So, languages. In the last chapter, Antonio was speaking Latin to Francis. Latin is the official language of the Diamonds. Each region has its own dialect, Spanish, French and Italian. The oldest three brothers were taught one dialect first, and then learned the Latin and the other dialect. The brothers understand all four languages but usually just speak the dialect they were taught first. But as the youngest, Feliciano was taught Latin first and was allowed to pick which dialect he wanted to learn. He is more apt to speak French than Spanish though. Lovino will speak Spanish over French any day.
Because the Clubs are made up of so many languages, the language used in the King's court is Russian. Ivan, Yekaterina, and Natasha are fluent in six of the languages in their Suit. Most of the court can speak at least three other Club languages. Toris, for instance, speaks Lithuanian, Belarusian, Polish, and Estonian.
The Hearts speak German and Hungarian. The Spades speak mostly English but large populations of the Western Continent (America and Canada) speak French.
The sea rushed against the shore, its dark blue lapping at the yellow sand. The sun was shining and warm but the beautiful scene brought no joy to the sole person walking along the beach.
A breeze toyed with his long hair but he paid it no mind. He scanned the horizon with sad blue eyes. A faint spot of white caught his attention. As he watched, the spot grew until it was clear what it was. A sail. The man on the beach breathed a sigh of relief.
"You finally came, Eyebrows." The man whispered.
"The shore is ahead, your Majesty!" the helmsman yelled up the rigging. The King of Spades hung off the ropes, the sea spray wetting his hair and a look of pure joy on his face.
"It's shallow on the starboard side, Mr. Havendish!" he called back, quickly climbing down the ropes. He hit the deck with a loud thump and walked back to the cabins.
"We're here." Arthur said, opening the door to his quarters. The King of Clubs sat hunched over a bucket, several used canteens littered on the floor around him. The Ace of Spades shrugged at Arthur's questioning look. "Just a few more moments until we come ashore, your Excellency."
"Spasibo Bogu." (Thank you God) Ivan grumbled. He retched again and emptied the contents of his stomach into the bucket.
"That make six times in ten minutes." Alfred said, handing him a towel.
"Zakroĭ rot." (Shut your mouth) Alfred shrugged again and walked to the window. The fleet of Spade and Clubs ships rolled spectacularly behind them.
"When we left, the Hearts were taking Paris." Alfred said as Arthur joined him at the glass.
"We can only hope the King and the Ace got out." Arthur said.
"And if they didn't?"
"They would have to find a new Diamond King."
"Highly unlikely." Ivan said hoarsely. "It would be the perfect opportunity to put a friendly person on the throne."
"Friendly?" Alfred asked.
"To our causes." Ivan dry heaved and groaned. "God, I would rather be drunk off my ass."
"Just don't eat any Diamond food." Arthur said. "It'll make it worse."
"Zemlya!" (Land!) Ivan fell to the sand and laughed.
"It took you long enough." An annoyingly familiar voice came from behind the landing party. Arthur groaned and turned around.
The King of Diamonds sat on a rock, his perfect smile plastered to his face.
"Only you would be comfortably sitting down during an occasion like this, Francis." Arthur said.
"Comfortably? I am sitting on a rock, mon ami." Francis said. "And there's this one piece sticking into my butt."
"Good to know. Good to know." Arthur said over Alfred's laughter.
"But to business, oui?" Francis leapt off the rock. "How many ships?"
"Two hundred. Each carrying approximately 800 men." Arthur gazed proudly at the fleet. "They will return to England to retrieve the Naval crews then sail for the Pacific." He grinned. "Those deserters won't know what hit them."
"Merveilleuse." Francis sighed. "They have taken Paris. We have 60,000 soldiers but our navy has been destroyed."
"What about the Mediterranean?" Ivan asked, still laying on the ground. "How will you protect the Riviera?"
"We can only hope we can push them out of the northern part of the country." Alfred said. "Then trap them in the South. But, we should reconsider sending all of the navy to the Pacific."
"And do what with them?"
"Use them to invade Italy."
"Antonio just returned from Paris last night." Francis said, leading them through the small village. "He fell asleep in the saddle. I didn't have the heart to wake him."
"He's safe. That's the important thing." Arthur said.
"Alfred and Ivan are unloading the soldiers?"
"You say it like they're cattle." Arthur said, looking at the huge map on a wall.
"People are like sheep." Francis said, pouring Arthur some tea. Arthur glared at the cup. Francis walked back to him and stood closer to Arthur. A little too close, Arthur could smell the King's cologne perfectly. It did smell good though, spices, the wine, and, Arthur flushed ever so slightly at the next smell, roses. Perfect, freshly cut roses. "Cream, no sugar, still boiling. Just like you like it, non?" Arthur nodded and took the cup.
"What do you mean, people are like sheep?" Arthur asked, relishing the scalding tea.
"Sheep follow who ever appears to know where they are going." Francis said, staring at the spot marked Paris on the map. A red dot had been colored over the city. Similar red marked dotted across Europe. "Just like people. They follow leaders blindly and don't question anything." Francis sighed. "The Jack of Hearts has called for all non-Hearts to be rounded up. No one sees or hears from them again."
"Where do they go?"
"I don't know. They are sent to train stations and depart for somewhere." Francis said with a shrug.
Once again, Arthur noticed how exhausted the King looked. His hair, tied back into a loose ponytail, had lost its luster. His usually milky skin turned grey and sickly.
"You look bloody awful." Arthur said. Francis chuckled dryly.
"And you look beautiful, as always." He said, sitting in a chair, still staring at the map. Arthur furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why do you say that?" he asked.
"Quoi?" Francis looked over at him.
"That I'm beautiful." Arthur said. "I'm not."
"You are to me." Francis said simply. "I have always said that. I said that the day I met you, don't you remember?" Arthur nodded slowly. "Then why do you question me?" He stood to leave. Arthur quickly set down his tea.
"Francis, wait." The King of Spades reached out a hand and gently took the Diamond's. Francis slowly turned around, a confused look crossing his tried features.
Arthur broke the kiss first and pushed away from Francis.
He opened his mouth to speak but found two warm, soft fingers against his lips.
"I have told you how much I love you, Arthur." Francis whispered. "You have just never listened."
Arthur moaned in defeat as he melted into the tall blond and wrapped his arms around him. His fingers ran up Francis's neck and pulled off the ribbon holding back his hair. He carefully combed through the soft waves.
Francis gently cupped the Spade's face and met his lips again. The Diamond's lips parted slightly, his tongue gently asking permission to enter Arthur's mouth.
Francis back up against the wall, his hands ghosting down Arthur's sides. "I love you."
Arthur smiled a huge, flashing smile identical to Alfred's. Francis cupped his face again, his thumbs gently caressing the soft flesh over Arthur's cheek bones.
"You really should smile more, chère." He said. Arthur laughed and buried his face in the crook of Francis's neck.
"If it's just for you, I might."
Yay, Francis and Arthur fianlly confess their feelings for eachother! But will this complicate things? Probably. All that's left is for Alfred and Ivan to get over themselves and be done with it. But what till you find out what's happening on a secret visit to London by a well endowed, smart young woman!
Thanks for reading!