I was brought to a mansion late that night and given a room in which all my bags were placed. It was a bit smaller than Austria's, but still a vey good size. There were painting everywhere inside, and all of them featured Prussia in heroic poses, usually with a gorgeous woman. I wondered if they were all just made up.

My room was small, and had a double bed against the wall. There was a large mirror hanging, and a small stand near it. I suppose it was a make-shift vanity. The window had old curtains that were very lacey and full of dust. I batted at them with my hand and was covered.

"Sorry. No one's been in here in a while." Prussia was standing at the door. "So everything's really old…Hope you don't mind, because everywhere else is taken."

I didn't say anything.

"…There's some soup ready, if you're hungry…If not, feel free to roam around…or go to bed…whatever…" He stepped into the room and opened the closet, which was slightly dirty as well. There was an old dress lying on the floor. He picked it up, brushed it off and then hung it up. "…Well…"

"…What?" My voice was tired.

"Nothing…I'll see you tomorrow, I guess." He left the room and I looked around. Everything was so…old. Even the spare rooms in Austria's home didn't look like this, and he had many of them…not just one.

I decided to explore.

The entire house seemed to empty. Perhaps all the servants were asleep…but no one was about, and it just made this house so very lonely…

During my walk around, I bumped into someone.

"Oh, gosh! I'm sorry…" He had knocked me over then offered me a hand. "Are you alright?" This man was quite attractive. He had wavy dark hair and a handsome face. His skin was nicely tanned, and he seemed to be kind.

"I'm fine…" I was still speaking solemnly.

"…Hmm…Prussia doesn't usually bring back women…Are you Austria's wife?"

I nodded.

"…I'm sorry…It must have been difficult…making that kind of decision…but we're all pretty nice here…and Prussia isn't so bad…"

"…He destroyed my house and killed innocent maids…"

"Oh…"

"…Who are you?"

"I'm Spain."

"Spain…? Stop sending Italy letters…He knows you're just being nice to him so you can use him…He doesn't want to fight."

"…What kind of thing is that to say to someone you just met? I'll have you know I don't use anyone. I like Italy, thank you, and I want to see him. Is that such a problem?"

"…You're already winning…I don't see why you need him to be involved."

"I don't want to!"

"Then why do you keep bothering him?"

"Because I want to see him!"

I didn't say anything.

He was staring at me, and then sighed. "…Can we try this again? I'm Spain." He held out his hand. "What's your name?"

"I'm Hungary…" I took his hand, shaking it.

"Anyway, have you eaten yet?"

"No…"

"Well, you should…Food is good for you." He smiled at me. "…Come on. You'll feel better once you get something in your stomach."

I followed him off to the dining room, where everyone else was sitting. Prussia was at the head of the table, and a boy who looked exactly like Italy was next to him. It occurred to me that it was probably his brother…They almost looked like they could have been twins…

I sat down across from the boy, who looked at me a moment, then went back to piddling around with his spoon. Spain sat in the space adjacent to mine.

"…Well, look. She came." Prussia had a bottle of wine sitting before him, but there were no glasses. I assumed he was drinking the entire thing himself. And I was right. The silver haired man picked it up and gave it a good suck before he put it back down. He was mildly intoxicated. His cheeks were turning pink.

"…Well, I kinda ate most of the food, but you can have a sip of this." He held out the wine to me, but I ignored him. "Cold shoulder, huh?" Again, the opening of the bottle touched to his lips. "…Well, whatever. More for me."

Spain sighed. "…Did you 'kinda' eat all the food, or is all of it really gone?"

"No…there's still some." He pointed to a large pot sitting in the center of the table. There was a pile of three bowls next to it. I wasn't sure who the third one was for.

"Here…" Spain handed me a dish and a spoon resting inside the top one, then poured a bit of soup into it. There wasn't much left. The remainder went into his bowl.

I noticed the other Italy looking at me intently, but I ignored him as well. I was feeling numb enough to not care.

I sampled a bit of soup and had a hard time swallowing. It was fairly disgusting. Perhaps because it was cold, but I'm sure the temperature wouldn't have that much of an effect on the quality.

"Where did France go?" Spain asked.

That must have been who the third plate was for. I had forgotten he was working with them…

"I don't know." Prussia answered. "He'll go missing for days at a time, and he usually seems to come back in one piece…he probably went to go buy something…he's always complaining about how crappy his room is…It's not so bad…he's just a spoilt brat…" He drank down more alcohol.

"…Ah well…" The man sitting next to me took up his bowl and drank down his soup.

So, this was my new life. A drunken tyrant, a glaring boy, a pushy man, and France, a pervert…

I began tearing up again. Instead of letting my face contort, I simply let the tears flow. I continued eating my soup, which was making me want to throw up. They all seemed to be watching me, but I continued on. I imagined my love's arms around me in times like this, and how I might never have them again…It only made more tears come.

"…Hey…Don't cry…" Spain said, gently touching my back. "I know it's gross. The trick is to eat it fast…"

"It is not!" The boy protested. "I tried really hard!"

"…Romano…" The tanned man's attention turned back to me. "…Let's get you to bed…it's been a long day, hasn't it?"

We walked back to my room. The fact that this was going to be place of refuge truly bothered me…this dusty little chamber…what a terrible place…

I sat back down on my bed, and had Spain's arm around my shoulders. Perhaps he wasn't such a bad man…I had insulted him and here he was, trying to calm me down…

"Thank you…" I said through my tears.

"It's nothing…"

When I had finally gotten back to numb, he left me alone, and I went to sleep. I wanted so badly to get away from this reality…Maybe my dreams would give me back to my husband…