pops in
so this chapter's a bit more filler unfortunately - but the coronation is next chapter so please look forward to that!
as always, i do not own the selection nor hetalia. these belong to kiera cass and himaruya hidekaz respectively.
The next few days were but a flurry of preparations around the palace, something that Arthur was relatively used to back in Spades.
However, he had to shamefully admit to himself that he preferred all the hustle and bustle to be centered around his best friend instead of him – the downside to this was that he did not get to spend much time with Kiku as he was constantly being dragged off to clothes preparations, fittings and the sort.
So most days, he was content with simply wandering around and exploring the Hearts palace, usually accompanied by a butler or a servant that took him on a small tour as requested by Kiku.
The gardens in Hearts were not as lavish as the ones in Spades, but Arthur noted that there was a different tinge and smell to some of the flowers compared to Spades – whereas the scent was a bit cleaner, like dewdrops after a rainy day, Hearts was a bit more earthy. Arthur simply couldn't resist cutting one when his guide wasn't watching and slipping it behind the pages of a book he brought to the palace…
But other than that, he had been on his best behaviour. He could tell that of course, with every visit comes the possibility of a difficult guest, but most days Arthur was happy to curl up in a warm pile outside the fireplace in the library, which was a slight taller than him, with a book and a cup of hot chocolate until dinner, where he would try to not be too terribly intimidated with the King and Jack.
One thing that did bring him comfort was the way that Kiku slotted in almost perfectly with them. King Ludwig had referred to him immediately with a bow of his own, one that Kiku reciprocated, but still. Jack Feliciano, oddly enough, looked as enthusiastic as they portrayed him in the media – but was nothing but kind as he toasted to them with a huge cheer – toasting the visitors every single dinner, no less - then they all tucked in heartily to their dinner. Whereas dinner in the Spades palace was a relatively quiet affair, the Hearts dinner table was full to bursting with laughter and chatter. So much that Arthur could barely keep up with who was with whom and who held favour…
However, the issue that caught his attention the most was the Jack's protruding stomach. He must be nearing the end of his gestation, Arthur thought as he twisted the fork in his right hand. He had thought, at least from the last pregnancy that he had witnessed, that a carrying person would be gaunt and exhausted all the time. But strangely enough, Jack Feliciano's face was radiant – he seemed so at ease save for the fact that there was a large bump greatly hindering his movement.
"Ah, Sir Arthur!" Jack Feliciano said cheerfully, giving Arthur a little wave. "How are you feeling now you're in Hearts? As wonderful as in Spades, right?"
Several pairs of eyes cottoned onto Arthur, who tried to drop his fork on his eggs benedicts as elegantly as possible.
"Um, yes, it's absolutely stunning here." he said, wincing a little at how his voice wavered. "It's a lot warmer here, I would say."
The nobles and courtiers laughed at his response, and Arthur felt the corners of his mouth prinking into a smile as the Jack followed suit, and Kiku grinned at him encouragingly, but it quickly faded into embarrassment as he quickly realized that the court could be laughing at him, not with him.
"Ah, I would think that the Clubs has more against you then just the weather," one of the courtiers snorted, but quickly sneezed into his napkin for some reason.
"…" Arthur didn't quite know what to say. Was the feud with Alfred and King Ivan that well known?
"Lady Maria, please," King Ludwig said gruffly, and for a moment Arthur could not figure not how in the name of Fates Alfred wasn't intimidated by this man who could probably snap the table in half by looking at it.
But then, Alfred could essentially do the same…
"Don't frighten him. This land won't be touched by war for a while, unless the rebels suddenly become aggressive."
"Wonder why they aren't?" a noble to his left wondered out loud. "If they truly wish to repeal the First Law…"
"I thought all they needed was publicity." another said, taking a sip of her water. "What could they possibly gain by attacking powerful countries they have no chance against?"
Kiku and Arthur shared an uncomfortable glance.
"Perhaps it's to victimize themselves?" Arthur said quietly to himself, to which fifty eyes snapped to him. He blanched.
"Hmm? Sir Arthur, what do you mean by that?" the King said, looking intrigued. "That sounded like a point. Coming from another country, we'd love to hear your view."
As the murmur from the table died down, Arthur twisted his fingers together and hoped he wouldn't say something that would lead to his assassination.
"Your Highness, you said that they would not stand a chance against any of the four countries. It must be common knowledge, yes?"
"Undoubtedly," Ludwig said. "They only have had a reputation of annoyance, especially in these months."
"Their goals are to repeal the First Law and be recognized…if they can victimize themselves enough, they can cast the Primary Suits as oppressive monarchs to the people. And with the people's support, their rebellion will become a lot more formidable."
"That could be the reason why there have been no reported attacks on civilians," Kiku confirmed – as Queen, it was naturally his job to manage the military. "Perhaps, if they were to win over the people's favour…"
"What does he know?" another person to his left hissed. "The boy's just come over for the Queen's coronation, he does not know anything-"
"Adrian, you are mistaken," Ace Lovino said dryly, arching an eyebrow. "Sir Arthur here is part of the prestigious Elite in the Spadian Deciding. You could very well be speaking to the next Queen of Spades here."
"If he's getting married, you should be focusing on that as well." one of them muttered, and Lovino bristled, his expression angry for a heartbeat before he composed himself, fist scrunching around his napkin. Jack Feliciano looked concerned and leaned over the table, mouthing a few words that Lovino dismissed quietly.
"About your idea, though, Sir Arthur," Lovino continued. "I am…intrigued. Do you have any ideas on what we could do?"
"Gather the people's support – but we already mostly have it," Arthur said quietly. "And…talks."
The steady thrum of chatter filled the room as King Ludwig turned to face his Jack, Ace and Kiku, and Arthur decided he just really wanted to finish his dinner and head back.
"Words," one of them snorted. "Words won't win this war."
"We have not entered talks with them, ever," a noble said, but his expression was in very cautious agreement. "But if we can show to the public that we are willing to cooperate, it would reassure them. I am sure that they are tired of the conflict in the palaces as well."
"Your Highness, where are they now?" someone asked.
"Near our shared borders with Diamonds." Kiku picked up quickly. "A slightly larger number were on an extremely quick move since last night. I've alerted both Diamonds and Spades lest they divert their attention as they obviously want to be found for publicity, if Sir Arthur's theory is correct..."
"Perhaps we shouldn't have given you so much flak your first week at court," one of the courtiers said, sickly sweet. "You seem to actually be doing your job."
A fork dropped to the floor, and Arthur paused to realize it was his.
"How are you enjoying the court?" Kiku said later that following evening in Arthur's room.
"Not really," Arthur laughed, pushing his hair back awkwardly. "Honestly, when I started talking I thought I had condemned my life or something."
"Well," Kiku said, looking away. "Coming into the life of royalty is pretty treacherous if you ask me. As you heard, they did doubt me in the beginning. But I am fighting, I assure you."
"I know you're strong," Arthur said, tugging free his tie. "I hope that you and the rest of the Primary Suit have sweeter conversations. I could not be more thankful when Ace Lovino defended me."
"Oh, you must not worry about that," Kiku said. "Everyone has been so accommodating, it was mainly court life speaking. Since you are only here on invitation, they might have viewed you lesser than them. And Ace Lovino is actually a very sweet man underneath his cold exterior. He reminds me…a little bit of you, really."
"Does he?" Arthur remarked.
"He was rather prickly when I first met him, but he has been friendly ever since," Kiku said cheerfully. "But he has been treated badly by the court as of late; they are anxious for him to marry someone. Lately, however, they have mounted the pressure on one particular suitor."
"Not even he is free from that scrutiny?" Arthur said.
"No one truly is," came the reply. "Save Ludwig, as they view him to have ultimate power as it used to be. But Lovino has been rumoured to have an interest in courting Antonio. That is not true, though. He is just tired of this whole 'romance' thing overshadowing his work – recently, he managed to secure a trading deal with Diamonds that would enable a fifth of our large population to have more support with filling their dinner tables. But no, all the court pesters him is marrying him off, so to complete the Primary Suit."
"That's horrible. Even tonight, they cut in asking whether he'd be focusing on that. He must be a very noble man, and even as Ace that is a large burden."
"I have tried to do my best to reassure him, but it does get intimidating sometimes when I see someone far more experienced than I be denounced like that. And it's before even the coronation…"
Arthur wasn't sure what exactly he could say, so he took his friend's hand in his own like he did the second morning he came to this unfamiliar palace, providing his friend comfort in the unknown.
The next morning, right before they were both were scheduled for another fitting for the coronation, they were interrupted as they left the breakfast room.
"Y-Your Highness!" A soldier was there, clothed in the red armour of Hearts. "King Ludwig and Ace Lovino have requested an audience with you and Sir Arthur below."
"An audience?" they both wondered out loud, but wasted no time in walking down, save Arthur who was a little behind as he tried to readjust his mussed tie.
"Your Highnesses," Kiku said, bowing as low as he could as Arthur quickly followed suit, before he felt a gloved hand tap his shoulder. Ace Lovino.
"Queen Kiku, Sir Arthur," they said, exchanging an unusually cordial glance.
"I apologise for my intrusion at last night's dinner," Arthur said quickly, hoping to slap a band aid over a possibly already gaping wound. "It was not my place-"
"Nonsense," Ace Lovino cut in, and Arthur could tell that he was smirking. "It was a conversation. It wouldn't have done you any good sitting down and looking completely embarrassed. But still, takes some guts."
"T-Thank you for standing up for me yesterday," Arthur said, doing yet another quick bow. "It meant a lot."
"Please, it was nothing," Lovino said. "I've been on the receiving side of those fangs more than once. No one deserves to be alone with them."
"Lovino," Ludwig said quietly, but nodded. "Yes. It appears with someone new they are bolder to act. But you handled yourself well last night, and you did make some good points which is deserving of praise and action. We're asking to act on them tonight."
"Tonight?" Kiku asked. "I believed that they were making progress, but so steadfast…"
"They seemed to have split and tried to send parties forward to see which got the farthest. A springboard, if you will."
"This'll mean that there could be an attack," Ludwig said. "Probably tonight or tomorrow morning. But then the group could be smaller – should we sound the alarm."
"Alert all of them for the hell of it," Lovino snarked. "They want their publicity, they've got it. We can try to get a talk with them if their group is smaller. After that, we'll proceed with the coronation, so we all have to go to some damned dress fitting in time for the attack. Is that OK with you, Kiku? You as well, Sir Arthur. It would make sense for you to remain with Kiku just in case they come earlier."
The two boys nodded, and Ace Lovino acknowledged Ludwig once before heading for the door. Arthur turned on his well pressed shoes, opening the door for both him and Kiku to leave, but as soon as the two of them were out the door Ludwig asked Arthur to stay behind.
"Your Highness?" Arthur blurted. "Is there something="
"Sir Arthur, I believe we will be talking about a rather private subject, so I wished to wait after the two of them were gone." Ludwig said, beckoning to two arm chairs. "Please, sit."
"May I ask…what has happened in New Years in Spades?" Ludwig asked.
"What – what happened?" Arthur said, his tone confused. "Erm. I didn't spend too much time on festivities and focused on preparing for the trip. Other than that, the same type of celebration…"
"Alfred told me something a little while ago," Ludwig confided. "That he was looking to end your Deciding."
"Yes, he did say it was to be over around the New Year. Perhaps it's even over now." Arthur said, trying to keep his voice light, but the possibility struck his chest. What if…
"…Duchess, Sir Arthur, please don't look so stricken." Ludwig said. "I highly doubt it after how Alfred has been behaving these few months."
"He's been in contact with you?" Arthur blurted, to which he nodded yes.
"Prince Alfred completed his apprenticeship with me last year," Ludwig said. "We've been friends ever since. However, did nothing really extraordinary happen during New Years?"
"Um. Well, there is something, but I'm not exactly sure if it is my place…" Arthur said, thinking back to the botched proposal and the New Years kiss. He allowed himself just another thought of Alfred's smiling face, his tender eyes and blushing face, before shaking himself out of Spades.
"No, please, I do not wish to intrude on your privacy," Ludwig amended quickly, pushing back a strand of his slicked back hair. "It was just…I was intrigued as to whether you are already queen."
"Already queen – no, no, Alfr – Prince Alfred hasn't formally ended the Deciding yet, no," Arthur said, a little embarrassed. "I hope I didn't give the impression."
"Ah, I thought simply by the way you carried yourself yesterday and today, there was something a little more regal than I would have expected – from my own experience, that is." Ludwig said, with something akin to a grimace like smile on his face. "Still, I would not be surprised if I were talking to the future Queen of Spades. The soldiers, Spadian and Hearts alike, reported that you took time to see to crowds. That is a quality all royals treasure. Good luck, Sir Arthur."
"I'll treat Prince Alfred right," Arthur said, and he felt his tone become a little more gentle, a little less apprehensive. "He deserves only the best. Your Highness, I want to assure you that I won't abuse him or his affection."
"I see that my best friend is in good hands," Ludwig said, relief in his tone as the two of them made their way to the door. "Thank you for that, Sir Arthur. However, you must remind him that naming a child Orange is still not a good idea."
And so with that, Arthur mentally fainted.
Back in the palace of Spades, where Jack Yao has just received a message from the Jack Feliciano.
"Good evening, Feliciano," Yao said. "What brings you here to the port? I do hope you're getting some rest for the infant."
"Alfred, it's really not a good reason to be eavesdropping," Matthew said disapprovingly. "Would you be happy if you found out I was listening to all your gossip with Ludwig."
"Come on, Matt!" Alfred whined, tugging his jacket a little closer around his shoulders as he strained to listen to his guardian speak.
"I just want to know what's going on over there, to see if Arthur's OK. You know the report with the rebels…"
"I believe that Hearts can look after themselves," Matthew said dryly. "Now, stop pining and go back to work."
"You're no fun," Alfred pouted, but did as he was told. After all, Yao always buried himself in his work as a distraction. Since the process was coming to a close, he wanted to finish up the week's report and clear the board before finishing the note.
It was a little thing, really – nothing too drab or nothing too lavish as Alfred knew Arthur liked things with more sentimental value than pomp.
It was a small pocket watch, embroidered with blue roses around the rim and tiny Roman numerals marking one to twelve. The finishing was golden, and a small chain was fastened to it with a pearl, like the ones Alfred knew Arthur liked to wear on his jackets and clothes to give a little regal flair to it.
The gift, wrapped in a box that was blue like robin eggs, was ready to be delivered, but Alfred was a little nervous. What if he didn't like it? What if he didn't find it exciting enough? He really wanted to impress his sweetheart this time.
Alfred went into Matthew's room first as they were both still talking about the possibility of a secret organization method that the rebels had created on multiple attacks ("Hey, Matt, maybe they're going to hit Clubs again-") and how dire their chances of being hit in the next months ("ALFRED. Your petty feud has gone too far.")
"You better get some good night's sleep unlike yesterday," Matthew said sternly. "Not like last night. Just because your beloved is a few hours away doesn't mean I'll let you slack."
"Aww, and I thought I was the older brother," Alfred grinned, but patted Matthew's shoulder in thanks. "I will, man."
"It was only by a few minutes!" Matthew retorted with a snort, and slipped the door shut.
"Gah, I hope this note won't be too cheesy," Alfred thought out loud as he turned the small card he had attached with the parcel.
Counting down the hours until I can see you again. Be safe, my princess.
I miss you bunches,
Alfred
I was thinking of starting a Discord chat for this fic + beyond. Was wondering if anyone was interested? If so, tell me :)
replies
vivadragnire - yep! it feels great to be back.
pastaaddict - i swear arthur's going to whip out a pen, write 'i love you' 600 times then mail it back to spades. there job done
gatita yaoi - oh i see! maybe because it was much more two scenes sewed together that it didn't really have much time for polish. thank you for the criticism though!
emotions - i mean the more giripan in one's life, the better lmao
n kukuri chan - ...i bought twenty doujinshis if that counts! and for the fans, i was actually thinking about the fandom and how aph england is so friggin popular, so then i took that angle and ran with it. and arthur and kiku have been each other's only person looking out for each other ever since their childhood, so i think that bond would stay strong even as they are separated for the first time in around 10-15 years! also, about the jealousy thing, i don't think arthur was jealous of the person per say but rather wanting a sort of loving relationship like theirs? and no, they're not married. that's something i'm saving ;D
for the last section though, since kiku's family is so numerous and hearts is so densely packed (they have the largest population), they wouldn't have land they could give to everyone. wanting to fight for individuality but staying in the system, which i feel would be something japan would do, i thought he would take that course of action. a holding facility is sort of to train viable people with potential to be able to be part of a primary suit one day, but then they would look for aspects such as looks as well as magic potential and intelligence, etc. hope this clears up some things, please ask me if you're still uncertain :) my world building was kind of shit so i need to work on that!
reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them!