Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia


Chapter 9

Francis always treasured that morning under the willow tree by the lake. Every time he gazed out of his barred window, he smiled fondly as he remembered how loving and passionate his alpha was towards him, and how after they made love, Arthur held him against his chest and whispered beautiful things against his hair.

It was the most romantic Francis had ever seen the alpha, and even though it had been a few weeks since it had happened, the French omega cherished the memory when he was locked in his chambers.

Unfortunately, he had not seen Arthur since that morning, and he guessed it was because another one of his omegas went into heat. Francis' smile faltered and he turned away from the window, one hand resting on his belly. The thought of Arthur being with another omega, whispering sweet nothings to them and mating them – it made Francis upset and jealous. But he knew he could do nothing about it, so he was trying to hold onto the times that Arthur was his and his alone.

But he couldn't help feeling rather lonely and neglected by his alpha, as pregnancy was a time an alpha should spend caring for his omega – protecting him, loving him, making sure he was comfortable. And Arthur wasn't there.

Tears welled in Francis' eyes as he sat down on his bed, grabbing a little white bear that Arthur had gifted the pups so they would have something to play with when they were born, and hugged it close. The omega knew that he was overly emotional because of his pregnancy and imbalanced hormones, but he couldn't help it. He burst into tears, holding the bear close and wishing his alpha would come to him and comfort him, but Arthur did not come.

XxX

"My omegas will be stood here, ready to be presented when the Heads of Households arrive – perhaps get Number Two a chair." Arthur instructed, gesturing to the large marble hall that led from the staircase into the ballroom.

"Make sure the music is playing and the young omegas are all bathed and pretty – they will be over here. They are to be kept apart from Number One, Two, Three and Four. That is a high priority concern, understand?"

The alpha was speaking to the security guards and nannies and other servants who would be working during this grand event. It was the winter auction, and a lot of prestigious Heads of Households will attend in order to choose one of Arthur's eligible omega pups to buy and raise until they are old enough to be an omega-mate for one of the alphas of the household.

Arthur's omegas would be in attendance so that the Heads of Households can gage how attractive their pups would be when they grew up, but they would be guarded because Arthur's omegas were not for sale. Well, not unless an irresistible offer could be made.

Arthur allowed his omegas to have a drink (unless they were pregnant), and possibly a dance before returning to their separate wings, and it was one of the rare occasions when they got to meet each other. It should be fun for them – a chance to relax and leave their chambers, dressed prettily and have the attention of approving alphas.

But there have been incidences where one of his omegas has made a scene about their pups – and it was a very embarrassing display. Overall though, it was a highly enjoyable and profitable event, for Arthur at least.

The ballroom was beautifully decorated and the servants were busy preparing the plentiful buffet that would be available, and the stage where the band was playing, and later where the omega pups would be individually introduced, had been set up.

Arthur smiled. Tonight would be a very good night, indeed.

XxX

Francis sighed as he sat in the bath, laying his head back so that Nanny Smith could wash his hair. He had only been told that Arthur wanted him bathed and looking his very best for tonight, but no one had yet given him a straight answer as to what was happening tonight.

"You have to look your best tonight." Nanny Smith uttered, easing Francis out of his thoughts as she gently massaged his scalp.

"What is happening tonight?" Francis asked in response, staring at the bathroom ceiling. He could sense the hesitation in Nanny Smith's answer, so he glanced at her. "Please? No one has told me…"

Nanny Smith sighed. "I'm not supposed to say…Mr Kirkland does not want to make you stressed in your condition."

"It would make me more stressed if I do not know what to expect." The omega reasoned, playing with the bubbles floating on the surface of the water.

This seemed to make sense to the beta nanny, who nodded a little and began to wash out his hair. "Well, tonight is the auction."

"Auction?" Francis queried, letting the nanny wash out his hair before she began to gently condition it.

"Where Mr Kirkland invites Heads of different Households to come and view his omega pups. They can buy one to make a mate for an alpha in their household." Nanny Smith explained simply.

Francis tensed, realising what it meant, and he caressed his belly with a trembling hand. "…And…I have to be present?"

"Of course. All of Mr Kirkland's omegas must attend so that the Head alphas can see how pretty you all are, therefore being able to predict how pretty your pups will be." Nanny Smith was trying to be as compassionate as she could be.

The French omega said nothing more, feeling an overwhelming heartache for the other omegas who must have pups in the auction – they would have to watch them be sold off to predatory alphas that could rip apart such sweet, innocent little things.

As Nanny Smith washed his hair again and then helped him step out of the bath, Francis was silent. All he could think about was when the time would come for his pups to be born – would Arthur take his pups away too?

He stood and let Nanny Smith dry and dress him, spraying him with an expensive but subtle perfume – another gift from Arthur – because his scent still needed to be easily distinguished.

Arthur had selected a beautiful tunic of blue silk for him, one that comfortably fit his pregnant belly and felt soft against his skin. The tunic stopped at his mid-thigh, and Francis blushed faintly as he looked at himself in the mirror. The back of the tunic exposed Francis' delicate shoulder blades all the way down to the small of his back – it was a rather revealing outfit, and Francis felt uncomfortable knowing that strange alphas were going to be eyeing him.

Before he could protest though, Arthur entered the room with a brief knock, wearing a very nice dark suit with emerald embroidery on the torso that matched his eyes. He looked extremely handsome, and Francis' heart fluttered at the sight. It was easy to forget what they were all dressed up for, especially when Arthur smiled at him.

"You look beautiful, pet." He praised, coming over and inspecting his omega, leaning in and inhaling his scent with a satisfied hum.

Francis blushed faintly. "I don't feel comfortable in this, Arthur…" he admitted softly, but Arthur gave a smile and kissed him gently, quietening his complaint.

"I won't let anyone touch you. I'm going to show you off, it's true, but you're mine and mine alone." The alpha growled slightly as he spoke, showing his possessive nature and placing a hand on Francis' belly.

Francis nodded a little in acceptance, but he was not looking forward to the auction. "What will I have to do?" he asked a little nervously, clearly apprehensive and his scent held a hint of anxiousness.

Arthur picked up on the scent and pecked his lips gently, caressing the omega's cheek. "Just look pretty and keep to yourself – unless a Head alpha wishes to speak to you, in which case you may flatter him. It may persuade him to buy one of the pups."

Francis shied away from his touch when he said that, sitting on the bed and Arthur watched as the silk tunic rode up his thighs a little. The alpha fought the urge to caress Francis' thigh as he sat beside him, sensing his apprehension. "What is wrong, pet?"

The French omega knew that this was the way of things and so he didn't tell Arthur it made him sick to think of innocent pups being auctioned off. Instead he shook his head, gave a smile and decided to change the subject.

"I have been thinking about names for the pups…" he started a new topic smoothly enough, and Arthur raised an eyebrow, placing a hand on his belly again, as he was very possessive of the unborn pups.

"Have you? What names do you like?" The alpha asked, nuzzling Francis' neck a little as the scent of his pregnant omega was very enticing, and Arthur could feel himself becoming a bit excited just being near him.

Francis smiled, giggling a little as Arthur's affection tickled. "Well, I like the name Matthieu, or Madeline if the pup is a girl~"

Arthur hummed in approval, though somewhat distracted as he kissed along Francis' jaw. "Hmm, yes. I like those names."

Francis hesitated, before nibbling his lip. "Um, I also would like to name one of them after someone who was dear to me…"

Again, Arthur was distracted and had moved his hand to Francis' inner thigh, moving closer. "Uh huh…" he mumbled, not paying attention at all.

The French omega felt a bit encouraged by the fact that Arthur was somewhat distracted, and he decided to tell him. "I would like to name one 'Antonio'…"

The alpha froze.

Francis held his breath.

Arthur pulled back and let out a growl. "What?" he snapped, staring hard at Francis.

The omega trembled a little, but tried to reason with him. "H-He meant a lot to me a-and I just wanted to remember him – "

He faltered as the scent of alpha aggression began to fill the room, and let out a whimper, bowing his head in submission in the hopes that it would placate Arthur.

"How dare you suggest such a thing?" came the low growl of Arthur's voice.

"D-Désolé – "

"Do you still love him?" the alpha barked, making Francis wince.

"I – Arthur…" The omega was afraid, and his scent of fear mingled with Arthur's aggression.

"He's not your alpha anymore, Francis. I am!"

The alpha leapt off the bed, going to the window and turning his back on Francis. He was angry, but he did not want to hurt his omega.

"I know…" Francis whimpered, glancing up at Arthur. "Forgive me…"

The alpha was silent for a minute, and Francis was too afraid and upset to try and break it.

Slowly, the strong scent of aggression subsided but did not disperse completely, and Arthur sighed.

"He is dead, Francis. You have me now, and you will not ask me such a thing again." His tone was more commanding now than aggressive, but Francis nodded meekly.

The alpha turned back to face him, regarding his omega for a moment. "Finish getting ready – I shall expect you downstairs in five minutes."

And with that, Arthur left the room, not bothering to apologise to or comfort his omega.

Francis sat trembling, until Nanny Smith, who had been standing in the next room to give them privacy and heard every word, came to finish getting him ready. She did not say anything about it, and Francis too was silent.

The omega finished getting ready, feeling all nervous and shaken up from upsetting Arthur, and he trembled as Nanny Smith led him downstairs to the auction party.


A/N: Next chapter is the auction party! So, a lot of conflict in this chapter, I don't even know what questions to ask!

How do you feel about Francis wanting to call one of the pups 'Antonio', and about Arthur's reaction to it?

And what do you think will happen at the auction?

Please review and let me know!

Love you all x