Disclaimer: Animerockchic does not Hetalia or Beauty and the Beast. However I do own a heavily highlighted and graffiti-covered copy of the musical's script. Note: please play the soundtrack from the musical while you're reading, if you want to, that is. It might set the scene...or something : )

Once upon a time in a faraway land, a young Conquistador lived in a shining castle. Although he had all his heart desired, he was spoiled, selfish and unkind.

But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single red carnation in return for shelter from the bitter cold.

Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful Enchantress.

The Conquistador tried to apologise, but it was too late. For she had seen that there was no love in his heart. As punishment she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there.

Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle with a magic Mirror as his only window to the outside world.

The carnation she had offered was truly an enchanted carnation, which would bloom for many years.

If he could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not he would remain a Beast for all time.

As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a Beast?

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Lovino casually strolled down the town street, nose buried in his book, a basket of tomatoes swinging on his arm. All around him, people whispered about the 'odd Vargas boy' with his foul mouth and antagonistic attitude. Not to mention the other brother with his spacy-ness and unhealthy pasta obsession and their crackpot 'inventor' of a grandfather. Lovino took no notice and continued reading, completely wrapped up in the story.

"Ah, Lovino~!" Lovino looked up to see Bella, the daughter of the owner to the bookshop, and former crush of his, waving him over to the shop with one hand, balancing a stack of books with the other.

"Buongiorno, Bella. I've finished the book you gave me." Bella took the book from him.

"Already? But you only got it yesterday!"

Lovino smiled slightly. "I couldn't put it down. Any new book come in?"

Bella shook her head. "Nope, not since yesterday."

"No worries, I'll borrow...this one". Lovino carefully pulled a book out from the pile.

Bella's eyebrow scrunched in surprise at the book he'd chosen. "That one, Lovi? But you've borrowed it twice already!"

"Well, it's my favourite, Bella! It's just so... so... damnit I don't know how to..."

Bella poked him in the cheek to quieten him. "If you like it that much, keep it."

Lovino gasped. "But Bella!"

Bella patted him on the cheek. "I insist, Lovi. I insist!" She turned tail and went back into the bookshop.

"Gr-grazie, Bella!" Lovino opened the book and began reading it. He wandered through the crowd before settling himself on a well near the centre of the little village.

"Oh, yeah! I remember this bit. Here's where she meets the prince, but he's in disguise so she doesn't recognise him...well, until chapter three that is." He said to no one in particular, lost in the familiar plot.

A loud 'BANG' and the cries of "I'VE GOT IT, I'VE GOT IT" followed by the sound of a duck hitting the ground broke Lovino's trance, causing him to duck further behind his book.

'Oh fuck my life, not him".

A/N and that's where I'm leaving it for now. I need to iron out some things. Vote on my poll or pm me if you have anything to add. And reviews help too :D

Ja!

-Animerockchic