Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 28 - Not Ready to be King

A month had passed and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Alfred was able to complete more work with the help of his two servants and his brother. On this particular day, a few soft knocks echoed into Alfred's office, making the young man look up from his documents. "Come in." He called. The doors opened to reveal the late king's associate, looking older but still in peak condition. "Master Alfred. Please forgive my intrusion." He said softly, to which Alfred shook his head while holding up his palm. "Not at all, old friend. What is it you wish to speak to me about?" He asked. The older form approached the desk as his answered. "Sir, when would it be best to get your measurements for your upcoming coronation?" He asked. Alfred was confused. He thought his father agreed for his son to become kind after his birthday, not before.

"Coronation...? Fritz, there must be some mistake. I thought I can't become king unless I turn at least 19." He said, but the older man continued. "About that sir...your father left a will not long before his collapse and his passing. It said he wanted you to become king as soon as possible..." He said, making Alfred interrupt again making Fritz raise his voice towards him. "But I still have to talk to A-" "Regardless if you have a subject as Queen with you or not." He said. Alfred was bewildered at this moment and didn't know how to let it sink in.

Fritz sighed before speaking in a calm voice. "I see your father didn't mention this to you...did he?" He asked. Alfred shook his head before turning away. "Dad never said. He never said a damn thing to me. I never understood why..."He spoke with woe in this tone. Fritz decided to give Alfred some space and time to be able to think this through. "My apologies. I cannot say sorry enough for this amount of pressure you have now. Let me know what you've decided, Master Alfred." He said before bowing and leaving the room. The young man was left alone, now feeling more hatred than ever but didn't last when Arthur entered, looking paler than usual.

"My apologies for disturbing you, Alfred." He spoke a little hoarse than normal. Alfred responded but only picked up halfway through that something was wrong. "No, you're fine. I'm just not happy that Fr- hm? Are you okay, Artie? You don't look too good. You seem off colour..." He said as he approached his sick looking servant. Arthur kept breathing thought struggling to through his nostrils. The young man felt the man's forehead and he was warm to the touch. He then determined his servant is not well enough to work. "Arthur, you're under the weather. How about taking today off and get some rest?" He suggest but Arthur tries to brush it off to no avail. "I'm sorry sire, but I can't. cough cough...I have more work to..." Arthur felt himself trailing off before collapsing into Alfred's arms, thanks to the man's quick reaction. Alfred huffed in annoyance before he picked up his ill servant and rushed him to his quarters.

It only took 20 minutes for Arthur to come back around before he saw Yao and Alfred at his side. He was in the comfy navy blue and pale indigo covers of the master bed with his friend taking his temperature and his lover watching with uncertainty.

"He definitely has a cold, sire. Luckily, it's not too un-similar to the one you had some time back when you had the incident with the lake." Yao concluded, to which Alfred acknowledged. "So, Arthur was out in the cold for too long and he developed his symptoms?" He asked. Yao swayed his head from side to side as he answered. "Sort of, more likely he had subtle symptoms but didn't address them before doing his chores and was only when he came to you, they were worsened and caused him to faint after his outdoor duties." He explained. Alfred nodded in response. "I see. Yao, can you fetch us the medicine you made to help Arthur please? I will keep an eye on him in the meantime." He ordered. Yao nodded before leaving the room. This allowed the young man to close the gap and watch over his stubborn sick servant.

Arthur was now barely focused on his lover above him. "Hey sleepy." Alfred smirked, making Arthur sigh to himself. "Did I faint...Al?" He asked in defeat, to which the master nodded to him naturally. "Yep, you past out quicker than a blown out candle. You almost spooked me out there buddy. Yao is getting the medicine so you better rest up until you get healthy again, okay?" He said calmly. Arthur didn't have many responses to give considering he was right, he shouldn't have pushed himself the way he did but to him. "Mmm...Old habits die hard I suppose..." the servant said. Alfred chuckled before speaking. "Heh, you can say that again..." he smiled.