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

Chapter 7 - Approval

After that night of the ball, Alfred had immediately gone to tell his family the discovery. His twin brother, Matthew, who looked identical apart from his purple eyes, round glasses and curly hair, approved immediately, especially considering the two were soulmates. It was destined, right?
The Queen was a little hesitant but after thinking it over, she simply agreed to it in the end. Though, the king was hardest to convince. Not only was Arthur poor, but he wasn't a female. It wasn't like the king was prejudice, he was just thinking of the future of the kingdom.

In the next couple of months, Alfred frequently visited Arthur in the forests and even brought the other to the castle many times. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with him. That and, he wanted to impress him. However, Arthur didn't budge. He didn't show any particular interest nor did he seem entranced and honestly, it kind of beat Alfred down. Especially since these last months, he had come to the realisation of his feelings and indeed, had fallen for the smaller blond male.

However, one day things changed. By this point, they had just reached the 3 month mark. Alfred's coronation was drawing closer and in preparation for that, Francis had come to visit. Though as the Frenchman spent time with the two of them, he couldn't help his nonchalant flirting. Though, perhaps that was a good thing. You see, Arthur showed zero interest. Unlike at the ball, he felt nothing. Like he had subconsciously given his heart and soul to somebody else. Perhaps deep down, he had fallen for that knucklehead of a Prince in the end and had never realised it up until now.

Currently, the three were conversing over tea. Well, Arthur was drinking tea at the small round table. Francis was gauging himself on a glass of red wine whilst Alfred was getting hyper on coffee. Honestly, the sight of the three different men would cause people to roll their eyes. "So...Alfred. Don't you need a wife before your coronation? The kingdom will be wary of that, you know?" Francis asked with a devious smirk. He wanted all of the information he could get. "It's a shame you don't have somebody to fulfil that role" he added, though he was suspicious of the relationship between the prince and the farmer boy.

"His soul mate will fulfil that role. That's the entire reason for their existence. To aid the king in his endeavours, is it not?" Arthur spoke hastily, to prevent Alfred from speaking. In fact, he spoke so quickly that it shocked the prince. Especially since Arthur had shown no previous desire to be his Queen. "Perhaps the existence of the soul mate lies within I, in which case, he no longer needs to search." He added, rather defensively in fact, like he had been insulted. "For I bear the mark of Spades" he finally clarified.

"You're soulmates?" Francis asked, though he sounded rather winded, his eyes narrowing as he looked rather annoyed at this new information. However, he quickly switched back to his cheery side and clapped his hands together "My my! Congratulations to the two of you!" He exclaimed but didn't take long to stand, looking to the watch on his wrist "my apologies to cut this short but I have somewhere I need to be" he stated before he bowed and took his leave.

"Huh? Oh yeah! Alright, see you Francis, bro!" Alfred called out to the other as he waved before he slowly turned back to Arthur, a look of disbelief on his face. "What was that?" He asked, a smile quickly emerging on his lips. "You, you're going to be my Queen?! Artie, dude!" He exclaimed energetically as he practically jumped onto the other to give him a hug.

"Ah - Alfred!" Arthur called putting, alarmed. "Yes, yes, it's better me than somebody who isn't meant to be Queen!" He responded with a pout. Alfred simply smiled, he didn't care why the other chose to, all he cares about was the fact Arthur was going to be the Queen. His Queen.