Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 20 - Cold and Left Unresolved

There was a heavy weight of grief that fell much like the winter in the kingdom of spades. This was the day of the king's funeral whom passed away from illness not too long ago. Since that fateful day, Alfred hadn't said a word and held his tongue thinking this will pay proper respects to his late father. Arthur didn't dare to say anything to his grieving master, fearing that anything he might say could be a potential trigger. He dressed his master in grey blue clothing that was dull and faded like an old photograph. There was nothing that stood out except for a blue sapphire spade brooch that is only worn on special occasion. Alfred wished this wasn't the time to wear such a thing as this was anything but special to him. The young man made his way to the cathedral along with his brother and his two servants, Arthur and Yao, all dressed in faded blue and grey. All of them holding their peace in order to maintain silence for today's service.

The coffin laid in the presence of a stain-glass window decorated with a figure holding up a shield and sword and dressed in white and blue for purity and pride of the spades. The majority of the town attended the service along with the royals and all there was to break the silence with the speech of a holy priest, praising the good life of the king and how his actions and selfless service to the kingdom had been rewarded in many ways by the beating heart of the kingdom, it's people.

Alfred looked like his eyes lost their shine and his frown was painted on making him appear interchangeable. Though Matthew and Arthur tried to comfort him quietly with friendly gestures such as an arm over the shoulder or the pat of the back, the young man had not once smiled. Once the service was over, the boys and the servants had arguably the most important job. Taking the coffin and burying him in a private burial ground hidden in the woods only accessible to the royals. Only the priest was allowed to accompany him while those who attended made their way to the castle where the funeral gathering was occurring for after the service. The burial ground was peaceful and green with white roses gleaming against the grey atmosphere with a stone carved with the details of the name, date of birth, day of death and what relations he had.

Matthew and Alfred reluctantly, or for Al at least, begrudgingly lowered the dark hued wood coffin into the ground until they felt the weight lifted from the rope and pulled that out of the hole. Arthur felt empty and sore within. Though he barely knew the man himself, he felt like the king had understood him better than anyone else did before. He was honest, affectionate and understanding much like...a father...

Arthur felt his eyes tear up naturally, despite him fighting the urge to cry. He quietly wiped away any droplets trying to leave his eyes. Yao caught such a sight out of the corner of his eye and turned his attention to Arthur.

"Are you okay, aru?" He whispered. All Arthur could do was nod and attempt to tough it out. At this point, Alfred couldn't cry but he knew his brother was in floods. He held his now only living relative close to him by the shoulder as his brother shed more than a few tears. Yao and Arthur kept their distance with Arthur continuously fighting the urge to cry. He knew where he could escape to after this is over.

A while later, the royals and servants were back into the castle where the mood was mildly lightened by soft music and many memoirs scattered in the ballroom. Alfred and Matthew sat in their area quietly, still in their grieving phase. Fritz knew that this was a tough time for the boys so he tries to talk to them to cheer them up and think more positively of their father. While this was happening, Alfred realised that someone was missing from the gathering. He gestured Yao to come to him in order to ask him something.

"Yao, where's Arthur?" He asked the man. Yao sighed before answering. "Since coming back, he went into that room upstairs and he hasn't left since. He didn't say why or what the reason was though." He explained. Alfred was confused from this. Arthur never did anything to avoid a social event such as this and to not mention why the absence was absurd to him. Alfred thanked Yao and made his way to the room Yao directed him to. A room he was very familiar with. His own room.