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

Dawn

Natalia

After hours of dancing and music, the jazz band finally disbanded in the late hours of the night, when the first rays of the new day were already filtering through the tall windows of the ballroom. Neither Natalia nor Alexei felt the least bit tired, at least not in spirit. Alexei had to stop dancing when he felt a twitch of pain in his leg, but he stayed in the ballroom until the very end.

Once the band was gone and everyone returned home, he and Natalia were the only ones left, except for a couple of guards he was forced to have near him at all times, although they were both sleeping in chairs in opposite corners of the entrance. The room felt now eerily quiet, although Natalia could swear she could still feel the vibration of the music reflecting on every surface. She still felt the adrenaline of it all and didn't feel prepared to go to bed.

Alexei seemed to share her restlessness. He had taken off his coat and was sitting on a window pane, gazing out at the snow-covered garden with distant, dreamy eyes. When Natalia approached, he turned and smiled at her. She sat across from him, studying his face. He had changed so much over the past year that it was hard to recognize her old friend. His height was the most obvious difference, but his features had grown more mature, his jawline sharper and stronger. Yet, when he smiled, it was the same boyish grin she remembered, and she felt herself relaxing.

"That was quite the party, wasn't it?" Natalia asked with a smile.

"Unforgettable," Alexei replied.

She glanced at his leg with a hint of concern. "How's the leg?"

He stretched it slowly, wincing slightly before giving a nod. 

"Better," he assured her. "I'll survive."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, before Natalia broke it with a question that had been on her mind. 

"How have you really been? Back in Russia, I mean."

Alexei chuckled, shaking his head. 

"Well, I won't bore you with a report on the industrial reforms and the Crimean question. But... I think the country's changing for the better," he said, hopeful, but also unable to hide the weariness from his tone. "I only hope I'll be able to keep up."

She gave him a reassuring smile. 

"Knowing you, I think you'll do just fine."

Then, she held her gaze for a moment and tilted her head with a teasing smile. 

"Do you feel like going to bed yet?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Alexei shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. 

"Not really. Do you?"

She chuckled softly. 

"Not at all." She glanced toward the tall windows. "What do you say we take a walk in the garden for old-time sake?"

Alexei hesitated, shifting his gaze towards the guards sleeping soundly in their chairs. "What about them?" he asked, lowering his voice. "They'll notice if I disappear."

Natalia grinned and waved a hand dismissively. 

"They're out cold. I doubt they'll even notice if we throw a snowball at them." She leaned in a little closer. "Besides, it's just a quick walk. They'll never know you were gone."

Alexei looked uncertain for a moment, then a mischievous smile spread across his face. 

"Alright," he said, standing up. "Let's go before I change my mind."