The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka

10. Scarlet Sails

"Yeah? What's wrong, Viktor? Have you finally changed your mind and let me see Beliye Nochi ?"

Xandrova asked with full enthusiasm. He grabbed both of Viktor's hands.

'Good grief! Who can resist Zoya's adorable face? He... he was like a white kitten teasing him to play.'

Viktor said to himself while smiling. He didn't know and didn't understand why his heart always melted with Xandrova's adorable behavior.

"Okay... okay. However, promise to stay with me, Zoya!"

A wide smile spread involuntarily on Xandrova's pink lips.

Xandrova's blue eyes said thank you to Viktor without making a sound. Not thanking him for allowing her to see Beliye Nochi, but thanking him for being the most understanding and caring husband to her.

"Viktor, you're very handsome."

Xandrova brought her husband's hands which she had been holding earlier to her lips. Then unexpectedly, Xandrova kissed him briefly.

"Humm?!"

Viktor was fooled by Xandrova's words and behavior. His laughter suddenly broke out.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! You exceeded my expectations, Xandrova Zoya Konstantina!"

Viktor saw Xandrova's beautiful face beaming with joy. He also saw his wife close her eyes when she landed her lips on the back of his hand.

"Viktor, take me there!"

Xandrova's eyes opened again. He pointed at the people who were standing on the banks of the Neva watching the Scarlet Sails show that had just started.

"Come tickle me, Zoya!"

Viktor tightened his grip on Xandrova's hand. The two of them walked towards the bank of the Neva River.

"Towards midnight like this, tourists still crowd the city center."

Viktor shared his views on his wife's hometown.

"It's during the summer like this that a unique scene occurs in the city of St Petersburg, Viktor."

Viktor listened to Xandrova speak while looking in all directions to make sure none of Maksim's men were approaching them.

"Then, what about your hometown?"

Xandrova asked without looking at her husband.

"To be honest, I don't remember anything."

'Correct. Because until now all I remember is the orphanage where I came from.' Viktor continued the sentence in his heart. He doesn't even remember who his parents are.

"Oh!"

Viktor gasped when he felt his smartphone vibrate. He reached into his trouser pocket without letting go of Xandrova's hand.

'Grandpa? Why did Grandpa contact me? Has something happened at home?'

Viktor speculated for a few seconds as he read the caller's name on his smartphone screen.

"Hello, Grandpa."

Viktor started a conversation with Gennadius. He glanced at Xandrova who was enjoying the music and the Scarlet Sails attraction in the waters of the Neva River. 

"Viktor, why did you take so long to answer my call? Are you with Zoya and your two in-laws?"

Gennadius' firm voice sounded shaky. The old man was still dashing even though he was no longer young.

"Yes, I'm with Zoya, but not with Dad and Mom."

Viktor spoke carefully. He lowered his voice because he didn't want Xandrova to hear his conversation with Gennadius.

“Why did Grandpa call me this late? Has there been trouble at the mansion? ”

Neither Viktor nor Gennadius spoke. They only heard the sound of each other's breathing.

"I just wanted to check your summer holiday mood. Is everything okay, Viktor?"

As if he knew what was happening to his family, Gennadius asked Viktor in a worried tone.

'Maybe Grandpa already knows what happened today? However, I will not tell today's events to Grandpa. Because I don't want to add to the burden.'

Viktor looked at Xandrova who was happy, then answered Gennadius' question by shouting.

"Everything is fine, Grandpa. Don't worry!"

Viktor saw a large ship with red sails coming up the Neva River. At the same time, a very spectacular fireworks display began.

"Did Grandpa hear that?"

'A noise like this, Grandpa should have heard it and believed what I said,' thought Viktor as he hoped that what he was doing was right.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Yes, I heard that, Viktor. It brings back memories of my youth when I visited the summer festival there."

Viktor understands very well how lonely a feeling has visited Gennadius' heart since the death of the late Olgav KonstantinaーGennadius' wife.

"Enjoy your summer vacation with Zoya and give me a dozen Great-Grandchildren, Viktor! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Gennadius chuckled again.

"Wーwhat, Grandpa?"

'How can I give Grandfather a great-grandchild, let alone a dozen great-grandchildren as he wishes?! Meanwhile, I never touched Zoya once even on our first night.'

Viktor sneered to himself inside. He did all that because he wanted to honor Xandrova. 'I had promised not to touch Zoya until she was ready.' Viktor knew very well what his current position was.

"Yes, you know how my health is, right? So, you better not delay any longer, Viktor!"

Viktor was stunned to hear the last sentence that Gennadius shouted at him. This sentence became the closing sentence for him. Viktor put the smartphone back in its original place when he heard the disconnected tone.

"Viktor, look! Aren't the fireworks totally pretty?"

Viktor followed Xandrova's line of sight.

"Do you like 'em that much, Zoya?"

Xandrova looked away from the fireworks, then looked at Viktor's face. She touched her husband's face with both hands.

"Of course, Viktor. Did you know? The Scarlet Sails tradition started right at the end of World War 2."

Viktor didn't think that Xandrova had extraordinary knowledge.

"Would you like to take some portraits of me, Viktor?"

Viktor nodded in agreement.

"How about we take a photo together?"

There are many ways to achieve happiness. One of them is in a simple way carried out by the couple Viktor and Xandrova.

Viktor and Xandrova didn't realize that there were several pairs of eyes watching them from a distance. Several pairs of eyes were not Maksim's men but were spies sent by their grandfather to watch over the two of them.

***

The popular city of St Petersburg has 40 islands, at least that's according to a history book Viktor once read as a student. Not long after the spectacular fireworks display ended, Viktor took his wife back to the hotel because he noticed that Xandrova's face had turned pale.

Initially, Xandrova refused Viktor's invitation. However, after Viktor promised to take her back to the Neva River the next day, Xandrova agreed to return to the hotel.

"My guess is true! You're tired, Zoya."

Viktor carried Xandrova on his back towards the hotel. He walked faster when he arrived at the hotel lobby.

Viktor attached a card lock to the sensor box right on the elevator wall. The door immediately closed.

"Wait! Please hold the door!"

Viktor heard a woman scream. He also held the elevator door so it wouldn't close.

"Thank You."

An oriental-looking woman in a leaf-green dress entered the same elevator as Viktor and Xandrova. The woman smiled at Viktor.

"Who are you?"

Apparently, the woman recognized Viktor's face. She looked at him as she opened her eyes wide.