It took the ne 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 difort 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 rxed 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 exined, 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 returnter, 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 noting 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 toe with you now but don’t worry, I will return hometer,” Alexander assured her, leaning down to nt a kiss on top of her head.


    “You promise?” Anya asked, her blue eyes glistening._-.


    Alexanderughed 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 Rn 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 twoter at the pce, 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,” Rnmented 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.”


    Rn chuckled. “You truly are a great father, Your Majesty.”


    “Anyway, speaking of family,” Alexander said, looking up at Rn. “Do you have a girlfriend? Maybe a girl you are seeing?”


    “Unfortunately Your Majesty, I have none,” Rn 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,” Rn said.


    “But you n to build your own family right?” Alexander asked.


    “Yes, I do intend on bing a father, Your Majesty,” Rn said confidently.


    “Well, if that’s the case, know that you have my full blessing. If you n to marry a girl you love someday, rest assured, I wille to your wedding ceremony.”


    Rn gasped at the words, taken aback by Alexander’s deration. His eyes widened and he stammered, trying to find the words to express his gratitude for the emperor’s kindness. After several unsessful 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 ne 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 Rn follows suit.


    Rn escorted Alexander to the bathroom and Alexander does his business while Rn stands around, keeping Alexanderpany.


    ***


    Alexander washes his hands in the basin, using the pump bottle of liquid soap which reced 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.


    Handbing the facial hair, Alexander is reminded of his father’s beard.


    He now looks somewhat like thete Tsar, his skull structure squaring up, his imperial beardplimenting 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 Rn opens the door to check outside before walking with Alexander to the ne 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 nced at the paper quickly before nodding curtly. “Yes Your Majesty.”


    The pilot returned to the flight deck while Alexander took his seat in the ne and looked out the window once again, seemingly dissatisfied.


    “Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?” Rn 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 instations, you’ll see it when we arrive,” Alexander simply answered, not giving any exnation.


    …


    Thirty minutester, the nended at the runway of their designated destination. A military humvee trailed behind the ne, following it. As the ne taxied onto the apron and came to a stop, a couple of dozen men approached the airne from both sides, lining themselves neatly. The door of the ne opened and they saluted Alexander, all with serious expressions etched upon their faces.


    Alexander returned the salute, stepping out of the ne followed by Rn. He nced at the gentleman in front of him garbed in a high-ranking uniform. Among them is a man in histe 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,” Alexanderughed softly. “Shall we get going?”