The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Brothers

Krasnoe Selo, May 1923

Vladimir

Vladimir Paley stepped off the train at Krasnoe Selo, and was greeted immediately by the thunderous rhythm of military drills. Regiments moved in formation across the grounds, their boots striking in unison, while the air was filled with the scents of horses, leather, and churned earth. Officers barked orders, and grooms led sleek, muscular horses to and from the stables. Three years after leaving the army, Vladimir discovered he was no longer used to this environment and wondered how Dmitri managed to stay sane amidst all this noise and chaos.

His brother had invited him here to discuss the details of their journey to the Crimea for Irina's wedding. But Vladimir had a second reason for coming: he needed Dmitri's advice on an issue that had been filling his every thought for months—Tata.

Their last meeting had ended awkwardly, and though he had started countless letters to her, none had made it past a few sentences. Now, with Irina's wedding unexpectedly bringing them together six months earlier than he'd planned, the problem was hitting him head-on.

Ordinarily, he would have gone to his sister Masha for this kind of advice, but the situation was too delicate and had a hint of scandal attached, so he thought Dmitri might offer a more pragmatic take.

Navigating through clusters of soldiers and ducking past officers in heated conversation, Vladimir made his way to the stables, where Dmitri, unsurprisingly, was brushing down one of his horses.

"Still obsessed with horses, I see," Vladimir called, leaning against the stable door.

Dmitri glanced up, smirking. "Still afraid of them, I see."

"Not afraid—just uninterested," Vladimir shot back. "I prefer things that don't throw you off over the slightest mistake."

Unlike his father and brother, both celebrated cavalry officers, Vladimir had never learnt how to ride. In Paris, it had seemed a pointless skill when transportation was always available at the snap of a finger.

Dmitri chuckled, patting the horse. "I'm glad you were able to come. We've hardly had a decent conversation in ages. But you didn't come here just to watch me groom a horse, did you?"

Vladimir shrugged, lingering at the door. "You invited me, remember? But, yes, I also needed to clear my head."

Dmitri raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so this isn't just a social visit. What's on your mind?"

Vladimir stepped further inside, glancing at the horses. "Irina's wedding, for one. I can't believe she's actually marrying Feodor."

Dmitri groaned, leaning back against the stall. "Don't remind me."

Vladimir's chuckle faded into a more serious expression. "I'm worried. She's so young. Do you think she's ready for all of this?"

Dmitri folded his arms, letting out a sigh. "Ready or not, it's happening. And Irina's never been reckless. If she's decided to go through with it, I'm sure she's thought it through."

"Maybe," Vladimir muttered, though he still had his doubts. "It all feels... rushed."

Dmitri shrugged. "That's life, isn't it? People rush into things all the time. And then they deal with the fallout later."

Vladimir nodded, though Dmitri's words only deepened his unease. He hesitated before diving into the real issue. "Actually, there's something else I've been thinking about... something a bit more complicated. I was hoping to get your advice."

Dmitri's interest piqued. "From me? It must be serious."

Vladimir smiled tightly. "Not serious... just complicated."