Swaying a bit here, shifting a bit there. The music was warm, it felt like a blanket of sound. The performers, native to the castle, were playing an interesting waltz. I had difficulty focusing on it though thanks to the stranger moving with me. I didn't want to stare up at him, but every few seconds I'd look up. His jaw was so strong, I doubt he was ever mistaken for a girl. A few glances later and I started to memorize his face. His eyes were the most unusual shade of red, with the darker parts being similar in color to wine, and the highlighted parts like a robin's feathers. His lashes weren't very long, but they still had a fragile look to them. It was a little endearing...
With that thought I forgot to look away, and he caught me. " Hehe, I know I look awesomer than the one you came in with, but you'll get me in trouble with those stares."
I felt my face heat up immediately. " I-I, uh, I was looking up at the decorations. Aren't they lovely?" I laughed awkwardly to try and sound casual. The look on his face told me he didn't believe me.
" Mhn, what do you like especially about them?" He asked, leaning slightly over me to block my view of the ceiling. All I could see were his bright eyes and quirked up smile. I stuttered for a moment, trying to come up with an intelligent answer, when I felt someone pull me away by the shoulder and hold me tight.
" I would appreciate it if you did not try to seduce my date,sir. There are plenty of eligible women you can romance if you so choose." His face was very stern, and his grip was a little too tight. I didn't say anything though, I didn't want his anger to be taken out on me.
" Well, if you don't want her to be hit on, don't ditch her with another man. Do you blame me? She's quite interesting." His smile had turned to a smirk, and that seemed to make Roderich even angrier. "I did not ditch her, I was merely trying to be a good host.". He closed his arms even tighter, seeming to forget that I was in them. I started trying to get his attention so he would stop but all the sounds were muffled and small. 'He's going to kill me if he's not careful' I thought, feeling a bit dizzy. I think Gil noticed and pointed it out to him. I saw a face with purple eyes directly in front of me, eyebrows scrunched together in worry. I started to say "It's alright, I'll be okay" but my mouth was dry. It was too warm suddenly. I needed to escape.
I tried to back away from him, but he held onto my hands. It was fortunate, because my vision was blurred, kind of how I imagine someone who's drunk or needs glasses but doesn't have them on sees. I was suddenly aware of all the people around me, crowding me in back towards Roderich. He was speaking but I could not understand what he was saying. It had a tone of worry and I just nodded, hoping it was the right response to his words. That was a mistake though, because the head movement brought on a headache stronger than any I'd felt before. I closed my eyes and heard a shout from a familiar voice, and I could almost swear I had the sensation of falling, but I don't remember landing.
How did I get here? Why am I in a group of people, their bodies hot from the layers they wore. Where's Mrs. Charlotte? She can help me figure out what's wrong. She's so kind, and so wise. I bet she could ease the ache. Where is she? Well, I can't find out in this darkness. Why is it so dark? It feels like I'm in a bed. That's so weird, I remember there was dancing people and Roderich and that strange man. I remember being held too tight, not being able to breathe. Then... This. How did I get here?
I opened my eyes, blinking because there was a light on. I moved to rub them to help wake up, and realized I was in a bed under covers. I lifted up the cover to see that I was changed out of my ballroom clothes into pajamas. Not knowing who changed me, I ducked under the cover to the coolness to wait for my blush to fade away. I'm not in my clothes, someone changed me! I really hope it was a female servant... What if it was Roderich? Or even that Gil guy?! No, that would never have been allowed... Still, someone changed me.
I peeked my head back out to see Roderich talking to a servant girl and the case from earlier near the door. They finished their conversation and he turned around to face the bed, smiling lightly. He laughed and told me "I'm glad you're awake, we weren't sure what happened to cause you to pass out. It seemed to be some sort of claustrophobic problem. I'm sorry if I was holding you too tightly, I promise not to be so impolite again." By the time he finished talking he was sitting on the bed beside me, looking at me earnestly. I nodded and replied "Yes, I think that's what happened. Uh, just wondering, why am I in pajamas in bed? And who dressed me?".
" The young lady Veronica is the one who dressed you, and you're in bed because you were tired, silly. Don't you remember the case of clothing your personal servant brought?" His smile was nice enough to normally warm my heart and face, but I just felt cold. ' So that's why the case was passed around behind my back. She was planning a sleepover this whole time!' "I-I see... Thank you so much for letting me use a guest room, I hadn't been told I would be staying the night." I tried to smile brightly but I think it came out a bit scared looking.
His smile fell a bit. " You didn't know? I'm sorry for the surprise... Also, this isn't a guest room, it's mine."
"Yours? If I'm sleeping in your bed though, where will you sleep?" I sat up in the bed, feeling slightly concerned but I wasn't sure why. It didn't dawn on me...
He chuckled awkwardly and answered "Well, I was planning to sleep in this bed as well..." His face was getting reddish, and he was looking away, pretending to be intently interested in the pillows. It was a good thing, he couldn't see the combination embarrassment and horror that was no doubt showing on mine. "I-I can't sleep with you, that would be improper!"- I felt a shuffling on his side of the bed but was looking down at my lap trying to focus on all the reasons it was wrong-" Not that I'm saying I hate you or would have a big problem with us being in the same bed, but it would be bad if we were to snuggle, I mean what if something bad hap-". He cut me off with a kiss, one of our first. I would have been more annoyed if it weren't such a pleasant feeling. He wasn't too harsh but he was firm, closer than he'd been a few seconds ago.
He started to lean forward, causing me to be laid back. I didn't know why he would do that at first until I felt a hand, his, near my hip. "Mnn!" I jerked my head back and tried to push him off me, though when he heard the sound I made he already started backing off.
"I-I'm so sorry, I thought you were willing..." He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. I scooted away and got off the bed, walking over to the window in hopes of the air escaping in to cool me off. I sat with my back to the window, facing him. " I'm not willing to do that yet, it would be a bit too mature for me... It's not that, it's just... Augh. I'm not ready-"
Suddenly hands. Hands at my waist, moving me up and swinging me a bit until I was leaned forward yet off the ground. An arm held onto me tight, squeezing the air out of me that was supposed to be a scream. Scratching and biting didn't help, the arm had long sleeves of a heavy enough material to shield in case of attack.
I couldn't see who was holding me, but I could tell it was a man by the general shape of the arms and the loud laughter. I could kind of see Roderich's face, it was full of anger. He said something that I couldn't hear but sounded like my name, so I said his back and tried to reach for him, hoping that somehow he could pull me free. A hand, I'm assuming the strange man's other hand, covered my mouth, positioning the fingers into a wall that made it too difficult to bite.
" I'll take good care of her, I promise~" Came from the stranger, and I felt the man shift toward the window, which he had quietly opened it seemed. I kicked my feet a little and felt nothing but cold night air. We couldn't back up more, not without falling out the window!
That seemed to be exactly his plan. He took the hand off my mouth long enough to make a gesture to Roderich, then he jumped backwards out of the window into the open space behind us. Inable to find a way to save myself, I had no choice but to fall away from a face I'd grown very fond of and towards the night with a face I've yet to see.
Wooo~. Sorry it took so long in comparison to the other chapters to update to this one, I've been busy with school. Anyways, DUNDUNDUN. I wonder who the kidnapper is~. Heheh.
*Note* There were a few words missing in the italicized section, it's been fixed now. Sorry! Also sorry about the fail-ish AusHun part at the end. Merp.
Again, disclaimer, I do not own the characters' names, appearances and mannerisms, nor do I own the show/webcomic they're referencing. If I did there'd be more solid pairings and more accurate history portrayals~ lawl. Anyways, please enjoy/have enjoyed or not, it's your choice. Comments are appreciated~. Much love to all you Hetalia fans(and others as well), and have a nice day~!