A/N: Yay, chapter 2. Gives a deeper taste of what this fanfic is about. But everything is still in puzzles, mwahaha! If you like it, let me know. Otherwise, I will not risk slaughtering Hetalia for my own enjoyment.

In any case, read and review. I really don't know which direction to go. My first continuous anime fanfiction, so yes, direction, criticism, flames and flying panda are welcome.

Also, I know of the misspellings of the characters' names. I did those on purpose. It is a fanfic, so please do not point out those are misspelled. It's my own corrupted touch to it. I know their names, but I just wanted to add political, ethereal depth, xD

Enjoy!

-Mayris

Toris sighed, looking in the mirror. Shoulder-length brown hair and matching eyes touched back at its owner. Frustration coated the returning gaze.

Having been told to stay here months ago, nothing would move quickly enough.

The kingdom isn't safe, they said.

You're the only one who can liberate us.

Toris understood all this. Understood why there was such a commotion about an heir to the throne of Lithuancia. But there were many things Toris did not understand.

A single knock at the door before Feliks entered. "Seriously, you're like, not ready yet?"

"For what?" Toris asked.

"Like, hello~. The others have arrived. You're not even in your dress."

A deep blush crept across Toris's face. "But I—"

He waved his hand. "No excuse. Not getting out of this one! They sent me to make sure that you didn't," he laughed, shutting the door behind him.

"P-please, this isn't necessary!"

Struggling was futile. Feliks had caught him off guard. Or maybe the consistent daydreaming in front of the mirror had slowed the princess's actions.

Lord Feliks von Polonia draped his hands over Toris's shoulders. "Only my talents could make you look super sexy!" he posed in mirror behind the princess. A long, pink dress flowed around the floor where Toris was seated while a silver crown adorned the royal head.

Toris blushed deeply, looking down at his hands which were lined with lace gloves. "I-is all of this… really necessary?"

"Of course! You're, like, royalty! Now, come on!" He grabbed Toris's hand roughly, leading the way out of the room. "Everyone's expecting you!"

Feliks giggled jubilantly as he led the way to a grand hall. The hall was filled with ambassadors from the different kingdoms that bordered Lithuancia.

Several princesses from their respectful kingdoms sat in their casual attire at the edge of a conference table while the ambassadors bickered about the best way to confront the growing armies of the north.

As Toris entered, the room grew silent. Countless eyes landed upon the new princess. With a slam, the door shut closed. Toris winced.

The first appearance to others would be the worst. Toris expected this. But the atmosphere was almost suffocating. First impression drew the oxygen from the air.

"Welcome, your highness!" called one of the ambassadors, scurrying over to greet the newcomers. Francis never failed to greet a beautiful face and the sight of the lovely lass nearly sent him tumbling from his seat.

More importantly, Toris was valuable. If he could make some kind of connection with the princess, then her kingdom could hoist his own from the depths of humiliation. No one questioned the kingdom of Lithuancia.

He dropped to a knee, holding out a hand for the young maiden to take. Startled and terrified, Toris stepped back. Lord Polonia stopped him. "Can't back out now! You are before the entire honorary council," he admonished in Toris's ear.

Toris nodded once and shakily, extended the desired hand.

Before their hands met, a loud slam caused the three of them to jump. Toris let out a yelp and Francis stood up quickly and turned about in time to hear Alfred exclaim, "Is that really Toris? The Toris? Toris of Legend? Her Royal Highness Toris von Lithuancia?"

Arthur growled, rubbing the inside of his ear. Alfred's outburst nearly cost him his hearing. "Such vulgar behavior before her highness," he admonished sharply.

He looked down to Arthur, confusion across his face. For a moment, he said nothing and then asked, "So is this really her?"

By now, Arthur von Englandia gripped the handle of his teacup until his knuckles turned white. "Yes, now sit down before her highness," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"Huh? How do you know it's really her?" he continued. "It could be a lookalike to make us believe that the REAL Toris is with us when actually, she's just a decoy."

"Do you question the Princess of Legends?" He stood, letting go of the teacup.

Alfred turned to face him. "No, but I want to know if she's the genuine article."

"So you do question her."

"I didn't say that."

"Yes, you did!"

"No, I didn't!"

They argued back and forth until Toris looked down with an exasperated sigh.

Francis stood, taking her highness's hands in his. "Fair Princess, do not listen to the words of these foolish men. They know nothing of your true grace." His face inched closer.

Toris looked to Feliks helplessly. He had that stupid grin on his face.

Francis's advance was halted suddenly at the sound of glass and a tinted liquid running over his flaxen hair.

Backing away, Toris avoided him as he collapsed to the floor.

Arthur cleared his throat. "Forgive my vulgarity. Please, join us. Sit anywhere you like," he gestured.

Glaring, Alfred tried not to mumble the word 'hypocrite' to his rival's face.

Toris observed the room. Mahogany chairs had been arranged around the long, mahogany table. Only four chairs were vacant. The one that belonged to Francis, two side-by-side and another that was separated from the two by a young brunette with a scowl on her face, obviously disturbed by the current display or the fact that she was in attendance to this meeting.

Toris chose the chair on the far side of the girl, but Lord Polonia beat her highness to it, forcing Toris to sit beside the brunette. When she sat down, the girl turned her head away, a sharp glare on her face as she crossed her arms.

The meeting went by in a blur. As Toris almost drifted off into another daydream, the doors to the hall snapped open with a chilling ferocity.

A tall figure stood shadowed in the door. Sharp footfalls echoed with a cutting finality. Coming into the light, the platinum-haired woman looked out toward the ambassadors. Her cold, calculating eyes rested upon Toris for a moment. Vengeance crossed her features for a moment as she staggered forward. A knife was clutched in her hand.

Letting out a shriek, she ran forward. Toris stood, reacting before Lord Polonia.

The woman froze as a gasp escaped her lips. A small dart rested in her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed and Toris reached her in time to catch her falling figure. She landed softly in her highness's arms.

The knife clattered to the floor. Honda von Japania pulled the dart gun out of sight, acting as if nothing had happened.

Lord Polonia jumped to Toris's side. "Omg! I totes didn't see that coming! Are you alright, your highness?" he asked, clapping a hand to her shoulder.

Toris stared down at the woman in a daze. "Yes… I'm fine…" she stated, longing to brush a strand of the silver hair from the woman's features. Resisting only for appearance's sake.

"I think we should end the meeting here," Arthur declared, setting his drink down. "Well, everyone… may as well introduce her as she worked so hard to put on a show." Inhaling sharply, he said, "Princess Natalia Arlovskaya von Belarus."

The words fell numbly over Toris's ears. Without a word, Princess Lithuancia carried Natalia von Belarus out of the hall and into the infirmary.