Chapter Text
Alfred’s index finger traced the map laid flat on his table. The light was dim, the rain outside was trickling, the trees rustled with the wind.
He slowly traced the Castle of the Kingdoms, which is build like a cross. The point at which the lines crossed is the High Meeting hall, where the Kings, Queens and Jacks hold their meeting at the end of every month. At the end of each line is the respective palace of the four kingdoms, where the rulers do their job. The lines divided the lands of the kingdoms into separate parts on the vast Land of the Cards. North is the Hearts, South is the Clubs, East is the Diamonds, and West—
Alfred poked his kingdom hard with his finger. He stared at his land, at his part of the palace within the castle, where he would be sitting now, in a room. Facing the stack of paperworks still needed to be done. Late at night.
He took off his glasses and rubbed his face with his hands with a groan. I hate paperworks.
But the Book demands that every King should occupied themselves with political matters and paperwork, and everyday work should be dealt with on that day. That means, deadline at midnight.
The Book of Custom and Convention, or just the Book, is like a guideline set for the kingdom rulers and people. It is magically suspended in the High Meeting hall, and it magically overwatch every subject of the kingdoms. It is, in some way, the power center and heart of the Land of Cards.
It also has an annoyingly long set of rules that everyone should accept. Like the kingdoms’ borders are closed, like monthly meetings, like the roles of each kingdom and each ruler—unless one wants trouble, one will not cross the rules—because the Book can curse you if you break its rules. Magically.
Commoners has less to worry about, only the “minimum association with foreign kingdoms” rule would ultimately affect their lives. The rulers, however, has a shit ton more to care about. They ought to tread more carefully around the rules as well, because a curse can come in any form as long as it’s in relation to the rule breaker. This means that a curse to the rulers can put the whole kingdom in danger.
The rules rule the rulers, Alfred snorted when his head came up with that sentence.
So to save his kingdom from disaster, Alfred F. Jones has to do his paperworks. For his people, for his kingdom, for his Land. With a big sigh, Alfred put his glasses back on and put on his hero face, then get to work.
A knock on the door brought his attention up from the last few pages of paper he’s going to read through. Without completely looking up, Alfred answered the door, words sliding out of his mouth without running them inside his mind. “Can it be my dear Queen coming to check with your dear King late at night?”
Silence came back from the door, then with a click, the Jack of Spades opened the door and deadpan looked at Alfred.
“Oops, looks like Arthur has send a little birdie as his messenger. Well, what brings me the honor, Yao?”
“With all due respect, your Majesty,” Yao said with a sigh, tucking his hands into his large sleeves, “your love life is messed up and please refrain from dragging me into it.”
“C’mon, man. I’m working on it, okay? I’ll win Arthur’s heart in no time, you’ll see.” Ever since meeting the Queen, Alfred had fallen head over heals and had been determined to crack the sarcastic man’s icy heart. Needless to say, his action had met strong resistance and gain notice among his fellow colleagues.
“Yes, I’ll see.” Yao repeated with absolutely no expectations.
“So, is there anything you need from me?” Putting back his serious Important Business face, Alfred straightened up from behind his desk.
“Well, you did get one thing right. It’s late and I’m here to check on my King.” Yao narrowed his eyes at the stack of untidied paperworks piled on Alfred’s desk with disapproval. Under the scrutinizing gaze, Alfred self-consciously reached out and straighten the mess the best he could. “Looks like you have a lot of work done. I hope you’re not over-stressing yourself.”
“Calm down, mom, I’ve been in the palace doing actual paperworks for over a year and I know my way around them.” Alfred just passed his nineteenth birthday about a month before, and although him being made King was only a year ago, he was brought into the palace on his sixteenth birthday when the mark for Kings appeared on the back of his left shoulder. Since then, Yao and Arthur have been stuffing King-ly knowledge into his head, and although Alfred can be lazy and unserious at times, he did what needed to be done.
“Anyway, that’s not the only reason I’m here for.” Yao shifted in his standing position, taking his hand out and tucking them into his sleeves again, which is a habit of the Jack to get comfortable. “The Hearts just sent a letter over into the Queen’s office—it’s nothing urgent, they used the invitation format.” Yao assured the King. Receiving words and letters from other kingdoms is, although indulged by the Book, not common unless in cases of dire issue, and Alfred was rising from his seat with his eyebrows lightly knitted at the mentioning of a letter.
“What if they ran out of emergency format paper and had to use the invitation one?” Alfred still looked concern—or maybe a bit excited for the opportunity of being a hero, “Yao, we need to check it right now! Is the letter at Arthur’s office?”
Yao sighed and muttered under his breath, “As Arthur predicted.”
“Heh? What?”
“Nothing,” Yao raised his voice again, “The Queen already checked the letter, and said he would reveal the news tomorrow since it’s already late. He said to inform you of the letter’s presence and be prepared for the news.”
“How am I gonna prepare for the news if I don’t know what the news is??” Alfred spluttered.
Yao smirked, “I’ll leave that to you. Good night, Alfred.” And with that, he left with a sway of his long clothing.
Alfred puffed. Those old men were having the time of their lives making fun of Alfred. He finished his work within minutes, and was out of his office for the night.
The young King walked along the hallways of the Spades palace, taking in the silence of the empty surroundings. The palaces doesn’t lack servants—more like magically controlled beings who serve the palace and the monarchs. These servants typically wear a garment over their faces, leaving out minimal facial expression—if they even have any. Their clothes are the traditional colors of their kingdom. In Spades case, it would be different shades of blue. The servants usually wouldn’t be found at night, so the hall now was empty as Alfred took his slow strides.
He mused over the letter from the Hearts. It would have arrived fresh on the desk of the Queen, and then the delicate hands of the Queen would pick it up, trace the words on the front, then open it to pull out the paper. Alfred can almost see Arthur in his purple blue cape, sitting down behind his desk while fixated on the letter, his emerald green eyes traveling down the lines of black ink all the way to the end of the paper. Would he perhaps have a smile on his face when Arthur thought of telling Alfred about the letter but not the actual news? Would he and Yao smirked at each other after Arthur called the Jack into his office? Alfred really enjoy the Queen’s smirks. They bring out the mischievous and charming side of the usually courtly man.
He let his thoughts wonder to the night of his eighteenth birthday, when he was sulking in his office because he had to learn to do his first pile of paperworks, regarding him being the new King and all those stuff. Arthur had walked into his office when he was struggling, helped him through the paper left, and gave him a smirk. “Welcome to the real palace, kid.”
To which Alfred retorted, “I’m an adult now, your Majesty, I’m no kid!”
“Well then, adult King, first day is always stressful, as was mine. Come,” he held out a gloved hand, “let me show you something.”
The something in question was splendid fireworks from the balcony. Arthur said he used a bit of his magic to prepare it, because “As Kings and Queens, we’d be working together for a long time. I wanted to make a good first King-Queen relationship start. And coronations and birthdays are the few excuses we can use to bypass rules and play with fireworks.” The lights of different colors flashed on Arthur’s face as he turned and genuinely smiled, “Happy Birthday, Alfred.”
The reality is less romantic than what’s been playing in Alfred’s head. The fireworks ended quickly because there was a storm, and Alfred made multiple mistakes in his paperworks that result in him working overtime the next few days. Alfred had been glued to the older man’s side ever since he entered the palace, and many of what he’s learnt come from Arthur, but by heavens, that was the time Alfred was sure that he had fallen head over heals for his Queen.
This year’s birthday was one without fireworks. Alfred bugged Arthur about it afterwards, to which the response was “That’s first time birthday privilege, you prick. I got stuff on my hand and I don’t have time for child play this year.”
The sour attitude probably came from Alfred’s blatant relationship build-up trials in the past year. Alfred’s brain was just about to go through the Top Ten Flirting Failures files when Matthew showed up around the corner, almost bumping into Alfred. “—Oh hey, Mattie! Up late as well?”
Matthew shrugged, “Yeah, sort of. You too?” Being the Ace of Spades, Matthew was chosen as a commoner by the King, Queen and Jack from their close circle of acquaintance. Although not granted magical powers like the monarchs, Ace still has to fulfill their duty to the kingdom by managing the security of land.
Alfred took his half-brother in one arm, leading him through the hallway while checking if there’s anyone onto them. This brought a protesting yelp from Matthew, “Eh? What’s going on, Alfred? I was gonna get some sleep—”
“Yao just came and told me the Hearts sent an invitation letter,” Alfred raised his eyebrows at Matthew meaningfully, “but Arthur and Yao refused to tell me before tomorrow. They’re cliff hanging me.” He muttered darkly.
“So…” Matthew spread his hands, “you just wait for them to tell you tomorrow? Oh,” seeing the look on Alfred’s face, Matthew pouted with mild disagreement, “you’re gonna get the letter yourself from Arthur’s office, aren’t you.”
“Well, not quite.” Alfred hummed, “Maybe with my magnetic charm I can persuade Arthur to spill the tea.”
“He probably will not.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Alfred sighed, “he will not. And he will probably be mad at me.”
Matthew glanced at Alfred, rather taken aback by his quick admit of defeat. Then, remembering important fact files from his very own Top Five Moments of Alfred’s Broken Heart, he asked, “Still bothered by no fireworks for your birthday?”
“I can’t figure him out, Mattie!” Alfred groaned, “Last year he said he loves birthdays as an excuse for fireworks, then this year he said he has important matters to attend to and disappeared for the whole night! Like, dude??”
“Have you considered the possibility that Arthur just has more important things on his hands at the time?”
“It’s my birthday! He’s my Queen! I was hoping we can have a romantic moment!”
“Alfred, you know titles of Kings and Queens don’t work like that.” Matthew rolled his eyes at Alfred’s childish complaint. “Look, I’m not the best at relationship advices, but I know you care for Arthur. So show him that, don’t just tell him.”
Alfred suddenly gasped, “You’re genius, Matthew! I get it now!”
“As much as I agree with you, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yao said that I’m expected to be quote unquote ‘prepared for the news’, and if the news is invitation related, that means it’s party related.” Alfred spread his hands in glory, “’Show, don’t tell’, and what’s better opportunity to show one’s feeling than at a party?”
“Um, a carefully planned date?”
“No!—Wait,” Alfred stopped for a second to ponder the new idea, “you think a carefully planned date would work?”
“Better than barging into Arthur’s office every hour or so, or coming up with disastrous plans for a formal kingdoms meeting.”
“I should be offended but you’re still a genius! A date it is!”
“Whatever, your Majesty.” Their walking through the hall has brought them to their adjacent bedrooms. The brothers bid each other good night and went in for the needed rest.
The Kingdom of Hearts at north values the minds; the Kingdom of Clubs at south favors the strength; the Kingdom of Spades at west preserves the history; the Kingdom of Diamonds at east trusts the future.
The King is responsible for politics matters of the kingdom, the Queen for diplomacy and people’s welfare, the Jack for economy and trade, and the Ace for security of land. The King, Queen and Jack are chosen by the will of the power and magic of the land. The Ace is being chosen from commoners by the rulers and trusted by the land.
The four kingdoms thrive in required isolation from each other, with limited trades approved by the Jack and union of rulers once a month. Commoners are not to leave the kingdom. Culture, agriculture, technology and messages are restricted from cross-kingdom transportation. Historically, there had been a full-land war that lead up to this situation. Kingdoms were separated by forests, mountains or rivers, passing of which is extremely dangerous. Only legends and lores are known of the time before the war.
Any “misbehavior” will initiate a curse.
These are hard wired into every monarch’s head.
Alfred woke up with a jolt. The sun was shining through his royal blue curtains. Blinking away the sleepiness, he got himself showered, dressed, and his hair combed for the morning meet ups with his fellow rulers.
With light steps he approach the common hall, where the rulers would dine and discuss joint matters outside their offices. Excitement started bubbling in as he thought about the cliff hanger and its revelation, and Alfred’s steps quickens until he bursted into the hall and—
“Good morning, my good people!” he beamed at the remaining three, already well-seated at the table. Apparently the servants had already set the table with food, and they’ve disappeared into the corners of the palace. Matthew was just going to have a bite of his pancake, but he accidentally dropped it onto his plate as Alfred barged in.
“Yao, looking younger; Matthew, nice pancake you got yourself there; and my Queen—” Alfred skillfully took the gloved hand in his own and brushed it against his lips, “Arthur, enjoy your morning tea with two cubes of sugar.” He swopped to get the teapot and refilled Arthur’s cup, then carefully placed two sugar cubes on the edge of the cup plate.
The three men stared at him.
“What,” Yao spoke up, “is going on.”
“What have you done this time?” Matthew narrowed his eyes at him.
“What? I want to be kind and caring and that’s your responses?” Alfred puffed as he walked to his seat.
Arthur only retrieved his hand, expressionless. “Told you he’d been spending too much time with that frog in Diamonds.”
“We meet once a month, Arthur,” Alfred flopped himself down on his seat beside Matthew and took a plate of bacons, then grinned at the man who’s sitting across from him, “please don’t get jealous.”
Arthur rolled his eyes and stirred his tea.
“So,” Alfred drank his coffee, “what’s the news from last night?” he glanced at both Yao and Arthur, “You two left me on that cliff hanger on purpose, didn’t you.”
None of the duo denied the accusation. Arthur took a paper from his coat pocket and opened it, “As indicated, this is an invitation from the Hearts calling us to the High Meeting hall this weekend for a socialization session.”
The grand kingdom meetings in the High Meeting hall is divided into two kinds of sessions: the formal session, for political and grand discussions of affairs, and the socialization session, as the name suggest. While both sessions are required for the monthly meeting day, socialization sessions can be called upon by rulers during the month for reasons such as but not limited to: celebration of festivals, expressing gratitude to other kingdoms, and—
“—so basically, a wedding?!” Alfred’s mouth is round with astonishment. After Arthur read through the letter which ask for a in-month session for “a special occasion” celebrating “the beginning of a wonderful relationship”, Alfred concluded that those are just too fancy words for a wedding.
Arthur deadpanned at Alfred, “Your Majesty, with all due respect, I haven’t finished. I suppose you would like to know the subjects of the…’wedding’?”
This time, all three of Alfred, Matthew and Yao shared glances. Noticing the surprised glance of Yao, Alfred said, “I thought you know who’s getting married?”
“Actually no, I was only informed of a session. This is news to me too.” Yao shrugged.
Sensing something going on, Arthur looked up from the letter and at the three men, “What do you three have in mind this time?” he asked, raising a thick eyebrow of his, a note of mild irritation in his tone.
“Well—nothing, my Queen, you can just—” Alfred waved his hands aimlessly in the air, “so who’s getting married?”
Arthur glanced down at the letter, than glanced up. The table of four men was silent for a few seconds, before Matthew popped the bubble and went, “Please let it be Feliciano and Ludwig. Please let it be Feliciano and Ludwig. Please—”
“What?? Pfft—” Alfred waved his brother off, “they’re totally—this is too early for them to—”
“It the King and Jack of Hearts, so yes,” Arthur cut off Alfred’s rambling, then lean in the table, “and…what does Alfred lose from this?”
Matthew and Yao grinned, “Oh, your Majesty,” Yao beamed, tucking his hands into his sleeves, “you have no idea.”
“Seeing his expression just now is already priceless.” Matthew smirked as well, raising a hand to adjust his own round-rim glasses.
Alfred, on the other hand, slumped against his chair. Arthur cocked an eyebrow at him, “Care to explain?”
“We three had a bet on when Feliciano and Ludwig will announce their relationship, because let’s be honest,” Matthew said, “even Alfred sensed something.”
“Hey?!”
“So me and Yao bet that they’d get together before—”
“BEFORE—urgh, erm, before a certain time point!” Alfred barged in. A certain time point being Alfred’s success in relationship with a certain Queen, which is probably not appropriate to mention in this occasion.
“—and Alfred bets the time after.” Matthew finished without changing his gleeful expression.
“Interesting. And Yao—” the Jack answered Arthur with a hum, “—I’m a little surprised at your decision to join this bet.”
“I wasn’t going to, but then I was told of the side Alfred had his money on.” Yao shrugged, “Let’s just say I took the easy opportunity to get some extra money—from the honorable King of Spades. What’s the wording again…ah,” Yao held out his palm, “pay up, your Majesty.”
Matthew’s smirk only got wider. The undertone of both the Jack and Ace lamenting at their King’s failed love life is pure gold. Best part is, Alfred can’t afford to blow this cover. Said King scowled at both of the men while reaching into his pocket to fish out two gold coins, tossing one to each man.
They went on with their breakfast with the usual small talks. However, as he was digging into his cereal, Alfred glanced at Arthur from the corner of his eyes. The Queen had been acting unusually calm—or to say, unusually unresponsive and preoccupied with thoughts. Unusual as in although Arthur is not the flamboyant talker type, he would often join in with casual chats, especially with his close acquaintances, sniping sharp comments here and there and giving his cute little smirk that Alfred fell so hard for.
But not today. Today, Arthur’s eyes rarely left his food, and he appeared deep in thought as he twirled his tea cup while slowly sipping the tea, the two cubes of sugar left unattended in the cup holder.
Alfred narrowed his eyes a little. This felt highly unusual—even worrying. He was about to bluntly ask what’s going on with Arthur, when he caught himself, Matthew’s words ringing by his ears. Show you care for him.
And if Arthur want the group to know he would have said it, which he didn’t.
So Alfred carefully shut his mouth and continued his routine of shoving food into his stomach.
“Any news on the regional drought they’ve been experiencing?” he started with business.
That got Arthur’s attention. He put down his tea cup and started explaining the reports and situation.
And so began another day working for the Kingdom of Spades as the clock ticked down to the “wedding” session.