The leader of Finland, Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim, faced a challenging fate. He came from a destitute noble family and from a young age had to carve his own path in life. In 1887, he joined the Russian Imperial Army, where his salary was 130 rubles, barely enough to cover housing and food. The only inheritance he received was the title of baron. At one of the balls, the cavalry guard Mannerheim met a girl of extraordinary beauty, Anastasia Arapova. She had many admirers, but she chose Carl, a young and tall cavalryman. Their acquaintance quickly grew into a passionate romance, culminating in marriage, and they had daughters Sonya and Nastya. Their family happiness lasted 11 years.

In 1903, Arapova took the children and moved to Paris due to her husband's constant drinking. In October 1904, Carl's life changed once again as he was sent to the Russo-Japanese War. At the front, Mannerheim proved himself to be a daring hero. One night, his dragoons quietly infiltrated the Japanese rear and, at a signal, began to attack them with sabers. The samurai fled, and for the brilliantly executed operation, Carl was awarded an extraordinary rank of colonel. Ahead of him lay World War I and the Civil War, after which he became the head of Finland.

Despite all the events, he did not forget his wife or children. By that time, Anastasia was seriously ill and gradually fading away. Carl took her to the best doctors in France, but on the eve of the New Year in 1937, Nata, as he called her, passed away. During the memorial service for Arapova at the Russian Church of the Holy Trinity in Helsinki, the baron cried uncontrollably. His daughters supported him under both arms. When the service ended, Carl Gustav fell to his knees by the coffin and seemed to fall into oblivion. He was led out of the church only after the candle he was holding burned down and hot wax spilled over his fingers.