alexei’s timeline !
DECEMBER 1977 --- Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov is born in Vienna, Austria. It’s a bit past two am and the room is occupied by five people, only the parents and medical professionals would be up at that hour.
APRIL 1982 --- It’s the first time he hears his father talk about Russia. His father, who has never set a foot in the country, speaks of the country with longing and affection. Alexei doesn’t understand him. How can you love something you’ve never seen? How can something you’ve never touched be yours by birthright?
SEPTEMBER 1983 --- Alexei starts attending the Russian school of Vienna. He bears the surname of his mother, as do all of his siblings. He doesn’t stick out from his peers. He speaks rarely but listens closely, he’s good at tag and all its variants so he’s popular during recess.
DECEMBER 1984 --- Christmas is nearing and he hears his parents arguing in the kitchen. It’s a rare thing to witness as they hide each and every problem from the children as good parents do. It’s about money. Masha Prozorova has spent too much on Christmas gifts. The family money is to be used wisely, there’s only so many tiaras and brooches they can sell.
OCTOBER 1986 --- Alexei breaks the one rule that he has vowed to honor until his dying day: he tells his school mate that he is a Romanov. Brags about it even. The child laughs at him, takes his statement as a joke despite Alexei’s best attempts at convincing him of the truth, and very quickly the conversation is forgotten. Later that day, Alexei feels guilty when his mother asked how his day went. It’s precisely his mother who reminds him of the importance of the secret almost every day. Now even more often than usual since she’s cradling her second son in her arms.
JANUARY 1987 --- His father has begun to spend more and more time with his grandfather. Sometimes the two men disappear for hours, sometimes for days, sometimes even for weeks. Despite being busy with school and enjoying the world of children, Alexei notices the changes in his father. It’s like for the first time ever, his father has determination.
JUNE 1989 --- His mother comes to fetch him from a friend’s house, she is colder than usual and has no patience for his words of protest. As the whispers of a Romanov lead rebellion spread through Europe like wildfire, people started to wonder where the imperial family was. Where had they been living? Alexei’s friend, the one who only now could believe Alexei’s words from three years ago, spoke about the conversation. Mentioned it to his parents who, in turn, spoke to their friends, who, in turn, spoke to their friends. In a matter of a week the Russian community of Vienna had begun to monitor the Prozorova family’s every move. Masha finds out about the source of the rumour and disappointment fills her.
SEPTEMBER 1989 --- The family decides to move elsewhere. Switzerland crosses their mind but the paperwork does not seem worth the trouble. The family relocates to Salzburg.
DECEMBER 1991 --- The White Army has won, miraculously. His mother has the help packing up their bags: it’s time to return home --- whatever that means. The sun has barely risen when Alexei takes his first step on Russian soil. It’s boxing day and the freshly fallen snow squeaks underneath him. He’s fourteen and he has never known anything except Austria. Only the language around him feels familiar.
MARCH 1994 --- Czar Aleksandr dies and Mikhail Romanov ascends the throne. For the first time in his life, Alexei realizes what’s waiting for him in the future. The thought bothers him so he keeps it buried deep.
JUNE 1995 --- Alexei finishes his upper secondary school. He holds his diploma in his hand and smiles. He still sometimes thinks back to that day --- he can’t remember ever feeling quite as invincible, intelligent and happy as he did on graduation day.
SEPTEMBER 1995 --- He’s been the crown prince for two years, and a high school graduate for two months. It’s time for a new chapter in his life which involves the army. His father sends him off with praise and a short and stiff hug. His mother doesn’t ascend the steps of the palace to wave him off. Her shadow is gone from the doorway before the car has crossed the courtyard.
DECEMBER 1995 --- When Alexei returns home for the first break (it’s Christmas), his cheekbones are more defined than they’ve ever been and his shaved head reveals an old childhood scar on his forehead. He knows the ensemble waiting for him at the palace is different from usual: he has heard the news of his uncle and he almost doesn’t want to see his orphaned cousins. It’s such a difficult truth to face. He has been able to ignore it since military training doesn’t let you be quiet with your thoughts.
JULY 2001 --- He leaves the army. He has a respectable amount of medals pinned on his chest and no one can question his dedication to the country. He needs to start writing a new chapter in his life.
SEPTEMBER 2001 --- That chapter is higher education. He begins his studies in St. Petersburg and he adores it. He’s a bit rusty having spent little to no time on a school bench in six years but he loves it. Loves using his head for once, loves listening to people talk, loves the wide array of opinions around him. He just notices one thing: the Romanovs aren’t perceived as the heroes. It’s an upsetting thing to realize.
MAY 2007 --- He has finished his master’s studies. The degree in political science feels worthless. He only knows that he knows nothing. He looks at the reforms, changes and minor improvements his father has accomplished and wonders how that is even possible.
JULY 2010 --- He tears himself away from work for one week to spend it with his family. The glass he’s holding is sweating in his hand, the summer sun is hot enough to burn his forehead if he doesn’t remember to move to the shade soon. His eyes stay on Irina and Tatyana, and he wonders when he’s supposed to have that. Only later on he identifies one of his feelings as envy.
DECEMBER 2012 --- He’s been a cautious fool. Always taking his time, never making a move. It’s a miracle that he stops Anneli in time and gives her that kiss.
OCTOBER 2016 --- The day he has been dreading has come. He receives a call that starts with ‘Your Majesty’. He looks for his wallet and phone and arranges a jet for himself. Four hours later he’s lying on Anneli’s sofa and she’s handling him a cup of tea.
JULY 2017 --- He can’t believe that on such a beautiful sunny day he gets his heart broken. Anneli plunges a knife into his heart and doesn’t even give him an explanation just a cold hard ‘no’. His grandmother’s ring is returned to the family vault and no one mentions the czar’s request ever again.
