The daily schedule of the Winter Palace is already considered diligent among the Russian nobility. By ten in the morning, most of the courtiers are already active.
If compared to the "Golden Age of Nobility" fifty years ago, waking up at sunset was likely the norm, with all-night banquets followed by resting during the day, akin to a vampire's schedule.
In this regard, Alexander III set a relatively good example, and the decline and impoverishment of the noble class was also one of the reasons.
Today, Nicholas was once again assigned a pile of social tasks by the Tsar and Tsarina. He appeared later beside the staircase on the second floor where Elena was waiting.
He had changed his outfit: a wool tweed Norfolk jacket with hip length, single-breasted with a belt, large patch pockets, and box pleats running from shoulder to hem, paired with matching knickerbockers.
It was a functional, casual gentleman's attire.
"Hope I'm not too late."
Elena, who was previously admiring the Jordan Staircase at the end of the Rastrelli Gallery, turned her head upon hearing this. This was the main passage between the first and second floors of the Winter Palace.
The entire entrance hall was adorned with statues, resplendent gilded decorations, wide steps with relief-style railings, and mirrors on the walls integrated with ceiling paintings.
"It's very beautiful here. You arrived just as I was looking around."
Elena, in a curtsey, was also dressed casually today. Her pale pink long dress revealed high-quality goatskin edged shoes, with long white stockings tightly wrapping her graceful calves, which Nicholas glimpsed briefly as she lifted her skirt.
"It is indeed magnificent."
When Nicholas first traveled from the Far East back to St. Petersburg, he was equally struck by the opulence of the Winter Palace.
Every January 9th, the Tsar's family descended this staircase to participate in the Epiphany festivities on the Neva River. Named after the biblical account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, it was known as the "Jordan Staircase."
When Nicholas took Elena's delicate hand and walked on the red carpet to the middle landing of the staircase, he could see the statue of the goddess of justice in the central niche, surrounded by mostly ancient Greek-style marble statues, some clothed, some not, whose names he seldom recalled.
"What's so funny, Nicky?"
When Nicholas's gaze landed on a nude statue, some old memories made him laugh out loud, prompting Elena's curiosity.
"Well, let me tell you, Nanny… It was about two years ago at a French art exhibition in Moscow. There was a huge female nude sculpture that nobles laughed about covering with a curtain. My parents also attended that French exhibit. The Tsar rebuked such behavior and then growled that the French loved such fashions."
"The Tsar is quite a character."
The anecdote Nicholas shared made Elena cover her mouth and laugh.
"Yes, my father sometimes behaves like a childish giant baby."
"Like at the banquet?"
"Well, that was just drunkenness… When he's sober, he might tear off a piece of bread, roll it into a ball, and throw it at my head, then pretend nothing happened to tease me."
Alexander III disliked court balls. As usual, after the opening speech, he would hide and drink with his good friend, General Cherevin.
When the Tsarina approached, he would behave like a good child. But when she left, Alexander III and his friend would quickly take out hidden bottles of liquor, take a big swig, and hide them again, as if nothing happened.
Last night at the ball, Alexander III got so drunk that he lay on the floor, waving his limbs like a child, trying to get up but failing, grabbing at the shoes of everyone who passed by.
"My mother couldn't understand why the Tsar was drunk whenever she turned away."
"Nicky, you have a happy family."
Elena spoke with a bit of envy, understanding where Nicholas's gentle and considerate nature came from.
Of course, she didn't know there was another reason – Nicholas's soul had long been swapped.
"Is your father not good to you?"
Nicholas could sense Elena's complex feelings about her family situation. But as an outsider and potentially becoming her father-in-law, the Paris Count, Nicholas had to cautiously navigate the topic.
"…Not exactly… My father was born in Paris but was forced to leave France at ten, settling in exile in London…"
Through Elena's words, Nicholas gradually formed a clearer picture of the Paris Count, a man likely to become his father-in-law. He was an opportunist who would stop at nothing for power, having served as a volunteer during the American Civil War, worked in the staff, and owned a factory in England, amassing a fortune through his efforts.
Because of the Paris Count's minor achievements, he believed he could achieve greater feats. What could be a greater feat than restoring the crown of the Orleans dynasty?
His children had to strive for their father's dreams, with Elena growing up as a "marriage tool" under her father's high expectations.
"My father loves me," Elena said sadly, "but he loves the French throne more."
"…" Nicholas didn't know what to say, feeling that speaking ill or remaining silent about the Paris Count could both trigger different emotions in Elena. So he chose to change the topic. "Sorry for bringing up these sad things. Today we'll visit Tsarskoye Selo outside St. Petersburg. The scenery is beautiful, and we can go boating."
"Okay…"
Elena, realizing the topic was spoiling the mood, smiled and nodded in agreement.
While Nicholas was busy with high society social activities, Witte was leading a streamlined inspection team to survey the ravaging epidemic in the Lower Volga region.
The famine of 1891 had already claimed many lives in rural areas, but the cholera outbreak this summer caused a sharp increase in the death rate.
"Possibly up to a hundred thousand people have died from cholera."
Similar reports came from several provinces in the Lower Volga region. After collating the varying degrees of data from local areas, the accompanying officials reported this grim figure.
"…There is a lack of doctors locally, and many senior medical students are undertaking almost all medical work. I think student groups are not just sources of sedition and revolution."
In some letters to the Tsarevich, Witte conveyed his observations and realizations.
"…Most affected provinces lack the ability to overcome the disaster. While most governors believe that only through bureaucratic means and under full supervision of state officials can relief work be completed, I believe…"
Unconsciously, Witte had become one of the few advocates for reform among the high ranks, which was precisely what Nicholas hoped to pursue.
Nikolai had a delightful time. During the day, he read, rode horses, strolled in the garden, or occasionally wandered through the commercial districts of St. Petersburg. In the evenings, he attended operas at the Mariinsky Theatre, reveled at balls in the Winter Palace, and played card games until dawn.
Nikolai knew nothing about opera, but he enjoyed the intimate, dimly lit settings where many nobles formed romantic connections.
However, Nikolai's relationship with Elena was limited to holding hands and hugging, with only a tentative attempt at kissing, which Elena ultimately resisted.
"Sorry..."
After the initial rapid progress, their relationship remained in a state of ambiguity, more than friends but less than lovers. This was perhaps the best description of their feelings.
Nikolai suspected that Elena still couldn't let go of her memories of Eddie.
"No... it's okay. I believe we can be together for a long time."
He was patient. The crown prince's sincerity and gentlemanly manners made Elena feel a bit guilty.
After more than a month of dating, their relationship reached a small hiatus due to an indefinable delay.
"I've enjoyed our time together."
After over a month, the Count of Paris had to return to London to prepare for the betrothal. Although their feelings hadn't reached that stage, both families were satisfied with the arranged marriage, and that was enough.
"I'll come to London soon to see you."
The sister of Empress Maria was the wife of Victoria's eldest son, the Prince of Wales, who would become Edward VII.
So Edward VII was technically Nikolai's uncle.
The intricate web of familial ties among European royalty made visiting relatives akin to international travel. Nikolai was urged by his mother, Empress Maria, to socialize more with his relatives. In her view, this was crucial for maintaining dynastic power.
"I'll be waiting for you in London, Nicky—"
At least, Nikolai received a formal kiss on the cheek from Elena as a form of compensation for her earlier refusal.
It was satisfactory.
Satisfied, Nikolai touched his cheek, still faintly scented with her perfume, pondered for a moment, nodded, and returned from the melancholic farewell at Kronstadt to the Winter Palace.
While Nikolai's romantic journey was still slowly progressing, the honeymoon period between France and Russia was moving forward steadily.
On August 17, 1892, Russian Chief of Staff General Obruchev and French Chief of Staff General Boisdeffre signed the draft of the Franco-Russian Military Alliance in Jaurès, Dordogne.
However, this did not mean the alliance was fully established.
Military alliances of this era were part of "secret diplomacy" and were "theoretically" confidential.
Secret diplomacy involved a few elite politicians and diplomats negotiating and balancing interests behind closed doors, purely based on realist principles.
The less democratic a country was, and the less voice its public had in politics, the more it could adhere to the rules of secret diplomacy. In the 19th century, all major powers fell into this category.
Another noteworthy event was that after completing his inspection in the Volga region, Witte returned to the power center of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg.
He was officially appointed by Alexander III as the new Minister of Finance.
"After Vishnegradsky had a stroke, he left the Ministry's work to his aides. They were morally upright Germans, but not very bright."
When the crown prince congratulated the new finance minister, Witte candidly mentioned the overwhelming backlog of work, implicitly criticizing his predecessor's inefficacy.
But this wasn't a topic of interest for Nikolai.
"Our agricultural report didn't get any response from Father, did it?"
Nikolai was more concerned with reforms, but he found his efforts extremely limited. On a larger scale, the Tsar himself dismissed his ideas as "the rash thoughts of a young man." On a smaller scale, the ministers, obedient to Alexander III, were equally dismissive. Witte was among the more proactive, but he was also constrained.
Ultimately, the Russian Empire was an autocracy. If the Tsar vetoed something, Nikolai's efforts would be in vain.
"...Yes, but His Majesty has many concerns," Witte vaguely responded. His position depended on Alexander III's favor, so he had little choice. "However, His Majesty did repeatedly mention two matters."
"What are they?"
"The first, as you know, is His Majesty's longstanding desire to connect European Russia and Vladivostok by rail, a project I am persistently working on."
"And what about the other matter?" Nikolai nodded, occasionally participating in the Siberian Railway Committee's work. Aside from Witte, his political economy teacher, Bunge, had also provided much guidance.
"The Emperor recently mentioned to me a matter he has been considering for a long time and wants me to handle," Witte said, pausing his work and speaking seriously to Nikolai.
"His Majesty is very concerned about the widespread drinking among the populace and believes strict measures are necessary to curb it."
"Ah?" This took Nikolai by surprise. He hadn't expected his father, a habitual drinker, to take such a stance. But on further reflection, it seemed somewhat reasonable.
Alexander III had always emphasized his embodiment of Russian culture, which included devout Orthodox Christian moral values. Excessive drinking was clearly immoral.
"Exactly. His Majesty wants to curb the drinking behavior of the people. He intends to enforce sobriety among Russians."
"..." The more Nikolai thought about it, the more problematic it seemed. He quickly asked, "Does my father want you to spearhead the temperance movement?"
"Yes, His Majesty trusts in my capabilities, my character, and my loyalty. He hopes I can realize and implement his vision. He also told me he had previously discussed this plan with Bunge and Vishnegradsky, but the results were disappointing."
"This matter..." Nikolai felt a headache coming on. Help Russians stop drinking?
This was a herculean task!