October 1912- a few days later
It is nighttime. Serbia enters her office in her male military uniform. Her hair is even shorter, because she wanted to set an example for the soldiers who refused to cut their long beards and hair. She is not too happy with this decision but it had to be done. Shaving it off while in the army was more hygienic and helped eradicate pest such as lice. One of a few useful lessons she learned from Austria.
She puts down her gun, content. The battle the Serbian army had won a few days ago was an excellent sign. It cost a lot of lives but Serbia kept telling herself that all that sacrifice will be worth it once the war is over. She sits down in her comfy leather chair and searches a drawer for something when startled by a noise. Wide-eyed and alert, she grabs her gun and shouts: "Whose there?!"
Someone in the dark moves. Serbia puts her finger on the trigger and aims at that spot. "Oh thank God, it's you" a familiar voice spoke which made her immediately lower her gun.
"You scared me. What are you doing here?" Serbia says turning on the switch.
"Waiting for you of course. It took you ages to return" SAH says temporarily being blinded by the sudden light. "I needed to see you right away."
"Well, I am busy with a war and all. Came back just to get some supplies and take a quick nap. Do Austria and Hungary know you're here?" Serbia continues.
"No. I snuck out" her copy replies to which she frowns. "Listen, I think it's time we had a serious talk" SAH says determined.
Next scene: The two of them sit serious. "So that's where things are headed?" Serbia says worried, looking at her clenched hands.
"Yes" SAH replies equally concerned. We see her face as the frame switches into a flashback of her lock-picking her way into the AH library.
"He along with Hungary and his two brothers worked the entire day on the plans" we hear her narrate while watching her search the library. She finally finds a map in a secret compartment of a locked cabinet.
"So there is no doubt about what you saw?" we hear her interlocutor.
"That's right" SAH replies as we see her reveal the map of the region with offensive tactical formations drawn out all around the borders of the Kingdom of Serbia.
The flashback ends. We see SAH stand up. "We need to make a plan and show that stuck-up pansy he can't treat us this way. We need to take him by surprise."
"Wait, no! Calm down" Serbia tries to make her sit. "He may have made those plans just in case" she says not even convincing herself.
"No! I can't stand this any longer. Scrubbing, cleaning and the endless chores while he sits around thinking off more creative ways to humiliate us. He doesn't even try and hide it any more!" she cries out.
"Oh come on. It isn't that bad" Serbia says calmly patting her arm to sit. She jerks it away "Yes, it is! I have to follow stupid rules none of which I chose, my people are looked down on with no right to be promoted past a certain point and there were a few very suspicious hangings of so-called 'traitors', that is, anyone who thinks differently."
"Alright, but are people's heads being put on stakes?" Serbia cautiously replies.
"Not everything has to be measured with heads being put on stakes!" her copy yells. "There are different kinds of tortures. Ones that can leave you mentally and emotionally scared. Ones that make you believe that you deserve all the injustices happening to you."
Serbia takes a deep breath. "I understand. You have a complete right to be angry. I would probably lose my mind if I had to stay in that place each and every day. But please don't be hot-headed. Trust me, I just finished counting my dead. You will gain nothing with a war."
SAH moves away inhaling through her nose. "Fine, be a coward. I will respect your wishes. But be assured, many of our people all over the region feel the same as I do. Some meet secretly and discuss plans, even form secret societies. You can't control all of them" she says and walks out furious.
All alone, Serbia sighs and bows her head.
Next scene: Back at the palace that very same night. SAH quietly gets through the window. She tiptoes through the hallway.
"Where were you?" a female voice is heard from the dark. SAH stops startled.
Emerging towards the window, Hungary steps out in her silk nightgown illuminated by the moonlight.
SAH staggers slightly slurring her words: "Oh, I was just out celebrating Serbia's victory. Why? Am I that late?"
Hungary smirks: " So what did Serbia say? Should we expect her soldiers marching on us any time soon?"
SAH looks at her completely confused.
"My dear husband really should learn to be more careful when talking about his plans. It's hard to keep a secret in this place" she calmly continues. SAH is still quiet.
"So what happened? Serbia said no? Typical. He did that to me too" Hungary continues.
"I...I don't...I would never" SAH starts.
"Oh relax. I'm not going to say anything. It's obvious that nothing will come of this" her interlocutor continues.
"I...I see. Thank you your kingdom. It will never happen again" SAH does a curtsy.
"Of course not" Hungary adds sarcastically "Now go before someone sees you."
SAH turns and stops. "Don't be angry at Serbia. He just wants stability. And besides, you came out of it better than expected. Who knows what would have happened if your rebellion continued."
Hungary smiles but her eyes water. "Better than expectorated... Yes, I do make it seem that way. Nothing to it really. Just smile, look pretty, talk pretty and everyone will think that your life is a fairy tale." SAH looks at her as she struggles to keep her composure.
"What are you looking at? Didn't I tell you to go!" Hungary says angry to which the girl bows and quickly goes to her room.
Hungary sighs and returns to her bedroom.