(Disclaimer: I do not claim to own Hetalia: Axis Powers in any way.)

"You can't do this, Alfred," Arthur hissed angrily. He hadn't even been with angry on their wedding night. How could Alfred be such an idiot? "You'd be putting both the Spade and the Diamond Courts at risk. You'd be sending two kings in to danger!" For some odd reason, the council meeting had given Alfred the odd idea that he should go to the Diamonds Castle and see what was wrong for himself.

"That's why Francis won't be coming with me." Alfred's voice was gentle and placating. He tried to reach out calmingly but Arthur merely hissed and back away farther. He wouldn't be swayed. Alfred was acting as if he was some sort of feral animal that needed calming before it did something wrong.

"You can't risk the kingdom like this!" Arthur snarled, "what will happen when you're killed?" Now Alfred paused and starting staring at Arthur across the table in their room. When had he started thinking of the room as 'theirs' rather than Alfred's?

"Thanks for the faith," Alfred glowered. It was the first time that Arthur thought he'd ever seen Alfred become truly angry, especially with Arthur himself. "Besides, the kingdom will be fine with you here. I don't know what I'm doing, remember? I'm just some peasant."

"Alfred..."

"I'm leaving first thing in the morning, Arthur. We can fight all night or you can let me make you forget I'm leaving." Alfred's anger was gone in an instant to be replaced by tiredness. Arthur knew that wouldn't do. He couldn't have Alfred tired and risking his life at the same time. He needed to be rested.

Arthur relented and allowed Alfred to gather him against his chest. "I just don't want to lose you," Arthur whispered into Alfred's chest. The King's fingers carded soothingly through his queen's golden hair. "Going into Clubs territory if they're reading for attack would be suicide."

Arthur nuzzled against Alfred's collarbone. He felt Alfred's nose burrow into his hair. A deep breath brought the strong scent of Alfred to him. "I know," Alfred murmured.

Arthur didn't even realise he had started to whimper until Alfred shushed him gently. Alfred pulled him to the bed and laid him down softly on the covers. They'd been cleaned and replaced earlier in the day. They smelled fresh to Arthur as he laid against them now, which he supposed, was the a good thing. Alfred came down on the bed next to him, hovering over his queen. Alfred's lips closed over his repeatedly.

"I'll make you forget everything."

The Queen merely nodded in agreement. Alfred complied with the agreement immediately and rather eagerly. He peeled both his own and Arthur's clothes from them before tossing them to the ground rather carelessly. His fingers and touches lingered wherever they met skin He made sure to worship Arthur rather than just making it a carnal affaire.

Alfred couldn't help but smile. Arthur was being particularly vocal. He whimpered loudly at Alfred's teasing but never complained about it. He moaned when Alfred reached that sought after location. He whimpered Alfred's name as much as possible.

Alfred's prep went slow, but Arthur didn't even think of making him go faster. He wanted this to last as long as possible. He never wanted to reach the moment where Alfred's warmth left him. "Love you," Alfred was panting. He was being as languid as possible. He was trying to stay with his slow pace but it was quickly becoming clear that Alfred's restraint was running thin. "'Love you so much." Alfred kissed him gently along his neck. He murmured apologies for just about everything against Arthur's skin between his kisses. "You're close, aren't you, Arthur?" Alfred breathed against his ear. "Don't hold back on me."

Soon they were both spent. Alfred made sure not to collapse down on his Queen. He took a stabilizing breath and fell to one side of the bed.

"Who's Mary Bell?"

"Artie?"

"Alfred."

"You probably won't like the answer?"

"Alfred?"

Arthur could hear Alfred sigh rather loudly. Arthur, for one, was still staring up at the ceiling. He wasn't sure where Alfred had decided to set his gaze. "We used to court." Arthur didn't know when Alfred became so close, but now he was sitting up and pressing kisses along his neck. "Then I saw you."

"You saw me?" Arthur was a tad surprised and let down at the same time. Alfred hat left life and love for him. Arthur was seconds compared to Mary Bell.

"Yeah," Alfred smiled against Alfred's neck. "When they started considering you for one of the monarchy positions. You came through my village." Alfred's voice hardened and his smile slipped away. "Francis...nevermind."

"Francis isn't as much of a prat as he acts," Arthur stated. Arthur was still a little caught with the fact that he'd apparently met Alfred before their wedding. Had they spoken?

"Do you love him?"

"What?" What had they been talking about?

"Francis. Do you love him?"

Arthur cringed in disgust. Alfred took it the wrong way. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that." Arthur grabbed a hold on Alfred's arm. He kissed Alfred's shoulder. "I've grown accustomed to Francis' company, but I don't love him." Arthur paused, teeth digged into his lower lip. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to continue. "I thought I did once."

Alfred pressed their lips together. "I understand." The King traced gentle circles on Arthur's hip. "Besides, I don't want to let him have you."

TCTC

By the time that Arthur woke up, Alfred had left. Arthur pulled on his robe and padded won the stone hallways of the castle toward his room. He hadn't actually expected Alfred to be there when he woke, but he still felt a slight twinge of disappointment when he wasn't. He brushed it away.

After suiting himself up properly in his own room, Arthur walked down toward the Great Hall. He hadn't gone very far when he heard the castle's distress bells began to ring. Arthur's steps faltered uncertainly until his life's worth of training set in. Arthur took quick and precise steps to the throne room.

When he entered, he was greeted by a group of knights, servants, and Matthew. That's not to mention the Diamonds members. "What is happening?" Arthur demanded when entering.

"We have men trying to overcome the gates," Matthew answered immediately. "They are attacking the castle." There was fear in both Matthew's voice and eyes. "Yao and Vash are with the knights barricading the lower city. Antonio is bringing the city goers into the cidiel. Lovino is taking Erika to safety."

Arthur gulped but refused to tense. Alfred was away from Spades, Arthur was in complete control of the kingdom in the King's absence. Brilliant. "The Clubs?" he feared the answer.

Matthew shook his head. "Peasants from the outlying regions. They're demanding the crown for themselves. They want to see you and his majesty surrender to them." Matthew seemed a bit awkward referring to Alfred so formally. "They do not seem to know of the Diamonds presence in the castle."

"I will take even the smallest of blessings." Arthur turned to one of the servants. "Bring my armour," he ordered. "What of the people of the lower city?"

Matthew looked stricken by the order, but the servant hurried away to do as requested. "They are still loyal to you." Arthur nodded. More small blessings. "Sire, I must implore you to stay within the citadel."

Arthur stepped up to his Ace. "I must rally the knights in the king's absence." The servant came back and soon two of them were armouring their Queen. The shield and sword were placed in his hands last. Arthur hefted the broadsword in his hand. It had been a long time since he'd done any sort of swordplay. Not that Arthur planned on using the sword.

Francis stepped up to his side - also clad in armour - and Arthur was grateful.

TCTC

When the two of them arrived at the gates to the lower town, the knights had already set up a rather solid defense against attack. Arthur could hear the cries of the warring peasants as they tried to force entry. The dwellers of the lower city had already been evacuated to the citadel for safety.

"Do they have any demands?" Arthur asked one of the knights. There had been no unusual requests or complaints during open court and if the multitude of voices he could hear was anything to go on, this had been in planning for months. Just when Alfred had stepped out too. It was almost strategic that way. Arthur let out a weary and yet angry sigh. "Rory!" he shouted. "Bring me the peasant who's been staying in the castle."

After only a short pause, one of the younger knights jumped up to do his bidding. Arthur looked out upon the group. "They haven't told us anything, Sire. They demanded to be let in to your chambers and that the King hand over his crown."

"Then they have made a list of demands. They want your crown, cherie," Francis said. "You seem to have a fully fledged rebellion on your hands. Not that the Diamonds should be involved or anything..."

Arthur rounded on the rival king. "You're just lucky they haven't come demanding your blood yet. Be thankful that the Spades are trustworthy enough not to leak such damaging information even to their own people."

"Yes, cherie, I can certainly tell that your people are incredibly trustworthy." Arthur chose not to comment after that point, not when he heard the calls of his own people yelling through the walls for his blood.

/Author's Note: Yes, I'm aware that Francis uses the female version by calling Arthur 'cherie', but I figured that Francis would tease Arthur that way./