Author's Notes: You have been cordially invited to chapter eight of A Clockword Spade. Can you believe it? Eight full filler chapters? It's funny because nothing has even remotely interesting happened yet! Unlike Starcrossed, there's actually going to be a climax! I know, shocking isn't it? I want to mix up my writing styles, take a challenge. I want to try to write as many genres as possible! I like realistic fiction slash angsty love the most, of course. Forget about me, this chapter was fairly easy to write, it literally took me less than a day. I find it to be angsty and utterly adorable, however I'm unsure how you, the public, is going to percieve it. But, come on. It's a lovey-dovey action romance cardverse AU fanfiction. Well, the action is going to come later, spoiler alert. Thank you so much for reviewing and reading! I'm seriously in shock in how many I have! Enough with this nonsense and on with the story!

Warnings: Strong language.

Disclaimer: Unable to gain rights to Hetalia.

Over the course of a week, Alfred had been placed on a strict schedule beginning with training with the Ace at dawn then etiquette lessons with Arthur or Yao by noon leaving Alfred exhausted by dusk. Time to time, he would get breaks to visit his brother in the infirmary, but it would not last to long because of the side effects of the magic Yao put on Matthew. He learned everything from which fork to use with which what meal to the surnames of all the nobility in Spades.

"Arthur! Alfred! I have great news, aru!" Yao exclaimed walking into one the extensive library of their midday sessions unannounced flaunting a piece of parchment in his hand. The library had three blue padded chairs in the center of the extensive circular room. Against the dark gray cobbled walls were high reaching shelves of multihued literature dating back to before the Great War, although they were mostly historic of course.

The Queen closed the book he was currently reading and turned around. "Yes?"

"Tomorrow evening we are going to a masquerade ball!"

Arthur slumped in his chair, something he scolded Alfred for many times. "What could be better than that?" he asked with as much sarcasm as he could muster.

"I would appreciate if you weren't so cynical all the time," he explained recieving a mocking look from Arthur. "This is a perfect chance for you two to become legitimate lovers," Yao stated receiving two glares from Alfred and Arthur.

"I will not!" Arthur exclaimed with a face flushed in bright red.

Yao sighed. "This is our only chance, my Queen."

Alfred perked up from hidden inside another one of the History of Spades volumes. "He has a point," he explained receiving a dark glare from Arthur. "What? It's true!"

"So you're saying that we should pretend to meet at this party?"

"Got any better ideas?" the Jack asked then clapped his hands together cheerfully. "Good. I will accept immediately and begin planning our departure. Good day to you two," he stated walking off regally.

Arthur muttered "the nerve of that man."

"What's so bad about a party? Come on, it'll be a perfect opportunity for you to relax."

He tossed his head back and laughed insufferably. "Relax? Alfred, this is a royal ball. I know you've never gone to one before so I will have to explain. Everyone would want a chance to get closer to me, especially nobility, if you know what I mean."

"Then I will just have to protect you," he said with a radiant smile.

"I'm not a bloody child!"

"But you'll be wearing a mask, so nobody will have to know!"

"Sometimes you are just so bloody stupid. If Yao wants to make this legitimate we will both have to not wear masks, and somehow pretend to fall in love."

"That doesn't sound too difficult."

Arthur shrugged. "Not necessarily. Except, we must dance the Spade waltz at midnight."

"Dance? That's totally girly," Alfred said rejected the idea completely. In addition to it being a feminine activity, he never learned how to dance. Especially something as regal as the Spades waltz.

"My King, with all due respect, I am as unwilling as you are. However, we must put our egocentricity aside for our country. Spades has chosen you as King, and we must do whatever it takes to convince the others."

"Why not just tell them about the fucking Clock?"

Arthur slapped the back of his blonde head. "you blood idiot! The whole point of the Clock is to choose the ruler fairly to prevent succession disputes. Telling everyone would risk having people tamper with it," he scolded having his face grow a deep red in anger.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't know," he lied sheepishly.

He stood up before composing himself, allowing his skin to return to its original color before stating. "Shall we learn the Spades dance?"

Alfred nodded. "It would be my pleasure."

The two of them walked out of the library and across the corridor to an oversize circular ballroom. Imprinted at the center of the coppice tiled ground was the emblem of Spades in indigo paint. "Okay. Now, put your left hand on my waist and your right hand in mine." Without hesitation, Alfred placed his sweaty hands in Arthur's gloved one in the appropriate positions before looking back into Arthur's eyes, signaling he was ready. "Now just follow my lead. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3." Two of them swirled in perfect rhythm, having their footsteps rotate to form a spade shape.

When the dance was one of the several servants watching the two asked "are you sure you've never danced before?"

Alfred shook his head and removed his grip on Arthur's fragile hand. "Nope. This is actually my first time. Why? Was I really that bad?"

She answered "no, no, you were actually quite good."

Then Arthur hastily added "for a beginner, of course."

"Oh. I never really had time to learn how to dance with work and Mattie."

"Ah, yes. Matthew is a good child."

His sapphire irises widened. "You talked to him?"

"I have," he said before adding "on multiple occasions actually."

Curiously, Alfred asked "and what did he say exactly?"

Arthur waved his hand. "Nothing really. He asked a lot of questions and was patient enough to let me explain your situation."

He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, that does sound like Mattie." There was a silent void before Alfred asked "what if I am unable to convince them?"

"Please do not fret, my King. I have utter most faith in you," he lied halfheartedly.

Alfred's eyes gleamed, not taking the hint. "You do?"

The Queen nodded. "I know it has only been a week since we met and began working on our etiquette, but I believe we can make this work. Now, let us run the dance one last time." He held out his hand, pantomiming for Alfred to take it. When he did, the two pressed their bodies closer together and danced in perfect harmony as if they were lovers.

To Be Continued...