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

See You Soon

Natalia

After months of planning and weeks of anticipation, the wedding had come and gone. Irina was already en route to Vienna for the first part of her honeymoon, which would take her through Italy, and a brief stop in Paris in early August. That would be when Natalia would see her again, and they would travel together to Biarritz for their usual summer vacation with the family.

The wedding and the events leading up to it had been beautiful, and Natalia's feet still ached from all the dancing. It had been better than she expected, and it was wonderful to reunite with her family. But she couldn't deny that she was eager to return to Paris. It was already late May, which meant she only had two months left before her summer break, and after that, just three more before she had to return to Russia. She was determined to make the most of it.

It was late morning, and Tata was beside her as the servants loaded their luggage into the car. As usual, Tata's mother hadn't bothered to get out of bed, not even to say goodbye, though they wouldn't see each other for another two months. But at least Grand Duke Michael and her brother George were there. Grand Duke Michael, always a fatherly figure to Tata, whispered some careful advice, while George clung to her waist. The time they had spent apart seemed to have strengthened their bond.

Natalia felt her chest ache at the fact that the duties of the Regency kept the Grand Duke so busy. Tata would never admit it, but Natalia knew she needed more of his steady, reassuring presence. She could tell by the way Tata's eyes shimmered as she listened to him, holding back tears—something rare for her.

As for Natalia, her whole family was around for the final farewells. Her parents and siblings each took turns offering their their advice—some helpful, some less so. Dmitri leaned in with a grin, telling her to enjoy Paris to the fullest, but not to the point where the police would need to get involved. Then her sister Marianne whispered, "You're living the best years of your life. Pretend Petrograd doesn't exist and live it up."

After Dmitri's playful remark and Marianne's advice, Vladimir, always the most sensible and practical of the siblings, stepped forward.

"Just be careful," he said, in a tone that was more serious than the others. "And try to pay at least a little attention to your classes."

Then, to Natalia's surprise, he added, "And keep an eye on Tata. She looks like she could use a sensible sister."

Natalia laughed and shook her head. "The sensible sister is already on her way to Austria, I'm afraid."

After laughing off Vladimir's comment, Natalia walked toward her parents, ready to say her goodbyes. But Vladimir's words about Tata echoed in her mind. Why would he be concerned about her all of a sudden? He was usually the reserved, distant one. Did he notice something she had missed? Tata had always been strong-willed and independent, hardly someone who needed looking after. But maybe there was more going on than Natalia realized.

As she mulled it over, her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of movement from the corner of her eye. Someone was dashing toward them, and for a brief moment, her heart raced. Then she realized who it was—Alexei, barreling through the crowd with his usual exuberance, his coat flapping behind him like a cape.

"Alexei!" Natalia called out, her voice a mix of affection and gentle warning. "Be careful! Don't run!"

Alexei skidded to a halt, grinning up at her, his cheeks flushed from the sprint. He was still catching his breath as he spoke, "Sorry! I was afraid I'd miss you. I just had to say goodbye to my sister Olga."

Natalia smiled warmly, pulling him into a tight embrace. She hadn't seen much of him over the past few days. Alexei had been constantly surrounded by people—diplomats, family, and officials, all vying for his attention. It seemed everyone wanted a moment with him, a word, a favour. Each time she saw him, he was engaged in some serious conversation or surrounded by imposing figures. She hadn't dared interrupt.

She felt a pang of guilt. Their correspondence had dwindled in the last few weeks, especially since she had thrown herself into her busy Parisian life. There had been barely any time to write him, and when she did, it was often brief. She had hoped they could catch up here, but even at the wedding, they seemed to be moving in different circles.

"I've missed you," she said, holding him at arm's length, looking him over with sisterly affection. "We've barely had a chance to talk."

Alexei laughed softly. "I know. I'm sorry I haven't been writing. It feels like I can hardly get a free moment these days."

Natalia shook her head, brushing it off with a smile. "It's okay. I've hardly been an example myself."

She shook her head slowly, brushing it off with a soft smile. She looked at Alexei for a moment, her gaze lingering on his face. She couldn't help but think back to their last conversation when she had told him how important it was for her to know that he was alright. The worry she felt for him then still lingered. Finally, she exhaled, her voice quieter but filled with meaning.

"But, Alexei," she began, her tone gentler now, "I want you to know—even if I'm not writing as often as I should, I'm always thinking of you. And if you ever need anything, or if something happens, I want to be the first to know. Promise me that."

"I'm glad to hear that," he said quietly, nodding as if a weight had been lifted. "I wasn't sure if... with everything going on, with how much better Paris is than boring, old Russia, you still thought about me."

Natalia gave him a fond smile, a little sheepish. "There's not one thing in Paris, even the most wild and interesting ones, that would ever make me forget about you, Alexei. You're my dearest friend in this world."

His expression warmed even further, and after a brief pause, he added in a lighter tone, "You know, I'm always thinking about what you'd say in every situation. Like when I'm stuck in those endless meetings or classes—especially the boring ones where everyone's droning on about politics or finances—I imagine the jokes you'd make, the way you'd roll your eyes or come up with some clever comment to break the tension. It always makes me smile, even when I'm trying not to."

Natalia chuckled, squeezing his hand. "Well, I'm glad I can at least keep you entertained in spirit."

Finally, the time came to say goodbye. Natalia still had to bid farewell to her parents, so she turned to embrace them one last time. Alexei, taking the opportunity, walked over to Tata for his own goodbyes. They exchanged a few quiet words, and soon enough, it was time to leave.

Natalia and Tata climbed into the car, waving one last time to everyone gathered around. There was a hint of melancholy in the air, the weight of parting, the finality of the moment. But as the car pulled away, the mood began to lift. The familiar comfort of being together, away from all the farewells, helped shake off the sadness.

Before long, they started to laugh, chatting excitedly as they made plans for Paris—what they would do, where they would go, and all the adventures awaiting them in the city they both loved.