Archangel Blue: A Tale Told in Triptych

Panel 1: White Tsarina

After learning that her son was a haemophiliac Alexandra was certain she herself would die immediately, long before him; yes, her heart was broken. She lay beside Alexei every night and prayed, but the dark walls were deaf and the night no longer provided succour. Nobody—nothing—answered her calls. Suddenly she had to ensure her little boy avoided any action that would hurt him. If he bled, the doctors informed her, his life would be over. She and Nicholas stared at each other, stunned; this could not happen to their child, let alone the future Tsar.

Their Palace has become Golgotha.

Of course, she shows no emotion in public; an Empress must not reveal weakness. On the surface she remains composed. Laboriously she and her husband have tried to keep her son’s illness private, secret even, but such is not possible in the shadowy, all-seeing halls of court. Although they have told few, she feels watched by all. Some have pity, but most seem titillated, as…