A Hetalia Fairytale 2

Gilbert landed on the outside of the castle walls, successful in escaping his prison with no one catching him. He was downright furious that his parents took away his last freedom he had. All his life, he's been told that someday, he would be king and he attended a whole bunch of boring shit. Dances, trials, games, more damn dances. His life was very restricted and it was easier to make a list of things that he was allowed to do but either way, his life still sucked despite being of royal blood. He was free to come and go as he pleased as long as it was in the kingdom. He was allowed to make friends with anyone he wished, provided by they had his parents' approval, namely his father's. And he was promised when he was younger that he would be able to choose who he wanted to marry that is IF he wanted to marry, which he didn't.

He was headed for the stables to get a horse when a sound made him jump out of his skin. He whipped around and saw Levi, his favourite bloodhound. Or technically, the hound's favourite human. He was only a year old and extremely hyperactive. He bowed down with his rear end high in the air and his tail whipping back and forth wanting to play.

"Go away." Gilbert hissed as he swatted his arm. Levi howled in excitement and that definitely alerted the guard. Gilbert threw an apple that was in one of the horse's feeding pails and Levi bounded after it giving him only a few more seconds to spare to get on his horse and be on his way.

Madeline shifted slightly in her sleep as the rooster's caw echoed through the hallways into the kitchen where she fell asleep reading by the fireplace. She was tired and wanted more rest but once that annoying rooster wakes her up and she's unintentionally sleeping on the floor, there's no way she could sneak in a few more minutes before attending to her chores. She stretched as she dusted cinder and soot off of her red and white dress.

She groggily made her way to the chicken coop and the pig's pen outside, hoping that the hens were more tame today as they attacked her mercilessly for the past week because she tripped on a board and smashed several eggs that broke her fall. And even though they didn't have chicks or anything in them, the hens were vicious because they were so spooked.

Life hasn't been the same since her beloved father passed away. Life on the farm wasn't as lively as it once was. The atmosphere was expected to be gloomy only for a little while after Francis passed away then rise again but it never did. Since Emilia was in charge of everything, everything went from bad to worse. After a few months of Francis' passing, Emilia practically ignores Madeline and made her into a servant of the house. At first Madeline thought Emilia's intent was to keep her mind busy to keep her from mourning excessively and she didn't mind the chores much. But now, Emilia almost ignores Madeline and Madeline has been doing everything she has been told just to be acknowledged by her and to please her.

To make things worse, Emilia was spending money recklessly and started to sell servants off to pay her, or rather their debt since she blamed it on them. The only servants who were left were Marie the housekeeper, Arthur and Madeline. Only a week ago, Eric was the last servant to be sold off. Arthur and Madeline begged to Emilia to sell something other than Arthur's father. She replied curtly by saying that nothing else would be in equal worth to Eric and she said that she wouldn't dare sell her 'precious' stepdaughter, (what kind of a mother would she be then? She had other plans for her anyway), Arthur was claimed to be worth next to nothing due to his 'problems' as even the loony bin thought he was nuts (and some whining from Alyssa to keep Arthur around might have been contributed) and she couldn't sell the loyal housekeeper. Last they heard, Eric was sold to be shipped off to another country for slave labour.

As Madeline was picking apples for her and Arthur's breakfast, she was planning a way of what she and Arthur could do as a last effort to bring Eric home and she came up with nothing. The last time they spoke, they came up with that they would combine what little money they made and appeal directly to the courts. Madeline was a person who was well with words and convincing others and they still had some hope that the courts will accept their case.

She heard a rumbling sound as she gathered her basket and she saw the king's guards galloping down the road. 'What could they possibly want here? Perhaps they will finally take the Baroness to court like she's always wanted.' They rode past the turnoff to the manor and she quickly dismissed her little thought. When she started heading back she heard another voice.

"C'mon fleabag! Ja!" Madeline whipped her head around and saw somebody riding her father's brown horse, Philly. She dropped her basket save for a couple of apples and ran towards the thief. She bent her arm back and threw it as hard as she could and it hit right where the perpetrator's forehead was supposed to be. It shocked him so much that he let go and fell off the horse.

"Thief! How dare you steal my father's horse!" She shouted at him while throwing a rock at his knee. "This will teach you a lesson you dirty hoser!"

"Please let me explain," The stranger had his cloak covering his head and she couldn't see his face. He took another hitting to his stomach

"What's to explain? Get out!"

"I was only borrowing him, my horse left me a while ba-ACK!" Madeline threw the last stone at his lower abdomen knocking him once more to the ground. "My awesome five meters…" He hissed in pain before stumbling back to his feet.

"There's more where that came from, your highness." She gasped and knelt before him when he lowered his hood. "Forgive me, I did not know it was you." She kept her head down not daring to look at his red eyes.

"I would have figured as much." He gasped as he was trying to walk out the pain and rub his head at the same time. "You've got quite the arm." He muttered as he ran a hand through his snow white hair.

"And for that I know I'm going to die."

"Hey, accidents happen. I would have done the same thing to a thief myself. I can be very forgiving." He smirked as he mounted the horse. Madeline raised her head a little to catch a glimpse of him.

"Please, we have other horses that you may use, they're younger, faster." Her voice took a more gentle timid tone, almost pleading.

"I just want to get out of this hell hole. If you really want to repent, tell no one that you saw me." He poured some coins in front of her and her eyes widened and she wanted to thank him a thousand times over. He gave her more than enough money to free Eric.

She ran to the house into the kitchen as soon as he was out of sight. Arthur was boiling some eggs (one of the few things he knew how to actually cook) and was in the middle of practicing a spell to make the bread he dropped in the oven to appear to be less burned.

"Bloody witch… She thinks that the sun revolves around her. It rises in the East…" Arthur was muttering about his discontent of his mistress and he was venting it as quietly as he can so he could calmly convince her to let his father go free.

"And it shines brightly because it's going to be a beautiful day!" Madeline poured the coins on the counter making Arthur turn around and stare at her in shock.

"Mattie, how on earth? You convinced her?" Madeline shook her head.

"I got it from… a friend of a friend." The magic words that kept things secret. Maddie wasn't the one who could lie easily but when the situation called for it, such as Eric is about to be sent to a labour camp and the prince's desperation to leave undetected, she knew how to keep secrets without being eavesdropped on. Arthur knew when to leave things alone. "But I'll try her one more time then we'll go with Plan B."

"Madeline!" Emila called and it sounded like she was in one of her moods.

"I'll keep them safe." Madeline put it in her skirt pocket and wiped the grin off of her face.

"Morning Belle-Mere, Ivanna, Alyssa." Madeline automatically greeted them calmly and timidly.

"Morning Maddie!" Alyssa was the only one to greet her or at least to smile at her.

"I-I trust you all slept well." She tried to keep a bright conversation but it was quickly shot down by Ivanna.

"Looks like someone's been over sleeping by the fireplace again. Ash and soot everywhere, not a very pleasant sight Madeline. Or smell." She gave a cruel childish smile. Just once Madeline would wish that she would not insult her so openly. It always brings her on the verge of tears. "And no bath today either, if you insist on living like an animal you should sleep in the barn. At least it has a straw bed instead of the floor."

"That was harsh, Ivanna." Emilia said without glancing at Ivanna while Alyssa gave her a murderous glare.

"Really, mother? I was only speaking the truth." Madeline turned to leave to wipe away her tears and to join Arthur for breakfast.

"Matil- no, Meg- Madeline. Come here dear." Her stepmother grabbed her by the wrist and examined her carefully. "Is there something that's bothering you? You seem- off today."

"Y-Yes. I'm not feeling my best today." Her quavering voice responded respectfully. "It's just that…"

"What? What? Spit it out already darling instead of mumbling. You know how I hate the mumbles."

"I-I just received word that Eric was to be shipped to a labour camp. And I was wondering-"

"The answer is still no. He was the source of my money problems and unless if a miracle happens and his debt is paid off, he is not coming back. After all these years I have fed you, clothed you, and gave you shelter and all I ask is that you help around the house without complaint. Is that so hard to ask for?"

"No ma'am. But-"

"End of discussion. I will not talk about servants returning to this house or hiring new servants."

After Madeline and Arthur were finished the dishes, they went outside to a spot by a tree far from anyone's earshot for breakfast. They had an hour to themselves to eat breakfast before starting on their daily chores. Today Emilia was taking Alyssa and Ivanna shopping for a broche for Ivanna which bought them more time to prepare and execute their plan. Madeline and Arthur were pretending to dust while waiting for the trio to leave.

"But mother, why are we always getting Ivanna jewelry? It's not like she needs it, she's big enough already and aren't we supposed to save our money?"

"Yes, that's true Alyssa. I AM bigger than you." Ivanna smirked.

"Hush Alyssa." Emilia snapped. "Hold your tongue unless if you can improve the atmosphere." Ivanna and Alyssa's show of the day was over. Ivanna and Alyssa were not the pair of sisters they portrayed themselves as in society. In public, they were friendly, polite, (although Alyssa still has occasional problems controlling her outbursts and how much food she eats), and overall the perfect family. At home, they have so much tension between them that it sparks a daily argument and the trick was to do it when their mother wasn't looking. A few years back it was so bad that they would have weekly brawls and Arthur and Maddie would take bets on who would land the first punch. They only gambled with their duties though. The loser did a duty that the other person picked.

The one time it turned out into an all out brawl, Alyssa was the one who got the worse of it and Arthur and Madeline were the ones to heal her, via Madeline's request. Although Alyssa still thinks it was all Arthur's idea and has been very fond of the boy since.

"She's gone. Mattie, let's hurry and get you dressed!"

As Gilbert was riding through the forest, the thought of freedom was not the only thought to plague his mind. That one girl that shot him off his horse remained in his mind. She had quite the spirit, he liked that. He never had encountered a woman who was so fiery and yet so meek. A perfect balance. And she was not bad looking either. Although what were the chances that he would see her again? Something shot out of the bush causing the horse to go on his hind legs and Gilbert hung on for dear life.

"You stupid beast, calm down!" He shouted and that caused it to spontaneously gallop. Gilbert thought he was done for sure then it was suddenly stopped by a brunette Gilbert knew very well. Although he was overjoyed to see him since he was able to calm the horse down, his heart sank. This game of cat and mouse was over much too early.

"Found you amigo!" He smiled absently as if they were playing a game.

"Antonio! Damn… You weren't supposed to find me!"

"Oh~ Oops."

"Gilly! There you are! We'vea been so worried'a 'bout you!" And yet another surprise. Gilbert's maternal great-grandfather has joined in the hunt. God only knows how he managed to stay alive for so many years and looks like a thirty year old. There is no escaping when his great-grandfather is involved but why of all days did they have to come TODAY? It has been a while since he last saw them but he was so close to freedom.

"Hey Old Man." Gilbert gave a weak smile.

"How's my favourite great-grandson?" He smiled.

"I'm your only great-grandson. And right now it is the worst day of my unawesome life." He sulked as he leaned on the horse's neck.

"Uh-Oh. Sounds like you're love sick." 'How does this guy KNOW?' "Grandpa will take you back home and then we'll talk." He smiled.

"Great." He sighed. "Or actually Old Man, since you guys found me I have to return this horse. Hey Tonio, can I ride yours on the way back?"

"Si. I brought my bull here too and he's just as fast." He grinned then he realized something. "You are lovesick Gil? Why didn't you talk to me? I know you're still unhappy about the arranged marriage and all but…" Gilbert facepalmed himself. That was the reason he was so damn unhappy and when he considered running away, he DID talk to Antonio. Although he was Gilbert's best friend, he can be REALLY clueless at times.

"Grandpa will talk'a to you about you're'a arranged marriage. Okay'a Gilly?"

"Fine. And stop calling me Gilly." He facepalmed himself again but lighter this time since that bruise from the apple was starting to hurt like hell.

"Why'a not? My little Feli calls you that all the time."

Major facepalm time.