Author's Notes: Greetings my fair readers. Sorry for neglecting this story, I'm pretty busy at the moment with all of my work overload, but somehow I'll get over it. I use too many commas, don't I? My teachers keeps complaining about my elipses so I replaced them with commas. What's better than ten commas in a sentance? Oh right: everything. Enough about me and on with the story. I hope this chapter explains a little more on the whole marriage idea. I played around with it for a little as well as the characters. They are a bit OOC, but it's for a reason. Imagine this as the point when Arthur is a bamf, sly pirate and first meets Alfred. Yeah, that's one way of putting it. Thank you lovely reviewers, you all get a special place in my heart. Also, there's a poll going on via my profile page. If you like this story, or any of my other ideas, please vote for which story I should continue/start. I appreciate you all for even tolerating me for this long. Sorry for ranting a lot. Without further ado, I present: chapter 4.

Warnings: Maybe some language, I don't really remember.

Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU.

"Marriage?" Alfred asked feeling his knees grow weak. "Correct me if I am mistaken but aren't positions in royalty merely political?"

He nodded swiftly letting his wiry blonde hair fall into his eyes. "In most cases, you would be correct. However, you lack lineage and no one must know of the secrets the Clocks are able to possess, especially other Kingdoms. Please do not fret, the marriage will not take place until the Winter Solstice and just has to be perceived as a relationship built on love, however it does not require actual feelings towards each other. I know this is a lot to take in today, my King. If you would like I could show you to your quarters," he explained pantomiming for Alfred to follow him out of the throne room. Alfred followed reluctantly in silence. "So…what field did you work in?"

"Huh?" he asked unable to comprehend the question because of his inability to prevent himself from staring at the magnificent tapestries and paintings hung on the walls. "Oh, um, just worked in a shop." Not like you would know what working and strife is like.

The Queen nodded awkwardly. "Interesting," he stated although he was far from it. "Here is your chamber and mine is right across the hall. The castle is an extensive palace, so if you ever get lost, one of the servants or I will come help you."

"Thanks," he said with a radiant smile before scurrying into his indigo shaded room. His new sanctuary, although it didn't feel like it.

"Well…happy birthday," he heard Arthur say through the closed wooden door.

Alfred ignored him, more infatuated by his new room. A large rectangular bed was placed in the center of the room alongside a nightstand and two dressers twice his side. Near one side of the room was a small desk that he assumed to be unused for years, complementary of the layers of dust. On the right was a small balcony in which overviewed the entire East side of the castle and parts of the outlying cities. He sighed before collapsing onto the bed managing to ruffle the sapphire silk sheets which were neatly sprawled out on top.

There was a small knock at the door before the Jack of Spades entered. He cleared his throat before apologizing "I'm sorry for our actions today. Please forgive me, aru."

"All is forgiven," he said as an obvious lie. How could he forgive the person that took him away from his brother?

Yao nodded as a sign that he had accepted his apology. "Tomorrow we'll begin your training and-"

His head shot up. "Wait! Who said I was staying here?"

He raised an arched eyebrow in response. "You're not? I don't understand-"

"I must return home," he began to explain. Matthew is still under the floorboards… he thought to himself. I can't just leave him there!

With gentle eyes he responded "you're needed here."

"I don't think you understand. I'm needed at home, not in some castle. I'm not going to be King and this is all just some lucid dream!" Mattie's probably worried sick!

"Calm down," Yao insisted placing one hand on the King's shoulder then quickly being shoved off. "What could you possibly have at home that is more important than your country?"

"My brother!"

Yao exhaled loudly a bit conflicted. "Your country needs you."

"No. My brother needs me. So go tell your stupid Clock or whatever that I'm not going to be King."

"Alfred!" Yao shouted making the blonde wince. He composed himself before adding "we've all had to make choices we never intended, but with great power comes responsibility."

Alfred snorted obnoxiously.

"Does the Queen know about your decision?"

"Does it matter?" he snapped not caring what Arthur thought. He lied to him after all, why should he even trust him?

Yao sighed. "Even if you do manage to leave, do you think he will not find you? He found you be-"

"So? Then I'll keep running away, but you can't stop me!"

"I'm not asking you to stop, I'm advising you to reconsider."

"Same thing if you ask me," he muttered into his pillow coming off with a muffled sound. The pillow was as soft as the garments his mother used to wear to gatherings with her friends, both smelling of fresh roses.

He sighed. "Fine. Ignore my wishes, but you cannot run away from your destiny, my young King," he stated before walking out of the room.

Within five minutes, Alfred had claimed the coast was clear before jumping off the two story balcony conveniently located in his room, landing on his feet. Then he noticed a small stable where he sneaked inside and went over to a beautiful white horse. "Come on," he whispered tugging the rope on the saddle out of the barn.

"Nice night for a stroll, hm?" a voice noted startling Alfred off of the horse.

"How did you find me?" he pouted dusting off his clothes.

"I overheard your conversation with Yao," he said slyly making Alfred curl his lip. "I just can't believe you'd leave all of this for your fucking brother," he spat at the word.

"I'd give up the world for the people I love."

"I see," he said holding the reigns to the white horse tightly in his hand, making the horse neigh softly.

"And you can't stop me," he announced pushing Arthur aside.

"Can't? Maybe you underestimate me, your highness," he said licking his lips slightly.

"What are you going to do, call your guards," he mocked.

The Queen scowled. "Unlike most royalty, I actually do my work and training everyday to build up a nation without a King. Now the one person who gets chosen to be King doesn't even want the position!"

"How do you know I'm not going to hold you hostage or steal all of your stuff?" he asked shakily.

"Because I know you…" he began looking to his polished shoes. Truth was, he didn't know Alfred, but he knew the Clock was never wrong when it chose leaders, usually. All he knew was his name was Alfred, age 18 as of today the fourth day of the seventh month and had pure intentions.

Alfred scowled. "You don't know me, and I don't know you, and we're supposed to be married! I have responsibilities at home!"

"You have responsibilities here, for your country. Don't make it harder than it already is," he gritted through his clenched teeth. "We can talk after you begin training." He yanked on Alfred's hand back towards the castle.

He released his wrist from Arthur's grip. "Training?" he asked with a chuckle. "Train to do what? Sit around on my ass all day?"

"Fine," Arthur said waving him off hatching an idea in his mind. Even in chess, the King is just a pawn to the all mighty Queen. "You win. Go find your little brother, you couldn't even pass training anyways."

"What?" he shouted to the dark night falling for the Queen's devious trap. "I could pass training! Heck, I could pass with my eyes closed."

He shook his head carrying out his plan and explained dryly "no you couldn't."

"We'll see about that," Alfred said stubbornly. "And when I do, you're going to personally take me to my brother. Got it?"

Arthur smiled smugly. "Of course, my King."

To Be Continued...