When the clock ticks... (UsUk Cardverse AU)

Chapter 4 - A connection

"Arthur?" Alfred asked as he turned his attention fully onto the other male. "That's...a beautiful name" he added before looking away briefly. The name made his mind quickly remember that boy he had met once when he was younger, making his cheeks heat up softly before he returned his attention to the stranger.

That's when it hit him. The moment his eyes laid upon the other's emerald ones again. Was he the boy he had met? The coincidences would be so...odd but it made sense in his head. With a clear of his throat, he brushed the back of his head. "So....Arthur? Wanna, I don't know, maybe go for a walk?" He asked the other, wanting to at least escape the ballroom for just a little while.

Arthur nodded in response, not finding a problem with it as he then proceeded to follow the other out of the ballroom and into the quiet hallway, beginning to walk down it together. It felt a lot more comfortable to the both of them.

"So....Uh, you're a farmer, right?" He asked, deciding to ask. Though if he got his assumption wrong, he'd surely be embarrassed and humiliated. It's just that everything matched. The appearance, the homemade suit, the awkwardness around nobles, the name.

Arthur looked up surprised, staring at Alfred in silence for a little while which made Alfred ever so slightly nervous. "You...You remember me?" He asked him. After all, Alfred was a prince. Not just any but the heir to the throne. Why would he remember a boy he met briefly in a forest.

"Of course! How could I not remember you?" He questioned him in response, taking a long glance at the other. He really was handsome. It wasn't every day that you'd see a commoner looking so beautiful. Perhaps the fresh air in the forest helped. Though, his eyebrows were definitely unmaintained.

Arthur couldn't help the soft blush that blessed his cheeks at the other's response, relaxing a little more "I'm grateful for that, your highness" he replied with a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Honestly, I thought you would've forgotten about me. With how many people you've most likely seen throughout your life" he told him truthfully.

"Mm, that makes sense" Alfred agreed "however...I just couldn't get you out of my head" he then added, once again, glancing at the other for a long period of time. He couldn't help it, the other was stunning in his eyes. After only a couple of seconds, the taller blond got nervous, brushing the back of his neck with his hand before trying to think of something to say "Oh! You like forests! I totally should show you the royal gardens!" He exclaimed with a loud gasp and in the heat of the moment, he grabbed the other's wrist, pulling him gently forward as he walked rather hastily in an effort to reach the royal garden faster.

Arthur was most definitely surprised as he was grabbed and dragged but quickly relaxed upon seeing the beauty of the royal garden. It had so many exotic flowers and the beauty of it was astounding. Mystifying even. Alfred has let go of his wrist by this point and so the small blond Male stepped forward, taking in the environment for just a moment before exploring contently, the most wholesome smile plastered onto his face.

"This garden is...so very beautiful" he said after a few minutes of inspecting the majestic flora. "I don't expect any less of the royal family" he then added happily before he stood up to regain his composure. "Though I'm surprised you don't have any magical creatures roaming about here" he spoke.

"Mm" Alfred simply responded. In all honesty, he wasn't particularly listening. Mainly because that smile of Arthur's has completely shaken him, it was so beautiful and unexpected that the other couldn't get it out of his head. Why was he feeling like this? So light and content with Arthur here? He had never felt the same way before, that was for sure.
He shook his head in an effort to be brought back to reality and spoke to distract himself. "I've read about plenty of magical creatures" he explained to the other "but I did get to see some in the forest that day so I was happy" he added contently."I used to read about all sorts when I was younger, mainly because mother would read to Matthew  and I at night" he told Arthur casually. "Magical creatures, magic itself, soul mates markings..." he mumbled.

"Soul mate markings?" Arthur asked, looking surprised as he raised an eyebrow at the other "what are they?"

"Hm?" He asked the other before placing a hand to his chin "only royals and their soulmates possess them. They're birth marks. All different shapes" he explained to the other the best that he could. "Like I have a Spades Mark so my soul mate would have the same" he added and was about to continue when he looked back at Arthur, noticing the other's widened eyes.
"Is something wrong?"