• 18th century. January 5, *

*Saltykova came with her son Sergei to Troitsk, away from the city and from those who wanted to get rid of her and get her money, she left while no one knew, taking with her two servants, Avdotya and Aksinya, when they arrived in this village *

Daria Saltykova began to lead the residents, stopping their freedom, she rarely let her son out of the house plka she will not allow him saying that everyone around is an enemy.

but Nastya, a bright girl of 13-14-15 years old, whom Darya ordered to be a personal nanny for Seryozha, at first was very respectful with him, calling the little boy Baren as manners dictated, but Seryozha said that since she was his sister on his father's side, she could call him by his name and call him brother and not baren,

Nastya was surprised when he said that he could not go out into the yard, because of his mother's reproaches, to which Nastya took him outside to show what happiness and freedom mean, they played snowballs with the neighboring boys, went to the old Tsar in the big church

Seryozha became healthier and was happy. but the happiness did not last long.

Darya in a rage ordered to punish the girl, as befits an ordinary servant, and having gathered in a large barn, the poor thing was put on a board, and the fabric was torn off from an innocent pure back, with great pain Avdodya struck with a branch, causing deep wounds on the back of a pure soul, Nastya theomela but burst into tears when Seryozha saw this, whom Darya brought so that he would see what would happen to Nastya and to him if he disobeyed. * "Let me go! I don't want no! No need! Let her go! I order!"

Seryozha screamed desperately, but Darya held him, telling him

"You see, she is not your sister... she is a slave"