Of Kings and Queens

To Be Happy- Part One

 Ten years ago, Washington DC, the summer of 2004

The wind griped Arthur's hair as he looked up to the stage before him. The boy singing in front of him had the voice of an angel. He was sitting atop the stage wearing slacks and a simple cowboy hat, strumming the guitar before him lightly, as if he was scared the emotion in his voice would break it.

Arthur's mother was there as well, tugging at Arthur's shoulder.

"Come now, we have a multitude of things to accomplish Arthur."

"But Mother, can't we just stay a moment longer? Please? We are at a fair..." Arthur mumbled.

"Yes, we are at a fair, Arthur, but we are here to work, remember? We have to choose a new representative for the consul, select a child from the new show airing, and pick up your father's order of liquor. We don't have time to dilly dally."

Arthur nodded and followed his mother, his head bowed into submission just as he was taught. Although he could convince his mother to stay, stating the boy on the stage would be perfect for the new show, he didn't. Any conflict with his mother was best if avoided.

Arthur's mother was a top notch corporate producer and her studio was currently in the works of a new show. It was going to be about a magical land where four kingdoms stood proud and tall, the four suits of a deck. Spades, Clubs, Diamonds and Hearts. Arthur was going to simply play a small beggar child.

His mother always did say that his looks matched the part, more rugged and angry than princely.

The plot was simple, but intriguing to Arthur who loved clique fantasy stories. The kingdom of Spades was on the verge of a collapse, the economy failing and a missing heir to the throne. The boy selected would play the prince of spades. The two boys would team up and play together in some of the minor scenes, they were side characters after all. Arthur was excited for his first acting job.

So Arthur followed his mother to the judge's seat and sat down next to her, remembering to sit as perfectly still as possible. The boy on the stage was still singing, strumming his guitar with glasses that were just a little too big for his frame.

"Our lives is truly in a world of wonder, a poem of my life, it's a pretty song I remember..."

Arthur nudged his mum. "I think we've found our prince Allen, Mother."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alfred waited quietly by the staircase as a British woman stood at the front desk of the orphanage. The woman had long blonde hair curled up into a bun and squared thick glasses that framed her face in an elegant and graceful manner. Miss Bella, the orphanage caretaker, chatted quietly with her, nodding her head and pulling out papers. Someone was going to be adopted.

Lovino tapped Alfred on the shoulder.

"Betcha 5 dollars they're here for one of the infants."

Alfred laughed drly. "Aren't they always? Only Feliciano was lucky enough to get picked."

Lovino nodded sourly. Alfred knew that was a fragile subject. Feliciano was adopted by a newly wed Hungarian woman and Austrian man a few months prior.

"Alfred! Would you come here please honey?" Bella called, startling Alfred.

Lovino gave him a shrug and pushed him into the hallway where the British woman was waiting.

"Hello, I'm Alice Kirkland. I was at the fair a few days ago when my son noticed your talents with the guitar. I work for a production agency and was wondering if you would like to play a role in one of my shows."