A Forbidden Royal Love

Chapter XIII: Telephone

Alexei's POV:

Just one more flight of stairs. You can do this Alexei.

I must be the only 14 year old in the world that views going up and down stairs as a literal challenge and at times life threatening situation. I was half way there, already out of breath from the first three flights of stairs that I had to take to get to my room.

Thirteen more steps-

"Hey! Alexei! Your father's on the telephone, he needs to speak with you! Alexei!"

Olga was calling me, most likely because Mother was on the telephone talking to Father.

Darn it, all of those steps, and now back down again to get to the drawing room. I sighed and started back down.

"On my way!"

I started to speed up, and rushed past Tatiana in the hallway.

"Alexis Nicholaevitch! No running on the stairs! And use the handrail!"

"Yes, Governess." I replied, knowing that it was going to get a rise out of her.

"Oh! Hurry up, will you. Papa is waiting."

"I know! That's why I was "running". But you know really sister," I said stopping for a debate, "I wasn't running."

"Then what were you doing?" She said crossing her arms across her chest.

"Sprinting!" I took off again racing down the last flight of stairs.

"Oh yes, here he is now..."

Mama paused to listen to what Papa had to say.

"I'm just not sure if- well you just talk to him Nicki, and I'll consult with his doctors about the matter. Yes darling, I'm putting him on the line now, hold on dear,"

She handed me the phone.

"Hello?"

"Alyosha! My son! How are you Sunbeam?"

My father's warm and cheery voice came on the line.

"I'm fine, Papa. What did you need to talk to me about?"

"Well, you see it's like this son, out here at Stavka, the troops seem a little bit down. And I was thinking that you being out here would lighten their spirits, they always have like you."

I couldn't believe it. I was almost never allowed to go anywhere. Now Papa was asking me if I wanted to go to Stavka! Stavka is the general army headquarters for the Russian military.

"That sounds like a good idea, to boost their morale."

I was trying to sound calm but in my head I was screaming," DOES IT SNOW IN SIBERIA?! DO DOGS HAVE FOUR LEGS?! YES! YES! YES! A THOUSAND TIMES YES!"

" Now don't get too excited, your mother has final say on the matter, but I think it would be a good experience for you, to train you to become the next tsar of Holy Mother Russia."

Obviously, my father can read me like an open book when it comes to matters like this.

"Yes, I most definitely agree that this is an amazing idea."

"I'm glad that you agree, now we only have to get the "ok" from your mother and the doctors."

"Oh." This basically meant that the chances of me actually going to Stavka were lowered by about fifty percent.

"Alright son, I will write you soon, don't hurt yourself. I love you."

"Love you too, Papa, God bless."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

And with that I hung up and headed to go back up the four flights of stairs. I guess that I'll write Ileana a letter. More waiting for me, ho hum.