Dinner proceeded exactly an hour later, as promised. Unfortunately for the Italian governess, he arrived seven minutes off schedule.
"You are late!" The frightening blond man growled.
"Ve!" He jumped at the aggressive tone. "I was trying to make myself look nice…" His face fell shyly as he strode over to an empty seat.
"There's no excuse! Both mealtimes and bedtimes are strictly observed! And this," He speared some salad menacingly. "is a mealtime! Now, do you understand me?"
Feliciano nodded.
"Don't just nod, you are to say 'Yes, Captain!'"
"Yes, Captain!" He repeated. He even threw in an awkward salute, much to the amusement of the children.
"Sit." The Captain returned to his food.
The command was being obeyed when- "VE!" Feliciano jumped back up almost immediately, holding a faucet pipe that had been laying on his chair."…Mmm?" He cocked his head like a confused child.
The table erupted into laughter, save for the frustrated Captain and confused prank victim. The children all stared at the object, whispering how "fun" this governess was going to be.
A fist met the table, accompanied by a booming voice. "I WILL SEND ALL YOU CHILDREN TO BED WITHOUT SUPPER!"
This caught their immediate attention, and everyone resumed silently picking at their food, avoiding eye-contact.
After several moments of quiet, Feliciano chirped in. "You're a very nice group of children! I think that we're going to get along well. In fact, I've never met nicer children than you. Well, I haven't met very many children, but still, you're nice. No, I didn't really know many-"
"That is ENOUGH!" The Captain stood up, prepared to shout some more.
"Sir, I hate to interrupt you, but you have an urgent telegram." Kiku was in the doorway, as calm and expressionless as ever.
"A telegram." Elizaveta whispered under her breath, eyes widening.
He walked to retrieve the paper, but not before glaring at his dinner company. A moment after reading, his face softened. He even smiled a little. "My children, I shall be leaving in the morning."
"Where to, Father?" Eduard looked up innocently.
"Nosy little boy…" He huffed. "I'm going to visit Yao."
"Like, I totally knew you would say that." Feliks rolled his emerald eyes and swung his legs over his chair.
The Captain rolled his eyes in a manner similar to his son's and continued. "I'm bringing him back, so it will be a very short trip."
"That's nice. We'll finally get to meet him." Toris forced a smile, trying to be polite.
Raivis nodded. "Very nice."
"I'm bringing Antonio home as well." He added with a smirk.
"Uncle Antonio!" The children cried out unanimously. There were many bright expressions and nods.
Amongst it all, a certain sixteen-year-old snuck away from the table and out into the yard.
The night was cool, and Elizaveta's dinner dress caught the wind as she hurried to a tree where a boy was waiting for her.
"Roderich!" She tackled him, almost knocking him to the ground.
"Darling!" He smiled shyly as he searched for the glasses that had fallen from his face. When he'd found them and placed them back on, he drew the girl into a loving embrace. "Oh, how I've missed you."
She smiled as sweet and ladylike as she could. "I don't think we can wait for Father to get telegrams."
They shared a quick laugh as they linked arms. Elizaveta leaned against the boy as they walked in the evening air.
"So, how has my dear lady been?" He dusted off the garden bench for her to sit.
"Life is so…boring." She sighed, flopping onto the bench.
He sat as well, looking concerned. "You can't really mean that, Elizaveta."
"I do. I never go anywhere." She complained. "And I miss you, that's the worst part." She reached for his hand sadly. "I miss you so much."
"Life won't always be like this." He kissed each of her fingertips and placed her hand on his face. "Someday." He said simply.
"'Someday' what?"
He stood, looking embarrassed. "I've always thought…" He stopped, looking like he would choke.
"Thought what?" She jumped up, curious.
"I've always thought…someday we'll be married." He turned to see her reaction, expecting a sharp slap.
"Roderich Edelstein, are you proposing to me?" She smiled slightly, staring off into space as though she could see the future.
"Well, I don't have a ring yet and you'll have to wait a few years…but yes." He began to look insanely nervous. "Unless, well, you don't want…me"
She huffed, shaking her head in amusement. "Of course." She grinned as she sank into his arms.
"Elizaveta." He stroked her hair and held her close.
"You wait, little girl,
On an empty stage
For fate to turn the light on"
"Your life, little girl,
Is an empty page
That men will want to write on"
He smiled calmly at her surprised expression, holding her an arms length away.
"To write on." She added sweetly.
"You are 16 going on 17
Baby it's time to think
Better beware
Be canny and careful
Baby you're on the brink"
"You are 16 going on 17
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads
And roués and cads
Will offer you food and wine"
He led her further away from the house, her hand laying in his. He took rhythmic strides and continued.
"Totally unprepared are you
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken"
"You need someone
Older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am 17 going on 18
I'll take care of you"
"Take care of me? You seem to forget when I saved you from a certain nun who almost…"
"Yeah, yeah, you don't need to bring that back up."
"So you think I'm just some delicate little flower that can't even defend herself?"
He exhaled a long breath, closing his eyes in concentration. Just as he had seemed to have prepared a reply; she spoke.
"Men." She muttered. "If anything, you need women to keep you in line. Take care of you." She smiled slightly, wagging her finger, eventually laying it on the tip of the boy's nose.
He blinked several times as she drew him close.
"I am 16 going on 17
I know I'm not naive
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet
And cautiously I agree"
"I am 16 going on 17, innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies
Drinkers of brandies
I know a lot of those"
Her voice leveled to a whisper in his ear. "It's you I'm worried about."
He looked rather confused, but enjoyed being close all the same.
She proceeded to break away, and she began to step around him as though he were an exhibit or spectacle.
"Totally unprepared are you
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken"
"You need someone
Better and wiser
Telling you what to do
You are 17 going on 18
I'll take care of you"
He looked blank until a small, controlled grin conquered his lips. "My Elizaveta."
"The one and only." She pressed her smile onto his.
Although he tried not to let it come, a scarlet blush dusted his cheeks as he adjusted the glasses on his face. He regained his composure and nodded. "Well, I have other stops to make. I-I'll see you next time, dear." He pecked her cheek and turned to leave.
"Wait! When is next time, Roderich?"
"Soon." He leaned back and kissed her on the mouth, even though he couldn't hide his shyness.
She laughed. "Why so scared?"
"If your father found out…"
"He doesn't pay enough attention to care." She said sadly, looking at the private lake off the estate. "He doesn't care, period." She returned her gaze to him. "It's starting to rain." She noted the small drops that had begun to tap against the earth. "Go on, I don't want the most handsome boy in all of Austria to get soaked."
He broke into an unrestrained smile. "Nor do I want that to happen to the most beautiful lady in all the world." He took her hand and they began to walk back to the mansion.
______________________________________________________________________________
Sorry this took so long! Been having computer trouble :/
I hope to post the next chapter in a few days, but I make no promises.
Heehee, I had so much fun writing Hungary/Austria =) (Even if I think I wrote them somewhat OOC)
-Alison