The Kingdom of Cards

Chapter 7

Elizabeta sat in the garden, Lili opposite her, and Francis at Lili's side. Raivis, being shy, decided to stay with the horses. The golden rays of sunlight touched the flowers, giving them a look of being on fire. The garden was lush and, though she would never admit it, she always wanted a rose bush. One of those that climbed the walls. She liked that they had thorns.

    "So," Lili started, sipping her tea, "how are things? There seems to be a fire over there. I do hope everyone is okay."

    "Yes, we are fine." Elizabeta said slowly. She wasn't sure what say, she was afraid of her kingdom looking weak. "But that isn't why I am here. The Spades were attacked......" she faded off.

    Lili set her cup down, shaking. The king set a hand on her leg, and she gripped it tightly. "That's awful, is everything alright?"

    "Ivan went there earlier today when he saw the fire and wanted to help. Plus we-" she paused again, thinking hard, "we were attacked also," she swallowed hard, "at the border... We saw the Aces..." Lili gripped Francis's hand.

    Francis spoke shakily, "The Aces..." he shook his head, "that doesn't make any sense, they're...peaceful right? They've never been in a war before..."

    "Their armor was real."
    "Are they just threatening or are they negotiating?" Francis asked.
    "We have no idea what they're after, but they're preparing for war."

    Francis turned to a servant, "Go get Antonio and Lovino." he turned back to Elizabeta, "We are prepared to help in anyway-"

    Elizabeta cut him off, "we are perfectly capable ourselves, our kingdom is impenetrable." she held her head slightly higher with pride.

    Francis nodded, "We are always here to help, if need be," he paused, "The spades were attacked too you said, was it the aces?"

    "No, it was dragons."

    Francis laughed and Lili followed, "Elizabeta, I didn't know you joke."  he laughed again, "The aces attacking you? Ha! The biggest, most fortified country, with a population of millions and then dragons attack the spades?! Dragons!" he smiled, "you really had me going."

    Elizabeta shook her head, "Francis!" she said angrily, "I'm not joking, I'm serious."

    "Please don't be a sore pranker now," he said gently, "I discovered your folly, and I'm both surprised and delighted."   

    Elizabeta stood, her face a deep red with anger, "You know that I don't joke, and when your kingdom comes under attack, the clubs will not be of any assistance you." she stormed off.

    Lili turned to Francis, who was stilling laughing, "Francis, I don't think she's joking." she stood and followed the angry queen.

    "Elizabeta!" she called. Elizabeta was already halfway to the stables, "Listen I'm sorry, we seriously thought you were joking."

    "Why the hell would you think I was joking?" she spun around.
    "It sounds ridiculous is why!"

    Elizabeta though for a moment, "it does, doesn't it?!" she sighed, "It's true alright? I came here to warn you." she walked away toward the stables where Raivis already had the horses saddled and ready to go.

    Lili tried to stop her. She reached out to touch her, but didn't, "Elizabeta, stay here for the night." Elizabeta sighed, the night was already upon them. The moon was rising in the east. The sun already below the horizon.

    "May I take a lantern? I need to get to the hearts quickly, so I can make it back to the clubs by tomorrow's night fall." she said, avoiding looking at the nineteen year old.
    "Elizabeta," Lili said slowly, "if you leave at first light, you will be able to make it back home by the day after tomorrow's dawn."

    Elizabeta sighed, "okay, I'll stay the night."

    Lili's eyes grew bright, "Okay, I'll have the servants prepare a room for you and Raivis."

She smiled. She didn't have guests over often, so she took any opportunity that presented itself. "Dinner's in about an hour."

Elizabeta nodded to Raivis and they walked up the castle steps. The castle was beautiful, but could be easily infiltrated. Every where she looked there was a nook for an assailant to hide. Elizabeta didn't notice that her sword was gripped, unsheathed in her hand. She did notice, however, that every other knight of the Diamond kingdom staring at her, gripping their weapons as well.

    Basch gave her a withering look, and she sheathed the weapon and set her jaw hard. first, they think I'm joke and now, it seems like all kingdoms and everyone, even our own people thinks we're untrustworthy and dangerous, she scoffed internally, Although, the problem is now a days, who isn't? Basch gave her  another look and she looked away.

    "Elizabeta, do you have any room preference?" he asked as if he could care less.
    "Yes, a window facing the east, first floor, close to the door."

    "Raivis?" Basch asked.

    "I'll stay with the queen." he said nervously. He was most at ease with other kingdoms as they were much nicer, but Basch's aura was similar to that of clubs, and he felt uneasy about his silent character.

    Basch nodded and lead her through the castle, paintings adorned the walls. Jewels in the Diamond kingdom were like snow is in the Club kingdom. Basch nodded toward a dark brown door. Elizabeta walked in without saying a word.

She had seen the jack a few times.  He was known to be quiet, and she was in no mood to speak. She looked through her window, the curtains billowing slightly in the summer-like breeze.

But, up in the mountains, she could see that a storm was brewing.
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Names you need to know:
Gilbert- Prussia
Peter- Sealand
King Ludwig- Germany
Queen Kiku- Japan
Feliciano- Italy
King Francis- France
Queen Lili- Lichtenstein
Basch- Switzerland
Antonio- Spain
Lovino- Romano/ S. Italy
King Ivan- Russia
Queen Elizabeta- Hungary
Roderich- Austria
Toris- Lithuania
Eduard- Estonia
Ravis- Latvia
King Alfred- America
Queen Arthur- England
Yao- China
Mathias- Denmark
Berwald- Sweden
Lukas- Norway
Tino- Finland
Kyle- Australia
Im Yong Soo- South Korea
Queen Emma- Seychelles

I'll see y'all later ✌🏼