390 This is Where it Begins
Inside the emperor’s helicopter, more commonly referred to as the White Hawk in Alexander’s original world. Alexander was looking out of the window as his helicopter flew over the sprawling city of St. Petersburg. He saw a lot of construction sites below as the city was undergoing a major overhaul in urban design. Most of which range from new buildings, roads, and walkways.
St. Petersburg has a huge prospect of becoming the hub of the Ruthenia Empire. It can serve as the economic sector of the empire similar to Moskva, as it has major ports up north. Though urbanization in St. Petersburg wouldn’t be the same in degree as in Moksva, where skyscrapers took over cities.
Alexander wanted to make St. Petersburg a city that can evoke a sense of nostalgia as the people looked at neoclassical empire-style architecture buildings. Just like Washington D.C, where it houses the government’s headquarters from every ministry and department.
p
“How’s life. You have been melancholic these days. Don’t tell me, my sister rejected you?”
“No, it’s not that, Sir. There is this force between us that keeps us separated from one another,” Rolan explained. “I can’t explain it but my proposal, I started to feel nervous around her. Like I can’t approach her. My heart is beating too fast whenever we are in close proximity…it’s just…Sir?” Rolan paused, explaining as he noticed Alexander grinning and smirking.
“Rolan, you are in your forties, stop acting like a child and take your approach seriously,” Alexander scolded him, but inside, he was still laughing. “I have given you my blessings, don’t take my leniency for granted.”
“I know, Sir. But just give me time, I’ll approach her when we land at the airport. I’ll ask her about her decision.”
“Decision?” Alexander knitted his brows. “What did you tell her when you two were in the mall?”
“I told her that she doesn’t have to answer me that time. She takes her time to make a decision. But it’s been five days and I haven’t heard anything from her.”
Alexander ran a hand over his face and sighed. A disappointed look was etched on Alexander’s face.
“Seriously, why did you say that? You should have let her answer that time. Why bother putting yourself in suspense? Now you are suffering inwardly, pondering constantly at the possibility of her rejecting you. It would be a sight to see your broken-hearted face,” Alexander chortled.
Rolan let out a forced chuckle as he rubbed his head. He was feeling embarrassed by Alexander’s words and he couldn’t even refute him.
“Sir…lower your voice, she might hear you,” Rolan said in an effort to save himself some embarrassment. However, he was failing miserably. His face was red all the way down to the tip of his ears.
Alexander chuckled again before stopping as he glanced over toward the other passenger. Christina. Surprisingly, she didn’t look in his direction despite speaking words in a normal decibel. Normally, she would have come over and asked what was going on but she didn’t. Could it be that Christina is also suffering the same issues as Rolan? If that’s the case, then he knew how to fix that. He’ll give them a push, but recalling their exchange when they were at the Winter Palace, it would be very inappropriate.
He’ll ask them to meet together in the Winter Palace at midnight and settle it once and for all. For now, jobs come first.
“Sir, we are approaching the St. Petersburg International Airport, and have been cleared for landing. Please take your seat and your seatbelt fastened as we lowered this aircraft to the ground,” the pilot said through the intercom.
Rolan looked at Alexander sternly, his bashful face was nowhere to be seen.
“You heard the pilot, Sir. Please take a seat.”
“We will finish this later,” Alexander said before returning to his seat. He fastened his seatbelt as instructed by the pilot. Christina stared at him curiously.
“What did the two of you talk about?” She directly asked.
“Some matters concerning security. Nothing serious so you can feel at ease.”
“Your Majesty, do you really think that you can fool me? If you are discussing security, then how come you are laughing back there?” Christina questioned him, a sly grin etched on her face, as Alexander tried to play innocent. He didn’t think he could fool someone with that smile.
“Alright alright. We talked about, you know, personal things. How come you have not accepted his proposal??” Alexander replied nonchalantly.
“This is not the place for that discussion, Your Majesty. And lower your voice, if someone were to hear you saying that and took it seriously, you know more than me the effects of it,” Christina warned him as their eyes locked together.
As a member of the royal family, she still has the dignity to maintain, even in a progressive country such as the Ruthenia Empire. If word got out to the people and started making statements about her relationship with Rolan, there is no doubt it would affect Alexander’s position. Not to mention, this week or month is a time when messing around isn’t an option. He is forming a united nation and if an issue such as her relationship with Rolan were disseminated to the press, then there goes his plan.
Alexander realized the gravity of the situation, so he kept his mouth shut while eyeing the staff around inside the helicopter, giving them the look that should they tell someone from the outside about what had been discussed inside, they will be sent to Gulag.
Three minutes later, the helicopter landed on the helipad. A Vickers Viscount aircraft belonging to the Royal Family of Britannia Empire was parked fifty meters away from the helicopter.
Alexander peered out of the window and saw Diana stepping down the stairs gracefully. Her hands were on one of the royal guards, supporting her. A red carpet was laid at the end of the steps, which she can tread upon.
Alexander cleared his throat and straightened the collar of his suit.
“This is where it begins,” Alexander muttered to himself.