APH: Separation.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the mentioned characters in this story; Hidekaz Himaruya does.
Characters: Netherlands, Belgium, Spain.
Part 1: Seventeen Provinces.
A familiar ringing sound pulled Netherlands' attention away from his rabbits. They continued to munch on the fresh green lettuce he gave them as the man grabbed his pipe from his pocket and casually walked towards the door. He barely got any visitors and he had no scheduled meetings today. It couldn't be Belgium because she was currently occupying one of his spare rooms doing whatever girls do on this special night.
The look in Netherlands' eyes changed from slightly curious to annoyed. Nervous green eyes avoided eye contact as he silently fumbled with the bouquet of purple daisies his hands. Spain hesitantly locked eyes with Netherlands. He looked away again and gulped. Why was the Dutch man already shooting daggers at him with his eyes? There should be no reason for Netherlands to be angry at him. Maybe he should have also brought a bouquet of orange tulips for the Dutchman as a peace offering.
"H-Hola, Netherlands.."
"Hallo, Spain."
Spain laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. He better do this quickly or he might annoy the male even more.
"I'm here to pick up Belgium. Could you please tell her that I have arrived to escort her?"
The Spaniard took a deep breath and gave himself a mental pat on the shoulder; he had done well. Netherlands leant against the doorframe, silently smoking his pipe whilst glaring at the smaller male. He had almost forgotten how annoyingly cheerful and bright Spain could be.
"Wait here", Netherlands mumbled and swiftly closed the door in front of the waiting and confused Spaniard.
The smoke of his pipe followed his figure as he casually entered the main hall. He climbed the broad staircase and took a small moment to look at the paintings of his belated rulers. Silently he continued onto the eastern wing of his mansion. It wasn't often that he could be seen in this part of the building. Only guests of the royal family or close friends would walk upon this floor and make use of the luxury bedrooms. Netherlands stopped in front of a particular door and knocked softly. A female voice called him in, her voice singing gleefully. She turned to look at her brother as Netherlands opened the door and took in his position of leaning against and in the doorway.
"What do you think? Beautiful, right?"
Her eyes were sparkling. She smiled widely and twirled around in the red dress she was wearing.
"I sincerely have to thank France again tonight for this wonderful dress! Does it suit me well? Come on, I need some feedback here!"
Netherlands chuckled softly and nodded his head. The pipe was tucked in the pocket of his coat after he had put it out. Belgium was still waiting for him to reply to her. She pouted slightly as he tilted his head to the side with a thoughtful stare.
"It's missing something.."
His sister curiously followed him with her eyes as he walked up to the small desk which had all her make-up and jewelry stashed upon it. He carefully roamed in the brown basket and found the necklace he was searching for. Belgium saw the silver necklace and sighed. She turned her back towards her brother and waited as he came up towards her, gently removing her hair from her neck to fasten the jewelry around her neck. She looked down with a small smile on her face. The figure hanging from the chain resembled the flag which had once united them as the Seventeen Provinces.
"Why do you want me to wear this necklace?"
"It looks beautiful on you."
"That's all?"
Netherlands placed his chin upon his sister's head, his arms lightly wrapping around Belgium's waist. Both of them knew there was more to it than the large male said. There was more, but Netherlands feared for Belgium's reaction to his sincere words and therefore said nothing.
"The Seventeen Provinces.."
Belgium whispered softly and caressed the cold jewelry with her delicate fingers. Netherlands closed his eyes as he listened to his sister's voice.
"It's been a long time already since we've parted, right brother? I feel a bit sad every time I see this symbol. Even though I admire what you did back then, I don't regret the decision I have made for my people. I felt it was better to stay under Spain's care. Antonio is a kind man even though some of his generals were hard to compromise with…"
It was in the year of 1568 when the great nation called Spain was ruled by Philip II. Back then Spain was the landlord of the Seventeen Provinces, which included current Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, a part of Northern France and a small region of Western Germany. Loyal to Philip II of Spain was the Duke of Alva and he was appointed governor of the Netherlands in 1567. As a Spanish General the Duke was strict against any protest and wanted to enroll a new tax measure called: "Tiende Penning". Netherlands was agitated by this for his status as a trading nation would be endangered. This was the beginning of Netherlands' revolt against Spain and especially against the Duke of Alva.
Netherlands knew Spain would not be easily defeated and so he asked for Belgium's help in 1576. He wanted for her to join him in battle against Spain and all she had to do was sign the Pacification of Ghent. Belgium hesitated. She wanted to help her brother during the upcoming struggle. However, Belgium changed her mind and exclaimed she didn't want to revolt against their landlord which resulted into a quarrel between the siblings. She refused to sign and watched as her brother took on the name of "The Northern Netherlands". Belgium was left to take on the name of "The Southern Netherlands", but continued to be sided with Spain.
"It wasn't an easy decision. It was painful to see you and Antonio clash swords during the Eighty Years' War. You fought for you independence and I admire that. I have such an admirable older brother. I'm sor-"
"I forgot to tell you Spain is waiting for you downstairs."
Belgium looked up from the ground which her eyes had wandered off to during her nostalgia. She gasped and wriggled herself out of Netherlands' grip. A frantic sprint around the room began and made Netherlands chuckle. Belgium checked her make-up and hair in front of the mirror. She eyed her brother in the reflection.
"How long has he been waiting for me already?"
"Hmm.. About twenty minutes, I think."
"How could you forget?"
Belgium grabbed her furry coat and rushed past him, carefully running down the staircase and leaving the mansion with a loud bang by swinging the door behind her.
The tall Dutchman sighed and left the spare room shortly after the silence had returned. He crossed paths with the paintings again and stopped in front of Willem I, Prince of Oranje, founder of the House Oranje-Nassau and the Netherlands as a state. What a great man he was and Netherlands would never forget this man's ideals and achievements.
Netherlands' green eyes were pasted onto the painting when a loud knocking disrupted his moment of admiration. His eyes slowly shifted to the door and he wondered if Belgium had returned. He shook his head as he walked down the stairs. Belgium had an own set of keys so there would be no need for her to knock unless she had forgotten them.
He had reached the door and opened it to find an unexpected male pressing orange roses in his face.
Notes:
"Hola" means "hello" in Spanish.
"Hallo" means "hello" in Dutch.
"Willem I, Prince of Oranje, founder of the House Oranje-Nassau" Dutch name, but also widely known as William the Silent or simply William of Orange founder of the House Orange-Nassau.
"Tiende Penning" is the Dutch (and only) name for a certain tax measure the Duke of Alva wanted to enroll during his stay in the Netherlands. The Netherlands would have to pay a tax of 10% on any movable goods it would transport. This would greatly endanger Netherlands' transport position. The "Tiende Penning" was never truly enrolled and was sold out for 2 years for 2 million gulden (gulden = old Dutch currency).
I used the historical happening of the Eighty Years' War to explain the separation and previous bond between Belgium (, Spain) and the Netherlands. Most information can be found on Wikipedia, but I also used random historical sites to check the reliability of Wikipedia.
Part 2 is under construction but I can't tell you when it will be finished. Keep a close eye on this fanfiction though for it won't take that long to finish and upload part 2!
Reviews&Comments are welcome!