– Hell no. As soon as I rushed to his chest with a cry, the bedroom door opened and from there came out in underpants the mustachioed Joseph Kotek, or as my Kotik affectionately called him.

– Well, what happened next?

– And then nothing. As soon as the half-naked Kotek appeared, I immediately realized that I had nothing to do here. I got dressed and left quickly.

Kshesinskaya stopped playing music and moved back to her chair.

– And you told the king about all this?

– Of course!

– And what was his reaction?

And he wasn't particularly surprised. He knew about it, but now he has received reliable evidence.

– Which soon killed Tchaikovsky.

Robert's words seemed to hang in the air. Matilda was the first to break the silence.

– You're right. After this incident, the tsar's entourage did not have to convince him to give tacit consent so that the court of honor sentenced the composer to suicide.

– Is the official version of Tchaikovsky's death from cholera a fiction?

– Of course it's a hoax. Where has it been seen that a person who died of cholera was buried in an open coffin, which was carried throughout St. Petersburg, accompanied by a huge crowd of citizens, some of whom kissed the deceased? Tchaikovsky was sentenced to suicide. The main instigator and inspirer of the court of honor was the head of the imperial stable, Count Stenbock-Fermor. Although our king did not like to ride, he was a frequent visitor to the stable, admired the handsome horses, caressed and fed them with carrots from his hands. Stenbock had an old grudge against Tchaikovsky. Allegedly, while studying law, he molested his nephew.

– Was it true?

– It was hard to say whether it was true or slander now, but the supreme equerry managed to convince the tsar to arrange a trial for Tchaikovsky. Arsenic was poured into a glass of water, and either he had to drink it or be dishonored. Tchaikovsky chose the first.

Everyone fell silent under the impression of what was said. Matilda was a living eyewitness of those events and there was no reason not to believe her.

– It turns out that Tsar Alexander was involved in the death of a genius? the American asked.

–It turns out so, and for this his conscience tormented him until the end of his life,– Kshesinskaya summed up.

– Okay! – Josephine decided to return the conversation to the previous topic, – you failed to seduce Tchaikovsky and you and Niky continued to commit adultery.

Kshesinskaya's face at the word "adultery" distorted a grimace.

– Adultery is a mortal sin. And we loved each other, and passionately and selflessly.

– So much so that Princess Alex became the chosen one of the heir? – quipped Josephine.

Matilda's face was even more distorted by the surging negative emotions, which made Dr. Marek tense.

–She climbed into our bed,– Kshesinskaya literally hissed with anger and repeated the same thing in Polish, adding the savory word “whore” to the sentence.

– She went down the aisle with the heir and was later crowned, – Josephine continued to sting.

Matilda turned sharply to Marek.

– I'm tired and want to sleep! Order to take me to the bedroom.

Matilda left in a carriage, accompanied by a doctor. After some time, Marek returned.

– Jose! I asked you a thousand times, don't talk about this topic, don't provoke her to have a heart attack. You're creating extra trouble for me.

– And what? Am I telling lies? Solid historical facts.

– Your historical facts one day will bring her to the grave.

– Isn't that what you want?

The doctor blushed indignantly.

– Maybe this is your secret desire?

– It seems that you know the contents of her will? – answered Josephine, – I would not be surprised if your name appears there more often than mine. You are her personal doctor.

– Yes, personal. If it wasn't for me, she would have gone to the kingdom of heaven long ago.

Why are you arguing in vain? Robert intervened.

– Marek, didn't you tell our guest the real reason for his visit?

–Interview the former mistress of the last Russian tsar,– Robert answered for the doctor.

Josephine with the words – "I must dedicate you to something" – took Robert by the hand and led him to the exit to the garden.

Marek followed them.

– You understand Robert. Kshesinskaya, in addition to real estate, has wealth in the form of a variety of jewelry. During the years of her fame, she managed to collect such an amount of gold and other precious items that the Count of Monte Cristo could only dream of.

– Are you sure about that?

Josephine looked ironically at Robert.

– Malya had more lovers than the stars in the sky and everyone gave her jewelry. After the heir to the throne, his brother, uncle and other great princes took turns in her bed. Most of all, she was bestowed by the tsar's brother Sergei Mikhailovich. During the war, he was in charge of procurement for the army and appropriated huge sums of money from the treasury. Needless to say, most of them were spent on gifts to Male. He bought her vast land, a house on the Cote d'Azur of France, built her a chic mansion in the center of St. Petersburg. Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich was captured and shot by the Bolsheviks, and the mansion was confiscated.

– Correctly! And from the balcony of my house, Lenin spoke with fiery speeches.

Everyone turned around and saw Kshesinskaya, who rolled out in a wheelchair straight into the garden.

– I got sick of sleeping and here I am again with you and ready to continue the conversation with Robert. Only, I beg you, let's go back to the house, to the fireplace. It's cold here.

Everyone obediently returned to the house and Matilda continued:

– Lenin's office was in my bedroom, and in the nursery, where my son Vova lived, was his reception room.

– Apparently the leader of the Bolsheviks liked the aura of your bedroom? Robert asked with a grin.

– At first, I myself sympathized with Lenin and his campaign, but when I realized that this whole revolution was turning into a barnyard from Orwell's book, I sued the Bolsheviks and, to my amazement, the then Provisional Government Court ruled to return my property.

– And you were able to evict Lenin himself from there?

Do I look like such an idiot? I acted differently. Having changed into a Bolshevik dress, I came to my house.

– You dared to go where the crowds of armed people were rampaging? Robert was surprised.

– Malya! I hear about it for the first time! Josephine, in her turn, was surprised.

– So listen to me. The Bolsheviks rummaged everything there. They were well aware of my wealth and zealously sought it. They broke open the floors, ransacked the walls, but found nothing.

– And no one recognized you and did not suspect anything?

– Nobody. The house was a terrible mess. Everyone was darting somewhere, hurrying, pushing, In short, they were not up to me. Out of curiosity, I went into Vova's nursery and asked a woman dressed in a man's dress, with a cigarette in her mouth, with a red scarf on her head:

– Who owns this space?

– To the working people, – was her answer.

– Where are the previous owners? – I did not let up.

The woman looked at me angrily and threw back:

– We shot them.

– Mala! You could be identified and really shot! Josephine was horrified.

– Could, I do not argue. But what was the point? They have already robbed my house and turned it into a revolutionary platform.

– Would they start torturing you to find out where you hid the jewelry?

Kshesinskaya began to giggle softly.

– You're having fun, but I'm scared of your memories.

– I have laid out a small fraction of my jewelry throughout the house in visible and hidden places. These freaks immediately seized them and were satisfied, thinking that this was all I had.

Matilda's giggle turned into a sarcastic laugh, which made those present feel embarrassed.

– So, you managed to save the main part and take it out? Josephine asked directly.

Kshesinskaya looked at her with a smile.

– Josiah, dear! Then all our lives were in mortal danger. We realized this in time and thank God we survived. The most valuable thing is life, everything else is nothing before it. Do you disagree with me?

– That's right, – Josephine agreed with annoyance, having not received an answer to the question that tormented her.

Suddenly Kshesinskaya turned to Robert and said in a stern voice, minting every word.

– It was she who killed Nicky!

– Who do you mean, Malya? Josephine asked confused.

A grimace of hatred was displayed on the face of the former prima ballerina of the royal court.

– That German whore!

– Do you mean Princess Alex?

– This witch is not worthy to be called by her name.

But Nicky really was in love with her.

– Any witch can enchant a man, especially if this witch is of German blood.

There was a silence, during which everyone thought about his own.

Robert came to his senses first.

– So you think that it was the queen who caused the death of the royal family?

She and only she. The Germans did everything to destroy our empire. They did not stint on any expenses, generously paid Lenin, sent him to Russia in a closed carriage on time, staged a seizure of power, and their German whore persuaded Nicky to stay in the country engulfed in flames, knowing in advance what fate awaits them. She ruined the entire royal family, she ruined the great empire.

Everyone froze at these words, but Robert, with professional persistence, continued to develop a topic that was so interesting to him.

“But after ruining the royal family, she ruined both herself and her children.

– This once again proves her essence as a witch. What difference does it make to her to burn at the stake with her brood or to die from a Bolshevik bullet? They don't even have a grave. A pile of bones probably lies in some kind of pit. The same fate was with everyone whom the inquisitors burned at the stake.

– You say terrible things, Madame Matilda! And how do you prove that if you were in Alex's place, you could save the king from reprisal, not to mention saving the empire?

“Rest assured, I would not allow the tsar to be shot as a criminal. I would take him away from that hell into which Lenin and the Bolsheviks turned Russia.

– But where? The English king George, the king's cousin, first invited him to England, but then changed his mind, – said Robert.

– You will not believe it, but it was Alex's mother who persuaded her brother Georg to refuse Nicky.

– It can't be! exclaimed Robert.

“I have documentary evidence,” Kshesinskaya answered with a deadpan tone.

– Mala! – Josephine intervened, – did mother Alex arrange so that her daughter and grandchildren remained to perish in Russia?

– Yes it is. That she and her mother are both identical German witches. They are capable of everything. All the royal courts of Europe have always envied the prosperity of Russia and, if possible, wished to destroy it. But if I were next to Nicky, I could take him out and save him, and it remains to be seen how the wheel of history would turn if there was a living Russian tsar in exile.

– So you knew how it was then possible to leave Russia without hindrance?

– Of course I knew. Not only to leave by yourself, but also how to take out the property.

Those present looked at each other meaningfully. It seemed to them that the moment of truth had arrived.

– You're not hungry? Let's have lunch, – Kshesinskaya suddenly changed the topic of conversation, – today I would eat fresh truffles.

– And from meat?

– From meat, I would prefer lamb in French.

Everyone sat down at the beautifully set dining table.

– Well, Robert? Did you manage to remember all the information that I told you? You didn't write anything down. So forget everything.

I hope I don't forget. But with your permission, I will come here tomorrow with an assistant and she will write everything down.

Matilda stopped chewing and a piece of lamb got stuck in her mouth. Marek looked reproachfully at Robert.

– The presence of a young stranger is not desirable. Let's do it. You listen to everything, and then you dictate to her separately from memory. Deal?

– Deal. In that case, I will leave you so as not to forget what I heard and have time to write it down.

Kshesinskaya did not want to part with Robert so soon.

– What is the name of your secretary? Did I correctly notice that she is not only your assistant in reporting, but also a partner in the field of escort services?

Robert was embarrassed and silent. Josephine intervened in a conversation on a spicy topic.

– Mala! Why do you measure all women with your yardstick?

– What is the name of your assistant, Robert? Kshesinskaya continued imperturbably.

– Monica.

– She is American?

– Yes, and her parents were also born in America.

Where are her ancestors from?

– From Ireland.

– It's good to be from Ireland. The main thing is that they are not from Germany.

– Mrs Matilda. Do you understand what's the matter? Tomorrow is her birthday and I wouldn't want to leave her alone in the hotel.

Matilda's face brightened and a kind smile appeared on her lips.

– Well, since such a thing, bring her here tomorrow. Our chef will prepare Irish stew especially for her.

Robert breathed a sigh of relief.

–Now, forgive me, old woman. I really want to go to bed. Good night everybody!

Congratulations, Robert! You have achieved great success, – said Josephine, when the servants drove Matilda far into the bedrooms.

– Do you mean tomorrow's invitation of my assistant?

– Not only. Today we finally learned that her jewelry was taken out of Russia.

“Yes, but where does she keep them then?” Marek intervened.

We'll find out about that tomorrow. Robert, you must use all your reporter talent, coupled with masculine charm.

– Do what you want, but get this information tomorrow, – picked up the doctor.

– Wait. I know who can do it,” Josephine said.

– Who?

– Your assistant Monika.

– But how? Do you think that Matilda will tell the most secret to a completely unfamiliar person?

– Exactly! All of us, especially me and Marek, she was rather tired of it. And Monica, a new, fresh character in her fading life, and it is very possible that she will tell her exactly.

“And you are a connoisseur of psychology,” Robert complimented Josephine.

– I just know Malya like the back of my hand. Tomorrow we will celebrate Monica's name day and let Malya drink too much.

– Jose! Do you want to destroy her?

– Vice versa. Bring it to the desired condition, find out where the wealth is, and then …