I'm back from my vacation with a brand new chapter! Ta da!
Anyway, before we get to the chapter... let's answer some questions:
Liechtenstein's lover: The Pirate!England idea sounded really interesting, and I'm glad that I could please my loyal reader 8D It hasn't been all planned out yet, but I'll definitely put more thought into it after this fic.
Flying mint bunny girl: Now that you've mentioned it... I really have no idea. This doesn't have a real time to it, and it just kinda floats around in the time dimension. It's also a bit AU, but not really, and so... you know. I don't really know how to explain it.
WOW: Germany and Japan will be a part of this, yes, but mostly Germany. He's more involved with Italy than Japan, but our favorite Kiku shall appear in a few chapters, too.
Guest (MaxiTalia): I'm really glad that you're enjoying both my fics ^^ You say you have Liechtensteiner blood, eh? Sounds awesome!
Sparkly Pandas: Spain did win... and I was devastated for two entire days... but Spain is a really good team, although I wanted my Italy to win. I'm just gonna keep my fingers crossed for the World Cup, then. :D
So... here we are! This chapter is a bit short, but I've just gotten back a few hours ago and hurried to put out another chapter for you. I promise chapter 4 will be much better, and Veneziano is going to be in chapter 4, so of course it'll have to be awesome!
Enjoy:
III. Playing maid
"Stay away from the grass! Don't you see the path right there?"
Liechtenstein jumped, the book clutched in her hands dropping to the ground. With a curious expression, she pushed her curtains aside and leaned out the window to see who Switzerland was yelling at.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Spain's cheerful voice floated up to her. She watched as he jumped away from Switzerland's flowerbeds and stepped upon the path instead.
Liechtenstein saw her brother, a few windows away, glaring at Spain irritatedly. "What are you doing?" He demanded.
"I wanted to ask you something." Spain called up, smiling widely and oblivious to Switzerland's stormy mood.
"Wait down there." Switzerland grunted, and Liechtenstein watched as her brother's head ducked back inside the window. She heard his rapid footsteps along the hallway, and then a click of the door.
Pulling back from the window, Liechtenstein returned to her book.
"What! Nein!"
Startled, Liechtenstein dropped the book once more and rushed down into the living room.
"Big bruder! What's wrong?" She searched Switzerland's blazing green eyes and his indignant pose, and then turned to Spain with a confused look.
"I'm not going to allow this!" Switzerland took notice of her standing there and moved to take a stand in front of her protectively. "Liechtenstein will not be playing maid to anyone, whether it be you or Romano."
Huh? Me, being a maid?
Suddenly, Liechtenstein found an opportunity to grab at the deal and get herself a good job. She had been thinking of doing some kind of work, after all, and taking all the weight off her brother's shoulders. "Bruder, I think I-"
"You see? Liechtenstein doesn't want to take the job, either." Switzerland retorted before she could even get the words out of her mouth.
"But you see, Liechtenstein is the perfect one for the job. What with Romano's memory loss and all, I just need her for a couple of months. That is, until Romano gets back his memory." Spain paused for a brief second. "Unless Liechtenstein wants to stay." He said thoughtfully, giving her a small wink, which Switzerland immediately intercepted.
"No! No is no! If Liechtenstein was willing to go, I'd let her, but she doesn't want to. I won't force her, and I disapprove of this plan anyway." He shoved Spain toward the door. "Please leave."
"Wait, big bruder-" She did want to take the job, but Switzerland wouldn't let her finish.
"Good bye." He said to Spain, holding the door open.
"Wait! Big bruder! I'd like to take up the offer, please!" She blurted out. Almost immediately, her green eyes widened and her hand flew to cover her mouth. She hadn't meant to displease Switzerland, but she really wanted to have that job. It would let Switzerland be able to rest more and make him happier... right?
Her brother turned around slowly and gave her an incredulous stare, while Spain clapped his hands in delight.
"Liechtenstein... you're serious about this?" Switzerland said slowly.
She nodded. "Ja. It might be fun, and I'll be able to help you more with the money. You won't have to worry about me."
Her brother's eyes widened. "Nein! I don't need more money." He said quietly, glum faced. "I don't mind if you just stay at home with me. You're not a bother or anything."
Liechtenstein bowed her head. "It's ok big bruder. I want this job. And it might really be fun." At that moment, Spain tugged on her arm.
"Si! You're going to meet Romano, and I bet you two will like each other. You'll be good company for him, and you can also meet Veneziano when he visits! Oh, and..." Spain rambled on, and Liechtenstein shot Switzerland a smile.
"I'll be fine." She told him, placing a hand around his reassuringly.
A week later, she was standing in front of Spain's mansion with Switzerland. He held her suitcase.
"Are you sure you're going to be ok? France and Prussia visit Spain often, and who knows what that trio will do to you?" Switzerland shuddered, and looked at her in concern.
"Spain told me everything I need to know already, big bruder. And I'm sure they won't do anything to me." She assured him, bounding up the stairs to ring the doorbell.
"Hola!" Spain greeted her at the doorway, and went out to retrieve her suitcase. With a pat to her scowling brother's shoulder, Liechtenstein entered the house.
"Remember to write me! And come home on the weekends!" He called out worriedly.
"Ja. It's not like I'm going to be shipped away to a foreign place, bruder. Spain isn't that far away from Switzerland." She beamed at him. "Auf Wiedersehen. Good bye."
Spain shut the door behind her, and they made small talk as he showed her around the mansion.
"It's beautiful here." Liechtenstein told him timidly, her wide eyes studying the tinted windows on the walls as they passed. She ran her free hand along the smooth wall as they walked down the hallway, her other hand tugging the suitcase. She also lived in a mansion with Switzerland, but Spain's mansion was completely different. Everything was spread out in the rooms to display his wealth and his Spanish ways, while Switzerland cherished his money and went through a great deal to keep his beloved belongings, especially his guns, kept in top condition inside cases littered along the hallways.
Spain grinned at her, his bright green eyes sparkling. "Gracias!" He studied Liechtenstein quietly for a moment as she pondered about the paintings on the wall.
"You're a nice little nation. It'll be a good change for Romano." He finally said, breaking her trance with the patterns on the ceiling. "Speaking of which, let me show you to your room, and then we'll have lunch!"
Spain thrusted his tan arms to open the heavy wooden doors to Liechtenstein's room, and she stared at it in amazement. Everything had been set up already, just like how Liechtenstein's room in Switzerland's house looked.
"I wanted to make you comfortable here. You're our guest, after all. I'm not going to be treating you like a horrible worker like what Switzerland thinks." Spain chuckled, and stood by the doorway smiling as she ventured inside the room.
"Danke!" Liechtenstein rolled her suitcase in and explored her surroundings.
"No problem. Lunch in ten minutes!" Spain grinned, and then left her to herself.
Liechtenstein pulled out her clothing one by one and hung them up inside the wardrobe. She hummed to herself a little. It felt good to finally be of some use to her brother. And not only that, but she would be helping other nations, too. It made her proud, and happy inside. Smiling a little, Liechtenstein closed the drawer of undergarments and stood up to retie her violet ribbon into her hair. She was going to enjoy her work at Spain's house.
Now... to find the kitchen. Spain might need her to make lunch. Or maybe look for the dining room instead? Liechtenstein peered out of her room into the empty hallway, and realized that she didn't know the way to either place. Padding along the hallway, she looked for some sort of hint or the smell of lunch, but found nothing.
Just as she was walking past a closed door, it flew open and slammed right into her. Liechtenstein let out a yelp and was sent back to the ground, sprawling on her knees.
The door closed and a nation rushed out, holding his hand to her. She was about to take it, when the hand disappeared, and in its place was a frowning face.
"Oh, you're that maid that Spain hired." He said, his voice showing clear dislike for her. Liechtenstein took the hint and climbed to her feet by herself, keeping her head down.
"Ja. Nice to meet you." She said softly.
A hand nudged her chin so that she had to look up. Her emerald eyes locked onto the other's darker ones, and she was taken aback by the nation's flawless tan complexion and his olive colored eyes. This must have been Romano.
"Don't gape." Romano grumbled, turning away from her and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I'm sorry, m-master Romano." Liechtenstein managed, blurting out the only thing she could think to say.
"Don't call me master." Romano turned back to her with an uncertain look in his eyes and a faint blush, but that was washed away quickly and replaced by what seemed like a spark of realization. "You're German." He accused her.
"J-Ja." She stuttered.
"I met a 'Germany' yesterday. He came over to talk with the tomato bastard. I don't like Germans." Romano retorted.
Liechtenstein flinched at his harsh language, but she decided not to dwell on it. She'd be seeing a lot of Romano now, and she would have to get used to him sooner or later. But judging by his attitude, he didn't seem to want to have anything to do with her. She hoped that he would loosen up more to her later, when they've gotten used to each other. It didn't seem likely.
"I... Can you please show me to the kitchen? Spain wanted me there for lunch." She said meekly.
"Si..." He said curtly, and beckoned her to follow him. Liechtenstein raced to keep up with his quick pace, always a few steps behind him as she looked around the mansion in wonder.
"Hey, hurry up." Romano urged, sticking his head back to pull her into a different hallway before she crashed into a vase. She had been too busy admiring the lights to notice where she was going. "Danke." She told Romano, but he ignored it and simply pulled her away silently.
Liechtenstein was met by the wonderful scent of food as she entered the kitchen. Spain was already setting out their lunch on a small table.
"Come eat!" He called cheerily to the two of them, and Romano left her to take a spot at the table.
"Oh, I see you've met each other." Spain grinned. "I'm happy to see that you're getting along so well." True to his inability to read the atmosphere, Spain continued on without noticing that Romano was doing his best to avoid Liechtenstein and she was standing awkwardly to the side.
"Oh... I... ja." Liechtenstein replied, and took her place at the table. She glanced at the meal consisting of a large pizza and tomato sandwiches. It was a simple lunch, but looked delicious nonetheless.
Romano remained silent as he grabbed a slice of pizza and began to eat.
"Well then, let's eat." Spain smiled and offered Liechtenstein a slice of pizza. She bit into it tentatively, wondering what it was going to taste like. She'd never tried real pizza before, although it seemed to be a popular food.
"It tastes... like pizza!" She told Spain, smiling and chomping into her slice again. Switzerland had definitely rubbed off on her, because she faintly remembered him telling her that her sandwich tasted 'like sandwich'. But really, there was no other way to describe the pizza-like taste in her mouth. Pizza also had cheese, and she liked cheese.
"Good?" Spain asked, his mouth full of tomatoes.
"Ja." She beamed at him, and noticed Romano looking up for a fraction of a second before turning away. It made her stomach feel weird, but also gave her a spark of hope.
Yes, she would enjoy her time with Spain and Romano, even if she was to work as a maid, and even if Romano despised her.
She was pretty, Romano admitted that.
He had been ready to help her up, because you don't just slam into a pretty girl and leave her on the ground like that. But then he'd realized that she was the maid that Spain hired against his will, and everything good he felt about her had disintegrated.
He had been ready to turn his back on her and let her find her way around by herself, but when she looked up at him with that innocent, startled look, he couldn't tear his gaze away. Something about her seemed familiar. And she was very pretty in a fragile way. Like a little flower.
But just because she was a pretty nation didn't mean that he had to be nice to her, right? And she was working for them against his wishes, anyway, so...
He'd turned his back on her.
But for some reason, Romano couldn't keep his eyes off her. She seemed like a frightened bambina in Spain's giant mansion, and something kept him from shutting her out completely. So he'd decided to be nice. Just a little.
For some reason, he'd felt the slightest bit jealous when Spain took the whole afternoon showing her his tomato garden. Weren't the two of them supposed to be taking care of him? Although, he wasn't sure if he was jealous of Spain or Liechtenstein.
That night, Liechtenstein came into his room as he was studying the pictures of him and Spain, Veneziano, and a nation named Belgium, whom he had supposedly had a crush on before.
"Hallo." Liechtenstein greeted him, and he looked up with an annoyed expression.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
"Spain wanted me to tell you that Italy Veneziano is coming to visit tomorrow, m-master Romano." She told him quietly, bowing her head.
He wanted to tell her to look up, because he wouldn't bite or anything. She was so humble, and he didn't want to be her master or whatever. But of course he bit his tongue.
"Grazie." He told her dismissively, and Liechtenstein turned to leave.
Just a few seconds afterwards, Romano heard a great crashing sound outside his door. He threw down his pictures with a great sigh and rushed outside the door.
"What's wrong now?" He grumbled, looking for Liechtenstein so he could give her the stink eye, but not quite finding her.
"Sorry!" She spoke, drawing Romano's attention to the collapsed painting on the ground. Liechtenstein was buried under it.
"You're so clumsy. Even more than the tomato bastard. I thought Germans were supposed to be all composed and stuff." He huffed, pulling up the painting and setting it against the wall. Spain would fix it tomorrow.
"I... danke!" The little blonde nation chirped, putting her hands on her knees and bowing her head in an expression of gratitude, and then rushed off. Romano looked after her in a confused daze.
No, he told himself gruffly. He wouldn't let the Liechtensteiner faze him. He was just going to keep on avoiding and ignoring her until her months were over, his memory came back, and she was returned back to wherever she came from.
That had been his plan from the beginning, and he was going to stick to it. Although he was starting to have the tiniest hints of doubt.
There we go! What did you think about that? Oh, I almost forgot: Thank you readers and reviewers, and if you have any special requests for the fic or anything else (keep in mind that I completely suck at one shots), just post them in the reviews! Love you all!
*If Nyan cat was real, our world would be full of rainbow-farting poptart-shaped cat babies*