Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 10 ~ Inner Trauma

Confusion was what Arthur felt while he was resting up. For years he was used to working through sickness and health problems. No matter how unwell he was, he kept working because this was what his previous masters made him do. However, since working as a servant, his new master didn't want him to work when he hasn't been feeling well.

This was the first time in his life that a superior character to him was expressively telling him off for overworking himself sick when prior to this it was normal for Arthur. He sighed to himself.

"He is a strange master...He's treating me like a human and not a..." He whispered to himself. He gets caught offguard by three knocks on the door. Arthur shot up quickly and got out of his bed in an instant. The door opens to a familiar face with a long curl and glowing purple eyes.

"Master Matthew." Arthur said, bowing to him. Matthew was quick to dismiss the need for formalities towards him. "Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked him. Arthur sat at the edge of the bed. "I'm fine, I suppose." Arthur answered with a hint of uneasiness. Matthew raised an eyebrow and sat with the servant on the bed. He had to think for a brief moment before proceeding with his question. "How do you mean by "suppose"? Is there something bothering you?" He asked calmly. Arthur sighed in response.

"I'm just confused. I am happy here and treated much better than in any other point in my life and yet I still feel...stuck...like I'm still a prisoner in my own skin. A mental prison dressed in ravish clothing if you like". He said sincerely. Matthew's mind was processing this complex response from the servant. "So...Are you still thinking about your history?" He asked his next question. Arthur felt calmer with his response as he felt a warming vibe from the master's kind-hearted brother.

"All of the time. I've been slowly coming to grips with my torment from my previous owners but the way I was treated and the codes of rules and orders have been engraved so much that it's an inescapable habit to be stuck with..." He said.

It was from this that Matthew got why he is the way he is. The slave business was not only abusive at times but it carved inhumane rules into their heads about how they should act and react to situations. Matthew pats the servant's shoulder and takes his leave. "You won't need to feel like that here. But I bet you were already told about that. Anyway, I will see you later, Arthur. Take care." He smiles while heading towards the door. Arthur smiled and bowed to Matthew before walking over to his desk.

A few hours past and the bell rung for the Master's Quarters. Arthur sorted his servant's uniform out to perfection and proceeded to the destination. He knocks four times and he hears a familiar voice from inside. "Come in". The voice called and Arthur allows himself into the room. Alfred was sitting on his bed waiting. His face lit up when he saw his servant. Arthur approached his master much less anxious than the first few times he did this.

"Was there something you needed, Alfred?" He asked him. Alfred patted on the spot next to him on the bed. Arthur cautiously proceeded to the bed and sat next to Alfred, whom then changes his sitting position with both legs on the bed, crossed and facing Arthur. Alfred seemed curious like a small child as if he was excited to ask him something.

"So, did taking a bit of time off help a little bit?" He asked his servant. He wasn't sure how to feel about this giddy attitude from his master but instead of questioning it, he answered the master's question. "Yes Alfred." he answered. This made Alfred smile grow bigger. "Good. I'm glad that's it's helped. I bet it felt a bit like a luxury one to you though." He said chuckling. Arthur wasn't sure how to react such a claim. Enjoying a break like it was a luxury felt like he shouldn't have enjoyed it especially if granted with such a thing. Arthur's expression fell but Alfred pat the servant's shoulder. "I'm just kidding, Arthur. I shouldn't be saying that. It was because I was concerned about your health." He explained, trying to make Arthur feel a bit better. It helped but not a great deal for Arthur.

"Arthur, Can I ask you something? it's only because of what I heard from a little bird not too long ago." He said, catching his servant's attention. Arthur nodded in response so that Alfred could proceed. "Have you been struggling with adjusting to life here?" He asked. Arthur couldn't answer straight away as if it was a calculated problem that needed a solution but it needed a method to work out the answer. Arthur had to think thoroughly for his response and when he did, he hoped it made sense to his master.

"Well...I have been coping with the duties as well as your recommended times to work and relax and yet...I still feel like there's a cloud over me. I have been moving on from what happened for the most part but I can't seem to relax properly. It's as if there's still something that's not connecting to help me completely adjust to life here...There are times that I still verbally and mentally hurt myself because of what others said to me..." Arthur explained, pausing for a moment before letting out a forced chuckle. "Heh, forgive me sir. I'm just rambling on, aren't I?" He said, seeing that Alfred wasn't smiling, though not mad or annoyed.

"No, it's alright...but still...that's terrible..." Alfred sighed. He wasn't sure how to react to this. Despite what he's been doing to help Arthur adapt and bloom in the castle, there's still a small problem that hasn't been identified let alone possible to solve. Not long after, an idea comes to mind for the young master and he smiles again to Arthur. "Want to know of a special little place that I like to escape to?" He said in a cheery tone. The servant looked at him confused but intrigued. "Sure..." He said nervously.

Alfred and Arthur proceeded to the garden doors that lead to a door which opens to a forest opening. Alfred opens the door and continue until they reach the entrance to the woods. Alfred put a hand up towards Arthur to stop him from walking on. "Before we proceed, I have an order for you." He said in a serious tone. The servant nodded in response. Alfred continued with his tone so he can prove that it's important for Arthur. "Where I'm about to take you is a well kept secret within the walls. It's more of a family secret but anyway. I have full trust in you and my order to you is to not tell any other living soul about the place. Do you understand?" He said. Arthur nodded to prove he is loyal. Alfred smiled in response. "Good, let's go then." He said with a cheerful tone and he leads his servant deep into the woods.

TO BE CONTINUED