1. Rain in late spring


Wien, spring, 1850

The cumbrous, gloomy clouds has collided fiercely, pouring heavy rain to the ground and blocking lights from sunlight since this early morning. The rain kept dropping until noon, so Hungary could only start her work in the garden in the mildly cold afternoon.

The skyline still seems melancholy, while she is collecting remnant of flowers and leaves with her broom, and this is the only job she has on a daily basis currently. A breeze in late spring blows up her honey-blond hair strands and ruffles of her olive working dress. It has been a long time since the last time she did whole-day housework as a maid in this mansion.

The revolution, the word flashes across her mind. She knows that "they" are the special ones. They own human bodies, all kinds of emotions and senses, and are even called by their human names just like normal people; on the other hand, they stop growing elder once their own countries establish and thrive in maturity, and they are tortured by pain once serious events—war, disasters, revolutions—occur. They have needs for air, water, food and clothing, but no permanent physical harm will stay with them, neither does death come to them. Infinite life, until the resolve of the country. Nevertheless, she has no concrete concept of how it processes, and she only develops a vague impression that they may just fade away like dust of time or disappear all of a sudden.

As a result, when the revolution in Kingdom of Hungary blasted two years ago, she has suffered unimaginable pain and agony, both physically and mentally. The strife between the Magyar revolutionists and the formal Hungarian government has led to the enormous aftermath. Undoubtedly, Austria has ordered her to stop working and take a rest in serenity for recovery. For various reasons, she was told not to leave the mansion except necessity. Fortunately, the mansion locates in the suburb of Wien, where it contains an immense area of green space, and she was allowed to roam around the field when the weather was pleasant. Once she found herself better, she asked Austria to appoint tasks to her again, though he begged her to obey the doctor's order by staying in bed a little longer.

Actually, she doesn't think badly about his advice. It is true that there is still a black hole of emptiness, and dizziness attacks her abruptly, but the nursing surveillance suffocated her from time to time. In her opinion, to labor is a more effective cure than to stay still. As a country, she feels more indisposed as it seems for reason.

When she finishes packaging the cleaned petals of tulips with her knitted small bag, she straightens up and calls out, "I know you're there, so stop hiding is your only choice."

From the quivering bush comes out the young man, who she has already known for centuries. "Hey, that doesn't count for a welcome to the awesome me!" Prussia protests loudly. "Who cares about your egotism? Tell me, after such a long time, what business do you have here today, Prussia?" she stares at him with half disturbance and half nostalgia. She can't really remember when the last time he came was. To them, the time length divided by year is actually too trivial to show the difference.

"You do seem more energetic than I thought, Hungary." He gives her that distinguishing grin. "You're still working for that pansy aristocrat? How annoying…" He instantly receives a swift crack on his head by that "evil" kitchen utensil not even before he finishes his sentence. "Ouch! That hurts you stupid woman!" "Don't you dare to blame Mr. Austria, idiot! It is I who asked for the work in garden." He swears to himself next time he must find out where the hell she puts that frying pan with her. However, seeing her with her weapon eases him a bit.

"Do you have other works on schedule except from this flowery stuff?" He asks.
"No, only to change the water in vases later. So, why are you here?" She asks directly. "Nothing, just to deliver some important documents to Austria."
"Mr. Austria is out…"
"Ja, I know. I have already left them to the butler, so…ah, how have you been?"

She hesitates, and then says blankly, "I think I'm okay. How about you and Ludwig? " He is not so fond of her simple answer, knowing what she has been through lately. "Well, I'm awesome as always, and Ludwig is growing and learning fast. He is such a cute little brat! Oh by the way, he told me to thank you for the ribbons with embroidery you made for his toy bear. He said he likes it very much." Because Ludwig is at a young age and there is not yet a united, centralized government, so they all call him by his human name. "Really? I'm glad he does! Ludwig is truly a polite and adorable boy, unlike somebody."She smiles. "Ja, ja, whatever." He notices her fluffy smile widening on her face, which lightens the atmosphere between them.

Actually, he kind of says the white lie by not telling her other things. The revolutionary wave has rushed over Europe since 1848. Prussian government has also suppressed several revolts, though not that serious compared to hers or Austrian ones. Furthermore, the intensity between Austria and Prussia over the main control of Deutscher Bund has deepened. He now has to do more negotiation and with Austria and perform diplomatic tactics with other countries in order to support Ludwig, which drives him not only mad but tired. Consequently, he doesn't want to worry her more, considering her health. "Do you really feel better now?" He asks her. "…I know I can handle it properly after a while." She finally gives in, as he expected.

They have been so engaged into the conversation that they weren't aware of that the sky is once again turning grey. Suddenly, the thunder breaks out with big rain drops dampening their clothes. Prussia swiftly takes off his coat and throws it to Hungary to cover her body. "Take this." Not letting her refuse him, he promptly grasps her arm and leads her to the near pavilion for a shelter.

She is touched by the consideration of his act, but too shamed to show her gratitude. She notices all the back of his shirt has become transparent, which gives her an excuse to repay him. "Here you go, your shirt is all wet." She hands out her handkerchief. "Thanks." They sit down on each side of the bench to dry themselves. He sneaks a look at her, seeing her twist the long, shining hair. She then looks up innocently, and their eyes meet. He moves away immediately, with his face blushing scarlet. What he doesn't know is that she does the same, too.

After a while, she unexpectedly murmurs. "I wish I were in Hungary right now."
"…what?" He didn't see that coming.
"You know, I actually keep dreaming about the scenery in Hungary lately. Budapest,Nagy Alföld …I probably would visit Lake Balaton if I could. I haven't seen any waving water for a long time…" She tries to laugh out but it doesn't work out well.

He pauses, and then grows conscious of what she means. It is obvious that Austria won't let her do so, judging by the current "passive resistance" in Hungary, her move would just initiate more tumults. Lifting his head, he sees her burying her face into her palms. "Maybe I just need to sense something familiar to calm myself down." She states wearily, still hiding her expression from him.

The rain has already stopped, lighting the surrounding a bit more. He can tell that she is falling into depression, and he can't make it up only by verbal encouragement. He hates to see her like this, remaining silent and swallowing bitterness all alone. It withers her energy and beauty, and it is not like the one he knows in their childhood at all.

Without consciousness, he reaches out his arms and pins her head to his chest. She is colder than he thought, as if she was going to fade away with the rain. The fear crawls up to his mind, making him hold her more tightly. "Pr…Prussia…" Her voice shivers.

He determines the idea. "Then let's run away to Lake Balaton. Only two of us."

She titles her head in astonishment. "You… you didn't mean it…"
"Yes, seriously." This time, she gazes into his deep burgundy eyes, sight blurring vaguely. He puts his hands on her shoulders and says, "Look, it won't take long to get to the border if we hurry; besides, you cannot persuade me that you can make a good recovery in this dull mansion by those words you just spitted out."

She now realizes he is going to take her away, even without her permission.
"But…but how about Mr. Austria…"
"Forget about him."
"Little Italy and Ludwig?"
"Italy will be fine with Austria and Pasta…I will make arrangements to make sure he is taken good care of by trustful people." She sees him frowning, but from his earnest, she somehow begins to believe his plan is feasible.

"If you insist, then I guess I have no other ways to dissuade you from doing so." She admits with a little delight. "Good. I will write to you as soon as possible and arrange the trip, so you don't need to worry about the details." He grins. "I've got to go back now. Don't miss me too much!" He takes up his coat and makes a swift peck on her forehead. "Whaaaat…." She blushes instantly. "Tschüs!" He flees away and disappears in her sight.

He is truly an idiot, she thinks. But that's why he is so dear to her.


Author's notes:

Thank you for reading! This is my debut of English fictions, so please kindly remind me if there are any mistakes :)

1. The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was leaded by Magyars revolutionist in purpose of establishing a democratic political system with equity and civil rights. Magyar=Hungarian.

2. Wien = Vienna, Nagy Alföld= Great Hungarian Plain

3. "Ja" is the German word for "yeah/yes".

4. Hungary is famous for its embroidery, so I decided to let little Ludwig take the gift!

5. Deutscher Bund is The German Confederation, which is a loose association of 39 German states in Central Europe, created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries and to replace the former Holy Roman Empire.

6. Tschüs!= Bye!