In a week time the feast will begin, it's a celebration that happens every once a year where the kingdoms gather up to just generally have a good time. They host a competition over which kingdom has the best guard, it's mostly just for entertainment and to boost one's ego.

The clanking of swords resonated in the Russian's ears as he stood by the side. The warm sun rays fell on his skin. His arms behind his back, face unmoving.

Suddenly the prince ran up to him a little disoriented, he plopped down next to him, leaning on the wall. A tall country stood there and a shorter one sat there next to each other.

Sweat glided down the american's face, "this is boring," he complained. "You must participate in your lessons," the tall one glanced over to America through the corner of his eye.

"Yeah yeah I know," the prince sighed and propped his head on the palm of both his arms.

"That's it I'm escaping," America caved in, he stood up and started scaling the wall.

"Prince you-," the guard tried to stop the other, "shut up for a second, come on, you didn't have a childhood right? Make some memories while you can, I'm here to help," America kneeled on top of the wall and extended his arm.

"I'll show you the town," he beamed with a bright smile. The tricolored country eyed the hand for a few seconds before hesitantly extended his own hand. America smiled even wider, he gripped the other's hand tightly and heaved him up on the wall.

Russia's hat almost flew off, once he was up on the wall he fixed up his hat. "Let's go," America leaped off the wall into the familiar woods. The other followed.

America ran up to a hollow tree, a large hole in the middle, he reached inside and pulled out two cloaks. The prince threw on at Russia, the cloak rustled in the wind.

"What's this for?" He asked curiously, "you wear it obviously dummy, if people see us walking around town with our royal outfits they'll definitely know who we are, of course it can't hide your face but it'll suffice as long as no one looks too close."

Russia looked at the cloak nonchalantly, "the townspeople know how I look?" He raised an eyebrow and looked back at the prince who had already put the cloak on. "I mean, I'm sure someone as good looking as you are would be suspected to be somewhat a royal."

America put his hood on and ran over to the direction of the town. Russia put the cloak on hastily and followed.

They followed the path and ended up in the town, the bustling of the town was heard in every corner. The townspeople happily chattered with each other.

The young maidens gossiped amongst each other, the children played around in the streets. As they walked around town street vendors always offered them items, America knew they needed money to support their families.

He would fish out any spare change he had in his pockets and gave them out as donations. Truly a kind prince he was despite how people viewed him.

They stopped at one vendor where an old lady was selling fruits, she wore rags and was quite dirty. "Hello ma'am how much for the apples?" America asked kindly as he bent down to face the shorter older lady in front of him.

"1 (insert money currency here because I don't know currencies from those times) young man, w-would you like to buy some?" She held out an apple on her shaky hand.

"May I have two?" America smiled and handed her a coin. The old lady did not check the money, she immediately handed America two bright red apples. None were aware of who the two mysterious cloaked men were.

"Thanks lady," he kindly joked, he stood back up normally and got ready to leave. "You have b-beautiful eyes young m-man," she added. America flinched and pulled his hood lower so his eyes were covered.

He gave a slight nod, she looked down at the money America had given her. "Y-young man! You have given me too much! This is 50 (insert currency)"

"Keep the change," the American smiled and left. The lady knew that man had given her too much on purpose, "such a kind young m-man."

The prince bit his Apple, the crunching was quite satisfying to hear. He skipped up to the other cloaked figure, he noticed Russia attentively watching something.

America threw the Apple at him, instinctively Russia grabbed the Apple and looked at it confused. "You're spacing out, it's for you by the way," the prince took another bite of his Apple.

"What are you watching?" He joined the Russian, Russia was staring at a store that sold all kinds of items. The display window open to the public to see what it had to offer.

The prince couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle, 'he's just like a kid looking at a toy store.'

"Let's go inside if you want," they both entered the shop with an array of items on the shelves. "Why are you so fascinated by a town shop? you're fascinated by town things and royal things."

"Usually it's one or the other," America added. "As a child I was neither a royal nor a townsperson," his guard simply replied.

"Then what were you?" The prince played peek a boo from across the shelves.

"..."

"Not important," he dodged the question. The prince pouted in annoyance.

"Get a load of this!" He popped out in front of the Russian, he held a fake crown in his hand.

"It says it's a direct replica of the prince's crown, well I say not," America laughed, looking at the Russian though the crown.

The prince couldn't help but admire his guard's defined features, his sharp eyes and fair skin. When America realized he was staring he turned his head away in embarrassment.

"Do you know the prince of Britannia?" They both heard a man's voice speak. "You mean that good for nothing stuck up prince?" A lady replied.

"That's right, I head from rumors he's been extra mischievous these days, escaping all his lessons as if he were already the best at it."

"Such a horrible prince, what did us townspeople ever do to deserve such a horrible heir to the throne," the lady mocked. "I heard he has no insecurities or compassion, such a narcissist, it's almost like a disorder." The man continued.

Russia glanced over at the prince with worry glazed in his eyes, America gripped the crown so tightly you could see the veins, he didn't even glance at his guard.

"Let's leave," without another word both of them left, the air was cold and refreshing. It was almost evening, the sun lowered behind the hills slowly.

The Russian guard was going to ask if his prince was okay but before he could, he faced his prince. America's face showed no distress, only a soft smile remained. "I'm thirsty, let's get a drink," he pointed at a small restaurant like bar at the corner of town.

He pushed the doors open, the bustling of people was very much appreciated. The two of them silently sat at a table, the prince skipped his way to the table and slid into his seat, he seemed happy and just fine.

'I guess I worried for now reason,' the Russian internally sighed in relief. 'Wait I was worried? Did that even happen? Have I even been worried for someone before?' His monotone voice rang in his head as he asked himself those questions.

"What would you two like?" A young waitress came up to them. "I'll have a soda, what would you like?" He turned to his guard.

Russia simply shook his head, trying to say he didn't want anything. "He'll have one too," America smiled at the waitress. She nodded and left.

They both overheard a conversation of the table next to them. "My family is planning on moving to another town," one man said.

"Where to?" Another man asked curiously as he took a sip of his beer. "Maybe to the Japanese empire," he answered. "The people there mostly speak Japanese though, will you be okay?"

"Anywhere is better than here, do you even know who the next In line for the throne is?" He exaggerated just tone. "Isn't it that smart kid, Prince Canada wasn't it?"

"No! It's that good for nothing american,"

"He's a narcissist, everyone is aware that he's basically gifted and good at everything without effort but he's way too stuck up and care free."

"Yikes, hearing that I don't think I would trust him either," the man said, "exactly, he's all arrogant because he has a pretty face, he's such a womanizer, I heard he's slept with a ton of woman from different kingdoms."

Russia listened in disbelief, his face unchanging though. "All the ladies are head over heels for him without ever even seeing his face in person," the man took another large gulp.

"Undignified and arrogant, how unfit for the throne! We can only hope some tragedy befalls him, making him unable to rule." He spoke quite loudly. "Cheers to that," both of them clinked their glasses together.

The tall country didn't know what came over him but he just snapped. He unsheathed his sword halfway before hearing a scold. "No," America commanded, the prince's face was not visible because of the hood.

"Do not, that is an order,"

That was the first time America ever raised his voice at his guard, throughout the whole time Russia was here all America did was joke around with him as if he were a friend.

Russia reluctantly shoved his sword back in its place. They both got up to leave.

After they exited the door the waitress came in and to their table only to see no one there. The two men had left without their drinks. She looked around confused, she noticed a few coins on the table.

The total of those coins were around 100 (insert currency), but the drinks were only 10 (insert currency.

Indeed America had left some money just before they exited the bar.

Russia noticed, 'Arrogant my ass, the prince is a very kind person, I should know the most,' he grit his teeth and internally complained.

The guard glanced over the his prince, worried again for some reason. America stood there, smiling softly again, it's almost like he didn't even hear the hurtful words in the first place.

'Why did I lash out? I've never been this mad in my life, I've always kept my composure, just what happened to me so suddenly?'

"Thank you for trying to defend me and do your duties, but they are merely duties, please only try to defend me by your own will, I don't need defending anyway, I'm quite used to it, it doesn't even hurt me at all anymore."

Russia nodded, as the streets emptied out and the sky grew dark, they walked back to the palace.

The guard couldn't explain this pit in his stomach. He had forgotten all about his duties for a second there. He had never been worried nor lash out ever, why now so suddenly?

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This chapter is basically some more romance and also some context on how most of the townspeople view America

Note : 1 spell check