A/N at bottom

Chapter 30

1812

BANG

Ludwig opened one eye. It was definitely too early for this. 3AM, to be exact. He got out of bed, ready to face any possible danger. Gilbert wasn't home, so Ludwig would have to deal with the source of the noise on his own.

He stood downstairs and listened for the noise again. Hmm... nothing. He walked through the kitchen and was just about to go back to sleep when he heard it again.

BANG

"LUDWIG, ARE YOU THERE!?"

Great, it knew his name.

"Hello?" Ludwig called out in the darkness.

"OPEN THE DOOR"

Ludwig crept towards the door, ready to fight whoever was on the other side. He opened it and saw...

"Matthew?"

"Lud- Ludwig! Can I... can I co-come in?"

"Oh, erm, sure, of course."

Matthew stumbled into the house.

"What are you doing here? Wait... are you drunk?"

"Wha? Pff, no! I just am here to say good hic bye! So, goodbye Ludwig!"

"Goodbye? What do you mean, goodbye?"

"I gotta go be in a war."

"A war? With who?"

"W-with my brother. Cause he wants to fight Arthur, so now I gotta! I gotta! I gotta fight 'im."

"Oh Matthew, I'm sorry."

"Sorry!? Silly. You're so funny, Ludwig. Cause ya know what! I-I'm gonna destroy 'im."

"Wait... what? But I thought you liked Alfred?"

"Ha! Haha!" He spoke these next words with an eerie lucidity.

"I'm going to kill him. I despise him. For what he's done to Arthur, and to me. God forbid I be happy before he goes and ruins it! And Arthur loves him! But what about me! I'm not Alfred! I'm Matthew! I'm Matthew! I'm Matthew Matthew Matthew-"

"Ok, of course!"

"So now I'll gotta make him pay."

Ludwig didn't like it when Matthew was like this. It was so unlike his normally calm friend to become so upset, but when he did, it was terrifying.

The Canadian laughed, alcohol taking effect again.

"Haha, ya look scared, Ludwig! Ludwig, that's a funny name. Ludwig. Luuudwiiig. Heh."

"Matthew-"

"Oh! Right. Listen, ya gotta tell Romano where I'm going! I haven't seen that guy in a while. I miss him... No! I didn't say that! He's a jerk..."

It wasn't helpful that Matthew could hold a grudge when he wanted to, especially when Romano was the most stubborn person Ludwig had ever met.

"Sure Matthew, I'll tell him if I see him."

"If you see him?"

"Yeah, to be honest, I don't see him as much as I used to..."

"Also! Tell Francis where I am! I miss him too... Papa..."

"Of course, Matthew."

"Well then, goodbye! Goodbye Ludwig! I guess I'll see ya soon! Au revoir!"

He stumbled out the front door, ready for war.

"Heh, I'll show Alfred what I'm capable of."

Ludwig shut the door, stood for a moment, and went back to bed.

A/N

And that's the chapter! As always, criticism is much appreciated! I'll try and update next week, but I also have to figure out what the next chapter will be because I want a few more between this and WW1. Hmm... We'll see!