A/N: So I've had this chapter done for two days but have just not posted it for various reasons that may or may not involve the 2010 Hetalia "Bloodbath". Yeah, I suck like that.

Anyway, I struggled a bit with this chapter because I could not for the love of God find any information regarding immigration laws in Nazi Germany. I can imagine that this kinda of search would be difficult but I was seriously clicking on dead links for like an hour. In the end I put together the very little info I could find with my own random ideas and the I'm not quite sure of the quality of the outcome. So bear with me people. I tried the best i could :'( None of you know what I'm talking about right now...oh well. Enjoy!

Oh yes, and a big thanks to everyone reading this story, whether you are reviewing, favoriting, putting it on your alerts, or just lurking. I love you~

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia


A Song For the Silent

Secrets & Lies

Whenever Roderich finished playing, Elizabeta always felt strangely conflicted. When the music ended, so did the illusion and all the realities of life came rushing back at her. But when the music ended, there was Roderich, turning around to give her a small smile.

"Did you like it?" He asked.

She returned the smile. "Yes. Is it new?"

Roderich frowned slightly. "It's something I've been working on for quite some time. It's not finished and I'm not sure how to end it."

"You're saying you wrote that? You never mentioned that you're a composer! That's amazing!"

Roderich blushed, embarrassed by her praise. "Would you like to see it?"

"I don't really know anything about music." Elizabeta admitted as she joined him at the piano. As she stared at the piece, all she saw were black notes scattered haphazardly across the page and she wondered how something so wild looking could create such a beautiful sound.

"What are these?" She asked, pointing to a group of three notes.

"A triplet."

"And this?"

"A staccato."

"Why do some notes have little dots over them and some not?"

"The notes with the dots over them are to be played staccato, which means separate or detached." Roderich saw the growing curiosity in Elizabeta's face and for some reason, he found this both amusing and attractive.

"There is about an hour until lunch. If you would like, I can teach you a few things about music."

Elizabeta beamed. "Really? That would be wonderful!"

"You may take one of those chairs and bring it up to the piano." Roderich said. "We'll start with the basics."

"Which are?" Elizabeta asked as she set the chair down, excited to begin.

"Music theory."


It wasn't until Feliciano knocked on the door that Roderich realized that they had missed lunch. He had not expected to get so absorbed in teaching, but Elizabeta was an eager student and he was happy to see her smile. She learned fast, having already memorized which notes were where on the piano and had been practicing a simple scale exercise when the door creaked open.

"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edelstein." Feliciano said. "Antonio was wondering if you would still like lunch." In truth, Antonio had sent Lovino to deliver the message, but the older brother had refused, having been scolded one too many times for barging unannounced into the music room. It didn't help that he never knocked.

"I'm so sorry." Elizabeta said. "I didn't mean to take all of your time."

"Nonsense." Roderich replied. "This was more important. Feliciano, you can tell Antonio that we will take lunch now."

"Yes sir."

"Um, if you don't mind me asking," Elizabeta whispered after the door was closed, "Why is he wearing a dress?" It was out of sheer curiosity that she asked. She was barely acquainted with the boy but she already found him charming and adorable.

Roderich winced. "It's…a complicated story. I can tell you over lunch if you would like."

There was another knock on the door and Feliciano poked his head through the opening. "Mr. Edelstein? Everything's ready."

"Thank you, Feliciano. We'll be right there."

"Can you tell me about the rest of them?" Elizabeta asked as she followed Roderich out of the music room. "When you said you employed helpers, I was honestly expecting people less…" She trailed off, not quite sure how to finish.

"Eccentric?"

"I guess that's one word you could use. I guess I just imagined black suited butlers and maids with doilies in their hair."

Roderich smiled at the image. "Well then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm afraid finery such as that it a bit out of my budget."

"No, please, that's not what I meant. I know I've just meet them, but I like them already. I'm just curious as to how they came to work for you."

They had reached the small dining room, which Elizabeta was pleased to see was as simple, but elegant, as the rest of the house. The table had been set and their lunch was already laid out.

From the kitchen came the man from before, Antonio, the same cheerful grin on his face.

"You should have told me that you were going to have a late lunch. I had to reheat almost everything."

Roderich wheeled himself over to the head of the table, taking the only spot without a chair. "I was teaching Miss. Hédeváry about music."

Antonio laughed lightly as he moved to pull out Elizabeta's chair. "I hope you didn't bore her."

"Thank you." Elizabeta said as she sat down, unused to such chivalrous acts. "And no, it was very interesting. I've never played any sort of musical instrument before and now I would very much like to keep learning."

Roderich smiled. "You could learn a thing or two from her, Antonio. And while you're here, perhaps you can help answer some of Miss. Hédeváry's questions. She was, uh, quite curious about Feliciano."

"I just wanted to know why he was wearing a dress." Elizabeta said. "Not that there's anything wrong with it!"

Antonio laughed again. "Are you sure you don't want to answer this one, Roderich?"

Surprised by the casual manner of address, Elizabeta was even more surprised that Roderich merely shook his head. The relationship between the two men obviously went deeper than just employer and employee.

"No, I think it would be best if you did."

Antonio looked thoughtful for a second. "In that case I suppose I would have to start from the beginning."

"Can you?" Elizabeta asked brightly. "I was just asking Roderich if he could tell me about how you came to work for him."

"It's really not that interesting of a story." Roderich muttered, his cheeks growing slightly red.

"Oh come on, I think it's a great story." Antonio said, oblivious to how uncomfortable Roderich had suddenly become. "So it goes like this: A few years ago I moved to Italy after being hired by a wealthy family to protect their two sons. The family was notorious for being involved in the criminal underground—although nothing was ever proven—and they were worried about the safety of their children."

"So those two were, Feliciano and…" Elizabeta searched her memory for the name of the second twin. "Lovino? You were their bodyguard?"

Antonio nodded. "I guess you could call me that. Anyway, after the war broke out, all the members of the family went into hiding. I was instructed to take Feliciano and Lovino out of the country to keep them from being drafted in the army. At the time, I didn't know where to go so I just bought tickets for the first train out of the city. We ended up in a small city a few miles north of here and it was then that I realized that to stay in the country, I would need to start looking for a job. One of the last places I checked was this music hall but when I got there they told me that they currently weren't hiring. I guess I should count myself lucky because Roderich was playing there that night and he overheard about my problem. He caught me before I left and asked if I had any experience with domestic work. I said yes because I had spent the last three years practically babysitting a pair of twins and he said he was looking for someone to look after his house. Even when I explained the extent of my situation, he still agreed to employee not just me, but Feliciano and Lovino as well." Antonio turned to Roderich.

"I'm actually surprised you hired me so quickly." He said. "I must have come off as pretty cool."

"Not really." Roderich said matter-of-factly. "At the time, I was just beginning to travel between cities and was in desperate need of a housekeeper. You just happened to be the first person I encountered who needed a job just as desperately."

Antonio seemed to deflate a little at this. "I see…"

Elizabeta felt herself deflate as well. "Is that it?" She had been expecting a more dramatic encounter.

"No."

"Yes."

She almost giggled as both men answered in unison.

"Perhaps you should just answer the original question, Antonio. About Feliciano." Roderich said, his cheeks growing redder.

"But we're just getting to the good part!" Antonio said.

"I'm sure Elizabeta doesn't want to hear the rest and I believe lunch is getting cold again."

"But I do." Elizabeta protested, feeling almost guilty as Roderich sent her a pleading look over Antonio's shoulder. "Please go on."

Ignorant of the exchange between the two, Antonio continued, "In order to keep us from being drafted we had to change our genders on the official paperwork. Because this is such a small town, it was relatively easy to do and no one asked any questions. Our main problem was my work permit. Feliciano's and Lovino's were filed on time, but mine was taking longer than usual and I had a limited amount of time left before I would have had to leave the country. We didn't know how to speed up the process until Roderich suggested—"

"I did not suggest anything." Roderich interrupted. "It was your idea."

"Really? But I thought—"

"No."

"What happened? What did he suggest?" Elizabeta asked impatiently.

"It really isn't important—"

"That we get married." Antonio finished with a smile.

There was a long pause as Elizabeta stared and Roderich only hid his face in his hands.

When she finally found her voice, all she could say was, "…and did you?"

"Yes we did." Antonio said like it was the most casual thing in the world.

"B-but how?"

"Like I said before, this is a small town and people tend to watch out for each other. It wasn't hard to find a willing priest, especially when we explained our situation."

Elizabeta looked between the two men, still trying to process this information. "So you two are…married?"

Roderich nodded behind his hands.

"Just call me Isabel Fernandez Carriedo-Edelstein." Antonio said grinning. "And it did work. Within a week of submitting our marriage documents my permit arrived."

"So you're still married?" Elizabeta asked.

"Despite how often Roderich tries to deny it, yes, we are still married."

"It's not how it seems." Roderich had finally uncovered his face. "The marriage only exists on paper, not in practice."

Antonio pretended to look hurt. "Oh Roderich, I don't understand why you always push me away like this."

"Will you be quiet?" Roderich turned to Elizabeta. "Please understand that I only did it to keep them from being deported. I didn't have any other options. But if this disturbs you—"

"No!" Elizabeta spoke with such force that both men were visibly startled. "I think that was wonderful of you! How many people would put themselves at such a risk to help another person out? If you had been found out, you could have been thrown in jail, or worse. And," She blushed, "And I think you two make a lovely pair."

Roderich groaned but Antonio looked elated. "Really?" He asked.

Elizabeta nodded. She felt her cheeks grow hotter and nervously wrung her hands together as she contemplated asking the next question on her mind. Just the thought of it sent her heart racing and spurred strange feeling within her, especially within the lower regions of her body.

Roderich saw how she was fidgeting and suddenly, he knew what she wanted to ask, causing him to almost choke on his drink. By the time he stopped coughing his face was an even deeper shade of red.

"No." He gasped out. "No."

Antonio was completely at a loss. "Did I miss something?"

Elizabeta giggled nervously. "It's not important. Now, you haven't answered my original question. Why does Feliciano wear a dress?"

"Oh yes, well that's actually Roderich's fault."

"Do not blame me for your mistakes!"

Antonio ignored the protest. "You see, before I brought Feliciano and Lovino here, I had shown Roderich a photo of them and even though I clearly remember referring to Feliciano as 'he', Roderich thought in the picture he looked more like a 'she'. So when he put in an order for their work clothes, he ordered two dresses. We were lucky that Feliciano doesn't really mind them at all, even now."

"It's your fault for giving me such an outdated picture!" Roderich snapped.

"But I told you a bunch of times that he was a boy…"

"I thought that perhaps you had confused yourself again. You do often get things mixed up."

"I had been working for their family for almost 3 years…"

"It's still your fault!"

Barely able to hold in her laughter, Elizabeta spoke up before things went too far. "You know, despite what you say, you two are more like a married couple than you know."

"Elizabeta, please don't encourage him." Roderich said, throwing a glare at Antonio who missed it.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so happy. I never expected to meet such interesting and amazing people in my life. Thank you for inviting me here."

Although he tried to fight it, in the end, Roderich couldn't help but smile with her. "It's no problem. I—" Antonio coughed, "We are glad to have you here."

The peaceful moment was interrupted by a loud crash from across the hallway accompanied with a stream of curses that made Elizabeta start giggling again, Roderich scowl and Antonio sigh.

"Excuse me; I'll see what he's broken this time."

When Elizabeta was sure Antonio was out of hearing range, she turned to Roderich, a sly smile on her face.

"So the marriage was really never—"

"No! God no!"


"Are you sure you do not wish to stay for the night?" Roderich asked as he followed Elizabeta to the door. "We have an extra guest room. It even has a lock if you are concerned about staying in a house with four men."

Elizabeta shook her head. "No, that's not the problem at all. I just don't want to be away from home for long…in case I receive any news about Gilbert or Ludwig."

"I completely understand, but please, at least let Antonio walk you to the station. It's getting late and even in a town such as this, it is not safe for a young woman like yourself to be walking alone."

Despite Elizabeta's protests, Roderich called for Antonio who gladly agreed to accompany her to the station.

"Thank you for coming with me." Elizabeta said as they started down the path.

"It's no problem. Thank you for visiting him. I don't think I've seen him that happy in a long time."

"What is he usually like?"

"Uh," Antonio scratched his head. "Moodier I guess? And he spends most of his time in the music room. Also you're the first person besides the four of us that know about our, eh, 'relationship'. He trusts you, that's for sure."

"I don't know what I did to gain such trust."

"There's something special about you. Mhmm. Even I can see it. And according to Roderich, I don't notice a lot so I guess that makes you super special."

Elizabeta furrowed her brows. "But I don't understand why."

"You're a good person and believe it or not, good people are hard to come by in this world."

Still unsatisfied but deciding to leave the question alone for the meantime, Elizabeta moved onto a lighter subject. "So just how long do you two intend to stay married?"

Antonio grinned. "Why? Do you want to take my spot?"

"N-no!" Elizabeta said blushing. "I was just curious! Honest!"

Antonio laughed at her flustered state. "I was just kidding. To be honest, I don't know how long we'll stay like this. At first I thought it would end when the war did and I took Feliciano and Lovino back to Italy, but sometimes I don't know if this war is ever going to end."

Elizabeta looked up at the dark sky. "I know the feeling." She said softly.

When they arrived at the station the last train was just preparing to leave.

"I don't know why he didn't ask you this himself," Antonio said as he helped her up into the train carriage, "But Roderich was wondering if you would like to come back for another visit sometime."

"Tell him—" Elizabeta winced as the train whistle echoed loudly through the station. "Tell him I would love to."


A week later she found herself on the same path and knocking on the same wooden door. It was Lovino who answered it once again and when he saw her standing there he said with a smirk, "Oh, it's you" before letting her in.

And so her life once again settled into place.


The first signs of spring were just beginning to appear when Elizabeta first encountered the doctor. She had been helping Feliciano fold the laundry, despite Roderich's protests, when she heard the knock on the door.

She was surprised when Lovino stepped aside after answering it to let in a tall, pleasant looking man. He seemed somewhat surprised to see her as well.

"Hello there." He said as he took his hat off. "I don't believe we've met. Are you one of Mr. Edelstein's new helpers?"

Hardly embarrassed at being mistaken for an employee, Elizabeta only shook her head. "I'm just a friend. My name is Elizabeta Hédeváry, and who are you?"

"It's nice to meet you Miss. Hédeváry, I'm Dr. Haydn."

At that moment Antonio came around the corner with the last laundry basket in his hands. "Hey Lovino who—oh, Dr. Haydn, I didn't know you were coming today. Does Roderich know?"

"He should. I told him I when I would be back after my last visit."

Frowning slightly, Antonio put down the basket next to the others. It was rare to see him not sporting his wide smile and Elizabeta began to wonder more about this doctor and why he was there.

"Well then I'll let him know that you are here." Antonio said before disappearing down the hall.

"I can take your things doctor." Feliciano said. His voice lacked its usual enthusiasm although the other man didn't seem to notice.

"Thank you Feliciano." After answering the door, Lovino had slipped quietly out of the room and as Feliciano went to put away the doctor's hat and coat, Elizabeta realized they were the only two left in the room.

There was an awkward silence as neither knew exactly what to say to the other.

It was the doctor that spoke first. "If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been acquainted with Mr. Edelstein?"

"A little more than two months now." Elizabeta replied. "How long have you been treating him?"

"A little less than two years and I wouldn't use the word 'treating' exactly. I can't say I really do much."

Before she could ask what he meant by that, Antonio returned and announced that Roderich would see the doctor. His smile had returned, but there was an obvious tightness to it.

The doctor nodded at Elizabeta, picked up his work bag and followed Antonio down the hall. It was not until the sound of the door closing was heard did Feliciano and Lovino poke their heads back into the room.

"He's gone?" Lovino whispered. He sighed in relief and stepped back into the room when Elizabeta nodded.

"That bastard caught me completely by surprise. If I had known it was him at the door I would never have opened it."

"You shouldn't talk that way about Dr. Haydn. He's a good person." Feliciano said as they resumed folding the laundry.

"Is Roderich sick? Why is he here?" Elizabeta asked, now more than a little curious about this new stranger.

"No. Dr. Haydn comes to check on Mr. Edelstein's legs." Feliciano said.

"Oh." It was beginning to make a little sense now. She turned to Lovino. "But why don't you like him?"

"Because every time he comes by, this place becomes more depressing than a graveyard and Roderich is moodier than ever. He won't eat unless Antonio makes him and then spends all of his time—well more of his time than usual—playing that dumb piano of his. And he doesn't even play the happy stuff. He plays these really depressing songs that make me want to rip my hair out."

"But I don't understand, isn't the doctor here to help him?"

"Yes, but—" Feliciano was cut off as Lovino elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

"You talk too much, idiot."

Elizabeta crossed her arms. "Now I know there's something going on. Tell me."

"We're not supposed to talk about it." Feliciano said nervously.

"Well I'm going to find out one way or the other so you might as well tell me now."

The twins exchanged looks before turning back to Elizabeta.

"Promise you won't say anything to Mr. Edelstein?"

"Or that bastard Antonio?"

"I'll do my best, but I can't promise you anything." Elizabeta said. Understanding that this was most likely the best they were going to get from her, they agreed.

"Mr. Edelstein doesn't like Dr. Haydn because whenever he visits, he always tries to encourage him to walk." Feliciano said.

Elizabeta frowned. "But Roderich told me he could never walk again."

Lovino shook his head. "That was what the first doctors told him but when Dr. Hadyn came a few years ago he said that with proper rehabilitation and therapy Roderich could learn to walk again."

"Then why doesn't he?" Elizabeta didn't know if she was upset or angry that Roderich had lied to her, but she couldn't deny the small quiver of excitement at this new information.

Lovino shrugged. "None of us really know. I don't think even Antonio knows."

"Mr. Edelstein doesn't like talking about it either." Feliciano said. "Antonio tried to bring it up once during dinner and he got really mad." He shivered at the memory.

Despite what she had said earlier, Elizabeta now fully intended to talk to Antonio about the matter. In two months these people had become, besides Gilbert and Ludwig, the closest thing to good friends she had. If Roderich wouldn't talk to them about his problem, then she would make him talk to her.

Everyone jumped a little at the sound of a door slamming shut. From around the corner came the doctor followed by Antonio, who was not smiling anymore.

"I'll be back in three weeks." The doctor said, taking his hat and coat from Feliciano, who had rushed to retrieve them as soon as they had heard the door.

"So soon?" Antonio asked.

"It will be good for him." The doctor said. "Do your best to encourage him when I'm not here."

"I do." It was the first time Elizabeta had heard anger in Antonio's voice, even though it was very subtle. "But I'm not going to push him to do something he doesn't want to."

"I will say no more. Have a good day Antonio." The doctor turned to Elizabeta. "It was nice meeting you Miss. Hédeváry." Then he left the house, Lovino slamming the door after him.

"Thank fucking God." He muttered. "So how long are we going to put up with Roderich's bad mood this time?"

Antonio ignored him and walked over to Elizabeta. "Can we talk?"

She nodded and handed the clothes she was folding to Feliciano before following Antonio into the dining room.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Antonio fidgeted nervously before answering. "Please don't take this the wrong way and I'm very sorry for having to do this, but Roderich won't be able to see you anymore today and thinks it would probably be best if you went home."

Elizabeta had never been slapped, but Antonio's words were like a vicious sting on her cheeks. Seeing her shock, he quickly continued.

"If I had known that Dr. Haydn was going to be here today I would have told you not to come at all. This is for the best. In a week or so Roderich should be back to his usual self, but for now, you really don't want to see him."

Elizabeta struggled to find the words, but her anger was making it difficult to put together a coherent sentence that wouldn't involve screaming.

"If you would like, I can even walk you to the station."

She almost said no but changed her mind at the last second. "Y-yes please. If that wouldn't be too much trouble." She said, barely keeping her voice at talking volume.

"I'll get your things." Antonio said. "I'm sorry."

When he came back with her coat she put it on as if she was in a trance. Her mind was a mess of emotions, anger the most prominent. She barely heard when Feliciano and Lovino said goodbye and couldn't remember if she said anything in return.

She and Antonio walked in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

"Antonio," Elizabeta said softly once they had reached the station and she had calmed down somewhat, "I'm going to ask you something and I need you to tell me the truth."

They were the only two people in the small station and her words sounded hollow and empty in her ears.

"You can ask me anything."

"Do you know why Roderich won't learn to walk?"

Antonio didn't bother asking her how she knew this information but simply answered, "No."

"Tell me the truth!"

Antonio gave her a sad smile. "That is the truth. Believe me, I've asked him many times, but he won't tell me."

"Why?" Elizabeta yelled in frustration.

"I don't know and neither does Dr. Haydn. He thinks it may have something to do with traumatic after effects from the car accident."

Elizabeta frowned. "What car accident?"

It was Antonio's turn to be surprised. "He didn't tell you? That's how he became crippled."

And suddenly, like a flash of lightning, Elizabeta knew what Roderich had done.

He had lied.

Not to her, but to Antonio, to the doctor, and to Feliciano and Romano. What he had told her about the soldier had been the truth. It had to be the truth. There had been too much emotion, too much pain in his voice. He had shown his heart to a complete stranger and kept those close to him in the dark.

All her anger dissipated and all that was left was one burning question: Why?

Antonio saw how her face changed and realized that she knew something he didn't. The thought should have hurt, and it did a little, but he ignored those feelings and put his hands on her shoulders, locking their gazes.

"There's nothing I can do for Roderich now, but there is something you can do. Be patient with him, Elizabeta. And be good to him."

She nodded and Antonio's smile grew a little brighter. "I'll be back next week." She said.

"Make it two, just to be safe."

Elizabeta sighed. "Fine. Two weeks."

"I'll take care of him until then."

"I know you will."


The first thing Elizabeta did when she got back to her apartment was run to her room.

"It has to be here somewhere." She muttered. She tore through her closet until she finally located the small box that she kept hidden in the back.

Within the box were old pictures, letters, and a booklet full of addresses and numbers. Elizabeta grabbed the small book and flipped quickly through the worn pages for the number that she wanted. When she found it she quickly repeated it aloud until it she had it memorized and then replaced the book in the box and put the whole thing back into the closet.

The only public phone in the town was in the local diner and most of the time it was occupied. Elizabeta counted herself lucky when she got there and found that the small booth was empty.

She hesitated before dialing the number, wondering if this was the right thing to do. She shook her head, getting rid of any doubts and spun the phone dial.


"Where are we going?" Roderich asked. He did not like surprises but it had been two weeks since he had seen Elizabeta and he knew from Antonio that she had been upset when he had asked her to leave following Dr. Haydn's visit. Agreeing to accompany her on this trip was his way of apologizing for his rude behavior.

Elizabeta smiled a secret smile. "I told you. I want you to meet a friend of mine."

"And they couldn't have come to my house?" Roderich did not like riding trains. He only endured it when he had to travel between cities to play.

"She's a very busy woman. You'll understand when you meet her."

Elizabeta had almost asked Antonio to come along but had decided at the last second that this was something she would have to do herself.

When they reached their destination, Elizabeta waited patiently while Roderich was helped from the train.

"So just how far does this mysterious woman live?"

"Not very far, but if you like, I can…"

"No. It's fine." Deciding not to press her luck, Elizabeta walked slowly at Roderich's side and was only allowed to help him when one of the wheels of his chair was caught in a sidewalk crack.

"This is the place?" Roderich asked wearily when Elizabeta turned onto the path leading to a small, but sturdy looking brick building. There was a small sign attached to the door, but the script was unreadable. Luckily, the door was ground level.

"Yes." Elizabeta said simply as she held open the door for him.

"Are you going to tell me why you're we're here now?" They both looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching. Into the room stepped a tall woman with long, light blond hair and dark blue eyes. She had a stern, unsmiling face, although her eyes lit up slightly when she saw Elizabeta.

"I'm glad you were able to make it, Elizabeta." Roderich raised an eyebrow at the thick accent. This woman was clearly not from the area.

"Roderich, I want you to meet Natalya Arlovskaya. She's a ballet teacher here and she's going to teach you how to walk."

Roderich stared at both women. Honestly, what could he say to that?


A/N: Why yes, that is Belarus that's going to be teaching Austria to walk. No, I don't know what I'm smoking...

Also, a little note for anyone who does not follow the manga. Spain and Austria were actually married in canon, creating the House of Habsburg. So them being together isn't as crazy as it sounds (I actually like the pairing myself)

Anyway stay tuned!

-with love

dancer