Kieva, Dukes room

November

Grigori Rasputin POV

"You fucking idiot!" shouted the Duke of Kieva as he grabbed me by the throat, "You almost killed Tatiana! You're dying today!"

Struggling to regain my breath, I tried to pull his hands off my neck to no avail. As such, I hit him in the stomach to dislodge him.

Breathing in the precious air, I tried to appease the young fool, "She is still alive and Olga has abdicated. Our goals have been completed, everything is alright."

"Everything is alright? You really know how to make me angry!"

Trying to calm him down, I simply answered, "The plan may not have gone perfectly and Olga may have survived, but she has removed herself from the line of succession as we planned. It was simply a coincidence that Princess Tatiana had secretly visited her sister, it was no one's fault."

"And as a result, the Tsar has declared war on his own citizens, executing anyone who is even suspected of being an anarchist. More than two thousand people have died and you dare to say everything turned out fine? The whole Liberal system of Russ is in shambles!"

"Do not kid yourself. This would have happened even if things went just as planned. The Tsar loves his daughters," I retorted, only to find a sword pointed at me yet again, "You should stop trying to kill me, you'll arouse suspicion."

Pointing his sword away from me, Duke Viktor glared at me, if I wanted you dead, they'd never find your body. You're still alive because Tatiana managed to escape unscathed."

If it was that easy to kill me, someone would have already done it. Chuckling softly, I took a drink from a bottle of vodka, "Now that my part is done, it is time for you to play your part. Ask for her hand, before the other suitors start appearing."

With a spell, the Duke coated his blade with a flamelike aura before staring into it for a long while.

"The decision is scheduled for November of next year. I will spend time with her during the summer and propose myself as a husband candidate at a public party," he replied, still in his trance.

The plan was all well and good, if not for one small issue. The Imperial Crown Prince would be visiting at the same time and planned to ask for her hand on the Penultimate day.

"That would be difficult, my future Tsar. Your greatest challenger, Imperial Prince Karl, will be visiting this summer to do the very same."

Still looking at the sword, Viktor waved his hand dismissively, "Tatiana will choose me either way. I have no reason to be worried about him."

Again with that cryptic confidence. There are many strange things about the Duke, but what really surprises me is not his strange ideas, his enigmatic behaviour nor even his fondness for that blade. It was how he spoke of Princess Tatiana.

Almost as if there was something between them already. If it was true it would be very beneficial, but I have never heard of such a thing. Not even a hint from the Princess herself.

"You speak as if you were already in a secret relationship with her! I didn't think the rumours actually held some weight!"

"You could call it that, but not in the way you think it is."

"Nothing is set in stone. You put too much trust in your relationship with her. Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer. Even if she was carrying your child, she may not pick you, play your cards right."

"Shut your filthy mouth and don't ever speak about Tatiana like that again!"

How short tempered.

Berun

December of 1907

Tatiana POV

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar bed surrounded by my guards. As I adjusted to the unfamiliar situation, I realised I was in a huge room decorated with symbols of the Empire.

Galia, one of my personal servants, spoke up having realised I was awake, "Princess! I can't tell you how glad I am that you are well!"

"Why are we in the Empire?" I asked, my memory too hazy to give me any insight.

Macha, the leader of my guards, saluted before giving me an answer, "You've been unconscious since the attack. Upon the orders of the Tsar, you and your sisters have been brought to Berun in secret."

Finally remembering what happened, I asked, "How is Olga?"

"She was mostly unharmed by the anarchist attack on the hospital. She's abdicated and gone to a nunnery."

A nunnery? The attack must have caused her to give up on ascending to the throne. What a shame, I would have preferred her over Anastasia or Maria.

"And what's happening back home?"

Clenching her fist, Macha hesitated for a moment, before giving me the bad news, "The Tsar has seized power and ordered a purge of all anarchists. Hopefully it ends quickly with the elimination of those rats."

A purge? That's horrible! That's just like what happened before the revolution. A purge could only go so far before the citizens rebel!

Keeping my fears hidden, I thanked her before lying back down. This was so boring. Sure I would rather be bored than scared or uncertain, but surely I could have some fun once in a while?

Things have gone south, I need to run away before all hell breaks loose. I will just have to keep a low profile for the rest of my life lest I get hunted down.

Why did everything have to be so difficult?

Damn you Being X!

Unfortunately, my string of curses was cut short by Galia placing a bowl of soup before me and holding a spoonful before my face, "Here you go, Princess. You need to eat well now that you've lost so much weight."

The soup was bland. Not that it mattered, I finished it regardless. I have no interest in ever experiencing malnutrition ever again, having a permanently stunted body was not something I'd like to repeat.

Nobleman Gym of Berun

December of 1907

"Well done! You're getting better at this by the day!" complimented Karl as he prepared to serve.

As part of my recovery regime, I was expected to participate in a few hours of light exercise every day before my meals. As a result, I have spent way too much time playing badminton with Prince Karl.

Unfortunately, he would often serve the shuttlecock too high, it has passed over my head more times than I care to count.

"Once again, I apologise," he apologised sheepishly as he watched me pick it up.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, while waiting for me to serve.

"The doctors said I'm doing much better now."

"That's good," he smiled, temporarily distracted.

Seeing an opening, I aimed for the far side of the court, only to watch him effortlessly cover the distance and send the shuttlecock careening straight over my head again.

"What do you think about your sister going to a nunnery?"

It was a shame, to be honest. She was the one I got along with best, the one I invested on the most. Now Anastasia was next in line. Our relationship was still strained, but she hasn't made any big complaints ever since that day, so I'll take it as a sign I've gained some of her approval. .

"Honestly? I'm happy for her, she wasn't going to like being on the throne anyways, now she can study her medicine in peace. On the other hand, Anastasia definitely has the flair for it though."

As soon as I said that, I noticed Karl frowning. I suppose he doesn't like Anastasia that much.

Once more, he served. I raced forward to intercept it, only to trip and fall.

"Ouch, I should have been more careful."

Karl immediately ran over and knelt down beside me, "Are you alright? I am so sorry."

"It's not your fault. It was entirely my mistake."

Standing up, he held out a hand to help me up.

"Maybe we should call it a day for badminton, let's try something different."

"Where are we going?" I asked as I looked behind to see our guards following behind us.

Not responding, he brought me to a small enclosed stadium. The place looked well used, but was empty save for the two of us and our security entourage.

"I am not very interested in this particular sport, but for some reason I think you'd like it. Why don't I teach you?" he said while picking up a gun.

"Skeet shooting?"

"Indeed! Usually we wouldn't prop up the gun, but I think we'll have to make an exception for you. Wouldn't want you getting hurt a second time today!"

It's been so long since I've shot a gun, or even held one. I don't want to admit liking them, but they gave me a sense of security. Too bad it didn't matter that I had one when I died, that moment of powerlessness was horrible.

Taking the lane to my left, Karl took out what seemed to be his personal gun, a military grade rifle instead of a sporting one.

Loading a magazine of ten rounds, he took a deep breath and waited for the clay pigeons. With impressive accuracy, he took out all five targets without missing a single shot. Turns out the spoilt Prince could indeed shoot, making him better than half the recruits that made it to the Rhine.

"Right, I still got it. Now, let's get you in position," he smiled proudly.

After countless adjustments, I was finally at the right height and form to fire.

"Interesting, you're holding the rifle correctly. Did someone teach you?"

"Well, I've learnt many things. This is just one of them," I replied, steadying my hand in anticipation.

As I pulled the trigger, I was finally reminded that I could only handle firing guns in my past life because of one little detail. I could use magic back then.

After the first shot, I lost my grip on the rifle, no longer having the strength to readjust.

"Princess!" shouted my Guards as they rushed to support me.

How exciting, I truly did miss the thrill of firing a gun.

"So, how did I do?" I laughed.

Karl hesitated for a while, before laughing along, "Well, you hit the first one perfectly, as for the other four, I think we should train your strength first."

At list my aim was still true. I haven't lost everything I learnt as the Argent.

"I'd like to think this makes me as good as you are."

"You're one crazy princess, if you don't mind me saying," he continued to laugh.

"Well, you better invite me back sometime. I want to practice my skills further."

Kieva

December 1907

Viktor POV

Having finally done everything I needed to do for the day, I made my way to my next meeting. At least, until I had the poor fortune to meet a certain… ally.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Moskva right now?" I asked the shifty man.

"And I have returned with very important news. News relating to your plans."

"Not again. Do you really want me to kill you?"

"It isn't my fault this time," he answered, grabbing my sleeve.

"Let go. I have more important things to do than to play your games."

Sighing, Grigori spoke up, "Fine then, I'll make this quick. Tatiana has been in Berun for a while now. The Imperials have already made their move.

She's in Berun? How? She must be so angry that they're getting in her way of saving Russ. I didn't want to hate the Empire, but they've been interfering with our plans for far too long!

"I need to go to Berun now!"

"Don't be so reckless, you are the Duke of Kieva. You can't just show up unannounced!" scolded Grigori, before he started drinking from his bottle of Vodka.

Again with that stupid drinking habit of his! I really wish I could just have him killed, it would certainly do humanity a favour.

"What am I supposed to do then?"

"Nothing. The Imperials are now protecting the princess while the Tsar is trying to make his country safe again. With how paranoid the Tsar is now, anything you do now will worsen the situation."

"Who's fault is that? You were the one that came up with that stupid plan!"

"You are certain Tatiana will pick you as her suitor in the end, yes? Then make your request in writing and pray you are correct."

"Fine then. I'll have it done," I replied, "But don't let me see your face anytime in the next three months if you want to live a long life."

Sighing, he asked, "And if I need to contact you?"

"Just leave a letter on your table in the Cathedral. I'll deal with the rest."

He turned red in the face, "You're spying on me now?"

"I just needed to make sure you could be trusted. Now, leave. You've wasted enough of my time."

Moskva

January 1908

Lenin POV

What a pain. This was history basically repeating itself. In my previous world, the mass executions almost ended the revolution. I had to protect my assets better this time round.

Meeting up with one of my allies at a cafe, I pushed the suitcase I had brought over to him with my foot. A gift for his 'friends' to help them with their dreams.

Ensuring that the waitress he had ordered his coffee from was out of hearing range, my contact stated his problem, "The anarchists are getting antsy. They don't have the patience to wait anymore. They want us to start the revolution now."

"Forget about them, they are no longer of any use to us. When your hand gets infected, you can only do one of two things. Either you cut it off or you die with it. We need to cut our losses and save our resources for the future. I'll see to it that the Tsar removes them cleanly. There's no better time for that now that the Princess is safely outside Russ."

"Why is she so important?" asked my comrade as he fiddled with the newly acquired suitcase.

"She is a genius, a talent we need. She understands the best way for Russ to advance! Of course that means she is probably using us as much as we are using her. But do you know what is the best way to prevent the reactionary capitalists from hunting us down?"

With a look of confusion, my ally shook his head.

"We hide behind a monarch. A communist state with a royal figurehead. As long as we have control, there is nothing they can do to us. Soon enough all the other factions will fall in line. If all goes well, we won't have to spill too much blood."

"But the bourgeoisie will definitely fight against such a regime," he replied, quieting down as the waitress served his coffee.

I smiled at his comment, "Without the backing of the people they are nothing. We will crush them and establish Russ as the international communist stronghold. They will not have a place under our Red Sun!"

"Thank you for the story, I must tell all my friends. Good day, Sir," he laughed as he put his payment on the table.

I nodded and began to drink my coffee.

Oh proletariat of the world. We don't need to fight in a senseless civil war. No one needs to die when we have Princess Tatiana.