Hey everyone I have returned. Sorry for the delay, I had exams and then I discovered rping and yeah….Anyway, please enjoy!

Ch 15 Old Feelings and Familiar Faces

"You are enjoying the new house I hope," remarked the Austrian official.

"It is suitable," Roderich replied noncommittally as he tried for the life of him to remember the name of the man he was speaking with. They all acted so self-important, and pig headed he had trouble remembering which was which.

The Germanic country sat behind his desk, looking down at the official from behind his glasses. He was doing his best to remain calm, but ever since he'd moved to Vienna, he'd been forced to receive more politicians than he cared for. They wanted to chat about everything trivial and nothing important. They were wasting valuable time that could have been spent in his newly perfected music room and it was making him want to snap and kick them all out on their faces; or more accurately to have Elizaveta kick them out.

"And how is Fraulein Hedervary coming along?" the official remarked.

"I fail to see how that is your concern," Roderich remarked coldly.

"I came by to see you in part to suggest some instructors to help cultivate her feminine side," Herr Something or other remarked. "I've heard she is not exactly what you would call the most gentile female."

"I have already attended to the matter of instructing her," Roderich stated stiffly. "Now that we have settled that you can occupy yourself with more important matters such as running the state."

"Well if you've taken care of it," Herr What's His Name said offhandedly, apparently missing the acidic tone of Roderich's response.

"When do you suppose you'll get around to making her presentable?" the imbecile inquired removing a cigar from a silver case.

"I will need some time," Roderich stated icily. "After all we don't want her to become overwhelmed moving to such a large magnificent city before introducing her to society."

"Good."

"If you are going to light that disgusting thing take it outside!" Roderich blurted finally as the man attempted to light the cigar.

(Section Break)

"Feli it's time to go," Elizaveta called rising from her seat. Today Roderich had been busy trying to please his officials and had allowed them the opportunity to get some fresh air in the city.

The boy ran over to her, skirts swishing from his movements. She watched him sadly as she remembered that this was going to be one of the last times she saw him wearing a dress. The move to Vienna had eventually been accompanied by Feliciano hitting puberty and with that Roderich had insisted somewhat dazedly after learning the truth, that Italy would have some boys clothes made immediately.

Both her and Feli had spent the previous day being poked and prodded by a seamstress assigned with the task of creating a wardrobe for the Austrian controlled countries. Feliciano had seemed rather excited by the prospect of getting new clothes, but for her part Elizaveta was left fretting over the fact that she would be laced up and bound in stifling dresses. She much preferred pants or her usual work uniform even. There was nothing to be done about it sadly.

"Let's go home dear," Elizaveta said managing a small smile despite her thoughts. She stroked his rich chestnut hair while he smiled up at her. Her smiled faltered and she slipped her arm over his shoulder as they started to walk back.

When they arrived Feliciano skipped right past Roderich and some stuffy looking man.

"Quite energetic," the official stated looking back after the Italian.

"Indeed," Roderich agreed.

"We shall have to make sure that doesn't get out of hand," the statesman replied.

Then he turned his eyes on her critically and she scowled. There were probably a million little things the man was critiquing. She didn't give a damn and would have taken great pleasure in telling him so, but refrained by clasping her hands tightly.

Her cheeks were hot with anger as she forced herself to curtsy politely.

"Guten tag," she remarked in her considerably impressive accent.

"Guten tag," the man remarked dismissively before returning his attention to Roderich.

"Until next week Edelstein."

"I look forward to it," Roderich stated with just enough sarcasm for his disdain to go unnoticed.

The gentleman saw himself out leaving the two nations together. Elizaveta relaxed ever so slightly as Roderich let out a sigh.

"Arschloch," Elizaveta muttered, causing Roderich to cough in order to cover a laugh that threatened to escape.

"That may be but you are going to have to impress him and several others like him," he commented.

"Yes yes," she said joining him to walk towards the dining room. They had begun taking their meals together with the excuse that Elizaveta needed to be taught the finer points of table etiquette; as if she didn't already know after years of serving the aristocratic Austrian.

"Long day?" she inquired noticing that her lover was tense.

"Ja," he remarked. "I won't bore you with the details, suffice it to say I detest these government workers."

She giggled and he tilted his head to look at her.

"Why did you not tell me that Italy was a boy?"

She sobered slightly and looked at him resolutely.

"Because I thought you would be harder on him if you knew," she replied honestly.

"I would not!"

"It doesn't really matter now does it?" she said in a thick voice.

"Elizaveta?"

She tried to smile but it was very watery and forced.

"I know he had to grow up sometime, but I'm going to miss him being little and running around in dresses," she lied.

"All nations have to grow up sometime," he reminded her.

She bit her lip and nodded silently. That was what worried her. When nations grew they began to fight for independence just as she was sure her little Italy would very soon. It frightened her to think that perhaps she would be asked to fight against him if that were to happen.

(Section Break)

It was a quiet day when Elizaveta carried a tray of tea into the new music room to find Roderich sitting at his beloved piano. She could almost believe that nothing had changed and that they were going about their usual routines. She set the tea on the top of the piano and slid onto the bench to sit beside him quietly as he finished playing. A few moments later the song concluded, the last notes lingering in the air as Roderich slowly opened his eyes.

"That was lovely," Elizaveta remarked as he turned to her.

"Danke," he said with a small smile as she stood up to prepare him a cup of tea. "I've told you that it isn't your job to do this anymore."

"I know. I had to fight one of the maids off to be allowed to do this," she laughed. "But I would prefer to still be in charge of this one small task. It makes everything seem a little more normal."

"And when I am not out showcasing myself for the country I want to wear the traditional dresses from my country.

Roderich's brow arched at the defensive note in her voice.

"No one ever said you could not," he replied brushing a tress of brown hair back from her face.

She blinked in surprise as he moved close and kissed her. He smiled against her mouth and continued to press his mouth to her own, with lingering touches until he sighed and pulled back.

"Now it's time for your dance lessons," he stated.

She groaned.

"So bothersome, just because I'm a woman-"

"This is not sinply because you are a woman," Roderich cut her off smoothly. "Gentlemen as well as ladies should master the basic fundamentals of dancing; especially those in positions such as ours. Socializing and politics often go hand in hand."

She didn't respond, and sipped her tea instead and he smiled knowing she had conceded agreement silently.

When he began to play a new song upon the ivory keys Elizaveta looked at him uncertainly.

"I thought we were having dancing lessons."

"We most certainly are," Roderich stated. "But before we begin moving together in a dance I want you to listen to the music. It is what directs your body and tells it what to do. It is the guiding force behind the movements. So just sit quietly and listen, hear the measures and the tempo."

He resumed his playing and Elizaveta sat patiently beside him. She had been listening to his playing for years now and found she was able to listen and notice certain things; tempo, rhythm.

They sat together for some time, until the tea had been drained from the silver pot. Then at last Roderich stopped playing and stood up slowly from his seat extending his hand to her. She looked up at him and accepted his hand, rising and stepping around the piano bench as he led her into the center of the room. She smiled at him uncertainly as they came to a stop as he regarded her, his violet eyes pinning her to the spot.

"What now?" she inquired, swallowing.

He lifted her hand enclosed within his up so that their arms were locked. She looked at his stance, and then felt his other hand unexpectedly come up to grasp her waist and pull her closer. She stared back at him in anticipation and lifted her other hand to his chest, running it up until it rested on his shoulder.

She tried to clear her head and focus, but it had been such a long day. He smelled so good and his touch was making her melt, though he was far from ravaging her. Perhaps it was because they had yet to make love in the big new house, exploring and tasting in a new bed until they were shaking and spent yet.

He drew her body closer until it was presed against his.

Is this part of my lesson drágám?" she asked him steadily though her body was alive with want.

Before he had a chance to answer the door opened barely giving them the chance to put a modest amout of space between them as Antonio walked in, oblivious to the mood.

"Hola~!" he greeted with a wave of his hand.

"Ah, gut you're here," Roderich said briskly as he continued to hold Elizaveta's hand.

"Si," Antonio grinned leaning in to kiss the other man's cheek. "You said it was important didn't you?"

The Spaniard paused for a moment to take Elizaveta's free hand in his own as he admired her.

"You're looking beautiful today senorita," he winked raising her hand to his lips.

"Thank you senor," she laughed a little breathily, making Roderich glance at her momentarily before returning his attention to Antonio.

"I was hoping that he could help me instruct your dance lessons," he stated making the Spaniard nod. "He is an excellent dancer, better than I actually."

"But I thought," she murmured, more than a hint of disappointment in her voice. "You would be instructing me."

"I believe that Roderich intends to use me to in addition to his hands on instruction," Antonio said nodding towards the Austrian. "That way he can be playing his music to you while you are learning the steps si?"

Yes of course that made sense. She made a sound of approval, blushing at her own lack of understanding as Antonio grinned down at her.

"It would thrill me beyond words to be able to dance with you querido," he said. "If you would permit me?"

He looked so earnest and disarming she laughed a little and nodded, causing the Spaniard to smile and Roderich to shake his head slightly.

"Very gut. We'll begin tomorrow morning."