#frukweek2019

Out of the corner of his eye, Francis spotted a figure squeezing past a group of children. He moved swiftly, Francis just barely made out a pair of vibrant green eyes peeking out from under the tattered hood before he turned the corner and Francis lost sight of him. 

Before he could even think to follow, a boy bumped into him, falling to the ground before him. Francis reached out to give him a hand. “Are you alright?" 

The boy nodded sheepishly, taking his hand and brushing himself off. "Yes. I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going." 

"No harm done.” Francis replied with a smile. 

The boy couldn’t have been older than 12, with blond hair, a pair of shockingly thick eyebrows, and youthful blue eyes. He wore a slightly frayed light blue shirt that hung awkwardly off his shoulders and a loose pair of shorts, but no shoes. He returned the smile and reached his hand out. “I’m Peter." 

Francis shook his hand. "Francis." 

Peter’s eyes lit up in recognition. "Wait, aren’t you Prince Francis? 

"Euh..” of course, he should have known someone would recognize him right away. It wasn’t like was trying all that hard to hide either. “Yes, I am." 

Peter gasped. "Whoa, that’s amazing! Have you met your Queen yet? It’s going to be someone from here in Spades, right? Mum’s been talking about it ever since you became prince. She’s hoping it’ll help our kingdoms unite and strengthen them.” The boy talked animatedly, gesticulating every few seconds. 

“I don’t know much about the Queen either at the moment. She still hasn’t been found." 

"Oh. That’s a shame. Maybe she’s scared.” Peter suggested. 

“Scared? Why would that be?" 

"I dunno. Maybe she doesn’t want to be Queen. I know sometimes, mum will make me wash the dishes and I don’t want to. They’re so wet and dirty with gross old food on them." 

Francis chuckled. Peter sure was something. "That could be." 

Peter’s mouth parted into another goofy smile, then he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh, so what are you doing out here? Don’t you have to be in the castle?" 

"Yes, but I decided I needed a break. Being a prince isn’t always fun." 

Peter nodded vigorously in understanding. "Yeah, being a kid isn’t always fun either. You get all the responsibility, but none of the fun sometimes." 

"Exactly." 

Just then, the figure from before returned, coming up to stand behind Peter. He was smaller and thinner than Francis had originally thought. The stranger pulled down the hood to expose what looked to be an older version of Peter, except this one had those striking green eyes and wore a scowl on his face. "Peter, what did mum tell you about talking to strangers?" 

"But this isn’t a stranger. It’s Prince Francis." 

The older boy spared Francis a glance and immediately blanched. "I see. Well, say goodbye to the prince, Peter. We have to go. Mum will throw a fit if we’re gone too long." 

"But Arthur!” He visibly cringed when Peter used his name. “We were talking!" 

"You can talk again some other time. We have to go now." 

"No, let go!” Peter tugged at Arthur’s cloak, exposing a loose hanging shirt like his. He swiped at the shirt and pulled it down, making Francis gasp. 

There, on Arthur’s chest, right over his heart, was the symbol of the Queen of Spades. He hastily pulled his shirt back up over the mark, letting go of Peter. He shot Francis a terrified glance before breaking out into a run and disappearing as quickly as he had come.