A New Kingdom (USUK Cardverse/Omegaverse)

Uproar

Shoving Ivan back in the den, slamming the door shut and glaring at Matthew – Yao craned his neck to source the outburst. A swarm of people were heading to the north gate like bees to honey. Mother clutched children's hands, pulling them back to hide behind long skirts and legs. "Imposter!" a man cried within the crowd. "How did he get in?!" another shrieked. Moving as quickly as he could whilst trying to keep in his regal appearance, Yao darted down the path and cleared his throat. "What on earth is going on here?" he asked, trying his voice somewhat calm. A tall man with dark hair noticed the ace and immediately bowed. "Sir, an intruder has entered the gates, yet no one saw him through". "Impossible" Yao gasped, before gritting his teeth. He knew that there were possible ways to enter the city that the public didn't know about, but the only people who knew about those pathways were... royalty.

"Move" Yao sighed, pushing people away before they noticed the royal ace and bowed in his presence. Nodding at the subjects, he walked through the parting crowd towards a parked cart filled with rice sacks. Slumped against one of the decaying wheels, an unconscious man was sleeping. Sandy blond hair hanging heavily, hiding his youthful face whilst a dappled grey horse stood beside him, stamping her feet. Narrowing his eyes, the ace pressed his boot against the man's shoulder – whose head rolled back and thumped against the wheel. His eyes flickered on his dirtied face, lips quivering as he stirred awake. Striking blue eyes were unveiled as the man tried to focus on Yao's face. The ace took a step back, he wasn't sure if he was comfortable with eyes that strong and vibrant. Regaining his composure, Yao straightened his back and lifted his chin. "State your business and family name" he coughed, balling his fists as the mark on his neck begun to burn up. ...Why was it burning so? The pain wasn't extreme, more like an unpleasant heat....

The man rubbed his jaw, groaned softly before glancing up. "Ah... My name is Alfred... Alfred Jones, and I have no idea why I am here". Soft murmurs came from the crowd as Yao twitched in irritation. This man was clearly avoiding the question, he couldn't not know why he was in the Spadian Kingdom illegally. Sighing in annoyance, Yao straightened his navy cloak. "I'm afraid 'Alfred'.." he spoke harshly, the name foreign on his tongue, "That if you don't answer my questions in a proper manner, I'll have no choice but to take you to the crown court - as I'm sure you know from whatever kingdom you originate from, but trespassing is illegal".

Using what strength he could muster, Alfred pushed himself up. Even though the sky wasn't bright and was encased by heavy dark clouds, the light burnt his eyes and made his skull ache. Raising his large hands, Alfred shook his head, "Look brother... I'm sorry, I really don't know how I got here... The last thing I remember is that I was following this blond ma-". Alfred silenced himself, he wasn't sure if he should mention the cloaked man in case he was of some importance. "The last thing I remember..."he corrected himself, "was that I was sleeping in this thick forest with a stream... The next thing I know is that I'm here, wherever the hell this is..".

"Impertinence..." Yao muttered, grinding his teeth in irritation. He didn't believe a word that babbled out of the yank's mouth. Turning, his navy cloak swirling behind him like a beautiful sail – Yao sighed, nodding at the sapphire guards who swept Alfred up, taking an arm each and dragging him upward. Alfred tried to squirm his way out, his leather satchel bouncing on his hip twisted to call at his horse. "Hachi! No listen to me! I'm telling the truth!" he shouted before a guard shoved his head down roughly. A female guard in brown leathers sighed, seizing the horse's reigns and walking towards the stables, Hachi following obediently.

Safe behind thick glass, Arthur tilted his head, his fingers stroking the long curtain thoughtfully as he watched the scene below unfold. He was the one to dump the so called 'Alfred' beside the loading carts – as if Alfred really was his name. Thinking about it logically, Arthur had included the boy was most likely a bandit... or perhaps just a gyspy, yet that didn't quite feel right. He hadn't tried to swipe at him or rob him of anything – and he honestly had Arthur as an easy target in the stream. "Alfred... Jones..." Arthur tried out the boy's name on his tongue and almost instantaneously his cheek started that icey tingle.

Raising a hand to the mark, Arthur frowned. If that boy as a bandit... why did he speak so... elegantly? Even if his accent was peculiar, it wasn't unpleasant. Resting his head against the stained panels, Arthur watched his breath spread and frost on the glass. But if he was a bandit... why did he have... a royal mark on his chest?