Since changing classrooms, Francis had started using more and more English. He had improved from randomly sprouted words to full sentences. He was currently able to have short conversations in English where he occasionally had to use French he did not know yet.

Arthur had been shocked when Francis walked up and asked, "Paper?" He was used to the common request, though not asked so shortly, and replied, "It is in my office. You can go get some," in English without looking up. Until he noticed the boy was still next to him, he did not realize what language the boy had used. When he did, his head whipped up in surprise to stare at him. He didn't speak for a few moments while he processed this new information. Finally his brain caught up and he responded again in French so the boy could understand what he said.

Now that his English was so much stronger, he had begun buying him books in English to further his improvement. His assistant, Alfred, and Matthew also sent books in both languages. The boy had dozens of books so Arthur built him a small, three level bookshelf to hold them all. It was then placed at the end of his bed so he could easily read either in his comfy, blue chair or on his bed.

The reading was paying off both at home and at school. Francis' new teacher called once a week to update him on the boy's progress and give him ideas on how to keep his improvement going.

Due to this, Arthur was not surprised when he saw a call from the school while he was at work. Answering, he joked, "You are calling early this week, Miss Gray."

The woman that spoke was not the teacher.

"Is this Mr. Kirkland?" a serious voice asked quickly.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"I am the school nurse. I need to talk to you about Francis."

Arthur froze, clutching the phone to his ear.

"I-Is he alright?"

"I am afraid not. He was just brought to the clinic after he started screaming in his class. When I arrived he was having a seizure. I cleared the class out and waited with him until it passed. He is asleep now but I am worried it may happen again. I am going to call an ambulance when we hang up but I wanted to make you aware first."

"No!" he yelled into the phone. "I will come get him, a hospital won't be able to help him." He took a few calming breaths before speaking once more. "Wrap him tightly in a blanket and hold him until I get there."

The woman agreed and he hung up, running out of his office. His assistant had taken notice of what was happening and notified his driver. He thanked her as he passed and dove into the back of the car.

They sped to the school, Arthur dashing inside before the car had even stopped. The nurse was waiting for him, holding Francis in a blue blanket.

"Thank you for doing as I asked. I have to take him home now but I will explain once this has passed."

He picked Francis up and carried him back to the car, quickly but carefully. Once they were both inside, Jeffrey took off. Arthur's phone buzzed in his pocket so he pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

"Oh no."

Francis was sleeping, Arthur sitting at his bedside. The boy looked so small and weak as he laid still. Using his time he called the nurse to make her aware of the situation.

"Thank you again for taking care of Francis. I am sorry I was not able to tell you about what was happening when I came in but I can now. Francis' father has an incredibly rare condition. There are less than 300 current, confirmed cases in the world. Since there are so few cases, there is not a lot of research available. With so little information, doctors studying the condition are not sure if it is hereditary. After today, there is a strong argument that it could be." He paused to check on Francis before continuing. "If he had been taken to the hospital, he could have died since there are so few doctors aware of this condition. He could have been misdiagnosed and mistreated. I am also affected by this condition so I know how to treat him. Francis' father and I met as children due to sharing this condition."

The nurse asked him a few questions which he answered politely. He also told her that Francis would not be returning for a few days.

Just as the call ended, Francis started to stir. Instantly alert, he leaned forward and waited for him to wake. The boy's blue eyes blinked open and focused on him.

/"Why do I hurt, Papa?"

"That is a question with a complicated answer. Do you still want to know?" He nodded and Arthur sighed. "Alright. I am going to teach you something about yourself that you do not know. You are not the same as the other children in your class. You are not human like them but instead you are the representation of the nation of France. You have been alive for thousands of years. I am the representation of the nation England and have known you for over a thousand years. Alfred and Matthew also represent nations. They are like us."

"If I am so old, why do you look older than I do?" the boy asked, trying to make sense of what he was just told.

"Normally you look older but something happened to make you change into the child you are now."

He continued to inform the child about what he actually was and made him promise not to tell anyone else. He also showed him a picture of what he looked like usually.

"So why do I hurt?"

"Since you represent France, if something happens in the country or to the people, you will feel it. If it is good, you get healthier but if something bad happens, you will get hurt instead. Today there was a rockslide and some people were hurt."

"Some died," the boy whispered, eyes on the bedsheets. "I could feel it. It felt like pieces of my soul were being ripped away."

Arthur slowly took his hand.

"Seven people died and you felt that. I know that it hurts but it hurt you even more since you have changed. It was much more painful than it would have. The stress on your smaller body is intense. When you are back to normal, it will not hurt nearly as much."

Francis bit his lip.

"Do you wish I wasn't like this?"

Instantly Arthur knew he had not been careful with his words.

"Francis, I only wish you were your older self so you would not be in pain right now. I promised. I am truly enjoying having you here with me."

He gently hugged the boy and quietly sang to him until he fell asleep once more.

"I will protect you," he murmured into his hair. "No one will hurt you while I am around and I will care for you until you can do it on your own again."

He gently laid him down before leaving the room.

AN: Italics- speaking in French or internal thoughts

No Italics- speaking in English