This is a prize Miki-Miki-Chan for for winning RoChu-Squad's fairy tale themed contest.
Ch 1: The Invitation
The Kingdom had been blessed with an early Spring. Even before the last trace of Winter disappeared, splash of color dotted the snowy landscape. Green leaves unfurled from mahogany trees, budding flowers in shades of yellow peeked up from the dampened ground.
Among Spring's spectrum of color, red flowed freely. Melting the remaining snow, the color crimson pooled beneath gasping men. Their blood poured profusely from their slashed necks to darken the awakening, bountiful earth.
They had been ambushed.
The training session for the new recruits, quickly dissolved into a lethal game of survival as Diamond's men emerged from the bushes. Before a retreat could be called, they had been surrounded and methodically cut down to the ground one by one.
Yao gritted his teeth against yet another agonized scream that sliced through the air. He had no time to ponder on it as he concentrated on parrying the downward swing of his foe. He was bigger and stronger, but with his slighter frame than most Jacks, Yao quickly grew accustomed to fighting those larger than him. He leaned slightly off centered, allowing the sword to slide down his before knocking it aside. Using what little space he created, he slipped to stand next to the enemy. To close for either to go in for a kill, Yao flipped his sword inward to jam the hilt of his blade beneath and up the ribcage of his opponent. As the other stood gasping for air that was forced out of his lungs, Yao bounded away, blade ready to defend or kill.
From the small reprieved given to him, he took the chance to survey his surroundings. How many of his men were left? Which of them would live to see another day? Find love, get married, and start a family of their own?
None. He was all that remained of his troop. The others either laid motionless on the ground or twitching as they helpless drowned in their own blood.
"So the Heartless Jack actually does have a heart. How enlightening," a voice said too close for Yao's comfort.
Yao jerked, bringing his blade up. From beyond the shadows, an immaculately dressed man emerged with a smile gracing his face. "Hello, Jack of Hearts. Great day for a stroll isn't it?" The man asked in sickeningly sweet tone.
The mysterious man brought his left hand up, showing the mark that proclaimed he was Diamond's heir apparent.
And their Ace.
Yao steadied his stance and said not a word as he faced Diamond's Ace; his attention solely on the man smiling at him. None of the others matter. They could stab, cut, or slash at him, but he wouldn't die from the wounds they inflicted. Only two types of people in the world could kill a Jack and one stood in front of him now.
"I'm flattered by your interest," the Ace teased when he noticed Yao concentrating on him, "but aren't you forgetting something?" He waved to his other men. Yao paid no need, earning him a frown of disappointment from the silver haired man. "Smart of you to notice that I'm the only you see that can actually harm you, but you know what they say about Diamonds don't you?" He winked. "We don't play fair and you're not the only Jack here."
Before he had a chance to consider what that meant, something pierced his back. Yao choked back his disbelief as a numbing sensation quickly over took his body. He fell to the ground, his sword clattering beside him harmlessly. Barely hanging onto consciousness, Yao saw the Ace of Diamond approach him. He saw perfectly manicured hands gently smooth back hair that was matted from sweat and blood from his face, but he felt nothing. Dimly, Yao was aware that his head was being cradled by the other man's arms, but the call of sleep was too great. Lips were whispering intimately against his ears. "This is the part where you beg for your life, isn't it?"
Falling into oblivion, Yao heard nothing.
LOOOONG explanation, but you might need it in order to understand this Universe.
There is actually a lot of background noise in this AU world. Because I want to keep this story within 1500 word limit (which I passed anyway), I wrote it in a way that it's not necessary that readers know these things since the focus is on RoChu. However, it also throw readers into unfamiliar territory as if they already know what's going on. If you're one of those confused few, here are the explanations!
Role of the Ruling Class
King:
Originally an Ace, the Ace becomes King upon the old King's death. The King is the source of all power. If he dies and there is no inheritor, the kingdom is susceptible to invasion from the other Kingdoms that have viable "Flush" cards. The King is one of the 'card holders' that are able to kill Jacks.
Queen:
Originally a "candidate" or "Queen apparent", they are born with a mark on their neck. Only a few women bare this mark, proclaiming them a life-mate for a "King". There is practically no reason or rhyme why a women is chosen, except for the fact that the mark chose them. Queen candidates are not subjected to marrying the Ace/King of their own kingdom. Because they are few in number, they are often used to broker peace deals and alliances. Wars have also been fought for a desirable Queen or Queen candidate. Queens don't have much political influence, but they are a symbol of the Kingdom's spiritual unity. They are also the only people able to produce offspring with a King.
Aces:
They are born into that role. Same with Queens, they have a mark on their left hand since birth. The only exception to this rule is that when an Ace dies, the mark will move on to the next suitable blood candidate. Aces can or cannot be the offspring of the King, but an Ace is often related to a King (whether it's a present or past ruler) in some way. Aces are also one of the 'card holders' that are able to kill Jacks.
Jacks:
Jacks are not inherited roles. They are won through blood challenges sanctioned by the King. When a person becomes a Jack, they are almost immortal. They do not age nor do they die from battle wounds unless it's inflicted by a King, Ace, or other Jacks. This position is coveted by many since it not only gives prestige and immortality, it is given only those who are the best of the best and can hold the position for a long period of time. Most Jacks don't hold the position for more than one lifetime, though. A check-and-balance is imposed on the Jack lest they lust for the throne. When a King dies, the Jack is momentarily vulnerable during the period when the Ace transition to the King. During this period when the Jack's speed, strength, and reflex reflect their real age (i.e. the reflex of an 80 year old if they lived to be 80), most challenges occur. Can also kill other Jacks.
Tens:
Tens are people who work magic and are appointed by the King to be the royal sorcerer. They scry the future, make potions, work the weather and any sorcery related thing. Each Kingdom differs the symbol and placement, but there is often a sign that proclaims they are the royal sorcerer.
Kingdoms
Kingdom of Clover
King: Francis
Queen: Celibate...for now
Queen Candidate: Belgium (Name unknown). Selected to be the Queen, but has not been formally inaugurated.
Ace: Netherlands(Name unknown). Brother to the Queen candidate
Queen Candidate (for Netherlands): A search has not been done yet
Jack: Denmark
Ten: Norway
Kingdom of Spades:
King: Roderich
Queen: Liechtenstein
Ace: Ludwig
Queen Candidate: None so far.
Jack: Vash. Fought to be Jack when he realized his childhood friend/adopted little sister would be Queen.
Ten: Feliciano
The two Kingdom this story focuses primarily on
Kingdom of Hearts: A lush, prosperous Kingdom that depends primarily on sea trade and the mining of minerals in their mountain.
King: Arthur
Upon his father's untimely death, Arthur inherited his role before he was ready. Although he insecure of his worthiness to rule and agonizes over the possibility that he's making a mistake in his decisions, he is fair, logical, and just to his people. He is respected and admired by his people. At a young age, he was given Elizaveta to marry. Although he doesn't realize himself, he secretly harbors a crush on his Ace.
Queen: Elizaveta.
She was originally from the Kingdom of Spades and in fact was the Ace of Spade's fiancee (who was Roderich at the time). However, the King of Spade felt he had found a "better candidate" for Roderich and so she lost her position. She was later used in an alliance deal between the Kingdom of Hearts and Spades. She is an outgoing Queen that everyone loves and adores. An unusual aspect of her is that she fights in the battle field and is actually renowned for her prowess in battle. She is one of the reason why the Hearts have been able to hold off the Diamonds for so long. She still harbor feelings for Roderich, but has accepted the fact that they cannot be together due to their current situation. She had a platonic but friendly relationship with Arthur and actually subtly encourages him to pursue Alfred.
Ace: Alfred
Upon Arthur's ascension to the throne, the mark of an Ace came to him. He is distantly related to Arthur by his mother's side. They are second cousin's once removed. At a young age, he was brought to the palace to train in the King's army and was instantly fascinated with his cousin and adored him. As he grew older, his adoration grew into love. Even as he knows their relationship can't be more than ruler and subject, he couldn't help himself. To deal with his pent up frustration, he puts all his efforts into making his king and people happy. Most people describe him as an energetic puppy and full-hearted fool.
Queen Candidate: Taiwan
Her people hail from the Far Eastern Empire, but her family has been in the Kingdom of Hearts for three generations. She is Yao's great niece from his sister's side. She gets along with the Queen amazingly well and are basically BFFs with her. She adores Alfred, but in a way like a sister would. In fact, she would prefer less muscle-y guys to be her husband-to-be. Though at first glance, she seems to be frivolous and vain, she has a very practical and logical mind. When it comes to serious matters, she is a nonsense type of person. She knows that Alfred loves Arthur and in fact doesn't mind. Rather, she hopes that the two of them would stop tip-toeing around and confess already!
Jack: Yao
Not much is known about him before he became the King of Heart's Jack. He is very secretive about his life and not even his niece can say much about his past. All that is known was that he immigrated to the Western Kingdoms and settled into the Kingdom of Heart a decades. He is renowned far and wide in the Four Kingdom as the Heart's Jack, holding the position longer than any Jacks before him. He is known for his beautiful, flawless fighting style and having never been defeated. Because he doesn't smile or show much of his emotions, people joke and call him Heartless Jack of Hearts
Ten: Matthew
Twin brother of Alfred and relative to the Arthur...Not much can be said about him LOL
Kingdom of Diamonds: A Kingdom that is plagued by harsh winters and short spring. Due to their climate, they are mainly a mining Kingdom. However, in recent decades, they are becoming a mercenary Kingdom and have been waging war to expand their territory in order to obtain more favorable lands.
King: General Winter
He rules the Diamonds with an iron fist. No one dares disobey him and in fact most are in awe of their king. Although he is merciless in his rule, he tactics have made their Kingdom more prosperous than before. He makes no exceptions, not even with his son and heir. He is a distant figure to most
Queen: Ukraine (yekatrina)
A sorceress in her own right, she is mostly unseen and in the background. Does not make much of an influence or appearance. When Ivan was little, she used to dote on him. However, when Ivan was under the King's tutelage, she was banned from seeing him without Ivan's knowledge. Thus, Ivan always harbors a sense of betrayal and abandonment with her.
Ace: Ivan
The only Ace of his generation to be the blood related son of the King, Ivan once was a fickle, naive boy who loathed blood and war. As he grew older, his father disliked the fact that his son had grown weak and compliant. In the tournament held by the Four Kingdoms, he threw him into the battlefield so that he would learn his lesson. It was there that Ivan saw Yao's lethal but graceful skills and became enchanted. Throughout the years, Ivan's personality became warped under the tutelage of his father and his obsession with Yao grew only worse as it was his only solace.
Queen Candidate: Natalia
Although to an extent she is as cold and remote as her facade appears to be, she harbors an immense love for Ivan. From a young age, she had been betrothed to him and had witness the gradual change from the sweet boy she once knew into the cruel man he came to be. Whether Ivan's choices are wrong or right, she stands by his decisions and is often the only person Ivan turns to when he becomes emotionally distraught. She knows Ivan does not feel the same for her as she does him, but she won't abandon him.
Jack: Toris
Though quiet and unassuming, he is capable in the battlefield. A cunning general that cares for his people, he fights in a very honorable manner in comparison to his rulers. Other kingdom respect him a lot for his polite and respectful demeanor. Has a little crush on Natalia
Ten: Eduard and Raivis
A shared position by the two. Eduard is working on technological improvement that would help renovate agriculture while Raivis is more of a traditional sorcerer (though his skills needs a little improving)
Far Eastern Empire
Not much is known about them. It is an isolated empire with its own brand of high culture. Does not have much contact with those outside its borders. The only contact that is allowed, is at a small port and even then, foreign traders are confined to a small space with little contact with the locals.