| The Last Dance | AH X GE Fanfic |

(1) "𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦?"

Sounds of hitting glasses.. loud laughing voices.. and especially the high-pitched sound of the violin... These were some of the only sounds that Austria-Hungary could hear in this crowded place. Anyone looking at his face could easily tell that he didn't want to be here.

Tonight, he was at a ball that hosted by Prussia. Every year, the best meals, drinks and especially the nobles were at this ball. While most of the guests were human, some countries were easily distinguishable among them. The fact that countries had their own flags on their faces and that they were taller than an average human were some of the things that set them apart from them.

The countries at the ball would talk to each other.. dance.. and forget about the tensions between them.. even if it was a one-night stand together. And this year, his family was invited to this annual ball for the first time. That was one of those rare things to see. Ever since the rivalry between his father, Austrian Empire, and Prussia began, the two countries had not talked about each other... But surprisingly, when his father received the invitation, he immediately accepted it and took him with him to the ball, even if he didn't want to.

Austria-Hungary sighed deeply. He leaned against the wall where he watched the people at the ball. He looked at the half-empty glass in his hand. He didn't really want to be at this ball. Proms.. Parties... Simply social activities were not much his thing... But here he was... It was as if he had been left to die alone in this crowd.

Austria-Hungary raised his head. His red-green eyes searched for someone familiar in this crowd.. But there wasn't anyone like that anyway. The only person he knew at this ball could be his father. So where was he? As Austria-Hungary looked around, he saw Austrian Empire talking around a table with two other countries.

To the left of the Austrian Empire was a country with a black and white flag. It was Prussia. When they arrived at the ball, he greeted him and his father. It was how he meet with him.

To the right of Austrian Empire was a country an another country. The flag of the country consisted of black, yellow and white stripes. He could have been the tallest country he had ever seen. He was surprised that he had never met him until now.

When the three empires spoke with serious expressions on their faces, he didn't even want to disturb them.

He drank the last drink left in the glass in his hand, and then placed the empty glass on a nearby table. It was hard to find anything to do at this ball.. especially if you're alone. The loud noises here were already making him nervous and uncomfortable. If he didn't want to faint, he had to go somewhere where he could get fresh air and away from the crowd.

Austria-Hungary looked around, looking for a place where he could go. He first thought of the balcony. But when he saw a group of smokers on the balcony, he immediately gave up. He couldn't just stand the smell of cigarette, just as he couldn't stand the loud noise. As Austria-Hungary sighed again, he combed back his red hair that had fallen front of his eyes. The atmosphere was getting hotter and he was sweating a little.

Then he thought of the garden. Yes, the garden. When they came here, before entering the palace, he saw that the palace had a garden as big as itself. He hadn't had time to take a closer look at it but It was enough for him to go there. Most of the guests were in the ballroom, there should be no one in the garden.

He wasn't quite sure if it was okay to just leave the ball. He wasn't sure if his father would be stay calm when he was gone. Austria-Hungary turned his head back to his father, who was still talking with the two countries. He seemed busy.

He thought for a while.... Maybe if he was quick, they wouldn't even notice that he's gone. It wouldn't hurt to try after all.

Austria-Hungary sneaked out of the guests... He was being polite, and trying not to bump into them. After a while, he left the ballroom without being seen by anyone. Now he had to find his way to the garden in the palace...