Author's Notes: Salutations lovelies. I have finals coming up which means more posting, because I am a bad child and finals are too easy (except math). On a different note, this chapter has a little more angst and love...but I do not want to overdo it yet. That's for later chapters *wink wink* if you know what I mean. By the way, the Dark Dynasty refers to any point in history in Cards without a King, since the dating goes by the current King. I am going to end it here because I am tired and I want to go back to sleep. Thank you to my dearest reviewers! Here are some virtual hugs! Don't forget to follow my tumblr page: betweendreamsandrealityy(.)tumblr(.)com and vote on my profile for the next story for me to update. Also, there is this new image manager thing, if you would like to submit a picture ect I am all for it :p Anyways, enjoy the chapter...
Warnings: Strong language.
Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU.
The ninth month quickly came, which translated into hectic preparations for their trip to Hearts. The Jack had to prepare the means of transportation as well as calculating the estimated costs out of the yearly budget. The Queen was burdened with sending out invitations after invitations to a select group of lords and warriors who would accompany them on their trip. The future King was forced to study the history of each Kingdom. Anything from their economics to the current popular culture, he was forced to memorize it for the daily tests he had to recite to Arthur.
"Queen of Hearts?" Arthur asked sipping tea regally. The two were situated in the library for one of their daily tests. The only reason Alfred actually tolerated these tests was that Arthur refused to let him eat until he passed.
"Kiku Honda. He is always polite and tends to overstress about the King and Jack. Contrary to Spades, the Queen works on political and social matters internally while the King is associated with the military and alliances."
Arthur raised an eyebrow quite impressed. "Queen of Diamonds?"
"Lili Zwiligi is the sister of the Jack, Vash. She does not have much of a say in the government since her brother is overprotective of her and she took the position when she was quite young."
He nodded in approval. "Jack of Clubs?"
"Elizaveta Eldenstein married to the Jack Roderich. She is a political figurehead because the King holds most of the power except for foreign affairs."
"Lastly, the Queen of Spades," asked Arthur shifting in his seat, curious to see what he thought of him.
Alfred swallowed. "Uhh…Arthur Kirkland. The best Queen in all of Spades history!" Arthur turned away in an effort to hide the fact his face was turning a shade of pink. "He works super hard everyday whether the military or foreign policies. His hobbies include reading and being alone in the garden talking to his imaginary friends."
"They are most certainly not imaginary!" Arthur pouted uncrossing his legs. "Just because you cannot see them does not mean they are imaginary."
"Whatever. Anyways, he also likes slapping me on the back of the head when I say something wrong."
He scowled "that is not true!"
"Fine! Then I wanna hear about the King of Spades!"
"Your grammar is atrocious, and you are not King yet."
"You know what I mean!"
"Fine, fine. If you will get off my chest. Uhh…" he said getting lost in Alfred's sea of blue eyes. What could he say without scaring off the poor lad? What if he didn't feel the same way? "You are a pleasant chap," was all he could say without choking. "And muscular…incredibly muscular," he stammered to say.
He stared blankly. "That's it?"
"What else am I supposed to say?" That I love you, he added to himself.
"Your highness," a male servant said. He had a peculiar accent that Arthur said came from the part of Spades calledIndia. "The lords and Jack are waiting for you. Is there something wrong?"
"Bollocks," he muttered. "I completely forgot about the meeting. Thank you for reminding me." He rose from his chair and left without another word.
"Thanks," Alfred mumbled to the lonely library. Then an idea hatched inside his brain. He never actually got around to doing the research about Arthur, and now would be the perfect time to do so. He couldn't wait to see Arthur's face actually impressed with Alfred's vast knowledge or maybe it could get him to stop quizzing him before dinner.
Alfred sighed before rummaging through the library labeled Spades. Luckily, the servants kept the library neat with all the books arranged by Kingdom. He grabbed a couple of books on history labeled King Edward years V-XVI and Dark Dynasty years I-VI.
Most of the stories were trivial to his research and found out more the economics during the periods of time than anything. He began to return the books to their normal positions when he stumbled upon an untitled book. He tilted his head before opening to a random page. Albeit, the words were a bit blurry but he was able to make out the words 'Sudden Death of King Points to Queen Arthur.' Artie wouldn't kill his own Father. What would he have to gain anyways? He was already Queen…He immediately slammed the book closed in anger and looked for a signature or any clue into the author's identity, yet no avail. Why would somebody write this about Artie? Unless…
"What are you reading?" Arthur asked peered over the top of Alfred's red covered book. Startled, Alfred quickly closed it and went over to place it back to its proper shelves. "I have never seen you so enthralled in a book before, let alone one about our history. I am quite impressed!"
He turned around and asked casually "what happened to your father?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? He was murdered."
"By who?"
Defensively he asked "what is with the sudden interest with my father?"
"Answer the question!" he barked looking into Arthur's green eyes. "Or you can't because you killed him!"
"Me?" he asked with the same amount of rage as Alfred. "That is preposterous. Where do you even come up with this nonsense? You should know it is wrong to make false accusations!"
"Admit it, you're only being nice to me murder me and have all of the power for yourself again!"
His eyes filled with tears. "I cannot believe you of all people would succumb to such allegations. Do you want to know why I am so nice to you? Maybe because I have feelings for you!" he shouted and stormed away before Alfred could interject.
"I am such a fucking moron," he said slumping into his chair talking to no one in particular. "Now Artie's never going to talk to me."
"That's not true," a high pitched voice chirped.
"Who said that!" Alfred asked scoping the room.
A blue glow formed in front of his sapphire orbs. "It was I," she announced.
"Are…are you a fairy?" he asked examining her features. She had a powder blue dress matching her blue aura and blue wings. For a mythical creature, she was positively beautiful.
"Yes I am and I would like to help you with your problem."
He smiled radiantly. "You would? That would be great!"
"Well, I know Arthur better than anybody and I know he's in the rose garden. Some place hidden enough not to be bothered but obvious enough for someone who is looking to find him."
"Thanks," he said sprinting off to the rose garden. The fairy was right, under the tall willow tree was Arthur crying into his hands and playing with the Clock.
"Go away!" he shouted, although Alfred never said a word. Damn that Clock, he thought.
"Whoa, whoa, Artie, I didn't mean to make you cry. Honestly. I believe you."
He sniffled before playfully hitting his shoulder. "You can be so gullible at times."
"I get that a lot," he said and scratched the back of his neck. Arthur was right, of course. He couldn't even remember why he had believed such nonsense in the first place.
The Queen wiped away the last of his tears before proclaiming "if you want, you could stay for a dinner, just us two, unless you think I'm going to murder you," he said mockingly.
He looked at his Queen, despite being sprawled out on the blue hued grass with red puffy cheeks, with amazment. He had never realized it, but he was probably the most gorgeous person he has ever seen. He placed an unbloomed blue rose in his lap and replied "It would be my pleasure."
To Be Conitnued...