I am sorry if the wait was long, I've been a little busy with things and I hope you guys enjoy chapter 3! Oh and disclaimer, Hetalia's not mine!
Russia's St. Catherine palace was unbelievable. It absolutely reeked of opulence, old but powerful monarchy luckily not too overdone as Versailles. An example of luxury and the finest carved marble and statues, gurgling fountains in massive gardens of flowers, only was the outer layer of the masterpiece.
The real grandeur was the inside. Winding staircases carpeted in reds and golds lead to hundreds of rooms filled with the latest furnishings. Architecture, the pure magnificence of the architecture was breathtaking.
Exactly where Ivan and her were in direction. Covered in fur coats and curled up to each other as the carriage bounced along, Amelia sighed contently.
Russia wrapped his arms around her possessively rubbing his cheek on hers. Trickles of his moon silver hair tickled her chin.
"We have arrived at St. Petersburg" the tall nation whispered gently shaking Amelia. He loved showing off this particular city to the American, having seen her favorite cities too.
"Mmmmm…..that felt good." She yawned, stretching her bones out. Man, she needed that cat nap.
"It is nice to home after so long." Ivan opened a drape on his side to show the surrounding city of St. Petersburg. Despite industrializing slower than the western countries in the "catch-up" process, the Russian capital brimmed with industry and smoke from factories flitted to the evening sky. Cars drove through some of the late night in the industrialized city, flashing high beams. "Especially when I get to bring you."
"Y'know, Iggy's not gonna be a happy camper about this" the blonde American pursed her lips that quickly turned in a favor of a snicker. She could already think of some scenarios over her history with the island nation. "Wanker" and "git" first came to mind, trailed closely by "crazy wild child" and "Yankee heathen", that'd be the kickoff. "once I return he'll practically whiplash me."
"But," she clambered into his lap, kissing the tip of his nose.
"But what my little sunflower?" He tugged her nearer with a playful smirk, peppering her neck with kisses and nips. This produced a pleased noise from the north American.
"For you I'd take a thousand of those to be with yo-ah!" Russia knew where all sensitive spots were and took advantage of the small pulse on her neck, he'd mapped out all the spots of his lover and knew how to make her weak in the knees. A moan slipped from her, hickies began to adorn her everywhere.
All too shortly steel and gold gates opened to the imperial palace, they went by the gateway to the world of Russian politics and marvel. Home of Russia and the royal Romanov family.
The two white stallions hauling their carriage halted at the tap to their rumps with the driver's riding crop. A stately guard of the royal Russian group stepped to the door and opened it, then upon seeing the personification of his homeland he executed a respectful salute.
"Lord Braginski."
Ivan acknowledged him with a swift nod and offered a hand to Amelia. She held his hand and hopped out, glad to stretch her legs. Eesh, they need some more cars, the ride would go quicker.
Russia still wore his military uniform but unlike the American's it didn't have mud from the trenches and blood of dead corpses, making her grin sheepishly when the guard glanced at her appearance.
"Ha ha, nothing like a nasty battle to get you dirty!"
Ok. Poorly attempted joke, real bad to top it off. Which kinda stinks 'cause normally she's well at that type of thing…..
Not wanting the awkwardness to go on, the Russian nation and she climbed the stairs to the entrance. A few Russians, servants from their clothes telling their status flocked to them from behind the gargoyles with fine white pelts to shield them from the cold.
Ivan turned down the cloak but Amelia accepted it she'd never get used to the degree of coldness here. A small gold chain linked it around her neck so she could cover her filthy garb.
"Lord Ivan!"
They stopped and turned to a small page boy no more than ten years old run up to them, puffing from all the running down the floors.
A ghost of a smile crossed Ivan's face and he replied "Yes Demetri?"
"His majesty wants to make sure you arrived safely with the United States of America and hopes both of you join him at the celebration on time tonight."
"Tell him we'll be within the hour and that we must first prepare for the event, da?"
"Yes sir! Right away sir!" The brunette boy sped to the stairs, taking two at a time.
"So, your boss man was in on the plan too?"
"It was my idea, he approved and likes our relationship."
"Are all of your pages that young?"
"Some but others are in their older years." They walked up the grand staircase to a tunnel of mirrored halls of glass.
"Ivan, I didn't ask until now but… how are things going on the eastern front? We barely move forward on the west."
"Not well, Amelia we've reached a stalemate and so many countless men of mine die every day, most of them have no guns to defend themselves." And if that Prussian bastard of an albino related to Germany kept getting in his line of vision too… he'd deal with his pipe.
"Ah, here we are my little sunflower." With a flourish Russia threw open the entryway to a dressing room full of well-dressed maids. They curtsied gracefully to the nations and grabbed America's arms to escort her to a corner of the room where an adjacent bathroom was.
"The maids will ready you for the feast and I too must change and ready. I'll meet you at the Amber Room at nine o'clock."
"What Ivan its fine I can do it myself-"
"Наслаждаться, my sunflower!" He smirked at his love trickily, knowing she preferred doing her daily routine her own way, he could never resist an opportunity to rile up the stubborn nation. Now, he must meet with his tsar soon.
The Russian girls stripped the wheat haired blonde wrinkling their noses a bit at the blood but were polite and chatted with her as they got her ready to be pampered.
She was bathed in a shining hot tub, the aroma of the bubbles scent reminded her of as rose garden. Around the bath up raised on a dais surrounded by sheer white drapes, surrounded by candlelight Amelia got the best treatment to her body in the past few years.
The handmaidens giggled in their native tongue amongst themselves as they lathered her gold locks with lavender shampoo and oiled her down with creamy soap, even massaging her shoulders.
After the bath and drying, they dressed her in traditional Russian finery fit for the Romanovs.
A gold embroidered silk gown, with an embroidered velvet overdress in long, open sleeves Muscovite style. A brilliant turquoise sash of silk, flecked with diamonds attached to one sleeve stretched to her other hipbone. The diamonds sparkled in the candlelight like a thousand small stars. The sleeves left her bare shouldered. A white bow held her long golden hair back in a low ponytail, white arm length gloves completed the ensemble.
As they awaited for Ivan to come back the girls gushed over how beautiful she looked but scurried away giggling once they heard her lover knock on the door.
Despite the little trick from the Russian nation, she couldn't help but smile as she opened the door.
Ivan looked devastatingly handsome in dark navy blue suit with an ivory sash positioned on his shoulder. His silver hair shone in a sheen from the light rays he looked so handsome. If Amelia were a sun goddess, Ivan would be a moon god.
Additional reasons for them keeping their relationship under the radar is the many objections and difficulties from having two powerful nations united this way. But sooner or later they'd have to come out with the truth about their engagement, just not yet.
"Is my lady ready?" Ivan said in an attempt to mimic Britain's British accent. It wasn't that good, but it was so sweet nonetheless that Amelia laughed, her white teeth shown like pearls.
"Certainly, my darling." They chuckled, linking arms.
The grand hall that served as a throne room for the royal family's party was still a bit of a distance, in which Russia took the time to observe his America. While she excitedly babbled on about things, it made him realize how far they'd come, and that feeling made him love her more.
He recalled when he first met the young nation.
He was visiting his one North American colony Alaska one day in the 19th century. He had felt so aggravated to leave his huge landmass across the Pacific Ocean to get here, but his current ruler insisted he must meet with the new nation, the United States to make a much needed deal to insure the British wouldn't get Alaska. Sitting in a lodge absentmindedly sipping a flask of vodka, he thought it'd be another time wasting meeting with some country swallowed by greed for land. How's wrong he'd thought.
The nation, that walked, no, strode through the door with confidence, a big smile, held herself upright in a strong and tall bearing. For a nation her, age, most nations would look in their young teens by then but she was aged nineteen physically in a little time. Even Russia himself had not been as grown as she was in his time for that age.
After the Alaskan purchase, he learned about her when they were conversing. Well, it was mostly her, she didn't give him much choice. Instead of annoying, shallow, greedy, needy, extremely arrogant as her former caretaker Britannia is, she was opposite. Even someone as smug and prissy as France weren't close to her
She was loud, less restricted, chatty and talkative, outgoing, charming, had sense of humor, carefree, but a hard worker, fiercely independent, idealistic, free, the strength of her own and speed of a cheetah, defiant, maybe a bit too overconfident. Her rumored looks did her no justice, the real thing was far better.
She did not cower or become unsteady in his presence like the other nations, she never displayed fear of him, not an inkling.
Eventually, the American tried his vodka, they passed it back and forth until they were buzzed and had such a great time they kept in contact after. Then as the months and years went, the friendship generated to a relationship.
A relationship of love, fierce passion, secrecy, but the words to describe it were incredible. Russia had never felt this way about a nation before, or had a nation care and cherish him as much as his America.
Servants opened the massive doors to the Russian ballroom. Chipped crystal hung from the great chandeliers that hung from the painted ceiling, the floors had been polished to perfection, the rugs taken off for dancing. To the far corner were a chorus and orchestra of singers and musicians playing sweet tunes of music. Long tables had endless plates of delicious, authentic Russian meats and cheeses, accompanied by steaming soups and juicy fruits.
The Russian nobility gathered at their entrance in respect. Men had fur trimmed capes from beasts of the Siberian cold clasped over the latest western fashion. The ladies all had varying colors and thick silks of expensive dresses only the highest money could buy. Their hairs were mostly down, tied at the nape of their necks by a ribbon, much like Amelia's.
America and Russia gave small smiles and nods of their heads towards the nobles, and walked to the end of the room where the Romanov family sat on their arrangement of thrones on a raised dais.
Nicolas, the tsar of Russia's country sat on the grandest throne of all the Romanovs, his wife the tsarina Alexandra sat in a throne of her own beside her husband. The younger Romanovs, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and their one son Alexei sat below them in their smaller thrones. Majestic, the Romanov family was.
Ivan bowed before his ruler, though never took his eyes off him.
America wasn't one for the whole "bowing in respect" sort of thing being a bit touchy about it before her revolution but this was her engage d's liege, she would do their customs.
"Your highness" she curtsied and like Ivan looked into the Russian ruler's eyes. "and your highness." She also curtsied in respect to Alexandra, believing the tsarina deserves the equal amount of respect and acknowledgement as her husband did. She caught a small smile from Alexandra.
"United States of America," Nicolas stood from his throne walking down the few steps to where they were standing. His tall leather boots clacked on the steps. He stopped before her, and they shook hands as was the American greeting. He smiled. "it is good to see my country's fiancée to come here despite the war, it has been too long."
"And I have missed Ivan and am happy to be in your country, your highness."
Nicolas clapped his hands and signaled the orchestra. "Let the celebration of my dynasty begin!"
Violinists struck up a tune, the piano man's hands moved n sync with the flute and the harps. The singers sang like the angels painted on the murals of Christ. Lords, ladies, dukes, and duchesses gathered their partners and began dancing, others met with friends and acquaintances, and some left for a plate of food and a cup of vodka. Others offered holiday gifts to the royal family.
The tsar himself took his oldest daughter Olga by the hand to lead her in a friendly dance while Alexandra sauntered to her friends of the court. Alexei pet his little kitten that mewled Tatiana and Maria ran off with the high class children they knew. Anastasia fiddled with her auburn locks, but her eyes lit up at the site of the American nation.
"Amelia!" the princess exclaimed happily, jumping from her throne and hugging her around the legs.
"Anastasia!" Amelia bent over to engulf the Romanov girl in her arms. Anastasia had taken a high liking to Amelia when they were introduced ten years ago, on one of Amelia's periodic trips to see Ivan. Amelia was practically her idol after stories from Amelia's rebellious childhood with England and her strong ideals of freedom and equality. Her independence as well. Sooner than later, Anastasia had begun to wreak mischief on her parents and palace servants, breaking into the kitchens at night to bring cakes and tea for a tea party in the stables with her horses. Or how she began to climb trees to the highest branch, and jumped onto muddy puddles to splash her siblings. "it is good to see you!"
"Privyet Russia" Anastasia ran into Russia's arms too and he scooped her up on his hip. Carrying his princess along he sat in a chair of his own near the tsar's and Amelia sat temporarily in Alexandra's. All too soon Alexei's cat scampered into the crowd and the prince and princess ran after him.
"Its good to be back home" Russia sighed.
"Yep, nothing like a Russian party, with drunk Russians for a good time" she snickered playfully nudging him. Ivan smiled but his face frowned. "hey Iv, what's wrong, you were fine a few seconds ago what's up with the sad face?"
"Lately there have been riots and whispers of rebellion grow as each day goes by, its from some peasants that want a new form of government, ruled by the people and "equalizes" society to ensure no person like a noble can use his power and money to dominate and exploit the working class and that everyone has a fair share, at least that's a small part of it."
"If it's that small, I don't think they can do a lot especially with no weapons." She treaded carefully, minding her words, not wanting to offend Ivan. "And besides, there's a world war going on, they can't possibly think that now of all times is right to start a civil war."
She shivered as chills went down her back, remembering her time during her civil war, one of the darkest and worst part of her history as a nation. "Come on, I'm starved let's get something to eat."
Couples streamed to the table they sat at, they feasted together. Ripe wine and fiery vodka flowed down everyone's throats, they scooped mouthwatering food in heaps on well-made plates of china and after everyone had their fill, the dessert course was bought in.
Amelia was about to bite into a yummy honey cake as Ivan took her hand and asked "May I have this dance, my sunflower?"
She pouted at the loss of her honey cake, with its smooth amber-gold oozing…well she can always have it later!
She led him to the dance floor with a sly smile and the musicians struck one of their best songs of the night. Their eyes never left each other, Ivan twirled Amelia, her gold silk skirts spinning with her, they laughed in joy, and they couldn't have felt happier and full of life like this in a long time.
Suddenly, she saw Ivan scowl and he left her in the middle of the dance floor, leaving to his frustrated tsar. Oh joy, there was always some problem going in his country.
She gathered her skirts and got another dance partner, there was a lot of men willing to take her Ivan's dance place. Might as well pass the time, she thought.
After a while she saw a general from the looks of his medals and uniform talking in hurried hushed tones with Ivan and Nicolas. His face looked urgent, emphasizing his point by waving his hands in the air. Nicolas seemed angry but Russia appeared frustrated.
The tsar sent the general to the exit and grabbed his wife for a dance. Alexandra knew something was up and asked Nicolas about it but he brushed it off with a kiss.
Sighing, she grabbed a plate and stacked it with chocolate cookies and a shot of vodka.
Plopping herself next to Ivan on a nearby chaise she presented him with the food.
"Thought you could use this."
He munched on cookies and gulped the shot whole. She lounged on the curve of the chaise with a leg dangling off the side and one in Russia's lap, with an arm thrown over her face. Deciding her lover had enough time to mull things over she scooted into his lap, moving the plate aside.
"Ready to tell me why your tsar's about to go bat shit crazy and that general looked ready to hide behind the curtains at any given moment?"
"There was a huge riot of peasants against some soldiers four hours ago, one was killed and hanged from a roof and the others shot twenty peasants in retaliation. Now the communists are using it as fuel to stoke the fire and attain more to their side." Ivan buried his face in the crook of her neck, tiredly. "Sunflower, what am I going to do? I'm in a world war with many dying on the battlefield, outdated weapons, and low rations, and the peasants are uprising with the communists, plotting to destroy my monarchy into shambles at my heart."
She contemplated a few moments before answering. "You know the saying its agony being destroyed from the outside, but true pain is being destroyed from the inside. You'll never be the same, ever."
She took both of his hands sapphire eyes beseeching him. "Convince those against you that now you must be united and unified in the cause to resist German control, to win this war, that after you will all speak and discuss but most of all, hear out their problems and do something to fix it. Yes, a few peasants killed one soldier, but shooting twenty peasants in return as revenge and justification for it is corrupt and oppressing, something they will not stand for."
"But the tsar-"
"Ivan," she said firmly eyes hardening to the cold weather of Alaska. Russia almost gulped, for all the cute, kind sweetness she had, he always got nervous as running from Belarus when his America got like this.
"This is your country. Yes, you have leaders to make the decisions, build alliances and connections, wage wars and run the country, but you are the embodiment," She softened squeezing his hands. "You should at least have a small say in what happens."
"Amelia truly, I couldn't have ever dreamed of falling in love with anyone like you in my existence. You are right, I have let so many ruthless Romanovs drive the peasants into the ground, but Catherine-" Russia smiled at the thought of his amazing empress, she had made a great ruler indeed. "I'll speak with Nicolas in the morning after, after we have breakfast."
Another suitor resented himself to Amelia for a dance, but Russia let out a possessive growl and stole her to the dance floor and for the next four hours they danced, drank, and had an amazing time together.
When the last of guests stumbled out drunkenly from the ballroom, the royal family took their leave. The Romanov children were tired and yawning as they walked out.
Ivan scooped her into his arms bridal style and carried her to his bedroom. His bedroom was located in a wing not far from the royal family, it was a long hallway with hugely paneled windows draped by velvet although dark. He kicked the door to his room open and tossed the American onto the bed as she giggled tipsily.
He shut the door and locked it with a predatory look in his eyes.
She playfully wiggled at him with her fingers and grinned.
Wasting no time, Russia climbed on top of her, impatiently unbuttoning her buttons and unlacing her corset while being painstakingly careful of the gorgeous silks. She stripped him of his overcoat and untied the sash around his waist. It had been a long time since they'd last been together as one, they feverishly tried to hurry while continuing to lock lips.
As Amelia was taken into the land of bliss by Russia, she dreamily thought about the war that seemed so far away and distant.
OK! I finally got this chapter done, I hope I did a good cliffhanging end of the chapter , but wait for the next one! This is just the build up to the REAL action. Please review!