Be Careful What You Wished For

by hikikomori-kuma

Chapter 0: Alfred the King and Alfred the Barn Keeper

Alfred tugged at his hair, frustrated. He shut his eyes, feeling the weariness even more. He felt tired and sick. He is confined in his study chambers to read all the documents pending for his approval. His Jack, Yao, helps him but doing paperwork is not his forte. He wished he could go out and horseback or at least train his knights for tactical strategies but no, he is stock his with loads of paper, a quill and an approaching headache.

It was seven past noon and he's not even half done with his work. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He really is tired. When a knock startled him from his little relaxation. He did not bother to say anything and the door opened, revealing his Jack, Yao. "Your majesty, dinner is ready." He looked at Alfred with the eyes saying – Please, eat, your majesty. He remained quiet for a long time possible before he surrender with a sigh and stoop up.

This made the Jack smile, waiting for His Majesty to reached the opened door for him. "Yao, do you mind having dinner with me?" The Jack just nod at this before proceeding to follow behind the king and close the door.

Alfred certainly did not mind being a king, really, good food, soft and spacious bed but he could not blame himself for asking for the better. He wished he has a queen but that was an impossible wish. It's been three years since he became the king and the search for the queen started but none of them are legible.

He remembered the time when some hopeful presented themselves to Alfred. If Alfred is not looking for a particular person with a unique tattoo-like symbol, some presenter even disguised themselves with a symbol Alfred do not know where they got from. Surely they put a spade symbol with other fancy markings as a tattoo but they were immediately turned down as it was all but fake inking.

He wanted to laugh at the memory but that would be an unethical because he might blow his soup out. On a nearby chair, Yao is silently enjoying his soup. Yao always agree to join him during his time for meals. He knew the King would not enjoy the feast of food without any company and Alfred is more than thankful to have Yao whenever he needed company.

The dinner was splendid but he is tired – deadly tired and he wanted to plop down his soft bed. He went upstairs, did some turns, greeted by the night guards and finally got his chamber doors opened by the two nights standing outside his chambers. He bid them good night though they just bid him politely. He wanted to be friends with everybody but hierarchy is a big wall everyone dares not to crash with.

He exchanged to his night clothes and resigned for the night. Dipping his head above the soft pillow and covering him with the duvet. The night is cold and still young but he felt like his life ended ages ago. He felt lonely, he felt sick, and he felt cold. He felt that emptiness of not having a person beside him. His queen. Surely, they will be happy to have each other, right? She will be perfect for Alfred, for the kingdom and for their beloved citizens. They will dance through the moon light, laugh together and age together. He might sound like a damsel in distress at times but he cannot help it. He is longing for that kind of happiness.

He did not know when he did actually sleep because the rays of early sunlight are seeping through the curtains of the big window and it kisses Alfred's cheek good morning. He crinkled his nose and moved opposite to where the rays will not reach him and cocooned himself in his duvet. It was peaceful for a few minutes when Yao knocked on his door and that peaceful darkness enveloping him faded away. He groaned, a mixture of annoyance and want. Could he not be given a chance to sleep for another five minutes?

Yao opened the door and he involuntarily pushed the duvet aside, swinging when he's standing. Alfred sighed and another day of boring paper works and tasteless meals is now waiting for him. Oh, how good it this life – he can't wait to start the day.

Alfred did not know, the days passed like a blink of an eye, he felt like a device doing the same work every day, every time, every moment. He felt more tired than usual. He slept but he felt no refresh.

One night, after dinner, Yao approached him. "Your majesty, is there something bothering you?" His tone laced with concern as he walked near the banister of a balcony. His king just sighed, looking at the moon. Yao remained silent for like an eternity when Alfred finally spoke.

"Do you think she's out there?" He asked without looking at Yao. His Jack looked at him, a little bit surprised by the question but did not voice his surprise.

He smiled but his eyes tell his kind pity and Alfred did not want to see it. His eyes trained at the moon showering the maze garden with dull lightness. "There is always hope, my King. The magic of Spades will always find a way." He told him before tracing his eyes with where his King is looking at.

Another sigh was let out before Alfred spoke again. "What if she never came?" His voice croaked at the end of his question. He did not want his personal feeling slip but he is not good at hiding it.

"In that case, we just have to wait for her." Yao said. He, himself know that there is a little possibility in what he is saying but he wanted for the king to have some assurance that there is still hope, that they will find the queen, for the kingdom's sake, for the Spades' sake and especially for King Alfred's sake.

"Yao, you know that's a lie and I won't buying it this time." Yao always tell him that she will return to the kingdom and complete their deck but that never happened and he bet that will never happen, ever.

"My king, you never know the chances." Yao placed his hand above Alfred's shoulder to reassure him. "Just don't lose hope." Alfred remained silent.

"What if I were not the King? The one the Spades chose?" That surprised Yao, leaving him slightly agape but he quickly corrected himself.

Alfred laughed before continuing. "I love to be in here but I always feel lonely, empty. It's been three years since my coronation and yet my queen did not arrive. I, I thought that she will be here before I am but-" he exhaled hoarsely. Yao rubbing his back for comfort.

"If my wish to have a queen. I just wish that I am not the King." Yao clearly gasped to what he said. Backing up, his hand to move to his sides. "You do not mean that, right, your majesty?" Alfred just laughed it off.

"I'm afraid not." He sighed. He cannot say that he doubt it because it felt like a lump in his throat and once he had said it, he felt better.

Yao just remained quiet. The both stared at the moon before Alfred spoke up. "I- I think, I'll head to my chambers now." He said hesitantly before looking at Yao. Yao nodded his head, bid his goodbye before heading the other way.

Alfred felt very sleepy that night. He did not even bother to change his clothes. He removed his jacket and glasses before slumping, face first to his soft duvet. Instantly shutting his eyes and falling into deep sleep.

He had never slept like that in the past few weeks. It felt like his stress ebbed away and everything is normal, everything is fine. He moved a bit. Someone is shaking him. Calling his name but he did not open his eyes, he just shuffled through his bed. Wait – why does his bed feel strange? He moved a bit more. Something is picking at his skin and it makes him uncomfortable but the shaking stopped and that is better. He heard a bit of shuffling before a cold splash met his face. He quickly stumbled to his bed, "What the-" He stopped his words to see a boy a bit younger than his age holding a pail.

"Fred, I told you to wake up. Scott will be mad at us if you slack off." He went outside through that thin wooden door. He still felt a bit drowsy from sleep but he scanned his surroundings. To his surprise, his eyesight seems a bit clearer than usual. He groped for his glasses but only met by the stack of hay. He looked around him, now everything is clearer, maybe because of his wide eyes or the sudden realization that he is not in the castle.

He stumbled to stand up, wincing at the feeling of being soaked first thing in the morning then he looked at his clothes. Loose shirt, a bit dirty, a pair of trousers you always see to the person who works at a farm or gardening and a pair of shoe with a very poor condition. He tried to stomp on it but it only felt that it will give away and be ripped into two.

He moved slowly to see that there are a few cows and horses inside a rather old looking barn? Why the heck he's inside a barn? The last thing he knew is that he is peacefully sleeping at his chamber-

Now he quickly ran outside where he saw the same boy holding a pail of water from a nearby well. He quickly went to the boy's direction. Nearly spilling the water he's holding for being startled. Alfred held both of his shoulders. "W-where am I? Why am I here?" He nearly shook the boy for answers. The boy trying to escape his hold.

"H-hey! Stop pretending again, Fred. Of course, you're here! At the barn." He pointed at the place with his two open palms. He shrugged as an emphasis.

"B-but! No, no, no, I was at the palace last night. Yao and I just talked last night. This must be some kind of dream-" He was interrupted by the boy.

"Fred, this is no dream. You and I are peasants and we are supposed to tend cows and take care of horses. Will you stop this daydreaming already?" His voice now crisped with accent. Alfred noticed as he did not quite understand some of the words the boy just sputtered.

"A-ah, umm" he stammered. He did not know what to do. Maybe Yao is playing tricks on him again. Maybe he got offended with what he said yesterday. Maybe this is all a dream. All he has to do is wake up right? He reached for his cheek and pinched it.

"Aww!" he yelped in pain. He looked at the boy who looked at him with the mixed expression of confusion and disbelief. "What an idiot." He told Alfred clicking his tongue.

"I- I need to get back to the capital." He hurried his phase. He started to walk, then brisk to a full jog but he stopped at his tracks and looked at the boy. "Where is the direction of the capital, umm?" he trailed of the last words.

The boy let out a sighed before speaking. "You forgot about me Fred, again. I am Peter. We both end up here under Master Scott's provision and you are not going to the capital." He looked at Alfred as he crossed his chest, making himself looked tougher.

"Why not, Peter? I am the king of Spades, of goodn-" Peter shook his head. "No, you are not Alfred. Playtime's over." He sighed again before picking up the neglected pail. Alfred looked at him. He is thin for his age. Maybe sixteen or seventeen. He tried to carry the pail with one hand but ended up with two.

Alfred looked at the way he will be going. He clicked his tongue, disapproving before coming back to Peter's side. "Hey, I'll carry that." He dashed and picked up the pail effortlessly.

"You'll remove your arm to this." Peter followed him, muttering a small thank you before picking up the emptied pail.

"Fred, there are some woods needed to be axed, will you do that? I'll take care of milking the cows." He's now approaching the barn door before looking at Alfred. "It's an easy task, don't slack off, alright?" he raised a rather enormous eyebrow at him. Alfred just gave a nod before picking up the axe and carrying a good amount of wood pieces.

It's been a while since he last did something like this. A bit confuse, still, but he'll leave the questioning later and do his work now. He settled a wood and swung his axe high. It'll be a long talk with Peter after the day's hard work after all.

A/N: Hello everyone. Here I am again. Making new stories with some ideas I have yet I am still not finished with my other stories. I just need to have an head start for this one. I'm thinking of having this as a one-shot but many things come crashing for this one and this will be a bit longer than expected. So, I hoped you like it. Reviews and critiques will be welcomed!

Also, thank you for the fic that made me think of the idea even though it's just a phrase!

hikikomori-kuma out!