It started when Arthur heard someone in his chambers at night. He sat up in fear, thinking it was the Jokers again. They'd been silent since their sudden appearance and capture of the queens of Hoyle. Arthur was one of their victims. While time had stopped in the Land of Jokers, it had swept up with him when he returned to reality. He had been out of Hoyle's time for an entire week.

He was sick for months, and many physicians worried for his safety, but no one more than his king, Alfred. They learned the other queens had been sick as well, and everyone had to wait for time to realign in the queens' systems. It had been well over a year ago, and yet Arthur sometimes woke up remembering the dark Land of the Jokers. It was no longer there, vanished into thin air. The only remains were a crater of where the strange buildings that moved once stood.

The kings of Hoyle agreed to meet in the empty land that belonged to no one. For a year now, the four Families would meet in the AequalisTerra to discuss treaties and policies amongst themselves. It had been a huge diplomatic feat, the first in many reigns. Arthur was proud of his king, to say the least. There were many things about Alfred that Arthur was proud of, actually. While at first he found the man infuriating in his enthusiasm and "odd" outlook on life, Arthur now loved it, and tried to emulate him in his kindness. He enjoyed watching Alfred during Parliament meetings, writing notes and doodling in his inventions notebook Arthur wasn't supposed to know existed, running a hand through his dusty blonde hair when he was frustrated or confused. His bright blue eyes shinned when he was inspired to work on something new, always pushing forward and never looking back. It was always exciting to be with such a King.

So when Alfred asked Arthur to marry him, he said yes and never looked back. It would be the first marriage in Spades' Royal history.

Ever since the Jokers snuck into the castles in Hoyle, security in Spades had been tightened during the oncoming months of the wedding. Alfred was near delirious with worry for the safety of his fiancée. Arthur thought it more annoying than anything, and distracted him by means of wedding planning; as if that wasn't stressful enough as it is.

But tonight, Arthur felt something different, something that he couldn't blame on stress. His skin was cold and his breathing was labored. He looked around the dark room in anticipation. There was a form lurking towards him, and when he opened his mouth to shout, lips pressed against his. Arthur knew instantly by his scent and his taste that it was Alfred.-

Warm hands caressed Arthur's body with only a thin night robe between bare skin. It was electrifying. Arthur had never known such a pull to drag him to another person. Cool hands slipped passed his robe, caressing along Arthur's hip and thigh. Goosebumps popped up along Arthur's body. His head fell back, his mouth fell open, and he closed his eyes as he let out a soft moan to be swallowed up in the night. Alfred kissed along Arthur's jaw, and then moved down to his neck.

"Alfred… We shouldn't…" Arthur whispered. "My love… Wait just one more week… Then-"

Alfred cupped Arthur's balls suddenly, and then he began to rub them gently. Arthur, having never been touched there before by another, jumped in surprise and pleasure. He moaned louder.

"Nngh, wait. We shall be wed soon and then… Then we may consummate our marriage together…! Ah! A-Alfred!"

Alfred pulled his hand away. He placed it on Arthur's cheek and resumed kissing him. Then, he whispered, "You should wake up soon. This is a dream."

Arthur forced himself to break past the pleasure and warmth to the reality that was his hand on his genitals and his teeth sinking into a pillow. Without looking, Arthur knew he had ruined his sheets. Luckily, with a wave of his hand, his magic cleaned it up before his servant came to attend to him. It didn't erase the guilt residing in Arthur's stomach, however. Such dreams were becoming common for the Queen the closer it came to his wedding day.

Arthur held his left hand up to admire his engagement ring. It shimmered from the morning light, almost as brightly as it had the first day it was put on his finger. He smiled at the memory of when Alfred dropped to a knee in their secret place behind the brush and under the tree. Arthur had cried then, and he knew Alfred had too as they kissed and held one another in solitude. They told their Jack, Yao, about their engagement, and soon announced their intent to marry to Parliament, and later to the rest of Hoyle. Spades has had a constant celebration ever since.

Yao had been especially supportive. He had congratulated the couple and expressed deep happiness for their love. He was so elated he took the couple to China County to enjoy a relaxing vacation in the city of Suzhou. Upon returning, however, they were thrown into wedding preparations.

Perhaps that is why, Arthur thought. We have been so busy as of late and have had little time to be together. It's no wonder I have begun to dream so intimately of him.

He dared not think of the fact the voices in his head were growing louder.

Alfred was practically singing and dancing as he strode to Arthur's chambers. He knocked quickly and bounced on the balls of his feet while he waited. Anyone with eyes could see his love for his fiancée radiating off of him, and many could guess what he was thinking about. It was easy to see the way he looked at Arthur from his golden hair, hovering on his green eyes, flickering to his thicker eyebrows, and then trailing down his wiry form. It would be a mistake, however, to think that Arthur was someone weak and helpless. Even without his magical skills, Arthur was a formidable, and sometimes temperamental man. And Alfred shivered in excitement just thinking of the fire in Arthur's personality.

Long Jia, Arthur's servant, answered. He looked uneasily at the King. "I'm not sure the Queen would like to see you, sire."

Alfred grew worried instantly. He knew of Arthur's weak state that sometimes caused him to fall ill, although he did not know of the voices. Arthur conveniently kept that a secret. It seemed that since returning from the Jokers' hold, Arthur had suffered from these spells more than before. Of course, Alfred didn't know every time Arthur felt weary. The less his King knew, the better, or else the entire kingdom would know of the King's state. Alfred had a tendency to be too emotional when it came to Arthur's health.

"Is he well?!" Alfred asked in concern.

"He did not sleep well, that is all," Long Jia replied.

Alfred ran a hand through his hair as he sucked in air between his teeth. "Well, okay, can you tell him I was here? A-and make sure he rests. All of this wedding stuff must be tiring him out."

Long Jia nodded and said, "Of course, sire."

Alfred retired to the Palace Courtyard. He wandered amongst the roses where he knew Arthur spent most of his free time. Every castle in Spades hosted a rose garden similar to the Capital's Palace in honor of the first Queen of Spades; a woman shrouded in mystery and legend. While the other kingdoms suspected she was the villainess of the Black Lady myth, said to have killed her own people, Alfred couldn't fault her. When Arthur had been kidnapped, Alfred had rushed to save him. He had been shot by the Jokers and Arthur somehow summoned the Queen to revive him from the dead.

Her influence wasn't just limited to the rose gardens, but to the majority of Spades from the architecture to the strange traditions that still persisted to modern day, such as the Number system and the taboo of Spades King and Queens marrying. Alfred threw those ideas right out. He was a half-Number, and he was never known for keeping to old ways, especially when he didn't agree with them.

In Hoyle, Numbers dictated everything. Spades especially had a rigid and conservative view on where a Number was and how they were to be treated. Alfred was a One and a Ten; Numbers on the opposite end of the spectrum. A One has the ability to rise to the ranks of a knight or an Ace, and his father had been the highest of all Numbers, the Ace of Spades, before his untimely death during war with Hearts. On the other hand, his mother was a Ten. Once, Tens had been slaves reigns ago, and while that had been demolished, their position hadn't improved much. At least now they earned money for their farming and labor.

Alfred had been born first and was officially claimed a One, whereas his younger brother Matthew had been declared a Ten. Before his father's death, the Jones' family was treated quite well by other Numbers, but after, they were no longer protected by the man's famous status. Numbers were free to ridicule and torment the family. Alfred was spared, for the most part, but he witnessed his brother and mother's pain first hand. He kept it a secret to everyone but Yao and Arthur, only letting on that such jabs at his upbringing bothered him when it became too much and he became visibly upset.

Meeting Arthur brought about such a reaction. Arthur was a Two, a high-class Number, whose family were renowned nobles. Arthur had been accepted by the former Queen of Spades to be an apprentice to her mages, a high honor indeed. His magical prowess only intensified once he became the Queen of Spades, as was the nature of the position.

However, he had a traditional outlook on Numbers. Upon learning Alfred was a half-Number, Arthur protested of his inability to be King. Alfred, on the other hand, began to see the Number order as wrong, and fought for equality. There were many loud days of Alfred and Arthur arguing over what was to be done. Yao hardly thought it possible they could ever become friends, and yet almost two years later they were betrothed.

Arthur had found a reason to relax in his stance on the matter, as well as with his view on life in general, whereas Alfred had matured in his reasoning and his focus to be King. He found that while he didn't have control when he was young, he now could as the King, but only if he kept a level head on his shoulders. With Arthur by his side, he was certain he could become someone great, like his father.

Alfred fondled a rose, thinking how he wanted to give one to Arthur to make him smile. The Queen's face always turned the same shade as the petals, and his green eyes sparkled in adoration of his fiancée. Alfred took a deep breath. Soon he would be with Arthur every day, whenever he wished. He could kiss him and hold him and wake up beside him, and no longer have someone watching over him as per the Jack's demands they not become too engrossed in each other that things get out of hand. It was electrifying.

By midday Arthur was able to get out of bed. He called for Alfred to come to his chambers, hoping that by seeing his eyes and smile he would be soothed of his anxieties. The King came at once, hugging and kissing the Queen. With him he brought a bouquet of roses.

"Oh, you always spoil me," Arthur sighed as he took the flowers.

"You're not feeling well," Alfred said. He sat on the plush couch and leaned against its back. "I'd do anything to make you feel better."

Arthur put the roses in a vase on the table before them, and then sat beside Alfred. The King put an arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer. He blushed, watching as he moved his hand to take Alfred's other hand so that they could entwine their fingers together.

"Could you kiss me?"

"Of course!" Alfred shifted so he could face Arthur properly. "C'mere, my Queen."

It started again. Arthur relished at feeling Alfred so close. He knew this wasn't a dream, but the electric feeling shot up his arms and spiked the hairs on the back of his neck. He opened his mouth to his fiancée. Alfred placed his free hand on Arthur's shoulder where his fingers made their way down along his back. Slowly, Alfred became a little more aggressive.

Arthur delighted in this as his head began to clear. His body acted on its own, much like it had when he was asleep. He moved to lie back, pulling Alfred more to be atop him. But it was Alfred who stopped them before anything could continue further.

"Just a few more days," he whispered. His hands stalled, and then pulled away as he sat back upright. "We can wait. You're worth the wait."

Arthur was just about to reply when a rush of adrenaline caused his body to surge forward and force Alfred onto his back. He climbed atop him and aggressively captured Alfred's lips with his own. Alfred was overwhelmed by the sudden change, and had little time to react. In all honestly, he actually liked this given how rare Arthur ever acted in such a way.

Then, Arthur pressed down on Alfred's crotch, making the King moan in pleasure. That snapped Arthur from his trance. He threw himself away from Alfred. He looked at his King in horror. Alfred watched Arthur carefully, confused and waiting for his mind to catch up with the rest of him. He reached to touch Arthur, but the Queen scrambled to get away.

"Arthur?"

Arthur's heart raced. He looked at the man he loved, but could not see him. Everything was not as it should be. He couldn't trust even himself as he no longer felt in control of his body. Alfred wasn't safe. What if his magic backfired, or he said something horrible, or he hurt someone? He had to get away.

"S-stay away!" Arthur fled from his chambers. Despite his hazy sight, he was able to glimpse Alfred's pained expression before his vision changed once more.

The rose garden was his safe haven. He always could collect himself in times of great distress. But that was where the statue of Queen Alice, the first Queen of Spades, was. She was holding the Queen's Clock and had angel wings as her dress and hair flew around her like some mystical being. Arthur felt a pull from the statue. He had to see the Queen. She had the answers.

But along the way he ran into the Jack of Spades. Yao was startled as Arthur barreled right into his chest. The Asian man stumbled back, but managed to catch himself on a pillar. He wiped his ebony hair out of his face as he looked at Arthur curiously. His Chinese robes of blue and purple fluttering about him as he pulled his long sleeves off of his hands to fix his ponytail. It had almost come loose when Arthur and him collided.

"Aiyah! Arthur, are you all right?!" Yao tried to help the Queen to stand, but his hand was violently smacked away. He jerked his hand back in surprise. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"N-no! Please, just get away!" Arthur scrambled to his feet, but wobbled to keep his balance. Yao tried once more to help him, but Arthur pushed himself away. "Please, Yao! I am in no state to…"

"Arthur!" Alfred rounded a corner and found the duo. He glanced at Yao in worry, but then focused on Arthur. "Arthur, wait. What happened back there? Are you okay?"

"He seems to be very upset," Yao commented. "What did you do?"

"N-nothing!" Alfred blushed. If the Jack knew of their intimate moment, he would break out into a lecture. Yao had stressed about their courtship to be traditional in all shapes, that meaning no kisses and no intimate gestures. "Something's wrong with him."

"Please, I just need to be alone," Arthur pleaded. He was still struggling to walk straight. The servants of the Palace watched in confusion and interest. "Everyone here is in danger. I am…not myself."

"What do you mean? What's going on?" Alfred asked. He approached Arthur despite the warning.

"I…I have lied to you… To everyone… My reasons for fainting have been from visions and voices in my head… Visions and voices that I have never seen or heard. Almost as if they are from another time…" Arthur steadied himself against a tree as he placed a hand to his head and closed his eyes in pain. "Recently…they have begun to overwhelm my reasoning. I am…not in control of myself."

"Then who is…?" Yao asked slowly.

"I don't know! But…I know my memories are not to be trusted. I fear they…have led me astray."

"What do you mean?" Alfred sounded more worried than before. "You…remember all the times we've been together, right?"

At this, Arthur lifted his head and looked at Alfred sadly. There were tears in his eyes, but Alfred couldn't tell if it was from pain of remorse at his keeping the truth a secret. The Queen took Alfred's hand in his and squeezed, pressing something small and hard into the palm of his hand.

"When we are apart, I am in pain, but when we are close, I do not know what to think. I lose my mind. I do not want to hurt you… I know you are important to me, but has someone manipulated me into thinking I love you? Are all of my memories fake? I do not know, and if someone can control my body this way, then it's possible you are in danger…and that I do not truly love you."

"W-what…?" Alfred whispered as his face paled. "What do you…?"

"I am sorry, my King, but…I cannot wed you."

Arthur ran again. Alfred was frozen as he watched him disappear into the gardens. He looked down into his hand. Arthur's engagement ring was there, glittering in the sunlight.

Arthur found the statue and collapsed. He was panting hard again, much like that morning when he awoke from his erotic dream. His chest felt tight and his head swam with images and heartbreak. Alfred's shocked face was the picture that kept popping up in the many memories flickering in and out of his mind. He groaned as he pushed his face into the grass.

From nearby, he heard the rustle of grass. "Your Majesty, are you okay?!"

Arthur turned his head to squint and whoever had yelled at him. He recognized the two men standing just near the rose bushes as Timo Väinämöinen and Berwald Oxenstierna, two Numbers that were close friends to Alfred. They were constantly creating new inventions with the King, such as the aeroplane, the first flying machine in Hoyle. In the recent months before the engagement, Alfred and the duo had improved on their aeroplane to be for more casual flying. Arthur hadn't been especially close to them, but he respected what they had done for the kingdom.

"Stay back!" he shouted. "I…I am not well… Do not call for help, please!"

"Tsk tsk. I told you to call us when those voices get worse."

Arthur snapped his head up. His vision cleared momentarily, and he was able to see the Jokers return for the first time in over a year. They were two men, one tall and one small, who resembled the first King of Hearts and the first Ace of Spades respectively. They wore dark clothing and seemed to have devil's tails and goat ears. When they had first appeared they also wore masks, but when they vanished, so too did the masks.

Now their faces were out for all to see. The taller Joker had pure white hair and piercing red eyes. He was always smirking with an expression that seemed to be hiding more than he let on. He had once claimed he was the true King of Hearts, but the King had disappeared hundreds of years ago. It was impossible for him to be alive. The smaller Joker resembled Arthur in a way. The first Ace of Spades had been an ancestor to the Kirkland line, but he died young, at the age of thirteen, around the same time the first King of Hearts was erased from history. He too claimed he was the man he resembled, but no one could fathom this. They all assumed they were just tricking everyone instead. The Jokers had been known through folklore to be men of tricks and chaos.

"Jokers…! This is your fault!" Arthur accused. He wanted to rise to his feet, but he couldn't feel his legs. "Take this curse from me!"

"It's not our fault," the Joker Ace said. He floated in the air near the Queen's statue with his arms behind his back. His tail wagged lazily down by his legs. "It comes from another source."

"You know of this?" Arthur asked. The Jokers nodded. "Then, I beg of you, tell me so I may free myself of this pain!"

"You released the person responsible," the Joker King said. He was leaning against the base of the statue with his arms crossed. He watched Arthur in slight amusement. "So, if anyone can find it, it's you."

"I…? How did I…?" His eyes lifted to look at the first Queen.

She was so important, through-out all of Spades' history her name rang everywhere, but no one knew why. How did she connect to Arthur and his visions? He heard her laugh and her sweet voice in many of the memories, and sometimes he knew his softening towards Alfred at the beginning had been from another person's change of heart. Did the answers truly lie with her?

"Queen Alice…," Arthur whispered. "You saved me once before by healing my King… Please… Please… Show yourself once more."

The statue hummed with magic, prompting the Jokers to hover away from it. They glanced at the two Numbers from nearby watch in awe, but paid them no real mind. They decided to fade out of sight and watch the scene from afar.

Arthur felt his magic resonate with the statue. His body glowed a light green, lighting up the statue until it glowed like a jade emerald. Then, from statue itself a ghost image of Queen Alice floated down to the grass. Her dress dropped around her and her angel wings shimmered out of sight. She looked just as she had when Arthur saw her last.

Timo and Berwald couldn't even talk as they watched from the sidelines. They hadn't heard of the Queen appearing because the Family had kept it a secret Alfred had been fatally wounded and the Queen materialized by way of magic. The Family agreed that it would probably bring up too many questions from Numbers in Spades; a headache they all could do without.

Queen Alice looked at Arthur peacefully. Just as before, she seemed to be smiling without actually doing so. It was in her green eyes behind her glasses. Her hands were clasped before her and she didn't seem at all alarmed she had been summoned once more.

Arthur felt the numbness in his body evaporate. He stood quickly, not questioning why he felt better, and stepped closer to the Queen. "Q-Queen Alice… Please… I see visions of your life, of a time long ago, and it has…consumed me. Why…? Am…Am I your reincarnation?"

Alice smiled finally and tilted her head slightly to the side. "No."

"Then…how am I seeing such things and feeling so unlike myself?"

"We have a connection," Alice replied.

"I do not…understand… Can you…help me?"

Alice lowered her head slightly, but continued to smile. She brought her hands up near her mouth, clasping them together as if she were praying. "I can…But I ask for you to do me a favor."

"Anything. Anything, as long as I can be rid of this torture!"

"Arthur!"

The Queen turned sharply and saw Alfred round a corner, much like he had before. He didn't see Alice, and instead chose to focus on Arthur. He was clutching the ring to his chest as he panted from having run the length of the gardens in search of his Queen.

"Please, don't do this! We can talk about this! Don't leave me!"

"My favor…," Alice said from behind Arthur, bringing his attention back to her. "…is to be with my beloved."

The Queen's eyes glowed a violent red as her hair flew up around her. She flew forward and, reaching a hand out, passed right through Arthur. Alfred could see as she dragged her hand through Arthur's chest and pulled out a glowing Spades symbol from his heart. Arthur fell back with the rush and collapsed onto the ground on his back. His face was ashen and his eyes, still open, were devoid of all color.

Alice held the blue Spades symbol in her hand. She looked at it with a soft smile until it faded into her body, bringing her ghostly form into a solid one. She flexed her fingers a few times and looked down at her feet.

"Arthur!" Alfred screamed. He raised his fists as if ready to fight Alice. "You! What have you done to Arthur?! I'll kill you!"

Alice glanced at Alfred with a fond smile. "Oh Adonis, you always were so dramatic…"

In the same fashion as before, Alice rushed forward and was in front of Alfred as if she had actually flown through the air. She pressed in close to the King and smiled up at him. "You should just be calm, my dear."

She touched his chest with one finger. Alfred's entire body went rigid suddenly. His back straightened, his eyes hardened to a dark blue, and he stood like a knight at attention. Gone was his rage, replaced by dedication to the Queen.

"I am calm, my Queen," he said monotonously.

Timo and Berwald looked to each other in horror. In one fell swoop, Alice had stolen Arthur's life source to bring herself back to life and then brainwashed Alfred. They looked at Arthur, still lifeless on the grass. Then they looked to Alfred. He didn't notice as Alice caressed his face and freely admired him.

"Alfred! Alfred, where did you go?!" Yao ran into the scene, unable to see Alice as she was blocked by Alfred's body. "Don't run off like that! I told you I would find Arthur and- hm? Aiyah! Arthur! What's happened?! Alfred, what happened to him?!"

Yao started, but Alfred thrust an arm out in his way, almost hitting him in the face. The Jack looked at Alfred in alarm and was finally able to see Alice standing there. She studied Yao with that same smile and jovial eyes.

"W-who?! Queen Alice?!"

"I'm pleased you know who I am," she said gently. "You are the Jack, I see…"

"What did you do to Arthur and Alfred?!" Yao growled. He readied for a fight. Even without the Jack's Sword, he was still able to defend himself with his fists if need be. His father didn't want him to grow up without learning martial arts as was tradition in the Wang line. "I will protect my Family!"

Alice scoffed. She held a hand out towards Yao as her eyes steeled. "You are vile."

A blast of magic shot Yao away from the Queen. He flew through the rose bushes until he collapsed against the far wall of the Palace. His clothes had been ripped and his face, legs, and arms cut up from the thorns of the hundreds of flowers. He struggled to get back up, ignoring as he bled on the ground. The Queen was much more powerful than Arthur. She was able to attack without an aura of color signaling her magic.

Alice chuckled to herself. She turned to walk away, and Alfred followed her like a doll. But an axe slammed down just in front of her feet. She was not alarmed. Calmly, she looked to her left to see the Ace of Spades, Morgens Diederick. He was a formidable man with spiky blonde hair and cold green eyes. His ancient, black axe was the weapon that gave the Ace of Spades the terrible nickname of the "Card of Death". The Ace could kill a Number with one skilled blow. Alice still didn't seem terribly impressed.

"You…," Morgens growled. "Are trespassing and have declared war on the kingdom of Spades for attacking the Family. You are surrounded."

Alice didn't blink as the sound of hundreds of knights and mages encroached on her from all angles. She continued to smile at the Ace.

"The Ace of Spades… How fitting that you should be the first Number I see… Still so filthy a position…"

Alice began to raise a hand, when a thunderous noise from overhead startled her. Gone was the smile as she laid eyes on an aeroplane hovering above her. Timo and Berwald had stolen away to grab the lightweight machine that allowed for four travelers. Like its predecessor it was powered by steam and had wings that flapped like that of a bird's. However, this was thinner and open, without concealed seating. The passengers were to stand in the open air, holding onto railings at their sides. The controls were by way of two pedals at the driver's feet and two long levers that could be pulled back and forth to control direction.

Berwald, in front, steered the plane over Yao. Timo scrambled down onto his knees and held out a hand to the Jack.

"Your Highness, please come with us! You are not safe here!"

"But! Alfred! Arthur!" Yao looked at them worriedly. "The knights and Aces can…!"

Timo shook his head quickly. "You know you can't win! She is a Queen of Spades! Please, until things have settled!"

Yao's eyes connected with Alice's. Her sweet and pleasant demeanor had been replaced by obvious fury. She had been scared by the machine, having never seen such a thing before, but now hearing the prospect of the Jack escaping angered her. She raised a hand again, but Morgens snatched her wrist.

"Forgive me, sire," Timo said as he suddenly yanked Yao onto the plane. "Now, Berwald!"

Berwald yanked on the levers, and the plane flew up into the air suddenly. Yao watched as Alice's magic flattened the entire regiment. Alfred and Alice were the only ones left standing. Alice looked up at the sky as the plane soared higher and higher.

"We have to leave Spades now!" Timo shouted over the roar of the plane. "Her magic could still get us!"

"Got it," Berwald mumbled. He pushed the levers forward and the plane followed suit. "To Diamonds."

Yao collapsed on the ground, his emotions getting the better of him as he watched the jewel of Spades, the Palace, fade from sight. Before long, the landscape changed to that of farmland and rolling hills. There was no sign of Alice's magic following them. For now, everything seemed okay.

"Arthur…Alfred…," Yao whispered.

Timo put a hand on Yao's shoulder tentatively. "We will get them back, sire…"

Yao wiped at a tear. He couldn't lose his focus now. "Yes… I will protect my Family… We must call upon the other Families once more…"

Hoshiko2's cents: Welcome to the second act of the Book of Hoyle! Things will be much more action packed this time around, and I'm extremely excited for this act! I have had it in the works for months! So, I hope you all enjoy it as well!

If you're following my tumblr, please note there is a change now to the asks towards characters from this series. Thank you! See you at the next update!