Nicholas toured Bulgaria, and Ferdinand held a grand welcoming ceremony at the Sofia Royal Palace.
According to European custom, one curtseyed to those of higher rank who held royal titles. One bent both knees, set the other foot half a step back, and kept the body upright. One could meet the recipient's gaze or lower one's head to show respect.
To show how highly they regarded Nicholas, all the senior Bulgarian government officials turned out. Led by Ferdinand, they went to receive him with the utmost deference.
Ferdinand could have stayed away, but unfortunately, he couldn't send a royal family member of sufficient standing in his place. To avoid offending the touchy Nicholas, he finally went in person.
After the elaborate formalities were over, Ferdinand, as host, greeted him with a brilliant smile. "Nicholas, welcome!"
They were old acquaintances of a sort. They had met a few times, though their relationship amounted to little more than exchanging greetings.
Ferdinand knew a little about Nicholas. He knew Nicholas was proud, looked down on people of humble birth, and disliked close contact with commoners.
He was also jealous of capable ministers. Perhaps it had something to do with Russia's political climate: Nicholas was always afraid that one day his ministers would seize his royal power.
Ferdinand knew that the pro-Russian faction in Bulgaria was now very powerful, and that many ministers had high hopes for Nicholas. He paid it no mind.
Birth and status determined one's political stance!
There might be people in the Russian government who supported them, but Nicholas's character had already decided the matter: he could never mingle with a bunch of commoners.
Nicholas smiled too. "Thank you! Ferdinand, it's been a long time! As the people of the East say, 'After three days apart, one must look at