Chapter 6-1

"The whole of this world, is only object in relation to the subject, perception of the perceiver, in a word, representation."

- The World as Will and Representation by Arthur Schopenhauer

Arthur came earlier than dawn, riding in the midst of a mist. The workers in the harbor had already started working early in the morning. They were shouting and carrying cargo in good order. After months of travel, the cargo from England arrived safely in the American continents. The heel of Arthur's boots tapped the deck, and he walked off the ship rhythmically and sonorously.

A carriage was already prepared on the side. He nodded in greeting to the reception personnel in a black top hat and got into the carriage in an unhurried manner. From here to that house-their house-should take about more than one hour. He could take the time and close his eyes for a short rest. Even though he was excited because of the upcoming meeting, he still decided it would be wise to take a nap. He would deal with that big boy in full energy later. Oh, no, their relationship is not the same anymore.

Arthur closed his eyes and leaned toward the window. The cool wind swept past his face and blew at the short hair on his forehead. He loves me. He silently muttered in his mind with happiness.

Yes, they became lovers since his last visit.

At this moment, the world was nothing to be feared.

The Door into Summer

-18th Century-

"Al?"

After he had just got off the carriage, Arthur couldn't wait and walked into the residence hall as he took off his gloves.

"Al?" He shouted again.

The sky was blue. Layers of leaves couldn't stop the sunshine from entering inside and leaving half-moon shaped bright spot on the floor. The summer weather in the American continents was nice. In comparison, England's weather was still volatile at the moment on the other side of the ocean. The sun was always concealed by layers of cloud like a poor little girl.

Their house was surrounded by blooming flowers such as deep-blue gentians, white Lisianthus, leopard lilies, and Moroccan roses. Small shrubs were all around the flowers. Not far from the backyard garden was a boulevard, looking like a dark-green shadow from afar at this moment. It was placed right beneath the skirt of the clouds.

Arthur didn't hear a reply, so he decided to take a look directly in the direction of the backyard. When he had just left the shaded spot, another shadow suddenly pounced toward him without warning. The power of the impact was too much, causing Arthur to be unable to stand firm for the moment. His body was about to fall backwards-

"Phew! I caught you!"

A pair of warm and strong arms caught his waist just in time. Arthur recognized who the owner of these arms was right away. Standing against the sun, Alfred's bright smile was illuminating him munificently. And the shadow that had just pounced toward him first stuck its head between the two of them. It stuck its tongue out and licked Arthur's face passionately.

"Hey! Andrew! Don't take Arthur from me!"

Alfred yelled exasperatedly. He extended his hands out, wanting to pry the overexcited shepherd dog off him. Arthur, on the other hand, was laughing as he dodged its hot tongue. After a while, Alfred finally got this dog to leave Arthur and took the space that originally belonged to him.

"When did you have the dog?" Arthur moved Alfred's slightly long bangs behind his ears for him affectionately then gave his cheek a kiss.

"A week ago." Alfred looked somewhat proud. "He's a good buddy! Aside from charging too fast sometimes..."

"Just like his owner."

Alfred pouted, "I'm better than Andrew. At least I know you don't like being licked." Then he quickly gave a peck on Arthur's lips.

"You like my kisses, right?"

Arthur called him a brat, but his cheeks and ears were all rose-colored.

"Hey, why don't we go in and get something to drink?" Alfred said after giving Arthur a hug and pulled away from each other.

"All right." Arthur nodded somewhat reluctantly. God, he was already beginning to think these hugs weren't enough.

"It's not a bad idea indeed."

Alfred was a very important existence to Arthur. The vast resources in the America were certainly one major cause, but in terms of the present, it was more important that he could focus all his attention on the person he loved. Forget about wars, the economy, politics, rights, all those unpleasant things... He was fine with just looking at the person before him.

Alfred's confessions always came unexpected ever since he was little. When he was still small, he would use his little hands to weave a flower crown and put it on Arthur's head with joy. Then his rosy lips would give Arthur's cheek a kiss, saying "I love you!"

Or when he was a little older, they went fishing in the lake together. Arthur carried the food basket as he walked behind; Alfred was bouncing in front of him and talking about what happened when they were apart. After going through the forest, they picked a spot beside the lake and sat down. Arthur taught Alfred how to cast the fishing rod and how to put the bait on. Alfred learned really fast, but he was impatient. Arthur would tell him to calm down and wait, not knowing whether he should laugh or be angry. Alfred would always tell him: "Drop dead, Arthur! Wait!". He sat on the stone and pouted unhappily, but he stopped fidgeting and didn't make any trouble.

After a while, his fishing rod started moving. Due to his previous failures, Alfred knew he had to carefully time when to pull the fishing rod up this time. Then he calculated the timing and pulled vigorously-succeeding in hooking a trout!

He yelled happily. Arthur was praising him in cooperation. Alfred took the fish off the hook and threw it into the creel before announcing loudly: "I name him Schubert!"

He was like a little conqueror, jumping onto the rock which Arthur was sitting on with the fishing rod in his hands. "Arthur!"

"Hmm?"

"I really love you!" He said proudly.

Alfred grew up really fast. Shortly thereafter, he had no idea when Alfred grew to about the same height as him. After hearing Alfred's countless crazy ideas since he was little and seeing all kinds of adventures and whims of his, Arthur thought nothing could scare him anymore. If you had seen a child "lift" a bison and swing it around happily, then what else would surprise you while he grew up?

He was indeed a blessed lad. Whenever Arthur was with Alfred, he would always unconsciously forget that taking resources was his purpose for coming here in the beginning. He put his heart down inadvertently. He taught Alfred how to dance. Alfred put his arm around his waist awkwardly, and they twirled in the living room. Arthur told him to count the beat in his mind to move forward and backward. He also had to take care of the feet he couldn't take back in time, allowing his body to move gracefully along with the rhythm. Turn around, start, and nod in greeting.

Learning this would be convenient at social occasions, Arthur said.

Alfred gave him an embarrassed smile. But I don't like those occasions. They're too formal, it's boring.

Arthur said sternly, you have to participate in it whether you like it or not. It's necessary.

Alfred let go of the arm that was holding Arthur and walked toward the table where the kettle was somewhat unhappily. Arthur walked forward as well and accepted the water cup handed over by Alfred.

Arthur. Alfred said, his voice sounding a little melancholy.

Hmm?

I don't want to...

Don't want to what?

Alfred held the water cup silently. After a few seconds, he patted his own face. When he looked up again, his cerulean eyes were shining.

If I really have to dance, I only want to dance with you.

Arthur found this ridiculous; what's the point of dancing with me? Wouldn't that lose the fun in dancing?...

No, it won't. Alfred said seriously. I love you.

I love you too. You've said this countless of times since you were little.

That's not it...

Alfred put his hand on his forehead in frustration.

Drop dead! Arthur!

I love you... I really do! So I don't want to dance with anyone else!

Then he left the room while striding angrily, leaving Arthur stunned by himself.

It was silent during dinner time. Alfred refused to look straight at him the entire time. Arthur wasn't familiar with what to do in a situation like this. Even though he had existed for a long time, but to be like this... sentimental? Naive? Anyways, the words were like frankincense, making people reluctant to let it go. When these words were targeted to him, he didn't know what to do instead. He didn't have a good relationship with his brothers and the European countries couldn't be trusted. He never really had the experience of having something occupy his heart. His mind had been filled with his people and benefits.

Arthur felt like he was drifting in a sea of honey. Those sweet buzzing sounds lingered in his ears continuously.

He covered himself completely in bed sheet. In the darkness, he opened his eyes and spoke to himself repeatedly. Alfred said he loves him.

Oh, it's a little different this time. It's... that kind of love.

He loves me?

He loves me.

... He loves me!

Oh God!

He gasped for a breath. The air inside the bed sheet were becoming thinner gradually. The sudden happiness made him need more fresh air. He took off the bed sheet vigorously so he could breathe all he wanted. After staring blankly at the carving on the top of the bed for a while, Arthur thought of how to respond to Alfred.

They were brothers, but not real brothers in that sense. They were more like a teacher and student that had a large age gap. The student gradually caught up with the teacher's pace. They could keep pace with each other and expand England's influence together. As long as Alfred was England's colony, they could be together forever.

Together forever!

No wars and no schemes, he could hug each other to his heart's content and not have to worry about betrayal. This would be his resting place, where he stores his heart...

Such imagination made him a little dizzy. He exhaled deeply and started giggling.

Does he love Alfred? Why's there a need to ask?

If he didn't love Alfred, he wouldn't come see him right after he finished his business in Europe. He loved everything about Alfred, from his smile to the childish side of him, and from the eyes that resembled the sky to the somewhat crooked little toe on his feet. Arthur loved the breath exhaled by him when he moved close and the lips that said he loves him. It made him want to kiss him.

Arthur closed his eyes in satisfaction. I love you. He muttered to himself.

It's really the most beautiful thing in the world.

The next morning, he found Alfred in the stable. Alfred had just came back from horse riding. He had his back to Arthur in awkwardness and began adjusting the saddle. Arthur's palm was sweating; he felt nervous about what he was about to say as he watched Alfred from the behind. Al. He said after a while... Let's have something to eat?

I'm not hungry. Alfred said stubbornly.

Arthur panicked a little. He wasn't sure whether Alfred was angry or he regretted what he said yesterday.

He hoped Alfred could turn around and let him take a good look at him.

There's your favourite apple pie, and bacons that are just fried...

I meant it, I'm not hungry. Alfred finally turned in his direction, but he was still unwilling to look straight in his eyes. They stayed in the stable while the sun slowly moved its body from this strand of grass to that strand of grass. Alfred lowered his gaze and watched as ants climbed over his feet to Arthur's shoe tip. If Arthur wasn't going to say anything, Alfred would guess he had been completely rejected so far. He was so upset he only wanted to leave as soon as possible, find a wall, and give it a hard kick. He wanted to see if the foot pain could divert his attention.

Arthur moved and stepped forward just as the ants made an attempt to climb up Arthur's boots.

He muttered some slurred words softly, then grabbed Alfred and gave him a deep kiss as if he had abandoned every fear and worry.

Alfred widened his eyes. He shut them immediately as he deepened this kiss together.

The sun had finally left the stable completely. Shadows were rising like water. Voices were grinding with each other; curly eyelashes were quivering.

A world is outside the world, and love was right here.

They had nothing to fear.

The grammar in this chapter almost killed me...
Now the story's moving on to talk about what happened in the past.
Instead of clearing some things up, I guess more questions are thrown out in this chapter, huh? Well, all the questions will be answered in the end.

By the way, I'll be changing the rating from T to M next chapter...