"So where are you heading?" Ezio inquired.
"That's none of your business," Romano responded stubbornly.
An amused smile played on Ezio's lips. Lovino seemed different than most other kids his age. Ezio had a feeling that there's more to this child than what meets the eye. The young Italian strutted around the city like he owned it, weaving through the buildings like he knew Rome like the back of his hand.
"Who are you really anyways? No random citizen carries around weapons or wears clothes like that. And you can't be working for the Borgia, you're not wearing the right armor." Romano glared suspiciously at his companion. This guy was weird, Romano should've thought more thoroughly about befriending this guy. He was too caught up in the conversation he was going to have with the Borgia.
"You are right I'm not just any citizen of Rome nor do I work for the Borgia. I'm just someone who wants to do what he can for all of Italy." Romano huffed at the response, but didn't pushed the subject further.
Ezio froze when he saw the young nation's destination. It was Castel Sant'Angelo! What connection did this child have to the Borgia? Guards protected the bridges leading into the secure building, it will be difficult for him to sneak in without being recognized. But now he had to find out what Lovino had to do with this.
"Only cardinals and people close to the Borgia are allowed in here, so this is where we say our goodbyes. Grazie for walking with me," Romano's tone suggested that he wasn't really all that grateful.
Ezio hid his thoughts with a smirk, "it was my pleasure."
One of the guards sneered down at the small boy, "where do you think you're going, brat?"
"Che? I am Lovino Vargas, let me through, I have to talk with the Borgia now!" Romano growled at the guard. Ezio couldn't hold in a surprised chuckle as the guard immediately straightened and let Lovino through.
"Stupid bastards, who do they think they are?" The little Italian grumbled under his breath. Romano studied the high walls and the amount of guards, there was no way any assassinos would even think of trying to break in. As soon as he entered the main building he was tackled hard.
"Fratello! I'm so glad none of the assassinos hurted you!" Italy's high pitched voice said happily.
"Get off me, idiota!" Romano pushed off the younger Italian. "I need to talk with the Borgia."
"Oh, the pope isn't here, but Cesare is here, but I think he's leaving soon."
"I don't care I just need to talk to someone!" Romano pushed past his younger brother.
"What's wrong, Romano?" Italy followed closely.
"There's French soldiers in the city! FRENCH!" Romano shouted with irritation at his little brother's cluelessness. "The least that bastard could've done was warn us!"
"Big brother France?" Italy said a little too excitedly for Romano. He should've expected that from his northern half. His little brother always seemed to like the people Romano hated, that Holy Roman Empire, who was German! And France, who tried to take over their country since forever!
Romano knocked harshly on Cesare's office. "I'm busy," a stern voice responded.
"I don't care, I need to talk with you," the southern nation demanded.
"Fine, come in."
"Why are there French in Rome?" Romano confronted the captain general. Cesare was amused by his tough act, it's hard to take him seriously when he looked like a grumpy child.
"The assassins are a threat, they nearly killed my father," Cesare tried to reason with the nation. "Don't worry, once they serve their uses then I will get rid of them."
"I want them out as soon as possible, I can't stand France having any of his troops in my capital," Romano shuddered.
"I plan to unite all of Italy, we must be willing to make compromises at times," The general explained. "I'm assuming you want to united with your brother and become independent."
"But Spain-"
"You, as a country, have a duty to your people like no one else has, don't let your attachments to others be your downfall," Cesare said bluntly. "If you want to keep the title of a nation then you must learn do what you must. Why do you think you're growing so slowly?"
"Shut up, bastard, I know," Romano grumbled. Italy remained silent, hurt by Cesare's words.
Romano, knowing he lost the argument, left the captain general to his work. The Italians walked passed Lucrezia on their way out, "buon giorno," she spoke politely. Romano didn't say anything, Italy repeated the greeting.
"Why does that brat talk so boldly?" Lucrezia asked her brother when the countries were out of ear shot. "What makes them so special? I remember my father talking about them like they're kings."
"You don't know?" Cesare chuckled at her ignorance. "They are very important, if I plan to control all of Italy then I need both of those brats. They represent Italia itself!"
Lucrezia looked at him, more confused than before. What did he mean they represent Italy itself? And Ezio wondered the same thing as he eavesdropped from the window. Unfortunately for them both, Cesare didn't explain any more before leaving. What kind of power does these children have? The master assassin didn't know what to think, he decided to back off for now and consult with his fellow assassins.
A few hours later, Romano sat in his room beginning to regret his decision to come here, something wasn't right. "No, this is my country! I'm going to fix this on my own! That is my duty as a nation!" The little Italian stated with determination. "I'll find where those assassins are hiding myself!"
He hopped out of bed and marched as fast as his short legs can take him. "Where are you going, fratello?" A girly voice halted him.
"I'm going to save Rome."
"Ve~ that sounds fun! Can I come?" Italy pleaded.
The older Italian rolled his eyes, "fine, but don't get in my way!" Little Italy cheered. Romano was glad for their small stature, it made it so much easier to leave undetected.
"A title of a nation? how can a person represent a nation?" Machiavelli didn't hide his skepticism. "For some reason I find that hard to believe."
"I do too, but I know what I heard," Ezio tried to explain. "These children are important to the Borgia." He knew this information would be difficult to swallow, nonetheless every bit of knowledge they can get is valuable no matter how outrageous it sounds. "Either way, if Cesare wants something, he'll stop at nothing to obtain it."
A female assassin entered the room and bowed before Ezio, "Master, Lovino and his younger brother both left Castel Sant'Angelo alone."
"Well, this is the perfect chance to get the information we need ourselves," Machiavelli said with a small smirk.
AN: This is kind of shorter than I would usually do, but I wanted to update and I didn't have as much time to write as I usually do. I love chibi Romano so much~! Anyways, I forgot to mention this last time, but this takes place during early 1502.
Review plz~! Hope you enjoy!
All character belongs to their respective owners ^J^
Translations
Grazie: thank you
Che: what
Fratello: brother
Idiota: idiot