The day of Independence. July 1, 1867. Madeline was so happy. She couldn't contain her joy. She immediately told the ones closest to her, especially Lars of course. He was so happy that he hopped on a boat, and tried to get there as fast as possible.

When he arrived, he saw an angel. She smiled in delight at the sight of him. She waved at him. He waved back grinning ear to ear.

When the ship boarded, he was the first one off. He ran to her and lifted her high into the air and they spun around.

"Congratulations, Madeline. I've missed you so much!" He hugged her tightly then kissed her.

"I've missed you so much, too!" Madeline teared up in joy. "I'm free! I'm finally free!" Tears poured down her face.

Lars put her down and kissed her tears. "I know. Madeline I would like to ask you something in private, if it's alright?"

She blinked and smiled. "Okay, Lars. Let's go back to my house, then."

They went to her house and they saw something unexpected.

Kumajirou was there finishing up a plate of crepes.

"Kumatachi, where did you get those?" Madeline said, a bit worried.

"Mon petit MADELINE!"

The couple's eyes widened and they immediately seperated from one another. Lars didn't know what to do so he hid in the closet.

"Hello, Papa. What are you doing here?" She said nervously with a slight smile.

"What! To celebrate of course! You are finally free from the stuffy Brit. Now, you can come home with me!" Francis said remembering all of the happy times they had together.

"Hah?" Madeline exclaimed. Lars in his hiding spot gaped.

"Ah, not as a colony of course. You are your own country but I want you to come for an extended visit." He said gleefully.

"Hmm. Okay?" She replied nervously, glancing at the closest door, worrying about Lars.

"Great! Let's leave tonight!" Francis clapped his hands.

"Papa, that's impossible! I mean I have to um help my people settle in and all." She said said nervously. "I have to do a lot of work."

Francis rubbed his chin, looking at her, thinking. He then smiled. "Okay, but at least make your first visit to Europe, my place, okay?"

"Of course, Papa. Where else would I visit?" She dryly laughed.

"Well, your first parents." France said somberly.

"Papa, they barely remember me. If I showed up, they wouldn't know who I am, at all." She said.

"Okay, but I don't want you anywhere near that Brit. He's a bad influence on you."

"Uh, huh. Papa, I'm a big girl now. I'll be fine." She smiled at him.

"Okay, now who's in the closet?" Francis looked at her knowingly.

"What?" She said surprised. "There's no one there."

"Ah, mon petit. I know I haven't seen you for a long time, but I know when you lie. Also I saw a glimpse of someone going in there when I was coming out. Is it a guy?" He wagged his eyebrows suggestively.

Madeline blushed.

"Ah, it is. Let's go and get him out." Francis walked over to the closet and put his hand on the knob. Lars held his breath.

"Just please don't hurt him!" She blurted out.

Francis stopped and folded his arms. "Madeline, who is it?" He said seriously.

Lars started sweating in fear.

"It's my boyfriend. I'm sorry I haven't told you, but please don't hurt him." Madeline pleaded with him.

Francis looked at her even more seriously. "Is it someone that I know? Because if it is, depending on who, I'm going to kill him."

"But Papa!"

Too late. Francis opened the door. He looked at Lars. Lars looked at him anxiously. "Hi Francis."

Francis slammed the door and faced Madeline, with a smile. "Madeline, there's no one in there. You shouldn't joke about something so serious."

"Papa, are you alright? Lars really is my boyfriend." Madeline said worried.

"I'm perfectly fine and Lars? Who's that? I don't know anyone by that name." He smiled and then he put a chair against the door to prevent Lars from coming out. "Madeline, what would you like for dinner?"

"But Papa..." She sighed. She knew she wouldn't get anywhere with her stubborn Papa. "I would like foie-gras."

"Okay, I also brought wine for the celebration. Would you like red or white?"

"Red. Can I let him out?" Madeline pointed at banging door.

"Dinner will be done in an hour." Francis said and he turned around. "Put out 3 dinner settings." then he left.

Madeline smiled. "Oui, Papa!" She pulled the chair out and the door opened. Lars got out and bear-hugged Madeline.

"I was so terrified. I think he's more terrifying than Ivan." He mumbled into her shoulder.

Madeline patted him on the back, comforting. "There, there. Papa will like you eventually. You have to get him used to it first."

"That's even worse. I know him, the real him. Remember 100 year war. You haven't seen what he can do." He groaned.

"Lars, calm down. He's not like that anymore well, if he is, he won't act like that around me." Madeline said calmingly.

"Okay."

"Also we can't sleep together when Papa is staying here." Madeline said.

This made Lars internally cry to himself, which made Madeline rub his back.


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