Hello again. I'm back with Chapter 4 and I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Additional Characters

Lili Zwingli – Liechtenstein

Vash Zwingli – Switzerland

Here we go!

I do not own Hetalia.

Chapter 4 : Bullies and An Awkward Moment

Lovino decided to say nothing for now about his run-in with the Chamberlain to Antonio. After all the prince had said they were not on good terms and what the Chamberlain had said only confirmed that. There had been no direct threat.

Yet!

Lovino became increasing frustrated with his inability to do any task right and kept demonstrating how incompetent he was. It was not his fault. Having spent practically all his life as a crow, he had never had to do these things so the simplest task was something completely alien to him. He had spent a month before leaving Natayla's castle, strengthening his ability to walk and practising his talking. Because he was italian, that was the language he practised. There had been no time to learn anything else.

Antonio was unsure of what to make of his useless, if rather adorable, servant. It was like he was doing everything for the first time and inevitably made mistakes. One which lead to an awkward situation.

Romano's morning task, after Antonio had finished breakfast, was to dress the prince for the day.

Antonio had decided to go riding so Romano had laid out his riding clothes and helped Antonio to put them on. While helping the prince with his jacket, Romano stepped back and the back of his legs hit a stool. As he toppled backwards, he instinctively grabbed at anything to stop him from falling, in this case, the prince's jacket, and took Antonio down with him and they landed in a heap with the Crowned Prince on top.

Antonio, after the initial shock had worn off, lifted himself up onto his arms and looked down to see Romano's embarrassed face looking up. A soft, pink blush coated his cheeks and his caramel eyes were wide. He looked so adorable, Antonio was tempted to lower his head and kiss the soft-looking lips that were mere inches away.

Then Romano struggled to get from under Antonio and the moment was lost. They stood up and Romano nervously straightened Antonio's clothing. After that he hastily left to go the stables to tell them to ready the Crowned Prince's horse.

Antonio was disturbed by his reaction to Romano's closeness. Not at the idea of kissing a man. Antonio had long since realised that he had a bi-sexual nature but he was disturbed at the idea of kissing a servant. He had a responsibility to those of a lesser rank not to abuse his position and servants were vulnerable to being in situations where they would be forced to acquiesce or lose their position and he wanted none of his servants to feel threatened like that. Especially Romano.

He would have to be careful around the cute italian.

Lovino hurried through the castle, his mind in turmoil. Being relatively new to being human, he could not be sure but he thought Antonio was going to kiss him. And for a moment, he had wanted him to, so badly that it scared him to death.

His life as a crow meant no romantic encounters with either females or males so his sexuality was something he had never thought about and so never explored. And he had only known the prince for little more than a day. Could he become attracted so fast? He did not know so he did not feel that this was a situation he could handle right now, which was why he panicked to get up from under Antonio.

He finally made his way outside into the spanish sunshine and found the stables to deliver the message, reassured by the fact that, if Antonio was going riding, he would have some time to himself to think about his situation and what he was going to do about it. With that thought he left the stables and went out into the courtyard.

Bullies get everywhere. Like vermin!

Paulo and Sandez were the sons of the stable master and liked to lord it over the younger boys and treat them like their personal underlings. Even dealing out punishments for imagined misbehaviour to 'keep them in line'.

They had been there the previous day when Lovino had made his royal claim and, seeing him walk out of the stables, decided they had a new victim.

"Well, if it isn't Prince Lovino of Italy," Paulo sneered as he and his younger brother began to follow him. Lovino said nothing and kept walking. Paulo grabbed his shoulder, spun him round and slammed him against a nearby wall.

"I'm talking to you, you little runt," he snarled as Lovino struggled in his grip.

"Maybe his 'Royal Highness' thinks he's too good to talk to likes of us," Sandez mocked as he grabbed Lovino's other shoulder, helping his other brother hold him hard against the wall.

Lovino was no match for either of them. Although he was older than Paulo by a year and Sandez, two years, they were taller and stockier than him but still he struggled to free himself.

"Let go of me, you bastards!" Lovino swore.

"Such refined language for royalty, don't you think, Paulo," Sandez commented. "And you're trying to pass yourself off as the Lost Prince!"

"Maybe we should show him what happens to pretenders in Madrid," Paulo pulled back his fist and Lovino braced himself for the blow.

"Leave him alone!"

All eyes turned to the owner of the soft voice that had made the surprisingly stern command. It was a young, rather innocent looking, young girl with chin length, blonde hair with a blue bow on one side. She was dressed as a maid and had a slight frown on her face.

"This is none of your business, Lili," Sandez snapped. Lili stood her ground.

"You're always picking on people smaller and weaker than you," she replied. "You never pick fights with anyone your own size or on your own. You're such cowards." Both boys stiffened at the insult but Lili Zwingli was one person you did not pick on, not unless you wanted her brother on your back.

And Vash Zwingli was someone you did not mess with.

Lili walked between the two brothers to try and put herself between them and Lovino. Lovino was glad the girl had distracted them for a while but now he wanted her to leave. One, because it is embarrassing to be saved by a girl, and two, he was afraid she would get hurt trying to protect him.

"Let him go," she demanded again.

"Just get lost," Paulo snorted and pushed Lili away. She lost her footing and fell to the ground.

"What did you just do to my sister?" an angry voice rang out. A silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by the sound of crickets. Why are there always crickets?

The two boys let go of Lovino who moved to help Lili up from the courtyard floor. Then he looked up at the newcomer. A man of average height with blonde hair, in a similar style to Lili's, with green eyes. He wore a leather apron over his working clothes and carried an blacksmith's hammer.

Vash was the castle blacksmith and armourer. He hailed from the Kingdom of Switzerland and came to Madrid a few years ago with his sister, Lili. He now made all the weapons for the palace guards. He was good at it too.

He suspected Paulo and Sandez were bullying the other boys but they were usually careful not to be seen. Vash tended to stay out of confrontations unless they impacted on him in some way but when they did, everyone ran for cover.

He stormed over to the two boys, ignoring Lovino and Lili (once he saw she was all right), and glared at the two bullies who were the ones cowering for once.

"I. I. I'm sorry, V. Vash," Paulo stammered, avoiding the older man's blazing eyes. "I. I was j. just trying to get her to move."

"So you could continue your bullying," Vash stated, coldly.

"He brought it on himself," Sandez snapped, a little braver because he was not the one Vash was staring at. Which soon changed. "I. I mean, you heard him yesterday. Claiming to be the Lost Prince!"

"That's his business," Vash replied, unimpressed. "He'll learn differently. As will you, if I see you bullying again. Your father might not listen to the other stable boys but he will listen to me."

The two boys lowered their heads, knowing the truth of Vash's statement. He was one of the few people their father respected.

"I'll be keeping an eye on you," he warned. "Now, begone!" The boys ran for the stables and Vash turned his attention to Lili.

"Lili, what possessed you to get involved like that?" he scolded. "You couldn't have stood up to them on your own."

"I'm sorry, big brother," she apologised. "But it was two against one. I couldn't walk away."

"Thank you, Lili," Lovino said. "But your brother's right. You could've been hurt."

"What's your real name?" Vash asked Lovino. Lovino scowled, fed up with everyone wanting his 'real' name and not believing it.

"Prince Antonio is calling me Romano," he replied. That was as far as he was willing to concede.

"Well, 'Romano'," Vash said. "I suggest you keep your head low for a while. Just until everyone forgets what you said yesterday."

"Is that likely?" he asked.

"Probably not!"

Over the next week, Lovino and Antonio seemed to tip-toe around each other and Lovino, while not completely mastering his duties, learn to do them without mishap. When not required, he would seek out Vash and Lili's company as they were the only two servants he could approach without them smirking or making a 'royal' comment.

Antonio, on the other hand, was learning that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' was not just a saying but an actual fact. Although Romano was not exactly absent, he was emotionally distant as he tried to comes to terms with how he felt whenever he was around the prince. Antonio found his sudden shyness added to the italian's attraction and made it harder for the Crowned Prince to stick to his ethics.

The Chamberlain was hovering in the background, watching the two as they went about their day to day activities. The italian made no more announcements about his 'royal' heritage but the Chamberlain knew he would be able to use that later. He could see the growing feelings between the two and how they were fighting them. The prince would not move on Lovino because of his principles about not taking advantage of those of lesser rank (the Chamberlain laughed at that. After all, what was the point of high rank if you did not use it to get what you want) and Romano, he seemed to be confused about his attraction to Antonio but the Chamberlain knew it was just a matter of time before their feelings became too great and one of them did something he could use.

In Italy, Queen Isabella's servants were packing her belongings, readying for the journey back to Spain. She had stayed a little longer with the italian royal family at the request of Queen Maria who enjoyed her company and wanted advice about dealing with sons as Queen Isabella had one herself. So she imparted her knowledge but thought that the italian Queen would not have much trouble. Prince Feliciano was a delightful young man who charmed everyone around him. The Fae had done a wonderful job of raising him (apart from making him think he was a girl, even if it was for his own safety).

The wedding had been delayed so the young prince could get to know his family, and his fiancé, properly and now it would take place in a year. Prince Ludwig was not entirely happy with such a long delay but decided that was selfish. Let King Romulus and his Queen have Feli for a year. He would have him for a lifetime.

Not all was right, though. Arthur of the Three Fae was in a panic. He had sent his husband and twin sons into the future so he would not miss out on their lives while he protected Prince Feliciano and to keep them safe from retaliation from Natayla. When he went home to await their arrival he was horrified when they popped back into existence. At least, his husband, Francis, and son, Matthew, popped back into existence. Their oldest twin son, Alfred, did not.

Alfred had let go of Francis's hand after Arthur had cast the spell to catch his pet rabbit, Liberty, and had not caught back hold of it when the spell reached its peak. This meant that Alfred could be any time, anywhere.

Francis was going to take Matthew back to his native France while Arthur searched for their missing son. He would be back now and then so he would see his family. He was not going to risk another Tempus Spell.

Baggage was loaded into a carriage to be taken to the ship that would carry Queen Isabella and her entourage back to Spain. She was desperate to see her son, Antonio, again and to see how her kingdom had faired while she was gone. No doubt, the Chamberlain would be waiting with more laws for her inspection. She was growing tired of all the anti-poverty laws he kept wanting to pass and how it upset Antonio to see poor people being treated in, what he saw as, an unfair way. Her stay in Italy had opened her eyes somewhat. They did not have the laws Madrid had that had over-crowded the prisons and the italian people seemed happy enough. Perhaps, she should have listened to Antonio.

It was time to leave. King Romulus and the rest of the Royal Family saw her to her ship and waved as it pulled away from the dock. It had been a pleasant visit but she had to admit, she was eager to see her kingdom and her son again.

She was happy to be going home!

Paulo and Sanchez are just two names I used and don't refer to anyone famous. Queen Isabella, however, does have a place in history as the one who financed Columbus's journey to the New World. As Switzerland is known for arms manufacturing I decide to make Vash the royal armourer and you can't have Switzerland without Liechtenstein so I made her a maid. I put them in because I wanted Lovino to have friends beside Antonio.

To kassydaPJgeek14- I'm going to try to get around to reading some of your stuff but it might be a while because I'm a little busy but I will try. And thank you and I will keep going.

To Scarlet Phantom-Request granted. I've written a story with England and Scotland which I will be trying upload shortly after this. I tried to upload it on Wattpad but it won't take the format I'm using so I'll try to do it here. It's called Please Don't Leave Me! I hope you like although 'cest pairings' are not something I usually do but I did my best. And I love Tomato Bastard too.

To Kin of Norway-Trust me, you're going to hate the Chamberlain even more. And curse him good for me!

To Guestomato- I'm glad you like it. The story is already written and has ten chapters in all. And don't worry. The truth will out.

To javlatua- Yes, he does and I'm afraid the problems will keep coming but he's not alone now, he'll get through.

To aycee-san- Spamano is inevitable and the Chamberlain will cause more trouble for our two heroes, including a new twist on an old situation. (you'll know when you read it)

Well, that's it for a another week. I hope you enjoyed it.

Til next time, Hasta la Pasta!