I Can Be The Queen.

Author's Note:

This is to be a Fantasy Cardverse Fanfic and I am also going to put a warning of Mpreg for you just here. There will also be Yaoi and if any of this makes you uncomfortable you are clearly on the wrong site. It is also going to be multiple pairings that happen and ones you probably won't expect.

Now that is out of the way, the second thing I will mention is that I have changed a few things, which you will come to notice throughout the story, meaning this won't be the standard Cardverse setting. One of the first things I will point out is that the characters are actually going to be fantasy races just because I like the idea of it.

Spades will be the main focus of the story, along with the relationship of Alfred and Arthur. Edit: The relationship of Matthias and Ivan will also play a HUGE part in this story also, but there are going to be changes in the line-up for the different royal families and they go as such:

Spades will have Alfred as King, Arthur as Queen and the change will be that Matthias (Denmark) is their Jack.

Alfred will be a Sun Elf, since they are often the ruling class amongst Elves. Sun Elves are also known as High Elves.

Arthur will be a Lythari Elf, which Elves who can turn into wolves. Unlike a Lycan, a Lythari has no problem controlling their more animalistic side. Very mysterious and rare breed of Elf, and for the sake of this story they are very gifted with magic.

Matthias is going to be a Dragon, which, for this story, can assume the form of any being they desire, so for the most part, Matthias appears to be a Half-Elf. He only ever turns into a Dragon when the need is most desperate because otherwise he is forever getting stuck in the doors.

Aside from that the other countries go as such:

Clubs:

King Ivan, Queen Yao and Jack Tino.

I have yet to decide races for them yet, but I was thinking of having Tino as a Snow Elf, but that is as far as I got with them.

Hearts:

King Ludwig, Queen Feliciano and Jack Kiku.

Feli will be a Faery that much I know, and Kiku will be a Tengu (however he will be a very cute version of one so don't worry, with feathers in his hair and black bird wings).

Diamonds:

King Francis, Queen Gilbert and Jack Antonio.

Yes I know this is the Bad Friends Trio ruling a Kingdom. I regret nothing.

I haven't decided what races they will be yet either.

I might put it to my lovely readers to decide what people should be (provided I haven't already picked something for them).

Yes I know this is a lot of changes that have been made and it might not make a lot of sense. However, I did this to fit with pairings I like. If you don't like some of the pairings that will be hinted at later in the story, I am sorry, however it is my story, so I hope you will just bear with me over this.

I am also sorry if there is any OC behaviour from any of the characters. My excuse for any OC behaviour is that this is a story were most of them are ruling a Kingdom so sometimes they have to be super serious. This mainly goes for the Bad Friends Trio, when writing for them I will do my best, but if they act out of character I am just apologising in advance.

Thank you for reading this rather long Author's note,

Miscmasquerade.


Chapter One:

Spades, The Ocean Kingdom it was also known. Famed for their navy and sea trade, home to some of the biggest port cities in all of Wonderland.

Perhaps they were not the richest nor the biggest Kingdom, but it was a Kingdom that had built its wealth on trade and good public relations with their neighbours. Spades itself prided on its many universities, colleges and schools, producing some of the best explorers, philosophers and literary artists in the entirety of Wonderland.

Not only this, but Spades was also known for its magic, the land was steeped in Arcane power and nowhere was this more prominent than the little island Province to the North of Spades called Albion, which was home to a very powerful family who governed the island under the laws of the King of Spades.

However, it was at this time the Kingdom of Spades found itself in an unsettling predicament. A King sat upon the throne, but there was no Queen to sit beside him.

King Alfred. F. Jones was only recently crowned, he was currently going through the first year of his ruling and it was proving a trying thing for him to adjust to. Before he had been Crowned Prince of Spades, raised for the purpose of ruling his Kingdom, just like his father and his fathers before him.

But the fact he had no Queen weighed heavily on the mind of his advisors and the men who sat on his council. It was because of this worry that they were sat around the Round Table, discussing the possibilities of marriage for the King.

The room that held the Round Table they were all sat at was the Council Chamber, also known as The Round Room. Like the large table the council, the Jack and the King sat around, it was completely circular. The reason for this was part of an ancient tradition dating back when Spades was first formed as a Kingdom. The fact the room was round and the table was round also was because in this room it was meant to be that no man was more important than the other. All would be able to face everyone at the table and there was no one sitting at the head of the table. It was a meeting of equals, all whom were devoted to safe guarding the Kingdom and acting in the best interests of the people they governed over.

Of course, this was the idealistic purpose behind the Round Table and the room, over the years more than a fair share of backstabbing and treacherous acts had been committed in this room amongst members of the council, as well as outside of the room. But it was an ancient tradition and a nice sentiment for them all to be facing on another around the Round Table. Plus it meant no one could hide anything.

The room itself was well lit, with huge bay windows surrounding them in a half circle, stopping only because the round room was built as part of the castle and outside it didn't look quite as round as the room did on the inside. However, outside of the windows the Capital could clearly be seen, even on a rather cloudy day like today was. Sapphire blue curtains, the colours of the royal family here in Spades, hung down either side of the windows, tied back with strong silver cord. Every night there was a servant whose only job was to come in here, clean the Round Room thoroughly, from polishing the portraits hanging on the opposite wall, cleaning the windows and sorting out anything that was out of place. They would close the curtains for the night, signalling business was over for the day. They would return in the morning to open the curtains before the council convened in the room.

The room was decorated in deep mahogany panels that covered the walls on the side that did not have the windows, with the portraits of the Kings of old hanging there for all to see. One day Alfred's portrait would join the others on the wall, taking pride of place beside his father's portrait. No Queens hung on the wall beside their Kings, despite the importance of the Queen in the matters of the Kingdom, few Queens ever had the recognition they deserved. Most just seen as being there for the production of children and nothing more. In fact, it had been many years since a Queen had sat beside their King in the Round Room. Alfred knew his own mother had never graced this room, it was why this room was also nicknamed the King's Room.

It was rather sad really that the only royal suit members that came into this room were the King and the Jack.

Though no portraits of the Jack hung on the wall near to the Kings, but the reason for this was in all these years the Jack had never changed. The Jack that served Alfred was the same who had served his father and his father before him. He was a tall man with pale silver, blonde hair and brilliant azure eyes sitting in a relaxed manner beside his King. Most Elves would not a trust a man like him, for in appearance he only seemed to be a mere Half-Elf, what comes of when a human and an Elf find love. However it was far from the truth for Matthias and it was no secret all who sat on Alfred's council trusted Matthias' judgement completely.

The Jack handed over an engagement portrait over to his King. "Here your grace," he said as he passed over the small book sized painting. "The Duchess Katerina of Janedge." Matthias gave the woman's title as he watched Alfred examine the painting. "She is a little older than you sire. A Heart's woman, but she comes from a good family with a long and noble background. She also comes with a rather sizeable dowry." Matthias knew that would interest the advisors more than Alfred, the King wouldn't be interested in her money really.

"A good dowry will always be profitable for the Kingdom, your majesty. I would consider her, she is a Sun Elf, like yourself your grace and I am sure she will serve you faithfully and birth you many sons." One of the advisors voiced, just like Matthias had suspected they would. Money and good child bearing, which was what everyone liked to mention to a King when it came to him picking his Queen. But, Matthias figured, it was important, what was a marriage without children?

Alfred, however, just sighed as he looked to the portrait of the Duchess. He had been studying all the while the others were talking and telling him about this woman. But he just shook his head and set it to one side, right on top of a pile of discarded book sized engagement portraits.

The council seemed to be rather perplexed by the King's action of just discarding the portrait, it was rather disheartening to see him toss aside each and every offer they proposed to him. Nonetheless, they pressed on and Matthias handed over another portrait for Alfred to view. He was remaining silent about his personal opinion of the candidates for Alfred's marriage. The other lords sitting at the table had tried pushing forward their own daughters and sons before now, and after that had failed they tried to encourage Alfred to pick someone who would be good for them politically. However, Alfred was not taking any of the bait that was cast in front of him, no matter how tantalizing it was. Matthias had to wonder if Alfred was actually looking for love in all of these portraits and ramblings of how they would be good for him and the Kingdom.

Either way, Matthias started to talk about the latest portrait he had handed to Alfred. "Okay, this is Lord William of the Black sea. A rather low lord, but his family are relatively wealthy. He is the brother of one of your Generals." Matthias informed Alfred, he would have gone on, but Alfred just tossed the portrait onto the pile with the others.

"No." Alfred finally spoke. He had been silent all this time, but now he had had enough and he was going to voice his opinion. "No, no, no. This is all wrong." Alfred shook his head and sighed.

The advisors looked to one another, before back at Alfred. "Your majesty?" One leaned forward. "They are all fine candidates for you my liege, I am not sure of the problem."

Alfred found himself scowling. "No, no they are not. I do not believe any of these women or men are suitable, none of them will make a good Queen." Alfred insisted, clearly not happy with any of the candidates he had been offered. The fact he wasn't made the advisors look all the more worried, but their gazes went to Matthias to resolve this situation.

Matthias, on the other hand, just sighed. "With the greatest of respect, your grace, you have never met any of these people before." Matthias stated, like he was trying to keep the minor irritation from his voice.

Alfred glanced to his Jack. He knew that Matthias was growing weary of the conversation and he didn't blame him. Alfred was tiring of it too, so much he had lost his smile. Matthias hadn't, he was still keeping that kind smile on his lips despite how his eyes showed the glimmers of frustration. Alfred had no idea how Matthias did it.

The Jack had served this Kingdom for as long as anyone could remember. Alfred had grown up knowing Matthias as the Jack and from stories his father had told him, Alfred had learned that Matthias had been Jack when his father had been growing up. Matthias had even been Jack when Alfred's Grandfather had been growing up too.

Alfred knew the reason for this. Matthias was one of the Ancient Ones. A Dragon who would never age nor die.

Most of the Ancient Ones had gone now, but Matthias had stayed and what was more, he served the mortal races that had once warred against his Kin many hundreds of years ago. It was a story to be told to children now, but still a part of the history of Wonderland. Once the Ancient Ones had sort to own everything and everyone for themselves.

Matthias had been one of the Ancient Ones to betray his own Kin and stood by the mortal races and helped them overcome their enemies and become free to govern themselves. Ever since he stood by the Elven leaders of old, Matthias had been serving in the name of Spades.

Alfred was pulled from his thoughts of Matthias' devotion with a rather loud knock on the table in front of him. Matthias had rapped his knuckles on the table to get his attention since he had pretty much been lost to his own little world.

Alfred blinked, his gaze going to Matthias, who had changed his smile for a rather exasperated expression, though it was more because Alfred had been daydreaming and now he was going to have to repeat himself. Something he found himself doing often for this new King.

"Sire, there are no more eligible lords, ladies, dukes, duchesses, counts, anything left in Spades, Hearts or Diamonds." Matthias told Alfred. "You have refused every last one of them." He explained as he held his King's gaze.

It was Alfred that looked away first, mainly in shame, but also concern. He turned his attention to the portraits of the men and women he had rejected to be his Queen. He wished he could make this easy and just pick one of them, but he couldn't do that…his heart just wasn't in it. Matthias had been right in his assumptions before. Alfred wanted to find love and for him, none of those in the rejected pile had clicked. Why would he want to marry for anything other than love?

"Sire, is there honestly no one in the pile there that you could choose as your Queen? You don't have to love them your grace, you just have to marry them." An advisor said to Alfred, figuring it was the idealist in Alfred that was stopping him.

Alfred looked to the advisor who had spoken. "And what man would that make me? If I marry them just because I have to, then I could be taking them away from the person they truly love." Alfred spoke with conviction.

"Sire, they will love you. You are a King, how could they not? And if they don't love you they will still do your duty by you." The advisor told Alfred now.

"So you expect me to suffer a loveless marriage just because I cannot find who I do love?" Alfred demanded now, frowning.

"Sire that is not what he meant at all." Another advisor cut in quickly. "Perhaps your grace would be satisfied if we arranged a ball and invited all those here to attend. Perhaps you might fall in love with one of them if you met them?" He offered.

Alfred shook his head. "No. No I do not wish to waste their time with such a thing when I can make no promises I will fall for one of them." Alfred now regarded Matthias once more. "Is there really no one else Matthias?" He looked hopeful, really wanting Matthias to say otherwise.

Matthias had just been sitting there as the advisors tried to convince Alfred, knowing it wouldn't get anywhere, though when the question of someone else was posed to him, Matthias smiled once more. "Well there is someone," Matthias started, but he was sharply cut off.

"Sire, I would not waste your time, why don't you look over the portraits once more? See if that helps?" An advisor cut in, knowing what Matthias was about to suggest.

Alfred frowned. "No. I want to hear what Matthias was about to suggest. Please do go on Matthias." He ignored his other advisors to allow the Jack to continue.

Matthias shrugged and now handed a portrait over to Alfred. "His name is Arthur. Arthur Kirkland, your grace."

Alfred took the portrait and looked over it. When he did, he found the breath almost stolen right out of him as greeting him from the portrait were the most stunning emerald green eyes gazing out at him. Deep forest green pools that almost seemed to threaten to draw him in.

The portrait itself showed a young man of fair complexion, pale wheat gold coloured hair that was on the long side, passed the man's shoulders and tied back in a green ribbon, there was the softest of smiles playing on pale pink rose lips. Alfred found himself just staring at this portrait. None of the others had struck him in quite this fashion, but none of the portraits seemed quite so alive, with such intense eyes. He just gazed at the portrait taking in every little detail of the man pictured.

Finally he broke the spell of those eyes by tearing his gaze away. "Kirkland? Where have I heard that name before?" Alfred asked, curious, he was sure he had heard the name mentioned, but could not place it.

Matthias was quick to answer the question before any of the advisors could but in. "The family Kirkland rule over the island province of Albion to the North of our Kingdom. They are part of the Spades, but the Kirkland's rule place, however they do follow our laws. They are an old family." Matthias explained.

Alfred glanced back at the portrait. "I see."

"A family of Black Witches." One of the much older advisors spoke, venom in his voice. "They were banished from the mainland, and with good reason. Treacherous serpents the lot of them. They were convicted of using Black Magic and worshipping heathen gods, back in the Second Era, and rather than burn them for the heretics they are, the King back then saw fit to exile them to the island of Albion." The advisor told Alfred. "I would not advise you to take this man as your Queen. It is rumoured on that island the Kirkland family still hold to their heathen gods and still learn the ways of Dark Magic. His influence might serve only to corrupt you, your highness."

Matthias sighed and shook his head. "That was many years ago." He spoke up now, defending the Kirkland family. "Yes, they were found guilty of practicing Black Magic, which always has been illegal in Spades, but it is only rumour that they still do and I am sure that it is just rumour. The family serve at your majesty's pleasure." Matthias told Alfred now with a smile. "And they have done so for many years." He didn't want the advisors to throw Alfred off, especially since he seemed genuinely interested in Arthur.

Alfred smiled. "Tell me more about him." He had to admit he was intrigued, rumours about Black Magic or not, he wanted to know more about the emerald eyed male in the portrait.

The Jack nodded. "Certainly sire. I can tell you that Lord Arthur is only a couple of years older than yourself my liege. He is a talented and gifted Sorcerer, studied the Arcane Arts from a very young age, he is also an exceptional sailor, archer, strategist, alchemist and I am told a marvellous dancer, a lover of literature, a skilled fencer and most importantly, sire, he is the first male in the Kirkland family in five generations of his family to be able to birth children." Matthias told Alfred with a happy tone. "He is also a Lythari Elf with impeccable breeding and I am sure he will provide you with many sons, like the council and court are eager to see."

Alfred hummed a little. "What can you tell me about him as a person?" Alfred asked now, curious still and not satisfied.

Matthias had been about to provide Alfred with answers, but someone else decided to do it for him. "You cannot be serious!" The advisor who had slandered the Kirkland family spoke up once more. "A rumour of them still practicing Black Magic is a dangerous one sire! And this Arthur Kirkland, he is a talented Sorcerer, which we have many of, but who's to say he is not also well versed in such foul magic like his forefathers? Not only that, but it has been rumoured that their youngest, the man whose portrait you are holding, has denounced any claim anyone desires to have on his body. He has refused every suitor that has deemed to ask him and those who forced the matter disappeared shortly after!" The advisor wanted to get through what a bad idea he thought this was. "They also say he no longer holds his virginity…surely your grace, you can do better than this island rat?"

Alfred had patiently listened to this rant, thinking over everything the man was saying before shaking his head. "Lord Kalemoore, you know I value your advice, just like I value the advice of everyone here…but surely you know better than to listen to gossip and rumour? Those things fly around the court so easily and you know how people can exaggerate. What I see here is a very beautiful young man whose family has been in exile for too long." Alfred's attention went to Matthias now. "Matthias, I want you to send a letter to the head of the Kirkland family. Invite the family to court and make my intentions known. Tell him I wish to court their youngest son, Arthur. Have this letter sent on our fastest ship in the hands in your most trusted courier." Alfred told the Jack.

"At once your highness." Matthias replied.

Alfred smiled, though his attention soon went to the other advisors. "You are all dismissed, I am done with meetings for the day. Leave." To this the advisors all stood, bowing to their King before exiting the room.

Alfred waited until they had all gone before he picked up the portrait of Arthur, which he had placed down during the rant of Lord Kalemoore. Once more he found himself gazing into those beautiful eyes.

Alfred gave a soft sigh, doubting he would ever find someone quite that beautiful again. There was just something about Arthur's eyes that drew Alfred in. He was hoping that the portrait of Arthur was accurate and that he truly did look like this. Alfred knew that portraits meant for engagements tended to be embellished, making the object of the painting look more attractive than they were, but Alfred was praying this would not be the case for Arthur.

Alfred hummed softly before setting the portrait back down, even if he still found himself drawn to those beautiful eyes. This was it for Alfred. The first snaring vines of love were already binding their way around Alfred's heart and he would never be able to break free from them.