2 hours later...

Arthur smiled warmly as he took another sip of wine from his glass, listening to more of Arnold's story. Apparently, Arnold was quite the worldly man, travelling all over to places like Arabia, China, Korea, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, and Italy. He was fluent in many of those languages, and occasionally, the pair would switch languages randomly, much to the dismay of John. Arthur figured this was great, now having an unsuspicious reason to have learned how to speak so many languages, and therefore confirming his belief that he was indeed omnilingual. Seamus and Allister had come in a little while ago, but Arnold was only really interested in Arthur.

"Then, the guard says, "Hey, you can't say that here." Then I go, "I can say 'Fuck', anywhere I want to." As expected, I was deported, but my armory still stands there today." He sighed, a slight chuckle slipping from his lips. Arthur studied his face, the man having a bizarre resemblance to his father. They didn't look that much alike, but the most random features were similar between the two that it made Arthur feel a little uncomfortable. They had the same long lashes, and lips. Arnold's nose was very straight, making Arthur realize how slightly crooked his father's nose was. They both had the same weird habit of flexing their ears when they sighed. Aside from those random things, the two shared no more physical traits. They were third cousins after all.

"Why did you go into business again?" Arthur asked in Chinese, and Arnold shrugged.

"I didn't really like the idea of someone else handling my money." He responded in Russian. "I made some factories, produced some clothes at first, but you know, India controlled that market. I moved to weapons, specializing in swords. However, now I'm moving into firearms. I plan to mass produce them in a few months, if all goes well." He sighed.

"You mean, when Alfred gives you whatever he promised you going into this deal." He stated in Dutch. It wasn't a question, the older brit noted, smirking.

"Business, I guess." He said in English. Arthur looked towards the door of the main hall, silently checking for Alfred's entrance. He could feel the other's presence, and it was getting closer, but he supposed that the prince wouldn't arrive until a little while later.

"Why are you mated to the prince? Is it for his money? His power?" He asked suddenly, in spanish, and Arthur looked at him in mild shock.

"I love him." He said simply, responding in english. "I love everything about him, and I couldn't care less about his status." He didn't have time or patience for his feelings towards Alfred to be questioned.

"I understand. By the snap in your voice I can tell you get this alot." He rested his cheek on the palm of his hand. "You don't look much like your father." He said suddenly, taking a another sip of his wine. Arthur shrugged.

"I look more like my mother." He confirmed.

"Well, I figured." Arnold sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I've only ever spent time with your father when we were children. Eventually I left the palace to pursue business. I would occasionally write him letters, but I travelled a lot so I would get his replies quite late." Arthur quirked a brow. What if he's lying? Arnold seemed to have read his mind. "What, do you want proof?" Arthur nodded. "Alright, Alright. In one of his letters he mentioned something about a stolen dagger that was mysteriously left at his doorstep. He said he wouldn't let anyone leave and had a knife on him always." Arthur bit his lip, trying to remember something like that happening. The description sounded familiar, but Arthur couldn't pinpoint the event. Suddenly Allister, who was sitting nearby, cleared his throat.

"Dylan took it and returned it a month after he had lost it in the forest. Dad got super paranoid, so we were too scared to tell him." He explained. "Arthur was hardly cognizant at the time, around what? 4 or 5 years old?" Arnold nodded his head, a slight grin on his face.

"Well, I hope that had confirmed my identity." He said cheerfully, and Arthur shrugged, looking around. Seamus and John were currently talking about something, Allister's attention back on the swarm of girls surrounding him. Even Maggie was hitting on him. The brit sighed, what can he do about it, it's not her fault he's attractive. His eyes stole a glance at the door, just in case the prince happened to stroll in right this moment. He once again sulked; when was that bastard coming?

"Give him time."

Arthur turned to see John making his way to the pair, Seamus joining Allister in the pile of females. The Harold took a seat beside Arthur, taking his hand gently. "I can't say this enough but thank goodness you're alright." Arthur nodded, smiling.

"Thank you, it's good to be back." John eyed him strangely before looking over at Arnold, who only smirked in return. Arthur looked past the older man towards Seamus, who was, despite engaging in conversation with the girls, watching Arthur intently from the corner of his eyes. Arthur looked back towards John again, who was now staring at him. "Yes?" He asked slowly. "Is something the matter?" John pursed his lips before speaking.

"Are you returning to the states with us, Arthur?" He asked with a stern voice. The brit quirked his brow. Why was that even a question?

"Of course." He said firmly, picking up his glass of wine. He was no longer in the mood to drink, so he just stared at the blood red liquid and he rolled it around in his cup. "I don't see why that's even up for debate." He added sharply, Arnold whistling. John gave the older blond a look before looking at the younger brit.

"I'm Alfred's guardian, so I need to know in order to best plan out the rest of his days before his coronation. If he's going to be emotionally shattered, I'll need to change course towards the islands so he could debuff." he explained. Arthur narrowed his eyes at the man, not finding this answer satisfactory.

"That hardly answers my question." He made unflinching eye contact with John, who was shocked to say the least.

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's the queen who has doubts. She thinks you're dead, and that Alfred will be devastated because he won't be able to find you. I just want to make sure that if you are planning to leave him, you do so without seeing him, and hide well for a month or so." He advised, and it was now Arthur who was taken aback.

"Excuse me?" He was highly offended. He would never leave his mate. Ever. Even if he would, he would never be so cruel as to not end the relationship properly. "Hide as to be declared dead?" Arthur felt his blood boil, and the sudden urge to curse John came upon him. However his conscious kicked in not a moment later and stopped him, reasoning it out. John shrugged.

"If your leaving him, you might as well not be found." He said, downing a shot of whiskey.

"Well," the brit decided to drop it, this was supposed to be a happy day. "I'm not leaving him." John looked passed him and smiled, the brit unsure of who he was looking at.

"Well, that's good to hear."

Arthur's heart skipped a beat as his glands on the side of his neck flared up. He was so distracted by John's comments that he hadn't noticed the presence of his mate draw nearer and nearer. His eyes watered as he turned around slowly, looking towards the large steel double doors that were being pushed open. The room was silent as they waited for the prince to walk in. It was him, it had to be him. Arthur stood up hesitantly as he saw Alfred step into the room a little shaken. His white blouse was a little dirty, and his black trousers were mud caked. His ocean blue eyes shimmered in the brightly lit hall as he searched for Arthur, who slowly approached him. Like the red sea, the crowd parted, and soon the prince made eye-contact with his beloved omega. Now the hot tears were streaming down the brit's cheeks as he picked up his pace, rushing towards his alpha.

"Alfie!" He sobbed as he slammed into him, the prince staring down at him in awe and disbelief. The brit wrapped his arms around his neck, burying his nose into his chest and taking deep breaths of the other's smell. Alfred's puzzlement ceased suddenly, and he wrapped his arms around the brit's waist, sinking to the floor. Arthur could feel him shaking as they went to their knees. "Alfie" he whispered with a shaky voice, soaking in the soft sobs of his mate. Alfred's face was buried in Arthur's neck, scenting him. They stayed like that a long while, the prince eventually picking up his head, kissing the brit on the forehead while mumbling a soft thanks to God. His eyes were bloodshot, and so Arthur wiped the tears off of his lover's face, voice jagged as he spoke. "I thought you'd stop looking for me by now." He was breathless as the other looked at him with hurt eyes.

"What?" He pulled away, then grabbed the brit by the shoulders. "Of course I'd come looking for you!" He voice was shaky as he breathed in sharply. "You obviously don't understand how much you mean to me" he whispered, looking down. Arthur chuckled softly, swiping his hands away before going in for another embrace. They scented each other as the women in the room "Awwww"d. The couple ignored them though, the brit letting Alfred kiss him wildly all over the face, despite the tears pouring down his cheeks.

"I missed you" the blond whispered before Alfred kissed his lips, the two engaging in a heated kiss. They pulled apart for air a few moments later, the brit repeating himself over and over.

"I love you." The prince was sobbing heavily again, holding onto the brit once again. "I love you so much." Arthur wrapped his hands into his hair, allowing the gentle assault on his body.

"I love you too."


When things got settled...

Arthur sat awkwardly as he ate dinner, the tension thick enough to slice. The prince was making no effort to conceal his hateful gaze at Allister and Seamus, who were both eating their food silently. The brit and Alfred were holding hands underneath the table, the omega squeezing every now and then. No one had said a word, Alfred himself hadn't even touch his food and it's been over 10 minutes. Arthur sighed. The second the pair had composed themselves, Alfred became extremely aware at the unwelcomed guests and pulled out a sword, threatening to decapitate them. Despite the cries of the women, and the scolding of John, Alfred only stopped his raging once Arthur begged him. The two retired to their room and the brit forced the other to calm down, cuddling with him as a reward. However, now it was dinner time, and Alfred was using all of his strength not to lunge across the table.

"Ahem." Arnold clinked his fork on his wine glass, grabbing the attention of Alfred, John, and the Kirkland brothers. "It's a pleasure that we are all able to enjoy each others' presence." He had that mischievous look in his eyes again. Arthur mentally prepared himself. John cleared his throat, looking at Arnold with curious eyes.

"Sit down, Arnold." He muttered. "This dinner isn't about you." The business man feigned offense before smiling.

"Real men don't eat in silence, Johnny." He chuckled. "Can we please talk about something?" Arthur nodded, looking over to Alfred whose eyes were clouded in silent rage. Arthur sighed silently to himself.

"I'll start."Arthur said, clearing his throat. "As most of you know I was kidnapped." He felt Alfred squeeze his hand, and he smiled softly. "I woke up in a cave, held captive by a beast calling itself the palace sorcerer-"

"What?" John and Alfred asked simultaneously. The the blond eyed them warily.

"Yea, she said she was tasked with protecting the castle" he elaborated. Alfred looked at John, who looked at him in turn. They seemed to have this mental conversation going on, and they each wore a face of realization. "What?" He asked softly, and Alfred looked down, his anger abating. He shook his head wildly.

"What happened next?" Arthur didn't react at first, just staring at his mate. Alfred glanced at him before realizing the omega was staring at him, raising a brow in question.

"I won't continue until you answer." He declared. "Who's the palace sorcerer? It was your mother's pet wasn't it?" He accused, and Alfred opened his mouth to defend himself. However, before he said anything, he closed his mouth, sighing. He nodded in defeat. Arthur's blood boil for the umpteenth time that day, shaking his head in shock. "She... that thing almost killed me." He muttered. Alfred sighed softly. "Your mother ... is such a bitch."

The Kirkland brothers snorted, and the older men looked surprise. Alfred didn't look offended, he just lowered his eyes. "The palace sorcerer just makes good luck charms, there's no way she could have-"

"Alfred." Arthur warned, shaking his head, eyes watering. Of course the queen was behind it. He knew the queen was behind it, however hearing it out loud from the American made his scars burn. Alfred nodded.

"My mother must be behind this... yeah..." He looked down to his plate. "You were right, the entire time." He continued, the brit clenching his breath. "She hated you from the beginning, and I'm sorry for being blind to that. I've known her my whole life... I knew she'd hate you... I" His voice cracked, faltering as it got heavy. "I was just being selfish because I didn't want you to be scared away." He whispered. Arthur squeezed his hand, not really holding grudge against the prince.

"I'll just... continue, I guess." He said softly. "She tortured me for days, and she hardly fed me. Then she disappeared for almost a week, leaving me dehydrated and hungry. However," he looked over to his brothers. "My brothers came, and rescued me. Then they fed me, sheltered me, and trained me." He turned to Alfred. "I owe them my life. I would have died without them." Alfred lowered his eyes again, humming.

"I'm grateful." He said finally after a long pause. "Thank you for protecting my mate." Arthur smiled, some progress being made.

"If we don't, who will?" Allister snapped, eye blazing. Arthur was taken aback. Was he fucking serious?! Alfred was second away from... UGH!

"Allister!"

"No!" Seamus said, cutting the brit off. "You listen here. I know we said we would behave but... he destroyed England! How the fuck are we supposed to be calm?!"

"He is a failure. You were kidnapped under his watch!" Allister spat, cheeks red, and body trembling. Arthur shook his head.

"I went along with someone I didn't know, it's not his fault." He defended, looking back at his mate. Alfred's expression was blank, but he had this bloodthirsty look in his eyes. "It's not your fault" he repeated, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "It's not-"

The brit was suddenly dragged away from the prince and flung across the room. Arthur landed harshly on his arm looking up in time to see both Seamus and Allister draw their swords. "No!" He screamed, standing up, rushing over to his mate, who was sitting unphased at the head of the table. "No! What're you doing?! Stop!" He fumbled and fell a few feet from Alfred, opting to crawl the rest of the way. He draped himself over the prince, a protective shield. "Leave him alone. We'll go." he offered. "We can leave the island."

"You're not leaving-"

"Yes he is." Alfred said sternly, gently moving his brit in order to stand up. "He's coming with me." He walked over to the rebel leaders, red flags blaring in the brit's head.

"Alfred!" The other paid no mind, continuing to walk over to them.

"I'm not drunk this time, you cowardly scum. I don't care what kinds of magic you have, I'll fucking end you." He proclaimed with a smirk, and Arthur rushed in between them before Alfred got close. The smaller cupped his cheeks, forcing the other to look him in the eyes.

"What are you doing? Please, please, don't do this! Please!" He begged, but the prince ignored his words, kissing him briefly on the forehead. "A-alfred... He started again, turning to look behind him, glaring at his idiot brothers. "Stop it, what the hell?!" He scolded. "Are you trying to burn bridges. If you do anything to Alfred, consider your whole cause lost because every one of his allies will come and invade, and this island will never have peace." He warned, praying common sense will trigger their reasoning skills. "We've all lost people we cared about, let's not lose any more."

Allister and Seamus growled at him, and Alfred growled loudly in his defense. Oh god. The brit shoot John a pleading look, but the old man was just polishing the prince's sword for him. What...? Arnold continued to eat his food, a hint of horror in his eyes. Were they really gonna fight? Alfred gripped Arthur by the waist and moved him to the side, reaching his hand out for his sword. John dutifully handed it to him, an eager look in his eyes.

"Outside, then?" Alfred asked, the two brit gone in a blink of an eye, teleporting outside. The prince wasn't phased as he left the room, Arthur watching the scene play out. He walked closely behind his mate, still begging him to be the better person. The alpha ignored him, only humming in response.

"Alfred, stop this isn't a humming matter!" Arthur's voice cracked. "You saw what happened to Elizabeta. To that bartender. You won't win if-"

"I have something up my sleeve." He interrupted, turning around to face the brit. The two held intense eye-contact until the prince kissed him once more on the lips, the brit couldn't help feeling that it was the last time. "Nothing you say will stop me. I'll be fine." Arthur's eyes watered as he shook his head. "Go to our room, and stay their for a bit, it won't last long." He advised, and Arthur looked at him in shock.

"Please, if you really love me you'll negotiate." He sputtered out, and the prince smiled.

"I'm only doing this because I love you." He pulled away and continued on his way to his battle, the brit's legs suddenly jelly. He fell to the floor, staring at the back of his mate's head until he walked out of view, letting the tears slide down his cheeks. He wasn't going to let them hurt his mate. He slowly rose to his feet. He's not as skilled as his brothers, but Dylan had taught him enough offensive magic to do some damage. He slowly walked after the prince, using the back of his head as a sort of gps to follow his lover. Eventually the warm breeze of the outside blew through his hair, the prince and his brother squaring off in the courtyard. The maids and butlers stayed inside, watching from their windows, terrified.

The red head raised his sword high as he charged at Alfred, the prince blocking the blow easily. Seamus began to charge forward, planning on making the battle 2 vs 1. Arthur raised his hands towards a nearby rock, raising it and swiftly throwing at his brother. The older noticed the rock in time to dodge it barely, clenching his jaw. "I'm warning you." He said hoarsely, and Arthur lurched another rock at him. Seamus simply side stepped it, changing coarse and charging towards the brit, sword in hand. Arthur quickly pulled his dagger out of his boot, ready to use it as defense, unsure how to use it otherwise. Seamus was quickly upon him, swing his blade down towards his head; the omega raised his dagger in time to deflect it, kicking the other in the stomach. He stumbled back, but didn't lose his footing, Arthur sending more rocks his brother's way. He gave a quick glance towards Alfred, who seemed to be faring better than Allister, who was reduced to blocking.

Arthur was caught off guard when a small pocket knife drilled its way into his shoulder. He gave a short cry as he fell, Seamus turning the knife as he growled, pinning the omega. Seamus slammed the palms of his hands across the brit's face, disorienting him. Arthur thrashed a little, covering his face as he willed another stone to hit Seamus. This time it connected firmly with his head, giving him an opening to crawl away. As he tried to stand, he felt something grip his ankle, flinging him towards the center of the courtyard. He had, once again, landed poorly on his arm, the arm of the shoulder that was stabbed. He pitched himself up, looking frantically for Seamus. He turned around briefly to see Alfred and Allister still fighting, no sign of the other blond rebel. Arthur patted his boots, his dagger was gone, therefore leaving him defenseless.

Oh God, help me! He waited in horror for the other to appear, turning in circles, looking. A bad feeling in his stomach went off, the brit backing away from the center of the courtyard in favor of the treeline. There he placed his hand on the trunk of the tree, breathing in deeply, ignoring the aching pain in his arm. Where did he go?

'He's too your left. On the count of three, duck.' The voice sounded feminine and it vibrated through his skull as it continued to count down. When the voice finally reached zero, the brit ducked as he was instructed to do so, an arrow swooping and embedding itself into the tree trunk. Arthur yelped, that arrow could have very well killed him. 'There's no time, get up and run deeper into the forest. You need to separate the rebels.' the voice advised, and Arthur crawled a bit before standing up, sprinting into the forest.

"But what if he doesn't follow?" he asked. Before the voice could respond, another arrow flew a mere 3 inches past his face, landing in some tree roots. "Holy Fuck" he panted as he ran, being careful as to jump over roots and duck under low hanging branches, avoiding brambles. His thighs were burning yet he only seemed to get faster as time went on.

'Hide.' the voice said suddenly, the brit faltering.

"What?"

'Hide in the bushes.'

"He'll find me." The brit hissed, practically diving into the bushes. He reset the bush so it would cover him fairly well. He sat there, hand over his mouth, waiting for his attacker to make himself known. He sat for what felt like hours before Seamus came into view a broad smile on his face. He stopped, stood straight and placed his hands on his hips, breathing in the air. The brit's heart was beating rapidly, as he watched the sanity leave his brother's eyes. He seemed to enjoy this; the chase. The brit blinked the tears forming in his eyes away, opening them only to see the older nowhere in sight.

'You've been discovered, run.'

Arthur felt his heart drop into his stomach as he looked around in the eerie silence. He crawled out of the bush and crawled away just in time for the plant to catch fire, exploding. Arthur stumbled backwards until he found his sense again, sprinting towards the center of the forest. "Where do I go? How do I get there?" He panted, the sound of the whistle of arrows blowing past his ears shaking him to his core. His bangs blinded him, no longer able to see his path. The voice didn't answer him, Arthur running around underneath the shaded canopy of leaves. He was suddenly aware of a light in front of him; was it a clearing? He ran towards that light, a possible place to confront his brother.

Only once the trees were no longer towering over the omega did he push his hair out of the way. For one, he wasn't in a clearing, he was on a cliff. This is bad... He turned around, ready run back into the forest when an arrow struck his other shoulder, causing the brit to fall backwards in shock. He scooted away from the treeline, towards the edge of the cliff, making sure to leave more than enough distance between the edge and himself. Seamus emerged from the forest with floating arrows around him, not a bow in sight. Ahh, so he was doing the same thing Arthur was, just with arrows instead of rocks.

Seamus had a crazed look in his eyes walking threatening over to the brit. Arthur couldn't help but think back to earlier in the day, the older telling him to not climb the wall because he thought it was dangerous. He chuckled at the irony of it all, ignoring the pain in his shoulders.

"I know you're probably confused." Seamus said suddenly, folding his arms. His eyes were no longer crazed, and his voice was as monotone as ever. "But, ladie... we're going to have to kill ya." There was an awkward silence before Arthur began to scream for help, simultaneously throwing anything light enough with his magic. Seamus deflected them, using his leg to deliver one fell swoop across the other's face in order to silence him. "Shut it. Let me explain."

Arthur shook his head, backing away, the pocket knife the other had used earlier still in his hand. "Get away!" He screamed as he continued to back up. They were going to kill him. They were probably planning on it the whole time. They had only known him for a month really, he's not the most valuable person to the Kirkland brothers. If anything, he's a nuisance. Arthur refused to stay, and parliament did promise to restore the crown once all the surviving siblings were reunited. Arthur won't be a problem if he's dead. The brit felt as if he was about to be sick. To think he felt at home with these psychopaths! That they spent nights drinking together, laughing together like a family.

"Arthur, watch-"

"Shut up, you bastard! You were gonna do this from the start! The second you realized I wouldn't stay and help get you to the throne you were began to plot. Very elaborate, I'd say, you sick fucks-"

The sound of metal against rock interrupted the brit. Seamus dropped the knife and slowly approached the brit, eyes wide. "Arthur, what are you-"

"Oh, so you're gonna kill me without a weapon!? How manly, you piece of-" the brit stopped as Seamus jogged over, the brit scooting away faster and quicker, the fear melting away all sense of scenery and direction. All he saw were Seamus's piercing eyes.

"I'm not gonna-"

"Liar! Get away!" He yelled as he flung one last rock, the blow a direct hit. Seamus fell, however not before he grabbed onto the brit's ankle, pulling him closer. The omega flailed around in an attempt to free his legs, screaming at the top of his lungs. "Alfred! Alfred!" He used his other foot to kick at Seamus, who was slowly regaining his composure. With one last kick, Seamus let go, the omega bouncing a few feet back. As he tried to pick himself up, he realized just how close to the edge he had gotten. He was a mere half a foot away from the edge, thank goodness he didn't go any farther.

'Now Jump.' the voice returned, and Arthur gasped.

"Excuse me?" He looked around and saw that Seamus was still recuperating, who else could it be? There was suddenly a loud hissing noise coming from the treeline, both blonds directing their attention to it. "What-"

"Didn't I say jump." Hised a terribly familiar voice, Arthur's blood stilling in his veins. No, it can't be. "Bad pet you are, not staying where I left you." The brit felt his eyes water, the half snake half human hybrid beast walked from underneath the shade of the tree. Seamus gasped, the sorcerer simply snapping and sending the blond flying into the forest. Arthur was paralyzed in fear. The beast was back, what should he do? Before he could even move a muscle, the abomination was upon him, seizing him by his neck and raising him into the air. Arthur thrashed, kicking wildly, the beast not even flinching. She stuck her hand out of the edge, slowly loosening her grip on the brit.

Arthur screamed, unsure and confused as to why what was supposed to be the happiest day in his life as of yet turned into the most miserable. Arthur clung to her arm, glancing down only a bit at what appeared to be about a 60 feet drop to a bed of jagged rocks. There was no surviving that, he was a deadman. He knew no amount of begging would save him, only a silent prayer passing his lips as the woman let go, the brit losing his grip on her sleeve. He could see her figure get smaller and smaller as he plummeted, his stark screams echoing alongside her shrill laughter. He reached for everything and nothing, the tears forming tiny droplets before his eyes as he dropped.

He was expecting instant death, he was praying for instant death, however, like everything in his life, this wish wasn't granted. He could feel the jagged spike impale his stomach, his organs torn and displaced. The impact crushed his lungs, so he could no longer breathe, gasping for air but being unable to take any in. He felt his limbs twitched, and despite cracking his skull at an incredible mileage, he was still painfully conscious, aware of every droplet of blood spraying from his orifices. He blinked once or twice, a thin layer of blood blurring his vision, giving everything a red tint.

Why was he still alive? Was this supposed to be his final chance to reflect on his painfully short life? Was he supposed to think about his mate? He didn't want to think about anything, the pain becoming impossibly bad. He closed his eyes, perhaps like sleeping, pretending to be dead will somehow bring death a little closer.

"Arthur!" He heard someone yell, but it was too far, he couldn't tell who it was. "Arthur! Arthur!" It continued to call, getting closer. "Arthur! Ar-Oh MY GOD! Oh my god! Arthur!" Arthur turned his eyes to the voice, finally recognizing it to belong to Seamus. The older blonde ran his hands over Arthur's cheek softly, eyes watering. Arthur glared at him, however, he couldn't speak, his lungs not allowing him. "Arthur, I'm gonna get you out." he declared, raising his arm and swiping it across the two foot spikey rock penetrating Arthur, breaking the tip. Arthur shook his head in protest. He wanted to tell the other to put him out of his misery, but again he couldn't speak.