(Well,I told you we'd have flashback chapters. So, here's the first one. But, there is some.. Touchy material, about a certain Russian city here).

(Baroness POV).

I grew up a spoiled child of Russian nobility. I was always happy when my brother was around. My mother and father would spoil us both. Up to my teenage years. While I was staying in Russia, enjoying my parents' spoiling.. My brother, Ivan, was in America, studying abroad. While he was, he met a beautiful young American lady. They fell in love, and later returned to Russia. When I first met her, the woman was pleasant. She was intelligent, kind, and very quick. I felt she would have been perfect for my brother. Only to find out, he had already chosen her. Ivan had been in America for two years, and I hadn't heard from him since. He and this woman,Vanessa, I believe her name was.. Had been in love. I could tell by their eyes. I remembered being happy for them both.

But, as she stayed in our family's home, she'd been with Ivan every second. I'd been growing jealous. I had been waiting two years for my brother to return, and my time with him had been cut short by this woman. But, I learned to love her like a sister. She was kind, not only to Ivan, but to me as well.

One day, my mother was visiting relatives on the other side of Russia. My father had taken Ivan off to meet other aristocrats. My servants had all been off to help them. Leaving me and her alone. Luckily, our manor was rather large. I had been alone, in the library. She had come in.

She saw me, and came up to me. She asked, "Why don't you like me? Ivan said you would." She looked purely confused. Her eyes, showing a desire to learn.

I sighed, "I suppose I am merely.. Envious of you. A beautiful young lady, who Ivan clearly loves, and all his attention is on you. I have only gotten a whole ten seconds, to even speak to my own brother!" I was furious. I finished, "All I intend to say, is this.. You come into my home, and steal my brother from me. Why?"

She sighed, smiling, "I'm sorry, Anastasia. But, I love Ivan. I'm sorry I've taken up so much of his time." She placed her hands, on top of my own, "But just because I love him, doesn't mean I shouldn't know his family. That's why I didn't go with him today."

That surprised me. My brother never forced her to go anywhere. He always asked her if she wanted to go. Usually, she agreed. Yet.. When offered to meet the most powerful people in Russia.. Some of the most powerful people on Earth.. She declined? She'd been with Ivan, for two years.. I'd assumed his power was one of the things, she'd loved about him.

I asked, "You declined, meeting the most powerful people in Russia?" Her eyes indicated, power never crossed her mind.

She giggled, "Money never mattered to me. I came from a poor family, and I was always happy. Money and power, fine to have." She shook her head, "But that's not what defines a person. If it does.. Then, they're not human." Her eyes looked to the Heavens, "I love Ivan's humor, his brain." She looked at me, "His sense of family." I became confused. Of course Ivan had a sense of family. It is essential for Nobility, to be close to their family. Otherwise, they aren't fit to be Nobility.

I asked, "What do you mean? Ivan's sense of family, is what makes Ivan.. Well.. Ivan." I couldn't believe I just said that. I was struggling, to find the right words. Usually, describing my brother was easy. But, around this woman.. It seemed difficult.

She giggled again, "Makes sense. When we were at university together, all Ivan would talk about was his sister. He'd say things about your parents, but not much. I'd ask him about Russia, his past, his interests.. I learned those things, eventually." She looked at me, her smile very warm, "But mostly he talked about you. He really missed you."

I couldn't believe it. All the time I spent missing my brother, thinking he had forgotten me.. He missed me as well. I was truly happy.

She saw the book in my hand, "Is that.." She took it, "The Bible?"

I responded, "The Orthodox version." The official Russian religion, is Orthodox Christianity. My father had me and Ivan read the Orthodox Bible, three times a day at the least. My father was a rather.. Old style Russian Baron, you could say. I asked her, "Would you like to read it?"

She said, "Sure. I've always loved reading, and learning. I'd love to know more about Russia. Ivan told me some things but.. Well.." Her eyes looked down, "Not many."

I handed her the book, and got up. She said, "Once I'm done, maybe we could do something?" I turned, "Ivan told me most of the things you liked. Maybe we could try something, together?"

I thought about it. I figured, my brother loved the woman well enough.. I might as well get to know her. I said, "Very well."

As I was leaving she said, "You know, you should smile more. Pretty young ladies don't just frown all the time." She giggled, for the final time. That was her most annoying feature was her giggling. She said, "You are a very lovely young lady, Anastasia. But, if you never smile, no one will ever want to be near you."

I smiled. She was kind to me, and very funny. I said, "Spasibo." Thank you.

She replied, "net problem." No problem.

I slowly began to grow closer to her. We would read together. We would skate with Ivan together. We would even study together. Soon enough.. I grew to love her like a sister. As we grew closer.. She still spent time with Ivan. Their love would also grow.

My mother approved of Vanessa. My father.. He didn't care. As long as Ivan and I were well read, it didn't matter to him. The only time he interacted with her, was when she needed to learn Russian. My father was willing to teach her. In time, he also came to love her like a daughter.

Then.. One day.. Ivan announced it. I was reading a book by Tolstoy, my mother sleeping on my right. My father, doing paperwork in his office.

Ivan came in, Vanessa on his arm. He said, waking mother, "I have come to love her with all my heart." He looked at her, and kissed her. After so, he said, "Our love has come to a magnificent point. We are.." He blushed, "We are to be wed."

We were all surprised. My mother hugged them both, laughing happily. My father said, "Pozdravlyayu, syn moy." Congratulations, my son. He turned to Vanessa, "I, moya novaya nevestka." AND my new daughter-in-law.

I of course, said nothing. I simply smiled, and felt happy for them. It was one of the happier occasions of my life. Knowing my brother, was to marry the woman he loved. After they were wed, they made an even happier announcement.

The announcement that Vanessa was pregnant. My parents were happy. They'd always dreamed of grandchildren. I remember being happy for my brother. He and his wife. I loved them both, and they were having a child. Such great joy fell upon our family.

For months, my family and our servants would help Vanessa with the things she needed. My brother would never leave her side. He was happiest of all. My brother always looked forward, to having a child of his own. But.. Soon, tragedy would strike.

One day, Vanessa gave birth. Hers and Ivan's son was born. But.. She was too weak, after her son was born. She died, giving him life. Ivan was saddened. We were all saddened, by her death. But, Ivan was happy to have his son. My parents, to have their grandson. I was happy to have my nephew, to care for. Before she died, my sister-in-law said she wanted her child to have a proud Russian name. So, we, one of Russia's proudest families, gave the boy his name. Nikolai Cisarovna. Ivan couldn't have been happier, to finally have his son.

However.. One night.. Ivan died. Someone broke into our manor. Sneaking past everyone except Ivan. Ivan fought them, silently. Until we all heard a gunshot in Ivan's room. We rushed to find him. Father broke down the door to Ivan's room. My mother burst into tears, I was shocked. My brother died, fighting the people who wanted to kidnap his son. He died, protecting his son. Yet, they took him anyway. Ivan, the brother I had known and loved, since the day I was born.. Was gone. Forever. I couldn't help, but burst into tears myself. My mother cried, over the death of her son. I cried, for the death of my brother.

My father's grief, lasted long enough. Later, replaced by anger. Anger at the guards, for not fulfilling their duty. Angry at the kidnappers, for stealing his grandson, and murdering his son. Angry at himself, for failing to protect his family.

My father ordered everyone he could order, to search all of Russia. To search all of Ukraine, Belarus, Crimea, all of the old Russian Empire if need be. In seven months, we found nothing. One day.. My mother fell ill. She died, lying in in the snow of Stalingrad. Though the city is now called Volgograd, it had always betrayed my family. It was where my ancestors died in battle. It was where Nikolai was born, and taken from. It was where my mother died. To me.. To all of the Cisarovna family.. It was no different, than Stalin himself. To the Cisarovna family.. It will always be Stalingrad.

Then.. One day.. I looked for my father. Hoping he might know.. At least something about Nikolai. I heard a noise, from his trophy room. I found him.. Dead. He'd had a stroke.

I was mourning for months. Even after my father died, I continued the sear for my nephew. One day.. Two men came into my family chateau. One was dressed in a black trench coat, black shoes, and a black fedora. I could see his brown hair, and blue eyes. He spoked, in a thick German accent.

He said, "Hello, Baroness. My name is Klaus Wolf. Private aid, to this man." He handed me a phone, "In case you want to contact us, after this meeting."

The man next to him, was shadowy. I his face, covered by a mask. His head, a hat. I couldn't see, so much as an inch of his skin.

The shadowy man spoked, "Your nephew, Nikolai, I believe his name was? Was taken from you, months ago?" I nodded, "I use the name Cobra Commander. Founder of Cobra Industries, and leader of Cobra. I know everything about the people, who took your nephew. I underwent a similar situation, with my own family. I know where he is. But, you must do something for me, in return."

I couldn't believe it. Someone who knew the kidnappers. I said, begging, "Anything! I will do whatever you want. I simply desire to see my nephew again. He's the only thing I have left." It was true. He was, my only living family.

The Commander said, "We will discuss it later. For now, we will help you to get Nikolai back."

Later, they did. We got Nikolai back. Then, it seemed Itex never learned. Six Avian human hybrids. All constantly made in the same laboratory.

Soon, I found what they needed me to do. The Commander showed me the problems with the world, and it's leadership. I joined, willingly. After do, I brought Nikolai home. I taught him everything. Russian, English, mathematics, everything I knew. This boy was quiet, yet curious. He clung to me, like glue to paper.

My nephew, Nikolai 'Fang' Cisarovna, is my only remaining family. He is the only thing I have left. My title and position, mean little if I have none to share it with. I failed to protect my family once. I will NOT, fail again! My nephew means everything to me. I will protect him. Till the day comes, when he no longer needs me.. I will protect him. Even if I must take another human life.. I will protect him.

(Well. One down.)