Dear me! I said a few days and practically a month went by! O.o I'm sorry, so so Sorry! But holidays are really umpredictable!

Anyway here you go, chapter 2! Yeay! :D

This time around we'll find out just how good Austria's music lessons actually are, and how they'll affect the two.

Still chummy, and lovely...

Chapter 2

The day after, the music lesson reprised. Italy was very distracted that afternoon, so Austria reprimanded her more than once. But she truly seemed happy to follow and listen to her teacher's words.

So, she managed to learn and improve despite her head being elsewhere. It was gratifying, and he found out that he couldn't stay mad at Italy for long.

This was the way to have a music lesson, not how he had to suffer with Maria Carolina. It was pleasant and inspiring for him too. "So, it's those three notes in sequence and then back to the beginning, right?" "Yes, Italy. Very good. Very good, indeed."

They practiced the song for two or three days more. By the end of the week they were already rehearsing in theater with the whole orchestra.

The voices of the chorus rang mighty and proud, the instruments all in perfect sync. Austria was fully enveloped by the melody as the baton and his free hand waved inspired. Italy had long ago finished her part, but was still there, staring fixed, at him and then the orchestra, and then him again, obviously curious on how the baton swung gracefully from left to right. Sometimes with gentle and systematic movements and suddenly with abrupt pulls: up, down and in his own chest as they reached the grand finale.

Austria panted for a few seconds, as his musicians clapped their hands. He brushed his hair back in place with a hand and bowed slightly to them, satisfaction clearly showing.

Then, he turned to Italy, who was clapping along, bright and full of enthusiasm, eyes sparkling. She ran towards him and threw herself in his arms. "Mr. Edelstein, you were magnificent!"

Nations had the habit to call each other with different names when in presence of common humans; this way, it was much easier to hide their true nature and pass unnoticed. Austria had picked for himself in the last few centuries "Roderich Edelstein" substituting that old, boring, other one, he had used until the 1580's. Holy Rome was apparently still fond of "Heinrich Adler", and Hungary was currently using "Elizaveta Hedervary". As for Italy, she had never expressed herself on the matter, and since "Italia" was anyway a common enough name for a girl in Italy they all used that.

"You were all wonderful too!" Italy addressed to the musicians. Several giggles and "thanks" rang out. "You did your part splendidly as well. One would never guess you started taking lessons just a few days ago'!" "Thank you, very much. But, Mr. Edelstein, I want to learn how to conduct an orchestra too! It's so thrilling."

In front of such childish glee and happiness, he himself couldn't refrain from smiling. He patted her head "Everything at it's proper time. But when the time comes, I promise I'll teach you." Italy smiled back, welcoming the hand and letting it ruffle her hair.

"…You know, there should be a sacker cake, nice and warm, in the oven. What do you say, if we go back home and have a slice?" "Yay! I love sacker! Shall I prepare some coffee to go with it?" "A cinnamon spiced cup would be perfect." "Can Elizaveta and Heinrich join us?" "Why not."

Soon, the four of them were happily chatting in the tea room, eating down the snack. "Austria, you surpassed yourself this time! Did you try something different?" Praised him Hungary. "It's the Jam. I've tried a different variety. It's nice of you to notice." "hey, Holy Rome. The cinnamon scent is really good, isn't it?" "Yes, all the more when mingled with coffee."

Austria looked at the two seemingly teenagers for a few moments. Off course he knew Holy Rome had a crush on Italy, everybody knew that, but did he always look at her with such fixed and sweet glances? And since when did they hold hands?! He let it drop, as Hungary called back his attention, chatting on something else.

In the following days Austria's lessons became more and more demanding. Since they had unexpectedly solved everything for the concert, Italy started the study of the violin as well.

Surprisingly, or maybe not for the country that invented the instrument and gave birth to some of the finest players, Italy appeared to be very skilled with that instrument too.

Two hours grew soon to be too few, and quickly went on to 3 or even 4 in a row. After a few days with this pace, though, Austria happened to overhear a group of young maids complaining on how Italy had such a special treatment and how exhausting their shift had become.

One day Hungary herself tried telling him, in a friendly joking manner that he was probably going overboard. But he couldn't be bothered! It was all too pleasant!

In between an exercise and an other they had started talking a lot, exchanging opinions, discussing about their tastes in general.

Italy wasn't the clumsy and useless person he always thought she was, but, actually, very knowledgeable, brilliant too on certain subjects and extremely good tasted.

They started going out for walks in the gardens; they backed sweets. Italy from time to time came his way asking about musical curiosities.

He had tried to keep his point at the beginning, avoiding any extra contact with the girl and holding the cold, unapproachable attitude. But that didn't last long, it melted away in front of Italy's irresistible smile and happiness!

He found himself avoiding to shout for her mistakes on duty, closing an eye whenever she walked inside the palace without having her boots properly cleaned from the snow, let the cat eat cookies or even when she slipped honey in Holy Rome's milk when he expressly told her not to do so!

Not only that: whenever he found her in a corridor he'd pat her head passing by and even scold harshly the other maids that ill spoke at her back.

"Mr. Austria I know you don't particularly prefer it, but can we please eat past for dinner tonight?" "Sure, dear. But you take care of it."

Dear?! He had never addressed to her with "dear", and he suddenly found himself doing so. Oh, crap! Hungary was right: he was mellowing on her! Before he knew it November was gone, December at the dock.

And so you have it! Things just couldn't be better.

But still, using a very famous quote, winter is coming! Will it very simply mean the arrival of the warm and loving festive season?

Untill Soon, for part 3