Author's Notes: Happy American Independence Day! Okay, on with the story. So I bet you wanted to read a chapter about Yao with his family and their adventures. But, knowing me, that could take chapters that would just end up to be useless. So, I have decided to skip those uneeded chapters and move on with the plot. It's about time something happens, a bit. You can probably guess what is going to happen, thanks to the obvious chapter title I gave it. I am no where near the Winter Solstice, which is NOT a good thing. Urg. So for the next few chapters: I am sorry that they are going to be one-shot-ish and fast paced. I just really want to get to the action-y fun part of this. Yea~ Maybe I will end up making a one-shot or something about Yao and his family. [Is this another idea I speak of?] Well...after I finish this story. Here is the time where I would like the thank all of my reviewers and readers for motivating me to write. You are all so awesome! So this is my last update for a while (do not fret, I will try to update if I get wifi on my trip). Bye~
Warnings: Strong language.
Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU.
"J-Jack Yao?" Nomble asked shakily standing at the archway to the library that was only lit by one dim candle flickering on the mahogany desk Yao was sitting at. It was far past midnight, but Ya odisregarded sleep on occasion to catch up on his work.
"Yes, aru?" Yao asked trying to hide the irritability in his voice by rubbing his temples. Having an entire week of his family at the palace was much tougher than he expected, especially when Alfred suggested they all partake in various adventures around the castle such as hide-and-seek. You can guess how that turned out. Two broken antiques, one ripped tapestry and a very scared younger brother.
"T-there is a guest here," she replied nervously shaking.
He exhaled and dipped his silver quill back in his the Spade shaped ink well he got as a gift for the New Year. "Who could it possibly be?"
"T-the King of Clubs, sire. And he is requesting to meet with Alfred immediately."
He frowned and placed the quill down the parchment. Alfred? He thought what could he possibly want with Alfred? "Where is he?"
"Downstairs, your grace."
"Wake the King immediately, but do not, under any circumstances, wake Arthur. His stubborn behavior will only counteract our delicate balance with Clubs."
Nomble nodded and nervously walked down the corridor out ofYao's vision.
The King of Clubs, huh? he asked himself and rose from his chair at the desk. This is going to be interesting.
"What the fuck Yao?" Alfred asked with a yawn and rubbed his eyelids. His clothes were ruffled and warm as he grabbed whatever he could get his hands on, which were the tainted clothes he wore all day, in exchange for his nightgown and the warmth of Arthur's bed. "I was trying to sleep and-"
"Nice to see you too, King Alfred," the King of Clubs said with his cold, uninviting voice. His aura was positively frightening due to his juvenile smile. He stood up from an indigo chair Nomble and the other servants brought down into the main room and stood beside Alfred, almost a head taller.
Alfred pouted looking into his icy violet eyes. "No offense, but why did you call for me?"
"Political matters, of course," he said nonchalantly and pulled out a piece of parchment from his green attire. It was much less formal than the outfits Alfred remembered him wearing in Hearts; however there was something more intimidating about seeing him in a forest green dress shirt, high waist trousers and suspenders with an emerald cape shadowing his bulky figure.
"Then why not just ask Artie?" Although, Alfred really meant "why not leave me alone so I can get some rest?"
"Your Queen and I do not see eye to eye," he said with his face turning astringent. Arthur was far too stubborn and suspicious for Ivan's liking.
"Maybe because you're so tall and he is well…not."
"That was a figure of speech, your majesty."
"Oh," he said sheepishly for making a fool in front of the King of Clubs was definitely not pleasant. He quickly changed the subject before he could be ridiculed further. "What political matters must we discuss that cannot wait for morning?"
"A revolution."
He cocked an arched eyebrow.
"I fear revolution is upon us, young King," he said retreating to the chair and crossed his left leg over his right.
"Why tell me? King Ludwig is much more experienced, or even King Francis." Why Spades? Spades was the oldest of the four Kingdoms, yet the land known for its power and inexplicable bond with the magical realm.
"But neither rival with you. Your Kingdom was already strong without you as a King, and I will not underestimate your power as a ruler as the others may."
"You know as well as anyone that I am not King, yet," he said not wanting to discuss political matters before sunrise.
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong. Your policies have already made Spades prosperous, and far surpassed all three of the Kingdoms in just one month."
"So…what are you proposing?"
He rested in head on his folded hands. "An alliance."
"An alliance?"
"One that will benefit both of our Kingdoms," he said with his childish grin returning to his face.
"How so?" he asked not quite comprehending the other's request.
"You must know of the Red Revolution, da?"
"Of course," he said uneasily.
"They are disloyal to the past King and your Queen, which transitively makes them disloyal to you and your Kingdom. Unless…"
"Unless, what?" he asked with panic ringing in every word.
"Oh, forget it," he scoffed and waved his hands as if to wave the notion away. "Why would I tell you something that will prohibit you and Arthur's demise?"
"Because you want an alliance?" he said more of a question than a posing statement.
"Exactly. We create an alliance, and I will tell you about this revolution, da?"
Alfred stared at the document before his eyes, practically glowing. Alfred remembered Arthur's warnings about the King of Clubs and asked uncertainly "what are the terms of this so called "alliance"?"
"Standard policies, I assure you, your majesty. However, you could always depend on your Queen to make this decision for you, if you do not believe you can," he said practically mocking the King.
His eyes narrowed, almost desiring to kill the King of Clubs right then and there out of infuriation. Instead, he stated "I will only sign after you tell me what this revolution wants."
"Ah, you do not trust me?" he asked a bit hurt, yet satisfied.
"No," he deadpanned, which might come back to bite him in the ass.
He chuckled childishly. "You are a wise King. Until all of the unjust rulers are overthrown the revolution will be inevitable and end up ruining the delicate balance of Cards, just as the Great War did centuries ago."
"How this alliance supposed to stop that?"
"Because if you happen to be one of those just rulers, I want to know that I will not be overthrown, da?"
A just ruler? He thought to himself how am I possibly a "just" ruler? I'm barely a ruler at all! "And what if I am not one of those rulers?"
"Then you have nothing to lose, do you?" he asked holding the green quill encouraging him to sign the declaration, as if he had an alternative motive.
"I see," he said. "And if you are one of those just rulers, you will not harm any of the royals in Spades. Especially Artie."
"As long as I am King of Clubs," he said honestly and placed the quill into the future King of Spades' palms.
"Very well," he said and signed the declaration.
Ivan stood up from his seat, towering over the young King. "Thank you for your support, King Alfred," he said and took his leave. He paused before he reached the doorway and said over his broad shoulder "don't tell your little Queen about this, da?" And with those words, he vanished into the night.
To Be Continued...