This man had the most mesmerizing eyes you had ever seen. They were like fiery rubies, burning through your soul. He spoke in a soft tone, despite the harsh German accent. "Are you alright?" You looked up into his eyes, still captivated by them. He smiled softly and picked up your tiny body. "Zehre's von right here!" he shouted.

A group of soldiers crowded around you. You clung to the man's slender, milky white neck. "She doesn't look any older zahn ten," one of the soldiers reported after inspecting you a bit.

"Gut. Zehn I shall take her to zee camp," the man stated. "She can't shtay here like zihs." You watched as the soldiers stood firm and held their arms out in unison before turning and leaving to investigate the crumbling, war-abused city. "Vaht is your name, Kind?" he asked as he carried you back to camp.

"__-__________," you answered.

"Zaht is a Gut name, __________," he smiled. "You can call me Gilbert. Gilbert Beilschmidt."

You smiled up at him. There was something almost too amazing about this man. "Are you a knight?" you chirped, remembering the stories of how handsome the knights-in-shing-armor were.

He looked down at you in surprise. "You zihnk I'm a knight?" You nodded; he blushed. "I used to be..."

You gasped; a real-live knight like in those storybooks! "Then... can I call you Sir Gilbert?" you squeaked. His blush deepened and he nodded. "Sir Gilbert... The Awesome!" you giggled.

*~*

There was a small knock on your door. You looked up. "Come in," you called. A tall man with blonde hair and cool winter for eyes stepped in. You smiled. "Hallo, Ludwig."

Ludwig forced a smile. "Hallo, __________."

You frowned. You had been living with Gilbert and Ludwig for almost ten years. Ludwig never smiled. "What's wrong?" you asked, easily seeing through his facade.

Ludwig bowed his head. "It's Gilbert."

You jumped. "I-is he alright?"

Ludwig nodded. "He..." he cleared his throat. "He's going on a long trip. I don't know vehn he vill be back."

You breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't scare me! I thought something bad happened to him! Well, when's he leaving? I want to say goodbye to him!"

Ludwig shook his head. "He's... already gone."

You twitched. "W-without saying goodbye?" Tears fell from your (eye color) eyes. "N-not awesome, Gilbert..."

Ludwig walked over to you. "He told me to give zihs to you." You looked up in time to see Ludwig handing you an envelope. On it was your name, printed in Gilbert's elegant calligraphy. "Read it," he ordered, though it sounded more like he was pleading.

You opened it and began to read, "To the most awesome girl I've ever met. I'm sorry I had to go on such short notice. Duty calls, you know! I, the Awesome, am needed everywhere! ... Just kidding. I wish I could have stayed with you a little longer. I had so many dreams about us together... Take care of West for me. I don't know when I'll be back so you'll be my awesome replacement! I'll see you soon. Love, Sir Gilbert."

You caught yourself smiling like an idiot. "Hey, Ludwig?" You looked up at him. "If I write a reply, would you send it for me?"

Ludwig choked back tears. He knew you would ask that. "Sure, _________."

You giggled as you wrote the reply, retelling the memories of the tea parties 'Princess ___________' and 'Sir Gilbert' had together. You wrote to him that you wanted to see him again as quickly as possible. You signed and dated the letter and shoved it in Ludwig's arms, anticipation overflowing from you. "Thank you Ludwig. I hope he writes me back soon!"

Ludwig gave you a genuine smile. "I'm sure he vill, __________."

*~*
"I'm going on a trip, West."

Ludwig looked up from his manual. "Vaht?"

"You heard me. Zee Awesome Prussia is going avay!" he snapped.

"But..." Ludwig started, still in disbelief. "Vaht about __________? You love her."

Gilbert stayed quiet. "Ja. I love her. But so do you." Ludwig turned red. "Zaht's vhy I vant you to do me a favor."

Ludwig looked away, knowing it would be something completely unethical. "Vaht is it?"

Gilbert looked over his shoulder and smirked. But the obvious sadness would not leave his face. "Write to her for me."



Ludwig sighed. "Stupid Bruder." He looked at your letter, reading it carefully. He moved to his typewriter, saying aloud what he wrote. "Zee Awesome Prussia has responded!"