Hetalian Old Alphabet- Chapter 7
J is for Jealousy
Characters: Italy Veneziano, Holy Roman Empire, Austria
A slight warning, if you will: Human names used, and I'm very sorry about Holy Roman Empire's name…
Holy Roman Empire tended to underestimate things. Right after, he regrets not ever proceeding with caution, even if it is just a small fluffy bunny or a mouse that happened to be stealing some cheese from the cupboards. It was still a mystery to him that the scratches he got from that cat were still there. Maybe a street in Saxony had been raided?
Oh, we're getting off topic. Now before I continue destroying the fourth wall…
One day, our young empire discovered that Austria was to be holding a ball soon. In the midst of all the chaos in the empire, a ball sounded like a nice idea to the nobles that were attending.
There was a problem, though…
"What kind of country does not know how to dance?" Austria looked down in shock at the blonde nation, who sheepishly looked down onto his brown boots. In his mind, Holy Rome was scowling. He was an empire! Surely, fighting and history were the only things he needed to know?
Austria sighed and shook his head. "This would not do, Holy Roman Empire." Holy Rome watched as Austria sat down on his velvet piano stool, and stretched out his fingers. Just then, he beckoned a passing maid to come over. "Ah, good timing Rosa. Would you be as kind to go and fetch one of the noble girls from near the castle?" Rosa nodded in compliance, and both nations watched her disappear through the oak doors.
Holy Rome helped himself to a seat while he waited for… whatever it was he was supposed to wait for. Half an hour later, Rosa came back with an elegant- looking brunette around his own (physical) age. Holy Rome could tell with her clueless expression that she had no idea wat she was here for. Heck, he didn't even know what he should be doing right now!
"Thank you, Rosa." Rosa only nodded, before disappearing through the doors once more. Austria then turned to the noble girl. "What is your name, dear?" he asked while adjusting his glasses.
"Edelweiss, sir," she replied, looking quite intimidated by Austria's forwardness. In his best efforts to be kind to the girl, Austria kneeled down to her level, and smiled warmly.
"My name is Roderich Edelstein, and you may call me Herr Roderich if you wish." From his spot on the chair, Holy Rome saw Edelweiss nod. "Do you know why you are here, Edelweiss?" Edelweiss shook her brown head, and looked worried for a moment.
"I'm not in any trouble, am I?" Her deep violet eyes were flecked with fear and helplessness, and Holy Rome found them to be sort of… pretty.
"Oh no my dear- Heavens no," Austria shook his head as he stood up to his full height again. "Tell me, Edelweiss, do you dance?" he asked.
Oh. He's going to have her teach me, is he? - was what Holy Rome thought as he swallowed the lump in his throat. To his horror (and mild relief), Edelweiss nodded again. Austria's eyes sparkled with approval as he nodded in return.
"Alright then, let me introduce to you a friend of mine. Simon, come over here for a moment." The nobleman gestured for Holy Rome to come over, and, not one to disobey Austria's orders, he walked over to them. "Edelweiss, I would like you to meet Simon. I hope you get acquainted with him before we begin dancing." And as Austria turned his back on them to think about what song he would play, the girl turned to Simon and held out her hand while smiling sweetly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Simon." She said, and Holy Rome shook her hand. Strangely, the feeling of her hand in his felt good to him. Inwardly shaking his head, Holy Rome looked away from her.
"And to you too, Edelweiss." .By now, the empire was shaking inside his mind. For some reason, he felt giddy, and as far as his memory goes, Italy was the only one who had triggered this kind of reaction from him. He had to keep himself from growling in front of Edelweiss. Wasn't this feeling only supposed to be reserved for Italy…?
Remembering what Austria had thought him about socializing (which was a LOT- after all, social standing was vital to Austria) Holy Rome tried to make small talk. "So where are you from, Edelweiss?"
Meanwhile, a small child clad in maid's uniform was just passing by Austria's room, in hopes of finding who occupied it.
Italy Veneziano held the tray in his hands, trying to not spill the tea and cake on it. Luckily, it was not cooled yet, so Austria surely wouldn't scold him for this, right?
Peering in a small space through the polished oak door, Italy looked for any signs of Austria. "Mister Austria? Are you in here?"
When no reply came to his ears, Italy sighed. "Austria's not here either…" he mumbled sadly as he carried on to the next room. "I have to get this to him before it cools- I don't want to be yelled at again…" Italy bit his lip to refrain from whimpering, when all of a sudden, he heard giggling coming from the piano room.
Those giggles sounded too young to be Hungary's, and too flustered to be a maid's. Curious, Italy walked over to the room, and peeked in.
To his relief, he saw Austria sitting on the stool, but he was also surprised to see Holy Roman Empire and an unfamiliar girl. What surprised him even more was the fact that she was gently holding Holy Rome's arm, and was chatting with him aimlessly.
Something very unfamiliar to him bubbled inside of Italy. Why was he suddenly feeling angry? Wait, that wasn't entirely angry, was he feeling sad too? He was also feeling mild disgust, and slight envy. What was going on with him…? Furthermore, why was he suddenly feeling protective of Holy Rome?
With a slight gasp, Italy remembered the tea that was in the tray he was carrying. He then helped himself into the room, and tied to push whatever he felt earlier out of his mind.
"Mister Austria, I hope I'm not intruding," squeaked Italy. Surprised and suddenly afraid, Austria looked at his servant with anxiety, and nervously peeked at the girl from the corner of his worried eyes.
"A-ah, Feliciano,I see you have my tea," He said to the little nation with a warning glint in his violet orbs. Italy trembled, slightly as to not let the tea in his hands spill. He then remembered that they were not supposed to reveal their true identities as nations. Still trembling, Italy then went to set the tea down on the table next to Austria's piano, with said nation following in tow.
"Italy, we're not supposed to speak of our nation-being while there are guests!" Austria whispered to Italy in a harsh voice, making the smaller nation shudder in fear. Luckily, the girl had been too absorbed in her and Holy Rome's conversation to notice them.
"I-I'm sorry Mister Austria…" he whispered back, though it was lucky for Austria to even hear him. Austria simply sighed.
"Oh, I suppose it can't be helped," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose to relieve himself. "I'll let this time slide for today. Go sweep the courtyard, Feliciano."
With a little nod, Italy hurried to leave the room to retrieve his deck brush from the shed- but not without taking one final glance at Holy Rome and the girl. The horrible feeling from earlier returned to him at once. He shook his head, and closed the door behind him.
In the midst of his escape, he didn't notice Holy Roman Empire's longing blue eyes looking at him, before they were separated by the oak doors of the piano room.
Author's Note: I am so sorry. I don't even know what to make of this… This sounds kind of cliché, eh? Haha, I even frucked up Holy Rome's human name…
Please tell me what you think! Because I need that to keep going, I mean- what author doesn't? I'll update anyway, but reviews are rare for me and they are very much appreciated.
Also this may or may not be a two-part chapter… WHAT THE FRUK WAS I THINKING?!
Disclaimer: Hetalia and everything in it belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya-san.
