Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia: Axis Powers!
Story: They all thought it was France who influenced America away from England. That only Prussia influenced America's military. That only England's culture was completely entwined with America. But there was someone else pulling the strings, and Rome was waiting to rise again.
Set somewhere somewhere somewhere (shrugs).
Spoilers: Yesssss….Noooo…I don't know?
Warnings: Violence, language, sexual situations, etc.
Pairings: RomexFem!America, one-sided WorldxFem!America, side-main platonic (and yet not really platonic) UKxUS, CanadaxBelarus, AustriaxHungary, etc…

Aeternus Amor Meus
Chapter Three: Mother England

Rome was still a bit put off, but he had largely cooled on the subject of England. Instead, he reviewed England's history that he knew of, but he was much too young to really be of use when Rome had been in the picture. Britannia had been there, uncouth though she was. She was still very fierce and there were huge marks of intelligence that flashed in her eyes, hidden behind barbarianism and savage behavior. Over the time in which he had her as part of his Empire, she had been tamed slightly and was becoming cultured, which at least he saw the results of in England.

If only the fierce part of Britannia had survived in England! Then the other Nation could actually be useful in helping to mold America into the likes of Britannia's Boudica. Now that was a woman he could acknowledge, though also pity and shake his head at for daring to stand up to the likes of him and his mortal kinsmen…

It's a shame that his Romans had disliked the idea of strong and intelligent women so much back then…His favorite, and probably the first (or at least the most memorable of them to him) of the mortal women he'd come across had been Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Bright, lovely woman. He'd always enjoyed talking with her (and switching several languages and practicing them with her, also rather impressed that she was able to keep pace with him), for all the times he'd visited her with Julius or later on, Antony. It really was a damn shame, especially in that his Romans had been so against her, and of her death in the end. He had hoped to be able to comfort her at the loss of everything and Antony (and Julius, as he had never been able to do so at the time of his old friend's death) and even sleep with her without worry or disrespect to two old friends, as a woman he respected and admired, and especially as a mortal. But alas –rebellious and defiant to the end, that woman.

He had, quietly, mourned to himself, knowing of his people and his government's outlook on her. He had been quite pleased, though surprised, to see the effigy Octavian –excuse him, Augustus –had ordered made in the image of her with an asp, and had paraded (strangely respectfully, though neither Augustus himself, or anyone else, had said anything) it through the streets of Rome for his triumph. Even if the effigy had been made to disrespect and mock her and insult her memory, as all would like to claim, such a profound silence from his people and Augustus' odd and dare he say incriminating behavior spoke much and opposite such claims. Rome's people may have hated her, but in the end of it all, they could not help but respect and admire her as Rome did –and be in awe of her and her legacy, especially as someone who had challenged and threatened Roman rule so much, and nearly been successful. This was a woman, in a time where women and importance of them was rare (leadership of women more so, and as a singular ruler), who had won over so many people, including two of Rome's elite (maybe more) and inevitably the rest of Rome's beloved people –whether they wanted to or not, liked it or not.

Rome also had strong suspicions that his first Emperor had harbored, while very secret, strong feelings for the late Queen. Which was made more obvious when her effigy had been tucked away in a private place (despite the triumph being over), and that Augustus had visited her statue practically religiously and obsessively every day until his death. He had also become extremely fond and warmhearted towards Cleopatra Selene, the Queen's daughter being doted upon with strong favoritism and growing up cared for and with the favor of the Emperor.

He had sighed frequently and lamented many times about the situation to Egypt and Greece, but Egypt (growing rather cold and a little more distant since the death of her favorite mortal) had merely given him one of her enigmatic smiles before leaving him at those times. Greece, on the other hand, had laid gentle hands upon him and had told him softly that Egypt will always mourn, Augustus will always reap his rewards and more so his consequences, and it will all always be that way. And that nothing could change that.

It was as she said, he supposed. It still seemed rather begotten that Selene had probably never gotten to know that the reason why the Emperor had practically treated her as if she was his own (and in reality, really had been integrated into Augustus' immediate family, and rather too easily at that), was because Augustus had probably been rather deeply infatuated with her mother and maybe even desperately wished Selene had been his with her, and could possibly had imagined…pretended…in his darkest hours…

Such a nonexistent relationship Augustus had with the late Queen, so reminiscent of the one he and Egypt slowly echoed after Cleopatra's death…to the point that she simply vanished one day, leaving her son behind. Greece and her son had ended up taking care of the young Nation.

Rome had simply turned indifferently the other way.

Inwardly, he grieved the loss of both of his Egyptian Queens.

It was a thought that Augustus had loved and lost a woman he never had, and Rome idly thought back to his own paramours. He even wondered if Augustus' obsession and unrequited affection had been so strong, that in his weaker times had he thought of using Selene as a replacement for his defiant queen (or if he sometimes saw Cleopatra in her…or in place of her, sometimes mistaking or seeing an overlap to create an illusion).

He was getting old. He kept reminiscing too much, and remembering things from back then. He really needed to stop being stuck in his glory days and keep to the present, where he had a new claim and a new start to life.

He looked down at the child on his lap on the bed England had provided for her, and threaded his hand through her blonde locks.

On the topic of queens –which brought him back to his original thought. He had no doubts he could make America a conqueror and a queen in time, regardless of the newest predicament thrown his way. Even if England would be there, Rome would be there as well. He could always correct the Nation's teachings to America in stride, and he would help mold and teach America to the side and in secret, even in the face of England teaching her physically and to the rest of the world.

Rome wasn't gone after all.

And though he felt that England would probably teach her how to be ladylike (which wasn't too bad, as he knew America was a lady and culture was always important –Greece had stressed that to him many a times), Rome could always be the one to focus on the aggressive, fighting part.

There was also that, since Rome couldn't truly and fully teach America to fight, intelligence was an extremely prized and important part he could focus on in place of. Both Boudica and Cleopatra had had that in spades –he would make sure America would be no different.

"America?" the door opened slightly and England had softly called out to their now shared charge, as he poked his head in.

Rome mildly watched him, curious to how England would handle his new colony. He watched closely as the blond hesitantly approached America's sleeping form, tentatively shaking her small shoulder.

"America, would you like some breakfast?"

America made a cute noise and stretched, making both England and Rome coo at the adorableness. Then she sat up and rubbed her eyes, blinking cutely and then looking at England.

"Food?"

England nodded eagerly and held out his arms, and Rome had to force back a growl. America surreptitiously patted his hand before she continued to crawl across the bed and into England's arms. With that, England cheerfully carried America downstairs with Rome following them.

Rome cringed at the food that was laid out, more so when both America and England started eating it without complaint. England, he remembered, couldn't tell good food from horse shit. America…dear her, she should know better from all the years with him.

He face palmed and focused on not instinctively imagining the taste of England's cooking, which would inevitably lead him to throwing up in his mouth.

Afterwards, England was cleaning up and had allowed America to go venture outside. England finished up quickly and hurried out to keep an eye on the little girl Nation wandering about outside. Rome tsked and shook his head. America could take care of herself, and had long before England had been there –long before Rome even.

But England still fussed over and watched with an overprotective air that rather amused Rome, who wouldn't admit that he slightly echoed the feeling, and watched as America ran around the fields. And then there was a bison nearby and England was quick to warn her away from it. Then America grabbed its front hooves and was miraculously swinging it around in circles playfully, astonishing both England and Rome. Rome really should have known better though. He's lived with her longer…

"I guess she'll be able to take care of herself just fine…" England murmured fondly.

He let her play a little bit longer before calling her in, and Rome had a feeling something was about to be announced that would further change things.

"America, I'm going to have to go back to the mainland soon," England immediately started, once he'd sat her down.

America watched him with wide eyes and Rome frowned, trying to figure out what would this mean for them.

"I want you to come with me," England said earnestly, face matching his tone as he took both of America's smaller hands in his.

America blinked, surprised, and took a discreet glance at Rome, who tilted his head and allowed her to choose.

"Okay," she said simply, and England broke out into a wide grin.

"You'll love it there! I'll show you all the sites and show you everything."

America tentatively smiled and Rome plotted.

America tugged at her skirt and frowned. She glared at the amused look on Rome's face.

"What?"

She glared harder at him.

"It's pretty," he consoled her.

"It's heavy," she retorted. "It is pretty," she reluctantly conceded. "But all these ruffles and stuff make it hard to move in. And makes it heavy. And I'm just not used to it."

They shared equal sighs at the elaborate clothing that people outside of America's lands seemed fond of wearing.

"America! We're about to leave soon," England called out from the front.

America sighed again and gathered up her skirt, her small arms having trouble getting them all and holding them. She grumbled, ignoring Rome's chuckles, as she had to practically waddle down the stairs and to where England was. At least she didn't have to complete her travel down, as at seeing her trouble walking, England went over to her and immediately scooped her up into his arms.

"And don't you look beautiful," England made a pleased hum and set her down after they were at the bottom of the stairs.

He straightened down her gown, smiling at her light blush, and meticulously fixed strands of her hair around her face.

"The court will love you," England beamed at her. "King George definitely will. His grandfather, George also, would have been very pleased with you, but His current Highness will be delighted to have something going right, after having to pull out of Austria's war for you. I wish you could have met Elizabeth though. Now that was a royal and she would have found you absolutely perfect, my dear. It's only too bad George is more known for his bad qualities; he's quite the man with foreign policy and military work. I suppose you'll get to see for yourself, when you meet him."

Rome was rolling his eyes in the background, and America frowned at him in England's arms.

'Play nice,' she mouthed to him from around England.

Rome smirked.

"Alright, America. It's time we set off to sea," England picked her back up.

America had never been out to sea before. She decided she didn't like it.

It was cold on the way, and England had warned her it was colder and even often rainy where he lived. And it was so bumpy! The waves weren't favorable to their ship and often it was being rocked to and fro on the cold waters.

Perhaps because it was her first experience or she just wasn't used to it. Either way, America spent a large amount of time being miserable in her bed, often crying or curling into a ball on it. England would fuss over her frequently, tucking in the blanket around her, talking randomly to keep her occupied or focused on him instead of the ride, and just generally trying to make her feel better. She really liked his hugs too.

But sometimes, when England couldn't help her, the quiet and soothing presence of Rome was familiar and comforting, and she easily fell asleep to the soft brushing of his calloused hand through her hair.

One day, America was pouting on her bed, curled up with her knees tucked in, and England's huge blanket around her. She had her hands clutching it close from inside of it from where she was burrowed. England entered and glanced at her, becoming amused at her position, more so when she burrowed further into the blanket, her blue eyes angrily glaring at him from over the top of the blanket (and consequently now the only thing that could be seen of her, except for her blonde hair).

"You'll be glad to know we're here, America."

Rome perked up. Finally, they were there. And he could see the differences from the old world, see if Greece was referred to as 'Ancient' now, as Egypt had, what advances had been made…

And then they were taking a step onto Londinium.

His eyes widened at the changes, seeing the buildings and the technology that had evolved. As well as the people bustling about, wearing similar clothes to America and England, but some even more elaborate.

"Londinium," America muttered in awe.

England stopped short, staring at her in puzzlement, though he was still smiling.

"What was that?"

She cleared her throat in embarrassment. "Lo-Lodinum," she purposely phrased it awkwardly.

"London, dear," England smiled brightly. "Isn't that wonderful? You're so smart! Already, you're catching onto languages and learning so quickly."

England eagerly grabbed her hand, leading her into the building where she was to meet everyone. America hid her twitching lips, refraining from smiling in amusement, while Rome huffed in exasperation.

"America knows how to talk quite fine," Rome said dryly at England's back. "She's quite capable, thank you very much."

America choked back a laugh.

"Are you alright, America?" England stopped and asked worriedly.

She gave him a wide smile to reassure him and then they were walking again.

"This, America, seems to be your official debut to the world. Make it worthwhile and unforgettable, Angelus.

"Demure, America. Demure," Rome finished up quietly.

And America inwardly sighed and prepared herself, before straightening and readying to act with all the manners Rome taught her and what little England had managed to teach before hurrying her to his home, combining them to her liking.

Started 1/21/13 – Completed 1/23/13

A/n: Yay, the story is moving along! Also, it shouldn't, strangely enough (according to my chapters outline), be too long until the revolution and so forth, where Rome gets to have a physical presence. I'm really surprised –but very happy –that there are people still reading this and interested in it. Yay again!

To Huntress9894: Oh, I wanted to answer your question sooner, but you have your PM disabled, so I had to wait until this update to answer. Anyways, the 'started to completed' thing is just a notation for me on how long I took to finish a chapter. So I finished that chapter at that date, and probably did a final edit and then updated it the next day. Hope that explains things! And glad you enjoyed it so far.