Note: Nothing is what it seems.
The Great War shrunk the world to one third its size. It was possible, often, to enter another continent by stepping over a small stream. The names of those who perished were no longer spoken. There was no point in doing so.
Liechtenstein had been born during the tumultuous last years of The War, just a little plot of dirt snatched from a wounded country that had breathed its last, right before it was lifted into the sky. Switzerland loved to tell the story. His serious face often shimmered with wonder when he got to the part where a little girl grew out of the soil he'd saved.
When asked about the war, no one could recall why it had happened, and the only event before it had been infinities of peace.
Now that all the conflicting nations were gone, leaving grieving family and friends in their wake, reconstruction would begin. Infinities of peace would take time to accomplish once again.
That is why Liechtenstein, newly 18 and full of life, needed to leave home.
"Please, brother. I can't stay here. You've protected me so well all these years, but outside these walls, other nations suffer. Your neutrality saved us from most hardships. Let me help the less fortunate!" She did not add that these four walls suffocated her, that inside she yearned for adventure he could not give her. Her knees dropped to the floor, and she held onto the hem of his pant leg, head bowed low. "Please, brother."
This had been the last thing he'd expected to find upon entering her modest bedroom. The box in his pocket burned. His fingers twitched. "Outside there is danger. Pain. Devastation. How can I, in good conscience, let you go?" His lips, set before in a grim line, parted in a sigh.
She did not let go. Her face turned up, their eyes met. Switzerland took in the determination in the blue-green eyes he knew so well, took in the love she so sincerely had for him. Quietly, he added, "But how can I, in good conscience, hold you back?"
Immediately joy bloomed on her face. She stood up, dusted off her plain dress, and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you," she breathed. "I'll be safe, promise!"
Switzerland closed his eyes and leaned into the embrace, burying his face greedily in her sweet-smelling blond hair.
When she pulled back, he stiffly crossed his arms. She raced to her bedside, produced a small bag from under it, and pulled it over her shoulder. She had been planning this for a while. There was pain in his heart, of course. But he knew, if he was to be honest with himself, that having her be sad would hurt him more.
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