We don't have palaces back home. The governors had big enough houses – after all, they were English – and the army postings were large too. But they were just houses. Palaces I'd only heard of. And this… This was definitely one.

Medieval. That word floated into the back of my mind. "Designed after the medieval palaces of Western Europe, this is one of the treasures of England. I hope you like it, Alfred. Now, will you get out of the car and not kick me again?"

I was startled out of my thoughts as Arthur began to talk. His voice was quiet and he wasn't looking at me, instead staring out at the stone walls. "This is my home. Designed after the medieval palaces of Western Europe, this is one of the treasures of England. I hope you like it, Alfred. Now, will you get out of the car and not slap me this time?"

Well, that was strange.

Slowly, I opened the door, eyeing the dirt walkway before me with apprehension. English soil. Did the Lobsters hide real shellfish in their dirt? I certainly wouldn't put it past them.

It wasn't long before Arthur was walking towards the door, only once looking back to see if I was following. He beckoned me to him when I saw that I wasn't, instead still sitting in the car and staring out at the world with a look similar to that of disgust.

I slid one foot out with deliberate slowness, putting hardly any weight on it as I tested for sinkholes or something. Finding nothing wrong with the ground, I got out of the car and headed towards the man.

We walked in silence. I was testing out ways to escape in my head. There was no way I was going along with this for much longer. Matthew was back there, in the city we had just left. I had to be able to keep my promise. Our promise. However, I was at a disadvantage. I didn't know the lay of the land. I couldn't escape now.

The door opened when Arthur punched in some numbers. He led me in and nodded at a staircase, one of three branching out of this foyer. Three staircases and five hallways. "Up the stairs, take a left, first door on your right. You'll be staying there. I have to make a call now." And then he was gone.

I stood there, shocked. I had no idea what was going on, just that things seemed to be happening in rapid succession. I looked down at my feet, tested the incredibly thick carpet beneath them. I had no intention of doing what I was told. And it had seemed to be implied that I go see my – however unwillingly that possessive was used – new room.

Well, that was out now.

I turned on my heel, trying to figure out which way Arthur had gone. He obviously didn't want me to bother him in this call, for during our ride I had seen him take out a cell phone and type in some characters a few times.

A wild guess sent me down a hall covered in pictures of… Unicorns. Unicorns in golden frames – how rich was this guy? Was he that important? And that's when I heard the voices.

I slowed my steps and crept towards a door left slightly ajar, pushing it just a bit so I could see inside. Arthur was there, in front of a large screen resting on a desk. A computer. This must be his office.

His back was to me and I could see the screen. Another blonde man was shown there, one with long hair and blue eyes. He spoke with a French accent.

"Why is this so important, Angleterre? It's not like it is anything different. He dies, he comes back. Why should it matter to me?" I couldn't help but hear the bitterness in the man's tone. As I squinted at him through my glasses, I felt a sort of familiarity, much like I had for Arthur. But this feeling wasn't matched with anger and resentment this time.

Wait… Wasn't Angleterre French for England?

"I know this is nothing to you, France, but you know how I feel… I made a mistake. If just once he'll let me make it up to him. You know what was said –"

France?

"Yes, yes. I don't see why you must call me up just to brag. You get your second chance. Though what is it now? Your fifth? Sixth? It's all the same. He's a good boy. It's you who kills him. Every time."

I leaned forward, feeling the hard wood of the door against my face. I watched the muscles in Arthur's back tighten.

His voice was forced now. "I am not calling to brag. This time he has a brother."

The Frenchman's eyes sharpened. "A brother?"

Arthur nodded, slowly. "France… It's him.

I watched as the man on the screen started to cry, happily I thought. Were they talking about me and Matthew? I leaned forward.

I lost my balance.

I fell.

Crash.

There was a sudden sound of wood scraping wood as Arthur got out of his chair and walked over to me. A gloved hand was shoved in my face and I quietly took it, quietly stood up. I glanced at the burning green eyes.

"Get out."

"What were you talking about?" I stared at him with equal heat.

Hands pushed me to the door. "Out."

"Tell me! Who is that man? What about Matthew? What's going on, Iggy?"

"OUT!" The door slammed behind me and I heard a lock click.

I was more confused now than I had ever been in my life.

From my vantage point outside I could just make out the voices from the room.

There was the sound of laughter. "Iggy already? That was fast. And he is acting more like his colonial self then I thought was possible for a teenager."

"Shut up France. He's listening at the door."

"And how do you know that?"

There was just the slightest sigh from Arthur. "Because he's America."

And I thought I was confused before… I put my hands in the pockets of my bomber jacket and walked towards the stairs, ready to hunt out that room now. I didn't want to get even more lost in this conversation.

What is going on?

O.o.O

Author's Note: LONGER CHAPTER IS LONGER. And my favorite one that I have written so far. And more interesting. And… I could go on and on. It's still an exposition chapter, but hey, things are moving! So review and enjoy!

Some very special people deserve some very special recognition:

APHxENGLAND– Yes. I love cliffhangers. Except when I'm waiting for other people to answer them… Then they are just annoying. Hehe…

lightning834– It's here! On time! It's a miracle!

nupinoop296– I refuse to answer that question… Which probably gives you the answer, ja? (You are correct, I answered one person, so… Shh, no one else sees this) And keep bowing, you deserve it.

yokolite– I find the Revolution incredibly interesting… But alternate history? It popped into my head during a particularly boring biology lecture that I was ignoring, and I just had to write it…

StarGazer453– Good job, you are correct! And thank you!

ImaduckQuaQua– Oh, don't we all know that Arthur is a creeper? And thanks, here it is!

LuckyNumbers – The same age he is in the series. Twenty-three.