House of Cards

Night was falling upon the city, with the moon trying to compete against the electric light of the street lamps and the one coming from the houses’ windows. The sounds produced by the crickets and other nocturnal creatures was easily drowned by the traffic noise and the conversations of the people walking by without paying any attention to the roof where two jokers could be seen… both of them watching the few shiny little dots or more precisely the stars above them; the sky of that city was truly empty and sad. Peter was playing with a deck of cards, riffling them and taking out some random ones that he was throwing to the ground one by one, as if looking for a particular one, while Gilbert averted his gaze from the sky and took the next card out of Peter’s hand, before the latter could throw it, raising it in front of him. It was the ace of spades. “Time is up,” he said monotonously and observed the card for a few moments. Then, his lips curved into a slight grin… as arrogant as always. The older joker flung the card away, and Peter let go of the other ones, producing some sort of waterfall made of cards. There were only four left in his hand: the ones representing the four kings. “Let’s go, Peter! Our Majesties are waiting for us! Kesesese!” The albino took an exaggerated bow, letting his head almost touch his knees, with his devil's tail sticking up into the air and his mischievous grin hidden in the shadow of the night. “Let the final act begin!” Peter continued and imitated the other, grinning as well like the naughty child that he was. They stayed in their position for another while, as if enjoying a silent applause from an invisible audience that was anxiously waiting for the last scene. Gilbert slowly straightened his back again, which made his hood fall from his head and reveal the black horns that were sticking out of his silver hair. His red eyes were shining as bright as ever. Peter did the same, extended his hand that was still holding the four cards, into the other’s direction, and let Gilbert choose one without looking, as if it was a magical trick. The latter raised it and couldn't help frowning a bit, since it was the king of hearts. The picture of the bearded man with a sword behind his back and a serious expression on his face that was shown on the card, caused Gilbert to feel certain emotions, as he tossed it into the air. It was carried away by the wind for a short distance, before touching the ground. “The first one will be the Heart, then,” the older joker simply said, and the two of them left. Once again, they were jumping from roof to roof, as if their bodies weighed almost nothing at all. With their hands in their pockets, their gazes directed to the front, but their minds somewhere else. Peter was peeking at Gilbert from time to time, wondering if the other was really alright. Just a few hours had passed since his encounter with Feliciano, and now they were going to meet again. This time, it was for an entirely different cause, but the feelings were obviously still there. The older joker felt the boy’s stares and faced him. Peter didn't avert his eyes, but Gilbert did. Without saying a word, they reached Feliciano’s house, where the younger one intended to enter through one of the windows as always, but Gilbert put his hand in front of him, stopping him. “We’re educated people, my dear Peter, so we’ll use the front door,” the albino said with a bit of arrogance in his voice, perhaps in order to mask the whirlwind of emotions that was plaguing him. Peter smiled. The two creatures jumped to the ground and walked towards the entrance. Not a single sound was coming from inside the house. Ludwig was sitting at the kitchen table, his fingers interlaced in front of his deeply concentrated face. Sitting next to him was Feliciano, holding a cup of warm milk in his hands… and silently looking at the king, who didn't even seem to have noticed his presence. What was Ludwig thinking now? About what had happened with Alfred… about Francis, about the recently found Ivan, about his kingdom… or about the Jack of Hearts? The last possibility felt like a stab to Feliciano’s heart, and he decided to calm himself by taking a sip from his cup. Then he turned his attention back to the king, who was still immersed in thought, furrowing his brow a bit from time to time, making the line there look deeper as it already was. Finally, he placed his hands on the table and let out a long sigh. “What a dilemma…” he said, more to himself than to the Italian, who was about to ask him what the matter was. But suddenly, the front door flew open and slammed against the wall. The king and Feliciano both got up, startled. “Ve~ Thi-Thieves?” Feliciano asked, trembling. Ludwig placed his index finger against his lips, indicating to him to be silent. The Italian covered his mouth with both hands. Almost tiptoeing, they went to the entrance and stopped abruptly, as they saw two familiar creatures standing there and widely smiling at them. “Good evening, Majesty, Feliciano,” Gilbert greeted them with a fake politeness and a slight movement of his head. However, avoided looking at the latter. “Jokers? What are you doing here?” Ludwig asked, immediately standing in front of Feliciano in a protective pose, which made Gilbert frown a bit. Trying to not make it too obvious, he smiled again. “How rude. Here we have come to bring you back to your kingdom and are still received like this,” Peter complained, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. Feliciano’s eyes widened as he heard that. Without even thinking, he grabbed Ludwig’s shirt… his hands were trembling, and his breathing was getting a bit faster. “What’s the matter, Majesty? I thought you could not wait to return… but somehow, you don't look that pleased to me,” Gilbert provoked Ludwig and grinned wider, as he noticed that the king didn't seem to know what to say. “So soon?” Feliciano asked in his place, still hiding behind Ludwig. Gilbert’s grin vanished in a matter of seconds, and he looked at Feliciano without wanting to… there was pain in his eyes. “You told me yourself that the king has already learned his lesson,” he replied, to which the king turned around to the boy, who was still hiding his face. “Yes, but…” “And now you regret it. Well, too late for that,” the albino interrupted him in a rough and piercing tone that didn't suit him in the slightest. It even made Feliciano look up in order to make sure he was speaking to the same man, who had confessed his feelings the night before. “Feliciano? What is he talking about?” Ludwig wanted to know, not really getting what was going on. “About the fact that I’m an egoist… that I know that it’s time for you to return home, but I don’t want you to go.” The Italian pressed his face against Ludwig's back and wrapped his arms slowly around the latter’s waist, letting out something similar to a sob. “I am an egoist, I am a bad person, because I don't want you to leave, even though I said these words to you this morning, even though the jack is waiting for you… I want to become evil and not let you go. Why do I always have to be abandoned by the people I love?” He clung to Ludwig, holding him tight. The king was starting to feel his back getting wet. Peter could almost feel Gilbert's burning envy. The older joker was gritting his teeth and looking as if he was trying to control himself while watching Feliciano hug the king from behind. The latter wanted to move in order to comfort him, but the Italian didn't let him. “Sorry, Feli, but the king doesn't love you. Didn’t you say so yourself?” the albino asked cruelly. Peter was surprised, not being used to hearing hurtful comments from him. Feliciano winced. Gilbert was right, of course, and he knew it better than anyone… the Jack of Hearts was the only one Ludwig was seeing… while he, Feliciano, was nothing but a mere substitute to make the king realize his feelings… “I don't care!” he finally exclaimed, hugging Ludwig even tighter. “I don't care, I don’t care!.. I can become that other Feliciano!” He shook his head. So his feelings did betray him at the very last moment, these damn feelings that are always ruining everything just when the reason is about to win. And Feliciano’s feelings had turned against him at the most critical time, just when he needed to be strong and mature… he would not stay quiet like the jack, he had no reason to hide what he was feeling. He could stay with Ludwig! But Gilbert was having none of it. He pulled the king out of Feliciano's arms with a single rough movement and stepped in front of the crying boy, looking at him with something that went beyond pain and resentment. “No, you can’t!” he yelled at the Italian, scaring him so much that it made him take a step back. “You can’t wish for the impossible to happen!” This time, the joker’s anger was defeated by his pain, and his eyebrows curved into a clear expression of sadness. “But I…” Feliciano tried to object, with tears streaming down his cheeks, and fell to his knees. “But I love him!” He covered his red face with his hands, hurting Gilbert even more than he could imagine and leaving Ludwig completely flabbergasted. “The king does not love you,” the joker repeated in a calmer tone, while Peter was staying at a prudent distance, not daring to intervene. “I want to hear it from Ludwig himself,” Feliciano said in a broken voice and uncovered his face again, looking directly into Ludwig’s blue eyes, who was feeling pierced by his gaze. “Tell me, Ludwig. Who is the one you love: the Jack of Hearts or me?” Ludwig tried to swallow the lump in his throat that wasn’t allowing him to speak normally, approached the boy with slow, little steps, kneeled down in front of him, and started to search for the answer, looking at his face. The king gently wiped Feliciano’s tears away and brushed one strand of his bangs to the side, admiring that face for a while that was identical to the one his servant possessed, the person who was most faithful to him… the only one who knew almost everything about him, who endured his silence, his bad mood, his excessive seriousness, the one who was always there to listen and give him advice, even without having to be asked. His beloved jack. “I am sorry, Feliciano,” he finally said, his voice hoarse. The other’s eyes widened and got filled with tears again that were running down his face. That apology had been nothing but an outright rejection. The salty drops kept falling on his hands one by one. He didn't bother wiping them away nor getting up from the floor. “It’s time to leave,” was everything Gilbert had to say and grabbed Ludwig's arm, making him stand. “Thank you for everything, Feliciano,” said the king, but the latter was still crying and keeping his head down. Ludwig was almost dragged towards the door that had been left open, the cold causing him slight goosebumps, but he didn't avert his gaze from the Italian, who still refused to look at him, being left behind with that bitter feeling. Feliciano wanted to say something, to wish him the best, to wish him to be happy with the one he really loved, but he couldn't… or more precisely, he couldn't be such a hypocrite as to say these things while crying for him. He heard the door close, not noticing neither the last look the King of Hearts dedicated to him, nor Gilbert's pained expression, instead being left alone with his suffering and leaning forward until his forehead touched the ground. He started to punch the floor, while crying and screaming at the world and life itself for being so unfair. So apparently, it hadn't been enough to have his brother being taken from him, this was why he also had to lose Ludwig. Life was really nothing but a bitch that wanted him to stay alone forever. Why? Why him, who had never done anything wrong? Why was destiny always turning its back at him? And Feliciano's continued crying and cursing in Italian, just as he had heard Lovino do it so many times, while hugging himself, in an attempt to look for a warmth he couldn't find… he wanted to cry his last tears out, so that he wouldn't have to shed them ever again and to make being alone less painful. “I can’t take it!” Gilbert said, turning around together with Ludwig, in order to go back and silence these screams full of pain, but Peter grabbed them both by their wrists. “And what are you planning to do? None of you two can stay with him, this is what causes all this pain, so it won’t solve anything if you pat him on the back and say ‘everything will be alright’... just leave him in peace,” the child scolded them. The king and the joker looked at him, then at each other, and finally at the door behind which Feliciano was. “Please, Gilbert, don’t do any more foolish things, let’s just bring the king back.” The older joker looked as if he wanted to protest, but Peter’s almost pleading eyes made him understand that the boy was right, there really wasn't anything they could do right now. So he just nodded and obeyed. The other finally let go of them, and, still hesitating a bit, left Gilbert with the task of returning Ludwig home, taking another path himself. Peter was feeling something similar to remorse after that horribly sad scene. He could still hear Feliciano cry for the king whom he had fallen in love with, exactly like the jack. It was something like seeing a history repeat itself, just in a different scenario. An interesting thing, indeed, that the feelings of two people living in such different worlds could become so identical. Being immersed in thought, the boy didn't even notice that he had already reached the mental clinic, where most of the lights had already been turned off. Just a few were still illuminating the building, making it look a bit spooky. The joker was pondering over the question whether he should go to the king right now or rather wait until daybreak. Suddenly, he saw the lights go on in one of the rooms. “Ivan, get up,” a certain blond guy with green eyes whispered to the King of Clubs, who started stirring in his uncomfortable bed and tried to focus his eyes on the one talking to him. “What is it?” he asked sleepily and squinted, for the light was bothering him. “Let’s, like, go on a nightly expedition,” Feliks said, mischievously winking at him. The king had no other choice but to get up, not having the slightest clue what the hell the other was talking about, just seeing him tiptoe barefoot towards the door, trying to hold back a giggle. Both of them knew that it was locked, but Feliks took one of the clips he was wearing in his hair so it didn't fall into his eyes, and inserted it into the lock with the precision of a surgeon. Then he furrowed his brow, moving it around inside it, while Ivan was watching him with curiosity, until they heard a “click”. Feliks smiled triumphantly and turned the knob, opening the door. “And this, Ivan-baby, is the way doors open to fabulous people,” he joked, still in a whisper. Ivan had to cover his mouth with both hands in order to not burst out laughing, while Feliks peeked out and smiled even wider, having made sure that nobody else was there. Cheers to Ivan’s luck! Still barefoot, they sneaked quickly through the hallway, freezing at the tiniest sound and relaxing again when they understood that these were just coming from the other patients in their rooms. Just as Ivan had assumed, they were heading to the roof. Reaching it was no more difficult than leaving their room, so they could enter without any incidents, walking out into the nightly scenery over the hospital. There was no moon in the black sky and just a few stars, the others being dimmed by the city lights. “What a boring night, like, it’s usually so totally romantic in the movies… nothing like this,” Feliks complained, crossing his arms. “But since we are already here, we could simply stay a bit longer. Perhaps, the sunrise will be less disappointing,” Ivan suggested, who had already sat down on the floor with all the calmness of the world. Feliks just shrugged and joined him. “And what is the reason for this ‘nightly excursion’?” the king asked after a brief silence, while Feliks was watching the sky, still looking for more stars to appear. “Nothing special, it’s just when that other king came to visit you this morning, and you were talking about going home, I started thinking about how you won’t be here any longer, and it made me super sad. You know how I am,” he replied, stretching out his arms in order to get rid of the tension in his shoulders, and then wrapped them around his knees. “Well, about that… you can always come with me, you know,” said Ivan, shrugging. “Hey, Ivan-baby, if you keep talking like that, I’ll start to think that you're serious.” Feliks had a sly grin on his face. “But I am. You can really come with me and become part of my court… then you won't have to worry about anything, and we could drink tea together every afternoon.” “And could I wear long, pompous dresses?” “Sure… though I can't assure you that no one will give you strange looks, but yes, you can. Elizabetha’s couturier makes the best ones in the entire kingdom.” “No, no, no, Ivan, I, like, have to look better than Lizzy, I’d totally be the diva of the Kingdom of Clubs,” Feliks said, his eyes shining from the mere idea. He let out a short sigh. “Tell me how everything would be in your kingdom,” he then asked. The king thought about it for a while. Then he told him about all the luxuries he could possess, not only dresses and jewelry, but also carriages and servants, due to his high status as the king’s best friend. No one would ever mock him for wearing women's clothes or make-up, and even less dare to insult him… he could be free of all these prejudices. Feliks smiled at these words, at the knowledge that he wouldn't be bound to the expectations of a society that barely accepted him, that he wouldn't have to bear neither all the disapproving gazes nor his father's rules... he wouldn't have to live in a madhouse, wouldn't need any illusions of Toris, of a love created by loneliness. No. He would live in a dream world by the side of his friend, the king. Free! Free of delusions, of being labeled... of the madness that would have swallowed him whole if Ivan hadn't arrived. And Ivan, for his part, was also thinking about his life together with Feliks, while describing everything to him: he wouldn't be alone anymore, even though it would be hard to make Feliks get along with Elizabetha because of the terrible image he had of her. But still, Ivan wouldn't feel that icy cold anymore freezing him to the bone and reminding him of his daily misery... he would have a reason to be happy. The mere thought was so attractive and tempting that Feliks was smiling from ear to ear, not caring about the moon and the stars anymore. Now, all he was seeing in the night sky, was a big palace and an elegant ball that was taking place there; it was so great... so wonderful to be able to escape schizophrenia, loneliness, and everything else... to run away from them. They were talking, the longest conversation they ever had, never lacking topics, since one was leading to the next. There was also constant laughter, with one or another secret coming to light, confessions of fears and of the happiest moments they had lived through. They talked about past love, of forgotten dreams, of everything they expected from the future, talking so much that they didn't even notice the daybreak. And still not haven't told each other even half of all the things they had to say. "Did the sun rise already? We, like, have to go back, before we get caught by the gorillas," said Feliks, honestly surprised. The two friends got up and shook the dust from their white pajamas, about to sneak back to their room. But before they could open the door, a voice stopped them. "Good morning, Majesty," Peter greeted, sitting comfortably on top of the bars that were protecting the roof. Feliks and Ivan turned around to him, and Feliks couldn't help getting surprised again at the sight of the child with the black tail that was undulating like a snake. "Joker, what have you come here for at this early hour?" Ivan asked politely, while Feliks immediately hid behind him. "You, of course." "Well, then I guess I should feel honored," the king said with sarcasm. But the boy didn't care, looking down on him with arrogance. "Yes, you should, my lord, since today is the day you are going to return to your kingdom," Peter replied calmly. Feliks and Ivan looked at him, baffled. The king smiled after a few seconds, but this time, it wasn't his usual childish smile, but a genuine one. "Are you serious or is this another one of your tricks?" he asked, approaching the bars. "I very much am, Majesty, you have learned your lesson and can go home now, but if you don't want to, then..." "I do! Bring me back to my kingdom!" the king exclaimed with enthusiasm. As soon as he heard that, Peter jumped from the roof, landing in front of the king and examining him carefully. Ivan seemed to be the only one of the four who really wanted to return. But why? And it didn't take long for him to discover the answer, for Ivan immediately turned around to Feliks and offered him his hand, still with that big smile on his lips. "Let's go, young Feliks... to the life you deserve," he invited his friend, who looked at him and briefly felt like being in a fairy tale. Ivan was offering him his hand like a prince, who was saving the princess locked in a tower, with a fairy ready to fulfill their wishes. Feliks smiled back and took Ivan's hand. "I won't come with you, Ivan. Forgive me." Life was no fairy tale, Feliks was no princess, and the world was no tower, where he was kept locked in. Ivan blinked a few times, his smile slowly disappearing. But Feliks' smile remained, as he continued to hold the king's hand, even squeezing it a bit. "Why? Why won't you? What is stopping you?!" Ivan was frightened... the loneliness was about to take hold of him again. "Because I don't belong to your world, like, Ivan, my world is THIS ONE, this is my reality... and I'm not a coward, who will just run away," Feliks explained. The other one looked even more scared. “But I… what am I supposed to do, then?!” Ivan asked, starting to breathe heavily and doubling down, squeezing Feliks’ hand even tighter. But the latter pulled it away and took Ivan’s face, making him look into his eyes. “To return to your own world and reality. And you will face it!” he said sternly, and then softened his features a bit. “Don’t disappoint me, Ivan-baby! You're, like, the strongest king I know (and the only one)... if you have managed to save me, then you’ll also be able to save yourself.” Ivan shook his head several times and closed his eyes tightly, feeling the warmth of Feliks’ hands on his cheeks. “No, Feliks, it was you who saved me, and it was also you who taught me what happiness is, you cannot abandon me now.” “Who the hell says that I’m abandoning you? Stop being a drama queen,” the other scolded Ivan and let go of the latter, who was forced to open his teary eyes in order to see Feliks stand in front of him, his back straight and his hands on his hips. “I’m not abandoning you. You have to understand that I’ll always be your friend, even if I won't be by your side. And now look me in the eyes and listen to what I have to say.” Holding back his sobs, the taller man did as told. Peter was absolutely impressed to see the King of Clubs so obedient, that scene was worth gold. “Happiness does not lie within a person, Ivan, but only within yourself. People are just part of it,” Feliks said, burying his index finger into the king’s chest. “And what are you going to do once I’m gone? You will stay here and…” the latter began, but Feliks quickly covered his mouth before he could mention Toris and a possible relapse. “I’m a phoenix, I will rise from my ashes and fly away from this hellhole. You can bet on it!” he assured him with a smile that was even vainer than usual. Ivan stared at him, being able to see the fire in his eyes and the confidence he had in himself. How, just how could he be that strong? “Prove to me you are a phoenix, too, Majesty, I want to see you fly.” This time, Feliks’ smile was sweet, and Ivan, though a bit reluctantly, nodded… he wanted his friend to be proud of him, wanted to show him that he had defeated the loneliness and sadness. After that, there was silence, until Peter had to interrupt it, indicating to the king that it was time to go. Ivan shook Feliks’ hand in a friendly gesture. “Goodbye, young Feliks, I could never repay you for everything you have done for me,” he said in a calmer tone, his eyes slightly reddened and with a weak smile on lips. Feliks smiled back at him. Peter started heading to the emergency door, and the king followed him. But just as the latter was about to cross it, he heard Feliks calling him. “Ivan!” The aforementioned one turned around, just in time to catch his former roommate, who jumped at him, wrapping his arms around the other's neck and his legs around his waist. “I told you not to say ‘goodbye’, say ‘see you later’!” Feliks’ voice was trembling as well. “See you later, Ivan! We’ll stay in touch! I don’t know yet how, but we won’t stop talking and speaking about, like, all our complexes and problems, okay?” He was basically carried by Ivan, who was hugging him tighter than he had ever imagined to hug someone. “Of course, young Feliks, see you later,” he replied, pressing his face against Feliks’ neck, who gave him a big kiss on the cheek and finally let go of him. The king waved his hand and crossed the door, leaving Feliks behind with tears in his eyes, but also a smile on his lips. He looked up at the sky. The sun hurt his retinas, but he didn't really care, staying like this until he saw a figure crossing the sky. Was this the joker? It was Gilbert, jumping from roof to roof in order to check whether Peter had done his job. The albino had spent the entire night calming down. He couldn't just leave things unfinished, there were still two kings left to send home, his feelings couldn't interfere with something that was already planned and even less when his and Peter’s lives were at stake. So he decided to not look back and resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't able to do anything for Feliciano. The joker finally stopped and took out one of the cards, he had taken from Peter earlier, from his pocket. It was the King of Diamonds. He looked at the man, who was drawn in profile with an axe by his side, and put the card back, wondering whether the Diamond would finally drop his mask and reveal his secrets on his last day in the orphanage. Not wanting to wait any longer, he entered the building, but instead of His Majesty, spotted Lovino in his dormitory, who seemed to have dragged Antonio in there as well, since the Spaniard looked a bit frightened. Antonio was feeling really uncomfortable right now, not daring to move nor to speak, for he feared being punched by Lovino for the slightest movement. The latter, meanwhile, was just staring at him, without his usual frown this time, simply observing the other with an extreme seriousness and looking for a hint, some signal that what he was about to do, was a foolish mistake. But there was nothing… just a Spaniard, looking like a scared hamster in its cage. “Antonio,” the Italian finally said calmly, making the other shudder violently, feeling that something bad was going to happen. “Y-Yes?” was everything he could utter, while watching Lovino sit down on the bed and pat the spot next to himself, indicating to him that he wanted him to take a seat as well. Antonio obeyed, still in silence, while the Italian shifted uncomfortably in his seat, casting sideways glances at the Spaniard, who straightened his back as he felt them pierce him. Lovino then scratched his neck, trying to find the right words to convey his thoughts. “I’ll get directly to the point, so listen carefully, because I won’t repeat it,” he said in a sharp tone. Antonio nodded. Lovino’s face gradually started to turn slightly pink and then bright red. “I accept your offer,” he continued. Though, this was a bit too vague for someone like Antonio. “Which offer?” Lovino turned around to him, angry and violently blushing. “Your offer… to… live together,” he finally managed to utter between clenched teeth, feeling so awkward that he wished to be swallowed up by earth, especially when he saw Antonio’s dumb face light up as if it belonged to a little child in a toy store. “Are you serious?!” the Spaniard rejoiced, moving closer to Lovino, who flinched a bit. “I’m always serious!” the boy replied, making the other’s smile become even wider. “But I also have some conditions,” he added. “First one: I can meet Feliciano whenever I want.”  Antonio nodded happily. “And second: don’t even think about doing something perverted to me.” This time, Antonio became a bit more serious. “This goes without saying, Lovi, I love and respect you, I could never do anything against your will,” he said, making Lovino blush even more, especially when he felt the look of the other’s emerald eyes on him. He immediately averted his gaze and felt his heart pound painfully against his chest… no, he couldn't confess his feelings yet. Oh, how he hated his insecurity regarding these topics! No… what he hated was that fear he felt, that terrible fear that was making it Impossible to move. He didn't want to get hurt, was absolutely terrified of pain… so it was still too early to say these things to Antonio. Maybe later, when they would be living together, but not now. He hoped Antonio would not lose his patience and get sick of him. “Lovi, if you are willing to live together with me, does this mean you love me?” Antonio then asked, as if he had read the boy’s mind. Lovino was absolutely baffled by that question, but before he could reply, Francis suddenly burst into the room, almost falling over and panting. “Antonio, they want to take him! They want to take Matthew!” the king screamed, breathing heavily, with his tousled hair covering his desperate and scared face. “What?” “That couple, these two, who are always visiting him, want to take him with them!” Francis started to pull at Antonio’s arm, determined to go save Matthew. “Francis? Did nobody tell you? The Williams are going to adopt Matthew.” Francis froze. “What did you say?” he asked in a barely audible voice. “That the Williams are going to adopt him, or, rather, they already have.” “No! Why? Who gave them the right?” “Hey, Fran, calm down. The Williams are good people, they will take great care of Matt.” “No! Matthew does not need parents, he does not want to leave.” “The one who doesn't want him to leave is you, idiot!” Lovino joined the discussion. “Of course, he needs parents, he’s still a little brat, after all. Or were you going to adopt him yourself?”  Francis didn't say anything. No… he couldn't take Matt to his kingdom, where he would be too busy to properly look after the little one… the child would only end up being locked in a lonely golden cage. Just like Francis used to be as a boy. “Francis, look, I know you love Matt, but he’s still small and needs parents. The Williams have tried to have children on their own, but couldn't, so now they want to give their love to someone who needs it… believe me, they really do love Matt as if he were their own flesh and blood, they could never do anything bad to him,” Antonio tried to convince him. Francis leaned against the wall, still having doubts. That couple would adopt Matt and treat him as if he was their own son, giving him love and all the attention he needed… but what if they decided to abandon him? No… then they wouldn't have adopted him in the first place. Matty was still a child, he needed parents… this was the best for him. Still without a word, Francis left the room, dragging his feet… he had to say goodbye to Matthew, to give him a big smile and promise that everything would be alright. And then he would ask the Williams to do all in their might in order to make sure that the boy would have a happy childhood. Threatening them with the death penalty, if necessary. Looking like a zombie, he reached the room where the Williams were, together with a little suitcase containing the boy’s few belongings. The young couple was beaming with happiness, but Matthew ran up to Francis, as soon as he saw him, crying. “Francis, don’t let them take me with them, I want to stay with you!” The king squatted down to the child’s height. “I am sorry, Matthew, but I can’t,” he said, making the boy cry even more. “Don’t say that, you’re a king, everyone has to obey you!” Matthew shoved him slightly, his face full of tears. “This time, I cannot do anything, forgive me.” “Yes, you can!” the boy yelled, grabbing the king by his arms and feeling his birthmark. “I know I don’t have enough money to adopt you, but you do, you’re extremely rich and you told me yourself that everybody has a price. So buy me, then! Give them money, so I can stay with you! Please!” Matt begged. The adult felt his heart twitch and his chest tighten. “No… I…” “Yes, Francis, ask them what my price is, give them money, gold, jewels, everything they want!” “NO!” Francis finally shouted. Matt was speechless, with uncontrollable tears running down his face. “So you don't want me?... Is this the reason you don’t want to buy me?” The boy started shoving and punching the king’s chest again. “Or you really are a liar, just like Lovino said! Liar, liar, you’re neither a king nor rich! Liar!” Matthew was sobbing angrily, until Francis, whose heart had almost melted away, stopped and hugged him. “No, Matt, I am no liar, but I could never do such a cruel thing to you… I could never exchange money for your life. You are priceless, Matt, worth more than my entire kingdom, than all the kingdoms together! Your life does not have a price, because no amount of money would ever be enough!” Francis wrapped his arms even tighter around the boy, who gave in to his hug… No, he would never be able to do such a thing to Matthew, to buy his life… the King of Diamonds would not make Matt go through the same things that had been done to him. The king still remembered painfully the day of his tenth birthday. He had been a spoiled child, growing up surrounded by limitless luxuries, used to having every one of his whims fulfilled, and being raised with the mindset that he deserved all that simply for having been born as a king. Little king Francis was in his toy room, lying on a divan and contemplating the mountains of toys filling up the space and having been made exclusively for him. Next to him was a little table with a whole collection of different sweets, which he devoured not minding getting his fingers dirty. No, he even licked them on purpose for the servants to see, who were standing at the door and looking at him with something similar to well-hidden displeasure. “Is Ivan not planning to come and congratulate me for my birthday?” the young king asked, taking another chocolate cake and eating it slowly. “I am sorry, my lord, but His Majesty is very busy with his lessons, and thus has sent you a birthday card instead,” one of the servants replied. Francis frowned. “Stupid Ivan, he won’t get anything from me for his next birthday,” he muttered. “And Ludwig? Is he busy as well?” That question contained a bit of sarcasm, since Ludwig had barely been six years old at that time. “His jack informed us that His Majesty Ludwig has caught a cold and cannot leave his bed.” This upset Francis so much that he threw a pancake at the servant, who managed to dodge it just in time before getting it right on his face. “Then I should better not ask about Alfred, perhaps he is indisposed, too,” the boy commented with the same sarcasm, since Alfred was just four years old. Francis got up and started walking through the room, having to jump over some toys and stepping on others, breaking them in the process, but not caring about that in the slightest. This made the servants even angrier, for they knew exactly how much these objects cost. The boy leaned against the window and looked with pure boredom at his palace’s huge garden, where he spotted a few maids returning from the local market with baskets full of food. A few children approached them, and the women discreetly took out a few apples from the baskets, wiped them with their aprons and gave them to the little ones, who thanked them with kisses on the cheek and returned to their own work… these were the maids’ children. “Now I know which present I want for my birthday,” the king said with a smile. “Another present?” one of the men inquired directly, eyeing the room that was almost completely filled with toys. “Yes. Any problem with that?” Francis snapped. The servant’s lip started to tremble with fury. “No, my lord,” he managed to pronounce. “Very well, and now listen carefully.” The boy took another glance at the window and then at his men. “I want to meet my parents.” His servants widened their eyes and looked at each other. “Forgive me, my lord, but this is impossible, please ask for something else.” Francis pretended to do just that, but smiled once more. “No, I want to meet my parents. This is your king’s wish, so fulfill it,” he commanded and left the room, not even bothering to evade the toys, but once again stepping directly on them. The only sound was the cracking of the poor wooden trains, horses, and toy soldiers. Everything got destroyed under the feet of the young king. The days passed, but His Majesty’s wish continued to be unfulfilled. He constantly asked about it, but his servants and the man who was his jack back then, gave nothing but vague replies. Francis had never had a lot of patience when it was about his whims, so he kept insisting to such an extent that he put his court into a real bind. Until one evening when he finally understood why they refused to let him meet his parents.  The king knew about those reunions that were sometimes held in his palace without him, but he believed himself to be clever enough to spy without being discovered. So he came to listen, since he was more than sure that they would talk about his parents. Francis was perfectly aware that every king was separated from his family right after birth, but no one said he couldn't ask to see them… he just wanted to know how it felt like to have parents, at least once in his life. The men in the hall had a heated discussion, including the jack, who was walking to and fro with worry. “We just cannot tell him!” the jack exclaimed, nervously biting his nails. “I told you it was foolish to negotiate with these peasants… we should just have eliminated them!” “They had the king, so there was the risk of them doing something to him.” “These paupers, who were content with so little in exchange for our lord,” the jack started again. Francis couldn't believe his ears. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, entering the room. Everybody was speechless. “Have you swallowed your tongues? I told you to explain it to me! What happened to my parents? Why don’t you let me meet them?” the little lord demanded. Everyone directed their gazes at the jack, and the latter looked awkwardly at the king, who was still waiting for an answer. "Look, my lord..." "Before you continue: I very well hope that you are telling the truth or you will be beheaded. I am not joking, my orders are the law," the boy cruelly threatened his poor servant. The man trembled a bit, being left with no other choice than to confess everything. One night, in a shack that could have been easily blown apart by the wind, a woman gave birth to a baby with the Diamond mark on his arm. The news soon spread in the village, and the royal court arrived to take the child away, however, there was a little detail no one had ever considered: the mother took the child hostage, for she knew how much the supreme ruler's life was worth. The man she was living with wasn't even the boy's father, but still joined her, and together, they blackmailed the court... they wanted money, otherwise the royals could kiss their king goodbye. "How much did they want?" Francis asked, trying to stay calm. "My lord, this does not matter now..." "How much did you give them?!" Francis demanded an answer. Everyone looked at each other, ashamed. Two thousand five hundred gold coins were offered to the couple, who gave the child away without any remorse, as if he were a mere sack of rice. They weren't interested in his future nor in the life he would lead in the palace, but saw nothing but the shining gold in their hands, not even looking at the carriage that would take the little one into his cage of gold and diamonds. There was silence until the king, who was standing there with his head low, burst out laughing. "Two thousand five hundred gold coins? That little?" he asked, as if he found that price ridiculous. So that was how poor his mother must have been, if she thought of that amount as a fortune, even though his toys had cost more than twice than that. "So this is what this mark is worth... so this is what my life is worth!" he started to scream and to scratch the mark on his arm as if he wanted to rip it off. It began to burn as if to remind him just how worthless he was to have been exchanged for a little bag of gold coins. "Calm down, Your Majesty," his jack asked, but the boy ran out before they could stop him. He reached his toy room, stood on a chair, took a candle out of a candle holder, and threw it on his entire amount of toys. The flame soon reached the curtain, and everything started to burn. As it should! Everything for which he had been sold, should burn to ashes... and his life as a king should leave together with the flames... Why did his mother have to condemn him like that? They could have escaped, hidden his mark and led a normal life... but no, she decided to sell him like an animal, like cattle that was marked with red-hot iron. Everyone came running to put out the fire and try to soothe the child, who was out of control and wanted to see everything destroyed. And the next day, when he returned there, he saw that the room was full of toys again. He would never forget the disgust he had felt at that moment. So that meant that each emptiness could be filled, and that if you lose something, it could be replaced with something else... that a person's wealth was measured with luxuries and money, that you were nothing if you didn't have anything... if that was really true, then he would become the richest of them all, never again would his life be considered that worthless! He would bathe in gold, jewelry and fine clothes, and would brag with his expensive crown! He wouldn't be the child anymore who had been sold for such a ridiculous sum of money, but the King of Diamonds, the richest man in the world. And this was how he grew up, with that idea having become his mantra and marked his personality forever. He soon grew tired of his jack and dismissed him from his position, completely ignoring his begging and pleading, hiring Vash in his stead, the best soldier of his entire guard. Francis had to always have the best of the best, so he chose Vash as his new jack, and the latter didn't object, for he was an ambitious man and knew what it meant to be the king's main servant, so he wouldn't waste such an opportunity. And he also didn't have a choice, anyway. Francis liked Vash, who talked only when he had to, obeyed without any protest, gave his opinion from time to time and rarely scolded him for bad behavior. This, however, changed a bit when the jack's sister was discovered as the new queen. "Interesting, is it not? Your father is a respected nobleman, you the Jack of Diamonds, and now your sister has become the future queen. It almost looks as if it has been planned," Francis commented one day, preparing himself to meet his queen for the first time. "The mark cannot be falsified nor can one know who is going to inherit it," was the only thing the servant had to say. "You are absolutely right. I just hope your sister is going to be a good wife... You know what I mean, right?" Francis added. Vash frowned, and his gaze became colder than usual. "Your Majesty, now I am going to talk to you not as your jack, but as an older brother who is protecting his sister," he began. Francis looked at him, waiting for what he would say next. "If you dare to hurt Lilly in any way, I will kill you. I am your shadow, my lord, and also the best soldier your guard has seen for several centuries... turning into a mercenary would not be too difficult," Vash threatened the king in an icy voice without batting an eye. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,” Francis said. “No worries, Vash, I am going to act like a gentleman towards your sister, so please keep your knife well-hidden, there might be other backs you would like to bury it into.” And with these words, he parted to his first meeting with Lilly. The girl was having her long hair tied into braids and wearing a fine dress. She looked nervous and frightened, not really knowing what to say as she had the gallant King of Diamonds in front of her, who was smiling as if they knew each other for a lifetime. The only reason she didn't collapse her brother being there as well. “Lilly, your brother is not doing you any justice, you are more beautiful than he described you to me,” Francis praised her, gave her a kiss on each cheek and ran his hand over her face, admiring her. “I cannot wait for you to become my queen. You will have everything you have ever wished for and even more, being envied by all the other queens. I assure you, my love, that by my side you will never stop to shine, like the diamonds I will decorate you with.” “Thank you, Majesty… but your trust and friendship are more than enough for me… I want to become a queen who is worthy of you,” Lilly stuttered, furiously blushing. Francis burst out laughing. “Nonsense!” he exclaimed. “My queen's only task is to look good and embellish my throne, just like jewelry that exists as a mere decoration.” His tone was almost cold, and the look in his eyes became so empty that Lilly got scared. And beginning with that day, he started showering her with luxuries. The presents didn't stop reaching the girl, who, without even realizing, found herself in front of the mirror in an exaggerated orange and yellow dress; the corset was highlighting her waist and also slightly showing her breasts she didn't even remember having until she had been forced into that thing, her neck was barely visible due to the big pearl necklace, her blond hair was falling on her shoulders with some strands being braided and decorated with combs and gemstones, her hands in gloves made out of the finest lace, her feet in shoes with golden buckles, and from her ears were hanging earrings made out of silver and emeralds. She took another look at her reflection and didn't recognize herself. Who was that doll she was seeing in the mirror? These cheeks decorated with rouge that some maids had helped her put on and these lips that another lady had painted with lipstick didn't belong to her. She was the King of Diamonds’ doll, the future consort, who would be silenced with even more jewelry and expensive clothes… just a mere accessory that would make His Majesty and the throne beside him look even more attractive. Lilly felt the same disgust as Francis in his childhood and became so desperate, she ripped the combs out of her hair and the necklace from her neck, making the perls fly to the ground. Then, she removed her earrings as if she was allergic to them, took a pair of scissors from her dressing table and cut the dress apart almost with rage, tearing the fabric to tatters in the process, and even the cords of the corset that didn't let her breathe freely. Finally, she ended up standing there only in her underwear. But that wasn't all: now, she rubbed the make-up from her face and finally looked into the mirror again… she was back to her old self… or rather not quite: she couldn't continue to be the innocent Lilly Francis had met, but had to become Lillian, the Queen of Diamonds. Still holding the scissors in her hand, she grabbed the strands that were framing her very young-looking face and cut them, letting them fall like golden threads until they were as short as her brother’s, which made her almost look like his twin. Then, she headed to her wardrobe and took the simplest dress she could find, an old black and wine-colored one, which would make her go unnoticed between all the luxury in the court. Lilly put on her white stockings in order to not show her legs and old black shoes, and, going to the dressing table where her hair was still scattered around, took a purple ribbon she had gotten from her brother, putting it into her hair. And like this, looking like any girl without status, she went to her encounter with the king. The latter passed by without even looking at her. “Good day to you, Majesty,” Lilly said in a very loud voice, making Francis stop. He did recognize the voice, but needed quite a while to understand that it was really Lilly speaking to him. “Lilly! Goodness, what happened to you?!” he asked, absolutely baffled by her appearance, which made her really happy. Even Vash widened his eyes at the sight of his little sister wearing such humble clothes. “I decided to change my image a bit,” she said, grabbing the tips of her short hair. “What drastic change… you do not even wear jewels,” Francis commented. “Oh… I just thought that all the shining would distract people too much, not letting them see the real queen.” Lilly replied simply. “Francis, I am your queen, not your doll,” she added in a firm tone, and Vash couldn't help smiling, being proud of his sister. “I have never said this, my dear,” Francis defended himself. “You don’t even need to,” she said, now taking him by his arm. “People’s worth is measured by what kind of person they are, not by what they have. And I want to know your worth, since I have already seen what you have.” The girl gave him a sweet smile that could have made his heart melt. Francis tried to not seem too affected by that. Still offering her his arm, he was examining her from the side. Lilly suddenly looked a lot more mature and self-confident to him, her ridiculous shyness from their first meeting gone. Now, despite her old dress and thin arms, this girl seemed as if she could fight a dragon and come out unscathed. This thought made him smile. He was feeling safe next to her, his future queen, who would wear the crown with dignity… But how long would her humility last? In that frivolous world, where people’s world was determined by their possessions, Lilly was nothing but a naive girl, who would one day become aware of the gray reality. Oh, but no! It was him who had been wrong all along! Lilly was absolutely right! These were the king's thoughts as he hugged Matthew, who had calmed down by now and started to cry bitterly, wondering how he, an orphan, could be more worth than four entire kingdoms and even more than all the King of Diamonds’ money. “Matty…” said Mrs Williams, wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, since the moving scene had brought her to tears. “You have to go now, Matthew, but always remember what I have said to you just now and never let anyone even insinuate the opposite. This is a royal order,” Francis said, trying to control himself and wiping the child's face, who didn't object for the first time, simply nodding. “I’m gonna miss you,” the little one confessed, hiccupping. “Me too, boy. I will miss you as well, but I still wish you the best with your new family,” the king replied, suppressing his wish to be Matt’s new family himself. They gave each other a last hug that lasted several minutes, until Matthew broke it off himself and headed to the ones, who had become his parents. Francis got up, stared at the Williams, but didn't say anything to them, then dedicated a last look at Matt and left, in order to not make any embarrassing scene in front of them. Having reached the back of the building, he leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor, letting out the tears he had been holding in. He was crying in silence like he hadn't done in years, surprising even himself with that. “Am I interrupting something?” he suddenly heard a mocking voice and looked up. “Not now, Gilbert,” Francis said, knowing the name of the silver-haired man he had tried to catch several times in the past in order to prove that he was the sneaky devil, who was somehow hiding his horns and tail and playing innocent. But now, the king just wasn't in the mood for that. “I didn't know we were so close, Majesty, you even know my name,” the albino said and took off his hood, revealing his horns and his tail. “It’s time to return to your kingdom.” There were still tears running over the surprised king’s face. Tears he was sharing with the person connected to him. “Lilly, why are you crying?” Vash asked the girl, who had suddenly started crying out of the blue while taking a stroll through the garden. She raised her hands to her face, feeling that it was, indeed, wet. “No… No clue,” she replied, but still continued to shed tears like a hemorrhage of salty water, despite being completely calm. No, in reality, it wasn't her, who was crying, but Francis. What happened to the king to make him cry like that? Lilly wiped the tears away, but they simply refused to stop flowing out of her eyes. “Let’s go to your room, this is probably some kind of allergy,” said her worried brother and led Lilly inside, while she kept shedding tears and thinking of Francis. They entered the palace, passing the Queen and Jack of Spades, barely greeting them. “Miss Lilly is crying, aru,” Yao commented, following the two Diamonds, who were in a hurry, with his gaze. Arthur didn't respond. Or more precisely, didn't even listen. “My lord?” Yao called him. Still nothing. “My lord, are you alright?” the servant insisted, approaching the queen, who just took his round clock out of the pocket of his long dark coat and looked at it with absent, dull eyes. “Yao… the clock has stopped…” was everything he managed to say with a drawl. Then, his eyelids got unbearably heavy and his legs gave out under him, making him fall unconscious. Arthur could feel the cold floor tiles against his cheek… he was so tired he couldn't open his eyes and it was as if he was slowly falling, sinking into a very relaxing dream. What had happened? Just a moment ago, he had been walking through the hallway, and now he was in that dark place, not knowing why he was so exhausted in the first place… ah… he wanted nothing but sleep, not being awakened by anyone, while still continuing to fall into that nothingness. “Arthur!” he suddenly heard someone call him.  “Arthur, wake up!” He didn't want to. That sleepiness and free fall were just too comfortable. “Please, Arthur, don’t leave me!” This was King Alfred’s voice… yes, without a doubt. “I am here, Majesty,” Arthur said in the middle of his dream, still falling, as if he was a feather, carried by the wind. “Arthur! Open your eyes, don’t leave me!” Alfred begged. “But I’m not going anywhere…” “Don't do that to me…” The king’s voice was filled with desperation. “Majesty, I am not doing anything. Here I am!” But the king didn't hear him, firstly, because Arthur wasn't even awake, but floating in that strange limbo with his eyes closed, being dragged to who knows where… and secondly, because Alfred wasn’t talking to him… The King of Spades was calling out desperately to the other Arthur, who was on his way to the hospital, lying inside an ambulance, while the paramedics were fighting to get his heart to start beating again.