[Fanfic] Spoiled Rotten (USUK, PG-13)
TITLE: Spoiled Rotten
ARTIST/AUTHOR: bukku_oosa
RATING: T for some things being mentioned that aren't quite child-friendly.
WARNINGS: Brat!Alfred and Pirate!Arthur. That's enough warnings, haha. Oh, and mentions of sex.
PAIRING/S: USUK, Alfred/Arthur(America/England)
SUMMARY: "Well, hello, Captain Arthur Kirkland. I see you're as beautiful as they all say, missing eye and leg and all." Alfred reminisces on how he met his lovely wife. USUK, Sequel to Scars.
Chapter 1
Alfred looked down at his Queen sleeping peacefully in his embrace, their naked bodies intertwined under the cerulean silk of their blanket of their king-sized bed they had shared only as a place of sleep… until tonight.
A smile on his face, Alfred twirled a lock of Arthur’s soft hair around his finger, wistfully looking at it with a passive look on his handsome face. Darkened blue eyes traced along the lines of moonlight accenting his wife’s pale face-coloured beautiful cerise not too long ago, he thought to himself, feeling self-proud-giving him an ethereal glow, making his peaceful doll-like face all the more beautiful than before. A content sigh escaped Alfred’s lips as his finger stopped toying with his Queen’s hair to run down the side of Arthur’s face, the war-calloused digit sliding along Arthur’s porcelain skin with ease, like how his fingers slid through the smooth silk he and his wife were currently lying on. They stopped at Arthur’s lips, beautifully moist and cherry-red from bruising kisses, moaning out his name as he spilled his load, hot, passionate and sticky just moments ago, Alfred chuckled slightly at his wild mind, before running his fingers across the smooth, petal-soft lips, relishing the memory of feeling them on his own. Gently he lifted his fingers away from his wife and replaced them with his own, brushing his lips lightly on Arthur’s.
Arthur groaned softly, and brilliant green eyes, glowing beautifully in the moonlight, slid open half-mast, still riddled with sleep. “…’Fred…?” he muttered, blinking slowly, lifting his head to look at his husband. “What is the matter, love?”
“Nothing is.” Alfred smiled at Arthur, “Absolutely nothing.” He replied, kissing Arthur’s forehead softly. “You okay? Do your hips hurt?”
“They do hurt like hell, thank you very bloody much.” Arthur grinned dryly, waking up fully, before leaning up to kiss Alfred. “Not surprisingly. You took as much as I could offer.”
“What else can you expect from a conqueror?” Alfred smirked, kissing Arthur back, snaking his arms around his wife gently, before pulling him closer-and the smaller blonde winced. “O-oh, sorry, babe.” He apologized, “Man, it really hurt, huh?”
“Of course! With you going at it at full strength, how could it not hurt?” Arthur snapped at him, a blush lighting his cheeks that was visible only where the moonlight hit his cheeks. “I-it was my first time and everything, even…” his voice dropped into a low mumble and Alfred laughed good-naturedly, stroking his wife’s hair, admiring how his wedding band-the only article of clothing (if one can call a ring that) left on both of their bodies-shone in the moonlight streaming in from the window.
“I’ll be careful next time.” Alfred promised, “But then again, you know me. My control over my decision making is, um, what’s that word?” he asked that knowing Arthur loved flaunting the fact he was of more tact than the young King.
“Absolutely atrocious.” Arthur finished off his sentence, and in the dark, Alfred could see a ghost of a smile on Arthur’s face. “You’re such a spoiled brat.”
“And you love me for it.” Alfred laughed, “Admit it, if I wasn’t, you wouldn’t be sharing this bed with my wonderful body, right?”
“Oh, shut it. It was either you or the Sea King.” Arthur rolled his eyes. “I don’t think getting married to an aggregation of saltwater that needed sacrifices for a solid form just to touch me is a good idea, don’t you think, poppet?”
“Oh, you’re so freaking feisty.” Alfred grinned in a feral manner. “That’s what makes you so sexy… but then, I liked the shy blushy you too.”
“A-Alfred!” Arthur flushed bright red, and the taller blonde laughed, kissing his wife all over his face. “S-stop that! Y-you idiot!”
“Yes, dear.” Alfred chuckled, shuffling even closer to his beloved. “Come on, let’s get to sleep. It’s going to be your fault if I fall asleep at the throne tomorrow.”
“Wh-what?!” Arthur spluttered, “Y-you were the one going as fast as you could!”
“Ah, but I wasn’t the one screaming ‘Faster! Faster!’ was I?” Alfred smirked and winked at Arthur, and his Queen’s face, if even possible, got even redder.
“Oh, bollocks.” Arthur swore, before turning around and wriggling out of Alfred’s arms-wincing as he did so-huffing angrily. “Come on, sleep. Or Yao will have both of our heads.”
Alfred chuckled behind a hand, before shuffling up to behind his Queen, smiling.
---
Ah, yes. He remembered perfectly how he had met his beloved Arthur-in the most unromantic of all the places he could have met his Queen-the dark, damp brig of the Britannia, the most feared pirate ship in all the seas of Fantasia, Alfred on his knees, one of his inventions (a long metal barrelled weapon with a varnished wooden finish and armrest that could fire small metal projectiles much faster and more powerfully than arrows; they could pierce most types of armour, and it was the only one in Fantasia. Welded onto the end was a blade meant for close-range combat. Alfred had called it the musket) pointed at Arthur’s face, and Arthur’s rapier Commodore pointed at his, emerald-studded blade and all.
A cocky smile spread across his youthful face as he cocked his trusty musket. Alfred could hear the tiny metal balls click into place, and carefully, his finger brushed against the trigger of his musket.
“Well, hello, Captain Arthur Kirkland. I see you’re as beautiful as they all say, missing eye and leg and all.”
---
Not very long ago, a young boy was suddenly crowned king of the once-small Kingdom of Spades. A famine had hit the still-developing kingdom, along with the ever-present threat of invasion from the Kingdom of Clubs from their west. The King, the boy’s father, had died fighting off the Clubs forces, whilst his mother, the Queen, died of a broken heart and of fatigue from trying to resolve their failing Kingdom’s never-ending problems. The crown barely even fitted the boy’s head when he was crowned, and suddenly the Kingdom was ruled by a mere 15-year-old.
Little Alfred had started off as a sheltered child, he was pure and innocent like a sheltered dove, his beautiful cerulean eyes glimmering clear and wide, coupled with his beautiful smile that emanated innocence. His parents loved him dearly, and showered him with whatever he wanted.
He grew up spoiled, having and taking anything he wanted, and soon the innocent little angel grew into a selfish young man who took everything he wanted, no matter what. Then, he suddenly was thrust into the world of adults, and his innocence shattered, the sweet little boy no more.
The moment he was seated onto the throne, the intoxicating taste of power passed through his young lips, and, young and reckless, young King Alfred found himself addicted, and the tiny of trickle of power his tiny Kingdom could provide him suddenly was not enough. Greatness shining through him, effortlessly, he pulled his Kingdom from famine and caused it to prosper with the use of his bright mind and his knack for inventing. Soon the tiny Kingdom of Spades grew into the nation of innovation, technology and mass production. The trickle of sweet power became a thin stream of the sinfully-sweet nectar. King Alfred wanted more, and he knew exactly how.
He would achieve full domination of Fantasia, from the Northern Forests just beyond his Kingdom, to the Southern Braided Rivers where the first Kingdom, Hearts, stood at the South of Fantasia. The glimmering Eastern Seas of the sunny Kingdom of Diamonds and the Western Mountains of the ever-snowing Kingdom of Clubs would soon become his as well, he swore to himself as he abandoned all of young thinking, tossing aside childish beliefs in magic, happy endings and heroes, and instead, only conquest overtook the young man’s mind.
With strength and exceptional military tactics, aided by his inventions, the young ruler conquered the frontlines of the battlefield, ruthless and cunning, defeating enemy troops left and right until the once-nomadic peoples of the Northern Forest were under his command, exponentially increasing the size of the once-tiny Kingdom of Spades.
He was a conqueror, but not a fool. Knowing perfectly an iron-fisted rule would only result in revolt, he treated his newly-acclaimed territory like his own home, Spades. He became a just ruler, who was dearly loved by his people, and soon, his large kingdom was evolving into an empire, as King Alfred’s forces began to slowly trickle into Clubs and Diamonds territory.
He was a king who could get whatever he wanted, and albeit being a gentle ruler, he was a very selfish young man. If he wanted something, he would get it. No matter whom it used to belong to.
---
“Your Majesty,” Yao, Alfred’s Jack, sighed to the young ruler as he absentmindedly toyed with a chess piece, the Queen, as he sat at a small crystal garden table, a blue and white-chequered chess board laid out on it, the pieces made of glass-clear diamonds and sapphires. His ‘opponent’ was a tattered teddy bear he used to carry around with him when he was younger, a lopsided, slightly tattered white velvet ribbon around its neck and a small top hat that was slightly slanted rested on its head, right next to its left ear. “May I speak casually?”
The spring sun shone down on them gently through the trees at where they were, sitting at the open glass double-doors in Alfred’s private study, where the young King was currently taking a break from his duties as King. The doors led to a private corner of the royal rose gardens, shaded by a great oak tree, where Alfred would spend peaceful afternoon tea times.
“Sure, go right ahead.” The young man waved at him dismissively, twirling the sapphire figurine of the Queen between his fingers as he slumped backwards into the pillow-littered armchair he was sitting in. “What is it?”
“Alfred, I’ve been taking care of you since you were a baby,” Yao suddenly said, picking up the teddy bear from its seat across Alfred-and earning himself a glare from the young King, the teen’s brilliant sky blue eyes darkening into a shade of dark navy, the strawberry blonde’s fingers abruptly tightening around the chess piece he had juggled between his fingers. The elder man sighed and put the bear back exactly as it was, before pulling a chair for him to sit on at Alfred’s right. “I apologize for that,” he said quickly, “Anyway, on to what I was going to say-you are becoming of age, my dear boy.”
“I’m already of age, Yao.” Alfred replied, his tone marking the end of their conversation.
The black-haired man shook his head. “You do not understand. When you reach twenty, you will inherit the proper Kingship.” Yao said, and Alfred waved at him.
“I already know that,” he said, frowning, “What else is new?”
“Upon receiving the Mark of the King, your powers will increase, right?” Yao said, and Alfred merely nodded at him. “That is because of the work of the spirits.” At this, Alfred scoffed, and muttered something about not believing in such silly things, but that was the culture of the land he grew up in, “And because of this, your timer will begin.”
There, Alfred began paying attention. “Timer? What are you talking about, Yao?” he asked, sitting up properly, eyes fixed on his guardian from childhood.
“It is the countdown of the decay of the strength given to you by the spirits, my dear boy.” Yao said, looking at his charge through the bifocals Alfred had invented for him (he had started working on it immediately on the night the elder man had complained about his eyesight back then when Alfred was the sweet little boy that Yao dearly loved like his own son). “The moment they are given to you, they almost immediately decay.”
Alfred stuck his tongue out at his guardian. “That sucks. There must be a catch.”
“In fact, there is.” Yao nodded. “When you are properly crowned on you’re your twentieth birthday, you also receive the Mark.”
“Oh, what an awesome birthday present: a gigantic empire, a shiny crown, a tattoo on my neck and deteriorating powers.” Alfred dryly said, and Yao sighed.
“There’s also the requirement that you are to have a Queen when you are being crowned. The wedding comes before that, you know.”
“Screw getting a wife. I’ll get one later.” Yao frowned at Alfred’s tone. “Tell me what to do about that stupid timer I’m supposed to beat.”
“‘A King cannot be without his Queen.’” Yao recited in the Ancient tongue, the language the spirits spoke in. Alfred didn’t know how to speak the language, but he knew what that phrase meant, it was inscribed in neat, tiny fairy language, onto the crowns of all the Kings of Fantasia, encircling the Kingdom’s crown jewel, coloured in the national colours of the kingdoms, a ruby heart for Hearts, an emerald clover for Clubs, a topaz diamond for Diamonds, and for Spades, a sapphire spade. “Do you actually understand what that means, Alfred?”
“A King cannot be without his Queen.” Alfred replied dismissively. “You’ve already told me that long ago.”
“No, what I meant was the meaning behind those words.” Yao said, shaking his head. “There lies the answer to your predicament, my dear boy.”
“… Are you saying I need to have a Queen so my powers don’t degenerate?” Alfred breathed, flabbergasted. “That’s absurd! Who the heck thought of that stupid rule?!”
“The spirits did, Alfred.” Yao chuckled behind a long sleeve. “Well, if you want that power, I suggest you better start looking for a wife.”
“Ugh, but all the ladies-in-waiting in court are so damn boring.” The teen whined, and Yao allowed himself a small smile. This was one of the rare times when Alfred would act young again, the child he had locked away for so long peeking out, even for just a moment. “There must be someone out there who’s strong and good at fighting, and…” Alfred looked at Yao. “It doesn’t have to be a girl, right?”
“Well, the title of the Queen of Spades is but a title.” Yao smiled knowingly. “Besides, with the spirits’ blessing, I’m very sure you would still have an heir to the throne.”
“Hmm,” Alfred hummed, tapping his chin in thought. “I could look for a warrior or maybe a knight… a strong guy with a smart head on his shoulders.”
“Don’t forget, you two will be sharing a bed, you know.” Yao chuckled, and Alfred paled.
“Not cool.” He shook his head, and Yao couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, this isn’t funny!” he pouted, and the elder man patted the blonde’s head.
“Yes, I know. I just cannot help myself.”
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and the two immediately turned their attention to it. “Come in,” Yao called, and the door opened to reveal a servant holding up a gloved hand, where a large bald eagle rested. In his other hand was a letter. Alfred smiled upon seeing the eagle and stood up.
“Liberty,” he smiled, as the servant bowed. The large eagle flew from the servant’s hand and landed on the young King’s shoulder. The strawberry blonde-haired man smiled and petted his beloved bird.
“Your Majesty, Your Grace,” he nodded at the two of them. “A message has come from the navy.”
“Let me see it.” Yao told him, and he approached them, handing Yao the letter. The man quickly scanned it, as the servant excused himself from the room.
“What’s it about, Yao?” Alfred asked, walking up behind him to read the letter over his shoulder. A smile spread across the elder man’s face and he turned to face Alfred. “What are you smiling about?”
“Our ships are being attacked by pirates.” Yao smiled, and Alfred shot him a worried look.
“Um, I don’t think that’s great news, Yao…”
“It’s wonderful.” Yao replied, with a sure tone. “They’re being attacked by the most feared pirate in all the seas of Fantasia, Alfred.”
“That’s not… wait.” Alfred’s eyes widened.
Yao’s grin widened. “His name is Arthur Kirkland. He’s a fierce beast with the sword and arrows, takes no prisoners, and is born loved by the spirits. A storm always hits his targets right before he attacks, and rumour has it he has some control over the feared Kraken.” The look on Alfred’s face made Yao even more elated. “Do you know what that means?”
“… If I have him as my Queen… I have all the seas in Fantasia under my control.” Alfred’s surprise melted away and he grinned, the conqueror in him taking over. “Spades will expand successfully even into the Diamonds across the sea.”
“Exactly!” Yao cheered, “And you, finally, would have a Queen! It’s a win-win situation!” the man smiled brightly, clapping Alfred on the shoulder.
Alfred smirked. “This shouldn’t be too hard.” He cockily snorted, “I’ve always been very popular with the ladies in court.”
Yao chuckled. “Ah, but Arthur Kirkland is a force to be reckoned with. Wild as the raging sea and as feisty as an unbroken horse. This will prove to be a challenge, yes?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Alfred smirked. “In fact, since you said that, I’m even more pumped to make him my Queen.” The blonde started heading to the door, Liberty flying after him.
“Oh, and another thing.” Yao called after him, “People have said that Arthur Kirkland is very beautiful, so beautiful it has been said he even seduced the Sea King.”
“Oh?” Alfred smirked and turned to face him. “Looks like a flower but stings like a bee? I like that.” With a mock salute at Yao, he exited the study, Liberty close by.
Smiling wistfully, Yao sat back down in his chair and sighed. “I pray for your luck, dear Alfred,” he looked at the queen chess piece Alfred had been toying with earlier. “You have to win his heart, for the stars are telling me he is to be your intended ever since you have been born.”
(It's also on FF.net! 8D)
ARTIST/AUTHOR: bukku_oosa
RATING: T for some things being mentioned that aren't quite child-friendly.
WARNINGS: Brat!Alfred and Pirate!Arthur. That's enough warnings, haha. Oh, and mentions of sex.
PAIRING/S: USUK, Alfred/Arthur(America/England)
SUMMARY: "Well, hello, Captain Arthur Kirkland. I see you're as beautiful as they all say, missing eye and leg and all." Alfred reminisces on how he met his lovely wife. USUK, Sequel to Scars.
Chapter 1
Alfred looked down at his Queen sleeping peacefully in his embrace, their naked bodies intertwined under the cerulean silk of their blanket of their king-sized bed they had shared only as a place of sleep… until tonight.
A smile on his face, Alfred twirled a lock of Arthur’s soft hair around his finger, wistfully looking at it with a passive look on his handsome face. Darkened blue eyes traced along the lines of moonlight accenting his wife’s pale face-coloured beautiful cerise not too long ago, he thought to himself, feeling self-proud-giving him an ethereal glow, making his peaceful doll-like face all the more beautiful than before. A content sigh escaped Alfred’s lips as his finger stopped toying with his Queen’s hair to run down the side of Arthur’s face, the war-calloused digit sliding along Arthur’s porcelain skin with ease, like how his fingers slid through the smooth silk he and his wife were currently lying on. They stopped at Arthur’s lips, beautifully moist and cherry-red from bruising kisses, moaning out his name as he spilled his load, hot, passionate and sticky just moments ago, Alfred chuckled slightly at his wild mind, before running his fingers across the smooth, petal-soft lips, relishing the memory of feeling them on his own. Gently he lifted his fingers away from his wife and replaced them with his own, brushing his lips lightly on Arthur’s.
Arthur groaned softly, and brilliant green eyes, glowing beautifully in the moonlight, slid open half-mast, still riddled with sleep. “…’Fred…?” he muttered, blinking slowly, lifting his head to look at his husband. “What is the matter, love?”
“Nothing is.” Alfred smiled at Arthur, “Absolutely nothing.” He replied, kissing Arthur’s forehead softly. “You okay? Do your hips hurt?”
“They do hurt like hell, thank you very bloody much.” Arthur grinned dryly, waking up fully, before leaning up to kiss Alfred. “Not surprisingly. You took as much as I could offer.”
“What else can you expect from a conqueror?” Alfred smirked, kissing Arthur back, snaking his arms around his wife gently, before pulling him closer-and the smaller blonde winced. “O-oh, sorry, babe.” He apologized, “Man, it really hurt, huh?”
“Of course! With you going at it at full strength, how could it not hurt?” Arthur snapped at him, a blush lighting his cheeks that was visible only where the moonlight hit his cheeks. “I-it was my first time and everything, even…” his voice dropped into a low mumble and Alfred laughed good-naturedly, stroking his wife’s hair, admiring how his wedding band-the only article of clothing (if one can call a ring that) left on both of their bodies-shone in the moonlight streaming in from the window.
“I’ll be careful next time.” Alfred promised, “But then again, you know me. My control over my decision making is, um, what’s that word?” he asked that knowing Arthur loved flaunting the fact he was of more tact than the young King.
“Absolutely atrocious.” Arthur finished off his sentence, and in the dark, Alfred could see a ghost of a smile on Arthur’s face. “You’re such a spoiled brat.”
“And you love me for it.” Alfred laughed, “Admit it, if I wasn’t, you wouldn’t be sharing this bed with my wonderful body, right?”
“Oh, shut it. It was either you or the Sea King.” Arthur rolled his eyes. “I don’t think getting married to an aggregation of saltwater that needed sacrifices for a solid form just to touch me is a good idea, don’t you think, poppet?”
“Oh, you’re so freaking feisty.” Alfred grinned in a feral manner. “That’s what makes you so sexy… but then, I liked the shy blushy you too.”
“A-Alfred!” Arthur flushed bright red, and the taller blonde laughed, kissing his wife all over his face. “S-stop that! Y-you idiot!”
“Yes, dear.” Alfred chuckled, shuffling even closer to his beloved. “Come on, let’s get to sleep. It’s going to be your fault if I fall asleep at the throne tomorrow.”
“Wh-what?!” Arthur spluttered, “Y-you were the one going as fast as you could!”
“Ah, but I wasn’t the one screaming ‘Faster! Faster!’ was I?” Alfred smirked and winked at Arthur, and his Queen’s face, if even possible, got even redder.
“Oh, bollocks.” Arthur swore, before turning around and wriggling out of Alfred’s arms-wincing as he did so-huffing angrily. “Come on, sleep. Or Yao will have both of our heads.”
Alfred chuckled behind a hand, before shuffling up to behind his Queen, smiling.
---
Ah, yes. He remembered perfectly how he had met his beloved Arthur-in the most unromantic of all the places he could have met his Queen-the dark, damp brig of the Britannia, the most feared pirate ship in all the seas of Fantasia, Alfred on his knees, one of his inventions (a long metal barrelled weapon with a varnished wooden finish and armrest that could fire small metal projectiles much faster and more powerfully than arrows; they could pierce most types of armour, and it was the only one in Fantasia. Welded onto the end was a blade meant for close-range combat. Alfred had called it the musket) pointed at Arthur’s face, and Arthur’s rapier Commodore pointed at his, emerald-studded blade and all.
A cocky smile spread across his youthful face as he cocked his trusty musket. Alfred could hear the tiny metal balls click into place, and carefully, his finger brushed against the trigger of his musket.
“Well, hello, Captain Arthur Kirkland. I see you’re as beautiful as they all say, missing eye and leg and all.”
---
Not very long ago, a young boy was suddenly crowned king of the once-small Kingdom of Spades. A famine had hit the still-developing kingdom, along with the ever-present threat of invasion from the Kingdom of Clubs from their west. The King, the boy’s father, had died fighting off the Clubs forces, whilst his mother, the Queen, died of a broken heart and of fatigue from trying to resolve their failing Kingdom’s never-ending problems. The crown barely even fitted the boy’s head when he was crowned, and suddenly the Kingdom was ruled by a mere 15-year-old.
Little Alfred had started off as a sheltered child, he was pure and innocent like a sheltered dove, his beautiful cerulean eyes glimmering clear and wide, coupled with his beautiful smile that emanated innocence. His parents loved him dearly, and showered him with whatever he wanted.
He grew up spoiled, having and taking anything he wanted, and soon the innocent little angel grew into a selfish young man who took everything he wanted, no matter what. Then, he suddenly was thrust into the world of adults, and his innocence shattered, the sweet little boy no more.
The moment he was seated onto the throne, the intoxicating taste of power passed through his young lips, and, young and reckless, young King Alfred found himself addicted, and the tiny of trickle of power his tiny Kingdom could provide him suddenly was not enough. Greatness shining through him, effortlessly, he pulled his Kingdom from famine and caused it to prosper with the use of his bright mind and his knack for inventing. Soon the tiny Kingdom of Spades grew into the nation of innovation, technology and mass production. The trickle of sweet power became a thin stream of the sinfully-sweet nectar. King Alfred wanted more, and he knew exactly how.
He would achieve full domination of Fantasia, from the Northern Forests just beyond his Kingdom, to the Southern Braided Rivers where the first Kingdom, Hearts, stood at the South of Fantasia. The glimmering Eastern Seas of the sunny Kingdom of Diamonds and the Western Mountains of the ever-snowing Kingdom of Clubs would soon become his as well, he swore to himself as he abandoned all of young thinking, tossing aside childish beliefs in magic, happy endings and heroes, and instead, only conquest overtook the young man’s mind.
With strength and exceptional military tactics, aided by his inventions, the young ruler conquered the frontlines of the battlefield, ruthless and cunning, defeating enemy troops left and right until the once-nomadic peoples of the Northern Forest were under his command, exponentially increasing the size of the once-tiny Kingdom of Spades.
He was a conqueror, but not a fool. Knowing perfectly an iron-fisted rule would only result in revolt, he treated his newly-acclaimed territory like his own home, Spades. He became a just ruler, who was dearly loved by his people, and soon, his large kingdom was evolving into an empire, as King Alfred’s forces began to slowly trickle into Clubs and Diamonds territory.
He was a king who could get whatever he wanted, and albeit being a gentle ruler, he was a very selfish young man. If he wanted something, he would get it. No matter whom it used to belong to.
---
“Your Majesty,” Yao, Alfred’s Jack, sighed to the young ruler as he absentmindedly toyed with a chess piece, the Queen, as he sat at a small crystal garden table, a blue and white-chequered chess board laid out on it, the pieces made of glass-clear diamonds and sapphires. His ‘opponent’ was a tattered teddy bear he used to carry around with him when he was younger, a lopsided, slightly tattered white velvet ribbon around its neck and a small top hat that was slightly slanted rested on its head, right next to its left ear. “May I speak casually?”
The spring sun shone down on them gently through the trees at where they were, sitting at the open glass double-doors in Alfred’s private study, where the young King was currently taking a break from his duties as King. The doors led to a private corner of the royal rose gardens, shaded by a great oak tree, where Alfred would spend peaceful afternoon tea times.
“Sure, go right ahead.” The young man waved at him dismissively, twirling the sapphire figurine of the Queen between his fingers as he slumped backwards into the pillow-littered armchair he was sitting in. “What is it?”
“Alfred, I’ve been taking care of you since you were a baby,” Yao suddenly said, picking up the teddy bear from its seat across Alfred-and earning himself a glare from the young King, the teen’s brilliant sky blue eyes darkening into a shade of dark navy, the strawberry blonde’s fingers abruptly tightening around the chess piece he had juggled between his fingers. The elder man sighed and put the bear back exactly as it was, before pulling a chair for him to sit on at Alfred’s right. “I apologize for that,” he said quickly, “Anyway, on to what I was going to say-you are becoming of age, my dear boy.”
“I’m already of age, Yao.” Alfred replied, his tone marking the end of their conversation.
The black-haired man shook his head. “You do not understand. When you reach twenty, you will inherit the proper Kingship.” Yao said, and Alfred waved at him.
“I already know that,” he said, frowning, “What else is new?”
“Upon receiving the Mark of the King, your powers will increase, right?” Yao said, and Alfred merely nodded at him. “That is because of the work of the spirits.” At this, Alfred scoffed, and muttered something about not believing in such silly things, but that was the culture of the land he grew up in, “And because of this, your timer will begin.”
There, Alfred began paying attention. “Timer? What are you talking about, Yao?” he asked, sitting up properly, eyes fixed on his guardian from childhood.
“It is the countdown of the decay of the strength given to you by the spirits, my dear boy.” Yao said, looking at his charge through the bifocals Alfred had invented for him (he had started working on it immediately on the night the elder man had complained about his eyesight back then when Alfred was the sweet little boy that Yao dearly loved like his own son). “The moment they are given to you, they almost immediately decay.”
Alfred stuck his tongue out at his guardian. “That sucks. There must be a catch.”
“In fact, there is.” Yao nodded. “When you are properly crowned on you’re your twentieth birthday, you also receive the Mark.”
“Oh, what an awesome birthday present: a gigantic empire, a shiny crown, a tattoo on my neck and deteriorating powers.” Alfred dryly said, and Yao sighed.
“There’s also the requirement that you are to have a Queen when you are being crowned. The wedding comes before that, you know.”
“Screw getting a wife. I’ll get one later.” Yao frowned at Alfred’s tone. “Tell me what to do about that stupid timer I’m supposed to beat.”
“‘A King cannot be without his Queen.’” Yao recited in the Ancient tongue, the language the spirits spoke in. Alfred didn’t know how to speak the language, but he knew what that phrase meant, it was inscribed in neat, tiny fairy language, onto the crowns of all the Kings of Fantasia, encircling the Kingdom’s crown jewel, coloured in the national colours of the kingdoms, a ruby heart for Hearts, an emerald clover for Clubs, a topaz diamond for Diamonds, and for Spades, a sapphire spade. “Do you actually understand what that means, Alfred?”
“A King cannot be without his Queen.” Alfred replied dismissively. “You’ve already told me that long ago.”
“No, what I meant was the meaning behind those words.” Yao said, shaking his head. “There lies the answer to your predicament, my dear boy.”
“… Are you saying I need to have a Queen so my powers don’t degenerate?” Alfred breathed, flabbergasted. “That’s absurd! Who the heck thought of that stupid rule?!”
“The spirits did, Alfred.” Yao chuckled behind a long sleeve. “Well, if you want that power, I suggest you better start looking for a wife.”
“Ugh, but all the ladies-in-waiting in court are so damn boring.” The teen whined, and Yao allowed himself a small smile. This was one of the rare times when Alfred would act young again, the child he had locked away for so long peeking out, even for just a moment. “There must be someone out there who’s strong and good at fighting, and…” Alfred looked at Yao. “It doesn’t have to be a girl, right?”
“Well, the title of the Queen of Spades is but a title.” Yao smiled knowingly. “Besides, with the spirits’ blessing, I’m very sure you would still have an heir to the throne.”
“Hmm,” Alfred hummed, tapping his chin in thought. “I could look for a warrior or maybe a knight… a strong guy with a smart head on his shoulders.”
“Don’t forget, you two will be sharing a bed, you know.” Yao chuckled, and Alfred paled.
“Not cool.” He shook his head, and Yao couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, this isn’t funny!” he pouted, and the elder man patted the blonde’s head.
“Yes, I know. I just cannot help myself.”
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and the two immediately turned their attention to it. “Come in,” Yao called, and the door opened to reveal a servant holding up a gloved hand, where a large bald eagle rested. In his other hand was a letter. Alfred smiled upon seeing the eagle and stood up.
“Liberty,” he smiled, as the servant bowed. The large eagle flew from the servant’s hand and landed on the young King’s shoulder. The strawberry blonde-haired man smiled and petted his beloved bird.
“Your Majesty, Your Grace,” he nodded at the two of them. “A message has come from the navy.”
“Let me see it.” Yao told him, and he approached them, handing Yao the letter. The man quickly scanned it, as the servant excused himself from the room.
“What’s it about, Yao?” Alfred asked, walking up behind him to read the letter over his shoulder. A smile spread across the elder man’s face and he turned to face Alfred. “What are you smiling about?”
“Our ships are being attacked by pirates.” Yao smiled, and Alfred shot him a worried look.
“Um, I don’t think that’s great news, Yao…”
“It’s wonderful.” Yao replied, with a sure tone. “They’re being attacked by the most feared pirate in all the seas of Fantasia, Alfred.”
“That’s not… wait.” Alfred’s eyes widened.
Yao’s grin widened. “His name is Arthur Kirkland. He’s a fierce beast with the sword and arrows, takes no prisoners, and is born loved by the spirits. A storm always hits his targets right before he attacks, and rumour has it he has some control over the feared Kraken.” The look on Alfred’s face made Yao even more elated. “Do you know what that means?”
“… If I have him as my Queen… I have all the seas in Fantasia under my control.” Alfred’s surprise melted away and he grinned, the conqueror in him taking over. “Spades will expand successfully even into the Diamonds across the sea.”
“Exactly!” Yao cheered, “And you, finally, would have a Queen! It’s a win-win situation!” the man smiled brightly, clapping Alfred on the shoulder.
Alfred smirked. “This shouldn’t be too hard.” He cockily snorted, “I’ve always been very popular with the ladies in court.”
Yao chuckled. “Ah, but Arthur Kirkland is a force to be reckoned with. Wild as the raging sea and as feisty as an unbroken horse. This will prove to be a challenge, yes?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Alfred smirked. “In fact, since you said that, I’m even more pumped to make him my Queen.” The blonde started heading to the door, Liberty flying after him.
“Oh, and another thing.” Yao called after him, “People have said that Arthur Kirkland is very beautiful, so beautiful it has been said he even seduced the Sea King.”
“Oh?” Alfred smirked and turned to face him. “Looks like a flower but stings like a bee? I like that.” With a mock salute at Yao, he exited the study, Liberty close by.
Smiling wistfully, Yao sat back down in his chair and sighed. “I pray for your luck, dear Alfred,” he looked at the queen chess piece Alfred had been toying with earlier. “You have to win his heart, for the stars are telling me he is to be your intended ever since you have been born.”
(It's also on FF.net! 8D)