One Last Fairytale (Bonus Story): Circle of Life
Life in the castle seemed to return to normal. Alfred led the love of his life to the lake of the garden where they would play together when they were still young. Those days were long gone, but the memories remained fresh in their mind, just like yesterday.
"Do you remember this place?" Alfred asked, though the other knew the answer already. "We used to throw stones at the lake monster when we were still children." He reminisced, "And then on my 7th birthday you presented me with so many beautiful flowers…"
"Those were young times." Kiku said, "And it's this place we were reunited again." He looked up at Alfred's beaming face, their eyes locked instantly. "We have been through a long way, hardship and happiness… It's not an easy way."
Strong, warm hands reached out to cup the smaller man's face as they gazed at each other lovingly. "I have lost Matthew at young age, I lost Natalia… and I almost lost you, but thanks to fate, we were brought together again." Alfred said gently, "And from that moment when I reunited with you, I had made my decision to protect you and love you with my entire life. I'm not going to lose you again like how I lost Mattie."
Kiku could only blushed when the prince, his prince planted a sweet but gentle kiss on his lip. "I… I'm just glad that I met you, Alfred…" He said when they broke apart. "You changed my life… I can't imagine how my life would be without you, Arthur and Francis, and Natalia too."
Alfred smiled down at him and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Life is not an easy route." He said. "Although it may not be exactly the same in those fairytales we had heard off, but every element has its truth to it. We may have been through a lot of hardship, troubles and sadness, and even losing someone precious to us, but it is the force that strengthens our bonds and made us here today."
"That's very unlikely of you to say something like that." Kiku smiled, "I didn't expect that."
"C'mon, it took me almost twelve years of my life to figure out the meaning of my living, but I guess all those pains didn't meant nothing."
"You will love me, won't you?" Kiku asked back. "You won't banish me like you did to me last time, right? Surely you will keep your word until death do us apart, won't you?"
He soon found his hand being enveloped by the prince larger hands. "Silly Kiku, of course I will love you. I won't let the same thing happen to us again. And I will love you forever, even death can't sever our bond, I promise to that." They then shared another kiss in the garden where no one could see their intimate behaviour.
Well, no one but one. Arthur watched from his room balcony as his son peppered his lover with kisses on the face. It made his heart swell with both pride and sadness at the same time.
"That boy has certainly grow up, non?" His husband's voice came from the room inside. The king turned around and entered the room where he was met with a kiss. "Are you jealous that he have a kiss but you don't?" The other king teased, only to earn a smack by the shoulder.
"Shut up, you stupid frog! I only married you cos' you made me went through that."
"I'm hurt, mon Angleterre…" Francis whined in a mock hurt tone while Arthur smirked, "But I'm enjoying it."
The two sank in deep silence before Arthur broke it again. "How time flies…" He muttered, "How long has it been since that fateful day?"
"Hmm… Could it have been 30 years?" Francis hummed.
"Probably..." Arthur just shrugged it off before going to sit next to Francis. "To see Alfred growing up into a man, we must've gotten quite old, don't we?"
"Don't say that, Arthur. You said as if we are going to die." Francis chided.
"We ARE gonna die someday!" Arthur corrected. "There is no king who would live to see their son being crowned. Their coronation means our funeral."
"Such a pessimist you are." Francis commented. "I was hoping that you would say Alfred will be a good king or some sort."
"We did raise him well, after all." Arthur added, a proud grin laced on his face. "After what we had been through, I'm really glad that I met you."
"I didn't expect that." Francis grinned back. "But whatever did Alfred ran away weeks ago seemed like what we did back then…"
Arthur let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulder. "Well, there are some things better kept as a secret… Young people nowadays think so much differently from their old man, but as long as everything turns out alright… It should be fine." Arthur said, glancing out towards the balcony which lead to the garden. "At least what Alfred has been through is not as harsh as us."
"Speaking which, have you found a way for Alfred to have an heir or something? It is crucial for the survival of the bloodline." Francis said putting his arm on Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur swallowed, thinking about the future possibility. "I have done so much, including asking the fairies about it. It is all a possibility or just an inference, but whether this works is rather different." He bit his lip. "Katyusha said I conceived because it was natural for a bloodline survival, or because my connection with the fairies, but does this work for other? That has yet to be proved."
Arthur turned to look at his husband to see what his reaction was. Francis lips formed a straight line as if he was considering the worst case scenario. "If the theory won't work and when worst come to worst, we have to seek an alternative."
Arthur nodded grimly. It was easy to tell what Francis was thinking after years of married life. "We let Alfred decide on what he wants, and there are times that things won't go smoothly as we hoped, they ended up having to be sacrificed. That can't be helped then…" But was he willing to break the long line of tradition and go for the alternative? He already broke the law of having two kings on the throne, and will the royal lineage soon come to an end because of all this?
Francis seemed to understand Arthur's dilemma. He gave his shoulder a gentle reassuring pat before standing up. "Everything is up to fate." He whispered. "I'm going outside for a walk." He added before leaving the room.
Arthur watched him left the room before he let out another sigh. He turned to look out at the garden to see if he can catch a glimpse of Alfred, but the crown prince and his lover were already out of his sight. He ran his hand across his messy blond hair while thinking if this is the right thing to do.
It was not hard to find where Francis was. Arthur found him at the usual place, the stables where he was tending to his priced unicorn Sterling. The creature has aged, just like its owner. It now spent more time indoor rather than wandering outside, it has also stop biting people. Arthur watched as Francis ran a loving hand on Sterling's mane while he fed it with an apple. He always made him wonder how Francis could get along with his otherwise aggressive unicorn, that remained a mystery till today.
Arthur has never dreamt that he would actually fall in love with Francis. He expected that his parent will end up choosing one of the court ladies for him to marry and then he will lead a normal life of a king. Everything changed when Francis entered his dull life, he then found himself falling in love for the Southeast second prince, and that would've changed his life forever. He still remembered how harsh his father sounded when he made his decision to go with Francis and then the night when they eloped to the North Kingdom for protection. He thought he could finally settled a peaceful and quiet life with Francis but things were not always easy. The painful memory of the old North Kingdom being destroyed by his father etched on his mind. He thought of losing Francis and having to raise their children alone. He thought of Ivan and Natalia who lost their mother when the castle was attacked. It was then he realized that he has to kill in father in order to take over the throne to prevent anymore bad things from happening. He was grateful that both High Princes of the West Kingdom and the Southeast Kingdom were willing to help him. And finally, the old king was overthrown and Arthur succeeded him, in exchange of High Prince Roman and High Prince Germania's death. Arthur knew that both of them did this for the sake of him and the kingdom, but he felt he was the one to be blamed of their death, albeit not directly. But when seeing Francis alive from all the chaos gave him the will and hope to live again.
"Cheri, what are you doing standing there like a tree?" Francis' voice snapped him out of his trance. He turned his head to find Francis now standing just next to him. All he could do is shake his head, "It's nothing, just thinking about the past…"
In the past, Arthur hated his father. He did obeyed him and tried to fulfil his every single wishes, but over the time, he got tired of his whim that he decided to rebel against his father. That was nothing but just young people wanting a life of their own but worse comes to worse when his father rejected his relationship with Francis just because of status. Arthur tried to make sense with him but he just won't listen, that only broke his heart even more that he decided to run away with Francis so that he can have everything his own way.
However, Arthur finally snapped when his father sent troops to attack the North Kingdom that kill High Princess Katyusha, eventually both High Princes Roman and Germania. Arthur realized that the only way to stop the bloody massacre is to overthrow his father and take over the throne. But then, he can't put his hands into killing his own father, his blood is HIS blood too and he can't stand with the thought of a son killing his father for something like the crown. He hated him, yes, but he can't let himself do such an act, it will damage the image of the royal family. When the raid was successful, Arthur was more than glad to take the crown, although his father managed to escape alive (to others he said otherwise).
A few weeks after Alfred ran away from the castle, he returned along with his chosen spouse, followed by Ivan and Gilbert. Ivan brought him news that he killed his father in the snowy barren field of the North Kingdom. At first, Arthur was shocked and saddened at the news of his father's death that made him wondered if he made the right choice all along the way. But then, it could've been the best for that old man. His father had suffered too much and driven into insanity which caused him to kill so many innocent lives. Albeit reluctant, Arthur had performed a small secret funeral and mourning ceremony for his late father as he was once a great king who ruled over Main Hetalia. Arthur can't get through much of it, it was Francis' support that drives his guilt away.
"We've been through such a long journey, with so many troubles." Arthur mumbled. He followed Francis to the garden. Arthur subconsciously turned to look at a small indent between the castle walls hidden by the tree branches. The fairies' place… Arthur thought, he had not seen those fairies he knew previously. It was possible they were gone or had left when the old castle was burnt down. A breeze blew by, as if it took Arthur's mind away back into time again…
Arthur and Francis got more than what they expected. He never thought that he would ended up conceiving Francis' children and having a family together. When he was crowned king, he thought that he finally have his normal life back and raising his child safely without any hindrance but again he was wrong. It all happened just a week after Alfred and Matthew's birthday. A mop of soldiers led by his mad father stormed the castle and slaughtered anyone who came into their sights. The most notable deaths being his son, Matthew. At this, he finally broke down. All this time his father has been destroying his every single happiness again and again. Since then, he vowed that his father must be killed, not for the sake of revenge but in the name of justice and the pride of the kingdom. Yet, the old king was never caught, nobody ever saw him, until when Ivan finally had his head off. It was a hard decision having to kill him, he had to do it to protect his family.
"Seeing Alfred growing up and finding his true love, isn't it such a déjà vu?" Francis asked. "His determination to find someone he loved and the way he ran away in hope of pursuing his true love… It was just like those days when we were still young."
"He definitely is our child." Arthur said. "Though it was painful having to bear the burden of a future ruler and losing his brother at young age."
"Ah… Our sweet little Mathieu…" Francis heaved a sigh. "Had he not been killed, he would have been a full grown adult just like our Alfred there."
Arthur leaned next to Francis, resting his head on his husband's shoulder. "I know it's hard for Alfred, but it's fate decision, there's nothing we can do about it." Emerald green eyes fixed on the clear stilled lake water, remembering the first ever adventure he had with Francis. "I'm glad that he managed to get out of it. And to find someone he love and of the suitable choice… It's more than enough I can asked for."
"This is Alfred's fairytale after all." Francis said, wrapping one arm across Arthur's waist. "He has his right to decide on what he wants and write his own story, just like us."
"Francis, have you ever regret with what we had done? Are you regret meeting me?" Arthur asked. At instance, Francis' blue eyes widened. "If it wasn't because of this, my father would not have gone insane. A-And… And High Princess Katyusha, High Prince Roman and High Prince Germania will not die just for my sake, and we won't ended up being attacked years ago…"
Calloused, but strong fingers went to cup his chin, silencing him in the process. His hand made him turned to face him. "It's not easy walking down the path we had chosen, but I will not regret taking that path. If I was given another chance, I will definitely go this way, even though we will lost those important to us." Green eyes meet blue eyes, rivalling that of the lake. "If I didn't save you on that fateful day, I will have to see you married off to someone you don't love. Neither you nor I will be happy, nor the other kingdoms will be happy with this either."
At this point, Arthur could felt tears gathered in his eyes as he stared back at his husband. There was no need for any words for this, for all the hardship they had been through. He made his decision, and he will never turn back, because he believe it was his own happiness. He had been grateful to meet Francis, it was where he found his happiness. Even after years of ruling together, he will continue holding hands with his husband as they walked down the remaining journey of their lives.
Francis seemed to understand what he was thinking, he then closed their distance to share a deep kiss for a moment. Meeting Arthur had changed his life completely. At first, he would flirted with young court ladies in hope of getting attention as he was always being ignored due to his status. That was until when he met Arthur, he felt a strong urge to protect him and made him his. The second Southeast prince has manage to worm into the crown prince's heart and they had quickly fall in love, just like they were destined to. Separation was a painful moment, but that made him even more determined to win Arthur as his. Even though they may not make the most perfect pair, they were destined to be together and live despite their polar opposites. It's one thing that made their bond last till today.
"Papa, dad, there you are." Both kings eventually have to broke up the kiss when someone had disturbed their private moment. "Dinner is ready, we're waiting for you to join us."
So both kings ended up following Alfred to the royal dining quarters for dinner. But this time, it felt more like a family reunion dinner rather than just any royal dinner. Francis and Arthur took their seat side to side respectively, across them sat Ivan and High Prince Gilbert whom he was currently engaging, his smile seemed brighter than ever. Next to Francis sat Alfred and his fiancée, Kiku, who sat quietly with his hands folded politely on his lap. Francis and Arthur had quickly approved Kiku as Alfred's choice of spouse because not only Kiku has been once a faithful servant, he also had the manners and knowledge which Alfred don't, that could actually be very helpful for Alfred in the future. On Arthur's side was Natalia and Toris, who were currently engaged as well. Natalia informed them about the engagement not too long ago, much to the joy of both kings that their adopted daughter has finally found someone she loved. Arthur couldn't be happier for his family. His family, once broken has finally become complete again, and he was sure that it will maintain that way many years after this.
Three months later came the wedding of the crown prince. Arthur just couldn't stop stressing and jumping all over the place wanting everything to be perfectly set. Francis just finds it amusing while Alfred thinks he was acting like a worried mother.
"You should calm down, cheri. You're freaking Alfred out." Francis said trying to calm him from jumping too much.
"This is the most important day in his life. I must ensure that everything is in place otherwise it would bring bad luck in the future."
"Oui, but things are already good than enough, so it should be fine. Can't you just stop fretting around?" There's no need much words about this. Francis can tell what Arthur was thinking by just looking at the eye. "You're excited, aren't you? We never had such a day back then."
Arthur heaved a sigh. "You're right…" He said, facing Francis with a weak smile. "It seems like I can't hide anything from you at all."
A mischievous smirk graced across the other king's lip. "You chose me, and I have been by your side for like… 30 years or something? There's nothing I don't know about you and how you feel."
"That was quite an answer, or an excuse." Arthur said, throwing a weak punch on his shoulder, but his face broke out into a grin anyway. The moment he retracted his hand, he caught sight of the silver ring on his finger, which caused him to reminisce how their love had thrive throughout hardship and continued to remain strong till now.
"I was wondering…" Francis said, suddenly deep in thought. "Do you remember that story of a beautiful princess and her forbidden love we once told to the children?"
Arthur nodded in response. "How could I forget that? You made me into a ridiculous girl and you an innocent bastard."
"Quite close enough." Francis teased.
The door to their room was then swung open, revealing the soon-to-be king dressed smartly for his wedding. "Papa, dad, are you all done? It's about time."
Both kings turned their attention to him before Arthur drew a sigh. "Alfred, I thought I taught you to knock on the door before entering." He lectured again. "I know it's about time, but ARE you ready for this?"
Alfred nervously ran a hand through his blonde locks he had combed into perfection, except for that small strand that refuse to stay put. "Shoulda been fine…" He mumbled, worry and excitement visible on his face.
Arthur's emerald green eyes scanned him thoroughly. Even though he was already in his forties, his eyesight was still as sharp as an eagle. His eyes landed on the crooked tie rested just below Alfred's collar. "Seriously, you're already eighteen and is getting married. And yet, you can't even wear your attire properly." Frowning, he reached out to help him adjusted his tie and suit to look more presentable.
Alfred sighed annoyingly while letting his father fretted over his outfit and donning them at the same time. "Dad, you're nagging and fretting all over the place. Imma gettin' nervous. You aren't even my mom." He whined with a pout.
At a corner, Francis tried hard to hide his snicker which was obviously showing while Arthur frowned harder as colour crawled his face. There it go again, everytime he asked about his parentage, they would have funny expressions on their face while he didn't get an answer at all. It annoyed him to no end.
"Alfred, young man, I taught and raised you better than this." Arthur reprimanded gravely, his tone at the border of rage. "You better be grateful that it was me who had you and raised you with all my love. Otherwise, you won't even be here today." In his lecture, he didn't even realized that his tongue slipped and it was too late.
"Wait, you… What?" Alfred blinked, puzzled with his father's words. "You HAD me?" He questioned back in confusion.
Arthur expression softened a bit. Sighing, he turned his head away from Alfred and looked sideway. At that, Alfred definitely knew something was up. Even his papa seemed to not be able to hold his grin anymore and was sending Arthur a perverted glance.
The silence was once again broken, by Arthur. "I guess… It was time you learn the truth…" He said not looking at Alfred.
"The truth?"
At this, Francis walked up to Arthur's side and placed a comforting hand on his husband's shoulder as a reassurance. "We have been thinking of telling you this for a long time." He paused, waiting for a reaction. When Alfred just nodded in response, he continued, "You have always asked us about your parentage and if you're actually related to us. All those time we would avoid your question, but seeing that you're now grown up, there's no way we could keep this any longer."
"So what are you going to tell me?" Alfred asked impatiently.
"Have you ever wonder or think about a successor?" Arthur asked, "What if something had happened to you and who should take over your throne?"
"Of course we need an heir for that." Alfred answered without a second thought. "But since both Kiku and I are men, we might have to adopt one."
"That may be one of the option." Arthur mumbled. He inhaled deeply while trying to calm his nerves. Here comes the hard part. "But what if I tell you that you can actually have your very own children?"
At this point, Alfred's face turned into that of confusion. "Wh-What do you mean that?" He looked at both his father's expression, their face wore grave seriousness. "You can't be joking right?"
"No Alfred, this is the truth. You're our son, both Arthur and me, by blood. Your brother, Matthew was also our son too." Francis broke out. "To be more precise, Arthur is actually your biological mother and I'm the father."
Alfred's remained blank for a moment before he observed their expression again, both weren't even laughing. His face soon turned into that of a shock. "W-Wait! How is this possible? You… You are… my mother?!" He stared at Arthur in disbelief while figuring out what Francis had informed him. "You can't be kidding! I'm serious."
Arthur heaved a sigh and cut Alfred's panic. "It is true, Alfred. I'm your mom who gave birth to you years ago."
And then, Alfred found himself speechless again. "B-But… Is it really possible? Does it work between I and Kiku too?"
Arthur mentally scolded Alfred for his bad grammar but he just wasn't in the mood to do so. "It is possible." He said. "As long as it is true love, some sort of magic or blessing by the fairies."
"You had learned in your lesson about what happened to us, don't you?" Francis asked. "We ran away to escape from your grandfather and sought refuge at the North Kingdom. Few years later, your dad conceived you and Matthew. We were surprised with it but excited at the same time with the thought of having our own child. But then…"
"The old king attacked and collapsed the North Kingdom…" Alfred continued for him. This part of history remained the most vivid part in all his lessons since it was the hardest time his parents had been through. "But how is that possible?"
"True love," was Arthur's answer. "It was also partially true that it is to ensure the survival of the royal bloodline, and the fairies doing as well. But the catalyst for these to happen was the unwavering bond between two rulers."
"Pff… I thought those kind of stuff only exists in stories and fairytales." Alfred mumbled.
"But it's important for you, Alfred." Francis said. "Arthur had spent years in trying to understand and find out the formula. So we hope that you and Kiku will have a child that will be your heir one day."
Alfred pondered for a moment. "I will try." He said. "But what matters is now."
"You're right." Francis grinned. "We better get going if we don't want the guests to keep waiting." He then left the room first. Alfred was about to follow but Arthur stopped him.
"Alfred, today you're turning into a man." Arthur said softly. Alfred could see tears pooled in his eyes as he struggled to keep his cool. "I remembered that day when you were born… If it wasn't for Antonio… You couldn't have been standing here today."
Alfred could felt a mix of emotion stirred up in his heart hearing his father's (mother) words. It twisted his heart so much that he embraced the man who raised him, and most of all gave him the life to live. "M… Mother, thank you…" It was just all he could say, but it summed up his gratitude for the man who had raised him all these years.
"I hope that you will be a good king." Arthur continued. "And… And please be nice and love Kiku with all your heart, for he is yours and the country needs the both of you."
"I will. I will do my best." They held each other for a moment until Francis' voice broke them up. Realizing that they were late, they headed out to the wedding reception where the royal wedding will be taking place.
The wedding took place in the throne room, flooded with other family members of the royal family and the nobles alike. Today is the most unforgettable day in Arthur's life. Never had his life been grander than the wedding of his son. The moment when the trumpet signalled the arrival of both kings. Arthur strode in holding Francis' hand, looking as regal as a royal could be. They stopped when they reached the end of the altar where the throne laid.
And then, someone announced the arrival of Crown Prince Alfred. Alfred strode into the room, walking confidently and regally as expected of a crown prince. He walked up and stopped just in front of the throne facing both kings who stood at both sides of the throne. There was a change of music and entered Toris who led Kiku down the aisle. Kiku looked stunning in his white kimono. On his head rested a tiara made of flowers that hold the translucent veil in place. Toris led Kiku to Alfred and the prince, in turn, took the hand of his soon-to-be spouse.
Arthur didn't even bothered much about what the priest was saying throughout the time. Most were just some blabbering and announcement before the vows were said and the rings exchanged. But Arthur and Francis never forget their most important job being here, that is to acknowledge Alfred and Kiku as their successor and crowned them as the heir to the future throne. When the marriage was finally sealed with a kiss, Alfred and Kiku ascended to the throne and knelt before the two kings. The priest and a royal servant came forward to present two silver crowns. Arthur's eye met with Francis' for a brief moment before the nodded in unison and each lifted one of the crown and placed in gently on their wearers, Francis on Kiku and Arthur on Alfred. Once done, the priest told the crowned princes to rose and face the crowd. Alfred held Kiku's hand as they rose together, the crowd instantly erupted into cheers while chanting long live to both princes and the kings. To Arthur, he suddenly felt his life complete seeing his son finally getting married and most of all, he had finally experienced the most important occasion in his life, his very own wedding.
A wedding banquet and ball is held on the night to commemorate such important occasion. Guests flooded the ballroom and danced and enjoyed themselves till late into the night.
Arthur spent some time dancing together with Francis and some of the nobles before he took his retirement. He walked out of the ballroom to one of the balconies. For once, the city was peaceful. Arthur heaved a sigh and leaned on the railings, his gaze fixed at something far beyond the kingdom boundary. It has been a long journey since that fateful meeting with Francis and it has been a years of love and lost that made them to this day. And how long will their journey ever last?
"Tired already?" Francis asked, slipping a coat over his shoulder to keep him warm before standing next to him.
"It's not that you don't bloody know." Arthur rolled his eyes at him. "I'm not the merry or sociable kind of person. This is just done for the sake of Alfred and our family."
Francis chuckled slightly and gulped down his wine. "You did a great job, cher." Francis said. The two of them had their eyes turned back to the ballroom where Alfred was clearly enjoying himself while the young nobles came to congratulate him.
"The time has changed, hasn't it?" Arthur asked. "Young minds are so much different from our thinking. It worries me if it is alright to let them handle everything at such young age."
"Don't you trust them?" Francis asked. That was more than enough to stunt Arthur. It reminded him of the past where he first met Francis and doubted the other's capability.
"Being a parent and raising a child is all about bonding and trust." Francis said. "I know that it can be very risky for all of us if we are to give the throne to those young ones, but we have to trust them as they are our hope. Just like Gilbert and Natalia who inherited the throne at young age, yet they managed to shed their fears and became strong rulers of the kingdom we know today. It's because we believe the best in them."
"You're right, Francis." Arthur mumbled. "But it's still hard to think about it, that someday we will have to leave everything behind for Alfred. I don't even dare to think of him leading the entire kingdom."
Francis reached out to hold Arthur's hand. "I had made my promise. I will always be by your side at all times no matter what."
"As cheesy as always, your answers." Arthur mocked half-heartedly. "But I will enjoy every moment of you being by my side." He turned back his gaze to where Alfred was, seeing the prince showering affection on his spouse in public. "And I think you may be right. Alfred will be just fine… I hope."
Francis grinned and wrapped his arms around Arthur's waist. "He got his happy ending in the end, don't he? And since he will be enjoying his night, we should have the night to ourselves too, don't you think?" He teased before he started planting kisses on the other's neck, causing shivers to run up Arthur's spine.
"You can have that later." Arthur said, trying not to shout as he shove Francis away. "Don't forget we still have matters in our hands."
"If you say so, then I will wait, Cherie." Francis laughed. "But don't you take back your words later."
"You're really quite the sex-deprived person, aren't you?"
"Oui, and I really appreciate your body." Francis teased back lightly. Both kings ended up laughing at their small little argument before they quieted down in unison.
"Francis, do you still remember the story we once told the children when they were young?" Arthur asked. "Something about the princess and her forbidden love?"
"Why would I forget that? That was our love story." Francis said.
"Yes, but until the end, is it truly a Happily Ever After?"
"It wasn't the exact ending we hope for, but otherwise, we were happy with it, aren't you?"
"You may be right…" Arthur mumbled. "But is Happily Ever After really for eternal?"
At such question, Francis was speechless. "What is in your mind, cher?" He asked after unable to come up with a proper answer.
"I just think that… There can always be more than one Happily Ever After in a person's life." Arthur said. "Just like how we faced several challenges and hardships in life, but no matter how many we have encountered, there is always a happy ending if we went through it."
"Are you saying that there's a sequel for our little story?"
A small smile graced upon Arthur's lips. "Yes… And it's more complete and happier than we have ever been…"
"Oh, enlighten me please, cher." And so, Arthur began his story, a continuation of their previous story.
"Once upon a time, there was a little boy who lived with his parents at the border of Main Hetalia and the Southeast Kingdom. His parents were both common farmers and they worked hard to earn a living. Despite being a poor family, he received strict upbringing by his parents. His mother even taught him to read and write and proper behaviour like the children of higher rank."
"She's actually saying this so as to make her look noble and prideful, don't she?" Francis amusingly said. Arthur threw him a Will you shut up? look that silenced him before he continued on.
"One day, his father had an errand to run in the castle. Despite his mother's protest, he decided to bring along his son with him. There, he met up with a beautiful servant girl who works in the castle. He fell in love with her instantly when they met."
"How old do you decided to make this boy be around this time?" Francis questioned.
"Ten," Arthur said bluntly.
"That's too young to fall in love, don't you think so?" Francis quirked his eyebrow at Arthur's answer.
Arthur rolled his eyes and glared at him. "I bet you had started flirting with people at this age." Francis feigned a hurt look but Arthur ignored him.
"They only met for a day but they enjoyed every single moment they had together. They played in the castle garden and explore the castle ground. At the end of the day, before he left the castle, he made a promise that the next time they met, he will marry her."
Francis chuckled at the storyline. "That was quite decent. But you really have poor sense of romance."
"Unfortunately, Alfred just reminded of me when I was forced to find myself a spouse to marry when I came of age." Arthur mocked back. "And then years past in a blink. The boy grew up into a strong and handsome young man. But then, the kingdom were in chaos as revolution rose among the people and began rebelling against the ruling king of Main Hetalia. It is said that the king had gone insane and lost his mind that caused the entire kingdom to sink into a reign of terror." Arthur stopped for a while, thinking how he should continue the story until Francis cut in.
"The boy was never interested in all these revolution stuff. But one day, the Southeast Kingdom's castle was being attacked by soldiers of the mad king who thought the High Prince of the Southeast Kingdom was aiding the rebellions, many innocents' people were slaughtered. After that incident, his parents had decided to join forces in the revolution as well."
Arthur smiled at the plot Francis gave, he then continued the story from where his husband left. "It was then that his parents revealed to him their true identities. He was told that his mother was actually the princess of Main Hetalia and his father was a prince from Southeast Kingdom. They decided to run away because the king and queen disagreed the marriage because his father was of lower status than his mother's. They thought they could live in peace being commoners and living a normal life, but things just won't work as they wished. It was a hard decision to make, but they had decided that they have to take over the throne in order to relieve the people from the reign of terror."
"Nice one, cher." Francis said. "Just like what we have been through, non?"
Arthur smiled weakly at the memories of the past. "Though it was much darker in reality…" He swallowed and continued. "The boy soon came to realize that he was a prince and was bound to take the throne one day. He trained hard everyday under the guidance of his uncle and grandfather. Eventually, they led a rebellion along with the nobles of other kingdom to overthrow the mad king. In the midst of fighting in the castle, he saved a young lady who was a servant girl in the Southeast Kingdom's castle. He recognized it as the servant girl whom he fell in love years ago. Determined to rescue his beloved, he killed the mad king and stopped the reign of terror. His parents then crowned him as the new king of Main Hetalia. At the same time, he married the servant girl and made her his queen. Both of them rule the kingdom for a long time of peace and prosperity and was loved by the people. All of them live Happily Ever After."
Francis smiled at the conclusion of the story. "That wasn't very good, but it wasn't bad either."
"C'mon, it's not easy having to alter something reality into a story. Moreover, the main focus of this story is about Alfred, not us." Arthur corrected.
"I guess," Francis shrugged. "This is kinda like the aftermath of our action."
"We did this for our own good, Francis." Arthur reminded him. "If I hadn't met you, I will end up in an unhappy marriage and ruled the kingdom like how my father did. It is hard, though, having to lose those who aid us but there's no turning back. It is the decision I… No, we made this decision and no matter how hard things are, we will not bow and will continue ahead."
"And I will always be by your side no matter what." Francis said. "We have been together for almost 30 years."
A smile graced Arthur's lips. "The princess is really happy to have her prince by her side."
Francis seemed to ponder for a moment before a mischievous smirk appeared on his lips. "This prince is gonna go rough on you tonight, just like what Alfred is going to do tonight." Arthur winced and his eyebrows furrowed at Francis' dirty joke (perhaps not).
"Francis, we have aged quite a bit, don't you think we should be gentler instead?" Arthur mumbled. "Besides, this is their first night, Alfred would have to take Kiku on gently as not to hurt him."
"They could've done it before hand. They did elope few months ago." Francis said.
"Young people," Arthur reminded, "just like us when we're lovesick couple."
"It's getting late, Cherie. We should go back in and bid our guests goodnight and let Alfred and Kiku enjoy their first night." Arthur nodded in response before they walked hand-in-hand back into the room. They announced it is time for the banquet to end and along with the newlyweds bid their guests good night and farewell while receiving congratulation from them, they just can't hide their joy. Until all the guests had left, Alfred led Kiku to their room while the rest of them returned to their respective room.
"Ahh… Finally, another busy day…" Arthur sighed as he sat on bed. Francis sat next to him before wrapping his arms around his husband.
"Cheri, we never had our wedding, do you remember that?" Francis asked.
"…Yes…" Arthur replied bitterly. "It was a sad and happy moment at the same time. But seeing Alfred getting married, I felt that there's no need to regret anymore. This wedding is already our wedding."
Francis smiled a little. "I felt the same too. But this time, the law will not force us apart anymore and no one can stop us now." He then took this as his cue to knelt down in front of him and presented a box. Arthur gasped in surprise when Francis revealed a ring with an emerald attached to it and the golden band of the ring was nicely carved with beautiful intricate pattern on it. "Just as today is Alfred's wedding day, it is also our anniversary. And we don't need any formal event to celebrate it, it is just for you and me."
With shaky hands, Arthur accepted the ring and Francis helped him slid it into his finger which matched with the first ring that Francis gave him in the first place. "Francis… it's… This is just too beautiful." Arthur said with glassy eyes. Francis just kissed him back.
"Say cher, you haven't forgot your promise, had you?" Francis asked before he began to lick Arthur's ears and gently bit Arthur's neck. Arthur moaned in pleasure.
"Hah… You haven been… planning with this… all along?" Arthur said between gasp.
"Oui," Francis said licking Arthur's neck. "It is our anniversary after all."
Within a blink of an eye, their clothes discarded all across the floor as they began their nightly activity. It was a bit slower in pace than how they once did years ago, but their passion for each other remained strong. Hands roaming across sweat-covered body and marked with bite mark, both sides wantonly seek pleasure from each other. Everything seemed to return back to the day when they did it for the first time, filled with lustful love and bliss.
It's a moment when they could never forget, of pain and love that paved them into this unending journey, which united them together forever and always.
xXx
It has been a while since we focused on our little FrUK in the beginning of the story. I just feel the need to write this pairing as a reflection of their youth and the comparison they experienced in their adulthood. Sorry if the plot sucks, it really took me some time to write this out. I would have posted this up before 2017, but I just can't make it.
This bonus story marks the second last chapter of this story. After this, there will be an epilogue. And finally, this story will soon be completed. I realized that it has been more than two years since I started this. It was all thanks to Kari Kurofai's fans and your supports that allowed me to continue writing until today. I hope you all enjoy this story just like how you all enjoy the previous author's story. We truly appreciate it. Off to the last chapter!
Pure (Guest): Thanks for leaving a review and I'm glad that you enjoy reading this story. As I promised, I had finally finished the second last chapter. The last chapter should be uploaded not too long from now, stay tuned!