Free~FrUk

Part Three

After France slipped a few silver coins into one of the angry villagers palms, we were on our way. He offered his hand to take me on his horse but I shot him down pretty fast with such a question. I rode along with his fellow soldiers instead, refusing to even glance at him as we made our way to the castle, as he tried very many attempts to even speak to me.

He kept looking at me during the whole journey, but I didn't bother a glance. We stayed on the path as we had finally approached his castle as he finally turned away to admire such an eyesore!
Painted white cobblestone walls surrounded the castle, as the rest of it was a simple grey, as if the painter was lazy. The French flag was placed on top of the tallest tower, as horns came from different directions as I jumped.

France laughed, his usual '~ohonhonhon' which of course made me shiver in one would say, a bad way. He raised his hand and the horns were silenced, as he said something in French that I didn't understand at the time.

"Je suis I arrivé avec un invité! Mais je vous remercie de mon merveilleux retour!" He grinned as everyone around him bowed respectfully and clapped.

"You...really made a name for yourself, haven't you frog." I pointed out as he looked over to me and winked.

"It is what any Prince would do, Angleterre~" He purred again.

I flinched and instantly regretted of saying such a thing.
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When we went inside the castle, I instantly had noticed the splendour and the richness of it. Pictures of what I assumed were once French kings surrounded the walls, with a large picture in the centre of the marble stairs that led up towards the second landing.

I studied the picture, but noticed that it wasn't actually of France, but another young bloke who I hadn't recognized at the time, sitting beside what I assumed was the queen.

"Whose the bloke up there, frog?" I asked, actually interested.

"'Uh? Oh! Zhat is zhe King right now, King Francis the Second, with 'is Queen, Mary. Zhey are...not a fan of...England..." He trailed off.

"Oh don't worry, I definitely noticed. My wife wasn't a fan of them either." I replied honestly.

"Oh? I didn't know you were married..." He said, sounding...odd about such a subject.

"Hmm? Oh quite right. I mean, I still am married but-" I stopped.

"But..?"

"She died. I don't wish to talk about it now frog so don't ask." I said sternly.

"Oh...I see...I'm sorry for your loss." He said with actual remorse.

"Oh. Yes, well... Thank you...frog." I responded.

Silence settled over us as France walked my up the stairwell, leading me to a room.

"Zhis will be you're room, I 'ope it's too you're liking!" He grinned.

I rolled my eyes and walked in, my eyes widened in disbelief! The bed was quite large, with blue and white gossamer curtains hanging around it. The walls a deep shade of red, and I had a distant feeling that France made sure it seemed like home to me. Bookshelves lined the walls, and on my end table was a beautiful tea set, hot tea steam from the Tea Pot made me feel incredibly at home.

I looked back to France's face, a mixture of excitement and something else led me to believe he wanted my praise.

"It's..." I trailed off.

His face fell almost instantly and for some reason, I quickly responded.

"Amazing. Magnificent, Frog, I-uh, I thank you..." I muttered.

He clapped and laughed, his weird "~Ohonhonhon"

"You're welcome Angleterre~, I'll leave you to unpacking now. Dinner will be at six so please 'urry!" He smiled before walking away and shutting the door behind me.

I dove towards the tea as quick as you could say 'Earl Grey.'
~
As I laid in my glorious bed, I often wondered why France took so much ill-begotten time to create such a room. Especially for myself, as much as I despised the man, he did do a good job to make someone of my stature feel more at home.

Sometimes, as I most often wonder, if he planned it all by himself. He was always such a go getter, as they say. As well as very informative and very attentive to those around him. How long has he been attentive towards me I wonder. It wasn't even really for the wars we had, but more so for the fact he was attentive to what I liked in life.

An odd thought to think.
~
A scullery maid rapped on my door as I curiously read one of the hundred books France had placed in my room. I opened the door to find her there with a new batch of tea as well as a new batch of news.

"Bonjour, my lord has called zhee to supper." She said, her French accent thick as the rest of the city.

"Oh! Why, uh, Merci..?" I said, a little unsure.

She smiled humbly and moved past me to place the tray before hurrying back out, promptly to do more chores his Frogness probably needed her to do.

I walked slowly out the door, looking down the long, cobblestone corridor with candles littering the sides. France sure did like his light, huh?
The castle to me still felt like a large prison, but a little more comfortable then the castle in Britain, of course I would never disgrace my country like that.

I started to walk, not knowing where the bloody hell I was going, walking blindly as I noticed the big wooden doors to different directions. Paintings went along the walls, and, to my astonishment, they were our fellow countries!

Well, different countries at the time since North America didn't exist yet. Prussia stood with pride, and Spain smiling contently alone. They were very life-like, and I would tip my hat to the artist when I noticed who even painted this beautiful artistry.
It was France who painted such masterpieces, and as I walked along, I noticed he didn't paint me.

Bloody frog think I'm not good enough for his stupid castle? What an idiot!
I grumbled to myself as I walked along, noticing the paintings getting older and older until Holy Rome stood near the end, next to a lovely young girl with a curl sticking out of her bonnet. 

"Did Italy have a sister..?" I wondered aloud.

I shook my head and continued walking when I stopped mid step.
Oh, I had found myself alright, but of all paintings, I wouldn't think he would paint this sort of scenery...

We stood together, facing towards a large field under the tree he cut my hair at. Except...we weren't yelling, nobody looked jealous. We looked content, as if he captured our hateful relationship at a different moment. A moment where we looked...happy with each other's company. We stood in our old Victorian white shirts and we didn't have a care in the world.

We looked....free, almost. Free from the war that would surround us in just a few short years...

I tore my eyes away from the painting and noticed the large, double-doors that stood between what I assumed was the dining hall. I took a deep breath and opened the doors.
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"I have arrived with a guest! But I thank you for my wonderful return~" English translation lol