"My Dearest Friend"

Part 1: The letter

[Dear Russian Empire

It was brought to my attention that my earlier letter got lost on the way to you. I sent another personaliy in the hope it will reach you in time. The Versaille Ball is this Saturday, May 1. I would love it if you showed up! Of course, other rulers and even ladies and Lordes are invited. There will be food, desserts, and drinks for you to enjoy. Partners and kids over 13 are also allowed to join. The ball will have its traditional feel with the dancing optional, but I recommend joining. Don't forget your fancy suit and ball mask! I hope you get the letter this time. X France]

[Confused] "First of May? That in two days! It takes about a full day and a half to get there!

"That's what it says, Sir" Geneva stated, a loyal server.

"Can you fix a train in time for tomorrow morning?" I asked

"I will go look that up" She said, starting to walk away

On such short notice, I would normally not go. But the Versaille Ball is quite important, getting to see all your friends and familiar people. RSFSR hit 13 years old some month ago, and I surely don't want to leave him with poor Geneva. I decided to ask him to join. I walk to his room and knock at the door.

*knock knock*

"Can I come in?" I asked

[Bitter tone] "Sure, what do you want?"

"The Versaille ball is in two days, I got the letter today. You are allowed to join, I would prefer that. Geneva needs a break." I told him calmly.

"In two days, when are we going then?" he answered.

"Tomorrow morning I think, Geneva was going to see if it is possible" I said, and added "You should go to bed now, it's late"

The annoyed face he made was my cue to leave, leaving the door slightly open. I don't like it when his door is closed, I don't know what he is doing. I heard footsteps going up the stairs. It was Geneva.

[A bit out of breath] " They managed to get a train for tomorrow, it's leaving at 9 in the morning"

[With a smile] "Great! Rsfsr is joining, so you and the others can relax for a bit, I will give you a call if anything happens"

"Thank you, Sir"

Knowing I have to get up early to get ready is not the best feeling. But the Ball was one of the best, being a big one. I have to get up to bathe and shave, I have started growing stubs of hair again. And what would I wear? I have to find my mask. I checked my closet, it was lying on one of the shelves, a dark blue mask with gold detailing and a little white and black feather on the right side. Making me have to wear a blue suit. I decided on a white button-up, a dark blue vest and black trousers. I took my black shoes and polished them, making them look like new. I put it all on one of the chairs there and grabbed my and Rsfsr's suitcase, and started laying some extra clothes in them. I remember that Rsfsr also needed a mask, I grabbed one of my old ones a whole black with gold details along with black trousers and a black vest on the chair next to mine. I got done packing and put the suitcases down by the entrance. I got ready for bed.

**The next day around 7.30 in the morning**

[In a strong voice] "Sir, you need to get up. The train leaves in one and a half hours."

[Morning voice] "Yeah, thanks Geneva can you wake Rsfsr too?"

"Of course" she answered while she opened the curtains and left the room. Getting hit by the morning light was both amazing and terrible. I got up and opened the window, filling the room with fresh Air. I went to my bathroom and started filling the bathtub with water. While waiting for that, I started shaving my face. Being extra careful of not getting cut by the blade. After I had bathed, I put on my clothes and grabbed Rsfsr's and started going to his room. I opened his door.

[Angry] "Ever heard of knocking?" He shouted while lying in bed.

"I'm sorry, I just came in to leave you clothes" I explained leaving them on his bed end. "You have to get up. We are leaving in an hour"

"Mhm, what's with the mask?" He asked

"It's a must at the ball" I answered.

[Anoyed] "Okay, can you get out now"

I walked out and headed to the kitchen to see if anyone had started making breakfast. Lorraine the chef was standing in there. The smell of new bread filled the room.

"What are you making?"

"Oh just some cornmeal mush and some bread" she said while showing the pot of cornmeal.

"Is it done soon?" I asked

"Yeah in about 5 minutes" she continued to stir in the pot.

I walked to the end of the stairs.
[Souting] "Breakfast in 4 minutes, remember to brush your hair"

I hoped Rsfsr heard, he had a tendency to ignore me if I wasn't in the same room. I went to the porch, it was a sunny day and wasting it by sitting inside was not my taste. I took out a cigarette and took the lighter off the table, and lit it. Taking a blos. A minute or two later, I heard Lorrine's voice shouting. He could ignore me all he wanted, but being rude to Lorraine and Geneva he couldn't bare. They wore like his mothers, they were the only female figures in his life. I get not knowing your mother is heartbreaking. But why does he act so nonchalant to his father? I guess he is just becoming a teenager.

Lorraine came out with my food, Rsfsr sat inside. After I had eaten I looked at the clock about 15 minutes left. I walked to the entrance and put on my long black coat. Rsfsr got the signal and started getting his coat on. I picked up both the suitcases.

[While taking the suitcase] "I can carry it on my own"

I let him take it. We went out the door and started walking to the train station. it was located quite near home, it only took 7 minutes to walk there. While walking it mostly stayed quiet, I said something that happened at the ball and how he should behave. I only got a muttered "I know" as an answer. we arrived at the station and the train was already there and we boarded. I sat in my usual seat. Rsfsr in a seat near. We shortly started rolling towards Versaille.