Checkmate
I had hoped the Czechoslovak Legion would simply drift away after this affair. I had even prepared a tragic-heroine performance in case they tried to kidnap me or drag me off by force. But things were unfolding in a completely unexpected way.
“We will assist Your Highness. We shall serve as your steadfast shield.”
Why are they acting like this?
“I see. But there will be conditions, won’t there?”
“Our demands are simple. After the civil war is settled, you must guarantee Czech independence.”
“That much is not difficult.”
Ah, I really wanted to cry. Even without my promise, it would happen anyway. The Austro-Hungarian Empire would be ripped apart like a dog, and an independent Czech state would naturally demand the legion’s return. It was going to occur whether I swore to it or not.
“Furthermore, we ask that you help us maintain our influence in Czech.”
Were they planning to set up a military regime there? Was that the sort of people the Czechoslovak Legion had been?
“There will be no difficulty with that.”
Once the Great War ended, Czech would gain independence and the legion would return home. It would happen even if I never made the promise.
“But you would trust a powerless young princess like myself? You would be staking your lives on this.”
If history changed here, it could become troublesome. The Czechoslovak Legion had sold weapons to the independence fighters—though they sold to anyone with money, not just them. It wasn’t that I was thinking of the Korean independence movement because I was Korean. The real issue was that my own interference in history might produce unpredictable results.
Very well. Let’s see exactly how far these people are willing to help me.
“What thoughts lie behind such bold confidence?”
“That is true.”
“Please inform us as well.”
Ha. These bastards were now volunteering to be my errand runners? Fine. Let’s put them to the test.
“Unfortunately, we have only a few hundred volunteers here. Therefore, we must gather an army.”
“We agree. Strong though our legion is, we believe reinforcements are necessary to defend Yekaterinburg. We will dig trenches and exert every effort to defend this city ourselves, however—”
Yes. They were short on troops. Even with Kolchak’s White forces, they claimed they lacked manpower. In other words, for me to become the rallying point, I needed my own power. They were saying they couldn’t do it alone.
I recalled that during the Red-White Civil War, some who had once condemned the Bolsheviks for negotiating with Germany while receiving foreign aid later switched sides. Hmm. What to do?
There were options. Contacting Anton Denikin of the soon-to-be-formed South Russian government was possible, even if a bit forced. He longed for a return to the old order and might choose to join me. Pyotr Wrangel was with him as well. There were others.
“I intend to make contact with the Cossacks of the Don region. The Don Republic, I believe it was called. The state established with German support.”
The Don Republic was an anti-Bolshevik republic formed by the Don Cossacks of the South Russian army. It probably had not existed long. Its leader was a man named Pyotr Krasnov, a career soldier from the imperial era. He had once tried to suppress Lenin, been defeated, taken prisoner, lied about swearing loyalty to the Bolsheviks, escaped, and become Ataman of the Don Cossacks. Having already crossed an irreversible river with the Reds, he could work with me. A figure who had risen to Ataman. Supported by the German Empire. Krasnov, Anton Denikin, Pyotr Wrangel—in a few months, in the not-too-distant future, they would fight the Battle of Tsaritsyn. After nearly two years of fighting, they would ultimately be defeated.
“You wish us to seek contact with the Cossacks?”
“They are a people who received every possible privilege on the condition that they become the Tsar’s spear and sword. They will not want the Bolsheviks to seize Russia.”
Hadn’t they received tax reductions and near-autonomous privileges in exchange for becoming the Tsar’s hounds? Would such Cossacks welcome the Bolsheviks? That was likely why the Don Republic had formed and why they posed such a particular threat. What I was saying was not without historical precedent. The center of the White movement was Alexander Kolchak, but since I had survived, perhaps this alternate development was possible.
“That makes sense.”
“And, well…”
“Please speak.”
“If possible, inform the White forces as well. Tell them to cooperate with me. That I will establish a Duma. That I will realize a constitutional monarchy. If they dislike that, a republic is acceptable. The important thing is to defeat the Bolsheviks with me as the focal point. I will write the letter myself.”
Build whatever nation you desire. Just not a Red one. That should suffice. After all, the Romanovs had lost the mandate of heaven. Even constitutional monarchy might prove impossible. A constitutional monarchy at least commanded respect for the royal house, but the Romanov name now lay in the dirt. No one would see any value in honoring it. I had no desire for such a conspicuous position anyway. I would clean up the mess, then retire to enjoy wealth and splendor.
“You intend to relinquish power once the civil war ends?”
“Do not worry. I will absolutely keep my promise to General Gaida. From the beginning, my only wish has been to crush the Bolsheviks. At this point, I have no right to speak of the Romanovs seizing power again.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, and convey this to America and the other Entente powers. Military supplies are acceptable, but under no circumstances will we accept military support. This must be publicized everywhere. Tell them that since the civil war is urgent, we will accept aid from Germany or the Entente without distinction.”
“Is this not a time when even a single soldier is precious?”
Even when every soldier was precious, some things had to be refused. The Japanese were already salivating over Siberia and the Russian Far East, eager to devour them at this opportunity. Above all, we had to prevent the Bolsheviks from using the logic that “foreign powers were summoned” to whip up the people. In reality, that very propaganda had won the Reds enormous support among Russians. For the already struggling White Army, it would be catastrophic.
“Right now the Japanese are drooling over Siberia. After we win the civil war, imagine how arrogantly they will behave. Moreover, the Bolsheviks will propagandize it: ‘The princess summoned foreign powers to win the civil war! We must resist them!’ Incitement is their specialty.”
“Understood.”
At least the Czechoslovak Legion could be framed as an independent force operating on its own, giving us some justification. But these men had accepted even this. At this point, shouldn’t they have said “Ah, to hell with it” and kidnapped me before retreating? Their determination to genuinely help me was stronger than expected. This was troublesome.
Very well. Let’s see just how well you perform.
The Czechoslovak Legion was thorough. They helped dig trenches in Yekaterinburg, distributed weapons to the fanatics who followed me, and even trained the volunteers. I trained alongside them.
“The princess is training in person?”
“Does she intend to go out and fight?”
With this small body, I had no other way to protect myself. Naturally, the Anastasia fan-club zealots gazed at me with admiration. They seemed to believe I would march out to battle. Well. It wasn’t a bad impression. Going out to fight directly. Or pretending to be dead and slipping away among the corpses—
Thinking that, I once again remembered that this body belonged to a princess. For an unidentified woman with no connections, the Russian land—especially Siberia—was far too harsh. That was merely one possibility. For now, my immediate goal was to deliver a satisfying slap across the Bolsheviks’ faces here.
Because the Czechoslovak Legion obeyed my words far more readily than expected, I now had no choice but to turn the civil war into a White victory.
And surprisingly, the current situation was not as dire as I had feared. I could understand why the Soviets had been so eager to execute the imperial family quickly. Soldiers were arriving in Yekaterinburg day after day. Perhaps they had realized the Soviet way was not truly for the common workers. Or perhaps the news of the imperial family’s brutal slaughter—crime or not—had struck them as something that could easily become their own fate. Whatever the reason, the number of wealthy refugees and troops from aligned factions pouring into Yekaterinburg was growing steadily.
“Today several hundred Cossack troops have pledged to stand with the princess!”
Not only Cossacks but also monarchist imperial soldiers were flocking beneath the banner of Princess Anastasia of Yekaterinburg. All thanks to the Czechoslovak Legion. I didn’t know where they kept finding them, but they continued to bring more, allowing our sphere of influence to expand gradually. The enemy seemed to be preparing for a decisive battle; we saw none of their forces even in the surrounding cities. It was probably because of the South Russian forces and the Czechoslovak Legion. No, it was definitely because of them—riding trains, gathering men and supplies. Word must have reached the Western powers by now.
“Hmm. Supplies remain the problem, as expected.”
The White Army’s defeat had stemmed not only from warlord factions fighting for dominance but also from the fact that key regions remained in Red hands. Neighboring support could change that somewhat. Still, the most critical factor was excluding foreign military intervention. The bait should be ready soon. When would the great powers make their move?
As I pondered this, the Yekaterinburg defenders rushed in with an urgent report.
“Your Highness. The Bolsheviks are approaching.”
The Bolsheviks were coming. Honestly, it was about time, but they had arrived sooner than expected.
“The Bolsheviks?”
I went to the hastily dug trenches and gazed quietly at the distant Bolshevik army, as if staring at faraway mountains. They had planted the workers’ flag at the front to display their dignity. Even from here, their numbers looked overwhelming. Ah, we’re screwed. Look at how many there were. An absolutely terrifying host. If only we had tanks, we might have been able to do something. There was no choice. Still, we had machine guns. If we held desperately, we could manage. We also had the Czech legion. The real problem would be my newly gathered fanatics losing courage and deserting. I would have to step forward personally and encourage the troops. If the princess stood at the front, no soldier would dare remain hidden behind.
I would show them that I was different from the original owner of this body—my father, Nicholas II.
“Your Highness, leave this place to us.”
The Czech legion tried to make me withdraw, but there was no chance of that. Having come this far, I was going all the way.
“No. These men stand here holding rifles because they believe in me. I cannot push them forward and command safely from the rear.”
I took my place before the Yekaterinburg garrison. Their faces showed young men who had barely left boyhood, middle-aged veterans who looked as though they had served in the imperial army, and white-haired old soldiers whose heads were covered in frost. The ages ranged from youth to elderly. Every one of them had trembling eyes. They were afraid to face that massive red wave. Separate from their loyalty to me, when a real threat to their lives appeared, it was only human to hesitate. People valued their own lives. Especially if the object of their loyalty seemed unworthy of such sacrifice. That had been true of my father in this body, Nicholas II. Now they had to believe in me—a young princess. They had to trust a girl who looked as if she could barely fire a pistol. They could not fail to understand how reckless a gamble this was. Even fools would recognize it.
I had to appeal to them to believe in me. To survive. At the very least, to prevent that terrible future from repeating.