Wild New Chapter appeared! Fire Bear1 used fireball! It's super effective! Fire Bear1 used Pokeball. New Chapter has been captured!

Sorry... I got distracted by the micro fan fics. Ah, well. Hope you enjoy! ^.^

It was dusk by the time Francis returned home. He was rather exhausted from the hasty travelling. The emotions of the day and the thinking he had done on the way home had also taken his toll. The door of the carriage opened and Gilbert helped him out. He thanked him and looked up at his large home; immediately he knew something was happening.

Every room facing the driveway was lit. Watching the windows there was a flurry of activity. Frowning, Francis glanced at Antonio and Gilbert. Both looked rather worried and confused. "Tonio?" Francis questioned.

"I left the cook in charge, Francis," was the reply.

"I wonder what it is she is up to…" Francis mused before moving forward and starting up the steps. As they reached the top, the large doors opened and Heather came rushing out. She headed straight for Gilbert who, as a glance towards the man confirmed, beamed at her.

"Gil!" she exclaimed. "You're back!" The girl looked as though she was struggling with something, most likely whether to hug Gilbert or attend to her duties and greet her master. Her duties won over and she turned to Francis and Antonio and curtseyed. "Young Master; welcome home!"

"Merci beaucoup, Mademoiselle," was the smooth reply. "What is it zat is going on?" he asked, nodding towards the house.

Heather hesitated, clearly uncertain about how much to tell the Frenchman. "The Master and Mistress have returned," she finally told him.

Francis stared at her for a moment before rushing past. He hadn't seen his parents for months and now they had suddenly appeared without an announcing their intent to return. Either there was something wrong or they had a surprise for him. He hoped the sudden unease he had gotten from Heather's worried expression was all for nought…

He soon found that his mother and father were in the drawing room. He rushed in and saw them both looking well. They both had radiant smiles for him as they stood to hug him. However, as Francis drew nearer, he noticed the rings under their eyes and the crows' feet at their eyes. They seemed to have aged considerably since the last time he had saw them. Worried yet deliriously happy, he threw an arm around both of them and they, in turn, wrapped their arms around him in a double embrace.

"Mère! Père!" he exclaimed.

"Mon fils…" breathed his mother happily. "Il a été trop long. "

"Oui," said Francis happily as he pulled away. Once again, he surveyed his parents. His mother's beautiful, long, blonde hair looked dishevelled and rather unkempt; it was falling from its high bun. Her navy blue dress also looked a little worse for wear. Meanwhile, his father's black hair had begun to grey and his bowtie was a little askew. Frowning, Francis reached up and straightened it for him. "Etes-vous bien, ma mère?"

His mother glanced quickly at his father – an action which would have been missed had Francis not been watching for it. "Oui, oui!" she exclaimed, as cheerily as she could. "Nous avons une surprise pour vous!"

Frowning, Francis looked around – and his eyes finally alighted on the back of a head in the chair by the window. "Qui est-ce?" he asked, gesturing towards the chair.

His mother turned to the chair and called out to the person sitting there. "Katyusha, could you come over here, s'il vous plait?"

The head nervously turned in their direction before the person in question rose. She turned and hurried over, nervously wringing her hands, her wide skirt brushing against the table and nearly knocking it from its legs. Her ample bosom was squashed into a corset – it did nothing to stop the enticing bouncing as she walked. Her blonde hair was plaited in a ring around her head, almost like a crown. A worried expression was worn on her face.

"Zis is Mademoiselle Katyusha Braginskaya," said Francis' father. "She is here as our guest."

Braginskaya? thought Francis, frowning for a moment in thought. That sounds like Braginski. Perhaps she is a relative of Ivan's?

Snapping out of his reverie, Francis moved forward and gently took one of the young woman's hands. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle," he said as he brushed his fingers lightly over her knuckles. A thought struck him – before he had met Alice, he would certainly have planted a kiss on the hand and given her a red rose. Now, he wasn't interested in the quiet lady – not even with said ample bosom. Although, it was rather a good one…

Snapping out of his reverie once again, he berated himself. So caught up in his thoughts was he, that he almost missed the woman's greeting.

"Pryvit, pan," she said in her native tongue. "I… I am very pleased to meet you."

Francis gave a nod and a smile before turning back to his parents, raising an eyebrow questioningly. They looked awkward for a moment before beaming at him once again.

"Now zat you are acquainted, let us discuss ze future…" began his mother.

"Future?" said Francis, his breath catching in his throat. This did not sound good…

"Oui!" said his father, smiling. "As you know, we do not condemn your lifestyle. 'Owever… We wish for you to be married at some point. And so, we have, with some difficulty, arranged for you to be wed. It will be very respectable and profitable to both of our families. She has large tracts of land at 'er disposal et isn't she lovely?" The man put his hand gently on Katyusha's shoulder. Katyusha looked up at Francis with fearful eyes. Francis stared back for a moment before looking back at his parents.

"Désolé, mère, père," he said. "I cannot marry her."

"Quoi?!" exclaimed his mother, looking quite alarmed and angry. "Why not?!" she demanded.

Francis smiled dreamily, thinking of Alice, wishing she was here so he could show her off. "I am in love."

"Quoi?" said his father, a calming hand on his mother's shoulder. "Qui?"

"Her name is Alice," said Francis, still smiling despite his father's dark tone. "Alice Kirkland." The effect Alice's full name had on his parents was rather alarming: his mother gasped and fell backwards into the couch, her eyes wide; his father stepped back slightly and struggled to keep his composure. Katyusha looked between them, confused and rather frightened-looking.

"How… How did you meet such a person?" his father finally asked.

Francis looked at them, frowning. "What does it matter 'ow I met 'er?" he said, his own tone darkening.

His father suddenly raised his hand as if to strike Francis. The confused Frenchman flinched, cowering a little until a voice spoke from by the door.

"It was my fault, Senor," said Antonio's voice. Francis turned to look and saw Antonio and Gilbert standing at alert on either side of the door. "I hired her as a maid. Lo siento."

"Und I helped him choose her from other candidates," said Gilbert. Antonio looked a little shocked for a moment before his determined expression returned.

Francis was about to speak, to try to defend his two friends in turn when, suddenly, a scream erupted from the couch. "You did what?! Vous idiots! Incompétent! Dehors! Out!"

"Q-Quoi?! Maman! S'il vous plait, écouter!" Francis cried out, attempting to stop what was happening.

"Non!" screamed his mother. "I will not 'ave zem working 'ere! Zey will leave! And you will marry Katyusha next Sunday coming!" Suddenly, she gasped for breath from her exertions and collapsed onto the couch. Francis' father hurried to her side, a worried look on his face. He shouted for a servant – who had been silently attending the family and their guest – to fetch a doctor. The servant left immediately, and, in the chaos which followed – in which his father told him that his refusal to marry Katyusha was the fault of his mother's collapse and he agreed to the marriage hastily – Francis felt a breath at his neck and a Spanish voice in his ear.

"Do not worry, Senor Francis – we will go to Senora Alice's house and alert her to the situation. She will be able to get you out of this mess, si?" Francis turned to look at him but he had already turned away, Gilbert following with a worried glance at Francis.

Francis then turned his attention back to his mother as he sat by her side, holding her hand while they waited for the doctor. However, not all his thoughts were on her as he wondered if Alice would do anything – if there was anything she could do, that was…

Alice was trying very hard not to notice the awkward atmosphere and conversation between her brother and Alfred. Alfred had elected to stay with the Kirklands until he absolutely had to return home. However, this did not look to be any time soon. Thankfully, Ivan had disappeared, probably back home to Russia.

Concentrating on her stitches in her embroidery, she listened to their tension-filled conversation.

"Well, um… I've been doing stuff," said Alfred, adding a fake laugh and rubbing his neck.

"Have you been keeping up your studies?" asked Arthur, lifting a cup of tea to his lips.

"Ah… Uh… Funny thing… See… Been too busy for that, y'know?"

"I see… In other words, you couldn't bother your fat arse to do any of it."

Behind Alfred, Alice caught sight of Matthew and Kiku grimacing. So he still hasn't gotten over that issue, then, she realised.

"I- That doesn't matter!" cried Alfred, pouting. "What were you up to, then?" he demanded.

Alice paused in her work – that was also something she was curious about. However, her brother never alluded to anything. "It-It's none of your business," he instead said. Alice rolled her eyes and looked back down at her embroidery.

She nearly gasped in surprise when she saw what she had been absent-mindedly doing. In the centre of the piece she had been working so hard on was a large love heart. She had never in her life drawn, knitted or stitched a love heart. Dammit! He's not even here and he's disturbing my embroidery!

At this point, there was a knock on the door and Feliciano bounded in. "Ve!" he exclaimed, cheerily. "Alice has a visitor!"

Alice almost rose out of her seat in alarm. Her heat began to beat faster and her breathing almost stopped completely. He had returned to the house so soon and she hadn't been expecting it. Now, she was worrying about several different things. She looked towards the door, her eyes wide as Feliciano moved out of the way and people were ushered in by Ludwig.

She stared at the people. Antonio and Gilbert were entering the room to stand in front of her, their expression a mixture of seriousness and worry. They bowed to her and she rose from her sitting position – talking to them from her seated position would be too annoying.

"What is it?" she asked. "Where's that French git?" she then snapped, trying to act as she normally had.

The two servants looked at each other before Gilbert sighed and spoke. "Francis is in trouble. His parents came home. They are demanding he marries a girl. A Russian girl. Und Francis has agreed for their sakes. You must do something to help him!"

Alice stared at them. Francis was getting married? But, only a few hours ago, he had been declaring his love for her. He was a man – he could dispute their marriage arrangements quite easily. Why hadn't he done so?

"What… What does that have to do with me?" she demanded.

"He loves you, Senora Kirkland," said Antonio, looking desperate. He told his parents that. They… seemed to know you. They fired us for hiring you and refused to let Francis have his way. Lo siento, pero… Por favour! Help him!"

His parents knew her? Or knew the family? Probably the family, Alice decided. And if they were angry at her having been employed, at her having interacted with their son, they could make life difficult for Francis. They could even cut him off. She didn't want that – she didn't want him to be upset or be hurt. Not by his parents. Not because of her…

Realising the way she was thinking of Francis, she began to blush and she turned her head away, glancing at her brother. He was frowning and, when he noticed her eyes on him, he shook his head and then gave a shrug. His message was obvious to his twin – there was nothing she could do for the moment.

"I'm sorry," she said – and this was a genuine sentiment. "I can't." She sat down and picked up her embroidery, setting about unpicking the heart.

"Aber!" exclaimed Gilbert, astonished. "You are the only one who can! Vhy vill you do nothing?!"

Alice sighed. "Clearly, this is something servants do not understand. I cannot interfere with a family's political happenings. Even more so if they have already arranged to marry their son to someone – both families would then be at a loss." She noticed the despair on their faces and sighed once again. "When is the wedding?" she asked, as casually as possible.

"Sunday next," said Gilbert, his tone moody.

Alice dropped her embroidery and glanced at her brother, her eyes searching for help. Her brother shook his head and rose. "She cannot help you," he said, briskly. "The Kirkland family is not allowed to get involved in situations like this. If you want to stop the wedding, you will have to do something yourselves. Incidentally, please leave."

"Aber!" exclaimed Gilbert once again. "But!" he said again, translating to English this time as Arthur attempted to usher them out. "Ve have novhere to go! You need to help us!" He searched for something to say to convince these harsh nobles and finally landed on it. "Is it not your duty to help us vhen ve are in a time of need?!"

This time it was Arthur who sighed. "Ludwig," he said, tiredly. "Find them something to do and somewhere to sleep." Gilbert and Antonio looked relieved for a moment before they glanced at each other and a worried expression crossed their faces. Alice watched them leave, a concerned look present on her own face. Her brother glanced at her before following the servants. "I am going to write some letters. Please do not disturb me." Alice nodded, trying to brighten her expression a little. However, it was not enough to fool Arthur – nor, even, the usually oblivious Alfred who was left with her, watching her worry…

A few days later, a rather grumpy albino was in the garden within sight of the driveway, struggling to tend to the wintry garden. Grumbling to himself about the work being set by his new employers, he thought of Francis for the hundredth time. He desperately wanted to help his friend but there was nothing he could do at the moment. In fact, he would have to wait until the day of the wedding before sneaking off with Antonio to try to save their Young Master.

The noise of a carriage reached his ears and he came forward to find one rattling along the drive. As it drew closer, he noticed that it had the Bonnefoy's family crest on the side. With a slight gasp, he hurried forward, almost convinced it was Francis. However, a servant emerged instead, clutching an envelope.

"Ja?" said Gilbert, rather testily.

"I am here to deliver a message to Miss Kirkland," was the reply, the servant giving him a haughty look. Gilbert narrowed his eyes before stepping back for the man to have room to walk up to the house. He directed a vulgar gesture to the man's back – much to the amusement of the driver – before following him. When they reached the doors, Gilbert knocked and waited for someone inside to open it, mindful of his dirty hands: when he had used a door on his first day working at this mansion and smeared dirt on the handle, Arthur had been furious. Finally, the door was opened by Ludwig. He looked to Gilbert.

"Ja?" he asked.

"Message for Fraulein Alice," said Gilbert with a grin before the other man could speak. The messenger glared at Gilbert.

"Ah," said Ludwig. He held out his hand. "I vill take zat, danke," he said to the man who looked affronted at not having been allowed in. Reluctantly, he handed the envelope over and spun on his heel. Ludwig, meanwhile, made to close the door before Gilbert stopped the door with his foot.

"Let me in, bitte," he said, looking up at the German with another grin.

Ludwig shook his head. "Nein. You should be vorking."

"But it is from Francis!" said Gilbert, looking up at the taller man with a slight pout.

For a moment, Ludwig surveyed him. Then he sighed and held the door open for him. Once he was inside, the door closed with a heavy thud and Ludwig called out for Antonio. Obediently, the Spaniard appeared. He looked questioningly at Gilbert as they were both told to stand up straight and follow the tall blonde. Gilbert just mouthed the word 'Francis' at him and he nodded his understanding.

They entered the drawing room and the people present glanced up, every one of them: Arthur, Alfred, Alice, Kiku and Matthew. Ludwig bowed to Alice and Antonio and Gilbert followed suit. Then the large German handed over the envelope. Alice glanced from her bodyguard to her new servants, a puzzled expression on her face. Seeing the envelope, however, her eyes widened as she realised what this meant. With a shaking hand, she took the envelope. Her brother rose from his place and hurried over with a letter opener. Alice took it and slit the envelope as quickly as she could. She winced as she nicked her finger. A little annoyed, she shook out the contents and read them quickly.

They all watched as she froze in horror. Arthur began to reach out to her and Alfred had braced himself to rise from his own chair when she suddenly leapt from her seat, angry.

"That bastard!" she snarled, completely losing her composure. "How dare he?! How could he?!"

"Alice?" asked Arthur, an alarmed look on his face. Gilbert and Antonio exchanged glances, confused.

"He's invited me to his bloody wedding! What the bloody hell is he thinking?! That bastard?! Not only that, everyone else is invited, too?! That git! Is he planning to humiliate me there?!" This last question was snapped at Gilbert and Antonio who both shook their heads and raised their hands slightly, defensively. They were at a loss as well – why would Francis invite someone his parents hated and whom he loved to watch him get married to someone else? Perhaps he had finally lost it, as Gilbert often said he would, jokingly…

Alice glared at the paper, scrunched in her fist. Then she smoothed it out – with much difficulty – and set it aside. Sitting back down, breathing a little heavily, she glanced at Ludwig. "I would like some tea," she said, her voice quiet and calm. "Please bring me some."

Ludwig nodded and ushered Gilbert and Antonio from the room. Gilbert strained to look back, wondering what Alice would do now…

In case some of you are wondering: The conversation in French is basically them greeting each other, saying they've been apart for too long, asking if they were well...

Pero = But! in Spanish. Same with Aber!

Écouter = Listen

I think that's it...