âIâm awake, Iâm awakeâŠâ He muttered, reaching his arm back and giving Alfred a sort of backwards hug. Alfred looked up, granting Arthur one of his lovely smiles and pulling him closer. He buried his face in the crook of Arthurâs neck, arms still wrapped around him and lips still resting against his ivory skin.
âGâmorningâŠâ Alfred whispered, cracking an eye open to meet Arthurâs gaze. âSlept like a rock⊠last night was great, hm?â Arthurâs small smile faltered at that. Well, he could only assume it was. His ass didnât hurt too much and heâd gotten to sleep nicely during whatever the demon and Alfred had done, so it was certainly been great for him in some respect.
âYeah, really great.â Arthur yawned and rubbed his eyes. âAnd I slept well too⊠but I suppose anythingâs better than trying to sleep in a carriage, hm?â This earned him a chuckle from Alfred and before he could open his mouth to speak again his lips were captured by Alfredâs. Without thinking he returned the gesture, his arms moved so that he could turn to face him, only momentarily breaking their kiss. His lips were soft like silk and hardly chapped from the previous dayâs breeze, slightly soured by the taste of morning breath. The second was short lived, broken by the growling of someoneâs stomach. Arthur was fairly certain it was his own. Alfred only laughed, running a hand through his hair.
âHungry?â he asked. âWeâre supposed to go downstairs for a meal⊠but you know, we do have timeâŠâ Arthur felt Alfredâs hands slide down to the small of his back. He groaned and shut his eyes again, shifting so Alfred had to move them back.
ââŠToo early in the morning⊠I need something in my stomach before I can do any thinkingâŠâ He hoped that his reluctance to do anything, let alone his husband of one day, could be used as an excuse.
âYeah, youâre right⊠we should probably go down and eat soon thoughâŠâ He watched Arthur for a response but little more came than a slow, absentminded nod. Arthur looked content enough to fall right back asleep. âHey, come on, I know the bed is comfy and all but weâve got to get up soon, Iâve already sent for your Queenâs maidâŠâ He shook Arthur gently, earning little more than another groan of reluctance.
âAlright, alright, just give me⊠two more minutesâŠâ.
âYouâll have to be up by the time she gets here.â Alfred gave Arthur a final peck on the cheek and sat up, doing what he could to preserve as much of the warmth as he could. âSheâll help you clean up and dress. Weâll be expected down there to make conversation with our guests and things.â
âOkay, okayâŠâ Guests, great, likely more people he would be expected to meet and remember. He knew that the demon had promised to take over his âqueenlyâ duties, but he would still have to know these people.
And a damn good job Iâll do at them too, likely even better than you would.
He scowled and smothered his face against the pillow, listening to the sounds of Alfred dressing himself. Why Alfred could do that and he couldnât was beyond him. He would have to tell his seamstress that he would not be wearing any more dresses, regardless of traditions or any such nonsense. Heâd have nice suits and the like made for him, like what Alfred wore. Maybe even some sort of uniform, surely they couldnât expect him to wear a skirt if he was to be leading armies. He huffed a sigh, not even bothering himself with looking up until he heard the door open and close as Alfred left. He stared, a little surprised that he would actually just leave without him.
Well of course, heâs supposed to get there before you are anyway, donât look so surprised.
Arthurâs eyes stayed transfixed on the door for another moment or so, slowly moving to sit up just as a small tap at the door sounded. He didnât get a chance to reply before it opened, revealing a young female servant he could only assume to be his Queenâs maid.
/â \
It took Arthur nearly ten minutes of arguing with the young woman to get her to let him go out in something other than a lengthy skirt. The occupants of the dining hall look startled to see him in such scandalous attire, especially for a formal breakfast. He wore a royal blue commanderâs coat and white pants that clung to his legs, ending in black polished boots that clacked against the marble floor. He strode to Alfredâs side, taking time to let the sounds of his footsteps sound around the now silent room. Inside, of course, he was giddy with the authoritative power that seemed to emanate from him and those looks he got fro all of their wretched guests. He took his seat by Alfred without waiting for the chair be pulled out for him, sitting down with a small grin. His eyes flicked at Alfred. The King looked quietly flustered, as if Arthur were making a scene.
âMy King?â He said softly, folding his hands in his lap. Alfred seemed to snap back to reality, blinking at him before forcing his gaze back to the table. Most of the food had been brought out already, people had even started taking helpings of food due to how late Arthur was. He was careful to take small helpings of everything, especially the things Alfred didnât seem interested in, mostly to spite him. He didnât care what it was, it all looked delicious, and he was starving. Countless unnamed flavors passed over his tongue as he struggled to keep his composure. The others at the table seemed to take notice, talking throughout the meal and treating it as if it were just another part of the celebration. The only exception seemed to be Alfred and a little man on his opposite side, both occasionally shooting him a look of displeasure.
âYou do realize this is supposed to be a formal meal, donât you?â Alfred whispered, eyebrows knitted in slight annoyance. Arthur looked up, chewing and swallowing whatever heâd just shoved into his mouth.
âI donât see what thatâs got to do with me, Iâm trying to be polite.â He replied.
âPerhaps by commoner standards. What happened to those other clothes they had for you?â Arthur glared up at him. So he knew about thatâŠ
âI didnât wear them.â He hissed back. âItâs degrading. I am not a woman, I will not wear womenâs clothing. You said it yourself, I should have been the one in that uniform yesterday.â Alfred was mortified.
âOf course I said that, but I didnât mean the exact one I wore! Itâs traditional Arthur, we canât break the traditions that have served us for so many years.â
âAnd what if we do?â Arthurâs fingers clenched around his fork. âTraditions may be safe, but theyâre so silly. Whatâs the point in any of that?â
âYouâre starting to sound like a Diamond, Arthur.â
âIs that meant to insult me?â His teeth gritted together.
âOf course it is, how many good Diamonds have you met in your life?â
âI can think of one.â At this Alfred stopped. Arthur waited for some retort but when none came his eyes flicked in Alfredâs direction. It shocked him to see such a stricken look on Alfredâs face. The man stiffened up and returned to his seat. A few people around the table had noticed, but nobody seemed too phased by their bickering. Some would probably pass it off as a ârough patch.â After all, they were married; surely the two were in love by now.
\â /
Arthur was grateful to be allowed a little time in the gardens after breakfast to cool his nerves. The morning air was chill and crisp, the sky still dusky as the sun hadnât risen over the barricade of the castle walls yet. This was a different part of the garden than where the wedding had taken place, a wilder part, where trees grew taller and wildflowers had overtaken the planters. Even the proud fountain in its center spewed water at an odd angle in some parts, and little sprigs of weeds popped up just beneath it where the water leaked. The statue atop it was that of an armored knight on a horse, both the horseâs single lifted leg and his sword lifted in the direction of the setting sun. Arthur took a seat at the fountainâs rim turned away from it, the perfume of gardenias steadily cooling his temper. Honestly, Alfred was being so stubborn. He couldnât just go back to being the kind, sweet man that heâd been just the previous day during their wedding?
Maybe he just has an unusual way of showing how he cares for you.
âOh, gagâŠâ he muttered aloud. There was no way any of what Alfred said was out of care for him. He was merely being pig-headed about the Diamonds, and likely about his hanging around with Francis. âWho does he think he is, leaving me alone all night and then getting mad when I indulge myself in dancing with another man? How was I supposed to know he and Alfred didnât get along?â
âYou could have always asked.â Arthurâs eyes snapped open. On the bridge of his nose sat a sunny golden rose, ever so slightly mellowing the flowery scent of the garden. He reached to pick it up but from under its petals he noticed a pair of bright cerulean eyes that met his gaze, and a soft chuckle that came from their owner. Arthur took the flower and sat up, putting on a smile.
âFrancis!â He beamed, patting a spot on the fountain beside him. Francis gladly took it. Today he looked different than he had, no longer dressed in stiff formal clothes that so contrasted his actions. A gold vest, white collared shirt, and black trousers, comfortable but nothing less but fitting of a king. His long hair was tied into a small ponytail that rested just at the base of his neck, low enough to be tucked into his shirt. Not that anything would ever look badly on Francis, for goodness sake, the man was perfection.
âBeautiful morning, isnât it?â He said finally, easing back a ways. âI have to say that these gardens are the only reason I accepted the offer to stay overnight, theyâre the only beautiful thing here. Lily agrees with me.â Francis let out a heavy sigh, gazing out at the flowers. Arthurâs words caught in his throat at the mention of this âLilyâ person. He paused, eyes darting around for a few moments before he cleared his throat and sat up.
âAh, whoâs Lily? I donât believe Iâve met her yet.â He said stiffly, folding his hands in his lap. Francis glanced up at him, surprised.
âOh? I could have sworn she was at the reception and ceremony yesterday, we all were, and she was walking out here with me before she wandered off, she should be around somewhereâŠâ Again he sat up, giving the garden another sweep with his gaze before quickly giving up. âSheâll find her way back if I know her⊠but letâs talk of something more interesting, what about you then? Half the company saw that little argument between you and Alfred at the breakfast table, that was exciting, wasnât it?â Francis tried to laugh but cut himself short when he realized Arthur wasnât laughing along, but rather had taken to staring at the ground again. Francis tried to regain his serious, just about to ask when Arthur spoke again.
âHe said I sounded like a DiamondâŠâ Arthur grumbled, crossing his legs and flinging them out in front of him. âAs if it were an insult. Can you believe him? Heâs so ridiculous, I swear, I⊠whatâs with that face?â Francis had covered his mouth in what looked like shock, eyes wide and stuck between slight disgust and laughter. Arthur caught himself staring but didnât stop, crossing his arms.
âWhat? Whatâs so funny about that? I thought it was very rude, you seem like a wonderful man to me, and youâre from Diamonds.â
âI-it isnât thatâŠâ Francis choked out, still laughing a little. âBut⊠ooh, Arthur, you are so naĂŻve⊠you have no idea what he just called you, do you?â Arthur blinked, fumbling with his words for a moment.
âOf course I do! Heâs saying that I sounded like a Diamond, I assume he means like you.â Again Francis only laughed, wrapping an arm around Arthur.
âArthur, you see⊠Diamonds are known for being frivolous and quick to try new things. I donât think itâs bad, but here everyone seems to think that if you so much as change your socks too early youâve been cursed by the devil or some nonsense. Thatâs just how Spadians are, and it seems theyâve always been that way, for as long as theyâve hated us theyâve done the opposite of what we do. But when Alfred or just about anyone here says that youâre âlike a Diamondâ, he⊠heâs calling you loose.â Francis snickered quietly and watched the confusion on Arthurâs face shift to surprise, then mild anger. He could easily still his laughter from there.
âH-how dare he!â Arthur crossed his arms, glowering at the castle. His cheeks were red, his knuckles were white as his hands balled into fists. âAs if⊠I havenât even⊠only⊠I canât believe he would say such a thing!â He threw his hands up. Nothing had ever made him more mad, and growing up with four brothers and being the youngest of all of them there had been many, many times that he had been mad before.
âItâs alright Arthur, I canât imagine he actually meant it like thatâŠâ Arthurâs eyes turned on Francis, flashing with rage. âHe probably meant the literal sense, that you were being selfish or something. Iâve known Alfred for years, he doesnât think of shallow insults like that.â
âWell that doesnât change the fact that he said itâŠâ Arthur glared down at his feet. âHeâs been nothing but rude this entire time, I thought he was supposed to be a King!â Even in his little corner of the land he knew of Alfredâs origins. Francis sighed and offered Arthur a smile, wrapping an arm around Arthurâs shoulders.
âYou two would be wise to learn to get along. I wonât be around forever you know.â He looked up only to be met with worry and surprise, on Arthur surprisingly. âWhat? I am a guest in the home of my enemy, I canât stay here forever Arthur, as much as I would like to for your sake.â Francis straightened up, taking Arthurâs hand in his own. âIf I could I would take you with me.â
âI-I couldnât.â Arthur almost drew his hand away again. âNot to Diamonds⊠Iâm sorry, but I just couldnât go to Diamonds Francis.â The foreign King looked taken aback. Arthur sat up with him and loosened his grip on his hand, though he didnât let go. âIâve grown up here my whole life⊠I mean, Youâre wonderful, and Iâm sure your people are wonderful. I donât think being from Diamonds is bad, in fact I think your people might be even more pleasant than ours, but⊠I was born and raised here. No matter how little I know, I have to be loyal to Spades⊠donât I?â His fingers tightened their grip on Francisâs hand again. Slowly his peridot eyes traveled up Francisâs waist, shoulders, chin, the bridge of his nose, and finally landed on his eyes. They smiled along with his lips, brimming with sympathy and perhaps pity. With a sigh he stood, bending to press his lips to Arthurâs knuckles.
âI donât know how that fool Alfred can call you a DiamondâŠâ He murmured âwhen you are so clearly a good Spadesman.â Gently he set Arthurâs hand back in his lap, and the sunset rose on top of it. With that, he started away, leaving Arthur to stare after him. His blonde bob of hair and shining black boots slowly disappeared inside the far-off palace door. For a while it seemed that the silence of the gardens had settled back in, the trickle of water and soft whisper of wind gracing Arthurâs ears again.
ââŠWhat did he mean, a good Spadesman?â He murmured, holding the rose in his hands.
It means youâre blindly loyal and atrociously stubborn.
If he could have, Arthur would have punched that demon.
hey guys! let's celebrate the soft opening! (that was my nickname is high school, ayooooooooo)
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