Four kingdoms in peace.
Four ways of magic and life.
This is a new age.
The blue carriage, pulled by two silver horses, attracted attention from the citizens of Ruby City. They gathered in groups on the pink-stained stone streets, exchanging rumors.
"Is it one of the royals?"
"That's ridiculous. I bet it's a Ten."
"Why are they here?"
"I wonder if they're angry with us."
"Why would they? We didn't fight in the Spades-Club war."
The carriage continued to the castle. The Royals of Hearts had gathered by the main gate. All wore red, as per usual.
A brown-haired man with a strange curl folded his arms. "They couldn't have sent a notice earlier? Cretini."
"Be nice!" The auburn-haired man next to him also had a hair curl, but his eyes were closed. "I'm sure it's really important, and they only sent one carriage."
A tall, gruff blond spoke up. "It would've been polite for them to at least send a messenger slightly before."
"No one asked you, potato freak!" the brunet snapped.
The carriage rolled to a stop. The driver, a blue-clad man with spiky blond hair, jumped off of his perch and hurried to open the door.
"Out you come, Norge," he said. Another blond with hair pinned back by a cross-shaped jumped out, ignoring the spiky-haired man.
The blond man from Hearts furrowed his brow. "Tens Lukas Bondevik and Magnus Densen. What are you doing here?"
The man with the clip, Lukas, bowed. "King Ludwig. I apologize for our unexpected visit."
"Hey, come on," Magnus said, addressing someone in the carriage. "They won't bite. Not while me 'nd Norge're watching."
"Who're you talking to?" the brunet demanded. "Forget that, what're you doing here?"
"Ace Lovino," Lukas said, nodding his head in that direction. "I'm afraid we can't discuss that out here."
Magnus finally seemed to convince the last member of their party to leave the carriage. A black-haired man in blue robes stepped out, bowing low when he was on solid ground.
"It is an honor to meet you, your majesties," he murmured.
"Who are you?" the auburn-haired man asked.
"Jack Feliciano," Lukas said, his voice taking on an edge. "I apologize, but this isn't the kind of thing we can discuss out here."
The three men from Spades definitely seemed to be on edge. Magnus kept looking around, one hand on the pendant hanging from his neck, and the black-haired man kept his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Very well," Ludwig said. "We will take this inside. Lovino, Feliciano, gather the nobles."
"We can't be with them, either," Lukas protested, although his voice kept its careful monotone.
"Then prepare a private audience," Ludwig ordered. "I hope you don't mind if Lovino and Feliciano are there?"
"Not at all," Lukas said.
Lovino led them through the main gate, inside the pink-stained walls. Servants stopped in their duties to ogle their royals and the visitors, murmuring among themselves.
"We can meet in the gardens, if that's alright," Ludwig offered.
"That sounds fine," Lukas said. "Dan can provide security."
"I will too," Lovino said, quickly.
Magnus and Lovino split from the group and stood a safe distance away. Ludwig and Feliciano sat on a bench underneath a pavilion, Feliciano pressed up against Ludwig's side. Lukas directed the black-haired man to sit in a wicker chair across from them, and stood behind him.
"Why are you here?" Ludwig asked.
"My name is Honda Kiku," the black-haired man said. His voice was quiet, and his accent turned his 'l's into 'r's. "I am originally from Spades, but had no mark."
"You're Markless?" Feliciano asked.
Kiku shook his head. "This morning, I… ah…"
"The Mark of Hearts was found on his body this morning," Lukas stepped in.
Feliciano and Ludwig were silent for a few moments.
"Where?" Feliciano finally asked.
"Right shoulder blade," Lukas said. Kiku looked back down at his feet.
"We can verify it later," Ludwig said. "So. The clocks have chosen you as our Queen?"
Kiku glanced up enough to see Ludwig and Feliciano's interlocked hands. Many citizens of the Deck knew of the romance between them, and dreamed of having one like it.
"Magnus and I only came to ensure his safe arrival," Lukas said. "We will return to Spades now." He gave Kiku a rare smile. "I'm sure Arthur will see you at your coronation."
"You're not going to stay the night?" Feliciano asked.
"We need to return as soon as possible," Lukas said. "Farewell, all of you."
He walked over to Magnus and tapped him on a shoulder. Magnus waved back, and then they made their way back to the front gate.
Kiku fidgeted in his seat, wringing his hands together.
"Well, I suppose we should get you situated," Ludwig said. He stood up. "Felciano, can you find him a room? I will go and inform the advisors."
Feliciano bounced to his feet. "Sure!"
Ludwig walked away, pausing by Lovino. They walked to the castle, involved in a hushed argument.
"So," Feliciano said, beaming. "I suppose I should say this now. Welcome to Hearts, my Queen!"
Yo! Cardverse AU! Instead of my usual FrUK and AmeriPan, there will be USUK. Before you complain, this story is actually not going to be Spade-centric! (Gasp). I hope it's obvious that Kiku is our main character, but... anyway, he's our main character.
I'm going to make little oneshots focusing on other characters every five chapters, so feel free to tell me who you want to hear from!
Magnus is Denmark. Cretini means "jerks" in Italian.