Warning: Blood and violence. Some feels too if I succeed on making my readers sad. Count some grammar mistakes too.
His vision was blurry and Arthur guessed it was from his tears.
His hand was bloody and Arthur guessed it was from Alfred.
It was all that the Mirror of Delphine showed to him earlier. A horrifying vision that puts Arthur to more stress and worry than the stupid ball they've been preparing for have given to him. Someone is out there to kill his King and according to the vision, King Alfred will die within two days at the castle's balcony, east side. Unfortunately, it was all what the Mirror gave him. Arthur doesn't know what will be the cause of death and who will be the culprit. It made Arthur fret even more. He doesn't know who he can trust now with the information he have. Who can help him prevent this? Who can help him save his King? He doesn't know. Even though the world of Deck is peaceful and the Spadian people are happy, anyone can be greedy for power the King has. Anyone can betray anyone.
Arthur breathes in heavily as to collect himself. Nobody can help him but Arthur is the Queen. He also has power. It doesn't matter if he's all alone. The assassination is about to happen and the Queen will make sure it wouldn't.
"Ah, Your Majesty, there you are!"
Yao panted loudly. The Jack must have searched the whole castle for him, Arthur assumed. "What is it, Yao?" He asked. Ears all open for new information or news. Anything that can help him save King Alfred.
"King Ivan of Clubs sent a letter for you, only." Yao stressed out the last word in suspicion. Arthur was glad that it was directed to the King of Clubs, not him. If it was, Arthur wouldn't doubt an affair rumor of him and King Ivan will arise. "Thank you, Yao. You may go. "He dismissed. He needs to read this immediately and know the importance that King Ivan directed the letter to him. He expected the Jack to bow and leave, but he didn't. He stayed for a moment to say "Your Majesty, you look very concerning since yesterday. If something is troubling you, please don't be afraid to ask help from me. I'll be glad to help." before walking away. Arthur shrugged it off though. He can do this alone, he thought as his thumb ran lightly on the letter.
The letter… Arthur blinked at it. Curiosity again ate him and he quickly moved his feet to his chambers. Arthur often receives letters from other kingdom's Queens but not from the Kings and certainly not from King Ivan himself. He wonders what will be the matter that it couldn't wait until tomorrow night where everyone will meet. Is it possibly because the Clubs can't attend the Winter Ball? Arthur shook his head. It couldn't possibly be that because the presence of all the royals and nobles from the kingdoms is a must. Arthur moved the letter opener swiftly and pulled out the thin parchment inside. Slowly he moved his eyes over King Ivan's neat printed writing.
Queen Arthur Kirkland of Spades,
We would only like to say that we are excited for this year's Winter Ball. Expect the usual nobles from Clubs aside from us. Though I would like to warn you about one of your guests and unfortunately our general, Claude Kin. I know that every kingdom is aware of situation; having rebels against the government, against me. We suspect that General Kin is with the rebels and worse, one of their leaders. I and Queen Elizaveta wish that you can help us protect the other guests and you and King Alfred from possible rebel attacks.
Also, I apologize that I sent this letter to you not to your King but we figured that it would be best that you know firsthand about the situation since you are the Queen.
His Royal Highness,
King Ivan Braginsky of Clubs
"Rebels?" Peter asked. "Yes. By that time, Clubs is having an unstable relationship with its citizens. Their relationship with their people eventually turned sour that their own people are going against them." Yao answered with a grimace. The two moved to Prince Peter's quarters to chat as Yao insisted saying it is rude and scandalous to enter Queen Alice's room without permission.
"Then if do attack royals other than King Ivan and Queen Elizaveta, they are not only rebels from Clubs but rebels against the whole world of Deck."
"Yes. Very good, Your Majesty, you are doing well with politics." Peter smiled with the compliment. "As soon as Queen Arthur read the letter, he quickly called a meeting with their knights and high-ranking soldiers about the situation and the potential threat. He ordered them to double check every carriage that will enter their capital, to be watchful for any suspicious fellow, and to keep an eye on General Kin."
When there was no one around the hallways, Arthur let his posture drop. He feels so stiff, tired and sore. It was a very long day and the meeting with his men is tense and stressful. They discussed which places they have to place more guards and how will the extra security procedure will be. Once he relaxed, he feels more exhausted like he is letting it take over his body. He was going to drop down to his bed the moment he reaches his bed, Arthur thought as he twists the door handle to his room. Yes, he would like that but the moment he pushed the door opened, startled blue eyes greeted him.
"Arthur?" Alfred said in a slightly shaking voice. "Yes, my King?" Arthur returned to his stuffy and posh posture. He wonders why Alfred would be inside his room, standing in the wide space between his bed and drawer. That mentally asked question triggered multiple ideas and the Queen got flustered. Alfred noticed the blush and curiosity on Arthur's face that his face also flared up. Silence enveloped them for a while but Alfred quickly broke it with his loud but stammering voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in at all! I was... just.. l-looking for you and I thought you would be here s-so I went in."
Arthur let out a light chuckle. "Oh love, did you even knock?" Alfred nodded. "I also thought you were already sleeping so I let myself in..." He said, looking down now. Even though his rank is higher than Arthur's and tops him in everything (bed included) he would still look like a scolded child when he did something wrong to Arthur. This made the Queen smirk "You are saying that you were looking for me, you knocked on my door, walked in even though I didn't answer because you thought I was sleeping? And you tell me that I'm a pervert."
"A-Arthur!" His King's face is red and he finds it really adorable. Arthur walked closer, decreasing the distance between him and his King. He looks up to blue eyes he loves waiting and thankfully Alfred wasn't that dense to not understand what he wants. Alfred closed the remaining distance between them and captured his lips. Arthur eagerly returned the kiss and held his arms behind Alfred's neck. He felt Alfred's tongue glide over his lower lip and Arthur parted his lips, knowing what the other wanted. Alfred is a great kisser, he realize every time they kiss.
Arthur felt Alfred's hands go lower to his waist and the sunny blond lifted him slightly to deepened the kiss. Arthur moaned, forgetting all the problems he carried before he entered his room. They parted when air became a problem and Arthur was about to reach up to kiss the other but his partner have other plans instead. Alfred spun his body then laying him down to his bed before crawling on top of him. "You're not angry that I barged in inside your room, are you?" Alfred asked and Arthur let out another chuckle. "Come inside anytime you want... You're my King."
Alfred removed his glasses and placed it on top of a nearby drawer. "Then I can also 'come inside' you tonight, right?" he said with a sly grin. It made Arthur blush. "Alright! But only one round! I still have to walk and dance with you tomorrow." he said just before Alfred captured his lips again, hands already unbuttoning Arthur's shirt.
"Alfred? Wake up, Alfred." Arthur one hand shook Alfred awake while the other fixes his collar. It was the morning of the Winter Ball and they're getting up a little bit late. Arthur blames his partner for making the supposed one round of sex last night became three rounds. Blue eyes finally opened their eyes to the day ahead. "Arthur, can't we stay in bed for another hour? We don't have anything to do until noon." Alfred whines, grabbing Arthur's wrist. The Queen rolled his eyes then reached down to ruffle Alfred's hair. "Our guests are probably up and walking right now and we, their hosts, are not around. That will show lack of hospitality and will be bad for us."
" I just want to spend time with you, alone, before the ball tonight." The other replied in low and soft voice. Arthur's gaze softened but his insides shook in fear that if he fails...
No. Arthur wouldn't fail. He couldn't. He wouldn't let it.
"Fine. But only for half an hour though." He said as he sat down to his bed. Alfred gave him a smile and laid down on his stomach, arms wrapped around Arthur's waist. Moving like reflex, Arthur's fingers ran along his King's hair softly over and over again. It was like it is only the two of them again. They are lost to their own peaceful and warm world.
"Arthur, can you hum me a tune?" Alfred asked, his tone is so quite that it is almost like his brother's. The smaller man didn't question the request and started humming. It was lovely and smooth. Alfred didn't even know which song is it, his Queen never told him. It reminded him of his home even though he is home right now with Arthur. Still, it is beautiful that Alfred wants to hear it once in a while.
Arthur felt a strange stinging in his eyes and found that it is hard to swallow. He realized he is bottling in his sobs and tears but he kept running his finger on Alfred's hair and humming the sweet tune.
"I can't believe both of them showed up late to their guests." Peter said with amusement while Yao only rolled his eyes. "I wanted to strangle those two when they are not there to entertain the guests. It was such a pain, your Majesty." The Jack scowled at the memory but sighed and continued his story. "When the night of the ball finally came, people began to fill the hall that we spent weeks on cleaning and decorating. The ball started alright. King Alfred and Queen Arthur took the honor to have the first dance for the event. The sight was pretty if you ask me, seeing people enjoy and sway their bodies to the music."
Yao paused and Peter raised a brow "Then?" He pressed the Jack to continue. Yao breathe in heavily through his nose. The Spadian Jack didn't continue his story immediately and the prince's face scrunched up a little. Peter in his age is still learning the laws and royalty roles of the world of deck. He have heard some old stories and even legend but he have never heard something from the history of Spades like this. This was nothing compared to books and the mouths of their citizens where you can not be sure who's telling the accurate story. Yao is telling him something he witnessed and experienced himself. It both amazes and somewhat scares the little Spadian prince. Sadness and horror swim in Yao's brown eyes and it gave Peter a bad feeling where this story is going. A moment later, Yao speaks again. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I shouldn't have spaced out while I was talking." The prince shrugged it off and the jack nodded in return. "So, as I said earlier, the night started pretty well..."
When the night started, Arthur is filled with worry and paranoia. He always looks around the hall and even outside the windows. He even turned jumpy every time somebody tries to talk to him. Alfred noticed this and frowned. He tries to question Arthur what's bothering him but the other male shrugged it off. Alfred didn't buy this of course and pulled Arthur with him to the center of hall.
The Queen was about to protest but decided against it. They have guests and he can't show any improper conduct to his King in front of them even though Alfred wouldn't mind. Sighing, Arthur lets himself be carried away by the music. When he spotted Yao, he thanked the Gods that the Chinese man was looking at their direction. Using a hand language only those who was trained in the Spadian army knows, he commanded Yao to keep an eye. Yao nodded and walked nearer to General Kin.
"Arthur." Alfred whispered. It is like he doesn't want anyone else other than Arthur to hear him. "Yes?" Arthur answered in the same volume, feeling that this conversation must be discreet. "Did...Did you saw something from Delphine lately?" The sandy blonde was surprise to hear this question. "Why?" He answered back with a question, feeling too shocked and confused to answer yes or no. "So you saw something?" Arthur gave him a small nod. "What did you see?"
Arthur tensed up. Should he say it? But wouldn't that be cheating fate? He mentally rolled his eyes. He is already cheating fate, wasn't he? He's already trying to change fate by saving Alfred. Maybe it would be better if his King knows. "You'll die tonight." He said, voice lower than earlier. Alfred's eyes widened at this but Arthur couldn't blame him. Who wouldn't be surprised if somebody tells them that they're going to die? "Where and when?"
Arthur exhaled slowly. "At the balcony, east side of the castle..." He trailed off. Alfred looked at him, eyes gesturing him to continue. "Uhm... t-tonight." Arthur bit his lower lip. Images from the vision flooded his mind again. He bowed his head down with his eyes closed, trying to stop his tears again. Why is he becoming like this? He feels so weak and pathetic.
He can't handle Alfred dying. No matter what he does to feel and look strong and capable, he still feels very afraid. Arthur is scared. He is scared that what he saw in the mirror will come true.
"Is that so?" Alfred hummed. "Let's not go there then..." He said before he stopped dancing . Looking directly at Arthur's eyes, he said in stern but tense tone "But we can't stay here longer." Green eyes looked at him puzzled but all what the owner did was nod. Alfred started to lead him. To where, Arthur do not know. He looks for their Jack and found him talking to some high-ranking knights from Clubs. The Queen looked back to his King who is still walking them both to an unknown location. Arthur felt like something is about to happen. 'Idiot. Alfred is going to die tonight. That's what going to happen.' Arthur shook his head to get rid of that thought. 'No one is going to die tonight.' He assured himself but the universe seems to like making fun of him.
Sounds of glass shattering, arrows hitting flesh, people screaming and crying, dying chokes and gasps soon filled Arthur's ear. People started running out of the room, some to escape while some knights ran out to counter-attack the enemy. The grip on his wrist became tighter and Alfred started dragging him. Since the door to the gardens are far from them, they ran to the hallways that go deeper to their castle. Arthur spotted some dead soldiers from Hearts in their path and he crouched down to get their swords. Arthur frowned when he saw a brick red heart pin on the soldiers' collars. That pin means a royalty guard for the Hearts. "Hurry up Arthur!" Alfred said frantically. He shook his head once again and passed one sword to the sunny blond before they went back to running.
They didn't got a chance to do a lot of running however. Soon they found themselves blocked by the enemy, the rebels. There are five of them, and of them is General Kin who was smiling cheekily. What worsen the situation is that they also found Queen Kiku of Hearts tied up behind the rebels. "Oh look what we have here..." Kin started, referring to Alfred and Arthur. "Don't worry King Alfred. We only want your Queen and we promise that we wouldn't do anything to him." One of them kicked Kiku and the rebels started laughing. Arthur held his sword tighter and he can see that Alfred is gritting his teeth, a sign of his King's anger.
Kin signaled his companions to attack both of them. Two from the group ran towards them. It was clear to Arthur that these fellows are amateurs to fighting but not on handling a sword. Even so, Arthur finds it easy to fight his opponent and he thanks those horrible years of training. The King and Queen of Spades took down two of the rebels and Kin looks threatened but still determined. The remaining three ran to them, two of the rebels went to fight Arthur, seeing that the Spadian Queen is a stronger fighter than the King.
Arthur didn't fret though, he even smiled at the challenge. His sword began facing two different swords, clashing against the two alternately. Arthur's opponents are no different from the man that he defeated earlier but since it is two against one, it was quite challenging. Their fight is getting longer than he expected and he's becoming tired. He didn't show it though but one of his opponents seems to have a weaker stamina than him. Seeing his advantage, he set the one out of balance and attacked the other one who was caught off guard and ending up stabbed through his chest. He saw his remaining opponent standing up from the corner of his eye and he quickly removed his sword from the rebel's chest and swung his sword to the other. He almost sliced his opponent's head off if it wasn't for the pained yelp from Alfred. Arthur looked behind him and saw Alfred coughing blood as Kin still holds his sword that is piercing on Alfred's chest. The sword is dangerously near Alfred's heart and Arthur's heart almost stopped.
Seeing the Spadian Queen distracted, the rebel got up and took his chance. Arthur sensed it though and quickly used his sword to kill him and ran towards Alfred. "Alfred!" He cried. Arthur saw Kiku cutting the rope around his wrist and ankles using the sharp end of a sword but he couldn't care more to Kiku, his King is severely injured. Without hesitation, he cut Kin's hand, which was just withdrawn from Alfred's chest, resulting Alfred to fall and kneel down. "Hang on, Alfred." He told his King and Kiku quickly went to Alfred to support and aid him. Trusting the Queen of Hearts, he turned back to the very man that stabbed his husband. Kin was still crying in pain but when he saw Arthur going towards him again, he immediately ran away. Arthur was about to to run towards him when "Arthur-san..." Kiku called him. He stopped his tracks and went back to Alfred and Kiku. The black haired male seems to be holding a ripped piece of clothing on Alfred's wound and is trying hard to stop the bleeding. "I need you to help me, Arthur." He said calmly but his eyes tell different. Kiku is as panicked as Arthur is but he tried hard to take control of the situation.
"Hold this and apply pressure, understood?" Arthur nodded. Kiku mumbled a breathless 'Okay.' and ripped more of his clothing. Alfred panted, struggling to breathe. "Alfred, don't close your eyes. Stay awake." He said softly but loud enough for Alfred to hear. The Spadian King moves his head to look at him and frowns. "You're..." He was interrupted by his own coughing. "..hurt." He wheezes. Arthur frowned in confusion and just then he felt a painful sting in his left arm. He looked at it and found a cut that isn't really deep but is bleeding. Kiku hands over a new piece of ripped clothing and Arthur placed it on Alfred's wound. "You're the one who's bleeding so bad here, you git! This nothing compared to your injury!" He exclaimed disbelievingly. "But I don't like to see you hurt, Artie." Alfred retorted and Arthur froze at the moment he hears the statement and the childhood nickname.
He just then realize where they are right now. A few feet from them is the door to the balcony of the castle's east side. Arthur's vision blurred as tears began forming in his eyes. He leans forward, resting his head near Alfred's collarbone with his right hand still pressing against his King's bleeding wound. "But I don't like to see you dying, Alfred." The King of Spades just laughed even though his well-known cheery and boisterous laugh sounds like breathless gasps. Few seconds later, Arthur can't feel Alfred's heartbeat anymore and his head quickly shoot up to look at Alfred. Dull blue eyes is what greeted him when he looked up and Arthur couldn't help but finally let out his tears and cries. He returned his head on Alfred's chest and began repeating Alfred's name over and over again. Kiku placed his hand to give Arthur comforting pats but it didn't help the green eyed male much. Both of them are Kiku's good friends and to see one of them dead and the other crying hysterically is too heartbreaking for him. With two fingers, he gently forced Alfred's eyelids to close before crying alongside Arthur.
"So... In the end, Queen Arthur couldn't save Alfred?" Yao sadly nodded. "Wow. That was sad, maybe even tragic." Peter suddenly felt heavy when he heard the last bit of Yao's story. He pitied Arthur who tried so hard to protect and save his King. Though he still don't understand why would Yao take time to tell him this. "Why did you tell me about this, Yao?" He asked and the Jack hummed for a moment. After a while, Yao looked at him dead serious in the eye. "I honestly don't know why actually." Peter is surprised with answer. Was Yao telling him this story for nothing? "What?" He expressed his confusion with a single word. The older man sighed. "I don't know, Your Majesty. Maybe because I was only in the mood to tell you a story that also happened this time of the year. Maybe because this story is somewhat related to what you asked me earlier. Do you understand, Your Majesty?"
"Sort of..?" Yao again sighed. "What I mean was if you have seen yourself as the King of Spades on the Mirror of Delphine then it will really happen. Everything that you will see on that mirror will come true, like King Alfred's death." They both grimaced at the last part. A small "Oh." was all Peter's reply. They both sat silently. Peter didn't know how to react and Yao is thankful to have a break from talking. "I'm afraid we have to go back now, Your Majesty." Yao stood up, brushing invisible dust on his sides. Peter pursed his lips. He wanted to ask something but maybe it can be saved for later. With a smile, he nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
Arthur sighed when he finally returned to his bedroom. Three long years of war and suffering, the world of deck can be peaceful again at last. He slid down against the door, hugging his knees. It will be 'his' bedroom now, not 'their' bedroom'. The war have been a great distraction for him to push Alfred aside from his mind. But now that the war was over, nothing big can distract him. He knows that he will be reminded everyday that he is all alone now. He let his tears fall again like he did on that night. He missed Alfred. If he couldn't handle seeing Alfred dying, he couldn't handle living without Alfred more.
He didn't know how long he have been crying but he immediately stopped when a familiar voice called his name. Arthur looks around the room but he found nobody else with him. 'I must be going bonkers.' He wiped his tears. Maybe it is only because he was thinking about Alfred. Maybe it is only because he missed him. Maybe- "Arthur." There was it again. He covered his eyes, telling himself to stop imagining things. "Arthur, stop covering your eyes and look here. Look at me, Artie."
He opens his eyes and looked around again. When his eyes landed on the Delphine, there he saw the man he loves. "Alfred?" He cautiously walked closer to the mirror. "Hey Arthur." Alfred smiled at him. Arthur still couldn't believe his eyes. "Are you really Alfred?" He asked and Alfred chuckled. "Who else am I going to be?" It took several moments before it fully registered on Arthur's brain and when it finally did, he closed the remaining distance between him and the Delphine. He cried again but feels comforted by Alfred's presence. When his sobs are dying down, Alfred spoke again. "Arthur, do you want to be with me?" Arthur knows that it is an important depiction to make but he didn't hesitate to say an affirmative. "Of course I want to be with you, git." He laughed softly as he pressed his forehead against the mirror.
A few hours later, Queen Arthur Kirkland is found dead in his room. He was lying peacefully on the floor with no blood or whatsoever and experts couldn't find out who or what did it. After almost a week, Queen Arthur was buried beside King Alfred Jones at the castle's graveyard.
The End.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry that I just published the second and final chapter today. This chapter was supposed to be published a week after the previous chapter but I kept rewriting. This is the final conclusion of the story and I hope you enjoyed reading it!
Thank you for everyone that followed and favorited this story. I hope what you read was worth the wait. Please review about what you think. Once again, thank you for reading!