Author's Notes: Welcome to the world of Cards. Okay, so I just want to clarify a few minor details to you guys that I do not think I explained well. First, before the Great War was around modern times, or at least modern technology. All of the four Kingdoms lost that technology, except for the Jokers who managed to come across an untouched island. Thinking the other Kingdoms will abuse it's power (since all Jokers must have a pure soul to become a Joker) they do not share their technology. That sounds selfish, but it is for their own good if they do not want destruction. Second, the castles are a bit underdeveloped so here are some references, for you architect lovers. The Spades castle is similiar to the castle in Sleeping Beauty (love that movie) yet a bit more modern. The Hearts is castle is taken inspiration from the castle in Cinderella. The Diamonds castle is most similiar to the castle in Beauty and the Beast and I have yet to come up with a castle design for Clubs. Sorry. I am not going to hiatus on this story yet, seeing as I still have two weeks, or less, until I go away, and I love this story (and Cardverse). Also, do you like the cover? I got it off of google images, in case you were curious. This is long, so bye. Thank you for commenting I love hearing your opinions! Come follow betweendreamsandrealityy (two Ys) for possible updates. Enjoy this bittersweet chapter.

Warnings: Strong language.

Disclaimer: MERRY [STILL] CHRISTMAS! Hetalia and Cardverse are not mine.

"Excuse me! Milord!" Devin called rushing down the cobblestone hallway after Alfred.

"What!" he asked coldly, tears threatening to dance on his cheeks inconsistently. All he wanted was to be left alone and sulk.

"It is the Queen," he said gasping for breaths of air and clutching his knees. Alfred's sapphire eyes widened and wondered how much more horrible things could happen on one occasion? "He is finally waking up."

In disbelief he asked "really?"

Devin nodded, letting his short slicked back hair fall effortlessly into his dark eyes. "Come quickly. We would not want the others to find out, yet. He will be vulnerable." Alfred nodded and sprinted up the blue carpeted staircase to Arthur's chamber.

"Arthur?" he asked opening the double doors as wide as he could for dramatization. The room was lively filled with healers and servants huddled around his azure canopy bed. Over all of the gossip between them, Alfred could hear loud, powerful coughs. "Is he alright?" he asked the main healer.

"He should be your grace," she said not moving her hazel eyes from his body.

Tartly, he asked "then why is he coughing so harshly?"

Her poised lips pressed together in one continuous line. "Completely normal affects of waking up after being unconscious, your majesty."

He pouted crossing his arms across his chest. "Very well."

"Al…le…" Arthur asked weakly in between coughs although his green eyes remained closed, as if forever.

"I'm right here," he said grabbing his hand and stroking it gently. How he hated seeing his love suffering was almost unbearable.

"Go…ood," he said weakly.

He blurted "I'm sorry."

"Wh…hat?"

Alfred let his hand slip through Arthur's, watching his body lie wilted on the silk blue bed. His usually sheen hair was untamed and wiry and blotching fair skin lost its porcelain gloss. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I am not a good King."

"Come…ba…ck," he tried to say and grabbed Alfred's hand meekly with his own frail hand.

Alfred asked, not sure if he heard his Queen correctly, "what?"

"Do…not…lea…ave," he said squeezing Alfred's hand tighter, making the knuckles turn white. "I…am…sca…ared."

He raised a golden eyebrow. "Scared? Of what?" What could the Queen of Spades be scared about?

His eyelids began to flutter before his bright green eyes opened once more. "Losing you."

Alfred bit his lip and wrapped his arms around his love. "I was terrified of losing you."

He chuckled. "How long have I been out?"

"Over a day."

The Queen's eyes widened and attempted to sit up, practically flinging the covers off of him. "An entire day?"

"Woah there," Alfred exclaimed pushing his weak body back down with his hand and tucking him back under his sheets. "Minutes ago you were practically dead. You need rest."

"Thank you for your concern, but I am bloody fine," he said before clutching his chest and coughing heavily. Alfred glared at him callously. "But the meeting with the lords!" he protested.

Alfred shook his head and avoiding the topic completely. "Not another word. You need your rest."

"I came in as quickly as I could, aru!" Yao called rushing through the double doors and past the group of servants and healers. "Are you alright, my Queen?"

"Yes, yes, but I have important matters to discuss. I want you to clear everyone out of here, this is essential," he said, his voice still weak yet demanding.

"Of course, your highness," the Jack of Spades said and turned to the crowd. "You are all dismissed. Return to your original positions before further notice."

"It's about time," Alfred muttered watching all of the workers pack up their belongings and leave, possibly jealous of all the attention Arthur was getting from young women.

"My King, I would highly appreciate it if you could pick me a bundle of blue roses from the garden." Alfred pouted, but left without a single word spoken. "First, how was the meeting with the council?"

"Fine," Yao replied nonchalantly.

Arthur glared at his Jack. "Fine? Did you address my speech exactly as written?"

"Err…that is what I was hoping you would not ask, aru."

"Why?" he asked with a dark glare.

The Jack answered sheepishly, "Alfred addressed it."

"What!" he gritted through his teeth. Something that important should not be left to an incapable child as Alfred, he thought to himself.

"And he might have attempted to create a new economic system."

Shocked, Arthur asked "what?"

"Actually, it was a good idea. More importantly the council agreed, after I few tweaking since Alfred's idea wads far too radical for their likings."

"I see…" he said placing two fingers to his pink lips. That child is stronger and smarter than I thought.

"Is there anything else?"

Arthur struggled to sit up in his bed before answering "yes, actually." He exhaled before asking "will you help me to understand a vision, as you are the wisest in the land?"

"Your flattering will do you no good, aru,"Yaosaid solemnly making Arthur sulk. "But I will help you nonetheless."

"Perfect. Now, while I was poisoned I had a few…unpleasant encounters in my dreams. You see, I think I saw a few glimpses into the future. However, it was quite horrid."

"Spit it out,"Yaosaid impatiently. He had many other errands to attend to, Now that the Queen was ill, he was busy ruling the by himself.

"Okay, the first image was a burning Spade. That probably means the destruction of our precious balanced Kingdom of Spades. The second image was Alfred tied to something, but I have never seen anything as intricate in my entire lifespan, so I cannot explain it. The third image was a tombstone, with both Alfred's and my name on it; and you, the other royals and my brothers were standing around it with tears. That one is self explanatory. The forth image was a metal box underground, probably a coffin. The last was not an image but two words repeated countless times: tick tock."

Horrified, Yao asked "and you think this is a vision of the future, not an amplification of your fears?"

He looked into his hands hopelessly. "I am not sure, but I hope that is the case."

"Were there any clues on the dates?"

He shook his head, letting his untamed locks fall into his fruitless face. "Not that I am aware of, no."

"Artie! I've got your flowers!" Alfred exclaimed bounding into Arthur's chamber with a bundle of flowers locked around his arms.

Arthur stared at him with sorrow, worry filled eyes. Tick tock, Arthur, the voices in his mind whispered. Tick Tock.

"I thought you said the poison would kill him," a voice screamed angrily, slamming its hands down on a table out of frustration.

"Shh..." the second one hushed. "The poison did kill him."

"What are you talking about? Is he not alive?" the first voice exclaimed, slapping the first one's shoulder.

A new voice chimed in saying "if that dumb King did not save him in time, it would have."

"I guess we have a new target, don't we?" the first one asked deviously with a smirk growing on its face.

"Then what are we waiting for?" the second one asked eagerly.

"Patience. Good things come for those who wait," the third voice said smugly and held up the Jack's missing Clock.

To Be Continued...