A/N: I do not own Hetalia. Plain and simple.

When the Civil War had ended and the rebels caught, Alfred turned to Matthew and asked, "Are you going back tonight, or tomorrow?" At that question, Matthew went quiet. It took a few seconds for him to answer, but when he did Alfred was shocked.

"I don't want to go back." Was all he said. At Alfred's prodding, Matthew asked if he could stay in Spades. When asked why, he said that he would much rather stay in a Suite where his rank was earned rather than go back to a Suite where he was born into his rank. It had more impact and satisfaction if it's earned rather than given. Alfred looked quite pleased at that. "I'll have to talk it over with my Queen, but I think we can work something out." With that Alfred walked away. An hour or two later, Arthur walked up to Matthew and told him that if he really wanted to stay, he was very welcome to.

Matthew had started as a 2 of Spades, but after a few weeks he earned the Ace position. It came as a surprise, really. One minute he was a 5, the next he was the Ace. Alfred and Arthur both decided that a celebration was in order. After the party, Matthew was on his way to his bedroom when Yao stopped him in the hallway. "I hope there's no hard feelings, but I must ask the real reason why you stayed here." Matthew looked at Yao and said, "I don't know what reason you think is keeping me here, but what I told the King is my real reason. I mean no disrespect, but I am curious as to why you seem to think I have an ulterior motive. When you're ready to tell me, I will listen. For now though, I would like to go to bed. Goodnight."

For the next century, Matthew was the Ace of Spades. Yao never did explain what he thought and why, but he did give Matthew a chance to prove his loyalty to the Spades, which he proved one thousand times over.

A/N: I don't know what others think but, while they don't live nearly as long as countries, they do live quite a long time.

And I still give credit to Kyokoon64 and Lubo (YouTube) to at least half of the ideas.