Yes, I've changed the title to Sealed Fate—I even decided to these set of related stories to FATE AU. This chapter is written in my phone so I hope you all don't mind the some typos. (_ _) I'm sorry.

CHAPTER IV

WHEN TWO POWERS COLLIDE

"I'll attain success without sacrificing anyone or anything."

"My outmost interest in success... I'll sacrifice everything for it."

Alfred shifted his glasses up once before entering his black carriage which would take him into a long ride for the kingdom of Clubs. He was bold enough to take care of this Royal protocol by himself for the first time. He had been King for a good six months now so he should be able to do this, right? Aside from that, he was worried about Arthur's health. He knows...He knows he shouldn't worry but ever since Arthur ended with a fever, he couldn't be at ease if he goes doing something he doesn't know. He didn't even know why he was like this; but one thing was clear upon his mind and that was Arthur should be protected at all costs.

He had to say that it was what mostly was in his mind these days... No, these months! Aside from his affairs as King, he couldn't go on one day without seeing how Arthur was! Sure, he was worried but he was sure it was something that he couldn't put his finger on it. They were... well... not exactly friends...acquaintances... partners? Yes, that's it. They were partners.

He may look like the easy going King but he managed to keep his innocent facade upon his face but surely his mind had the wise judgement of any King of Spades. He knew the fates might have a plan as to why he was there but he was not just going to submit to them, Oh no, he wasn't. He was a monarch now and his concerns weren't just about his lands being kept safe or his plants being tended properly - He had a Kingdom to run alongside his Queen and Knave. Seeing them work, it was enough to tell him that it was no easy task that would be given to just anyone out there. He felt special and he felt powerful. He had every reason to be one as much as how arrogant it may sound and look to others... but unlike what the rulebook dictate, he will not just be a King of Spades. He refuses. He was friend to their Knave, to everyone in the monarchy, a leader to the soldiers, a comrade to the townsfolk, a farmer at heart, a son of the elderly, a warrior for the Kingdom... That's what he had in mind. To him, that was a King of Spades but why did it felt so incomplete?

"Be truthful with me, Knave."Alfred said before facing him with a book of past King upon his hand and his spadian watch ticking upon the table.

A smirk came upon his Knave's face as he approached the table of his King- the table where all the power in the Kingdom lies."After all these months, this is the first time that you've called me by my title. Should I be glad, your Majesty?"Yao asked as he bowed.

"Tell me everything about the monarchy that I should know..." Alfred trailed off as he sets the book down. "Tell me the things that I cannot learn from books and what is expected of a King of Spades." He took the watch upon his table and looks at its ticking arm. "Tell me what a King is."

"Let us begin your true lessons then, aru."

From those words, he knew what was expected of him.

Alfred... He was smart lad. The moment he sets his mind into something, he won't stop until he achieves it. In council meetings, ministers would often forget his age because of his opinions and suggestions regarding politics, trades and courtly affairs. He was a genius, as they would refer to him. A king hiding in the body of young and cheerful boy of nineteen, whose knowledge exceeds others and whose skill in the art of swordsmanship rivals his Knave. He was almost the perfect King... The King that he most likely wished to be. Spades had high expectations of such a King his calibre."I pity my friend. He had to be stuck with a King of your calibre. What were the Fates thinking..." It was because of those words that he started thinking...It was those words that triggered everything in him to work harder for this monarchy yet..."If it's you, I'm sure you can do well." There were those words which would pull him back to his reality. Arthur's words were what drove him to be a King that wasn't from any rule book or from a distant past-Those words drove him to be someone he is to be King. A worthy King that his people would approve of and he didn't care if the others won't as long as his Kingdom was happy- as long as Arthur was happy.

"King, please allow me to accompany you!"Arthur said as he rushed down the stairs, almost falling ever much to his demise as Alfred instinctive caught him in his arms.

"No, you can't. You aren't well enough for travels yet or have you forgotten...?" Alfred said with a sigh, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop him with anything other than those words.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I'm the King of Spades so, of course, I can. I can't just leave everything to you and Yao, right?. "

"King... " Ah, there was that smile he longed to see from the Queen of Spades. "Then a good well done is what we expect."

Those surprising praises and smiled he would receive from Arthur— those things kept him going. As he looked at the outside of the carriage into the wonderful sight of vegetation of greens and banners, he could only think of those words, those smiles...Ah, Arthur was plaguing his mind. It was another reason why he wanted to travel alone. He had to have some time for himself. It was like his mind was revolutionizing...Like, it was being either tortured or nourished. Why Arthur? No, the real question was... Why not Arthur? He had long gone understood that he preferred both sexes. He liked Males as much as females and the older one the better—in his own opinion. He literally rubs his temples as he remembers the Queen of Hearts' words about loving no one when you're a monarch or was he just playing with him? No, even in the book of Kings it was there... if he was inlove with Arthur, what was so wrong with that? What was it that the monarchy was avoiding?

Now...Now, isn't exactly the right thing to think about when one was going to comply on protocol, most especially in the Kingdom of Clubs. His knave had informed him of everything there is to know of Clubs. The beautiful side and the ugly side of it all. He didn't know how Yao managed to gained such information about the King of clubs but it was bloody useful nonetheless.

King Ivan second of his name to become the Club's King after his Queen's coronation; They weren't much different there. He struggled to have the nation under his control considering that he was the son of the former King who sent the Kingdom into war with the Spades. Maybe that explained why tension still exists between the citizens. Aside from that, he and his Queen seem to not share common views other than Clubs recovering from the damages of the former monarchy. Thus, concentration of his monarchy is rebuilding trade and policies across the three Kingdoms and to appease his people's demands of him considering that Clubs almost crumbled to pieces.

He looked outside to see the beautiful fields that his carriage was passing through. Ah, those green fields reminded him greatly of Arthur's eyes and how it had that gem like shine and resembled all those things live and carefree in the world. 'Such pretty eyes.' He thought to himself as he remembers the first time that he could see his Queen perfectly. The day that everything seemed all clear and new. He couldn't forgot how perfect everything was... how perfect the first person he saw. Arthur. He hadn't seen someone so pale before like a marble mannequin that would be kept in special glass cases to avoid having scratches on it. He couldn't believe a guy could ever have such skin... he felt slightly bad that he had this fine Queen and then there he was, someone who just came from around the corner, to appear as King. Arthur was perf—wait. Why was the topic Arthur again? He was thinking about the other monarchs!

The palace was still quite far so he could still think. Last time that he'd seen Ivan was at the King of Hearts' Oath of Loyalty. He was itching to leave. He didn't know what is with Ivan's personality that he finds awfully annoying. It's just the first time that he'd met someone he'd most like want to forget. He was too honest! He was always smiling—He hated someone like that! Why didn't he have those problematic expressions and now, worse! He was going to the Kingdom Ivan practically runs! If there was one thing that he looks forward to, it was meeting Queen Elizabeta once more.

Queen Elizabeta of Clubs had that quality he idolizes! The strength. The tenderness. The willpower. The ability. The brains. He even wondered why she wasn't chosen as King instead. Even his knave said that she was someone whose strength lay unparallel in Clubs. She trained their soldiers and was quite the swords' lady herself. He didn't even know if he would stand a chance against her in battle. For someone like her to become Queen of Clubs, the fates must be crazy. Then again, those blasted beings chose him as King so... They should be crazy, really.

Tradition dictated for the Queens of Clubs to appoint their knave and finally that day has come...

"According to Yao, their Knave's name is Roderich from a noble family of musicians and composers." He talks to himself as he sets his eyes on the approaching palace in the horizon. "Oh God, I could have gotten some names of well known compositions!" He trailed off as he saw the palace approaching in sight. Alright, Alfred, it's time to test your education. No Yao or Arthur to help him now...

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Alfred raised an eyebrow upon what he had heard. What? He looked straight into the eyes of the Club's Knave with unbelieving eyes. He understood those words perfectly but it was like his mind wouldn't process those words!

"I challenge you into a duel, your majesty." Roderich looked at him with a frown this time. He thought he was a composer! Aren't composers supposed to be calm, organized and wise?! Why would he challenge him into a duel right after his coronation? Of course, all the attention in the room was upon him and the green knave! He stared upon in disbelief... Seriously? This was happening?! Was this karma or something? Very funny, Fates. .

Alfred sighed and looked at the King of Clubs. Damn that guy. He could control his knave but he just lets him do as he wishes. Still smiling all smug like that in his throne, if he wasn't King, Alfred would have given him a good punch in the face. 'Why shouldn't it be you who get down from there and let's see you fight me.' Alfred shook those thoughts aside and sighed. No, he couldn't do that. He was the sole representative of Spades and for sure Yao and Arthur or ANYONE in Spades would like this. "I'm quite fine with a duel."

"Knave, are you quite sure of what you desire? King Alfred is the King of Power afterall," Elizabeta said with a worried gaze as she was sitting by the King's side. Was that all she is going to say?! Isn't she going to oppose?!

"Tradition dictates no such thing to be done and since the Queen of Hearts had taken his leave; this matter is in our hands, Queen." Ivan shifted in his throne as he gazes towards King Francis who had Queen Lilian upon his arms. "Aside from that, isn't it a good show for everyone to see just how skilled our Knave can be in certain times he is required. Some are still in doubt of his ability since he is a fairly a composer." He then looked at Alfred and then his Knave. "Would you like to prove them wrong, Knave?"

"I merely wanted to see if I am fit to a Knave given the circumstances of my abilities," Roderich began and smiles a bit towards Alfred, who raised an eyebrow. "And also, give those people present a show to watch. I always live to entertain."

There was silence in the room before Elizabeta stood up. She stepped down from her throne and walked towards her Knave. "Hand please..." She said softly and Roderich extended his right hand towards her and knelt on his right knee while his head bowed low. She seemed satisfied with his answer as she took the offered hand and a magic circle with half the Royal insignia of clubs appeared beneath them.

Ah... Alfred, who stood beside Roderich stepped aside as the Queen approached.. It can be done privately or publicly- Queen Elizabeta chose to let people see just how the Knave of Clubs would have his weapon.

"Fates... " She began as she puts her free hand over to her chest. "My Knave has been chosen... Thru me, the Queen of Clubs, give him what is required to do his duty towards Clubs."

"Our Knave is chosen... I, the King of Clubs, beseech thy fates... a weapon worthy of our trust." Said Ivan as he himself had risen from his Throne and joined Elizabeta thus adding another circle to the circle already present, completing the Royal insignia.

Alfred couldn't help but stare. No matter how many of these ceremonies he watched, it seemed all too fantastic. Soon the two were enveloped by light and once it was done, upon the Knave's hand lies a sword and it was no toy, for sure. Queen Elizabeta and King Ivan looked at each other, gazes that would tell them that they were no mere strangers to anyone. A nod followed before Queen Lilian closed her eyes to avoid a sight that Alfred certainly didn't expect to see.

Blood.

The Queen of Clubs ran her left palm on the very blade of the sword, coating it with her own blood. If that wasn't a sight enough to see, the King of Clubs did the very same thing with his right palm. Both blood mixing and covering the sword completely but before a single drop of blood was spilled on the carpet, the sword has absorbed the blood. "My duty has been set and one day will be accomplished. The blood upon my monarchy has been recognized by the blade given to me...may it bless my reign as Knave."

Just like that, the ceremony was over and Roderich was ready to fight. Alfred was amazed by what he'd seen...secretly wondering if it hurt to have your hand run on the sharp edge of a sword but then again, he might find out if he wasn't careful. "So why chose me as our trial opponent?" Alfred asked as he summoned his sword. He had to at least know that reason, right? He couldn't just fight someone because he was challenged! He needed to have a reason worthy of it.

"Because... every person here wants to see the power of a King of Spades."

Alfred smirked as he took out his sword. Too bad. The queen of Hearts wasn't here or he'll make him regret the words he had muttered about him being a King not worthy of Spades. "That's reason enough... On guard, Knave of Clubs." Alfred pointed his sword upon the Knave wearing an expression that could only bring death to anyone who bid him nothing but danger.

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If there was one thing that Alfred could use to describe how the duel went it was a Classic. The Knave of Clubs was serious when he meant he wanted to see power and for sure that's what he had given him. He thanked Yao in his mind as he dodges those strong and precise slashes from his opponent's sword-Clearly if he was wasn't thought at that level then he would be sure he would be sliced sashimi. The Knave of Clubs...he wasn't an ordinary composer. He was a fighter with grace and charm; the exact opposite of his brutal way of getting his weapon from the King and Queen of Clubs. His technique was magnificent and their battle wasn't necessarily looking like a duel... It looked more like a dance for swords. Alfred liked this but he didn't have time to be dodging every single strike of his sword. The room would be full of gasp and sighs of troubled hearts and conscience because of how close their fight seemed to be...

Through each strike of the sword, Alfred understood something. This Knave was someone who wouldn't just ask for a duel without a reason. He was too determined. Could have Ivan asked him to do so? No... it doesn't seem like it. Oh what the hell. When he saw the right opportunity, he sent Roderich's sword flying from his hand in one fair swoop and before he can take it again, Alfred had already his sword upon his neck.

"I give."

"A match well played, Knave of Clubs." Alfred said before occasionally walking passed him and taking his sword and giving it back. "Your skill is superb I must say and if not for my training then I'm sure I'm a dead farmer by now."

"Thank you very much. If you insist on thanking someone then please give it, her majesty, Queen Elizabeta for she personally trained me. "Roderich chuckled and gladly took the sword with a soft bow and left him. People around began clapping their hands and soon Alfred felt terribly embarrassed. Even the Kings and Queens of the Clubs and Diamonds were clapping their hands—He did well, right? He was slowly achieving his goal of becoming strong, right?

"There is no taint of being a farmer in your style. Certainly, you are working hard." Alfred looked back to see King Francis approached him. King Francis of Diamonds was the first King he was able to talk to during his coronation and right beside him was Queen Lilian who gazes at him with such worry and fear. It never occurred to him that such a kind spirited Monarch would be for Diamonds especially if one was looking Queen Lilian who seemed to not have hurt a fly in her life.

"No need to say that but it is true that I've been working hard." Alfred said as he returned the sword upon hits sheathe.

King Francis of Diamonds is right now at the fifth year of his reign, being crowned almost as at the same time as the current Queen of Hearts, Queen Kiku. He was always described as a compassionate monarch with a heart of gold that would make any gem sparkle to its fullest. Yet... three years of his reign proved disastrous. The Fates seemed to be displeased with his reign somehow because of an unknown cause. His first Queen... died because of a disease that spread through the land. Diamonds fell into despair along with their King... and it was recorded that all the three Kingdoms supported the crumbling Diamonds. With no queen, a distraught King and disloyal Knave, everything was set for destruction. A year after that... it was said that Queen Lilian took the throne. A young Queen of fifteen. Naive. Pure hearted. Kind. Gentle. Determined.

How she managed to get Diamonds in the right tract was something almost considered miraculous...yet alone getting the distraught King who would lock himself in his room all day back to his feet and rule Diamonds once more.

"My dear, everything is all under control. I've told you King Alfred and Sir Roderich were just sparring" Francis said as he reassured his Queen, now sixteen, with a gentle squeeze on her hand. It seemed to have worked. Francis took the Queen's gentle smile as a reward to his little gesture of assurance.

"My greatest apologies, King Alfred. Despite my rule, I have yet to conquer such a fear... I pray that it wouldn't displeasure you."

Dear God! Alfred wanted to squish her. She was too gullible! Was she even real?! "Lilian, you shouldn't trouble yourself! The sight of fighting is clearly upsetting so I understand. There's no need to all sorry about it. " Alfred said and even gave her the thumbs up and winked. He didn't want her to feel like she was some sort of-

"Alfred... "

He blinked when he heard Francis' scary and almost ghost-like voice. Alfred had to restrain himself from screaming at the top of his lungs when he saw just how scary Francis looked at him with that creepy smile. What? What? Did he do something bad? All he did was cheered his queen up since she looked troubled?! He looked at Lilian but she was just smiling sweetly. Seriously? There's nothing wrong with that, right?! RIGHT? King Francis wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him close.

"Try hitting on my Queen like that again and I'll forget that we've been friends."

"What? Dude, I wasn't hitting on her or anyone at the very least!"

"Yes, you were-"

"No, I'm not!"

"YES!"

"No!"

Francis looked at him closely as if peering into his soul for the truth and Alfred couldn't help but sweat drop at that! What was his problem?! Why was he like this?! Yao told him he was protective but hell, this wasn't protective at all-to him anyways.

"Oh forget it." Now, he just gave up? Clearly, Alfred was being confused at one moment to another. What was this guy's problem? He was just helping him out in reassuring his Queen and all! "You're already smitten by somebody else so I suppose it's alright."

Smi-smitten?! WHAT? Alfred gasped and looked at him with a surprised and bewildered expression. Why would he be smitten and by whom? Why did he know? Wait...the real question was, With whom?! "That's taboo remember? You can't just say that King Francis-" he said wanting the topic rid off as he himself wanted to rid his mind of anything concerning it. Even if the sheer thought hurt him somehow...

"Oh? Deny it all you wish... but once love is there, it's meant to only get stronger and stronger until you admit it." Francis said with a smile and let go of his shoulder. Alfred continue to stare up to him, making him chuckle. "Ladies and gentlemen~"

Now all the heads were turned to the King of Diamonds who just flipped his golden locks with ease. What was he planning? Even Queen Lilian seemed puzzled upon his gesture. "If ever there was a lady here whom posses my heart and soul as of this moment, there's only one! I dare say one and her name is Li—"

"KING! YOU HAD TOO MUCH WINE, IT SEEMS. QUEEN ELIZABETA WE SHALL NOW BE TAKING OUR LEAVE. THANK YOU FOR THE HOSPITALITY. "Yes, Francis was stopped by Queen Lilian dragging him by his coat, cheeks flushed with embarrassment in the middle of the ballroom. The Knave of Clubs stared like the rest of the crowd as Queen Elizabeta chuckled along with King Ivan. Alfred felt his jaw dropped on the floor. Never did he know that Lilian could speak so loudly. Never judge women- it seems or was it never judge Lilian, entirely?

"Leave it to Lilian when Francis losses control. It has always been like that" Ivan muttered with a smile as he approaches him and hands him a glass of wine. Alfred tenses up rather quickly but pretended not to be bothered and returned the same smile as he took the glass of wine.

"Thank you. I didn't expect Lilian to be..." He couldn't find the right words at all.

"Persuasive? King Alfred, clearly, you have to see more of the world."

That set off an obvious flare that was enough for Alfred to get the wine into his stomach in one gulp and emptied the glass. He looked at Ivan after that and smirked. "I know more than you think."

"Then if I be so bold to invite you for a good round of chess? That is if you're not exhausted?"

"Exhausted? Who is exhausted? I'm up for a good chess anytime of the day or night!" When did he learn sarcasm? It must have rubbed on him with Arthur's constant company. "No, seriously, it's fine." He decided to take it back since he didn't know what effect will that have on them.

"Then come this way, please..." That was Ivan's only response as he led them out of the room and Alfred followed. Why did he have a bad feeling about this? And why does this person continuously aggravate him to the very core? No information about him could make him understand.

Only one thing to do now... if what would solve this would be a chess game between Kings, then who was he to decline?

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'The gardens... how a weird choice for the King of Clubs,' Alfred thought as he followed the King of clubs to the pavilion at the side of all these lovely flowers. "What name do those flowers go for?"

"I thought you knew...You were a farmer, right?"

"Sorry! A farmer and a gardener are two separate people, dude. We tend the one people eat and not the ones people gaze. "

"Apologies. I am not one to be familiar with such terms. Those are Lilies of the night - A flower known to have only taken root in Clubs and unique for it only blooms once in a year in one particular summer's night, like right now..."

"It smells sweet."

"Indeed, it does."

"This wouldn't happen to be a date right?" he asked sheepishly as he took his seat.

"Whoever gave you that idea?"Ivan nearly laughed at that as he took out the chess board from a corner. He began setting up the pieces of the chess board. "Which side would you like?"

"Hey, common! It was a joke the least you could do is laugh~ "Alfred looked at the marble pieces. "Red for me..." He answered before his eyes travelled to the flowers once more. His thought drifted to Arthur who, he thought, would obviously like to see such flowers. The guy did like his flowers afterall... Sometimes, he even spends the whole day there.

"I can't deny that it was a funny thought; I have to say you have a fine eye for it. This place had served to be a good dating spot. " Ivan admitted as he took his seat and started arranging his side of the board before arranging Alfred's side. "Did you know that people who take the red side are passionate people?" Well, that brought him back to reality.

"Passionate, huh? You could say that I'm passionate about certain things that I like doing... How about you? " Alfred said as he studied the pieces. Gotta hand it to Ivan, he knows some good quality marble for having such nice chess pieces. May be he isn't so bad afterall.

"I always chose the black one..." Ivan said as he intertwined his fingers and settled his chin there. "I'm clearly not a passionate person...If it's a situation that proved my displeasure, I don't hesitate to remove it."

"So that means the black one is- apathy? Does that only apply to chess or to your Kingship?"

"You could say both. I doubt you would interest if you were in my shoes... Anyways, the red goes first. "

"Then don't mind if I do." Alfred chose not to answer his statement regarding his life to not really get into this temperament. What was he trying to say in this board game? He was aware that some scholars used chess to depict life and to be asked by a fellow King to play with him is like war. Ah, perhaps he was thinking too much of this...It was a game afterall. A game. He took his horse and set it as if first move. Ivan used his pawn and from there it began.

Alfred had lost track of time, a habit he exhibits when he plays chess seriously. Very seriously. His mind was generating a thousand strategies possible to end every scenario in the board but the only thing that proved fastest was flipping the board. Not one of them dares taking any bait so the board was still full. It was like a war that was just fighting in mere battle positions! It was the first time Alfred had been playing chess like this. Tensed and very nerve wracking!

"So... do you want to call it quits? Everything seems unmoving."

Alfred lifted his gaze from the board only to see Ivan looking at the flowers. The bastard?! Oh he was right about being Apathetic! He was one idiot to take this game seriously when the one who asked to play with him had his attention elsewhere! Alfred's blood boiled and he literally wanted to flip the board right here and now and storm out of this place. And there he was thinking he was actually a nice guy who is just misunderstood- when did he even light a smoke?! Damn him! "Don't you think it's rude not to finish a game?"

"Games have no end. As long as one still exists, the game continues." Ivan said before lazily putting his index finger on top of the black Queen's crown and pushed it to fall out of place. "It has always been like that."

Alfred felt like those words meant something totally different but he said nothing regarding it and his gaze fell on his own side of the board.

"Say Alfred... I don't quite understand something about your moves."

"Hmm? What about them?"

"You always move your King..."

"If the King doesn't lead then how does he expects his subordinates to follow?"

Well, that made Ivan silent for once. Alfred felt victorious! Who would have thought that he could make Ivan grow silent! He was sure to include this in his most memorable time of the day.

"Then... why isn't he the most powerful in this game? If he was the leader then why don't you think he lacks the ability his Queen posses? " Ivan asked as he started keeping his side of the board piece by piece. "Is it because it is written that way... or is because of an unknown reason?"

Was Ivan constantly living in a riddle? Alfred was smart alright but those words weren't exactly what he expected to hear from anyone most especially if he just proposed to stop a game that he, himself, proposed to start. "Well... Isn't it because he's most important? He has the game in his hands that's why everyone goes frantic over him when he's in danger...Like he has too many responsibility in his hands so why not share~ the Queen can have this unlimited power, the Horse can have his unmatched moves and the rock can have his strength. They all exist to protect him anyways so why not grant them the power to do so? "

"Ah...is that so?"

"Mhm! Since you questioned my moves, I'll question yours, okay?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"You always use your officials more than your pawns- Why?"

"Pawns can take any official's job- officials are not very much special if you think about it like that. Pawns can be officials but officials cannot be pawns. "

"Good point there."

Ah, it was that deafening silence once more. His eyes fell on the flowers once more. Now that he thought about it, anyone can be the King, Queen and Knave-It just so happen that the fates decided it was him but anyone would be! He was no one special. Just like how anyone could be a farmer or a doctor...a soldier or a baker... A king or a Queen...

"But Queens are to be sacrificed all the time."

Alfred's mind drew to a halt.

"Pardon?" Alfred asked blankly as he looked at Ivan with a frown.

"Despite the power of the Queen... a Kingdom could go on without her."

Alfred felt annoyed by that statement all of the sudden. Why would anyone say that? They were still talking about a game, right? But still...Wait...Queen? He took out his pocket watch! He was so engrossed with the game that obviously the party had ended a few hours ago! The palace was silent now and everything—what was he still doing there and playing chess?! He should going back to Spades! Oh fates, it was three in the morning? Only a few hours and the sun would be up! His mind panicked- He told the palace that he'd be home before dawn and-

"Alfred, before you leave—I have one more question." Oh he was still there and it seemed like he finished keeping his chess pieces.

"Sure, go on..." while I internally suffer dozens of words later that truly would be my death.

"Sacrifices are necessary for success, right?"

"Yeah?"

"If that's the case then what would you do if the sacrifices required of you is the one you hold dearest?"

Alfred clenches his fists. "I wouldn't allow it... I'll attain success without sacrificing anyone or anything. "

"Greedy, aren't we?"

"How about you?"

"My outmost interest is success... I'll sacrifice everything for it."

Alfred took one more glance at the King of Clubs. Their garnet and sapphire eyes met in such a gaze that meant only one thing. They can be acquaintances but they would never be friends. They were too different to one another. "Ah, and Alfred... My regards to your Queen. You never know what can happen... "

To be continued...

I've used a line from Code Geass because it somehow fits. Guess which one- xD

When two powers collide - watch?v=dw8_j77GEZc