A/N: Hey y'all! This is a little one-shot from the Cardverse AU. I literally typed this all on my phone on the metro! Then i copied and pasted it to my email and voila! Yeah this is pretty detailed because I had to set up the background for this one ^.^

The song is Two Princes by Spin Doctors. It is a very happy go lucky interpretation of what would happen if France and America got in a fight over England! I decided to use Fem!England and Fem!Canada in this fic for the sake of not making it even more complicated. Enjoy! And pleasr R & R!

Chapter 3: Marry Him or Marry Me

Alice Kirkland was to be the queen of the Kingdom of Spades. But that wasn't what she wanted. Her entire life Alice had grown up inside the castle behind walls and been trained to be a proper princess. She did not dislike being proper mind you. She simply wished to see what her people were like, and what the land was like. She wanted to write about those encounters rather than about the science of iron pyrite. And worst of all, her husband was to be Francis Bonnefoy: the future King of the Principality of Diamonds. The man was revolting. He had tried to kiss her within five minutes of talking to her. Figures. He was from The County of France. That was not how a king would act in her mind. Alice had dreamed of a king being a man of boundless spirit and wisdom. Francis was neither of these things. And because of this Alice wanted to run away. Maybe become a poet. That's what most of the Threes were. The kingdom of Spades was known for its brute men. In fact the Ace of Spades was the best warrior in any of the four kingdoms of Cardanshire. And or this they created ranks, or numbers. A Ten had the most strength and a One had the least. Alice didn't find this system accurate, as a man should be ranked for his other capabilities as well, not just brute strength.

But today would be a new day for her. She'd escape her palace and see the prosperous nation around her. She already had her disguise. Her maid and dear friend Mei helped her make it. It was a plain sky blue dress with a white lacy apron. Her legs were covered by black and white striped leggings. Her hair was tied in pigtails. To the ordinary eye she was just a normal maid. Since her parents were off attending to wedding plans in Diamonds, Alice would not be hindered. This meant the plan would be perfect. As Alice put on her cloak and got her basket (for samples), she went to Mei and said, "Thank you. I will be back tonight..."

Mei simply smiled, "My lady, please go enjoy yourself. Do not worry about me."

Alice smiled gratefully and ran down the corridor and out the palace. She slipped through the palace wall and then stopped as she came out. The market was brilliant! There were hundreds of stalls each sporting different types of merchandise. There were trinkets, exotic fruits, and jewelry from far away lands. And the people themselves were lavish as well. Many were wearing silks and cottons of bright colors. But there were also many more wearing simple rags. This saddened Alice. She did not know her kingdom was suffering. Did her parents even know? She walked through the crowd, careful to conceal her face, as some could recognize her. She then walked into someone.

"oh excuse m-" she caught view of the man she bumped into. Her green eyes glowed in admiration. The man in front of her was a tall broad shouldered fellow with hair the color of honey and azure eyes hidden behind thin wire frames. He was tan and had a childish demeanor about him. But he was also covered in rags. How Alice wishes she could help the poor boy.

"Excuse me miss. I apologize for not looking where I was going." the boy said with a friendly grin. He had a southern drawl much like the Prefecture of America.

Alice blushed and turned away, "Oh why thank you..." the boy was a gentleman and handsome. All that she wanted in a man.

The boy began to try and peer into her hood,"Say do I know you? You look familiar..."

Alice pulled her cloak even tighter, "N-NO! Of of course not good sir...what makes you think such a thing?"

Alfred smiled, "Well, you're very pretty my lady. By the way, my name's Alfred! What's yours?"

He held out his hand.

'Alfred.' Alice thought. 'what a befitting name. It was the name of one of our great kings.'

Then she said, "My name is Alice. And don't you know, Alfred that you should not shake a lady's hand unless you are or wish to be betrothed to her?" she smiled cunningly.

This made Alfred blush. "Oh uh...well, I-I wouldn't mind being with you...I mean you seem like a nice person..."

Now this surprised Alice. The man had hardly known her but he had called her nice and pretty. No noble boy had done that to her before as it was considered impolite to talk about the princess. "But you hardly know me mister Alfred..."

He laughed to her statement, "Little lady you definitely are not from around here. Everybody knows people from the England prefecture are always polite. I know who you are now...I knew your name sounded familiar. Princess, next time if you're going to escape the castle, try to come up with another name...it's a real honor to meet you though.."

'Oh bollocks.' Alice thought. 'Now he's going to try and take me back will he not?'

"Ah...it seems you have me mistaken for someone else mister Alfred. I am not princess Alice. I am simply named after the princess...that is all..."

Alfred's laugh grew stronger, "Haha! I get it you just wanted to escape all that boring stuff didn't you prin-?"

Alice clamped her hand over Alfred's mouth. Even if it was unlady like she could not let Alfred reveal who she was to everyone. She was wrong about the boy. He was nothing but a child in a mans body. Yet, she found it endearing despite everything. He was just doing what he thought was right.

"P-please do not reveal me Mister Alfred. I'm seventeen years old and am about to be married to a man I don't want to marry at the slightest. This is the last bit of freedom I have before all of that. So please. Don't give me away. I'll give you some form of compensation for this I promise..."

Her desperate emerald eyes reflected into his azure blue, and he began to think. Then he slammed his fist into his palm, "I know how you can compensate me!"

Alice scowled and prayed it was not something Francis would suggest.

Alfred pointed at her, "I would like to be your personal guide on this fine day and show you the best of what this fine kingdom has to offer!"

Alice did promise him compensation and found herself unable to say no to the boy what with his gleaming features and energetic character. How she wished he was with her in the palace as perhaps a stable boy or a butler of some sort. Perhaps she could stand her marriage to Francis just a tiny bit. As they went through town Alice had collected all sorts of trinkets and items in her basket. Many were small items of jewelry but there was also bread (which they ate at Alfred's friend Felix's piroshki stand), spices (which was given to Alice for free by Alfred's friend Sadiq), and a beautiful green silk which was given to Alice by Alfred himself. Alice had learned a lot about the boy on their "expedition" as he called it. Alfred should have been a Ten for his strength alone but had decided to stay a One to support his family, especially his sister Madeline who was quite feeble. Many of Alfred's friends were Fours and Fives which often made them cooks or merchants. Alfred also knew The Jack of Spades: Yao. The Jack was chosen by whomever got the highest score on a special test given to anyone who was above a Four. Yao had gotten the highest score in history, which transcended all of Cardanshire. He was also an expert at karate (a fighting style from the Principality of China) and cooking. Alice felt that what Alfred had to do to protect his family was unfair. He could've been the Ace of Spades or at least a knight in Alice's castle. Alice looked at her pocket watch, a treasure of the first Queen of King's watch and the Queen's watch were supposedly in perfect synch with each other. Legend has it that the first King and Queen of Spades' heartbeats were in perfect synch because they loved each other so much. Unfortunately Alice could not find her king because she had never loved anyone in such a way. Yet she carried his clock with the small hope that she might. Much of the later time was spent by Alice yelling at Alfred for doing dumb childish things.

Alfred sighed, "It's getting late m'lady. I think we should get ya back to the castle..."

Alice sighed too, "Already? I only wish someone else would court me instead of that frog. At least someone from Spades."

Alfred smiled, "Princess if I could I would most definitely court you myself..."

Alice blushed. As childish as the boy was, he was so endearing.

"Thank you, Mister Alfred. That is a very kind thing I you to say. And you don't have to call me princess you know. I would like for you to call me Alice, good sir." She gave him a small smile. Alice realized she had never smiled so much in a day.

Alfred had a pleasant look of surprise on his face. "If you insist, Alice. Well I wish you the best of luck on your marriage..."

He bent down and kissed her hand.

Alice gasped, "Didn't I tell you about doing such things? In a palace you could get arrested for improper conduct!"

Alfred laughed, "Alright. Alright. Don't be so tense all the time

Alice. Let some things go. Goodbye Princess! I hope the next time I see

you is as a bride!" He smiled and ran off. Alice stood in front of the palace wall on her own, desiring more time with the poor boy. What was this feeling? Unbeknownst to her, the clock of the king was starting to tick.

The next morning Alice had been set up to lunch with Francis by her parents. She scowled and put on her best fake smile. Today her dress was a burgundy color with a sapphire brooch at the chest. To her chagrin the dress was quite low cut. But the dress did bring out her stunning myrtle eyes. As Francis walked in he sat down calmly. This was odd. Francis sighed, "My princess, I apologize for my behavior the night before. It is just that I am deeply upset that I can not marry who I want to. And that day I found out she had died from a horrible plague as well. I had drank too much. And when I see you, you have the same spirit she did. It's strange isn't it?"

Alice nodded slowly. The man she was seeing today was completely different from who she had seen the day before. He wasn't the frog she thought he was. He was just a broken hearted man. She now felt guilty for what she had said about him to Alfred. "I'm sorry for your loss. Honestly if I could stop this marriage I would, but I don't have that power..."

Francis got up from the table and came close to her. His eyes were filled with a mix of rage and sadness. "Why stop it? Why not just start something new?"

He leaned in and kissed her. She tried to push him off but instead fell off the chair she was sitting on. She finally kicked him off. She wiped her lips and said, "Again. I'm sorry about your loss but do not use me as some form of back up for your sorrows. I am a princess and will be treated as such." She smoothed out her dress and walked out the door. But as soon as she did, her heart began to race and she ran. Her eyes filled with tears and she ran to the royal rose garden. "Why was my first kiss stolen by him? But, why did I like it?" She pulled out her clock which was concealed under her chest and sat in the rose bush. She heard another clock ticking. She fumbled in her dress and found the King's clock. It was ticking at the same rate as the Queen's! "No, it couldn't be I've come to love that frog after one measly kiss!"

Alice only told Mei of her discovery. "Are you sure it started after the kiss? And not last night when you saw that boy Alfred? I know Alfred. He comes by the market a lot to buy things for his family or just to chat...he's a very sweet boy." Mei said.

Alice was quiet. Maybe Alfred was a possibility but wouldn't she have heard it? "I just don't know Mei. I don't know what to feel right now..."

Mei wrapped her arms around the sobbing princess and comforted her. "It will be ok. Just give it a night my princess. Let things unfold for themselves..."

Alice ended up clutching the green silk and going to sleep with tear stains on her face.

The next morning Alice was called into the throne room. Her mother and father sat in their respective thrones and looked at their daughter with concern. Her father cleared his throat, "Alice I just want to clarify but is it true your clock has started ticking?"

Alice's eyes widened, "Where did you hear such a thing father?"

The king sighed, "Alice. I myself am a king. I am aware of everything. And I am also aware that you snuck outside the palace wall the day before as well."

Alice looked at the ground bashfully. She was ready to be scolded. But her mother came down and wrapped her arms around her, "Alice did you know your before I was a queen I was a noble of the England county? Your father met me when he snuck outside the castle to see his prosperous kingdom. And we fell in love...is that what you wanted my daughter? Did you and Francis fall in love in such a way?"

Alice was unsure of what to say. On one hand she knew she had gone out just to see the kingdom and ended up meeting Alfred. But on the other, Francis had revealed a new side to him and kissed her which made her feel confused. So she nodded and said, "Father. I met a friend that I'd like you to meet! May I send for him?"

Her father looked puzzled, "Him? Why on earth are you-?"

Her mother patted his shoulder, "Of course you may darling. So long as it does not interfere with your wedding."

Alice nodded but was unsure of whether it would or not. She was unsure of everything lately. "Yes your majesties. I promise."

Alice ran up to her room and began to pen her letter to Alfred. Yes. This would decide what her feelings were.

********************************{Two Princes}******************************

Alfred had just finished plowing the field and was ready to call it a day. He really wanted to see the princess again. She was like a ray of light for his life. She was so adventurous and daring but also soft and proper. He loved that about her!

"Alfred! There's someone here for you!" his mother called.

Alfred was surprised. Who was here for him? Was it Toris? Sadiq? Felix?

He ran inside and saw a royal guard with a letter.

He cleared his throat. "You're mister Alfred I presume?"

Alfred nodded.

"You have been requested for an audience with the princess tomorrow. Please arrive at noon and dressed appropriately." The guard wrinkled his nose at Alfred's clothing.

If Alfred had not been so excited at Alice's request he would have punched the guard in the face. The guard left promptly afterwards. The next day Alfred's mother and Madeline began to prepare Alfred for his meeting. He was already sick of the day before it had begun.

"Don't forget your table manners." said his mother

Madeline chimed in as well. "Be kind to her and speak to her like a lady."

The two had tried to comb Alfred's unruly hair curl down but to no avail. Alfred was clad in an uncomfortable royal blue suit: the color of Spades. He wore a white shirt and black tie underneath. He also wore a lighter blue waistcoat to top it off. The whole outfit brought out his beautiful sky blue eyes according to Madeline.

"Oh you look so handsome! It was your father's suit." said his mother.

He rode his horse Ace to the palace.

"Sir Alfred I presume?" said the guard on the palace gate.

"Y-Yes..." sputtered Alfred.

"Come on in...The princess is expecting you..."

When Alfred entered the ballroom he was in awe. It was like a dome covered in gold and royal blue.A chandelier adorned with blue spades hung from the ceiling. Paintings of past kings, queens, and jacks hung on the walls.

And the Princess was a sight herself. She wore a navy blue gown adorned in ruffles and a royal blue sash on her waist. She wore the infamous Queen's clock on her neck and held the King's in her hand. Her crown was adorned in sapphires shaped like spades. And her eyes. Those emerald eyes that could stare into a person's soul. Next to her sat a man in a yellow suit with a crown made of diamonds. He had shoulder length blonde hair and light blue eyes. He also had a small stubble.

'The King of Diamonds.' Alfred thought. 'Those two look good together despite what Alice thinks about him.'

********************************{Two Princes}******************************

Alice was rejoiced to see Alfred. But her mother insisted that Francis sit in with them. Even so she needed to give her message. "Alfred. I'd like for you and your family to stay here in the castle with us. It is my form of compensation for you. "

Alfred smiled, "Thank you Princess.I am truly grateful for your kindness!"

Alice smiled knowingly, "But you would still have to work. So don't get too comfortable.."

Alfred sighed, "Aw that's too bad. C'mon Alice that's not-" He caught himself and began to panic. Alice widened her eyes as well.

Francis glared at Alfred. "Princess, why does this peasant address you so informally?"

Alice recomposed herself, "I used an alias when I entered the city. He probably was just used to using that name is all."

Francis still narrowed his gaze at Alfred, "I do not like it Alice. Do not forget your place as my bride."

Alice looked down. She knew that. As did Alfred. So why did he look at Francis with such malice?

"Your highness I think you should treat your queen with some respect." said Alfred.

Francis scoffed, "And what do you know of respect my dear peasant?"

Alfred smirked, "I guess you're right. I apologize your highness."

Francis narrowed his eyes, "Damn right. Know your place peasant. Alice why is he still here? We need to get our wardrobe fitted for the wedding."

Alice knew Francis was on edge because he felt threatened. Normally he was a bit kinder to men. In fact he was very fond of the Ace of Hearts Antonio and the Joker Gilbert. She didn't understand as to why he was mad at Alfred for addressing her name. She had allowed him to and that was that. 'Let's see how on edge he really is.' Alice thought. 'Maybe this will clear some things up.'

Alice spoke up, "Francis. I invited him here therefore he is our honored guest. Please do be kinder to my dear friend Alfred."

Francis was steaming as soon as she said my dear. It caused Alice to giggle. Maybe Mei was right. She should just let things unfold for themselves.

When they were having tea in the garden, both men tried to win Alice's affections. Francis got her roses while Alfred let Alice try a hamburger: a signature dish of The Principality of America. When they walked through the palace grounds, Francis presented her with a pure diamond from his kingdom. Alfred gave her a toy rocket, claiming he wanted buy her real ones one day. He wasn't in his head according to Alice. When Alfred went on to meet her parents they were immediately charmed by his energy and youth. Then Alfred said, "I'd like to present something to the princess. I've been working on it for a few days and got the final gist of it down. I hate to ask but do you mind if I sing something?"

The King and Queen laughed. "Of course not Alfred. We'd love to hear you sing!" said the Queen.

Alice was excited to hear Alfred sing too. She wondered if he'd have a beautiful voice while singing as well.

He stood in the middle of the ballroom floor. Behind him was Roderich: Alice's music tutor and piano player, Gilbert: the Joker on a snare drum, and Alfred himself was playing a guitar. Alfred cleared his throat and began to play:

"One, Two princes kneel before you

Princes, Princes who adore you

One has diamonds in his pockets

This one, says he wants to buy you rockets

Marry him your father will condone you

Marry me, your father will disown you

Marry him or marry me

I'm the one who loves you baby can't you see?

I ain't got no future or family tree but

I know what a princely lover ought to be

(I know what a princely lover ought to be)

I said, if you want to call me baby just go ahead now

And if you want to tell me maybe just go ahead now

And if you'd like to buy me flowers just go ahead now

And if you'd like to talk for hours just go ahead now"

Alfred stopped and began to breathe.

Alice was blushing like a tomato. She thought of everything Alfred had said and it was true. She loved him. She loved his immaturity, his energy, his love for Spades. He had started the clock, not Francis. It had to be him because the clock only starts for someone from Spades.

But her parents on the other hand were shocked. The King was ready to have him arrested in fact. "Alright guards take him away and-!"

"Father wait!" cried Alice.

Everyone turned to her in shock. Alice was not one who would speak out like this. She was a proper lady and did not voice herself unless among the maids or Alfred. Then she'd be very sarcastic and condescending.

Alice herself was shocked but she began to recompose herself, "Father, as idiotic as this boy is, I love him! He made my clock tick not Francis. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I can not

love any other if it is not Alfred." As she said this her cheeks turned a rosy pink. She loved him. God she loved him. He was free and beautiful and what she wanted even if he was childish.

Francis was shocked but sighed and said, "Well, I can not argue with l'Amour can I?"

Alice's mother and father were puzzled but they could not argue with the clock of the King. It was absolute law. So the wedding plans for Francis and Alice were simply altered a bit for Alfred and Alice. Many of Alfred's friends and family were invited to the wedding as well.

********************************{Two Princes}*****************************

On the day of the wedding, Alice wore a white gown with an aquamarine brooch in the shape of a spade. Her veil was sheer white. She had her crown on. She was led down the aisle by her father. Alfred wore a navy blue suit with an aquamarine waistcoat. His crown was sitting on a pillow. It was even larger than the Queen's crown and had nine azurite spades on it. His best man was Kiku, the Queen of Hearts (royalty was not chosen by love but by lineage) who he somehow knew and was good friends with. Alice's maid of honor was Mei. Alice and Alfred both saw that Kiku and Mei were getting along very well. The wedding commenced and Alice walked down the aisle with her father. The wedding theme played and Alfred stood there in awe. Alice was stunning! Her green eyes stood out from the white dress. Her body itself was a sight in the dress. Alice herself blushed at the sight of Alfred. He looked so handsome! His blue eyes were brought out by his suit as we're his muscles from all his hard work.

They both looked at each other longingly.

"Do you, Alice, take Alfred to be your lawfully wedded husband till death do you part?" said the priest. The priest was a rather handsome and cheerful Italian man with a stubble and numerous curls sprouting out of his head.

Alice smiled at Alfred. "I do."

"And do you, Alfred, take Alice to be your lawfully wedded-?"

"I do! I do! I do!" Alfred said cheerfully.

"Alright then. You may now kiss the bride!"

Alfred looked at Alice with half lidded eyes. He caressed her soft milky face and pulled her close to him. He dipped her down as if they had just finished a tango and kissed her. Alice hummed into the kiss. 'Yes. This feels perfect. He's my prince.' She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders.

The priest was dancing and cheering while Francis and Gilbert screamed, "Get a room!" They were both beaten by Roderich's wife Elizaveta with a fry pan. She was the royal chef after Spades took over The Kingdom of Clubs. When the waltz began Alice glided into Alfred's arms. Alfred however was upset that Francis was dancing with his sister Madeline. And that she was enjoying herself.

Alice grabbed Alfred's cheek and turned him towards her. "Let things unfold for themselves..." She smiled and kissed him. 'This is my dream prince. The poor boy with big dreams.'

****OMAKE****

Alfred sat on his bed, reading a story about a king who pulled out a special sword. Alice came out wearing a brilliant bottle green silk gown which showed plenty of cleavage. She smirked at Alfred, "Say Alfred, do you know where I got this dress from?"

Alfred looked at her in awe. "I don't know...but you look so damn good Alice..." He gulped.

Alice sighed, "You really don't remember this silk?"

Alfred squinted his eyes, "No...why?"

Alice pouted, "But you are the one who gave it to me the very first day we met!"

Alfred jumped at the statement. But then he recalled it, "Oh! You really kept that? I thought you'd forget about it when you left...since you have so many fabrics that are much nicer..."

Alice laughed and climbed onto Alfred. She cradled his head in her hands. "No you git! How could I forget something given to me by the man I fell in love with?"

He smiled at that and kissed her. It was small and chaste but held a lot in it.

Alice smirked, "By the way? Are you going to Francis and Madeline's wedding next week?"

Alfred's face was drained of color. "WHEN THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?" he shouted

END

Well I hope you all liked this chapter! Reviews are love!