Of Nobles and Pirates

Pairing: Fem!France x Pirate!England. Side pairings of Spamano, PruCan, and GerIta. Ignore last chapter's remark in this section.

Author's Note/Warning: I'm so sorry an update took so long...I'm just not feeling the urge to write as much as I did. I'll try, I'll really try, but school and life drama are all-consuming.

Rating: T

Please let me know if the rating should be bumped up by the end of this chapter. I won't be sure unless someone tells me.

Number of Words:

Summary: Francine is getting bored of her life as a noble. You live for the name, you marry for the name, you even have kids for the name. And then you die for the name. She doesn't want to live out the life her friends and family will—she wants some excitement in her life for once. But be careful what you wish for...

Chapter Three

Antonio raced down the streets full of screaming people. In the panic, buildings were burning, stores were looted, and society went haywire. His obviously pirate-like garb parted the crowd before him likes Moses in the Red Sea.

Minutes before, everything had been going well. His temper inflamed by his amigo and comrade, Gilbert, he had swung the little Italian noble over his shoulder and walked out. The girl had been a real wildcat, kicking and screaming, pounding her fists against his back. Her more docile sister had been led away by a slightly reluctant Ludwig. Antonio, being in a slightly daredevilish mood, had walked right down the main avenue. Ignoring the loud protests and violent warnings the Italian had issued, Antonio had simply hummed and tuned it out. That is, until she had bit down on his ear. Hard.

In shock and pain, he had let the girl roll off his shoulder as his ear began to bleed.

Picking up her skirts, the noblewoman dashed into a juncture alleyway with surprising speed.

"Mierda," Antonio cursed.

The band of pirates he worked with hadn't come alone; Captain Kirkland had promised several other captains loot if they helped him raid. They had picked the perfect time to arrive; the new prince's party for being named heir to the throne had been that evening, and with celebration in the air and liquor on hand, security was lax.

If he wasn't careful, though, Antonio's little Italian would get away or some other pirate would grab her. Jumping over debris against the buildings, he raced after her into the dark sidestreet.

He picked up the pace as he heard the sounds of struggle up ahead. Several rough-looking men that he recognized from the other crews were gathered in a circle around the Italian. Leering at her, they offered to buy her drinks, get her new clothes, and other things, dirtier things, that just hearing made Antonio's blood boil with rage.

She had been slowly backed up until she was cornered against the brick wall behind her. Clutching her arms tightly to her chest, her eyes screwed shut in fear, Antonio's heart went out to her.

"Y-you bastards," she muttered. "You better stay away, or I'll, I'll..." her voice trailed off into uncertainty.

"Or you'll what, pretty girl?" one ruffian sneered. He pulled out a blade and began to clean underneath his fingernails with it. The predatory men began to close in, and Antonio felt his rage returning.

"Or she'll get ME." his cutlass whistled as he pulled it out of its scabbard. Swinging it back and forth to flex the blade, he stepped further into the alleyway clearing.

"Sorry, buddy," one pirate snarled. "We were here first." He yanked the noblewoman forward by the collar of her nightgown to prove his point.

She yelped as the thin nightgown ripped, and crossed her arms over the torn fabric. The group gaped in shock. "What are you looking at, you bastards?" the noble shouted.

"Y...yer not a woman!" one particularly bright one called out.

Antonio took the chance he was given to slide his sword through the speakers' ribs. Pulling it out with a slick squelching noise, he grinned maniacally as the others rushed him. Twirling and jumping, slashing and stabbing, he danced his way through the men like Death, if Death were ever that graceful. Having finished his dirty work, he wiped his sword on one of his fallen enemies' shirts and slid it back into its sheath and pulled a cross out of his pocket. Clasping it between his hands and closing his eyes, he moved his lips in a silent prayer. The gender confused noble quickly regained his senses from that of sitting there with his mouth gaping open to one of anger. As soon as the Spaniard finished his prayer, the Italian approached him swiftly and kicked him in the shin.

"Ay!" Antonio clutched his shin, hopping around on one foot. "What was that for?" he grabbed the noble's arm.

Blushing bright red, the noble began to protest. "Bastard!" Let go of me! I have to rescue mia sorella from that German pirate bastard!"

Antonio paused. "...your sister isn't a boy too, is she? Mr. No-Name aristocrat."

Said aristocrat's face flushed even further. "No! Feliciana is not a boy! And you don't need to know my name!" he continued his failing attempt to free himself of Antonio's bruising grip.

Antonio's face steeled. "Tell me."

He gulped and began to shiver the slightest bit in fear. "It's...it's Lovino. Lovino Romano."

Antonio's demeanor immediately changed, and his smile was sunny once again. "Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it Lovi~?"

Lovino thought he might pop a blood vessel. Or possibly two. "Don't fucking give me pet names!" he squealed as a flaming beam clattered to the earthy ground behind them. Antonio sighed. "Ah...we should get back to the ship before the entire town is in ashes."

He began to drag Lovino down the street, which was quickly changing back from dirt to cobblestone. After a few houses, Antonio noticed Lovino was beginning to drag his feet. He sighed and picked him up to gain speed. Lovino was already too tired to protest. Breaking into a run, Antonio exhaled in relief as the ship came into sight.