Author's Notes: Welcome dreamer~ Don't think I abandoned this story quite yet. I will update this more frequently when I finish Starcrossed. I hope you enjoyed the prologue because now comes the good parts: the storyline. I hope it is not too complicated, it is only the beginning so the characters must be introduced before anything. This chapter lacks much USUK, but it will be established in later chapters. In case you are a bit confused, the high cards (such as Jack, Queen and King) are considered the rulers of their kingdoms. Below them is the Congress made up of the best Knights in the kingdom. Their name is based on their rank (Ace being the highest and ten being the lowest) and serve the kingdom more as guards than potential rulers. Please remember to review and thank you for reviewing!
Warnings: Bits of language.
Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU, only the plot.
"Aye, Art! Long time, no see!" Connor exclaimed joining Arthur on the gray stoned balcony. He had always wondered why his brother, scratch that, half brother would spend the day either reading a novel in the library or stand on that dumb balcony of his. Didn't the Queen of Spades have something better to be doing, or rather more important? He ruffled his half-brother's blonde hair with his white gloved hand, breaking the tense silence.
Arthur was quick to fix his disheveled hair with his elegant fingers, although it did not do much justice. He sighed, letting out a cool stream of air from his poised lips. "I would appreciate it if you did not call me that."
"Sorry, your majesty," he laughed mockingly. He was never too fond of his half brothers, seeing as they continued to harass him out of obvious jealousy that they were not royalty.
He curled his lip and icily asked "why are you even here? Nobody's supposed to be up here."
"Actually you invited me to your castle, remember? What do you do up here all day, anyways?" he asked gazing over the stoned railing at the orange painted sky.
"None of your business," he muttered. The Queen always came up here as an escape, or if he had something on his mind, today being no different.
"Shouldn't you be preparing for your dumb banquet?"
"Shouldn't you?" he refuted seeing as Connor was still poorly dressed for the banquet. He wore a white button down dress shirt with an indigo vest and slacks to match, hardly appropriate for dinner with the Queen.
"Whatever. I'll leave you alone to your whatever," he said ruffling his half brother's hair once more before walking back inside the castle.
Arthur sighed, not bothering to adjust his hair and looked out the golden horizon. It was very humid, considering it was a summer's eve. How he hated summer so greatly. He had just returned from the kingdom of Diamonds for the annual visits he was mandated to make. The Diamond kingdom was quite temperate this time of year, and hardly ever rains contrasting the kingdom of Spades.
"What's wrong, your highness?" a small fairy asked regally. She wore a sky blue puffy gown matching the blue glow she emitted.
He sighed once more and leaned his elbows on the railing. "It's just…I don't know anymore. It's weird, I can't see the future on the Clock anymore." See, the Clocks not only show the royalty but also grant power of glimpses of the past, present or future, although high royalty are the only people who know of this little secret.
She giggled in a high pitch tone. "Perhaps there are some things the Clock does not deem you worthy enough to see."
He placed his head into his cupped hands and gazed at his Clock. The Clock was lined with gems in hues of azures and amethysts surrounding the numbers inscribed in silver. He watched his reflection through the platinum ticking hands. Well, mostly just the second hand which paced back in forth. "I suppose so," he said watching the hands move. Wait, was that the hour hand, moving? He looked at the Clock again to see the hour hand ticking slightly away from the twelve. Arthur could barely remember the hour hand ticking, it looked almost foreign to him.
"Your majesty, is everything okay, aru? You haven't come down for dinner yet," Yao said with his eyes holding concern, as usual.
Trying to hide the alarm in his voice, Arthur responded "cancel dinner, my brothers can wait another day," He stuffed the Clock into his elegant purple cloak before returning inside his quarters. He placed the small crown propped on the top of his platinum blonde hair on a wooden side table and rubbed his temples.
Yao shook his head. "What is this about, your majesty?"
"Personal business, please, leave me to my studies. I feel quite sick," he lied and clutched his stomach.
"Should I get a doc-"
"I just need rest," he said collapsing onto the soft canopy bed. He just had to hide out in his bed during the banquet, then sneak out while nobody was watching so he could meet who the Clock had deemed worthy as the future King of Spades.
Yao nodded not wanting to refute. "If there's anything I can get you, don't hesitate to ask, aru," he said before closing the wooden door behind him.
Arthur listened for Yao's clicking shoes to reach a halt before he climbed down the West wall, with the Clock as his guide. He reached into his desk and grabbed a medium sized box, complete with a red box tied on the top. He sneaked into the stables to his horse named England. He was a beautiful horse, all black with small white specks circling its eyes. It neighed softly at the sight of the Queen, but was shushed immediately being fed with carrots. Arthur placed a platinum saddle on his horse before riding off, unnoticed.
"Happy birthday!" Matthew exclaimed watching his twin brother enter their house, err, shack and tackled him with a hug. It was extremely tightly packed and not of the best condition. The small amount of furniture the two could afford was practically broken wooden objects along with one cot which the two shared. "I still couldn't get a real cake, so I hope this will do."
Alfred wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and smiled at his twin. Using the small amount of money Alfred had collected from working at the weapons store, Matthew had bought an entire loaf of warm and fresh banana bread. "Happy birthday to you too!" Matthew grabbed the one silver knife from the drawers and began to cut the loaf into lean slices. "Here, let me help you," Alfred stated noticing how Matthew struggled to cut even a skinny piece of bread. He was getting much sicker as the days passed, and the two wondered how much longer it would go on. The two could not afford the correct herbs, even if it was available. It was only a matter of time before he passed.
"Really, I can do it myself," he said waving his brother's hands away. He cut another thin slice of sweet bread before placing it down on their good china in the shape of a Spade. It was something passed down from their parents before they died.
Their silence was interrupted by a panicked knocking on the door. Alfred's eyes widened. "Mattie, hide!" he ordered having his brother rip open one of them floorboards and climbing down the steps and into a small, secret room. He hesitantly opened the door and raised his eyebrow. "Who are you?"
"Uh…I'm running from the police. Please, I need a place to stay," the young man lied clutching his knees and breathing unsteadily. In one of his hands was a platinum pocket watch in the shape of a spade.
He raised an eyebrow and scanned his elegant clothing. "You don't look or speak like you're from this part of Spades, are you?"
"I'm not," he muttered staring down at the clock, and then at Alfred. "I'm from…the Capitol."
His sapphire irises widened but remained in the doorway, unable to let the stranger in. "The Capitol huh? You want to steal my money don't you? I bet you hide your collections in those eyebrows of yours."
He shook his head. "Of course not, and it is quite rude to create false accusations. And my eyebrows are not that big! I just need a place to rest for a bit."
Alfred shrugged letting the young man join him at the table. "There's not much here though, so I don't know if you'll be able to stay for the night."
The man scanned the room, if it could be considered one. It was padded by wooden boards that creaked and remained humid due to its lack of windows. "That is quite alright. I will be needed to return home by this evening, although I did bring something as a token of my appreciation." The man pulled out a medium sized box wrapped with a red bow on top.
"I'm Alfred, and you?" he stated awkwardkly and held out his brawny arm.
He paused before answering. "Uh…My name is Edward," he lied and shook his arm. Compared to Alfred's muscular arm, he seemed quite weak and fragile. "Now if you don't mind opening your gift."
Alfred was hesitant but opened it anyways. His eyes glazed over looking at the beauty of the Clock that nestled inside. He gaped in amazement "it's beautiful! I see you have one too."
He nodded. "It possess magical qualities. The Clock can show you the past, present and future if it deems you worthy enough."
"Oh come on, everyone knows magic is just a myth," he chuckled.
"Please, test it out for yourself," he said watching the hands of the Clock. Alfred looked skeptical but placed one of his hands onto the Clock. The guest's green eyes widened with excitement. In a long time, he has not seen one person able to even graze their hands over the Clock without being electrocuted. It was another kink about the Clock. It would only let its rightful ownder posses its power, and was very picky in chosing that person for that reason. "Now think back to a pleasant time in your past, and the Clock will show you it."
Alfred nodded thinking back to the one memory he was most fond of: the one of his parents. Surely enough, he was standing the same lavender meadow, watching the scene unfold before him. His parents were pointing up at the stars carelessly, naming every constellation in the sky. Matthew was only four at this time, and was careless enough to fall asleep on his father's lap. However, Alfred was intrigued by the stories his mother had told him about the stars and happily snuggled closer to her. The scene faded out in a whirl of indigo hues. "How is this possible?"
"Perhaps you should look into the future," he suggested placing the other's hand back on the watch.
There was another knock and the door, this time more frantic and louder. "Open up for the Jack of Spades."
Shit, he cursed under his breath. I cannot believe they found me so fast. "I'll get it," he said opening the door.
Yao rushed to the man's side. "Are you okay? You had us all worried, aru!"
"I am quite fine."
He smiled before narrowing his eyes at Alfred. "Arrest that man for kidnapping the Queen of Spades!" Alfred froze with wide sapphire eyes as his hands were tangled by chains and hauled off by the Two and Four.
To Be Continued...