Numbers of his Life
Story by: VeNgEaNcEoFrAiN
Disclaimer: Hidekaz Himaruya owns every personified country as well as this Cardverse AU ideas, I merely exploit his ideas for my own personal uses muahahah! Everything else is purely fictional, any resemblance to other stories is purely coincidental – I don't really know if there's a similar story around but this idea just popped up in my head so I decided to write it (all I can say is great minds think alike). Some fundamental ideas like how the pocket watch chooses the royalty in Spades is kept in this story. I would like to credit the person coming up with the idea but I think it'd probably be hard to track who started it. If you think I violated copyright laws, erm, I can take it down if you send me a mail or review.
Author's Note: Special thanks to the anon Guest (I would really wana know who omg lol), HetalianOtakuPride, Jywy and OldNewLife for the wonderful reviews! I was over the moon cause of your kind words T_T. Please do enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 5: Allies of Five
Part III: Get going.
"Are you sure this isn't a bit over?" Arthur took another look at the long dinning table filled with delicious looking food. "I, er. I take back my words. This is way too exaggerated." Their normal meals were quite a spread in Arthur's opinion but he'd never expect a dinner of this scale. It was like they had a hundred people eating that meal. "Aiyah, it's perfectly fine! It's to show our hospitality! The servants will know what to do with the leftovers, aru. Don't you worry." The Asian retorted while gesturing the servants to quicken their actions.
"His Majesty, the King of Spades has arrived."
"Ahhh it sure is refreshing after visiting the garden." He stretched his arms in an unruly manner. "Manners, Alfred. A King does not-" The Jack was interrupted. "Yeah yeah, a King does not publically display ill-mannered actions. But the King is also human!" Alfred argued before taking a seat at the end of the long table. "And a role model nonetheless. Talk to me about manners again when you're not King. I'd let you do whatever you want then." The older man waved off the argument and hurried into the kitchen.
Alfred pouted, knowing he'd lost. Soft chuckles were heard from the figure taking a seat beside him. "What's so funny?" The wheat-head maintained that pout and stared at the laughing man. "I just thought your interactions with Yao were adorable. It was like father and son even though your ages aren't that far apart." He knew Alfred did look up to his Jack like a fatherly figure. His father died when he was twelve and he ascended the throne from that age. Yao was probably more of an uncle than a father perhaps. "And help me pack up some of the food so it's hot and not wasted. We can't eat that much. Send them to the servant's dining halls or better yet give them to the homeless." Alfred eyes followed his Queen's movements as the other ordered the men and women stationing around the hall to help. He smiled, knowing his Queen loved their people in his own way. "What're you waiting for? Come here." He shook his thoughts away and helped. And by the time Yao came back, his expression said all he was feeling.
"Alfred and Arthur Kirkland-Jones, Your Royal Majesties of the Kingdom of Spades," An unnerving look was casted in their direction. "Explain this." Their royal Jack crossed his arms with a huff. A stern face told both of them that Yao wasn't going to take any bullshit. "Wow, Yao, I never thought you could make such formal words kill with just the pronunciation and-!" The young King was grabbed from behind. A hand clasped over his mouth to prevent his blabbering nonsense. The owner then laughed awkwardly. "Ahahah, Yao, my hardworking and loyal Jack, this is merely err," Arthur paused, thinking of placing the right words at the right places in his speech. "A kind deed to our citizens! Surely they'd love to taste the wonderful cooking of their royal highness, the Jack of Spades. Since it seems impossible to finish the sumptuous feast, we wished to do ourselves and our suffering citizens a favour…" He was trailing off towards the end, uncertain of his persuasion. "And of course to show how benevolent their rulers are! You wouldn't mind, would you?" Arthur looked on eagerly for sign of acceptance of his 'praising'.
"Hmm, it sounds rather decent. But nonetheless, this feast is for our alliance talk with Diamonds. We must look presentable, ahen." Yao sighed. "You do know how important this is, right? It's a little less well-known but Diamonds is also the Kingdom of Cuisines. And the King is the best chef in Diamonds. We need to impress them somehow."
"No problemo Yao, leave it to me! I'll make the best food ever!" The King's blue eyes sparkled with pride.
"I'd rather you not do that. I don't trust you after that time you almost got Francis killed, aru."
"That time was a fluke! It's totally Eliza's fault! She's not supposed to put dragon bane in that soup! And it's not even poisonous to humans…" The pseudo-American trailed off, looking away and feeling guilty. He earned himself a stare-down from his Jack. "How glorious of you to blame everything on a maid."
"Why do you need to impress them when you're sure Francis will help us?" Arthur asked curiously, seeing as they were already somewhat allies in the war. "It's more like a custom really. A tradition passed down from earlier generations. The amount of sincerity for whichever party seeking an alliance is gauged by their preparation for food and the sheer grandeur of the meal." Yao explained. "Besides, when there's good food and wine. The talking is a lot easier."
"Then, maybe you should let me make a dish. I'm sure what we have in my world is somewhat exotic to yours. Have you heard of scones? It's something like a mix between a cake and bread. Give me around 45 minutes and I can make you some." Both Yao and Alfred gawked at the man with the suggestion. "You can cook?" Alfred naturally blurted the question out. He quickly justified his question when he noticed a slight change in Arthur's expression. "It's not that I think you don't know how, it's just you don't look like you enter the kitchen much?" His sentence somehow ended as another question.
"Rubbish, Alfred. I cook for myself ever since I live alone everyday and I help out with cooking when my parents are still around. Relax, I won't kill that Frog face of a King and his Jack when they're over." The Brit began taking off his outer coat and folding it nicely on the seat he was allocated. "Frog face? Francis will explode if he hears that. But I like that nickname, aru." Yao snickered. "A-ah! It just slipped from my mouth. He just reminds me of people I used to know with his accent. We weren't exactly friendly with them, a-hah." He laughed nervously and scooted into the vast royal kitchen.
"Is this supposed to be delicious?" The King raised his brow at the half eaten scone. His Jack eyed his piece suspiciously. "O-of course! It's a local specialty back at home! It's just, I burnt it a little. It still taste good."
"Well, it kinda taste alright to me." Alfred replied, still munching on the snack.
"It's unique." Yao chewed a bit longer and rolled the food back and forth in his mouth. "Francis might like the buttery texture. But I'm sure he'd frown at the appearance and the bitter burnt taste." He licked his lips a little to savour the taste. "I think the aftertaste of fruits isn't that bad."
"They like it!" Arthur thought as his heart fluttered with joy. It wasn't often someone complimented his culinary skills and his brothers just loved to say his food taste like shit. His colleagues? Well, he didn't have the confidence to offer them his food since theirs were great. The opening of the door to the kitchen grabbed everyone's attention. The man stepping into the kitchen bowed. The Brit recognized the man. He was the Captain of the Royal Knights and was part of the Honour Knights during the ceremony. He was dressed down a little but still clad in armor.
"Your Majesties, Your Highness, my sincere apology in interrupting your conversation but the Royals of Diamonds have arrived. My men have brought them to the waiting room. The Princely lord is entertaining them at the moment. Shall I have them escorted to the dining hall?"
Since the person who came to report belonged to the Knights Order, it was expected that the Queen reply with an order. Arthur exchanged looks with his King and Jack, asking for their opinions. Both of the latter nodded their heads. "Leon, was it? I'll go with you. The King and Jack will welcome them from here. Lead the way." Arthur ordered and proceeded out. The knight gestured the way from behind the Queen. They eventually reached the waiting room and the heavy doors clicked open.
"Your majesty," Matthew stood and greeted the Queen.
"I'm terribly sorry for the wait. Let me officially welcome you for dinner. This way, please." The Queen led the way, trying not to get lost in his palace. "Finally." He exclaimed in his mind, taking note of his appearance in front of guests. The knights pushed open the door. Chandelier lights begin flooding the hallway. The whole room felt different from when he last left it.
"Ooolala, a grand feast spread across the table, just for us?" A smooth voice sounded from behind them. "Ahh and I see a new dish! Très bien!" Arthur stepped aside while the trio approached the table.
"Welcome, Kingdom of Diamonds." Alfred smiled dashingly as he moved to snake an arm around his Queen's waist while Yao bowed to the King and Queen of Diamonds respectfully. After which, he ushered the three royals to their seats before going to his own. The blue King pulled out the chair for his Queen before heading to his which was right in the middle of the long table. The elder brother of the Spades King excused himself from the room. Arthur did notice Francis stare longingly at the leaving figure. His attention was brought back after the doors closed behind the princely lord.
"Thank you for being able to make it." The American started as appetizers were served by the maids. "Diamonds is always there to support Spades when we need the help."
"Oui, spare me the formality Alfred. Spades and Diamonds have always been friends. It's a known fact." The French King munched on the salad-looking appetizer.
"It's obvious to the other Kingdoms that we're helping you." Vash added. "If not for our Kingdoms' alliance, I wouldn't need to offer help."
"You shouldn't say that, Vash. If we go down, they'll eventually reach you, aru." Yao retorted.
"Unfortunately." The Jack of Diamonds crossed his arms. "There're only four mains Kingdoms and many small indigenous tribes and no real way we could stay neutral for a long time. I'd rather cooperate with Spades then get ordered around by Hearts. One word of advice though, their Jack is no pushover. If you think he's weak, then think again."
"I reckoned materialising things from air says it all, don't it." Arthur stared in Vash's direction. "I can felt the magical pressure he was emitting. Frankly, it is far from weak." The Jack of Diamonds closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm glad someone was observant enough to realize it."
"Queen Arthur, I heard you were wounded from Mei. Are you alright?" The meek Queen of Diamonds asked. "The Queen of Clubs' poison is known to kill someone slowly. I have a remedy written by my mother. Would you like to have it to fully recover?"
Then, the room was silent. Not a single sound from cutlery scraping the plates, not a single sound from the eating. Arthur could only stare at his Diamond counterpart. "How did she know?" was all that was on all three of their minds. If Arthur recalled correctly, even Mei didn't know about him wounded by Clubs' poison unless… He barely opened his mouth to accuse the Queen of masterminding the whole situation before getting held down by Yao. Yao gave him a frown and a light shake of his head. He gritted his teeth and looked away, feeling a little injustice. Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Alfred decided to laugh the matter off. "Hahaha, that'd be nice, Queen Lily. Have some of that beef, it's good." He turned to the Brit, indicating his disapproval. Arthur wore a slight frown and eyed suspiciously between Lily and Francis. He was sure something fishy was going on, he'd have that checked with Mei later. Then came the desserts. The scones were served as part of the dessert and Arthur was teaching them how to consume it. It was rather well-received and Francis was complimenting its novelty.
"Regarding the marionette, I assure you it wasn't any of us." Francis mentioned as he took another bite off the creamed scone. "Like you, I'd like to find the culprit."
"The leads so far all pointed to Diamonds. The real culprit is rather conscious and careful. Hopefully, we find something else along the way."
"Ahh I see, thank you Alfred," The Yellow King continued. "With that aside, Diamonds will continue supporting Spades in the coming war but you have to promise me to end this quickly. My ministers hate to see debts accumulating and my dear Vash will murder me if I overspend the war budget." A handkerchief dapped across the King's mouth. "While we're here, let us sign the alliance treaty to safeguard both our interests. I'm sure it's already been drafted, non?" Obviously, he directed the question at Arthur. He waved his hand in the air and summoned ghastly birds from the smoke arising from the burning firewood in the fireplace. It carried with it the drafted treaties and unrolled them in front of the royals. Signatures were signed on the indicative lines on both copies. The birds rolled up the scrolls and placed them into the hands of respective Kings before disappearing with a faint scent of pinewood. "It has been a pleasant dinner, Alfred. Thank you for having us." The Diamond trio gave slight bows and curtsy before heading out of the palace.
After bidding farewell to the trio, Arthur turned to his King and Jack and interrogated the two. "Why did you stop me?" The two exchanged looks and sighed. "Let's just put it as Lily can identify wounds, illness and the cause just by looking even when the wound is healed." Yao explained. "It's a gift that Francis doesn't want any others to know." Arthur looked stunned while absorbing the information. Then, his brows furrowed into a frown. "Don't you feel naked, that way? I-I mean somehow she sees through the clothes and spots the wound right?" There were moments of awkward silence and the three of them were lost for words. Instinctively, the Brit clutched the collars of his coat closer to hide whatever he had under and the wheat-head looked away in embarrassment. Yao cleared his throat. "Coming back to our topic tonight, remember to keep that treaty in your vault, Alfred; and also you should spend the rest of the night preparing that talk with Ivan tomorrow, aru." He gave the Queen a light squeeze on his right shoulder. "Arthur will help him right?" Arthur nodded in reply, recollecting his thoughts from the discussion earlier.
"Ivan would be tough to handle." He thought as he followed Alfred back to their chambers. "What can I say to convince him…?" He muttered a monologue as he kept walking, ignoring his surroundings effectively. A powerful tug pulled him back to Trump and into the arms of his young King. "Oof." He collided head-on onto the other's chest. Rubbing his now painful nose, he looked up at Alfred. "Arthur, are you back in Spades now? Geez, you just kept walking. By the way, our bedroom is that way." Apparently, Alfred was already changing out of his formal clothes. He paused midway and realized his Queen wasn't behind him. He panicked a little, running out of the room and frantically looking for his partner in the hallways. When Alfred finally found him, he was walking towards underground dungeons. The Spades Queen apologized after realizing where he was. He ignored most of the servants' bows and addresses along the way, submerged in his own world of thoughts.
"Arthur, get changed so we can get started on discussion." There wasn't any response – just the man trapped deep in thought.
"I'm gonna help you change, alright?"Alfred stated as he started working on the buttons of the other's waistcoat and successfully pulled off the butterfly bow that was protecting his Queen's neck. He kept a questioning expression and peeked occasional glances at his husband. After he was done, another row of buttons laid waiting on his inner shirt. Frankly, his patience was running shallow and he was really annoyed by whoever designed their clothes. One couldn't freaking take them off fast enough and dive right into bed without having to worry about popping any of those buttons. And by the way, did he mention about those boots Arthur was wearing? They looked hideously frustrating get off. Look at all those interlacing shoelaces; did anyone need that much 'network of scaffolding' laces? Much to Alfred's dismay, they were a pair of freakishly annoying boots.
"I have an idea on how to get that treaty signed." Arthur blurted as he grabbed onto Alfred's arms, effectively knocking the latter out of his world of fashion judgment. "I'm confident I can convince Ivan." Arthur leaned closer to his King enthusiastically. His eyes sparkled with so much joy; it was nearly child-like. Alfred's lips thinned into a small awkward smile. "I'm glad you thought of something but, could you let go of me for now? I need to finish helping you err, undress?" He put on an awkward smile. Arthur blinked though seconds later, he could feel heat rising from his cheeks when he realized he was nearly half-naked. He jumped a few steps away and grabbed whatever clothes he had left to cover whatever skin he was showing. "Since-? I-You?! I w-will undress myself!" He turned around. "Don't l-look, idiot!"
"Ok fine fine. I'm won't, alright?" The younger of the duo resisted the urge to roll his eyes and sighed at how 'cute' the man he was married to could be at times. Honestly, he was glad. He reached over and hugged his Queen from behind as the latter was done with changing. "Don't be an idiot, let go of me." Alfred pouted slightly. "I'm tired; Queeny drag me to bed, will ya?"
"Queeny?" Arthur thought. "Another one of those nicknames again, huh?" He shrugged, submitting to his fate of never being called his real name outside of formal meetings. He nudged the deadweight hanging over his shoulders, asking him to move away. Knowing it wasn't going to go away, he needed another tactic.
"Are we going to discuss in our dreams?" Arthur turned to face the owner of the arms around him. He fingered a button on his partner's clothes playfully and looked up at him shyly. "Or are we going to discuss this over bed?" Arthur leaned in slightly more. Alfred swallowed audibly as he stared down at the Queen-turned-seductress. He reckoned no one in the kingdom would have eyes as widely open as his at that point in time. "I-I arh. Arthur…" His breath hitched as he felt the other's breath mixing with his own. Arthur observed the other's minute facial movements and his barely audible groan. A few fleeting moments later, the Englishman broke out into a laughing fit. "Pfft-haha honestly, you believed that? That's bloody hilarious! Get your mind out of the gutters, lad." He left the embrace of the other and proceeded to the writing desk to skim through papers-worth of information. The pseudo-American tried maintained a poker face, slightly disappointed in the abrupt change.
"Clubs has been in a love-hate relationship with nearly all the kingdoms. But it's probably the worse with Hearts. That dispute it had with Hearts over southeastern lands maybe that's the point we want to tackle." Alfred suggested. He was not entirely interested in getting help from them, but he knew it would be essential. "Or we can threaten them with the money we contribute annually to their reconstruction efforts."
"We could, but I was thinking of something more personal, more hmm, how do I describe it? You'll see what I mean when tomorrow comes." Arthur smiled. If only he could get Yao to help in persuading. The Club King and him go way back in their relationship. "But for now, bed would be great."
"Where's my good night kiss?"
"Shouldn't you be kissing me?"
"I initiate it all the time, it's 'bout time you kiss me first!"
Arthur suppressed his urge to roll his eyes at his husband. "Come here." He approached the side of the bed where the wheat-head was sitting. He bent over slight and leaned in, placing his hands on the other's shoulders as support. The original intention was to land a kiss on Alfred's cheek but somehow, it didn't go according to plan. His lips were trapped right smack on top of Alfred's. A strong hand held down his head and held onto one of his wrists, preventing him from escaping. Arthur's fingers pried at the ones of their counterparts, forcing them to slip out of their strong hold on his back of the head. They broke apart but stayed in an eye-lock.
"Move over, git. You're occupying my spot."
"Don't wana." The young King mused. He pulled his Queen down closer to him. Strong arms wrapped around the lean figure of Arthur. The older of the two traced Alfred's face with his thumbs. "Really now?" He smiled in glee as he watched blue eyes widen in shock. "GYAAAA!" A manly scream echoed in the room as the King pushed his partner aside and tumbled out of bed in attempt to escape. "You need to STOP doing that, holy crap." Alfred demanded, holding back a tear in his eye. "Stop what, love? It's just a little chilly, no?" The Englishman snickered at the temporary lapse. Alfred narrowed at his husband, fuming a little at his abuse of magic. Arthur had made his hands ice cold while resting them on Alfred's cheek as payback or revenge, in Arthur's words. "You're totally evil." Alfred pouted as he climbed back into the bed.
"Yes yes, let the devil tug you in."
Arthur woke up to a beautiful morning. Birds were chirping loudly, a gentle breeze made the curtains flow gently. Everything was normal. Breakfast was as usual for the three royals with Alfred struggling to stay awake, Arthur sipping on his tea and Yao eating his congee. Or at least what they think. The doors swept open and Leon came rushing in. The three royals at the table looked in his directly sleepily and stoically. "Your Majesties, Your Highness, King Ivan-I, h-he's heading this way as we speak!" The Captain looked flustered and perplexed. The trio exchange looks and thoughts.
"I'll take it from here. Leon, escort His Majesty to the waiting room. Yao, make sure no one from the morning court knows about this." With that, Arthur hurried down hallways to intercept the Clubs King. He found the tall individual walking briskly towards past the junction up ahead. "King Ivan!" He called out to the figure. He did catch Ivan's attention and the latter came to a stop. "Ahh, Queen Arthur. Your servants told me you were having breakfast with your King. Forgive me for not being patient enough." Arthur didn't know whether to consider that as a sincere apology or just being politically polite. "I'm sure it's fine. We've been expecting your arrival, this way please." He carefully picked his words and led the Green King to the waiting room. They entered the room where Alfred greeted them with a cold expression. "Briginski."
"Jones," The Russian accent rolled off his tongue. "Or rather, Kirkland-Jones." His gaze fell on the Queen beside him before returning to Alfred. "My time is precious, Queen Arthur. What is it you wish to talk about?"
"If that's so, I'll cut the talk short." Arthur paced some distance away from the visiting king. "We wish to form an alliance with you." An awkwardly silent atmosphere sunk onto the three of them. Violet eyes casted its gaze on the Brit. They seemed particularly emotionless. It fitted his cold, creepy appearance altogether when those orbs of purple stare down into your soul. He understood why Alfred was 'scared' or rather, against him – in Alfred's words. Then, his eyes curved into a intimidating smile. "You really shouldn't discuss this without my Queen and Jack, little Queen. Talk to me again when you arranged an official meeting. " He turned around and exited the room without turning a hair.
"I-Ivan! King Ivan! Please listen!" Arthur burst out of the room, crying out to the leaving figure.
"What about Natashya?"
The Clubs royal stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to face the Spades duo with an angry frown on his face. At that moment, Arthur knew he hit the bull's eye on Ivan. His little sister was taken away from him by the same people who rule Hearts now. "She was suspected as a Clubs spy and you never saw her again. Though I have news that she's still alive in that torture tower of Hearts." Arthur stated calmly, while reestablishing his composure. "But I don't suppose the King of Hearts would be that heartless. After all, she's still a sister of a friend." Arthur picked out specific words to highlight and emphasize, knowing they would possibly provoke any resentment the Russian man had.
"Comrade, I'll be honest with you. She'll be released after Hearts win the war, on the condition that we help them. My Queen and Jack are working on that and-"
"What made you think she'll definitely be released?" Arthur shot down that comment with another question. "What made you think your Queen and Jack are not the masterminds behind this war?" Alfred looked between his Queen and the visiting King. The prolonged stare-down made the atmosphere feel uneasy.
"Tell me, Ivan." Arthur continued, "Tell me, you don't find your Queen and Jack suspicious. Tell me, they didn't try to stop you from coming to meet us. Te-"
"Queen Arthur, you need not say more. I'll give you the answer you want over the next few days." The tall figure interrupted the Brit's persistent hammerings. Corners of lips of all three people present curled up slightly into polite smiles hiding dangerous daggers. The visiting King casted one last glance at the host Queen before heading off hastily towards the exit. Arthur let out a breath he never knew he held while watching the silhouette fade in the distance. The situation was rather tense and he made a risky move desperately.
"Were you trying to distance the royals in Clubs?"
A frank and direct question sounded from right beside him. "It's already divided to begin with, love. Ivan only agreed to meet us because he's as convinced as we are about his Queen and Jack." The blue Queen pinched the bridge of his nose to ease an oncoming headache. "Maybe I pressed on too much. I'm not sure what to deduce from this discussion."
"There's a chance I might be indirectly starting a civil war in Clubs. Ohh bollocks…" Arthur thought. He winced a little at that depressing thought. A civil war within a big one would be disadvantageous to any side especially when it concerned the only land-access to the other warring nations. It may very well be a blessing if they're on the side which was winning, since getting another ally was always welcomed.
"I don't get it. Why would you trust Ivan?"
"You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest and you shouldn't always trust an honest man." Arthur replied. He quoted a movie he'd watched years ago and it left a rather deep impression. It was hard to tell if Ivan had really bought his offer. However, he believed that a man who cared about his family couldn't be that bad after all. Hopefully, Ivan'd deliver the answer he hoped to get. It'll be the best scenario. The alliance of five important people and their military power would be one of the keys to ending the war desirably.
Footnote: Happy (very belated) birthday to my friend, OldNewLife and me (though it's rather early)! Totally dedicating this chapter to those born in Jan and Feb! Oo and also Happy Chinese New Year lol! As usual school's killing me, but thank you all for following me through! Next chapter should be the starting of the war - good god like finally... Until then! Cheers!