Page 9 of The Unseen (Echoes from the Past #5)

“Alyosha, you won’t be sent to the front, will you?

” Valentina asked, suddenly worried. The war felt very far away, here in Petrograd, but Alexei was a soldier, and soldiers went where they were sent.

Valentina paid little attention to her father’s daily tirades when he read his morning newspaper, but she knew the war wasn’t going well.

Alexei shook his head. “Not at this time. You’ve no reason to worry.”

“Papa says this war will bring shame upon Russia.”

“All will be well.”

“Alyosha, I’m no longer a child, and as the fiancé of a soldier, I deserve to know the truth of what’s going on. I want to be prepared.”

They didn’t normally discuss politics, but current events would impact their future, and if their relationship was to evolve it was imperative that they be able to speak freely to one another. Valentina was grateful Alexei didn’t ignore her request.

“The war is a disaster. There’s mutiny in the ranks.

The men are being subjected to harsh disciplinary action, but morale is low and desertion is rife.

There’s been a change of command, and the Tsar put himself in charge of the Russian Army in the hope of inspiring the men and earning their loyalty, but the troops have no taste for the fighting and want to go home.

They have nothing against the Germans and see no compelling reason for Russia’s involvement in the war. ”

“Doesn’t that mean additional troops might be sent to the front?” Valentina asked, fearful for Alexei.

“We’re needed to protect the capital. There’s too much unrest to leave the city undefended.”

“What kind of unrest?”

“The common people are unhappy with the current situation. There’s great resentment festering among the working classes. They want food, land, and opportunities for advancement, and they feel that the Tsar is indifferent to their plight.”

“Is he? Does he not love all his people and see to their welfare?”

“No, Valya, he doesn’t. He’s deaf to their pleas.

A small percentage of the population controls all the land and industry in this country.

The peasants are starving, especially since so much capital is being funneled into the military.

The army needs food, horses, arms, and vehicles if they are to continue to fight this war against Germany.

The common people see very little in the way of government aid. ”

“You sound as if you sympathize with them.”

“I can understand their grievances, and think they should be addressed before this simmering cauldron of discontent boils over.”

“Could that really happen?”

“I would like to think not, but if it does, there aren’t enough regiments stationed in Petrograd to hold off a full-scale revolution.”

“You’re scaring me, Alyosha. If the situation is so dire, why is everyone pretending nothing is wrong? ”

“Because that’s what they do best. They bury their heads in the sand, host balls and musical evenings, and spend a fortune on gowns and jewels.

The Romanovs have been ruling Russia for three hundred years, so everyone believes everything will just go on as before.

There have been periods of discontent and uprisings before now.

Several attempts were made on the life of Alexander III, and even on our current Tsar, but the demonstrations were put down, the leaders executed, and opposition squashed.

Life for the ruling classes went on largely undisturbed, much like right now.

But this time things might be different. ”

“Why?”

“Because they have numbers on their side, and they’re organizing and arming themselves. These are no longer ignorant serfs with axes and pitchforks, Valya. They have educated men to lead them and given the current situation, they don’t have much left to lose.”

“You could be arrested for such talk.” Valentina gasped. She’d never heard Alexei speak this way before, and the depth of his disillusionment shocked and frightened her.

“Yes, I could, but I trust you, and you asked me to be honest.”

Valentina nodded. She had asked him to be honest, but this wary, bitter side of Alexei made her see him in a whole new light. It was disturbing, but also reassuring. She didn’t want to be lied to or pacified with half-truths and false promises. She’d rather know the truth.

“Have you ever killed anyone?” Valentina asked. She suddenly realized that Alexei’s smart uniform wasn’t worn only to make him look handsome and dashing. He was an officer in the Imperial Army, trained to kill and sworn to defend Russia’s interests.

“This conversation has turned awfully grim, and I really must go. Please, don’t concern yourself, Valya. Hopefully, the war will end soon. Once it does, the situation will change for the better.”

“Take care of yourself, Alyosha. For me.”

“For you,” he replied and kissed the tip of her nose. “I will see you at your birthday celebration, Valya.”

“Thank you for my present. I will wear it always.”

“I’ll buy you many necklaces once we are married,” Alexei promised as he bowed formally and took his leave.

“But I’ll still wear this one,” Valya whispered to his retreating back.

She sat down on the settee and sighed miserably.

Alexei was right, the conversation had turned grim.

This was supposed to be a happy day in her life, and it was, but the revelations he’d shared with her left her feeling frightened and depressed.

She’d been blithely going about her business, completely oblivious to what was happening right under her nose.

In her defense, she clearly wasn’t the only one, but the reality was a lot scarier than she dared to admit.

The Romanovs had ruled for three hundred years, and might rule for three hundred more, but what if this time, they couldn’t neutralize the threat?

Valentina got to her feet and headed for the door.

Her parents would be waiting for her to report on her meeting with Alexei, and she was more than ready to share her happy news and shed this mantle of melancholy.

She’d set aside the worrisome information he’d shared with her.

There’d be plenty of time to think about it later.

But as she crossed the silent corridor, an odd thought flashed through her mind.

It’s not getting engaged that makes you a grown-up; it’s having the blinders removed from your eyes, allowing you to finally see the things that were hidden from you before .