Author's Note: This was originally requested on the Hetalia Kink Meme. There is not much dialogue in this installment, but there will be in the following chapters.
Warnings: Omegaverse
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or any of its characters.
They held these meeting every year on the same date: the first of the year. It was in a different Kingdom every time, supposedly portraying the idea of unity. It was even called a unity meeting, followed by a Unity Ball. Royals from all four Kingdoms attended, specifically the King, Queen, and Jack. Usually the three dignitaries brought along a group of nobles for alliance purposes, for protection, and for comfort. Sometimes the castles would become overcrowded at these meetings, and room and board would be taken elsewhere for the stay.
Agendas included nearly every topic. Food production was a smaller subject, hiding in the shadows of much larger and prominent topics such as global economics and the state of affairs. The royals were split into groups, depending on their status. Kings were in control of the military and treaties, making negotiations between Kingdoms that would hopefully benefit everyone. Queens were in control of medicines and science research, focusing on the newest innovations that could make the Kingdoms better. Jacks were in control of general domestic issues as well as the King and Queen, and always attended to stay in the know of the world. Aces attended as well, but their group meetings were more like parties, as they were ambassadors to different Kingdoms and had known the others for years. More often than not, each meeting ended up the same as they always had ended. Nothing much got done- everyone was too excited for the ball.
The most recent meeting was to be held in the central city of Clover- Moscow. Clover was a proud Kingdom with fierce seasons- winter seemed to be almost eternal, holding onto Clover tightly and refusing to let go for but a few months. Warm soups and drinks became a stable, and most families stayed inside for most of the year and turned to folk tales, stories, and, of course, music. The Clover language and culture was rather warm despite the cruel weather.
The Unity Ball, when in Clover, was always a hit. In any Kingdom, the Unity Ball was always looked forward to more than the meetings. Everyone brought their best suits and gowns to dance the night away. Fireworks always set the ball going (the Spades prided themselves in the best fireworks display in the world). Traditionally, the royals of the hosting Kingdom danced first, and most of the Kings and Queens took this as a challenge to make the best performance possible.
The playing of the four anthems on a grand piano in the Grand Ballroom of the Castle of Clover silenced the many merry-making nobles, demanding their attention to the main stage. The Omega Jack of Clover, Roderich Edelstein, was dressed in a silver tailcoat with a fanciful green lining, his hair brushed to the side and out of his eyes as he focused on each key. His fingers danced across the keys as the others in the room saluted the banners bearing the different royal crests above him. The King and Queen of Clover stood behind him and the piano, smiling at their Jack's talent.
Ivan Braginski was the King, a perfect example of an Alpha. He was tall, well-built, muscular and intimidating, but his soft smile melted his somewhat cold demeanor. While his face was soft and his smile oddly childish, he was not a man to be messed with. His usual winter coat and fur hat had been replaced by an emerald jacket and mantle, and he held a staff that was about as tall as him that encased an emerald at the top, delicately set in golds and silvers that matched the hearty crown upon his head.
The woman who was to his left was much smaller than him in both stature and width, but her personality was none to be underestimated. Elisabeth Héderváry was the Beta Queen, with long brown hair curling delicately at the ends with ribbon incorporated in a braid just above her hairline and just below where her tiara sat. While her usual dress cut away at the lower thigh to reveal black tights, she was instead wearing a long coat, decorated similarly to Ivan's.
When the Anthem of Heart was finished, Roderich lead into Diamond, then Spade, then finally Clover. The anthems had been masterfully written to blend together at the seams while letting the personality of each Kingdom shine through in their own ways.
After the Anthem of Clover finished, there was a short pause, in which the King and Queen of Clover were to make their way to the dance floor. Roderich stood from his piano and bowed politely to the applause that rang through the room, and he went over to assist his King and Queen. The Ace, none other than Ivan's Alpha sister Natalia Arlovskaya, dressed in a deep green dress with silver lace, carefully removed Elisabeth's tiara and coat as the Queen bowed, leaving the Queen in a forest green leotard with delicate silver lace designs embroidered along the side and a trail of silky green fabric trailing behind her. Ivan bowed gently and Roderich removed the heavy emerald mantle and handed it off to an attendant, removing Ivan's crown and coat as well, revealing the King's green and silver leotard, matching the one of his Queen. Ivan took Elisabeth's hand carefully and the two of them stepped off of the stage, both of them having secretly been wearing dancing shoes the entire time.
Now was the time to prove the beauty of the culture of Clover. So many times had Clover been called harsh and cruel, but Clover had a soft and gentle side. Taking their positions in the middle of the ballroom, Ivan on one knee and Elisabeth on her tiptoes, holding both of Ivan's hands, they were ready. Roderich returned to his piano, playing a soft and airy tune.
Ballet. Of course. Almost every Kingdom had their own variations of the dance, but Clover always managed to find a way to make it spectacular. Ivan and Elisabeth seemed to utterly in unison- every time Ivan took a step- on his tiptoes as well- Elisabeth seemed right there with him, gracefully floating across the floor. When Ivan held her by the waist and lifted her up, there was no struggle for balance. She was perfectly comfortable in his hands, having him twirl her as she spread her arms and let the music flow through her. Sometimes, Ivan even tossed her, but she was quick on her feet and landed softly, extending the motion in a moment of beauty. She wasn't the only one dancing, however, as when she did her twirls and spins, Ivan was doing the same, proving that even an Alpha can be light on his feet.
With the final twirl of her into Ivan's arms, Roderich played the final notes of the dance. The room applauded, making both Ivan and Elisabeth smile. As custom, Ivan planted a kiss to his Queen's lips and held her close while the other royal couples started to join them on the dance floor for the next dance. When Ivan pulled away, the two of them smiled softly and went to change into more formal attire.
Ivan couldn't help but glance toward the Spades. He set his jaw, keeping his usual smile and trying not to break character. The woman wrapped around his arm was his Queen, but that didn't stop her presence from feeling cold and empty to his heart.
When Ivan returned, he noted at how the other Royals had been joined on the dance floor by various nobility. Residents from all four Kingdoms were there. Clover (of course), Heart, Diamond and Spade.
Speaking of Spades, their king was rather young, the youngest king of all four kingdoms, but was determined to make his kingdom the greatest of the four. His name was Alfred F. Jones, a name very well known to be associated with drive and spirit. The charm of the Alpha King was apparent with his wheat-blond hair, youthful face, strong and powerful build, a sun-kissed body and that absolutely divine scent. He always seemed to smell of the faintest leather, smoke of a barbecue, and the warmth of the summer sun. He was perfect in every way, from how he laughed to how his face scrunched up when he tasted caviar, from how curiously he sipped the kvass to how innocently he pouted.
The only bad part about him was that he had that Omega on his arm. Reality came crashing back in. Alfred had a Queen, a mate. It was a damn shame that such a beauty of a man had to be an Alpha in a position such as King that forced him to his mate. The manner in which the Spadian royalty was chosen was no different than the other three Kingdoms. The royals were chosen by the respective Suit Mothers, the four goddesses bestowing the mark of the suit on the fated royals' bodies when the previous royal died. The Suit Mothers gave everyone in their respective Kingdoms their natures as well and were worshiped because of that power by the common people. Mother Spade was the goddess that had chosen Alfred as a royal, and she had done a fine job with that decision. The farm boy had been picked at the growing age of fifteen and planted on the throne. He was too perfect to not be a royal. However, she had also chosen the son of a merchant to be Alfred's Queen.
Why Mother Spade had chosen Arthur Kirkland as Queen, Ivan would never know. He, himself, had been blessed by Mother Clover when he was very young, but that decision he never doubted. He never doubted Mother Clover. It was Mother Spade that seemed to get things messed up. Alfred had deserved to be a Clover. Unsure of what made him think this way, Ivan couldn't help but spend so much of his time and focus on the younger Alpha.
Ivan had been redressed in a suit and his coat and had been sitting up on his temporary throne (the real one was in the appropriately-named throne room and this one was for show) just studying the crowd. At least, that was his excuse. He kept a close eye on the boy in the indigo and gold mantle, watching him sway with the man in purple. Such a curious pair. Alfred certainly didn't seem to be a normal Alpha. Resting his chin on his hand, Ivan watched closely at how Alfred didn't seem to mark Arthur with his scent all that often unless they had been in conversation. Alfred's stance in general seemed a bit off- not by much, but just by the slightest weight balance that Ivan was...irked.
Irked. There was no other way to word it.
Why was Ivan spending so much time focusing on Alfred and Arthur? In reality, he should've been watching Elisabeth and Roderich dance. After all, his own Queen and Jack had mated, (as it wasn't required for King and Queen to be mates in Clover), and the two as a couple was a rather charming idea. Elisabeth had her hand on Roderich's waist and lead him through such a classic of Clover, the waltz, and it was heartwarming to see Roderich rest his head on her shoulder. Now that was a bond that was true.
….Why was it that Elisabeth, a Beta, appeared to be more of an Alpha than Alfred?
Perhaps Ivan was merely imagining it. But... the idea of Alfred seemed so alluring. Was it just Ivan's instincts trying to tell him that he should find a mate? After all, he was getting older, and he did want to have a pup, even if the child wouldn't be the true heir to the Clover throne. But why would he be spending so much time focused on Alfred? It wasn't like Alfred could be pupped. Not only was Alfred an Alpha, but already had a mate. Hell, Alfred probably already pupped Arthur and he hadn't started to show yet. That was surely the case.
Maybe Ivan was just attracted to the idea of the perfectly imperfect Alpha. Even though he already radiated the highest standard, something about Alfred's childish ways made Ivan almost a sort of jealous. Alfred was young and naive, which was certainly not fitting for a King, but for a carefree young man. Mother Spade had chosen such an odd King for a reason, and a reason Ivan didn't quite understand. While Alfred seemed like he was going to be the perfect boy for royalty, he certainly had a few quirks about him. It wasn't that those quirks were bad, they were just...odd.
Whatever was different with Alfred, Ivan was going to find out. He wanted to know why his mind was constantly brought back to his face, his body, his scent... and maybe Ivan could get a bit of a closer look.
"...It's time for a walk." Ivan muttered to himself, getting up from his place. Perhaps he could bring Alfred out to the gardens for a King to King talk.