Author's Notes: I'm back you guys! My trip was really quite something, where I really believe I have changed as a person, for the better. Enough about me, and on with the story [that rhymed]. Anyhow, the story is beginning to reach the climax, as the slow build up begins. I believe most of the earlier chapters were just fillers, and this one is a bit too, but do not underestimate them. There are some important ideas that will definitely contribute to the story. Thank you so much XD I do not believe I can express my gratitude in words so here are some hugs! Any ideas on which story I should continue? I think either Between the Devil and the Deep Blue or The Disappearance of Alfred F. Jones. Which do you prefer? Also, thank you for reading my new chessverse one-shot. I might end up making a sequel in the future, probably after I finish this project [as in the next 3 years]. Moving on, this chapter is quite angsty and sappy and corny, especially the ending. But I actually like it, nonetheless. So I am pleased to present the wedding "rehearsal" to you!
Warnings: Strong language.
Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or Cardverse AU.
"Rise and shine, your highness," Arthur said with a beaming smiling on his face, a rare sight to see this early in the morning, or any time of day for that matter.
Alfred grumbled before turning over onto his stomach and pulled the royal blue covers over his head in an effort to ignore the persistent Queen. He always hated waking up early, no matter the reason.
He scowled. "Get up, your highness!" Arthur fumed impatiently, his face turning a shade of red.
"I told you to call me Alfred," he said stubbornly, his sapphire eyes still closed.
Arthur collected himself before calmly saying "Alfred, love, wake up."
He snorted. "What for?"
"The bloody rehearsal dinner, that's what!" he yelled ripping off the covers from their bed, revealing Alfred with only a pair of light cotton trousers on. Ever since they returned from Hearts, Yao deemed it would be a good idea to share a bedroom. Not that they argued with his decision or anything along those lines.
"Why do we need to rehearse? All you've gotta say is I do and then I kiss you," he said lazily with a shiver and a yawn.
He rolled his electric green eyes, too angry to even fix his atrocious grammar. "I will not have Spades turned into a bloody laughing stock, now get up before I push you off."
"You couldn't lift me if you tried," he stated with a confident smirk.
Arthur's emerald eyes narrowed. "We will see about that," he said before lifting the taller of the two, bridal style.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing!" Alfred shouted while trying to squirm out of his Queen's embrace. Alas, he was much more powerful than meets the eye. It was definitely one of Spades' strengths that they easily decieved the other kingdoms.
"When did you get so bloody heavy?" he asked struggling to hold him up. Over the six months Alfred stayed in the Spades' castle, he had definitely gained the proper amount of weight and muscle for someone of his age and height.
"Let go of me!" he shouted flailing both his legs and arms in an attempt to unlock himself from Arthur.
An evil grin plastered Arthur's face. "I will let you go…" he began eyeing the bathroom.
"You wouldn't," he growled as a challenge to his Queen.
"Watch me," Arthur said lugging the other's body into the pristine white bathroom. There, he dropped Alfred into the white claw foot bath filled with cold water, pants on and all.
"Artie!" he shouts receiving only chuckles from his Queen. "I'm going to kill you," he remarked and splashed the older blonde.
He scowled and looked down at his soaked clothing. How was he supposed to explain this to the maids? "This is silk!"
He crossed his arms over his muscular, wet chest. "Well…that's what you deserve."
Arthur rolled his eyes, knowing Alfred was correct. "Now finish your bath and meet me in the ball room."
"Took you long enough," Arthur remarked watching Alfred walk regally down the grand staircase, a curious yet intrigued look masked his face.
The ball room was decorated more ornate than Alfred had imagined. The usually empty ballroom was, now, bustling with blue dressed maids scrambling to complete their preparations. Twenty round tables were dressed in royal blue lace and the high windows bared silk tapestries with the golden Spades' insignia designed throughout. The floor and staircase tables were littered with the petals of the Spade roses from the royal gardens. The chandelier was lowered where three maids quickly replaced each candle with ones that create blue flames, instead of the usual white. Overall, it was the most gorgeous sight he had ever seen.
"Well…" Alfred said scratching the nape of his neck as he fell asleep in the bathtub, again.
The Queen scoffed "enough of your bloody excuses, we do not have time for that! The other royals will be arriving later tonight, this is our only time to practice."
Alfred rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, your highness," he said dripping as much sarcasm as he could muster.
The royal ignored his comment completely. "This is where we will have the wedding ceremony." He pointed to the left side of the double sided staircase and announced "that is where you will come down, after me, of course. Then you will walk down this aisle and to this alter." With his pointer finger, he traced the line of the blue carpet rolled out from the staircase down to the petal dressed alter . "Yao will lead the ceremony, which I guarantee you have been practicing."
He smiled guiltily. "About that…"
Arthur rolled his eyes and rubbed his temples. Of all the things Alfred could have slacked on, it had to be their wedding. "Please say you have practiced."
"I have!" he defended as an obvious lie, only to receive a dark glare from Arthur. "But I also wanted to speak from my heart."
He blushed, feeling the heat flaring at his cheeks, before clearing his throat and continuing "after the ceremony, I will lead you into the throne room for your coronation. After that, is the reception."
"There's more?" Alfred asked not comprehending what 'reception' meant.
"The reception is just a small gathering, similar to the ball in Hearts. Only we are required to share the Spades' waltz, which I hope you have been practicing."
"You know, you're beginning to sound a lot like Yao," he muttered loud enough for the elder blonde to hear.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "You say that like it is a bad thing."
Alfred patted Arthur's back. "You're just acting too stiff. Lighten up a bit."
He fumed "lighten up? If this does not run perfectly, our kingdom will become a joke and an easy target! I have worked far too hard for this to run smoothly!"
He placed a hand on Arthur's small shoulder. "And I appreciate it, babe, but you're working yourself to death! Just look at yourself!"
Alfred was right, for a change. Arthur's usually bright emerald eyes looked almost dull and bloodshot from his anxiety. His silk blonde hair was now wiry and lacking its usual sheen and luster. His thick eyebrows looked more wild than usual, reaching the depth of dead caterpillars. Along with his wrinkled silk blue outfit, Arthur looked like a mess of built up stress.
"What about myself?" Arthur asked insecurely.
"For starters, you might want to take a bath before the other royals come," he explained light heartedly.
Arthur scowled. "What about you and that odd piece of hair?"
He shielding his wheat golden hair from Arthur's view. "That is totally different!"
"No it is not!"
"But you totally love me for it!" he exclaimed leaning in to kiss Arthur.
"And to think this is all because of some dumb Clock," he said deepening the kiss.
Alfred pulled away.
The Queen tilted his head. "Is there something wrong?"
"It's nothing," he scoffed and adverted his gaze to the painted floor.
"No, something is blatantly frustrating you. Please tell me," he begged with pleading green eyes.
He exhaled before asking "would you love me, if it wasn't for the Clock?"
Without hesitation, he answered "of course, my King."
Curtly, he asked "what about Francis?"
"What about him?" he asked feeling his cheeks flare. He had thought Alfred was over his jealousy for Francis.
"He said he would give up his kingdom for you. If you could choose, would you choose him? You deserve someone like him, not a lowly peasant…"
He caressed Alfred's face. "He is a man of all bark and no bite. I would choose the man who gave up his comfortable life, and his brother, all for his kingdom."
He embraced the shorter blonde and explained "no, Artie. I did it for you."
To Be Continued...