James K

A clue, some guessing, and maybe a surprise...

@drpaladin Vyacheslav for his part has a sort of explanation, although we are never certain about what he is saying, on the other hand, Konstantin, tends to simply be absent without explanation. I have no clues for you other than you may read between the lines and imagine the reasons... I have to keep a little mystery!

Thank you @chris191070 and @Okiegrad for your comments, much appreciated, pleased you and a few others enjoyed the story, I equally enjoyed writing it, and may have another if it comes together.

"I heard your voice," Princess Anoushka rushed up to me. I had only that minute entered the lodge and bade good morning to her mother, who appeared to me to look much older than I remembered, her face drawn and haggard. Princess Anoushka looked at me intently, "I am so pleased to see you. I was beginning to think I would not see you again. I know I have sometimes tormented you, but all the same I am not what you imagine me." She turned away and strolled over to the window, she sta

@Okiegrad I always find it a little sad to reach the end of a story which I have enjoyed, but nevertheless there is also a certain satisfaction and if the ending is done right, I leave the characters to their lives, with a smile on my lips.

The next day my mother announced she was returning to Moscow. My father and mother had a long talk together in her bedroom, but no one knew what was said, however, my mother stayed in her room and did not leave throughout the day. Having decided there was nothing I could do at home, I went in search of Spartak. I thought I should put whatever was going on between my patents out of my mind, because after all, it changed very little except with my mother absent I would not be subjected to her

I cannot properly describe what passed within me over the course of the next week, it was a strange sort of chaos, a peculiar mixture of hope, joy, thoughts, and suspicions. I was immersed in a whirlwind of emotions like a thunderous storm and soon events would change my life forever. I was afraid of myself and what might happen, I was caught up in the life of the Gabrelyanovs, torn apart by my feelings for Konstantin, and I was soon to be devastated by the revelation of my new found companion.

When I got up all the emotion of the previous day had gone, I was left with only questions as if given a puzzle which needed the pieces fitting together, but must surely have some bits missing because there was no clear picture. I thought I would find Konstantin at the Gabrelyanovs with the Princess and perhaps I should talk with him, or both of them, and explain what I saw last night. As I entered the lodge I had second thoughts, it would appear rather peculiar to say I had been hiding in the g

The next morning I saw Princess Anoushka leaving the lodge and shortly after as I walked through the garden I found Vyacheslav, he had some plants in his hand. "Good morning," I greeted, and he turned to look at me. "Fennel and rosemary," he said, stretching out his arm. I looked at him bemused. "Sniff the scent," he pushed the bunch of greenery under my nose and I breathed in the sweet odour. "Herbs, these are good for changing the air." I stood still, looking at him, a rath

The next weekend after dinner everyone was assembled at the Gabrelyanovs, Konstantin was back, Vyacheslav and Radomir, the Princess greeted them and the game of forfeits began again. This time it was different, the tone of the evening had changed and each participant was charged to recount a truth on a theme Princess Anoushka chose. By virtue of my new found status as confidant I sat beside her and urged the others to their recounting of tales. It was not entirely successful, because the histori

For the next week I avoided paying any visits to the Gabrelyanovs, I saw both Radomir and Vyacheslav calling on the Princess, sometimes together, at other times one or the other. You see I still could not help myself from keeping a lookout although I knew Konstantin would not come. He had sent me a note, which was delivered by the surly Bogdan, explaining he was called away and would not be able to see me for several days. He asked me to keep my eyes open and let him know whatever I saw in his a

You are absolutely right, Princess Agnia is so named to differentiate mother and daughter Princess Anoushka, maybe that is not quite right, but that's my reasoning behind using first names for the princesses.

@Anton_Cloche thanks 🤣 fixed it.

The morning was bright, the sky a clear blue, I strolled out of the house into a warm breeze which caressed my bare arms and legs. Insects buzzed, leaves rustled, and I was imbued with a natural effervescent, not a thing I had envisaged. Rather I was determined to walk into the countryside and let myself fall once more into melancholy, yet today chance had decided otherwise and lifted my spirits with the rising Sun. I marched for some time, leaving behind the houses and with them all that troubl

When you say that, I am sure you are referring to how he acts or perhaps his character, or both... all will become clear!

@Anton_Cloche First, thank you for reading and commenting. That is what I have been doing, daily posting, with a couple of delays going through the moderation review, but now I have permission to post the story direct (thank you Cia). There may be spelling errors, but both swop and swap are acceptable spellings of the same word, and meaning the same, to exchange. I appreciate your advice about spell checking, my word processor does not employ predictive spelling, but can sometimes write unintended words, because I mis-type when tapping too fast etc. And yes, converting to American English is a problem. I read through and do a final check when posting, small chapters aid the process. As for having my work "gone over," like all the new writers here and a lot of existing writers, that is a resource which doesn't exist (see the many requests for editors). We can only do the best we can in the spirit of dedicated amateurs. I would be pleased to read any other comments you can add as you read, and will reply. The story is finished, I was writing chapters ahead of publication from an outline and the daily publishing schedule, reader comments, and likes, has kept me on track to finish it. Thanks again for your remarks.

I felt imbued with pride and was light hearted all day. The image and feeling of that kiss, his lips on mine, stayed with me, and I shuddered with delight as I recalled his words. 'You do really love me don't you?' I cherished that moment, so much so, I did not want to go to the lodge in case I should meet with Konstantin and dispell the dream. It was so delicate and ephemeral, it might, like a whispy summer cloud, fade and vanish. I was struck with fear that with these new found feelings I migh

The days passed with the heat of summer and the buzzing of the insects and I saw little of Konstantin or the Gabrelyanovs. I had not stopped looking for him, as if by habit, I watched the track for approaching visitors to the lodge. Then one day he was there and I strolled up to him and bade a fond greeting. "It's you," he said, and took hold of my arm. He led me back down the lane and through the little gate leading to the kitchen garden. And there we were, together all of a sudd

Princess Anoushka sent me a note, carried by the wretched Bogdan who smirked as he handed it to me in the garden. He gave me the impression he had read the contents, but that was not possible, it was sealed with wax. Still her servant seemed to be everywhere and no doubt even if he had not read the contents he knew the princess's intentions. It was I thought an odd thing to do, sending me a note which was in fact an invitation or perhaps better described as a command. It was anyway, how I found

Vyacheslav has a habit of imparting information but never in a straightforward fashion, as if his thoughts are for himself and yet he feels compelled to share them out loud with Alexei.

The chapters are getting published online as regularly (everyday usually) as permitted and moderation reviews allow.

@Gandalf thanks for your comment and likes, a fascinating time and place indeed, enjoy the story.

My torments began from that moment and though I racked my brains for some reason, any reason, I found none. For one brief instant we were close and nothing else seemed to matter, I had found a new force and confidence within myself, but it was not to be. Konstantin avoided me, despite what I viewed as our mutual declaration of love for each other. Was I mistaken somehow? I kept watch for his arrival at the Gabrelynovs, but his visits were less and less frequent. I grew more and more agitated and

I found myself overcome by passion. It properly began from that evening or before, perhaps the day I first saw Konstantin, but that evening of fun and frolicking confirmed my feelings. In his absence I was miserable, I kept trying to find ways to see him, even just to glimpse him. I was jealous of the young Princess and how she could so easily be with him, and the others. She had all these young men dancing around her, she controlled them, and she revelled in her manipulations. She led them in a

Alexei's father seems to be a complex character, he appears easily understandable with his gentle amiable manner, but is at the same time close and then distant with his son, not too concerned, yet interested. A very different person to his mother.