I was finally the size of an adult! I would never be treated like a kid again! No more responsibility, no more rules, no more orders, all just me and what I want! And Fritz. Of course. I ran out of the castle and to the closest pub. I took Frederick George with me. He himself was a teenager still. He was nineteen.
He smiled as I handed him a full to the brim tankard of beer. I chugged mine down enough to cheer. I tapped mine to his. "Cheers to being adults!" He smiled and tapped his against mine. We chugged before tapping them against each other again. "Cheers to making our own rules now!" He beamed.
"I can't wait to make my own rules!" I smirked.
"You think making your own rules now is awesome? Just wait until your father gives you your own kingdom! You get to make rules for everybody!" He smirked back, clashing the tanks together.
"Cheers to that!" I cheered.
"I personally think that you would make a great King one day. Of course you're going to have to get married to a girl first. And not just any girl, a princess. Your father married once. Even if he does believe women are stupid. So I'm going to let you in on the know. They are stupid, especially so after marrying them. They like shiny things and shiny things is how you get anything from them."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"So does Dad love Mom or was it just…"
"Oh don't worry. He learned to love her. Or at least tolerate her. He's happy he did because he got you." He smiled.
"So will I get to choose who I marry?"
"No. Your dad will. He's the King. Marriage isn't about love. Marriage is about money and politics… and alliances. Personally I'm voting for Spain. Or maybe France. France has King Louis… or something like that. I do not support Austria at all. Prussia and Austria royalty will never come together, not if I have something to say about it, and I do."
"So can you convince my Dad to let me pick?"
"You know, even if you were to pick, you'd be picking from reputation. You have never met any of the princesses just like they have never met you. There's a reason for that. That way kids can't go up against their parents." I said and continued drinking. He did too as he seemed to be thinking his way out of this.
"What about you? Is Dad going to marry you off?" I almost spat out my beer. …I never thought of that.
"No. I'm Prussia. I belong here. I have belonged here ever since the time of the Romans." He rolled his eyes.
"Well that's not fair."
"Get over it. You will get more power than you have now. Can I get a refill?" I offered my drink and George copied me. I plan on getting drunk like crazy. I deserve it.
"What do you even know about Romans?"
"That they drink and eat until their full and then vomit so they can have more. I've always wanted to try but I've always had trouble trying to overeat. I would always want to hurry up and go have more fun."
"That's disgusting. Wanna try it with beer?" I chuckled, nodding.
"Yes." So we ordered a few more beers before I decided to go against my instincts and take my Prince out of Prussia to go meet Spain and France. I grabbed him and led us to our horses and threw him on his horse. I climbed onto my personal horse and headed off, George after me.
We reached France first, of course. I was met with France flirting with someone while the princess looked on. It was Princess Louise Marie. I smiled. This was perfect. Fritz… Please never learn of this. I stopped my horse nearby. I jumped off my horse and approached downwind from him.
"What are you doing?" I asked. France jumped, turning around to face me.
"Sacré bleu! I thought you were Mon patron, Mon ami." He kissed both my cheeks. "So nice to see you Gilbert. It's been three weeks at least."
"Yeah well my boss has a ball coming up to introduce Frederick George the First to his future wife. Consider this me inviting her and you to the party." I looked pointedly at Louise. He looked too.
"I'll have to ask Louis and Maria." She walked straight up to us and Frederick walked to stand next to me.
"Prince Frederick meet Princess Louise Marie Of France, Princess Louise Marie meet Prince Frederick George The First Of Prussia." Frederick kissed her hand. She almost refused to courtesy.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Pleased to meet you as well." She seems to be very sour. I frowned at France. He quickly tried to cheer her up.
"Marie, why don't you go show Prince Frederick our most beloved, newly discovered, beautiful clothing store." She just looked at him.
"I'm sorry Francis, I cannot. My father hasn't informed me of this man and am sure they are not even supposed to be here." George smiled at me, whispering into my ear.
"Gilbert, I think she's playing hard to get." I chuckled.
"Does the King of Prussia know you two are here?" France asked. I opened my mouth to say yes but then I remembered that he had no idea where I was… or his son for that matter…
"Um… no. No he does not. We're not even supposed to be here."
"So you are dishonoring your King, your Father. I do not-"
"Marie, I think that's enough for now. You two should probably leave." France said. Frederick kissed her hand again.
"It was a pleasure to meet you." She gave him a disdainful look. I glared at her before grabbing the back of my Prince's shirt and dragged him back to his horse.
"Clearly she likes to keep the rules, and she doesn't seem to like you."
"Are you kidding? I love women who play hard to get. All I have to do is ask my Father to ask her Father."
"Shut it." I demanded, climbing back onto my horse. "You don't know her remember? You'd have to suggest France and then pretend to decide on his youngest daughter. There's also Victoire. She's a nice Princess."
"How many daughters does that man have?"
"King Louis XV? At least ten kids."
"He must like his women." I chuckled as I led him for Spain. When we got there I had to lead him through crowds on horseback before we came across Spain talking to the same Princess I wanted him to meet.
"Spain!" He looked at me, smiling.
"Prussia! Nice to see you amigo. What's the occasion?"
"To meet Princess Maria Joseph Carmine De Borbón."
"It's Maria Josefa Carmela." He corrected me. I looked at the Princess. She was staring at Frederick while he seemed to have no real interest in her. I, myself, now looking at her had no interest. Besides… I could later unite Spain and Prussia in friendship through marriage… not that it's my decision.
Maria curtsied to Frederick and he obliged her with a kiss to her hand. I gave him a meaningful look and he put more effort into it. I rolled my eyes at him. "Pleased to meet you, my name is Princess Maria Josefa Carmela De Bourbón."
"And I am Prince Frederick George The First Of Prussia."
"Do you two maybe want to stay a bit and we can talk."
"I would be most delighted to host your stay." I smiled. This one has manners. George looked pleadingly at me and then back towards France. He wants Princess Louise. Well I had to make him give her a chance before he actually rejected the notion.
"If you have any ideas, like maybe tomatoes?" Spain nodded. He led us to a cafe. He ordered food for us and the Prince and Princess talked to each other. I talked to Spain and ordered us all a tankard of beer.
"So does the King of Prussia know you two are here?"
"… No. He doesn't. So when we get finished here, him and I are going to have to leave. Quickly. I don't want Fritz to know something's up. Today I only planned to get insanely drunk. Then I had this idea to see if my Prince likes your Princess or Francis' Princess. Even though that's kind of against the rules."
"There is no 'kind of' when it comes to breaking the rules, Gilbert. That's what one of my first bosses taught me." I rolled my eyes at him as our food came along with the beers.
"Not everything is in black or white. Rule bending has always been an option… until Fritz came along. I've never got in trouble before for bending the rules. I don't break them. I bend them until they almost break. At least when I want or need something."
"You really do sound like an absolutist." I scoffed at him.
"Well I'm Prussia, I'm the law. That's how it works."
"Actually, Fritz is the law."
"…Shut up."
"Can I say something?"
"What Spain?"
"I think that before Frederick the Second came you really could do whatever you pleased and when he did come that everything changed."
"That's exactly what happened. He did say that there would be rules." I reasoned.
"Then why are you surprised amigo?"
"He expects me to follow them, all of them, at the same time and he expects me to not bend the rules? What if I need to help someone? Or if I want something I'm not getting? Those are the problems I run into every day. Besides, how am I expected to remember them all?"
"Because it's your country?"
"The rules are his job. That's why he's King. I'm the one who fights the battles, the wars. I step in on the law only when something I don't like is going on and even then I bring up my problem with Fritz."
"Gilbert!" I looked over at my Prince.
"What?!" I replied back. He was surprised and replied with respect.
"We should get going now." I nodded and stood, taking money out to pay.
"No, actually, this is on me." Spain said, stopping me.
"Fine. Thank you."
"Gilbert, now!" I rolled my eyes and headed off with him. He looked behind us before looking at me. "One more look at Princess Louise."
"What?! No! Fritz is going to be angry if we get home any later."
"Please!" He begged. I sighed. I nodded.
"Fine but you have to let me do all the talking when we have to explain what we've been doing." He nodded, eagerly.
"You're better at lying anyway."
"Not lying! Cover stories! I would never lie to Fritz!" I got on my horse and quickly hurried back to France.
"I suggest you think of one now then." I almost freaked when I heard Gilbird. He wasn't supposed to be here! But then… he would never tell Fritz the truth- I mean he would never tell on me. I nodded. I had the perfect cover story too!
When we got to France I quickly looked for Francis. I found him carrying bags of stuff for Louise. "What did you buy?" I asked. George smiled at Louise. Louise seemed to grow distant, as if she had hoped we would have left already.
"Furs for Louise. Things for Louis. And groceries."
"Would you like a hand?" George asked politely.
"No thank you. Francis can handle it."
"I'll help anyway. That's what a gentleman would do."
"I thought you came from Prussia, not England." France paled.
"Please do not bring up England."
"I'm sorry Francis."
"We have to get home Frederick." I told him.
"The King still doesn't know?" She asked.
"I'll see you later then, m' lady." He budged off when I shoved him. We headed quickly back for our border. When we got there I stopped and called him back.
"George, I want to spar, see if you falling in love makes you soft." He nodded and grabbed his sword. I grabbed mine and we sparred and I made sure to rough up our clothes while keeping him from harming me.
"Wait! We should be getting home, not sparring! Dad won't be happy!" He got back on his horse and didn't even wait for me. I quickly followed after him, putting my sword away on horseback. I reached him in a few minutes and we galloped back to the palace. I knew we had roughed up clothes and probably smelled of beer. So as far as I can see, Fritz will accept my cover story.
When we put our horses away I felt someone grab my ear. I flinched in pain as I began to be led away from the stable. George had also been grabbed. We were led to Fritz' throne room and shoved in. I rubbed my ear, glaring at Henry.
"I found them at the stables." He said. I looked around quickly to see Fritz, he had been pacing apparently, and he wasn't smiling, in fact he seemed to have a very deep frown. I felt myself gulp unintentionally.
"Fritz-"
"Dad-"
"Where have you two been? Gilbert you were supposed to be here at eleven am. We had a meeting with Voltaire of France remember?"
"I took the Prince out for training. I forgot but I'm also happy to have missed my meeting with Voltaire because he's a loser." He narrowed his eyes and we both looked at the floor. Sassing the King isn't helping… duh!
"You didn't think to tell me?" … Quick! Say something! However before I could, George spoke.
"I-I wanted to surprise you with my sword skills, Father." I looked down again. I had to keep my grin off my face.
"It should not have taken all day."
"Well, sir, I wanted to test his abilities for the Oblique Order. And his sense of direction with it. I apologize my King." Fritz seemed to calm down. Don't calm down yet. He might still be upset.
"Very well. How did he do?" I apologize my Prince.
"He's not very well with knowing which direction he's going. We had to keep practicing. With every practice, he got better." Fritz smiled.
"Glad to hear it."
"D-did I make you proud Dad?"
"You did indeed Frederick." We both smiled. "Gilbert I want you to send an apology to Voltaire." I gaped at him but with one of his looks I stared at the floor, nodding.
"Yes sir Fritz."
"Good. I believe it time for dinner." I smiled. Everything seemed to be okay.
Until later that day, at night time. I was wearing my silk pajamas and rubbing my eyes as I walked to my room to go to bed. I heard an 'owch' and I turned around to see Fritz with his son next to him. I raised a brow and yawned.
"Fritz?" He was holding a lantern that was lit. I covered my eyes a bit. "Isn't it time for bed?"
"Gilbert, follow me." I nodded as he turned and headed off. I followed him. We ended up in his office. He motioned us to sit and I did, noticing that the Prince seemed to flinch when he sat… what's his problem? I stared at him for a minute before Fritz snapped his fingers to get my attention. I looked at him. "Gilbert, where were you two really?" I chuckled.
"Somewhere safe, in our borders." Give him a real answer. "In the forest." I yawned. "Practicing." George cleared his throat.
"Then why did Frederick mention Princess Louise Marie De France and Francis?" I raised a brow, yawning.
"Hm? Princess who?"
"He was able to give me a good description of her." My tiredness quickly drained as his words registered and what must have happened occurred to me. I glanced at George before back at Fritz.
"I told him about my friend and his youngest princess." Fritz quickly stopped smiling. Shit.
"Gilbert, I suggest you stop lying to me immediately." I gaped at him.
"I would never lie to you, Your Majesty Fritz!"
"Then tell me where you and Frederick really went." Oh. Shit. I'm trapped.
"We went to the border."
"What business did you have there?"
"Celebrate my adulthood."
"And Princess Maria Josefa Carmela De Bourbón? I am pretty sure we don't have a border with Spain." I glared at George. Traitor. George frowned, blushed, and then turned as far away from me as he could while still sitting in the chair. Fritz snapped his fingers again. I looked at him. "Look at me, Gilbert."
"Celebrate my adulthood?"
"One." Shit, he's counting! I looked at George. "Two." George nodded. "Thr-"
"Wait!" Fritz waited. …I didn't actually believe that would work…
"Well Gilbert?"
"I… wanted to… celebrate my adulthood… and it turned into… something more. I got the Prince beer." Fritz sighed.
"Are you trying to imply that he just happened to daydream them up perfectly on his own?" You know what? I've been caught trying to cover up. I sighed.
"No sir. You and I both know that's not true. I… kind of… took him… over our borders… to go see the Princesses."
"So you finally admit you were lying." I blushed. Shush! Not lying, improvising!
"Yes sir."
"Frederick go sit in the throne room." Fritz handed him a lit candle. George did as he was told.
"Fritz!" I held up my hands. "I can explain!"
"I'm sure you can and I'm also sure your explanation will get you into more trouble, but I would still like to hear your explanation. Over the desk Gilbert." I blushed harder.
"Fritz, please! Don't do this! I won't ever lie to you again, I swear!" He pointed at the desk. I clenched my eyes closed as I did as told. I heard Fritz walk away. I opened my eyes to see and I caught sight of him pulling a riding crop out of a box. I stood up immediately. "Fritz! What are you planning?"
"Get back in position Gilbert." I frowned but did as told. I heard him walk back toward me. He wouldn't! Would he?! "Gilbert, do you know that if you had just told the truth in the beginning that you would not be in as much trouble as you are now?"
"I'm an adult! I don't need a spanking Fritz! I promise!" I yelped, jumped, and turned around as I dropped my hands to my bottom. He was indeed smacking me with a riding crop. I gave Fritz a pleading look but he just twirled his finger. I groaned and did as instructed.
"Answer my question please." Swish! I flinched.
"Sir, yes sir! I understand! I promise Fritz. Please stop." However Fritz swatted me with the riding crop again.
"If you understand then why did you not just tell the truth in the first place?" He held the crop to my left cheek, waiting for my answer.
"Fritz, there's only one answer and you're not going to like it."
"As long as it's true. That's all that matters." SWISH! "Right?"
"OW! Yes sir! I wanted to try to get away with it because I didn't want to upset you." SWISH!
"So you thought I would not be hurt by you lying straight to my face?" I cringed with the sudden feeling of guilt. I had actually thought that… for some strange reason. I had actually hoped he would never learn the truth.
"Uh.. uh. I wasn't entirely lying. I wanted to make it look believable." I said, implying our roughed up clothes.
"Does that sound like the behaviour of a mature adult to you?" If this had been anyone besides Fritz I would have quickly replied with a firm yes.
"N-no. No it doesn't. I'm sorry Fritz."
"You're right, it isn't. Now can we discuss why you took him to see those princesses?" I gulped.
"Do we have to? I'm pretty sure it's self explanatory." I was swatted on my sit spot for that sass. I yelped and spun around again, hands protecting me. "Fritz, that hurts!"
"A spanking is self explanatory itself. Get back in position, this is the last time I will ask nicely." I quickly obeyed. "As for your sassy question, yes we do. It is the whole point of you learning to admit you did something wrong." I don't want to admit I did something wrong!
"But Fritz! I always know I did something wrong when you get upset with me!" I tried to appeal to him. He didn't reply to that, just gave me one more swat with the crop before silence fell. I felt his fingers grab hold of my waistband before pulling down my pants. I felt my breath hitch. This is going to be painful.
"Now that we have addressed that problem, let us continue. Yes, we do have to." He reiterated his question. I heard myself whine. I wriggled a bit. I couldn't stand up or turn around. "Why did you even take him to see those girls?" The crop rested on my thigh. I could tell he knew why already. He just wanted me to be honest and admit my disobedience. I couldn't lie to Fritz anyway.
"I wanted a chance at deciding my Prince's future wife. I wanted to connect France or Spain to Prussia… even though it might go against your will… I'm sorry Fritz." Swish! I yelped, feeling tears well up in my eyes. I blinked a few times, trying to keep them at bay.
"So you admit you went against me on a whim?" Well now that you phrase it that way… it sounds way worse! "This will cause problems between me and my son later on in life when it really is time to choose him a bride. I can tell he already has feelings for Princess Louise." I gasped and almost thrusted myself away from the desk.
"Fritz! It hurts!" I said, wriggling. I felt the crop rest on my sit spots. I flinched.
"Stop please Gilbert." I obeyed. "This is a punishment, it is supposed to teach you a lesson." I was swatted and I let out a sob. This spanking was strange because Fritz wasn't just swatting me. He was being calculating with the swats he placed. …So much for being an adult.
"Yes sir."
"Thank you. Tell me, Gilbert, who's job is it to find the Prince of Prussia a wife?" I gulped.
"That would be the King's, sir."
"And who is the King of Prussia?" I gripped the desk with my hands. I hate how Fritz can get me to admit any wrong doing I commit! "Well? Are you going to answer me Gilbert?" The crop rested against my sit spots again.
"You are." I squeaked.
"I am what Gilbert?" I cleared my throat. Squeaking was not a thing the Awesome Prussia does.
"You are the King of Prussia." I was swatted for my sassy tone. I yelped and spun around. "Fritz! I've had enough! I'm sorry, I won't do it again, and I'm an adult! I'm too old for a spanking!" He tapped my hip with the crop.
"I understand that you have an interest in my son's wife as well but it is not your place to choose. You should have brought up your opinion with me instead of just getting him to meet your candidates for his marriage. Now turn back around and stay in position or we can do this another way." That was a threat. I obeyed and he swatted my sit spots and thighs before continuing. "That was for your impudence."
"I'm sorry Fritz, you're right. I should have brought it up with you instead of taking things into my own hands."
"Yes you should have and I'm proud of you for admitting that. If you don't mind my saying, you acted just like you did when you were a teenager or a child. From now on, remember adults take responsibility. Now I'm going to punish you for going against me and then we have one more problem to take care of. Brace yourself, Gilbert." I clenched my eyes closed and Fritz quickly delivered ten swats to my thighs. I started sobbing by the time he finished.
"Fritzzz." I sobbed. World, say hello to my awesome tears! It takes a lot to get awesome tears. I smiled until I felt Fritz grab the waistband of my boxers. I reached back to keep them up, shaking my head.
"Gilbert I would like to go over your sassing. We're almost finished, please let me finish." I just let go and wrapped my arms around my head to try to keep my sobbing quiet. "Gilbert, I don't appreciate you talking back to me. We've gone over this a few times now and seeing you do it again, I don't think we've done it enough." The crop rested against my sit spots.
"I'm sorry for back talking you. You don't deserve it. You're amazing and I love you. I don't mean to and I know there's no excuse but sometimes I have a short temper and I've always had a short temper. I know what I did was wrong and there's also no excuse for that but for some reason I thought it best to just do it because I was afraid you would tell me no and as my King, and as my boss, you have the reserved right of telling me no when you choose to and I accept that. I love you Fritz and I'm sorry for my disobedience, my lying, and sassing you. It will never happen again. I promise." I heard him place the crop down and felt my boxers and pants be pulled back up. He turned me around and gave me a hug.
"That's all I wanted to hear, Gilbert. I wish you would have said it from the beginning but what's done is done and all we have to do is learn and move on from our mistakes." He said gently. I cried into his chest, hugging as tight as I could to him. A few minutes later, Fritz sat down and pulled me into his lap since I was still crying. I felt ashamed of what I did and I know I deserved what I got. A bit later and I was whimpering and sniffing.
"F-Fritz? D-do you f-forgive m-me? I-I'm st-ill s-sorry for my beha-viour." He kissed my cheek.
"Shush Gilbert. Everything is already forgiven. I appreciate your apology." I smiled and hugged Fritz. He'd continued to hug me since he sat down. I stood up the next minute. Fritz stood too and headed for the door. "Follow me please." He was back to his smiling self. I beamed. Maybe I made him happy if not proud?
We reached his throne room and found the Prince asleep in his own chair. Fritz woke him with no problems. "Dad?!" He stood up quickly. He yawned and rubbed his face. I yawned back, remembering that I had been about to go to sleep before I got my spanking from His Majesty Fritz.
"You two understand the severity of what you did today?" I nodded quickly and George agreed almost just as quickly. "Then you understand why I punished you two the way I did." I blushed. He was right though. "Then let me tell you two that you are expected to attend a ball that I have planned for a King and his daughter later. I will give you more details when I am sure you will remember them."
"Fritz! I don't want to attend a ball! It's not me getting a wife!"
"Yes but your future king is." I just crossed my arms.
"As long as Austria and Hungary aren't there I'm fine. Since you're probably going to make me attend." His hand landed on my head and I couldn't stay angry anymore. However I did yawn again but I smiled at Fritz.
"You two are expected to be on your best behaviors despite who might or might not be there, that means you Gilbert." I resisted the urge to spit my tongue out or grin.
"What about him?!" I pointed at the Prince.
"Frederick knows better, he is the Prince."
"And what am I?" He gave me a gentle smile.
"You are Prussia." I beamed. I belong to my King. It's kind of hard to imagine without Fritz being my King. I don't want anyone else to be my King, Fritz was my choice. I stood as close to Fritz as I dared. I hugged him again before I heard his next command. He gave me one final hug. "Now you two should go to bed. Gilbert, we have a meeting with Voltaire. He is used to his first meeting with us not having you so he staid." I blushed harder. He's used to it, huh? "You will be expected to behave." I opened my mouth to retort but he continued on. "If not then we will have another meeting with the crop." I blushed harder, looking at the floor. Great. It's already hard enough to not outright disrespect the guy. Now I am expected to behave? I opened my mouth once again. "If you are not there, I will have a search party sent out. Don't think you can get out of this Gilbert." I sighed, frowning at the floor. "Then the day after that we will be having the ball." There is no way in hell I am attending both!
"I'm going to bed before I'm made to attend something else that I don't have a choice in." I stated, turning around and heading to my room.
"Good night Gilbert."
"Good night Your Majesty Fritz." I gladly opened the door to my room and heard something else I rather would not have to deal with.
"What took you so long? I've been waiting for you! Did you get in trouble again?"
"Gilbird, please don't. I've had enough scolding for one day. You know Fritz always tires me out when I get scolded." Gilbird made a scolding chirp.
"I told you not to and you did it anyway." Then Gilbird made a smirking chirp. "What do you plan next?" He was already ready for more mischief. I smiled at him.
"I plan on throwing snow balls at Voltaire. The bastard staid. I mean, he staid! What does that dumb ass want from me? Why can't he just have a meeting with Fritz? Only Fritz cares about him. If I had my choice I would never have to look at him again! Some humans are just so annoying. Why do I of all people have to deal with him? You know, if France were here, everything would be easier." Gilbird made a happy chirp. I opened my eye a bit to look at him. "What is it?"
"Light a candle and I will take a note to Spain and France. They'll gladly come. Spain could bring his bull and France could bring his bird and they could make your meeting less miserable." I smirked, opening my eyes. I lit a candle and grabbed a quill and paper from my desk and quickly wrote two different messages, making sure to include Spain in Francis' letter and France in Antonio's letter. I rolled them up and handed them to Gilbird. What a brilliant idea!
"You sure you can handle this?" He tweeted cheerily. I opened my window and gave him both notes. He gripped them tightly, one in his beak and the other in his feet. He flapped his wings. I picked him up and carried him to the window. I kissed his head for luck and threw my hand out and he quickly flapped his wings and flew off into the night. I sat down on my bed and yelped, standing back up. Tomorrow I'll have to take a look at the damage. I probably won't be able to sit for a week! I blew out the candle and laid down on my stomach and closed my eyes, pulling the covers over me. Time for sleep.
