In the last chapter…

"Italy."

"I guess it must have been my active imagination, as Germany says!" I sighed with relief.

"Italy!"

I heard his voice again, but it sounded louder this time.

I answered hesitantly this time, "Holy Roman Empire?"

Now…

"I'm so glad you could hear me! I thought you have gone deaf in my absence!" he said jokingly to lighten the mood.

An uncomfortable silence pasted by as I started to fidget whenever I'm nervous and Holy Roman Empire's smiling face turned into a melancholy one quickly.

I had initiated the conversation again, "…Is it really you?"

Holy Roman Empire thought about this and asked in a confused voice, "Why wouldn't it be?"

I didn't know how to answer his question; I was so confused of what was going on, more than a daily basis. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? Did Hungary-chan or Austria-san lie? Am I really imagining things?

I decided the confront the truth that Hungary-chan and Austria-san said and replied in a quiet and monotone whisper,

"You're supposed to be dead. Hungary-chan and Austria-san said that you lost the Thirty Years' War. I was right. I am imagining things."

Holy Roman Empire seemed taken aback what with I said, but quickly recovered as he put on his placid face again.

I opened my mouth to say, "Aha! I knew it!" but Holy Roman Empire beat me to it.

"You're right. I am supposed to be dead, which I am."

"Wait, let me finish. You know that scrapbook you're holding?" he asked.

I nodded slowly, waiting of what's going to happen next.

"Good. Well, my soul rests on that scrapbook." He replied calmly.

I stared at him which shock written all over my face.

"Well, how does that explain how you're appearing now?" I pressed.

He sighed seeming exhausted from these onslaughts of questions, but answered anyway,

"On the anniversary of my death or my lost of the Thirty Years' War, if you like to call it that, my restless soul comes out and takes out more… solid form."

"See?"

Then, I actually saw Holy Roman Empire appear in front of my own eyes! His chubbiness of younger age has gone away, replaced with a taller, thinner, and teenage version of him. He still kept his old black hat with his black clothes, including cape.

I thought about this carefully, I usually wouldn't believe stuff like this, including England, but somehow I felt somewhere deep in my heart, I could trust him.

Coming to a decision, I softly whispered, "Okay, I trust you."

He didn't say anything else, so I just opened up the scrapbook again looking at our memories together. I felt giddy seeing him today for so many years, but as not as giddy as when Germany complemented me… I wonder why?

"I finally fulfilled my promise to you…" he suddenly whispered with so much emotion, that it snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? What promise?" I asked confused, forgetting my previous thoughts of Germany.

An awkward silence passed by as I asked those three simple words.

"…What. You don't remember the promise we made back then?" he said in such a depressing voice that I felt the need to apologize.

"I'm sorry, sorry, and even sorrier! I didn't know what promise we made! I guess I just forgot after so long! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" I yelled out in a rush.

Holy Roman Empire quickly said, "No, it's all right! I would have forgotten to after all this time!"

I sniffled, "Really?"

He smiled softly and nodded his head.

"Italy…" he said after a while.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to go on a trip with me?" he asked with a serious face.

"Where to and will it be long?" I asked curiously. I don't want Germany to worry about me if I'm gone for too long…

"Back in time."

A/N: Another cliffhanger! You guys probably hate me even more for this! Don't worry in Chapter 3 is where it gets more interesting! Ha, ha, I got two favorites on my story and a favorite author! (Yes, I keep good track.) So? How do you like it so far? REMEMBER! Reviews and favs earn another chapter faster! Criticism is VERY appreciated. I'm also thinking on starting another fanfic, but I can't decide between 2 of my ideas. You guys can vote on my profile!

Peace~

~MermaidKanon =)