To Seek Self-Determination

After the Napoleonic Wars, Belgium was given to Holland. Together, they formed the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, the two Benelux siblings' union was never a happy one…

"Big Brother…" the Belgian woman spoke up.

Seated on the desk of the office, there was a man with light brown hair that seemed to have been a case of static. He glanced at the girl once before turning away, puffing on his pipe.

"Oi, you listening to me, Big Bro?" cried Belgium.

"This better be good," the Netherlands spoke solemnly; "I just came back from a meeting with Prussia…"

"Well, I'm not an ego head like him," Belgium pointed out.

"Fine, but it better be something!" the Netherlands relented.

"I want rights for my people, those in the Southern provinces," Belgium spoke.

Suddenly, the Netherlands dropped his pipe and glared at his sister.

"What… did… you… say… Sister?" the Netherlands spoke, as his fists clenched.

"They may be Catholic, but they are our people, the people of the United Kingdom too," Belgium said, "They have served the state, and they should have their place in governance too."

"Those blasted Catholics to the South are not approving of my King," Netherlands replied, "he's after all a Protestant. You should convert, and then those bishops will follow their Nation's lead."

"We prefer to be Catholic, thank you very much!" Belgium exclaimed, "but seriously, my people deserve more than what they're having now!"

"A little agriculture Nation for a little sister… you need me more than you think," Netherlands spoke.

"Agricultural?" exclaimed Belgium, "I have industrialised ages ago since Austria left me! You were the one who still kept to this backward mindset!"

"So you can feed your people, so what?" Netherlands answered, "Look, I'm tired. Just be a good little sis, and go to bed."

"I will not be in bed until I get my answers from your mouth!" Belgium yelled, slamming on the desk, "did you forget WHO it was who did your work for you till two in the morning?"

"You of course, and you should too," Netherlands replied, "nobody gets a free lunch in my house. Spain may have, but not me. Everyone works and plays a part to my growing empire."

"Your empire… but I thought we were in this together, as siblings!" Belgium stated, "Perhaps that's why Luxembourg is left out of this?"

"Oi, its Prussia who won't let me have Luxembourg!" Netherlands shouted, slamming his fist on his own desk.

"Yah, it's always the foreigners' fault… that's your dogma, isn't it?" Belgium remarked, "But I am family. Yet, you treat me like shi…"

"I cannot show favouritism in my house," Netherlands claimed.

"All I want is for my people to be more involved in the government," Belgium said, "the South provided industry for you, and we Belgians outnumber you Dutchmen."

"So…" Netherlands spoke, "…you think you deserve more… but who… who did the fighting? That was me; it was I who maintained our independence."

"You maintain your independence alright, but at the cost of dominating the rest of us!" Belgium shouted, "It's not like I'm asking for independence here!"

"Ha, independence… you barely know the meaning of it," Netherlands laughed.

"Who said anything about that? I just want autonomy or my people's rights more presented, you blockhead!" Belgium cried, "So Big Bro, what am I to you? Your little sis or just a piece of land."

"Both," Netherlands replied bluntly, "but you were my gain in exchange for losing Ceylon and South Africa."

"I knew it…" Belgium spoke, "you never treated me as an equal to you. I understand it if it was Suriname or the East Indies, but I'm your sister."

"And a noisy one at that, can't even puff my pipes in peace 'round here," Netherlands complained.

"I just wanted a talk between equals, but now… it appears I have to be your equal… by force," Belgium realised as she began to leave the office.

Suddenly, a blade pierced into the door, and it was only mere inches away from Belgium's form.

"The price of rebelling against me will be most deadly," Netherlands said, "my boss and I wasted two important trade colonies for you, and losing two overseas colonies for a land extension is quite too much for a maritime trading power like me."

"Well you forced me to this position! Tell that to your boss!" Belgium answered, "farewell Big Bro, we will meet on the battlefield again."

As Belgium left the office, the Netherlands reclined on his chair and lit his pipe again. Losing his eyes, he began to reflect on the past…

"Spain, I'm declaring my independence from you today!" the newly-formed Dutch Republic declared, "and I will be taking mi little sis away from you!"

"Uh… Big Bro…" Belgium spoke up, "…I don't think I should go with you…"

"Huh? But we're family!" the Dutch Republic shouted, "don't worry about the Spaniards! Our combined powers and militaries can handle him."

"No, I'm staying with Spain and that's final…" Belgium said.

"Yup, that's right… that bitch of a sis wasted 80 good years of my life," the Netherlands thought, "she must be taught her lesson for not joining me back then…"

Likewise, as Belgium marched off in rage, she too thought of the past…

"Belgium! What you doing here?" yelled the Dutch, "the battlefield's no place for a woman like you!"

"Big Brother… sorry… Spain told me to pick up arms…" Belgium apologised, "I really don't want to fight you… but…"

"I've seen quite enough, you little whore!" Netherlands cried, pulling out his sword.

"Yup, he's still as unreasonable as always…" Belgium thought, "This is the only way to get him to listen."

And the Belgian Revolution began, which gave rise to the Kingdom of Belgium. On her own, Belgium was fairly successful in terms of trade, at least until the World Wars.