It’s been two days since Sevastian was detained in the holding cell of the Command Ops. As Alexander watched the progress of the military going stale, he stood up and placed a shoulder on Sergei’s shoulder.

“I’m feeling sleepy. If anything happens and you believe you have the answer but still require my permission, don’t bother calling and just do it,” Alexander advised as he started walking out of the Command Ops. His hands are on his neck, rubbing it gently to remove the stiffness left behind from sitting for so long.

When Alexander was about to reach the doorknob, a call interrupted him.

“Your Majesty, we have an incoming call from the Burnyi Class Destroyer…the one that holds Shepherdesses of the Britannia Empire and Rolan. It’s best that you listen to what they have to say before you leave?”

Alexander closed his eyes and nodded his head. “Put them through the speaker. I have no energy to move over there.”

The military and civilian staffers frowned, noticing something different from His Majesty. He sounded tired, disappointed, and resigned. Could it be because of Sevastian’s betrayal? Even though the two hated each other in the past, one can’t deny the relationship they made until to this day.

“Your Majesty, this is Rolan. The hallucinogen that Imperial Dynamic Systems delivered to us worked perfectly. We are able to get information out of her. One of which is the possibility of the Europan royals being alive, and not dead. They are under Westminster Abbey, or so we assumed.”

“Are you not sure, Rolan?” Alexander asked simply, cocking his head to the right as he glanced at the LCD screen.

“The Shepherdess of the Britannia Empire gave us a hint. There’s a high chance that they are holding them there,” Rolan said.

“What do you think about this Sergei? What if the world finds out that the reason they went to war with us is alive?”

“At first they’ll be shocked, Your Majesty. But give it time and they one-by-one retract their declaration of war. It is possible that we can end this senseless war and save potentially millions of lives. After all, our only target is Black Hand.”

“Your Majesty, if I may offer a suggestion. If you want to organize a task force for a rescue operation, please do so immediately. The Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation is still a go unless you revoke it.”

“We are not going to revoke anything. The war continues as long as those Black Hands exist. Can you really gather everyone at the negotiating table if they found out the truth? Especially to our neighbors? We prioritize the safety of our citizens first.”

“Yes Your Majesty,” Alexei bowed as he returned to his seat.

“But I still want this war to end. Sergei has a point, this war is senseless. Started by an infamous organization that wants to conduct a world revolution. Our target is the Black Hand, not the innocent people living in a country we are at war with. We rescue the Europan royals and have them retract their declaration of war, assuming that they are alive.”

“Your Majesty, my conversation with Princess Anne Edinburgh is recorded. We can broadcast it to their national television,” Rolan suggested.

“Let’s not do that yet. The Britannia Empire’s mind is clouded at the moment after finding out that their new Queen was kidnapped.”

“Your Majesty, I can still fight. Give me a team and I promise you, I will return here with the Europan royals,” Rolan said with full confidence.

“Very well, you have my permission. Discuss it with the Minister of Defense.”

“I will not let you down, Your Majesty.”

After saying that, Rolan ended the transmission. Alexander resumed walking out of the Command Ops along with his security detail and returned to Winter Palace.

***

It was late at night, and the skies were filled with stars flickering and twinkling in the sky. The moonlight was illuminating the Palace Square of the Winter Palace, giving off a sense of tranquility that made Alexander forget momentarily that they were at war.

It sure is peaceful in the capital of the Ruthenia Empire, and he intended to keep it that way.

He headed to the Winter Palace and to a certain bedroom. He leaned over and pressed his ears against the door and heard a voice that was singing a sweet lullaby.

Alexander reached for the doorknob and rotated it, opening the door slowly, to find Sophie gently stroking Anya’s hair who was sleeping soundly in her lap.

Sophie noticed his presence and gasped softly. “Hon?”

Alexander placed a finger on his lips and shushed her as he walked to the bed.

Alexander carefully crawled up to the bed and lay next to them. He then reached over to Anya and gently lifted her and set her next to him.

Wrapping his loving arms over Anya, Alexander leaned over behind her head, her glistening golden hair drawing him in closer, like a flower, to smell her fresh scent.

Anya felt something heavy over her body, causing her to rouse slightly as she opened her eyes. She looked around and realized that her head is not resting on her mother’s lap but on a bed. Then she glanced over her shoulder and saw her father, with his long arms placed over her protectively.

“Papa?” She muttered confusedly as she rubbed her eyes, trying to wake herself up more.

“It’s me, darling. Sorry if I’m not able to stay by your side. So I wonder, what if we sleep here together with your mother?”

“Really? You’d do that?” Anya exclaimed while looking at her father.

“Of course, your bed is big enough for us three to fit. Besides, I missed you,” Alexander whispered lovingly and kissed Anya’s forehead.

Anya smiled happily and grabbed Alexander’s hand with her delicate small hands, enveloping it with her own, squeezing gently to assure herself that she isn’t dreaming. She too had missed her father. He’s always busy at work and she rarely sees him during the day. Now, she’s on her side, sleeping with her.

“Seeing you here means that the load has lightened up a bit?” Sophie asked, smiling as she lay down.

“Yeah, but I prefer not to talk about work for now. I have to regain my strength, and for that, I have to spend time with you. You two are my source of motivation and strength.” Alexander replied, his free hand brushing on Sophie’s belly where Anya’s future sibling is growing.

And then, moments after they stared at one another, the three drifted into a peaceful slumber.