Alfred hummed cheerfully, buckling up the saddle pack to his saddle before leading Fergus out of the barn. "Later, ma! I'll be home before supper!" The woman on the porch laughed and waved him off. He climbed into the saddle, then dug his heals into his stallion's sides. "Hee-ya!" Alfred cheered as Fergus leapt into a gallop.

The wind threw Alfred's hat right off his head so the string keeping his hat on wrapped around his neck. The warm breeze tousled the alpha's hair as he closed his eyes and allowed Fergus to canter free on the familiar path.

It's been a month since he helped the Queen back to the palace, but it's been on his mind since. There was something about the older omega that he found alluring aside from his wealth and rank. Alfred leaned forward in his saddle as he opened his eyes. Arthur was... Beautiful. Alfred couldn't find the proper words to describe his Queen, but he used what he could.

His Queen was beautiful, dainty but strong, and... And... Oh, there was simply no words.

"Morning, Alfred!"

Alfred looked down, then grinned as he slid off Fergus. "Hey, little guy! What's up?" He gently ruffled the child's hair. The child giggled, taking the reigns from Alfred. "Thank you for watching over him. You know I'm trusting you to watch him, and he loves ya."

The kid nodded with a large grin. "I know. When he nudges my shoulder, it means he wants carrots, and when he rubbed my cheek he wants an apple!"

Alfred laughed. "Glad you remember! See ya around, Peter! Tell your ma and pa I said 'hi'!"

Peter nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!"

As Peter lead Fergus out of the crowd, Alfred turned around to head into the markets.

"Alfred!"

Said alpha hummed in question as he turned around. His eyes widened and his jaw slackened before he grinned widely. There his Queen was, sitting graciously a top of a pristine white stallion that obviously belonged to the total stables with the Jack right behind him. "Afternoon, Arthur!" Alfred tucked his arm under his chest and bowed as his other arm hooked behind his back.

Yao sputtered indignantly. "You shall not address the Queen so formally-"

Arthur raised his hand to Yao with an amused curl of his lips. "It's alright, Yao. I have entrusted Alfred with my name." The caused Alfred to snigger in Yao's direction.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Alfred raised his hand for Arthur to take to help the smaller male off his horse.

The Queen smiled, taking Alfred's hand. "Oh, I was just in town. Yao refused to let me go on my own, so he came with me." Alfred chuckled, placing his other hand on Arthur's waist as he heaved him off the horse.

Then, Alfred caught a familiar scent waft off of Arthur. He leaned in slightly. "Did you just get out of heat?"

Arthur blushed, deeply embarrassed. He nodded. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

Alfred raised his arm for Arthur to take. "I can smell it on you. Don't worry about it, though. It's not strong enough for anyone in this crowd to notice or care. Also, I won't pounce on you. Promise." Alfred flashed his grin down at Arthur as he lead him through the crowd, Yao close behind with the horses.

The omega chuckled softly. "I'm glad, my dear farmer boy. You seem to have incredible self control and a trustworthy heart. Your parents must have raised you well."

"Eh." Alfred shrugged. "Ma and pa aren't really ever around. Sure, they're good folk, but I had to learn a lot of things on my own. Taught myself to read and write, ride horses, care for gardens, how to make cobbler, stuff like that. Ma and pa only taught me how to do chores and make money and grandmama taught me how to cook the perfect meal. I just touched up on a bit of each."

Arthur was heavily impressed. "You you educated yourself. You're incredibly smart to have just taught yourself all sorts of things." Arthur leaned closer to Alfred. "So you taught yourself self control and kindness?" Alfred nodded. "Interesting. Not even the smartest of nobles seem to have either self control nor kindness. It's rather saddening."

"Yeah." Alfred watched as the crowd thinned out before him to make way for the king. "One thing that I've had that I taught myself to control is my abnormal strength." Arthur raised a curious brow. "Ever since I was little, I had unbelievable strength. One time, I was playing with our dog and I tipped over a full wagon that pa and one of pa's pals couldn't budge on their own."

Arthur laughed, placing his other hand on Alfred's shoulder. "You must have gotten incredible control over that strength if you can handle things so gently. In fact, I saw you with that child back there. You pat his head almost carefully instead of carelessly like anyone else would have."

The farm boy chuckled. "I guess. But Peter's a friend. I wouldn't want to hurt him. So, where are we off to, Arthur?"

The Queen hummed, peering around. "Ooh, how about spices? I'd like to see the different kinds." Alfred laughed, but nodded.

"Spices it is. This way, your majesty."

~

After two or three hours of wandering through the market, Alfred was leading Arthur back to where he left Fergus. Yao had not spoken once throughout the entire time they had been there.

Alfred had gotten everything he needed plus some extra, and Arthur was gifted a trinket.

"Your highness. I believe it is time we head back to the castle." Yao finally spoke up, his grip tightened on the reigns.

Arthur sighed, but nodded. "Of course. We must still search for the King. We have to find him before our economy and politics crash." The omega looked up at Alfred and smiled. "Thank you so much for this wonderful day."

Alfred chuckled and bowed. "It was my pleasure, Arthur." He raised Arthur's hand and brushed his lips over the Queen's knuckles. "I hope I am graced with your presence once again."

"I'm sure you will." Arthur blushed and bit his lip as he watched Alfred and felt Alfred's lips over his white gloves. "But I must return to the castle."

"Of course." In one swift motion, Alfred's hands were gripping Arthur's waist and Arthur was in the air. He squeaked and grasped Alfred's fore arms tightly as he was set in his saddle. "You're rather light."

Arthur was to flustered to respond, refusing to release Alfred's arms. Once Arthur collected himself, he hurriedly released Alfred. "W-what was that!?"

The Spadian farmer boy chuckled, his hands sliding off of Arthur's waist. "My strength that I told you about. You're light as a feather."

Slowly, Arthur nodded. "Of course... I-I will see you when I see you."

Alfred grinned and nodded. "Good bye, Arthur."

"Goodbye, my farmer boy."

~

"Your majesty..." Yao stared at the back of his horses head as he followed Arthur.

Arthur hummed, then turned around to face his Jack. "Yes? Is something the matter?" He slowed his horse to walk alongside Yao.

Yao sighed and shook his head. "You shouldn't affiliate yourself with that farmer boy. We have to find the King, and any love interest could get in the way of that." This caused Arthur to look down. "He does not have the mark of the King. He only has the Alpha mark. I doubt he even has the Spadian Noble mark. You cannot get too close to him. I would advise that you don't meet with him anymore."

Arthur's head snapped up. "What? You cannot tell me whom I can or cannot meet with! Your rank is lower than my own!"

"I know! Your majesty, I was only giving advise! I was not saying that would could not see the boy!" Yao leaned back and raised a hand in defense. "I'm sorry if I had offended you."

The Queen stared at him before relaxing. "I'm sorry for getting angry. However, I will associate myself with whom I please. And Alfred is no love interest. I still have my sights on my King." Arthur looked forward, he chest tightening.

The Jack kept his topaz gaze in his Queen. "I know. I am only being cautious. You know," Yao took in a deep breath, "if we cannot find our king soon, you will have to marry King Francis Bonnefoy of Diamonds or King Ivan Braginski of Clubs."

"I know, Yao." Arthur closed his eyes and sighed. "I know. So we must double our efforts in finding Spades King."

"Of course." Yao bowed his head. "I'll get on it right away."

~

Once they reached the castle, Yao sent soldiers to search the coastal cities an towns for the King, then rushed up to his room. He shuffled through his drawers, tossing around articles of clothing and journal after journal. He started shifting through his closet and even search his washroom.

"Where is it? Where is it!?" Yao dashed to his study across the hall and slammed the door shut behind him. "Where is it?" He threw the drawers open, and shoved around quills and journals.

He gasped, then sighed in relief when he found what he was searching for. "Thank the Gods." He fell back into the plush chair. He carefully opened the journal and searched through the pages. "My first journal as Jack," he muttered as he stopped on the page he was searching for.

He began to read it just under his breath.

Year 832, Month September, Day 23
I have been Jack for only three months, and both the King and Queen are on their death bed, still unknowing where their precious son is. They finally told me his name and gave me a painting of wha he looks like so I can find him. However, I cannot tell anyone his name or show anyone his picture. I do not know why, but I swore it on my life that I never would tell or show. It is my sole duty now to find the next Queen and search for the missing Prince. I swear I will do greater than my best to find A--re- -os--r Jo---.
~Wang Yao

Yao cursed himself for scribbling out the name of the lost King. He turned the page to the slightly faded painting.

It was a small child, maybe two years old, staring at whomever was painting with bright blue eyes as he sat beside a dog. Yao recognized the dog. It's name was Yazzy and it had died of age and stress a year after he became Jack. The blue-eyes boy wore a neat, tailored suit and his dirty golden-blonde hair was combed over with a small cowlick sticking up proudly. The prince had a wide grin, showing off his new teeth, and the symbol of the King was boldly painted on his right cheek, a little alpha mark on his neck.

This boy looked so similar to the other son the previous King and Queen had, but the ahoge was different and the younger boy had longer hair. The younger prince also did not have the marking of the King, so he only counted as a noble of Spades. Little Matthew as Arthur and Yao call him.

The Jack stood up and tucked the journal under his arm. He turned to a painting of the late King and Queen and stood straight. "I swore to you that I would find your eldest boy. I'm trying so terribly hard. I hope you can forgive me if he is never found, even with our greatest efforts. I'm afraid that if when he find him, it will be too late. I'm not sure what's wrong; never finding, or being too late..." He gulped, then exited the room. "I do hope that he is found soon. We need a King."

~

Alfred groaned, sitting up on his springy bed. The sun glared down on him from his window and he glared right back.

"Alfred, come down now! Breakfast won't make itself and the animals can't feed themselves!" Alfred flipped back down on his bed as he heard his mother.

"I'll be right down!" He fell out of the bed and lay on the wood flooring before standing up. He tugged on his boots an a loose shirt over his head. He ran his fingers through his hair then dashed downstairs. "Morning Ma! Morning Pa!" He flashed them a large grin.

His mother turned with her own smile, then gasped. "It's back! Come, come! We have to cover it!"

Alfred's eyes widened as he was getting hurried into the living area. He watched his mother shuffle around in the bookcase before grabbing an old, worn book. She frantically flipped through the pages. "Where... Where... Aha! Got it!" She raised one hand to Alfred who stood still, quite used to this. "Iota evanescunt , eripite hanc inmunditiam et aufer . Eam ignotum non sit ostenditur. et non subsistet , et non peribit ."

Alfred saw a faint glow under his right eye and throw his shirt over his chest. "Is it gone?"

His mother sighed in relief, shutting the book. "Yes. It's gone. I need to find a way to permanently rid of this impurity. Soon you will not live here anymore and no one could disguise it for you." Alfred nodded, hugging his mother. "You know, you don't have to cover it. It's just an impurity. It won't kill me, if that's what you're worried about. If no one can accept it, then that's fine. It's apart of me."

She nodded. "I know... But you're my precious boy. It makes me feel better when I cover it for you. It makes me feel awful whenever I see it. I feel like it is my fault."

The Blonde chuckled, releasing his mother. "Alright. But I should go make breakfast now."

She nodded, then watched him exit the house to collect eggs.

"Victoria... You know you can't get attached to the boy." The man looked up at Victoria. "He knows he's 'adopted', but he has no idea who he is or who we are."

Victoria rolled her eyes and sat beside her husband. "I know, Levi. The boy is nothing but our house keeper that we must pretend is our son. We are getting paid handsomely for this."

Levi groaned, leaning forward. "What if he finds out, hm? He'll have our heads."

The woman snorted, then laughed. "Alfred? Alfred could never hurt a soul! He take away our money at the most, but he'd let us live and keep the property. That is the one thing I am proud about."

"But if he does seek to harm us," Levi leaned back, "King Bonnefoy better help our sorry asses."

Victoria frowned, but nodded in agreement. "Yes. Hopefully he'll keep to his word. Reward us, marry Queen Arthur, promote us to Nobles, then..." She trailed, gazing out the window. Alfred leaned against the fence, petting Fergus' velvety nose with a bucket of eggs beside him. In all honesty, she had gotten attached to the boy her husband had kidnapped seventeen years previous. She treated him just like he was her own, and now she felt the same as any mother would. Whenever she was alone and thought of what the King of Diamonds swore, she would cry. Alfred had caught her crying once and comforted her without question. She had grown to love the boy. She dreaded the day that the King of Diamonds kept his word. "Then hang Alfred..."

~

Alfred smiled as he have his horse the attention he always wanted. "Like that?" Alfred raised his hand and scratched behind Fergus' ear. The dapple grey stallion closed his eyes and leaned into his owner's touch. Alfred was oblivious to the conversation going on within the house he grew up in. Yes, he knew he was adopted, but he thought he was saved off the side of the road. Alfred didn't think he was anyone important, and he certainly didn't think that he had the entire kingdom searching for him.

As far as he knew, Victoria and Levi couldn't have their own children, so when they found him in the side of the road as a babe, they had decided to adopt him. They raised him and treated him like their own son. He never asked who his parents were, if they were dead or alive, or if they had even cared for him. He loved his adopted parents, despite them leaving on business often.

They cared for him and made sure he was safe. They'd always be his parents, even if Levi was grumpy most of the time and of Victoria was always panicky about his well being.

Alfred smiled, watching Fergus trot off to join Snowflake in grazing. He leaned further onto the fence, turning his gaze to the horizon in the direction of the castle where he knew Arthur was. He smiled, thinking about his Queen. Alfred couldn't help but to think about Spade's Queen. Alfred just found him to be so taunting. The alpha felt as if he was being beckoned in Arthur's direction. He chuckled at the absurd thought, and dropped his head. He could have such thoughts about his Queen. It's against so many laws to be thinking this way.

However, he couldn't help but wonder if Arthur thought about him as well.

Alfred ran his finger tips over his cheek where one of his marks that Victoria covers every month. He sighed and slouched. Would Arthur still want to at least be friends if he saw Alfred's imperfections? Would he acknowledge Alfred?

The Alpha had never seen the markings that Victoria told him he had received as a child. He believed them to be scars; his skin torn to ugliness that only few can truly accept.

He shrugged and picked up the basket of eggs. Alfred shook his head to clear it of all thoughts and grinned again. Another day to live. I pray it's a good day. Maybe I'll see Arthur again.