There's so much to do, my mind feels ready to explode. Someone gave Miss Charlotte instructions to 'clean me up' apparently before I leave, and she's taken it quite literally. Normally I rinse, use the soap, dry my hair and go, but sadly not this time. There's no escaping Miss Charlotte.
When she was done scrubbing me raw, she sat me down and started to try and brush my hair out. Between the odd scent of the perfumes rubbed into my skin, the sharp yet small pain of the brush in my rat's nest on my head, and the anxiety of whatever I would be forced to wear, I started to wonder why exactly I was doing this. He already knows I like him I bet, I think he likes me, why do I have to endure this to see him again?
Miss Charlotte's answer to that was a laugh at first, then the explanation. "Have you seen those paintings of people waltzing? They all look so decadent and proper, right? How amazing would it be if your beauty inspired a painter to create a piece with you and your loverboy? That would certainly seal you two's marriage, people in generations past our lives and deaths would assume you're either a married or soon to be married couple, and it makes a much better story that the couple are in love than accidental dance partners. Plus, he seemed happy about how you looked this morning, imagine his reaction to see you now!"
I looked down slightly at my underclothes and lack of shoes. "Well, he might believe I really do walk around in 'thin' clothing all the time.". She gave me a light-hearted smack on the side of my head and laughed more. "Oh, if he saw you right now, you both would be redder than a nightwalker's lips~."
" Miss Charlotte!" I gasped, that darned blush returning to my face, feeling warmer than last time. I really wish I could control that thing better, maybe put a layer of paint the same tint as my natural skin so that it would be impossible to tell. " Th-that is not nice! I'll just stay home under my blankets, thank you very much. He can find a better girl to dance with!"
The gentle but authoritative tug on my hair prevented me from getting up. "Oh now, don't you even think about it! I've put too much time into making you look nice for you to go mess it up in bed. Unless of course..." -She paused for dramatic effect- " Unless you plan to cement the marriage with children~."
I tried to stifle a response, but it failed, causing an odd squeaky sound. " That's it! I'm not talking to you for the rest of the night!". I crossed my arms to regain dignity.
She hugged my head and smiled against my cheek. "Lighten up little one. Those comments will be made often tonight, mostly by adults, so you need to prepare emotionally for it. Come on, let's try and fit you into something special.".
A couple hours later and I was on my way to meet him, nervous as possible. The clothing was poofy and kinda heavy, and far too feminine for my tastes. Sure, a little part of my loved the classically huge skirt and the swishy sound it made as I moved around, but that part was small.
In a relatively plain carriage we rode over to the castle Chitleveres, feeling every bump in the ground in between there and home. Miss Charlotte sits beside me, patting my hair and my dress, mumbling something about ' she would have loved to see you like this' and 'oh, my little Eliza'. I had my eyes closed, counting the seconds it takes to get to the other castle. I already lost count twice.
When we finally arrived I was jittery with nerves, shaking slightly but evidently noticeably. Miss Charlotte exited with me, carrying a case I didn't notice before. I don't know why, but that made me even more nervous. My father exited the seat beside the driver, looking frazzled but not angry. He came over and hugged me, pulling me aside to talk as a servant came to us and talked with Miss Charlotte.
" I know this might be a bit frightening, but you will be okay, I have faith in you. If you feel uncomfortable you can always ask around for a horse to borrow to get home. It would be a shame to destroy the dress, but it's better than destroying you.". He kissed my forehead and moved back, studying my face as if he'd never see it again. There was a shine of tears in his eyes, and I started to believe I would never see him again, too. I hugged onto him tight, not long armed enough to reach all the way around. He patted my back, trying his best to avoid touching my hair.
" Now go in there and show them how good of a lady you can be."
With that he left, and my heart ached. I knew I would see him again soon enough, after the party, but something still hurt.
When he walked away Miss Charlotte grabbed my wrist not entirely gently and lead me toward the celebrations. Entering the castle she handed the case to the servant she was talking to, a sad smile and a wave for me, and then she was gone. Now I knew something was up, but there was no telling what it could be.
" E-Elizabeta?" I looked up, hearing my name. There he was, Roderich, looking amazing as ever. I'd thought he dressed nicely for his visit earlier, but that was nothing. There were so many buttons and laces and trims I almost couldn't tell that there was a person inside, rather than it being a very odd pillow. It suited him well, the ultramarine scheme of his clothes made his eyes look bright and lively. I think it was much more than a coincidence that our clothing matched nearly perfectly.
I smiled up at him immediately, coming close to meet him halfway through a grand hallway. He took my hand politely and kissed my cheek, a bit more loving than I'm used to. I kissed his back and his warm smile seemed even warmer. He walked with me to the ballroom, seemingly anticipating that I would grab tight to his arm and gasp.
There were so many people! All colors of the rainbow, from the palest pink and deepest burgundy, to lavender and violet. So many frills and such ornate hair! The movement of the room was almost sporadic, as people searched for their friends and others.
I noticed a few people with white hair and figured they were wigs, until one of them came up to us. It was a young man, he looked around our age in body, though his reddish eyes seemed much more tired than a youth's should be. His quirky grin got bigger as he came closer, and I had to stop Roderich from walking straight into him.
" Ach, careful young prince, I know I'm not a high ranking official, but I'm still here!" The young man exclaimed, his hands up in an innocent gesture. He looked at Roderich's face for a few moments as Roddy started trying to apologize in the most polite way he could think of, then the boy looked at me. There was something in his eyes, almost a gleam, that both worried me and made me want to talk to him more. " What's your name, miss?" He asked, trying to take my hand (presumably to kiss the knuckles) but frowning when he saw it occupied.
" My name is Elizabeta, though most people call me Eliza. And yours?" I tried to seem less than interested but something about him was interesting, and I wanted badly to find out what it was.
" I'm known as Gil to my friends, would you like to be one~?"
I laughed and nodded, smiling. "Thank you Gil for the offer." I looked up, still smiling, about to introduce Roderich when I noticed he wasn't beside me anymore. I turned around, worried that I could be so distracted I wouldn't notice him leaving me, and saw him. Dancing with some other lady, it appeared, though he kept looking over at Gil and I with what seemed to be a glare. I turned back to Gil, about to apologize for my rudeness and leave him, when I noticed his expression. It was a weird mix of amusement and anger I think, though he changed it as soon as he realized I turned around.
" Well that's a bit rude of him, leaving such a lovely lady friend by herself with a stranger. Would you like to dance with me, for a short amount of time?" His curious smile was smaller than before, but his eyes still looked amused.
I wondered what he meant about why it would be a short time, but agreed, pushing it out of my focus. He took my hand, leading me a little distance from Roderich, and we started to dance.
Hehe, Prussia. I'm sorry if he's uncharacteristically sociable right now, he's be back to his usual... Awesome self a chapter or two later. *shot for overused meme*.
Thanks for reviews~! Especially SoulMistress12, you rock! Much loves~.
So, wonder what the secretive case-thing is about, or why Prussia/Gil is being so polite? The first question will be answered soon~.
Oh, and I forgot to mention in the earlier chapters, the characters names, designs and personalities aren't mine. I do not own Hetalia or anything associated with it, such as the company Funimation. The names of the castles are based off the original characters this story was written for, and the story it's self came from my mind a couple years ago.
Enjoy hopefully, review maybe? Have a nice day, definitely!
