The Imperial Revenge

Chapter 12

March 1921

Life without Timofey was difficult. Ilya quickly regained his health and went directly back to work. And as for me, I needed money especially if I was going to leave Tomsk one day. There was a very severe drought here in Siberia right now which really took a toll on us. That was only the more reason to get money. I saved up to eight rubles which converted over to about 11¢ in American money and .091¢ in Euros. Which wasn't nearly enough for anything. So, Rodion and I took up a job.

I was disguised a servant for a middle-class home in Northern Tomsk. The family came from decently wealthy business and I was to simply steal any that looked valuable. Ilya said that because I was handsome, I'd have an advantage. So this Spring party should be fairly easy as I served wine to different people.

"Here you go, ma'am." I smiled and poured some wine into the old lady's glass.
"Such handsome and peculiar looks! Brown hair with that slight red-tint. Pale blue-eyes and fair skin. My God, you must be some sort of angel."
I blushed. "Thank you, ma'am." I set down the wine and took her hand. I carefully slid off her diamond bracelet as I kissed her hand. I slipped it into my pocket, picked up the wine, and went on my way. I then went to a group of young women and flirted some. I retrieved a couple more bracelets and a ring. This probably the most dishonorable thing I have ever done. But when Ilya says that when you're poor, you have to either steal or cheat your money. Rodion seemed to be doing decently well as I saw his hand in his pocket frequently.

Once the sun began to go down, Rodion and I quickly ran outside. We changed our clothes back into casual ones and then hid the "work" clothes in a trash bin. We combined all of our jewels into one back and then hopped in our horses. Rodion got to carry the bag because I need to keep a good grip on my horse otherwise I'd fall off. Hemophilia privileges, I suppose.
"How long should it take to get back?" Rodion asked me. It was snowy around us and freezing. We were only wearing sweaters, jeans, and our shoes.
"About forty-five minutes because of the snow. There's an oil lamp on the bag attached to saddle of my horse. We might have to light it."
"Jesus, how much money do you think me made?"
"Well probably a lot. We can pawn them for money. Listen Rodion, we can earn enough money and get out of Siberia. I hate it here."
"I'd like to see other places. I want to find out what Moscow is truly like."
"I heard it's dirty. I don't we're missing much."
"Alexei, don't ruin my dreams for once. You're a sixteen-year-old boy who can literally die from a bruise. You are the last person in this world who can judge me."
"Alright, that's fair. Ilya might be very impressed with us."

We arrived home and set our bag of jewelry on the kitchen table. Ilya sat and looked through it. He nodded and pursed his lips at us.
"That's not bad for first timers. Alright, I'll go trade this tomorrow with a gang in Yekaterinburg. It'll take a few days for me to get back. But I'm going to give both of you...fifty rubles each."
Rodion and I both gasped. "Oh my God! Are you being serious?"
"Of course. You both have earned it. Do more jobs like this and you'll get more money. I'm proud of you both. Go call it a night."
Rodion and I went to the basement. We went to our beds and changed into our pajamas. I had burned Timofey's pillow, blanket, and mattress. I kept the money he had; which had been about ten rubles. Rodion made a new mattress out of hay which he put on Timofey's bed and he now slept next to me. Him and I stayed up late talking to each other. We discussed finances and different places in Russia. Rodion talked that wherever I went, he would go. He still feels like he owes me for saving his life a couple of years ago.

"Alexei, I have a secret to tell you." Rodion whispered to me. I nodded at him. He sighed and shut his eyes.
"I have a daughter."
I had to throw my hand over my mouth to keep myself from gasping. "You have a daughter and you didn't tell me? What's her name?"
"Her name is Anya. I couldn't tell you because I had her out of wedlock. There was a girl I fell in love with and we made love. Next thing I know, she's with child. I love Anya so much and I had to leave her to find work. Instead, I found Ilya and you. Anya would be three this year. I miss her so much. But I cannot see her and my girlfriend again until I have a proper job."
"I'm so sorry. Rodion...there's something I must tell you too." I whispered. Rodion stayed silent and kept eye contact with me. I kept my calm together and looked at the floor.
"Rodion...my name isn't Alexei Savenkov. My name is Tsarevich Alexei Romanov. I'm the son of the Tsar."
He had a puzzled face. He didn't believe me. I propped my head up and stuck my hand into my pillowcase. I stuck my hand in the pillow and pulled out my gold-Romanov brooch. I took it out and then handed it to Rodion. He gasped and looked me in the eye.
"Alexei Romanov?"
I shushed him. "I'm begging you not to tell anyone because I will be tortured and killed by the government if they find out. Please, do not say anything at all."
Rodion spit on his hand and then held it out at me. "I swear that I will not say anything. Now we're truly connected forever. Our secrets bind us together as friends and brothers."
I spit on my hand and shook his hand too. It felt so nice telling someone my real name. And now around him, I can be Alexei Romanov.