~Author's Note~

hey guys so so so for the super duper late update forgive me, I've been going through a lot lately and I'm also working on an amazing fic of France and Joan as well so yeah... But it's going great it is also a historical human AU dap if you're interested I'll inform you when it comes out anyways. Thank you for reading and have and awesome day night or what not! Enjoy!

~ms. Atomic Bomb

Evening of February 14th 1865

Madeline paid attention to the snow that fell outside her window. It was very beautiful but it was getting dark and the white dress she wore was getting to her. This whole dove thing did not seem like a great idea. Madeline did not think she resembled any type dove in all reality, and thus she seemed a bit bummed to even be attending the ball that would probably end in some sort of mess because a certain man was attending it in the first place.

"Are you alright, dear?" Luka asked from the opposite side of the carriage.

Madeline finally snapped back to reality and nodded. "Yes, I'm alright." She smiled lightly.

"Are you sure?" He was truly concerned for the lady in front of him but she seemed to brush him off rather quickly.

"Yes of course." She reassured.

"What were you thinking of?"

"I wish to visit my sister."

"Your sister? The one in America?"

"Yes the one in America, I really wish to see her, will you allow that?" Madeline nodded.

"Why would I not? When would you like to leave, Madeline?"

"As soon as possible. I imagine my nephew has grown quite a lot since I last saw him, and I wish for him to remember me." Madeline explained to the blond in front of her.

"Then you shall leave on the upcoming Wednesday." Markov smiled.

The palace was brightly lit, with a theme of gold and royal purple as they were standard royalty colours. Madeline and Markov began by dancing the waltz that the orchestra played but Madeline had gotten caught up in the song, stepping on the Russian male occasionally.

"Are you thinking of your sister?" Markov chuckled.

"Yes, I'm worried for her." Madeline nodded her extravagant blond head.

"And why is that?" The man with the mane asked.

"She has not written to me in quite a while so I wish to speak with her."

"Alright then."

Their dance continued until it was time to switch partners. Every single man that met Madeline had bored her within the first five seconds of the dance. She was not really in the mood of dancing or partying at this point. Then a bear came into view after the many boring costumes.

"Hello, milady. How do you find yourself on this lovely winter evening?" The man with the bear costume spoke as they danced a fair amount.

"Very well, thank you." Madeline smiled as their dance continued.

"What type of bird are you supposed to be?" The man spoke.

"I'm a dove of some sort." Madeline chuckled.

"Ah a dove..."

"And you, my good sir?"

"The Russian Bear." He replied looking her deep in the eyes.

"I can tell you're quite patriotic." Madeline returned the look, noting the amethyst eyes of his.

"If you may." The man chuckled lightly, it was as if he were trying not to laugh entirely to not show something.

"Well, mister bear, do you have a name?"

"It's a secret."

"Alright, do you have family then?"

"Two sisters and you?"

"A sister." Madeline smiled. "How are your sisters?"

"The younger one is a little scary, while the older one is rather emotional." The man shrugged. "And yours?"

"She lives in America, and is rather patriotic if you ask me, but nonetheless she is very caring and sweet." Madeline continued to dance.

The dance had finished and the pair had decided to take a little walk about the palace for a short while in order to get away from the frivolous minds that laughed and joked in the ballroom.

"So tell me, my dear dove, you don't seem Russian..." The man began.

"I'm Canadian." Madeline laughed.

"Canadian? What are you doing here in Russia?"

"Well, it's a rather long and private story that I'd prefer to keep to myself."

"Oh please, then I must know at least your name at the least." The man begged.

"Ha ha, I'm Madeline and you, my good sir?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Nikolai." The name made Madeline's eyes grow wide in some sort of fear and disbelief.

"I-I..."

"Madeline, please, forgive me." The man fell to his knees before her.

"And what makes you think I would? Do you know what I have been through? What I did for you? Do you have any idea?" She was completely offended by this action. "Of course you don't because you don't even remember me."

"Actually... Madeline... A few months ago I recalled little by little our relationship. I am deeply sorry that we could not get married and that I had treated you so horribly while I had not remembered you..."

"I am sorry, Nikolai, but I cannot and will not accept this apology." The once shy Canadian hissed. She had been through complete and utter hell in her life and his idiotic apology would not cut it.

"I understand, and I will respect your decision." Nikolai nodded slowly and smiled up at her sorrowfully.

Madeline dropped to her knees as well and looked him in the eyes as he continued to stare at her. She took his mask off and kissed his cheeks. "You're as handsome as ever." She smiled and caressed his soft skin. "You don't know how much pain you cause me..." She chuckled sorrowfully.

"I'm sorry..." He mumbled. He wanted to take her mask off as well but he didn't want to push past his boundaries.

"Do not apologize, alright, I understand but I will still not forgive you."

"I understand..." He mumbled lightly.

Her eyes skimmed over his features lightly and paid attention to his eyes and lips. She truly missed him but she knew that she should still not love him. Her lips connected with his chapped ones lightly and for a short while. She missed the feel of his lips upon hers, she missed his hands on her cheeks or her waist, she missed the smell he bore that enraptured when he was near her. They might have been rough and rather dry but his lips were wonderful and plump.

"M-Madeline..." Nikolai mumbled softly.

"I-I am so sorry, I should not have d-done that." She swallowed and stood up. "I-I should go."

"Wait Madeline!"

"I'm sorry Nikolai." She touched her lips with her hand and closed her eyes shut. "Oh dear lord, just please forget this ever happened."

"Madeline!" Madeline ignored his call of distress and hurried back to the ball room away from the man that she knew she still loved.

"Luka!" Madeline shrieked loudly as the male appeared before her.

"Madeline please, don't do this!" The man behind her still called out and suddenly stopped when he saw Luka.

Luka looked Madeline in the eyes sorrowfully as he saw that her lipstick remained on the other man's lips. "Madeline..." His voice faded and his eyes slightly watered as he turned to leave and rushed to the ballroom where he thought he could forget what had occurred.

"Luka, wait." Now it was Madeline's turn to call out, leaving Nikolai to curse himself for ruining everything.

The Canadian followed Luka until they had reached the ballroom and then she whispered, trying not to stop or interrupt the party.

"Please Madeline, do you know how hard it is to see someone you love not return that to you?"

"Can we talk about this later?" She hushed.

"I'm sorry Madeline but you have to make up your mind. There are many men that want you, and the same goes for me with women; now are you to be one of them or not?"

"Luka please don't do this..." Her voice trailed.

"Please Madeline choose, because I have done a lot for you but have you returned that?" His voice seemed weak although he was announcing it out loud.

"Luka can we talk about this somewhere else?" She noticed the stares of people starting.

"And why is that?" Luka hissed slightly.

"People are-"

"So what if people are watching? You either choose me or you choose him." His voice was sharp and pained, there was no way he wanted to tolerate betrayal.

"Luka please don't make me choose..."

"Nikolai; I know you still can't let it go of him and so I'm guessing he's your choice, right?"

"Luka! Do not-"

"Bye Madeline." He interrupted as he began to leave the palace once everyone's eyes and ears were on them.

"Luka please! Don't leave! Luka!" She followed him, not trying to run because her knees felt ever so weak.

People around the palace made faces as if she was a whore of some sort. She ignored everyone and continued after him.

"Luka!" Her voice cracked as tears threatened to spring from her indigo orbs.

"Luka!" He did not turn to look at her as he descended the palace steps towards his carriage.

"Luka!"