"So... who is Tsar now?" Alexandra looked at the envoy. "Alexander?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Count Molokov lowered his head as he spoke.
Alexandra waved her hand indifferently and smiled. "Perhaps he should have done so long ago. Some of Father's practices really weren't very wise. Let him go fish in the Moika River; it's better than butting heads with his ministers every day..."
"Your Highness," Molokov gritted his teeth and cut her off, "His Majesty Paul, he has returned to Heaven."
The girl's smile froze. "What did you say?"
"Your father accidentally slipped and fell, and a candelabrum pierced his chest... This happened half a month ago."
"You're not joking?"
"This is the truth, Your Highness."
Alexandra suddenly turned her back to him, a low growl rising from her throat. "That greedy, cold-blooded vulture! He couldn't even wait for the time it would take to sign an abdication decree before pouncing to tear at his flesh and blood! Not even Hell can contain his crimes!"
