I was walking around Rome, Gilbert following behind me. Next week would be the day I handed him over to those Old Prussians. I would miss Prussia. He always lightens the mood around the house and to be honest, Prussia is better at cheering me up than Rome is.
I walked over to a cart manager. "What are you selling?" It looked like oil pots.
"Oil pots. When your lantern runs out of oil, you will need a refill. Two for only twenty silver coins." I felt a tug on my leg. I ignored it.
I took out twenty two silver coins and handed it over. He gave me two pots. I turned and continued walking. What I really need is more arrows.
"I'm bored. Wanna play?"
"I'm shopping. We'll go find Rome later." I said, turning the corner. To my surprise I found a weapons store. Brilliant. I headed inside and looked around. I found many great things. I picked out arrows and a new shield.
"Fifteen gold coins and fifty silver coins." I paid with sixteen gold coins and he gave me back some silver coins. With that I left, Gilbert lagging behind. I rolled my eyes.
"Gilbert, go play. Stay outside. I'll come get you when I put this stuff away and then we'll go see Rome… and his kids." He cheered and ran off. I headed back to the place we have been staying at. We were currently guests of Rome's. He wouldn't let one month pass without seeing me. His record is two weeks.
I put the stuff away and quickly headed back out. I needed to find Gilbert before he got himself into trouble. I went back to the place I left him at and started tracking him from there. I found that he had already gotten himself into trouble. Over a brand new toy.
"Give it back you thief!"
"Can I help?" I asked. Prussia ran over to me, hiding behind me. I put my hand on his head.
"He's being a big bully."
"Is he yours?"
"Yes, he is and I don't appreciate your tone."
"He grabbed that from my cart and I had to chase him down. When I finally caught him and asked him to pay, he refused! I want compensation!" I looked down to see that indeed Gilbert was holding a toy. I took the toy from Gilbert and handed it over. He refused. "I can't sell something that was in the hands of a thief!"
"Mine!" Gilbert reached up for the toy. "Give me!" He cried.
"You stole the toy Gilbert. Take the toy back sir." Before my nerves are stretched.
"No!" Gilbert stomped his feet. I've got a tantrum on the way.
"I just told you that I can't sell something that was in the hands of a thief and your son is a thief!" I grabbed him by the front of his shirt.
"My son is no thief! Take back the toy or I could easily bring this up with Rome." I heard a scream from Gilbert, as he pulled on my leg. I could tell we were beginning to make a scene.
"That is my toy! Give me! Mine!" Gilbert started hitting me, screaming. The man seemed to recoil when I mentioned Rome. Just as I knew it would.
"Give me the toy and I will leave peacefully." I gave him the toy and picked up Gilbert before he could start hitting the man. He only hit me on my chest, screaming at me. I carried him into a private area.
He pouted. "I hate you."
"You tried to steal from Rome. There were two ways you could have gotten that toy. You chose the wrong option. Then you threw a tantrum because you weren't getting your way. If you had just asked, I would have gladly bought you a toy. Now I have to punish you for misbehaving." I looked around for a place to sit.
"Can I please have the toy?" He asked politely.
"No." I sat down on a tree stump. He gulped.
"No spanking." He covered his bottom.
"Cooperate or I get a switch." He obeyed, crying. He looks like a three year old but acts like a five year old. "I've scolded you so I don't think we need to over that again." I started raining swats on his bottom and he started screaming and soon it turned into sorrowful crying. That was when I knew I should try to get the lesson through. "Why are you getting this spanking?"
"Cause I'm bad." He sobbed.
"No. You were naughty."
"Cause I was naughty."
"And how were you naughty?"
"I wanted a toy." Silly child.
"You were naughty because you stole that toy."
"I was naughty because I took the toy."
"Stole, Gilbert Beilschmidt." I said, with a warning tone.
"I stole it." He squeaked.
"Good boy." I stopped. "Will you ever do that again?"
"Nooo." I picked him up and hugged the sobbing child.
"Shush. It's okay child. I forgive you." He moaned and cuddled closer. He is adorable.
"I don't hate you." He sobbed "I love you." He grasped me almost so tightly it hurt.
"I love you too child. Want to go see Rome?" He seemed to love Rome. He nodded, yawning. I held him tightly before standing. He laid his face against my neck. He threw his right arm around my neck before falling asleep in my arms. His left arm continued to hold painfully tight to me. We'd go see Rome while Prussia was napping.