Rating: G
Word Count: 2.5k
Pairing: Seychelles x Canada (CanSey)
For @hetalia-rarepairweek
Also on AO3.
Unexpected
Michelle Mancham worked as a trusted guard of Matthew Williams of the Spades Kingdom. Although status occurred at one's 18th birthday, it was assumed that between the two brothers Alfred and Matthew, Matthew would be the next Spade King because he was older by a day. A marking would appear on him then dictating his position as the King.
The Queen and Jack, who was an advisor, also received their marks on their eighteenth birthday, but marriages could not be commenced until the King and Queen received their marks. Their Queen, Arthur Kirkland, had already been chosen three years ago, their Jack even earlier than that.
All waited in bated breath to discover who the King of Spades would be to rein in their Queen who had plunged them into a war with the Kingdom of Diamonds for the past year or so.
Diamonds were waiting on their Queen announcement, she had not been found as of yet.
Michelle couldn't remember much of her actual birth parents, having found a home with Queen Arthur before he was the Queen of Spades. She lived with him and his older brothers, so he was like an older brother to her. He had even gotten her this position as Matthew's guard, which she took very seriously; the boy was shy, timid, and easily overlooked when near Alfred so, he was often pushed around. She didn't know much about leadership qualities, but Matthew was always kind to others and after seeing how carried away Queen Arthur was getting in his petty behavior toward King Francis of Diamonds, they needed someone like him to change their course.
It was said around the palace that they needed more allies, only really having allied with the Kingdom of Hearts for oversea military exports, and cultural imports for creative things such as paintings, rugs and various silks for the palace. Which were very nice to look at, the rolling meadows and the coast were very calming images around the large palace walls.
Michelle longed to explore out at sea, she wanted to trade, and meet people. But she had to protect Matthew. Her fellow guard Máximo wished that he didn't have to guard Alfred, though. Alfred was always trying to sneak past him. Reluctantly he accompanied him to the coast one day after he'd been fed up with Alfred's hijinks, Michelle kept this little secret. Máximo told her about it, and Michelle wished she could've convinced Matthew to do something daring like that.
Michelle heard a scream coming from Matthew's bedchambers. It was the morning of Matthew's birthday. She felt a jittery feeling rush through her body, and knocked on his door, "Matthew! Are you alright? I heard a scream." She bit her lip to stop a squeal from coming up in her throat.
Proper protocol dictated that she should alert the Jack of Spades to confirm the mark, but she wanted to be the first to see it.
"M-michelle? Could you come inside for a moment?"
Michelle slammed open the door, bursting with excitement. "Did you find it? Where is it?"
Matthew's cheeks were as pink as salmon, his mouth in a frown. He was wearing his pajamas still, and upon seeing his expression, she closed the door.
He hadn't met her gaze, still perched atop his bed, she leaned her spade-tipped spear against the door. She approached him slowly. His lip trembled, and when she got close enough to him, he pulled down his collar. Right at his collarbone was a mark, but it was not the King of Spades, it was the Ace.
"I'm not the King." His eyes had a glossy look to them, as though they were filled with tears.
Michelle pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
"I've let everyone down! All of this preparation and I'm not even a royal." He put his head in his hands. "I should've known, I wouldn't have had what it takes anyway," he lamented.
"Don't say that! I'm sure you would've made a wonderful King, but maybe this is a sign to forge your own path?" Michelle placed a hand on Matthew's knee. She hadn't been allowed any physical contact that wasn't necessary with him on the off chance that he was a royal.
"But the Queen, I don't want to disappoint him. What if he throws me in the dungeon because I'm not useful after all?" He put his hands in his lap, meeting her eyes with tear stained cheeks.
"He's not going to do that," Michelle giggled, "I'm going to go alert the Jack, ok?" Michelle moved her hand away and went toward the door to get her spear.
But suddenly she felt a grip on her arm, "C-could you stay a moment longer? I don't want to face anyone yet." He hung his head.
Michelle couldn't see the harm in that, technically she was doing her job. She sat herself in a chair by his bedside colored in royal blue quilting. He sat perched on his bed, pillow hugged to his chest.
"At least you won't be trapped here anymore. You can go wherever you want in Spades." Michelle gestured to his window, just outside, overlooking the vast flat plains and grasslands of the Middle Spades Kingdom.
"And you? You won't have a job anymore!" He balled up his fists, his eyes a bit wide.
Michelle shrugged, "I always wanted to go down to the coast and get into trading. Being a guard isn't as fun as it seemed when I was first offered the job."
Matthew had a smile on his face, "If you want my help, I'll be more than willing to join you."
"Are you really persuasive?"
"I-I don't know."
"Pout for me."
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"Come on! Give me a pouty face so I can see if I'd give up something because you asked." Michelle bounced her leg.
Matthew pouted, giving her big violet doe eyes.
"Yeah, that could work. With a little training we could get merchants to do whatever we want." Michelle grinned.
"I don't want to scam anyone." Matthew frowned.
"No, no it's gentle persuasion. You could even try it out on the Queen if he's mad, and then he won't give you a harsh punishment. Alfred does it all the time."
"Alright, if you say so."
Michelle stood up and did a little twirl, this was going to be the start of something great for her, she could feel it.
~~~~~
Michelle had promptly been kicked out of the Spades palace once it was discovered that Matthew was not the King of Spades. Alfred had gotten his mark that very next day, the new King of Spades. She jumped for joy upon shedding her royal armor and weapons. She set her sights on the coast.
Matthew had been kept on, she didn't know what his new job entailed, but he promised to write to her and visit her as often as he could.
They left her with a few rations and a mule, which she would use to travel to the coast of Middle Spades. Máximo said he was from there and had a friend who was a really good merchant, and wished her well on her travels. She'd hugged him tightly before setting off.
After a few days' travel she had made it to the coastal town of New Spade Springs.
Double checking the address, this should be the right place…
A young man with raven hair, and brown eyes emerged from a small cottage.
The shirt he was wearing was periwinkle in color and had sleeves that covered his hands.
"Do you know Máximo?" Michelle asked.
The young man nodded before holding out his hand to shake, which she grasped.
"My name is Ka Lung Wong, but you can call me Leon if it's easier."
"Michelle Mancham." Michelle smiled, bouncing on her toes.
And so for the next few months Michelle stayed with Leon and learned about merchant practices and bargaining. They wouldn't be sailing to another kingdom until about her birthday. In between spending time on the coast cleaning Leon's merchant ship, fishing, and learning about the value of certain items, Michelle wrote letters to Matthew.
He told her about the palace and Máximo and how he was tasked with keeping an eye on Alfred as well. Queen Arthur and King Alfred often got into heated disagreements on how to handle certain issues, most importantly their relationship with the Kingdom of Diamonds. Alfred wanted to become their ally. While with the Kingdom of Clubs he wanted to start conflict with, they had been neutral for a while now, although Clubs' military was stronger on the ground.
She in turn told him about what she had learned, how she felt peace near the waves.
Matthew would be visiting her today. She was so excited she almost choked on her porridge from eating so fast. She coughed violently.
"Are you expecting someone?" Leon asked her.
"Yes! An old friend of mine from the palace is coming."
Leon nodded, "You don't want to be dead before they arrive." He flicked her bowl, a slight clink sounded.
Michelle grabbed a glass of water and slowed down, still grinning.
Later that day she was alerted to someone approaching the little cottage Leon stayed in by the loud thumps of hooves. Michelle was in the middle of washing their dishes. She promptly left the dishes where they were and ran outside.
Matthew got down from one of the guardsmen's horses, she'd never been taught to ride one, she'd always walk alongside Matthew's carriage. He never had to travel far, unlike the Queen's guards. He was dressed in a green cloak…Diamonds?
"Michelle!" His eyes sparkled like freshly lit stars before he hugged her, his blond curls tickling her neck. But as quick as it came, he'd stepped back, "A-ah sorry!"
Michelle blinked, shaking her head, "No,no it's good to see you!" She clasped her hands together, "Come on! I want to take you to my favorite spot." She gripped his wrist and led him down to the edge of the rickety wooden dock, the view of the water shimmering as the sun rose over the horizon always calmed her.
Matthew sat beside her, silent, and Michelle took a moment to breathe, feeling her earlier excitement simmer down.
“So you have adjusted well to living out here I see.”
Michelle gave him a vigorous nod, “It’s truly the best thing that could have happened. Thank you Matthew, thank the stars for your mark.”
Matthew let out a sigh, “I will be traveling to Diamonds soon as an undercover spy. That is my new role, King Alfred wants me to ease Diamonds toward trade negotiations with Spades and to find out the extent of their alliance with Clubs.”
Michelle furrowed her eyebrows, “That’s not a problem! I’m sure I’ll be visiting Diamonds to participate in maritime trade. I’ll visit you then!”
Matthew shook his head, “I can’t have any contact with Spades while I’m away, only letters through secure channels directly to King Alfred. This might be goodbye for a while.” He looked down at his hands, fidgeting with them.
Michelle placed her hand on top of Matthew’s trembling ones, hoping to halt his visible nervousness for a moment. “Even just a passing glance is enough for me. It’s a confirmation that you’re safe.”
“Still being my guard? Aren’t you off duty?” Matthew quirked his eyebrow at her.
Michelle glanced away, “Old habits.” Her cheeks felt a little warm but Matthew wouldn’t be able to see that anyway, her skin wasn’t pale.
“It goes both ways now.” He gave her hand a light squeeze.
Soon it was time for him to leave. She stood as he prepared to mount his horse. In a last minute decision he kissed her cheek before he was off.
She grinned watching him leave, feeling particularly light as she bounced on her toes.
~~~~~~
Michelle had sailed across the Pacific many times to trade with their trusted allies in the Kingdom of Hearts over the next few months.
They usually traded wheat and corn for fish and rice with Mishkat. The energetic man was often seen with Ismaya, who was more laid back. They also traded muskets for silks with Chakrii.
Today Michelle had a few sacks of corn and was following Leon to where Mishkat was rolling a wheelbarrow filled with sacks of rice. He was a raven haired young man with brown eyes, about Leon's complexion. They'd just anchored their boat. It would take a few trips between them to unload all of their corn.
"Michelle! Ka Lung! You two are always on time! That brings in good energy." Michelle dropped her sacks and ran over to hug the young man.
He picked her up and spun her around briefly before letting her go. Michelle giggled.
"You haven't had to use those weapons yet have you?" Leon asked as Michelle walked back over to pick up her sacks of corn.
"No! Queen Kiku and Jack Feli have been trying hard to stay on the King of Clubs's good side. Queen Erzsébet of Clubs is already in good standing with us."
"Hearts hasn't been at war since King Romulus was on the throne a long time ago. They want peace, it's pretty nice." Ismaya spoke up then. Ismaya was taller than Mishkat with broad shoulders and cinnamon brown skin.
Upper Spades had been a battle ground in their 3 year long war against Diamonds. King Alfred had declared a ceasefire just last month, and he'd gone over to the Diamond's capital to officially end the war, King Francis had agreed.
"It looks like that new King of yours got right to business." Mishkat said as Leon handed his sacks of corn to Ismaya.
Michelle nodded, "Yep! It was what we needed too. I just hope he doesn't start a war with Clubs." Michelle let out a nervous chuckle.
"We'll see. I'm sending out good thoughts and prayers for you all. Make sure your house is set up to have good auras too." Mishkat then rolled his wheelbarrow up onto their ship.
After a few trips back and forth, Ismaya made tea for them all, and Mishkat made them bowls of yam rice. Michelle would have rather had fish but she couldn't complain with the shrimps included.
They were sitting on the dock when she looked down, seeing something peeking just under her blouse. It was by her shoulder blade. Her dress sleeve had slid down just a little from the task of hauling sacks of corn.
How had she forgotten her own 18th birthday? She set her bowl down beside her. "What day is it?" Leon looked over at her and raised an eyebrow.
She moved the sleeve down even further to see that her mark was not that of Spades but of Diamonds and that she was not just any diamond. She was the Queen.
"I'm the Queen of Diamonds!" She gasped.
Michelle felt her heart sink into the pit of her stomach, the thought of betrothal to King Francis and being locked away in a castle sickened her.
But she would be able to see Matthew, a fitting compromise she assumed.
And then she noticed her three male companions staring at her. Again, her life was forever changed in a single moment.
