disclaimer: APH does not belong to me.

I'm so sorry for the long wait for such a short chapter. Gah don't listen to people saying 'Senior year is the best year!' lol just kidding. It is a fun year, just a lot of things to do.

Anyway I forgot that Austria-Hungary didn't really form into that until some time later (I'll get into the specifics in the nest chapter), but let's just say that Hungary and Austria have strong parental natures.

Thank you so much for all of the reviews! They have been helpful! I'll answer some of the concerns here:

1. Time Period: I am not restricting this to the Elizabethan period, it will go all the way to the late 1700s.

2. Spain will find out about his child way later on.

3. There will be a sequel to this story.

I have a small tiny request, Please play Yiruma's 'Fairytale' while reading this chapter, or just play it when you guys see this: ***

warning: infinite grammar errors.

Alice sat in the room for what seemed like forever. The dark velvet red light embraced her skin as she hugged her legs to her chest. She looked at the broken glass on the floor and pondered how much lighter each one got. She then thought about the weight in her chest. How it felt like it was too heavy to even pump her blood, her thick, polluted blood. She closed her eyes to try to go to her 'happy place' until she realized that she didn't have one. She then sighed and shook her head and laughed. 'Happy Place' would be where ever her mother was, either up in the high heavens or down in the depths of hell. She doubted the latter of the two, for her mother had done everything she could to try and save her, the child that is now occupying the edge of the bed inside a French style home in a French countryside of the French nation. Alice just sat there with a smile on her face. She didn't know why she was smiling, she was just smiling. She kept thinking about the weight inside her chest and wondered what she should do to get it out. Should she cut her chest open and rip the organ out? or should she just take a poison that would make her heart faster until the nerve stops from exhaustion? Alice laughed as she fell back onto the bed, arms splayed out, her foot still touching the floor, reminding her thoughts that she herself is still alive in the real life hell. She then felt her cold fingertips touch the line on her abdomen. How she wanted to tear it open, in hopes that she will find a child there, sleeping. Alice smiled even more, not knowing what caused her think like this. All she knew was that her heart was the cause of the string of thoughts. she then turned to one side and buried her face into a pillow. she began to laugh maniacally, until she heard someone knocking on the door. Alice stopped and silenced herself for a minute. She then realized that tears had been falling off her eyes as she saw the darker shade of color on the fabric. she quickly began to wipe her eyes.

"Angleterre" she heard. She scoffed and shook her head.

"What?" she asked.

"Dinner is ready"

"And?"

"would you please come out? everyone is waiting for you"

"I'm not hungry"

"Then step out of the room for mere courtesy"

"why should I? Just go and eat dinner, my presence is not needed so please, go, I need to rest"

"Alice" France said in a malicious tone. "You are a lady, now get out of your room, and act like it"

"If I am a lady then you would respect my words and leave me alone"

"We have guests"

"I'm not your wife, I do not need to be at every get together you are in, now leave me alone-" Alice stopped when she heard someone running.

"We have guests Alice, you can't be rude-"

"I know that we have guests, now go have supper without me!"
"But mon cher, there is one who refuses to eat without you"

"Who?"

"Alice?" a soft asked behind the door. Alice stopped for a second and looked at the door.

"Does she hear me?" the little voice asked.

"She hears you" France reassures. "Just tell her what you want to say"

"Alice.." The voice said again. "Please have dinner with us! Romano is here! so is Austria! Hungary! Prussia...Spain...it'll be fun!"

"Italy go back to the dining hall" Alice said. She heard Francis shushing the small Italian and patting him on the back.

"You heard him, he wants to eat dinner with you"

"Italy..." Alice said. "He's too nice" she said as she took her robe off. "Give me a minute Francis, I need to change." Alice said.

Romano was sitting on the chair in the dining hall. He was looking at his utensils and empty plate. "Who are we waiting for?" he asked.

"a whor-"

"Alice" Hungary said, speaking over the Spaniard. She watched as Romano's eyes seemed to gleam with hope. Next thing they knew, the door opened, Romano quickly turned his head to look. He was a bit disappointed as he saw France and his twin.

"She is on her way"

"My, how do you know what will work against her?" Hungary asked. France shrugged.

"Alice is kind of weak against kids, she has a heart around them" he said.

"Maybe she just wants to keep them pure" Prussia said with a smirk. "She was stained at a very young age after all" he finished. France gave Prussia a glare. A few moments later, the door opened again, this time it was Alice. Spain looked over, he was about to stand up, but Francis beat him to that. Francis rushed to her side and took her hand, kissing the back of it first, and then lead her to her chair. Once she sat, he pushed the chair in, and as if by instinct, the servants came in with the food. Romano heard his brother squeal in joy as the main dish was pasta.

"What got all of you to come here?" Alice asked, not even touching her food.

"Curious" Spain said.

"Same" Prussia said.

"Italy wanted to visit" Austria said.

"I was bored" Monaco said.

"Curious?" Alice asked, still not touching her food. Spain looked away and shrugged. Hungary sighed at the sight, she then looked at Austria. All he could do was looked at Hungary across the table and give her an apologetic smile. Hungary smiled back, but then looked over at Alice.

"So, how have you been?" she asked. Alice quickly broke her gaze from the dark sky to look at the Hungary.

"I've been well, how about you?" she asked. Hungary shrugged.

"Pretty good I guess, I am more worried about you though"

"Who wouldn't be?" Prussia asked, looking up from the dish to look at Alice. "You practically refused to see anyone until now"

"I was taking care of internal country issues, all of us had to go through that" Alice said reassuringly. "I was busy trying to work things out in my country, with all of the war cries and what not"

"I heard of your poet" Austria said. "I was wondering if I could watch any of his productions"

"You are always welcome to see their productions" Alice said. France gave her a sigh when he looked at her plate. All Alice could do was smile apologetically at him. "I can arrange his company to do a private play, of course, that would have to come with some fees"

"I'll be more than happy to provide the money, they do need an income of some sort"

"I'll inform him right away" Alice said.

"Find the most child friendly one" Austria said. Alice covered her smile with her hand and nodded.

"I'll try"

After that small conversation was absolute silence. It was just full of silverware clinking and clanking. Romano couldn't help but notice how Alice would just look out, the sun, which already has set, still shown some light, giving the sky a tint of red.

"Orion will be visible tonight" Romano said out of nowhere. Spain cleared his throat while he was looking at the child. Alice broke her gaze from the sky and looked at Romano.

"Why yes, he will be visible tonight" she said. Romano just looked at her, he smiled when he saw a familiar silver chain.

"Will there be some dancing tonight?" Italy asked.

"Italy..." Holy Rome began. Alice stared at Francis, the man was putting his silverware down.

"That depends, would you like to dance tonight?"

"if it's not a bother-"

"Italy" Austria interfered. "You don't need to have a dance tonight, I can very well tell that Alice is tired, and so are you France"

"It's not a trouble, I think my servants would love to dance" At this Alice saw the servant's eyes gleam, and smiles spreading across their faces.

"Alice can play the violincello if she's too tired to dance"

"You play?" Romano asked, raising himself to have a clearer view of Alice.

"Alice looked away, and glared at Francis, Ireland said that I needed something to do, so she got Francis to get me one"

"She can play the harp too"

"DANCE! DANCE!" Italy chimed.

"Romano sit down!" Spain said, at this Italy stopped and stared at Spain.

"Can Spain play the guitar too?" Italy asked, practically jumping on his chair. France let out a laugh and nodded, "What ever you like Italy" Elizabeta smiled and grabbed the Italian and place him on her lap.

"Calm down Italy, you might just get us tired by your energy"

"indeed he will" Austria said. At this France got up and signalled everyone to stay where they were seated.

"I'll get the ballroom ready" he said. As soon as he exited, Alice could feel the atmosphere. Everyone was looking at her, and if not at her, Spain. Even Italy was silent.

"So Alice...how is everything?" Hungary asked, hugging Italy tighter. Alice knew what Hungary was trying to do. The girl was trying to get Alice to show how life has really been since Spain left, something Alice didn't want to show. Only Hungary knows too. Alice closed her eyes and tried to forget how Hungary found out.

It was a hot day, something out of England's weather. England was laying on her bed again, she couldn't move. She felt something sticky and warm soaking her hand. She just sighed, she already knew what it was, she already knew what she needed. She just layed on her bed, her left arm over her head, sweating. Did she get a fever again? She couldn't tell, if she does, this is her tenth time in the past month. A fever, it will probably only last for an hour or so, but Alice didn't care. All she cares about right now is her Queen. How is she faring? Alice just let out another sigh and closed her eyes. She was trying to sleep, trying to pass off as if her stitches weren't open. Next thing she knew she heard someone yelling. A girl. Alice just stared at her door, she held on tighter to the clothe above her abdomen, She let out another sigh when she heard Ireland.

"YOU CAN'T SEE HER RIGHT NOW! SHE'S BUSY!"

"I KNOW YOU ALL ARE HIDING SOMETHING!" the voice said. Alice blinked. A female, who knew her condition. Did someone say something? Alice sighed and propped herself up. She winced at the pain on her abdomen, but she managed to stand up. She took a couple of breaths, but she willed herself to find out what the commotion is about. She let out a sigh when she felt her foot touch the cold floor, she didn't even bother looking for her slippers. Alice chuckled as she thought of her sight. If the person visiting her was a human, boy would they be in for a bloody surprise. Alice just laughed and stood up. It took her some time to adjust to the pain but she then turned, she pressed her hands on the edge of the bed, using it as a guide. Before she let go of the edge, she grabbed the chair, brought it close to her, and leaned on it, slowly moving it to where she wanted to go. Alice kept her focus outside.

"LISTEN! THE FACT THAT GILBERT JUST SCOWLED WHEN I SAID HER NAME AND ASKED HOW SHE IS IS A SIGN! NOW LET ME SEE HER SO I CAN ASSESS ON HOW BADLY I HAVE TO BEAT UP THAT SPANISH BASTARD!" the voice yelled. Alice let out a sigh, leave it to Prussia to show his emotions.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO SEE HER? WHAT'S THE WORST I CAN SEE?" the voice yelled again.

"Elizaveta, please calm down, Alice...is just really tired, we might wake her up" Next thing Alice knew, the door flew open. Alice just blinked for the first seconds, she was about to grab the doorknob, so her abdomen was leaning on the chair. She then looked up, her eyes meeting Hungary's. All she could offer was a smile. In return, Hungary shed tears.

"ALICE WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP?" Scotland yelled from behind, who was, apparently bringing Alice food. He quickly passed by Hungary, set the tray down on the side table by Alice's bed, and quickly carried Alice to her bed. He let out a scowl when he found blood all over the bed.

"How long have you been bleeding?" he asked. Alice shrugged. "You need to stop moving, the physics are getting really suspicious about what you really are, Now sit here...no.. LAY HERE, and STAY HERE, while I go get another-" Alice grabbed Scotland's arm and shook her head.

"No, they report to Elizabeth, and she asks about me" she briefed. Scotland just blinked.

"Then what do you suggest? just let you bleed?"

"Get Michael"

"Just because he's your butler doesn't mean he does everything for you-"

"I heard my name?" someone said as they knocked. Scotland let out a chuckle.

"Michael get your medical kit, she needs stitches again" Ireland said. Hungary looked at Ireland, then at Scotland, then at Alice. She kept looking at each other, all in a triangular motion.

"again?" Hungary asked. She then looked at Ireland. "Exactly what happened?" she asked. Ireland sighed, she looked at Alice, who in return shook her head. Hungary looked at Alice.

"What happened?" she asked, this time, her voice quivering with anger.

"I'll only tell you if you don't tell anyone else, and promise to keep it to yourself" Alice said. Hungary nodded, got down to one knee, and bowed.

"I promise" she said, she then looked up and looked at Alice straight in the eyes. She watched as Scotland hesitantly let Alice go, allowing Alice to quickly go to Hungary.

"Stand up, you needn't do that" she said. Hungary just stared. The whole time Alice told

Hungary what happened, the woman had to be pinned down to the ground by both Michael and Scotland.

"NO LET ME BEAT UP THAT IDIOT" she would yell, Alice would be forced to stay on her bed and yell at the top of her lungs.

"NO PLEASE HE DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW-"

"OH BELIEVE ME THAT ASSHOLE WILL KNOW-"

"ENOUGH!" another voice tore the room. There on the doorway was Gilbert. He was furious.

"What are you doing here?" he asked Hungary. Hungary just looked away. "I told you to stay away from here"

"You're that asshole's best friend, how can you keep such a secret from him?"

"Because I can, now can all of you calm down so that Alice can calm down?"

"You're awfully nice to her, like her or something?" Hungary teases. Gilbert scoffed.

"If you're going to stay here then help out" he said as he walked to Alice, he pushed her down gently on the shoulders. "Now just lay down, let me stitch your wound back up okay?" he asked. Alice just stayed, she was too tired. "Elizaveta, can you fetch a bowl of water? and clean clothe?" he asked. Hungary nodded, she stood up. On her way to getting the requested items, Hungary was accompanied by Ireland.

"Aren't you in pain as well?" Ireland asked. Hungary blinked, and then she looked up.

"I guess you can say that...I mean I am getting attacked left and right..."

"Why did you really come here?" Ireland asked.

"Spain asked me to check on her...he was thinking that Alice may need more female company..."

"So came here for a favor?"

"I was interested too, I mean Alice would always be on the war front...but lately...she's been missing"

"would you do the same?" Ireland asked.

"excuse me?"

"Would you do the same? When you, per say, get married to someone who you really couldn't agree with, would you... learn to love them for the way they are?" Ireland asked.

"Yes" Hungary said. "I mean you would be stuck with them, so why not? learn to love their faults, as long as they learn too...it will make life seem more bearable that way.

"Do you feel that way towards a person right now?" Ireland asked. At this Hungary tried to hide a blush.

"If you do get married, but end up in a divorce...what would you have done differently?"

"I would have told him about the child" Hungary said. "I would try to...stay by their side still" Hungary said. "Until I know that they can or I can move on" she said. "But, If I do get married, I would do my best to cherish that person, to be true, to be there for them, to make sure that they feel like they're complete and not alone" she said. "But who am I to say that? I'm not even married yet" she said.

"The boy you like...is it Gilbert?" Ireland asked as she grabbed a pan. She looked back to see Hungary surprised.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked. Ireland shook her head.

"woman's intuition" Ireland said. "Alice senses it too, are you going to confess?"

"I don't know the way things are going, I'm more focused on myself for the time being"

"Best of luck"

"Thank you"

Next thing Alice knew was someone clearing their throat. She cleared her mind from the flashback and looked at the direction of the sound. There she found Spain. She looked around the dining hall, it was just her and Spain.

"Where did everyone-"

"Ballroom"

"Why did they leave you here?"

"I don't know, all I remember is them telling me to stay here with you, and escort you to the room"

"I didn't need anyone to escort me-"

"Not by the circumstances presented earlier today" Spain said cutting her off.

"You use to be so courteous" Alice whispered. Spain died a bit inside.

"To ladies" he said.

"What do you see me as?" Alice asked. Spain dreaded the question.

"A monster" my wife.

"Really? why did you put up with me then?"

" Because I wanted to keep what's mine, mine" Because I love you

"Were you that worried about your Low Countries?"

"Yes" You are my prize possession

"If you detest me so much then why are you putting up with me?"

"Out of courtesy" Stop asking these questions.

"I can go to the Ballroom alone-" As soon as Alice tried to stand up, she bumped into Spain. He trapped her in the chair by placing his hands on the armrests of the chair. Alice just looked up, her emerald eyes meeting his dark olive ones.

They just sat there, not moving, faintly they could hear the music. The slow violin, playing a melancholic tune. They both felt it, how their breathes became uneven, how their hands kept fidgeting, wanting to move, wanting to grab each other. How they wanted to embrace each other. But this, all in it's entirety, is war. The first one to give in to their temptation is the loser. The person on the other will retaliate with rejection, leaving the other scarred again. How Spain wanted to hold Alice's fragile body in his arms, but he knew that if she were to fall for him again, she would break, fall apart and disappear. He knew that if he breaks her heart yet again, it would granting Alice the right to die, the right to leave. Spain just stood there, he gulped and closed his eyes. Alice just sat there, nervously fidgeting, her finger aching from fidgeting and lacing themselves to the ribbons of the dress. Just as Spain closed his eyes, Alice panicked. She looked at the candles behind the Spaniard, the light doesn't have left. She closed her eyes, wishing that it was a dream.

They felt their noses touch. Alice felt Spain quickly moved his face so that his left cheek would touch her right cheek. She felt his head go down, trembling, and then resting on her shoulder. Alice kept her finger and hand still, she wanted to grab him into an embrace. To hug his form and to receive the action back. She just kept still, she could feel the Spaniard move, this time their foreheads were touching. She moved her head up, their nose now touching. She could feel it, how they were moving closer to each other, how their lips were close. Alice shivered when she felt his breath collide against her lips, they were chap. Again she shivered when she felt his lips gets close to hers. Suddenly he withdrew. Alice's eyes flew open, she looked forward and saw Spain walking away from her, he was pulling his hair. Alice just sat there.

"You enchantress" he hissed. "GET UP AND JUST GO TO THE BALLROOM DAMMIT" he said. At this Alice stood up and quickly made her exit. Spain looked at her as she walked past him, her eyes were glossy. As soon as she was out of sight Spain fell on his knees and covered his mouth. One of his hands was still holding on to the table.

"You know that will only confuse her more" a voice said. Antonio looked up and saw Gilbert entering the room from the kitchen entrance.

"How long were you there?"

"The whole time"

"Why didn't you say a word! YOU KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO GET CAUGHT IN THE MOOD-"

"because I wanted to see if you would go through" Gilbert said.

"Why the hell are you here anyways?"

"I was checking up on you two, making sure that both of you are 'fine'"

"Well thank you you could've stepped in and ruined the moment"

"I didn't want to"

"SHE'S PROBABLY CONFUSED NOW! YOU SHOULD'VE STEPPED IN"

"I did not want to"

"what?"

"I did not want to step in"

"Why not?"

"I wanted to see how things would go...if it would get you thinking"

"What?"

"And it did, admit it you still love her"

"I can't adore her" Spain said as he looked where Alice was headed. "I can't bare to adore her more than I did once."

"You're scared"

"So what if I am, I want to keep her happy, and trust me Gilbert, her happiness is not with me"

"What makes you think that?"

"She's more miserable when she's around me!"

"Why would she be so miserable around you? She recently beat the crap out of your armada, so tell me, why would she feel horrible instead of happy? I honestly would feel really powerful after beating the shit out of your armada, I would celebrate it every night, but no, instead, she went home, disappeared from the face of the earth for a year or so, and changed, she's worst than before, she's ruthless again, but at the same time she's weak, she's been more keen, more sensitive than usual. Now tell me that those are signs of her being happy for breaking away from you, Just tell me"

"I won't let her fall for me. I'm a monster Gilbert, I'd rather have someone else take care of that Rose"

"You say that but watch, you'll visit that Rose garden as much as you can, all to get a glimpse of her, c'mon they're expecting you to escort her, Hungary will ask her what happened you know. Then you'll be in real trouble."

"I don't think I want to go to the ball room"

"What's that?" Prussia asked as he was turning around. Spain was standing up and he looked at Prussia.

"I don't want to go to the Ballroom, I don't want to see her dancing with another man, if I do...I might just grab her and cage her with me, please Gilbert, don't make me go to that room" Spain asked. Prussia sighed and hugged his friend.

"Why must both of you make this complicated?" he asked. Spain let out a small laugh and shrugged.

I'm so sorry that I have to cut it off there.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this fiction! Tell me what you think!

What's coming up in the next couple of chapters:

-Hamlet: the play will bug Antonio, (Denmark will be in that chapter)

Again, thank you so much!