The Capital and the Legacy
I just want to rest. * * *
In the end, it was the White Army that put an end to communism. After all, there is no foundation of support as solid as raw military force. But my thoughts on the matter differ. I doubt the White Army faction will back me simply because I connected the dots for them. As various factions were absorbed into the White Army, quite a few people harboring grudges against the old Romanov dynasty slipped in as well. The reason they follow me is because I am Anastasia, not because I am a Romanov. Therefore, I must earn their recognition through capability.
The Second World War will become a major event that allows Vladimir Kirillovich to build his own support base. Once he safely becomes the heir, I can have a child and pass the Tsar’s throne to that line. For now, I’ll simply keep one foot in the door.
“That is not the only reason. I am concerned about war.”
“War?”
Yes. There is no real need to hide it. After all, since Georgy Lvov is Vladimir Kirillovich’s mentor and a member of the State Duma, I should speak plainly. He already knows about the heir designation, so even if I phrase it indirectly, he will understand.
“I have chosen Vladimir Kirillovich as the successor, but he is a member of the fallen Romanov imperial family and the son of Grand Duke Kirill. Shouldn’t he cultivate his own support base? At the very least, he needs to serve as a rallying point. That is why I speak of war.”
“When you say war, are you referring to China?”
China, huh. Yes, that would be the most likely candidate at the moment. The State Duma has had plenty to say about China-related matters. Many deputies view Sun Yat-sen’s government, which demands support while refusing to recognize Russia’s occupation of Mongolia and Manchuria, as utterly detestable. I recall hearing suggestions that we ought to deal with them someday.
I shook my head lightly.
“Not that side. Japan will fight China long before we even get involved.”
Japan has no choice but to expand in that direction if it wants to grow its power. That much is obvious.
“Then where exactly are you referring to?”
“Germany, Italy, and Yugoslavia. I am thinking of the Second World War. Did I not mention it? Communist Germany will try to crush our Modified Capitalism—which they have conveniently labeled as a threat to their own legitimacy.”
Looking purely at the balance of power, Britain, France, and Russia appear to hold the advantage. But on a grand scale, it will still erupt into a conflict on the level of a world war. So calling it the Second World War won’t be far off the mark.
“If those bastards set their sights on Russia… hmm.”
“This time will be different from the First World War. The White Army has many renowned commanders, while their forces have scattered to Austria or East Prussia.”
Figures like Walter Model, for instance, never joined Communist Germany. The Germans who came as volunteers either remained with the White Army or chose paths to Austria or East Prussia. There were some who went to Communist Germany, but from what I heard, they were branded traitors for aiding the White Army that had massacred their communist comrades and were publicly humiliated. As a result, the hesitant volunteers ultimately returned to East Prussia or Austria. That should make things somewhat easier.
By then, Vladimir Kirillovich will have grown a bit more. He will enter the war at a young age. He might even participate at an age similar to when I established the provisional government in Yekaterinburg.
“So you intend to send the young Grand Duke into that war and turn him into a hero.”
“That much is necessary if Vladimir Kirillovich is to build both popularity and legitimacy.”
I had mentioned this several times before. This was the first time I spoke of it seriously in private.
“Hmm. It does not seem like a bad plan. In that case, I must look after the Grand Duke even more carefully.”
Yes. I would be grateful if you did. Our Vladimir Kirillovich should not become some opportunistic claimant to the throne. It would be better if he were like a much easier-to-manage chairman who cooperates well with the State Duma. If the businesses I have established can also provide funds for the imperial family’s maintenance, it would be perfect.
“Yes. I leave it to you.”
Given Vladimir Kirillovich’s currently delicate position, this much preparation is necessary.
“There is one more thing I wish to discuss.”
“Please speak.”
Ah, I really do like how straightforward Georgy Lvov is.
“Regarding the capital.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Since we claim to be the successor of Rome, I believe we should designate Moscow as the administrative capital and Yekaterinburg as the wartime capital. I would like this to be raised as an agenda in the State Duma.”
Until now, it had only been mentioned in passing. It had never been formally passed by the Duma. Besides, there were issues tied to the capital that I needed to resolve.
“Is not Moscow already the de facto capital? I believe the matter has been brought up several times.”
“That is true. However, rather than it being a military decision made alongside the White Army, I wish to give it proper legitimacy through the State Duma. After all, the remains of my parents and siblings are there as well.”
In short, let us settle this matter once and for all.
“Officially, you mean?”
“Even if my father lacked the qualifications of a monarch, I am still his child. I cannot leave my parents’ remains in such a state. Once the capital issue is resolved, we can decide where to bury them.”
This could eventually tie into the matter of the remains. Unlike real history, I have somehow managed to hold onto the monarchy here. So the remains must be addressed as well. And that inevitably leads back to the capital.
“So you intend to resolve the remains issue at this time as well.”
Yes. That is exactly right. Which is why I believe now is the perfect moment. Moscow has already taken on quite a respectable urban shape according to our Adolf’s urban plan.
“If Moscow is officially designated as the capital, the matter of the remains will naturally follow. Petrograd has been mentioned before, but Petrograd has been devastated, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral is quite far from Moscow.”
Of course, in the future they would eventually be buried in that cathedral. But in this world, Petrograd was the final stronghold of Bolshevik resistance, and it has now been stigmatized as a “Red City.” Even now, some within the White Army openly call it a Red City. Many Moscow citizens also harbor strong dislike for Petrograd.
So the idea is to officially resolve the capital issue through the matter of Nicholas II’s mausoleum. If the capital is set in Moscow, perhaps we should bury the remains in the Archangel Cathedral there.
“In that case, what about the Archangel Cathedral in Moscow?”
“Hmm. The Archangel Cathedral…”
The Archangel Cathedral. I had not thought of that. It had also served as a burial site for Tsars. Its legitimacy is not lacking.
“Before the capital was moved to Petrograd, it was used as the imperial family’s mausoleum in Moscow. For the authority of the Romanovs, reusing the Archangel Cathedral would be better than constructing a new cathedral.”
In other words, instead of spending money on a new project, just use the old Archangel Michael Cathedral. Well, if Moscow becomes the capital, that would indeed be better. I have no intention of making Petrograd the capital anyway, and whether the official capital is Yekaterinburg or Moscow, using the cathedral in Petrograd as a mausoleum would be awkward. It is simply too far. It is distant from both Moscow and Yekaterinburg. Besides, Yekaterinburg is in the Asian sphere to begin with.
“Then please raise it as an agenda.”
“Pardon?”
Why are you making such a dumb face? I am telling you to bring it up yourself.
“As I said, I am merely someone who offers opinions to the State Duma. I am asking the leader of the Progressive Party to convey this on my behalf.”
Georgy Lvov is, after all, the leader of the Progressive Party. Together with the Roman National Party, they hold considerable power in the Duma.
“No, I mean… hmm. Yes?”
“I am a puppet Tsarina. I would prefer the State Duma to present this issue as if it came from the Tsarina herself.”
But Georgy Lvov, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow. Why? Is there a problem?
“Are you truly sincere about this?”
“Of course I am. I am a Tsarina who pays attention to the State Duma. I wish to hand this matter over to the Duma and spend time with Vladimir Kirillovich and Belka. In short—I just want to rest!”
That is what I truly feel now that I have handed things over. Lately I have been thinking far too much, and my head is throbbing. Honestly, there were many things I simply glossed over because I did not know them. Yet Georgy Lvov looks at me with a strange expression.
“Well… hmm. Never mind. I will raise it as an agenda for now.”
Good. Do your best.
The State Duma of the Russian United States operates in a rather peculiar manner. Like the British Parliament, it functions as a legislative body. On the surface, power appears concentrated in the State Duma, yet the Emperor’s influence runs far deeper. Although it is the body that decides the nation’s most important matters, the newly established Russian State Duma—despite the Emperor’s involvement—proudly declares itself the beginning of parliamentary history in Russia, comparing itself to the Althing established in Iceland in the 10th century. Some pirates from the British Isles might mock it for its short history, but to those who had only just begun their Duma, it was a proud step in the process of development.
And today, Georgy Lvov, leader of the Progressive Party and a Duma deputy, brought up the issues of the capital and the remains of the previous Tsar.
“You mean to officially resolve the capital issue?”
“He also wishes to settle the matter of the previous Tsar’s remains.”
“Then we are officially declaring Moscow as the capital?”
“He stated that since many factories are located in Central Asia and South Russia near Yekaterinburg, Yekaterinburg should serve as the capital during wartime.”
“That was originally our White Army’s strategic plan as well.”
“In that case… hmm. Since Petrograd is now unavoidable, if Moscow is chosen as the capital, the remains would be interred in the Archangel Cathedral.”
“Still, the one called the incarnation of Catherine is our current Tsarina, and she began her rise in Yekaterinburg. Yekaterinburg would not be a bad choice either.”
“Is not Petrograd a city with deep historical roots?”
Although Petrograd was mentioned, the deputies were not particularly enthusiastic about making it the capital. Petrograd was an ancient city that had long served as the capital, but it was also the place where the Bolshevik Revolution had occurred, effectively establishing the Russian Soviet Republic. It was simultaneously the final stronghold of Bolshevik resistance—a historic Red City. That stigma remained, and everyone present had emerged victorious from the civil war against the Bolsheviks. There was no way they could feel favorable toward Petrograd.
“It is the place where the Bolsheviks resisted until the very end. The residents of Petrograd have already scattered to other cities or moved to Moscow. Why bother?”
Reconstruction had begun in Petrograd, but a large portion of the population had migrated to Moscow or surrounding cities. Only those citizens who could not leave remained. It was hardly suitable as a capital.
“The previous Tsar was practically the cause of the Bolshevik Revolution. Must we really prepare a mausoleum for him?”
The socialists still held deep resentment toward Nicholas II. Their acceptance of the United States was solely because of Anastasia; to them, Nicholas II was still a man they would gladly beat to death. However, it was also awkward to insult Nicholas II too openly. After all, he was the father of the current Tsarina, Anastasia. Even though he had done nothing but ruin Russia throughout his reign, the title of father to the Tsarina—who was now the master of the new Russia—still remained. That alone made it a matter that needed resolution.
“Throughout history, even worse figures have been given proper burials. For the sake of Her Majesty’s legitimacy and authority, we must prepare a mausoleum.”
“We are the successors of the Byzantine Empire. When considering the legitimacy of Rome, should not the true root of the capital be Moscow?”
“How about transferring the capital to Constantinople while we are at it?”
Once the capital issue was officially raised in the State Duma without the Emperor’s participation, the Roman National Party fell into an uproar. Unlike the more liberal Progressive Party, the Liberal Party, or the moderate socialist Social Democratic Party, they genuinely advocated for the revival of ancient Rome. Well, since they had taken Constantinople and everyone was enduring the pain of civil war while calling themselves descendants of the Romans, it was not entirely wrong. But Constantinople was located too far south. Moreover, it had been under Ottoman rule for a long time, making it unsuitable as an immediate capital. A “New Constantinople Plan” had been drawn up to rebuild it after removing Ottoman influence, much like the reconstruction of Moscow. However, with domestic reorganization still urgent, rebuilding a perfectly intact Constantinople from the Ottoman era would be a waste of national strength. Geographically it was also unfavorable. Such a place was hardly ideal for a capital.
Yes. If one were to consider the possibility, it would only make sense if they occupied Anatolia and Greece along with symbolic Constantinople and truly restored the heartland of the Eastern Roman Empire. At least for now, that was not going to happen.