Glitter and Pomp
Alfred F. Jones was not stupid. Despite what the other nations believed, he was, in fact, quite brilliant. He just never showed it. The only ones who knew just how smart he was, were his twin brother—Canada—and his sister—Mexico.
Of course, there were others who had an inkling of how smart and dangerous he truly was, but they had caught a tiny glimpse of his true nature. Japan, his best friend, and Russia, the psycho, were these few—though Alfred felt that China might have suspicions about his true intelligence and nature.
Sometimes, Alfred would grind his teeth, barely repressing a glare as everyone around him argued; they would call him names—fat, stupid, idiot, burger-loving moron…the list went on and on. And each time, he would contemplate showing them just how smart he truly was. The genius that hid behind the mask. The brilliance that allowed him to take power, to grow so quickly.
However, each time, he always remembered what would happen should they find out. They would be scared, and wary. Eventually, he knew, they would turn on him. They would 'eliminate' him for 'world safety'. And, in the end, he would be alone. Canada would stand by him, of course—but then again, would he? He had already forgiven his brother for the War of 1812, the burning of his capitol. However…Canada had already turned on him once. Would he do it again? Maybe.
Alfred knew that at the end of the day, he would be alone. He would stand against the world, as he always had. Everyone he had ever trusted—England, France, Canada, Japan, and others—had betrayed him. England had fought a war with him; France too, even though Alfred didn't even have an army at the time! Canada had turned on him, had burned Alfred's heart—his capitol. And Japan…his katana would forever be stained by American blood, dripping in the blood of innocents and Alfred's children.
Alfred knew, should he show his true self to the world, that it would—seemingly—be the end of his country. And, fortunately for the world, he refused to let that happen. For he was the mastermind of this story, he was the magician directing the show.
And, like a magician directing his show, he was completely in control. Perfectly manipulating everything—his show, his mask, was his glitter; his pomp and circumstance to conceal himself.
Because, the more the world thought they saw him, the easier it was to trick them.