Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia: Axis Powers.

Author's Note: Here it is, the second chapter! This time, Ludwig stresses about politics and is visited by Roderich and Erzsébet. While I only now notice how short the chapter actually looks on the website, I hope that you enjoy this.

By the way, thank you 'guest' for your kind review, as I was quite nervous about publishing this. Because of this, I am going to publish this chapter now instead of when the next chapter is uploaded.

I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

-Anonymous Lily

Chapter Two: Diplomacy, in all forms

Berlin, German Empire, July 1914.

It was the afternoon in Berlin and the summer breeze whistled through the streets and into the home of the personifications of the German Empire. Though, instead of the sun-bathed calm of the capital, the house emitted an atmosphere of deep thought and stress.

Inside, Ludwig was pacing, as he always did when he was thinking hard about situations that worried him. His boots clicked against the polished wooden floor, only slightly muffled by a carpet which peeked from under a sturdy desk. His brother, Gilbert, sat languidly on a leather chair, head leaning in his hand.

From what I have heard, the Kaiser is planning to attack France through Belgium in order to focus on Russia in case of a conflict emerging from the current crisis. Ludwig reflected, looking at nothing in particular except the cool greens and rich browns of the room blurring together. His mind was on fire now, illuminating the collected facts he had garnered from the news, his leaders, his people...

This is ideal, to get revenge on France and to have Russia out of the picture before he is able to strike.

The clicking of his boots became faster, almost matching his heartbeat. However, this is not confirmed with the Austria-Hungary yet.

Click, click, click, click... They may decide to solve the problem diplomatically which we will support-

"Ludwig, stop pacing!" Gilbert groaned, "You're making me dizzy."

The blurry green and brown shapes cleared and the flame was gone. The German paused and turned towards his brother, annoyed. "Well, have you come up with any ideas yet, bruder?"

"Well, what have the Serbians said about it?" Gilbert asked, "I mean, we already know how the Austrians feel about the assassination- haven't seen the young master that angry since Napoleon."

Ludwig leafed through various papers and news articles but shook his head. "Nothing as yet from the Serbs, though there are rumours that the Bosnian who killed the Archduke was part of a larger group of people- called the Black Hand. No, wait, it is confirmed! It says that they are agents of the Black Hand."

"Huh," Gilbert said, sitting up, "Isn't that the Serbian group that wants a pan-Slavic nation? That may be why they shot the Archduke, to drive the Austrians out."

"Either way, we need to arrange a meeting with them soon. After all, I suspect that they will be planning to organise a solution sometime." Ludwig replied as he began to fiddle with the medals on his lapel.

Gilbert sighed, looking down into his lap. Ludwig frowned. Huh? Why is he doing that? I mean, he has been rather quiet recently, but is... he upset about something?

He crouched by the Prussian's side. "Gilbert, are you all right?"

Gilbert shooed him away with a hand, shaking his head. "I am fine, it's nothing Ludwig."

Ludwig raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Are you sure? If there is anything you need to tell me, then you can."

Gilbert did not respond for a few moments, as if to process his thoughts.

"I've seen you grow over the years, you have become a strong empire, Luddie." Gilbert said, "I do not think that you need as much of my help any more."

"But I cannot possibly... without your help..."

"Ah, ah, you are the German Empire now,"Gilbert interrupted, a small smile appearing on his face, "It is time that you express what the German Empire wants. Remember what Bismarck said? He said that a government must not waver once it has chosen its course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward."

Ludwig nodded slowly, "You are saying that I need to go ahead with it?"

"Yes, in fact," Gilbert said, "Why not talk to Austria and Hungary about it when they meet us? It's in two weeks time."

If the Kaiser does not do something impulsive, or the Russians do not start moving to protect Serbia that is.. Hopefully a desirable solution can be made without Bismarck's expertise in political action- it's not as if I can really consult him now...

%&%

Two weeks later...

"Ah, hello specs, Erszebet! Come in!" Gilbert called, grinning brightly at his guests as they entered. Erzsébet tutted at him, muttering a hello, as well as something else that Ludwig could not quite hear.

Roderich frowned at the nickname and walked past the Prussian to greet Ludwig. "Hello, I trust that we will be discussing the current Serbian problem, yes?"

"Yes, we will." Ludwig answered, before turning to address Erzsébet, who had been quietly arguing with Gilbert.

"Gilbert!" Ludwig interrupted, opening the drawing room door, "How about we discuss our next step as the Central Powers, hm?"

"Yes, let's do that, instead of wasting our time with infantile bickering." Roderich agreed, glaring at Gilbert while beckoning for Erzsébet to follow him.

Soon, they were settled in the drawing room, where copies of official documents and note paper were placed, as well as cups of water and pens.

"Why is there no tea?" Roderich asked, examining the water cup suspiciously.

"There is not tea because this is a meeting, not a social gathering." Ludwig explained, "Now, we must discuss the current situation with Serbia. What do you think we should do?"

Erzsébet glanced to Roderich for approval before answering. "Well, we wish that Serbia be punished for plotting against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It has been suggested many times by the Chief of Staff, Conrad von Hötzendorf, that we go to war with Serbia, but there has not been an opportunity until now. However, we don't really think that our neighbours will approve."

Ludwig jotted this down, nodding to himself.

"I can understand that," Gilbert replied, "Serbia's allied with Russia! They are becoming a world power as we speak, they are not to be messed with."

"Then how could we make our intentions clear to Serbia without alerting Russia?" Roderich questioned, sipping the water, "Talk to them?"

Ludwig sat up abruptly. "Not quite, merely show we mean business. Roderich, do you remember at the end of the Balkan Wars when Serbia took Albania? You got the Serbs out of Albania within eight days..."

"By an ultimatum," Roderich finished, "Yes, I remember that."

"So you are saying that we make an ultimatum to Serbia?" Erzsébet asked, raising an eyebrow quizically.

"It was merely a suggestion," Ludwig shrugged, "Of course, it is your decision to make."

He noticed an awkward silence emerge. Erzsébet checked her watch, tapping at the clock face, while Roderich stared into his lap in thought.

Am I being too forward with this? They look half-asleep to me! He realised. He looked to Gilbert, who nodded at him encouragingly, I should not be making the decisions for them, I should be giving advice, that is what Gilbert has always said. Why didn't I listen?

Suddenly, Roderich looked up from his lap and stood up, hands clasped together.

"Have you thought of something?" Ludwig asked, almost imploring.

"Yes, I have," he replied, "We need tea."

Author's Note: What I meant by: 'haven't seen the young master that angry since Napoleon.' is that during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) the Austrian Empire was controlled by Napoleon after the Battle of Austerlitz and repeatedly tried to revolt- these failed until 1813. I would imagine that Roderich would indeed be very miffed at this.

In terms of how the Nations refer to others, I think that they would call allies by their human names and their enemies and neutral Nations by the country names for the sake of formality.

Anyway, thank you for reading.

-Anonymous Lily