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"Does it hurt much?" Katyusha had gently gripped her brother's wrist and was bandaging his injured arm. After the fight they had taken shelter in an abandoned house not so far away from the former town walls.

Katyusha was glad she had come just in the right moment to prevent any more unnecessary bloodshed and yet bring victory to her side. It had been her first time holding a gun and she had been sure she wouldn't be able to actually shoot. Now the weapon rested on a wooden chair in the corner of the room and Katyusha did her best to ignore its presence.

"Not in the least. It is just a tiny little scratch." Ivan was too proud to say something else but when Katyusha patted his arm softly he cringed nevertheless. For a moment Katyusha wanted to stroke his head like she did when they were younger but then she changed her mind and her already raised hand touched her now short hair instead.

It was unusual not feeling the weight of her hair anymore but it had been necessary. Not only because the long hair would impede her fighting, she also cut it to make a point. In this world it was almost unimaginable for a woman to represent an independent country and yet she longed for that to happen.

"God, I hate Lithuania," Ivan hissed. "Who does he think he is? And why did you allow them to escape?!" Katyusha tried a reassuring smile. "We're not needing to kill them, right? And the most important thing is that we got Smolensk."

Her words achieved what she had wanted, the angry glow in her brother's eyes disappeared. "You are right about that, my dear. It truly is worth celebrating. But we do not have time to rest now!"

He stood up from his chair and started walking up and down the room. "You know what bothers me the most, Katyusha? These two are still so powerful as if they would simply ignore that a new era has begun. Though yes, a new era has come!

You know me, Katyusha. You know how I always dreamt of being powerful. And I really did enough for that, did I not? All these years of cold and loneliness while the others dared to underestimate me. How much fun they must have had...hurting a child who cannot fight back. I have endured everything which means I deserve to become powerful now, right? And I will certainly not come to rest until they all appreciate my power!"

Katyusha shuddered instinctively. "Please be careful," she said, not sure if she was worried about him or about the others.

Ivan gave her a patronising smile. "There is no need for you to fear, dear sister. I know what I am doing. You will return to Saint Petersburg where it is safe and wait there for me."

"I am no help for you when I stay in the capital," Katyusha replied with a frown. In the last battle she clearly showed that she could be of use and yet he wanted to send her away. "Now tell me, where do you want to go to?"

"I will bring little Natasha home," Ivan explained without even looking at her anymore. "I cannot stand the thought any longer that Poland and Lithuania can come to her and...do things to her whenever they want.

You will do what I say and wait in the capital for me. And get a cover for your hair."

With that he left the room.

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"Amazing! You look even worse than I had expected!" Gilbert who once again decided to pay them a visit obviously enjoyed himself.

Feliks ignored him with a suffering expression. Toris knew that was a bad sign. They had come home two days ago and Feliks had barely said a word yet. He stayed in bed the entire day, refused to get up, barely ate anything and didn't even want to see his precious horses. It was a beautiful summer day today but Feliks seemed to be not interested in the sunshine at all.

Although his wound hadn't been able to kill him, it had hurt him a lot, both his body and his pride. And Gilbert's mocking words sure were no help. For some reason Toris felt he had to defend his partner.

"It would have been different if we had expected Russia to be there. The next time we won't be defeated."

Gilbert smiled as if he would know something they didn't know but Toris decided to turn his attention to Feliks who hadn't said a single word yet. But the way he bit his lip and avoided Toris' eye made the dark haired man worry.

Ever since he knew Feliks the other had been cheerful, maybe a bit too carefree and he constantly made fun of Toris' worries. When he was silent like this and having a dark expression like this, something was wrong. And Toris was afraid that Feliks would do something stupid to restore his honour. This war was at fault.

"I wonder when the next time will be?" Gilbert asked now. He had folded his arms behind his head, his eyes half-closed and looked completely innocent.

The subtle way he tried to make them fight angered Toris. "I don't see why that would be of interest for you," he said coldly. "I don't like how you talk about fighting all the time and do nothing yourself. You have no right to blame us for anything when you're too much of a coward to fight yourself!"

Gilbert widened his eyes. "But I would fight! I would love to use my sword again." "But you said...," Toris started but Gilbert interrupted him. "I would fight if I would gain anything from it. If I would get my independence back for example."

For the first time Feliks opened his mouth. "Forget it."

Gilbert crossed his arms. "It was worth a try." He tried to hide it with a smile but Toris could see the envy and bitterness in his eyes.

Toris knew two things. First, he had to do something and second, Feliks had to stay here where he was safe until his wound did heal completely.

It was a stupid thought, an arrogant one as well but Toris was sure it was the only thing he could do. The next time he would go alone and he would do it as quick as possible. Maybe he had a chance against Russia when he had the surprise effect on his side. But therefor he would need help.

Maybe Natalia would be the right one to visit for that.

This chapter was a bit short and I admit not much has happened but I still hope you liked it.

Please tell me what you thought about it.