I get where your thoughts are going. But I don't think you realize how isolated Alexei was in his childhood. Once he was old enough to hold a sword, his training began. He was kept from his mother and sister, raised by a nanny. He was put through the rigors with physical training, weapons and hand to hand of every kind....and when their father wasn't pushing his body, he had him in classes with various tutors strengthening his mind. He didn't have childhood friends, because he didn't have a childhood. His only true friend is Nikolai, who has been by his side through many wars. He's not exactly a trusting, people person kind of guy. You can count on one hand the number of people he trusts.<br/>Olga plays games with people's lives in her quest for power. Alexei truly doesn't know any better. He's been hardened intentionally to be a killing machine, and nothing more.<br/><br/>As for them being from different armies, If Yussupoff is Russian and in the Military, he IS under Alexei's command. Pavel is Czar, and technically, the final decision is his regarding everything. But he allows Alexei pretty much carte blanche in running all the military aspects in Russia.<br/><br/>But keep up the good work, even if Alexei does end up kicking her boy toy's ass :P