A/N: I realize that almost all the human names for the countries have last names, but I didn't feel like deciding which last names stuck where so I'm just using their first names, and what seems to be the acceptable nyotalia names. Also, some might be spelled differently, like Felix instead of Feliks. I'll specify who's who at the end of this chapter.
He was chattering about various people in the town and I aimed to keep up. Rosa and Francis have a son and a daughter, Lovino and Ramona, there's a young man named Eduard who is the town's blacksmith, he likes a girl known as Kat, who has a couple of younger siblings, a boy and a girl Gilbert doesn't know well. There's some couples, sometimes two men, like Toris from the East and a local named Felix, a man and a woman like Peter and Michelle, a cute young couple, and sometimes two women, like Lily and Vera. I almost had a map in my head of various couples. There's still a lot of unspoken for people romantically, such as Gilbert's friend Mattias. That guy has a few people he's 'after' though,according to Gil. Small town romance is so ridiculous.
I didn't notice where we were going. Honestly, I stopped thinking Roderich was going to save me. I mean, we didn't know each other that well. I really liked him, but he was so chill most of the time. I don't mind if a person is quiet, but he was just so darn shy. Except in the bedroom. I know thinking about this makes my face change back to a bright red color, but I have to address it at some point, why not now? He was sweet at first and when he apologized, but in between... That was a little scary. I've been around boys a lot, I was raised not very far away from the young men of my castle ( probably because Father knew I was stronger than them and would never fall for any of them) but I wasn't used to that expression. I felt like a rabbit while he was a snake. My heart had been pounding, my face had felt so hot, and him being there, although scary, felt kind of right, like we were meant to do that.
I wonder what would have happened if Gilbert didn't kidnap me. Would Roderich have backed off for the night, or would he have waited until I was sleepier and less likelier to reject him? Most people don't know, but I get really cuddly at night. The woman I talked to about it said it was something to do with losing my mother, I would seek for a suitable warm body in my sleep who would comfort me like she did when I was very little. It's not that I don't agree with some of that counsel, but it makes me sound like a needy child. I can take care of myself, I need no man or woman.
If I were still there, would there be another party today and tonight? Maybe they would have moved my belongings into the castle Chitleveres while I slept. I wouldn't put it past Mrs. Charlotte... I miss her so much. I miss her, Father, all the people of my castle. From my home...
My thoughts must have registered on my face, because Gil asked "Are you alright, there? I know a new home must be a weird thought, especially if you've grown up in one castle for your whole life."
I looked up, knowing I had a couple tears on my cheeks. He backed up a little, frowning. "Uh, uhm, there there? It will be okay...?" His clueless but worried look made me laugh a little, snuffling. He sighed and came closer, hugging me. His bird fluttered off his head to nuzzle my ear, making me laugh more.
" I'll be okay, I just really miss my home. Well, my home, my personal servant Mrs. Charlotte, my father..." I almost said Roderich, but couldn't bring myself to say his name, feeling torn between an awkward crush, maybe love, and resentment for being in my mind so much. I know Gil knew what I was going to say by the type of frown he had now. It was a bitter hate he had, and I wanted to know why.
" Your future would-be husband too, huh?" The sharp tone of his voice hurt for some reason. " You wish you were back in that room, right? About to commit the act reserved for newlyweds. You know, even if he seems smart, if he seems to know everything, he doesn't! He doesn't know how to love others, not like I-" as soon as it began, the outburst died. With a huff he detached from me entirely, crossing his arms(still carrying things) and looking straight forward.Gilbird nipped my ear and flew back over to rest atop Gilbert's head.
We walked in silence from then on.
Riding and riding, the only comfort knowing she'd be at the end of this journey. We're passing town after town, but none that stand out as somewhere he'd go. Kearn, Domun, Shular, all tiny towns with no more than fifty people each. Until we reach that old castle where I'm sure he's hiding her, I'm not going to bother with minor distractions. I can't afford to waste time. Who knows how much of the past he's told her already?
The last section is Austria/Roderich's PoV, in case it's unclear.
First, the names:
Rosa: fem!Spain
Francis: France
Lovino/Ramona: normal and fem!S. Italy
Eduard: Estonia
Kat(yusha): Ukraine
Toris: Lithuania
Felix(Feliks): Poland
Peter: Sealand(as a somewhat adult in this)
Michelle: Seychelles(same as Sealand)
Lily: Liechtenstein
Vera: fem!Switzerland
Mattias: Denmark
If you don't know who Gilbert, Roderich, and Elizabeta(the storyteller) are go back and read the other chapters haha. Thanks so much for reviews! SoulMistress12, you're the one motivating me to post another(and another and another) chapter XD. Don't be afraid to review,other folks! I love reading reviews. Even if it's just, "hey, I like/dislike your story", it's nice. Anyways, have a nice day/night~!