Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 21 - The Kingdom's Secrets Part 1

Alfred was pacing through the halls of the castle before finding his brother in the library. He went over to him. "Matthew, I need to talk to you. Come walk with me." He said. Matthew didn't ask twice before leaving the library. Once they were gone, Arthur went into the library and decided to read a book about flowers. Once he pulled the book out, he discovered a hidden old book behind it. Arthur raised an eyebrow while processing why this book was acting like a gem in a treasure chest. He carefully removed the book from the shelf. It seemed to be held together by string and moss with an old language symbol on the front. Arthur looked behind him and decided to find a secret spot in the library, while using the flower book he found to hide his tracks.

He started turning the pages and discovered that some of the writing is in another language, one he was struggling to understand at first but he soon realises that this old language was one he saw before. The ancient language of the Arnialese. He got a piece of paper out and started writing the words in English. This was from the first page that acted as a message only understood by this old species.

To whomever reads this old book, You are keeping the spirit and knowledge of our kind alive, but must be kept secret to avoid chaos from destroying the balance. The magicians of the kingdoms protect the humans and our kind but if destruction falls on the kingdoms, it means death to all.

Arthur wasn't sure how to react to this. Knowing that he understands this message but must keep this to himself. Arthur decides to read a little bit more and sees small English scribbles on one side.

The water in the River, full of life and death. Source of Arnialese' magic. Alfred's source remains unknown as water only reacts to keep him afloat.

There was more questions than answers for Arthur. "What could this mean...? Did they not even know where Alfred's magic comes from...?" He asked himself. He went back through the shelves to find the book on the markings again. He brought the book back to the old transcript book and he found a page in the old books with various markings in the book. He then turned the pages to the spades markings in the book before removing his glove with his own spade marking on the back. Arthur starting comparing the markings and soon discovered that the filigree in the old book are the same as the ones on his own but not the one for the queen in the book. Arthur wasn't sure this could be but he kept digging.

Meanwhile, the brothers were pacing through the halls while Alfred started elaborating on what he found. "Arthur didn't have 15 owners, he was owned 15 times Matthew. I'm starting to think that Arthur was bought out multiple times because he was owned by the same person more than once." He said. Matthew was confused from this statement. "What makes you say that Al? I thought you said he was owned by 15 families before us." He pointed out. "I know what I said but I didn't dig into this until just now." Alfred replied. "Look in the pages, the names are in writing for when and who was buying Arthur out. I'm sure you'll see what I'm getting at." He continued as he passed the documents to him. Matthew had a thorough read through before realising that Alfred was right.

"Only 7 people had owned him." He said. Alfred nodded to him. "Exactly, Matthew. And the most important part, whom had Arthur the most during those 15 ownership times?" He asked. Matthew checked a second time and the name that popped up the most was. Matthew looked up. "No..." He said in disbelief. "Yes, Mattie. Seems as though Father didn't want to admit that it was his own business partner that kept buying Arthur out. No wonder Arthur was scared of the bastard." He said as they go into the king's office. Matthew grabbed his arm. "But why? And anyway, what is it about this that has you worked up?" He asked.

Alfred turned to face his brother with furrowed eyebrows. "Just think about it, Matthew. Arthur was a slave, as we now know, multiple times to this man and according to Yao, he apparently came back with much worse injuries than at the times he was sold to others, and also the fact that Arthur gets emotional to talk about what this guy did. I bet you this man's son was framed for what may have happened with Arthur in the first place. I don't know why or how but I want to find out." He said with grit in his tone. Matthew wasn't sure how he reacted. Alfred began going through some stuff to find hidden doors or compartments throughout the office.