A/N: I don't like this chapter. I'm sorry. I've had it written for two months but I just hate it.
Any constructive criticisms are appreciated.
Chapter 4
To the King of Spades, Lord Alfred F. Jones,
My absence will be extended. I must detour my return to Spades to pay The King of Diamonds a visit. Heed no worry about the nature of my delay. I shall inform you of the details upon my return. I hope you are most pleased with the results.
Sincerely,
The Queen of Spades, Arthur Kirkland
-0-0-0-0-
To the King of Hearts, Sir Francis Bonnefoy,
I shall be leaving from Hearts shortly and intend to arrive in Diamonds two weeks after my departure from this dated letter. I trust you will receive us quietly. I do not intend to impose my and my companion's company on you for more than two days.
Sincerely,
The Queen of Spades, Arthur Kirkland
A week and a half after his arrival in Hearts Arthur decided to visit King Francis with his answer. The week had been long and not without a small amount of sulking. Arthur's decision was not frivolous. Guilt flooded him over having not consulted his king on the alliances, though Arthur had done as such without Alfred's input in the past. Arthur had also never felt the need to leave the castle to weigh his options. Many things about this alliance were strange and different and Arthur knew in his heart that Alfred would at least be upset.
After giving their goodbyes to the King, Queen and Jack of Hearts (The Jack, Feliciano Vargas, had kissed Arthur and Nikolai and wept quite dramatically) and set back to the road. They did not choose the main road this time but a well-known side-long way. The danger lay in that the fields were open and exposed but Arthur asked Kiku not to cast any more spells. He wanted to see if there would actually be any problems.
Again their travels were suspiciously quiet but the road was much busier than the first time. Only a few spared them some irritated glances, mostly likely because Nikolai and Arthur's clothes were a little too fine, their confidence of a different type. No amount of clothing could change their mannerisms.
Some dirty glances and nothing else made Arthur suspect Kiku had not entirely heeded his request. He suspected they were safer because of the insubordination - Arthur did not actually want a fight while traveling. They were entering a part of the world Arthur had never tread upon. There wasn't much to see, really. After a few days the fields looked similar, green and pretty but the crops were flat and towering, blocking from sight anyone who was ahead of them. The crops made Arthur nervous.
The trip took over a week. He winced to think that their three-week trip had turned into nearly two months. At least Matthew would be finished with his announcements by the time Arthur was finished.
Arthur knew they were close when the fields became towns speckling the landscape. The road became busier, carts filled artichokes and beets, onions and turnips and other varieties of spring crops. Peasants walked by them without second glances, soldiers walked by with an up and down look before carrying on.
Arthur didn't fail to notice when Nikolai placed himself between Arthur and the center of the road.
"You sense it too?" Arthur asked musingly.
Nikolai nodded, "Yes, Queen Honda's goodwill seems to be hiding us. I am not comfortable around these people."
Arthur kept silent the remainder of the trip.
-0-0-0-0-
Where Hearts' capital had shown its size vertically and with people, Diamonds sprawled and covered itself with art. Statues and fountains could be found displayed every few blocks. The buildings were old but the bricks still shades of bright red. Vines crawled up the sides of the buildings. The city had an organized, square-shaped street system which made navigating much easier than the chaos of Hearts.. Arthur found himself claustrophobic among the cluttered apartments and houses and narrow streets. He was also unaccustomed to cobbled streets. He supposed the stone was easier to clean of horse droppings and also easier to run carriages on, horses and carriages both which there were plenty.
Arthur's already shaking nerves were jolted further by unfamiliarity. By the time they reached the sanctuary of Diamond's massive palace Arthur could have kissed the finely trimmed grass they walked on. Once their horses were taken and they were lead inside, the Jack of Diamonds came to gather them.
Vash Zwingli bowed from the waist, "Please enjoy your stay in our humble home," Zwingli said too formally to be honest, "His Royal Highness, the King of Diamonds has prepared to receive you in the throne room."
Arthur frowned. He had hoped for less formalities, but he had heard people from Diamonds were fond of grand displays,
Posturing. Pretensions.
Arthur kept his sigh internal and followed Zwingli.
The room attached to the throne room was swarming with lords and ladies, dressed like fancy pastries and fluttering among each other like scheming butterflies. The bustle made Arthur realize Kiku had gone out of his way to keep him away from the scene in Hearts, and that Spades was truly tiny in comparison. Tiny politics, plain people, and a comparatively close-knit relatives. Arthur knew he was out of place among the pastels and makeup.
He gathered his pride and decided that the frills were beneath him. If Spades was so small then why would Diamonds care to have them as an ally?
"The Queen of Spades, Lord Arthur Kirkland and his companion!" The Diamond herald announced. Arthur realized Zwingli had abandoned them without his notice. He looked for Nikolai's presence and saw Nikolai dutifully behind him.
"Queen Arthur!" King Francis jumped from his throne with his arms open, "I did not expect you so soon! I am glad you are well!"
Arthur bowed and stiffly accepted King Francis' embrace. He stiffened further when Francis airily kissed each cheek. Francis clapped his shoulder, "And what brings you here my friend?"
Arthur smiled mechanically, "Only to visit my friend, and deepen our relations," Arthur internally cringed. Small talk and word games were Alfred's speciality, "I hope for your time in a less formal setting." Damn his way with words.
King Francis' smile became a little more strained, "I will always find time for you."
A high-pitched giggle came from the front of the throne room. Arthur looked past King Francis to see a young girl sitting in the Queen's seat. The Queen of Diamonds, Lilli. She was soft-faced and historically kind-hearted, almost too kind to be where she was now.
She giggled behind her hand, "Forgive me, Queen Arthur," She said softly. Arthur strained to hear her, "Your skill with words is not the same as your king's."
Arthur couldn't find it in himself to be insulted and smiled in response, "I'm afraid not Queen Lilli. The King of Spades is much more verbose than me under normal circumstances."
"I remember," Queen Lilli returned graciously, "King Alfred could be garrulous but every word was a pleasure to hear. He entertained us all with fairy tales he said you had told him during dinners."
Arthur's heart fluttered.
She continued in her soft voice and gentle manner, "I hear that those with something worth saying are the ones who speak the least. I hope my king can look past your unconventional manner to listen."
"I'm sure Queen Arthur has many good things to say," King Francis chimed.
"I am not so sure about the importance of my words," Arthur said somewhat facetiously, "But I only hope they can bear some weight given the greatness of Diamonds compared to Spades."
King Francis laughed, "We will talk business later, Queen Arthur. Please see that Vash rooms you well."
Arthur bowed again, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Nikolai do the same, "Thank you for receiving us on such short notice." He bowed again to Queen Lilli, "And thank you for speaking kindly to me. I hope we can be less brief next time."
Queen Lilli smiled, "I will always speak kindly to friends. I am sure you will do the same in turn."
Arthur and Nikolai were shown out, and Arthur had a feeling the things that would work against him most were his words.
-0-0-0-0-
Arthur felt like he was running from a hoard of gollums by the time he reached the safety of his guest room.
He groaned as he leaned against his door while Nikolai stood half-snickering behind his hand.
Arthur scowled at the pale man, "Pray, what's so funny?"
Nikolai smiled, "Permission to speak freely, Your Highness?"
Arthur nodded. Nikolai continued snickering, "I've never seen you so bewildered by a woman."
Arthur snorted and left his door to rummage in the desk provided for some stationary, "It was like being attacked by a persistent truffle."
"Surely not as sweet?" Nikolai piped.
"And not nearly as pretty," Arthur grumbled, he found a bit of parchment and scribbled a note. He reached for his seal and waited for the wax to melt, "I need you to deliver a message to King Francis. See that you watch him receive it and report back to me. Meanwhile I'm going to get the stench of perfume off of me."
Nikolai gave a quick bow and waited for the note, "Your Highness, that woman will do nothing for your reputation."
"I'd say that the whole of Diamonds knows what a fool I am after that farce of a dinner," Arthur said darkly. He pressed his seal violently, "I told King Francis I did not want attention drawn to me. I suppose I should have told him to seat me among the rabble."
"His guests would have recognized you anyway," Nikolai said reasonably as he accepted the note, "His Highness received you as quietly as he could within Diamond's social rules. It just happens Diamonds is much more grandiose than Spades."
"I know that," Arthur said bitterly, "I suppose we insulted him with the quiet affair of his visit."
"Possibly," Nikolai shrugged, "But in return he placed you in a situation he knew you wouldn't handle well." He bowed again, "I shall deliver your message and see that it is handed to King Francis personally." He took his leave.
Arthur mulled over that he allowed Nikolai and many others to be very familiar with him in comparison to Hearts and Diamonds. Other monarchs would not allow subordinates to speak their minds so easily, but Arthur wanted the input. He knew Alfred functioned in a similar way. Yao did not treat his subordinates so kindly, but he came from a powerful, large family who operated within a much larger region. There was no room for familiarity.
Which was rather humorous considering how familiar the ladies in the palace had wanted to become with him once they knew who he was. That had changed quickly when they saw how rough, unstylish and unresponsive to advances he was. Arthur had felt like an idiot trying to understand their manner of speech. Their speech was too flowery, beat around too many bushes, and Arthur was too straight-forward.
You. Are. Frigid.
Arthur sat and rubbed his face in his hands when he remembered the night on the balcony. No wonder that rumor had spread without his permission. The court ladies would probably be spreading that word that he was cold, rude, and impersonable. He guessed he could be grateful that Alfred could easily clean up the social mess he was about to leave behind.
Could. Arthur thought ruefully. If he is actually happy with this visits' outcome.
He took a look at the fine accommodations he'd been given. Too frilly and gold for his taste. A comfortable bed was all he was concerned about but he was grateful that Nikolai's room was attached. He'd actually had to fight on that; No one understood why he would want his guard with him when there were plenty of trustworthy Diamond guards posted for the visiting Queen.
Regardless, he slept easily that night, still smelling of roses from both his bath, and ladies perfume.
-0-0-0-0-
The second night of Arthur's visit he requested his dinner to be taken in his room.
"It is not mandatory," He said to Nikolai, "But I would enjoy your company, unless you prefer to dine with the rest of the palace."
Nikolai had hesitated, his normally stoic face showing disapproval, "I do not mind your highness, but Diamonds may take insult."
Arthur had a few choice words that could have also been taken as insults.
The evening passed without event, hallways filled with chatter and the occasional loud banging that Arthur couldn't be bothered to check. He holed away with a book and waited, long after the noise had died and there was only the rhythmic pacing of guards. Around 1 am Arthur finally heard his door open and footsteps pad toward him.
He glanced up from his book to see King Francis bundled in an elaborate robe and house slippers. He looked like a fluffy cat.
"About time," Arthur said lightly, "I was beginning to think you had backed out. Awfully late."
Francis sniffed and flipped his hair over his shoulder, "I am always punctual, dearheart. You did not specify a time."
Arthur realized Francis was waiting to be asked to sit, so he retrieved a chair and set it by the desk he sat at, "Please, sit your Highness." He said graciously, though judging by the sharp glance from Francis the sarcasm did not go undetected.
Francis sat and crossed his legs, crossed his fingers and pinned Arthur intently with his gaze, "I wonder why you have traveled all this way? Diamonds is not enroute from Hearts to Spades."
Arthur fought not to scoff, "King Francis," He started roughly, "I am no good with word games so I'm going to be brief," Arthur watched Francis' lips quirk with amusement before continuing, "I agree that entering an alliance with Diamonds would be beneficial."
King Francis only smiled and nodded, "And what are your terms?"
"That the official reason of this alliance is to avoid combat with Clubs. That we are both interested in peace, and nothing else related to warfare."
"Of course," Francis agreed eagerly, "The reason I came to you in the first place."
"Also," Arthur started carefully - Francis seemed to expect it, "I would suggest lower taxes for your imports to Spades."
Francis laughed, "And I would ask for your tolls to be removed from my marketers."
Arthur recoiled, "But we make too much money on travelers."
So the banter continued. By 5 am they had wheedled through trade and land exchanges. Their alliance looked innocent enough though many things still sat uneasily with Arthur. Even later still Arthur and Francis looked wearily at each other having double-checked their agreements and made an identical hand-written copy.
"And the trade routes will not be used for military purposes?" Arthur confirmed tiredly. The sun was beginning to show through his curtains.
King Francis nodded, "Yes. I will show this to my parliament. I'm …" He smirked smugly, "Sure they'll find nothing to argue about."
"Likewise." Arthur agreed, though if he meant in regards to his own parliament or that Francis would not change anything was left open.
They both fell silent and watched the sun become brighter. Arthur dozed with his eyes open as the silence stretched, until a rustle of movement caught his attention. Suddenly King Francis was much closer.
"I will be sure to tell everyone that someone kept me up all night," Francis purred coyly. Arthur sat frozen when Francis swooped in and brushed their lips together, lightly but with the pressure to hint at more.
Arthur forcefully scooted his chair back and away from Francis, "What are you playing at?" He snarled, clutched the chair like a lifeline, one arm over his mouth.
Francis grinned and stepped closer, "I make a point to mix business and pleasure." He trapped Arthur in his chair when Arthur tried to stand. He leaned close as though giving an air-kiss, "They do not have to be mutually exclusive." He hissed.
Arthur surged forward violently with the intention of knocking Francis back, but Francis danced away before they could collide. As though Francis intended the movement the entire time.
"But I see you are not interested," Francis said flippantly, adjusting his robe with flair. Arthur was too stunned to respond properly, "I suppose the last time was a fluke. Ice has to melt sometimes."
A rage starting building in Arthur's gut.
King Francis paused long enough to take in Arthur's impression of a fish before smiling and heading toward the door, "It was a pleasure doing business with you. Good night, Queen Arthur."
Arthur watched the door shut and stayed where he stood for several moments.
There would be problems if King Francis continued to approach him in such a manner. Mostly Arthur couldn't believe the audacity of the man. Was that how he acted toward everyone? Probably.
But what bothered him more was the lingering residue of what seemed like disappointment that King Francis had left.
Arthur consciously ignored the feeling and decided the only reaction he would have toward King Francis was unbridled hatred. Perversity, arrogance, and underhandedness. These were what made King Francis, and Arthur despised them all.