Author's Note: Thank you for all the feedback ^^ You guys are great! I'm only uploading two chapters this week though, because the next chapter needs some heavy revision. But otherwise I hope you enjoy this week's update. ~multilingualtraveler

Chapter 7

I ran. I ran and never looked back. I knew if I did, it would only slow me down. I wanted Austria. Mein Schatz. Mein Liebling. I stopped after an hour and panted heavily; I was back home.

I climbed over the gate, and sprinted across the large front yard; draining all the energy out of me. I just had to go on. I wasn't going to stop pushing myself until I saw Austria. I finally reached towards the front door, grabbed the spare key under the doormat, and unlocked the door.

I stepped into the empty hallway. Every step I took, echoed. Vases and books were spread across the whole floor. The paintings were tipped at unusual angles. The lighting seemed a bit gloomy. I was shocked, Austria wasn't like this. I looked around some more when I heard the sweet, soothing sound of the piano playing from upstairs.

I climbed up the stairs, turned around the corner and headed for the music room. I slowly opened the door, so that I didn't interrupt Austria's playing. He didn't like to be interrupted in the middle of a piece. I just stood still, enduring every single note. It gave me sweet sense of comfort, that no one else could give me. Austria stopped playing. He turned around to organize his music when he saw me: "Hungary? What are you doing here?"
"Oh Austria, it's terrible. I don't want to live with Russia! He has this sister who is madly in love with him, and he captured these three men called the Baltic States who are completely afraid of him. I want to stay with you!" I cried and ran to get a hug. He didn't hug me back. Instead, he backed off.
"Hungary, I-I... I don't know how to put this but..." He hesitated for a moment. "I realized how much I loved being alone. It's peaceful and quiet here. You were such a huge target at my house, that I had to make you leave. I planned this whole Russia deal. Of course, I didn't want to give you off to someone who would treat you badly. I wanted a divorce to protect you and myself, and Russia volunteered to take care of you. Sorry, we are no longer an item."

My heart shattered into many pieces. This was not happening, was it? Sadly, it all made sense to me. It explained how strange Austria acted after Russia's first visit. He wanted me to dislike him. He wanted me to voluntarily marry Russia. That aristocratic good for nothing idiot!
"Y-you coward!" I cried. "Why couldn't you just have told me? I could have taken care of myself! Do you know how much I hate Russia's house? The only thought that comforted me at night, was thinking of you; and how I was doing this to save your own life! And I get into all this trouble just to find out that this was a setup?"
"He did intend to kill me though if you didn't agree. We made a deal you see-"
"Shut up! No more! I've heard enough! I should have seen this coming." I punched him in the face. "I hope you're happy. And if you ever feel too lonely, just think about me, and how you ruined your chance. No woman will ever love you ever again." And with those words I ran out of the house.

As soon as I exited the gate, there were cars surrounding the whole house. The cars were colored red, I knew who they belonged to. Russia got out of the car in front of me and said:
"You are very naughty girl."

I thought he was going to kill me.

"I forgive you." He smiled.
My jaw dropped. What? "But I ran away! I-I returned to Austria! You aren't mad?"
"I understand you have been sad since your forced separation. So, I forgive you. I don't want my queen sad, да?"
"If you don't want me sad, then let me go! Why can't you be with Belarus instead? She'd be a perfect queen."
"Ah, well. She is my sister, and I love her dearly, as a big brother. No more, no less."
"You should tell that to her," I mumbled under my breath.
"So, Hungary, I have dress in car. Why won't you get changed? Let's become one."