A Bought Boyfriend (USUK)

Chapter 12: Plague

Feliciano leaned down to pick up the flower, feeling the delicacy of the strong stem and the bottom of the petals. Surely, being engaged and soon to be married wasn't that bad. He watched his older brother marry the man he had grown up with, and yes, it was beautiful, but he had no idea who this character was.

He was from the region of a larger, distant country of Germanum. It was like an island, although barely connected by a strip of land leading up to the pole. The boy felt tears at his eyes. He knew it, it wasn't right to cry, but he couldn't help but think this was the end. The end of his freedom.

A hand reached to cup his jaw and tilt his head up. "Feli..." His older brother said, kneeling and bringing him into his arms. "We're delaying the wedding... I'm sorry it was this way, I wouldn't have picked the bastard if I was in charge." Lovino paused. "But mother trusts them, and she would've wanted you to go through with it."

"I know..." Feliciano sniffled. "I wish I knew him, at least. I kn-knew Gilbert, but I can't tell much of m-my-a fiancé."

"You'll be okay. This could help us. Our countries could thrive, you know that." Lovino was cut off by a coughing. A woman, in her twenties, was shuffling over.

Her mouth dripped thick lines of red. Her eyes no longer held color except for the old idea of a beautiful gray that once was. Her dress was spotted, tears in the pink fabric that went down to her feet. "Help me, your majesties!" She gurgled, choking on the own flow of her blood.

"Miss! Miss!" The pair called as she fell onto the hard rock of the ever so rare garden floor. They rushed to her attention, calling for help even though only guards were around. They turned her over, her whole body shaking as she whispered her last words to them.

"She's going to kill us all." And her eyes rolled back, everything stopping and her body limp.

"Guards." Lovino said sternly when they arrived. "Take her to the labs immediately. Everyone in the palace, including my brother and I, are going to be sterilized. Then, get the plane ready. I believe we have to go pay somebody a visit."

***

"Father, this a matter of importance." Alfred practically yelled as he strode into the room, arm in arm with Arthur who had Peter clinging to his side. As much as it was indeed dire, the three had changed into the proper attire to address the king and queen. "Our ally, the Prince of Kapina has come to tell us regarding the Queen of Ainruia."

"Alfred, this isn't the time to joke, don't you see that we're-" His mother started, mid-discussion with someone who looked like a designer.

"Busy, yes I know, but our country is at risk!" The blond yelled, an even more demanding tone in his voice. "Our entire country could go down and fall to death! I'm not just talking about the government! I'm talking women, children, doctors, everybody in this god forsaken country, so listen God dammit!"

Both the King and Queen stared in shock, readjusting their position to give 100% of their attention to their son. "Well, if it's that important to you." Amber muttered.

"Thank you." Alfred sighed, feeling a reassuring squeeze from his partner in crime. "Maid, please escort Peter to a room for the time being."

"But Alfie-"

"Peter, listen." Arthur looked down at him, loving but stern. The teen sighed, following her to a room.

"Prince Kiku, from Kapina, has something to say about Ainruia." Arthur started, introducing the Prince who shyly came forward.

"Yes, um, Queen Amber, King Robert." Kiku started. "I come to you with news. My older brother, Yao, has sold Queen Natalia a biological weapon that could wipe out entire countries."

***

"Irunya, we've been walking for hours." Matthew complained as his body grew tired once again. The torture had taken such a toll on his body that even a few paces had made him tired.

"We're almost there, okay?" Irunya sniffled, feeling her emotions running high. She was tired too, feeling her kids heavy since they had left the house. The entire country was after their heads, their faces most likely plastered all over the anayisea screens.

Dear god, what had Natalia started? Where had she gone wrong in not noticing her sister's crash in mental health? Was it when Ivan had died? Where was her life headed now?

Would Natalia kill her?

Thousands of thoughts swarmed her head, stopping immediately when Matthew yanked her back by the arm, pulling her to his chest and tucking into the hollow tree nearby. He pressed a single finger to her lips, hushing her and making sure she knew it wasn't safe.

While it was the wrong time, Irunya finally got a good look at Matthew when he wasn't completely covered in blood. His face was well sculpted, jawline sharp and above her. His eyes were a beautiful blue, nothing like Alfred's, calming, and yet strong. His hair was blond, a dark kind that was waving towards the end. His curl, while hard to see, was defined and fell over his slightly dirty face.

"Irun..." Matthew cut her off, feeling her stare. She blushed darkly, going to look down when she realized that he had been staring back at her. He had been admiring how beautiful she was, for the first time. "...ya..." He breathed out.

"Matthew," Irunya said, leaning in and ignoring the fact that there was possible danger nearby. Their faces came close as they breathed the air of the small space together.

Before they could move, a light was shined directly into their faces, a large flashlight most likely. Matthew didn't move, the look on his face just changing to a disgusted frown, trying to protect the princess in the matter.

"Prince Matthew?"