March 1908
Alexei left the matter of the lending business to Anna, allowing her to handle it as she saw fit. Aside from lending money to the businessmen who operated the gambling dens and the madams who managed pleasure houses, they had yet to extend such services to individuals and ordinary workers. Still, Alexei had no doubt that Anna would eventually devise an effective system. When it came to money, she was nothing if not meticulous.
As for the Street Knuckles Syndicate and the powerful figures backing them, there was little he could do for now but remain cautious. He would lie low for now, gathering intelligence from the shadows before making any decisive move. Acting recklessly was not an option. He could not simply eliminate those they had identified without considering the consequences. After all, there was no telling how many influential figures still stood behind the syndicate beyond the count and the baron they had already uncovered.
Speaking of Count Ivanov, Alexei later discovered that he was the father of Aleksandr Ivanov, the same boy who had bullied Vasily during their visit to the military camps outside St. Petersburg long ago. Aleksandr was also among the sons of nobles sent to join Alexei's sports organization under the pretense of learning.
Alexei had no intention of granting them any real position within the organization though. At most, he would allow them to accompany him as observers while he inspected its operations. Still, the idea of interacting with the son of a man already marked on his kill list felt undeniably awkward. For now, however, he had no choice but to endure it.
At the very least, the situation also presented an opportunity itself. By keeping Aleksandr close, Alexei could observe him more carefully and perhaps even extract useful information through him in time.
Aside from that, Alexei spent the rest of his days in the palace in relative ease. Most of the tasks he had set in motion had already been delegated to his subordinates, leaving him with little to do but wait for results. Of course, he did not remain idle, actually. He continued attending his tutors' lessons, participated in hands-on training from time to time, and sat through another council meeting where, as usual, he listened to the officials' endless bickering. He also made sure to spend time with his sisters whenever he could and worked on the stories he planned to release later this year.
Whenever he found the time, especially at night before going to sleep, he devoted himself to his cultivation. Based on the rate at which his dantian was growing and the speed at which he gathered qi, he estimated that it would take him at least seven years to reach the next stage of his cultivation. And that was assuming he could successfully overcome the bottleneck that awaited him when the time came.
Alexei was in the middle of outlining another plot for his story when he received news that Count Witte had returned to the country from his vacation in France. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, having briefly worried that his last year's nighttime visit might have frightened the count enough to keep him from returning. Fortunately, that concern proved unfounded.
Wasting no time, Alexei arranged to visit the count the very next day with Nagorny and Sednev after receiving the news.
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Witte couldn't help but rub his back. It was still aching even though he had already rested for three days since he arrived back at his house in St. Petersburg. He briefly wondered if traveling no longer suited him at his age, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Spending time with his family mattered more now, especially since he no longer had official duties and had turned his attention to writing his memoirs. For that, he was willing to endure a little discomfort.
"What are you doing? Does it still hurt?" Matilda asked when she noticed him rubbing his back. She rose from her chair, put down what she was reading and moved behind him, gently placing her hands on his shoulders before beginning to massage the sore muscles.
Witte smiled, relaxing under her touch. "It doesn't hurt anymore," he replied. "Just a little sore. But since you've already started, you might as well continue."
"Hmph," Matilda muttered, though she continued massaging his back anyway. After a while, when her arms began to tire, she stopped and sighed. "Come to bed. We should rest now, it's already late. Lying down will help your back more than sitting here."
Witte stretched slightly and shook his head. "I'll join you soon, Matilda. I just need to write down a few thoughts before I forget them tomorrow."
Matilda frowned at that. "Why are you so absorbed in that memoir of yours? You should be taking better care of your health now that you're no longer working, instead of spending all your time writing. We just returned from our trip, and you're already back at it." She shook her head in disapproval.
Witte could only smile wryly at her reprimand. "You know how important this is to me. It also keeps me occupied, doing nothing makes me feel as though I'm rusting away. Just give me a little time, please. I promise I'll come to bed soon."
Matilda studied him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "Fine. But don't stay up too late, or I'll drag you to bed myself whether you like it or not. We still have to look after our grandson tomorrow, Vera is going out with her husband to visit some friends."
"Yes, yes. I'll be in bed before you know it," Witte replied quickly, eager to reassure her and get her out of the study.
Matilda gave him one last warning glance before finally leaving the room.
Alone at last, Witte allowed himself a small smile at his wife's nagging. At his age, he knew just how fortunate he was to have someone who cared for him so deeply. Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside and refocused on his memoirs.
He picked up his pen, took a steady breath, and began writing without hesitation. For several minutes, it was just him, his pen, and the paper before him. He quickly lost awareness of his surroundings, becoming completely absorbed in his work. So deep was his concentration that he failed to notice someone entering the room while he wrote.
He continued, pouring his thoughts onto the page, his recollections, his truths, and the realities he had witnessed during his time as Prime Minister of all Russia. Only when he finally placed the last period on the page for the night did he pause. Drawing in a long breath, he exhaled slowly and set his pen down.
That was when he noticed someone seated across from his desk. Startled, he quickly looked up, half-expecting to see his wife standing there ready to drag him off to bed. Instead, his heart turned cold as he realized it was not her. The man sitting before him even had the audacity to smile, as though he had not just intruded upon his home and privacy.
Truthfully, if the man before him were anyone other than the Tsarevich, Witte would have unleashed every insult and curse he knew. To enter a man's home uninvited, especially at such an hour, was beyond disrespectful. But he knew he could not do that. So he could only force a polite smile and speak in a low voice.
"I did not notice your arrival, Your Highness. Forgive me, but I have to remind you that my wife may come in at any moment. My stepdaughter and grandson are also in the house. They may notice your presence if you are not careful."
Alexei maintained his calm smile as he replied, "I apologize for coming to your house uninvited once again, Count, especially while your family is here. I understand that I am intruding upon your privacy. However, you must also understand that I cannot meet anyone freely without drawing the attention of my mother, my father, or those constantly watching me."
He paused briefly, the smile fading as he dipped his head in a small, sincere gesture. "So please, accept my apology."
Alexei could already guess what the man was thinking from the shifting expressions on his face while he spoke. That's why he chose to apologize first before anything else. Whether he was right or wrong, there was no harm in doing so, especially when he knew he was intruding and understood how irritating such a situation could be.
Hearing the Tsarevich's words, Witte found it difficult to continue criticizing him in his head. In the end, he could only begrudgingly accept the apology. He had already reflected on the peculiar events surrounding the Tsarevich's previous visit and had come to terms with it during his time away on vacation. Even so, the situation still felt strange to him.
This time, however, his smile was no longer forced as he waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, Your Highness, please do not apologize. I have already come to terms with it during my time on vacation. It is simply that I am still not accustomed to this situation, as it is a first, ahem, second for me."
He paused, shifting slightly in his seat before continuing, "I also understand that you cannot meet people freely, Your Highness. Others may try to influence you in ways that are not always beneficial. Those around you are merely protecting you."
He let out a quiet sigh before adding, "What I do not understand, however, is why you must meet me in the evening, and in such secrecy when you could simply send a discreet letter if you required my assistance or opinions on any matter. You must understand that what you are doing now places me in a difficult position. Not just yourself, your highness."
Alexei could only nod at that, a faint, apologetic expression forming on his face. "I know. That is why I must apologize for putting you in such a situation, Count. However, I do not trust letters, they can easily be intercepted or lost. I also wished to get to know you better, personally."
He paused briefly before adding, "Do not worry. I will be very careful. I will make sure that no one in your household, or anyone watching either of us discovers these meetings."
Witte found that difficult to believe and could not help but ask, "What about my guards and the household staff?"
"Your guards know nothing," Alexei replied calmly. "We slipped past them as usual. As for your maids… those who were still awake when we arrived are merely unconscious for the moment."
"My wife? Vera? My grandson?" Witte's voice rose slightly in alarm upon hearing that the maids had been rendered unconscious. For a brief moment, he feared the worst that the Tsarevich might have done the same to his family.
Alexei immediately caught the misunderstanding and gave a wry smile. "Do not worry. I would never do that to them. I promise. If they were still awake, I would simply avoid them or hide until it was safe."
Witte relaxed somewhat at the reassurance, though a trace of doubt still lingered. He exhaled slowly before nodding. "Very well… I will take your word for it."
He paused, gathering his thoughts, before continuing more steadily. "Now then… what is it you want from me, Your Highness? I have been thinking about this during my vacation. I failed to ask during your first… intrusion…" he cleared his throat lightly, "....visit. It has left me rather curious."
Alexei straightened slightly in his seat before replying in a more serious tone. "As I said, I wish to get to know you better, Count. You are aware that I have recently ventured into the publishing business, are you not? It has brought me a considerable amount of wealth, beyond my usual allowance. Now, I am considering investing that money, not only here in Russia, but in America as well."
He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze steady. "At present, I require sound advice on the matter. I have done my own research on who possesses the greatest expertise in finance within the Empire, and the results were hardly surprising, considering that I am now sitting here with you, Count Witte."
With that, a faint smile returned to his lips.
Witte could not help but chuckle at the Tsarevich's words. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but you are the heir to the Russian throne, the son of the Tsar himself. You have access to every resource imaginable, should you choose to use it. What is the advice of a single man compared to that? You could have not just five, but countless intellectuals lining up in your study the moment word spreads that you seek counsel on investments. There is no need for you to come all this way for such a matter. My years are long behind me."
He let out a quiet sigh at the end. The situation already felt strange enough, an heir to the empire slipping out of the palace in secret, and now this, asking advice about investments. If he did not know better, he might have thought that the Tsarevich was far older than his years.
Alexei shook his head calmly. "I do not want people chosen for me by others. I want those I choose myself, and for this matter, I want that person to be you, Count Witte. Your experience and long years of service eclipse that of nearly anyone else in the Empire."
Witte nearly asked, How old are you, truly? but held his tongue. He had no desire to offend the Tsarevich, especially given the boy's unusually mature thinking. In the end, he simply nodded and replied, accepting his current predicament, "Very well. Let us assume I accept your reasoning, Your Highness. What questions do you have about investing, and what advice do you seek?"
Alexei wasted no time. He began asking the questions he had prepared, along with others that came to mind as the conversation progressed. He knew better than to reveal his true intention, to recruit the Count to manage his finances outright, so he chose instead to proceed patiently, drawing the man in through discussion and interest.
As he listened to Witte's responses, he found himself genuinely impressed. Even with knowledge from another time and from the future, he still learned a great deal from the Count's insights. He could not help but think with a hint of irony, how disappointing he must seem compared to the protagonists of those fanciful tales of reincarnation and transmigration.
At last, when he had exhausted his questions for the evening, Alexei leaned back slightly. "Thank you for your answers, Count, and for your advices as well."
"No trouble at all, Your Highness, as long as I can help," Witte replied politely. So long as you do not continue appearing unannounced in my home, he added silently, keeping the thought to himself.
"That is good to hear, Count. You are truly the most benevolent man in the empire, " Alexei smiled faintly. "I will return should I have more questions regarding investments or my businesses then."
At that moment, Witte realized he had been neatly cornered. The Tsarevich had not even asked for permission out of courtesy, he had simply stated his intention to return.
Lord, please spare these old bones of mine, Witte thought to himself.
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Alexei whistled softly as he walked away from the noble district together with Sednev and Nagorny. The roads were still thick with snow, though none had fallen for more than a week now, a quiet sign that spring was finally on its way. A few bystanders and passersby glanced at the trio as they moved along, but no one dared approach or cause trouble. Perhaps it was due to the imposing presence of Sednev and Nagorny, both tall and broad enough to discourage any unwanted attention. Whatever the reason, Alexei was grateful for it, as he had no desire to have his mood spoiled. After all, he felt he was only one step away from successfully bringing the count over to his side.
At the same time, however, he could not help but consider the possible consequences. If his father or the current Prime Minister were to discover that Count Witte would be working for him, the repercussions could be significant. After all, the count had already been sidelined at court. Still, that was a matter for another time.
Noticing that Sednev had been glancing at him repeatedly for a while now, Alexei finally spoke without breaking his stride. "Out with it," he said calmly. "You clearly have something to say, Sednev."
Sednev hesitated for a moment before voicing his concern. "What exactly do you want from the Count, Your Highness? I believe you could simply ask His Majesty for whatever you need, and he would surely grant it. There's no need for you to endanger yourself by going out at night like this."
Alexei let out a soft chuckle and shook his head. "My father would ask far too many questions if I went to him directly, and from then on I would be under constant scrutiny. It's better this way, I have the freedom to do as I please. Besides, it's not as though I'm in any real danger. I have both of you with me, don't I?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Nagorny replied from the other side while watching their surroundings.
Sednev remained quiet for a moment, then finally nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Good," Alexei said with a satisfied smile. "Let's take a stroll around the city before we head back."
Without waiting for a response, he immediately changed direction, leading them away from the palace and toward the city market. Nagorny and Sednev exchanged a brief glance before sighing softly and following after the Tsarevich.
Alexei looked around the market. This area belonged to another gang, and the Jackals were already planning to replace its leader and install someone loyal to them. The plan was in place; they were simply waiting for the right opportunity to act. Alexei wanted this district to fall under the Jackals' sphere of influence so they could freely buy and sell goods while controlling what entered and left the market. If they managed to capitalize on it, it would become another steady source of income.
After surveying the market, Alexei led them toward the slums, which lay only a ten-minute walk away. As they walked, Sednev and Nagorny kept glancing around, unable to hide their surprise. The area was far too clean and orderly to resemble a typical slum.
"This is unbelievable," Nagorny muttered. "If I didn't know this place, I would have thought we were in a residential district on the other side of the city rather than the slums."
Sednev nodded in agreement but kept his thoughts to himself.
Alexei couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the remark. "Exactly," he said. "They call this a slum, but it hardly looks like one now. I wonder who organized all of this and had the place cleaned up. Whoever it is, he or she could easily work for the government and improve the rest of the city just as well."
As they continued, they passed by people who showed no fear of the night. Some were even laughing and chatting casually with one another. Nagorny and Sednev were quietly amazed by the atmosphere, while Alexei felt satisfied, knowing the area was as secure as Nikolai had reported.
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A/N: Please don't forget to rate and review the story after reading. And if you want to read ahead. You know where to look.