When Arthur woke up in the morning, he felt extremely better than last night. Getting up and dressed, the Queen went to his desk. He scribbled down the ideas for ways that the people could contribute to help the Kingdom. He finished off a few more pieces of paperwork, stuffing them all into a folder before dressing in fresh clothes, refreshing his face and starting for Alfred's room to hand him the collection of solutions. He decided that by throwing himself into his work, it would distract him from thinking about his feelings for Alfred.

Walking down several halls, the Brit nodded to the servants who bowed. To his surprise, Alfred was already up and dressed. The King was talking with Yao in front of his door. The two bowed their heads as Arthur came forward.

The Queen returned the gesture with a small, barely seen smile. "Morning, I suppose you two went over the speech, then? I have my suggestions right here."

Yao took the paper and read it. "I like third idea. Build new bridges and fix up roads aru. We use small parties though. Only problem what material to make out of."

"We could gather up the materials from the mines and wherever they may be located, or we could ask the richer royal families if they could donate a bit to the fund so we could collect them," Arthur informed them.

Alfred thought a bit. "Once we set this new budget, we will have a lot of extra money. However Spades is the second largest landmass of the four card Kingdoms, we need to use a product everyone can use and that is cheap but durable."

Arthur looked away. He was never talented with talk of mechanics or the like. "I wish I could help with that. I don't, eh...I don't have much experience in that realm of knowledge."

Yao nodded, "I send for several builders, aru. Each of us take two, see what they say whenever it convenient." The King focused more towards the Jack. "We also need to think about weather and the different materials. For example, stone will be good in the plains but will be damaged near oceans or other river sources."

"We could have different road sections for each area of the Kingdom," the Queen suggested. "For the rural areas, we can have the stones, the more urban areas can be cobblestone, and we can come up with an alternative for the river and ocean areas if necessary."

Yao pondered this. "That work very well. We make paths two carts wide, aru. Repairs to road be every five years."

"That's an idea. We can hold inspections on the current conditions to see how they're fairing." Arthur added.

Alfred's eyes narrowed. "But how can we tell if the inspectors are being truthful. When I was a commoner, royals would just bribe the officials." That was the biggest problem that Alfred wanted to fix.

Yao brainstormed more. "We just send random people. Even commoner tell us if road look good or not. Have them incognito, aru."

Arthur nodded. "That's a good plan. I don't think any higher officials would be able to tell if a road is good or not better than the people who use them the most. We can only say if it's built well enough to walk on or not."

"Ok," stated the American. "So all I have to do is add that to my speech."

Arthur paused in thought, but then nodded. "Yes, revise it a bit and you should be fine."

Alfred nodded. "Ok."

The Queen smiled up at the King. "If you want me to look it over, I would love to."

The King handed the paper over. Yao gave a giggle. "I glad you two getting along, aru!"

Arthur chuckled with a slight blush. "I'm glad you noticed." He glanced up at Alfred for a reaction. The tallest of the three was smiling wide, leaning against one of the walls. His blue eyes hidden from view as he closed his eyelids. Alfred was proud of how far they had come.

Yao looked from one to the other. "What going on between you two aru?"

The Queen grinned. "It's an inside joke between some friends, Yao." It hurt slightly to say that but Arthur couldn't ruin it now, they just accomplished something.

The Jack blinked in surprise but seemed happy about it. Then he grew thoughtful. "Will you come with me, aru?"

Alfred straightened up. "Another trip to the library?" He teased the other.

The Chinese man shook his head, "Aiiiya! Just come moron!"

"I am not a moron! I am a hero!"

"Not, aru."

"You're just jealous!"

Arthur simply watched the scene. Even though it seemed the two were arguing, the Queen could now see that it was more of a friendly banter between the two of them.

"Just do it, aru!"

The taller blond pouted, pursing his lips childishly. Arthur bit back a laugh of amusement. "But it's always hot and stuffy in there."

"My Mǔqīn (1) always taught me if you want to do it, you try, but you make excuse if you don't."

"I'm allergic to books!"

"You were in there yesterday, aru!"

"I didn't take my allergy tonics, I can't go."

"You take it now!"

"It has to take an hour to kick in, though!"

"Alfred, aru!"

Arthur laughed; for some reason, seeing the Jack and King bicker back and forth like children was highly amusing to everyone, even the most serious of men.

Yao threw his hands in the air. "Fine, how about Arthur's rose garden?"

"How about you check with Arthur before going in his rose garden?" The Queen interjected their argument, a faint smile still on his lips. His rose garden was extremely precious to him, so much that people had to go through his approval to go to the garden or even step near it

"Can we?" The two asked in unison.

Arthur looked from one to the other with a small smile. "As long as you don't touch my roses, yes, you may go."

Yao raised an eyebrow. "You coming too."

Arthur frowned. "Why do I have to come?"

"Because you owe me, aru!"

"Fine, fine, but touch a blessed thing and I swear," his eyes wavered from one to the other. "I promise to make you both regret it."

Yao smiled. "Good, now come."

The Queen led the other two to his garden that was on the same path as the stables but much farther away. It was rather secluded and well-kept, containing both red roses from his native homeland and the Spades roses that were too beautiful to not ignore. He took much pride in it, and everyone was always asking about it.

The Jack found the nearest beautifully carved stone bench. "Sit, aru," He commanded the other two.

Curiously, Alfred took a seat. "Why did you bring us out here?"

Arthur took a seat beside Alfred quietly; curious as to why they were here as well. "I don't really see the point in coming out here either, Yao."

Yao was now frowning. "I happy you two getting along. But I doubting how long this last, aru. In China, we had technique help our rulers lead land together better."

The Queen looked from the Jack to the King. "Yao, whot are you talking about?"

"Best translation to English, 'Twenty Questions'. I want you and Alfred come here every day and ask any twenty questions you want. Answer must be truthful, but you can decline question if it too personal or has trigger, aru."

Arthur let out a breath in exasperation. "Yao, please, I don't see the point in this."

Yao sent a glare. "I told you! It so you rule better together aru! This let you understand each other!"

The Brit sighed; "Alright, alright. If you would like," He turned to Alfred, hoping he would be up for it.

The Jack left them alone for privacy. Alfred was still smiling. He was wary about this but he didn't want to mess this up. "Do you want to start Arthur?"

Arthur smiled back at him in embarrassment with a laugh. "W-well, I don't really know whot to ask. Um...alright, well, whot was life like as a commoner?"

The American thought about it for a bit. "Hard, I was a stable boy for one of the richer families. My brother was sickly and passed away when I was 10. My parents are a mystery, I was an orphan. However my dad seemed to be famous and gave me a book of his sayings."

The shorter blond cringed. "I-I'm so sorry. I didn't know." His hand dropped out of his lap, falling beside Alfred's unbeknownst to him. "I'm sorry about your brother. Have you ever thought of trying to find your mum and dad?"

The King shook his head. "No, I turned out fine. I don't need them now." It sounded a bit heartless but it was the truth. The only felt detached from his parents.

"Hm..." Arthur, now seeing their hands beside one another, rubbed the top of it for comfort. "Out of the four Kingdoms- Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds- have you known anyone before you became King?"

"Personally or from stories?"

"Personally, I mean, you seem to be quite good friends with Kiku and Lili. Did you know them or anyone else before you were King?"

"I didn't know anybody. I just get along well with them!" Alfred smirked a little. He used Arthur's "proper English."

Arthur laughed quietly under his breath. "I see you used proper English." Alfred grinned at him as a response. "Did you always wear these?" He gestured toward his glasses.

The smile suddenly vanished. "I am NOT talking about Texas."

The Queen resisted the urge to flinch. "Alright, you don't have to tell me." The older gave a reassuring smile this time; if Alfred wanted to talk about Texas, he would tell him. "Have you ever been out of the country on a whim? Just for fun?"

America shook his head. "No, America is a county that doesn't border another Kingdom. I pretended though."

He smiled. "Ah, the imagination of a child. I remember..." He cleared his throat and looked away, keeping the mention of his fairy tale world silent. "Did you ever think that you would end up as King of one of the biggest four Kingdoms?"

"Not in my wildest dreams."

"Hm, interesting. Ah...it might be too personal, but during your schooling years, whot was your social experience like? The smart one, the popular one, the quiet one, though that last one might be a bit of a stretch."

"I was only in school long enough to read and write at the most basic levels. Between work and everything, I forgot how to do any of that." Alfred admitted. "That's why I had a hard time when I started to be King. I had to relearn everything. As for who I was, I was the rebel."

Arthur's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion and curiosity. "Whot do you mean 'rebel'?"

Alfred laughed, his mind time traveling to the past. "I was the guy who would make trouble for the teachers and other students, pranks really."

"Ah. The troublemaker, eh? You don't seem like the mischievous type, though. Have you ever acted as something that you weren't?"

Alfred raised an eyebrow. "Really? You know the answer to that question."

Arthur blushed and looked away. "I mean before you were a King. You know, to gather attention o-or, to, ah...well, you know!"

"Well, for one of my pranks I dressed as a lady. Does that count?"

The Queen let out a loud and boisterous laugh, covering his mouth with his hand to stifle his high-pitched giggles. He shook his head, tears filling his eyes as he tried to hide his amusement. The image of Alfred doing such a thing...it wasn't so much of a surprise, but he wasn't expecting it.

Alfred rolled his eyes and waited for the other to calm down.

Eventually, the Brit was able to gain control of himself, taking a few steady breaths to right himself. There were a few false starts in which Alfred just gave him a look that said, 'Really?' He straightened himself. "I'm sorry, I really am, I was just...I was not expecting that from you."

Alfred shrugged. "It was to my advantage."

Arthur chuckled, pondering on what would be another good question to ask. "Well, ah...if you could trust one person with your life, who would it be?"

"You."

His cheeks bloomed red as he gazed into the gorgeous blue eyes that were more beautiful than the sky. Wait, no! Bad Arthur! "Thank you."

Alfred smiled. "You earned it. Now how many questions was that?"

"I've asked eleven, I have nine left."

The King laughed. He was beginning to like this. Well...so far anyways. "Ask on!"

"Alright, well..." His face burned brightly at his next question, something he had always wanted to know since even before he had met him. "How did you get so muscular?"

Alfred chuckled at that. "I told you, I worked as a stable boy. Horses can be just as stubborn as a certain Queen I know. Not to mention all the moving of hey and cleaning the stalls."

Arthur playfully shoved his shoulder, smiling when he did. He resisted the urge to comment on how it complimented him rather well. "Have you ever publicly humiliated yourself in front of a large crowd?"

"It's called being a King." Alfred said with a straight face. However the younger couldn't keep it as he started to laugh.

He returned the exclamation with a grin. "Don't say that! You're a wonderful King to the people! They adore you!"

"Still makes me feel foolish though..."

"Well, I'll take you over any of the Kings of the Kingdoms, no matter whot the circumstances may be." He didn't wait for the King to reply, and asked the next question. "Have you ever become intoxicated with alcohol?"

"Yes, but I can hide it really well." Alfred said smiling. "I try not to though."

'I'd like to see that show', he thought. "Whot was your dream when you were a kid? Like, whot did you want to do when you were a kid?"

The King smiled. "I wanted to be a hero! Duh!

Arthur rolled his eyes with a small smile. "Of course, Mr. Hero. Tell me, how did you want to be one, Sir Hero?"

"The best of course!"

"Whot sort of hero did you want to be?"

"It started by wanting to help my brother. After he passed, it just turned general" Alfred said thinking back into the past.

Arthur nodded, giving a small smile. "You're a very good person, Alfred. I'm happy you're King." Even if they had an odd relationship now.

Alfred didn't comment and waited for the next question.

"Has there ever been a person that you were able to trust without any issues?"

This question took thought, "My brother."

Arthur nodded, giving a sad raise of his lips. "I'm sorry. Whit was he like, your brother?"

Alfred looked up. "He was my twin but we had differences. Instead of my cowlick, his was curled and hung in his face. Matthew was a quiet person; it got so bad that most people didn't know he existed. But he was a kind person, always trying to help."

The Briton frowned, but then gave, what he hoped to be, a comforting smile. "He sounds like a very nice person, your brother. I would have loved to have met him."

Alfred shrugged. "You probably would have thought he was me. Many people did."

Arthur didn't answer, and both were quiet for a long period of time. "Last question...you can answer it if you want, but...how do you feel with us now as friends, instead of...before?"

Alfred looked into his Queen's eyes. "I feel that this is better for us and the Kingdom." He gave a smile. "We couldn't hold a simple conversation, now look!"

The Queen laughed, grinning wide. He really was proud of both of them; they hadn't said anything rude or spit out any mean words. "We're doing pretty well, aren't we?"

"Yes," Alfred said simply stated. The King looked up at the sky. "My turn!"

"Alright," Arthur smiled. "Ask away, then."

Alfred gave a thoughtful second. "What's your favorite color?"

The shorter blond blushed. "Bl-blue..."

The taller nodded. He got thoughtful, actually thoughtful. "I have wanted to ask this for some time but...what is your relationship with Francis?"

Arthur's expression changed dramatically. "Hate. Absolute hate. Resentment, disgust, dislike, whotever other synonym you'd like to use. Our relationship? It once went well, but now it's not."

"Ah..." Alfred left it at that because he knew how they acted around the other. "Um...what do you do in your spare time?"

He shrugged, grateful that he didn't have to talk to Alfred about his relationship with Francis. "It all depends. Sometimes I write poetry, sometimes it's embroidery or I just think."

The American started to laugh. "Embroidery? Isn't that for girls?"

Arthur blushed and looked away. "S-so? It's relaxing."

Alfred smirked. "I guess..." A pause, "What is your favorite thing about being Queen?"

"Hm...I don't really have a favorite."

"Top three then?"

He was quiet for a while, staring off into space before responding with a shake of his head. "I don't find anything favorable about my position."

Alfred's jaw dropped. "At all? Nothing?" He blinked at the other in shock. "I can't believe what I am hearing!"

The elder's cheeks flushed red. "W-well, err...there's not really anything that I would find spectacular."

"Not a single thing?"

"W-well, I-I-I...I did meet you..."

Alfred looked a bit stunned but then smiled again. "I am glad."

Arthur smiled back. "Next question."

Alfred looked away to gaze at the rose bushes. "Uhhhh, favorite dance?"

"Too many to name, I focus on who I'm dancing with more than whot my feet and body are doing."

Alfred gave a small chuckle. That sounded exactly like the Brit. "Favorite book?"

"You like picking difficult questions, don't you? I have a subject, not a particular book favorite, but I'll usually take any writer that can entertain me with a good mystery plot."

"Ahhh," Alfred said, feinting understanding. Most of the stories he knew where those told by the village elder when he was young. Reading hurt his eyes to much after a while. "So, when you were young, what did you name your horse?"

Arthur gave a small, gentle smile. "I had three foals, at first, from my mother's horse Beauty. My older brothers hated horses, so I took Beauty's first born for my own, and bought two more when I was about, I would say...fourteen or fifteen. I remember them perfectly, because they all acted different from one another but were so close. There was Aurora, the sweet one who would always ask for a pet and a kiss whenever she saw someone with hands. Then there was Midnight- he was Beauty's baby boy, but Midnight was the worse little shit to ever have to command in general. And then there was Violet- oh, she was my baby. She was the clingy one: kind, sweet, the most obedient, but she was the most jealous of them all- she would glare and be the worse horse to work with if she saw you giving extra attention to someone not her."

Alfred laughed. "That was better than my horses! I swear they had donkey blood in them. Stubborn as mules!" His smile grew wider. "My favorite horse was always Razz, foal that never stopped getting into trouble. Sadly I was chosen to be King before I could see what happened to him."

The Queen smiled sad. "Aww, I'm sorry. Maybe I can try and find him for you."

"Nah! It's fine!" Alfred said rejecting his offer. "I have Night Runner, the most awesome horse ever!"

Arthur chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you have someone like Night Runner. So, you have thirteen more questions, Alfred. Whot will they be about?"

"You obviously," Alfred said sarcastically.

Arthur grinned and burst into laughter. "Did Alfred Jones just give the King of cynicism a bit of sarcasm?"

"I don't know, did I?"

He playfully shoved the other's shoulder. "Alright, you, don't get cocky."

Alfred smirked. "Whatever." He stood up and paced a bit to warm up his legs. "Who is your favorite royal besides me, Kiku, and Yao?"

"Hmm...This is a bit tough." Arthur looked down and tapped his feet on the ground in an unspecific matter. "I think, if I had to choose...Lili."

"Next question, why?" Alfred asked looking curious.

"Well, why not? She's one of the sweetest girls I've ever met, she's polite and knows her manners, and she also enjoys embroidery, even though it is for girls, but she doesn't mind, and plus she gets a bit of pity having to live with a perverted King and having an overprotected brother."

Alfred waved his hands around. "I didn't mean any offense. I like her too. She is a really sweet girl. I was just wondering why."

Arthur laughed. "You look like a bird trying to fly."

"I would love to fly!" Alfred stated excitedly.

The Queen grinned. "Well when you accomplish that, let me know and I'll fly with you."

"Ok!" Alfred agreed now calming down. "Do you wish to see that other King again?"

The older male was silent for a moment, staring into space before giving a sad smile and nodding slowly. "Yes. Very much."

"You could invite him on a royal visit!" Alfred suggested. While he wasn't happy that this King took Arthur, he was happy this other King kept Arthur safe. That was enough to but the other in his good books.

Arthur shrugged. "He's busy with official business as of right now, but I'll write him and see if he has time. He hasn't been with his Queen in a long while, though, so I don't know when he could meet exactly."

"She must miss him." Alfred commented.

"His Queen is male, just like our Kingdom and the Hearts. But their love is very complicated, he's told me."

"Ahhh, well another question. Did he really treat you well?"

Arthur started to speak, but stopped himself. To be honest, it felt like he needed to protect America. If he told the truth, he'd be giving too much information. But if he told him to ask the next question, he would gain suspicion. "I was treated with great respect after the confusion ended." There clear but open to interpretation, like Kiku.

Alfred just smiled. "I am happy to hear that." He looked away again. "Did you like the flowers?"

"I loved them." The Queen grinned. "Where did you find them?"

Alfred pointed to a nearby bush. "There."

A sort of joy ran inside of him, swirling around inside of him like a storm and causing him to laugh out of giddiness. "I'd be mad at you for touching my garden, but you were thoughtful and the flowers weren't crap, so I'm letting it slide."

Alfred shrugged. "How did you and your brothers get along?"

"Horribly." He shook his head. "They all hated me because I was supposedly Mum's 'favorite', but it was a lie. But when I was younger, I didn't have the best childhood around them."

"I think you turned out fine."

The Queen simpered in disbelief. "Thanks."

"Do you think Hearts will attack us?" Alfred asked eventually. The Hearts Kingdom had been acting up lately and it worried Alfred.

Arthur shook his head. "I don't think so. They might get close to doing so, but I believe their Ace and Kiku won't let that happen. If there's anyone who will ever attack, it might be Clubs despite Elizabeta and Roderich being quite mature."

The King shook his head. "Not this year. My sources in Clubs tell me a hard winter is beginning to show its face."

It was actually a first for Spades when Alfred set up a spy network. It took time and money but it came in handy. Arthur was at first against it but Alfred had the Lords and Ladies on his side.

"Hm...Ludwig is smart. I went to an international school with him. I don't think he'll attack us if he knows whot's good for him and his Kingdom."

"What about Diamonds? Unlikely but possible."

"Mm. They have the money but maybe not the willing men, or the power and guts to do so."

"I think I am down to four questions..."

Arthur nodded and smiled. "Ask away."

"Do you like this game?"

"If by game you mean asking questions, then yes. It gives the other a better understanding of who he's working with, as well as have them connect on a mutual level and become closer."

"Why do you talk to thin air?" Alfred asked a bit more bluntly than he would have liked.

"It's not thin air, it's just the fairies! You can't see them because you're not gifted like I am!"

Alfred starred at Arthur. "F-Fairies?"

"Yes, fairies, they're beautiful yet mischievous. You won't believe the shit that they've done to you and Yao."

The King started to laugh. Holding his sides, Alfred fell to the ground. "HAHAHAHA!"

"You're such a git!" Arthur turned away to glare at the rose bush. Stupid idiots never believing him!

After a few minutes, Alfred finally stifled his laughter. "D-Don't be mad."

"My brothers always teased me about my gift. My mum and my sister have it; one of my brothers can hear but not see them. Even other kids would tease me about it."

"Well, I guess I just have a special Queen." Alfred stated trying to make peace.

Arthur tried not to look at Alfred. The stupid git, always making him feel important. It had to be a special trait of his or something.

"Why do you blush so much?"

Against his will, a blush filled Arthur's face. "I-I get flustered or embarrassed easily. Either that or it's because not many complimented me when I was younger."

Alfred shook his head. "All right, last question. Ready to head back?"

"Hm...I suppose."

Alfred reached his hand down. "Let's go then"

Arthur pushed back the uneasy feeling and embarrassment, and shyly took his hand. "Lead the way."

1- Mother in Mandarin

CC101: WOW. You guys had a very strong reaction to the last chapter. I seem to have a lot of AmericaxArthur fans! Don't worry, it will all work out. As for Cheese-kun, I have figured out the plot and currently writing your prompt.

Just a little idea, the high royals of Spades' plan is the Cardverse version of FDR's New Deal. But here is some information about each Kingdom:

Clubs: The most northern and the second biggest land mass of the four Kingdoms. It has mountain ranges, and a frozen tundra during the winter, very cold. They main export is metal, coal, oil, and mercenaries for sale. They import vegetables, and fruits. Due to having the largest shore line, the people of Clubs also have major use of the sea. They go whaling and using fishing. They have the smallest population. The King doesn't like Spades, but the countries are allies.

Hearts: The western of the four lands. Hearts is pretty much flat. They have rolling hills with many rivers flowing though the whole country. Fishing and textiles are what Hearts exports. Since they had a baby boon, they have the largest population, Hearts uses all of its agriculture to feed its citizens, but sometimes isn't enough. The Kingdom of Love has a harsh rules on weapons so most of its citizens don't have weapons. They are actually the most strict of the four Kingdoms, everything is put on paper and is accounted for. They don't have much love for Spades, likely to break alliance.

Diamonds: The Kingdom of Riches is the most economically better of the Card Kingdoms. They have the second smallest population. Most of their economy is based of their great mines of precious metals and gems. Being the most inland of the four, Diamonds has barely any shores in comparison to the other Kingdoms. Diamonds always needs more agriculture to feed its people, but they mostly buy it off of Hearts or their allies Spades. They also have great woodlands.

Spades: The largest of the four Kingdoms. It's land is a mixture of all the other Kingdoms. The mountain chain the starts in Clubs and goes down though Diamonds, ends in the northern part of Spades. To the west, the plains are fertile like Hearts. To the east are the forests that comes down from Diamonds. They have the second largest population and the second smallest shoreline, barely behind Hearts. Their main export is agriculture, mercenaries for sale, wood products, and sugar that they grow on their western islands. The Kingdom of Power needs metal, oil, and rock. Allies strongly with Diamonds, then Clubs, and finally Hearts.