USUK ONESHOTS!

Kingdom

Arthur heard so much about the charming prince. He's often overshadowed by his grandfather, but Prince Alfred, heir to the throne, is often gossiped about. He himself overshadows his younger brother, Prince Matthew, and Arthur is sure it's on purpose.

The Brit never liked the Prince. He's never personally met him, and he doesn't want to.

Except, he's being forced to.

His family is decently wealthy as a farming family; the main producer of food in the kingdom. So his family was invited to the ball, and each family were to introduce themselves to their future King.

Arthur spotted the King, slouching in his throne. The poor old man. He looked worn and beat to the bone. His shoulder-length hair was peppered gray and white, his wiry beard the same. Most wrinkles were worry lines between his brows from many nights of stress, crinkles from the corners of his eyes and around his mouth from grinning and smiling with his kingdom and grandsons. He had to take back the throne and raise the two boys after his son and daughter-in-law had perished several years previous when a sickness swept through the kingdom.

Arthur smiled as he approached the King. "King Jones," he mused, dipping over his arm in a bow. "You look well, this evening."

King Jones chuckled and shifted to sit straighter. "You're a Kirkland boy, yes?" Arthur smiled and nodded as he straightened. "It's nice to see young people here aside from my grandsons. Speaking of the two, where on earth on they?"

"I have not the slightest idea." Arthur hummed, glancing around. "May I know more about the princes? I've never personally met them before."

The King's eyes sparkled. "They're my pride and joy. Better men than my son was. I loved my son, but he was not a good King. But Alfred..." He chuckled and shook his head. "Upon first impression, Alfred may not seem for for King, but I wouldn't trust anyone else with the kingdom like I trust him. I feel he'll make a better King than I. And little Matthew is too kind for his own good. So sweet and soft-spoken. Nothing like his brother, yet they're nearly glued to each other's sides. They love each other and are each other's best friends. They'd give up their lives for the other."

Arthur smiled as the King fondly smiled off into the distance. "I love those two boys."

"I'd love to meet them." Arthur's eyes shifted over the crowd, studying familiar faces and strangers.

The King sat straighter and leaned over. "Here they come. Those two would show up late to their own funerals, I swear."

The Brit glanced back at the King, then followed his line of sight to the two bustling princes as they entered the ballroom. His eyes widened and he gulped, his gaze suddenly glued to one of them.

His sandy blonde hair was neatly cut yet slightly messy as it hung down in his face, one lock flinging up stubbornly. His eyes were a shining, playful baby blue and his skin a rich golden-brown. His shoulders were broad and held up proudly, his chin high. He strut through the crowd gracefully, proudly, and arrogantly. He flashed a toothy grin to everyone he passed. He wore that standard blue and white prince-wear with white, leather gloves, similar to the other prince beside him. Unlike the shorter prince, he wore a cloak that draped over his left shoulder, hiding his arm away as well as his sword and it's beautiful, embroidered sheath.

Arthur swallowed thickly, then shook his head as the Prince was suddenly in front of him, bowing. Arthur fumbled over himself to bow deeply.

"Alfred, my boy!" The King heaved himself out of his throne and embrace his grandson. "Fashionably late, as usual.

Alfred laughed, sitting his grandfather back down. "Sit, grandpa! You'll wear yourself out in seconds!" Alfred grinned so brightly. Arthur couldn't tear his eyes away. The prince turned back to Arthur, and offered his hand. "Prince Alfred, at your service! Are you a Kirkland?" Arthur slowly nodded, taking Alfred's hand. "I can tell because of the eyebrows."