The halls of the Palace were empty, save for a few servants scurrying around, as Miroslav walked through them. In terms of nobility and Royalty, the grand city of St. Petersburg was virtually empty. All had gone to the estate of Governor Konstantin, to his grand function. The Tsar meanwhile, was in Sweden for his marraige into the Royal Family there. That left Miroslav in the city, in charge, as it were. He had been pacing the corridors and halls of the palace all day, with alot on his mind. As he stopped to look out a window, an elderly servant approached him.
"Minister?" said the old man.
"Yes?" replied Miroslav, still looking out the window.
"Can i get you anything?"
"No, thank you"
"As you wish" said the servant, and he turned to walk away.
"Wait" said Miroslav.
"Yes Minister?"
"Can you bring me some bread and water?"
"Of course Minister, will that be all?" asked the servant, puzzled at the simplicity of the Bosnian's request.
"yes, that will be all. I was raised not to be "picky" as it were" he said, laughing. The servant smiled, took a bow, then left for the kitchen. Within no more than a moment, he had returned with the bread and water.
"Here you are, sir"
"Thank you" said Miroslav, as he took a bite of the bread.
"You have simple tastes, i see" said the servant, smiling.
"My upbringing in Bosnia was rather different to the lives of some who reside in these walls. Would you care to walk with me?"
"Certainly, sir"
The pair walked down the corridor, towards the Tsar's hall.
"What is your name, servant?"
"Anton, Minister"
"Where do you hail from?
"Sevastopol, Minister"
"Anton, forget the 'Minister' for the moment, I grow weary of it sometimes"
"As you wish"
"How long have you been in the service of this palace?"
"Thirty years, some of the best of my life i might add"
"You have seen much"
"I have"
"Great men have come and gone, no?"
"I agree, although the men who reside here today are great in their own right"
"Indeed......our beloved Tsar is one example"
"A young man, but a wise one"
"Indeed"
"What about you Minister, what path brought you to these halls?"
"My path here was somewhat....odd"
"oh?"
"Well you already know that I am not Russian"
"You are Bosnian, Minister"
"Correct"
"Most of the men whom you see every day in this halls have earned their position by birthright and bloodline. Men who have inherited the titles held by their fathers and grandfathers. Some have risen as military officers. My path was one of fortune, and the kind heart of a Russian Nobleman"
"Bosnia to Russia, it was quite a journey for any man to make. And you made it at a young age, I understand?"
"Yes, seventeen"
"Impressive, Minister"
"I served in the military also, but I was never much of a soldier. I retain the rank of Lieutenant but i don't use it"
"Still sir, it is a rank to be respected. Any military man is to be respected"
"True" said Miroslav, although he thought the opposite about certain people.
"Thank you, Minister"
"What for?"
"For taking the time to speak to me"
"My dear Anton, it is a pleasure. I am honoured to speak to a man with such knowledge and experience as yourself"
"Thank you very much, sir"
"No thanks are needed my friend, now, walk along with me, tell me of your path to this palace" said Miroslav, as he walked down the corridor with his elder companion.
