Dear lord I am sorry you guys. This is like my most alerted fic and I haven't updated it in forever. My deepest apologies Dx I've just had writer's block and have had drama so my mind's been in other places. But that's done now! Here you go, the next chapter!


Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

"Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift


Chapter 5

Elizabeta couldn't look away from her feet. She'd just been kissed and had no idea what to do now. Roderich was still internally panicking, his face just as red as it had been upon his realization of the action he'd just taken.

It took a moment before either of them could think of a response.

"Miss Héderváry," he said softly.

She looked up at him and saw that he'd managed to compose himself somewhat. Unsure of how to answer, she just looked at him, hoping he'd continue. After a second of psyching himself up, Roderich managed to speak again.

"Despite our separation of class, there is no doubt in my mind that I… I have feelings for you as made apparent by what just occurred. I know it is out of line and I do hope you forgive me."

Elizabeta stared at him a minute longer. This man, this gorgeous, kind, gentleman had just confessed to her. Her. It was like a fantasy…

"I feel the same!" she blurted out without thinking.

Roderich's eyes widened as hers did the same, both relatively shocked.

"In that case," he said as he took a breath, "I do hope you will allow me to court you, Miss –"

"Elizabeta," she cut in, "And of course you may."

They exchanged a warm smile, glad that their feelings were no longer kept in the dark. Again acting on impulse, Elizabeta let out a squeal and ran over to him, wrapping her arms around him and planting a kiss on his lips.

Roderich made a sound of surprise but returned the kiss gently, cautiously, wrapping his arms around her in a way that made her think that he was worried of harming her with his embrace.

She merely smiled against the kiss and squeezed him, assuring him that she was strong and didn't mind. Even so, Roderich held her as if she was a feather, not because he was afraid of hurting her, but because of the possibility that if he tried to feel more of her that she'd disappear as a daydream.


Of all the things she could have asked of Roderich, the first she settled on was horseback riding lessons. She'd ridden a pony when she was little, but she was jealous of all the men who came through town, gallivanting on their beautiful beasts and winking at her in hopes of winning her attention.

In all honesty she was more interested in the creatures they rode then the actual men themselves. They were always so strong, so powerful yet absolutely beautiful. If she could ride one of those lovely animals, she'd be filled with joy.

Roderich owned two horses that resided in a small stable behind the mansion. He tended to ride the bigger of the two, a large, bay gelding he called Prinz. In all honesty, he only had the other horse because he owned a small carriage that required two horses to pull it. Despite hardly using it, he found it and the extra horse necessary.

Though there was still snow on the ground, Roderich agreed to teach Elizabeta how to ride, as long as it was during short periods of time and they stayed away from the snow banks. Elizabeta accepted his terms and quickly went to follow him to the stable.

"Let me see if I can find the sidesaddle for you," Roderich said as he began looking around the tack.

"I don't want to ride sidesaddle," Elizabeta replied, "I want to ride normally. Like you."

Roderich quirked an eyebrow at this, but he complied and retrieved a regular saddle for her. She was an odd one, that was for sure.

Edelweiss. That was the name of the other horse. She was a smaller, dapple-gray mare, but still looked quite large to Elizabeta.

Roderich instructed her on how to properly put on the horse's tack, which Elizabeta did with only minor struggling. Once that was done, he grabbed the mare's reins and led her outside, instructing Elizabeta to follow.

He stopped her once they were on solid dirt and gestured to the horse's back.

"Now you get on," he stated simply.

Elizabeta looked at him wide-eyed. Did he expect her to know what she was doing already? He had to be insane.

Roderich offered her a warm smile before turning and cupping his hands together below the horse's stirrup.

"I'll lift you up," he explained, "Come on now."

She still felt uneasy, but walked over to him, putting her foot in his hands and placing her hands on the horse's back. Edelweiss made a snorting sound and shook her head, causing Elizabeta to tighten up.

"You're fine," Roderich assured, "I'll lift you up on three. One, two, three!"

He raised his hands and pushed her up, allowing her to swing her leg over the other side of the beast and sit square in the saddle.

Elizabeta sat there for a moment, surprised. She was finally on a horse. Those beautiful, powerful creatures she'd admired since she was a child.

A small squeak of happiness escaped her lips, causing Roderich to smile and Edelweiss to snort again.

"Hold on and I'll adjust the stirrups," Roderich said as he began to get to work on fixing them for the length of her legs.

"Meanwhile, you should pet her. Talk to her. You need to trust her."

Elizabeta nodded and reached out to run her hand through the horse's mane. It was funny; it wasn't silky and smooth like she was expected. It was rough and coarse, brittle almost. But it felt good to her fingers, so she continuously tangled them through the long mane.

"Good girl," she murmured, "I've never done this so please go easy on me."

Edelweiss whinnied, as if answering the girl. Roderich patted the mare's neck in response, praising her for being so well-behaved.

"Stirrups should fit now," he said, "Slide your feet in."

Due to her large dress, it was hard for Elizabeta to actually see where her feet were, but she managed to get them in the stirrups somehow.

"Now take the reins in both hands," he instructed.

She did as she was told and gripped the leather between her fingers. With just that motion, she could feel her pulse begin to race, her adrenaline skyrocket. This was what it felt like. She was going to finally be just as strong and powerful as those army men who had looked down on her and dared to attempt and impress her by making her feel inferior.

"Now we're going to take this slow," Roderich said, though Elizabeta could hardly hear him.

All she heard was her heart pounding in her ears, the sound of Edelweiss' even breathing. She let the rush get to her.

With a loud whoop, Elizabeta snapped the reins and kicked the mare's sides, causing the horse to neigh in shock and rear slightly, before bolting off.

"Elizabeta!" Roderich cried horrified.

He watched the blur of gray speed off down the dirt path, toward the village. Elizabeta's hair blew in the wind, as did her dress. He couldn't bear to let her get hurt, so he quickly darted after them.

In the meantime, Elizabeta was having the time of her life. The wind blowing in her face, the steady rhythm of the horse's feet beneath her gave her such a feeling of freedom, of independence. She could do anything; she could fly.

Edelweiss suddenly came upon a sharp turn and attempted to make it, skidding slightly in the process. The unexpected jolt rooted Elizabeta from the saddle and flung her into the snow bank face first.

"Elizabeta!"

Roderich managed to reach Elizabeta about a minute after he'd seen her thrown, panting and gasping for air. He ran into the snow bank and grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her over so he could look at her. She had a few scrapes but nothing looked too severe.

"Elizabeta," he breathed, "Elizabeta, are you alright?"

He shook her gently, relieved to see her eyes flutter open. He was less relieved to hear her response.

"Let's do that again!"


Despite his several attempts to get rid of the bloody Yankee, Arthur had somehow managed to keep Alfred following him. The American had that damn optimistic spirit and wouldn't shut up about how he'd show Arthur all the best places around.

Currently, the two were walking through some busy street in the city, Alfred blabbing away about all the sights while Arthur just wanted to find somewhere to eat.

"Austria's got some of the best food in the world," Alfred was saying, "Not as good as my mom's but pretty damn close."

"Your mother must be a world-renowned chef," Arthur grumbled.

"She always wanted to be one. If she was alive I bet she'd still be forcing me to try all her new recipes."

Arthur paused a moment and looked back at his counterpart. So the boy's mother was dead. Yet he still seemed so cheery even when discussing the subject.

"When did your mother die?" Arthur asked.

Alfred's face fell a bit at that as he remembered his mother.

"I was fourteen," he answered, "She got really sick and just couldn't pull through. Pa was really upset about it… Said he regretted not being able to make her happier. But that's stupid because she told me when she was on her deathbed how happy she was that she could see me and Pa and how much she loved us."

Arthur remained silent. He didn't usually get into deep conversations with people, let alone a subject so sensitive.

"Pa got really depressed after that," Alfred continued, "Told me he wanted me to do everything I wanted before I died. So when I told him I wanted to come here he saved up every last penny and shipped me over here. I'm gonna go home and visit him soon, maybe even bring him back here. He'd love it."

The teen looked up at the sky and smiled, despite their being no sunshine and only gray clouds. It didn't matter. Behind the clouds there was the sun. That was fact. It would never disappear.

"But that's enough about me," he said with a shake of his head, "What about you, Artie? What's your family like? Brothers and sisters? Parents? Any weird relatives or stories from when you were a kid? Doesn't have to be all tragic like mine, I mean we're here in Europe to have fun and do new things right? So let's hear all the good stuff."

Arthur despised the nickname the American had bestowed upon him and always corrected him before replying. Yet after that speech about his mother and all that damn optimism, Arthur couldn't help but smile a little. If he didn't watch out he might actually start to like the kid.

"My family?" he sighed, "Living with my siblings… it was hell."


Look at that, Artie and Alfie are back xD YAY. God I love them too much. Also, that last line was a reference to how England's siblins (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc.) all drove him insane and he tended to not get along with him.

And now we have AusxHun cuteness. Awwww that's just so sweet. I love this pairing to death and had to throw fluff in there. Of course, Hungary is still Hungary and therefore a tomboy, daring and kind of an airhead so of course she'd speed off on a horse for the first time riding one. And look at Austria all worried. D'aw.

Well that's it for now. Please leave a review, alert, or favorite the story, it means a lot! See you later!