Author owns nothing. Gets nothing for this, except some praise :D
For Ceylon85 CanI request that you would write a story about the cardverse or cardtalia. It would be interesting to see Germany as the king of hearts as depicted in the canon arte stella with Fem!america as the jack of spades.
Sure! And, happy birthday. :D
I own nothing. You know that already. Rated M-ish.
OoOoOo
The Kingdom of Hearts was rich in beauty, culture, and a festive sort of atmosphere that truly showed its abounding affectionate nature. The rolling and lush green hillsides that surrounded the castle, were stated to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. The people agree. No matter the suit, they adored the lush fields filled to the brim with sweet fruits, robust vegetables, and nuts rich in delicious oils.
Though its King was far more passionate in the realms of staunch protection and the need to seek perfection from his subjects. Yet, they flourished under their King's strong guidance, and the praise they gave was often said sincerely.
There was some doubt over him, however, not of his fault.
He was a young King -by certain standards-, that gave some of the older people pause, though he was never cruel. It was difficult for his court to get a proper read on what the man was thinking. The brunt of his focus was always upon the affairs at hand, the latest squabbles and the newest missives for consideration.
Yet, he was lofted as being the most level headed ruler since the founding of their great Kingdom.
OoOoOo
King Ludwig, Ruler of Hearts, knew that something was wrong. The Spades had been present only three hours, and after dining, it was time for the merriment.
A celebration of a chance.
His dark blue eyes scanned the court, feeling dismay and irritation lace his thoughts tightly. His Jack... was missing. Again. King Ludwig attempted not to show how irate he was over the disappearance of such a high level, for the King and Queen of Spade -as well as the entirety of their court- were being granted the chance to visit the Heart Kingdom for the first time since a rather bloody dispute.
It was to broker a peace between their two Kingdoms that had long been denied. Ludwig hoped to prevent further bloodshed from ever becoming necessary.
He was drew to a nearly secluded section of the Royal gardens. His ire twitched even more. If his Jack was up to something indecent, again, he would have to have a very firm reprimand ready for-
The King came to a dead halt in his tracks. His dark blue eyes gazed upon his wayward Jack... and a woman he had never seen before.
Only the faint strings of a melody could be heard from inside the hall. Yet, the stars above them shone in perfect combination with the torchlight. Some of which, were magically lit, and Ludwig had never truly appreciated the light they cast, so much as he did in this moment.
The moment that the black and blue of a Spade code of dress, signifying a member of the court, spun around the slim figure of a blonde woman that stole his breath away. Her dress was more common, than some others he had glimpsed, as she flushed slightly. Ludwig could only watch as she gestured between Feliciano and herself.
The faint strings of music grew faster, but no louder. Their hands clasped, and he admired the way the Spade was boldly splayed on the bodice of her gown. The light and royal blues blended to enhance her beautiful eyes.
Ludwig stared hard at how her gloved hands intertwined with the Jack of Hearts. Then, they were moving in a familiar pattern.
Dancing. Alone. In the Garden.
The woman laughed merrily, dancing about with his Jack. The King of hearts could not believe what he was seeing. Red and Blue twirled about merrily. Her eyes sparkled like the color of her kingdom. Feliciano struggled to keep up with her, but they were a match, in some respects.
A scarlet ribbon, from Feliciano's hat, brushed briefly against the azure ribbon in her golden hair. It seemed rather innocent to the King of Hearts, but part of his stomach clenched in bitter jealousy.
It was only made worse by the sound of her voice.
"Come on!" She urged as she changed their hands around and they moved about the clearing even faster.
In the blur of movement, The King of Hearts caught a glimpse of the pistol on her side. The woman had come armed...
A Jack.
His dark blue eyes blinked in surprise and a flicker of mistrust wormed in his thoughts. However, he doubted that she intended to kill Feliciano. They were far too close to the main hall, and there were still guards all about.
Yet, what did it say about her Kingdom, that they permitted the Jack -their enforcer- so far from the King and Queen? A shiver went through Ludwig. Perhaps they were more powerful than he first believed.
His gaze traced over her happy face, the glasses that were clearly marked with the emblem of Spade, and the bit of hair that seemed to stick straight up with her turning in circles.
"I do not know if I-?"
"Trust me!" The Spade Jack said happily, and there was a soft seriousness in her words. As if she truly would keep him from harm. Ludwig, despite all his years in court and command, nearly believed that she would keep him safe as well.
Feliciano obviously did, for he clasped her hands and they spun around until they were almost a blur of mixed colors. Only the echoes of their merriment disturbed the scene, and even that was strangely endearing. They trampled over some of the tender stalks of grass, but did not appear to mind very much.
"Amelia!" Feliciano cried out, his voice nearly quaking with excitement and child-like joy.
She must have taken that as a plea to stop. They gradually slowed and both the Jacks looked vaguely dizzy as they swayed.
"See?" The blonde woman started with mischief sparkling in her blue eyes. "I told ya, you could trust me."
The pair dissolved into a fit of giggling as they fell upon the earth, chattering animatedly with each other about court life. Nothing pertinent, The King knew that they were both aware of what might happen should they leak information. And, their loyalty was above question. One did not become a Jack by treachery.
Amelia... the Spadian Jack snorted behind her hand in laughter as Feliciano told a joke that was usually not mentioned in the presence of ladies. The Spade did not appear to mind at all. Her blue eyes glinted with amusement and she told a few of her own.
Ones that even had the King of Hearts, flushing to the tips of his ears.
My, they truly had some... inventive jokes in Spade.
He stayed there, partially concealed by the hedges that prevented the majority of the garden from being seen by prying eyes, as the two Jacks chatted. For he was unable to force himself to move away.
Then the Spade Jack stiffened and glanced over her shoulder, to the eyes of the King of Hearts.
His heart ached in the sweetest form of torture, when the female Jack noticed him. Her features slackened in disbelief and embarrassment, as she paled. Amelia nudged Feliciano a little harder than needed.
Two pairs of eyes stared at him.
"Oh shit," she muttered eloquently, "we got caught."
Then she slapped her hand over her mouth and flushed.
"Oh shit!" She said louder this time. "I'm not supposed to say 'shit' in front of the King."
It was that statement, or perhaps how earnest she sounded, that caused Lugwig's lips to twitch into a smile. Something that caused his Jack to gape in open mouthed shock.
"No," A voice stated in a soft and calm manner from behind them all while still radiating immense disapproval. "You should not say that."
The Spade jack gave a nervous laugh and shuffled closer to the person behind Ludwig. The blonde ruler who turned to see the King of Spades standing behind him. Ah. He had been too wrapped up in his musings to hear the approach of the other.
Perhaps it was a very good thing that they were speaking of peace this night.
"Uh..." The Spade started with a wide grin. "My sincerest apologies, your highness."
She curtsied to her king and then to Ludwig, who found the gesture rather endearing. Her gaze only dared to dart to his face once she had risen.
Ludwig, a proud and noble King glimpsed the furious glare in the King of Spades eyes.
"Think nothing of it." He replied in a calm tone, and waved the matter away as if it were nothing.
A soft blush stole over her cheeks, and Ludwig felt his heart pause in his chest, as if it too wanted to witness her a moment longer.
OoOoOo
The negotiation for the peace between their Kingdoms did not go as smoothly as planned. Ludwig had one new condition.
It displeased the other.
"What do you want?" King Matthew snarled lowly as the queen of spades moved closer toward him.
Dark blue eyes glinted dangerously, having gone this far, he would not back down now. HE was willing to compromise in other areas. This one, however, was not negotiable.
"I want your Jack." He stated flatly, with complete seriousness.
"You want Amelia?" The Spadian King reared back, staring at Ludwig, as if he were insane.
There was, perhaps, some merit in that thought. However, he was too far gone now.
"Ja." He replied evenly, unflinching as the heavy stare of the King and Queen were leveled on him.
"Absolutely not!" The Queen half-roared across the space between them. The voice carried well and caused a pane of glass to crack thirty feet from them.
Cold eyes answered the challenge set to the Heart King by the Queen of another land.
"Then you would risk war?"
He asked it deliberately, to remind them of what was at stake. What they both hoped to avoid, no matter what their advisors said to the contrary. It was all a series of bluffs and attempting to stay in the balance of power. Or have it tipped in your favor.
The few hours since the garden incident had afforded him the chance to learn more about the Jack of Spades. She was, by far, more powerful than he had been informed of. Though the King and Queen were fierce in their own rights.
Both would have caused him to step lightly, where he trod now.
"The Jack, Amelia, she is my sister." The ruler of Spades interjected with a furious look in his gaze. "I will not see her sullied!"
"I am unmarried." The insinuation was coupled with a honest statement.
Gasps echoed round. Feliciano even startled at the statement.
"You would... seek her hand in marriage?"
"'Seek' implies asking. I feel as if this is a wonderful time to... negotiate." He replied with utmost seriousness in his voice.
It even shook the Spadian Queen to her core. The nearly deadly glint in his eyes. The one of a man that would forsake all for the most precious, if not most often illusive, thing in the world. The chance or promise of love.
Slowly, almost too slowly, the King of Spades nodded his head, a warning clear in the way he offered his hand. He was rather unhappy with the turn of events, the King of Hearts could easily see it.
"Very well," The ruler of Spades acquiesced with a soft bit of menace to his words. "Let us become brothers by marriage. Other terms shall need lengthy consideration."
Ludwig took the proffered hand and shook it. The stared at each other as two hungry snakes ready to devour another at a given moment. Words as sharp as any knife.
Such was politics.
"Gladly. I shall send for a scribe." The King of Hearts replied with a neutral tone.
"I shall..." the Spade Queen drifted off for a moment with glassy eyes dulled by shock, "inform Amelia."
The blue King grinned in a feral manner at that.
"Yes, tell her the happy news."