That night at dinner, no one ate any of the left over chicken soup that was prepared. The story spread quickly, and everyone found it so distasteful, they couldn't possibly eat…

Italy had locked himself up in his room for the rest of day. Whenever I passed by his room, I heard faint crying and my heart broke more and more…Austria had already taken most everything he had…why did he have to take this away too? The poor child had nothing, and something that made him happy had been chopped up and cooked…

Once everyone had gone to bed, I opened the door to his room and came in, taking him into my arms. He was still awake, but was no longer crying. He was simply lying there. I twirled a bit of his hair between my fingers and watched him. His eyes didn't focus on me. In fact, they focused on nothing…he looked like he might have died, but he was still breathing.

"…I hate him…" He said.

I didn't respond. What could I say? Instead, I ran a finger down his face, which was dirtied from all the tears.

"…I know…but you have me, Italy…and I love you…" I rested my palm on his little face. "…I'm sorry…I know it's hard…" I leaned over to kiss his forehead.

Italy's face contorted and he began crying again, but this time there were no tears left. He had cried them all out. The only thing I could do was hold him closer. How guilty I felt…if only I had ran when I had the knife…all I did was hand it over. I was just as open to blame as he was. I was an accomplice…

The boy had cried himself to sleep, so I tucked him into bed and kissed him goodnight. "…I'm sorry Italy…" I said softly. "…Tomorrow will be better…"

The next day, I brought that man his tea…but I said nothing to him. I didn't even give him a dirty look. I simply set the tray down and walked away.

The whole house was quiet that day…no one had much of anything to speak about. Of course, there were the occasional whispers, but the world had grown silent…

At six, I brought Austria his tea, and before I could turn and go, he caught me by the wrist.

"You're going to tell me why everyone is giving me dirty looks…Turn around." I did as I was commanded, and looked at Austria, who wore a look of near disgust. He let go of me. I didn't say anything at first.

"…Well?"

"…Everyone feels you were unjust yesterday." I stated. "…It was wrong to just…kill that bird."

"Why?" He asked, eyes angry.

"Because…Italy had given it a name…He loved it…and you chopped its head off right in front of him…Austria…you order the poor child around all day…and he hardly complains…how could you take that hen from him? He has practically nothing. You couldn't pick any other chicken?" My voice was shaking. "…It wasn't like it would have made a difference. All chicken tastes the same. That one just had red feathers? Was it that special? You're the only one who ate any of it."

He had nothing to say.

"…Do you know what he told me yesterday? He said he hated you…Maybe it doesn't bother you, but it should. Italy is a good child, and he's full of nothing but love…even for people who aren't always good to him…I think he might have even liked you…but you ruined that too. Can you even justify yourself?" My eyes were filling with tears.

He bit his bottom lip. I could tell he was fuming. "Justification? Here's your justification. This is my house. Those are my chickens. You're my servants. You wear the clothes I bought you with my money. You listen to my orders, and if I want my chicken dead, I'll have my chicken dead. Why? It's mine. Everything you see around you is mine. Everything you have is essentially mine. There. That's your precious justification. Because it's my house, and it's not my fault some idiotic boy is too busy making friends with poultry."

"How do you even sleep at night?!" I screamed. "You sit here, giving orders and making everyone around you miserable! No one likes you! They respect you only out of fear! I even hate you sometimes! You say we're friends, but all you do to show that is force me to do things I don't want to do! You never let me do what I want! I want a break; No! Go clean the chimney again! Go wash the dishes a third time! You work us all until our fingers bleed and for what?! To have our precious things taken away right in front of us?! Why don't you just take all of the things in my room and set them on fire outside?! They're yours, aren't they?!" I stopped a moment to breath. "You wonder why you don't have any friends…there's your answer. Everyone who says they like you is lying. Well, I'll be honest. I find you disgusting. You're so absorbed into yourself; you can't even see what's right in front of you. All of these things that are yours…what do they matter? Can you tell me that? When everyone leaves you because they get fed up, is this house going to matter? Are your chickens going to matter? No. You can have as many possessions as you can buy…but what are you at the end of the day when everyone hates you? Are you happy to know people wish you would die? You can have your house with your rules and all of your fancy possessions…But you certainly can't have my friendship." I walked away, not looking back. He said nothing more. I expected him to call me back…but I didn't even get that…

That night, I lied in my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was impressed with myself, but also worried. He would throw me out…That what happened to many maids before me. He would simply let them go. He hated the truth…but who could blame him? The truth was an ugly thing he couldn't dispel…

The next day he was nowhere to be found…I came in with tea to a room with no one inside. I left it for him, and returned to see the same untouched beverage…yesterday would be Christmas Eve…it was odd of him to just disappear.

And there was Christmas Eve. The same thing occurred as yesterday. I showed up with the tea, and he was no where to be found. I even looked for him, beginning to think I was too harsh…but then I told myself those thoughts were foolish.

At six, I was called into his room…

Austria was there, sitting at his bureau, his eyes diverted to he ground. I stepped forward, staring directly at him.

Neither of us spoke for a long time.

"…No, really, sir. It's fine." I said. He gave his attention to me. "I know why you called me here. It's really alright that you can't deal with the truth. I understand completely; really! It's a horribly hideous thing, and since you like to live in a pretty little delusion, well, it makes perfect sense that you can't face it! I'll make it easy for you, so you don't have to waste your precious time on a lowly little maid like me. I'll throw myself out. No, no! Don't even speak! It's not necessary! I don't want to hear it anyway! You get the privilege of keeping your words to yourself!"

I turned a moment, biting my lower lips to keep from crying. I wasn't sarcastic this time. "…I would have really liked to stay…but I can't possibly be around someone who cares so little about others…Please take care of Italy…"

I walked away, hearing weeping that wasn't my own.

I took my coat and threw it around me, walking outside. It was snowing with no remorse. Still, I moved forward, hearing people calling my name. I refused to go back…

I was walking a while before I had to stop. The ice was sticking to my face and I could no longer move forward. I wasn't sure where I was. I looked back. There was no home, not even lights. I sat down in the snow where I was, beginning to sob. I didn't hate him as much as I seemed to…I still loved him…but I couldn't go back…How he treated Italy was wrong…

…but I didn't even give him a chance to apologize…

It them occurred to me how much pressure he must have been under…It was Christmas and the whole world was watching him…he had to buy things for nearly everyone, and he was always busy…He didn't want to put up with complaints form servants…people who are supposed to listen to him…How could he have known the hen was special to Italy/ I didn't even know until that day…He might have assumed he was crying because I was going to kill it…it seemed like something he would be upset over…

I stood back up, wiping my tears and yelling his name. He was a good man…he had a made a mistake…I had made mistakes too…and he had always forgiven me…

"Austria!" My voice grew feeble. "Austria…"

I fell into the snow…If no one found me, I would die…