A Patient Love 5/?

[kokoro2]

Title: A Patient Love
Pairing: UKUS
Rating: T
Warnings: Omegaverse, age-gap, Mpreg, and slight historical inaccuracies.
Summary: Prince Arthur has finally been granted a male Omega by his brother, the king. Alfred is soon to learn the treacherous ways of royalty and that adulthood in this world is not at all kind.


Careful Steps

Alfred felt as if all of this traveling and the time spent being a "respectable" Omega were all a nightmare. Relief had settled back into his life as soon as they reached their vacation home in Dorset. It had a stone exterior with red doors and large arched windows. Like their home back north, this castle had chimneys as well. Inside were tapestries of Arthur's family history during the 100 Years War, as well as plush couches and fragrances littering the floor to musk any unsightly smells. There was a small garden out back with horses and peacocks roaming freely. The thick scent of ocean in the air filled Alfred's lungs and brought out a smile.
"It's good to see you smiling again," Arthur commented. "I fear I have not seen one for some time."

Upon leaving the Northumberland manor, the couple had made a few more stops at other residences. All the while they remained apart from one another, even in the carriage ride down. Arthur remained on his horse at the head of the line. He only fell back a few times to check in on his Omega. The king's words had struck both of them. Arthur was already in a precarious situation with his brother as it was due to their poor relationship. He dare not mess it up, even if that cost him Alfred's happiness.

However, Alfred didn't mind. He understood and, like a good Omega, he waited. He thought he could keep waiting if that meant he'd see Arthur's sweet smile in the end.

"And you haven't, either." Alfred smiled cheekily at him, to which Arthur turned away with a flushed face. He pretended to be overseeing his lands as their servants unloaded their carts packed of their clothing.

"Yes, well, shall we see ourselves inside?"

Shortly after lunch and a stroll through the gardens, the servants knew that things between Alfred and Arthur had resumed as before. They stayed far away from Arthur's apartments, keeping to another side of the castle to clean and prepare for that night's entertainment to welcome their master.

Despite their masters having an unorthodox relationship, no one wanted to say anything to disturb it. It wasn't their place. The couple was happy, and that was all that mattered. A happy master meant better payments and better treatment. The days between their departure from the manor and the arrival here were long and dreary as Alfred sulked and Arthur stressed over Alfred's feelings. This translated into indifference, angry dismissals, and curt demands from both men towards their loyal servants.

That evening, the entire household joined in on the celebrations; from the music to the dancing to the actors putting on a show for the prince Alpha. All the while, Alfred laughed and smiled, sometimes with a flushed face and sometimes with a smile that held a secret. It wasn't a well-kept secret, though. Everyone knew. The Omega sat beside his Alpha; his rightful place.

The days passed in bliss. Alfred loved this vacation home almost as much as their home back in East Sussex. This place was like a dream filled with warm hands, fond touches, private walks in the gardens, pleasant rides through the grounds, and evenings never spent alone.

But it would have to end. A prince's job was never done.The letter arrived shortly before the last of the leaves fell. Alfred and Arthur were having a moment alone in the library. Alfred could read, but he preferred to have Arthur read to him. His head would lie in Arthur's lap while the Alpha stroked his hair. To some of the servants, they felt it should be the other way around, but no one said a thing.

"Your Highness!" A small messenger boy came into the room, stopping to bow and wait for the prince to reply. His eyes glanced at Alfred, raising an eyebrow at the odd sight.

"Yes, what is it?" Arthur asked, not moving.

"A letter from His Majesty, the King!" The boy pulled out a small parchment roll. "He has asked me to deliver this to you."

Alfred sat up, his eyes wide and fearful. Arthur straightened his back, but otherwise, showed no more emotion.

"Yes, go on, then."

The boy cleared his throat as he unrolled the scroll. "The King hereby decrees that we think, having not seen our beloved brother, Arthur Prince of England, or greeted his new Omega, Alfred Jones, that we must impose on them a calling to come to Court. The stay will be until New Year, when we shall enjoy their company through the holidays in our lovely castle of Winchester."

Now, Arthur was standing. He hadn't seen his brother in years. By coming to Court he'd be back in favor with the King. Perhaps his distance from Alfred was just a test and he had passed. All of those residences that opened up to him must have been spies. No one was really all that safe in Kirkland England, after all.

Arthur pulled two golden coins from his pocket and handed them to the small boy. "Thank you. I shall have a reply for you to take back to our Alpha, but for now, please enjoy yourself in the kitchen."

The boy was overcome with joy. After a hasty bow he nearly skipped from the room with the coins jingling in his hands.

"We're…actually going to Court?" Arthur asked with trembling hands. He could feel Arthur's own nerves of fear and excitement fluttering about in his stomach and reaching to his very fingertips. "Oh, my prince!"

Arthur ran a hand through his hair, smiling without realizing it. He looked out the window, imagining his future. This was is chance to finally prove to the kingdom and his brother that he was fit to rule. He could be king one day.

In a week's time, the household was prepared to depart for London. They were to spend some time in the Tower of London, and then go to Winchester with the Royal Family to celebrate the Christmas holiday. Alfred was reminded again of the façade he must put on and the rules he must follow.

"I know we walk together," Arthur started. "However, you must walk last in the line when at Court. My brother and I are first, the queen behind him, and you behind her. It is painful, yes, but you are not of royalty, at least, not enough."

"I understand." Alfred had curled up into Arthur's lap with his head resting on his chest. He listened to the man's heart beat.

"You must never look my brother in the eyes. Only to the left or right, and keep your head down until you are speaking. Do not speak unless spoken to. That laugh of yours that I find so endearing must be quieted while in Court. It's too loud for some people. You must be a sign of amazing obedience to the King, and anything he says for you to do, you must do without uttering a word."

Alfred gulped. "I'm scared… What if he doesn't like me?"

"That's not going to happen, my pet." Arthur ran his fingers through Alfred's hair and kissed the top of his head. "If I am soon to rule, then my brother must meet the man who has delighted me so. That means you must be on your best behavior."

"I will, my prince."
The king could not join the couple in London right away as he was busy with matters up north in Scotland. Nevertheless, the queen met with the prince and his Omega at the Tower of London. It wasn't as formal an occasion as if the king had been present, but they were welcomed into London with a large fanfare.

Just outside the city, they were met by the mayor of London who presented Arthur with a white horse and with Alfred a black mare, and then rode before them with Arthur's rose banner held high in presentation. Alfred was to ride behind Arthur wearing a cloth of silver, for if Arthur were to become King, then Alfred was to be Queen. He was not someone to easily brush aside just because he wasn't royalty. In everyone's minds they saw the Omega as the future hope; a new Omega that could produce Alphas. For this, Alfred made sure to keep his back straight, his head bowed in reverence, and a reserved smile on his face. Arthur would have been proud of the change.

Queen Françoise, a princess from France, Arthur's first mate's older sister, was already past her prime, and had yet to produce an Alpha. The four royal children were all Omega, much to the King's chagrin. The first two eldest Omega children had already been mated off to prominent Duke Alphas of the land, adding loyalty to the King. The younger two were still in diapers, so it was evident that the Queen was still fertile, but for how much longer? The kingdom was constantly nervous about her age.

Alfred remembered the stores of when the king and queen had been married. It had not been a pretty negotiation between the former king, Arthur's father, to agree to a French queen for his eldest son. There had been rumors that the princess had bewitched Scott. Many rumored that she had already been mated to a low-class servant back in France. Many rumored that she was not loyal to the king's bed. Hundreds more rumors spread to destroy the Omega's reputation.

While Alfred had not been able to learn much about history, his father still wanted him to be on the upkeep of recent events of the kingdom, especially after Alfred was announced to be mated to the prince. Alfred remembered that much of the Court was for peace with France as Arthur's father, the previous king, was losing more and more land in France that had been conquered during the Hundred Years War. Two factions of Parliament began to bicker, resulting in a stalemate.

The two princesses, Françoise and Rosaline, were married off as a peace treaty. Françoise's inability to produce an Alpha heir fractured the treaty, but Rosaline's death was the final nail in the coffin. Scott and his Council threw off the treaty agreements and threatened war.

An English Omega Queen brought about many people welcoming him, even if he had a strange accent. To them, it meant a future of victories and heirs.

The couple was to stay in the Tower of London in the apartments of White Tower that had been made up just for their stay. Alfred looked up at the tall, white stone tower and smiled. The warm sun on his face and the cheers of the people all seemed so unreal. He had never imagined to be invited to Court for the holidays. Of course, after his mating with Arthur, he should have known. And yet, he was still caught off guard about it.

Queen Françoise was a beautiful woman with long, blonde hair pulled up into a bun, held up by a purple cloth. Her deep blue eyes were calculating, but not intimidating. Her long, golden dress had a border of fleur de lilies, the queen's emblem, and small jewels sewn into the sleeves. When she moved her arm just so, the outfit sparkled in the sunlight. The glittering crown on her head added a final touch to the gem of a woman. While there was much slander to the woman, not one man in England dared remark on her looks. Alfred felt at ease just by seeing her. However, when he straightened up from his bow, he sensed something that seized up his entire being.

"It is a pleasure to see you both here," the queen said with a thick French accent. She received Arthur first. "We have not seen one another since my sister's funeral."

"I am happy it is on better terms that we meet again." Arthur's smile did not reach his eyes. Alfred looked on curiously. He hadn't known his Alpha to dislike anyone before. "It is a shame, however, that my brother, the King, cannot be with us."

Françoise's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes. He has been caught up in the troubles with my native land of France."

"I do hope the war will be averted." Arthur didn't sound sincere.

Alfred stumbled blindly about in this dance around each other way of talking. He'd never been allowed in on Arthur's political debates and was often sent away when a Duke or Lord came to visit the manor. Arthur claimed it was to protect the Omega's delicate nature as stress might complicate his ability to conceive, or make him heavy with worry for his Alpha. To see it finally up close made his head dizzy.

Then, the queen noticed Alfred. She smiled as widely as she stretched out her arms. "Ah, and this must be your new mate, Alfred Jones!"

"Yes." Arthur turned to regard Alfred. The Omega bowed once, stepped forward, and then bowed again, leaving his head bent until he was to speak. "We have been together since summer."

Françoise hummed. She pat the Omega's head, prompting Alfred to look up. "My, what blue eyes. Like the sky. You had best be careful of ones with such vast eyes. They might want something more in life, unable to be satisfied with being tied down."

Alfred's face flushed. He looked to Arthur for help. Should he thank the Queen? Was it even a compliment?

Arthur, however, wasn't smiling anymore. The queen gave a soft laugh. "Yes, well, if you'll excuse us, Your Majesty. My Omega and I are quite spent from the travel."

"Of course." Françoise nodded for her servants to show the couple to their apartments.

Alfred bowed, and then followed after Arthur. The Alpha hastily made his way out of the grand hall. He grumbled under his breath.

"This is why I hate females. Petty little things that they are. Always trying to manipulate. Always…"

"Arthur," Alfred hissed suddenly, grasping at his Alpha's arm. "The Queen! She is pregnant!"

Arthur stopped to stare at Alfred. "You are sure?"

"An Omega can tell these things," Alfred insisted. "I could smell it on her instantly. She must not have told the king or the kingdom for some reason."

Arthur hummed in thought. "If she was nervous about telling you, she would have hidden it away by not inviting you in. There has to be a reason."

"Did she think I wouldn't tell you?"

"No, she would have counted on that. Just what is the Queen up to…?"

Alfred leaned against Arthur, desperately wanting his touch. He'd have to be without it for too long. And the smell of a pregnant Omega often made other Omegas more demanding of their Alpha's attention, especially Alfred who already felt remorse of his failed heat.

Arthur smiled down at Alfred. "Oh, what is it, my pet?"

"I just… I want…"

Arthur chuckled as he put a comforting arm around Alfred. "Yes, you must be tired. You should rest before dinner tonight. Go with your servants. I shall see you soon enough."

With a kiss on Alfred's head, he sent the Omega away. Alfred felt torn by leaving Arthur's side, but he had to do as he was told. Dinner couldn't come fast enough.
Alfred had to meet with the queen as Arthur had to deal with matters of the state before they were to leave for Winchester. The Omega was highly nervous as he was dressed in some of his finest clothes. He didn't think his outfit was anywhere up to par with any of the other Omegas of Court. He was washed in fine oils to give off a good smell, showing that he wasn't some "backwater" Omega as the Court loved to say upon his arrival.

It was true that his attire wasn't quite up to par with the queen's, but his annual income from the king was nowhere near as exquisite as Françoise's. Still, Arthur gave him new clothes when he could as a token of his thanks for enduring his first heat. For that, Alfred wore it with pride despite his nerves. A long blue cape with a dark blue doublet helped bring out his eyes, and the contrast between his golden hair and his black tights was an immediate draw to the Omega, or so Arthur said.

"I don't see how they could say such a thing to you," Françoise commented, referring to the spiteful rumors about Alfred. "You have intelligence in those eyes."

Alfred blushed. He was sitting inside on the large, cushioned sofa with the Queen in her antechamber. There was a table before them filled with amazing sweetmeats. A warm fire filled the room with heat to block from the winter chill of the snow outside.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Alfred mumbled. He picked up a sweet delicately in his hand. Such a treat wasn't exactly rare, but Arthur thought it best that Alfred don't eat too many sweets before he was pregnant. A fattened Omega before heat made it more difficult to conceive, whereas one after heat could bring about a healthy babe. "You are so kind to me."

Françoise hummed as she tossed a sweet into her mouth. Alfred noted down that this was all the more proof the queen was pregnant. "You know, don't you?"

Alfred glanced up. Françoise was staring at him intently with a sly smile on her fair face. "Pardon?"

"That I am pregnant." Alfred looked down. "It's all right. I don't want the kingdom to know should we go to war, but I do want your mate to know. Perhaps he can talk some sense into my mate."

"Arthur?" Alfred looked up now. "What could he do?"

"My mate is fearful of parting this world without an Alpha heir. He does not trust your mate. I am reluctant to tell him as I don't want to get his hopes up. So if your mate, the king's brother, were to tell him instead, it might prevent England from going to war with France."

Alfred toyed with the plush pillow at his side. Something tickled the hairs on the back of his neck; something off about the situation. "So then… it was good that I told Arthur already?"

Françoise smiled secretively. "I knew I could count on you."

"Ah…" Alfred was overcome. "Your Grace… if the new baby is, in fact, another Omega… will it be your last?"

Françoise nodded with sadness in her eyes. "I have already failed my mate and the kingdom. That is why we are going to war."

"No!" Alfred lurched forward. The queen had been nothing but kind to him since his arrival. She gave him sweets and warmed him and smiled so kindly to him. "There are other reasons."

"But my mating with the king was to cement a friendship between England and France. It has done nothing of the sort. It would only work if I produced an Alpha."

Alfred put a soft hand on the Queen's. She looked at him, slightly surprised he would dare touch her. Still, she said nothing. "No, I don't believe it. Alphas are hard heads, and we all know their temper. While my Arthur is not like them, I know he is capable of it. But they will always find a way to blame an Omega if things don't go their way. There are more reasons, I know it, but you're a good person to point a finger at."

"Your Arthur is more capable than anyone else." Françoise's stern voice made Alfred remove his hand. "I'm sorry to have scared you."

"I'm not scared."

"But you must know that Arthur is not as tender and gentle as he is with you. He is quite a scheming Alpha. His eyes are firmly set on the throne, and I have no doubt that the moment my mate has fallen, Arthur will be at the gates of London demanding the crown. But, that would be all right, if it means you would become Queen."

Alfred resumed his fiddling with the pillow at his side. "I don't care about that…"

"You don't?"

"No… I only worry that Court life… will bring Arthur into contact with other Omegas. Cuter, better smelling Omegas that can promise him an Alpha."

Françoise stifled a laugh. "Are you worried for your place with your mate?" Alfred nodded. "Oh dear me, you are so young."

Alfred looked up, his eyebrows furrowed. He hated to be reminded of his age. Queen Françoise was well into her forties by now, King Scott nearing his fifties. Arthur was twelve years his senior. It felt like everyone back at the manor was an adult, and knew better due to Alfred's young age. It was as if he was constantly trying to prove himself to the world. They would pat his head or smile knowingly, waiting for him to come up with his own explanation, or they'd talk condescendingly to him. Arthur wasn't like that. He was patient, he smiled and helped Alfred.

"Oh, I have upset you. Forgive me. I merely mean that there is still much you need to learn of your mate. You haven't been with him long. He is your first mate, yes?" Alfred nodded slowly. "As I thought. Just remember, Alphas can take more than one mate. And an Alpha in Arthur's position just might do that."

The color in Alfred's face drained away as he felt his throat go dry. Françoise's eyes saddened. "Ah… you… you really think so…?"

The queen leaned over to put her hand on Alfred's, but the younger Omega jerked away. "Forgive me. That was too, how do you say…? Too bold. I'm sorry."

"But… Arthur is so kind to me."

Françoise nodded. "Then perhaps he'll keep being nice to you. My mate isn't necessarily unkind to me, but I know he wishes he could condemn me as unfertile so he could remate."

Alfred swayed in his seat. "What?"

"You didn't know?" The young Omega shook his head. Françoise sighed as she looked over to the fire. "If an Alpha deems his mate no longer fertile, then he can wish them away and ask for a new one. In my position, the king is only allowed one Omega mate, however I know my king is often with other Omegas when I am not in heat. It's not often that Alphas engage in fornicating outside of heats with their mates. Especially in higher class bonds."

Alfred's shoulders relaxed. There was something he had an upper hand on. "Oh, well, Arthur and I, um…"

Françoise looked over with a bright smile. "Oh?! Well, tres bien!"

"Um…? Sorry?" Françoise laughed at Alfred's confused expression. "I don't…speak French."

"Well then! We shall have to change that this Christmas, my dear!"
Shortly before Christmas, Queen Françoise, Prince Arthur, and Alfred all headed out with their households to meet King Scott at Winchester. Despite Françoise's friendship and constant companionship with the young Omega, Alfred's earlier fears began to return just before meeting the king.

As he and Arthur were finishing the overseeing of packing up, Arthur sought out Alfred to speak privately with him.

"Has the Queen mentioned anything about her pregnancy?" Arthur asked, keeping his voice low.

Alfred looked to his feet. Rather than thinking about that subject, he thought back to the mentioning of the kind of man Arthur was that Alfred didn't know about; that cruel man that lived in politics and fought for the crown behind the scenes. Again, something wasn't right with all of this. "Um… Yes. She wants you to talk to the king in hopes it will persuade him not to go to war with France."

"She thinks it'll be an Alpha?" Arthur's tone was dark.

Alfred took a step back. "W-well… it might be. She doesn't know… She's just hoping your brother will listen to you and-"

"That woman has played you for a fool," Arthur hissed maliciously. "She was only using you. How dare she? Why else would she tell you? She knows I want to be king, so what's the good in telling me? She's playing with me. What a little…"

"B-but I didn't think… I like her."

Arthur smiled at Alfred in a way that made the Omega feel he had been pathetic, and that his reply meant nothing to the Alpha; it was like that of when the servants and the queen and the Court thought he was a young, simple Omega. "Of course, dear. But you must take care in how you handle yourself with the king. If he knew of this, I'm sure he would not be pleased with you or the queen."

"But I didn't do anything wrong."

Arthur pet Alfred's head tenderly; condescendingly. "I know that. But the king might not see it that way, is all. Just be careful."

"Yes… Of course."
Hoshiko2's cents: The Tower of London is known today as one of the most haunted places in the world. It has a very bad reputation to it now. However, it was also known as a glorious residence for the Royal Family, as well as visiting royalty, like a brother/sister to the king, or those high in favor with the monarch. While it had been used as a prison for those who were a threat to the state, it didn't take on its ominous reputation until after the Princes in the Tower and the Tudor reign.

Their Dorset castle is Woodsford Castle. And yes, Françoise is fem!France.

Reply to an anon question of "is there marriage or weddings in this AU". There are not in the form that we see them. Mating is both a marriage and a wedding all wrapped up into one. There isn't a wedding and a reception like we know it today, but rather a celebration upon the Omegas arrival to their Alpha, like in the second chapter.