As an Ace Alfred wasn't expected to do much. Aces were militaristic authorities. They were known for not following the "proper" etiquette, which suited Alfred just fine. When everyone was supposed to sit still and be quiet, the Aces would sit in the corner and talk about old wars and weapons. When it was time to eat the Aces helped themselves to whatever they wished, no matter who was in the way. They stayed out passed curfew, they overslept, they behaved downright poorly.

Alfred loved it. It was everything he had ever dreamed it would be and so much more. Antonio was becoming a fast friend, and Lovino was on his way too. If only he would stop calling him a bastard.

Natalya still creeped him out, but she said that he was "tolerable in the smallest degree" so Alfred figured that meant they were friends.

The more time he spent with his new-found comrades, the less he thought about Arthur. There wasn't an ache in his heart at night. When he saw him around the castle he didn't have to ask Antonio to take him somewhere else. Before, Alfred could barely hold back.

Now he was an Ace. He lied to everyone else, and now he was lying to himself. And the lies you tell yourself almost always find a way to become true.

It was the day of the crowning. The Spaden Royals had been in Diamonds for almost a week, being lavishly spoiled in every possible way. However, Alfred had barely spent more than a few moments with Arthur.

And unlike Alfred, Arthur was hurting.

It used to be okay, the separation. Because whenever Alfred saw him he would have that look in his eyes, that promised Arthur he loved him and missed him. But recently, that look has been fading. Alfred had become far too casual. As if he didn't miss Arthur at all.

This was confirmed when Gilbert paid a visit to Arthur late one night.

Arthur had been minding his own business in his room, reading a book, when Gilbert appeared next to him in his bed. Arthur screamed and threw up the book, hitting Gil in the nose.

"Ow! Dammit, Eyebrows! Calm down!" The Joker growled, clutching at his nose.

"You scared the living hell out of me! What...What are you doing here?"

Gilbert sighed and rolled off the bed. He straightened his nose with a small crack and turned to face Arthur. "There's been an emergency," he told Arthur. "She changed Fate, and Fate is not happy."

"Huh? She? What do you mean 'changed fate'?"

Gilbert rolled his eyes, as if Arthur should know this already. "The Queen of Clubs! She...well, something was supposed to happen between you and Alfred but she tampered with it!"

Arthur perked up. "Queen Elizabeta? How? What did she change?"

Gilbert started pacing. "She has the power to change...certain things. In relationships. I can't go into much detail, you're not even supposed to know this. She...tampered with Alfred. His feelings. It's gradual, but Arthur, he's falling out of love with you."

Arthur stared at Gilbert. At first it didn't process. Things...that sort of thing can't happen. It just...Arthur flung himself out of the bed and stormed up to Gilbert. "You're lying, that's not true! I'm the Queen and he's the King, the Magic makes us love each other! It's...it's our gift!" Arthur squeezed the Joker's shoulders.

Gilbert looked down at the blonde, and his eyes softened. "Eyebrows...Arthur...It's just not that simple. I can't explain anything, you wouldn't understand. The Magic works in strange ways, sometimes even Fate is overpowered by it. But...Arthur...you need to fix this. You have to get Alfred back the old fashioned way. The Magic brought you together once. It made you feel that way. But now it's your turn. You have magic Arthur. In you. Time to use it."

Arthur's hands slipped off of the Joker's shoulders. "How? Th-then everyone will know I'm Queen..."

Gilbert smiled sadly. "Yeah, but sometimes you have to sacrifice your comfort for the things you want."

Arthur blinked. "I..." tears started to prick at his eyes. "But its...Alfred...it's not supposed to..."

Gilbert clapped his hand over Arthur's arms. "You can do this, Kid. I know you can. Oh, one last tip. Don't trust anyone from Clubs."

With that, Gilbert's hand left Arthur's arm, and he disappeared in a cloud of gray.

So of course when Arthur was seated with the other Royals the next day he wasn't a very happy person. Francis, (he never thought he'd say this) was luckily on his left, Yao on his right. But he could still see Queen Elizabeta, smiling at everyone from afar.

That bitch.

Arthur probably would have strangled her right then, but the sound of trumpets broke his concentration. Up on the very high stage, two people emerged. The one on the left was the jack. He was adorned with so many fabrics Arthur could barely distinguish if he was fat or thin. He had shoulder length blonde hair, as was the fashion in Diamonds. His eyes held the same no-nonsense look to them as the King of Hearts. His head was high.

On the right was a very young girl. She had two long braids trailing down her shoulders, and she was smiling ever so gently, Arthur almost felt his worries melt away. No wonder she had the power to heal.

Antonio was on the stage, a crown in each hands.

"Friends, Enemies, citizens, you," he began, smiling wonderfully, "today is a joyous occasion in the Kingdom, or Royals are ready to be crowned! They have passed the tests and their powers are ready to peak. May they guide our country through times of peace and times of war, we shower them with good fortune so that it may undo unto us. I, Antonio Carriado Fernandez, Crown Lily of Diamonds as our Queen!"

With the final word, Antonio placed a sparkling crystal crown atop of Lily's head. She curtsied.

"And with similar respect, I crown Vash of Diamonds as Jack!"

Arthur didn't get a good look at his crown because doves were released the moment Antonio said "Jack". They swarmed up, cooing respectively.

Then music started playing, people sprung up, and food appeared on tables.

Arthur stood up too, his eyes searching. He saw him, next to the stage, clapping Antonio on the back.

Arthur rushed over. "Alfred!"

Alfred whirled around. "Oh, hey there, Arthur! Long time no see. Where ya been, bro?"

Arthur flinched. "Bro?" He repeated.

Alfred laughed and bowed. "Excuse me, your royal majesty."

Arthur clenched his fists. It was worse than he thought. He thought he still had more time. How did this happen so quickly? How did he not notice? "Alfred, please, can I speak to you in private?"

"Um, yeah, sure dude. But can we grab something to eat first? I'm starved."

Alfred began to make his way over to the nearest plates of food, but Arthur grabbed his sleeve. His eyes were watery. "No, Alfred. We can't get food first."

Alfred must have seen Arthur's distress. He looked back to Antonio with an expression that read sorry, let me take care of this. I'll be right there.

Arthur's heart constricted. He led Alfred through the castle, not hearing his many complaints. He pushed him into his room, and slammed the door shut, locking it soon after. Once he was sure they were alone, he burst into tears.

"Whoa!" Alfred gasped. "Why the water works, dude?"

This only made Arthur cry harder. His Alfred, the one that was in love with him, would have curled him up in his arms and shushed him and kissed him until the tears stopped.

Arthur looked up at Alfred, his vision blurry. "Sh-she's messing with your head, Alfred."

Alfred looked confused. "Huh? Messing with my head?"

"A-al..."

Arthur buried his face in his hands. He could tell him. He wouldn't believe a word. This wasn't his Alfred, not anymore. Arthur was an idiot for thinking he could just change things automatically.

"N-nevermind!" Arthur yelled. "J-just forget it! Forget everything! You already forgot the most important thing to me, why stop now?"

"Arthur, what are you talking abo-"

"Get out!" Arthur screamed.

Alfred blinked. "What are yo-"

"OUT! GET OUT RIGHT NOW, ALFRED!"

Arthur watched Alfred's back for the first time. He found himself wondering if he'll ever see it again.

PLOT TWIST!

I know. I know.

Calm down.

Don't be mad at me. Things were just getting a little too boring for me and I had to spice it up. I REALLY enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope you guys liked reading it.

DON'T WORRY! Elizabeta is not evil. No one is. They all have their reasons for doing what they did.

I appreciate any and all critique!

Sorry for any mistakes! I'm American!

-Mallory