~Spades~

"Did you deliver the letter?" The king asked.

Today he was outside for once. It had been a while since he came out. In truth, no one had seen the king leave the castle ever since the sending off of the queen. It must have been hard of him, at least that's what everyone thought. He was the same as he always was, but in the eyes of the kingdom, it was as if he was forcing himself to uphold the spirit of his people. But that wasn't it.

They knew. The Knight of Trump that is. They are the closest to the king. Chosen by the king to serve the kingdom. But they always remain loyal to him. The king gets to choose who will become a Knight, but they also have a right to refuse. Not once have they questioned him, and not once had they disagreed with him. And the truth behind his behavior is also theirs to keep.

The soldier stood up straight and greeted the king.

"I had passed it along to Mathew. He should have received it by yesterday. If he decides to come then he will be here in about one week's time.

"In a week, maybe even less, we'll have our answer." The king pondered, then sighed. "Ugh. Why does it have to be so long." He complained.

The soldier smiled and dropped all formality as she punched the king square in the arm.

"Ow! Hey, that hurt."

"Don't be such a baby. When have you been unable to take one of my punches."

The king was rubbing his arm to ease the temporary pain.

"Always so violent. I can't believe we're related."

"Well believe it, your majesty," she grinned. "Your cousin, the Ace of Spades, is gonna be the one to bring this kingdom to victory."

"Yeah, right." Alfred joked back, but the smile on her face had fallen, and a serious atmosphere fell in its place.

"I mean it." She said while getting on her knee and taking the king's hand in her own. She kissed his hand before letting go to place her hand over her heart and pledged. "I swear to you, in the name of this kingdom, we will not lose this war. I, Rica, the Ace of Spades, will bring victory to her land."

"I accept." The king replied.

It was in that moment that a hooded stranger came strolling in. Rica stood with a readied stance preparing to draw. It wasn't until she saw a familiar face before dropping her weapon and greeting the other.

"Briana! Whose that?" Rica pointed to the hooded man.

"…" He kept quiet while the king got up to greet him.

"Bored?"

The other nodded. Alfred smiled at this. It was extremely childish of the man, but it amused him so. He was so much like the dead queen.

"Let's head back. I'll introduce you then."

"What?! This is Arthur? But they're nothing alike." Rica exclaimed.

"Calm down. If you look closely, they do look very much alike." Briana said.

Rica puffed her cheeks. "I just don't see it. Exactly how is he like the queen."

Briana circled the man before promptly removing the hood. She held his face close to her own and searched his features for any semblance of the queen. After a moment she let go and circled him again like a predator it's prey.

"He has the same build, but I can't really tell that well with these clothes on."

England didn't understand what the two were talking about. Then again, he didn't exactly understand half of the things going on. He can relate why they must go to war, and the such. After all in his world, that's exactly what they did all the time.

"Then we'll just strip him." Rica shouted while a grin graced her face.

"I'd rather you not." England returned.

"But you know, those clothes…attract a lot of attention. Maybe it would be best if you were to wear our clothes for the time being." The king said. "I think you'll fit Arthur's just fine. After all, he probably won't be wearing them ever again." The way he put it was so nonchalant as if it wasn't much of a big deal. But it hurt, at least that's how Rica and Briana felt.

A few minutes passed before England came out of the dressing room. He wore the color of pride, just like many of the others. It wasn't adorned by spades like the rest, but it suited him. It fit completely to his size.

"Beautiful." The king had said before addressing the other two in the room. "What do you think?"

"Like he never left," were the words that fell from Rica's lips.

"Exactly like he never left. I'd think it'd be better if her were naked, then no one would recognize him."

England blushed and was ready to object before Rica interjected. "Briana!"

"No, she's right." Alfred got close again. "It'd be best if you stayed in the shadows like you've been doing."

England just didn't understand. If the queen were to return, the country would be happy. Even if he were a fake, why not make the announcement.

"Because the body is still here." Briana answered. Apparently England had been thinking out loud. He blushed.

"Then why can't I just be someone who looks like him. A body double even?"

"Because it's forbidden." Rica answered. "It's forbidden for one to have another the same in the land. We are all different. That's what we are." She fumed. "You can't be seen, so you can't be seen. If you're not gonna listen, I'll just have to bash it into you."

She made to reach for her wooden sword, but the king stopped her.

"Alfred…"

England didn't understand any of this.

"Why?"

Alfred looked at him. He blinked once or twice before looking away, but then back.

"Indeed. Why?"

A/N:

Fem!America: Rica

Fem!England: Briana - i got that from Britania, minus the 't' and the second 'i' and Briana b(^v^)d