AHHH IM SO SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER EVERYONE PLEASE FORGIVE ME ;w;

          " I love flowers. Their freshness never ages. But I never paid too much attention to them in the beginning. I would toss the buds in a vase out of spite, and tell my Mother how great they looked when could truly care less. My love for their gentle touch and divine fragrance became my duty for a very long time. " France's voice was soft and calm as she bounced a bubbly alcoholic drink in her right hand a lilac blossom between her left thumb and index finger.

The night air felt crisp and cold on the princess's exposed skin as she stood under the stars. The breeze ruffled the soft strands of her burgundy-colored hair as she inspected the bloom for several seconds before turning to her left, meeting a pair of gentle grey eyes.

" I see that you have a relationship with those wildflowers now. You spend more time with them than with your suitor who deserves a bit of your precious time don't you think? " the taller country leaned against a large marble pillar that had since grown vines, his hands shoved neatly into his pants pockets.

France ruffled her nose slightly, raising the glass of Ruinart rose champagne to her soft lips as she tilted her head towards the country to her side.

" I don't believe that me being engaged to him requires all my attention Poland. " The country raised his hands into the air, the red of his flag featuring a small scar that ran down his right cheek. His smile was unwavering as he watched the princess fall into a comfortable silence, her vagueness providing the other country a bit of the conversation he needed.

" You are engaged to my good friend France, I have to care to a certain degree. He's only my friend but also the heir to your Empire and his. I'm not asking you to be kissing his feet, but I am asking you to stand by him and act like your marriage means something to you. It's for your people, think about all the opportunity and happiness you will be given when you marry " he said, his eyes looking into her own as he crossed his arms and waited for her response.

France's lips curved into a small uncomfortable frown as she brought her glass down, watching the fellow European from the side.

" You don't get it. I've only ever known this man through our bad blood, through the fight that tore our kingdoms apart in the first place. It would be a forever sin if I were to fall in love with him. He has the blood of my people on his hands. I will marry Britain if it means better for my country, but nothing more than that " she mumbled.

" If I were you I would be overjoyed. Britain is smart, clever, loving, very handsome, and educated. Not to mention that he knows how to treat a woman in the right way. You two could make a great married couple if you gave it a try. " Poland started, leaning back and running his hands through his silky blonde hair. " You have an opportunity to have everything you ever wanted. You should be savoring it, not running away from it as you have been. "

France's eyes took a second to focus back on Poland as he offered her a tender smile.

" I'm not running away from anything Poland. I'm running towards my destiny. I know that the person who I truly love is around here somewhere, or-.. or he's out there waiting for me to return. I'm giving everything I have to this Brit and for what. Peace? There is no such thing. " the Frenchwoman narrowed her eyes as she stepped a little closer to her male counterpart, her stance light but firm. Poland had a mellow smile at her trying to seem threatening.

" France, you and I both know that you wouldn't be happy with any man you were placed with, country or human. You always feel guilty, that there is someone better out there for you and that you cant take it back. Britain is a good man, I understand how difficult that must be for you but, you have to trust me on this. Give him a chance, I guarantee that you will warm up to his charm and good looks rather quickly." The Polish man stated cooly, the stars reflecting in his eyes as he watched France with satisfaction.

France swallowed down a lump in her throat as she searched her brain for an answer, trying to find the words to get her through this. But she couldn't find any.

Poland was right, completely and utterly correct. Britain was a good man, he was strong, he cared, he was loyal, affectionate, a good protector, and such a good listener.

But France had been with some bad men in the past.

That was what stopped her every time.

Why was it so damn hard to see through his flaws and just look at his good qualities? Was it her guilt, that had blinded her so terribly and ruined what could have been a great relationship? She shook her head slowly, turning away from the shining eyes of her friend as she drowned her head in shame once more. She didn't know. She couldn't know.

What was wrong with her?

‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊ ♡ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ♡ ‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊

" Ahh, that's nothing! One time I got so drunk that I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs and walked into some random lady's house and passed out on her couch. Dad had to come to get me when the lady found me sleeping on her couch"

"So what happened to her? I hoped she smacked the life out of you."

" I dunno, I forgot."

"How can you forget something like that?"

" I was drunk, how was I supposed to remember?"

" Your a lost cause " Scotland placed his glass down on the large table, giving Ireland an annoyed look to which the brother shrugged back.

" Why does it matter, it's not like you were going to marry her anyway"

" Says who? "

" Says me! No girl would want to be within four feet of you! " Ireland shot back, coming closer to Scotland's face. Scotland flinched slightly, standing up to face his brother in the eyes. The younger sibling opened his mouth to speak when Britain cut him off, clearing his throat with a long breath.

" Boys, Boys." he finally stepped in, too busy to look up from his newspaper to scowl at the two for being loud. " Please, keep your pants on and be civil. This isn't a street club. " Scotland took a step back, offended.

" Why are you acting like I'm a little kid! I'm 24 years old, give me a break!" he smacked his brother's arm playfully and picked up a piece of fruit to eat.

" You sure act like one." the Brit pulled his eyes from his paper to look at his young brother with an unprecedented smirk. The room went quiet as both brothers sat back down, ignoring the conversation that had just happened. Scotland turned away from Ireland, munching on the apple he had grabbed as the door opened behind them opened quietly and closed a bit louder than before.

The sound of tapping heels against the floor made Britain look up once more, smiling when he caught sight of a familiar face who walked towards him.

" Mina, what brings you here on this fine day!? " he smiled, folding the paper and placing it down in his lap. The servent held her hands behind her back, a smile plastered on her face as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet.

" Hello, sir! I'm sorry to interrupt you and your brothers but I have a proposition from Lady France. She wanted me to tell you that she would love to take a walk with you if you were available. Get away from the rush of life for a minute. " she stopped a few feet from the Brit, speaking in a softer tone as if unsure of how he might react.

Britian's eyes lit up, a bright smile finding his lips and settling on his face. Ireland stood up slightly from his chair and Scotland's mouth hung open slightly, smiling as if he didn't quite believe his own eyes.

"A walk? Are you toying with me? " he stood up slightly, unsure if Mina was truly genuine. The servent chuckled slightly behind her hand, nodding with excitement as she watched the scene unfold. Britain smiled wide, grabbing Mina's hand and shaking it enthusiastically.

" I wouldn't want to do anything else! Tell lady France I'll be there in ten minutes. " he grabbed his coat from the back of his chair, completely forgetting about the newspaper that lay abandoned on the table in front of him. Mina nodded her head, glancing back at Scotland than to Britain.

" She says to meet her by the apple tree up on the ridge, sir. Make sure to be dressed properly! " she glanced over her shoulder once more before turning around and smiling sweetly at the Brit." Thank you so much, Mina you've done me a great service, " he smiled, waving to her before heading towards the door. Ireland jumped up from his chair and Scotland's followed in the suit as he exited the room.

" Whoo, he's got a date with the lass! "

" It only took twenty years," Ireland and Scotland's voices faded out as Britain ran out of the room, hurrying to his room to change.

‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊ ♡ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙·̩̩̥͙*̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ♡ ‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊

France stood quietly on a small grassy hill, the saccharine smell of apple blossoms filling the air. The breeze was soft, even gentle against her hair, the sky deep blue and littered with tiny white clouds. A paintbrush was nestled in between her fingers, dabbing at the left corner of an almost completed painting that she had been working on in a continuous frenzy of colors. The canvas that once lay blank now had a myriad of colorful splashes, painting out the rolling hills of blooming cherry and apple blossoms mixed with wispy white clouds and a gently flowing river.

The colors flowed together seamlessly, becoming one image, one peaceful summer scene. The princess wore a light blue dress adorned with a large bow, her eyes twinkling with merriment at the petals that drifted in the wind and flickered as they hit the ground. The perfectly cut white gloves on her hands only accentuated the beauty of her art piece, shining in the sunlight as the breeze softly whipped up her mane of shimmering blue. She looked up from the canvas and took a deep breath, letting her hands go slack as she finished the last strokes of paint on the canvas. She inhaled the fragrance of the blossoms again before closing her eyes and taking a deep sigh, letting the vision into her mind as she drifted off into her daydream. Her mouth hummed a gentle toon as she focused on the image in her mind, her body feeling at peace with the surroundings.

" Did... Did you create that " a voice cut through her haze, making the princess spin around, her hair pulled up into a tight bun on the top of her head, her bangs resting against her white eyelet-lace bow. The girl placed on a small smile, placing down her palate of paint and brushing the petals from her dress.

" Yes. I did. " She responded to the tall Brit who wore a simple grey sweater vest and brown trousers adorn with a simple golden pocket watch hanging from his side. He gave a warm smile to her, almost as if he was honored to be by her side at the moment.

" Mind if I take a look? " France hesitated slightly but let down her guard, gesturing towards the finished painting before them. The Englishman walked up the hill and to the canvas, admiring it for a moment before turning back to its artist

" Your work is incredible. I've never seen anything so amazing. " He breathed, taking a step back and looking over his shoulder at the princess.

" Thank you. " She answered, nodding. The Englishman nodded back, placing his hands inside his trouser pockets and watching the young princess with admiration. France took one last look at the Brit and sucked in a deep breath through her nose, preparing her mind for what she was about to say.

" Britain. I owe you an apology," she crossed her hands and stared down at the lush green grass that blew from under her feet.

" I brought you here so you would listen to my reasoning for why I'm being like this. Why I've been like this for a long time " She stared up at the sky, blue hues mixing in with the sunlight. The air around her was still and warm, the gentle wind touching her cheek, the flowers covering the grass all around.

" I came here because I wanted to let you know that I... I'm sorry for all of the things I said before. I wasn't always like this, I mean, I remember a time when I actually thought you weren't half-bad.

Tall, smart, handsome, charming, and simple in a good way. But when my mother died I swore to myself something that I couldn't even bring myself to give up. My mother told me on her death bed that it wasn't your fault, that we were sworn enemies and this was just what happened, she was destined to die like that. She told me not to spite you, or blame you for what happened.

But that image of my mother and my past love never left my mind. I've made so many mistakes in my life and.. I can't have that happen again. After a time I realized I just couldn't hate you anymore, I couldn't think of you in such a hateful way because of my stubbornness, and the things that I brought upon myself. I'm sorry. " France closed her eyes, shaking her head. Britain watched with wide eyes as the sun started to set, her hair flying in small wisps back and forth in the breeze. He opened his mouth to speak but the princess placed her hand up, her voice cracking from pressure.

" I'm ready to accept your proposal, and will now look at you as my husband, my equal, my friend. I'll take care of you, and be your protector for the rest of my life. 

If it means peace for our kingdoms, I will set my selfish views aside and be your wife. "