The Grand Ducal Coup has succeeded. In order to avoid revolution, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, the Tsar's brother, takes the reigns of the Government in Petrograd and declares himself regent with the support of all senior Grand Dukes. With a he...
Arriving in Mogilev, Vladimir and his father settled into their rented house, leaving their mother and sisters to remain in the train for the time being. Their stay was brief, planned for just a week before returning to Tsarskoe Selo. As soon as they arrived, Vladimir's father made arrangements to meet with his nephew, the Tsar, only to be informed that the entire imperial family had come to visit and the Tsar would not be available for a couple of days.
This news ignited a flicker of warmth within Vladimir's chest. It had been over a year since the last time he had seen Grand Duchess Olga and the deep impression she had made on him had slowly faded, replaced by the routine and horrors of war. Their interactions had dwindled to mere correspondence, with Olga sending two congratulatory notes – one upon the publication of Vladimir's poetry book, and the other on his name day.
Her silence seemed to be a distinct sign that he had made no impression on her, so, in order to save himself further entanglements, he had put the matter aside. It was a surprise, even to himself, that those feelings, buried in a deep corner of his mind, came alive at once at the simple thought that she was staying in the same town where he now was.
It was strange that he felt this way, even now. Over the months that had passed since their last encounter, and especially after their meeting with Grand Duke Alexander, Vladimir had formed some resentment against her parents, particularly against her mother and the mad monk who seemed to control her every move. He wasn't so extreme as to join the many gatherings and plots that were happening within the army and Petrograd, but he did write some satirical articles and drew a few caricatures of the Empress and Rasputin that were being widely circulated. He had done all this anonymously, so he was fairly confident that no one knew he was the author, but, if it ever transpired that he had done those things, he was more than certain that Olga would never forgive him.
Ups! Gambar ini tidak mengikuti Pedoman Konten kami. Untuk melanjutkan publikasi, hapuslah gambar ini atau unggah gambar lain.
He had thought that it didn't matter, but now, when she was so close to him, he started to feel a pang of regret. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her in any way.
Three days after their arrival, they finally received a telegram from the Emperor, accepting his father's invitation to tea. To Vladimir's great joy, he also informed his father that his wife and children would be joining them the next day, at four in the afternoon.
The moment the telegram arrived, Vladimir's mother was a whirlwind of activity. Her normally composed demeanour gave way to a flurry of excitement and nervousness as she paced the living room, her hands fluttering. Vladimir watched her with a mixture of amusement and concern. He had never seen his mother so animated, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. After years of longing for the Emperor's approval, she finally got her chance to shine.
"We have to make this tea unforgettable," she declared, her voice laced with determination. "We must have the finest ingredients, the most exquisite presentation. The Emperor must leave here with nothing but fond memories."
Vladimir nodded in agreement, his heart swelling with a sense of purpose. He would do everything in his power to help his mother make this tea a success.
The next day, they set off in their father's car, venturing into the heart of the Belarusian countryside. Their mission: to uncover the region's hidden treasures, the ingredients that would elevate their tea to an extraordinary level.
They visited small farms and roadside stands, their noses twitching with anticipation as they sampled the local produce. They savoured the rich aroma of freshly baked bread, the tangy sweetness of honey from a nearby beekeeper, and the delicate fragrance of wild herbs plucked from the mountainside.
With each stop, Vladimir could see the excitement growing in his mother's eyes. She was like a child on Christmas morning, her senses overwhelmed by the abundance of flavours and aromas. He couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm.
As the day wore on, their car became a makeshift pantry, filled with the bounty of the Belarusian countryside. They had jars of honey, baskets of bread, and bundles of fresh herbs. They even acquired a few bottles of local vodka, which Vladimir's mother insisted would add a touch of sophistication to the tea.
When they returned to their rented house, Vladimir and his mother unloaded their treasures with the glee of treasure hunters. The kitchen was transformed into a makeshift laboratory, where they carefully arranged the ingredients, their hands moving with practised precision.
Vladimir also prepared a few games to entertain the youngest guests. Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories of entertaining his sisters back in Paris, Vladimir set about creating some original charades and dusting off old game boards that he had stumbled upon in the attic. The nostalgic scent of childhood memories filled the air as he carefully arranged the games in the drawing room.
In addition to the games, Vladimir had also been working on a small play with his sisters for weeks. It had been a collaborative effort, filled with laughter and creativity, and now it was time to put their work to the test. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, they gathered in the drawing room and launched into an impromptu rehearsal.
The play, which was a lighthearted and humorous take on everyday life, was a resounding success. The audience, comprising their parents and the officers who were staying for dinner, roared with laughter throughout the performance. Vladimir's heart swelled with pride as he watched his sisters' faces light up with joy.
The day had been long and filled with activity, and by the time midnight rolled around, Vladimir was exhausted but feeling a sense of accomplishment. Keeping busy had been a welcome distraction from his thoughts of Olga, but now, as he lay in bed, the excitement of the upcoming day began to fill his mind. Sleep eluded him as his mind raced with anticipation. He couldn't wait to see the Emperor and his family, to show them the hospitality of their home, and to delight them with the games and play that he had so lovingly prepared.
