Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 18 ~ As one rises, another deteriorates

It was a still blue night with the previously sick master seeming to be sleeping peacefully in the room alone. He was still until he jolted in his bed, much like a reflex to a vision in his mind.

This seem to be progressing as he felt himself thrashing in his own bed. Alfred's breath was quickening as what was in his head was green and blue, debris and building exploding before a shot of blood had scared the man out of his skin. He awoke with a yelp, wide eyed and sweating. He scanned the room to be sure it was a dream. He soon took deep breaths before realising his servant wasn't in the quarters with him. His anxiety was combined with wooziness as he got up to put on a gown and a blanket to proceed to the bathroom for a warm bath.

He was staggering in the corridor taking in the darkness of the quiet castle. The clock was chiming softly in the night indicating the time of 10pm. He made it his bathroom and unexpectedly found his servant cleaning the room. He was in his zone before being startled by the master. He jumped and exhaled in relief. "M-Master Alfred. My goodness, I wasn't aware you were there sir." Arthur said. Alfred wasn't phased from this and slowly approached him. "Sorry bud...You weren't there...I got scared..." He said quietly. Arthur was confused before checking his master for his temperature. Yao was telling the truth about the effectiveness of the medicine because he no longer had a warm forehead and he was much healthier looking aside from the shock in his face.

"My apologies Alfred, Matthew watched over you while I rested up and then cleaned this bathroom for you." He said before Alfred nodded weakly. "Can you..." He said softly but still exhausted. "...help me bathe, Arthur?" He finished. Arthur nodded and helped the master out of his clothes.

Alfred was slipping in and out of consciousness in the bathtub sitting in a crouched position. Not comfortable but it avoids him falling asleep and possibly drowning in the bathtub. Arthur washes his master's back while reluctantly seeing the scar on his back that isn't easily washed away from the water. Arthur still felt tinges of guilt in his stomach from Alfred's story. Despite the reassurance that Arthur is loved, his mind still wondered why the world was unforgiving to both rich and poor, young and old. No one is safe in this game called life and Arthur knew that far too well.

Some time later, the two men were back in the calming quarters with Alfred dressed in fresh sleeping clothes and Arthur in his own sleeping gown. Alfred was still low and the servant was sat next to him, a hand on his master's shoulder for comfort. "Did something happen, Alfred?" He asked. Alfred at first didn't respond before looking over to his friend. "Just images of what I don't want to happen to this kingdom...nothing more..." He said. Arthur took this response with a nod and didn't check in further.

Arthur turned towards the window, watching the moonlight. Unbeknownst to him, Alfred wrapped his arms around his servant, resting his chin on the small man's shoulders. Arthur didn't think too much of this gesture and allowed him to keep his hug here.

"Arthur..." Alfred spoke softly. Arthur's eyes turned to the young man. "Yes Alfred?" He said in a smooth voice. Alfred looked up to the servant with his eyes catching the light from the moon. "How old are you?" He asked him. Arthur raised an eyebrow to this question that felt like it was out of the blue, no pun intended. "Why do you ask?" He asked with a question in response. Alfred sighed as his answered back. "I don't know... I suppose age shouldn't matter really...Though, I'm still fairly young to become king. I'll be 19 soon...This would be my first birthday without mother here..." He said with a sense of woe in his voice.

Arthur felt pity for his young man and he pet his hair with his left hand. "I'm sorry to hear that sir..." he said calmly. There was a brief moment of silence before Arthur eventually answered the first question from his master. "I'm 22 sir..." He answered. This made Alfred jolt up in shock. "Really?" He asked in amazement. Arthur looked back and nodded.