A loud snap and a shrill squeak echoed against the trees, immediately grabbing a young Ludwig's attention. He stood up slowly, eyes trained in the direction of the sound, a hand automatically reaching besides him to clamp the fabric of his brother's shirt.
"Bruder! Did you hear that?" Ludwig asked in a hushed voice.
Gilbert, who was crouched with his attention to the ground before him, turned his head to look over his shoulder.
"What is it, Luddy?"
"The-the first snare! I think we caught something!" Ludwig informed, his voice shacking in excitement.
Gilbert grinned widely and his eyes seemed to sparkle.
"Why don't you go check? I'm almost done tying down this snare. I'll catch up with you right after. I promise."
With those words a wide smile grew on Ludwig's face before scampering into the trees. He ran as fast as his short legs could go over the path his brother had shown him, hopping over tree roots and crushing fallen twigs under his feet. Within a minute or so, he found himself standing at the same young tree he and his brother had tied down not 15 minutes earlier. This time however, the tree was fully upright with a lanky brown hare hanging from a rope wrapped around its hind leg. It dangled helplessly from the rope, letting out small, panicked squeaks.
At first, Ludwig was delighted. He had caught his first ever animal after all! But after hearing the creature's soft cries and staring into its deep, beady, black eyes, his excitement dissipated. He stared at it hanging for a moment, his chest beginning to feel heavy. He had to let it go! It looked so terrified.
Before he could even move, Ludwig heard soft footsteps as his brother appeared from the clearing.
"All right! Looks like you caught one Ludwig!" He shouted happily as he walked towards him from behind. Ludwig felt a hand ruffle his hair affectionately before Gilbert was trotting past him and towards the hare. His hands began working at untying it, eyes glancing from their catch and back to Ludwig.
"Come! I'll show you how to skin it! And if the other snares catch anything, we'll be having a feast tonight!"
But Ludwig remained glued in place. His throat contracted, trying to voice his protests, but they only came out as choked sobs.
It wasn't until Gilbert had the animal untied with both ears tightly grasped in his fist, his other hand reaching to snap its neck that Ludwig was able to form the words in his mouth.
"Nein! Bruder, please don't!"
Gilbert glanced up from the animal, eyebrows raised from the sudden outburst.
"What's wrong Ludwig? Come here, I'll show you how to kill it."
"Nein!" Ludwig repeated, hands clutching the hem of his shirt nervously.
Gilbert cocked his head to the side. "Why not?"
Ludwig lowered his gaze, unable to make eye contact. His hands continued to fumble with his shirt and he dug his toes into the soil. He knew they had to kill it. Hunting was just another part of life. Vater had taught Gilbert when he was his age, and now it was his turn. But he just couldn't bring himself to watch, or even know of any further harm coming to the animal.
"Couldn't we just let it go? Bitte?"
"Ludwig. It's just a rabbit. We eat them all the time. We have to kill it."
Ludwig bit his lip. He knows this! He really does! So why was this so hard for him to do? He wasn't even the one killing it.
"Bitte, Bruder? I don't want to eat rabbit tonight. I want to get some wurst from town."
Gilbert stared at Ludwig for a moment, eyes scanning over him and making the boy nervous. It wasn't until he let out a long, defeated sigh that Ludwig was able to look up.
"Ok, ok. You win. But just for today, got it? I will teach you to skin a hare! You are already seven."
Ludwig's face lit up and he nodded. "Ja! I promise! You can teach me later!"
Gilbert let out one more sigh before looking at the hare in defeat. It made Ludwig feel a bit guilty. His brother had been really looking forward to hare meat for dinner.
Finally his fingers relented, dropping the rodent, which zoomed out of sight the moment it's feet touched the ground.
Gilbert stood up from his knees, wiping the dirt off of his trousers.
"Well then, if we're buying dinner tonight, then we better take down those other snares. But you better be the one to do it!" Gilbert huffed, pursing his lips and staring at Ludwig with narrowed eyes. Ludwig gave a guilty smile, nodding to his brother.
Gilbert's large hand suddenly grabbed hold of Ludwig's small hand as they started back to the other snares they had set up around the forest. Ludwig couldn't help but marvel at how his brother's hands seemed to swallow his own. They always had. He rubbed his thumb across his rough, calloused fingers. They were so warm and comforting. He'd always feel safe as long as those hands were there to protect him.
He glanced back up towards his brother's smiling face, matching it with his own large smile.
"I'm glad you're with me today, Gilbert. You've been gone a lot lately. I'm tired of spending the day with Frau Schmidt."
Gilbert frowned. "Sorry Luddy. Military training has been rough lately. And what's wrong with Frau Schmidt? I thought you liked her?"
Ludwig wrinkled his nose. "She's old and smells of too much perfume. She doesn't let me read anything but the Bible, which I don't really understand."
"But she's an amazing cook." Gilbert countered.
Ludwig couldn't argue with that. The woman had a gift.
When Ludwig didn't answer, Gilbert began to rub guiltily the back of his head with his free hand.
"Again, I'm really sorry. Things have been really busy lately. I think the King is planning something. And I've already been promoted to a Captain, which is great, but it also means I am home less often. But don't worry, Vater and I will still be around."
"I miss Vater too, but I mainly just miss you, Gilbert."
Gilbert blinked at Ludwig for a moment, surprised at the comment, before his lips formed into a sad smile.
"I'll get Vater to visit more. I promise. As for me, I'll always be here. Sure I may be gone from time to time, but I'll always be back."
Ludwig smiled approvingly. "Gut. I'm happy just as long as bruder is with me."
Gilbert smiled too for a moment before it suddenly disappeared.
Ludwig continued walking forward, noticing his hand slip from his brother's grasp. He paused, glancing back to his elder sibling, who stood motionless, lips formed in an unreadable line and wide red eyes staring at nothing.
Ludwig didn't even realize that they were no longer in the forest, or anywhere for that matter. Or that his brother was now garbed in his dark blue uniform instead of the plain white blouse and tan trousers.
'Bru-?"
Ludwig's questioning plea was cut off by what sounded like a loud clap of thunder, which vibrated painfully on his ear like a drum. He winced painfully for a moment, closing his eyes and shrinking back. But the sound was gone as quickly as it came. Slowly, his lids opened, allowing his cerulean irises into the light.
Gilbert still stood in front of him, face just as blank and expressionless as before. However, this time, to Ludwig's horror, a dark, wet stain was blossoming across his chest, turning his blue coat a hideous black. Ludwig released a slight scream as his now 12 year old body to move, his legs shaking as he raced towards his sibling.
Gilbert's eyes looked just as blank as before, his knees giving out, causing him to fall forward towards Ludwig's outstretched arms. However, Ludwig never felt his brother's body in his embrace. Instead, a pile of letters fell, scattering into his arms. His hands shook violently and his knees gave out, falling to the cold, unfamiliar ground. His fingers ran through the parchment around him. Each was folded, with remains of the wax stamp which once held them closed. The yellowing and crumpled corners showed sign of use, yet not a word was written.
Ludwig felt his heart begin to race, as he began to franticly search through each letter. There had to be something written! There just had too! But no matter how long he searched, looking over the same sheets of paper multiple times, there were never any words. Ludwig screeched, throwing the letters away and crawling quickly away from them. Those weren't his brother's letters! That wasn't his brother! Where was he?! Where was his Gilbert?! His big brother!?
Ludwig's next scream was only too real, as he woke from his tortured sleep, sending him straight up in bed. His face was riddled with sweat droplets, strands of blond hair sticking to his forehead. His heart was still racing and he soon found that he was panting; his lungs desperate for air.
It was still night and he could see nothing but the faint moonlit outline of his legs. His mind, which had previously been filled with ravage questions that needed to be answered, was finally slowing down, putting together each piece of the situation at hand.
Hands shot up to cover his mouth. He'd screamed. What if he woke Eliza and Roddy?
It was almost funny when there was a light knock on his door before it opened an inch, revealing the worried face of Elizaveta. Noticing Ludwig's upright form, she opened the door further. Her chocolate hair was a mess, and she wore nothing but a man's shirt, which thankfully, was long enough to come to her mid thigh. She held a lit candle stick in her hands, accentuating her sleep riddled eyes.
"Everything all right Ludwig?" she asked worriedly.
"Ja. I'm fine. I just saw a mouse, that's all." he lied.
Her green eyes widened a bit, but she was still too tired to react properly. Instead she nodded, beginning to close the door again.
"Wait, Lizzy."
She poked her head in the door again.
"Can I…can I have the light?"
Elizaveta nodded, thinking nothing of the odd request. She stepped sluggishly into the room, placing the candle holder on the desk in the corner of the room before departing with a slurred, "Good night".
Once Eliza was gone and the door shut, Ludwig leapt from the covers of his bed and rushed towards the desk. He grabbed hold of the metal handle of the bottom drawer and ripped it open, surprised he didn't pull the entire drawer out.
From the drawer he pulled out a large stack of folded parchment, tied carefully together by a long, red ribbon. He hated how long it took for him to untie the fabric, but once it was loose, he wasted no time in sliding the letters out and unfolding them. There were words. He carefully unfolded another. It too was covered in black inked letters. Another. Same thing.
Ludwig felt his heart slow and his shoulders relaxed. His brother's letters. They were still here. Still filled with word of his brother's health and adventures throughout these past two and a half years. His eyes mulled over another letter, taking in the curves and points of Gilbert's letters. He especially loved the way Gilbert signed his name. The size of the cursive G and the smooth tips of each connected letter. He once believed that his brother's handwriting was rather messy and rough. And now, there was no better handwriting in his eyes.
Ludwig's eyes jumped from the signature on the page to the date at the top.
2 Oktober, 1756.
One of the first letters. Gilbert mentioned Saxony. The siege.
He began flipping through more letters, taking note of the dates, and scanning through the content.
Prague. Prussian's first defeat. Russians take East Prussia. British/Hanoverian surrender. Austrian victory. Brief invasion of Berlin. Russians retreating back from East Prussia.
A frown covered Ludwig's face as he went over these passed events. His brother hardly told him anything of his actual battles, or their country's position in the war. He'd mention small things here and there and Ludwig quickly discovered that the less that was said about the war, the worse it was. While the opposite was true as well, Ludwig knew all about the Prussian victory at Rossbach in November of last year. Gilbert continually talked about how amazing it was, the Prussians taking out a combined force of both Austrians and French, more than double the size of their army, with minimum casualties. Praise towards King Frederick and his military tactics was also quite common.
Then of course there was Leuthen a month later. Gilbert hadn't talked about this one as much as the last, but it was still a tremendous victory against the Austrians. His brother even mentioned there being no chance that the Austrians would ever get Silesia now.
Other than some small details here and there, Gilbert almost purposely left Ludwig completely uninformed, which he just couldn't handle. Ludwig began doing all that he could to find out more without his family. He'd go with Elizaveta to the markets, just for the chance of hearing gossip on the streets or finding a discarded newspaper. He'd ask random strangers or children his age if they'd heard anything. He also got quite a lot of info from his tutor whom his cousin had hired a year ago, who was also very interested in the war. However, Ludwig did sometimes find it hard for him to hold his tongue at times. He had to consider he was still in Austria, the enemy country. Though it always did make his blood boil when someone would get off on a wild tangent, mocking the Prussians when all Ludwig had asked for was the outcome of an event.
Once Ludwig felt like he got sufficient information on the going-on's of the war, he would cross reference his notes with his brother's letters, finding any sort of correlation, any small clue as to discover what Gilbert was truly involved in. Sometimes his research proved to be fruitless, as Gilbert wouldn't let anything slip, but sometimes, he could figure things out. This last December for instance, Ludwig heard rumors of Sweden becoming involved with Northern Prussia over Pomerania. But judging from his brother's letters, he hadn't been involved in any of those battles.
In his letter dated last June, he mentioned working together with the Hanoverian troops, and even meeting a few British. Ludwig clearly remembered his teacher mentioning how dishonorable the British had been to turn and break the treaty they had made and jump back into the war. And apparently the British had also sent in actual ground troops as support. Gilbert had mentioned meeting a British man named Arthur, who had a very hard time in hold down his liquor and was a far worse drunk than he had ever been. Ludwig could only guess that Gilbert had fought the French at least once then, if he had been in company of the British.
Ludwig knew little else, much to his despair. Small whispers of the Russians striking again, but not much else. Then of course prideful whispers of another Austrian victory over the Prussians. He knew nothing else about the events though.
His eyes were drawn to the most recent letter he had received from his beloved brother, eyes catching hold of the date written at the top.
4 November, 1758
This letter was nearly a month old. It was now December again. Another Christmas approaching. One which would never compare to that Christmas 2 years ago. He still found himself wondering into the stables on the , snowy days, that were similar to that day. Vater would still come. Elizaveta and Roderich would make all sorts of sweets and buy him presents, but it was never the same.
Ludwig released a shaky breath as he lifted his hands to cover his face. Warm moisture suddenly dampened his palms, causing him to quickly retract his hands in surprise. After a moment, he warily touched his fingers to his eyes, feeling the salty tears slowly leaking from their corners.
"Nein."
Immediately he was wiping the tears from his face using the sleeve of his night shirt.
"Nein, nein, nein!"
He held the fabric tightly to his face, wishing the tears to stop. He couldn't cry. Not when his brother wasn't here. He needed Gilbert; his strength. If Gilbert was there to protect him; to comfort him, then he could cry. But Gilbert wasn't here. Ludwig had to be his own strength this time, and that meant no crying. Crying alone did nothing to sooth his sorrows, he soon learned. And he refused to cry upon anyone else's shoulder. He didn't want to rely on them; to become a burden, and he doubted they could comfort him like Gil could. So he needed to be strong. Hold everything inside. Just like he's done these past few years.
Once Ludwig finally managed to smother the tears, he carefully arranged each letter back in its place, organized from oldest to most recent, and tying the red ribbon back over the bundle to secure it. Once his most precious possessions were safely stored back in their proper holding, he leaned over to the light and blew it out, once again submerging himself in the lonely darkness. He left the desk and crawled back into his bed, retrieving the blanket which had been tossed to the floor when he had jumped out earlier.
He curled himself in the soft blanket, pretending that the warmth it provided was the warmth of his brother's body next to him. Ludwig couldn't help but sniffle slightly when his nose felt a little runny.
"I must be catching a cold."
o00o00o00o
"Elizaveta."
"Hmm?" Eliza popped her head up from behind Ludwig's bed wearing a helmet of some sort. "What is it Ludwig?"
Ludwig wasn't sure if he wanted to ask. She was currently crawling on the floor of his room, dressed in an overly large pair of trousers (to his horror, they were a pair of Gilbert's which were left behind. He swore to never tell his brother or he knew he'd be hearing a bad pun for years to come) and a shirt, complete with aprons, gloves, and armed with a broom in one hand, and a frying pan in the other. Gilbird had been smart and gotten away from the woman; perching himself from atop a high shelf.
I took Ludwig a moment before he finally mustered up the courage to ask.
"What are you doing?"
"Searching for those mice you saw! I knew it was only a matter of time before they found refuge here!" she paused to cackle. "Well they certainly won't be here for long!"
The fierceness and determination in her face made the boy shiver. She had gone pack to searching, currently with her head under his bed, pushing aside boxes in an attempt to scare out this enemy.
Ludwig contemplated whether he should tell her or not that there wasn't really a mouse. After all, it was only a matter of time before the woman began setting up a series of traps to catch this imaginary rodent. However, he'd rather prefer she didn't ask for the true reason for his scream in the middle of the night. He was too old to be having nightmares now. Nor did he want her to worry about him or any of his fears anymore. He'd had enough of those looks of pity these two and a half years.
"Is there something you need?" Eliza asked, poking her head up from the bed once again to look at him.
"No. Never mind. Hope you catch it."
"Roger! No vermin will enter the Edelstein house without me punishing them!" she proclaimed haughtily, continuing her escapade.
Ludwig nodded. Not sure what else to say. But just as he was leaving the room, he heard Eliza's voice calling out to him.
"Oh, I almost forgot! You're done with your studies for today, right? Roderich said he needs to talk to you!"
Ludwig raised a blond eye brow questioningly but nodded. Waving a quick goodbye to the crazed woman before making his way down the stairs and into the music room where he assumed Roderich would be. Ludwig almost laughed in surprise, seeing as his cousin wasn't there. He left the room and started for the kitchen. Perhaps he had decided to bake something. He secretly hoped he did.
"Ludwig! Over here!"
The blond stopped abruptly, just before entering the kitchen, turning around to the direction of the hushed voice. There Ludwig noticed Roderich poking his head out from a doorway. He glanced from side to side before making eye contact with his younger cousin and waving him over. Ludwig did as he was told, approaching his cousin cautiously and entering the door which Roderich held open for him and then closed once he was fully in.
Ludwig was more than a little curious with the Austrian's actions. He was acting so nervous all of the sudden. He's never seen him like that. And what were they doing in the cellar? He expected these kinds of sporadic actions from his brother, but definitely not from Roderich.
"Ja? What did you want to talk to me about, Vetter?"
Roderich leaned his back against a wine rack, one hand fidgeting with his cravat while the other he had folded behind him. He didn't know why he found it so hard to look Ludwig in the eye. Ludwig shouldn't be the one he's nervous around!
"Well," he began, his hand now fidgeting with his glasses instead.
"I want you to help me out with something."
Ludwig waited for a moment for Roderich to finish his request….but he didn't.
"Ja. And what is it Roderich?" he prodded.
It took a few seconds before Roderich could form the words. "I-I want to ask Elizaveta to marry me."
It was almost funny how calm he suddenly felt. As if all the stress and nervousness was gone. After all, this was the first time he ever opening admitted it to someone. It had taken him long enough just to recognize his feelings for the woman, and even longer for him to get himself to commit to this decision. And now finally, he was able to openly admit it to someone who could help make it a reality. There was no going back now.
Ludwig stared at him with wide, surprised eyes. Roderich expected him to suddenly burst out into a smile (something which has been increasing rare in the young boy these few years) and congratulate him. So he was quite shocked when instead the 12 year old crossed his arms and gave him a stern look, which was too similar to his Onkel's own gaze.
"It's about time! Bruder and I were beginning to think you'd never do it."
Roderich wasn't quite sure how to respond to a comment like that.
o00o00o00o
"Wait, so you're planning to do it tonight?" Ludwig asked as he walked besides his cousin through the town market, his voice finally holding a hint of excitement.
"Of course. I've been planning this night for months." Roderich answered nonchalantly, his eyes focused on a food cart filled with expensive herbs.
"And you wait until the day of to tell me? That's pretty poor planning if you ask me."
Roderich shot Ludwig a defensive look with a slight blush on his face. "You've really been becoming an uncute child, did you know that Ludwig?!"
The 12 year old responded by crossing his arms and tilting his head. Staring his cousin in the eyes until the violet eyes relented and he sighed.
"Ja, I know. I should have asked you earlier. But I have everything planned. I just need your cooperation."
Ludwig nodded, his eyes brightening. He enjoyed the fact that he was needed. "So what are your plans then?"
"Once we're done buying the food here, I will start on the dinner. We should avoid having Elizaveta in the kitchen if we can, but if not, then it shouldn't be that bad, since it's not that uncommon for me to cook. In my bedroom, in a large box under my bed there is a gorgeous green gown. I want you to get it on to Elizaveta's bed without her noticing. She seems pretty distracted with something in the house today. Let's try to take advantage of that."
Ludwig was noting each word carefully, not being able to hold back a small chuckle. Who would have known his small lie would prove so convenient. And with how resolved the woman had been on her quest, Ludwig figured she would be distracted until the evening.
"How do we get her to wear the dress?"
Roderich breathed a knowing chuckle. "You have a lot to learn about women, Ludwig. All she has to do is see the dress and she'll wear it."
Ah, Ludwig remembered hearing his brother say something like that. Although if he recalled correctly, it had been more of a warning.
"Women will take anything that's expensive and pretty, Luddy! Be careful or they will take everything you've got!"
Ludwig shook the thought from his head. Why had he thought of that? It was nothing like what Roderich had said.
"By the way Ludwig, how confident are you on the piano?"
His question shocked the boy out of his thoughts, earning Roderich a wide, confused look from those bright blue eyes.
"Huh?"
o00o00o00o
"No no. You're playing much too slow, Ludwig! Start over!"
Ludwig groaned quietly, stopping his fingers and placing them back at the starting position. He flexed his fingers before starting the piece again. His fingers flew over the gleaming ivory, creating a beautiful melody that Roderich had written. Roderich's violet eyes were shut from behind his glasses, as he listened carefully to the melody. He didn't even notice that his fingers were moving, as if playing the same melody on invisible keys.
Ludwig knew something was wrong the moment his cousin's calm face hardened. And sure enough, Roderich's eyes were open and he was yelling again, "Too sharp! You need to be aware of the keys! Now again!"
Ludwig wanted to do nothing more than to slam his face against the piano keys. He'd always hated the piano. Even after 2 years of lessons, and despite amazing improvement within himself, it didn't stop him from hating it. The Austrian pianist was too much of a perfectionist.
"Why do I have to do this?" Ludwig whined.
"Because I want everything to be perfect! I already told you, during dinner it will be your job to play!" Roderich huffed. "Now start again!"
Ludwig released another whine, before starting to play again. The pianist folded his arms as he listened once again to the composition. He needed it to be perfect. He would love to play the song himself, but that wasn't possible tonight. Ludwig needed to perfect this piece so he could play during his and Elizaveta's dinner, providing the perfect atmosphere for a proposal.
Another wrong note pulled Roderich from his musings. Ludwig had immediately stopped, knowing he had messed up again, and was staring away from Roderich, ready for the lecture he was about to receive.
"Aww, why'd you stop?"
Roderich had had his mouth open, ready to reprimand the lad, but the soft voice of Elizaveta left him speechless. Both he and Ludwig spun around to stare at the brunette woman leaning in the doorway.
She was in the same outfit she had been in when Ludwig saw her earlier, minus the helmet. (which Ludwig finally figured out she had stolen it from the suit of armor set on display in the study.) Her hair was disheveled and her skin held traces of sweat.
Roderich felt his face go red, hoping the woman hadn't heard any of their previous conversation. All his plans would be ruined!
"I missed a note." Ludwig answered the woman dejectedly. As much as he hated the piano, he was also very good at punishing himself for his mistakes.
"Really?" she asked, her green eyes wide. "It sounded perfect to me. You play beautifully Ludwig! That is my favorite composition after all." Those emerald eyes shot Roderich a quick look when she spoke that last sentence, before going back to Ludwig. Roderich hoped his face wouldn't give anything away. He could swear by the heat radiating from his cheeks that the woman would notice.
Elizaveta couldn't help but smile upon seeing the man blush. He was just so proud of his music after all.
"Is-is there anything I can do for you, Elizaveta?" Roderich stuttered out, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, actually, I found an old looking dress on my bed. I was wondering what it was for?"
Roderich noticed Ludwig's shoulders tense. She had discovered it faster than planned. The lad was probably blaming himself again for not being discreet enough. But no need to worry! Roderich could use this to his advantage.
"Yes. I have little use for the gown anymore and figured you would be able to make good use of it today."
Eliza suddenly looked flustered. "Eh? You want me to use it? Are you sure? It's such a nice gown!"
"Not at all. It's an old thing. I want you to have it." Roderich mentally praised himself for his responses. If he had led the woman to believe the gown was new and expensive, she'd never wear it. She was much too used to being a servant for his liking. Well, he'd be fixing that soon now, wouldn't he?
Elizaveta hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Thank you Roderich. I needed something like that today."
Roderich was a bit confused to her response, but brushed it off, putting on his best gentleman smile.
"Of course. Glad you like it."
Eliza followed up with another nod before departing back up the stairs.
Roderich watched as she disappeared from sight, and out of earshot. Suddenly his knees felt weak and he nearly collapsed, if not for using the piano for some support.
"Roddy! Are you alright?" Ludwig asked worriedly, jumping up from his spot on the piano bench, hands out to help him if needed. Roderich simply waved him off.
"I'm fine. Just a bit nervous. That's all."
Ludwig doubted him for a moment before accepting the answer, sitting himself slowly back down, releasing his own sigh as well.
"I was worried she suspected something." the boy admitted. Roderich nodded in agreement.
The two remained silent for a moment, simply trying to regain themselves. Once Roderich was ready he stood himself back up, throwing a glance at a wide eyed Ludwig.
"What are you waiting for? Start again!"
o00o00o00o
Everything was set up perfectly. Roderich mused over the beautiful table setting and how the sparkling porcelain complimented the silk table cloth. The soft orange candlelight illuminated the room perfectly as it reflected off the crystal wine glasses and the red roses set in a vase in the center of the long table. Dinner was ready and only needed to be served, which he'd have Ludwig do once the two settled themselves into their spots. He placed a bottle of French wine, which he had picked out especially for this night, towards the center of the table so that it stood out (but not too much).
He saw a figure enter the room from the reflection of his glasses. He turned, noticing Ludwig standing before him, clad in the suit vest and pants that Roderich had given him. His blond locks were carefully combed to the side, making the boy appear much more appealing and mature in Roderich's eyes. However, the wide, flustered look the boy gave him didn't go with Roderich's vision.
"Calm down Ludwig. Now did you tell Eliza to come down for dinner?"
Ludwig's blue eyes flickered between Roderich and the door. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again. Taking a deep breath and swallowing, he was finally able to reply.
"J-ja. I told her. But…but she..! The upstairs…!"
Roderich was about to demand the boy spit it out, but was interrupted when Eliza entered the room.
"Wow! This looks great! What's the occasion? Oh! Luddy! You look so adorable!"
Ludwig grimaced. But all Roderich was able to do was stare at her appearance. She wasn't wearing the dress. No no, that was wrong. She WAS indeed wearing it. Parts of it at least. She still wore the clothes from earlier. The white men's blouse she had borrowed was ruffled and covered in all sorts of colored stains. She still wore the trousers which were incredibly too big for her, and were now being held up by a strand of ripped green cloth. Her face was still sweaty and covered in dirt…and soot.. Why was there soot covering her? Was she cleaning the fireplace?
"Elizaveta…" Roderich was finally able to choke out, drawing her attention from the dolled-up blond and to him.
"The dress? What-what happened to the dress?"
Her lips formed a guilty smile. "Thanks again for letting me use it. I still feel bad about using it as net and rope material, especially when I still couldn't find those mice. All my traps have gone to waste.
It took another moment or so for Roderich to find his voice again.
"Mice? You…you used the dress as material?"
Elizaveta looked confused. "Yeah,, you said it was old and had no other use for it."
"Oh…" was all Roderich could mutter. He felt dizzy all of the sudden and took a seat at the table, placing a hand on his head. Why? Why had she thought he meant that? The dress was clearly new? Why did she believe him when he said it was old? And! And! No…no it didn't matter. It was just a dress. She doesn't need to be dressed up. As long as she is here, that's all that matters.
"Roderich?" she asked worriedly.
A removed his hand from his face and smiled calmly at her. He just needed to act natural. Be normal.
"It's fine. I'm just a little upset that you still didn't catch the mice." The mice? Is that what she had been doing all day? That was the first he'd heard of it.
"Let's just continue with dinner. Sit down, would you?" he sounded just as calm as ever, smiling coolly and motioning to the seat across from him.
Eliza smiled. "Of course!"
Ludwig made a nervous move towards the kitchen, but was suddenly cut off as Eliza passed him, heading towards the kitchen doors and not the table.
"Thanks for preparing dinner tonight Roderich! I didn't have time with how busy I've been today!" And with those words, she had disappeared into the kitchen. Ludwig was frozen in place, a small hand out in silent protest. He gave his cousin a confused look. Roderich was also frozen, staring at the door that she had disappeared into.
She wasn't the server tonight. Why was she the server? Is it because she usually was? Why couldn't she just relax? No no. It was ok. There would be the same outcome. She'd arrive with their food and they could relax and start their meal.
"Ludwig." Roderich muttered, giving him a sad look. "Change of plans. You'll start the composition now."
The blond nodded before rushing from the dining room, being sure to leave the door open to allow music from the piano to flow into the room.
Roderich took a deep breath as he heard the music begin to waft through the room, trying to calm himself. Eliza would enter the room and hear the composition which he wrote. She will sit down with their meals and they could continue with their specially made dinner, drink some of the fine French wine, and when they were finished, he had prepared her favorite cherry tort. He had already set them aside on plates and had hidden his mother's wedding ring in one of them for her to find. It would be perfect.
However, as Eliza entered the room and placed the food on the table before them, she listened to the music for a moment before shooting Roderich a glare. He flinched back, certainly not expecting that kind of look.
"Really Roderich? You're making Ludwig practice during dinner time? You can't force the boy to learn that fast!"
And with those words stomped out of the room. The music ceased abruptly and she returned a minute later with a confused Ludwig besides her. He gave Roderich a questioning look, but the pianist simply sighed, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose; unable to give any response.
"Here Luddy. You can sit next to me." Eliza told him happily, pulling up a chair next to her. She had already grabbed a plate of food for him and set up his spot.
Roderich was silent for the majority of the meal. He silently stared down at the food he had worked so hard to prepare, moving it with his fork more than eating it. Perhaps he should postpone his plans for a while. Maybe forever. Elizaveta was just so different than he was. He doubted that she saw him as anything more than just a friend or boss.
As Roderich let himself sink further into a depressed state, Ludwig and Eliza chatted happily at the other end. The preteen had been a bit quieter at first, only answering when she asked him a question, but as the meal progressed, he had seemly forgotten about their ruined plans and began to smile more.
Actually, now that Roderich really started to look at the lad, he looked a lot calmer, a lot more like himself than he had in a long time.
Roderich's dark, depressed mood began to clear up a bit as he watched the too interact. He hadn't been listening before, but now he noticed she had been entertaining Ludwig with a series of childhood memories that she had with his brother and with the young pianist. She spoke with such care at mention of the two men. Even when she was scrunching her nose in disgust or laughing about one of their escapades, it was clear that these memories meant a lot to her. Roderich began to listen earnestly, watching as her pink lips formed the words.
He also noticed at mention of his name, her emerald eyes would sometimes cast their gaze in his direction for a moment before returning to Ludwig. Her eyes: they have never looked so green, so intense and beautiful before. And her face, even when it was still covered in patches of soot and caked with dried sweat, it still appeared to have been sculpted by a Renaissance master.
Roderich felt his chest tighten painfully. He had to continue. It didn't matter if they night hadn't gone as he had hoped. He still loved her.
"Elizaveta."
The brunette ceased her rambling, glancing happily at him, waiting for him to speak.
"Would you like some dessert?"
Her mouth turned into a sly smirk and she curled her eyebrows. "Well of course. I always want dessert."
Roderich felt a smile tugging on his lips. He noticed her begin to rise but he beat her too it.
"No, it's alright. I'll get it."
He departed from the room, returning seconds later with three plates of the red tort, placing a plate before each of them.
Eliza nearly squealed in delight upon seeing the dessert. It was a pain to make, so Roderich rarely ever made it. Her green eyes connected with his violet ones, nearly radiating with excitement.
"No need to wait. Guten Appetit." Roderich chuckled as he sat himself back in his spot.
He waited for a moment before taking a bite from his plate, waiting for Eliza to find the ring. After a few bites from her and no ring, he shrugged it off, spooning a bite of the dessert into his mouth. No problems here. I'm sure she just hasn't gotten to it ye-CRUNCH
Roderich's hands shot up to cup his cheeks as his left teeth pulsed in pain. He quickly spat the metal object-or in this case- the ring, into his hand.
"Roderich? Are you okay?"
He nodded hastily, but his jaw still ached. He only hoped he hadn't cracked a tooth.
"I accidentally took a bite of this." he mumbled, holding the dirtied gold ring out in his palm. Ludwig gasped, placing his hands over his mouth as he knew what was coming. But Eliza merely knitted her brows in confusion.
"What? How'd that end up in your tort?!"
"Because it was meant to be in yours."
Ludwig's eyes flickered back and forth between the two adults. Elizaveta cocked her head, with a serious, but confused look on her face. Her green eyes going from the ring to Roderich as she processed the information. Ludwig could see the moment the puzzle pieces came together as her eyes went wide and her hand shot up to her mouth.
Roderich made a pained smile before getting from his seat and kneeling before the brunette, who was beginning to cry.
He took a handkerchief from the table and wiped the ring clean, before holding it out for her to see more clearly.
"I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to do this. But I love you, Elizaveta. Would you do me the honor of taking on my name and becoming my wife?"
Eliza squeezed her green eyes shut; trying in vain to stop any more tears from falling. She pulled her hands away from her mouth and sniffled loudly, trying to regain her voice.
"Yes!" she sobbed, her lips forming a smile as her eyes continued to overflow with tears.
"I'd love to!"
Roderich just managed to slip the ring onto one of her shaking fingers before she tackled the man in her embrace.
Ludwig laughed at Roderich's shocked face as he was tackled to the floor with his glasses flying from his face. But it didn't take long for him to return the embrace and wrap his arms around her. Although Ludwig did have to look away during the kiss. That kind of stuff always made him feel uncomfortable.
Upon seeing the couple's joy, Ludwig's chest suddenly began to ache for his brother's presence. This was their family after all. Gilbert had grown up with these two, and he wasn't here to share in their excitement. He felt his face burn up slightly, taking notice and hurriedly stopping the tears before they had any chance of forming.
Oh! That's right! Gilbert sent him something for this!
Ludwig cleared his throat loudly, catching the couple's attention. He removed a sealed letter from his jacket and held it towards the two, who were still seated on the floor.
"Gilbert sent this to me a while ago. Said to give it to you because of the tiny chance that you two would get hitched."
Roderich didn't appreciate the way the blond phrased that last sentence, but shrugged it off, knowing that he must simply be quoting the imbecile. He took the letter from Ludwig's hand, giving it a wary look before looking at his new fiancé. She gave a small shrug and humorous smile, obviously remembering the last one lined letter Gilbert had sent the couple.
Roderich broke the wax seal and carefully unfolded the letter, expecting the worse. Like before, the letter only contained a single line, which caused Eliza to release a sob filled chuckle.
"I always knew I was the best man."
Is it weird how much I enjoyed writing the beginning with Ludwig's nightmare?
Apologies to PruHun fans. I had to do it. (and I wouldn't even count myself a fan of AusHun…it just seems natural.)
History:
Mentions of plenty of previous battles I already wrote about, and then some more.
(just took this info from my notes)
*Things looking better with some Prussian victories Defeated Soubise's French forces and then routed a vastly superior Austrian force at the Battle of Leuthen
*November 5, 1757: Battle of Rossbach / Prussian victory/ vs. France and Austria
*November 22, 1757: Battle of Breslau / Austrian victory
*December 5, 1757: Battle of Leuthen / Prussian victory
*With these victories, Prussia once again gained a hold over Europe and a strong reputation of Frederick II. Established as one of Europe's finest soldiers and Frederick their General. However, now facing the threat of not only France, Russia, and Austria, but Sweden as well.
*a combined force from smaller German states, such as Bavaria, established under Austrian leadership and threatened Prussian control over Saxony.
*Russians withdraw from East Prussia, causing further relief. Fritz calculates no further Russian advancement until 1758.
*Moves bulk of eastern forces to Pomerania to repel Swedish invasion. Within a short time, drive Swedes back, occupy most of Swedish Pomerania, and blockaded its capital Stralsund.
*Dec 1757- June 1758 Blockade of Stralsund
*Stralsund holds out and Prussians withdraw
*With prodding from Frederick and British ministers' advice, King George II of Great Britain revokes Convention of Klosterzeven and Hanover is reentered into the war with new leader, Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick. (who was serving as a Prussian General previously. This guy was actually a Colonel at age 19! So Gilbert being young for his rank isn't total bull crap! :D )
(Also, the reason the British have Hanover, is because King George was actually German, and from the House of Hanover. So at this time, George II was king of both Britain AND Hanover. Pretty nifty eh?)
*Over the winter, Ferdinand regroups his army and launches a series of offensives, driving the French back across the River Rhine.
1758
*Siege of Olmütz(Olomouc) Frederick's forces tried to besiege Austrian city of Olmütz in Moravia invasion but faced stronger resistance than anticipated. Lack of supplies and an Austrian relief force approach caused them to abandon siege.
*British troops arrive in Europe, forming an Anglo-Prussian camp under Duke of Brunswick
*12 June, 1758, Battle of Rheinberg: Anglo-Prussian alliance vs. France. Indecisive battle.
*23 June, 1758, Battle of Krefeld. Anglo-Prussian victory.
*25 August 1758, Battle of Zorndorf, Prussian vs. Russia, inconclusive.
*14 October 1758, Battle of Hochkirch, Prussian vs. Austria. Austrian victory.
There were a few battles and events that I wanted to hit and write a chapter on, but unfortunately time is a huge issue here. So had to jump to the most important stuff I have planned.
I know how courting and marriage proposals usually went during this time, and Roderich and Elizaveta are way off….but they are already an unusual couple.
Thanks for reading and if you have time, please leave a review! I read every single one of them, multiple times even! They just inspire me so much!
Thank you and good day, good evening, and good night!