In the ten minutes of their journey back to the Grand Kremlin Palace, Alexander and Tiffania were silently minding their business. Alexander was looking out of the window to watch the scenery outside while Tiffania was reading a hardcover book titled "Principles of Thermodynamics"
For a woman to read such a technical book would generally lament over the shame. But such a thing didn't concern her as she was determined to reach her goal, of becoming great like her brother.
The motorhome stopped in front of the Grand Kremlin Palace's main entrance. The door opened, allowing one Imperial Guard outside to come in.
"Your Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, you have arrived in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Please follow me as we escort you safely to your rooms."
Honestly speaking, Alexander kind of missed the presence of the chief of staff of the Imperial Guards, Rolan. He is also in Moskva, probably doing personal things. Well, the guy doesn't have outside relationships other than the members of the Imperial Family. He hopes that he uses his free time to find someone that would live with him for the rest of his life.
There are only two and half months left before his leave ends and will promptly return to work as soon as it finishes. He is looking forward to hearing his stories.
Alexander and Tiffania exited the motorhome and entered the Grand Kremlin Palace.
"Okay Tiffania, I'll be in my office doing administrative tasks, if you need something just ask the guards. If and only if it's urgent and requires my attention, visit my office. Do you understand?"
"Yes brother, I'll be in my room to finish this book," Tiffania showed him the book she is reading. Alexander returned a smile. Before taking his leave he glanced at the Imperial Guards surrounding them.
"Please escort her to her room," Alexander ordered.
"Yes Your Majesty," the Imperial Guards saluted and escorted Tiffania to her assigned chambers.
Seeing Tiffania's figure disappearing from the distance, Alexander began walking towards his office. While on his way there, he wonders what type of work awaits him when he gets back to work.
The door of his office was opened by the Imperial Guards standing guard on both sides of the entrance. They are armed with service-issued Mosin Nagant bolt-action rifles, which will be soon replaced with a more modern one, or more specifically, the Heckler & Koch MP5. Distribution will take place next month.
Damn, he can't wait to see how the MP5 would look on them. It would be like the secret service of the United States President. But instead of wearing their iconic black suit, they'll still keep their traditional royal guard uniform.
Upon his entrance, the guards promptly closed the door, leaving him with no fear of getting seen trudging across his office.
He sat behind the desk and leaned back to fully enjoy the moment which would last, he checked his watch, in five minutes. He knew that when that time ends, the work is going to flood him over.
Five minutes later, Alexander stared at his telephone, waiting for it to ring, he began guessing who would contact him first. Would it be one of his ministers? Sevastian? A member of the Imperial Council? He'll find it out in the next few seconds...
The telephone rang and Alexander quickly picked it up and held it against his ear. "Hello?" He greeted the person on the other end.
"Your Majesty, just in time."
He recognized the voice, it was from Sevastian. That guy is really punctual when it comes to matters of importance.
"Sevastian, you were the first one to call me. So, what do we have?" Alexander began.
"Your Majesty, do you remember the operation you ordered on Swedish soil?"
"Yes, what's the matter? Is the Swedish government going to lodge a complaint?"
"That is the case, Your Majesty. When our fighter jets bomb the town of Gallivare, it took 50 Swedish lives. The families affected were outraged and seeking justice. The Swedish government is condoning the operation to destroy Ruthenian military vehicles as well as the intrusion of their airspace."
"What are they demanding," Alexander inquired.
"They are demanding reparations, Your Majesty. 100,000 rubles for each family affected and a televised press conference where you will apologize to the family.
"What? Are they asking me to humiliate myself in front of my citizens? That is not happening. 100,000 rubles per family is something I can agree on but a press conference? Sevastian, you must find a concession we can deal with."
"I'm working with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei, about that, Your Majesty."
"Do you have any more to report to me?" Alexander asked, if not, he would end the call and accommodate the next caller.
"There is, Your Majesty, do you want the good news first or the bad news?" Sevastian questioned.
"Bad news first so that if the report pisses me off, the good news will ease the blow."
"In that case, Your Majesty, as soon as you return to the Winter Palace, please come to the Imperial Council Building immediately. There is a problem concerning an influx of Hanese immigrants in Manchuria and the Imperial Council has been in an uproar over it. One side said that we should deport all of them while the other side said to take them in. Also, Your Majesty, the representative of the Grand Duchy of Finland has raised a memorandum calling for independence."
"What the fuck..." Alexander cursed under his breath and slammed his hands on the table. "Why is it that when I'm not in St. Petersburg shit happens huh?"
"The Grand Duchy of Finland said that their identity is being threatened especially when you demand them to let Ruthenian officials investigate the stolen military vehicle case where one of the perpetrators is a Finnish general. Not only that, they claimed that the Finnish people are not satisfied with your rule. In fact, there was a referendum saying that eighty percent of the Finnish people voted for independence."
"Are they really?" Alexander scoffed. "It's a rigged referendum. There must be something going on behind the scenes. Inform the FIS to investigate the Finnish government. I want a detailed report next week."
"Oh, Your Majesty, speaking of FIS, the good news is that they have gathered enough intelligence and information about the Black Hand."
Alexander's mood went up a little bit since this means the FIS has already uncovered something for the last five years. "Great, I will be hearing it next week."
"Yes Your Majesty. Lastly, Your Majesty, the FIS believes that the stolen military vehicle case was not carried out by a foreign nation but by Black Hand. Speaking of foreign nations, the Britannia Empire and the Deutschland Empire, deny any involvement in the operation."
"Black Hand huh? They are really getting on my nerves. Seriously, the moment I find out about the name and location of their main headquarters, I will nuke the shit out of them."
A gulp was audible on Sevastian's end.
