Tontos En El Amor
Chapter One
Luisa rolled over onto her side, brushing part of her dark brown fringe away from her eyes and sniffling, holding back tears, thinking the reason for her depression to be moronic. The reason for said depression was simple, it was not the loss of someone loved, all she wanted was one thing, freedom. But, of course, independence for her would be impossible, she was a girl after all. It was forbidden for a girl to run her country and be independent, it was her brothers duty to take care of South America's political duties and decisions, Luisa had no say in what happened in her country. In fact, most of the time she didn't even know what was happening there. She felt completely powerless.
Although she told herself over and over again it was just her lack of independence was the only cause of her deep unhappiness and depression, she knew, deep down inside, there was another reason. Although this reason seemed simple, it was complicated and something she knew she could never cure. It felt like a key part of her was missing, a large chunk of herself, gone. Instead of a bloodied, beating muscle occupying her chest, there was nothing, a giant, gaping hole that needed filling, that could never be filled.
Sighing, she pulled herself up, patting her dress, she rose, stepping over towards her window, gazing out across the fields and the orchard in the distance, remembering the time when it wasn't forbidden for her to travel that far out, it was several years ago, shortly after the invention of the first factory machines.
- Flash back -
"Alfie! Come on, please!" Matthew and Luisa hissed, persistently tugging on their older brothers brown military jacket, smiling sweetly.
"Fine...Now go on, off you go!" He told the pair, turning around to face the wall as he did so, receiving quiet cheers from the younger children.
"...One...Two..." Alfred started.
"Quick! This way!" Matthew whispered, jabbing his older sister in the side, pointing towards the Orchard. The pair ran off across the farming field, towards the edge of the Orchard.
"Let's split up!" Luisa exclaimed once they got to the , racing off in the opposite direction in the woods.
"Luisa! Wait! Where are you going?" Matthew called over to her, racing off in the direction she had disappeared into. She was already too far away to hear her younger brother calling for her, still running. After a few minutes, Luisa stopped dead, looking around, worried, all she could see around her was trees, rows and rows of trees, blocking out most of the sun. Making Luisa alone and afraid.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" She called out, wondering around in small circles, trying to calm her breathing, staring around the large orchard worriedly, confused, frightened. Eventually, she made it to a giant hill at the edge, a giant workhouse loomed up ahead of her at the top of the hill.
"W-what is that?" Luisa said to herself, cautiously making her way to the top of the hill. Once there, she observed the workhouse, listening to the sounds of the roaring machines and the horrid stench of neglect. Turning, Luisa saw the rest of the world and how the other half lived. Disgusting brown/ black smoke filled the air, making it almost impossible to see the city below, but she could just make out the rows of tall, thin housing and the other factories blasting out jets of smoke into the air, the horrible smell of disease and death overwhelmed her, even from the distance she was observing from.
Luisa then jumped, feeling a hand touching her shoulder, shivering, she turned to see a black, grubby hand on her shoulder, making her yell out and jump sideways, a large, older man covered in musty dust, carrying a horrid, dirty smell.
"W-who are you?"
"...You, my dear, are a long way from school...South America?"
"H-How do you know w-who I a-a-am?" Luisa asked, shivering. The man said nothing, just grinned and advanced towards her...
- Flashback end -
It had become fuzzy afterwards, Luisa had never been able to remember what happened, just remembering someone coming and rescuing her, she had originally thought it was Alfred who had followed her there, but, as she stood by the window, she recalled asking her brother about if it was really him. Yet, he never seemed to know what she was going on about. Slamming her eyes shut and concentrating, Luisa thought back, who had her mystery rescuer been?
Then she froze.
Could it have really been Mr. Britain? All along?
"No, that's impossible," Luisa spoke quietly to herself, trying to convince herself it was just her imagining it being him. It wasn't working.
Then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Miss, may I enter? The Conference will commence soon and I have been requested by Mr. America to get you ready," the shrill, familiar voice of one of the family maids sounded from outside her bedroom door.
"Uh, yes, you may enter," Luisa said, standing up straight.
"I just need to change you into this dress and comb through your hair, the ball is tonight so I must hurry, as soon as Mr. America has finished his duties in the Conference building you are required by him to get back here so I can plait it properly,"
"The ball?" Luisa said with a sigh.
"Yes miss, Mr. France is looking forward to attend it with you," another one of Luisa's problems, she was set to be wed with France, to form an alliance with America and France, as her father would forbid her from making her own decisions and divorce, Luisa would be trapped with him until the day she died, she would be expected to sit around the manor, sewing, making cloths and tending to any children she would have to bear.
"Honestly miss, I do not wish to intrude into your personal life, but I must be blunt, you are clearly not happy with the whole arrangement, are you?"
"I am not.." Luisa replied, becoming vacant.
"Maybe things will change, you never know, miss,"
"I highly doubt," Luisa said, casting a glare towards the maid as she finished tying up her corset.
"Well, I am sorry, just trying to bring a little positivity to you,"
"And what is that implying?" Luisa shot the maid a questioning glance.
"Nothing, nothing at all miss, you just seem a little down recently,"
"...You've worked in our household for a long time now, I am surprised at your lack of manners, even around me of all people,"
"Apologies..." The maid replied sarcastically. "There, we're all done," She said, bowing and leaving the room. Sighing deeply, I stepped out of my bedroom and advanced towards the grand, decorated main staircase.
"Luisa!" Her brother called from the bottom of the staircase. Smiling, she stepped quicker to the bottom of the stairs to greet Alfie.
"Your beautiful today,"
"You always say that!" Luisa scoffed, taking the arm he had just outstretched and letting him lead her outside towards their carriage.
"And, I speak the truth,"
"Yeah, yeah,"
"I don't lie to you!" He said to her as they walked up the pathway of the manor.
"Yes, you never lie to me," She said, not realizing her brother pause momentarily, suddenly afraid she knew.
"W-whats that supposed to mean?" He asked, hoping his worst fears were not true.
"Nothing, I mean, everyone has their own dark secret, right?" She said, turning to look at him, noticing his sudden muscle relaxation and a short, quiet sigh from him, Luisa said nothing, wondering what he might be hiding, 'it was probably nothing to worry about' she told herself confidently. Their coach driver approached the iron gates, opening them for the pair, bowing as he stepped aside, letting Luisa and Alfie pass through. He then quickly went back to the coach, opening the coach doors for the pair.
"Miss," He spoke kindly, outstretching his hand to Luisa, she took it as she stepped into the coach, wiping her glove once inside. As soon as the carriage started moving, she turned to study her siblings face, still wondering what he might be hiding, 'I'm just a worrier, it'll be nothing, probably just silly' she brushed the small curl of dark brown hair away from her face, when he realized she was still staring at him.
"It's rude to stare, what is on your mind?" He queried.
"It's nothing, really, I was just wondering about~"
"A-about?" He asked with a frown, cocking his head to the side slightly.
"Nothing, nothing at all..." She told him, trailing off, thinking back to earlier when she remembered who had rescued and taken her to the edge of her fathers property when she was younger, it must have been in the late 18th century, it was when the first factory powered machines were built.
"I-I was wondering something, has Mr. Britain ever been to the manor, or stayed in the area?"
"Not since the 16th Century, when I first was born, Father and him were allies back then"
"Oh, ok, Allies? It's hard to imagine,"
"I know, but...Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering, thats all," She said, hoping he didn't notice her sudden, but barely noticeable tenseness.
"Oh." Alfie replied, unconvinced.
At the Conference building.
Luisa approached the conference room, lead by her brother and being followed by a trail of maids, who carried documents and scribing equipment for Luisa to put down important information shared by other countries during the conference, she obviously couldn't contribute to the conference, which was more like a giant argument between the head of the countries.
She entered the conference room, as always, Luisa and Alfie were early, with the acception of Greece, Italy Veneziano and his elder brother Romano. She stepped to the right of the large room, taking her seat at the writing desk in the corner, once she was seated, the maid set out her writing equipment; A quill, scrolls and sealing equipment.
"There you go miss, is there anything else you require?" She asked politely 'how about happiness?' Luisa thought to herself.
"No, thank you," She said instead, sitting there silently watching as the 'countries' slowly started filing into the room. She watched as her brothers body language suddenly changed as Kiku stepped into the room, Alfie turned away from where the slightly older man (Alfie, 19, Kiku, 21) took his seat by Mr. China, completely ignoring Alfie, they didn't even look over at each other. 'it must be something to do with Kiku not too long ago, the pair were inseperable, always together, then, something changed, now they hate each other, there had been no wars started, they just...stopped talking to each other. Maybe, just maybe, has he got something to do with Alfie's secret? He tensed up so much when Kiku entered.'
Luisa watched intently as more of the countries entered in small groups, followed by maids carrying documents and other files for the conference. She froze. Mr. Britain entered the room, receiving a scowl from Alfie, the Brit took his seat, not noticing Luisa at first, but instantly started staring at her weirdly when he saw the seventeen year old sitting at the desk in the corner. She felt rude, staring at him in that manner, but couldn't take her eyes off him. She knew she shouldn't fall for her fathers rivals, but the way she saw it, she wasn't allowed to participate in her countries politics, so why should be enemies with him, 'this, is not fair! It's my life, why am I not allowed to live it? "It's not proper," my father would lecture me daily, but what was it to act 'proper'? One persons view on it would be different to another persons, why should I share the same views? Father would also say that I wasn't independent, so I had to share the same views as the country I was tied to, which was him, even though now Alfie had taken over reasonability of taking care of America and Canada's business.' She thought to herself, all the while still staring into his emerald eyes, when Luisa realized she had been staring at him for several minutes, oblivious to the stares she was getting to her Fiance, Francis. 'Oh great, now I look like Miss Belarus, staring at him like this, I probably look like I belong in the madhouse...Wait, was he...Staring at me all this time too?'
The Conference dragged on for the next two hours and Luisa scribbled down every detail she could, but was awfully distracted, love struck, and not by her Fiance who was secretly flirting with another female 'country' who Luisa believed to be the southern part of Ireland, a pretty blonde girl, Luisa had seen her around before, she was Mr. Britains younger sister, she'd also overheard Alfie talking about her and believed her name to be Lauren, a small country that was under leadership of her older brother, also had a mad infatuation with Luisa's Fiance, Luisa soon noticed this secret flirting, and couldn't care less, she hated Francis with a passion, not caring what he did or where he went, Luisa knew she couldn't be wed to him. Ever.
After a lot of argumentation, little quiet discussing and the booming of Mr. Germanys voice, the Conference ended, for the next two weeks. Sighing, Luisa rolled up her scrolls and sealed them with a stamp and red liquid, which hardened and she handed the scrolls to one of her brothers personal maids.
"Miss, do you want me to take the books and documents down?"
"No, it's fine, I got it, thank you,"
"Are you sure? They are pretty heavy, miss?"
"I am perfectly capable of managing on my own!" Luisa snapped back, gesturing for the maid to leave with a small flick of her hand.
"You've been quite distracted today," Luisa turned to see Alfie stood behind her, looking down at his petite sister, face filled with concern.
"I-I'm fine, really,"
"Good, well, you know where I'll be if you need me!" He said as he turned to leave.
"Yes..." She whispered. Alfie and most of the other countries split off to have drinks in the smoking rooms, they were supposed to talk political matters but often ended up drinking and chatting about their enemies and the last two weeks. Luisa often spent this time lost in a book in the library or rewriting her notes, she was also secretly writing her own novel, where she lived in her own fantastical perfect world. It was like an escape from everything that was going on, it relieved her stress to write it.
Luisa piled up the documents and books in alphabetical order, as her father often told her to do so, thinking that all of the countries had left the room. All but one.
Quickly collecting the books up in her arms, she began to leave. Looking at the ground, she trailed her feet along the carpet, accidently walking into the path of one of the countries, whom was also on their way out of the door. The books crashed to the ground with a loud echoing thud, making the nearby chairs shake.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Luisa flustered, keeping her head down, quickly grabbing the books, beginning to file them in alphabetical order.
"Let me do it, please," Luisa froze. The voice. She looked up slowly to be inches away from Mr. Britains face.
"No, it's my fault, I'm sorry I walked into you, Mr. Britain, I'll pick it up," She began to speak quicker, flashing bright red.
"Please, call me Arthur, I'll pick them up," He replied, taking the books from her hands and bending down to pick up the rest of them. Luisa stayed still, still knelt down, in shock.
"I-I really am sorry, Mr. Brit- Uh, Arthur,"
"It's no worry, really," he replied, standing. Still embarrassed, Luisa rose.
"T-thank you," expecting Arthur to give the books back.
"So, I'll walk you to your carriage, yours is the one with the American flag, am I correct?"
"W-walk me? But, are we not supposed to be enemies?"
"Enemies? We've just met,"
"If Alfie, uh I mean Mr. America, finds out I was even talking to you, I'll get the blame,"
"If we are caught, I'll take all the blame,"
"T-thats nice of you, sir but-"
"Arthur, sorry for interrupting," He replied discreetly, Luisa noticed he was also blushing.
"Arthur, but it's hardly fair for you to take the whole blame? We'll split it!" Luisa exclaimed.
"...Well, if you say so,"
"I'm Luisa, Luisa de Santiago by the way,"
"I-I would lead you down, my hands are full, excuse me,"
"I don't mind," Luisa sent him a small, sweet smile.
The pair left the World Conference Room, being fortunate not to bump into any other of Alfie's allies, or any countries for that matter.
"So, your South America, right?"
"Yes,"
"Well, Your quite distant, aren't you, you like day dreaming?" He asked, looking over to Luisa with a cute smile "If you don't mind me saying, that is,"
"Oh, you noticed that?" Luisa said, pausing.
"It wasn't difficult to notice, you were staring at me for most of the Conference,"
"Sorry if I was off-putting, it won't happen again,"
"I know your just trying to be polite an' all, but, you really do not need to apologize to me every time we speak,"
"I-I'm sorr- Never mind," She said with a blush, receiving a small light hearted chuckle from Arthur. The pair then walked outside to the street, where several carriages and horses were, the two of them walked to the large six horse carriage with a giant American flag on the back. Arthur neatly set the documents and books down in the carriage.
"Thanks for carrying them," Luisa spoke quietly, smiling and blushing at the same time.
"So, America and most of the other countries are down in the smoking room, d-do you want to have tea with me in the tearoom?"
"I-I don't know, we might get spotted,"
"I don't expect you to, only if you want to,"
"Yes! Of course!"
"Great, I hope you like scones,"
"Scones? Alfie tells me they are like, disgusting tasteless pastries!"
"He has no sense of taste, trust me, Hamburgers are his idea of cuisine!"
"That's true I suppose, I'll try them...Do, do you drink...Tea?"
"Yes, I do, do you want some?"
"Please! I've only ever drunk coffee," At this, Arthur made a strange sounding grunt of disgust.
"You haven't eaten or drank anything that has flavor, have you?"
"I-I don't know, I want to try ale, not the disgusting Brandy Alfie drinks though,"
"...Let's leave that for another time..." Arthur said, recalling the last time he had drunk ale, it had ended up in a bloody fight between him and Germany. 'I am so dead, if father or Alfie finds out about this.' Luisa thought to herself as she was lead by Arthur towards the tearoom inside the Conference building.