Chapter One: A Fateful Meeting
"Master, stay still!" The Prince's personal maid, Elizabeth, squeaked as she tried to dress the male appropriately.
"Why do I have to wear this stuffy outfit?" The Prince, now nineteen years of age, grumbled, trying to loosen the dark blue waistcoat that was crushing his stomach. "It's a dance, right? How the heck am I supposed to dance in something like this?"
The withered old maid sighed softly and held her master's robe, "You will only be dancing with those you find attractive. You have come of age and now it is time to find your Queen."
Alfred let out a loud groan of discomfort and annoyance; that was all he ever heard anymore: 'you have come of age this…you have come of age that'. Honestly, he didn't really care about who he married, especially since the male had no attraction to women in any way. Alfred wanted to find someone of course, but he wanted to marry for love, not duty.
"Ah Alfie! You look wonderful my darling!" A sing song voice emanated from the door to his room. The Prince turned his gaze to the voice to see his mother standing there, in her indigo dress which was made up of an indigo corset with a white lacy trim, and a long flowing skirt, her deep purple robe was held by a small silver clasp over her shoulders as it trailed behind her, the Crest of the Spade Kingdom on the back of her hand was on full show. The older woman's bright blond hair was tied back in a neat bun, with a diamond-encrusted tiara on her head; the sparkle bringing out her sky blue eyes.
"Mother! You look wonderful too! Even better than me if I do say so myself," Alfred laughed heartily, a bright smile forming on his lips. Amelia stepped forward and assisted Elizabeth into fastening the male's cloak over his shoulders; it was only simple compared to his father's, but in all fairness, it was summer and Alfred did not really want to wear something like that in the warm weather.
"There! Perfect! You shall meet some lovely young maidens tonight my dear," Amelia smiled, dusting down the front of Alfred's clothes, brushing the creases out of them, "I'm sure that you shall be able to find someone you admire at the ball!"
"Especially since the born Queen has not been found. Alfred, you need to make tonight count. Go out there and greet those ladies with all the passion you can muster, but be civil and polite; remember your status." A deeper voice echoed through the room as Alfred's father stepped in as well. "Make me proud tonight alright?"
Alfred nodded definitively to his father, although on the inside…he really did not want to find anyone tonight. The Prince wanted some more time to himself for now, so he can ride, go hunting, to explore the world he lived in. His ability to do that would be severely stagnated if he married now at only nineteen! The blond royal sighed softly to himself as he looked at himself in the mirror; he was done up like a proper Prince, but he didn't feel like one, he did not understand why he didn't either. That's just how he felt.
"Pardon me your Majesties, but the guests are ready for you in the main hall." The Jack of Spades, Wang Yao, spoke from the door, his arms by his side in an authoritative stance. The Chinese male was old, even older than the Queen and King themselves; this was his third line of royals to have the privilege of being the Jack for. With long dark hair tied back into a ponytail with a silky ribbon and hazel irises, he really did not show his age; but still, rumour has it that he is one of the oldest Jacks ever to live, at over four hundred years old. Of course, that would be impossible, but still he was wise and understood the duties of his role within the monarchy to a tee, always providing those he served with the correct words and directions.
"Yes, of course! Thank you, Yao~!" Amelia cheered, linking her arm with her husband's; the elder male gazed down to his wife and he sighed in mock exasperation, a smile on his face. "Alfie, come along dear."
"You got it. See ya' later Elizabeth, and thanks for all your help," Alfred nodded his head to the maid; a gracious smile on his lips. The addressed woman curtsied to her master and responded with best wishes for the Ball.
Wang led the royal family downstairs to the hall; he entered the ballroom and stood to the left of the thrones.
A flourish of trumpets sounded in a fanfare, as the Jack introduced the King and Queen, then finally Alfred. The crowd cheered and applauded once all the royals were seated in their respective places.
"As you all may know, tonight is the night that Prince Alfred should choose his Queen! Unfortunately, the born Queen has not been discovered, so tonight is very important to the monarchy of Spades! Please provide our young Prince with the prayers he may need to discover his true love," the Chinese male called out to the busy room. Soon after he had finished speaking, the chamber orchestra began to play and the party began; couples joining together to begin dancing.
A couple of songs later and Alfred had not gotten up even once. He simply sat in his throne, leaning his head on his hand; a scowl on his face, his eyes narrowed in boredom.
"Come on Alfie, go out and ask a lovely young lady to accompany you in a dance," The Queen addressed her son; although she understood the possibility of the Queen being potentially male, she did not particularly agree.
"Mother. They're all…so exaggerated, and fake! Look at that girl's hair!" Alfred grunted in disapproval, pulling a disgusted face.
"Do not speak so loudly, and do not judge anyone!" Amelia hissed sharply, folding her arms on her lap.
The Prince sighed heavily and adjusted the silver framed glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose. His eyes slowly scanned the room, bypassing almost everyone in the room…until his sapphire gaze focused on a particularly handsome man, he seemed a little older than the Prince. Alfred's head perked up and he watched the male carefully, he had dusky blond hair that seemed to be extremely messy. Unfortunately, this man was facing away from the young Prince and he could not see his face; so, Alfred had to do what he had to do.
"Alfred?" George questioned as his son rose from his throne, "Have you found someone?"
However, the blue eyed boy did not answer, and simply walked away from his parents down into the dancefloor. The crowds parted as he headed towards the male; all eyes then focused on the Prince as he made his way toward to the other. As soon as he was close enough to the male, he cleared his throat to attract his attention.
The messy blond turned to face him, revealing bright emerald irises, bushy eyebrows and pale unblemished skin. "Your majesty?!" The older male fell to one knee, his right hand resting on his heart, his head bowed as he looked to the stone floor.
"Lift your head," Alfred spoke softly, and so the male did just that, raising his head so his green gaze met the Prince's blue. "What is your name?"
"I… I'm Arthur. Arthur Kirkland, my Lord." The male spoke, his voice emanating from his throat with a distinct English accent, and trembled. Alfred gazed at Arthur and his clothing: it was simple, yet comfortable. A plain white dress shirt, a green waistcoat with black buttons, black trousers and matching blazer. Although it was simplistic, they suited Arthur perfectly.
"Arthur…" Alfred like the way the other's name rolled off his tongue, "What a pretty name… And you have a wonderful accent," The Prince knelt so his gaze was level with Arthur's, and he raised his hand to rest on the blond's left cheek, but the new male flinched at the touch and looked away, a soft pink blush rising to his pale cheeks.
"You flatter me, Your Majesty…" Arthur stammered, clearly flustered. The Englishman fiddled with his blond strands, his hands shaking evidently. The Prince of Spades noticed the other's nerves and carefully took his hand into his own and kissed the back of it, before letting go.
The emerald-eyed male blushed brightly at the kiss and held his hand close to his chest, a tiny pout formed on his lips as he averted his gaze. He was embarrassed, yet honoured, that the Prince had chosen him out of everyone in the room. There were so many beautiful young maidens here… so why did the Crown Prince pick him?
"Arthur, may I have the privilege of your hand in a dance?" The blue eyed boy grinned brightly, offering his hand, once more, to the shocked and flushed green eyed male.
Amelia and George watched their son carefully, his father relieved that Alfred had finally chosen someone, but his mother was not so happy; she could not accept that her only son was… one of them.
The English male glanced up at the American Prince and flushed softly, swallowed and placed his hand daintily into the outstretched hand. "Y-Yes…" His voice had become soft, almost a whisper as he got up with assistance from the Prince.
Elizabeth stood off to the side of the ballroom and watched her young master get up, his hand entwined with another male's. Her delicate features brightened to form a smile. "Congratulations Prince Alfred…I'm sure this young man will make you very happy."
So, after what seemed to be an uneventful night, Alfred had finally chosen someone to dance with; a simple boy by the name of Arthur Kirkland. Their eyes met as they made their way to the middle of the dancefloor; one set of sapphire blue, the other emerald green. It truly was a fateful meeting.
Author's note:
Elizabeth is a common OC that I use in all my Cardverse RP's with friends; I needed a name for a maid of the castle and she just stuck! She's probably one of my favourite OC's that I've created for RP and story purposes.
Yes, Amelia isn't happy with this. I had to add a little drama. Things will get a little heated in the next chapter.
Also, as a follow up to the prologue; Amelia got her name from Nyotalia!America; it's the name I typically use for this character (Alfred's mother); then the King got his name after the first American President: George Washington – makes sense right?
Also, excuse OOC Arthur. I like making him sweet at times – though he will be his true self at some point in the future I promise; once he gets more comfortable around Alfred. But also, another reason will be evident soon.
Thank you!