A/N: I do not own Hetalia. I only think that it's awesome enough to write about.
After a while I stop and notice that I've been walking for quite some time. It looks like I have already reached the outskirts of the town.
Most of the nobles' estates are in the town, but others like Roderick's and my old home were built on former plantations. My Papa used to joke about how we got our land and the woods near it by building a house.
To be honest, I have no idea why Roderick has his estate out in the country. He is not the type to appreciate the outdoors. And most of the time he stays in his piano room.
As I walk through the town I pass several shacks and boarding houses. And as usual I stare straight ahead to discourage anyone from trying to stop me. It isn't that the people that live here are bad in any way, but the problem is they all want hand outs and once they start begging there is no shaking them off.
Usually I don't use this entrance into town, but usually I pay more attention to my surroundings. Since I do not want to be in this district of town for any longer I decide to take the long way to the town market.
Though I must confess, I have another motive for heading this way. If I keep going this way, I will pass his house. And by him I mean that little boy I used to play with.
I can't remember his name; it is a part of a past I've worked hard to forget. Although that does not stop me from wanting to remember. Sometimes when I'm in town and have time, I visit his house. And by visit I mean that I stand in front of it and hope to catch a glimpse of him.
Oh, what was his name? Gregory? Gerald? Something starting with a G.
Since this is not one of those times I have a lot of time to spend in town, I hurry to his house. When I finally reach the bottom of the long driveway a sight makes me freeze.
He's actually standing in his front yard with someone. Even from the back I know that it's him. In reality how many people have nearly silver colored hair? I can recognize him anywhere, but who is with him?
From my spot I can only see the other person's short brown hair. "Antonio, I have bad news." My old friend says. I nearly flinch with surprise. Though I know it's been a while I was not expecting his voice to be deep.
"What is it mi amigo?" says the guy that must be named Antonio. Their backs are facing me as they walk farther away, but I can still hear them if I strain my ears.
"My parents are forcing me to court this really ugly girl. I brought you here to see her." He tells him with a wave of his hand. He's courting someone? My heart stops and I see the front door open.
Out walks the girl he must be courting. She's dressed in a long pink, lacy dress and has an equally lacy fan that covers her face. All I can see are her beautiful blue eyes and shoulder-length blond hair. Even from here I can tell she's attractive even if her shoulders are on the broad side.
I'm starting to have trouble breathing. "Bonjour, my dear." She calls in a really high and flirtatious voice.
Antonio and my old friend take one look at each other and laugh. Not just a chuckle but laughing so hard they're grabbing their stomachs. Why are they laughing?
"Hey look at that girl over there." The blond girl says to them. She gives me a small wave.
Then I realize she's seen me so I take off. I don't care what direction I'm heading, but as long as it's away from the house and that girl. As I'm running I feel tears forming and starting to run down my cheeks. I turn into a side street in case I'm still in view. Then I lean against a wall and quickly wipe my tears away with the crook of my elbow.
Why am I crying? I shouldn't be crying! I can't be sad or upset because he has a life to live. Can I?
Quickly I shake my head to rid myself of such thoughts. I have my own life to live. And it's much too late to be having regrets about my decision to stay away.
Feliciano is counting on me to get him some food, I remind myself to bring my thoughts back to my task. I wipe my eyes again and get off the wall I was leaning on.
Now I just need to figure out what street I turned on so that I can go get food. As soon I get my bearings I start heading towards the marketplace.
As I walk there I chide myself. I need to pull myself together! I should have known better than to walk past his house every time I came here (which wasn't often). I should have known that one of these days I was going to see something I wouldn't want to see. To try and rid my mind of the scene I just saw, I walk quickly as it would actually make me forget about what just happened.
Finally I reach the marketplace and not too soon. From the frantic crowds, I am guessing everyone who came to get their midday snack is leaving. As I wander through I wonder what I should buy for Feliciano.
Maybe I should buy some pasta? He does like pasta. But then he would have to wait even longer to eat it. What can I get him that he will like and that won't get cold before I walk back to Roderick's house?
I wander from stall to stall looking for something that he might like to eat. As I pass each stall I weigh each option with Feliciano's tastes. Maybe some nuts? No, he wouldn't like that. Tomatoes? No, he doesn't like them that much.
Just as I am about to go to next stall, I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn around and see a guy with these gorgeous green eyes and dark brown hair.
"Sorry to bother you, señorita," He says with a slight accent. It would seem like he's Spanish. "-But I am having a problem that I think you can help me solve." And he's a noble. Great. He looks a little familiar, I wonder where I have seen him before?
I wonder what he's getting at. I spy a frying pan in the next stall I can use for self-defense in case he tries something.
"What do you need help with?" I ask cautiously. As I wait for his answer I study him. His jacket is well tailored and the thread looks to be a gold color. Definitely a noble. So why is he at the marketplace?
"Which tomato do you think looks better?" He holds out two tomatoes for me to see.
At first I have no idea how to react. Finally I settle on looking at them closely. From what I can tell, there is not any difference at all.
"They look the same to me." I reply honestly.
He holds both of them up to his eyes as if he is inspecting them, "I think that you are right, señorita." He sighs. "And now I have no idea which to buy."
"Maybe you should buy them both." I suggest as I inch away.
He turns to me with surprise. "You are right! I should!" He smiles happily at me. I don't understand why he's so happy. It's not like I gave him the tomatoes for free.
"May I help you with something then? It seems to me that you are looking for something or...perhaps someone?" He smile grows wider.
I frown, but I explain my problem. "I just do not know what to buy. I have to bring home some food for…a friend of mine. He is hungry." Oh, please tell me that he is not going to flirt with me! The last thing I need is to get involved with nobles!
He looks thoughtful. "Well, maybe some tomatoes…and bread. Yes tomatoes and bread should make an excellent meal. At least I think so…I am sorry I never got your name senorita." He slaps himself on the head. "Where are my manners?"
I try to fight the smile forming, but I'm unsuccessful. "I am sure you have manners, but I must be going. He is waiting for me."
He nods. "I understand. Good-bye, then." He pays the vender and walks away. Ha, he still forgot to get my name! I smirk to myself as I watch him wave to the vendor and then walk away. But I guess that's a good thing because I don't want Roderick to know I was here…wait one second!
He really does look familiar. Where have I seen him before? As he turns the corner I remember where I saw him.
At my childhood friend's house. He was standing there with him! Antonio, I think is his name.
Now I really want to get out of here. I hurry to the bread cart because Antonio's idea wasn't half-bad. Feliciano does like to eat bread with his pasta. I might as well get some pasta too. For his dinner, since I know we don't have pasta at home.
While I am there I get some pastries, too. Just because I know it will put a smile on Feliciano's face.
I smile and pay the vender before rushing out of the marketplace.
As I exit the town with the sack of food in hand, I hope that Roderick hasn't noticed my absence. The entire way back I worry about him noticing me missing and how angry and or disappointed he would be.
I come up the walkway that leads to the side entrance. In my agitated state, I fumble with the knob but I finally manage to get it open. Oh, I hope the bread is still warm. And that Roderick has not noticed-
"Miss Elizaveta!" Oh, please let that be Feliciano.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I hope that you all are enjoying the story so far.