That conversation with Matthew had really gotten Alfred thinking. Maybe...Arthur just wasn't so wonderful anymore. Besides, it never really made sense to the blonde boy why Arthur loved him. And now...Alfred wasn't quite sure why he returned that feeling. Arthur was loud. He was always nagging him about one thing or another. He almost never smiled. He couldn't cook, his eyebrows were huge, and their relationship was so hard to maintain. Arthur had duties as future Queen. He had too much on his shoulders. Alfred didn't want that on his shoulders too! The thought of so much responsibility scared him. Arthur spent countless nights hunched over a desk and muttering about economics or allies. He became bitter and irritable, and sometimes even detached. Alfred didn't want that to be him. But Yao was dead-set on declaring him King. And so when Yao took him aside one morning and told him that Arthur was to be declared Queen of Spades early, fear seized Alfred's heart.

Alfred knew it was only a matter of time before a crown was sitting on his head. He would be bound to a life with a man he did not love, and duties he didn't want. So he wrote a quick note to his brother and packed his possessions. He knew exactly where he was headed. Far away from Spades, away from the place that wanted to wrap an iron fist around his freedom. He hoped on his horse and stole into the night.

…

Francis received a letter that morning. It was short and simple, but clearly written by his dear friend in Spades. Arthur's neat handwriting seemed too neat, as if Arthur had been hesitant to write it. However, Francis knew the note was important because it was dated only two days ago, which is the fastest one could deliver a letter from one of their capitols to the other. Francis read the short message aloud to his empty room.

Dear Bastard,

I, Arthur Kirkland of Spades cordially invite both you and you new-found Queen and Jack to my coronation. The ceremony will be small, and you are warned not to bring any other guests.

-Not- Yours,

Arthur Kirkland, future Royal of Spades.

Francis chuckled at the note, so obviously written by the fiery Spaden. However, just as Francis was about to toss the note away in favor of packing for his journey to Diamond's allied country, he noticed at the bottom of the note, a very small symbol. He hadn't seen that symbol in years. It was used only in the Great War of Deck, to communicate information that Heart and Club spies could not see. It was a small purple dot next to a similar silver one. It was outlined in gold. It was small, simplistic, and not all that noticeable.

But Francis knew it held power like no other. He tapped it with his finger and said in his native tongue of Diamonds: "I,King Francis, declare that I am alone and under oath. I will not reveal any information Queen Arthur shall present to me in this message, for if I shall, consequences will be fatal."

The moment Francis spoke the last word of the spell he was taught the moment he was elected as future King, the dots grew bigger. Francis dropped the paper in shock and marveled as the gold outline formed a familiar silhouette. The purple and silver dots filled it so it became three-dimensional. Francis' jaw dropped when Arthur fully appeared. He was standing right there in his room, looking tired and pale.

The amount of magic it must have taken Arthur to form this message must have been great. Francis felt some begrudging respect for the large-browed Royal.

"Francis," Arthur said. His voice was raspy, but it was clearly there. Francis opened his mouth to welcome Arthur to Diamonds or to ask him to sit down (he looked ghastly) but Arthur continued speaking. "Don't try to talk to me, you fool. I'm not actually here." Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. But you need to know that Alfred has fallen out of love with me. Even you know that is nigh impossible for a Royal of Spades. This work was done by Elizabeta, and I think Clubs is planning something. Francis, you need to come to Spades immediately. I fear a war ahead of us, and you maybe in danger too. I-"

Suddenly, Arthur fell to his knees. He gasped for air. He had reached a limit in his magic. The image vanished, leaving only two small ink stains on Francis' lush carpet.

Francis could not call his carriage fast enough.

…

Hello everyone! I'm sorry for the long wait, and the very short update. School's starting soon, and I'm going back home to Florida on Wednesday. I'll try to update as much as possible, though.

Next chapter: Arthur is crowned and Alfred arrives at his destination.

Sorry for any mistakes! I'm American!

-Mallory