This time the curtains were fully extended, and a clear day, which no one had been waiting for after yesterday's rain, illuminated the office with soft morning light.
- Please, sit down, - my father pointed to a long narrow sofa with a curved back, upholstered with the same green fabric as the one that went on the curtains. The authorities lowered on the seat like a real lady, gracefully straightening her dress skirt. Lisa and Andri, without any extra ceremonies, were close by. - So... - Dad put his hands behind his back and looked at the kids carefully - I understand you're worried about my mother and I had an argument... Well, I won't hide it, it's really serious. And it's getting harder and harder to hide... You are already big enough, even Lisa, and you realize that not all people live as well as we do. Not everyone has beautiful bright rooms with electricity, water in the plumbing and a five-course lunch. Unfortunately, this has always been and will always be the case... Yes... But those who don't have all this, think it's unfair that some people eat on silver, while others don't even have a crust of bread to satisfy their hunger... So, children, there are such gentlemen in our city who benefit from fomenting envy in the hearts of the poor and convincing them to start a big rebellion against the Emperor and his power. These gentlemen are eager to stand in power on their own. Their political intrigues used to be a trifle ferment of minds, but not so long ago everything changed, and they gained too much power... The Emperor knows about it and takes serious measures to stop the wave of discontent and outrage. However, not everything is in his hands... sad as it may seem. И... - It wasn't easy for my father to say the words, it was as if he was pushing them out of his mind - your mother is very afraid that the Emperor will be killed soon, and his throne will be taken by very different people. And then our city and the whole Empire will plunge into chaos.
The professor stopped talking and looked at the children, waiting for their questions. However, Vlad looked as if she had forgotten to speak at all. Her huge blue eyes cried without tears. In these eyes, Alexandburg was already lying in ruins, and the family of the professor asked alms on the porch. Lisa, on the contrary, all came close, like a hunting dog, and looked at his father with determination and courage. She was ready at least now to look for the enemy who dared to encroach on her beautiful life.
Andri himself must have looked puzzled. He was indeed struggling to cope with the many thoughts that had arisen in his head at the same time.
If anything happens to the Emperor... Will Alexander wear the crown? Or not? Or will it really go to some very different person? And what kind of person is this? Or people? Why do they not like the Emperor? Why do they want to make "ugly"? But before Andri had time to decide which question to ask first, Vlad broke the tense silence.
- Daddy... - Her voice sounded weak, but as always very stubborn - we really must leave! I suppose Mother is right!
My father nodded slowly.
- Yes, Vladonka, you should. But I can't know. But I think I'll send all of you and your mother away.
- No! - Lisa jumped off the couch, a small, angry, not like a girl from a professor's family, but like a wild cat. - I'm not going anywhere without you, Daddy!
He and Lisa looked at Vladka as a traitor.
What did you think you were doing? Leave without my father! What a wild nonsense...
Dad laughed badly, patted them both on the shoulders, and gently drew them to himself. His dark gray jacket smelled like tobacco and cologne too... and his father himself.
Andri thought he'd never leave him in his life.
He and Alexandra.
The imperial dining room in the Alexander Palace was huge. It could easily accommodate more than one hundred guests. This time, however, only Alexander and his father sat at the main table and four other people whom the Emperor tried to trust... True trust was not, of course, a question of... But at least these people were the closest to the Emperor and his fundamental decisions.
A young footman in a burgundy camisole served wine. Alec was surprised to see how his father had ordered a glass of heir to be filled, too. Usually, the Grand Duke was not poured strong drinks, considering it unnecessary. However ... that there is wine! All-day long, it was so extraordinary!
To be the Chief Justice was not as scary as Alexander thought. In the end, there were seven other ordinary judges in the room, who took turns expressing their opinions. The Grand Duke had only to weigh all their arguments, compare them with his own thoughts and make a verdict.
It wasn't that difficult at all. Algebra is much worse...
But there was a strange thing going on with the memory: now, sitting at the table, Alcus surprisingly vaguely remembered the last trial ... It was as if it had taken place not this morning, but at least a year ago. The details were erased... words, smells, sounds.
Continued in the next part 12.