the plane three hours to get from Simferopol Airport to St. Petersburg Airport, one that would normally take 25 hours if Alexander took a train. Anya was sleeping soundly on his chest, her breathing even and peaceful for a few minutes before she started to squirm in her sleep. Her brows were furrowed in discomfort and she opened her eyes slowly, blinking away sleep as they adjusted to the brightness of the light streaming through the windows.
"Papa?" She murmured, looking at him with sleepy, curious eyes. "Are we here?"
"Yes, Anya, we're here," He replied quietly, gently stroking her back. The young girl relaxed once again, burrowing her head under his chin and snuggling closer to him. Alexander smiled at her, his heart fluttering slightly at the cuteness of his daughter.
Sophie got up from her seat and walked over to the two who were having a father-daughter moment.
"Did she doze off again?" Sophie asked, reaching her hand to Anya, wanting to carry her.
"The flight made her dizzy," he explained, lifting Anya as he stood up from the chair and handed her gently into her mother's arms. "I have an appointment at six o'clock so I'll leave her in your care now."
"You'll return later, right?" Sophie said.
"Of course, I am. It'll only take four hours. I just have to inspect something and once I'm done with it, I'll return. Besides, it's not that far from here..."
"What...papa is not coming with us?"
Their brief exchange caused Anya to rouse from her slumber, blinking up at Alexander with wide eyes.
"Sorry sweetie, I won't be able to come with you now but don't worry, I will return home later," Alexander assured her, leaning down to plant a kiss on top of her head.
"You promise?" Anya asked, her blue eyes glistening.
Alexander laughed softly. "Of course, baby. When did I ever lie to you?"
Anya giggled happily; her mood lifted immediately by the simple assurance of her papa's promises.
Seeing that it was settled, Alexander's gaze flickered to Rolan who was standing behind Sophie in a dutiful manner.
"Are her escorts ready?" Alexander simply asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. All teams are standing by, waiting to receive the package."
"That's good to hear," Alexander nodded and returned his attention to his wife. "Okay Sophie, see you two later at the palace, okay?"
She gave him a smile before nodding in agreement and turning her attention back to their daughter.
"We're going now, Anya," Sophie said, adjusting Anya in her arms. "Say goodbye to papa."
"Bye-bye, papa!" Anya chirped with her usual enthusiasm, waving her delicate hand.
Alexander watched fondly at them as he watched them making their way toward the door of the cabin. As soon as the door shut behind them, he moved to the side of the cabin to watch them get into their cars. Armed Imperial Guards surrounded their vehicle, the sight of the security assured Alexander as they were the most important treasure of his life. Even if it cost him a million rubles.
Seeing that the car drove off from the airport, Alexander returned back to his seat.
"You have a lovely family, Your Majesty," Rolan commented with a smile on his face.
"I couldn't agree more," Alexander grinned as he leaned back in his seat. "They mean everything to me, I'd do anything to protect them, including losing my own life if needed."
Rolan chuckled. "You truly are a great father, Your Majesty."
"Anyway, speaking of family," Alexander said, looking up at Rolan. "Do you have a girlfriend? Maybe a girl you are seeing?"
"Unfortunately Your Majesty, I have none," Rolan responded.
"What? Even with your looks and position?" Alex said incredulously.
"It is the position that I'm holding that bars me from socializing a lot," Rolan said.
"But you plan to build your own family right?" Alexander asked.
"Yes, I do intend on becoming a father, Your Majesty," Rolan said confidently.
"Well, if that's the case, know that you have my full blessing. If you plan to marry a girl you love someday, rest assured, I will come to your wedding ceremony."
Rolan gasped at the words, taken aback by Alexander's declaration. His eyes widened and he stammered, trying to find the words to express his gratitude for the emperor's kindness. After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally spoke.
"Thank you...Your Majesty..."
As they were having a conversation, a pilot emerged from the cabin and bowed at the two.
"Your Majesty, the plane is refueled, where do you want us to go?" The pilot asked.
"I think I need to use the bathroom first." Alexander gets up from his seat and Rolan follows suit.
Rolan escorted Alexander to the bathroom and Alexander does his business while Rolan stands around, keeping Alexander company.
***
Alexander washes his hands in the basin, using the pump bottle of liquid soap which replaced the solid bar soap in many public toilets, another product by Imperial Dynamic Systems.
Shaking his hands dry before getting some toilet paper to dry, Alexander looks at his reflection in the mirror.
Gone were the childish looks of a charming prince, his hairless chin and upper lip are now covered by a well-groomed beard of a king.
Hand combing the facial hair, Alexander is reminded of his father's beard.
He now looks somewhat like the late Tsar, his skull structure squaring up, his imperial beard complimenting his looks.
'Am I still Thomas?' Alexander wondered as he finish wiping his hand and discards the paper in the bin.
"Let's go." Alexander makes to leave the toilet and Rolan opens the door to check outside before walking with Alexander to the plane where the pilot was having a smoke break before stubbing out the cigarette in his box at the sight of the Tsar and his bodyguard strolling towards him.
"Take us to this location," Alexander pulled out a small note from the pocket of his jacket, handing it to the pilot.
The pilot glanced at the paper quickly before nodding curtly. "Yes Your Majesty."
The pilot returned to the flight deck while Alexander took his seat in the plane and looked out the window once again, seemingly dissatisfied.
"Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?" Rolan asked, noticing the troubled look on his face.
"Nothing really. You should return back to your seat, we will be taking off shortly," Alexander dismissed the question, his eyes never straying from the window, clearly deep in thought.
"Mind if I ask where we are going?"
"In one of our undisclosed military installations, you'll see it when we arrive," Alexander simply answered, not giving any explanation.
...
Thirty minutes later, the plane landed at the runway of their designated destination. A military humvee trailed behind the plane, following it. As the plane taxied onto the apron and came to a stop, a couple of dozen men approached the airplane from both sides, lining themselves neatly. The door of the plane opened and they saluted Alexander, all with serious expressions etched upon their faces.
Alexander returned the salute, stepping out of the plane followed by Rolan. He glanced at the gentleman in front of him garbed in a high-ranking uniform. Among them is a man in his late twenties wearing a gray suit.
One of the high-ranking military personnel stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, it's a pleasure to meet you again."
"General Zhukov," Alexander immediately recognized his voice, extending his left hand in greeting.
Zhukov shook hands firmly, smiling warmly at the Emperor.
"So are the preparations ready for my tour?" Alexander asked.
"Yes sir," Zhukov replied confidently.
"Good," Alexander smiled before looking at the man in a gray suit. "How are you, Wegener von Braun? How are you liking our projects here?"
Wegener smiled as he stepped forward "Working here is the best decision I've made in my life, Your Majesty."
"I told you, you wouldn't regret working here," Alexander laughed softly. "Shall we get going?"
