139 Farewell
A day before Alexander’s sisters’ departure. It was in the middle of the afternoon when he called Rolan to enter his office.
“You called me sir?” Rolan asked, standing in attention in front of Alexander.
“Yes,” Alexander said, putting his pen down. “I have a question that I’d like you to answer honestly.”
“What is it, Your Majesty?” Rolan simply responded back.
“Aren’t you bored of staying in the Winter Palace all day just to guard me against a threat which I must say is extinct from the palace’s perimeter?”
“Ah…I believe I’ve answered that during the new assault rifle test in the St. Petersburg Naval Base. ‘Boring is always best,'” Rolan quoted. “And I hope it will still remain that way for the years to come.”
“I am well aware of that. It’s your duty to protect me from harm. But that is you answering as my Chief of Staff, not as Rolan, the man himself,” Alexander told him with a chuckle.
Rolan smiled a little and nodded. “If I’m going to be honest with you Your Majesty, then I must say it’s really boring to stay in the Winter Palace standing just next to your door like a statue.”
The two of them laughed quietly at how true Rolan’s words were. To put it simply, his job consisted of him standing next to his doors for hours or staying at his office adjacent to Alexander’s office. To think that the Ruthenian hero known as “The Reaper” is just standing in the Winter Palace. That’s a waste of reputation eh?
“I understand, Rolan. So that’s why to remove that boredom building up inside you, I have a new task that I’d like you to take.”
“Would that be another infiltration? I thought we flushed all of Black Hand’s operatives within the empire.”
“No, it’s not an infiltration. It’s more like a security guard, like what you’ve been doing for years.”
“I see…what is it sir?”
Alexander picked the pen and played with it while thinking about how to phrase it properly.
“So, my three sisters, Anastasia, Tiffania, and Christina are going to the Yamato Empire tomorrow. And I want you to be the one guarding them along with the six special forces that I handpicked from the Imperial Ruthenian Army.”
“An overseas mission? Very well, sir. You can count on me,” Rolan said confidently.
“Wait…that’s easy? You’re not going to raise an objection or something?” Alexander questioned in surprise.
“Sir, my job is not only to protect the Emperor of the Ruthenia Empire but his family as well,” Rolan reminded him.
“Fair enough…prepare for tomorrow’s departure, pack your things and get your equipment. My sisters could stay there for one week,”
“Understood, Your Majesty,” Rolan performed a salute before turning his heels and making his way out of his boss’s office.
***
Back in the present day. Currently at the VC-25 aircraft. Bedroom suite.
Alexander stepped forward after Rolan’s briefing.
“So, that’s the plan. Within a day, you will reach the capital of the Yamato Empire. You’ll be guarded by the most elite team the Ruthenia can offer. The Yamato Empire and the Ruthenia Empire had a sour relationship. I’m hoping that your state visit could wane their enmity towards us and hopefully smooth the waters between our countries,” Alexander paused momentarily.
“That is the emperor speaking. Now, this is your brother speaking. I want you to stay close to your guards as much as possible. Follow everything they say. If something happens, know that the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Embassy of the Ruthenian Empire, and its military have an eye and ears on you twenty-four seven. The estimated time of arrival to Sakhalin is 14 hours. Since this will be your first time flying over long distances, you will be susceptible to motion sickness,” Alexander pulled out something from his pocket and handed it to Anastasia, Christina, and Tiffania.
The three looked at the small plastic bag.
“What is this…brother?” Christina asked as she held it up and examined it.
“It’s scopolamine. A drug that helps prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness,” Alexander explained simply. “If the pill wasn’t enough, you can ask for a barf bag from Rolan.”
“I see…thank you, brother.”
“Okay, that’ll be all. I guess this is where we part…” Alexander said sadly, trying hard not to show any emotions. For almost six years, it was his responsibility to protect his siblings from any threats. And for the first time in his life he felt so uncertain, would they be safe in a country where animosity exists between their empires?
“Brother…are you crying?” Christina placed her hands on his cheeks, staring into his eyes. Her brother was usually cool and stoic.
“What…me? Crying? Impossible…it’s just a speck of dust hitting my eyes,” he wiped the imaginary tear away from his cheek, attempting to hide any emotion from everyone else. “You should be careful there, okay?”
“Of course brother,” Christina assured him, giving him a hug that somehow ease his worries. Alexander returned the embrace with a gentle pat on Christina’s back.
After releasing Alexander from her embrace, Christina glanced at Anastasia and Tiffania, motioning to them. “Go, say your goodbyes to your brother…”
“Goodbye, brother,” Tiffania walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Please don’t overwork yourself, okay? I’ll see you in one week,” she said sincerely, touching his heart.
Alexander caressed her silver hair. “I promise.”
Tiffania stepped back giving way to Anastasia.
“Goodbye brother…” sadness laced her voice as she hugged him. “We’ll see each other soon.”
“Shit this is so sad…” Alexander commented, holding onto her tightly as if it was their last. He looked up and hoped to the divine almighty that no misfortune would fall upon his three siblings. Because if something happened to them, he would fucking rain fury the likes of which this world has never seen before and neither does his.
After letting go of her, he saw Anastasia who was holding back her tears as she gazed at him. Alexander wiped it away from her face with his fingertips.
“Say your goodbyes to Sophie and Anya now…” Alexander said and his three sisters turned and embraced his wife.
“Bye-bye…” Anya said, a sad expression written on her face.
After saying their goodbyes, Alexander, Anya, and Sophie began to prepare to leave the aircraft.
While walking along the narrow corridor, Anya, who was being carried in Sophie’s arms, asked a question suddenly.
“Papa. Why is it that sister Ana, sister Tiffa, and sister Christie’s plane looks more beautiful than what we’re flying?”
“Ah…that’s,” Alexander paused a bit. “That’s because this plane is a huge secret! That no country should see yet. That’s why they are only flying within our lands.”
“Why?” Anya asked curiously.
“Well…you see…people don’t know about this airplane. They’ll get scared and freak out when they see something different.”
“Why would they get scared?” Anya asked, even more curious. “It doesn’t look scary. It’s just big,”
“Because sometimes there are people who can’t handle big things…” Alexander explained as simply as he could.
“I like this plane, papa. Can we fly on it next time?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Next time we’ll be the one flying here.”
Wegener was standing near the hatch, who seemed to have been waiting for him since he entered the bedroom.
“Are you planning on staying here?” Alexander asked.
“No sir,” Wegener said without a second thought. “I’m waiting for you, sir.”
“I see,” Alexander glanced over his shoulder and looked at Rolan. “Take care of my sisters okay?”
“Understood,” Rolan nodded respectfully to his emperor.
Satisfied by his answer, Alexander exited the plane, followed by Sophie, Anya, and Wegener. They climbed down the ladder and headed to the safe distance where they could watch the plane take off from the runway.
Ten minutes later, Alexander could see Tiffania, Christina, and Anastasia from the oval windows of the aircraft’s body.
All three girls waved at him. Alexander gave them a wave back. As the plane positioned itself on the runway, Alexander waited.
Seconds later, the plane started moving, its speed gradually increasing as it raced down the runway. Moments later, it started its ascent toward the sky. Seconds after that, it ascended beyond the clouds until it disappeared completely from sight.
Everyone on the field clapped their hands after the successful take-off. Off they go to the Sakhalin.