Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 29 - A fluffy friend from the past

As the winter winds howled on outside, Arthur was watching the snow while lost in his own mind. The words of the late queen echoed repeatedly in his thoughts. If the magician of the spades was their protector, what happened to him and why no one spoke of him until recently? He glanced over to see his lover and prince still sleeping peacefully in the king size bed. 'King' he thought. Alfred is reaching the most important and arguably monumental event in his life and yet, he seemed uneasy. Though Arthur promised he would be by Alfred's side whether as a royal or an escort, it didn't seem to matter. His main worry is how to act like one when all he knew for most of his life was how to be a punchbag and following orders, no matter the treatment or inhumane nature of it all. The servant got up to make his way to the door, glancing over at the sleeping man once more with a slight smile. He naturally pecks his lover on the forehead before making his departure.

For some odd reason he couldn't explain or understand, he was heading for the gardens where he spent months tending to the beautiful delicate flora of the courtyard, accessible only to the royals and himself. At this time of year, the roses are sleeping under a cold bitter blanket of snow but Arthur isn't too worried as he used some of his magic to allow for the flowers to sleep peacefully underneath without the curse of cold death from the snow. He took deep breaths in order for his body to embrace the fresh albeit frosty air to be at ease and being calm in the present moment. His solitude wasn't to last as he heard a ruffle in the bushes nearly. Arthur was startled at first, unable to determine what the cause of the sound was. He remained still with his hands ready for any foul creatures that could bring harm.

Before he knew it, a small white fluffy rabbit emerged from the bushes looking up to Arthur. Its fur matched the snow with pale pink skin inside its ears, small black round eyes, short front legs with its back legs supporting the weight. The rabbit was twitching its nose while staring up to the servant. Arthur wasn't sure how to react. It wasn't a predatory animal thankfully, yet it still was extraordinary that a rabbit wondered into the courtyard let alone show no fear to him. Arthur cautiously lowered himself to the small fluffy creatures level to get a closer look. The rabbit was certainly cute by nature especially it's round body and fluffy tail to match. Arthur slowly lowered his right hand towards the small creature and allowed it to investigate it on its own. The rabbit sniffed around the fingers and on the palm, seemingly looking for food possibly. Then, the rabbit began rubbing it's soft small chin along Arthur's hand, making the man smile.

"What a cute little bunny rabbit you are." He said. He slowly sat down on his backside with his legs crossed to avoid startling the bunny and allowed it to continue checking on the tall giant that wanted to bond with it. "I wondered where it came from..." Arthur thought to himself. "Was it lost? Or was it looking for something...? I'm curious if it's a doe or a buck..." He gently lifted the rabbit's upper body, amazed that the small thing trusted him to do this without attacking or running away. He smiled before putting it back down. 'I see, you're a beautiful doe." He said with glee. He let the rabbit continue rubbing against his hands until she allowed him to pet her nose and then her ears and back. Unexpectedly, Arthur's hand began to glow and a series images came to mind.

First a small boy carrying a wounded baby bunny, hints of red and bandaging used to aid the injury, then fades back to present day. The servant looked back down to the rabbit below before carefully picking her up. The small fluffy creature didn't seem startled by this change of position. As Arthur inspected the animal closely, he saw an evident scar from where there was an injury. It was a revelation to Arthur that this is indeed the same small rabbit he and Alfred helped when he was here at the castle the first time as a child. He looked down to the bunny who tilted her head slightly in confusion. Cautiously, he brought the rabbit closer to his chest and held her safely before taking the animal back to the master's room.