Once Upon A Time | A Hetalia x Reader

Chapter 48: They're Packing

2 Days Before the War

Everyone was more busier than usual, it had seemed, by the time I woke up. Everyone around the castle were packing up shelter, medicine, food, aiding supplies. Alfred was amongst those busy individuals; he payed no attention to me.

"...therefore, we should take refuge in the trees. Their kingdom lays by the other side of these mountains, so it's likely that they'll be protected in the areas closest to their land." Roderich had commented, tracing a line across the map. As I watched, it became more clear to me that this plan had become more thorough and precise than ones that I had heard of before.

"But sir, isn't it that it would be more safer by the sea?" inquired a soldier.

"Yes, I agree."

"It may be more safer."

"We simply do not have the time. We need to set up the equipment as soon as possible, as we must be cautious with our expectations and be aware of what may come to us." replied Roderich, having Elizabeth to reassure him in a soft and incomprehensible tone from where I was.

I shortly left the room and made my way down the steps to arrive at the local garden. As it was considered another one of the most breath-taking locations throughout the kingdom (even if this area isn't within Meraghyl, it would still be determined so on behalf of all the kingdoms in this world), I took my time to memorize the things I saw the last time I visited.

Sunflowers.

Roses.

Cherry blossoms.

All sorts of flowers were added upon the garden. Despite having a lack of knowledge in flower arrangements, the way it arranges flowers still intruiges me in some way - even just the slightest, nagging me to admire its form of art. 

And so I kneeled down, looked at about one or two flowers, and rummaged through my satchel in hopes of finding a quill and book of the sort.

"Found it..."

Unfortunately it was all torn apart from the amount of damage it had to endure. Having to go through rain water, and mud, and even predators, it wasn't like I was really going to pity it...

...perchance.

Otherwise, I would still be using it. It's important to be conservative, you see, and having this book focusing upon nature can promote my thought even more - but seeing how art can't always finish up with such a simple sketch, it takes time.

I felt glad when I finished. Even more so, satisfied.

Honestly, I couldn't just say that I was a professional in art. I'm sure that I had many steps to take before I get to the top, and so with this simple sketch that I made, I'm sure that I'm getting there.

Somehow.

"Oh, hello, (Name). I'm surprised to be seeing you here."

I simply directed my gaze to where I expected the sound to be coming from and immediately saw Gilbert standing from afar, smiling in a welcoming way. Then he approached me, and kneeled down. He stared at the flower arrangement, and so I smiled in return.

"So this is what you are drawing?" he asked in an expecting tone. He yearned for an answer, and so I did.

"Yes. It isn't all that great, but hopefully it's enough for me to remember, or even distinguish the image itself."

"But I think it's beautiful. Your drawings always produce beauty."

"Thank you, but I think your statement is inaccurate."

Gilbert laughed, looking at me in the eyes. We just stared at each other before he broke out into another fit of laughter.

"No it's not!"

"Is to! Like look at this part. It was totally rushed!"

"So? It's still appealing to my eyes - and that part right there definitely proves my point."

"Is not. You don't even know what you're talking about!"

He suddenly laid his forehead against mines, his smile never fading.

"Who told you that I never say think before I speak?" he asked, closing his eyes and letting his grin go wider. "It's impossible for you to find out. But either way, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about."

I leaned back a bit, but he continued to follow.

"You're cute when you're flustered, (Name). But you're cuter when you're at least proud of what you have." he said.

I was silent for a moment there, ready to say something in hopes of getting my words through. But I couldn't, and ended up sitting there with an evident expression of befuddlement and embarrassment.

Gilbert finally pulled himself away, leaving me to think over what I wanted to say.

I just sat there.

"But what do I have?"

"You have your talents. You have your hobbies. You have friends and a roof over your head. You have a good life. You have me."

"I have you?"

"Yup."

"So what will I do with these things?"

"I don't know. Just follow your heart, but don't leave without your brain, okay?"

I closed my eyes, thinking over the things that he had just said. Do I have a good life? Going on adventures is quite tiring and stressful, but is that associated with a good life or future? I wasn't all that sure. He said to follow my heart, and bring my brain with me. Do I know how to identify my heart's contents?

I opened my eyes. Gilbert was suddenly gone. And when I looked around, he was nowhere to be found.

- Rhymes are cool -

I delicately placed my book and quill back in its place. Then I sighed.

Despite the sun going down its horizon, everyone was still working excessively. And when I say so, it's quite literal as it seems.

They're packing. They're all packing.

It's assumable that they will be leaving the castle by tomorrow. I felt my stomach churn at the though.

...is this what loneliness felt like? Or was it something else that would cause it?

I didn't know. But I was going to dread the moment when they all leave.

-

"Good times don't always last forever."

-

Excuse my hand, but here is the picture that you drew. It's crappy, I know. I can't draw with pen, lolol.

- Yukina