Instead of a tear rolling down his face as he looked behind him, at the towering place he called home, he rode his suited horse out of the palace property, into the town, with anger again his brother.
He refused to talk to Alfred before leaving, he had "spoken" with his friend, or pet, bear, Kumajiro. Kumajiro had a special white coating, and was a gift from one of his mentors, Arthur, the Queen. Calling the animal a different name each time, Matthew didn't know if it was out of spite, but the bear would always get his name wrong in return. Other than the animal, he didn't say anything to anybody else.
The Spadian Ace rode into the night, unknown of when he would return. The quiet steps of the horse's hooves against the stone, lonely roads.
He looked to the sky, letting out a sigh, then continued to plan out his trip.
He would travel east until he hit the ocean, then he would go north along the coast. Matthew would try to stay near the train of towns along the sea to avoid walking in nowhere. He would make it to the Capital of Diamonds and try to gain their help. Succeeding or not, he'd have to go east to the Hearts' Kingdom, and try to get their help.
Matthew rode far into town, though the air still rung quiet.
Occasionally, people ran by, though Matthew wasn't going to ask why.
He stopped at a lit household, a small, cozy cottage, peeking inside through a fogged window.
He saw two young boys playing with each other. It was so simple, yet jut out to him so easily. Matthew watched with a warm smile, recalling times where Alfred would play with Matthew, but those were only memories. Simply memories. It was just that.
Though, Matthew couldn't push away the grief within his heart, the hole that just kept growing. Someone, Alfred, who has been there his entire life, turning him away like it was nothing. Alfred always said all he did was for Matthew, but now, Matthew started to doubt it. Alfred didn't care for him at all, and it hurt Matthew endlessly to think about. A lump in his throat, more
Rain started falling, causing distortion looking through the window. Matthew's smile faded, his eyes filled with sadness as the boys were called back, out of sight from Matthew.
Matthew jerked back, tripping over his own feet, falling back into his horse.
Collecting himself, Matthew saddled back on his horse, taking one look at the small house with the two boys before riding off.
His eyebrows arched as he continued to picture his life before, with his brother. Alfred treated Matthew as if he was all he had, they've stuck with each other since the beginning, but Alfred still ended up treating Matthew like a stool. Matthew questioned if he was a tool, or family, to Alfred. Though he constantly tried to convince himself blood is thicker than water, he could never truly rid himself from thinking badly of his brother.
Matthew had stopped and rested for the rest of the night, he wanted to stock up before leaving the town completely.
He entered the market, though he wasn't noticed by anyone, even if he was the Ace of their own kingdom.
The busy streets, the talk of business over covered tables of an assortment of items.
Matthew avoided hitting people rushing from the market, both going in, and out.
He stopped at a stand selling a variety of fruits, and ended up seeing a familiar court member.
"Mei?" Matthew spoke up to gain her attention, by his luck, she noticed him.
"Oh! Matthew! I-I heard about what happened- I hope you're doing alright- and you're relationship with King Alfred is getting better." Mei laughed nervously, still surprised to see Matthew out of the palace, even.
"Yeah, I'm doing fine, I'm just angry at Alfred, still..." Matthew said, tensing up as he spoke about Alfred.
"Awh, well, I have to finish up my chores, I'll see you around, maybe?" Mei said, looking back to Matthew after collecting her things.
"Actually, no, I'm going to the other kingdoms," Matthew said awkwardly, scratching the back of his scalp.
"Oh…" Mei looked back to the collection of items she was storing away, then turned, waving, walked away.
Matthew nodded, continuing to walk into town, the opposite direction of where Mei went.
In the corner of his eye, Matthew caught a poster, loosely hanging on the stone wall.
"Scavengers" it read, in messy, handwritten writing.
Scavengers?
"Scavengers, living in the abandoned, wasteland north of the Spades land, propose threat to the people of nearby area.-"
"...What?" Matthew stared, wide eyed, refusing to read more. Scavengers? For how long?
"For years, these stragglers have ravaged the land of the Spades, yet the royal family isn't taking action. All hope is lost, the Spades will be weakened by the Scavengers, and the Royal Family will help it happen. The Royal Family is corrupted.
Да здравствует король Иван."
This is… this is all lies! There is no Scavengers, beyond the towns, there was peace!
Matthew felt outraged, yet grief. The writing at the end of the letter, it was… different, yet, he felt as if he's seen it before.
Something wasn't right.
