Alexei Nikolaevich, tsesarevich (heir apparent) to Russia, suffered from hemophilia, a medical condition where blood does not clot properly leading to an inability to stop bleeding when injured. Like Prince Dolor, Alexei was the sole heir to the Russia, although Alexei was not removed from the royal succession line due to his disability nor was he isolated from the public eye, but was instead sheltered from anything that could lead to him being hurt. His parents kept him under extremely careful watch to keep him from being injured, but the prince was apparently quite unhappy with his inability to participate in activities that his sisters, cousins, and even other boys could take part in, just as Prince Dolor was unhappy upon seeing the shepherd boy running around.