Chapter 37 Her Interview

I reworked this chapter to more accurately reflect the status of Alsace at this time and to highlight Adeladja's suspicions and desparation about what Prussia said about Austria. I want to thank JLBB for the historical information!

Adeladja picked at the food on her plate and sighed loudly enough for Prussia to look up from his. "I don't know why I can't go to the dance tonight," she muttered. "It would be a good opportunity for me to talk to Russia." She looked significantly at him. Austria, Russia, and the other German personifications had arrived earlier in the week for the meeting of the emperors. She had expected to be on Prussia's arm at the various receptions, dinners, and gatherings. She had thought that she would not only get a chance to speak to Russia, but also to Austria. But all she had been allowed to do was attend some military reviews during the day, and then be whisked away by Hannover to her room. During the evenings, when the other entities had gathered, she had been locked in her rooms, dining by herself and reading or doing more needlework. Prussia had come to dine with her before leaving for the dance.

Prussia glowered at her. "The evening events are for nations and German states only, Adeladja," he replied. "If I bring you along, then other cities will want to come, and they'll bring up issues that only need to be addressed by their states or the Empire. It'll get too crowded and distract from the real business at hand, which is an agreement between Russia, Austria and the Empire."

Adeladja forced her face into a pout. "But dances are at their best with many partners," she insisted. She reached out to stroke Prussia's arm. "And who will you dance with? Don't tell me Alsace, Lorraine or the Rhineland." She hoped he would fall for her act of jealousy.

"Whom I dance with at a public ball is none of your business." Prussia pulled his arm away. "It's all work, anyway. You think you're missing out on fun, but it's just diplomacy with music, chat, and moving around."

Adeladja folded her arms and tilted her chin in the air. "You promised me that I would get a chance to speak to Russia about my brother. In your presence," she emphasized. "How can I do that locked in my room like a schoolgirl?"

"Maybe you won't get to speak to him at all, if you keep behaving this way, Polin," Prussia snapped.

Adeladja made a show of being chastened. "Oh, Gilbert, please don't be angry at me. I'm sorry if I overstepped my bounds." She could control her face and voice, but her heart began to race. "Bitte," she pleaded, and she didn't have to act this time. "Let me speak to Russia about Feliks. It would be very generous of you and make me very grateful."

Prussia put down his fork and smirked at her. "How grateful, Liebling?"

Adeladja choked down her disgust as she stroked his thigh. "You know how," she simpered. "When do they leave?"

"Friday evening." Prussia placed his hand over hers and pulled it further up his thigh. "Now be a good girl and I may let you speak to Ivan tomorrow night." He pulled at her hand and Adeladja got up from her chair and sat in his lap. She stroked his face, hair and chest as she kissed him. Ugh, she thought, as his tongue insinuated itself into her mouth. She hated this playacting with him, but it always seemed to put him into a good mood.

They kissed and Prussia fondled her breasts. Adeladja made noises to make him think she enjoyed it, but all she could hope was that this wouldn't be for nothing and that he might keep his word to her. If he would let her be in the same room with the other entities, she could get a little time alone with Austria and find out why Elena wasn't answering her letters. And if not Austria, maybe she could get Saxony's ear and ask him to ask Roderich what was going on with her sister.

Prussia finally broke off their kiss and took his hands away from her décolletage. "Well, it's on to the dance," he said. He gave her one final squeeze and eased her off his lap. "Of course, I'd rather be with you, but duty calls." He got up. As he smoothed down his formal military tunic, Adeladja blurted out, "You will let me see Russia tomorrow or Thursday night, ja?"

He looked back at her over his shoulder. "If you are kind, sweet, and willing."

Adeladja flinched at the words. "That's for the trip to Vienna for Christmas," she reminded him.

"Then how about we add 'enthusiastic'? Starting tonight." Prussia winked at her and left the room.

When he was gone, Adeladja groaned and lay her head down on the tablecloth. She could play at being affectionate and flirtatious, but she still struggled at acting amorous. Every night he lay with her, flashbacks of Zopot roared back into her head. She tried to put herself through the motions, but she felt such resentment that she didn't believe she could fool him. Tell me what to do, she pleaded to the voice that seemed her constant companion. How can I act enthusiastic and make him believe it?

Remember that you are fooling him, the voice replied. You know it's an act, but he needs to think it's real. Well, how do I do that, she asked. Take the lead. Don't wait for him to start things. You start them. Take control. Adeladja shook her head. She longed to go to her embroidery basket and scratch her arm with a needle to let her fear, loathing, and panic seep out of her body. I can't do it, I can't, she thought frantically. You need to. The voice was firm, implacable.

To her surprise and relief, Prussia did not visit her that evening. It was clear the festivities for the Week of the Emperors were winding down; there were no military reviews or parades to watch under the September sun on the following day. Instead, Adeladja half-heartedly flipped through a novel, wondering whether she would be kept in her room again. When her maids arrived without her dinner, but started undressing her, she grew hopeful. As they pulled out one of her new dinner gowns, a crimson satin creation, her heart leapt. She had to be going to the dinner with the other entities! She would get to speak to Russia, and maybe even Austria! She laughed and chatted with her maids, who were pleasantly surprised to see her so animated. Finally, she thought to herself, as the maids finished with her hair and jewelry, she would find out what was going on with her siblings.

"Sehr schön." Adeladja turned and saw Prussia standing in the doorway, dressed in his formal uniform. He sauntered over to the dressing table and gently flicked at the ruby earring dangling from her ear. "You're just missing the final touch." He turned to the maid nearest him. "Please get Fraulein Danzig's choker with the rubies and diamonds on it." As the maid turned to get the jewelry box, Adeladja grabbed her arm. "Don't I have another necklace instead?" She said. She hated the idea of wearing the black leather collar with the nameplate. It would be too humiliating for the others to see.

The maid hesitated, looking at her and then Prussia. Finally, she went back to the jewelry box and brought back the hated collar. Adeladja's shoulders sunk. "Really, Mein Herr," she muttered as she looked up at him. "Must I wear that?"

"Ja, you must," Prussia said as he fastened the collar and clicked it shut around her neck. Adeladja felt constrained, as if someone had grasped her around the throat. "It looks perfect with the dress and earrings, doesn't it?" He asked the maids, who eagerly nodded. Adeladja glared at them as another maid buttoned her long kid gloves and a third waited with her fan. Now I know where your loyalties lie, she thought as she cast them one final glance before she left with Prussia.

"Now don't pout," Prussia grumbled as they walked down the hallway of the Stadtschlosse. "You look beautiful, you'll have a splendid dinner, and you'll have your interview with Ivan. That is, if you wipe that scowl off your face." Adeladja rearranged her features to look demure. "That's better, Liebling. Ukraine may be there, Alsace and Lorraine may put on their airs, but you will be the loveliest entity in the room. It makes me proud to have you on my arm." He squeezed hers affectionately as they went down the staircase to the floor with the reception rooms.

"Danke, Mei…Gilbert." Adeladja decided to play along. Anything to see Russia and ask about her brother, she told herself.

"Gut, that's better." Prussia smiled, then cleared his throat. "Adeladja, there's one thing I need to tell you about tonight. Russia is more than happy to talk to you, but I need to tell you about the conversation I had with Austria." He looked hesitant.

This can't be good, Adeladja realized. She looked up at him. He looked uncomfortable. "What is it, Gilbert? Did you ask if I could speak to him?"

"Ja." Prussia paused. They stood in the middle of a grand hallway with windows that faced into the courtyard. "Adeladja, you look so pretty tonight and I don't want to spoil your mood and looks, but I must tell you this. When I asked Austria if you could speak to him for a few minutes about your sister, he told me that Elena is doing well, she lacks for nothing, she receives your letters, and that is all you need to know. He sends you his regards and hopes you will behave with dignity and decorum tonight." He gazed meaningfully at her.

Adeladja stared back, puzzled. Prussia looked unusually serious. Although she had had very little personal contact with Austria, the message seemed unusual. "Of course I'll behave with dignity and decorum," she finally sputtered. "I'm not going to badger him or take his full attention for the whole evening. I just want to—"

"Roderich doesn't want to talk to you, Adeladja. That's what I'm trying to tell you." Prussia said. "He made it clear to me that if you approach him, he will snub you in front of me, the Empire, Russia, and all the others." Adeladja began to tremble and her eyes filled with didn't seem possible, she thought. Austria had a reputation for propriety, but not this kind of public meanness. Prussia whipped out his handkerchief and began to dab at her face. "See, Liebling, this is why it's so awkward for me to tell you this," he murmured. "I had to do it to spare you the embarrassment, but now you are getting all teary and red-faced and ruining how you look. Please don't cry, Spätzchen.1 I'm sorry that that stupid aristocrat, that hypocrite suddenly decides he's too good to talk to you. I mean, all those decades of parading Hungary around as his mistress, and now he refuses to acknowledge mine? He's always been that way," he grumbled as Adeladja sniffed and tried to stop her tears. "Always acted as if he is so kind and tolerant to his states and mortals, but guess when he abolished torture? Over twenty years after I did!2 And the Holy Roman Empire? He claimed to love him like a son but he let him die a lingering death! Mein Gott, Roderich—"

"I just want to see him in private," Adeladja murmured. "In your company, of course. He doesn't have to acknowledge me before others. But surely a few minutes alone in a parlor—"

"Nein, Adeladja." Prussia's voice was kind but firm. "He refused even that. Believe me, I am offended. On your behalf, of course, but this is also an insult to me. This is why I have to keep you away from him tonight, to spare your feelings and keep our whole agreement from turning into a challenge and a duel. All these verdammt meetings and nonsense over the past week would come to nothing, if I had to defend your and my honor."

You care nothing about my honor, Adeladja thought, but her voice jumped in. Of course, he doesn't, it soothed, but you need to play along. And you will talk to Russia about your brother tonight. You have hoped for that longer than this interview with Austria. Adeladja nodded, blotted her eyes and regained control of her breathing. Prussia gently tipped her face up to meet his. His eyes were a soft red-violet. "Meine arme Mädchen," he cooed.3 "Let's take a little stroll around the hallway so your eyes don't look so puffy when we go to dinner, ja?" She let him lead her around the hallway until they had walked the entire perimeter of the Stadtschlosse. By the time they turned back to their starting point, she felt better, more angry than hurt. Most likely, she thought as they entered the great reception room, he wasn't telling the truth about Austria. But the only way she could be sure would be to read Austria's actions towards her, that is if she could get away from Prussia's gaze. That would have to wait, though, she decided. She wouldn't do anything with Austria until she had had her talk with Russia. She didn't want to lose that by risking any interaction with Austria.

Prussia kept her by his side during the reception. Adeladja noted that he maneuvered mostly around the other German personifications, while the Empire talked with Austria and Russia. A couple of times, she swore that Austria looked her way. His earnest, inquiring gaze didn't seem like the look of a nation who found her scandalous or contemptible. She darted a glance at Prussia as he cackled and teased Bavaria; of course he'd lie, she thought. Anything to keep her away from the one member of the Partition who seemed to have any sense of kindness or honor towards her and her siblings. Now if only she could get a moment alone with Austria. Maybe after the dinner, after the interview with Russia, there would be a call for music. She didn't have her harp, but she could sing, and maybe, just maybe, Austria would like her to accompany him for a song or two. They could look as if they were reviewing sheet music and discussing selections, but then he could answer her questions about Elena and her letters. Then she could find out the truth…

Prussia interrupted her reverie by introducing her to the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a fat, whiskered entity who proved to be as dull and heavy as the mud Adeladja had toiled in almost a year ago. The Grand Duchy escorted her into the dining room, where they sat at the lower half of the table, far from Prussia and the three empires. She kept silent, listening the Mecklenburg-Schwerin discuss the upcoming fall hunts and Oktoberfests with Westphalia and the Rhineland. Occasionally, Adeladja would look to the head of the table and study the empires and more important German states. Prussia talked loudly of course, often interrupting the German Empire, who would flush, either with embarrassment or maybe even anger. Austria would look down his nose and through his spectacles at Prussia, and then gracefully turn the conversation back to Ludwig. A buxom blonde with a sweet face and large blue eyes sat next to Russia, smiling nervously. Adeladja wondered if this was Ukraine, the wife her brother had treated so carelessly. And there was Russia, a tall, solid-looking ash-blond, surveying the others with his wide violet eyes and a constant smile. Ivan Braginsky looked more like an overgrown child in an Imperial Russian uniform, delighted to be allowed to sit with adults, than the cruel, unpredictable nation he was rumored to be.

It was time for the female personifications to withdraw. Adeladja followed the others to the sitting room where card tables and a splendid tea and coffee service were laid out. She sat next to Hannover and the Rhineland, a short curvy blonde given to giggling. Hannover was shuffling some cards and she smiled at Adeladja. "Fraulein Danzig, it is so good to see you again. Do you know Fraulein Rhineland?"

"Please call me Charlotte," Rhineland smiled. "Do you know Skat, Fraulein? I hope so, because we need a third player for it. Please say you do, or else we would be compelled to ask her." She dropped her voice and nodded in the direction of Alsace, who was studying a book of prints on a table near them.

"You needn't worry about asking me, Mademoiselle," Alsace replied haughtily. She carefully closed the book and gathered her skirts as she passed Adeladja. "I do not know the game nor do I care to learn. Also," the brunette glared venomously at Adeladja, "I have certain standards about the company I keep."

Hannover glared at her and Rhineland drew herself up. "That's a very ugly thing to say, considering your situation, Fraulein. What makes you think you can put on such airs?" The small personification's décolletage heaved with indignation.

"It is very easy." The brunette state looked down her aquiline nose. "It may appear that Danzig and I are in similar situations, but we have different ways of handling it, just like dogs and cats may react differently to their states of captivity. A dog, like one of those yappy furballs from Pommern, may fawn on its master in hopes of escaping a beating. A cat, on the other hand, will avoid such an indignity at all costs, even if it means jumping out a window. And cats, as we all know," she smiled maliciously at Adeladja, "land on their feet, never on their backs, non?"

Adeladja gasped and glared back at Alsace. She had never done anything to anger or insult the French territory; if anything, she had tried to make conversation with her out of sympathy for their similar situations. How dare she boldly insult her? The Rhineland was about to jump up, but Hannover pushed her down and rose instead. The tall German province towered over the petite French state.

"Fraulein Danzig is our guest, Fraulein Alsace, and this is no place to put on such malicious airs," Monika said crisply. "If our company offends you, you may go to any other part of the room and try your luck with the other groups of ladies." She raised her voice. The chatter among the other women ceased. "Just because your own attempts at charming Herr Deutschland have failed, that does not mean you may take out your envy at others' success on them."

Silence. Adeladja wished she could crawl under her chair and disappear. A few personifications tittered, but she didn't know if it was at Alsace's or her expense. She felt Rhineland squeeze her hand, so she lifted her chin, gazing past the steel-eyed, fuming French personification.

Alsace finally smiled joylessly. She tugged at her evening gloves and sauntered past Hannover. "Someday, Mademoiselle, mon frère will take me away from this cold, crude place," she said. "Francis may have been defeated, but he is still strong and independent. He will reclaim me and I shall be happy again, regaling him with droll stories of you Teutonic barbarians. How we shall laugh!" She cast one final glance at Adeladja as she strolled over to another side table with books. "A pity some can't say the same."

Rhineland leaned over to Adeladja as Hannover sat down and began to deal the cards. "Don't listen to her," she whispered. "She puts on such airs, when she shouldn't even be here! She's a territory, not even a province. She acts like she is too good for any of us, but you should see all the French tricks she tries to get Ludi—I mean the Empire's attention. Adjusting her skirt and petticoats so he can see her ankles, singing those ridiculous French songs. It's pathetic, really. But you've always been one of us; Herr Preußen has just finally brought you back to your rightful home!" She smiled and studied her cards, oblivious to Adeladja's shock at her last words.

So it's true, she thought as she barely looked at the hand Hannover had dealt her. Poland had warned her that the German personifications would try to convince her she was really German, but Prussia's jibes at her Polishness had made her think Feliks was just exaggerating. If the others thought like Rhineland did, then they assumed she was one of them, and her time with her brother had been one long extended kidnapping. But it's not true, she insisted to herself; Feliks and Elena were her kin. They spoke the same language, ate the same food, shared the same history and mortals. The Germans were the outsiders, sometimes partners, sometimes enemies. She only knew their language and ways so well because they had interacted so much over the centuries. I'm not German, she thought, her chest tightening. I am Polish, a Royal Polish city, as important and beloved to Feliks as Elena!

"Damen!" A familiar male voice silenced the women's conversations. Prussia swaggered into the room and towards the card table. "I hate to interrupt your important business, but I must whisk Fraulein Danzig away for a bit. We men need her entertaining company." He winked as Alsace looked smug and other personifications looked uncomfortable. Adeladja picked up her fan and rose to take his arm. How she longed to slap him for such an insinuation! But she was too anxious and hopeful to risk offending him.

Prussia led her to a small parlor a few doors down from the ladies' sitting room. To her relief, Russia sat alone in an armchair, hands resting upon the pommel of his ceremonial sword. He beamed at her as she curtseyed and sat down next to Prussia on a sofa across from him.

"You are right, Prussiya. She is very pretty, like the little French fashion dolls my princesses get to see the new fashions." Adeladja was surprised to hear such a high voice coming from such a powerful, manly personification. Russia nodded approvingly. "Da, a little doll. But even prettier than the French, da?"

"Ivan Braginsky, this is Adeladja Łukasiewicz, city of Danzig, capital of my province of Westpreußen.4 I promised her that she could ask you about your brother, and so you have agreed." Prussia leaned back and lit a cigar. He offered one to Russia, who shook his head. Prussia turned to Adeladja, whose heart was beating and mind was overflowing with all the questions she had about her brother. "Make good use of this opportunity, Fraulein."

"Mam zaszczyt cię poznać, Pan Rosji."5Adeladja had thought Russia would have preferred speaking in a language similar to his own, but his pale amethyst eyes grew cold even as the smile stayed.

"That language is illegal here, Fraulein, just as it is in my country." The Russian's voice was as cold as his eyes. "As you can tell, I can speak German perfectly well, and we will speak it in honor of our host."

"Of course, Herr Russland, of course." Adeladja blushed at her mistake. She grew silent. So many questions. What would Prussia allow? Would Russia tell her the truth? Her mind froze. Russia's eyes thawed and he nodded encouragingly at her. "So you want to know about your brother?" He prompted.

"Ja. How is Feliks's health? Where is he most of the time? What does he do? Is he eating well? Is he warm? Has he received my letters?" The questions tumbled out of her mouth and she had to hold her fan against her lips to keep from asking more.

"You do have a lot of questions, Fraulein." Russia sounded amused. "Where do I start? Let us say that your brother is in my household. He is in charge of my horses and their tack. He is as well-housed, clothed, and fed as any member of my staff. I allow him short visits to Warsaw, to keep his health up, until I am directed to do otherwise." Russia and Prussia exchanged knowing glances, and Adeladja's mouth grew dry. She knew that at any time, these two, along with Austria, could receive unanimous instructions to destroy her brother for good. Please, she prayed, let Hungary always have the power to convince Austria not to agree to that!

"Is he well?" She repeated. She remembered the last few times she had seen Feliks, and how frail and exhausted he had looked.

Russia nodded, same smile in place. "He has enough energy to do his work well and to complain. A true Pole, da?" Prussia snickered. Russia's smile grew broader. "Don't worry, little doll," he said soothingly. "Your brother is safe, for now. He has been punished for his past naughtiness and he knows to behave better. As long as he does his work and follows my rules, he will be fine."

"Does he have friends? Does he see Lithuania, Ukraine?" Adeladja wondered if Poland at least had some companionship to keep him from feeling further depressed about his lost status as a nation.

Ivan raised a pale eyebrow. "The last time I allowed him to associate with Lithuania, he led Toris into some bad behavior. And as for my sister," his eyes grew cold again. "He will only associate with her if she wants it. For now, she is quite content taking care of her own household and visiting mine."

"Of course, Herr Russland. I just hoped that he would not feel lonely."

Russia shrugged and his eyes lit up mischeviously. "How can a Pole feel lonely as long as he has fine horses to care for?" He turned to Prussia. "I think they know more Polish songs and stories than even little doll here!" Prussia cackled in approval.

Adeladja bit her lip to hide her contempt at Prussia. She was getting a picture of her brother's existence now; he was a glorified stable boy, isolated from other personifications whom he had once been close to. She didn't know much about the standards of Russia's household, but she imagined a stablehand got plainer, cheaper food and clothing than a valet. At least he got to visit Warsaw to keep from fading away like she almost did.

"One more question, Herr Russland, if you please." Russia perked up at her words. "I have written several letters to my brother over the course of a year, but I have received very few from him." Russia's eyes grew searching and she noted the constant smile had lessened. She was on dangerous territory; she had to walk carefully, or she would plunge herself into a chilling situation that might cause both her and Feliks great pain and further isolation. "Do you have any idea about why this is so?"

Russia pursed his lips and looked down to study his hands. Adeladja noted his downcast eyes glancing a couple of times at Prussia, who made a great show of sprawling his legs and exhaling cigar smoke. Ivan finally looked up at her, smile in place.

"Fraulein, letters are dangerous things," he purred. "My mortals are very diligent in reviewing them. Past events have made them especially suspicious of letters from certain groups. Your brother does receive your letters, even if they are not in the form in which you wrote them. And if he has the time, energy, and pressing need to write, I will permit if the circumstances are right. But," he smiled sweetly, "all these things don't come together at the same time very frequently, da? So one must be patient, Fraulein, as well as not greedy." His face softened slightly. "Believe me, Fraulein, if something happens that means you must hear from your brother, I will permit him to write."

Russia exhaled and then stood up. Prussia jumped to his feet, pulling Adeladja up by her arm. "I believe I have answered all your questions," Russia announced. "Rest assured, your brother is alive and in a good situation. It can stay that way as long as he and his mortals know their place." He bowed to her and began to move towards the door. "Now I will join the others." His eyes sparkled. "I believe they are all at the stage where they think they can beat me in a drinking contest. Silly fellows, da?" He chuckled and left the room.

Adeladja curtseyed to his back. When she rose, she looked at Prussia. His typical social smirk gave nothing away. "Vielen Dank for granting me this interview with Russia," she murmured. Prussia shrugged as if it were of no importance.

"I just hope this quiets you for a while, Adeladja. Now you know that Ivan is not beating your brother. Unless he deserves it, kesesese." Prussia took a drag from his cigar and rubbed it out in a porcelain ashtray. "Now, time for you to sleep off all the excitement of the evening."

Adeladja stared at him. "But I was about to play Skat with Hannover and the Rhineland," she protested. "It would seem very strange of me to disappear without formally taking my leave!"

Prussia shrugged, his grip tightening on her arm as he steered her down the hallway, away from the sitting room where the female personifications gossiped and played. "I'll make your excuses for you," he said. "It's not as if they can't find a third player in a room full of idle females."

"But what about when the ladies rejoin you?" Adeladja grew frantic; she could see her chance to risk a conversation with Austria slipping out of her grasp. She couldn't even go back to ask Hannover or the Rhineland to speak to him on her behalf. "I long to hear some music, have a dance or two!"

"Pfft. A concert means we'll be a captive audience for that conceited show-off Austria. Imagine going up to compliment him and having him cut you! I've protected you all night and I'm not going to have him cast you into tears."

Such a lie, Adeladja fumed. "I think I can handle a cold shoulder from Austria after the vile insults I suffered from Alsace this evening," she snapped. To her surprise, Prussia perked up and looked shocked.

"Wat? Did that Französisch Hexe say something rude to you?"6 He demanded. Adeladja retold him what the French personification said. His eyes narrowed and his mouth tightened.

"I'll talk to her after I take you to your room," he muttered. His cheeks grew pink. "How dare she speak that way to you. She gives herself too many airs and needs to be humbled."

Adeladja saw an opening and raced to it. "I am honored that you would defend me," she replied. "If anything, I would like to see you rebuke her for her rudeness, preferably in public. It would only be fair, considering she had an audience for her insults." She widened her eyes and rested her hand on his arm as if she had just gotten a good idea. "In fact, you could do it in front of the males and females. That would show anyone who would think of insulting us that it will not be tolerated!" She looked significantly at him. She hoped that the diversion would give her a chance to sneak over to Austria, Saxony or Hannover with her request.

They had reached the door to her suite of rooms. Prussia brushed off her arm and turned to face her. "I don't think the Empire would allow that, Adeladja," he announced coldly. "He has not decided yet on which of us can claim her, so she is his responsibility. I can let him know how she has spoken to you and he will decide what to do." Adeladja felt her last hope at seeing Austria wither and fall away. "All you need to do is trust me and get ready for bed. . Besides, at the rate we're drinking," Prussia smirked, "I don't think you ladies want to join us!"

He opened the door and the maids idling in chairs jumped up to curtsey towards them. "No straitjacket tonight," he instructed them. He turned to Adeladja. "Rest up, Liebling. I'll be back later tonight." He winked at her and left.

As the maids undressed her and let down her hair, Adeladja's shoulders sunk. Suddenly, she felt tired. He knows exactly what he's doing, she thought wearily. All that talk of protecting her from Austria was a trick. How cleverly he managed things to keep her away from him all night! She doubted he would talk to the Empire about Alsace's insults; if anything, he would probably retell the story to the other male personifications as an amusing example of female viciousness. Nie, she thought as her maids dressed her in a frothy negligee, she could not count on him to protect her; only his interests mattered to him.

He kept his word about Russia, the voice returned to tell her. Ha, as if Russia would or even could tell her the truth about Feliks while in the same room as Prussia, she retorted. You know that Feliks is alive and doing work he enjoys, the voice replied. It could be worse. He could be in Siberia with no food but frozen grass and dressed only in a summer suit. He probably is, Adeladja thought glumly. Why would Russia tell her the truth? Why wouldn't he?

She recalled the Russian Empire's appearance. He was hard to read, sitting still with the same smile plastered on his handsome face. But she had seen sparks of coldness and then kindness in his eyes as he spoke. Maybe he had been telling some version of the truth, she conceded. Maybe Feliks was caring for his horses and being adequately fed and clothed. It made sense that her letters would be censored in Russia, and that Feliks would only rarely be allowed to reply. She admitted that she would be more inclined to believe him than Prussia.

Prussia would come to her tonight and expect payment for his favor to her. She didn't think she could stand being so close to him and pretending to enjoy it. Why not? The voice asked. He lies to you, you lie to him. At least your lies keep you in comfort and his good favor, while your true feelings and thoughts would get you sent back to Mecklenburg. Adeladja shuddered. Even if she could get accustomed to working in the marshy fields, being away from Danzig would destroy her. She thought of Prussia's offer to take her back to her city for a visit and she felt a longing seize her throat. She wanted to go back, even if it was only for a week and with him. It would give her strength and comfort. Well then, you know what to do. Remember what I told you earlier, about taking control? She nodded imperceptibly and in time to the brush's gentle pull through her hair.

It's good to be back and don't worry; we'll soon see how Adeladja is going to manage Prussia's return!

1 German: little sparrow. Common endearment

2 Prussia abolished torture in 1754; Austria abolished torture in 1776.

3 German: my poor girl

4 German: West Prussia

5 Polish: I am honored to meet you, Mister Russia.

6 German: French witch