The Paleys (1915-1921) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Arrest

Grand Duke Paul remained calm, adjusting his cufflinks with practised ease. Though surprised by the order, his face betrayed no emotions. Before he could respond, a commotion broke out among the gathered soldiers.

One soldier, a young man with determined eyes, stepped forward, breaking formation. "We refuse to do this!" he exclaimed defiantly. "We won't arrest you, Grand Duke! We believe in the new government and the changes it represents!"

His words were met with murmurs of agreement from some of the other soldiers. The lead guard's face turned red with anger and surprise as he shouted at the young man, "Silence, Petrov! You will follow orders or suffer the consequences!"

Petrov stood his ground, undeterred by the tension in the air. "The people are on the side of the revolutionaries," he declared, his voice growing louder as others joined in with their support. "We will not become pawns to the Empress's oppressive rule!"

The room was filled with palpable tension. Vladimir, torn between conflicting loyalties and newfound rebellion, couldn't believe what was happening before his eyes. His heart raced in a chaotic rhythm, in the same beat as the chaos unfolding before him.

Grand Duke Paul raised his hand in a calming gesture, his charm masking the seriousness of the situation. "Soldiers," he spoke calmly, "I understand your passion and admire your devotion to your beliefs. But I assure you, neither I nor my family hold any rebellious thoughts. We do not resent our Emperor or Empress; we simply want to prevent further chaos from consuming our nation."

A silence fell over the soldiers as they listened to the Grand Duke's words. His sincerity and weariness seemed to strike a chord with them, even causing Petrov's defiance to waver, his eyes betraying a hint of doubt.

The Grand Duke seized this moment and continued, "While they may have made mistakes in handling recent conflicts, I have always seen their compassion towards their loyal guards. Do their faults truly warrant the hostility you direct at them? Will harsh words truly bring about change?"

The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances. The tension in the room began to ease, replaced by a sense of hesitation. Vladimir observed as Petrov's fists unclenched and the tense lines in his shoulders softened slightly.

The Grand Duke, sensing the shift, pressed on, his voice edged with genuine warmth. "My friends, I have spent my life in service to this nation. I have bled for it, just as your fathers and their fathers did. We all desire a better future, one where prosperity and justice reign. But let us not tear down the very foundations of our society in our pursuit of it. There must be a path to reform, a way to build without destroying."

Grand Duke Paul lowered his voice further, adopting a tone of quiet dignity. "I will not resist the order of arrest. I shall return to my residence and remain there until the situation unfolds further. While my support lies with my nephew, Grand Duke Michael, I urge you to maintain your respect for the Empress and her children. They are ill, and regardless of any differences, they deserve your protection. Continue your duties as you have always done, with honour and loyalty."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. The Grand Duke's words carried weight, laced with both acceptance and subtle influence. Petrov's rebellious stance wavered slightly as he glanced between the soldiers and the Grand Duke. Unspoken thoughts swirled around the room, a battle raging within each individual caught between their duty and their desire for change.

Vladimir gazed up at his father with a deep sense of admiration. Without raising his voice, nor breaking his word to the Grand Dukes, he was still looking out for the welfare of the Empress and her children.

The soldiers, moved by the Grand Duke's appeal to their values and honour, lowered their weapons and exchanged whispers amongst themselves. The tension slowly dissipated, replaced by a cautious understanding. Without a formal statement of surrender, they quietly agreed to maintain their posts, their loyalties momentarily suspended in the face of the unexpected turn of events.

Escorted by a reduced guard of four soldiers, they returned to the Paley Palace. As they entered, they immediately came across his distraught mother, who ran over to them, her eyes, red-rimmed and overflowing with tears.

"I thought they were going to arrest you. They came for Boris Vladimirovich an hour ago, he's under house arrest," she said.

"So am I, as it should be," Grand Duke Paul answered calmly. "We are breaking the law, Alix is doing no more than her obligation."

Vladimir's voice, however, held a tinge of cautious optimism. "The soldiers seemed sympathetic, Mama. Perhaps there is some hope after all."

A flicker of concern crossed Grand Duke Paul's face. "Any news from the city?"

His wife shook her head. "Not yet. But troubling news travels faster than good, so let us cling to that hope, however fragile it may be."