Thank you for reading and reviewing~

Okay, so here's a little information for my lovely readers so you can better understand this world I've created. All original names belong to me ... I like to make up words -_-:

Illonia (ee-loh-nee-ah) is our universe's Italy. The people speak Illonian and are very fun loving, traditional people. Illonia's capital is located in the same place as Rome is for Italy, however things are run by a king, of course. Lovino and Feliciano live in a small northern town. There is an island of Sieryne (see-air-ehn-ee), of the southern coast, this world's Sicily.

Sverran (sih-vehr-ahn) is our country of Spain. Also run by a king, however, there is also a court, unlike Illonia, that helps the king in decision making since there is a smaller kingdom allied through marriage to the west of Sverran, Pieven(py-ee-vehn) (Portugal). Sverran has a wonderful country side and a strong army. They are allied with Fayldyr and not on good terms with Evenna and Extyr.

Fayldyr (fah-eel-der) is France. Run by a king, this country has strong ties with Sverran and Illonia, however is strong enemies with Evenna to the north.

Evenna (ee-vehn-ah) is England. Also a monarchy. Not too much is know about the island kingdom, except their ships are used to cause grief for Sverran and Fayldyr whom are trading across the ocean.

Gartyra (gahr-tee-rah) is all the northern part of Europe, covering Germany, Switzerland, Austria and such. One of the few places not run by monarchy, but by each village or city having their own rules and regulations and leaders. Considered barbaric to most of the rest of the world, however, Gartyra is one of the richest places in the world.

Belserra (bell-sehr-ah) Belgium. Small human set of villages on the outskirts of an elven kingdom and Gartyra.

Extyr (ex-teer) is Egypt, Turkey and Greece, as well as quite a bit of northern Africa. Run by a young prince in the desert. Nothing is known about this rising empire except their military leader is ruthless and will stop at nothing, but his prince's command, to take over bits of the world.

Ryvyn (rih-venn) is all of the former Soviet union ie Russia, Belarus, Baltics, Ukraine and parts of Asia, like Mongolia and China. A very cold place, barbaric unforgiving lands. This area is unexplored due to the snow dragon population. Snow dragons are rare to find due to their ability to disguise themselves as human. Snow dragon venom is used in dragon leather crafting.

Northern Elven Villages, (Scandinavia) made of several elven villages. Known for their magic and potions skills.

Creatures:

Human: basic human creature; Elf: Fair skinned, fair haired creatures with stereotypical pointed ears. Known for magic and potion making as well as animal taming; Snow dragon: Dragons that live in Ryvyn. Snow dragon venom is extremely sought after for dragon leather masters. They are hard to find due to their ability to change into humans; mer-person: Under water half-human half-fish or other sea creatures. Able to swim in any water, fresh of salt, though they prefer salt. Mer-people live all around the world in the oceans and seas, but they are run by a single kingdom located in the south of Ryvyn (where half of China and the rest of Asia are); Winged dragon: not as bright as snow dragons, though very bright it battle (learning from mistakes), they can fly short distances using large membrane wings. Their blood is fiery itself and can be fatal, much like hot magma. They can spit fire; Naga: Snake like creatures with the heads of humans, able to transform their bodies into any size snake smaller than their naga form; Phoenix: fiery feathered bird, very intelligent. Used for sending messages and protection to some families. Very loyal creatures, sticking with one or two masters their entire life, sometimes staying with a single family for decades; Imp: Vicious creature native to eastern Sverran, Western Illonia, and southern Fayldyr. This is a thick skinned, flesh eating creature that prefers smaller prey. Less likely to attack a larger adult, but children make much easier targets when their actual prey is in low supply or scarce. This is the creature that attacked Lovino in the last chapter.

If there is anything else you wish to know to help you understand this world, please ask! I'm more than happy to help!


Kismet

Chapter Four: One Move Forward, Two Moves Back


When Lovino finally did awaken, he was lying in a stone walled room with a tall woman sitting beside him. She had long golden tresses and worn, but gentle hands. He looked around but did not recognize his surrounding nor could he find Mei.

"Oh, you're awake!" she said in accented Illonian, "Femke!"a young girl, Lovino's age came in.

"Mama?" they conversed in the strange language, but finally stopped when the older woman turned back, "How are you feeling? You've had me worried! But when your fever broke yesterday, I felt hopeful again!"

"I'm … not feeling so good …" Lovino spoke in a raspy voice. Femke returned with a metal pitcher filled with cool water, which she poured for Lovino.

"Hi! Femke!" she pointed to herself.

"I'm sorry, dear, my daughter doesn't know Illonian … do you perhaps know Sverran?"

Lovino shook his head ans downed the water, not realizing how thirsty he was. "I figured as much. Don't worry, we can teach you. The young master went through a lot of trouble to bring you back here. You owe him a lot!"

The child groaned and forced himself to sit up, "Wh … where am I?"

"Oh? You probably wouldn't know … you're in the castle, dear, in the capital of Sverran. The young prince was alerted by a traveling merman that they had saved a young boy about his age. He took you off their hands and brought you back home to be helped. You were heavily wounded." her eyes met his, "What happened?"

Lovino tried to recall what had happened, but most of it was blurry. He remembered Mei and the creature … and running away from his owner.

"That's quite a sad story … I hope one day you can be reunited with your brother, but I'm afraid that will have to wait. It seems you don't like being owned, but you are indebted to the prince …" she wipes a cool cloth over Lovino's forehead, "You'll be happy here serving him."

"Uh, Tessa?" a voice broke in, one that Lovino recognized. He spoke in the language Lovino didn't know, and Lovino raised his head to meet the supposed prince who saved his life. He mind as well say thanks, even if he had no plans of sticking around.

"He only speaks Illonian, your majesty." Tessa explained.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" the boy knelt by Lovino. Lovino got a good look at his savior. Sure enough, it was a boy a few years his elder with short curly brown hair and bright emerald green eyes. His skin was deeply tanned a rich bronze, as if he'd actually been blessed by the sun.

"What ever …" Lovino sighed, looking away, "Thanks … er … stuff … for helping me …"

"No problem! Though … all I ask is for you to be my personal servant~!" Lovino glared, "You see, the one I have now does not like me so much … he'd rather not listen to me and it can be a little annoying! Ahahaha~!"

Tessa chuckled, "I'm sorry your majesty, but you know how Daan can be now that he's hit 'that age'." The prince laughed and nodded.

"So, what do you say?"

Lovino was going to snap at him to go to hell, but he stopped. One, he was in a castle. He would be working for royalty, not just some rich snobby Gartyrarren or whatever that man had been. Two, they had plenty of money to support him if he messed something up, but how much cleaning would he really have to do being a personal servant? And three, he might actually be able to barter his freedom from the prince, who seemed stupid enough, and be able to go back to Feliciano and free him as well!

"Fine, but you better not pull any sneaky business!"

The prince laughed happily, "Of course not! I can even teach you Sverran and all that stuff!"

Tessa brought Lovino some fresh clothing after the prince had left, "First thing you should know is his name is Antonio. Prince Antonio. You should call him lord, majesty or highness unless he says otherwise. Please, for your sake, don't disrespect him or his parents, whom you will have to meet before actually being allowed to serve the prince. Another thing, you should probably start learning Sverran. It makes things easier for us, since few people here do know Illonian."

Lovino scowled, pulling on the shirt, "Is that all?" he still hated the fact he was going to be a servant, but at least it was better than facing that monstrous creature out in the wild.

"Um, not that I can think of, but I'm sure Femke can help you get into the swing of things and maybe Daan, if he's in the right mood, though I can see him taking a liking to you. The prince will also be there to help you, he can actually be very nice to his staff. Anyways, let's get you to the royal meeting room, the king and queen will be wanting to get a good look at the boy their son saved."

Lovino nodded and followed her to said room.

In front of him were two very high thrones, each one seating a person, one man, one woman. The man had slightly greying hair but a smooth chin. His piercing green eyes locked onto the small nine year old and he huffed lightly. The queen was beautiful with long dark curls, pulled out of her face and held back with the crown that rested on her head. She, too, looked on Lovino with disdain.

"He's not much, is he?" the queen spoke in perfect Illonian.

"No, he isn't, but I can see why our son saved him. He looks like he's been through hell, and yet here he is, standing before us. He's strong willed and has a good heart. I approve of you becoming one of our staff, young man. You will be paid two gold a week, as all children in our castle are. Tessa, you are in charge of him until he knows his place here."

"Sire, you must be joking. This boy is not worthy of our son. He is merely Illonian scum. He looks to be more trouble than he's worth." the queen spoke.

"I have spoken on this matter. You are dismissed child, my son awaits you in the play room. Tessa will show you to your quarters. He is to be placed in your son's old room."

The woman nodded and led Lovino out, "You don't care that I'm stealing your son's job?" Lovino looked at her.

"I prefer it this way. Daan was unhappy and in turn, was making the young prince unhappy … I think I would like to have my son back in the servant's quarters with me and Femke. By the way, no one really asked and it's not like the king and queen really care yet, but I don't think I got your name."

"Lovino Vargas." Lovino answered softly. His mind was more on the fact he wold be paid for his job here. That was better than anything. Especially since he could save up that money and maybe buy his brother from Roderich and a house for them and be able to provide for the both of them!

Too bad he didn't know how to count. He wanted to know how much he would be making.

She stopped at a room, with a small carved door, "This is your room, right next to the young prince's room. There is a door in between in case he needs you quickly. Everything you need should be inside, so I'll let you get to know the room while I go start my chores. Please, for your sake, just cooperate with your orders. You are being watched since you're new and no one knows anything about you. I'm here if you need me," she rubbed his head and left him to enter the room.

He walked inside and was surprised to see a teenage boy standing in there. His golden hair seemed to defy physics.

"Oh, you must be the kid they got to replace me. Thanks, by the way. If you hadn't come along, I'd forever be forced to serve the royal brat."

"Uh … you're welcome?" Lovino was confused that the boy also knew his language. Tessa said not many would, but he'd only met one so far.

"What ever. I'm Daan, by the way. You seem cool, kid. Hope to see you around." Daan grabbed a box and left the room, and leaving behind a thoroughly confused Lovino behind.

The Illonian shook his head and walked to his new bed, which was very soft and silky. He'd never felt a bed this nice before. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad here after all. He grinned sadly, wishing Feliciano could feel the nice bed as well. When he was rich, he'd buy one just like this for his brother.

He closed his eyes and let himself fall asleep, dreaming of the future where his brother could be happy with these things.

"Lovino. Lovino, wake up. Now!" Lovino's eyes fluttered open to see Antonio standing above him with his arms crossed and an upset look upon his face, "I've been trying to wake you up for a while now. I need you to draw a bath for me."

Lovino wanted to snap and tell him to do it himself, but he remembered who the pre-teen before him was, so he begrudgingly pushed up off the soft inviting sheets and nodded, "Okay, okay … I'm up."

Femke was waiting at the door to lead him to the well room where he would have to fetch and heat up the water to take to the prince's personal bathing room.

She didn't say much, neither would understand what the other was saying, but it was nice to have someone his age to just be by. The blonde girl was nice and helped him greatly at finding the things he would need.

At one point she managed to say something in Illonian to him, "My … name … is … Femke. How do … you … do?"

Lovino grinned because she was trying, "Hello, Femke. My name is Lovino. I'm good, and you?" he spoke slowly. She grinned and began rambling to herself in a completely different language.

"Sorry!" she laughed, "Mama … uh … to teach … my … Illonian." she frowned, "My … to speak … Sverran and Belserran."

That was it, Lovino thought to himself, dumping another bucket into the bath, letting the steam rise at hit him, she was from Belserra.

They didn't speak much after that, only a few words here and there to convey a need for something or to scold him when he grabbed the wrong bath salt.

"Is my bath done yet?" Antonio walked in the room. Femke bowed lightly and left the room, waving goodbye to Lovino.

"Good." He began stripping his clothing, "I hope it's hot. Daan usually made it cold just to be mean. He thinks he's better because he's a year older than me! The nerve!"

Lovino frowned, blushing slightly. He'd never been in the same bathing room with anyone that wasn't Feliciano. The young servant made his way to the door but Antonio yelled something in Sverran. The boy turned back, "I wish you'd learn Sverran already … I said you can't leave yet. I still need someone to wash my back!" Lovino blushed again but grabbed a wash cloth and dipped it into the water as he'd seen Elizaveta do for him and Feliciano so many times. He poured the prince's chosen soap onto the cloth and began rubbing small circles onto Antonio's back.

"You're good at this …"

Lovino fought back another blush, "I have a little brother … When Miss Ellie was busy, I had to wash him."

"Miss Ellie? And I didn't know you had a brother. The merfolk only found you." he turned his green eyes on Lovino, showing his confusion.

Lovino pressed his lips in a tight line and felt fresh pain rise to a wound he thought he could ignore, "Roderich didn't sell Feliciano. He sold me. I ran away and you found me. Miss Ellie was like a mother to me and Feli. She took us in and cared for us … but even she betrayed me. She didn't do anything to stop me from being separated from Feli."

Antonio watched him with sad eyes, "Hey … don't cry, Lovi. How about this, when I'm king, I'll help you find your brother and bring him to live in the castle, too~!"

"I w-wasn't crying, bastard!" Lovino crossed his arms, forgetting the cloth and efficiently soaking his arm with soapy water.

"Language Lovi~!" Antonio chuckled, seemingly not caring about the servant referring to him as anything but a title, and much less that it was an insulting name.

"Why are you calling me Lovi, anyway?" the boy returned to washing Antonio's back.

"Because it's cute~!"

Lovino's face heated up once again and he glared, "It's not cute!"

"Ahahaha~! You look like a tomato when you blush like that!" Antonio cooed.

Lovino hit him in the shoulder and glared, "I wasn't blushing either! It's all this steam!"

The prince rubbed his shoulder, but laughed again, "What ever you say, mi tomate."

"What was that? What did you just call me in that stupid language?" Lovino frowned and turned away. Antonio shook his head, "Learn Sverran and you'll find out~!"

The young boy just rolled his eyes and wet down Antonio's hair to be washed.

Later that night, Lovino crawled into bed and glared. "Stupid bastard. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."

Days passed and Lovino was finally getting the hang of things. With each passing day he learned more and more of Sverran and was finally able to converse with the other servants and Femke, though he openly refused to speak Sverran in front of the prince. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Lovino often got in a lot of trouble for breaking things or making huge messes, but the king joined his son in laughter and ignored the queen's disdain for the child.

If she had it her way, the boy would be sold immediately.

Months turned into years and before Lovino knew it, two years had passed. The eleven year old child pushed himself out of bed and rubbed his eyes. Femke was knocking at the door, "Lovi! Wake up or you'll be late for the prince's bath."

Lovino frowned. Antonio never took baths in the morning. What was so … he looked at the paper stack on the side of his bed and quickly shifted through them, finding the one he was looking for. He'd written a note weeks ago to remember today was the prince's fifteenth birthday.

"Damn it! I … I'll be right out!" he quickly dressed and met with Femke outside the door, "I completely forgot, damn it." she just laughed and the two eleven year olds made their way to the water room. It was a big day for the prince. He was finally being considered a man among his people.


TBC


So? What do you guys think? Spain is now introduced, as well as Lovino's new life, which he's been living for a few years now ^_^

Please let me know and ask questions if you want~~

~:Lady Pyrien