Author's Notes: Mwahahahaha. Sorry about the last chapter and scaring all of you, but I thought it was compltely called for. I am so evil, but that is a good thing. Being able to bend emotions is a trait of quality writers, which I am not. And I kinda wanted both endings in there, so yeah. I am unsure what I am going to do at the moment, maybe it will be revealed in chapter 23...I know you all want to know about Artie, but that will have to wait /evil smirk/ I don't really like this chapter, but hey, I don't like any of my chapters. Also, can you believe that I updated this story twice in one day? Twice! I would have updated earlier except that I enjoyed the weather for a bit with a friend. I am sorry for saying that I wouldn't update this story as much but I did, but I adore Cardverse AUs. I hope you like my clever chapter titles, I take a lot of effort to come up with those pun-y alliterations. Thank you for your valued input. If you have a tumblr, be sure to follow betweendreamsandrealityy. Please enjoy chapter 22 (urg I hate that number).

Warnings: Strong language.

Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU.

"My King, you must wake up. We have a meeting to attend to," Yao said shaking Alfred's already dressed in his royal attire composed of a navy cloak with white tiger's fur at the edges. Underneath, he wore simple navy trousers and a white dress shirt on top.

He grumbled with his eyes still closed "not now, your majesty." At the moment, if the news was not about Arthur being okay he honestly did not care. Nothing was worth anything without Arthur to guide him.

Yao sighed at his desperation. "Since Arthur is still in no condition to go, I can't believe I am saying this but, you are taking his place."

"What!" he inquired, his head jerking up, entirely conscious now. "You can't be serious!" He had no right to be conducting a meeting, even if he was going to be the King of Spades, although it had no been officially stated to the public. Besides, three months still remained for him to prepare.

"Sadly, I am," he said with a dead somber mask veiling his face.

"But they do not know I am the future King!"

"Then tell them," Yao said rebutting his excuses.

He threw his hands into the air and explained "I have no idea what to say!"

"I wrote down what to say on a piece of parchment. If you read it correct, maybe you have a chance of not looking like a fool on your debut."

"Harsh," Alfred deadpanned rising up from his spot next to Arthur who did not stir as the bed moved slightly.

He rolled his russet eyes. "It starts in ten minutes, and please try to be early."

The future King saluted him. "Will do!"

Yao forced a smile upon his lips and walked out of Arthur's bedchamber worried.

Alfred fell to his knees and asked Arthur's limp body "what am I supposed to do?"

"Ah, our last guest has arrived. I think it is high time that we begin our conference of the lords," Yao announced as Alfred walked into the council room, tardy. Yao should just be appreciative that I showed up, he thought to himself. He scratched at his cotton pallid shirt that he wore to make him look less like royalty. Although, the corset binding his abs was completely unnecessary. Even worse were the gloomy cobalt trousers that were still too outsized for him; even though he was beginning to maintain a healthy body mass index. But none compare to the idiotic powdered wig that the entire council had to wear as some sort of dumb tradition. He pulled the Clock out of one of the pockets in his trousers and into his shaking hands, confirming that the charcoal minute hand was still ticking. "Since Queen Arthur is sick, Alfred Jones will recite the opening address."

The council's timid clapping did little to overpower the murmurs from the crowd. Nervously, he rambled "uh, hi everyone. I am Alfred Jones. Well, I do not think that you care, perchance, so let me get on with our first business of the morning." He began reciting unenthusiastically "our economy has fallen exponentially since the beginning of the year causing inflation in the value of our money system. If this continues-wait a minute," he said scanning over the document. "This is just nonsense! I bet none of you travelled here, taking the time out of your busy schedules, to hear a dumb speech about how the economy is declining but not about how we are going to do anything that is actually going to help the economy!"

Oh no, Yao thought mentally slapping himself. I knew he was not ready.

"But I have a plan! You see when I was in Hearts I noticed that their economy was thriving. And why was this? Because they let go of their past and created a new system of economics based on a percentage."

"But our land has a rich heritage that thrived for many years. Why would we willingly give that up?" an old lord piped in rudely. His hair stuck out from the sides of his powdered wig in slightly grizzled orange strands. He was dressed in clothes similar to what Alfred wore on a daily basis comprised on a blue cloak and matching shirt and trousers. The only difference were the gems he peppered onto his cloak, and the lack of the Clock.

Trying not to scowl at him, which Yao said was completely unethical, he elaborated "it is obvious that the system is failing us. If we do not reform as Hearts did, and quickly, we could end up in a recession."

"Could you explain this percentage idea?" a young councilwoman asked curiously punching the bridge of her nose. Her powdered wig hid her bouncing blonde curls and her outfit was just as conservative than the elder man's. It consisted of a puffy blue dress with the emblem of Spades printed next to her heart.

He nodded swiftly. "Certainly. Well, every citizen will be obligated to give 33% of their paychecks to Spades so we could begin construction projects and provide other benefits."

"Doesn't that the peasants will be contributing less than us? You are completely biased towards the lower classes, but what else would I expect from one," another lord sneered. He was probably the fattest lord in the room, and probably the stingiest. His pale face was newly shaved and his full head of hair was veiled by his long powder wig, symbolizing status. His clothes designed to mimic the King's except in a royal blue color.

Alfred raged. "That is where you are wrong! You all depend on the lower classes for food and jobs you would never be caught dead doing! But their lives are just as stressing as yours! With this new percentage economy, there will be more money regulated in our economy. And anyways, are the wealthy not the ones enjoying the community projects, not the poor?"

There were a few low murmurs from the crowd.

"And what do we have to lose anyways? All in favor raise your hands." He looked out into the blue hued crowd, everyone too timid to accept his radical ideas.

"And who are you to be making these extreme changes?" a nobleman scorned with a curled lip. He looked quite young for his age, around the age of eighteen, with his dirty hazel eyes shielding by his oversized wig. His outfit was a patched a few times, probably passed down from his father, near the knee caps on his indigo attire.

"I am your future King of Spades, and you will honor my input," he said strongly.

If at once, all of the council's eyes widened causing uproar from the council.

"Settle down, please,"Yaostated soothing the crowd with his hand motions. "Now, everyone who agrees with his decision, raise your hand."

A few more raised their hands timidly.

Yaonodded before turning back to Alfred and added "if there is any consolation, your highness, I thought your plan sounded brilliant."

"Just look beyond your comfort zone, you never know what we can accomplish. But we can only accomplish these things if we have your support."

A few more raised their hands silently, but it still was not enough to pass the declaration.

Alfred nodded a bit ashamed. "Thank you for listening, and now Yaowill close this meeting." With those words, he walked out of the room, tears tumbling down his face in searing blobs. I'm sorry Arthur. I failed you.

To Be Continued...