At this point, even the fearless Lisa became so uncomfortable that she wanted to immediately run to her parents' bedroom, as during a severe storm many years ago.
However, a couple of minutes later, my father appeared on the doorstep of the room in person.
- Don't sleep, of course... - He spoke when he walked into the room with a tiny candle for home icons. And even this candle was densely blocked by his fingers. - Do not be afraid, these people will not be able to enter the house. But please don't turn on the light. There is no need to attract attention now. I understand that this is difficult, but I still, try to sleep.
- Dad, but what is there?! - Lisa could not stand it. - What is going on there?!
Dad sighed. He looked tired. It was as if he hadn't gone to bed at all.
- A coup, girls. This boil exploded...
In the morning, the house looked like an anthill... Andri saw one of these once when he rested with his family in the country estate. The village boys stuck in a huge pile of needles and sticks in front of him a long old grip and pulled a couple of times. Ants ran in like crazy...
So their family was doing something very similar. Antonia, having forgotten about her usual business, rushed around the rooms and packed her things. Her father kept stopping her, telling her to "give up this nonsense and not sow panic. But in fact, the old nanny maid didn't look frightened at all. She was just trying to find and pack everything that was of any value to her understanding.
In the living room, there were five large suitcases on the floor and several other boxes of different sizes. Mom and Vlada were painfully trying to put at least part of their wardrobe in them. Antony put up kitchen utensils in boxes and some other senseless nonsense, according to Andrew. Lisa immediately said that it would cost a couple of dresses, and, unlike the rest of the women, was much more passionate about what was happening on the street. Andrew heard the angry shouts of Antonia, who did not want to open the curtains and look outward, although the doors themselves were closed to all locks. But Lisa still looked out. She was moving away from one window just to see so that in a couple of minutes she could be in the next room with the other. Andrew understood her, and he sneaked the curtains away and tried to understand how bad things were going on outside their apartment.
Nevsky Prospect had mysteriously changed overnight. Everywhere to which he had enough eyes, Andrew saw scarlet flags or just different rags of all shades of red. They hung on the lantern poles, on the wires, on the cornices of showcases and even on some balconies. Andri thought with a shudder that they could try to climb to tie such a flag. But fortunately the Goranov family occupied the third floor of the house, and it would have been difficult to get to their balcony. On the second floor was just a bay window, so all the red rags went to the other houses.
Usually, the avenue was full of joyful city life - knocking horses' hooves, occasionally frightening passers-by with a car horn, merchants, children running... But this morning everything looked different. People with red bandages on their sleeves were riding along the street, and now and then one could see the covered crew with suitcases on the roof, but just passers-by were not there at all...
- Dad, where are all the townspeople? Where are the guards? Guardsmen? - Andri asked for breakfast.
Most of the army and police officers had gone over to the side of the new government.
- New? - The children were looking at the older Goran, not understanding these words.
My father chewed fiercely. The chewing gum on his cheekbones was sharp and nervous.
- At night, supporters of the movement against the Emperor and his rule seized power in the city. They managed to lure most of the armed forces to their side in advance.
- But why? - Andri was amazed. - How could this happen?! This is a betrayal!
- Betrayal," his father harshly confirmed. And when the faithful people of the Empire finally put things in order, I think all these defectors will be punished severely.
- Will they? - Vlad asked with hope.
- Of course, my child... - Her father smiled at her through the anxiety in her eyes. - It was only a matter of time before she could smile. I hope things will get better in a few days.
Continued in the next part of 27.