Once they arrived at the hotel, Nicholas stepped out of the rental car he had for the duration of his stay, walked around it, and opened the door for Maya. Being part of the Tsar's family, the two siblings had been educated from an early age, etiquette rules having been drilled into them even before they learned how to read. By this age, they had each adopted them so well that they were already applying them on every occasion.
Maya stepped out of the car and looked at the hotel that would host her for the next two nights. Top Hotel Praha. From the outside, nothing new, nothing special. But once she entered the lobby, words like grand, luxurious, or superb automatically made their way into her mind.
The main lobby where the front desk was situated, the corridors leading to the conference halls, the entrance to the Prague restaurant, two souvenir shops, and a currency exchange office. Like any other hotel, but everything on a much larger scale. It was obvious that the hotel was mainly used for business meetings.
The lobby was full of people, waiting to check in or asking for the schedule for the next three days. The staff was preparing for what would become one of the most important gatherings of European aristocracy.
Quite a few people knew about the existence of this gathering, but the participants were always careful not to offer any information to outsiders. The aristocrats met once a year, usually in autumn or winter, based on invitations sent in a secret code that combined elements of Latin, Ancient Greek, and two other languages she could no longer remember. It was the only occasion when the situation of European countries was discussed openly and the economic strategy for the following year was planned.
She was watching the crowd of people moving like ants before a storm when Nicholas grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her after him.
First they went to the right, then descended three steps and turned left, then left again, arriving at the second reception desk, where Nicholas picked up the key card for the suite in which the two of them were staying. They took the elevator up to the fifth floor. After the familiar sound announced their arrival, Nicholas led his sister to the south wing.
The apartment door opened into a huge living room, furnished with a vintage sofa, a coffee table, an elegant sideboard, and a desk. The doors to the two bedrooms were located at a considerable distance from the sofa, on opposite sides of the living room. Each bedroom had its own bathroom, so the guests lacked nothing during their stay.
The first thing she decided to do after leaving her bag on the bed was to take a hot shower. She came out wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head, and found Nicholas in her bedroom, dozing on the bed.
Her grandfather, father, brother, and Bogdan were the most important men in her life. She wondered how things would be now, knowing that one of them would be left out. She watched Nicholas sleeping and knew in her soul that no man would ever love her as much as her older brother did. And if she told him what she had been through lately, she was convinced he would do anything to help her in whatever way he could.
-Maya? Wake up.
Nicholas had to repeat himself twice before she snapped out of her trance and paid attention. He had woken up and found her staring at him. It was obvious that something had been weighing on her mind for some time. She was always thoughtful and serious, which did not resemble the Maya he knew at all. He needed to find out what had happened, and as soon as possible.
-Come on, let's sit on the couch and talk. I think it's time you told me what's going on.
-It's complicated.
-You know I love complicated things.
Maya briefly told him what had happened over the past few days, waiting anxiously for her brother's opinion. From his expression, it was clear he was trying to digest all the information and thinking seriously about what would be best for his sister.
-What are you thinking of doing now? he asked.
-Sooner or later, I'll have to face him.
-But you don't know for sure whether it's his child or not? I mean… have you talked to him?
-No. After I left his place, I called you. You know the rest of the story.
-It's obvious that you care about him and that you're suffering because of what happened. But listen to me carefully. He's not worth suffering over. I'm telling you honestly, not just because you're my sister. Let's put that aside. The world is full of men and women, and you would have so many options to choose from. Cry now—it's understandable. But don't stay stuck in this state for too long. He went on with his life while he was still with you; now you should go on with yours.
-So what do you suggest, Nicholas?
-The best thing would be to take advantage of these days while you're away from everything. Have fun. Feel good. Leave it all behind. And when you get home, ask him to talk. See what kind of ground the boy is standing on.
-It's not that easy for me to look him in the eyes again, after everything I found out…
-I understand you, Maya. But you know how we were raised. You know what the correct way to proceed is.
-Yes, I know.
And indeed, she knew that her brother was asking her to meet Bogdan face to face, to tell each other what everything unsaid.
-And while you're in a meeting with Grandpa, what am I supposed to do? she asked.
-Oh, don't worry. I have some documents I'd love for you to translate. I'm not as good as you when it comes to Ancient Greek.
-You owe me.
-Forever.