A few words really. _ I hope you all enjoy this chapter~ The typos will be fixed shortly.

CHAPTER VII

"GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU"

"If only…"

"Just a little bit, Artie~" said the King of Spades as he was clad in his royal attire. He had his Queen trapped between him and the throne room's door, much to the Queen's utterly "delight".

Arthur glared upon him, clearly annoyed. "Our Knave and numbers –even the new Ace is just behind that door, King!" He argued as silently as possible. "Why didn't you bloody come to my chambers earlier?"

"I forgot, okay?" Pouted the King before giving him his well known puppy dog eyes which could get him anything he dares desires, this time, the energy the Queen was to share with him.

A sigh was what came out of the Queen's mouth before he looked at him. "Just for a little while-"

Alfred's face was suddenly bright and happy once more as he pulled his Queen close and kissed him. Ah, the irony of this ritual was stabbing Arthur's heart over and over again as he felt every bit of a lucky but evil person. Lucky in the sense that he had the chance to kiss the person he loves…There he said it. Yes, he loves his King more than anything. And it was sin alone to love the King more than the people he embodied. That's why he couldn't refuse him... he just couldn't bring himself to refuse an opportunity to kiss the one person he loves. This fact remains hidden deep within him. He refused to admit it but no doubt the kiss was a huge give away. This desire remained hidden in the duty of the queen to give him energy.

So far… they have gone only that far… Kissing. He had to admit, Alfred was quite a good kisser now compared to how he would before-WHAT THE HELL WAS HE THINKING? He tugged unto the King's shoulder as if to forget his thoughts. Ah it was bliss. Sheer bliss to be in his arms and being kissed by such…. Passion? Wait, that was his imagination, right? He forced to let his hand travel to the King's chest and later pushed him gently. "M-Meeting..." he muttered softly as he looked away as if trying to hide his face from the King. He tugged onto the door knob to emphasize what he meant.

Why… did he felt such a thing in a kiss which was suppose to hold his selfish intentions? For a moment…he felt like the King was returning his…affections?

Odd. Was it his imagination?

.

.

.

.

.

It is said that the Ace was person who was shrouded in the darkness of secrets and dismissal, someone who lay in between the monarchy and the people and someone who was hardly even seen by just anyone. If there was a loyal confidant for the Queen it was the Ace, as the King was for the Knave to aide. With those words in mind, Arthur looked at the girl before him. A girl with her long ebony hair as dark as night tied back in a braid of elegance that would rival any gem. She was wearing a blue tank top as well as some baggy pants. Ah, she posses such charm in her curious gaze and strength upon her stands and running up her right arm were blue and black thorny vine marks that lead to the back of her hand that held the emblem of the Spades itself. Arthur likes what he was seeing before him… This person could very well be someone he could learn to trust. She doesn't look like someone who was thief or someone evil. He trusts Yao's research and all but there was always that small possibility that she was just like anyone who would put the Kingdom or if not the Kingdom then the monarchy into chaos.

Then again.

It was just his visual observation.

The King beside him seemed to like her just as much as to even say how delighted he was to even come to know of an Ace's existence. He couldn't blame him since it was said that only a few chosen King would have an Ace upon their reign and tactically speaking this is a sure advantage to them. No, he highly doubts that it would be that simple reason as to why the King was seemingly enthralled. It must be because he saw something in this girl that would either be beneficial to him personally or—

"I'm sure you've met our Knave… he had quite a tale told about you." Alfred said with a chuckle and the black haired knave only rolled his eyes at the side. Seriously? Why would he even tell her that they were talking about her? She would think that the monarchy is good for nothing more but gossip!

"I hope that you find this tale rather pleasurable, your majesty… Afterall, we blacksmiths lived to be at the pleasure of the monarchy." She said dutifully and that clearly made Arthur raised an eyebrow. He listened intently to what she was saying and how she weaved those words. Clearly it needs practice but he likes her honesty and her loyalty. Was it all façade or was it something that comes with her natural looking attitude. There was still the hint of confusion in her voice.

"It is. It wasn't only I who found it rather fascinating, the Queen, himself, is awfully curious of who this person who fought our Knave and to even inflict a wound upon his arm…You have my praise." Alfred said with a chuckle as he leaned back and gaze at Arthur. What?! Strangers were enough to even make him shift a bit in his seat. Alfred even made it worse by mentioning his name but still he composed himself and looked at those sapphire eyes.

"It was a misunderstanding really! Please, pay no heed to it all, your majesties!" The girl said in defense as a soft blush lay present upon her cheeks. Was it embarrassment? Who wouldn't be embarrassed? Or it can be something else, right? "I'm sure if his Excellency, Lord Yao, had been serious, I am sure to have my head cut off without a second thought!" She bowed her head low towards Yao who was standing beside the King. "Again, my sincerest apologies, my lord."

Yao chuckled lightly; it would seem that he too was rather amused of this girl as well. "It is quite alright, Ace. I never held it against you, aru." Now this slightly triggered Arthur to ask what happened when they first met but now wasn't the current time to ask, isn't it? Now the girl was looking at the Queen of Spades, at him, specifically! What can he say?! What else can he say… 'Uh, hello…Can I have your autograph? It's not every day that Yao loses a match.' No, certainly he couldn't say that! He let out a sigh and remained calm though it was obvious that he wasn't comfortable.

"We only know you in name, my dear. Would you please enlighten us about yourself?" Arthur said despite knowing practically everything about her! Trust Yao to gain all the information about a certain subject. Arthur even spared her a little smile as if it would help to ease the tension that seemed to have formed between him and this new Ace.

"E-Erhm…My name is Grace... Grace Alden..." She introduced before she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, " Tch...In all honesty... Alden isn't really my last name...I don't know what my last name is because I never knew my real parents so I made one up as a kid...erm...I'm currently a blacksmith on training with Regulus Winsor as my teacher... He lets me tinker around his shop and help him create some things here and there..." She paused for a while as if trying to think of something else to say. "Uh...I'm not one for politics and stuff...but I know how the trade goes... I also know a few academic things like Arithmetic and technology... But I never really got proper tutoring... Education is something that doesn't come cheap when you're a blacksmith like me." She scratched the back of her head gently before shrugging, "Aside from that...there isn't really much to say about me...B-But I do love Spades!"

I'm practically a farmer and know nothing of politics and trade but there's one thing I could promise, I'll put Spades above everything else.

Arthur closed his eyes before looking at her with a softened expression. This girl... she reminds him of how the King was back then. "Then let me teach you our ways… that is if you let me." He offered kindly. Their knave was surprised about this and even the King was to look at Arthur with a puzzled expression. He wanted to be welcoming to her just as he was towards the King when he needed help. He knew it wasn't like him and he was for sure going to have an earful about this matter from Yao but then again, it was a good thing, right? The earlier he knows this girl, the better! She was suppose to be this "loyal confidant any Queen had boast about "and he expected to know why that is despite the shadows the covered the Ace's role.

He looked over to the King as a signal of doing the ritual. Yes, every number was welcomed this way and for her, the Ace, it would be a little grander since she sits between the monarchy and the numbers. Representatives from monarchy, the three pillars of the Kingdom namely the King, Queen and Knave, and the numbers, those who were chosen by fate to posses the top ranks in the Privy Council and military field, should lay present! Arthur looked at the side where the numbers should be staying and found only two - the six of Spades who was incharge of the Royal Achieves, Lady Mei and the seventh of Spades who was incharge of Agricultural Endowments and Public Affairs, Lady An Lien.

"Where are the others?" Arthur asked as he looked at them with a frown.

"Your majesty, they are-" stuttered Lady Mei as he looked at the lady beside her. "Our second is sick again apparently. Our third-" Lady Mei was a lady of great looks, add the delicate flower that she would have adoring her brown locks, and she's quite a muse with a timid attitude towards people.

"It's best that he's not here." Lady An Lien said as she crosses her arms. "We all know full well why that is so, considering our Ace is a lady as well." As for this lady, she was a lady of plain elegance and described often as one of those who had these few rare smiles. She was head strong as well…sometimes, Arthur wonders why she didn't became Queen.

The third of Spades who was incharge of arsenals and explosives, Lord Im Yoong, however, was quite known to have very curious hands when it comes to the ladies. The three monarchs could only ran a hand over their faces upon the mention of his name, leaving the newly appointed Ace to feel somewhat confused once more. What was so wrong about the third of Spades…she'd know soon enough. The palace wasn't such a small place afterall.

"As for the others… they are quite busy." Yao interjected. Busy…? Well, he didn't exactly called them out and requested their presence besides that if Yao used the term "busy" it could only mean that the matter that the other numbers was handling required their full attention.

"It's fine, I suppose. We have the three monarchs and two numbers required—The rules did say, we had to have numbers as witnesses along with the three of us." The King stood up from his seat and offered his hand to his Queen and of course, he gladly took it. The girl looked at them, seemingly curious of what they were about to do.

What could it be…?

There was no use to it then. The King had said his piece-this just proves that the monarchy was ruled by the King's word. Arthur tightened his hold of the King's hand and closed his eyes. "I call forth the sword entrusted to me for protection", he started before opening his eyes and a magic circle with Spades' insignia forming beneath his feet. He was calling forth the sword that the King of Spades will use in ceremonial and battle purposes since it was always hidden by the Queen's magic: symbol that the King would require his Queen's presence unless under certain circumstances. "Emerge from the deeps of this thunderous earth and heed my call."

Of course, to others, this is quite a show to watch. It was one of those once in a lifetime things that the numbers themselves doesn't see every day. A sword was quick to materialize in front of him and the King was just as quick to grab a hold of its handle. A sword that would make any blacksmith's eyes shimmer in delight with how this sword was carefully made and preserved through the generations of Spadian monarchs. A scabbard of blue adorned with sapphires and other gems as the Kingdom's insignia lay proudly amongst it all. The king took it out of the wonderful scabbard only to expose the sword's gallant blade. If it was made of gold or silver or any other metal; No one knows but one thing was for sure, the blade was for no one but the King of Spades to hold. Golden writings of the old known only to Spades were stretched upon the handle. "As beautiful as the bearer…" The King said as the magic circle vanished.

Arthur couldn't help but blinked upon hearing that and looked at the direction of where it came from only to find the King's gaze fixed upon the sword. Bearer? Who the hell bears the sword aside from him who was holding it? Silly King. And silly him for even taking notice of it. Silly monarchs, indeed.

"Grace Alden", the King began before giving the scabbard to Arthur and stepped down from the flat form. "You have been chosen by faith to protect and keep safe the royals of your kingdom, Spades... Do you vow to uphold your duties to the crown, the court and to the people...to willingly devote and sacrifice your life...for the life of your rulers?"

"I...do vow...to offer my life to my duties as the Ace of Spades..." She knelt before her monarch, but there was a slight pause between them that earned a confused look to befall the young girl. It didn't take long before she offered her left wrist to him. It was an unfair demand to have of someone who knew nothing of the post she had been chosen for. It was selfish to ask something this just as quick but then again...the life of every monarch was just as painful as life itself is being taken away from them to serve for the people.

Blood.

Once more Arthur had seen blood spilt. Grace's wrist was cut and the sword of the Kings has now absorbed her blood like any other number in Spades. They did say, for you to hurt your enemies you have to hurt your closest allies first. That sword has tasted all sort of blood from different people aside from the Queen's. The Queen's blood is only for the soil of Spades to absorb, to even go as far as even in death, the Queens were drained off from their blood and poured into the soil of Spades as a token. A sacrifice of some sort and a reminder that the Queen was always for the Kingdom he serves alone.

"Then by your blood spilt...may you never break your vow...for if you do...your death shall be by this blade that has drawn the very same liquid that holds your life..." He said as Grace's mark dulled down but turned several shades darker. Her wound was now gone but replaced by thorn vines instead.

Arthur chose this moment to approach this new member of the monarchy and took her hand. "With thy oath, may you not forget." Arthur said as he helped her up. He looked at her with a comforting smile, seemingly apologetic about what the monarchy had done to such a child of her age. The young Ace showed innocence as her gaze met his. Who wouldn't be? If your life was yours and then the next it was someone else's what would you do? Arthur did try to lighten up the mood so he whispered, "It'll be fine… this is part of the ceremony. You're holding out quite well. Just wait after our Knave to dismiss us." With those words, Grace looked at him with confusion but Arthur just winked at her.

Like it was on cue, the knave sighed softly. "With the ceremonies done and about and court matters already spoken..." Yao began as he looked at the numbers present in this little ceremony. "Go back to your respective places and inform the others of this as well, tonight their attendance in a must." His good knave really doesn't break any sweat into these ceremonies. Well, he did when he was instructed to search for her profile but then again, that's only expected of him.

The queen smiled triumphantly at this. There was also this side of the Queen who knows how to mess around at important ceremonies. It's been long since he'd grown used to them and obviously Arthur just had practically enough of them regardless of how important they may seem. It was downright outrageous but there was never in hell a time that he would openly admit that in public.

"Queen…"Alfred called out as he approached him and gave him back his sword. Ah, he had almost forgotten about it but nonetheless, he did take the sword and returned it back to its scabbard. With a soft spell whispered the sword once again vanished.

"Amazing…" The young Ace let out before covering her lips as if embarrassed that she'd actually said that outloud. That earned a good chuckle from him and the King. Though he felt something was a little off—maybe… he used too much magic. The sword did require tremendous amount of magic and considering that the King had his "re-charge" just a few minutes ago, this drain in energy was obviously to be expected.

"It's not the ritual which is amazing- Our Queen is the one amazing." The King said and the literally made Arthur's trail of thought to stop. His heart skipped a beat upon that compliment and he cursed himself for ever feeling such a thing every time he hears the King praise him! "Now that the ceremony is over~! Finally we can all relax~! Welcome to Court, Grace~!"

"That's 'Lady' Grace, your Majesty. " Yao corrected as he rubbed his temples.

The Ace couldn't help but stare which Arthur couldn't blame her. "It doesn't really matter since his Majesty prefers that way, right?" Grace said before chuckling nervously.

"Oh great…Someone who spoils him." Arthur said as he rubbed his temples seemingly annoyed yet deep inside he was actually admitting that he did spoil the King and having another one to do the same might be a little competition- Oh who was he kidding?! He barely notices his efforts and continuously makes fun of everything about him including his eyebrows! Joy.

"Hahahaha~ "And there's the child within the King once more. The King was someone who was a child in the farm fields and a respected nobleman now…If he was asked who was amazing, Arthur's answer would be the King's way of separating his life with the Monarchy and people he serves and still able to live out his life as normally as possible despite the restrictions.

Alfred shook his head and sighed to himself. Now wasn't really the time for him to be thinking of Alfred… he had many more times to think about him. He should be concentrating on their new Ace. He was practically her tutor in everything so he must set an example for her. "Now, Yao… Please have her settled inside the palace grounds. You are relieved of your duties for a few hours to accomplish that since-"

"-The monarchs from the other Kingdoms are coming to a banquet held in Lady Grace's honor….right?" Yao continued what Arthur was supposed to say that made the blond Queen huff for a moment. Yao knew him far too well to even use his exact wordings at certain times like, right now! How annoying… There he was trying to lookdignified and responsible for their new Ace!

"Is it really worth celebrating? I mean, it's just me…" The new Ace said as she twiddled her thumbs."I'm unfit for such a joyous celebration…"

"This 'me' you're referring to is very important so have a little pride for yourself ~" Alfred muttered as he showed that brilliant smile of his. If Arthur was feeling quite alright, he would have said something but then again, he wasn't. He felt like his energy was drained so he had to either get some rest or have a little visit with his garden and clock. "Arthur, listen to her- She's underestimating the capabilities of her role!"Alfred said.

Arthur was about to speak when there was this sudden flash of darkness. It was like a blackout that would happen for one second. Arthur flinched knowing that it was a signal that meant for him to rest. "Well, it is tradition that Aces are to be welcomed by representatives of other Kingdoms and as the Kingdom, where the Ace appeared, I believe it's our duty to accommodate her. I leave that in your care, Yao."Arthur simply said before turning away and walking to the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me… I need to tend on some things."Arthur said bluntly before turning his back. It was rude he knows but he had to hurry before he actually blacked out.

"Where are you going?"Asked the knave as his gaze was fixed on Arthur's back.

"That place…" And by that he meant the gardens. There were only two places to go when he was feeling this way. He needed to get magic and where could he get it from other than his mediums: the blue roses and the Queen's clock. The nearest one would be the blue roses from the palace gardens….Now if only he could get there- Ah, he'll use a spell! Teleportation magic isn't such a bad idea but then he couldn't exactly do anything other than walk because he was already at his limit! Fates, save him and his stupidity.

Once he was out of the throne room, he could finally breath! Not so far now… the garden was practically just a few meters away. Of all the times he had to be feeling rather weak, it would be the ceremony where the representatives of the three Kingdoms would be attending. Great Job indeed, Arthur. A very great and honorable job! Arthur had to at least not look weak and any method would work, mostly that would mean being rude was awfully acceptable!

"ARTHUR! WAIT UP!"

Arthur froze on his spot when he heard that and looked behind him. It was the King… Great, what did he want now? Can't he see that he was busy trying to be rude? He can't just go around calling his name with his voice like that! 'If only he knew what the mere sound of his voice does to me', Arthur thought as he forced himself to smile. To him, it was a good thing that the King was oblivious along with the world to notice just how he had affected him ever since he had set foot in the palace. The King was like this radiant and charismatic…enthralling…person that was meant to be looked at, to be admired and to be loved. Perhaps, he was only feeling this way because as Queen, he was the embodiment of the people's desires… Sometimes, he even thinks that every Queen must have felt the same thing towards their Kings. They had to let the King get close to them…

"Yes, King? What is it?" Arthur simply asked as he looked at the King as calmly as possible. Please let him not see. Please.

My dearest diary,

It has been seven months… two days…. And five hours after Alfred had been crowned King.

The King is awfully affectionate and I cannot him anything. Have I fallen inlove with him or is merely because I am Queen that I am feeling this sensation in my chest? Fates,guide me, I beg you… Do not lead to me far too astray. Let me fulfill what I've been chosen to do for my people…

Guide me to be not selfish…. Guide me to not love him…. Guide everyone to not see these growing affections I have whilst I do not know what to do….

-Arthur

"May I come with you to the gardens?" To his surprise, Alfred tugged on his hand and embraced him close. Fates…. How can he hide such feelings if he was this close? He could even smell the King's perfume, see the blue hues of his eyes and how it shimmer in the light, feel the warmth of his body—He could melt right have melted right there if not for the strength he had to resist.

"K-King… D-Distance, please…" Arthur said, almost breathless as he desperately tried to push him away; a gesture that almost proved futile! "We are in the hallways, your majesty. O-Other than that…" Restrain yourself from blushing, Arthur. "If I didn't know any better, you'll just bloody fall asleep in my garden like the last time! You hardly are competent for such task!"

That's it. Hit him there. Upset him. That'll ward him away for a few days…hours…. Minutes to get his composure fixed! "It's because you take so long there, Artie! Common, you spend so much time in there-"

To bloody hell with those nicknames he had for him! Arthur cringed and abstain himself from punching him. He didn't have time for this matter! He was growing weak and he needs a little bit of supply from those magic energy he had stored in those flowers. "Plants required more things than fertilizers! They require concentration and affection!" And MAGIC. Those blue roses, unique only in Spades, didn't just grow there for no reason! It was used by almost every Queen to stabilize their magic when the King wasn't there to claim it.

"It's the place where you spend most your time… I wanted to know why." The young King said before a chuckle. He just insulted him and he would give out this sudden smiles! He was a fool! But… He loves this fool, oh so much!

He had to get away from him. He turned his back on him once more before sighing. "King…." There was that feeling in his chest again…The sensual and ever so light feeling that happens whenever Alfred was around. "My garden is always open for everyone…" Why must he contradict everything, he had worked so hard, for the mere thought of having him close?!

The King merely followed him with that same gentle smile. Doesn't have more work to take care of? Isn't he suppose to be helping Yao or better yet making the Ace feel at home like how he would treat people? Why did he choose to follow him? Sure, it wasn't that big of a problem but… it was nerve-cracking! Walking around when he could literally feel Arthur's gaze locked on his back…what more is it was on his face? Mere seconds could turn his mind into mush- What of minutes? Hours even? Fates, save him.

Roses…

Lilies…

Lavenders…

Varieties of many more flowers he could name even with his eyes closed…

Arthur's mind stopped for a moment as it was set at ease upon the sweet fragrance of all the flowers combined. Ah, his flowers were like secretly healing his uneasy mind already for just one step into their realm. The blue roses, most of all, were enchanting him to take the simple gesture of touching their petals and God's blood, he didn't restrain himself to do so..! If mere fragrance could literally make him forget how troubled his heart was, what more of its touch? The Queen of Spades went on ahead and settled his fingertips and brushed one of the blue roses' petals. Slowly… yet surely, he was gaining his magic once more.

"No matter how many times I went to this garden, I never get tired of it… Everything here is so bright, calming…literally wonderful… Arthur, what on earth do you do here?"

Arthur glanced to look at his King, unknowingly smiling ever so sweetly. "Love the flowers… If you give them tender love and care… there will be no reason for them not to bloom ever so beautifully. "Of course, another factor was sharing his magic with them but without caring for them, it would have been useless. Ah such joy he felt... He checked each plant softly as if they were glass that would shatter if not cared for. "Do take your seat by the table, King...I'll join you in a moment," he said softly with a soft smile. Truly this place was the Queen's heaven-Not only because of the flowers but because the person he adores stood in the very same place as him.

Just a little… He prayed for the fates. Just a little time with him before he completely shuts every possible way he could to fall for him. Much to his dismay, his hand was taken tenderly by the King before his lips settled on it, "Don't let me wait for too long...my Queen..." He whispered before walking away to the patio. Why wasn't he feeling annoyed? He should be angry, screaming from the top of his lungs even! Why did he felt like the happiest person in the world! Perhaps it was because he was crazy….thinking things exaggeratedly than logically! He has done that to the court ladies—though he had not seen it, he must have done it at least once to others! It can't just be him! He prayed for his mind to settle down but then his heart was beating wildly like it was about to explode. Did he not know what he did was a gesture of affection? Of care? Of….. Of…. LOVE! Was he intentionally making fun of him?!

How he wanted to shout and swear but it was like all the words were drained from his lips as it was pursed in a thin line of doubt. His cheeks flushed crimson as his clenched hand settled on his chest. Damn everything… Damn… He couldn't remember how to even pronounce his King's name all of the sudden. Why was it always like this? When he was ready to give up and throw everything away…. He was playing with his feelings, right? After all, there must be dozens of court ladies he prefers…. Spades was bountiful of beautiful women, strong and charismatic alike! What was he thinking?! The King has no choice but to be a bloody dolt in his eyes! A bloody player, ignorant, obnoxious and utterly idiotic person! He can't be smart…. He can't be nice…. He can't be a gentleman! He can't be everything he wished to see in a person!

He forced himself to just look at those flowers and admire them! 'Just admire them, Arthur. You have to feel at ease! Ignore your rapidly beating heart and accept that the King is a dolt and means nothing of those gestures!' he told himself as he practically looked like a person that had mistaken the flowers for a dog by the way he was petting them.

Wait… He looked at each flower carefully... The charming red roses were given by the Queen of Hearts who matches it perfectly. The pure white lilies and roses were given by the Queen of Diamonds who just displays equal of its innocence, minus the King she serves and it would had been perfect. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies were the gift of his good friend, the Spadian Knave. Right beside them was the ever surprising crocus, given by the Queen of Clubs which happens to appear wherever it likes. It was suppose to be at the opposite direction and now it managed to somehow reach near the patio.

Finally… there it was. The climbing blue roses that seem to claim the walls of the palace with how it grows; it was even conquering one of the patio's marble like pillars. Ah, there was nothing here... given by the King of Spades. "Our Jack had given me a flower to plant yet you haven't..." It could make sense since these flowers were given to him at his coronation ceremony. Now that was quite disappointing…nothing here reminded him of Alfred. Which was suppose to be good since it could basically mean that he could relax here then again…who wouldn't want something from the person you adore even if you're just hiding it…? He wasn't making any sense. He should just take that statement back. He sounded so demanding and irritating!

"What can I give you when you seem to have every single flower known in this world here in your garden?" The King asked.

Oh… He had a point. Arthur smiled a bit, not even looking at the King. Damn, just thinking about him was making him smile! He had to really stop anytime soon… "Then... If I have all the flowers, I think I could give one to you" he said as he approached the blue rose by the side. "Ah... this looks perfect," he muttered softly. Only to be followed by a sharp hiss before he took a step back- he accidentally pricked his finger with the rose's thorns. This must be fates' way of saying how forbidden his feelings were. How can he be so foolish to think that it was alright to be like this and being all selfish like a brat? The King was someone supposed to be unattainable by the Queen despite the connection between them. There was always that wall of authority to remember and responsibility to uphold. He had no time for—

" Careful..." Alfred scolded lightly and looked over the damage done. Since when did he stand? Since when was he this close? Why was everything around them vanishing? "I thought you knew more about flowers than me... You should have at least known our nation's roses are the thorniest of all... "He sighed before leaning down and taking his finger into his mouth, tasting the iron flavor of Arthur's blood as he gently sucked on it. That's it…. The blue rose… It was the thorniest flower… The flower that reminded him of how a King should be… Unattainable…Unreachable…always so hard to touch and care for….

He drastically pulled his finger away from his mouth. "No! King! You shouldn't do such thing even if I'm the Queen!"

"Yeah... I shouldn't ..." He said, emphasizing the word as he gently took his Queen's hand, " But I want to, Arthur... You're hurt...I wanna help..." He said softly, his eyes were just as soft as he held the Queen's hand near his heart.

Arthur couldn't officially breathe as he looked at his King in disbelief. He was left to stare at the King for a moment as if it took him long for him to understand what those words could and would ever mean. "You're mad, crazy even," he muttered as he looked away."Clearly and utterly clueless..." he added but contradicting to the soft expression on his face. His hand slightly tightened as he returns the hold of the King. This cannot be happening, right?

Alfred smiled at this before pulling his Queen's hand up to kiss the wounded finger gently. " You're right...I'm mad...and clueless...but isn't that why I have you? To tell and teach me what you can?"

'Those words and actions...enough of them…please.' Arthur said to himself. Inside he was already melting with those few words the King had uttered. "A-Alfred..." he muttered, instantly dropping the title as his eyes gazes at the King he served. Alfred merely wraps him arms around him, pulling the Queen close into an embrace. Arthur's poor heart was crazily beating faster than it already was when he was pulled into an embrace, he couldn't deny him! He couldn't even process any word in his mind!

Right… any time now, fates. Anytime now. Whenever you're ready… He should be waking up and hearing the birds which indicate a bright new morning! Nothing like this happened or will ever happen! It was too impossible! The King was too nice! He was too bright! He was engulfing every sense the poor Queen of Spades had and leaving him with nothing more but a delicate and confused mind with each stroke of his hand upon his knuckles.

"Stay by my side ..." The King whispered as he gazes at his peridot eyes. His blue, sky-like eyes gazing at him with such honesty and clear intentions of longing; Arthur did and didn't like this… It was conflicting… It hurt and made his heart ache but at the same time he was happy for hearing such a heartwarming thing…his soul clutching to his last strand of reason that the King seemed to be erasing, while at the same time, it reaches out for the King's hand.

The Queen of Spades, by laws and duties, cannot stay by the King's side. It is dictated and sealed that the Queen stays and will always stay by the side of the people of Spades- Not the King's. The Queen can only support ideals and reasons with regards to this rule- the core of the position Arthur had so…taking the King's offer would clearly be taboo…

Added with his affections….

Added with his silly desires….

He had to do something…

Think of something…

Something….

To set this right….

Quickly…

This was going to end in those few words he knew would bloody bring conflict and sin upon their monarchy. He had to stop him. He had to push him away. Yet why…. His body…he couldn't feel it anymore and what he could only hear was his the crazy thumping sounds of his heart and Alfred's words ringing up on his ears. His other senses gone and obliterated in seconds…milliseconds… even at that very instant.

"G-Got it.." he said before slowly pulling away from the King's hold, feeling the warmth the surrounds him disappear leaving him to linger. He used the same wounded hand and slowly took the blue rose once more. "F-For formality wise... I think the King should wear a nation flower once in a while," he said as he gently fixes it on the King's front pocket. Please work…Please…. Flowers…. Save him and the King from even furthering this conversation. He could practically hear what the King wished through those simple four simple words. He had to say something to deny the King of those words…to make himself unworthy to receive them!

Slowly he stepped back, "Now that I look at it… it's not far from what they say in court!" Arthur remarked, trying his utter best to be this calm Queen he had to be. The smart and all powerful Queen, that would match that of which moved with precision in the chessboard, everyone must see. "It wouldn't be unthinkable for you to have many concubines if you desire them so," he started. Those words stung like knives for him, for every part of him, but he had to say it. He turned his back on him in attempt to his his wavering expression of hurt and denial. "Ah, I will be able to see a young Prince and Princess of Spades…I wonder which one would have your qualities of playfulness, King… That would be most glorious, indeed."

The King, along with other members of the monarchy, was allowed to have such pleasures as long as it wouldn't affect their judgment. All that was forbidden was having affections for one particular person… A situation, he, oh so wantedly crave to get out of right now.

" Enough." Alfred said from behind him with such a stern voice of authority. "Weren't you listening… Or do you just refuse to listen?" There was a long and heart breaking pause. In truth, Arthur would have just faced him with that soft smile…of distraught and pain… if he didn't speak. If Alfred didn't … If only Alfred didn't speak…

Or maybe if Arthur was deaf…

Or maybe if Arthur pretended to be deaf and didn't face him with such a gaze…

Or maybe if Alfred didn't pull his hand once more and kissed his lips….

Or maybe if Alfred didn't held him as tightly as he did…

Or maybe if Arthur forced himself to not kiss back…

Or maybe if Arthur pushed him away….

If only both of them didn't start to guess how much—

"I love you..."

Everything would have not started to be a blur and get out of hand from their sealed fate.

I don't regret trusting you and there's no way in hell that I'll sacrifice a crazy person like you.

I wonder…will I can be strong enough to even protect you?

To be continued….