Chapter Two

"Arthur! Arthur, slow down!" cried Lilith as she raised after her kid brother. It's been ten years since he was born and he was the most adorable brother ever! She loved him so much it was unreal. "Hurry, or we'll be late to the festival!" he called back to her. She sighed and continued to walk fast to make sure he was still in sight.

She couldn't blame him for being so excited about today. This was the only time of the year she allowed him to go outside their home in the woods. Each year, he grew more and more restless about not being able to go anywhere outside the covers of the trees. She was starting to get worried that she would have to tell him soon about what happened almost seven years ago.

It was still too early to say anything. He was only ten years old for Heaven's sake. All her thinking caused her to nearly trip over Arthur. They were now in the small village a few miles away from their home and the festivities were in full swing. It was odd. This festival seemed different from the rest of them. "Did something happen?" Arthur asked, as he observed everything that was going on around him. If he noticed, then she wasn't going crazy after all.

There were a lot more flags with the symbol for the Spades, and she could tell there were a lot more noblemen in this small town than normal. Instinctively, she reached out her hand to Arthur who took it obediently. He knew his sister well enough to know that she was starting to get nervous with all the people around. He never understood why she was so scared to be around them but he thought it was high time to get rid of that fear!

He stopped a person walking by, by grabbing onto her skirts. "Excuse me. Could you tell us about the festival this year? It seems different than last years." he said. The woman patted his head and he blushed looking away. "Aw, you're so cute and polite young man." she said, then looked up at Lilith. "Did either of you hear the news? The new King of Spades has been found! He's only a small boy right now but he was born right here! In this village!" she exclaimed. The news caused Lilith's hand to tighten but she kept a straight face as the woman walked away.

"Arthur, we're going home." she said, dragging her brother back towards the woods. HIs heart beat faster and he yanked his hand away from her. "No! I don't want to leave! You can't make me!" he yelled and ran right into the crowd. "Arthur! ARTHUR!" she screamed. But it was too late. He had already disappeared into the crowd.

Arthur ran and ran until he hid under a table filled with food. He had never done that before be he was so tired of his sister telling him what to do all the time! He wanted to see the festival and the new king. He didn't care what her reason was for wanting to leave. It still wasn't fair. Wet hot tears started to pool down his face, and he wiped them away furiously. "Hey, why are you crying?" said a voice. He looked up to see a sudden sea of blue. For a second, he thought it was the sky but then he moved back to see the face that held that brilliant color.

"I was not crying you twit! I just had something in my eyes that's all." Arthur said stubbornly and looked away. Stop crying, stop crying he mentally chanted. The boy with the blue eyes smiled and shook his head. He took out a small handkerchief from his pocket and started to wipe away the other's tears. "No need to cry! I wouldn't be much of a hero if I didn't make you feel better. Now come on smile." he said. Arthur sort have looked at him in shock before snatching the handkerchief out of his hand.

"I am not a damsel in distress!" he said, blushing. He will admit, it made him feel a little bit better that he was there. The boy sat down under the table with him and hummed a tune until Arthur got a hold of himself. "How did you find me?" he asked. "I heard a weird noise coming from under the table and thought it was a duck. So, I decided to look." he said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Arthur pinched his cheeks. "Ouch!" he said.

"So, what's your name? My name is Alfred." he said, rubbing his cheeks. "Arthur. Arthur Kirkland." Arthur said.

"I haven't seen you around here much. Are you new here?"

"No, I live out a few miles with my sister out in the woods. I only come around when the festival starts. Apparently this one is different than the rest."

Alfred ignored that last comment and whistled. It was a long way from the woods, they must have been really stubborn or really strong to make that trip. He was about to say something when a woman cried out. "ALFRED F. JONES! YOU COME OUT THIS INSTANCE!" she yelled. Alfred flinched and laughed nervously.

"Is that your mum?" Arthur asked. Alfred looked over with a pleading expression and put his finger on his lips to ask if Arthur would keep quiet. He wasn't sure why but he nodded all the same. They stayed in that way for a little while, until they were sure she had passed and Alfred let out a sigh in relief.

"Man, that was a close one!" he exclaimed.

"Not as close as I am, little prince." came a voice from behind. Both boys screamed and crawled out from under the table to see a man with long black hair and noble clothing. He wore the insignia of the Spades proudly on his cloak and his cheek. Arthur realized that this was the Jack of Spades and he stared at the man in wonder. Alfred was mad that he got caught and looked away.

"You're mother was worried about you."

"Why should I care?! She's just going to just buff up her fame and then send me away to live at the castle!" Alfred yelled, tears forming in his eyes.

Arthur looked over in shock. The face that was smiling only moments ago, was now close to tears. The word prince registered in his mind and then it all pieced together. This boy, Alfred, was the future King of Spades. It was rare that Arthur was struck speechless once, but a second time? He may be a small boy but he understood a lot and was very smart.

"Alfred, it's for your own good. I can protect you better at the castle."

"I don't care! A real mother would try to fight to keep her son at home. She didn't even think about it twice about it! I hate her just like she hates me! She's no mother!"

"Of course she-"

"Stop it!" yelled Arthur.

Alfred looked over at him, his tears already overflowing. Arthur was really angry now and his face was red to prove it. He glared at the Jack before turning to Alfred to wipe away his tears with the same handkerchief used earlier. He looked a little embarrassed but didn't stop. "There now. A hero shouldn't cry. This hero still needs some growing to do though. I think if you go, then you'll be an even better hero than you are now and you can save a lot more people in the future! Don't run away because it's scary, or I'll never acknowledge you as a hero, you twit!" he said.

A look of shock passed Alfred's face before he broke out laughing. "What's so funny?!" Arthur demanded. After his laughing fit was over, Alfred put his hand on Arthur's head and rubbed it down. "Thanks." he said before walking over to the Jack, who had been watching this interaction in silence. No, it can't be... he thought, but he couldn't see if his suspicions were true. A woman was running towards them at full speed and snagged Arthur up in her arms.

"Arthur, you scared me half to death! I was so worried about you." she said before she started crying like a baby. "Lilith, get a hold of yourself! I'm fine." he said. Though he sounded angry, he was secretly happy his sister had come to get him. They loved each other very much. His sister looked up long enough to noticed the two people standing in front of them.

"I beg your pardon, your Grace. I did not realize the Jack of Spades was in our presence. I must look foolish." she said, wiping her face, but keeping Arthur in her arms. The Jack, Yao, just shook his head as if to say it was alright. "Lilith, this is Alfred." Arthur said, pointing to the blue eyed blonde. The boy had a slightly look of jealousy on his face but murmured his hello.

"Miss, if you don't mind, may I look at your younger brother?" Yao asked. Lilith's grip instinctively tighten on Arthur and she stepped back. "Terribly sorry sure, but I'm afraid that is not possible. It's time for us to leave." she said. Yao was about to argue but Alfred's mother joined in and Lilith took the chance to slip away.

Before they lost sight of each other Alfred looked back as did Arthur and their eyes met for a moment before he was gone.

"Arthur?" Lilith said.

"Hmm?" replied a very sleepy Arthur.

"Why did you call me Lilith? You usually call me Lily and it's so cute." she pouted.

"Why on earth would I call you that in front of people?!

Lilith laughed but left it at that. A little ways down the road to their home, Arthur spoke up.

"I love you, Lily."

Warmth rose in her chest and she smiled. "I love you too, Arthur." she said.