Alright super sorry about how late this was. It had nothing to do with review, I promise you, more like the lack of wanting to write. I had a very busy and fun summer as well. Now that school is here, you'll actually more likely to see more updates. (Ya I'm ass backwards from normal people) I made this a little bit longer for you all. If there is typos sorry, I'll correct them later. I figured I should just update this for you all to read sooner than later. For I do not know when I will sit down and take out all the typos. Anyways enjoy!

With the arrival of Finland, everything in their dinning lifestyle seem to shift. The humble table that they dined on the first floor and close to the kitchen had been changed to the more formal dinning hall, where a long mahogany table filled the oblong room. Lily had only seen this room on few occasions when Germany hosted German military men in his grand house. The rest of the time, the double doors leading to the dinning room were shut for only maids to dust.

Liechtenstein did not mind the large dinning room. The closer it was to her room, the less she would have to hold the hand of another as she walked down the stair case. Tonight, Finland had been given the pleasure of clasping her hand as they descended from the fourth floor rooms to the second floor. This night had been planned to be a special night, and everyone even the staff were in their finery. Germany at one time or the other came up to Liechtenstein's room to pick out an appropriate dress for the event of celebrating Finland's alliance with the German states. Her dress changed Lily's appearance into a French doll. However, instead of a stiff collar, Ludwig had allowed her a somewhat low collar.

Finland knocked on her door at 6:25 sharp. Lily felt her heart pounding at his arrival, thinking how Denmark had screamed and cried at Finland. It constricted her chest, just seeing his bright face full of hurt and pain appearing in her memory. Lily could feel the pings of tears flooding to her eyes and her breath tight. But she let it all out in one shaky breath before composing herself once more.

"Come in." Lily answered her door simply.

Finland opened the door shyly peaking his head in for a few moments before gaining the courage to swing the door abroad. "H-Hello." the man stumbled. The whole shrunken, nervous figure of Finland looked ridiculous in his dress uniform. "Are you ready?" he asked softly before entering fully into her room. Lily nodded but felt no desire to talk to Finland. "Alright let's get going, Miss Liechtenstein." The nation blushed uncertainty as Lily lifted her hand to him, waiting for the northern nation to take her hand.

Finland jerked at her motion almost at shock and bewilderment on what he was supposed to do, but he took it after a few seconds. Lily felt the ice cold hands, that enlaced in between her fingers and the tight hold over her palm. She had to fight off the urge to slip her hand from his, but she remained refined as ever and hauled herself to her feet.

"I'm sorry my hands are so cold." Finland said after a moment. "It happens when you live so far north."

"So are all the Nordic nations prone to cold hands?" Lily asked disinterested.

"Oh yes. Especially Russia and myself. Father Winter likes to visit my lands once in awhile, chilling my whole body." Finland answered in a cheery voice.

"Father winter?" Lily asked as they began to descend the stairwell. "Is that one of your old pagan beliefs?"

"Pagan?" Finland recoiled slightly. "Father Winter is real. He once chased Denmark and Sweden from my lands. However for his help the price was quite steep."

"I see." Lily managed, not really wanting to hear the stories.

"Oh yes. Crops struggled the next summer and we had a bad famine. But it's better than being ruled."

Lily knitted her brows at his words, looking at his round rosy cheeks. How could sacrificing your people be better than not being ruled? True Lily had never had to make these decisions before, but she could not imagine sacrificing her innocent people to remain an independent country. It seem to harsh, too cruel. Lily had no doubts that this logic pushed Finland to chose Germany as an ally.

They arrived at the new dinning room moments later. The room was lit by a large chandelier with an orange glow. Despite there only being seven people at the dinning table, the whole long table was set up. They were the first in the room and Finland lead her to their spot. Finland was to be the guest of honor, and Lily next to him, almost as if she were a surrogate date. The only female German nation felt a boil come to her stomach. She felt like Ludwig's accessory to be bestowed upon his favorites.

Prussia arrived next in his deep Prussian blue uniform. Loudly he pulled back his chair across from Finland. The pale haired nation slumped down as if it were a comfy chair, his legs outstretched to Lily's calves where she could feel his boot nudge her lightly. A slow rhythmic motion was set in place as he inappropriately stroked her leg. Lily tried to push herself back and give Prussia a disapproving smile, but whenever her eyes met with Gilbert's, she shied away. His eyes mocked her as if asking for her to try and stop him. Liechtenstein hated when Prussia played games like this with her.

Germany marched in quickly with Italy in tow. Prussia sat up stiffly, ending his game with Lily. The German leader sat at the head, placing his napkin in his lap, not saying a word. Everyone followed his lead, even Italy who had sat next down to Lily. They felt as if they talked, it would cause the angry bear to come out of Germany. Finland must have been blessed with good intuition, for he remained just as silent as the other long term guests. Moments later, Austria and Hungary arrived, sitting beside Prussia to their displeasure.

Before the last napkin was in place, servants appeared, dishing up the plates. Lily never felt so suffocated in her life.

"Switzerland still refuses to join." Germany spoke roughly.

Prussia paused from eating and scoffed, "Were you expecting him to?"

"No. That stubborn Swiss."

"What I don't get," Prussia began. "is why we don't just take the country. They have no real military power and their only ally is our enemy already. It'd be quick and easy."

"The bosses say it would make bad blood."

"Bad blood?" Prussia mocked. "We're German, when haven't we had this 'bad blood'."

His statement left everyone still. The truth of those words hung heavily in the room. Lily could see them all thinking on their past wars and conquests. She wondered if they regretted the wars and the chaos they had created.

"Doesn't matter. It is only a matter of time before he is invaded be the allies. Then he will be begging for us to save him." Germany growled. Liechtenstein felt her stomach fall at the thought of her brother being occupied by Lily's enemies.

Austria wiped his mouth lightly, his eyes closed as if her were pondering some deep dark mystery before he spoke slowly and clearly. "What if he decides to join them instead?"

Hungary gasped, her tiny hand covering her mouth and Italy whimpered at such a statement. The shock of the question reverberated across the dining table. Only Finland remained unperturbed. His round face shone brightly as the corner of his mouth still quirked upwards as he ate his food. Germany scowled at the Austrian while Prussia broke the silence with a cackling laugh. The laugh, made Lily tense.

Ludwig's cold blue eyes left Roderick's to lock with Lily's. A shiver went up her spine as his angered features soften slightly. Leering, Germany spoke with full confidence, "I think we have our little insurance for that right here, Roderick."

The coldness of his words made Austria sit straighter in his chair, his eyes bugging at the suggestion. Even the cheery Finn stopped his smiling and eating.

"Surely, you would never." Roderick's voice barely reached above a whisper.

"I would." Germany stated as if he were discussing his laundry. "Switzerland knows this, he will never cross me because of it."

In pure disgust, Austria placed his silverware and napkin on his plate. His trembling hand took a swig of wine before he scooted his chair back. "So this is what we have come to, is it Ludwig?" Austria's voice quivered like it did when his gentleman's mask threaten to fall.

Ludwig did not bat an eyelash. "Indeed."

Austria stood from his chair quickly before he could flee the room, Prussia pointedly called, "All this for Germany, no?"

Austria paused, uncertain on how to answer. His fists clenched and unclenched while he opened and shut his mouth. "For Germany." he spat before leaving the dining room leaving Lily hopelessly alone.

Everyone resumed eating, even Lily. Though, her stomach felt and ill at ease. She took her time with each bite, chewing it mush before swallowing. Conversation buzzed straight by her ears at a jovial tune, but it was all noise. Her head whirled with fear. Fear for herself, fear for her brother, fear for the future. The truth had shown itself to Liechtenstein briefly and it scared her to death. If her life, a German woman in the eyes of Germany himself, were at risk, what about the other nations at the table?

Italy was Germany's ally and hundred percent, but what of Miss Hungary? How many times had Ludwig stated that Hungary was not German? Of course she wasn't everyone knew that, but the repercussions were everywhere. Get up Miss Elizabeta each morning and serve us breakfast, but while you command the kitchen you must also have Liechtenstein up and dressed for her day. Keep constant company of this doll Hungary, you must never let her out of your sight. The china is looking a tad dust, Miss Elizabeta. Dust it. You have no full rights Elizabeta, but we will keep you fed and in a comfortable bed. Serve us Hungary… Or else…

Lily's head snapped up as she remembered the other servants out in the leaning shack that Denmark fought to keep from caving in on itself. With each new meter he added onto its walls the hardest the task was becoming. Favor. That's what saved Hungary from sleeping perhaps on the bunk above Belgium. Elizabeta had the love of Roderick and an old friendship with Gilbert and the favor of Ludwig. If she lost it, that's where she would go. Everyone at this table were sacrificing something for Ludwig and they all had the chance of joining that terrible shack.

And looking at Finland next to her, she wondered to herself, what is it that he was giving up as well.

"Miss Liechtenstein, you look pale." Ludwig spoke briskly.

"Oh, I haven't been feeling well at all today." Lily lied her thoughts fluttering around chaotically in her head. The young woman wanted to scream and demand for Germany to answer what they exactly were to him. But somewhere, deep down, she knew that she was barely skimming the dark murky waters of this monster. A monster Lily wasn't all too sure was Ludwig's fault.

"For our guest, Finland here, please try to fight it." Germany requested blandly.

Liechtenstein beamed at Germany as best as she could, her lips grimacing into her well trained smile. Finland however had different plans.

"Well if Miss Liechtenstein needs some relaxing, maybe she will accompany me to the balcony and we can listen to music and drink something nice and hot. After all I am full and this dinner was wonderful."

Germany didn't even give it a second to consider. "Go ahead."

They scooted from their seats, Lily feeling grateful to the Finn as they left the dining room. Liechtenstein practically darted out, leaving the young man. But she willed herself to pause for the man to catch up in the hall. Once again they were in silent, but one that wasn't as uncomfortable as going to dinner. Liechtenstein's mind fluttered too numbly to care about her company.

Like before, at the staircase, Lily held out her hand for Finland to grasp as the climbed up to the third floor where a massive balcony stood outside the large library.

"You know, Germany owns such a large and grand house. Much bigger than anything I have back in Finland. Though once a long time ago I lived in a castle with Denmark. It was so cold and drafty, even in the summer you had to wear fur in the mornings. I figure that is why Denmark had such a nasty temper back then. He never felt the warmth. The cold will do that to you Miss Liechtenstein. Turn you bitter and eat away at your very soul." The bright cheery Finland chirped as soon as their feet landed on the third floor, a long ways from Germany's ears. "But coldness doesn't come with just weather. You should remember that well. The people, the times, and your environment can be colder than any snow storm. Do you know why that is Miss Liechtenstein?"

"No Mr. Finland, I don't."

"Oh call me Tino." he offered cheerily, patting her forearm with his cold hand. "Can I call you Lily?"

"Please." Lily answered.

"Anyways as I was saying humans are social animals. We need to be constantly fed love and happiness. That's why I love Christmas so much. Being able to see all those happy faces each year really does help me get through the cold winters." He paused as if thinking over his next words. "But… if one were not to enjoy the beauties of this world, they will turn cold, mean, bitter. It's not that they are bad, Lily, it is because they forgot how the warmth feels. Does any of this make sense?"

Lily considered Tino's words carefully as they approached the balcony. Even as the cool summer air brushed their skin, she still wasn't ready to answer. They sat in their chairs and looked off into the darkness of the garden below. Behind the trees and bushes, she could see the faint glow of the servant's shack. Was Jurrian in there? She wondered miserably missing his company.

Liechtenstein had thrown out Finland's wise words for the thoughts of Netherlands. But, the message needed to be deliver.

"You know, this even applies to nations." Finland commented out of the blue.

"What?" Lily asked disinterested.

"Nations need just as much love as do humans. But what we do in times like this, remember Lily, it does not make us evil, just the people who push us to these atrocities or turn us into cold deities."

"You're talking about Germany, aren't you." Lily asked as it all dawned on her. Tino was trying to comfort her from earlier.

"All of us, actually." Tino admitted. "None of us are going to look good after everything is said and done. But," Tino's voice shook a little bit, "Don't forget what happiness feels like, okay? Even when everything is coming down around your ears, Lily."

"Tino you must tell me. What is going on out there beyond these walls." Lily blurted out at once, her fists clutching the fabric of her fine dress.

Finland's eyes widened, "I cannot tell you. One of the many contracts I signed when I allied myself with Germany, was I must never reveal anything to you. Everyone must agree to this rule I've been told."

"But why." Lily chocked.

"I don't know." Tino answered simply.

"I can't live like this. I must know, Tino. At least tell me something. Like why did you join Germany, why not the allies?" she questioned.

Tino looked at her sadly, "I can tell you that at least. I've been at war with Russia for some time now. I have no aid from Sweden, nothing from England. It's just me. Sure I've held him off but it was only a matter of time. And eventually, I would have been caught up between two countries."

The war with Russia. Lily remember the talks in the restaurant that day. Finland would have been caught in the crosshairs of two powerful nations. That is why he joined Germany. If she were in Finland's position would she have submitted herself to Germany like Denmark had? Or would she had done everything she could to survive like Finland? Liechtenstein guessed she would never know, seeing how she abandoned her nation years before.

And for what? To go chasing after promises a persuasive man spoke?

Liechtenstein really was a fool.

The next morning Lily woke early, gasping the cold bedroom air as sweat stuck to her hair and night dress. In the semi lit room, her nightmare ridden brain made a shadowy figure of Germany appear standing above her as about to strangle her. But the image faded and she saw her room empty of anyone else. Her pulse slowed as the nightmare abated leaving her feeling drained.

Tears flooded her eyes and she let them fall. Her tiny fists clenched her quilt as sobs escaped her lips.

What the hell was she doing? Lily asked herself bitterly. She was letting herself be a pawn of Germany like a rounded up cow heading for the slaughter. Liechtenstein knew she had to do something, she had to get in contact with her brother, she had to know what was going on.

How long had she known this and yet she played the game Germany orchestrated?

"No more." she whispered between chokes. "I won't put up with it." she promised to herself. Today she started her journey to the truth.

Lily left her room, dressed in a rather modest day dress before Hungary traveled from the kitchens to her room. A few servants were about, carrying house hold supplies to start cleaning. None gave her much notice as she slipped down stairs alone past the kitchen and to the front door. Slipping out, she hunched down, dashing below the windows towards the back to the gardens.

Liechtenstein knew who she could start with for her answers.

Finding Netherlands wasn't that hard. His bare white skin stuck out from the water spiket as he drenched his body in the water, trying to scrub some of his filth away. From across the garden, she could see his shivering form as he fought to keep dousing his body over and over with the frigid water. The naked upper body made Lily pause and look. Never in her life had she ever seen a man without a shirt, not even Vash. The experience sent a tingle to her finger tips, and she felt dirty for looking. But she knew that a man without a shirt was no where near the same immodesty if a woman were to be topless.

Approaching she made sure to make enough noise for Jurrian to take notice to someone approaching. He just looked over to her disinterested and unashamed, holding a sliver of soap in his hand.

"You're up early." he commented before going back washing his arms.

Lily felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment at the casualty Netherlands showed towards washing. But she stood her ground before speaking. "I wish to speak to you."

"Alright." he continued to scrub.

"Um.. Could we possibly…" a spray of water splattered on her face as Jurrian splashed water on his arms. "Um.. You see…"

"Speak up."

"Could we talk while you're not bathing, please." Lily half whined causing Jurrian to smirk at her embarrassment.

He shrugged his answer, grabbing his tattered shirt from a bush and tugging it on. The wetness of his skin made the fabric cling. "Better?" he asked.

Lily nodded approvingly.

"Well what is it?" Jurrian asked blandly, but a slight smile quirked his lips.

"What… um… can you tell me about the war?"

His smile fell instantly and he began to turn away. Desperation hit Liechtenstein, "Please I need to know. Please Jurrian!"

He paused for a moment looking at her with a cold stare, "Do you know what will happen to my people if Germany were to ever find out I told you about the war? Damn it woman!"

"Why mustn't I know, why is everyone threaten into secrecy. I must know, please. Anything. A clue, a hint, something. I need to know." Lily demanded as she pulled her whole body to full height, in her attempt to look threatening.

Jurrian looked at her sadly, before those two large hands placed themselves on her shoulders. "Lily, it really is best for you to not know."

"But why!"

Netherlands' eyebrows creased as he looked melancholic at her, "You are Germany's greatest prize, don't you know? It's best for you to be willing to obey him. Besides…" Netherlands paused, something he didn't do often. "My people would be slaughtered on moments notice if I disobeyed that rule. I'll do anything else, but not that."

Lily let her eyes cascade downwards to look at her shoes and his bare feet. Within moments she uttered, "Help me send a letter to Switzerland, please."

"That, I can arrange."

"When will you be able to deliver it?" Lily asked tartly.

"I'll be going to town tomorrow evening." he replied.

"Very well. Good day, Mr. Netherlands." she tore from his hold in a blistering anger, leaving the shirtless man.

Lily walked back to the house only to here a familiar laugh accompanied with a slow clap. Whirling around to the sound, Lily found Gilbert lounging comfortably on a bench. His face mocked her as usual.

"Were you spying on me?" she instantly accused. Only a slight fear of him reporting to Germany flashed through her mind. But this was Gilbert.

Prussia shrugged before standing, "I knew I saw something odd yesterday. You were with Netherlands yesterday when we arrived from Finland. Interesting, interesting."

"If you are just going to sit here and poke fun at me, Gilbert, I rather leave to get ready for breakfast."

"Oho! Our little German Diamond has an attitude when angry? Who would have expected such a thing from such a sweet child." Lily began to leave but Prussia rebegan, "Don't you want to know why I am here?"

Lily paused, blankly she added, "Should I."

"Yes." Prussia grasped her arm lightly leading her back to the house like a perfect gentleman in a gruff way. "In fact, I think you should be very interested."

They entered the front yard and she stopped, "What is it?"

"I think we can come to an agreement. If you do something for me, I'll tell you anything you wish to know on the war and…" his red eyes glinted mischievously, "I wont tell Germany about the letters."

"But aren't you afraid of the reprecautions?"

Prussia sniggered, "Lily! My Liechtenstein! I am Germany just as much as Ludwig. Now do we have a deal?"

Lily did not need to think, "Yes."

Prussia wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship." Lily didn't notice how literal Prussia said those words and instead nodded as they entered the house of Germany together.