Alexander returned the hug and planted a light peck on her forehead. This feeling is probably one thing he needed right now. "Is she asleep?"
"Yeah, she misses you," Sophie said softly as she pulled away from her husband and moved aside. She gestured for him to enter.
Alexander agreed quietly before he closed the door and made his way to the bed where Anya lay, sleeping soundly.
Alexander sat next to her and stared at her, watching her peaceful expression. Even in her sleep, she looks angelic with a small smile decorating her lips. He reached out and stroked some strands of hair from her face gently.
Peaceful was the expression written on his daughter's face. He wished that it would be the case forever. Just watching her reminds him of a time when he swore to protect his family. However, he failed at that recently. Sending his sisters to the Yamato Empire where hostility exists between his Empire and theirs.
It was stupid of him and he admits it. An emperor must be insightful and see a few steps ahead of others and make wise choices. However, the truth is, that sometimes he can't succeed in doing so.
"Do I really deserve my position as emperor of Ruthenia?" Alexander said softly but enough for Sophie to hear his words.
"What do you mean by that, Alex?" Sophie walked over to him quickly and sat beside him.
"I'm starting to realize it, maybe I'm not fit for this job. Maybe someone should be in my place instead of me," Alexander replied as he turned to look at his wife.
"Stop saying silly things, Alexander," Sophie placed both of her hands onto his face, warming it lightly with the gentlest of touches. "Why would you even think something like that?"
"I don't know...it just occurred to me," Alexander said as he continued. "The decisions I made as an Emperor could've killed my sisters. I lack insights. If I didn't send them there, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. War won't exist. Now that I think about it, that may seem to be the case. I should only stay where I'm good at, and that is building things."
Sophie gave him a warm smile as her thumb traced his cheeks affectionately. "Alex, you're the best one man there is. You are the only emperor that Ruthenia deserves. Without you, Ruthenian would've fallen into ruins, it won't be the second largest economy in the world, and it won't be as beautiful as it is today either. Many emperors have served Ruthenia, but no one has done more for it than you. So don't let those doubts get in your way."
Alexander smiled weakly and placed his hand on top of hers which is still cupping his face. "You always managed to make me feel better. I will be smart next time and adjust myself if needed. Thank you for being here with me, Soph. I love you."
Sophie leaned forward and kissed his forehead gently while looking into his eyes tenderly. "I'll always be by your side Alexander, isn't that what we promised to each other at our wedding? We will help each other out, though you're the one who is doing all of the work while me, I just stay in the palace, occasionally leaving to teach children in the art school."
"It's a noble job, Sophie," Alexander replied fondly as he took hold of her hand and interlaced their fingers.
"So...are you okay now? Have you calmed yourself a bit?" Sophie teasingly asked.
Alexander chuckled slightly before replying. "Well, I'm not really used to this kind of talk but it is indeed effective. I think I can do better now," he smiled.
Sophie returned the smile. Seeing that his husband is now returning to his cool mode, she relaxed slightly. "Alright then, commander-in-chief. You still have a war you need to win. So you can go back to the General Staff Building if you have to."
Alexander hummed at the thought and then—he suddenly pulled Sophie closer to him. "I don't think so. I'll spend the night with you and Anya. Besides, my generals have already planned out the offensive so I am not needed there anymore, of course, if something happens unexpectedly, which statistically speaking, won't happen. I'm going to use this night to refresh my mind. After all, as commander-in-chief, I need to have a clear head before making big decisions."
"That's great but Anya's bed is small and we won't fit. What should we do?" Sophie whispered as she felt her husband's embrace tighten around her.
"Well, we can set up a mattress on the floor. That way Anya would feel her parents are sleeping by her side."
"I didn't expect that but okay," Sophie chuckled softly. "Anyways, are you sisters okay? I heard that they are from the Yamato Empire."
"Yes, they were extracted safely from Tokyo. They'll arrive here tomorrow morning. I don't know if I can face them or not—"
"There you go again," Sophie pouted with a little frown on her face. "Alexander, negative thoughts will only bring you no good."
"Fine, I will welcome them home head-on," Alexander promised.
***
Ruthenia Empire, St. Petersburg Winter Palace.
On the chilly morning of October 18th, 1927. Alexander was standing in front of the gate as he watched a military convoy driving down the pavement of the Winter Palace.
His heart was beating fast, still feeling guilty over the misfortune that happened in Yamato Empire.
A blonde-haired man stepped outside the vehicle. Alexander immediately recognized the man. It was Rolan.
Alexander felt a wave of relief wash over him upon seeing him safe. After all, seeing him alive and healthy indicates that his sister is safe as well.
Rolan opened the car door, allowing three Grand Duchesses to exit the vehicle.
Alexander gasped. "Ana...Chrstie...Tiffa..."
Alexander quickly rushed over to them and hugged the three tightly. "I'm glad...I'm glad that the three of you are safe," he mumbled as he tightened the hug around them. "I shouldn't have let the three of you go...."
The scene was quite a shock to the people around. To think that they would witness their emperor display such emotional vulnerability took them slightly aback.
"Brother..." Christina hugged him back as she chuckled embarrassingly. "That is not befitting of an emperor..."
"I don't give a damn about royal etiquette. I'm just so glad that I could see you again. Did you know how worried I was when I heard the news? I couldn't think straight... I kept thinking, what if something happens to the three of you, I don't know what would've happened to me."
"Brother...I can't breathe..." Anastasia muttered as she struggled to breathe properly against her brother's tight hug.
"Oh...sorry," Alexander released them from his embrace and glanced at the three of them. Then one by one, he placed his hand onto their cheeks tenderly.
"I'm so very glad that you are now by my side again. I won't let such a thing happen to you again. Well, we can continue this inside. How about you three go inside?"
They nodded. The Imperial Guards escorted them inside.
Meanwhile, Rolan walked over to him with a defeated expression plastered on his face. "Your Majesty...I."
"Rolan, stop it, I don't want to hear it right now, not that I'm in a good mood. For now, you guard my angels there."
"Is that so? Are you perhaps heading somewhere Your Majesty?"
"In two hours, yeah. I'm going back to Command Ops. We have a war in our hands that."
"I understand. Very well, I shall get inside Your Majesty."
When everyone seems entered the Winter Palace. Alexander faced Sevastian. "Let's give the Yamato hell. I will initiate the Defense Production Act, mass producing everything from planes to tanks. Let's win this war and make it known to the world what would happen if they fucked with Ruthenia."
A smile beamed across Sevastian's face. His emperor is back in the game. "Consider it done, Your Majesty."
