The next morning found the dog curled at the foot of her little Prinzessin's crib, the babe soundly asleep. Her Ita-vee trusted her to look after the sweet little girl, and she would be the most attentive aunty in all of Italy if she had anything to say about it. Master was the first one in the nursery that morning, her Ita-vee was so tired and needed his rest after all. So it was up to the new father to look after their little Prinzessin. All day Bellissima did not let the child leave her sight if she could help it.
Eventually her Ita-vee was up and stiffly walking around the nursery until he settled onto the daybed with Prinzessin in arms. The little girl was cheerful and bubbly, often cooing and babbling at things that caught her eye. But now she was quiet with sleep as Ita-vee hummed to her while settling her in the white and yellow cradle and rocking her back and forth. Bellissima took this chance to hop up onto the daybed by her Ita-vee, and lay her head in his lap as she watched the cradle sway gently. LIfe was happy, and complete, nothing could ruin this day.
Life carried on as such, with Prinzessin growing more and more alert and curious by the day. She loved it when the little girl was laid on the floor to 'play' for a bit and she could lay on the blanket next to her and let the bambina play with her ears. She didn't mind really, even if Prinzessin didn't know her own strength sometimes. Ita-vee continued to let her sleep at the foot of the baby's cradle while she slept at night so there was at least someone in the room with her. They even moved her little plush bed into the nursery. It was nice, sweet and simple.
But then came the day when Bellissima noticed the suit cases coming out and things being packed up taken outside to a car. Ita-vee and Master couldn't be leaving could they? No, Prinzessin was still only a little pup, she couldn't be left here. But still they seemed intent on going.
"Come on Italy, she'll be fine. Prussia knows vhat he's doing Alafea vill be pervectly safe." Master said as Ita-vee sat by the cradle still, gently stroking their daughter's cheek. She was sound asleep for her afternoon nap and Ita-vee was hard pressed to leave his tiny daughter with her brother in law. He knew Prussia was wonderful with children and had done nothing but brag about his niece since she was born but still.
"But I feel so awful leaving her here like this Germany. She's so little and helpless!" Ita-vee sighed as Master gently pulled him to his feet and ushered him out the door. Helpless was right! They couldn't just leave her there all by herself! She dashed out the room after them and stopped at the top of the stairs to bark at them once and growl a little.
"Bellissima, what's wrong little puppy?" Ita-vee reached out his hand to try and pet her but she backed off and growled again.
"She think's ve're abandoning her and Alafea." Master said as he tried to pat her as well. She was being a good dog and trying to look after her family, most specifically it's youngest member. She whimpered and butted her head into Ita-vee's shin hoping he would turn around. Ita-vee looked back at the room with a sad expression.
"We can't wait until she's older and take her with?" He asked looking up at Master. Bellissima liked this idea much better. She didn't like the idea of anyone going anywhere, but if they at least took Prinzessin with them she would be much happier about them leaving.
"Not this time, it's only for the veekend liebling, Prussia can handle her." Master said in a soft voice. No, they couldn't they just couldn't! Just then the doorbell rang and Bellissima turned around to see who was there.
"Ahh, speak of the devil und he shall appear, that's him now. Come on Italy let's go." He said guiding his partner down the stairs to the door. Bellissima stayed at the top of the stairs with her ears down and head low. They really were going. Master opened the door to a man with uneven silver hair and burgundy irises that reminded her of an albino rat. A top his head sat a small yellow canary bird. He had a small bag with him and a smile that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Guten Morgen Bruder! Sorry I am late! Now now now, get going you two, or you'll be the vones late for your plane! I alveady know my vay around, leave everything to the awesome uncle! Goodbye, stay safe, have a vundabar time!" He said pushing the pair out the doors and closing the harshly behind them. He set his bag and threw his coat on the hook and looked eagerly up towards the stairs. "Now to see that adorable nichte of mine!" He rushed up the stairs booted feet ringing and down the hall to Prinzessin's room.
Bellissima was quick to follow now satisfied that at least someone would be around to look after the little darling. She scampered down the hall after the albino man and into the room to take up her customary place at the foot of the cradle while this Prussia reached in and gently lifted the sleeping baby into his arms. He was indeed very gentle with her, and held her snug and soft cradled to his chest. He looked up at the dog and smiled.
"And you must be Italy's little Bellissima. They told me how good you are at vatching over little Alafea. You keep a good eye on my nichte beauty." He said reaching out a hand out to pat her head warmly. So maybe she had misjudged this human. He seemed okay for now. And that name, Beauty, she knew her name meant something, was that it? It must be, it just sounded right to her ears. The bird on his head twittered at her. There was something about that animal that unsettled her. Something not right.
With her Prinzessin safely in her uncle's arms she felt curiosity begin to tug at her and she slipped away and back down the stairs. She was curious as to what all had been in that bag he had brought. Though plain in appearance nothing came into this house without her inspection. Unfortunately the little bird decided to follow without his master's notice. He flitted around the room before landing on the coat rack to stare down at the dog in a demeaning way, like he lived in this house instead of her.
She gave a soft growl at the bird and he tweeted back. In her Master's absence she was in charge of this house, not him. But alas he flew to the piano, proceeded to push over a bottle of open ink left by her Ita-vee and splattered his wings and little feet in it, throwing the black liquid everywhere and leaving little footprints on the music sheets. When she moved to catch the bird he flew off again in a lazy swirly bumblebee like way. From the piano he moved to Master's old grandfather clock, pecking holes in the old rowan wood and pitting it's once smooth surface. Bellissima knocked over a chair on her way to get the bird this time. But before she could catch him, he broke a vase, unhooked the curtains and left a nice little present on the sofa.
But finally with a good leap, the little spaniel finally captured the bird between her jaws in one swift bite. Now Gilbird himself was unharmed and whole, alive and kicking in her mouth. What a funny feeling it was, to have a ball of yellow fluffy scratching and kicking in one's mouth.
Then the trouble really started. Mr. Prussia came down stairs, having left Prinzessin to sleep in her cradle to find the damage done and a few small yellow feathers sticking out of Bellissima's mouth.
"Eiiiihhhhheeee! You stupid dog, spit him out! Spit him out this instant! My poor awesome Gilbird!" He smacked the back of her head hard enough to send Gilbird flying out of her mouth and into the air once more. He landed on an amazingly un touched pillow on the couch and shook the bit of dog drool from his feathers and twittered sadly though he was perfectly unharmed save for the few missing feathers. Prussia scooped him up enthusiastically and cuddled the little bird to his cheek happily before throwing a glare at the hurt dog and storming up the stairs. The whole way up he was muttering about 'locking the outside door to the baby's room so the dog couldn't get her'. Oh how she had failed, she couldn't keep her Prinzessin Alafia safe, especially if she couldn't out wit one silly little bird. But then again that bird was way too smart for his good.
It wasn't a long time later that she was kicked out of the house and the dog door locked. Her dog house and the setting sun were her only companions for now. Thankfully, friends aren't hard to find in this little town. Alfred and Kiku were soon trotting into the yard through the back gate.
"Hey Little lady what's with all the racket? We could here you barking a mile away." Alfred asked as he plomped down next to her house and looked up at her through her long ears.
"Yes Miss Berrissima, there was quite a commotion. Are you arright?" Kiku's soft voice and odd accent from his homeland was calming to her frayed nerves and she looked up slightly before laying down and placing her little muzzle next to Alfred's much bigger golden one.
"Oh it's nothing really Kiku-chan. Master and Ita-vee left today for some reason and they left Prinzessin behind for her uncle Mr. Prussia to look after. He seems okay and all but that little bird of his is evil I tell you. It started pecking at Master's big clock and ruined Ita-vee's music and there was the curtains and then just when I caught the blasted thing Mr. Prussia comes down and thinks I ate him and destroyed the room. And Now I'm out here for the night and I won't be allowed into the nursery to keep Prinzessin safe! I fail as a guard dog!" She whimpered into his ear. Kiku gently patted her back and Alfred nuzzled her until she lay in between his big paws. He licked her ear in a comforting way.
"Well miss Bell ma'am I don't know what to tell ya. But I know your Master and Ita-vee will be back. It's just what humans call a vacation, a little time to get away from normal life and have fun. And it might not have been a good thing to bring Prinzessin and so they had to leave her here. I'm sure once they come back everything will be fine again." For once Alfred spoke with some wisdom, which was uncharacteristic of him. Normally he was regaling her with stories of his grandpa and hunting. The large golden dog gently lay his head over her shoulders like a blanket bringing more widespread comfort to her trembling body.
"I agree Miss Berrissima. No one could reave rittle Prinzessin all by herserf. Especialry Ita-vee. So don't fret rittle one, they be back soon. You'rl see." Kiku said also giving a soft lick to her cheek. Bellissima's sadness eased a bit with their comfort. Yes they couldn't stay gone forever. With that they moved onto lighter subjects, Bellissima earning smiles with her latest stories of Alafea's exploration of the world around her. As the day turned to night and things grew cold her two friends were called home by their own masters for the night. She knew she wasn't getting back inside tonight, so she settled for the cushion in her dog house. It was nearly as soft as her bed in the nursery. She watched from the yard as Prinzessin was put down for the night, and Prussia closed her window and let the curtains fall. Once the lights went off, she curled up and drifted off into sleep.