Gustav and Julius sat chatting pleasantly in the Hungarian man's office. They discussed the day's events, and gossiped like little old ladies.
"Oh, do I have something to tell you! I heard from one of the men attending to me that one of the men who have arrived today has a certain fancy for your daughter!" Julius said while elbowing his brother.
"Is that so? Which one do you propose that is? Is it that young Austrian whom I suggested might make a good husband for her when she snapped at me? 'I don't need a husband, papa!'" Gustav mocked, though he meant it in good will, for he truly loved his daughter more than anything else in this world.
The Italian shrugged. "I overheard that this servant overheard Roderich, Antonio, and Ludwig talking after everyone else had ran inside to powder their noses and dress into their ball attire. Apparently, it is Ludwig that is in love with Elizabeta! He plans on telling her so tonight. Now is that not good news? One of the most respected men in the world in love with my niece! I even heard something about marriage!"
Gustav frowned as he thought over what he was just told, "My dear friend? Ludwig? Did your servant hear right?"
"I trust the servant's ears better than my own! I'm sure that he heard true!"
"Well, until this tale is true, let's not fuss over it too much. I do think that Elizabeta should know so she might come up with an answer should it be needed. Since you were the one to hear the news, I suggest that it is you that tells her."
Elizabeta hummed happily to herself as she brushed her brown hair while sat in front of her vanity mirror. She had been in a daze most of the day; the young man that she met eyes with hadn't left her mind once that day. She learned from one of the women that served him that he was, in fact, Roderich; the young man mentioned in the letter addressed to her father. She thought of his name. She thought of his violet eyes; of the hair that stood out of place on his head; of any and all of his handsome features.
Her thoughts were interrupted upon a knocking at her bedroom door.
"Come in!" she called.
"Ciao, my beautiful niece! It's me!"
Elizabeta smiled, "Hello, Uncle!"
"My dear, I bring some wonderful, possibly true news for you! I may have overheard a servant who had overheard Signors Roderich, Ludwig, and Antonio talking amongst them. It may possibly be true that Ludwig has fallen in love with you! He might even propose marriage to you! " Hearing this, Hungary dropped her brush on the ground. "I know, exciting news, right, my dear? Well, that's all that I have to say! I'll see you at the ball my dear, Ciao!"
Hungary blinked, dumfounded. Ludwig… in love… with her? But she didn't feel the same way, at least not towards Ludwig. What was she supposed to say? And propose marriage? She wanted to please her father, but to marry his friend, Ludwig? She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose while she thought this out. If she were to marry Ludwig, she would be most respected, but the problem was she didn't want to marry him!
While she thought it over, her most trusted servant entered the room with her dress that he picked out for the ball tonight. He cleared his throat to capture her attention.
"…I have your gown, Miss Elizabeta."
"Thank you, Lukas. Just set it down there." She pointed to her bed where he set it promptly before moving to leave. "Wait! Lukas, can I ask you something?"
"As you wish, miss," Lukas said quietly with a nod as he turned around once more.
"Right. Let's say you were just told that a very respectable and noble man was in love with you and might possibly ask for your hand in marriage. However, you don't feel the same for this man, rather you have suddenly grown a…a fondness towards one of his companions. What would you do in this situation?" She questioned hypothetically, though there was nothing hypothetical about her question.
The Norwegian blinked, and said with the same blank expression that always was on his face, "It's obvious. I would follow my heart. As should you," he understood that she meant to ask this question for herself; he'd heard all the rumors that were spreading around quickly among the servant quarters.
"But what if . . . your father had already giving the noble man his blessing?"
"Turn it down. Be happily in a marriage with someone you love, over one that you don't and be miserable."
Elizabeta bit her lip and nodded. "Thank you, Lukas. That would be all." With that said Lukas got up and, without a word, exited the room to finish his other duties. Elizabeta went back to her routine for getting ready for the ball and started to quickly powder her face, busying herself while she continued to think of how she would reply to Ludwig, should she have to.
Francis had come to Budapest as soon as he heard that his dear friend Gilbert was stay there, and as soon as he had found the man's room, they were seated in the Prussian's room conversing among themselves.
"Why do you seem so gloom, my friend? You didn't even go down for lunch earlier. They were serving wurst for your brother, as well as beer to please you." Francis questioned, sitting next to Gilbert as close as he possibly could, one leg crossed over the other, twirling a rose in his hand.
"Just as I have a right to feel awesome when I wish to, I can be upset when I have reason to, Francis."
"Oui, but what is that reason?"
"Do I have to tell you? "
Right before the French man was going to answer, Matthias burst through the door.
"Matthias! My friend! What news do you bring me?" barked the Prussian.
"Hej, Gilbert! I have just overheard that the young Roderich is in love with Gustav's daughter, Elizabeta." In jest, he elbowed Gilbert in the side, "He is going the wimpy way towards doing anything and making Ludwig tell her for him."
Gilbert blinked then frowned, "But I have already claimed her! She is mine! She will wed me! Besides, I'm much more awesome than that stuck-up rich boy."
"I don't know… Based off of how they both reacted toward each other in the front lawn…. Don't tell me you didn't notice it, too. I'm thinking that she's made up her mind already and is leaning towards the Austrian."
Gilbert shook in a rage, flipping the table over onto its side. "I will not allow it! If I cannot have Elizabeta, no one can! I shall ruin any and all chances that Piano-boy might have with her!"
"Oui, but how do you suppose you do that, mon ami?" The Frenchman questioned.
"Why, with a little help from you two. I'm too awesome not have your help in the situation. So," he shot them both a glare with his unusual red eyes, "you will help me whether you like it or not. I would name you both totally un-awesome if you do not!"
"Oui, I will help, Gil."
"Me too! Me too! I will not be un-awesome!"
"Good! Now, here's the plan…."
In the dimly lit room, Antonio closed the book, though kept his place in it with a finger. He let out a sigh. "Those times were wonderful. And my little Lovino is just as cute now as he was back then!"
Lovino, who had come out of the corner, scowled at the Spaniard. "Piss off! I am not cute! Never was! Not then. Not now! How many times have I told you not to talk like that about me, you stupid ass? Are you trying to get smacked!?"
Antonio chuckled, closed his eyes and smiles, "Not at all. Would a tomato make you less grumpy, mi querido?" He held one out to the Italian who snatched it quickly.
"I will throw it in your stupid face!" Despite the threat however, he simply and immediately started to eat his favorite food. However, somehow, he got a small piece of it on his cheek. Antonio chuckled once again, set the book down and walked over to Lovino.
"You have a little something on your face, Lovino. Here! Let me help you!" Instead of dabbing it off with a napkin like a normal person would do, the Spaniard licked his face.
"EH!?" Lovino jumped back as soon as Antonio licked his face, his face turning a deep red. "W-what the crapola!? Why the hell did you do that, pervert!?"
Antonio smiled widely, "Te amo, that's why."
"W-whatever! J-just go back to reading that stupid story!"
Antonio sighed once more and sat back down, opening the book again, "Now where were we….? Oh, yes! Here we are! 'Minutes before the ball started. . . . '"
AN: Hey, guys! Thanks again for reading my story~! This chapter took longer than I hoped to get up due to computer issues and editing. All the same, I hope that you enjoyed it and look for the next installment!