Chapter Seven: Marital Bond
Nerves. That's all the Prince could feel at that moment. His hands, his legs, his whole body was in a state of peril. Normally, he would be excited and ready to face the day ahead; but for some reason, today he was a nervous wreck. Yes, it was his wedding day; but why was he so nervous? It's not like Arthur was going to leave him at the altar, and not marry him; he had to do what the Scriptures said of them to do. But, would that stop a reckless spirit like Arthur, who has already argued with his mother, the current Queen, and the Jack, before even being crowned?
"My Prince?" A familiar voice broke Alfred out of his daydream. Elizabeth stood there, a concerned gaze on her withered face. "Are you alright? You seem to be most worried…" She carefully took his unsteady hand, running her thumb along his knuckles.
"Elizabeth… I… I'm fine…" He turned his face away, nibbling his lower lip in anxiety. As his personal maid, she could always tell when something was wrong; no matter how miniscule it was. She always had a way of understanding the Prince's tone of voice, expression, or general actions, that hinted at his upset or worry.
"Pre-marital nerves?" The maid chuckled, continuing to dress the Prince in his wedding attire: a black suit, with a royal blue shirt, a white rose pinned to the collar of his blazer, polished dress shoes, and white gloves.
The Prince laughed, though his voice shook slightly, "You could say that, I guess. I don't get it; I'm never nervous for anything, so why today?"
"It's perfectly normal, Prince Alfred. Many couples feel anxious before they get married; I'm sure Arthur is experiencing similar emotions right now." A gentle smile crossed her face at noticing ho the Prince blushed, and stiffened slightly, at the mention of the other's name. "After the ceremony, everything will relax. Once you are married, Arthur will be crowned through his coronation; then the party will start. You will greet the other Monarchies, Hearts, Diamonds, then Clubs. If you follow Yao's instructions when he comes to pick you up, you shall be just fine."
"T-Thanks, Elizabeth. For everything you've done, and hopefully, everything you'll do for Arthur and I." Alfred turned to face the maid, wrapping his arms carefully around her petite frame. He was smiling brightly, especially when he felt the other's delicate fingers carding through his golden locks.
When they pulled away from one another, Elizabeth let out a small chuckle, reaching down to tuck Alfred's shirt in, "Keep yourself presentable." Alfred laughed along with her, scratching at the back of his head in slight embarrassment, before a knock emanated through the room. The Prince called for them to enter, recognising that the person who stepped through the door was Yao.
"Are you ready, Your Majesty? Everyone is seated in the Chapel for the ceremony," the Asian male held a pleasant smile on his face, for a change. This let Alfred relax, as he nodded. He turned to Elizabeth, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand in farewell, before leaving the room.
The butterflies in his stomach continued to flutter.
Arthur stared at himself in the mirror, as a maid, Clara, brushed down his suit; making sure that he was presentable to the Lords and Ladies of the Court, as well as his betrothed. Emerald orbs admired the pristine white suit he was wearing, symbolising purity, the blue shirt hidden underneath the bright white, and the blue rose in his buttonhole. He really looked different compared the farm-boy that he had been only a few weeks prior. A smile crossed his face; today was the day that he'd be married to the person he loved most.
When she was done, Clara lifted a fragile bouquet of white and blue roses, handing it to Arthur. He hesitantly took the flowers into his hold, but then was captivated by their enticing scent. Turning back to the mirror, the blond focused on how he looked; different, yet somehow still the same. His hair still refused to be tamed, while his pale skin shone in the late morning sunlight, his eyes still a glittering green.
Although Arthur found it odd, he could not question the scriptures; as he noticed Clara nearing him, he turned toward her, bowing his head. The young woman placed a golden band on his head; a veil. The scriptures stated: "The Queen, whether female or male, will wear a veil to their wedding ceremony. It may only be lifted from the face when the two are bound in holy matrimony; any earlier and destruction may rain down upon Spades. If the Queen refuses to wear the veil, the wedding will be postponed; or another Queen may take the former's place. This circumstance has never happened; and Spades hopes it never shall. After the ceremony, the Queen may remove the veil from their head, and hand it to the former Queen, as their first token."
Glancing back up at himself, Arthur could barely make out his face amongst the intricate netting of the veil. The gold band practically disappeared into his bright blond hair. Embarrassment crossed his features, as a pout appeared on his lips; he felt like a fool to have to wear this, but he had to do what tradition said.
A knock at the door broke Arthur out of his dreamlike state. Clara skipping toward the door, and opening it, greeting the person outside it.
"Well, my wee brother. Today's the day, huh?" A recognisable voice, and accent, rang through the room. Arthur spun around to see his eldest brother, Alistair, standing there in a black dress suit, with a white shirt and a white rose in his buttonhole. "You're lookin' fancy. Definitely like a Queen now"
"Oh, be quiet," Arthur laughed, walking toward him, "So, you're all here. Mother, and everyone else?" His eyes shone with hope; he had wanted his family to come to his wedding at the very least.
"Aye, your Prince managed to convince the Jack to let us all stay the night as well. We'll be here for the whole event, until around midday tomorrow," Alistair winked, a toothy grin on his face. "Anyway, we better get you down to the ceremony, what do ye' say?" He offered his arm to Arthur, the other reluctantly taking it, placing his hand onto the crook of his brother's elbow.
Arthur quickly turned his head back to Clara, who was waiting patiently, with a smile on her face, to be dismissed from her duties, despite her knowing that she had finished what was required of her. "Thank you for all your help, Clara. It is most appreciated," he bowed his head to her, as she curtsied in response. "Right, let's do this."
Excitement was buzzing in the Chapel, especially when Prince Alfred stepped inside, taking his place in the front row, alongside his mother, father, and his brother, Matthew, the Ace of Spades. The second Spadian Prince had just returned from Hearts Kingdom, as he went to visit his partner, another Ace by the name of Gilbert Beilschmidt; elder brother of the King of Hearts.
"Mattie! How was Hearts? Everything okay?" Alfred spoke to his brother, delighted to see him again after the few months of them being apart.
"Everything was great, thanks Al. Gil was asking about you, seeing if you were okay. When we heard the news, we tried to get over here as fast as we could, but King Ludwig needed him for something, so he suggested I stay; in case I got hurt on the way back," he rolled his eyes playfully. "You know how he is; in actuality he just wanted me to stay, so he could-"
"Enough, Matthew, I think Alfred gets the point," George spoke up, a smile on his face. This caused the younger male to blush brightly, and turn his violet gaze away from his brother.
"Y-Yes, Father…" He quickly glanced back to Alfred, and mouthed to him, that he'd tell him later. Though, Alfred had pretty much gotten the picture. The Ace was a mischievous kind of guy, he had caused some problems in Hearts, complaining that he didn't want to become King. So, when his younger brother, Ludwig, came of age, he simply handed the throne to him, and took up the role of Ace in place of his brother.
Alfred sat back in his seat, anxiously twiddling his thumbs, before a dainty, gloved hand rested on his. He glanced up and saw his mother smiling at him.
"Try and relax, Alfred. I know this is a big moment for you, but you need to steady your nerves; everything will be fine," she kissed his forehead, lovingly, causing Alfred to smile gratefully.
Soon, they all heard a door open behind them. Alfred's eyes widened; he refused to look back, knowing that this was the moment he had been waiting for. The priest signalled to Alfred, to step up onto the altar; the Prince followed the command and quickly rushed to the step. He held his hands in front of him patiently, but his fingers were restless and couldn't stop linking and unlinked, clenching and unclenching.
An organ began to play a traditional Spadian wedding march, causing Alfred's palms to sweat, and his body to tremble. The sound of footsteps approaching eventually made the Prince, turn to the source. His sapphire eyes widened as he caught sight of his Queen.
His shaking ceased, his palms no longer coated in sweat, the music faded away into nothing. All he could focus on was Arthur, who had his eyes down to the bouquet in his clutch; clearly, he was nervous too. The Prince could only stare at the other, a bright smile on his face, as a single tear ran down his cheek. Arthur looked beautiful, so different, yet so familiar. The untamed blond hair, the long lashes that framed his emerald eyes, the pale skin patterned with delicate freckles.
And today… that man was going to become his Queen.
Arthur finally made it to the altar, he turned and smiled at Alistair, who reluctantly let him go, taking the bouquet of flowers from Arthur's grasp and going to sit back with the Kirkland family. The Queen-to-be glanced up, and was met by the Prince's friendly smile and sparkling blue irises. A timid smile rose on his own face, as well as a peachy blush. They both turned to the front; their hands aching to hold one another, their lips craving each other's kiss.
Not long left, until they'd be together, until the day they died.
The ceremony went by in a blur, eventually the time came for them to exchange rings and vows. The two turned to one another, green fixated on blue. Matthew, and Arthur's sister, Eire, came forward with the rings, kneeling before the altar, then offering the first band to Alfred.
At the Priest's requests, Arthur removed his gloves, handing them to Eire, before Alfred took his right hand; the one that bore the Mark of a Queen. Alfred ran his thumb along the other's soft skin, desperate to feel it against his own. He carefully slipped it onto Arthur's ring finger, the band fitting perfectly.
Alfred repeated after the Priest: "Arthur, my Queen. With this ring, I devote my life and work to you. I will protect you and our Kingdom until the bitter end. This ring binds me to you; I shall work hard to please you, and give you what you most desire."
The other blond turned his gaze away at Alfred's words, clearly flustered. He then followed the same procedure, taking the ring from Matthew, while Alfred handed his gloves to Eire. He took his Prince's hand, slipping the gold ring onto his finger; the warmth of his hand causing them both to relax. He focused his green eyes onto the other, then reiterated the Priest's words: "Alfred, my King. With this ring, I devote my live and work to you. I will bear you a family, an heir for the Spadian throne, and protect them most dearly. I will lay my life down for you in times of conflict; protecting you from harm."
Eire and Matthew smiled at one another, as she set the gloves onto the soft royal blue pillow, before they made their way back to their families.
Meanwhile, Arthur and Alfred held each other's hands, and simply stared at one another until the Priest announced to the congregation that they were now married. He spoke, "You may now kiss your loved one, as the King and Queen of Spades."
Alfred carefully lifted the netted veil from Arthur's, with some assistance from the shorter male, but before Arthur had a moment to think, Alfred scooped him into his hold. "Gladly," and pressed a much-awaited kiss to the other's soft lips. The green-eyed male was slightly startled, but he settled against the other's warmth and, he returned the embrace. Cheers, and cries of joy echoed the room, as well as the phrase, 'Long live the King and Queen of Spades!"
The two pulled apart, just before George and Amelia had stepped forward, causing the people to go silent. They took the Priest's place on the altar, glancing down at their son, and his Queen.
"Alfred, Arthur. Please kneel, as we are going to pass the throne to you now," George spoke authoritatively. The two did as they were told, but refused to let go of one another's hand.
George brandished his sword from its sheath, laying it down on Alfred's shoulders; first his left, then his right. "As the King of Spades, I now pass my power and title onto you, my son, Alfred Freedom Jones." He handed the sword to Yao, who was standing by, prepared, knowing how the ceremony were to go; he'd done this before. The King raised his hands, lifting the golden, jewel-encrusted crown from his head, and placed it onto his son's. A look of pride rose on his face, as he saw Alfred glance up at him, the same cheeky smile he always had on his face.
Yao stepped round to the Queen, who received the sword from his hold and performed the same motion, instead on Arthur's shoulders. "As the Queen of Spades, I pass my power and title onto you, Arthur Kirkland. I welcome you to the Royal Family, and thus the Monarchy." She returned the sword to Yao, before lifting her silver crown, encrusted with diamonds, off her head, and placed it onto Arthur's.
The former King and Queen stood back, before Wang Yao called out, "To the new King and Queen of Spades!" Arthur and Alfred rose together, turning to face their people. The new King waved proudly, while Arthur remained reserved, a small smile on his face, before he turned to his family. They were all delighted, calling out congratulations to them; but Alistair gave him a cheeky wink, which Arthur couldn't help but return.
"Long live the King and Queen of Spades" continued to chorus through the room, as the two dashed down the aisle toward their reception party. Together; at long last.
Author's Note:
Apologies that this story is up late, again! I'm cutting this chapter in half, as I feel it would be too long. The next chapter will be the reception, so meeting the other Monarchs and such, which will be great fun!
Thank you as always for your continued support, enjoy the chapter.
See you next week!