Hetalia – Of Magic and Might

Another Chapter for you! I've been on a writing frenzy while on holiday, so I've managed to write a few chapters in advance. Which is always nice. Welcome if you are new to this story and thank you to all my followers for supporting this. You guys rock. Without further ado, I give you all the next chapter!

Enjoy!

Whale-Tail Island, Lord Antonio's Manor, A dressing room

"I must agree Francis, midnight blue is definitely your colour" Lord Antonio commented as he admired Francis being fitted in a dark blue nobles-coat at the centre of the room. After Francis had arrived on his doorstep, Antonio had quickly swept him inside into his abode. Antonio had held a mini feast in honour of his guest, and he had insisted that Francis change out of his crippled clothes and be fitted with new ones. He and Francis were presently standing in Antonio's dressing room, where rows upon rows of fine coats, shirts, trousers and even a few robes lined the walls. One wall was fitted with a wall size mirror and at the centre was a small circular raised podium on which Francis stood as a seamstress altered Antonio's clothing, to better fit Francis's build.

"You don't have to do this Antonio, I was perfectly happy in the clothes I came in" Francis protested though it didn't stop him from checking himself in the mirror. Antonio flamboyantly and dismissively waved Francis' words away.

"Nonsense, you are my friend and guest Francis. I am simply being a generous host" Antonio smiled as the nobles-coat was checked over and deemed perfect. Francis stepped off the podium and adjusted his golden cuff links.

"Too generous if you ask me. Though I must admit, it is nice being in these clothes again" Francis admitted reluctantly with a small smile on his lips. Antonio made a agreeable sound walked to stand beside Francis. His tanned skin, darkened caramel curly hair and olive green eyes contrasting Francis's own fair appearance.

"Leave us," Antonio ordered the young seamstress, watching her curtsy and shuffle out the door before continuing "It suits you. Reminds me of when we were children together, back then…You still haven't told Arthur, have you?" Antonio seriously asked, lowing the cheerful mood to a more somber one. Francis' smile wavering and dropping as he thought of Arthur.

"No. And I don't plan on to" Francis said with determination gripping his voice. Antonio sighed in disappointment, he respected his friend's wishes but he didn't want him to treat his past like it had never happened.

"I don't understand you, mi amigo. I'm not asking to you proclaim yourself. I know you desire to have this life again, you miss it. Please Francis, stay with could have your old life back without the pain attached. I enjoy Arthur's company also, he could move in to!," Antonio excitedly chattered before dropping his voice to a pleading tone "Please Francis. You are my dearest friend, I want you to be close. Like we were as children".

"A lot of things have changed since we were children if you hadn't noticed," Francis snapped without realising the harshness of his tone. Francis looked at Antonio ,who stared back wordlessly, and sighed as though he were extremely tired and worn. "I can't, Antonio. I don't think things will ever be like they were. I can't stay here and you know why. As for Arthur…," Francis trailed off worriedly "I'm scared I'm going to lose him Antonio"

"Ahhh there's another romantic rival on the scene sí?" Antonio teased playfully poking Francis in the ribs before Francis lightly slapped his intruding fingers away. The tense air dissolved and forgotten as easily as breathing.

"Non, I do not mean it like that," Francis hurriedly justified himself, mentally slapping himself for nearly slipping the beans about the rebels and Arthur. Antonio understood about his past but Francis wasn't sure he'd be so forgiving if he was told that the rebel base was on his Isle. "I just…feel like he's being taken away from me" Antonio gazed at his childhood friend before giving him a lighthearted slap.

"Ah worry not Francis. I'll hold a magnificent ball and you'll get your chance to sweep him off his feet," Antonio gripped at the prospect of making his old friend happy. Francis didn't bother to try to reason with his friend, he was content as long as Antonio entertaining himself at the idea of setting him up. "It'll be fabulous!"

"Whatever you say Antonio", Francis sighed. This arguing banter gave Francis a feeling of nostalgia. "Do you remember playing in the courtyard Antonio? How we'd pick fruit from the peach trees and sit in its branches, throwing the seeds at passing servants?" Francis asked fondly, smiling at the pleasant memory of his youth. Antonio mirrored his smile as he to cast his mind into the past.

"I remember. I remember you getting us caught because you couldn't run away fast enough on those chubby little legs of yours" Antonio laughed, the joyful sound bouncing around the walls. Francis pretended to be insulted before joining in on the infectious laughter. Antonio wiped over a tear that had whelmed in the corner of his eye and levelled his breathing to a more even tempo. A silver bell sang sweetly but insistently above the oaken door, indicting that it was time for supper.

"Ah we better go, it seems food is ready. Little Lovino hasn't seen you in the longest time, I'm sure he'll have many things to talk to you about. Shall we?" Antonio asked as he walked over to the door and held it open. Francis leisurely strolled over and grinned at the Spanish Lord.

"We shall"

The Capital, The Winter Palace, Roderick Edelstein's Chambers.

Roderick Edelstein awoke to the gentle sound and touch of a late autumn breeze. Keeping his eyes closed, he enjoyed the softness of his feather mattress and stretched his arm seeking for the warmth that accompanied him last night. His hand grasped at empty air.

"Elizabeth" Roderick whispered, opening his eyes and letting them adjust against the late morning sun. He was lying in his metal four poster bed, white silk sheets swaying airily from above. The furniture in Roderick's chambers were the standard furnishings that all high ranking officers had in their lodgings. At the centre of the room was a cream sofa and a coffee table, positioned in front of a stone fireplace. Patterned wallpaper stuck to the walls and polished birch boards made up the flooring. Roderick's favourite part of the room though was the wide arced window with large glass doors that opened so the baloney could be accessed. Without his glasses Roderick's vision was blurry, however looking over to the window he could see a dark human shadow standing against the streaming sunlight.

Roderick stretched and reached for his glasses on his bedside table. As he placed his glasses on the bridge of his nose, Roderick's vision came into focus. The dark blurry shadow sharpened into the shapely figure of a woman, a thin white sheet partly covering the front of her naked body as she looked at the view the baloney offered. Silently as not to disturb the tranquil air, Roderick climbed out of his large bed and slowly padded over to her. Elizabeth's hair, chestnut brown streaked with honey highlights in the sunlight, was fanned out across her milky back.

Delicately Roderick slipped his arms under Elizabeth's, encircling and drawing close her thin waist. Elizabeth sighed contently and leaded back against Roderick, feeling Roderick rest his chin lightly on her shoulder. Tenderly kissing the spot where her neck and shoulder meet, Roderick turned his gaze up to follow Elizabeth's stare. The view outside was of the Empire's own shopping district where the city people had already awoken and had started conducting their daily lives.

"It's a beautiful morning"Roderick said quietly as he tightened his hold, a sweet smile touched Elizabeth's rose flushed mouth.

"A beautiful morning follows a beautiful night" Elizabeth replied placing one of her hands over Roderick's firm arms. Roderick leaned in and brushed Elizabeth's collar bone with his lips before bringing his head up and playfully nibbling her ear lobe.

"It's the beautiful woman that makes it so, the sun shines brighter as to match her brilliant radiance" Roderick soothed as he brushed Elizabeth's hair over her shoulder as to see her face clearer, her hair's fragrance smelling of vanilla and cinnamon.

"If I shined that bright, I'd blind you" Elizabeth giggled at the ridiculous image of her skin glowing like the sun.

"You already have. I no longer see the faces of other women," Roderick whispered as he turned his eyes back to the view of the outside world. Elizabeth stood still for a second, contemplating what Roderick meant before turning around. Now facing Roderick she let go of her conservative sheet and placed both her hands against Roderick's bare chest. Her gaze met with her beloved's, drinking in those dark indigo orbs that seemed to peer directly into his soul. The eyes of a good man, regardless of his past.

Together Elizabeth's and Roderick's lips leaned in and prayed. The kiss was soft and featherlight. It did not contain any of the passion from their shared night together. But pure unconditional love. Elizabeth's frantic beating heart left her short of breath, her small pants mingling with Roderick's steady breathing.

"I love you, Elizabeth" Roderick breathed, pulling away far so slightly. Elizabeth wanted to cry with both joy and sorrow. Why did she have to be who she was? She silently cursed the gods for being so cruel, it seemed like a sick, ironic joke. A twist of fate, that her only love had sprung from her only hate.

"Always?" Elizabeth whispered, her emotions turmoil inside of her. She didn't deserve this, she didn't deserve him. She hasn't worthy of this man. She would have to tell him, she'd tell him now before they both became too attached. Kill the sapling before the tree grew. Elizabeth opened her mouth to tell the ugly truth to her lover. When one word shattered her resolve, causing her to forget herself and crush her lips against his with renewed passion.

"Always"

Awww, the heart wants what the heart wants :3 This chapter was quite fun to write, it was different as I've never really wrote a 'real' romantic scene before so I'm really appreciate some feedback on that.

Francis… Oh ho Francis and your mysterious past ;) I wonder what happened to you and why you, despite Arthur telling you his most precious secret, won't tell Arthur yours. Francis was just been given another layer of characterisation and I am loving what he will bring to the table in this story. Yes, allll will be revealed…

Quick note, Antonio and Francis will not evolve into anything romantic. They are best friends that care for each other. No shipping will take place.

In regards to Lovino, he does live with Antonio but he is not his brother. Lovino was actually fostered by Antonio but is brothers with Feliciano. The two were split up at birth with Feliciano staying with the family and Lovino being put into an orphanage. Antonio took pity on him and ignoring the disapproving looks from his family, fostered Lovino into his noble house. Feliciano currently does not know the fate of his brother.

Roderick and Elizabeth. A lot of angst to come here, a lot of torment and strain as the war begins. We'll have to keep an eye on the both of them as they try to conceal their other side to the other.

Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I am as ever thankful to my readers who constantly inspire me to keep writing. If you like this story please be sure to leave a follow and a review telling what you think of this story so far, your thoughts, your opinions, your predictions. Once again thank you for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Until next time folks!