So why am I starting a new story when I should be writing my English essay? Because today is a beautiful day, I got just got two Terry Pratchett books, I'm listening to Frank Sinatra and life is just too damn good to waste doing homework. Anyway, on with the story!

Oh and I don't own hetalia.

It was a pleasant spring morning; not to warm but not to cold, flowers bursting with color, the birds singing sweetly. In the midst of nature's beautiful display, a tea party was being hosted by the prestigious Edelstien family. Only a hundred or so of the family's closest friends and acquaintances were invited to attend this special occasion. The guests were all having an enjoyable time exchanging pleasantries under the overcast English skies. The elegantly dressed ladies complimented each other profusely and gossiped, daintily eating small cakes and other sweets carried around on silver platters by swift and efficient servants. Meanwhile, the gentlemen talked business and politics; knocking back glasses of ale and laughing boisterously as they made fun of one another good-naturedly. Everyone was delighted to be there. Except, of course, the guest of honor.

Oh lord, when will this be over? She thought to herself, fanning her face and forcing a polite smile at the rude Scottish man talking to her.

Her name is Elizaveta Héderváry. She is also sometimes referred to as Eliza by a select few, and only one person has the privilege of calling her 'Lizzy' without being beaten by kitchen utensils. It was of this person Elizaveta was thinking of at the moment.

I can't believe it. Gilbert just got back from India yesterday and instead of listening to his adventure stories, I'm stuck here having to make small talk with a drunken Scotsman!

"Oi! Girl are you paying attention?" The red-faced man yelled at her.

"Oh yes sir," she lied sweetly. "I find your opinions quite interesting."

"Good! Now, as I was saying, the British are a bunch of bastards 'cause..."

Elizaveta proceeded to tune the annoying man out again, letting her mind wander off to more interesting topics than the Scotsman's irrational hatred of Brits.

She didn't know it, but while her head was in the clouds, many surreptitious eyes stole quick glances at her. The ladies looked on approvingly of the beautiful jewelry and expensive looking dress she wore. The young girls glared enviously at her gorgeous waist-length chestnut hair and her pretty face. The men however, were far too preoccupied staring at her chest to notice that pretty face. And so they all watched her hungrily from afar, waiting expectantly for the main event to start. Meanwhile, Elizaveta, oblivious to their stares and to what the Edelsteins had in store for her, was inwardly cursing corsets in every language she knew.

Mein Gott, whoever thought having a skinny waist was more important than breathing was an idiot.

She excused herself from the Scotsman, claiming that she had just seen an old friend that she just had to go say hello to but it didn't to matter. He didn't seem to have heard her and was still raving about how much he hated England and all her citizens. Either way, she made her escape before he could notice she was gone.

I need to get rid of this damn corset before I faint from lack of oxygen, she thought. I wonder if I can sneak off to the woods for a minute to take it off?

She strode off quickly through the crowd of well-dressed lords and ladies to the small forest the Edelsteins kept for hunting purposes. She was almost to the tree line when a pale hand suddenly grabbed her wrist in a vice-like grip.

"Oh Elizaveta! How nice that you could join us!" Mrs. Edelstein cooed in her nasal sounding voice, her grip on Elizaveta's wrist tightening.

"Well, um, actually-"

"Oh let me introduce you!" Mrs. Edelstein exclaimed happily, completely ignoring Elizaveta's feeble protests.

"Everyone, this is dear Elizaveta! Elizaveta, this is Mrs. Jones, she is the wife of a very prominent merchant from America, and this is..."

The introductions continued on for what Elizaveta thought was an eternity. Several times she tried to escape by claiming she needed to use the privy, but the words would die in her mouth as Mrs. Edelstein smiled at her coldly. She didn't release Elizaveta's wrist the entire time, and she was forced to remain and talk with the women of high society. After almost an hour of this agonizing chit-chat, Elizaveta was about ready to kill herself. As she contemplated whether or not it was possible to strangle yourself with a pearl necklace, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around; standing in front of her was none other than Mrs. Edelstein's son, Roderich.

"Oh Roderich, how lovely!" his mother exclaimed. "Is it time?"

Elizaveta glanced at the woman in confusion. Time for what?

Roderich nodded curtly, a serious expression on his face.

"Come along Elizaveta," he commanded sternly, grabbing the wrist his mother had finally pried her fingers from. Although grateful to finally get away, Elizaveta was still confused.

"Um, where are we going?" she asked perplexed as he dragged her through the colorful dresses and finely tailored suits.

"You'll see," was all he said in response.

Soon they arrived at a gorgeous white gazebo with blazing red roses curling up the sides. He led her inside then turned to face the guests, calling out, "Everyone, may I please have your attention for a moment?"

The congregation all looked up at him with excitement in their eyes. Silence fell. Once he commanded the undivided attention of every soul present, Roderich turned back to Elizaveta, just as expressionless as ever. He got down on one knee, pulling a sparkling ring from his pocket. He had been courting her for almost two years, it was only natural that he would eventually ask for her hand. Even though she knew this would happen eventually, Elizaveta was still shocked.

"Elizaveta Héderváry...will you marry me?"

Of course she would, it was expected of her. The Edelsteins were an important and powerful family, she would be happy to join them. She would say yes. Then the wedding would be planned and soon after she would have his child. She would be a good little wife, doing everything her husband told her to and host incredibly boring tea parties. Her life was all planned out.

She smiled down at her future husband and opened her mouth to say "yes."

"No."

"...What?"

He stared up at her incredulously, probably thinking that he had misheard.

"No way in hell will I marry you," she told the dumbstruck young man sweetly. She turned and walked away, leaving him kneeling there on the hard wooden floor of the gazebo, clutching the small ring. Elizaveta calmly strode off across the immaculate grounds of the Edelstein estate, leaving the astounded guests in her wake to gape at the sight of her retreating back.

I was as shocked as everyone else when I heard those words fall from my lips, if not more so.

"Now I wonder why I said that," I mumbled to myself as I strolled along. The ever so ladylike part of my mind answered my rhetorical question asking, Why did you say that? Oh goodness your stepfather will be ever so disappointed! Oh you simply must go back right now and beg for Roderich's forgiveness, then everything will be right again!

I could picture her in my mind, a frail petite little thing wringing her hands together with worry.

Oh shut it, another voice snapped at the first one. I stopped dead in my tracks. It had been so long since I had heard that voice that I almost forgot it even existed. It was a strong, confident voice, one that didn't give a damn about being proper or trying to please others. This was the voice of a girl who was her own woman, who did what she wanted, when she wanted, and like hell would she let anyone stop her.

So Eliza, the mental image of my old tomboy self asked. how 'bout we go meet up with Gil and have a few pints huh?

I grinned and continued on my way. That sounds awesome. But first I have to get rid of this damn corset. Goodbye Ms. Elizaveta Héderváry. Welcome back Eli.

ok so this is set in old-timey England, like a pirates of the caribbean type era where everyone wore petticoats and all that jazz. And the thing about Eliza hearing two voices is supposed to be like her personal angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. I'm sorry if it seems weird :/ Also, when I was writing this I was picturing a movie scene. Then when I gave it to my friend Clayton to read and she was like, "wow this really reminds me of that one scene from that movie _!" Does anyone know what movie I'm talking about? I'll give you a cookie if you guess right! :)