disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia
The time period is currently 1601-1605 or when Hamlet was first enacted. (Quite honestly I could not find the exact year)
I'm really sorry for the long wait, The other stories have been going under cruel editing and history research (sepcifically 'What They Don't Know Can't Hurt Them' and 'Dreams') I am planning to release another story this time it being fem!UKxJapan, all shrine and spirits and stuff (The product of me being sleep deprived, watching some documentaries on Japanese folklore, reading Japanese Folklore and reading 'Black Bird'.
Pardon the horrible grammar and I hope you guys enjoy the story.
note: I am changing Denmark's name to the official 'name', so instead of using the name Mathias, I will be using the 'Lucas'.
Italy hummed a soft tune as they walked through the street. It's been years, in fact it's already 1601. Austria sighed as he felt Italy tug on his sleeves harder.
"LOOK HE'S THERE!" Italy yelled as he saw his elder twin brother. Italy quickly let go of Austria's hand and ran to Romano, who in return nearly fell back into the ground. Spain let out a laugh as he caught the two. He looked up to see Austria.
"Amigo, What are you doing calling us to go out here? In this country?" He asked. Austria pointed to the Theatre behind Antonio.
"I heard of a play" he said. "And I didn't want to trouble Alice for the reservations, so I just came here, of course France found out and decided to invite Europe" he said. Spain laughed as he picked up the two Italians.
"Where is France?" he asked.
"He went ahead with Hungary and Prussia to see if the talk was true" as soon as Austria said that Prussia came from behind. He was panting.
"There's a play alright" he said. Austria raised a brow and looked at the Prussian.
"Mind telling us what happened Gil?" Spain asked.
"Well, let's just say that we saw a certain Dane" he whispered.
"Denmark?" Spain asked. "He's here too?" he asked.
"Yes, apparently he's going to watch the play with Alice" Spain looked at Prussia.
"... Denmark...here...to see a play?" he asked. Prussia nodded and sighed.
"Hungary is currently looking for Alice" France said as he ran back to Austria. Austria shook his head, "we can't really go unless they're here"
"I assume that you have brought Holy Rome along" Spain said out loud.
"IT'S IMPOSSIBLE" Hungary yelled from the top of her lungs. "THAT WOMAN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHASE"
"Why were you chasing her anyways?" France asked.
"I don't know, I felt compelled to make her join us to watch" she said in between breaths. At this, Prussia took a dizzy Holy Rome from Hungary.
"And you had a child with you". The crowd suddenly quieted when they heard a loud sound, they turned to the Globe Theatre and watched as the flag was slowly raised.
"We should go" Spain said.
Hungary looked around as they sat in their booth.
"Can you please calm down?" Prussia asked. Hungary shook her head. She later calmed when Austria put his hand over hers. She sighed and nodded. France looked down, the masses of the paupers that came to see the show was intimidating.
"Any idea on what this play is about?" France asked Spain as he leaned towards the Spaniard. Spain shrugged.
"From What I've been hearing, it's about a Danish Prince" Austria whispered.
"That explains why Denmark is here" Spain whispered.
"What's that?" Hungary asked as he looked up from the front row. Spain shook his head. He looked up, only to see a sight. Denmark holding Alice so tenderly. They both had smiles on their faces, in fact when the Dane noticed the Spaniard; he leaned down and gave Alice a quick peck on the cheek. Alice responds by laughing and dismissing the man's action and prompted him to sit down. Spain watched as the Dane's position was as if he was worried about the Spaniard getting close to the Englishwoman. Alice caught on to Denmark's acts and looked where his gaze landed. There she saw Spain, at first she tensed, but seemed to calmed when She felt the Dane's hand over hers. She looked at Denmark and smiled, the Dane smiled in return.
Spain sat uncomfortably in his seat. Not only was the play not kid-friendly, but at the same time the woman, that went by the name Ophelia seemed to unease him. She was too familiar, she seemed to much like Alice. How she was obedient, just like Alice was when she finally accepted the fact that she was in French control. Throughout the play he caught sights of Alice staring at him, their eyes locking until Denmark would snap Alice out of her gaze. He whispered something in her ear. Spain would look away. Sometimes Romano would stare at Spain, and then at Alice. France did not miss this notion and sighed.
"Ophelia is rather too weak is she not?" He asked. Spain looked at France then looked at Alice.
"I hope that this girl gets a little bit stronger" He whispered. France hid a smile as he looked back at the play.
"GET THEE TO A NUNNERY!" Spain jumped when he heard the actor screech out the lines. He looked and saw the 'woman' again. Ophelia seemed confused. Spain leaned forward, trying to hear what Hamlet has to say. He couldn't help but tear his eyes off the players to look at Alice, who was in fact, seemed to be wrapped into the whole play on its own. He then looked to see Denmark eyeing him, glaring in fact. Spain broke his stare and looked back at the scene unfolding. Still, the Prince is pretending to be mad. He heard France sigh right next to him. He looked at him with puzzling eyes, France smiled and motioned him to move closer to him. Spain did so willingly.
"This Prince is rather bold" France whispered. "He is not afraid to hurt the one he is truly interested in to keep her safe." He whispered.
"Yes, but couldn't he just warn her?"
"She is spineless, truly showing that a woman who only follows what she's told is dangerous for her own good" France continued. "I'm really relieved really" France said. Spain raised a brow.
"About what?" he asked.
"That girl and Alice now have something different" France said. Spain's eyes widened.
"how is she different from Alice?" he asked.
"because Alice can act on her own when she grew up, this Ophelia girl is old enough to act on her own."
"When she grew up?" Spain asked. France smiled and shook his head.
"I forgot that you only saw her when she was under Roman control" he whispered.
"HEY! HEY! HEY!" Prussia began. France and Spain looked at him.
"What is it Gilbert?" Spain asked. Prussia smiled and motioned for the two men to come closer to him.
"I have this great idea, that'll it get Alice really surprised" he whispered
"What is it mi amigo?" Spain asked.
"WHY DON'T BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP" he screeched. Hungary looked back at them. She then raised a brow and stared at Spain.
"I know seeing her with another man for a day is painful, but really Antonio?" she asked.
"IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HER" Spain whispered.
"Sure it doesn't" Hungary whispered. "You've done nothing but look across the booth to stare at her, I mean look at her, she's just like a child who has not seen a play" Hungary said. Spain looked across to see Alice leaning over the edge, of course Denmark held her hand, but he was leaning with her. She smiled as the events unfolded and looked at Denmark to talk about the play. 'Is it really like that?" Spain read out of her lips. He watched as Denmark shrugged and hugged her. Alice pushed herself away from him, but still held onto his shirt. She was amused, she then turned to Denmark again. "I don't remember any of this when I was under your control". At this he watched Denmark chuckle. "Don't worry about it" Denmark mused. Alice just looked back at the play.
"She's really amused as you can see" Hungary said. Spain tore his eyes away from her and looked. "Seriously, it's like she wasn't a child-"
"SHHHHHHHH!" Italy, Romano, Holy Rome, and Austria hissed as they turned to look them. Hungary looked at the four of them and shrugged.
"I'll explain later" France sighed. Spain was unsettled for the whole duration of the play. All he could think of was Alice. Everytime Ophelia would sing a song, make an appearance, he would see Alice. Hungary kept an eye on the Spaniard. She held his hand and smiled at him. Spain just blinked.
Spain sat by a brook. He had Romano, who was slowly getting lulled to sleep, on his lap. He had his guitar, Netherlands on the other side, who had also fallen asleep, and Belgium right next to him. He looked over to see Belgium, her head on his shoulders, with a small smile. He looked up to see the sunlight was being blocked by the leaves of the trees. He smiled, but there was something off. Romano stirred and looked up at him.
"Keep her away from the water" he murmured. Spain looked at the child. Something caught his peripheral vision. Something was drifting in the water. He looked and found that it was a cream colored dress, there was some gold beads. Spain looked forward, only to find that the cloth was part of something much larger. He gently put Romano on Belgium's lap, he tried to move, but Romano stopped him.
"You mustn't follow it" he said. Spain looked at him, he ignored Romano and kissed his
forehead. Spain ignored the sleepy Romano and called for him. Spain did nothing but ignore him. He kept following the cloth, the river current was strong. Spain nearly ended his chase after the cloth until he saw something up ahead the stream. A tudor rose. Spain gazed at it, he didn't know that the rose existed in real life. He looked up ahead, only to find some of the petals floating on the water. He kept his gaze on the river and saw a tudor rose on something. He quickly ran to it. As he progressed he saw the water slowly getting dyed with red. When he caught up to the end of the trail he saw someone floating. He rushed to it only to stop when he saw the face. Her ash blonde hair was floating around her, caressing whatever it touched. He froze right there, but he leaned down and tried to touch her face;
Sweets to the sweet: farewell!
I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,
And not have strew'd thy grave.
The moment he heard the voice, his hand recoiled and looked at the scene in front of him. He realized the dress, it the dress, It wasn't just another clothing, but it was her wedding dress, the wedding dress she wore for the day of their Union, the happiest day of his life. He just stared at the figure, trying to repressed tears. Out of instinct, he grabbed her, trying to cradle her in his arms, he tried to say words, but he could not utter them. Suddenly, she began to crumble into pieces, Spain was horrified and tried to hold onto what he had left, in due time, he screamed for her name, to wake up, to wake up...
"ALICE!" Antonio yelled from the top of his lungs. Everyone in the seating area looked at him. Hungary reached for his hand, but he moved it away from her quickly. He looked across the theatre to find Denmark glaring at him and Alice nervously staring at him. He noticed how Denmark had an arm around Alice, she seemed stressed, unwell, and Spain swore he saw her shook. He then looked around everyone and gave them a smile, Hungary smiled and cleared her throat. Alice then stood up and looked over the balcony, she found the actors looking at her and she nodded, the play resumed.
The moment the play was over, Spain stood up, only to be grabbed by Hungary.
"You're going with us" she said as she pulled him towards the exit. Austria had Italy and Holy Rome in his arms while France had Romano. Romano constantly looked over to the other side, keeping an eye on Alice. He watched as the Dane put on a light blue coat on her. He watched as he tied the ribbon and put the hood on her. Soon Romano saw Denmark put on a velvet red coat. The moment the Dane put an arm around Alice and disappeared from the crowd. At this Romano drew a breath and yelled as loud as he could.
"ALICE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH THIS FRENCHMAN!" At these he saw two people stop, Alice looked to her side and saw Romano. She then looked at Denmark who shook his head and tried to tug her back into the crowd. Alice complied and once again disappeared into the mass of people. At this Romano wriggled himself out of Francis' grip and ran. Spain did not miss this and managed to get his wrist free from Hungary's hold to run after the child.
"I HAVE TO GET ROMANO" he yelled as he followed the child into the sea of people.
"This way" Denmark said he pulled Alice into a tight turn.
"but Romano is running after us Lucas" Alice whispered. "What if the child-"
"Antonio would not let Romano run around this place, he's surely going after him right now"
"But what if Romano gets lost, we need to find him-"
"Alice, I have direct orders from your Queen to bring you back safely to your home right after the play-" At this Alice heard a voice. She turned around and ran to Romano the moment she saw him. Denmark couldn't help but smile when he saw Alice embracing the child.
"We were worried about you!" Romano said. "Ever since the last time I saw you at France's house, I couldn't stop thinking about the night when all of us fell asleep right next to each other" he said hugging Alice tighter. Alice smiled and kissed the child on the forehead.
"Romano" she said. "You must, forget about that, I'm not...I can't come back...you know I can't...Spain and I...we were just...just..." Alice tried to find the word.
"Just what?" Romano asked.
"Just not meant for each other" she said.
"TELL ME THAT WHEN YOU FIND ANOTHER MAN THAT YOU CAN BE HAPPY WITH!" Romano yelled. Denmark smiled, and looked at the two. Suddenly he heard footsteps.
"LOVINO!" he yelled. At this Romano looked back but his grip on Alice got tighter.
"I don't want to go" he whispered.
"LET GO OF HIM YOU WITCH" Antonio said. Alice felt Romano flinch when he heard Antonio's words. "He doesn't mean a single word" Romano whispered to Alice. Suddenly Alice hugged Romano tighter when she heard the sound of a sword leaving its scabbard. Alice covered Romano's head as she look at Denmark walking in front of her.
"That's where you stop" he said in a cold tone. Spain was quick to retaliate by bringing out his sabre and pointed it at the Dane.
"I only want the boy" he said.
"You think you'll get the boy when you insult a lady of the court?"
"Give me the boy" Spain hissed.
"You see, right now, my main concern is the lady my Spanish friend, if you want your little boy then you would do your best to distance yourself right now" Denmark said. Spain looked at Romano and then at Alice. He put his sword down.
"Now, you must apologize to the lady-"
"That would be unnecessary" Alice said she pushed Romano to Spain. Spain put his sabre back into its scabbard as the Dane did and just looked at Alice. He watched as Alice stood up and pushed Romano gently towards Spain. "I'm use to those comments" she finished. Denmark then wrapped an arm around her and tried to turn back to direction of Alice's house; that is until he felt something hit the back of his head. He looked back and saw, not only Spain, but France. Spain was glaring at the Frenchman, who was smiling. Alice turned around to see what was holding the Dane from walking and then noticed something on the ground. It was a glove. She watched as Denmark walked to it.
"Luca-" Alice tried to stop him but she was silenced when he stood up with the glove in his hand.
"Alice, you know what this means right?" he asked. Alice looked away and nodded.
"Even though we are in the times of kings and armies, we don't have knights anymore-"
"So you're going to reject this challenge?" France asked.
"Challenge? What is there for you two to fight for here? Surely it's not Alice-"
"Oh but it is" France said with a smile.
"Fine France, I will accept your challenge-"
"He was not the one who threw the glove" Antonio said. Alice took a step back, but she stopped when the Dane looked at her.
"What could possibly want?" Denmark asked looking at Spain.
"Why would it matter to you?" Spain asked back, this time he was glaring.
"Why?" Denmark smirked. "I'm responsible for this young lady" He said. France and Spain knew what that meant instantly. "So of course I would care about why someone like you would want anything to do with the lady you just insulted." he said.
"A talk, just a talk" Spain said.
"You wouldn't throw a gauntlet if you wanted a talk" Denmark said. He then drew out his sword out of the scabbard. "You want more than just a talk"
"You just said that you were responsible for her,that means if I wanted something then I would need to get through to you first" Spain said as he took out his sabre. "Francis get Romano and Alice away from here" he hissed. Denmark smirked, he was about to charge until Alice got in front of him. She had her arms out to her side and she looked at Spain.
"Even though he did take your challenge, I still have a say in this matter" she said. She looked at Spain. "This is not a suitable place for a duel" she said. "You are endangering my people" She said. "And what if Mathias wins? what will he get?"
"Pride in beating his ass" Denmark said behind her. "Oh..and he can't and won't touch you...EVER" he said.
"I accept those terms, but know that if I win, I will get not only a day-"
"He'll get A YEAR" Romano said as he looked at Alice.
"But you must withstand a week of my company" just you and I, alone." Spain said. At this Denmark took a step forward. But Alice prevented him getting any closer to the Spaniard.
"Fine, you know where my home is, be there by tomorrow noon and you will have your duel" she said as she turned to the Dane.
"My Queen is waiting for me, is he not?" She asked.
"She is" Denmark said. At this He turned to Alice and started to walk to the other direction.
France handed Romano to Spain the moment the Spaniard sheathed his sabre into the scabbard. "Are you serious?" he asked. Spain just looked at him.
"Yes I'm very serious about this duel"
"All to court her?" Francis asked.
"You won't be fighting for her" Spain said. "He is, so what's the problem?" he asked.
"Are you mad?" Francis asked. "What if Gilbert finds out?" he asked.
"WHAT IF HE DOES?" Spain yelled as he turned to look at him. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU TWO WILL DO TO ME" he yelled. Romano covered his ears and looked at Francis. "I CAN'T STAND SEEING HER BEING EMBRACED BY OTHER MEN" he said. "I CAN'T. SHE'S MINE AND ONLY MINE"
"Antonio-"
"Don't 'Antonio' me" he said. "If I don't do anything now...I may just lose her forever" Spain said. France just stared at him. "I have an Empire France, AN EMPIRE" he yelled. They paused when they heard the thunder, slowly it began to rain. "Do you know how much that scares me?" he asked. "To have an empire, AN EMPIRE ON WHICH THE SUN NEVER SETS ON. IT'S CURSE. A TERRIBLE CURSE THAT KEEPS THE BEAUTIFUL MOON AWAY" he yelled. "DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE SO DAMN SCARED AFTER A DAMN NIGHTMARE ABOUT ROME DISAPPEARING FROM US? DO YOU?" he yelled. "The last words, the last words that man ever uttered to me is to cherish the person I love with all my heart. TO BE PASSIONATE TO THEM, TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THAT I LOVE THEM" he yelled.
"Antonio-" Francis tried again.
"NO, DON'T TRY TO TALK ME OUT OF THIS DUEL" He yelled. At this someone ran up to Spain, grabbed Romano and slapped him. He looked forward to see Hungary.
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF" she yelled. "Have you thought how she might feel?" Hungary asked. Spain looked at her and saw her eyes were glossy. "You just don't go and announce that you will court someone when you were the one who left them without an explanation in the first place" Hungary said. Spain looked at her and sighed. "She'll be confused Antonio" she said. "She'll be..." Spain walked up to her and hugged her.
"I'm just really scared about falling apart the way Rome did, I'll explain myself to her on the first day...I promise" he said as she took Romano from her.
"Are you serious?" Denmark asked he tried to match Alice's pace. "That man wants to court you again...after...after...AFTER WHAT THAT ASSHOLE DID-"
"I HAD TO LET HIM" she yelled. "I had to give him a chance-"
"YOU DON'T" Denmark yelled back. "That bastard threw you into a horrible pit of...despair, torment and confusion! HE LEFT YOU WITHOUT A WORD-" Denmark stopped himself. "I promised Portugal that I would watch over you in his place-"
"I KNOW YOU DID!" Alice said. "BUT MATHIAS I AM OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR MY OWN NOW!" She yelled. "I'm not under you, or France OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER ANY MORE" she said. "I'm free from the chains of your damn rule had me from, I'm free to act like human...and...and fall in love" she said. "What if...What if he means it this time?" she asked.
"Alice...you can't just trust nations like that" he said. "You shouldn't just trust men like that...Alic-" before he could finish his sentence he felt her hug him tightly.
"I'M SCARED" she yelled. "I'm...I'M JUST SO DAMN SCARED I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO- MY HEART, DAMNIT, MY HEART, MY BLOODY HEART IS TELLING ME TO GIVE HIM A DAMN CHANCE, BUT MY MIND IS YELLING AT ME, CHIDING ME FOR GIVING HIM ONE" she said. "I'm confused Lucas, what should I do?" she asked. "What should I do?" she asked.
"Alice...you're...we're not human...we can't let just let-" he stopped and hugged her tighter. "You'll figure it out" he whispered. "You'll figure it out."
"Is he really going to fight Denmark?" Italy asked Romano as they changed into their sleeping clothes.
"That's what I heard!" he said. "I hope Spain wins!" he said.
"That means Alice can be your mommy!...wait...Alice can be our mommy!" Italy said as he clapped his hands together.
"SHE'S MY MO-" Romano was cut off when he heard the door open.
"I know how excited you two must be, but could you two please just-"
"PRUSSIA IS IT TRUE? IS SPAIN GOING TO DUEL DENMARK FOR ALICE'S HAND?" Italy asked. Romano found his hand slamming against his forehead. He just watched as Prussia stared at Italy and shut the door.
"ANTONIO" Prussia yelled.
"Was I not supposed to tell him?" Italy asked. Romano sighed and pushed his brother to the bed they were going to share.
"He was going to find out anyway" Romano said.
"WHAT WAS THAT YOU CABRON?" he heard Spain yell at the Prussia.
"MEIN GOTT WERE YOU NOT SATISFIED BREAKING HER HEART THAT TIME?"
"It was my mistake and only I can fix it-"
"FIX IT?" Gilbert yelled. "HOW CAN YOU FIX HER MENTALITY NOW?" he asked. "Spain this is the last time I'm letting you go after her, you hear me? This is the last time DAMMIT." He said. After that, the two kids heard the door slam.
Oh goodness, I'm pretty sure I left out one or a couple 'Mathias' while editing this. Again I'm so sorry for the long wait and I'm really really sorry for the wait and the grammar and the mistakes.
Please tell me what you think!