Inspired by "Past the Point of No Return" from Phantom of the Opera, and written to Ravel's "Valses Nobles et Sentimentales," among others. Title comes from "Past the Point of No Return." This is just a little thing, and I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue it. So... yes. Do help me decide.

Disclaimer: If I owned Hetalia, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.

I've said it multiple times and I have no qualms with saying it again: I loathe balls. However, being an empress calls for throwing a few, so here I was, feeling old and bored. My ladies flitted around me like overly-bejeweled finches as I waited for my empire to arrive.

A good half hour after the ball had technically begun, Ivan arrived. He was not alone-our half of the recently partitioned Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was at his side.

Lithuania arrived on a cold and bright morning in November. I remember, because Ivan had been pacing the floor for the past two weeks when it had been announced that a blizzard would be on its way and could interrupt countless journeys along the road to St. Petersburg. However, the country arrived in time for the ball thrown for it, and thus attended.

I watched her entrance, and she kept her eyes on me as she walked in. We observed each other for a minute, country and queen, and I made a curious discovery in that minute-she was nervous, yet unafraid.

Her hair was arranged into a pretty updo that lacked the curls of the rest of the women, though it glimmered in a way that spoke of jewels woven into it. Her gown was blue, white, and obviously new-I'd seen the new style but not her design, so it obviously wasn't borrowed from some other lady. At her neck was a teardrop shaped ruby on a gold chain. Neither she nor Ivan was announced, as per usual, as neither had official titles, but her mere presence caused the room to burst into chatter that could be heard over the music.

I admit to rolling my eyes.

The sea of people parted as Ivan and the girl made their way over to me. Ivan bowed deeply, and to my surprise, Lithuania curtsied deeply as well. As she bowed her head, I noticed rubies woven into her hair. When she rose, I noticed her hand reach up to touch them in reassurance. She seemed quite ill at ease in her finery.

"Empress Catherine," Ivan said for my ears only with a small smile, eyes curiously bright. His purple eyes continuously twitched over to the conquered country at his side. "Your Imperial Highness, may I present to you the country of Lithuania?"

Said country stood ramrod straight, dipping into a small curtsey that barely rustled her skirt. She met my eyes and I noted they were green like the fields of hers that Ivan spoke of so fondly. The rubies in her hair gleamed in a familiar manner. I frowned.

"Come closer and let me have a look at you, girl," I stated. She seemed to bristle at being called girl but obeyed. With some effort, I rose from my throne and slowly circled her. She was quite pretty, and I suspected that she would still be so even after one removed the rouge and face paint I despised at her age.

Well, her physical age, at least.

"Do you have a name, girl?" I asked, observing the shapes of the rubies in her hair and wondering if they came from my jewelry box.

"Viktorija Lauranaite, " she said. As she said this, I saw Ivan harshly elbow her in the side. She flinched and gasped through suddenly clenched teeth. "…Your Imperial Majesty," she choked, eyes teary but glaring at Ivan. He looked apologetic as she brought a white-gloved hand to her side. She pulled back and sighed shakily, shoulders relaxing as it came back clean. I suspected that Ivan had elbowed a wound.

"Viktoriya Loranovaya," I said, clearly emphasizing the new Russian version of her name. She grit her teeth.

"You may call me Toriya if it pleases you, your Imperial Majesty," she said stiffly.

I shook my head. "No, I think Victory suits you." She flushed at the implication as Ivan laughed coldly.

Once the laughter had died down, Ivan looked at her curiously. "I believe Poland called you something different," he said, smiling with narrowed eyes. Beneath her face paint, Toriya (as I decided to refer to her) paled.

"Fel-Poland had many silly names for me," she said, voice a much higher pitch than it had previously been.

Ivan frowned and moved to speak again, but I sat heavily in my throne and beckoned her over. "Come stand by me, Toriya." Ivan moved to follow, but I shooed him off. "Go dance," I commanded him. He bowed and turned around, but turned back to give Toriya a gentle smile. In a useless display of defiance, she turned her head towards me and tilted her nose upwards; refusing to look at him. Ivan looked heartbroken but obligingly asked one of my ladies to dance.

It clicked then. Ivan doggedly pushed the idea of taking Lithuania, cursed when she pushed him away, escorted her to the ball, provided her fine clothes and-

"Where did you get those jewels, Toriya?"

Her eyes widened. "Rusija told me to wear them… they're all quite lovely."

-stole the jewels of his sovereign to give to her. The list of things he'd done for the ungrateful wench went on.

My idiotic empire was infatuated with the country he had just conquered.

Not for the first time, I questioned the sanity of Ivan Braginski.

Like I said earlier, I don't know if I'll continue this, and I'm not sure where it would go, though it would stay with Empress Catherine of course. So I'd need input on that if it's gonna be continued. Do tell me what you thought of it.