(I know some will be unhappy that Alfred and Ivan are absent, but their epilogue was too long and not written. I'm thinking of doing something later and putting that on my site. Below is a big author's not that explains it.)
UPDATE: I MADE A POLL!
Antonio and Lovino
Antonio sometimes sat in thought remembering of all things Lord Milano or Lovino, whoever he had been. He had barely known the man and yet he had made an impression on him. One that still came back in his dreams.
The world had become rather peaceful. The States were blossoming though here in Western Europe they rather preferred to ignore them.
He still remembered that night Lovino sneaked into his room and kissed him, looking like he wanted to go further, but instead whispered. Remember this night and dream of a love that might have been.
Antonio could still remember those soft lips grazing his lips. He shook his head. No matter how many women he slept with, that one encounter had more meaning. It was strange. He wasn't in the slightest attracted to men, he had tried and just couldn't do it, but he had been to Lord Milano.
It was an attraction, but a feeling that he should have had a chance to know the man and help him.
It was as if he was more than just a man. More than a human and Antonio sat sullenly, in his carriage gazing out when something - someone caught his eye.
"Stop the carriage!" He cried, not even waiting for the driver to stop, he leapt out, not even waiting for his guards who were escorting. He ran through the crowd and into a back alley, it was empty.
"Damn," He said. His guards just catching up. He was about to leave when he heard a sneeze and saw the thief, a boy. He pulled the box he was hiding under aside.
"What?" The kid snapped. He was scrawny and starved. He looked barely eight. it can't be. It was impossible, but the face was the spitting image of Lovino's. He even had the hair curl.
"What's your name, boy?" He demanded.
"Boy!" The kid snapped, backing up like a feral cat.
"Your name is boy?"
"So? I ain't got a name! That's what everyone called me. I ain't worth a name the orphanage bastard said. I didn't do no harm. I just wanted to eat."
"Enough about the stolen bread. I will compensate the baker," he nodded to his guards and one took off to do it. "So you're an orphan?"
"Yeah, genius. That's what I just said!" His brown eyes sparkled in the morning light and Antonio wondered. He even had the same kind of hair curl as Lovino.
"Would you like to have home?" Antonio offered. Have I been given another chance to help Lord Milano?
The boy glared at him and after a long pause, looking at his regal clothes nodded and said, "I suppose I owe you for the bread."
And they walked away hand and hand. And that was how Antonio adopted the orphan boy and raised the "ungrateful brat" as he took to calling him to which the ungrateful brat would call him "that stupid bastard" in response. And they were happy for many years even if that boy would rather die than admit it.
Francis and Arthur
There was a loud crash, followed by a scream of "Bloody Hell!" and then a door thrown open. The servants were already ready and had the luxurious front doors carved with opulent decor, pulled open.
It didn't take long before a cursing and half-dressed former English King was running out, heading for his quarters outside the castle, screaming how this would never happen again.
"Oh, mon Amor, you can run, but you cannot hide," Francis laughed, following along. The servants averted their eyes as their naked lord all but floated by, not bothering with clothes meanwhile Arthur continued to scream and rant, trying to grab his gear.
He would eventually leave, but not before being molested several times and talking about how this was a one time thing.
It was always the same with those two. Arthur having been gone all those years had decided not to cause civil war in the country and just pass his title to his younger brother who in turn had made Arthur "ambassador" to France. Several rumors were floating about why. Firstly, that his younger brother disliked Arthur and had sought to punish him by appointing him as ambassador to France. Or that Arthur had asked, though most dismissed that one. Or that Francis had pressed on the King that Arthur be sent as the ambassador. Most elected the latter.
Normally, ambassadors lived closed to the castle, but Arthur's home was practically at the gates and if not for Arthur refusing to live in the castle, Francis had tried to have the English ambassador live in his room, but had relented when Arthur had threatened to live in the gutter over that.
Yet every night was the same routine. Arthur and Francis getting drunk as Francis needs to discuss "international policy" yet somehow always Arthur ends up in his bed and wakes the next morning shrieking about the nasty frog and running out while a naked Francis happily pursued.
The servants just rolled their eyes. Those two.
Toris and Natalia
(It was Matthew who helped Natalia out of her madness. She's much improved by this point. Sorta.)
"How was it sister?" Katyusha asked as a smiling Natalia came out.
"Wonderful," Natalia answered, beaming. Katyusha started to sigh in relief and then saw the specks of blood on Natalia's white glove.
"What did...," Katyusha trailed off and rushed into the room to see Lord Toris laying on the floor, coughing up blood, his lip split.
"Lady Katyusha," he greeted, a couple teeth were missing in his mouth.
"The courtship...," Katyusha trailed off, gaping at the sight.
"It went wonderfully," he said, slowly picking himself off. He wobbled, clutching at his head. Katyusha made to help him and noticed something on the floor. "It's love. I know it."
"Pardon me, but is this your tooth?" She said, holding it up, glad she had on gloves.
"Oh thank you," he said, taking it. He sighed, staring off with that love-struck look.
"Are you okay?" She asked, but Toris just sighed again.
"Better than okay. Wonderful. I'm winning her over," He said, cupping his cheeks and giggling like a young maiden with a crush.
"Er...," Katyusha said. These two make Alfred and Ivan look normal. "Are you sure about that?"
"Positive," he replied. "Last time we were introduced years ago my dear sweet buttercup, Natalia," He said the name almost like it was a caress. "broke all my fingers. This time she merely uppercutted me. Don't you see? She's softening to me. Just wait, I'll win her yet."
Then he took off all but prancing out of the room. Katyusha just gaped. What is with my family and strange relationships?
"You'll have a normal one right?" She said, patting her round stomach. It wouldn't be much longer before her and Matthew's third child was born. Both were hoping for a second girl. Their first was a boy and so very much like Alfred. As much as Matthew loved his son the kid drove him up the wall, especially when uncle Alfred came to visit or when he allowed Gilbert around the kid.
Ludi and Feli
Ludwig had not heard or seen Feliciano in two long years and while he was not interested in seeing him. Of course, not, he still wondered why. Rumor had it that a new lord in Italy had come to power though there was much speculation there was little information. Just some tidbits about the new lord loving white flags and pasta.
Now all of the sudden the new Italian Lord had sent him this large wooden crate that had up on top a piece of paper with From Italy written on it. He had not met the guy, but this was the kingdom descended from the Great Roman Empire.
Picking up the crowbar one of his servants brought him, he decided to open it himself. He wedged it between the lid and the crate and counted down in German and on one he pressed down, prying the lid off
The person inside was indeed a surprise.
Fin
*Rolls credits*
AN (Warning - this is very long)
First the bad news. I will take down all but this chapter and one other of Lord of Winter by August 4th, 2012. The Canadian and The American will be left up. At the moment I have no plans to take that down.
Perhaps one day my feelings toward this will change, but for now you have until then to enjoy The Lord of Winter. Two chapters of it will be left up because I simply cannot bring myself to lose all these wonderful reviews. Of course, my hits will drop to almost zero. (Every time you delete a chapter you lose all the hits.)
Now for the fluffy stuff...
I want to thank my anonymous reviewers though I don't know who you are your reviews were always cherished. For those who I do know, however, I compiled a list of how many reviews everyone did on "The Lord of Winter". For in-depth reviews I counted the review twice (I think that's fair).
So the first list is for my top reviewers. Coming in at number one is... *drumroll*
Sailor Taichichi Vegetawith a whopping 35 reviews.
*applause* I want to thank you so much for giving such support and would like to offer you a one-shot. If you are interested please pm within three days time with the details of what pairing you would like and what kind of genre you want.
If I don't hear from you then the one-shot will go to the runner up who is...
Curious1here at 34 reviews *applause*.
Here is my list of the top ten reviewers, keeping in mind that in-depth reviews counted double:
1.) Sailor Taichichi Vegeta (35)
2.) Curious1here (34)
3.) Usagi323 (30)
4.) XxSmartiesxX (26)
5.) Safety Scissors (I counted both your identities for this tally) (25)
6.) Miss Macabre Grey (24)
7.) xxSweet Memory (19)
8.) Salenastrazz (18)
9.) Blackwitches Cat (17) / Chelseaj500 (17)
10.) Bookworm24601 (14)
If you are on the list than I owe you guys big time. Though this is a rough estimation because some counts were doubled, but all together you guys account for about 259 of my reviews. Thank you so much. *BIG HUGS*.
As a special reward I would like to offer you all access to a secret update I will post later on my site. It's not much, but it's extras, featuring the Jones family and how things go when Alfred introduces Ivan as his boyfriend. I'll send you guys the password later when I have it ready. Again I can't thank you guys enough.
Now for the next list:
11.) Magic is everywhere (13)/ Bai-Marionette (13)
12.) Germerica (12)
13.) Vine8ky (9)
14.) Queen Vamp (8) / DanieSora (8)/ Noko Neko Lover (8)
15.) TehJellyFish (7) / Sazuka-chan (7)
16.) Nekokayia (6) / TobitheNinjuaKitten (6)
Thank you guys for your wonderful contributions. I'd like to release at a later date the tarot readings of Matthew by Madam Tussaud and for when Lovino visits her which explains what she really is. I know it's not much, but I hope you'll enjoy.
As for everyone else. I'm sorry if I forgot anyone else on this list, but I want to give a big thanks to...
ACSshadowdragon, YamiMizuna, Dualsky, Un Amore Belle, Lady Cooper, Soffiz, SomeNavyRecruit, sabacat, Kichino Sarafu, tntfriday, Hyugame, kinginryu, Hiyon Kazariki, Secretassassingirl, Niji-chi, irene n valley, Cold War Devil, crackerjack45, SonikZoom, rexlover180, Silvertrain, Love-for-bakas, princesspug, gamegirlexp, Oceanfur, Sesrin, Emismpunk, Pumpkin Maximus, Beyond Birthday Forever, Hiyon Kazariki, Vyke95, writeoutloud90, artfan, Kaylm Iiditra, lebunnylub.
And to my numerous anonymous reviewers. I'm sorry I don't know who you are, but you provided lots of motivation to take it this far.
UPDATE: I made a poll. Some have requested certain chapters be left up. I think I could leave up three. So please vote on your favorite. The top three I will leave up past the August deadline. I'm also curious what people's favorite chapters were anyway. :)