So, I had no idea anyone was interested in this. XD Honestly, it was just a random idea that had no plot to speak of. I made something up and this is the product. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone. This is for 'TheUselessOne'. I love your name, by the way. By it, I'm going to assume you like angst. eue So, you'll be getting this and a nice angsty one shot. O3O If you'd rather some other genre, drop me know and I'll make it up to you! ;7; Wow, this is a long Author's note. I guess I'll just end it here. XD

Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I didn't do it... this time.

Court was a bor. Lovino concluded this on his own as he shuffled along the walls. Courtiers swamped the room, chattering about anything and everything, but nothing that mattered. That was what court was for. Everyone who was anyone went to court for the season. If you didn't, you were no one. There were millions of rules that were held in place by nothing other than the threat of social disgrace, but it was extravagant. There were always parties, dances, masques, and plays. Court was nothing but a distraction.

Lovino's husband kept the nobles busy with their social games, distracting them with pleasures to keep them from paying attention to what really mattered, politics. If you knew politics, you were a useful man. If you knew politics at court, you were a dangerous man. All it would take was one usurper, one man foolish enough to think, and all the king had worked for would come crumbling down around him.

Allistor had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. They were jumping over one another just to kiss his ring. Lovino scoffed, teetering on the outskirts of the crowd.

He was being watched.

Sentries stood about the room, their eyes glancing. Not them. No, the eyes of one in particular never left him, even as he turned to scowl at the masked man. The music had picked up pace. A whirling skirt blocked Lovino's view for a second, and then he was gone. No, not gone, he was whispering in Allistor's ear. The king seemed enraptured by the words flowing from his confidant's mouth. Then, Allistor's eyes snapped to him.

"Your majesty."

Lovino nearly jumped out of his shoes, whirling to face the Spaniard that had called for his attention. Lovino sent a withering glare into the shadows of the curtains where he knew Antonio stood.

"You sent for me?" Lovino nodded, his frown set in stone.

"I need to speak with you."

"I'm all ears, mi señor..."

"Not here, damn it!" Lovino snapped quietly, looking over his shoulder to ensure he wasn't being watched. "These are dangerous matters." From Antonio's silence, Lovino could tell that he understood. "Come to my room tonight." A moment more of silence, and Lovino knew Antonio was gone. He blended so well into the gathered faces, his finery no less than an average border lord.

Lovino's frown lessened as he slunk through the crowd. A few courtiers called on him, trying to immerse him into conversation, but he would have none of it. He knew what they wanted. Money, power, fame… all of these were tools of control. Allistor had harnessed how to use them. He was cruel, perfectly sensible, and unmerciful. But he failed to remember one thing. The horseman who pulls the reins too tightly is more likely to be bucked off.

Lovino narrowed hazel eyes on the back of Allistor's red head, his imagination supplying an explanation for the odd color of his hair. Blood. Allistor must have sustained an injury as a child, leaving him mentally unstable as he continued to bleed out, staining his hair the blinding shade.

If that were true, Allistor would die of a brain aneurism within the year. Dio was not that kind; Lovino would not hold his breath.

"You stare so curiously, your majesty." Lovino glanced up at the man standing at his side in boredom. A scowl replaced itself upon his face.

Sadiq Annon: the jack. He was Allistor's friend, advisor, and ally among the petty thieves whom Allistor also called his 'friends.' "I haven't figured out what I'm fucking looking at yet."

Sadiq answered with a boistures laugh, as if Lovino had just told some great joke. He wrapped a friendly arm around Lovino's shoulders, turning him to face the wall. Sadiq pointed to a painting of a woman. The sun appeared to be exploding behind her and she was shielding the earth with her body. Lovino's eyes drifted to the artist's signature. Ravais.

Sadiq's pulled him closer, his words barely above a whisper. "I know your game." Lovino's heart sped up so quickly, he was certain Sadiq could hear it.

"Che?"

The arm around his shoulders tightened, Sadiq's blunt nails digging into his arm. "Do not attempt to lie to me, my Queen. What were you doing with the Clover?"

Lovino immediately went on the defensive. "I was taking to him about the treaty, is that suddenly a crime?" His voice oozed venom. Venom he hoped would seep into Sadiq's open wound and melt him from the inside.

"No, but treason is." He produced a small violet coin purse, shaking it slightly to make the gold cling. "Stealing from the treasury, bastard?" Lovino shot back. Clever, but not that clever.

"Shame… I had hoped I would not have to tell my king his queen was untrustworthy, but it looks like I'll have to recommend something unsavory." Sadiq had Lovino's life in his hand. Worse, he could ruin everything Lovino had been working for since his wedding day.

"You should be careful how your tongue wags, bastard." Lovino warned, turning his back to Sadiq dismissively. "Lest someone chop it off." He liked to think he heard a swallow as he walked away.

A chambermaid closed the door behind Antonio with a heavy click, the shadows cast by the looming lumber dispersing. It took Antonio's eyes a moment to adjust to the dimmer lighting, but one the did, he was rewarded with a sight entirely unfamiliar.

Antonio knew Lovino was queen, but he'd never seen him look so regal. The swishing burgundy silk swept across Lovino's bare thighs as he walked. His steps were quieter, lacking the gaudy clacking heels. There was no crown upon his head, and if Antonio didn't know better, he would have assumed Lovino a harlot. A very expensive, high maintenance harlot.

"Your majesty." Lovino's eyes never left him, even as he leaned impassively against the wall.

"Tell me something, Ace." Antonio was surprised at the lack of insult, one eye narrowing curiously. "What are your duties?" That was what Lovino had called upon him for? It seemed a bit out of way to have requested him in the middle of the night, just to answer such a juvenile question.

"To die for king and country, Majesty."

Antonio watched as Lovino tilted his head, pushing himself from the wall. His hips swayed just a bit more than necessary, drawing the scandalous cloth in longer sweeps, revealing more of his smooth olive skin. Antonio's hand twitched.

"And me?"

"You, your majesty?"

Lovino stalked around him, hazel eyes wide and receiving. Lovino slid his arms over Antonio's shoulders, his hands gliding down Antonio's broad chest. His words were barely a whisper.

"Would you die for me, Antonio?" Lovino's lips brushed his ear, followed by a small, pink tongue.

"Si." There was no hesitance in his answer, a shudder, but no hesitation.

Lovino slipped a hand beneath Antonio's shirt, his fingertips tracing circles into Antonio's chest. "And kill?" The question was asked just before Lovino pressed his lips to Antonio's cheek. He received a nod. Lovino retracted his arms, slowly pulling away from the melting man. One word rang in his ears, an order and a request.

"Jack."

The clack of boots on tile echoed throughout the darkening hall. Sadiq looked over his shoulder, listening closely. He could have sworn he heard breathing. He took a step, and it picked up again, the only noise. His heart sped and he fled. Heavier steps followed him, the drumming growing louder. Sadiq stumbled, falling to the ground before pushing himself up. He rounded a corner and pressed himself to the wall. The steps were faster, having lost sight of him. The blade was heavier in Sadiq's palm than it was at his waist. Sadiq swung, his arm traveling faster than he was.

The dagger plunged into the man's throat, tearing through his would-be Assassin's jugular with ease. Sadiq yanked his hand away, the knife planted firmly in the man's throat. There was a sick choking sound, blood splattering onto the pristine white walls and floor. It soaked through his shoes, forcing him to walk on it. Blank eyes stared up at him. He stared in shock, trying to grasp why the now-dead man would wish him so. Sadiq's thoughts took a winding turn, slamming to a stop. Sadiq lifted his hand to touch the blood dripping down his neck; his head rolled across the floor.