Alexei

3: June 4, 1913

I healed quite nicely. It took about a year, to but I managed. I read and read and read. Books seemed to be my only future. They enveloped me into a world where I could do anything. Be anything. Where I was immortal.
  Rasputin visited quite often. My mother got along with him very well. My sisters referred to him as "Our Friend." I don't believe he did anything to save me, though. He's not our friend nor our enemy. Moreover, he is just there to comfort my family.
  Gilliard began tutoring me again in January.
Most days, we sat there in awkward silence, listening to the aria of the humming of the birds.
  "Where shall we travel when you are recovered?" Gilliard asked me one day.
  "I don't know," I replied. "I've been to Japan, and all over Europe and Russia. Where do you recommend?"
  Gilliard looked into the sky with his soft, silver eyes, rusting from years of tutoring. "I have always wanted to visit America. From my perspective, it is bustling with joy."
  "But don't you love Russia?" I asked.
  "I do. But not everyone enjoys it as much as you and me."
  I cocked my head in perplexion. "Why is that?"
  "Some people in this world aren't as fortunate as you and your sisters. Some people don't even have enough money for food. They are famished!"
  I gasped in surprise. "Why can't the whole world live in luxury like us?"
  "It's a puzzling world, Alexei," Gilliard explained in his sagacious voice. "Some things just cannot be."
  "If I live to become Tsar of Russia, I would want to help these people prosper," I said.
  "It's easier said than done," Gilliard chuckled. "But keep dreaming, boy. Someday, they will come true."
  A cluster of peasants entered bearing gifts for a safe recovery. Derevenko, the sailor, stood behind them, watching like a hawk to be certain I was safe.
  "Thank you," I said.
  Derevenko ordered the peasants to bow to me. They kneeled beside me with their feeble, stick legs. Derevenko then motioned for them to be depart.
  "I apologize for the disturbance, your majesty," Derevenko said with a wink. "They deeply insisted upon giving you the gifts."
  I nodded and Derevenko headed towards the palace.
  After he left, Gilliard asked, "Do you enjoy watching them bow to you?"
  My face reddened and I cringed from embarrassment. "Oh, no! But Derevenko says it must be so."
  "Perhaps you should stop Derevenko insisting on it," Gilliard said.
  "Oh, I dare not!" I exclaimed. "Who knows what might be the outcome?"
  "Ay, boy," Gilliard sighed. "Well, shall we continue reading Anna Karenina?"
  "Yes," I agreed.
  We had just opened the pages of the new world of Leo Tolstoy when Maria and Tatiana entered.
  "Alexei," Tatiana whispered. "Father wants to see you."
  "He says it's important," Maria added.
  I looked at Gilliard for consent. He nodded.
  "Go ahead, lad," Gilliard said. "I'll be back tomorrow."
  "What about my lesson, Gilliard?" Tatiana groaned.
  "You'll have one tomorrow," Gilliard replied.
  We headed towards the palace, hurrying past the grassy fields and gardens of gorgeous petunias and daffodils. We finally arrived at the servant's quarters, where Father was sitting on a bench, patiently.
  "Here he is, Father," Maria said.
  "Ah," Father breathed. "Alexei, come sit."
  "Yes, Father," I said as Maria and Tatiana exited, giggling in their own glee.
  "So, Alexei," Father said, looking at me with his dark, kind eyes. "Would you be willing to have the honor of being Russia's first Boy Scout?"
  Boy Scout. I had heard about this. It was a place where boys gathered and did activities that being a man requires. However, I was uncertain of whether or not I wanted to join. It would be fun, I guess. But it would also be dangerous. It would increase my chances of injury, which would most probably lead to almost certain death.
  "Yes, Father," I finally said. "I would."
  I knew that's what he wanted me to say.
  "Perfect," Father smiled blissfully. "I will make preparations for our first journey."
  "Where shall we go?"
  "Tsarskoe Tselo," Father said. "We shall travel into the nearby wilderness."