Cardverse!UKUS chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE: FOOD PROBLEMS

The next morning, Arthur sat at the same spot on the fountain. It wasn't anything unusual, he was there practically all the time. Now he sat with his legs dangling over the edge, still watching people pass by. He didn't notice his new friend until Alfred was sitting next to him.
"Hi, Arthur!"
He jumped slightly in surprise, but then turned his head to smile at him slightly.
"Oh, hello."
"I brought you breakfast."
Arthur sighed and looked back at the people, his brief smile gone.
"I told you you didn't have to. Alfred..."
"Yeah, I know, but I get too much food anyway. Besides, I'm not going to get in trouble or anything. Here!"
He pulled out a strangely-shaped lump covered by paper towels. Then he unwrapped it to reveal a few strips of bacon, a few pieces of sausage, and two slightly-mushed waffles. Arthur's eyes widened. So much food would be eaten once a day at his house, and split between the five brothers.
"I... I can't, Alfred."
"Sure you can! Take it, really."
"...Share it with me."
"What? No way! I already ate a bunch. Seriously, just eat it."
He forcefully pushed the food into Arthur's hands.

The peasant examined the food for a moment. Everything was still pretty warm, probably having been kept in Alfred's pocket instead of out in the air. Although the waffles were slightly mushed, they looked good, and the bacon and sausage seemed perfectly cooked. He sighed and shook his head.
"I won't be able to eat all of this, it's too much."
Now it was Alfred's turn to sigh, his expression reverting back to how it was when Arthur first saw him: blank and on the verge of unhappiness.
"This... you don't even eat this much in a whole day, do you?"
"Not even half."
"...Just... Eat what you can, okay?"
Arthur got the feeling it was an order, not a request. With another sigh he picked up a piece of bacon and bit into it.

He handed the food back when his stomach began to feel overwhelmed. He'd eaten all of the bacon, one piece of sausage, and almost all of the first waffle. Alfred took the rest of the food back without a word, expression still blank but a little softer.
"Thank you, Alfred..."
"Yeah..."
"Why is this so important to you?"
The servant thought about that for a moment, tilting his head upward and to the side.
"...Because you're my friend and I want to make sure you're eating enough. Too many people here are starving slowly," he finally explained, returning his gaze to Arthur's.
The peasant blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected the overly-sincere answer he'd gotten.
"Oh... Well... thank you," he said after a moment.
Alfred nodded, his eyes still wide with sincerity and compassion.
"I want to make sure everyone eats well enough, you know. But it's too hard, Arthur, I can't. There are just too many people and crimes. One person can't do it, no matter how important that person is, a King or a beggar. So... I do what I can. I can make sure my friends eat enough, and that's what I'll do."

Arthur was beginning to get a clearer mental image of Alfred's true self. His first impression - a man who was an outsider in his home suit and lacked emotion - mixed with his next impression - an eager and easily-pleased, puppy-like young man - and was now added to by this new facet - a surprisingly sincere, caring, and responsible man who wanted to change the whole kingdom. None of these things were  the right personality or the wrong one, they were all right together, and they came out at different times. He couldn't help but wonder what he'd learn about the man next.

But Alfred was waiting for an answer, so he reached over and patted the servant's shoulder.
"That's very noble of you, Alfred. Don't be so pessimistic, though. Surely the King can fix this if he tries hard enough."
"Maybe... If he was older and more experienced and had more sway with the council and the people. Right now, though, he's not strong enough."
"You speak as if you know him intimately," Arthur noted in surprise, one bushy eyebrow raised. He recalled what Alfred had said the day before, about the castle inhabitants... We hardly ever speak to each other... Alfred shrugged, picking at the hem of his shirt a little.
"Well, yeah, I kind of do. I mean, we may not speak, but a King wouldn't hide from his servants, right? That'd be silly. So I can see the council members sometimes, and see the King pace around in frustration. It's obvious he's too young and doesn't know how to handle everything yet."
"Oh, I see. Well, he'll learn as he goes, right?"
"I guess... but people are starving now, and the King is sad about that..." he sighed.
Arthur said nothing, looking down at the ground. There was silence for a few more moments, before Alfred changed topics abruptly.
"Have you ever seen the King, Arthur?"
"From afar, yes. I was in the crowd when he gave his coronation speech last year."
"Really? Did you like the speech?"
"I suppose so, he was quite encouraging. Even the frustrated people seemed to get a little hope back."
"What, are you serious?" he asked, looking surprised. Arthur nodded.
"As far as I could see. Now that I think about it, his voice sounded a little like yours."
Alfred's eyes widened.
"Um... Really?"
"Mhm. You didn't notice?"
"Guess not."

He picked apart the waffle he still hadn't finished, and for a while, they were both silent. Arthur began people-watching again, deciding today he'd pay attention to shoes. Many people had plain shoes, work ones that were quite shabby, but some people showed off with fancy ones. They probably spent good money on them, and took care of them like children. These kinds of shoes were fascinating, and he picked out every one he could find until Alfred finally spoke again.
"Hey Arthur... Did you like the food? Was it good?"
Surprised, Arthur turned back to him and nodded.
"Oh yes, it was quite good. Much better than our usual meal, I have to admit."
"What's your usual meal, then?"
"Just bread and cheese, and sometimes some meat strips," he said, shrugging.
Alfred frowned, obviously upset about this.
"....I'm going to bring you food twice a day, okay? That's still less than me, but it's enough."
"Alfred-"
"No buts, I'm not going to argue. Hey! There's going to be a banquet in a few days, celebrating the start of the King's second year of ruling. I'll bring you really good food then, okay?"
Arthur sighed, knowing he would not be able to change his friend's mind.
"Very well, I'll look forward to it."
Alfred smiled broadly. "Great! Meet me outside the gates just after it's over, okay? It'll be pretty late, but you don't mind, right?"
"No, that's fine."
"Awesome! But until then, I'll give you some good food every day twice. It's a promise!"