Eva sighed and turned her back to the Czech fellow, a mix of contradictory emotions boiling inside her, threatening to tear her apart.

"Listen, Hynek. You can't just march in here and… And… This is not how it works! You can't just leave me all alone in this psycho's house for years and then expect me to…"

The young man touched her arms, turning her to face him again.

"Eva, please, listen to me. I understand how you feel. It wasn't easy for me, either." He stopped to look at her. "But I've been working on this the whole time. I want a better life for the two of us. Russia is getting weaker and I've made some influential friends there in the west. They will help us get back to democracy. Don't you want that?"

I'm seventeen! I have no idea what I want, she felt like shouting. But I know what I don't want. I don't want to be a part of this house anymore. And I won't get far all by myself.

"Hynek," she started, her green eyes piercing through his greenish blue ones. "Do you really mean it?"

He held her gaze.

"Yes."

She sat down.

"I'm not the one you might remember. Plenty of things have happened while you've been gone."

"So... Do you think you can allow me some time to catch up and get to know the new you?"

Eva bit her butchered lip again. She felt like she was reaching her limit.

"We have tried to live together... How many times?! Three? And it always turned out to be a disaster. I'm not making the same mistake again."

Following those words, a tiny gleam of disappointment appeared in his eyes. She stood up so they would be on the same level.

"If I say yes, I want this to be different," she went on, fixing him, enunciating every word. "I want us to be equal. I want my own government, my own say in internal and foreign affairs. The wealth distributed fairly in the whole area. Quality universities in my cities, too. And don't even think of outsourcing all the heavy industries to me."

Although taken aback, the other Slav knew better than to show it. Instead, he looked her in the eye and whispered:

"If that is what you want."

I really did miss out on a lot, he realized.

Slovakia couldn't help but smile. She didn't believe for a minute that he would agree to all those conditions. It was somehow touching. He really does want to make me happy.

"Then my answer is yes."

The man in front of her beamed. He draw a tiny jewel box out of his pocket and opened it. Two golden rings appeared. He took her hand and slid one of them on her finger.

"It's beautiful," Eva gasped in wonder. They had never had a lot of money, so he used to give her handmade wooden ones before. But that, that was a real jewel and a fine piece indeed, with miniature linden* leaves engraved all over.

"I'm glad you like it. I got it from a famous French joaillier**," he said casually. The transaction included no money and a certain amount of violence, but he conveniently left that out.

Eva suspected so and couldn't care less. So what, boys will be boys. As for her, she was happy. Maybe one day, she would meet a man that would see her as a woman, treat her and love her as such. Until then, her big brother would be there to keep her company.

She took the other ring, as plain as it gets, and slid it on his finger.

"I missed you, you jerk!" She flung herself into his arms in pure bliss.


Lithuania was lying on his bed, something unknown and delightful filling his mind.

There was no denying it. He couldn't stop thinking about her. How her eyes shone when they met his, like two precious gems. How her hair would slide down her shoulders when she undid the plaits. How dreamy she smelt. How comforting her touch was. How whole he felt, just thinking about her.

He never dared to hope such a thing would happen to him. And he always tried not to think too much about his future, gloomy as it looked. He was a part of Russia's household, whether he wanted it or not. But something changed that day. He did not want to lie to himself anymore. He never asked to be there, withering bit by bit every day. There was a better life somewhere and he wanted it. For himself. And for her. A fine woman like Eva has no place in this house.

An idea crossed his mind and he hesitated for a while. Then, he smiled from ear to ear. It might have been somewhat rushed, but... It felt right.

I will do it. Yes, I will. I'll ask her to elope with me. I don't have much but I'll give her my everything. As she already did for me.

Toris rummaged in the drawer until he found his family ring. There was a gap where the most precious gem used to be; he was forced to sell it during the crisis. Hopefully she would not mind. I'll buy her any gem she likes once my economy gets better.

He so desperately wanted to see her right away, but it was getting late. His beloved had already sacrificed last night's sleep in order to save his skin. And she would be needing all her strength if she decided to come away with him.

I'll talk to her first thing in the morning.

A minute later, he dozed off. He dreamt that they took each other's clothes off and he pleased her until she cried out his name.


He woke up early, the excitement getting the better of him. It was hardly six in the morning, still, Eva was an early bird.

The Baltic washed his face, put on his best shirt and tied back his hair. She'd told him once it suited him. Next, he grabbed the ring from under his pillow, took a deep breath and left for her room.

As he approached, her door suddenly opened and the girl stepped out. It took his breath away. I wonder if she knows how heavenly she looks.

"Toris!" she cried out. "I was just about to see you!"

"Really?" The corners of his mouth twitched. Then, he realized there was a bag in her hand.

"What's with the luggage?" he asked, looking at it, curious. That was when he noticed something else and froze.

On her hand, there was a ring he had never seen before. On the finger.

Please, Eva, tell me you didn't do what I think you did.

He opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

"Toris, You won't believe it! I'm so happy! My brother got back yesterday and we decided to get married. We're leaving this house today."

Her friend still fought for words.

Eva, I beg you. Tell me it's all just a joke, mock me for having taken you seriously, laugh in my face… Now… Please…

"Uh, are you alright?" She frowned in concern.

"Oh, yes… I'm sorry. I… I'm so happy for you." He faked a perfect smile.

"I just wanted to say… thank you. For everything!" She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"No problem…" was all he could manage.

"You know, I wanted to give you something." Eva rummaged in her handbag until she took out a perfume bottle. "You once told me you liked it. I want you to have it."

Liet carefully took it, opened it and inhaled. He closed his eyes and drifted away for a while.

"Say, what kind of flower is that?" he inquired.

"It's called meadow rue. I actually collected them at your place, so it seems kind of right for you to have it."

Of course. Meadow rues.

"Thank you," he said, putting the keepsake in his pocket.

"It's time for me to go. Take care, Toris."

"Goodbye, Eva. It was nice knowing you."

She smiled at him one last time, then left the house forever.


Toris lied down on his bed again. His body felt limp and something had just died deep inside him.

He reached into his pocket and retrieved the bottle, then sprayed the perfume all over his pillow. He buried his face in it and inhaled.

The essence of rue. How… fitting.


Three months later, Lithuania declared its independence. Meadow rue is recognized as one of its national symbols.


-THE END-


* Linden tree is one of Slovak national symbols

** A French word for "jeweler"