The Last Chapter (Sob). It's finally coming to an end which is a pity because I really enjoyed writing something not based on an existing story (even if I got a little stuck sometimes) and I want to thank everyone who read, supported and/or reviewed it, you're the best. My next three tales are existing story based but after that I think I'll dig into my imagination for another multi-chapter story again. It was fun.

So on to the closing chapter. Hope you like it!

I do not own Hetalia!

Chapter 10 : Reunion

As the dagger came down, two hands grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the dagger and held it off as Lovino brought his hands up to defend himself but in his position it was hard to hold it back as his attacker was stronger than him. Lovino knew it was a matter of time before his assailant could get the blade in.

Then, suddenly, there was a flash of green light and the figure was blasted off him, followed by a thump as it hit the floor. A tiny figure bathed in green light flew past and down to the floor. Lovino pulled a sheet from the bed to wrap round himself and scrambled down the ladder.

The figure had grown to full size, revealing herself as Elizaveta and she waved a wand in a full circle and all the candles in the chamber lit to reveal the Chamberlain lying on the floor, unconscious.

"Guards!" she called. There was a commotion outside and guards burst into the chamber, followed by Antonio and King Romulus. Antonio and King Romulus had been too worked up to sleep and Romulus was worried Antonio would interfere with the test. They had talked and Romulus now had a better understanding of the relationship between Antonio and Lovino. As they were walking down the passageway toward the guest chambers they heard Elizaveta shout and followed the guards who ran past them in response. They entered to find Elizaveta standing over the chamberlain with Romano stood nearby wrapped in a sheet.

"This man tried to kill Prince Lovino," Elizaveta accused. A groan came from the Chamberlain as he began to wake up. Elizaveta's wand became a skillet which she brought down hard.

Clunk! Everyone winced at the sound of metal meeting head.

Then Romulus realised what Elizaveta had said.

"Y. You m. mean ..." he stuttered, looking toward the boy she had just called Lovino. Elizaveta gently put her arm around Lovino's shoulders and guided him toward Romulus. Lovino had recognised Romulus when he had burst in from when Natayla had cursed Feliciano and he saw his father for the first time since becoming human.

"Your Royal Majesty," she replied, respectfully. "I am pleased to have the honour to present to you, your son, His Royal Highness, Crowned Prince Lovino of Italy." Lovino was somewhat embarrassed to be meeting his father dressed in a sheet but he was being officially acknowledged and barely had time to savour the moment he had waited for all his life before he was pulled into a bear hug.

"My boy!" Romulus wept unashamedly. "My son!" Lovino felt tears fill his eyes and did not fight them.

"Father!" he cried and hugged his father back. The guards hauled the Chamberlain away and Elizaveta discreetly left. Antonio waited a moment and then, looking at the embracing father and son, felt like an intruder and slipped out the door.

Lovino dressed and he and Romulus talked the rest of the night out, telling each other about the years they had missed together. Lovino admitted that it had been he, under the control spell, who had betrayed Feliciano's hiding place to Natayla. Romulus had hugged his son and told him it was not his fault. Romulus told him of his younger brother who was excited to meet him and his mother who was eager to see her eldest child.

Romulus also explained the test that Lovino had undergone to prove his identity.

"Under all the mattresses is a magic pea," he said. "Had you been a pretender, you wouldn't have felt it but for Elizaveta to announce you as my true son, you must have been really tossing and turning." Lovino realised that if Elizaveta knew he'd been restless in bed, she had to have been there from the beginning. Which meant she had seen him naked!

He went bright red

"I just couldn't get comfortable," Lovino replied, trying to cover his blush. "There always seemed to be a lump in the bed no matter what I did. So being able to feel that pea means I'm royal?"

"No" Romulus smiled. "Being able to feel the pea means you're Lovino. Your mother and brother are going to be delighted."

"Do you think they'll like me, Babbo? (Father)" Lovino asked. "I've been told I'm no Prince Charming." He chuckled as he remembered Antonio telling him that.

"They'll love you, Lovino," Romulus assured him. "Your mother's required to and Feliciano likes everyone."

Outside the castle, a cockerel's cry could be heard heralding the new dawn.

"Have we been at this all night?" Romulus looked surprised. "How the time has flown! How about we get changed and meet your mother and brother for breakfast?"

"I'd like that, Babbo."

Antonio sat by the window in the dining hall, looking at the now complete Italian Royal Family as they sat and talked over breakfast. Queen Maria had hugged Lovino for a full five minutes, crying with happiness and kept hold of him for a little longer after that. When she finally let him go, there was a cry of 'Fratello!' before he was almost bowled over by an ecstatic Feliciano, who was excited to finally get to know his big brother.

It was a happy family scene but all Antonio could see was his tomate moving further and further away from him but he was unable to stop it. He was Prince Lovino of Italy now and that was where he belonged. Anything else was selfish.

He could not watch any more and walked out of the dining hall.

Lovino watched Antonio almost race out of the dining hall as Feliciano was chatting about his Luddy who Lovino had dubbed 'Potato Bastard' because he had a pile of them on his breakfast plate. Who had potatoes for breakfast?

He had been bathing in the affection of his family who seemed to be trying to cram seventeen years of love into a single day. His mother was kind and had taken him to her heart immediately. And he knew he was going to adore her. Feliciano was a bundle of sunshine and Lovino knew he was going to love his little brother but he might find all that energy tiring so he might be best in small doses but overall his family was all he could wish them to be.

Antonio had not looked happy when he left. Lovino took his leave of his family, promising to return quickly when they protested, and followed him.

Antonio went to the turtle fountain. He sat on the edge, running his fingers through the water and lightly stroking across the turtles' backs. It would just be him and them when Lovino went to Italy. He loved turtles but right now they were not making him feel better.

"What's the problem, tomato bastard?"

Antonio turned toward the beloved voice to see Lovino standing there. Tomato bastard seemed to be a term of endearment when coming from Lovino's lips now. He was going to miss it.

"You should be with your family," he replied. "You've waited all your life for this."

"I should," Lovino agreed. "But I can't because my boyfriend isn't there and he should be." Antonio turned back to his turtles.

"How long before you go to Italy?" he asked.

"Hasn't been discussed," Lovino replied then joked "Why, can't wait to get rid of me?" Antonio looked down on his lap. Lovino suddenly realised what was bothering Antonio.

"I'm not going to leave you,"

"Your the Crowned Prince of Italy, Lovino," Antonio pointed out. "You may not have a choice. Positions like ours come with responsibilities. The price of being royal."

"I wasn't looking to be royal," Lovino replied. "I was looking for my family."

"Who are the Royal Family of Italy," Antonio pointed out. "I guess it's time to face reality."

"Do you want me to go?" Antonio stood up, held Lovino's face in both hands and kissed him.

"Of course I don't," he said, passionately. "The idea tears me apart inside. When I imagine my life, it's with you by my side but you're prince of your own country now. Your obligation to your country will always come first, it has to."

"Not if I abdicate."

"You can't give up a throne because you can't get your own way," Antonio stated. "That's selfish."

"I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either," Antonio replied. "But unless there's a miracle, we may not have a choice."

Romulus had followed Lovino when he left the dining hall and trailed him to the inner courtyard. He listened to them speak and then left.

Lovino managed to convince Antonio to come back to the dining hall with him and they were joined by Queen Isabella who stood to one side with King Romulus, in heavy discussion. Eventually they moved to the throne room where there were more heavy discussion and Lovino and Feliciano spent more time together, discovering a shared obsession with pasta and tomatoes. Mid-afternoon, they were found asleep with their heads resting on each other's shoulders. Feliciano's energetic nature meant he slept a lot and Lovino was exhausted from the night's sleep he did not get. Both Antonio and Ludwig thought they were adorable.

Although Antonio did not know whether to laugh or run for cover when they finally woke up to find that their curls were tangled up and Feliciano heard more foul language than he might ever have learned from Arthur.

Lovino decided to share a room with Feliciano that night and discovered his brother also shared his propensity for not wearing anything in bed. Awkward!

"The Chamberlain must be punished for his crime," Romulus insisted. "There must be no way he can get away with trying to murder my son."

"He was caught in the act," Isabella replied. "There's no way he'll talk his way out of this. Don't worry, Romulus. I shall see that he is adequately punished."

"Now, to another pressing problem," he said and he told her of the conversation between Lovino and Antonio. "I want Lovino to be happy and I know your son means so much to him but Lovino must come to Italy and acquaint himself with the kingdom. I don't know what to do."

"I do have an idea," Isabella replied. "It should please everyone if you're agreeable." And she outlined her proposal.

After a few days of Lovino settling into his family, a royal audience was called to deal with certain issues. Isabella sat on her throne and Antonio stood by her shoulder. Because these issues involved the Italian Royal Family, seats had been placed next to the throne for King Romulus and Queen Maria. Lovino stood behind his father and Feliciano stood behind his mother with Ludwig. Elizaveta stood on the other side of Antonio.

The doors opened and the Chamberlain was brought in, shackles on his wrists much the same as Lovino had been, the difference being, the Chamberlain was friendless.

"Lord Chamberlain," Isabella put sarcastic emphasis on Lord. "You stand accused of the attempted murder of then Romano, now Prince Lovino of Italy. Said attempt was witness and interrupted by Her Excellency, Elizaveta of the Hedervary Tribe. What do you have to say?"

The Chamberlain said nothing. There was nothing he could say. The evidence was against him and he knew it. Everything he had worked for was gone, thanks to one italian brat.

"Very well!," the Queen said, "You will spend ten years in prison after which you will be exiled from Spain and Italy. If any other country will have you. Guards, take him away."

The guards dragged the Chamberlain away. King Romulus whispered in Queen Isabella's ear.

"Ten years then exile," he said, unhappily. "That's it!"

"Trust me," she whispered back with a smile and then addressed the court again.

"And now to our allies of Italy," Isabella turned to the King and Queen. "King Romulus and I have come to an agreement for a possible new alliance between Spain and Italy. This would involve a marriage between our sons, Antonio and Lovino. Should both princes agree and, with the agreement of King Wolfgang of Germania, Spain, Italy and Germania will enter into a triple monarchy under all our sons." Lovino and Antonio looked at each other in shock.

"Should this alliance go ahead," Isabella continued. "The current spanish ambassador in Italy will be recalled to take over the office of Chamberlain and his duties will be undertaken by Prince Antonio until the marriage has taken place." The court buzzed with excitement. From ambassador to Chamberlain was promotion and the idea of a triple monarchy was bold indeed.

"What do you say, boys?" asked Romulus, looking at Lovino and Antonio. Antonio began to grin.

"We agree," he replied.

"Who said I wanted to marry you, tomato bastard?" Lovino blurted. Antonio's smile dropped.

"You don't want to marry me!"

"Yes, but I hadn't said so," Lovino replied. "Don't take things for granted!"

"What ever you say, Lovi!" Antonio hugged him.

"Did you just call me Lovi? The wedding's off!"

A month later, Antonio was in Italy as ambassador, King Wolfgang had agreed to the idea of a triple monarchy and the wedding was planned for the same date as Feliciano and Ludwig's. Elizaveta had left after transporting everyone back to Italy, something about problems with a god child and a certain arrogant prussian prince who needed to learn the world did not revolve around him. Ludwig grinned. Gilbert would not know what hit him.

Vash and Lili were rewarded for the friendship and support they had given Lovino when most would not give him the time of day and for helping him through his days in the dungeons. Vash became Baron Zwingli and Lili became a lady of the court.

Queen Isabella repealed all the anti-poverty laws and, with financial help from Germania and Italy, created a budget for rebuilding roads and creating new buildings, thereby creating work for those being released from prison so they could feed their families and put a roof over their heads. It also helped the economy which meant she could repay what she had borrowed. There was still poverty but they were finally dealing with it instead of hiding it out of sight.

When his jail term was up, the Chamberlain was escorted to the border and practically thrown over it where a nasty surprise was waiting for him in the form of an angry mob. He heard the names of some of these people but they seemed strange to him. Names like Yuu Kirkland, messie2624, ArtemisIsis13, Cardfighter by Maple, Scarlet Phantom, EverythingMath, KassydaPJgeek14, Acyee-san, GinnyJeanWealsey, Sarpndo and the ringleader who seemed to really have it in for him, Kin of Norway who came armed with a large collection of knives and swords. He was last seen running from these angry people who chased him with cries of 'KILL THE CHAMBERLAIN'

No one else ever saw him again.

Wolfgang was putting Gilbert under increasing pressure to find a bride but he did not want to marry just anyone. It had to be someone worthy of Ze Awesome Gilbert and he did not think such a person existed.

And somewhere in the Kingdom of Prussia, a young woman was being badly used by her step-family. A young woman with really big boobs.

Did you like your surprise? What I originally had in mind for the Chamberlain's punishment didn't seem to be enough and with some of your reviews I figured you could punish him far better than I could (especially you, Kin of Norway). Give him hell!

To Yuu Kirkland – Yeah, these high-up think they can get away with anything. Now you can kick him to your heart's content. And I could never kill my Lovi~

To messie2624 – Will the Chamberlain die a slow painful death? Well, that's up to you now.

To ArtemisIsis13 – Good news. No more cliffhangers and you can get revenge for Lovino, Lili and anyone else you want to blame him for. I'm honoured that you chose my story as one of the few to review, that means so much to me, honestly. May your Spamano heart continue to fly high.

P.S. (I love long reviews :D )

To Cardfighter by Maple – Evil cliffhangers are now dead. (Well, at least until the next Hetalia Tales XP)

To Scarlet Phantom – I had writer's block working on Hetalia Tales 3 so I stepped away and did something else then went back to it. It might work for you.

I hope you liked your surprise.

To EverythingMath – Very true but fortunately the Chamberlain didn't know about the test or even that the test was happening. Everything happens for a reason.

To KassydaPJgeek14 – I got your review for 'If You Want This Back', thank you. Hope you like your little present. Go get 'im!

To Acyee-san – No more cliffhangers, at least not for this story and you get your piece of the Chamberlain. I hope Lovino's family reunion was everything you hoped.

To GinnyJeanWeasley – I'm sorry I didn't update sooner but I only get so much time and I'm writing my other stories in the meantime so I can only update for special occasions but I hope you enjoy it. I give you the Chamberlain as compensation.

To Kin of Norway – You're making me hungry. Now sharpen your knives, you've got a bad guy to hunt and to teach to keep his yucky lips to himself. If only cameras did exist, Hungary would have a field day. There'll be more mentions of Alfred in upcoming stories and maybe even a clue of two as to his story and maybe who he's paired to and in his story there will be the explanation about Kiku and Hercules. So stay tuned.

To Sarpndo – Ah! A newcomer! As a new member of this little review club you get a free gift. A bad guy to hunt down. Have fun!

Well that's it for my Spanamo story but Hetalia Tales 3 will be uploaded next week. You may have already guessed the pairing. Unusual, I know but we'll see where it goes so stay tuned for Gilbert and Katyusha's (Ukraine's) story, Hetalia Tales 3 : Cinderella.

Until then,

Hasta la Pasta!