The king yawned. The sound echoed off of the dripping stone walls. The torch in his hand flickered. He wondered what could possibly be so important as to require his attention at this early hour. He continued through the bleak halls, undisturbed by the tortured, begging screams that enclosed him. He had long sense steeled himself against such noises. One had to be cruel if he wished for respect.

The ace smiled. He was always smiling. The screams of anger behind him demanded his attention as he turned the spool over in the furnace, the metal flickering as bright orange sparks took flight. He turned his head ever so slightly in acknowledgement, the brand held loosely in one hand.

"Si?"

"Father why?! How could you?! You monster! I demand release! Father! Father, do you hear me!? It's me, Alphonso! Your son! Your only son!"

The man was certifiably insane but it made no difference. Spies were not treated kindly, even if they came from an allied kingdom. However that did raise the question of how far he was allowed to go with this one. He couldn't kill him, the diamonds would be furious and use it to spark another conflict. They'd been looking for an excuse to do so.. "I'll give you a chance to explain yourself." He was so lenient..

"I know nothing!" Came the immediate retort, almost too defensive.

He sighed and swung the brand slightly, walking over to the chained man. Lights from the torches along the walls cast shadows across the room, enclosing the traitor in ropes of shadow. The lights flickered over his tan face, the smile gone. " Liar." he said, pressing the scalding instrument to the man's side.

"Antonio, what are ye doing?" The question was uncaring and soft, barely audible.

He would have thought that was fairly obvious. Antonio turned acidic green eyes on his king and bowed his head in respect, pressing the brand deeper into the man's side and slowly sliding it upward. " My apologies your Majesty, but what are you doing here?"

"You sent for me." His tone had gained volume, the usual proud smirk adorning his face. The kings own green eyes regarded his Ace carefully. "Or did you?"

Antonio nodded. Their conversation continued normally as if the screams of agony and pleads for mercy coming from the man in front of the Spaniard was nonexistent. "Si, but the torture chambers, your majesty? Could you not have waited until I could meet you on a lower level?"

"The king waits for no one!" Allistor snapped, quick as ever. "Especially not for a vagabond." How he loved to remind others of their lower status. Antonio was especially fun to tweak. It was so hard to get under his skin..That damnable smile ever the shield.

Antonio laughed it off. "Of course sire~" The metal twisted harshly into the spy's skin and he let out another sharp screech, finally drawing the king's attention. "Who is this?"

"Alphonso Chitadorra." He responded calmly, watching the man writhe in place, like a rat with its head caught in a trap. "He says I'm his father."

"Are you?"

Antonio sent Allistor a shielded look and he laughed. The mask wasn't so indestructible. "Calm yourself Antonio, I was only joking. Where is your sense of humor?" Antonio didn't respond to the barb, pressing the metal further into the spy's blistering skin. Allistor let out a nervous chuckle. "What else do you know?" He asked, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.

"By the insignia on his right palm, I believe he is from diamo-" "What?!" Allistor cut him off with an angered, horrified screech. "You can't torture a diamond citizen! We need their alliance! Think of the political impact!" He was boiling.

" With all due respect-" "No! You don't respect me, or this kingdom! If you held any you would be begging for forgiveness!" He was interrupted again. "Be grateful I am in a forgiving mood.."

"Of course your Majesty." There was a resounding slap. "Watch your mouth, ace." Antonio bowed his head. "Leave me. I'll clean up your mess." Antonio set the brand aside and left the room without another word.

~~~~~~~THISISALINE~~~~~~~~~~

Lovino sighed and glared at the poorly cultivated plants. Fucking lazy ass gardener..The tomatoes would ever grow like this. Lovno nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand was placed on his head. "Fuck!?"

The laugh he received made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "Maybe later love." His husband purred into his ear, licking the shell of it. Disgusting.. He didn't even attempt to hide his scowl, glaring at the man behind him as his hand slowly drifted lower, wrapping around the nape of his neck. "Queens don't scowl." He said lowly, squeezing his neck in warning.

Lovino responded by deepening his scowl, eliciting a sigh. "We have a court meeting tonight. Try not to embarrass me." " Of course, my king." He mentally cursed his parents. Allistor placed a rough kiss to Lovino's cheek before walking away, a confidant swagger. Lovino was tempted to throw a rock at his head. "Pompous ass. " He muttered, wiping harshly at his cheek. "Slobbers like a bitch." He sighed and flopped back into the grass. The sun always felt nice in the afternoons.

"Ahem." Someone cleared their voice. Lovino jumped slightly, and stood up, turning to face the person, he wasn't supposed to show such indecency. He scowled, seeing Antonio, and relaxed. "Something wrong? " Antonio asked, staring down at Lovino who was cast into his shadow. A smile hinted on his face. When was it not? He laughed lightly and ruffled Lovino's hair, knocking the crown askew. "What, did you think I was someone important pequeño?" His cheeks flushed faintly and he re-adjusted his crown in annoyance. "I'm not small..." he puffed out a cheek eyeing up to the other. "And I wasn't expecting someone to be here.." He sighed at Lovino's seriousness but only smiled brighter. "Oh, lo siento." He bowed dramatically. "I should have announced my arrival~,"he straightened. "I'm never far behind mi senor."

"Si I know ," he retorted, folding his arms "you're up my ass wherever I go. How could I not know you are around?" he huffed, looking to the tomatoes, or what could have been tomatoes.

"How else am I supposed to protect you? If you need me, 'up your ass' is where I need to be." He laughed again.

His cheeks flushed and he picked a tomato (look-a-like), wiping it off on his shirt before biting into it. "Si, whatever..." he averted his eyes, moving to start to stroll down the cobblestone pathway of the gardens, his shoes clicking obnoxiously. "Bastard."