Once Upon A Time | A Hetalia x Reader

Prologue

[ REVISED ]

I steadily trudged along the Royal Garden, content and untroubled for all to see. The Royal Garden was such an alluring location found within the palace of Meraghyl, in which many believed it to be an area that may as well represent the heart of our kingdom. But alas, our own palace deemed to be considered as that heart, which, undoubtedly, would be expected.

I purposely take the time to come here to develop my thoughts, contemplating about the things that I was never allowed to think of. Perhaps it has things to do with inhumane abilities. Perhaps it has things to do with the history of all those mythological creatures that many individuals assumed didn't exist. But believe me, for I have experienced events that no normal human may have witnessed before them. 

Unfortunately, not even my beloved Father or my Mother allows such a supposedly preposterous claim seep into their head.

Mother and Father were allocated to discuss some matters with some guests. One of the guests was confirmed to be a father and an inherited king to the kingdom of Fellsworth - a kingdom in which I later found was land and oceans away from here. This man seemed to have proposed his son to court me for . . . who knows how long. Assuming that my parents would willingly agree made my stomach churn. Father and Mother fortunately appeared unpleased about it, and I was somewhat reassured by their hesitant responses. But as the gods have bestowed no luck for the society and generation I reside in, I was 'blessed' with a planned marriage without my accord.

My parents surely understood my position.

My parents allowed me of my rights as an individual.

They believed that they could rule without a king, thought my parents. And they were proud that I, one of Meraghyl's rulers, contributed to its prosperous nation.

But as a society, kingdoms are strongly encouraged to conjoin with other kingdoms. To unfurl a sense of harmony and newfound responsibility that many rulers may further seek. Marriage or not; that is final. However, it is nothing but a favorable option - an option that I refuse to consider.

Honestly, I believed that kingdoms search for power, and a sense of closure. I don't care for either - and I wouldn't care for an individual who only seeks for another with power, just to strengthen their own.

I took a mellow sigh, before looking up to the blanketed skies from up above. My eyes were those skies, but more clouded, and filled with such hatred; I presumed that I was yet to be the newlywed of a man I had no clue as to what he was called, or what he was like.

I wanted to run, or flee, or escape, but I couldn't. Otherwise my parents would search for me, and I would cause mere trouble. Guards left and right will track me down, and soon enough I will be found. Caught. 

A potential decision, but a risky and excessively difficult task to complete. It's quite worthless to even try. Especially when it's undoubtedly obvious that the uncontrollable yearning, ability, skill, and fortune refused to be present at that very moment.

A disruptive sound had brought me to reality the moment I heard it. The repetitive sound cutting through the air, like a sharpened blade, was footsteps against a polished and shushed path.

"Hello, (bella/bello)," said a masculine voice, with a tone that portrayed an unspecified calm and soothing. "Come stai?"

I recognized the language and forced a polite smile -- manners were something in my blood by this time of age. "Bene, grazie" was my response. I assumed immediately that this is the man who decided to court me. "If you don't mind, may I ask for your name?"

"Mi chiamo Luciano Vargas. Waiting for your father's response to your hand in marriage is quite unnerving." he told me, with quite the charming expression. "I came by to soothe my thoughts - to pass the time."

I sighed, feeling my palms evident with sweat. "My name is (Name) (Surname). It is . . . very pleasant to meet you." said I, with a look that explained otherwise. 

With much hesitance, I made headway and stated, "My parents may not be biologically related to me, but I have been living with them for almost all my life. It explains the reason why my last name isn't connected to theirs. " 

I stood silent through the remainder of that utter silence covering us, reminding me that what I said may have been something sensitive. A topic that shouldn't be overlooked, much less or more twice at that. But what more can I care about something so little? I've never as much mentioned it to anyone that often, and I had never given much thought to not being related to a family by blood. I may have wondered, but I never pushed everything to the side to set that wonder as a priority.

"I see. I am the youngest in my family of related bloodlines." Luciano said, seeming irritated about such. "I wished I was the oldest, however."

. . .

I seemed to construe this man as nothing but any other. Completely and utterly void of any care or any depth to my concerns or antics. I felt suspicions, though merely distancing them away for each question I asked. The answers seemed comprehensible to me, but I knew I couldn't trust him. He was like any other man (and woman) that I had ever met in my life.

Any other man (...and woman...) who had chosen to court me, that is.

-=-=-

"Love can be interpreted in different ways. Through languages, through actions. Through sacrifices, through death. Love is always there, simply chasing after you until it gets what it wants."

-=-

Bella/Bello - Pretty/Beautiful

Come stai? - How are you?

Bene, grazie. - Fine, thanks.

Mi chiamo Luciano Vargas. - My name is Luciano Vargas.

「Please don't be shy and do correct our mistakes! We would be happy to fix the errors (specifically the translation), as we aren't fluent in certain languages...yet. 」