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

Prince Charming

Nicholas led the way through Montmartre's winding streets in a more relaxed mood than their previous chase, as they approached a hidden bar tucked away in an alley. From the moment they walked in, it was clear that this was an exceedingly luxurious place with velvet curtains, dim lighting over dark wood, and plush seating. Unlike the upbeats from the previous nightclub they had visited, soft jazz floated through the air, setting a mellow and more intimate atmosphere.

They were escorted to a private corner, nestled in an alcove overlooking the room. With a confident gesture, Nicholas waved to the bartender, ordering champagne and cocktails, as though this was a familiar routine.

When the drinks arrived, they settled in and the earlier tension faded slowly away as they sipped from their glasses. Nicholas leaned back, his eyes flicking between Natalia and Tata, curious about their dynamic.

"So," he began with a sly grin, "what brought you to that place? I can't imagine this outing was sanctioned by your governesses."

Both girls gasped at the comment. Tata had turned twenty over the Summer and she looked every bit like it and, while Natalia was two years younger, she was fairly certain she didn't look like someone who still needed a governess.

"Please tell me that's just some lost-in-translation Romanian phrase," Natalia replied dryly, rolling her eyes. "And that you didn't just call us children."

Nicholas laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough, I can see how that came across. How about this—I'm just saying this doesn't look like the kind of evening the Russian Court would officially condone."

Tata smirked, leaning back slightly. "Well, even 'good little debutantes' need a break sometimes," she said.

That raised another chuckle from Nicholas. "Seems like we have more in common than I thought," he said, lingering his gaze on Natalia.

Again, she found herself thinking that she could see why he was appealing—he was charming, confident, and able to steer a conversation effortlessly. But the image of him earlier, wrapped around another girl at the nightclub, flashed through her mind and it was enough to ground her back to reality.

"I highly doubt that," she said coolly, taking another sip.

As Natalia refused to speak after that, it was Tata who took over the conversation, animatedly chatting about how Nicholas was in town for only a week before heading to Southampton to join his colleagues in the navy, where he would board a ship bound for a six-month commission in Malta. Against her better judgment, Natalia found herself listening intently, imagining the thrill of constant travel and meeting new people. She felt a flicker of envy stirring somewhere deep within her, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

"Is travelling all around the world as exciting as it sounds?" Tata asked, as though voicing Natalia's own thoughts.

Nicholas's face lit up. "It's the best life I could ever ask for," he replied with a hint of pride in his tone. "I hope it lasts for many years. My grandfather was a sailor too, so I suppose you could say it's in my blood. I'd like to follow in his footsteps."

Natalia arched an eyebrow. "You do realize that sailors don't have the best reputations," she teased. "A girl in every port, and all that."

Nicholas chuckled, lifting his drink. "Well," he said, eyes twinkling, "I can neither confirm nor deny that."

He took a sip, leaving them to guess.

Just then, a lively group entered the bar, drawing Tata's attention. Her eyes lit up when she recognized them.

"That's my group from French tutoring!" she whispered excitedly. Before Natalia could respond, Tata was already up, heading toward them with a smile.

Left alone with Nicholas, Natalia felt the air grow heavy with awkward silence. After a beat, Nicholas cleared his throat.