Icy Heart and Warm Love

Chapter Five

"Hey," Latvia said cheerfully. "You're back."

"I am," Kalda smiled in return. "Sounds like you missed me?"

"We did," he answered. "How was Britain's house?"

"It was fine, I guess," Kalda replied. "Nothing was out of the ordinary. Well, as far as I could tell."

Then, she remembered something.

"Britain did give me this book as a gift, though," Kalda explained, carefully getting the book out of her bag. "Don't ask me why he did it because I don't have an answer for you."

Latvia's eyes widened, staring at the book.

"Fancy," he replied.

"I know right?" Kalda sighed.

"What was his reaction when he saw that you came back to work for him?" Latvia wondered with a grin.

"Well," Kalda drawled....

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"You're alive?" Britain sarcastically gasped in shock, a playful smirk on his face. "And here I thought that you would run back to your brothers in a tizzy."

Kalda rolled her eyes.

"Gee, thanks a lot, you jerk," she instantly returned his sarcasm. "I really missed you, too."

"I'm honestly quite surprised that you didn't quit after your week with Russia," Britain went on as he closed the door behind them. "I thought that he would have been way more harsh with you. I would have been."

"How vulnerable do you think I am?" Kalda asked. "I'm eighteen for Heaven's sake!"

"Oh, I almost forgot," Britain smiled as he handed her a book. "Thanks for your hard work during your first week."

"It was no problem," Kalda replied as she took the book into her grasp. "As I said before, I don't mind doing hard tasks."

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"He thanked you?" Latvia wondered, becoming confused.

"He did," Kalda confirmed. "He really appreciated my hard work."

"Well, I hope that you're prepared for this week," Lithuania grinned, joining the conversation. "Russia's got big plans."

"What kind of plans?" Kalda asked suspiciously.

Britain playing nice was weird enough, Kalda thought. Ugh, why did I even agree to this?

"I don't know," Lithuania answered. "I just carry out his orders. I don't question them or have a say in them."

"Well then that's very odd," Kalda replied. "I wasn't aware of any of this until you said it."

"Was supposed to be a surprise," Russia claimed with his ever cheerful smile.

Lithuania gave a nervous look, but Russia just gave him a kind look.

"Next time, leave it to me to tell secrets," was all he said before he diverted his attention back to Kalda.

Kalda gulped a little, wondering what his "surprise" was.

Please be a pet, Kalda begged in her mind. That way, I'll have a companion to protect me against Britain.

"Kalda," Russia started off slowly, "would you mind having dinner with me tonight?"

Kalda gasped quietly, blushing like crazy.