Cardverse Universe GermanyXFemRomanoXAmerica

Katarina stood next to her King readjusting her black lace mask and tugging on the matching lace finger-less gloves that looked as if it wove itself from her caramel skin and up to her elbows. She never liked how the Diamond Kingdom always forced certain protocols for the annual World Ball. Kat could almost roll her eyes at that. The Ball was supposed to symbolize peace among all the Kingdoms, however with as much schmoozing and questioning the royalty does to each other during such events they might as well have been 'spying in public'. Within the Heart Kingdom Kat was the ace, Ace's were a rare sight, because they could blend in with the crowd and either be a commoner or a lord or lady. Ace's were each of the Kingdom's secret weapons. Even though the so called Ball is a symbol of peace...they were all required to wear masks for the sake of preserving their precious Ace.

Kat didn't believe this is how 'peace' worked. This is how people tolerated each other. This didn't mean peace. Not like Kat really cared about any of it. Politics held no appeal to her, she didn't even want to be the Ace; however she couldn't argue and fight with the ones who had chosen her.

"Katarina."

Her head shot up out of her musings to look at the tall strong man whose golden hair was slicked back neatly so his red velvet and gold crown could sit perfectly on his head. He tucked a strand of her curly brunette hair behind her ear making an involuntary blush spread across her cheeks.

"Yeah, what is it you damn potato bastard?" She replied.

Her King gave a small smile down at her as his clear blue eyes shone through his plain black mask with a kind of patience and tenderness that always got on her nerves. She didn't deserve it with how rude and cynical she is to him every day, yet his expression would never change towards her. He lifted his arm towards her causing the blood red wool cape to drift from arm and pool behind him.

"Are you ready?" He asked looking in front of him as Felicia and Kiku, the Jack and Queen of Hearts, were announced to the room.

As usual the Ace and King of Hearts were last to be announced to the Kingdoms. Kat took one moment adjusting her corset red dress that was trimmed in a pitch black lace. She took a hold of his arm and waited for the King of Diamonds to announce him.

"Um uh Kat." He murmured glancing down at her.

She arched an eye brow as he fumbled for words.

"You look, well um lovely." He finally stammered out making her blush with him.

Before she could say anything back to him the horn sounded telling everyone to quiet down as Ludwig took the lead guiding her out onto the platform where the smiling King of Diamonds stood in all of his splendor with gold covering every inch of his body from head to toe.

"Now announcing Ludwig Beilschmidt King of Hearts and his Ace." Francis announced clapping his hands so everyone would follow suit.

'His Ace'. Kat thought bitterly, of course, even the Ace's names weren't allowed to be known. She was practically nothing but a decorative ornament on Ludwig's arm to them. Ludwig gave a small curt wave to them and a small nudge to Kat to follow his lead. She could care less about waving to a bunch of pretentious royals, she did as her King commanded of her despite her urge to flip them all the bird right then and there.

Once Ludwig walked them off the platform Francis began his long speech of how happy he was to be hosting the annual Ball and about the history behind it, blah blah blah. Honestly, it wasn't like they didn't know what this was all about. Kat did whatever she could to not fall asleep through it as every other female in the room seemed to hang on to his every word.

"Without further ado, let the dancing begin." Francis waved motioning to the band to begin playing.

"I shall be back, there is a few words I need to have with the King of Diamonds." Ludwig commented.

Kat rolled her amber eyes at him through her mask. Like this was anything different from the last Ball. "Whatever, go on do your thing." She waved off with a huff.

He looked slightly hurt by her words, and for that she felt guilty. Pride refused to let her apologize however as she quickly made her escape from him to go get herself some wine. A large white table was spread out for party goers to eat and drink from. She ignored the little treats and went straight for the glass of red wine. Taking a sip from the glass cup she let the prominent bold flavors splash and teased her tongue before the bitter bite of alcohol settled in. Now all she had to do was wait out the rest of the evening doing just this and she could go home.

Her sharp gaze travelled out over the dance floor where couples and flirts danced in time with the music, looking as if they were practically gliding across the marble floor. Briefly her gaze then drifted to where her King was conversing with Francis. Instead of dancing with her. She shook her head, it wasn't like she cared for what her King did. Was it too much to ask that he at least shared a dance with her? He was her escort, it wasn't like anyone else here was willing to dance with her.

"Hi!" An excited voice chimed by her ear nearly making her jump and drop her glass of wine.

She turned her head in irritation to the voice. "What the hell? Who just sneaks up on a woman like that?" She snapped then paused having been sucked into the most gorgeous blue eyes that she had ever seen before, that were only made more apparent by the royal blue suit he wore.

He laughed rubbing the back of his wheat blonde hair in embarrassment. "Sorry ma'am. I tend to get a bit rash when I'm talking to pretty women." He said smoothly.

Kat rolled her eyes at that unable to contain her blush. "Whatever." She grumbled. "What do you want Spade?" She snapped taking a drink from her wine.

He smiled bowing down low and taking her hand so he could place a kiss on it. "I was wondering if you would share this dance with me. If your King permits you?"

Kat's jaw locked as he said that. Like she needed Ludwig's permission of whom she was allowed to dance with.

"I think you'll find that I'm perfectly capable of making up my own mind." She spat out removing her hand from his.

"Great, let's go dance then." He grinned in childish delight as he took her glass from her and sat it back down on the table so he would be able to drag her out on to the dance floor.

"H-hey!" Kat tried to protest, but before she could the Spade had already gathered her up in his arms placing one modestly on her waist and firmly taking a hold of her other hand.

"Oh you do know how to dance right?" He asked obviously thinking her protests had to be linked to that.

"Yes, I can dance dumbass." She snapped ready to tear away from him and go back to her drink.

"Then why aren't your hands around me?" He asked cocking his head to the side. "It's ok if you don't know how to dance. I can teach you."

Kat has always considered herself something of an expert when it came to dancing. So for someone to so blatantly accuse her of not knowing pissed her off. Obviously this kid needed to be taught a lesson or two. "Why don't you just try to keep up?" She snapped placing her hands on the proper places before allowing him to take the lead.

He moved her through the basic waltz steps and once they completed it back to the beginning steps she added a few of her own moves, not enough to throw him off, but enough to make the dance her own as he stared a bit dumbfounded at her. A moment later he grinned in excitement adding a bit of bounce to his moves as well. Kat smirked in spite of herself, the dumbass wasn't half bad. Before she knew it they began to continue dancing slipping naturally into each new beat and dance number as the band continued to play. It was more fun than she was expecting to have. He spun her around causing her dress to twirl with her as she swung out and then back into his strong arms. On the final note he dipped her pausing for a moment to allow each other to get a breath of air when suddenly applause filled the room. Kat blinked in surprise looking away from her dance partner to the crowd that had all stopped what they were doing to watch, then back to the Spade holding her.

He hadn't moved in the slightest as he continued to study her face. She flushed under his staring her ruby red lips tipping into a frown. "What are you staring at?"

"You." He simply answered then blushed brightly. Standing up to his full height and in turn allowing her to do the same. "I-I mean, you're beautiful." He continued to blush rubbing the back of his blonde head with that bright easy going smile.

Kat felt completely stunned as she fumbled for words to say back, the only thing she could come up with to say however was. "You're an idiot."

He blinked at her before laughing. "You're funny too. What's your name?" He asked his beautiful eyes pleading with her.

"My name…my name…" She wanted to say it, but his eyes kept distracting her. What was her name!?

"Yeah, my name is Alfred F. Jones." He beamed. "King of Spades."

Kat's heart nearly sunk at that. He was a King…was he just using her to get information? It wouldn't be the first time someone had tried.

"Ace." She heard Ludwig's voice shout out to her making her turn away from the hypnotizing blue eyes to face him. "Time to go." He stated a frown marring his handsome features as he stared at her with authority.

She was about to walk towards him without another word, but paused feeling a grip on her arm.

"Wait, please. I want to see you again." Alfred said making her meet those pleading deep blue eyes again.

She sighed, he was a cute guy, but it was just a dance and she wasn't going to betray her King by telling him her name. "I'm just Ace." She snapped bitterly. "Now let go dumbass."

Before she could do anything his lips pressed up against hers in a childish kiss. It was apparent the young King hadn't had much experience in this department as it felt so innocent against her sinful red lips. He pulled away blushing at her before he released her arm.

"You're more than just an Ace." He murmured shaking his head. "Do you believe in love at first sight? Call me crazy, because I think I love you." He stated holding on to her hands as he poured his heart out to her.

Kat didn't know what to think. She just kept staring at his blue eyes that were bright with excitement and hope as he continued to stare her down. She finally let out a snort of laughter shaking her head up at him.

"Well, you are crazy. Ciao King Alfred." She chuckled walking away from him.

"Was that a yes?!" He shouted trying to make his way through the crowd as easily as she did.

"No." She stated once she reached Ludwig.

Ludwig ground his teeth together a rare action she had never seen from him as he took her hand leading her out of the ballroom.

"Was that a no?!" Alfred's eager voice continued to shout out towards her making Ludwig's pace quicken.

"No." She smirked looking over her shoulder to see a goofy grin on Alfred's face.

Kat knew she didn't love him. There was no such thing as love at first sight; however she couldn't deny that she wished to see him again. Maybe, if fate would allow it, she would. Fate was a cruel mistress though so in order to contain her girlish delight at having a man being interested at her; she merely passed tonight off as a good ending to her normally dry day. No doubt he would forget her in time, but time would forever let them have this night.