Saving the Romanov family #5

Ekaterinburg, 19 July 1918

Aragorn and I discovered the fate of Nicholas' brother Mikhail Alexandrovich while in Perm. I had forgotten all about him. In addition to rescuing Hendrikova, Schneider and Volkov from the Bolsheviks, I ordered the local Cheka leader to hand over any valuables he looted off Mikhail, which I later gave to Nicholas II. I could've ordered him to take us to the spot where they disposed of Mikhail, but he was murdered over a month ago. His body would be badly decomposed by now and we don't have the tools for a proper exhumation. We also rescued another captive, Helena of Serbia. One of Ella's companions, Ioann Konstantinovich, is her husband.

On our way back to Ekaterinburg, we dropped by the train station to let the rest of the imperial entourage know that they were welcome at the Ipatiev House. A few preferred to shelter in the Popov House as they just hate the palisade. The others were given sleeping quarters in the basement of the Ipatiev House. There was no easy way to inform the Romanov family of Mikhail's death. His personal effects were of little comfort to Nicholas. Ever the bearer of ill news I seem to have become.

I agreed to Tatiana's tearful request to let her family travel to the nearby cathedral so they could pray for Mikhail and all the others who were murdered. The Alapaevsk captives also wished to go. After scouting the area, I signaled to Chief who escorted the captives one by one to the cathedral. This was the first time the Romanov family has stepped outside of the Ipatiev House ever since the Bolsheviks brought them to Ekaterinburg. Tatiana politely asked me to wait outside while they prayed. I think her sister Olga doesn't like me watching them.

It was very uplifting for the Romanov family to finally go out for prayers, something the Bolsheviks never allowed them to do. Before we replaced Yurovsky and his thugs, the Romanov family was in total despair. We've brought them a glimmer of hope. It feels good to be able to rescue so many people, giving them another chance at life. Sadly, we can't be everywhere at once.

P.S. Forgot to mention previously that we dumped Goloshchekin's body along with the jars of sulphuric acid, which probably dissolved him. It gave me no pleasure doing that, but I didn't want those jars anywhere in the Ipatiev House. What sick bastard thought of acquiring such a hazardous material in the first place? The Ural Soviets should've realized by now that he hasn't reported back. Whatever their next move, we'll be ready for them.