Time passed faster after Wyn moved in, the days falling into a predictable pattern that she both loved and hated. Günther drilled his children in subjects like war, economy, diplomacy, and hand-to-hand combat. He taught them how their actions affected the course of history, and how to manage their countries. He also told them how treaties or alliances would change them.

"As a country, there is no personal time. You cannot make statements that will compromise your country, for your people will pay the price. If you fall in love with another country, and marry, your people will be united. You represent all the ideals of your land, and therefore you cannot fail your people," his voice resonated throughout the conference room on the ground floor where he taught them.

Wyn looked around for Gilbert at her lessons, finding that his sporadic appearances helped fuel her attendance. He only appeared at meals and the occasional war lecture. Most often, she found him passed out on his bed, in the room across from hers, hidden in shadow. She would whisper comforts to him, tuck him in, and see that he took care of himself. She had learned to cook wurst (1) just for him, and he thanked her by getting drunker. Still, she couldn't bring herself to leave him to his own wits and condemn him to a life even more lonely than it was now.

Wyn was growing, as a nation, and as a woman. She was taller now, more mature, and German influence had led to her forgetting much of Feliks' teachings. She was brutal, likely to make a kill than to give a creature leniency.


"Let's hunt, Wyn," Vash strode into her room one morning, before sunrise. He was wearing a double-breasted dark green coat, military trousers and boots. A white beret adorned his hair and he clutched his curved bow in his hand. He was taller than Wyn, but barely, with chin-length blond hair and piercing green eyes. Holy Roman Empire grunted behind him, still like a child in height and stature.

She groaned, stretching, and Vash turned around to avoid staring at her slim figure. He was a gentleman, like Roderich prided himself on, and strode out. "Be ready in ten minutes."

"Ja, of course," Wyn said. She picked out a Prussian blue waistcoat to go over her black shorts and frilly white lace shirt, pulling white leather thigh-high boots on her long legs. She brushed her hair out, the silky silver practically glowing in the dark, and placed the tricorn hat with flourishes and feathers on her head. She grabbed her rapier, knife, and hunting bow on her way out the door.

"Isn't that a bit short?" Vash frowned at her shorts. His face flushed, he turned away.

"Maybe because you're too stubborn to enjoy it?" she suggested. Holy Roman Empire grunted, his form of a chuckle, and began walking down the hall.

"Let's go, vati's (2) waiting," Vash said gruffly, and Wyn laughed.

"You're old enough to find a girl, Vash, just admit that your hormones are raging like the beer that Berwald drinks with his sauerkraut face every night," Wyn joked.

"I stay for Lili," he said crossly. "And you shouldn't be taking what Gilbert tells you so seriously. You're changing, and you're becoming like him."

"Why shouldn't I? You want to see me as Roddy's bride? I have every reason to attach myself to the one who's going to own your arsches (3) when vati dies!" she burst out. She covered her mouth when she realized she had called for her adopted vati's death.

Christoph grunted as he joined their walking group. He was silent as he watched his younger sister and adopted brother bicker.

Vash's mouth was set in a grim line. "You should watch your mouth. Who knows when the gods are listening."

The trio made their way silently down to the stables, and mounted their horses. Holy Roman Empire, who was always sickly, whistled to his pack of dogs, and they began their hunt, Günther galloping after them. Gilbert, as always, was sleeping (it off, Wyn knew), and Berwald had decided not to join them that morning.

The party was silent as they traversed the country, following the hounds in their pursuit of the stag the dogs had spotted earlier. Their plumes and finery flew in the early spring breeze, and Wyn readied her arrow for a kill shot. Her hand was far steadier than Vash's, and certainly Roderich's. Holy Roman Empire and Günther loved challenging her ability, training her to shoot from longer distances.

They were closing in on the hunted animal when a heavy thump distracted Wyn. Wyn turned just enough in her seat to scream.

Holy Roman Empire had fallen from his horse. A war cry was heard as Feliks and another man, leading hundreds of troops, rode down the hill at the hunting party.

"Ride!" Günther yelled, and Wyn spurred her horse into a gallop, her siblings doing the same. Another loud thump was heard, and two of their party were dead. Wyn choked back sobs as they were chased by the intruders, not recognizing their uniforms.

"Wyn!" a voice called to her. She didn't recognize it and she didn't turn to see who it was.


The gates clanged shut behind them as a hail of arrows was released. The Germanic family, now leaderless and under siege, was in chaos as they ran into the haus. Roderich, Lili, Berwald, and even Gilbert were waiting in the main dining hall when the disheveled group came in.

"What's wrong?" both Gilbert and Roderich demanded when they saw Wyn sobbing. Berwald watched them file in, observing their patterns and movements with an ominous silence.

"They're not dead, are they?" Berwald whispered. He had counted them, and with a heavy heart, delivered the impending blow.

"Ja," Christoph said softly. "Lithuanian and Polish soldiers are outside. They've finally come for her."

"Nein (4)," Roderich said in disbelief. "That's not possible!"

"Der Teufel steckt im Detail (5)," Lili whispered a German proverb before breaking into sobs. Vash rubbed her back comfortingly as his face grew red. Had it only been that very morning when they had set off as a family to hunt? They were here now, in war, without their commander.

"We must take charge," Christoph reminded everyone. "We cannot mourn when their army is at our doorstep. We have to stay as a family."

With incredible speed, Roderich lunged at Wyn, wrapping his arm around her neck. "You will listen to my command, then, or I will break her neck."

Gilbert stood. "As is my birthright, you are all under my jurisdiction. The duty falls to me as Günther's oldest son."

"He wouldn't break her neck," Berwald growled. "She's too precious to him."

"Dissolution isn't the answer!" Vash pointed out. "We have to stick together."

"Not with you trying to wrest control from me every thirty seconds!" Gilbert yelled at Roderich. "You lying, scheming shell of a country!"

Wyn stomped on Roderich's foot, elbowing him in the stomach. He let her go as he doubled over in pain. "I can make decisions for myself. While you argue, my country grows wealthier. I think you should listen to my voice right now, when I control your peoples' welfare!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Vash snarled. Wyn winced at his harsh tone, from a person she loved ever since she began living with the Germanic family, and hardened her expression.

"We listen to Gilbert and try to discuss a peace treaty with these people," she said with a steely edge in her voice. "We muster our armies and fight together in case the peace talks don't work."

"Why Gilbert?" Christoph demanded. "He isn't the one who has been attending lessons like the rest of us have. He's been sleeping in his bedroom day and night, like the monster he is, and you're willing to give power to him just because he's older than us?!"

"You don't recognize them?" Roderich laughed, a sinister sound far from the music he made. "That's Feliks and Toris Lorinaitis. Poland and Lithuania are trying to break down our doors, just like they promised."

"A result of your actions," Berwald reminded him sternly.

"Feliks?" Wyn searched her mind, not remembering. She knew she had adopted this family, but-

"He raised you, Wyn, until you were seven," Christoph said.

"We should go through with her plan. It's more reasonable than all of yours!" Lili screeched. She hated the arguing voices, wanted it to stop.

Vash moved protectively over her. "You should listen."

Gilbert was silent throughout the debate, clenching his fist. His mind was foggy from his hangover, and remembered that Wyn didn't visit him that morning to check on him.

"Their armies are at our doors," Berwald observed. "We have to come to a conclusion."

Wyn grinned. "Let's go through with this."

"All in favor say ja," Lili offered. Berwald, Wyn, Lili, and Vash's voices joined in unison to agree. "And those opposed?"

Roderich's nein echoed with Christoph's. Gilbert was silent on the matter.

"Gilbert, you're the new head of the Germanic family," Lili said. "Whether you like it or not."

"This war will tear our family apart," Gilbert hissed. "So choose your place."

He slammed the door behind him, leaving the family to wonder what he would do.


(1) German sausage

(2) Daddy

(3) asses

(4) no

(5) The Devil is in the details. (A popular German saying meaning that the answer lies in the question, etc., use your own interpretation.)

Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting for a while :( I've been super busy! Thanks for following Wyn so long!

Hope you enjoy this chapter, the next will definitely be interesting. I need some reviews!

I WILL ONLY POST THE NEXT CHAPTER AFTER SOMEONE REVIEWS FOR ME!

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R&R PLEASE!