Chapter Text
Four kingdoms exist in this world. Clubs, Diamonds, Spades and the focus of our story, Hearts.
The Hearts Kingdom was as proud as all the other kingdoms, with richness in culture, history and tradition. They were widely known for their dedications to the arts, shown everywhere to their landscapes and architecture. They were known for the stories of the great Romulus, a hero who had saved the four kingdoms long ago. They were also known for their sternness, for their honors in maintaining an outlook that was prideful and respectful to the other kingdoms. Their Kings and Queens were taught to show these very qualities, a couple of power and high stature that would continue to keep the kingdom with the prosperity it had never failed to withhold.
The citizens of the kingdom looked up to them, for it was their union that gave richness and life to their land, and as such were treated like the gods they worshipped and were given incredible amounts of wealth to sustain the high lifestyle that pleased them and gave them perseverance to keep doing the best for their kingdom. The Jack was in charge of making sure that the King and Queen were faithful to their people, that their jobs and their wishes were fulfilled as they hoped. They tried to keep the two together, their relationship in balance and any of the situations around them. The Jack was as needed and as powerful as the position of King and Queen, and was rightfully respected as such.
In the past, back in the days when the Kingdom of Hearts was still new and many say it was at its most prosperous, the Italian province was in charge of bearing the Kings, many of the most powerful and historic ones. But as times passed, the German province took that position, and for centuries they had bared the Kings.
The Queen could be from any of the many provinces, but for centuries, there had been no queen from the Italian province, not since Romulus's wife, Augusta.
But this year, what a turn it had been.
For the first time in centuries, a Queen had been born in Italy. The Kingdom and even others were in great celebration because a King or Queen from Italy usually meant change or a chance for new riches and great ideas for the years to come.
Augusto, the grandfather of the baby boy, proud himself, held a great ball to celebrate the baby’s birth.
The Valenti were a family of the greatest nobility in Italy, known for being the family line which held Romulus’s heritage. Thus, they had a home large enough to accommodate all the people that had come for the celebration.
People from all provinces came, as well as others from different Kingdoms. They filled the acres of their lands with colorful flags and all kinds of gifts. Chariots, horses, dragons, phoenixes, and different forms of animals came that wondered all the children that were present. Music was in the air, songs of luck, of blessings and all the joy for the baby boy.
Even with the largeness of the Valenti land, there still wasn’t enough space to take in all the people who crowded outside, waiting for a turn to see the new awaiting Queen. Augusto, his daughter, Renata, and her husband made sure to attend even those outside with the best food of the province, hoping they each could entertain themselves with conversation and just the excited atmosphere from the new life that lay inside the household.
The house was prepared for the occasion, most furniture and ornaments moved aside to have more space and decorate everything with red flowers of their kingdom, as a symbol of welcoming to their newborn.
It was mostly those of nobility and of close friendship to the Valenti family who were inside, each admiring the beauty of the baby, who was now four months old, greeting with laughter at everyone who came to him.
“Oh, you’re just the cutest boy I’ve ever laid eyes on," little Erzsébet cooed, the young princess of Clubs, who enjoyed her time with the future Hearts Queen, playing with all the toys her family brought as gifts.
“Can I pick him up, Signora Valenti?” She asked Renata, who was in conversation with Erzsébet’s own mother.
She excused herself and went over to the richly decorated cradle, picking him up so lovingly and gentle, both sharing identical smiles.
“Of course, my dear.” She held him to the girl, who nervously began taking him, making sure to hold him right, as the boy’s own mother did.
“Be careful with his head, tightly around his body now," she guided, until Elizaveta was sure she had a good grasp of him, rocking the baby and both sharing the same laughter from when they played.
“Oh, he’s the most darling, Renata," Erzsébet’s mother complimented.
“Indeed he is. He will be the most beautiful Queen this kingdom has ever hard,” Augusto announced loudly for all to hear, having arrive from outside, holding Renata’s oldest son, and the older brother of the baby, Lovino.
“Oh, papa!” Renata seemed to scold, but deep inside her she hoped that would be the case.
She noticed the tears on Lovino’s eye, plus the scrape on his knee. “Lovino, tesoro, what happened?” Confiding that Erzsébet would hold her baby well, she headed to her own father’s side, wanting to hold the two year old herself, rocking and calming him from whatever hurt he went through.
The young boy wiped the tears from his eyes, settling then in the chest of his mother, wrapping his arms around her. Renata did not mind this, holding him just as tight, her hands caressing his back hoping that it would better soothe him.
“Saw one of the griffins the Diamond royals brought. He chased after it and wouldn’t leave it alone. It screeched at him after he grabbed its tails. He fell and began shouting out for me," Augusto told, a chuckle under his breath as he recalled it.
Renata couldn’t help but smile herself, her hold still as gentile as he soothed the boy for a nap.
Her own little baby boy, seeing the tears and sadness on his older brother’s face, began crying as well, loudly and one that Erzsébet could not deal with.
“Renata!” She called.
Renata, who had learned in the last few months to carry the weight of both her sons, came eagerly to take him into her arms as well. He was quickly rocked and the little baby settled his tears, also noticing the protective smile Lovino gave him. The baby laughed, kicking his legs, raising his arms, as if asking his brother to play with him.
“My precious boys," their grandfather cooed, coming close, rubbing his hand on Lovino’s hair, and caressing the baby’s cheek and little hands.
It was such a beautiful scene to watch, the guests giving their own awes, smiles erupting to even the sourest face. Only the loud bang of the entrance doors was enough to bring it to a halt.
In entered Vincenzo, the boys’ father, a panic in his olive eyes that made everyone in the room look up worriedly.
“The King!” He shouted. “King Aldrich is coming!” And the room went into frenzy.
Augusto and Renata began to hurriedly organize anything that was moved or messed from their earlier celebrating. Feliciano was placed back on his cradle, watching as people began to run around the room, standing in their best postures, fixing their suits and dresses, becoming as stiff as if they were statues. Even the Valenti family, who stood right by the cradle, went through the same sudden transformation. Only Feliciano remained as he was, moving around rather impatiently hoping to be held by his grandfather or mother again.
A large coach had arrived to the gates of the house, four majestic horses dragging it about on its trip. It stopped right before a space left empty by others who were there, a clear entry way into the Valenti household. There was silence, but also whispers, many knowing that the coach held no other than the royal family of Hearts.
The doors extended open and out came the king, in his rich wear of reds and golds, tall, stern, powerful, but with movements so graceful and admirable to the many others who swooned at his presence. Along came the great and honorable queen, with rich wear to match her husband’s majesty, then there was their daughter with her husband and two young sons.
Princess Monika’s youngest baby boy, Prince Ludwig, was born with the mark, and thus, after Aldrich, would be the next one to be King, and probably the young queen’s future husband. Of course he was brought along to see, Aldrich holding the one year old in his arms as he made his way, nodding and greeting to all the many that bowed to him as he walked on.
Two servants opened the grand doors for them, and Aldrich, having come here before, led his family down the known halls.
The amount of people that littered the halls halted, bowing and giving way until they finally reached the main room. Once there, everyone bowed instantly, synchronized in such a way that it was even beautiful.
“Your majesty,” even Augusto had bowed and addressed him as such.
“This is a surprise,” Aldrich scoffed.
Augusto was not one to greet him in such a way. In other circumstances, he would have embraced him, patted him hard on the back and laid a kiss on his cheek. But this time, he greeted him with the respect of a King, not even coming close, but only extending his arms as welcome to his home, and also presenting his family, especially the newest member, which was the reason of his travel, presence and even the celebration around them.
Each took their own time greeting one by one, until all that was missing was the young Feliciano. Aldrich, with his own grandson in his arms, moved first to the cradle where he first spotted the young boy, who stopped his fluttering to look up to the strange and serious looking man gazing at him entirely. He stayed staring for the longest time, not offering a smile, a hand or even an attack of tickles as everyone had done to him with each of their first meetings. The other young boy was just the same, staring with complete indifference, gazing away and trying to find something of better interest.
“I though you said it was a boy."
“Well, it is.” Augusto felt almost insulted that he dared doubt him.
Aldrich raised an eyebrow but didn’t question any further.
“He looks an awful lot like your daughter.” That had perked Renata’s attention, who smiled and bowed to the King once again.
Silence continued, he continuously stared on, with no words but judging eyes. The whole crowd awaited for new compliments or even insults, but nothing.
“Louis!” He called, and the Queen had come close to the cradle after having a small chat with Renata and Vincenzo.
She gazed down to the baby with the same uninterested eyes, but she was less fearsome than the two other men. It got Feliciano to laugh and smile, hands even extending to her for a touch or to even be held. Louis couldn’t hold her sternness any longer. She smiled back and even reached her hands to hold his little tiny ones, the small baby enjoying its softness and just the small attention and little act of love.
“What a darling." Finally a compliment from a Beilschmidt, the Queen more importantly. A united breath of relief filled the whole room.
Things settled and the ball continued with its earlier festiveness, even the Beilschmidts joining along in dances, chatter and drinks. The Queen had taken a fondness to the new younger Queen, having held him, granting a special blessing with magic, wishing him happiness and a long life. Wanting to spend her time with the other Valenti, she placed the baby back in its cradle, leaving it quite alone for now, all the guests distracted with other company and anything the feast offered.
Only one guest seemed intrigued enough to come close to the cradle once again, little one year old Prince Ludwig, who still did not understand why this baby was given so much attention. He hoped to stay long enough to see, gazing to the other baby boy, who smiled and craved his attention like any other. Ludwig didn’t dare touch him, wanting to prove that he would not be fazed by whatever wonder this baby had used to grab all the adults’ attention. Yet baby Feliciano continued to laugh and smile to him, hoping that his own power could work to make the young prince smile himself.
Ludwig had rested his head to the edge of the cradle, beginning to tire, wanting to be held in the arms of his mother, or his grandmother. He thought of running to them instead, better than continuing to wait for something to come from this baby.
And it happened.
All it took was a single touch against his arm, holding the other rather tightly to his spot. Ludwig looked back to the baby and was perplexed by his big eyes, which seemed to beg for him to stay, to continue giving the company that he wished. The smile, the glow, the dependence in those little fingers, had Ludwig reaching, letting their hands intertwine, Feliciano shaking it excitedly, for he finally got the attention, the smile and the new friend he wanted.
You could say that it was with this little touch that it all began.
It was important for the King and Queen to have a stable relationship from the moment they met, being as babies, children, teenagers, adults and even later on. Because of this, the Beilschmidts continued their visits for the next months, for the two future rulers to become better acquainted. Sure, both their boys couldn’t do much as babies and toddlers, but they had them be enough with each other to recognize and even call by their names to play as their speech grew. Their familiarity like their friendship began to grow, right upon the eyes of their families. Sometimes in the castle, Ludwig would beg to see his dear friend, and Feliciano went on nights crying if he didn’t see Ludwig. It was starting to become rather common that Ludwig would stay at the Valenti estate, either playing about in the fields, in the house or staying up for hours talking or reading the books Feliciano had in his room, immersed in the stories or the pictures they offered. The Valenti family didn’t even care anymore about preparing the house for his visit or acting accordingly to a prince. Ludwig was now like another member of the family, causing the same havocs that they were all used to seeing.
It was a beautiful spring day, a bright sun with sparse clouds, all the green was at its brightest and flowers were as colorful as the very rainbow that sometimes decorated the sky. It was the ideal peaceful weather to relax, nap, read a book or enjoy a picnic from. But with the constant clank of metals bouncing across these very fields, it didn’t seem like the best option.
Feliciano peeked his head from the top of a hill, hidden well under its wall, a bright red pot on his head giving him clear position, but the little four-year-old didn’t know that, to him this was the best of his strategic planning, a clear victory to him and his companion.
Ludwig peeked on with him as well, spotting their target picking some tomatoes from a well grown vine.
“Do you have your sword?” Feliciano whispered to him, and Ludwig raised a broom they had taken from the kitchen.
“What about your shield?” Ludwig in turn asked, and Feliciano raised an old foam panel.
They were ready, chuckling between themselves as they began to stand up, going over the hill slowly. The armor they had whipped with strings and pans still continued to smash against themselves, creating more clanks and bonks enough to reveal themselves. Luckily, Antonio, a servant’s ten-year-old son, had been distracted enough with their tomatoes to notice the little soldiers ready to form their attack.
“For Glory!”
“For Honor!
"For Riches!”
“For the Gods!”
“For Hearts!” They shouted in turns, then screaming and chasing down the hill, enough of a noise to not only catch the attention of Antonio, but also some of the gardeners that were working there in peace.
They all rolled their eyes once they noticed that it was only the prince and the young master. Antonio on the other hand panicked, dropping his basket of tomatoes and looking around him for a place to hide before they got a blow on him. Luckily, that blow never came, for both the boys had underestimated the ground still moist by the rain that had fallen on the province the days before.
Ludwig’s foot was trapped by the ground, pulling him down until he landed on the big brown mess of mud. Feliciano tripped alongside and joined him, their prestigious white clothing dirtied immensely and yet the boys were still stuck hard enough, not to mention embarrass, to be able to stand or show their dirtied faces to those who had witnessed it. Many of the gardeners had laughed but yet didn’t do a thing to get close and help them, even Antonio lay in still shock, debating if he should run or help both the masters.
A maid, who had been searching for the missing pots all morning, quickly told the events to Signora Valenti. She had stopped immediately her short cooking lesson with Lovino to see if her son and the prince had been badly hurt and give them her best comforts. As she eased closer to them, making sure she herself didn’t fall into the mud, she saw that there was no ailment to them, just dirty clothes, skin and hair.
They looked quite adorable trying to get out and get rid of much as they could from them, dropping their ‘weapons’ ‘shields’ and ‘armor’ as well. Renata giggled, helping both boys out, not minding that she got her skirt and hands dirty, steading them both on solid grass covered ground.
“Now, what kind of war has broken out for you both to send your armies?” She asked rather playfully, a pleasant smile in her face that didn’t make this seem like a scold at all.
“We were addressing a crime!” Ludwig defended.
“A horrible one that needed to be paid with his life, for his disrespectfulness to the future King and Queen." It didn’t sound at all menacing when it came from the mouth of a four year old.
Renata looked over to Antonio, still standing as petrified, not at all understanding what the two boys meant by that. He hadn’t done anything worth of murder.
“What could have sweet Antonio done?”
“He ate the tomatoes from last week’s picking!” Feliciano instantly blamed, pointing his fake sword towards him, hoping that now his mother would understand and let them avenge their home for the food taken.
Renata still wouldn’t believe it.
“Did he really?” And there was silence, from both the boys as they though it over.
“We really don’t know,” Ludwig admitted.
“But Lovino told us so,” Feliciano defended, for he knew that his older brother would always tell the truth.
Renata groaned, already preparing her scold for her older son. She then breathed in and relaxed, still having to deal with this force for now.
“Feliciano, caro mio, it wasn’t Antonio, he was just as disappointed as the rest of us when it happened.”
Both the boys let their weapons fall to the mud mess in disappointment, dirtying more of their fine clothe and even Renata’s.
“Then who was it?” Feliciano asked.
“We’ll get him!" Ludwig proclaimed, picking up his sword again and readying himself to fight another enemy.
Renata brought them closer, cleaning what she could from both their faces with her apron.
“How about, we get you boys to take a bath and then we have some nice snacks. I’ll deal with the culprit myself.”
The boys couldn’t disagree when snacks were involved.