Chapter 3: Lost in London

Romano watched Harrington dress him up. In Spain, Romano had to dress himself up on his own. He never got someone else, not even servants to help him. Spain wouldn't allow it. And for a change, he wasn't wearing a dress. Alice had been quite clear about it and her argument with Spain had lasted nearly all night. The result was that as long as Romano would be on her land, he would wear proper clothes of his own gender. Spain didn't like the fact that England was taking the decisions about Romano. He was his henchman and Spain is very possessive. But England is stubborn. Oh, so stubborn. Romano didn't know how but she made Spain agree to her decision.

A soft knock on the door interrupted the boy's thoughts and he saw Alice peek inside.

"May I come in, Romano?" she smiled.

He nodded. Harrington hadn't lifted his eyes or taken notice of her presence. He kept focusing on his task of dressing the young master, as he called him. Alice watched in silence until her butler had finished and excused himself. Once he had left, she sat down on the bed and motioned Romano to sit next to her. Shyly, he did so.

"Do you like the clothes? I can buy some new ones if you don't." Alice inquired.

"No. I like them. It's nice to not have to wear a dress all the time."

"I agree! I can't stand those puffy dresses! They take space, they're a drag and very inconvenient! And I don't give a damn about what that bloody frog thinks about my fashion sense!"

Romano chuckled. He liked those talks he had with Alice. He was learning to know her better and the more he knew her, the more he liked her.

"Come on! I managed to get a day off before the wedding. Can you believe it?" She chuckled. "We better not waste it! I'll give you a tour around my city!"

"Will Stupid Spain come with us?"

"Sadly enough, yes. That bastard just won't let me out of his damn sight! And he thinks I'm a bad influence on you!" She grinned maliciously.

Romano chuckled and followed her out of the room. Spain was waiting for them downstairs, tapping his feet impatiently. He raised an eyebrow when he saw them walk down together but didn't speak a word. All three left in the awaiting carriage, leaving the house in the care of Harrington.

"Alice! What's that?"

Romano jumped excitedly while pointing at an old looking shop with peculiar objects exposed in it. Antonio's face darkened. Partly because Romano was being so submissive with Alice and it pissed him off. And partly because he despised that kind of shop. Alice only smiled wickedly before taking Romano closer to the shop's window.

"Magic shop." She whispered in a breath.

Romano's face turned to panic instantly, causing the hysteric laugh of the young woman.

"This shop is a disgrace. No wonder you're so barbaric and retarded." Antonio said in an even tone. Alice snapped and sent him a murderous glare.

"Well pardon me for being different! I'm guessing you'd rather be enjoying Belgium's company or sipping wine with the frog! Why don't you leave my land if it only makes you insult me?"

"It's not like I wish to be here in the first place! Whose decision was it to have the royal wedding held in this satanic place?"

"As if I'd let my Queen get married in some other country!" Alice huffed, lifting up her nose, haughtily. "It's a gentleman's duty to adapt to the lady's convenience."

"A lady, uh?" Antonio smirked, bringing his lips closer to Alice's ear and breathing into it. "Then I guess that you are not a true lady as you claim, my dear. Didn't you, after all, agree to marry me personally in my country?"

Alice's body stiffened and the glare she sent Antonio could be compared to that of an enraged demon. Antonio only smirked teasingly.

"A lady must also make sacrifices for the sake of her ruler." Alice's cold reply ended the discussion as she walked away.

Romano hesitated, glanced at Antonio, before following her. Antonio smirked.

"The rumours were true … you really do take your leaders to heart."

And he followed.

Romano didn't mean to get lost. He just followed Antonio and Alice who were once again glaring murderously to each other in silence. He would often stop and stare inside some of the shops in curiosity but would easily catch up to the other two before they could notice his missing. But he had stopped at a carpenter's shop for too long and couldn't find his caretakers anymore. He walked around the cold streets of the ghost city but only met strangers' faces.

The small boy started to panic. The haunting atmosphere of London was getting on his nerves. If only someone was here with him … even Stupid Spain would do! He was scared and lonely and he didn't know how to get back to Alice's house!

Maybe they will find him! Yeah! Definitely! They would notice he went missing and would go look for him … in this huge city.

Romano felt tears trail down his sun kissed skin and people around him were watching him oddly. He tried to put up a strong face but failed miserably. He just wanted to go home! He hated this place! He didn't hate Alice but he hated her city! He wanted to see the sun break this cold fog! He wanted to feel its heat on his body! He wanted to …

"Are ya alright there, lad?"

Romano screamed when he felt a large hand grasp his shoulder. He turned around to scream again at the sight of the hairy giant behind him … no wait, it was human … hopefully. The large man was big and muscly, wore commoners' clothes, had long thick brown hair tied back in a ponytail and a gruffy beard on his squared jaw. He had piercing, grey eyes as hard as iron and the scars on his arms didn't help in reassuring the trembling Italian. The man, however, realised he had frightened the boy and immediately let go. He smiled warmly as he patted his head.

"Relax lad! I was just trying ta help ya. Didn't mean ta scare ya, kiddo." His voice was like a loud growl and his entire being reminded Romano of a bear. A big, scary bear.

"L-leave me alone! Bastard!"

The man stopped petting him when he heard the distinctive, rolling sound of Spanish. He frowned a bit but plastered a smile back on his face.

"Yar Spanish then, eh? No wonder ya look lost. C'mon. I'll help ya find yar parents."

He pulled on the boy's hand. Neither of them could understand each other so Romano panicked as he thought he was being kidnapped. He tried to resist but, sick and tired of it all, the man flung him on his shoulder and started to carry him around. Romano cursed and screamed and kicked and punched and tried to get free but all in vain. He gave up, exhausted, and let himself being carried around the smoked-filled city. The man would stop here and there and joyfully ask for information on some Spanish tourists passing by. Romano didn't understand their words but the sound and tone of their voices wasn't dark or malevolent. It was cheery and they laughed a lot. The man would speak to Romano without being bothered by the fact that the boy couldn't understand him. Nor did he care that he couldn't understand Romano.

They stopped by a pub and the man decided he needed a drink. He dragged the under aged, cursing Italian inside and ordered drinks, setting the boy at a nearby table. The man walked to the bar and laughed loudly with the people around him and the barman. Romano felt suddenly tiny in this huge place, surrounded by all those people. Some were watching him with cheery smiles others were whispering to each other with curious glances. He obviously stood out, being a child and wearing riche clothes as opposed to commoners'. He tried to avoid eye contact and soon found himself faced with a large pint of milk. He looked up at the bear man who had brought back, not one, but three pints of beer all to himself and was half down the first one already.

"Drink up kid. Ya must be thirsty after all that."

Romano didn't understand but the gesture the man made was clear enough. He hesitantly took a sip and tried not look at anyone. The older man took a pensive expression before a glint appeared in his eyes as he spotted someone. He motioned a small boy of about the same age as Romano (well, in human point of view). The slender boy rushed to them with a devilish grin, blue eyes sparkling with tease and mischief and a mop of dirty, light brown hair under a too big cap.

"Oi boyo, can ya try to cheer up that lad here? He looks scared of me."

"Who wouldn't be fat arse? You're the definition of scary, bear face!"
"Watch yar mouth, ya little wanker!"

The boy chuckled. He didn't seem afraid of the man and then turned a reassuring smile to Romano. He frowned a bit as he noticed the clothes and raised a questioning eyebrow to the older man.

"Noble?"

"Aye. I think so. Spanish tourist. Doesn't understand a fucking word I say."

"Well, that's a bugger. Where'd you find him?"

"Lost in town. Crying."

"Aw! Look at that! Big old Joe as a soft side after all! Sweet!"

"Don't push yar luck, lad!"

"Whatever, git! Hey! I know who can help! Wait here!"

The boy ran off but came back a few minutes later, followed by a priest. Big Joe frowned and eyed the priest in confusion. The boy only grinned and let the old priest approach Romano. The small nation felt infinitely reassured at the sight of the religious man. A priest! Finally! Maybe this country wasn't completely doomed after all!

"I'm sorry but I only speak a little Italian, not Spanish but I'll try." The priest explained to the other two English citizens. Now, the entire pub was gathered around the little group and following the events as if it were an entertaining show. The priest turned to Romano and spoke in Italian. Oh! The joy Romano felt when he heard his own tongue. A large grin spread on his face.

"Can you understand me, little boy?"

"Yes! I'm Italian! I'm so glad you can help me, Father! I don't speak English!"

The priest smiled and repeated the boy's words to his captivated audience. He then explained Big Joe's actions and intentions, introduced Charlie, the mischievous boy and ask for Romano's parents.

"I … I don't know. I got separated from them and I got lost."

"Where are you staying for the night? We might find your parents there."

"My … mother is from here. She has a house we stay at. But I don't know where it is."

The priest frowned.

"Your mother is English? But then, why can't you understand our tongue?"

Romano cursed for his lack of discretion. He just felt so happy to talk to a priest in Italian he had completely forgotten to be careful. After a slight hesitation, he came up with a story.

"My father is Spanish and my mother was Italian. She died when I was young. And now, my father recently remarried with this English woman." He quickly answered, trying not to sound too nervous.

But the priest didn't notice and smiled apologetically at the boy and translated to the others. They all smiled.

"I'm sorry for your mother. I hope your new one will take care of you."

Romano didn't even think and nodded eagerly.

"She's nice! I like her a lot!" The words escaped his mouth before he could think. He surprised himself but all the others around him were smiling happily to him.

"That's good. I'm glad for you, little one." The priest said with a fatherly smile.

Romano blushed under the stares and smiles. He had never had so much attention before. But he liked it. Those people weren't so bad after all.

Time ticked by and the sky outside darkened. But Romano didn't notice any of that. He was enjoying himself too much. More people would come to the pub to see the little Italian noble and soon, the entire neighbourhood was gathered around Romano. He got to meet so many strange and funny people, he laughed and had fun. The priest never left and translated for everyone, enjoying himself too. The drinking increased and Romano laughed hysterically at the drunken Englishmen dancing around and singing loudly. Romano's hatred of Spain (despite his father being Spanish and in fact he explained that he didn't have a really good relation with his father … supposedly) got him to be immediately adored by the English commoners. His life seemed to be the hot topic around the pub and Romano never got tired of twisting slightly his life story, making it sound more human but based on the truth. They all liked the boy's strong personality and laughed at his foul language, even the priest didn't seem to mind and laughed alongside the others. Charlie was becoming a very close friend of Romano's and he never failed to make the Italian laugh at all his past pranks and mischiefs. Big Joe didn't seem all that scary anymore and Romano realised that he was in fact a big softy. A few waitresses were having fun giving him snacks and petting him. They giggled at his flirting attempts and the men laughed at his tempested temper. He was the centre of attention and the place was like a madhouse … and Romano loved it.

Suddenly, the door slammed open and an angry Spaniard appeared. It took a few minutes for the pub to grow silent but when it did, Romano's panicked face and Antonio's furious one answered all the questions they needed to know. An axe in his hand Antonio eyed venomously and threateningly at the English citizens. He started yelling and cursing in Spanish. None of the people present, except Romano, understood a word he said but they could all guess that he was not talking about the weather. They were not very happy about it.

The most drunken ones started to curse and shout back, though they had no idea of what he was on about, or why they were shouting. He's Spanish! That's a good enough reason to get pissed! And so a chaos of argument erupted until Antonio fell silent and his expression got hesitant. He glanced back a serious and dark glare. One would expect him to be glaring at his sworn nemesis but when he moved aside, a beautiful lady walked in. She was wearing her boy's clothes this time too. A sword and pistol hung at her belt and her face was as calm as the sea before a wild storm. Romano's face lightened up when Alice entered. She looked around and crossed eyes with him. A relieved smile stretched on her lips. She then calmly analysed the place and a cheeky grin took over as she sent a scolding glare at her husband. He only raised an eyebrow and mumbled something. It didn't sound like something good from the dark tone of it. Romano shivered along with all the other people in the pub but Alice only burst out in laughter. She turned back to Romano and walked to him, picked him up and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back and felt tears sting his eyes.

"I'm so glad you're alright." She whispered in his ear in Spanish.

"I … I got lost and … and … they helped me … I'm sorry … I didn't see the time … I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Shhhh … It's ok, love. I'm just happy you're safe. You seem to have had a good time. Did you make friends?" She inquired with slight excitement in her voice.

Romano smiled and nodded shyly. Alice beamed.

"Good! Say goodbye to your friends before Stupid Antonio starts chopping everyone's head off." She laughed and put Romano down.

Romano smiled weakly at Charlie, Big Joe and the others, he then turned to the priest and whispered in his ear. The priest nodded but said nothing. Antonio watched suspiciously and when Romano walked back to Alice, he left the pub to wait outside. Alice smiled gratefully at her citizens.

"Thank you for taking care of my son. And I apologise for my husband's rudeness. He can be quite hot-headed sometimes." She told them.

They nodded and replied that it was nothing. They all knew her. Who doesn't know Lady Kirkland, the Queen's personal adviser and head of the Royal Navy? Not a single Londoner wouldn't know her name. She was the only noble to go and hang out in commoners' pubs and such. She was the only woman to wear men's clothing and to command battalions of male soldiers. She was even rumoured to be a fierce pirate when it pleased her without risk of punishment from the crown. Everybody knew Lady Kirkland. But nobody expected her to marry and have a kid.

Taking Romano's hand, they both walked out after Antonio. Romano waved at Charlie before the door shut itself. Everyone was quiet for a few moments until the priest spoke up.

"The boy said that he was thankful to all of us. He said he had a great time and that he didn't think London was such a scary place after all."

There was another silence which this time, was broken by Charlie.

"I don't even know his name."

"Do you realise how much trouble you caused me? Romano? Why did you run off like that? Are you trying to make my life worse than it already is? You're getting punished as soon as we get home, be sure of that!"

"He most certainly will not!"

"And who are you to contradict my orders! Last time I checked, Romano belongs to me!"

"He may belong to you but he's my responsibility too now that we're married, whether you like it or not! And I will not tolerate any punishment! Romano didn't mean to upset us. He was just as frightened and desperate as you were, in fact, probably more! He shouldn't be punished for a simple accident! You should be glad that my people took care of him!"

"Your people kidnapped him!"

"They most certainly did not!"

Romano cringed as his parents started yet another fight. But then again, he noticed that something was off. They were arguing but … somehow, they didn't seem as angry at each other as before. They weren't glaring murderously at each other like they were about to jump at each other's throat. They were glaring, yes, but not that battle stare thing they always do. Maybe something happened today while he was gone. Romano wondered vaguely about it but soon felt the tiredness of the day take over. He fell asleep in Alice's arms, listening to the arguing of his parents. His parents. It was strange to refer to them like that. Even at the pub, he still felt a bit uneasy to say the word. His parents.

But … it's a nice word.

"Shut the bloody fuck up, Spanish bastard! You're going to wake up Romano!"

"Well, whose fault is it that we started this argument?"

"Last time I checked, it was yours!"

"What? You little witch! I'll teach you to respect me!"

"Oh dear me! Is the Spanish Empire upset? My! What poor self-control you have for a supposedly strong nation!"
"That's it! I swear, one day, I'm going to kill you!"

"You just wish, sweetheart!"

Romano smiled.

The chilly wind whispered in his ear and the smoky smell of London twitched his nose but it wasn't unpleasant anymore. He could hear it now. The noisiness of the city banging loudly against his ears. London may look cold and ghostly but Romano could now here the buzzing of the Londoners in the shops, houses, pubs … He could hear them all. The whispers of the wind and the tales of the streets rang in his ears and the warmth and joviality behind the walls were palpable. He smiled. London wasn't as scary as he first thought. Maybe he could even appreciate it. A little.