The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka

6. Beliye Nochi

This summer was different for Viktor. He was no longer alone. He had married Xandrova cause of the great master of the Konstantin familyーGennadius Zigfrids Konstantin, who matched his only granddaughter with Viktor. Viktor was extremely happy, although he couldn't fully say he was happy as long as poverty lingered.

Viktor and Xandrova walked along the Neva river. Neither of them had spoken since leaving Maksim earlier. They were busy with their own thoughts. Their presence attracted the attention of everyone who was there.

Viktor tries to contain his anger in front of Xandrova. He didn't want to scare his wife or make her feel uncomfortable when he was with her. And, Xandrova realized that. 

"Viktor, I ...."

Viktor stopped his steps when he realized that Xandrova wanted to say something. Viktor grasped both of Xandrova's hands. 

"What's wrong? Just tell me, Zoya!"

Xandrova looked up to see Viktor's handsome faceーeven more handsome than her ex-fiancé. 

"'I'm...I'm...."

Two pairs of beautiful eyes met each other. Deep in the bottom of his wife's eyes, Viktor saw fear as well as doubt come together. However, it was not the other way around. Viktor felt warmth and peace in his heart when he was alone with Xandrova. 

'I don't know how long I can feel this kind of peace when I'm with you, Zoya? I'll take care of you and your family with all my heart. I'll keep Maksim away from you as I promised Grandpa Gennadius.'

Viktor said inwardly, he had promised not to tell anyone about his promise to Gennadius.

"Zoya?" Viktor called his wife's name softly. He stared at Xandrova who still didn't speak either.

"Ah! IーI... I just wanted to ask, are we gonna witness the Beliye Nochi phenomenon tonight?"

Viktor saw the lie in Xandrova's eyes. Don't know what made Xandrova dare not speak the truth to him.

'What exactly are you trying to tell me? How long are you going to keep hiding things from me?! However, do you really want to talk about Maksim?!'

Viktor was already curious. But as it was, he wasn't going to impose his will on Xandrova.

"Of course, Zoya. We're gonna witness the Beliye Nochi natural phenomenon that only happens once a year." Beliye Nochi means, White Night.

Xandrova smile as she was satisfied with her husband's answer. "Thank you, Viktor. You always fulfill my wishes."

'That's my job as a husband, Zoya. You will understand someday.' Viktor said with conviction in his heart.

"With my pleasure, Zoya."

Xandrova smiled when she heard Viktor speak in English.

"I didn't know you were good at English, Viktor. Where did you learn it?"

"Of course I'm self-taught, Zoya."

'You don't need to know, Zoya. Because even I'm confused about how I can speak a foreign language that I've never learned,' Viktor thought.

Viktor brought his face closer to Xandrova's. Seeing their closeness, of course, made someone standing not far from them burn with jealousy.

"Damn!"

Maksim was never deterred from following wherever Viktor took Xandrova.

"Sir, you'd better stop following them now. How about you call Mr. Davidoff to ask about the next plan for the evening?"

Maksim didn't say much. His heart ached. Yes, it hurt too much to see Viktor touch the woman he was now attached to.

"Let's go, Felix!"

'When Zoya is in my hands, I'll make the Konstantin family worship the Romanovs! And, I'll plant my seed in her womb as soon as possible so that Zoya can't escape my clutches!'

Maksim monologued as he took out his smartphone from his pants pocket. He opened the chat feature and searched for Davidoff's name there.

Maksim: Pa, do you and Mom have plans tonight?

Immediately after sending the message, Maksim put the sophisticated flat object back in its original place.

"You see, don't you, Feliks? That poor guy has his lips on the top of Zoya's head intimately."

Maksim complained about what he had seen earlier. The assistant could only encourage his master.

"It was only felt by Mr. Viktor, but not by Miss Zoya. That's what I saw, Young Master."

"What do you mean, Felix?!"

Maksim looked indignant at not understanding the assistant's words.

"Have you not realized something, Young Master? Miss Zoya still holds her love for you."

Maksim frowned. "Love?!"

"That's right, Sir. I can see it in every time you approach her. It's just that she is too afraid of Mr. Gennadius."

Maksim halted his steps. He grabbed the last cigarette from a square pack in his hand.

"Young Master, you can't smoke carelessly in a public area!"

Feliks looked to his left and right and found no one smoking.

"Ah! You only have to pay a fine of 3,626 Rubles, Feliks!"

Feliks let out a harsh sigh.

"It's not a matter of the number of Rubles I'll spend on you, Young Master. However, what if you have to deal with the local authorities and lose many opportunities to get close to Miss Zoya?"

The cigarette that had been clamped between his lips was forced by Maksim into the nearest trash can. He quickened his pace without speaking to Feliks.

***

The large number of domestic and foreign tourists made the Neva river more crowded than in previous months. Viktor was standing under the large window of his hotel room with Xandrova. He watches the digital clock on his right wrist as it strikes 7 p.m. St. Petersburg time.

"Look, Zoya! It's 7pm and the sun says it's still daytime."

Viktor pointed to the skyline, which was still brightly lit. The view from the top of his hotel room is beautiful.

"And, tourists are reluctant to leave the banks of the Neva."

Xandrova replies to Viktor as she gazes at the many tourists on the banks of the Neva.

"Some of them are taking pictures and chatting with their families."

Viktor wanted Xandrova to see what he was seeing. It was a grown man holding a girl about 5 years old. The man and child were having their picture taken with a woman who Viktor assumed was the child's wife and mother.

"Viktor, I'm gonna get ready for dinner with Papa and Mama at the Russky Restaurant on the first floor of the hotel."

Xandrova hurried to the dressing table where her make-up kit was. Viktor smiled at his wife's childish behavior.

Viktor opened his mouth and deliberately said quietly so as not to be heard by Xandrova.

"Ya lyublyu tebya, Zoya." Meaning, "I love you, Zoya."