Chương 44: The Embarrassing Past

The veil of the night has darkened the surroundings of the Winter Palace. The golden hue of electric lights that lined the exterior walls of the extravagant estate glowed under the gloomy evening, radiating magnificence.

In one of the rooms of the Winter Palace was a brightly lit office where Alexander was currently working.

Busy as usual, Alexander scribbled on his papers, trying to complete his daily task.

Being an Imperial Prince plus the future emperor is a very taxing job. More taxing than he was once when he was a CEO in his past life.

Normally, he would relegate this task to his trustworthy and capable personnel while he just enjoys his life in his penthouse, watching the view of the New York skyline.

But in this world, there were no people that can keep up with his work, especially on his inventions. He's been meeting with countless engineers and architects about his new designs but their reactions were the same, awed, speechless, and astounded.

They still need guidance but some of them are picking up what he was trying to point out. Still, they are not cut off from the job. He can't blame them as they have different expertise and the thing he's planning on introducing to this world hasn't realized its greatness.

A technology that will transform how information is transmitted and make the world even more connected with one another.

Television.

Most people in this era haven't heard of the word television. The way information was disseminated was through newspapers and radios.

In this world, radios are the dominating technology in a media empire. It was a lucrative business that made some pioneers in the radio industry garner a huge amount of money. How? Well, people from every household who'd like to get the latest update on big events, congregate around the radio. It was also a form of entertainment.

So imagine how would the people react when they can not only hear the words coming out from the speaker but see the images that go along with the signal in real-time?

That's where the television came in. An invention that could make the radio obsolete.

Now, he had consulted this idea with some of the engineers in the Ruthenia Empire, but none of them catches his interest, a gut feeling that they aren't the right person for the job.

One of the engineers he met told him that there was a boy from the United States who pitched the very same idea as his. Obviously, it piqued his interest. So he had arranged a meeting with him two weeks ago. He'll arrive today.

Of course, he can create the television by himself, he even created one when he was in high school for his science project and has the materials to build it in the palace. But as the head of state, Alexander couldn't just neglect his royal duties for the industries he was planning on creating. He has to find a people that could handle the business for him to lessen the load. Someone who is not only capable but also understands what they are working with. And last but not least, trustworthy.

While he was scribbling on the paper, a knock on the door caused his attention to shift away from the papers. He called out "Come in!"

The door creaked as the door opened. Alexander looked up from his desk at the man entering his office. It was Rolan. So he just got back from the police station.

Rolan walked over to Alexander's desk, carrying a brown envelope.

"The thugs that harassed the woman earlier have been detained, sir," Rolan reported and handed the envelope to him politely. "This is all the documents I can find about the woman you asked me to check."

Alexander took the envelope, taking out a file. It was the birth certificate of the woman they saved earlier. As he perused the content, Rolan started speaking.

"Her name is Elena Serebryakova, daughter of Baron Serebryakov. She works at an Admiralty Shipyard as a secretary," Rolan said.

Alexander nodded, turning the pages again, stopping at an old image.

"She's strikingly familiar," Alexander commented looking at the picture of the woman.

Rolan raised an eyebrow, "I'm sorry, sir?"

"I felt like I've met her before."

Alexander's memories flitted back to two years ago when he sneak out of the palace and headed into the city to have fun with his friends. When they were at a bar, a girl with navy blue hair and striking blue eyes caught his attention. And on that day, something happened between the two. Something he doesn't want to remember...

Realizing what Alexander has done in that time, Thomas clenched his fist, snapping the pen he was holding in half.

"Oh fuck me..." He breathed as the memory played in front of his mind.

"Why? What happened, sir? Did you remember her?" Rolan asked cautiously.

Alexander shook his head, his expression blank. He can't believe that the original Alexander would do such an indecent thing to someone he just met. He wanted to curse at Alexander but Thomas couldn't. If he were to meet him again in a dream, he would surely rant about his behavior.

"Sir are you okay? You look pale." Rolan asked.

Alexander sighed, taking out the rest of the papers inside the envelope. "Thank you, Rolan. I think we're done here. Please show yourself out."

Rolan bowed, turned around, and left after shutting the doors behind him. He didn't notice Alexander's face contorting in anger. After Rolan leave the room, Alexander leaned his forehead against the desk, breathing heavily. He could feel sweat running down his forehead and neck. There was nothing he can really do now. What's done is done.

However, this past would have a catastrophic effect on his reign if it were to leak out to the public. It must be kept under the rug and never be disclosed to anyone.

For a few minutes, Alexander stared at the ceiling as thoughts ran in circles in his head. He needed answers and fast. This situation has to be covered up soon or risk the consequences of the public finding out. An idea popped into his mind. He'll just meet her personally and then discuss the matter for closure.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Alexander picked up the phone that was ringing on his table, pressing a button to answer the call

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty, Sir Philip Ainsworth has arrived in the Winter Palace, where do you like us to take care of him?" his manservant asked, voice crisp and professional.

Alexander closed his eyes, thinking about it, "Send him to the guest room. Tell him I'm going to meet him tomorrow morning. I can't meet him today due to sudden circumstances."

There were a few seconds of silence before the manservant spoke again. "Very well, Your Majesty," then hung up.

With that, Alexander set down his telephone, placing both hands together. His head drooping downwards, he mumbled to himself. "I have to tell her."

***

Along the gilded hallway of the Winter Palace, Alexander walked drearily as the event of the past still haunts him, making him uneasy.

He entered his bedroom, removing the trenchcoat and shoes that he wore. He sat down on the sofa and rested his elbow atop his thigh, placing his hand on his temple.

While he was sulking, disappointed at Alexander, the door suddenly opened. He moved his head to check and saw Sophie standing there...in a rather alluring attire.

She was wearing what seemed to be a white nightgown made of the finest silk that only went down to a little above the knee. Her golden hair swayed to the side as she walked over towards Alexander.

"You're quite early?" Sophie said.

He swiveled around, sitting on the bed to face her, his arms crossed. He didn't answer but he could see the curiosity in her features, she knows something was wrong.

Before she could say anything, Alexander spoke up. "I want to talk to you about something."

Sophie sat beside him and the nice aroma coming from her hair wafted into his nostrils. She smelled nice, he thought.

She shifted closer to him so their faces were inches apart. "What is it you wish to talk to me about?" She whispered, placing a hand on his hand.

He took a moment and finally replied "It's about...what happened two years ago...about me doing something unspeakable things."

Sophie blinked, waiting for what he will say next. "And?"

Alexander felt a shiver run across his spine, his heart racing fast. It's harder than he expected.

"Well, there is this woman...two years ago. I told you before right, during our time in Vienna. When I talked to you about my past..."

"Alexander," Sophie stroked his face. "It's okay...tell me, please."

Alexander inhaled deeply, gathering up enough courage to speak the truth. "The woman that I am talking about, something happened between us..."

Alexander flinched in anticipation, as he waited for her reaction.

Sophie didn't speak but merely stayed quiet as she waited for him to continue.

"I should've known better than it's wrong. I was drunk at that time...with the events happening to me back then, my mind was reeling. I couldn't even tell what I did after that."

Sophie's eyes widened at his confession, her expression frozen in shock.

She finally understood what Alexander was trying to say. In short, he did it to that woman.

"I have no excuses for what I did back then. It was wrong...you have the right to be angry at me."

Sophie paused, not knowing what to say but to tell him the truth. "I'm not angry at you..."

Alexander's expression became perplexed. "You're not angry at me?"

Sophie shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Alexander's heart skipped a beat, not expecting this from her.

"I'm not angry at you because...we weren't in a relationship at that time. I don't care about your past, what's important is that you're here staying by my side and telling me the truth.

Alexander's eyes widened. He's taken aback by her confession. He looked into her eyes and was surprised he was not angry. He can see the sincerity in her eyes and at that moment, he felt a flicker of hope in his heart.

He gave a small smile. "Really?"

Sophie smiled lightly and nodded her head.

Alexander couldn't discern, whether she is happy or sad from her facial expression alone. He literally just told her that he had sex with another woman and she's saying it's okay because they weren't in a relationship at that time? If it were in reverse, Alexander would be heartbroken hearing that. There's no way she can smile after knowing that.

"Are you really okay Sophie?" Alexander asked tentatively.

"Yes. I am, truly," Sophie responded softly, her expression beginning to soften, as she caressed Alexander's cheek tenderly.

Her touch felt so warm, that it brought peace and tranquility to him. As he relaxed at her touch, it made him want to share the feeling of happiness she gives him with her.

Alexander pulled her closer to his and hugged her lovingly. He pressed his lips onto her forehead, it was a reassuring smile.

"I may have done something terrible in the past but I swear to you that I won't ever hurt you, Sophie..."

Sophie smiled and wrapped her arms around him tightly in return, nuzzling her face into his chest. "I know you won't..."

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