Alexey Orlov

The illegitimate son of Fyodor Grigorievich Orlov, he received noble rights and his father's surname by personal decree of the Empress. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Austerlitz during the Russo-Austrian-French War and the Battle of Friedland during the Russo-Prussian-French War (he was awarded a gold sabre inscribed "For Bravery"). He participated in the battles of Vitebsk, Smolensk, Borodino (he received seven wounds), and Krasnoye during the Patriotic War, as well as in the capture of Paris during the Russian army's foreign campaigns. He demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the throne during the Decembrist Uprising, for which he was elevated to the rank of count. He replaced A.H. Benckendorff as head of the third section of the SEIVK, but delegated virtually all matters to Dubelt. A phenomenal diplomat. After the Crimean War, he signed a peace treaty on the most favorable terms for Russia under the current circumstances, for which he was elevated to prince. He participated in the preparations for the abolition of serfdom, but he did not take the initiative and was skeptical of the reform, believing that emancipating the serfs would benefit neither them nor the nobles and landowners. He is married to Olga Alexandrovna Zherebchikova, whom he respects greatly as a friend and even confides in her state secrets. He has two sons, born ten years apart—Nikolai (the emperor's godson) and Afinogen. He has no known connections or scandals, although there are mentions of his affair with the singer Angelina Bosio. He has a pleasant personality.