Liberi Reader

Only candles lighting the corridors. Is the palace cutting back power usage too?

His Imperial Majesty wishes to share the conserved energy with the people.

Rest assured, this is simply a pragmatic measure of frugality. Life in the palace has not been affected, nor has this year's Winter Ball.

Here we are. May I take your coat, Miss Rostova?

That's very kind of you.

It is my duty.

So bright...

I will take my leave, then.

One moment. I have some questions—

—Natashenka?

Oh...?

Countess Vorontsova?

Gosudar-batyushka... it's really you, poor girl!

Natashenka... oh, I'm so glad to see you... alive and well...

It broke my heart to hear what happened in Chernobog. Why would fate be so cruel to such a kind family?

Thank you for your sympathy. We lost some property, but it's nothing compared to the safety of the family... and anyway, it's all in the past.

Yes, yes, let us leave all the painful memories in the past... you have no idea how glad I was to read your letter that you were coming to Deity Grypherburg.

I wish you could enjoy a peaceful time here, but the capital is hardly a peaceful place these days.

Malcontents and ingrates everywhere—as though the troubles stirred by those insolent military brutes were not enough, now unruly commoners want to turn Deity Grypherburg upside-down.

......

Oh, look at me, this is no way to talk to the daughter of an old friend that I haven't seen in years. You've only just gotten back, of course you have no idea! I'm afraid I'm always on edge these days, I hardly get any sleep at night.

Not at all. I'm glad you're sharing the news with me.

You're a good girl, but this is not a good time to talk of such things.

Is your mother well, Natashenka? What about your father, Andrey?

If he's in the capital without saying a word, sending you alone to the Winter Ball...

I suppose I've been a poor friend, and allowed our families to drift apart.

Countess, that's not it at all. Father asked me to send you his regards if I saw you, and to beg your pardon for falling out of touch.

And of course, I do not need to tell you that you are Mother's best friend, but the House of Rostov is focusing our full attention on what assets we have left in the Central Governorate.

'We must not lose any more prestige,' and I regret to say... they are fully occupied, for the time being.

I understand, but you should say, 'Therefore, I am here.'

Look at you, a proper young lady all grown up. You are a perfect representative of the House of Rostov!

I must say, you show better manners and dignity than many native Grypherburgers... I'm sure the Rostov name will be known throughout the capital before long.

No... I still have much to learn.

Speaking of which, I would very much like to ask about the present situation...

Have patience, young Natashenka. I understand your unease, but this is not something that can be explained in a few words.

Learn to observe with your own eyes. There is no better opportunity than this. What you should do now, is go enjoy the Winter Ball.

Until His Majesty arrives, set aside all the troubling questions, all the answers you eagerly seek, and all the wild theories about what the future holds. Enjoy the present.

Dance, laugh, do as youth ought to.

And if a young officer catches your eye, I will stake my reputation to be your matchmaker, for the sake of your mother, even if it's stubborn old Bolkonsky's—

Enjoy the peace of His Majesty's protection. It is a privilege for those of us who live here in the capital, those of us who are loyal.

You must learn this in order to fully integrate yourself, Natashenka.

...The miners are still hungry. Even in Grypherburg, the residents of Odoyev Raion can no longer afford heating, while Katorga Raion has seen power and heat cut completely upon work stoppage.

But for them, the show must go on.

I don't understand... didn't that person say His Majesty is reducing the palace's electricity use? What happened to the energy conserved? Why—

This is all such nonsense. Dealing with big shots is such a hassle.

Is Rosa gonna be okay in there?

Natalya spoke to us a few days before the Student Assembly general meeting about going into the ball as the scion of House Rostov to gather information.

Certain things are known only to the aristocracy, after all. And more information never hurts, regardless of where it comes from.

Sonya believes she can do it, and I have no reason to object. The contents of these conversations are as expected. Things seem to be going smoothly so far, and the audio feed is clear.

We have to thank that student they call Botani for this. Her equipment has worked out even better than I hoped.

All we need to do is to cooperate with the protestors and follow the plan.

Zima's waving at us! We should go to her.

I think she's talked things over with the others. We'll pack up and head over.

Leto, are you staying here or...?

Shh, gimme a sec.

Something's happening.

I thought this year's Winter Ball would be cancelled...

Those insolent traitors are attempting to coerce His Imperial Majesty by force of arms. But I'm not sure how the tsar intends to deal with them...

All the more important that we hold our heads high and continue doing what we must. His Imperial Majesty has both courage and vision.

This is the strongest possible response. It proves that there is nothing to be feared from the chaos, that we will not be beaten by traitors who have already failed once.

As for those who do not see clearly, and choose to stand with the traitors... we will place flowers on their graves, this time next year.

......

Look out!

—I'm sorry—

You have ruined not only the young lady's dress, but also a cup of fine wine... sudar'.

I'm so sorry! Please forgive the offense, Duchess Volkina—

You did not offend me, but you should apologize to the young lady whose dress you have soiled.

Erm, I apologize, baryshnya...

It's alright.

Who let this buffoon in?

He could hardly be a nameless commoner if the servants let him in. What is your name?

Ah! Please call me Pavlovich, a humble deputy of the Duma. I was recently appointed magistrate by His Imperial Majesty, serving as special representative for recent matters in Katorga Raion—

A representative of Katorga Raion? Ah, I remember now.

You know me? I'm honored!

Of course, of course. I heard the State Council was having difficulty finding someone to deal with the Katorga problem. I'm sure you must be a remarkable talent, if the responsibility has fallen upon your shoulders.

I would have sent someone to congratulate you, if I was not busy arranging winter supplies for the Second Army.

You flatter me, Your Grace... I have been serving in Katorga for two months now.

In fact, I do not know why I was given such an important responsibility, but I certainly would not dream of disappointing His Imperial Majesty.

As you may know, Katorga Raion is not as worthless as people think. All this old industrial district needs is an opportunity to revitalize itself...

(Whisper) Why have I never heard of him?

Perhaps you've been spending too much time on your luxurious estate and grown out of touch with the personnel movements of the central government. At least read a few newspapers while you sit on your rocking chair in your garden.

All the news does is make one more troubled.

Of course, I am unworthy of Your Serenity's attention, Count Golitsyn—I understand that this has been an exemplary year for your winery, and you must be very busy...

Enough flattery. I believe you still owe this young lady a formal apology.

What is your name, baryshnya?

I am Natalya Rostova, Your Grace.

Rostova? I am not familiar with the name...

Neither am I.

Ah! Your father must be Count Andrey Rostov of Chernobog!

You know of my father?

Of course! His Serenity demonstrated such foresight when he pulled out from Chernobog just in time, narrowly avoiding complete ruin!

...That's all in the past now.

I see you are surprisingly... knowledgeable, Gospodin Pavlovich.

But you ought to get changed, young lady. Even the best wine was not made to be tasted by silk.

Yes, spasibo...

Duchess Volkina! I hear that you oppose the motion to decommission Katorga Raion. I am naturally of the same mind...

...The factories are still...

...Perhaps we can work together...

...Watch your words, Melnikov. Not even His Imperial Majesty has made an official statement on the events of the Far North.

You misunderstand. I am not leveling an accusation towards you or the Grand Duchess.

However, I have long expressed concerns about Breskenoy, long before Elisaveta's transgressions in the Far North, yet your camp unanimously swore to His Imperial Majesty that her loyalty should not be questioned.

You, and every single member of the old guard, have betrayed the trust of the State Council and His Imperial Majesty.

Then I look forward to your speech at the hearing. You would do well not to change a single word, that everyone might hear how you slander the foundations of our empire.

There is no need to wait until then.

I will expose your crimes to His Imperial Majesty when he attends tonight's ball!

Are you alright, Natashenka? Have you not yet found an appropriate conversation partner?

Oh dear, what happened to your dress? Did someone insult you? Give me a name, and I will teach them a lesson!

Please, Countess, there is no need to be angry. It's a mark of honor for assisting a noble lady.

You have a heart of gold, my child, but please, take care of your own safety first next time. Who knows what those sycophants might do?

I appreciate your concern, but that was the most interesting thing to happen to me tonight.

Most of what I've heard has to do with the Grand Duchess. I tried to understand and ask questions, but I lack the necessary knowledge to continue the conversation.

This is why your parents sent you to Grypherburg, my dear Natashenka.

I have seen many young ladies give their souls to cooks, tailors, and doctors, but not the great people who write laws, quell rebellions, and set taxes...

Even if they are always caring about us.

I understand, but today I'm simply the heir of a humble count with naught but a few small holdings in the Central Governorate. How might I catch a gaze that these busy lords only occasionally cast?

...I should make myself clearer, since you're my old friend's only daughter.

Politics is a part of all our lives. No one is immune, especially not those upon whom a title of nobility has conferred a heavy responsibility.

Are these responsibilities carried out by engaging in small talk in a place like this?

Natashenka...

You misunderstand the reason we talk here. These words are not necessarily announcements of measures certain to be implemented, nor do they necessarily represent our true views.

Then... why?

To fit in. To know which people to avoid, and which to befriend.

One signature may be all it takes to rebuild your parents' fortune, to keep your children out of the trenches, to allow your friends to sleep soundly on a grand estate.

Do not think you can avoid their gazes by indulging in pleasure. It will only cause those gazes to harden, and permit no question.

That is how a highly effective social scene operates, Natashenka.

...Looks like I still have much to learn.

And time is the one thing that young people have aplenty.

(Whisper) It's the Chairman—

And Vice Chairman Vasily Gorchikov! This is a rare sight. They are hardly ever seen together outside of the State Council...

The Chairman is rarely seen at the balls, but His Imperial Majesty has not yet arrived... is this a sign?

Perhaps they are trying to present a picture of calm.

It may be too late for that.

......

Those two...?

...The blonde one is Duke Vasily Gorshkov, colonel-in-chief of the Imperial Guard, and executive Vice Chairman of the State Council.

(Whisper) And the black-haired one in front of him is—

Chairman Islam Witte.

Yes... everyone in Grypherburg should recognize him.

Actually, I watched the Speech at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Tulskaya Special Technical School on the intercity net. It was an impressive speech, concise and sincere.

Ah, the intercity net... I will never understand such newfangled things.

Go before them, Natashenka. Listen to what these people talk about. This is a learning opportunity.

Yes, Countess, I will—

Count Osadchy, are you feeling unwell?

...No, no! It's them! They're downstairs!

What? Who turned off the lights—power outage?

The palace wouldn't lose power just like this! It must be the mob—

Are the duty officers of the palace so incompetent they can't even maintain an electrical switch—

...Look outside!

There's a mob right outside the window!