Arthur thrashed about, he could walk on his own, but the knights seemed to favor dragging him all the way from eight. Suddenly he saw the castle approaching. He tried to get more control. It wasn't like he was trying to escape, more so that he was trying to catch up with their longer strides. Before he knew it he was thrust through a pair of doors and stumbling for balanced when he was hoisted up again by the following guards.
The king and queen were seated upon a throne and Prince Alfred was standing by the King's right, the Jack to the queen's left. This was the first time he got to see the royals. At least, this close. Well, except for Alfred. Maybe. He didn't know. Alfred pointed his nose and sort of looked down at Arthur. The 8 wasn't sure if it was because his appearance or if Alfred was just racist.
"So.". The King admitted. "This is the Queen?". He chuckled lightly as if it were some kind of joke. Arthur was still in a daze. Then he had his attention drawn back as a Knight released him and stepped forward, taking it down on one knee with his spade staff at his side. And the other hand on his heart. "Yes your majesty. ". He looked up and then to Arthur. "If I may be so kind?". He referenced and the queen nodded. The knight stood and resumed his posture of complete composure, approaching Arthur again to slide his sleeve up and hold his left hand before the royals. They all gasped. "That sure is our Queen...no witchcraft can perform this kind of falsity...". The queen said. The King nodded in agreement. "Boy-"
"My name is not boy...it's Arthur!" One of the knights jerked him closer and quite violently. "How dare you speak to his Majesty that way-". The knight looked up to see the King put a hand up. "Arthur, you can perform magic?". Arthur looked down and nodded. Then the king sat back and brought his hand to his mouth. The queen had proof. The boys needed reassurance. The knights backed up as Arthur began to draw up in the magic in the air. It was pure. So he was able to admit blue and green sparks that seemed to flow and create floral designs that lit up in the air. The King and Prince were aghast and then Arthur stopped with a small burst for the finale. Tue king looked back to the guards and then the maids. "See him bathed and then report him to me.". He then turned to Arthur. "Congratulations. You have earned the title as Queen of Spades. Arthur."
"Alfred and the King soon left after Arthur was guided out. He had to admit that Arthur was not what he had expected. "Father,". Alfred fell into step with his parents. "I can't be with a guy-! It's absolutely insane! I-i-i can't even have an heir with him! Plus he-"
The King chuckled and sighed. "Don't worry Alfred. He was chosen for position. It is fated that you two will fall in love, however, you may call upon a mistress. Then you may have a child.". The queen frowned at this and Alfred stiffened and straightened his cuffs. "What if I want to marry the one I love? Father I cant-". The king growled and asked for the queen to carry on without him.
"Listen Alfred, you have a duty, you are going to be a king! Now just fill your position, and worry about the coronation.". The king hissed and had Alfred pinned to the nearest door with his forearm before releasing him and walking after his king. Alfred groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. Perhaps he was over thinking this. Alfred walked towards the bathroom in which Arthur was being bathed. Then hesitated before going to the meeting room and waiting for Arthur with some tea.
Arthur was thrown into the bathroom and disrobed of his clothes. He yelped and was not used to this treatment. Then he was guided to the steaming tub. Huh. Warm water for a bath? This was new. Then again he used buckets at home. He was lifted into the tub and argued about how he could move on his own and literally dropped on the tub. Before he could recover front he sudden temperature changed, a bucket of warm water was thrown above him and maids everywhere were pulling at his limbs in order to scrub away the dirt and grease on his body with soft and rough sponges. Soap was rubbed into his hair and he enjoyed the smooth massage. Then he was pulled out of the murky water and sprayed with a bit of perfume before he was dries off. He had never had such a soft towel that was not recently used before him. He was just starting to get comfortable when he was guided behind a divider to change into his clothes which were neatly folded onto the table.
For now he had to wear bigger clothes as he need some tailoring to his. They were clothes Alfred had grown out of and were redesigned. Man they sewed fast. Maybe they could teach his mother. Arthur dropped the towel and lifted up one of the prices of the outfit. A maid peeking at him chuckled. Arthur blinked and tried to find out how it was worn. "What is this thing? How do you even put it on? I don't understand...". The maid giggled again. "The royals make expensive and complicated clothes so that they need to hire help for assistance. It has something to do with showing off ones wealth.". He blinked and then she and another maid came to assist him. First he had some white/cream pants thrown on and some black boots. Then a matching shirt was slipped on and tucked into his trousers before the trousers were tied on around his waist. Then he had a long tunic put on that settled at about mid thigh but stopped buttoning at about his waist. It was a deep blue and embroidered with black designs. then he had a long coat put on him with extravagant cuffs and flairs on them. He lastly had a small scarf tied around his neck and tucked into the vest. Then a spade gem on a gold pendant oval piece was used as the clip to hold the tie in place and add as the center piece to it. And then his collar was pulled over the surroundings of the scarf around his neck.
Alfred was impatiently tapping his finger on the side mahogany table and staring out of the window whilst his parents and their jack talked of politics. Alfred's jack was still in training and working on papers nervously in the corner. Then there was a stiff knock at the door. "Your Majesty the new queen.". It was muffled by the thick door. "Come in.". The queen sang and the two guards on the inside of the doors opened them simultaneously. Revealing a properly groomed Queen Arthur. Alfred stood and his eyes were wide. Now that the mud had been scrubbed off his face and how much closer they were, Alfred found himself staring. Those green eyes, the way Arthur nervously looked away and fiddled with his cuffs. He was speechless. The only thing that brought him back to reality was his father, swallowing his wine and using his hand to motion Arthur to come inside. "Come in, come in my boy.". The doors were closed behind them. This was going to be interesting.