By the time that dinner was over, Alfred headed to his room, removing his fine gowns and getting into his basic attire without actually changing. All the while his eyes scanned the room until they fell upon his desk. Alfred gasped and ran over to it, checking to make sure the letter wasn't invisible and bending to look underneath. The letter was gone.
"Looking for this?" A voice said from the end of the room.
Alfred spun around and spotted a familiar figure in the dark. A thick lump seemed to form in Alfred's throat. "Dad- I-...I can explain-"
The king stood. "No, Alfred, stop. Do you realize what this is?! You've been communicating with Clubs!"
As the letter was waved around, Alfred could see that the lime green seal was broken and that the wax had torn some of the darker green paper. "You read my mail?!"
The king regarded him cooly. "My kingdom, my mail. Alfred! Don't you understand what is going on?! We are all at the brink of war except for diamonds! Out last war had cost us more than two thousand men! How could you just sit there and not give me this?" The king threw the letter onto the ground in front of Alfred. "Is this why you have been avoiding Arthur? Is there some- affair I don't know about as well?!"
Only now did Alfred realize that his desk drawer was open, and his other letters were all disorganized and shuffled through. But he had been looking for that one unopened one that he didn't even notice. How foolish.
Alfred's shoulders slumped. "Dad...if you would just hear me out..."
"I will not put this kingdom in danger-"
"I will explain absolutely everything."
"So you can go play games with some-..." The king clicked his tongue. "Alright,". He sat down on the bed and told Alfred to sit into his chair. "Enlighten me. Though don't fail to disappoint me that you know of the political issues. Please tell me you've been paying attention in class."
Alfred nodded and did as told like a good child. Once he sat down, his father didn't stop him from hunching over and folding his hands. He didn't even scold him. "Well, I know hearts has been acting weird as of late...that there is an unspoken threat of war from clubs as well...and I know that our history with clubs isn't good, but I think we are missing more of the story...Queen Elizabeta of clubs has only sent me that one letter as you can see...and she says that her jack, her husband was stolen from her...by hearts..."
The king scoffed. "You don't actually believe her do you? And I have reason to believe that you haven't been in any contact with any Kings behind my back now have you? These letters should be going to the queen, not you. And why do I see more than green letters?"
Alfred tensed and formed a fist over his knee. "I do..." He swallowed. "No, I haven't talked to any kings...well, except Gilbert of hearts who warned spades, to be wary of clubs for stealing queens...but I gave that letter to you already...and Francis of Diamonds whom I still correspond" with..., I just believe that there is something more complicated than spades always being the enemy!" He began to grow irritated at his father who yelled back now
"Alfred! Spades and clubs have always been enemies. We have no reason to accuse hearts! And I looked into those red envelops Son, you are to put an end to this little romance with the 2nd Princess of hearts! She has been chosen by Prince Ludwig!"
"I can't fall in love with Arthur dad! I've known her since I was a child when you went into the markets to visit the town! I didn't know that she was a heart! She lived right on the boarder! You know that she probably had to change her suit- ".
A loud smack rang across the room. "Enough!"
There was dead silence, and then the king looked to the opened drawer behind the prince. With the click of his tongue he quickly approached and grabbed all the letters he could and shoved them into the fire.
Alfred suddenly jumped forward, "no!"
The king stopped him with his arm and then glared. "You are already betrothed and so is she! Besides, you can't be with her and that's final! You have until the coronation! Any letters you get other than from diamonds come to me from now on! Both hearts and clubs are not to be messed with. Neither are we!"
The King shook his head. He knew he was being a bit more over dramatic. Maybe the meat was bad. Now he was choleric. Yes, that had to be it. The meat was bad and now he was moody. The king sighed and closed his eyes, placing a hand on Alfred's shoulder. "I trust you Alfred, and I know you mean well. Though you must understand, This wasn't a declaration for help, Alfred, it was a declaration and attempted aid for war." The king patted Alfred's shoulder a few more times before wishing him a goodnight before walking out of the room.
The king sighed when he noticed Arthur, standing there in shock. Icing an apologetic smile he bid him, too, goodnight. Alfred looked up to Arthur. An odd tightness spread throughout his chest. "How much did you hear...?"
Arthur swallowed, keeping the tears in his eyes at bay. Anger wavered in his tone. He would not appear weak.
"Everything"