CHAPTER 1: Prince Ludwig and Feliciano

Ludwig always feels relaxed when there is the smell of flowers everywhere, but for whatever reason, he was never at peace. It has been seven years since his mother died, seven years since he felt the peace he now long for. His mother was a beautiful Queen who ruled by the side of his father Germania, the King of Germany. When Ludwig was nine years of age, his mother was murdered.

No one knows who did it, and no one will ever find out because his father would kill anyone who dared to look into it.

Though King Germania is so adamant about not wanting the Queen murder to be investigated, he roams around the kingdom trying to show the world he feels pain for losing the woman he loved. Thus, Ludwig may not know who did it, but he have his suspicions, his father and Ludwig never really got along well.

After the Queen died, King Germania had forced Ludwig to study extremely hard, since Ludwig was next in line to rule Germany. Ever since he was a child he was forced to study, but the work load increased after his mother died. Even now, he continue to do it, nonsense really. Most things are being taught to Ludwig repeatedly, its such a bore. He don't see why he need to continue studying, he's already smarter than a lot of people, probably the smartest man in Germany who had only lived for seventeen years, and he's not trying to brag. Ludwig have good memory skills and he's a good learner. Specifically, he learn best from his mistakes, and he make a lot of mistakes.

Ludwig's point is that he know a lot of things, including twenty-five other languages. What more do the boy need to know?

He guess he sound like someone who doesn't care about anything, someone who just wants to relax. No, Ludwig really do care. He's an active person; he's kind, giving and have only a light temper. He just get really bored of being the future King. He want more adventure in his life, he want some fun. He want to be able to pick up a sword and swing it freely but the only time he can do that is to practice patterns with some old man who he's not allowed to kill.

Ludwig probably wouldn't kill him though, even if he was allowed to.

Ludwig also love his family, well his brother Gilbert, to be specific. Ludwig love the King, but there are more than a couple of things Ludwig would trade his father for.

Gilbert is older than Ludwig by four years. He is loving, carefree, funny and very supportive brother. He wants Ludwig to be on the top, he wants Ludwig to be the best and awesome King ever.

"Wake up, West!" Gilbert yelled loudly.

Ludwig felt something slide off his face, probably the book, about Dogs . When he opened his eyes, he could smell the flowers again.

"Wake up!" Gilbert yelled.

Ludwig lifted himself up. "Brother! Whats wrong?"

"The awesome sun is going to set soon and father was looking for yeh, he will be very mad if he found out you were sleeping rather than studying!" Gilbert smirked as he got up.

Ludwig rolled his eyes and got up as well. "No ones going to tell him, right?"

"Of course not!" Gilbert said. He grinned at Ludwig and started to run off, leaving the young Prince alone.

Gilbert was an awesome Prince of Germany. His voice is weird and all the women adored him. He spends most of his time playing or having time with his friends or other people in the palace but, even though the King didn't choose Gilbert to be the next King, he also has to study, like Ludwig.

Ludwig turned around and looked at the flowers; the palaces garden was one of the few beautiful places in the kingdom. Then, he sighed, taking in the fresh scents one more time, and began walking down the path towards the throne room.

As he walked everyone who passed him bowed and greeted Ludwig as "Your Highness." The respect is nice but sometimes annoying. Slaves and servants take up probably a little less than two—thirds of the people in this kingdom, he don't see why they need so many, but then again, what the King says must be done and he says a lot.

Ludwig's considered the perfect young Prince. He's smart, kind, gentle, strong and even very good looking. He also have a voice that sounds very demanding which is, according to many people, something a man of royalty needs. But really, Ludwig don't want to be a prince, its a life that's too perfect, so perfect that its boring. Unfortunately, his life isn't a simple story and he can't run away from it, its his destiny to become the next King, he have no choice.

When Ludwig walked into the throne room, he saw his father sitting on his throne and staring in Ludwig's direction, furious. The six royal court members stood by him, three on one side and three on the other. Though they were much nicer than the King, they gave Ludwig a look which said: "Are you asking for trouble?"

Ludwig ignored it and continued to walk slowly, to show his father that he was not afraid of him. Because Ludwig wasn't. Well, he tried to convince himself that he wasn't.

Honestly, Ludwig's biggest fear right now was that the King was going to force Ludwig to marry some royal princess from another nation. After all, Ludwig was seventeen. He didn't want to get married though. A wife would just add to his problems. Especially a pampered little princess who probably couldn't speak his language.

When Ludwig reached the King, Germania continued to stare. The silence was too long, so Ludwig was the one to break it, "My brother told me that you called for me, father." Respect was absolutely important when it came to talking to his father.

"Where have you been?" Germania asked, glaring at his son.

"In the palace garden, father." Ludwig replied, still calm.

"What were you doing?"

"Studying, father."

"Why did you not come when I called for you earlier?"

"I did not know that you called for me, father."

King Germania continued to stare at his son and Ludwig stared back, then the King got up.

"Ludwig! What am I going to do with you?" Germania yelled, Ludwig saw, from the corner of his eyes, the guards step back.

They had this discussion before, and it got violent, Ludwig still have the bruise on his arm. But he's not scared, too many years have passed of him seeing the King like that and Ludwig was not afraid. He stood there, staring back at the King.

"You are a fool, not smart enough to do anything right! And to make everything worse, you are too kind! How will you rule a nation if everyone takes advantage of your kindness! You are lazy and weak! You will die before your first year of ruling our nation is over!" Germania said.

Ludwig didn't react, he have gotten used to the insults as well, since they have been repeated to him for the last seven years.

King Germania stared at Ludwig in disbelief and of course, Ludwig stared back and he swear he saw Germania's pale colour skin, change colours. It was the time of day where he yells at Ludwig for no real reason.

"Damn you child! You little imbecile! Don't you have the slightest bit of fear for me? The King!" Germania's long blond hair flew around as he yelled and shook his head. Also, his small, blue, eyes looked smaller than normal because they were narrowed.

Normal people would have been intimidated, no... scared to death. Literally. The King was a taller man and most of his body consisted of muscles. That's what happens to a kings body when he chooses to take part in a war.

"I will murder you with my own hands if I have to! You—"

"Father!" Gilbert yelled, standing behind a guard. "Please do not be so harsh with my little brother!" He said. "He has been working very hard for the past few days!"

"You will be first to die if you continue to speak, Gilbert!" Germania said, without a hesitation.

Ludwig usually kept quiet when his father had this outbursts, but today, Ludwig chose not to... especially when he spoke those words which were just the words to make Ludwig blow.

"How could you say that to your own son?" Ludwig hissed. "Speak as you wish with me, but mind your words when it comes to my brother!"

Germania stared and began to laugh. "Foolish child, do you believe I am afraid of you?" He asked.

"Do you think I am afraid of you, father?" Ludwig asked.

He looked at Ludwig, he saw the King's hand twitch towards the sword which was in its sheath, attached to the belt wrapped around his waist.

"I have more important things to do. I am leaving to my chamber." Ludwig turned around and walked out of the throne room, Gilbert ran after him.

Ludwig rolled his eyes as the people in the throne room started to whisper, ready to spread what had just happened around. That was another thing Ludwig hated about being a prince. The gossip.

"Thanks for trying to stick up for me, brother." Ludwig told Gilbert as they walked down the large hall.

"Kesese! No problem, but really, it was you who stuck up for me, West, as always!" Gilbert said smiling.

Ludwig smiled at him as they walked outside.

"Your Highness!" A woman yelled as she ran towards the two Princes.

Ludwig turned around. "Yes?"

"Your Highness, some more slaves have been collected from other nations and are on their way now." She said, bowing.

"What? More?" Ludwig asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yes my lord, we would appreciate it if you made your way down to the southern entrance to inspect them."

Ludwig sighed. "Yes, I will be on my way in a moment." This was the third time this week that a group of new slaves were added to their collection. How perfect.

They walked down through the market. Feliciano was a part of the long line of slaves, with guards surrounding them, all of them walking towards the palace.

Feliciano couldn't believe what he had gotten himself into. He was minutes away from becoming a slave of the murderer King. His stomach twisted as he thought of it. He know he wanted to find a way to get to the King, but he didn't expect this to be the way.

His full name is Feliciano Vargas, he's from Northern Italy. His parents were both Italians but for some reason, he was born with golden eyes. He have lived for sixteen years and his parents were killed when he was very young, so his grandfather Romulus raised him. He has short smooth auburn hair with a curl on the left side of his head. He's not tall and skinny, a little too skinny.

When Feliciano was four years old both of his parents were murdered by the King Germania, for a reason his grandfather Romulus never mentioned. But all he know is that his grandfather will never forgive the King and Feliciano won't either. Since his grandfather was the one who raised him and being the father of two boys, Feliciano and his older brother Lovino was raised much like a Roman soldier.

But Feliciano considered that a good thing. After all, the little Italian learned how to fight like a soldier and his skills were clearly enough to scare off anyone who tried to hurt him. And honestly, that's why Feliciano was willing to become a slave for the King, so somehow, he can somehow make that King pay for all the murders he has committed. It sounds impossible for the little man. But somehow, he would do it. Somehow.

"There you go again Feliciano-kun. Why does your hand always ball up into a fist when it's quiet?" Kiku said smiling.

Kiku is a Japanese boy, but poor, his parents were also dead, and that is why he is there. Kiku is the only friend Feliciano have; they've known each other for three years now.

"Nothing, Kiku." Feliciano said..

"You know Feliciano-kun, you are so handsome. Why don't you act more elegant? The King might mistake you as a princess and get you married to his son." Kiku said again.

"Ve? As if that could really happen." Feliciano said trying to smile.

They had walked quiet a distance, and Feliciano could finally see the palace that he had never seen before. It was as big as he had imagined it to be so he wasn't surprised. There were many people walking around the market, probably slaves and other low class people, but a lot of them had smiles on their faces.

As they entered the palace gates, they were guided to a large area with many people walking around,rushing around, would be more like it. And as soon as the guards told them they had arrived, the other slaves sat down to rest their feet which were probably aching because of they long walk. They ended up sitting there for quite a while, not doing anything.

"Everyone up!" A guard yelled.

They all got up immediately and Feliciano saw a man with glasses and a mole on his face, holding a long stick. "Stand in a line fools!" He yelled.

They stood together in a line, Feliciano was at the end and Kiku was in front of him.

The man went to the first person and asked. "What is your name?"

The old woman said something, but no one could hear.

"Speak louder you old hag!" The man yelled.

"He sounds really evil..." Kiku whispered to his friend.

The man turned around "What did you say?"

Kiku jumped, frightened by the man. "Umm, nothing Sir..."

"I'll tell you what, young Asian boy, how about I teach you how to act when it comes to talking with people who are higher than you in class." He said.

"Rule number one…" The man took his stick and hit Kiku's hard on the leg.

Kiku shouted in pain and bent down, grasping his now leg.

"Only talk when you are told too!" The man yelled again "Rule number t—"

"Please stop! That was not necessary!" Feliciano found himself yelling.

He was so used to sticking up for himself that he forgot about that whole status thing. "How dare you hit my friend like that?"

The man looked at Feliciano, furious. "You insolent little brat! How dare you speak to me like that?"

He grabbed Feliciano's arm tightly and pulled the boy out of his spot in the line. "Do you know who I am? I am Roderich Edelstein from Austria!"

Feliciano pulled his arm away. "I don't care. I want you to apologize to my friend!"

Roderich's violet eyes widened in shock and anger. He grabbed Feliciano's arm again and suddenly, the little Italian felt a sharp pain on his back. The pain rushed through him but he merely twitched. He had felt pain worse than this before.

Feliciano tried to pull away, but Roderich's grip on him was stronger this time.

"Let go of me!" Feliciano cried.

Roderich yelled, hit Feliciano again and again and again. He felt the blood drip down his skin.

"Why do you not scream in pain?" He asked. "Scream! You fool!" Roderich yelled and hit Feliciano again.

Feliciano bit his lip . All the other new slaves stepped back, he saw the fear in their eyes. He then saw Kiku's eyes fill up with fear; he was upset that Feliciano had protected him.

Roderich was clearly furious that Felicaino hadn't screamed. He turned around, and called at a man who was walking by, rolling a small cart with a large pot on it. The man turned around and Felicano saw him shudder.

"Bring that pot over here!" Roderich said.

The man hesitated, but obeyed. He looked at Feliciano with a sad, apologetic expression.

"I will teach you what happens when you don't respect me!" Roderich opened the pot and the steam rushed out.

He grabbed both Feliciano's hands, standing behind the scared man and pushed Feliciano over towards it. Roderich let go of Feliciano's arms and grabbed his shoulders, pushing the boy over the pot.

Feliciano grabbed the edge of the pot with his hands, gasping when it burned his palms, and then he smelled it. In the pot was boiling hot oil. He gasped again, trying to push back, but Roderich was much too strong for him to push away. He heard people gasp and say god's name multiple times, and he heard Kiku let out a small cry for help. Roderich placed one hand on the back of Feliciano's head. He was going to burn the boy's face.

Feliciano's heart raced in fear as he grabbed the rim of the pot, burning his hands, and tried to push himself away. This was going to be painful. Bubbles of oil popped, splattering small droplets onto his skin and he bit his lip. He couldn't breathe for a second and he could feel the excruciating heat at his nose. Feliciano tightly closed his eyes, feeling the pain as his face started to heat up and he heard Roderich yelling.

Then Feliciano heard the voice of a man, a deep voice, which sounded so demanding and strong. And the second Feliciano heard him, he knew the man was his hero.

"Mister Edelstein! What in the name of God, do you think you are doing?" Ludwig asked.