Towards German Unity Interlude
Title: Towards German Unity
Author: jemsquash
Beta: aoi_aka
Genre: Histroical Romance
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Genderbends, history references.
Notes: The Year is 1864 and the German Confederation is female, Prussia wants to unify with her and the rest of Europe is still cockblocking him. Thus he will have to take drastic action: co-operation with female Lovino who is (finally) independent and planing to take back Rome.
Interlude (or Unification, the Italian way)
December 1864, Florence
“And why the fuck should I accept your help?” Asked the Kingdom of Italy sulkily, lounging back in her comfortable armchair. The Kingdom of Prussia, in a wooden, uncomfortable bench held back his frown. Independence suited Letizia no more than servitude did, in his opinion.
“Because you need me to help you,” he said smoothly.
Letizia’s eyes narrowed. “I am the possessor of the Italian peninsula. Garibaldi has given me everything I ever wanted in life. What could a Potato Bastard like you possibly help me with?”
“Well.” Gilbert could not help it, his smirk stretched across his face. “Two very little things: Rome and the Venetian Republic.”
“Chigi!” Letizia’s fist hit the desk in front of her. “Our negotiations with France will succeed, the Papal States will be defenceless and I will be the sole owner of my grandfather’s legacy. What do I want with a waterlogged state and a spineless weakling?”
“That’s funny. I could have sworn I heard your people yelling “Free from the Alps to the Adriatic," as I rode in.” Gilbert shrugged and made to leave. “I just thought maybe you could use a little back-up with France. And you’re right, who needs a spineless weakling in their life. Even one who owns the Venetian Arsenal. I mean, what could the owner of the Italian Peninsula possibly want with the biggest shipyards in the Mediterranean?”
Letizia’s brown eyes narrowed. She sat back again considering his words. It was in moments of contemplation like this that Gilbert could clearly see how old Letizia was. She and her cousin Feliciano had aged so slowly in body that they appeared, like Luise, to only be in her late teens. But Letizia was well over a thousand years old, and as much as it clearly pained her, she had learnt when she needed to compromise her wants with her needs.
“Okay, so say somehow Austria loosens his grip on his darling vassal, and I let Feliciano join my kingdom, then what? Why should I have to step aside and let him have everything I’ve worked and suffered for?”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because he’s the male grandchild! The one that grew out of a fucking swamp and became rich! The favourite! The one everyone prefers over me!” Millennia of pain forced its way out of Letizia’s speech.
Gilbert stared at the irate kingdom and wished for Luise. She at least would want to do something other than slap the walking inferiority complex in front of him. Luise. That actually gave him an idea.
The Kingdom of Prussia turned on his most winning smile. “There is on obvious solution here.” Letizia snapped her head up to look at him. Gilbert leaned forward. “Marry him.” For the first time since the Renaissance, Letizia was speechless. “Marry your cousin. Humans do it all the time; marry within the family to keep an inheritance together. What could be a more important inheritance than Italy?”
The German Empire, that was ten times as important. A German Empire, Luise in his bed and the world at their feet.
“You said it yourself. Feliciano is a pushover. Would he ever really manage to challenge you and your position?”
Letizia glared, but this was her usual expression so Gilbert did not worry too much about it. “I and my bosses will think about your kind offer to help with negotiations with France’s military.” He knew a dismissal when he heard one and prepared to leave.
“And for your second offer.” For a second, a venerable look passed on Letizia’s face. “I will have to think on it but…” Gilbert stopped at the door and looked at her once more.
“Rome will be my heart, my capital.” said Letizia softly, focusing on something beyond Gilbert’s shoulder. “No matter what happens or what I agree to, I and I alone will hold Rome. Feliciano can have Venice or Milan or Turin or any Northern city he wants. I will have Rome and my grandfather’s legacy.”
The Prussian Kingdom left the Kingdom of Italy to her melancholy dreams, the sound of troop formations and beating drums echoing across his mind. Italy may unify before Germany, but only one of them was going to be the Roman Empire’s true spiritual successor.
Notes:
1. Letizia is an old Italian name meaning full of happiness… Grandpa Rome named her while in a particularly optimistic mood.
2. The agreement with France had already been reached by this time, but his soldiers were being asses about actually following the agreement and leaving Rome.
Chapter 3