Chapter 29: For the promise I made

"WHAT? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND, STUPIDO?!"

Feliciano waited for his older brother's rant to end. He knew very well how Lovino would take this: Very badly. Romano didn't like Germany or any of the Germanic countries, whereas Veneziano had close ties with them.

"There is no fucking way that we are joining the potato bastard! Why the fuck should we care about his stupid war anyway? He just wants to get back at France for WWI!"

"Si. But fratello, our leader decided that we …"

"Your leader! That bastard is the one killing off my people!"

"He's just working to rid you from those mafias …"

"No! He's not just killing off the mafia! He's killing anyone and everyone! Without care or proof of them being related to my mafias!"

"Fratello … please listen …"
"No! I'm sick of this! You are not dragging me in one of those stupid wars again!"

"Fratello, we have to do this together …"

"Why? Why don't you go on your own! I don't care! I am not going at war against the Allies again! Last time I managed to get us out of trouble with England but don't think I'll be able to pull it off again! I don't want to fight!"

"… You don't want to fight? Or you don't want to fight England?"

Suddenly, Feliciano felt his body being slammed against the wall and he heard the distinctive clicking of a gun as the cold metal touched his temple. Yet, Feliciano remained perfectly calm.

"Say one more word, and I'll make you unable to even meet that potato boyfriend of yours." Romano hissed dangerously, his eyes glaring murderously at his brother.

"Fratello. You can't hurt me."

"Wanna bet?"

"Fratello. We are Italy. Together. If I go to war, you go too. My leader is your leader. My enemy is your enemy … and if that enemy is England …"

"Shut up!"

"What will you do, Fratello? Side with the enemy, or your own people?"

"Bastardo! What makes you think that my people have the same enemy as yours?"

"Because they are all Italian. Aren't they, Fratello?"

"Italy? Ha! Italy is just a name on a map! Do you actually think we have any kind of national pride? National unity? Niente! On your side they even speak French and German depending on the frontier! I speak Spanish! We don't share the same background and history! What unity? What Italy?"

"Fratello! We are Italy! Don't you remember how hard we worked to create this united Italy?"

"Si! And now, you want to ruin all our efforts because of some stupid war just because of your pathetic pride!"

"I'm trying to make Italy as great as it was!"

"Italy never was great, Stupido! Rome was! Nonno Rome was great but now's a good time to realise that he's gone! Stop deluding yourself! If we go with Germany to fight France, I bet you whatever you want that England will join France!"

"She might not. France is her rival and Germany is trying to convince her to …"

"She will! Because Alice is like that! Don't believe me if you like but she will! I know my mother!"

"Romano … You should stop thinking of her as your mother. We are countries. You and I can only rely on each other …"

"Why? We have no reason to fight her! Or France! Or anyone! If you want to join your precious potato boyfriend that badly then go ahead but don't involve me in your shit! Or my people!"

"If I join, you are bound to be involved Fratello. And if England becomes our enemy, you will have to fight her …"
"I won't! I can't! I will never fight her! Never! Do you have any fucking idea how broken she and Spain were after that Armada thing? Do you have any idea how fucked up Spain would be when he came back from drowning his sorrow in drinks? Do you have any idea how painful it is to see your life shatter to pieces and fall apart right before your eyes? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO SEE YOUR MOTHER WALK AWAY IN TEARS AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT?! DO YOU?!" Romano yelled, tears threatening to fall from his closed eyes. He still held his gun against his brother's head, not giving him any opportunity to move away. Feliciano stayed quiet for a moment and when he finally spoke again, his voice was croaked and dry.

"No. I don't know. You're right! I don't know half of the stuff you have been through, Romano but neither do you! We know nothing about each other! We are brothers … no, we are the same country and yet we know nothing of each other! I'm trying to change this! I want to make us stronger so that we won't have to cry anymore! I want get those people we lost back! If we win, we could get England back and …"

"Are you an idiot?"

Romano stared dully at his brother.

"Get England? Win against England? Against the United Kingdom? Do you realise you are challenging the British Empire? She took down Spain at the peak of his power. She took down France and his Napoleon at the peak of his power. She conquered the seven seas and one third of the world is under her command. What can you do?"

"I have allies. We have allies. Romano, help me! Please! I'm doing this for us!"

"There is no we or us! I won't fight her. I'd rather fight you."

"You can't! I'm you and you're me!"

"Don't mistake me for you, Stupido. I'm nothing like you. We may have united but we are still very different. I will fight you if it comes down to it."

"… But I won't. Fratello. I will never fight you because, even if the world turns against us, I will always be by your side … England doesn't have this luxury. She will fight you if that's in the interest of her people …"

"Then I'll let her."

"You can't do that! Fratello! That's not what England wants!"

"And what would you know of what my mother wants?!"

"Because I made a promise with her! I promised her that I would be for you what she would never be! She cares for you so much that she's willing to give you up! She knows that she might become our enemy and that's why she made me promise that I would stay by your side forever! I will not let you kill yourself, Fratello! I will make us strong and nobody will arm us or separate us ever again!"

"Idioto! I don't want that! I want you to stop talking shit about power and strength and turn back to eating pasta! Forget the war, Stupido! Or I will have to stop you before you doom us both!"

"I will not let you do that, Romano! For the sake of that promise, I will lock you up and keep you safe!" Feliciano's amber eyes glowed of a dangerous red and his expression darkened. "I will keep you safe, Fratello. We can't rely on anybody else but ourselves. I will use Germany and Japan, in order to gain power. I will make us strong. So strong that even the British Empire will fall to our hands."

"Are you insane?!" Romano's eyes widen as he suddenly realised that his brother had changed completely. This was not the carefree idiot he used to know. Damn it! What happened to Stupido?!

Feliciano lifted his hand to caress his brother's cheek, gently and fondly. He still ignored the gun pointed at his head, as if it were only air. His hand moved to grab Romano's neck from behind and pull him closer. Tilting his head to the side, Feliciano muttered darkly in his brother's ear.

"I will make us great Fratello. You'll finally be proud of me. And once all have fallen, I will give you England. She'll only be yours, Fratello. And we'll be happy all together just like with Nonno Roma."

"… Don't … you can't …" Romano felt his body shake. Fear? He was actually feeling threatened by his brother? Impossible! Moving away from his grip, Romano took a few steps back, his gun shaking in his hand as he kept it aimed at the smirking figure of his insane brother. This … this is even worse than WW1. Feliciano's state of mind is something Romano had never seen before.

"Who are you …?" He whispered in ushered breath. Feliciano's smile stretched even more on his insane expression.

"It's me, Fratello! You know me! Don't you?"

Lovino took a step back while Feliciano tried to come nearer. His hand reaching out to his older brother, the young Italian watched him with hungry red eyes, expecting him to join this insanity.

"Do I?" Lovino mumbled, his face darkening in realisation.

No. He didn't know his brother. Not at all. That sadistic side of Feliciano was new and something he didn't know of. That desire to feel accepted by Romano, to show him his worth, was also something the older nation didn't expect. If anything, Lovino didn't believe that his brother also had an inferiority complex towards him. And that promise … what was that about?

"Don't move." Lovino spoke coldly, freezing his brother still as he heard the harsh order. Feliciano's smile fell slightly and he looked at his brother, puzzled. Lovino lifted deep red eyes, his blood boiled in his veins and every fibre in his body urged him to pull the trigger and revel in the spilled blood of his brother. That same brother he both hated and cared for. That same brother whose very existence is both a blessing and a torment. That same brother who's now dragging them both down to their doom. Red met red, with only the weight of a shot hanging in between them.

"What promise?"

"Cosa?" Feliciano tilted his head with a confused frown. Romano growled, his tongue clicking in irritation and impatience.

"You mentioned it earlier. A promise you made with my mother. What promise?"

"Oh! I told you: Alice is nice and she cares about you. But she will always put the sake of her people prior to yours. She could become our enemy one day. And because of that, she worries you will feel lonely and betrayed. So she made me promise to always stay by your side. I won't let you feel lonely ever again brother! I wanted us to unite so that we could be together forever! I will protect you! I will make us so great and we will be together with everyone like before! Do you remember, Fratello?"

The ecstatic, gleeful smile of his brother sent shivers down Lovino's spine but he showed nothing of his concern, his expression growing harsher and his voice a low whisper.

"I remember the emerald eyes filled with fear each time she looked at me from behind the bars of her cell. I remember the strange language she spoke and the hatred leaking from every word. I remember the beating marks covering her body, all from the hands of Nonno. And I remember the isolation and loneliness she must have felt, away from her family."

Feliciano's smile started to shake hesitantly. Lovino's red eyes burned harder that any fire from all the rage and frustration fuelling him.

"I remember, Feli. At that time, I never would have imagined this girl, slightly older than us, to one day show me love that none ever did. She had no reason to love me. I'm Roma's descendant. She should have hated me."

The two brothers stared at each other, a tense silence following Lovino's words.

"I will never harm her. I would rather side against you than against her. And besides … you're not the only one to have made a promise. I made one too. Remember Alice's brother? The red hair that used to hang out with France? I promised Scotland that I would never go up against England, no matter what war Italy will go through, no matter what future awaits! Never will I raise my gun to her!" Romano spoke solemnly. Veneziano frowned, anger taking over his face.

"You would go against our people?"

"I would go against Nonno Roma, you and anyone in my way! And Veneziano, remember this: I am South Italy! My people are not yours. Remember that."

Romano turned and started to walk away, leaving his powerless and confused brother behind.

"Wait! No! You can't! We have to be together! I promised! Lovino!"

"And so did I! Mi dispiace Stupido, but if you won't back down on your insane idea, then I will have to stop you. One way or another. I would even side with England for that." Romano smirked darkly before shutting the front door of their house in Rome.


That night, he headed back to his home in Naples. Beautiful city but filled with darkness, crimes and secrets. Perfect. All he needed to do now, is watch and wait for an opportunity to take down his brother before someone else does. Someone who might harm his little brother.

"You predicted everything, didn't you? You knew we'd come to that sooner or later." Lovino mumbled as he stared dully at the sea. Seated on a bench by the port, Romano blew out a cloud of smoke, cigarette hanging casually in between his fingers. He chuckled lightly, his eyes gazing up at the stars. How could he ever go against his brother? Well, it's fine if Feliciano doesn't know. It would be troublesome for him to realise that Lovino was actually planning to protect his brother. If only Romano were to stop Veneziano before it's too late … he had too … otherwise, the idiot would get himself captured and war payment will be heavy. If Feliciano promised Alice that he would never abandon Lovino's side. Lovino promised his mother that he would always protect his younger brother. Even if it means to protect him from his own insanity.

"And now, tell me what I should do, Mama. What can I do to keep my promise?"

He blew out another cloud of smoke and watched its form dissipate in the cold night wind.

"Both my promises?"


Alice moved her tower and knocked Alistair's black knight. She sighed heavily. The red haired man noticed and kept watchful green eyes on his sister as he moved his queen in-check of the white king.

"You're distracted, Aly. Usually, you'd never make such a mistake."

Alice moved her remaining knight and used it to block the black queen, while at the same time, clearing the space for her tower to end up in-check of Alistair's white king.

"Even distracted, you're still no match for me."

"Aye, I know. Tell me what's on your mind, lass." Alistair hummed gently, engaging his sister into talking her feelings out. Alistair had that special way of talking that always made Alice open up to him. He moved his king out of check and waited for his sister to talk and make a move.

"… Do you think … do you think he'll hate me?"

"If he does, he's a bloody idiot not worth your time." Alistair spoke casually.

"You don't even know who I'm talking about!" Alice chuckled while moving her pawn one step closer to the other end of the board.

"Nope, and I don't care. Whoever hates you would be some sad pathetic bastard who doesn't know what he's missing." Alistair moved his queen, aiming for a checkmate in three moves.

"I was talking about Lovino." Alice moved her other tower and as if she had read her brother's mind, placed in the trajectory of his queen.

"Aye, I remember … the Italian lad, right? What about him?" Alistair's hand hovered over his various chess pieces, undecided.

"Italy is entering the war … on Germany's side."

"Hm mm … so?"

"We'll be enemies." Alice rolled her eyes, getting slightly irritated for having to spill out everything for her brother. He probably wasn't even paying any attention and was too busy deciding his next move.

"Check." Alistair proudly moved his knight, jumping over Alice's tower and setting her king once more in check. He paused and looked up at his sister with a serious expression.

"Aly, I don't understand what your point is. Are you telling me that you have so little faith in that Italian son of yours that you expect him to hate you after just one little war? Honestly, if war was all it took for nations to hate one another, we would be lonely miserable people! And frankly, you and I would be unable to have this little chess game just now!" The man let out a loud boasting laugh.

Alice smiled as she listened to her bother laugh. Alistair had always had a loud voice and a positive personality, always looking on the bright side of things while she tended to see only the negative. They balanced each other well. And his laughter was as boasting as America's but not a stupid laugh. Just a really loud, warm, heartfelt laughter that brought smiles on other people's lips. She truly could not hate her brother. No matter how annoying he could be and no matter how many wars they went through.

"I know that, Al. But this war … it's the first time Romano and I will be up against each other and frankly … I have a feeling this war might be as bad if not worse as the Great War."

Alistair's laughter died out and he narrowed concerned eyes on his sister. She was still smiling but her expression was one of sadness. She was beautiful. Alistair could never think more beautiful woman than Alice. Not because of her looks. Not because of her clothes. Not because of her femininity. None of that. Alice looked more like a tom-boy than anyone else, especially with her golden hair cut short like one of a man. Granted it's because it's more practical on a battlefield but that's exactly the point: Alice never once thinks of pampering herself, too focus on her duties. But nonetheless, Alistair had yet to meet someone as beautiful as his sister. Because her expressions are open mirrors on her feelings. And there is no purer heart that Alice's. Or if there is, Alistair has yet to meet that person.

Alice jumped as she felt a large calloused hand ruffle her short blond hair and the soft chuckle of her brother.

"That may be true, Lassy. But if so, how is that going to stop us from winning? Even if we must survive through Hell, how can we possibly fall?"

Alice stared in her brother's eyes thoughtfully. She saw his determination and complete self-confidence. He truly didn't doubt his words of victory, even though France had fallen, Russia was in a truce with Germany, China was too busy dealing with Japan, and America had decided not to get involved. Most of Europe had already fallen and the remaining rest was neutral. And then … there's the UK. And Alice will be damned before she lets her brother down!

"Of course! I'm not doubting our victory!" Alice laughed, a confident grin flashing back at her brother. "But it won't be a fun war …"

"Well, war never is fun! If it's a bit worse than usual, we'll just have to cop and fight harder. That's all. And if war is all it takes for your Italian to hate you, then he's not even worthy of your love."

"… Checkmate." Alice smiled as she finally made her move and using her free pawn that had reached Alistair's end of the board and turned into a queen, she moved it across the line and knocked Alistair's black king.

"Uh. Didn't see that coming. Guess that makes it 4-1 for you!" The man laughed once again, not caring at all about the game's results.

"Honestly, how can we possibly lose with such a clever strategist like you, lassy!"

"I'm sorry … you'll have to go back to the front soon …"

"Aye, aye, no worries. I'm used to the front line. Use me all you want as long as those bastards don't step foot anywhere near our island! You promised me … on that day we sealed our union, I remember you promising me an absolute victory against anyone and everyone! Even …"

"Even if the sky bleeds red and the land burns dead, no stranger shall step over our seas." Alice completed the sermon.

"Aye … So victory is all we can get." Alistair's green eyes glowed and his grin stretched across his face, a demented look in his expression.

"Of course! How could we lose?" Alice giggled, soon joined by her brother's loud laughter. They never stopped laughing, hysterical, blind, ridiculous laughter.

Outside the house, the bombing had returned. People rushed to safety and the city of London went into resistance to the aerial assaults. Among the loud crashing of bombs and building destructions, the two British nations hardly noticed anything and started a new game of chess, laughing at the ridiculous state of the world.

Because it was hilarious. So ridiculously hilarious. The laughter of insanity.

Awaiting the tears.


Germany stood right as an I in small living room of the Spanish nation as Spain busied himself to prepare coffee. After offering a cup to his visitor, whom refused politely, Antonio motioned them towards the ruby red sofa and both sat down face to face, like two predators gauging one another.

Ludwig cleared his throat loudly, a warning to Spain that he would speak first.

"It seems as though your new government is faring quite well."

"… I have no complaints."

"Glad to hear this. However … I seem to be puzzled as to your current behaviour."

"I don't see how."

"Why have you refused to support us?"

"Why should I support you?"

"I've helped your government reach the position it is now in! It's thanks to me that Franco won the civil war!"

"And for that, my government is truly grateful. However, by boss wishes not to get involved any further with you or anyone else for that matters. We are adopting a neutral policy and would appreciate it if you respected our decision."

Germany's ice mask cracked slightly as his eyebrows twitched in irritation. Spain on the other hand sipped his coffee with a passiveness that would anger even the most patient interlocutor. The olive green eyes hovered over the frustrated blond with almost a spark of sad amusement in them.

"Is that all you wished to speak to me about, Ludwig?"

"… I want to understand your reasons for taking this stance. Why be neutral when you could rule with us?"

"I'm tired."

"Excuse me?!" Ludwig shot wide disbelieving blue eyes at the lazy Spaniard, while Antonio let out a crackling cackle.

"I'm sick and tired of wars. I've done my share of fighting and frankly, I just want to lay back and sleep for a couple of centuries now. This civil war was not the best of relaxing times either, you know. I'll leave the fighting to you, young nations. You'll soon understand just how costly a war can be."

"I've been through the Great War! Trust me, I know how costly war is!"

"No no … not that kind of costly … I meant … on your soul."

"My soul?"

"You're still young Ludwig but you'll soon realise … the damage war does to your mind. How it twists your rationality. How it ridicules your values. How it tears apart your beliefs. It'll drain you, break you, and drown you into its pit of madness. And once you wake up, all you'll have left is regret and a bitter after-taste. Like when you wake up from a night of sex, only to realise that you slept with some random prostitute instead of the love of your life you were convinced of the night before."

"Can you please refrain from using such improper metaphors?" Ludwig felt an embarrass blush dust his cheeks and his eyebrows twitched in irritation. Antonio only laughed but his voice was hollow and empty. It was a true laugh. Not one where he pretended to be happy. This time, Antonio truly did laugh from his heart. Pity his heart was as empty as his laughter.

"Amigo, don't be too harsh on Francia. You'll regret it later. Once the madness settles down, you'll regret it."

"Regret? The only regret I have is of helping a selfish bastard like you!" Germany huffed and got up, ready to walk out from the mad Spaniard's house. He stopped for a moment and shot one last glance at the grinning man.

"Are you sure of your final decision? You do realise that Italy is on our side? Don't you want to help Romano?"

Antonio fell of his seat, roaring in laughter but it only brought chills of discomfort to the German as he watched the mad man rolling on the floor. Antonio finally managed to calm down his laughter but a large insane smile was still stretched across his lips and the crazy glint in the olive eyes frightened Ludwig. He had never seen the Spaniard so … so … broken. Like a toy that had played too much.

"Romano? Really? You are so naïve, Ludwig … so naïve! You think my little Henchman will follow your lead like a good little boy? This may be the case with Feliciano but Lovino … Lovino is crazy enough to betray you! He already did once during the Great War! Don't you think he'd do it again?"

"What? What do you know about this?" Ludwig suddenly shook the grinning Spaniard by his shoulder but let go as he felt him numb and relaxed. Antonio didn't even feel like a live human anymore but like a puppet cut off its strings. Yet he kept smiling. Not an idiotic smile. Far worse. He smiled because he had long dried out of tears and his mind had gone beyond pain and agony. Nothing was left in the world for him but the ridicule struggle of life and how pathetically funny all of it is. So funny.

"I don't know anything~! I just thought it funny how you seemed to think that I could have any influence over Lovi! Not even his brother can stop me tomatito when his mind is set. If I were you, I'd start preparing …"

"Preparing? Preparing for what?"

Antonio giggled at the dread in Germany's blue eyes. So young and innocent! So funny!

"Prepare your ship to drown. Deep deep down … lost and forgotten in the big big sea …"

"… Are you suggesting that I would lose? I'll have you know that I hold all of Europe under my control!"

Antonio tilted his head in confusion, his smile finally dissipating as he watched the Angry German breathing heavily like an angry bull.

"I'm not fallen."

"Alright aside from those neutral like you …"

"Did Inglaterra fall?"

"What?"

"Did The United Kingdom fall?"

"… Not yet but it won't be long until …" Germany lost his words as he saw Spain's smile rush back to his lips and the man started to giggle, his body shaking from the hysterical laughter.

"London bridge is falling down~! Falling down~! Falling down~!" The Spaniard began to sing like an amused child, losing his German friend completely.

"S-Spain …?"

"London bridge is falling down~! My fair Lady~!"

"O-Oi! Spain! What are you doing? Are you making fun of me? Do you think me unable to defeat Britain? You may have lost your Empire to England but I won't!"

"Ooooooh! Really?" Spain's eyes sparkled like one of a curious and clueless child.

Germany was now convinced that the man had gone insane, more so than Russia, and he left him to his madness. Before he shut the front door, Germany heard one last call from Antonio.

"Prepare to drown Germany! The sea is a treacherous woman and the sky her lover!"

"… Crazy man." Ludwig mumbled and ignored the loud laughter coming from Antonio's house.


Hours after the German was long gone, Antonio was still lying on the floor, his spilled cup of coffee a few centimetres away. He hadn't stopped humming to himself "London bridge is falling down" like a broken record, wide crazy grin still on his face.

As he slowly concluded his singing, Antonio's expression lost its joyfulness and grew serious and cold. He pulled himself up into a seated position and glanced around his house, seeing it for the first time or maybe just seeing it differently from usual. He didn't know, but the place looked foreign and nothing like his home despite having lived here for many decades. His eyes dropped to the golden ring hanging from a chain around his neck. He could still remember the words that had been engraved in the metal.

I hate you.

The man kissed the golden ring, his eyes reading with amusement the English words of his wife for him. It tasted cold and bitter with a metallic after-taste. All the promises this ring had witnessed … the biggest one being a honey-coated lie from the very beginning … the lest being the sweet whisper of a wish one snowy night … all of those words … every single promise … had been broken down and drowned. Drowned in pain. Drowned in betrayal. Drowned in despair. Drowned in nostalgia. Drowned in ignorance.

Until there is nothing left but the cold bitter taste of regret over broken promises.

"A woman's heart is as deep and unpredictable as the sea … isn't it so, mi rosa?" The man laughed.

He laughed because his tears failed him.

He had nothing left.

Nothing to hope for.

Nothing to fight for.

Frankly, he didn't even mind going to war alongside Germany either. It would be a choice like any other. But he couldn't. Not since he received a letter from his beloved. Not since this child appeared before him. Not since …

"You torment my mind even now. What a cruel witch I married."

The tanned man's hysterical laughter went unheard in the quiet town of Madrid as night fell and drowned the world into sleep.


AN: Alright, the story will near its end in a few chapters. Don't know yet but so far, we've done the two world wars and since nothing major happens during the Cold War between England and Romano, I'm going to skip into modern times-Today!

Don't worry about Spain! He'll recover soon! I just think that going through a civil war is probably more painful than a normal war because technically you'd be fighting against yourself. That must be seriously damaging for the mind and so I think Antonio is just going through a little hard time right now, going crazy is just an aftermath from his civil war. Plus I think it's fun to see him snap! (I'm evil, aren't I?) Even so, despite being in the ravaged destroyed state that he's in just now, Antonio didn't side with Germany (and I could remind you that Franco's regime was fascist . Now why would he stay neutral? I let in an insight on the last lines, and yes it's linked to England but not just that. You'll find out soon enough.

Little historical point: During WW2 Italy was Fascist under Mussolini. Their was however a strong Italian resistance (mainly built up of Italian communists) that emerged in the South and with the help of the Allies they reconquered most of the south of Italy. That's why I'm assuming Feliciano was the fascist one, while Romano was the resistance. By the last years of the war Italy was divided into three: The north occupied by Nazis, the centre occupied by remaining fascist (slowly getting beaten by the resistance) and the resisting South (growing ever so stronger thanks to British and American troops).

And as a fact, it is true that Mussolini almost eradicated the Mafia completely (that's a good thing) but his violent methods to do so are not something I find commendable. He would round up anyone and everyone suspected to be linked to the mafia and imprison them or execute them without much of a trial. It was literally a hunt from the fascist and the mafiosi stood no chance. Most fled to America. So yeah, the mafia's bad but Mussolini's not the best of guys either and he killed thousands of innocents too.