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I SUCK! I'm so sorry you guys had to wait forever for this ;-; I've been pretty sick, but I know you guys are counting on this and I hate to let you down. Sorry it's late, but here it is <3
RECAP! You gave the little pickpocket a sword and a name, Liliana. (Admittedly, that was mostly Ludwig's choice.) Prussia said that she was like a little you, and he admitted to you how unhappy he is with Hungary, and you knew you shouldn't have, but you promised him that before your wedding, he would be free of her. You bought everyone their snacks, and you settled down together to watch the traveling players' performance.
AN ITTY BITTY ANNOUNCEMENT! I reached 250 watchers recently, yayyy! So I decided to have a giveaway. But I also promised giveaways for 50,000 deviation views, 3000 total favorites, and 5000 pageviews, which I also reached at almost the exact same time. So I'm doing four giveaways ^^ Basically just tell me what you want (story, poem, photo, attempted art), and you get a free commission. If you look here (Commissions list and giveaways! [2/75 slots taken]) you can see what everyone else has asked for and base your requests on that! YOU DO NOT NEED TO WATCH ME TO PARTICIPATE! Although watchers also get a free commission :3
STORY TIME!
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You sat contentedly beside Ludwig all afternoon as he, Gilbert, your fathers, and Liliana laughed at the antics of the traveling players. At one point, when they noticed that the princess was in attendance, they did a skit in your honor, or perhaps at the expense of it.
“Where are we going, Princess?” Called one of the women in a comically deep voice with a rough German accent.
“Why, to market, Prince Ludwig.” The actress playing you cast a cocky grin at Ludwig’s impersonator. Ludwig himself put a hand over his mouth to hide his laughter at that; the woman had certainly gotten your mannerisms down.
“What for, darling?”
“To get a dog a bone.”
The audience laughed at the nursery rhyme reference, and you even chuckled. The prince and the princess were surrounded suddenly, and Ludwig’s actress clung to yours. “Bandits!”
“Stay back, my dear! Princess Europa will protect you!” Your actress sashayed about the field, flailing her sword haphazardly at the other actresses, who fell with overdone gasps. Cockily, she swaggered back to Ludwig’s actress, putting a hand on ‘his’ hip as she grinned. “There, darling. I told you, no one bests General Europa in a fight. If the queendom doesn’t know this yet, I will tell them myself!”
The audience laughed and clapped a little uneasily, but the players grinned up at you, bowing. “Well, Princess? How were we?”
You felt the tension in the crowd as they looked at you, Ludwig included, worry shining in the baby blues he directed your way. You leaned back easily, looping your arm around him comfortably as you let out a short laugh. “Your swordswomanship needs some work.”
The crowd laughed then, relieved, and the actresses grinned as they conceded the point. The play resumed after that, and Ludwig cast thankful eyes at you. You smiled at him, running a hand along his leg as you murmured, “You needn’t have been so concerned, darling. They poked fun at me, certainly, but they were fairly accurate in their fight scene, and I dare say I enjoyed the reenactment. And, most importantly…they did not dare to poke fun at you.”
Overhearing this where he sat beside his brother, Prussia couldn’t keep a grin off of his face. ‘Just three months ago, the _____ I knew would have had these players all thrown in her dungeon for such ein performance. She truly has changed for mein Bruder, or perhaps because of him. Perhaps both.’ His smile faded then. ‘I only wish…’
Unhappy crimson eyes glanced at the castle, where he knew Hungary and Rodinia were discussing an endless number of policy issues. Swallowing gently, he turned his eyes back to the play. ‘I only wish I had been as lucky.’
Hearing Ludwig giggle at something you had said, and hearing your laugh in response, Prussia’s smile returned. ‘But Europa said she would take care of me, for no reason other than to please Ludwig. Und Gott help me…I believe her. After all…’ He glanced at Liliana. ‘If mein soon-to-be sister-in-law would risk her reputation as ein fierce, hardened warrior to give this child ein second chance, there is no limit to what she will do for someone Ludwig cares about.’
Both of your fathers were glancing at the two of you giggling together, and both of them turned their eyes back to the players with a smile as they shared a single simple thought. ‘I never thought I would see this day, but…my child is in love.’
You spent the rest of the afternoon watching the players, but finally, around mealtime, your lords were ready to depart. Gerhart was beginning to speak to your father. “It was good to meet you, Ritter.”
“And you, Gerhart, but, oh, you aren’t saying goodbye just yet, are you? You must join us for supper at the castle!”
He looked just as surprised as his sons as he stuttered, “A-ah…are you certain? I am ein high-ranking lord, ja, but I am not nobility.”
“Please, I insist! What does that matter? Both of your sons dine with us tonight, so you should as well!”
Gerhart still hesitated, and five heads turned to you then. You gave a short laugh, tightening your grip where it was situated, as always, on Ludwig’s waist. “Do not presume to seek confirmation from me. The king of this queendom has issued you an invitation; it is not my place to approve or rescind it. Only mother can do such a thing, and after a long day of tedium and policy making, she will certainly be glad to see a new face.”
Ludwig looked at you contentedly and Gilbert looked at you in surprise, both remembering a time not that long ago when you wouldn’t have hesitated to override any man, even your father. Your father, meanwhile, was looking at Gerhart curiously, and Gerhart shrugged. “Well, I…suppose it would be alright.”
Your father cast a happy smile Gerhart’s way, and Gerhart raised an eyebrow before looking to you. You grinned, stretching. “Well, now that we’ve settled that, let us head to the castle. It should be just about time to eat.”
Ludwig rolled his eyes, complaining as he took your arm, “Oh, _____...food, again? Do you ever think of anything else?”
“I think of training.” You teased with a grin as you escorted him and the others toward the castle. “And I suppose I might think of you on occasion.”
He began to smile, but he tried to hide it. “Food, training, und me? There are but three thoughts in your head?”
Your teasing grin was replaced with a tender one as you asked softly, “What other thoughts do I need?”
He blushed then, and he said nothing, but he could no longer hide his smile as you escorted him into the castle.
Once inside, you led your well-dressed band into the dining hall, where your mother and Hungary were already seated. You, Ludwig, and Prussia stood behind your usual seats as Hungary and your mother got up to greet your group. Your father smiled happily at your mother as he moved to his seat. “Rodinia, meet Gerhart. This is-”
A smile crossed your mother’s mouth as she cut him off. “Ludwig’s father, I’d wager. I thought I was seeing double for a moment. How do, Gerhart? Will you be joining us?”
Gerhart bowed respectfully. “Very good, thank you. Und you? If it pleases you, Ritter invited me to join you, und I would accept his offer.”
Hungary chuckled even as your mother nodded her assent. “She is the ruler of the queendom. I believe it is safe to say she is doing well.”
“Ah. Hungary.” Gerhart inclined his head coldly, greeting her stiffly. “I had heard you were here as well, but I did not think I would see you.”
“Your surprise is as great as my own.” She answered neutrally. They glared at each other until your father directed Germania to sit beside Prussia.
Your mother, meanwhile, was staring in confusion at Liliana, who was looking back at her unyieldingly, if a bit uncomfortably. She looked from the obstinate child to you in confusion. “_____? What is this?”
You shrugged, seating yourself as everyone else sat as well. Liliana stood at your side uncertainly, and you ignored her for the moment to look at your mother. “This is our newest castle-girl.”
She raised an eyebrow, looking the girl over. “She is young, and small for her age besides. What can she…do?”
You looked perplexed for a moment before smiling. “She carries things quite well.”
Ludwig and Gilbert’s eyes met across the table, and they looked away quickly so as not to start giggling. Your mother was unsatisfied with your answer and frowned. “There are a thousand peasants taller, stronger, and older that could carry things just as well.”
Liliana’s eyes were beginning to look nervous. Her hands fingered her new clothes as she realized that her position in the castle wasn’t set yet. She looked at you anxiously, but you still paid her no mind, staring your mother down seriously. “I want this one.”
She sighed in exasperation. “Can you give me a reason, Europa? A reason why my general should take an interest in an undeveloped hoodlum?”
You looked at Liliana then, and eyes the same shade of [e/c] met, though one set was determined and the other was distraught. Finally, you crossed your arms petulantly as you looked your mother in the eyes. “I like her. I have named her, so she is mine now. That is the rule.”
“With dogs, _____.” Ludwig chided gently. “Liliana is ein human girl, not ein stray.”
Rolling her eyes, seeing that she wasn’t about to get any answers from you, your mother looked down at the girl fiercely. “Liliana…is that the name my daughter gave you? Where are your parents, girl?”
“Don’t got none.” She answered automatically. Hearing you clear your throat, her defiant expression was replaced with a sheepish one as she corrected, “I mean, I don’t ‘ave any.”
“What happened to them?”
Liliana looked down. “It were…was a bandit raid. Mum were in the militia. She stopped ‘em, but she died in the fight, and Fa had to make due. He did his best, but it weren’t…wasn’t enough. We had to sell the house and move to town, and ‘e caught the black boil sickness when it were going around. Don’t got no other family.”
You stiffened as you heard this, stunned. You turned then to look at Ludwig, and while you fully expected to see the words ‘I told you so’ written across his face, they weren’t there. The only thing in the sky-colored eyes you loved so much was a heavy dose of sadness. His hand found its way to yours under the table as he watched you begin to understand why he was so set against the militia, and he squeezed it gently as the lesson sunk heavily in.
Your mother hadn’t paused for this exchange, however. “So you’ve been living on the streets since then? No formal education, poor nutrition, weakened immune system from poor living conditions…” She shook her head, turning hard eyes to yours. “Why should we invest in this urchin?”
Your fist thudded onto the table then, and you rose angrily. “Why should we ‘invest’ in her? You speak as though we don’t have the money! We could feed her for a year on just the food the kitchens throw away after a party. We should ‘invest’ in her because she is one of our citizens who through no fault of her own has fallen into hardship and despair, and we have the power to change that. We should ‘invest’ in her because we can, and because it is right!”
Your mother looked at you in surprise at your anger, but she, trained observer that she was, noticed that the rest of the now-silent dining room was looking at you in approval, nodding heads and smiling slightly. None were looking at you with more appreciation than the four men who had been with you all day, and of those, one set of blue eyes was staring at you as though remembering why they had fallen in love with you in the first place.
A set of [e/c] eyes was staring at you too, with tears in the corners and heroine worship across the irises.
Your mother nodded, the same [e/c] eyes staring into yours with mingled irritation and satisfaction. “Very well. We will keep the girl.”
Mollified, you nodded, taking your seat again. Conversation resumed at the other end of the long table as the tension faded, and you looked at Liliana then. “What are you doing, child? Take your seat. You may sit next to Prince Ludwig.”
She looked at you, stunned. “You mean…I get to eat at the table?”
In confusion, you arched a brow. “You are a staff member now, but you are not a kitchen servant, are you? Of course you will eat at the table. Haven’t you ever eaten in a place with servants before?”
She shook her head, correcting, “I never ate in a place with a table.”
For once, even you were speechless as she took her seat.
Belgium and Lena entered the dining hall then. Belgium raised an eyebrow at the girl in her usual seat and took Lena’s, who slid down to the next one. Belgium looked at you around Ludwig and Liliana. “I take it this is our new recruit?”
You nodded. “This is Liliana. Liliana, greet Commander Belgium of the Rodinian army.”
She stuck her hand out to shake, reprimanding seriously, “Pleased to know you, Commander. If I get that high in the army, can I be late to dinner too?”
Belgium laughed in delight, looking up at you excitedly. “It’s a little you!”
The others began to laugh at that, and you looked pointedly at Prussia as you grumbled, “That is not the first time I have heard that today.”
Prussia giggled, and Belgium laughed appreciatively once more, while you and Liliana sat scowling in irritation on either side of Ludwig, who sat in the middle laughing. Hungary, across from you, let a smirk cross her features. “I never thought to see the day. Dressed like a princess for the first time in years, and taking a child in besides? Ludwig’s really put the whip to you, Europa.”
Ludwig’s laughter faded at that, and you and Gerhart shot Hungary an immediate glare. You answered her, a smile on your face and in your voice, but your eyes harder than diamond. “I am the princess of this castle no matter how I dress, and my dear prince had nothing to do with this child. I will wager a month’s stock of ale that this girl makes a fine soldier when I am through with her. Perhaps your eyesight begins to fail you, if you cannot see the potential that I do.”
Hungary laughed derisively. “I will take that bet, and I will wager another month's that she runs back to the streets before the first month is out.”
Liliana, on the other side of Ludwig, was staring at you in surprise. ‘A month’s worth o’ ale…because she believes in me? I wonder...if she's gonna...’
You reached across the table then to clasp Hungary's hand as you shook on it. "I'll see that bet. My women are sure to thank you for your generosity after this." You grinned before directing your comments down the row from where you were seated. “Yes, Belgium, to answer the question that started this discussion, this is our new recruit. After dinner, Lena will take Liliana to her quarters and get her settled, whatever that means. Ludwig, perhaps for one night, you wouldn’t mind skipping our after-dinner walk? I thought you might show your father and brother around your rooms while Belgium and I discuss what’s to be done with our young pagegirl. I know you have been working hard on that new tapestry, and I’m sure they would enjoy seeing it.”
Ludwig nodded pleasantly. “Ja, _____, that would be wunderbar. But you will owe me ein even longer walk tomorrow to make up for it.” He teased.
“I would not dream of slighting you, darling.” You schmoozed back affectionately.
Lena rolled her eyes at this, Belgium laughed, Prussia giggled quietly, and Germania raised an eyebrow in mingled irritation and approval. Hungary did her best to hide her annoyance, your father watched with a sappy smile, and your mother ate her roast contentedly. Liliana, still in awe of someone actually believing in her, only watched you both as she ate.
Dinner continued on after that, and when everyone had finished, they began to go their separate ways. Ludwig took his family to his rooms and invited your father along as well, Lena took Liliana to the barracks, and your mother and Hungary returned to your mother’s sitting room to finalize some policy discussions.
You and Belgium hung back after everyone had gone, and she looked at you curiously, the playful look in her eyes replaced by the steady intensity that had earned her position as your right-hand woman. “What is this really about, General?”
You returned her gaze, and your eyes were more serious than she had seen them since the last war as you answered, “The queendom has a rat problem, and I aim to solve it.”Maybe Marriage Isn't So Bad (Levi x reader) pt. 1
An Heir | Chapter 2
Prussia X Reader: Knight in Alabaster
