Prologue: One month earlier
England
Usually England hated world meetings. They meant putting up with France trying to grope him, America shrieking in his ear, Russia sitting in the corner staring at him like a demon, Germany telling him off, and Italy blathering about pasta.
But this was no ordinary world meeting. There was somebody new there.
"Who's that girl?" England asked Japan quietly. Japan had always been an ally – England knew he could be trusted.
"That is Liechtenstein-san. She is Switzerland-san's younger sister. I am told that she is older than she looks, she's about fifteen or so."
"She's beautiful…" said England in a hushed voice, gazing at her. She truly was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. An angel. Bliss.
Just then a big argument was sparked between Prussia and South Italy, the general "I'm so awesome!",
"No you aren't, you swearword",
"You're just too un-awesome to notice!",
"You swearword piss me off, swearword".
On a usual day, England would be yelling at them, but he was too mesmerised by Liechtenstein. Her short hair, so unlike other girls of her age, and yet so gorgeous… those big magical green eyes…
"Dude!" A shout brought him back to his senses. England saw America grinning at him like a Cheshire Cat.
"What is it, you git? I was busy."
"Busy eyeing up Lili?" Before England could protest, America was in the swing of a big speech. "Her brother is, like, the scariest dude alive! He'll shoot you in the head if he finds out that you want his baby sister!"
"Keep it down, silly bugger!" England was all too aware of Switzerland's intimidating manner. He was about to launch into a rant when Liechtenstein looked up. Green eyes met green eyes. England could feel his mind opening up – almost as if she could see right into him. All he wanted to do was look into those eyes forever… but then her cheeks blushed pink and she looked down, and the moment was over.
"Dude, you look just like my Hollywood heroes when they meet the love of – their – life…" America trailed off, putting two and two together in his head. "You just fell in love with Liechtenstein, didn't you?
"Interesting dilemma…" commented Japan.
"You know they're having a ball in like, three weeks?" asked America, still slightly stunned from his revelation, but now keen to play the 'hero'. "If you go, you can like, confess your love or something!"
"And why in hell would I want to do that?" snapped England. He wasn't going to offer himself up for a shooting!
"Because then she'll fall in love with you back, you'll live happily ever after, and because I thought of it I'd be the hero!" cried America. England ground his teeth. How had the boy turned out so stupid? He had tried to give America a proper upbringing, but something must have gone wrong…
"Just try it," wheedled America, making puppy-eyes at his former big brother.
"It might work," added Japan. (He would be going to the ball too, and taking his camera. Duh.)
England swayed. Never mind what daft America said, if somebody sane like Japan thought it would work… he might just have a chance. And with one more look over to Liechtenstein, he knew he had to take that chance.
"Oh, screw it," he mumbled, smiling weakly. "I'm buggered anyway, right?"