Thanks to SoulTea2000 for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.
Liechmanomania: The Dragon and the Princess
Vlad looked at the hustle and bustle around the town. He was currently in his human form, though he had to wear a cloak to hide his horns. That was one thing that he could never get rid of.
He liked to come to the capital of the nearby kingdom. The king and queen had done a wonderful job, and the princess was as kind as she was beautiful. Vlad had every right to believe that the kingdom would be in excellent hands.
And speaking of which…
He saw the princess strolling through the town, accompanied by her guard. And the first thing that drew Vlad's attention was the fact that the princess looked to be depressed.
He frowned, wondering what the cause of this would be. He hesitated for a moment, before he started to follow after them, hoping to listen for a clue.
The two went to the gardens in the centre of the town which served as a tranquil spot for everyone. It was also very quiet. Vlad had to be careful not to be seen.
"You're not smiling, even with the flowers?" Lovino, the guard, asked. "Look, the lilies are in bloom. I know they're your favourite."
Princess Lili sighed, and Lovino looked worried.
"Look, if this is about that marriage…" he said.
Vlad perked his ears. Marriage?
"It's unfair," Lili sighed. "I've never even met the man. Why… why must my father be so cruel?"
"I think…" Lovino started. "This prince… isn't he from some powerful kingdom? With the kingdoms around us being so restless, your father is probably worried that war would come. An alliance with a strong kingdom would prove beneficial for us."
"But what if he's a cruel man? What if…?"
Lovino stared at her for a long moment.
"What's really bothering you?" he asked.
Lili bit her lip.
"My father gave my life away without even asking me," she said. "It's like he doesn't think I mean anything. That my opinion means nothing. I'm a means to an end."
Lovino looked stricken, and he looked around. Vlad made sure to hide himself well. When Lovino ascertained that there was no one around to see them, he wrapped the princess in a hug. She clung to him and Vlad could see the tears starting to fall.
"I wish I could help you," he said softly. "You're right. This is unfair. It's your life. You shouldn't have to have other people decide what you should do."
Vlad narrowed his eyes. Perhaps he should learn a bit more about this situation.
…
Vlad had managed to find out which prince from which kingdom was Princess Lili's betrothed, and investigated the matter. More importantly, he wanted to be sure that the prince would be a good match for Lili, and a good king.
The results were less than preferable.
The prince was an arrogant, entitled, self-important brute that cared little for his own mother. Then there was the way he treated the servants. Vlad didn't want to know what someone like that would do to Lili.
As Vlad flew back to his lair, he pondered on what he could do. There was no way that he could allow this marriage to take place, and not only because he had a soft spot for the princess, but because it could prove dangerous for him as well. However, there was the fact that supernatural entities, such as dragons, rarely, if ever, involved themselves in mortal affairs. It tended to be too dangerous for them if they interfered. Humans were a breed that didn't take well to anything even potentially more powerful than them.
And yet, while he was pondering, a plan started to form. And it would help if he had a good ally.
…
Queen Liliana was wandering through the garden. She always enjoyed her garden strolls, especially at night. The world was completely different at night, and she loved it.
She leaned up to examine the apples hanging on the tree when she heard a disturbance. Her eyes scanned her surroundings, trying to find any intruders.
"Who's there?" she demanded. "Come out immediately."
"…Alright," a male voice said. "Just don't scream."
That statement instantly put her on her guard, and she watched as someone stepped out from behind the trees. Her eyes widened when she saw the horns on his head.
"D-demon," she whispered, taking a step back.
"Dragon, actually," he said, smiling sheepishly. "We can assume a human form, but we can't get rid of these stupid horns. But you don't have to worry. If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't have turned into a form that's more vulnerable."
Hearing those words made her relax a little, but only a little. She still didn't know what this creature wanted.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"This is about your daughter's marriage," the dragon said. "Have you met her betrothed?"
"I… no. The king handled all of it. I only found out on the day he told Lili. The ceremony is this weekend."
"That man is a monster in human skin. He would destroy Lili, and the kingdom."
She couldn't help but smile a little as the dragon disguised as a human referred to someone else as a monster in human skin, but the smile soon faded.
"But what can we do?" she asked. "I have already tried to dissuade my husband, but he would not listen to me."
"Yes, human males rarely listen to reason, especially if that reason is from a female of your kind. But fortunately, I have a plan. It will save your daughter as well as your kingdom."
Liliana frowned.
"What do you have in mind?" she asked.
…
Lovino gritted his teeth as he escorted the princess to the garden. It was the day of her wedding ceremony, but she looked as though she was on her way to her execution. And after meeting the prince that she was to marry, he couldn't help but think that that comparison was correct.
This was especially horrible for Lovino. He was in love with the princess, but knew that his station and her position wouldn't allow any relationship between them other than that of royal and guard. And to see her being married to another man who Lovino knew would be cruel to her made it all the worse.
The two arrived, and Lovino turned back to see Lili.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Lili gave a small, sad smile.
"What does it matter how I feel?" she asked.
He reached out to stroke her cheek, but stopped himself just in time. There was bound to be a witness nearby, and Lovino didn't want to get them into any unnecessary trouble. So he lowered his hand.
"Come on then," he said. "Let's get this over with."
It was the queen's idea to have the marriage in the garden, instead of at the chapel. Closer to nature, and surrounded by beauty. And with nothing obstructing the sky, heaven could smile down upon the wedding.
Lovino wondered if the queen was drunk when she suggested all that, because it was too sappy, even for her standards.
They finally reached the scene, and Lovino hung back. Lili looked back towards him, and he hated to see the lost look on her face. She swallowed thickly, before going towards the makeshift altar.
There were no vows or anything. This was a political marriage, and it didn't matter if the two loved each other or not. This was a means to an end.
As the priest, who was also reluctant of the marriage, preached about why they were having this ceremony, there was a mighty roar that had everyone ducking for cover. Lovino's hand immediately found its way to his sword's hilt. As a knight, he knew that sound.
A dragon's roar.
Just as that realisation reached Lovino's mind, the beast in question flew into view. There was a panic as everyone scrambled to get away, and the dragon flew towards them.
Heading straight for Lili.
Lovino's eyes widened when he realised that, and he immediately drew his sword as he tried to get through the stream of people, keeping his sword low so as not to accidentally stab someone. And the prince…
He fled like everyone else, the coward that he was.
Lovino could do nothing as the dragon snatched Lili up. Her scream echoed through the air as the dragon flew away with her.
…
"We have to do something!" the king snarled.
It wasn't long after the dragon had whisked Lili away, and the court was gathered. Lovino gritted his teeth. While the royal court was discussing the situation, Lili might already be…
"And what do you suggest we do?" the prince asked. "That is a dragon. She's probably already dead by now."
The king flinched at that, and Lovino glared at the pompous, royal pain.
"Normally, it befalls to someone like you stepping in to save the damsel in distress," Queen Liliana said. "After all, you are her betrothed and all."
The prince shrank back, and he seemed to pale. The king rounded on him.
"That's right," he said. "You should be the one to save my daughter."
The prince stammered excuse after excuse, which only angered the king.
"Enough!" the king said. "Looks like I was wrong to think that we can count on your kingdom for our future. I will not allow a coward on this throne."
"Perhaps, we should make an alternative?" the queen suggested.
"Right. Let it be known that whoever can save my daughter from the dragon may have her hand in marriage."
Lovino wasn't happy about it. It just meant that there would be another asshole trying to get the throne. However, when he looked towards the queen, he saw her looking straight towards him as well, and she smiled and winked.
What was going on?
…
Lili clenched her eyes as the dragon flew with her towards an unknown location. The general fear had settled for a moment, especially when she realised that the flight itself had started to make her feel sick.
Eventually she felt the movement steady and stop, and she tentatively opened her eyes. They were in a large cavern, and she wondered if this was the dragon's lair. Panic started to flood her mind. What was going to happen to her now?
Surprisingly, the dragon lowered her gently onto a pile of pillows and blankets. As soon as she could, she turned around to look at the monster, only to see his body shrink and become human. The only exception was the horns, although the red eyes were also a bit alarming.
She had to admit, the dragon's human form was quite handsome.
"Comfortable?" the dragon asked. "Sorry about the scare."
"What do you want with me?" Lili asked, pleased to hear that her voice was stronger than she felt. "Who are you?"
"Oh, sorry, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Vlad. As you saw, I'm a dragon. And I already know who you are, Princess Lili."
"How do you know me?"
"My lair is just outside your kingdom's territory, and I like to go to town sometimes. I've seen you on several occasions, and your gentleness made me really fond of you."
She blushed at the compliment. She turned her gaze to the horns on his head, and she was about to ask about it, but he cut her off.
"I wear a cloak when going to town," he said. "Anyway, as for why you're here… I heard about your impending marriage, and took it upon myself to investigate your would-be groom. What I found was not good. Not only for you, but for the kingdom. So, I decided to kidnap you to prevent Prince Charmless from marrying you."
"Oh," she said, blinking in surprise. "Thank you. But… How long should I stay here?"
"Until someone better than that prince comes along. Preferably that bodyguard of yours."
"L-Lovino?"
Vlad smirked.
"The two of you like each other," he said. "And he'll take care of the kingdom, and you."
She blushed at the dragon's statement. He turned away from her and walked away.
"Anyway, I imagine that that wedding dress can't be very comfortable," he said. "So I got you this."
He returned with one of her dresses. She widened her eyes.
"How did you get that?" she asked.
"Your mother gave it to me," he said. "We arranged this. She knows where you are, and she agrees that Lovino would be a better choice too."
Her blush darkened, but she felt a bit better. Her mother, at least, cared about her, and didn't want her to marry a stranger that would only hurt her.
"So… I'm a prisoner until someone rescues me?" she asked.
"I wouldn't say 'prisoner'," Vlad said. "More like 'honoured guest'. You're free to go outside if you want. I'm going hunting, so I'll be away for a while. For your own safety, I suggest that you stay here. There are other dangers around – not for me, but certainly for you."
She nodded her head in understanding, and Vlad smiled again before he started towards the cavern's entrance. She waited a while, before she got out of her wedding dress and changed into the simpler dress. She decided that she would take the other up on his offer and go outside for a bit.
The view was fantastic.
…
After court had been dismissed, Lovino made his way to the royal couple.
"Excuse me, your majesties," Lovino said, catching their attentions. "If it's alright with you, I wish to discuss something with the queen."
The queen nodded, and the king turned and left. Soon, the two of them were the only ones left in the throne room.
"Now, what's troubling you?" the queen asked.
"It's just a suspicion," Lovino said, "but… you knew what would happen with the dragon, didn't you?"
The queen looked around the room, as though ensuring that they were indeed alone, and nodded her head.
"Yes," she said. "The dragon approached me the other night, informing me that he doesn't want that prince to take the throne. That he would only hurt Lili, and the kingdom. So he told me that he was going to kidnap her on her wedding day to make sure that the wedding doesn't take place. And that I should make sure that a proclamation is made that whoever can save Lili is to become the new king."
"And that still leaves us with someone only saving Lili… I mean Princess Lili, for the crown," Lovino said.
The queen smiled.
"Not if you save her," she said.
"Huh?" Lovino asked, shocked.
"The dragon informed me that you are the only one that he won't attack. He noticed how much you care for my daughter."
Lovino blushed, averting his eyes.
"You are a knight," Queen Liliana said. "You are just as qualified as a prince. Especially if you save my daughter."
Lovino was silent for a moment.
"You're saying… that you don't mind?" he asked.
"Exactly," she said. "Now, the dragon gave me directions to his lair. I assume you'd like that."
…
It was the day after Lili had been kidnapped, and Vlad was doing everything in his power to make things as comfortable for her as possible. The two of them had stayed up late into the night, simply talking. It was the first time in a long time that Vlad had had any sort of discussion with anyone, especially a human.
Lili was still asleep, and Vlad was careful not to wake her as he left to go hunting. At the entrance, he slipped into his dragon form and took flight.
He had been flying for a while, searching for a deer or something like that which he could catch for him and Lili when he saw movement. He paused, looking at the area, and determined that it wasn't a deer. It was a horse. And upon that horse was a rider.
Vlad narrowed his eyes, but relaxed when he saw that it was Lovino. He was a bit surprised to see him only arriving just now, before realising that it took longer to reach his home on horseback than it did when he flew.
He hovered there for a few moments, trying to see how much time they had. When he saw that the horse wouldn't be arriving at his lair within the next hour, he decided that he would continue the hunt. And perhaps he could give Lovino some of the food as well.
…
Lili woke up alone. She looked around the cavern, determining that the previous day wasn't a dream. She had really been kidnapped by a dragon.
However, he wasn't the monster she'd heard about in tales. He was sophisticated and kind, and he made sure that she was comfortable. She knew that she had nothing to fear from him. He was also very funny, and tried to make her laugh as much as possible.
She could smell something cooking, and she realised how hungry she was. Vlad wasn't used to cooking his food, but did it for her sake. He wasn't too bad, but it had taken a while for him to get the time right. It wouldn't do to have something that was either raw or burnt.
She heard something by the entrance, and wondered what it could be. Vlad was in another chamber in order to cook, since he didn't want her choking on smoke, so she knew that it wasn't him. She remembered that Vlad was waiting for someone to save her, and she wondered if it was him.
Soon enough, a familiar figure came into view, and she widened her eyes.
"Lovino!" she called out.
He had his sword out, and lowered it when he saw her. She ran to him, and he gladly wrapped her in a hug.
"Princess Lili!" he exclaimed. "Are you alright? Did the dragon hurt you?"
"Not at all," she said. "Vlad was really nice to me."
"Vlad?"
"You called?"
Lovino jumped before whirling around. Lili could see that he was surprised to see Vlad in his human form. Vlad looked towards the sword and rolled his eyes.
"You can put that away," he said. "If I was going to hurt you, I wouldn't bring you food."
He was right. In his hands were two plates of food. Mostly meat, but there were also a few berries. Lovino hesitated, before taking a plate. Lili took the other.
"So, you're the dragon?" Lovino asked. "What exactly is going on?"
"Didn't the queen tell you?" Vlad asked. "I needed to make sure that Lili isn't married to that pompous snob. I did it because that man would have destroyed Lili and the kingdom. Neither of those options worked for me."
"But you know that it's a political marriage? If anyone finds out… Not to mention the fact that tensions have been rising."
Vlad grinned.
"I actually have a plan for that as well," he said.
…
Lovino still couldn't believe how things had turned out.
It had been six months since their little adventure. He had married Lili, and he was on his way to becoming king. Still, he acted as her bodyguard. Not that there were many threats anymore.
The prince that Lili would have married was outraged by the change in arrangements, and he had tried to rally his father's kingdom's armies to strike against them. However, there was something that stopped them in their tracks.
Vlad.
They had claimed that, when Lovino saved Lili, he had tamed the dragon, and now he resided on the palace grounds. Sometimes in the throne room. They had wanted to make adjustments to allow Vlad to move freely, but with the reveal that Vlad could turn human, they decided that renovations wouldn't be necessary.
Lovino, Vlad and Lili were strolling through the town. The people had gotten used to Vlad, and knew that he would never harm any of them. Anyone that tried to threaten the kingdom, on the other hand, would not be so lucky.
It was clear that Lili was fond of Vlad, and Lovino hated to admit that he rather liked the dragon as well. Especially considering the fact that he had helped him and Lili get married.
The idea for this story came from TV Tropes, where I found 'The Universal Genre-Savvy Guide'. You know the Evil Overlord List? Same basic principle, just including other genres and situations. The genre of Fantasy has a section for dragons, which has: 'I will not indulge in stereotypical "evil dragon" behavior. Stories where those behaviors don't get me slain are usually deconstruction stories where those behaviors bite me hard in the ass later… Kidnapping princesses. In addition to the reasons against kidnapping damsels, the royal parents of whatever princess I kidnap will be both extremely wealthy and the commanders-in-chief of their own armies. These are usually the pink apes offering rewards for killing me and rescuing said princess.However, I will keep the option open for special circumstances. For example, if she's being forced into an Arranged Marriage to a worthless trout of a prince whose parents and/or character could actually harm the kingdom, I'll fake kidnapping her and give her a nice place to stay in my lair until somebody more qualified to rule the kingdom comes to her rescue. I will make sure the king and queen know what I'm doing before attempting this. I will also make sure the hero has ample opportunity to figure out the kidnapping is fake before he reaches my inner sanctum, so he knows not to try and slay me on sight. I will do what I can to befriend the princess while we wait for the plot to catch up with us. If we end up bonding, I get a strong political ally that can intercede for me to the other pink apes, and the kingdom's monarchy gets a powerful ally with a vested interest in protecting their kingdom from invaders and hostile dragons. Win-win!'
The actual entry is a bit longer with other items, but this is the shortest version I can add which explains the prompt. Seriously, the moment I saw this, I knew I had to write a story with it, and since I've been wondering what to do with the threesome, I decided that this would be a good one.