“Wow Won… I don’t know what to say.” Woohyun confessed. Howon groaned and thumped his head on the table, ignoring the small throb it gave him. They were still at the Diamond Queen’s garden, the kingdom's monarchs still recovering from the shock.

“What is there to say?” Sunggyu scoffed, looking squarely at him, making him fidget slightly in his seat. “You have the mark, making you the King of Clubs – end of discussion. I suggest you better go to your kingdom now.”

"I agree with his Majesty." Daehyun added, looking squarely at his eyes with something akin to pity. "The Kingdom of Clubs has lasted too long without its Queen and King, I feel really sorry for the current Jack - having been found and ruled the kingdom singlehandedly after Club's previous monarchs died on that ill fated accident."

Howon couldn't help but bit his lip in guilt. He doesn't really know much about the Eternal Kingdom of Spring, but he has heard about what happened to its previous monarchs. All three of them were on their way for Hearts when a group of bandits ambushed and set their carriage ablaze. Unfortunately, even with the combined power of all four kingdoms, the culprits were never found. It had been two years since then.

He gulped his tea, immediately blanching after when he realized it had already gone cold. Clearing his throat a few moments later, he made his mind and smiled slightly at the Jack.

"Can you do me a favor and contact the Jack of Clubs...?"

The Jack was a young Clubman named Yoo Youngjae who was a lowly shoe shiner before his mark was found. He arrived a day after – surprising Howon out of his wits when he opened the door of his apartment to the sight of numerous soldiers clad in the familiar shade of green bowed flatly on the ground – full of relief and gratefulness as he all but bowed deeply at Howon. The other could only fidget nervously by the gesture, not used being on the receiving end of such deep respect.

With much amusement, he couldn't help but note how the other looks strangely like a chipmunk when he smiled widely at him after making sure his mark was real – those chubby cheeks bloating even more when his lips pulled into a smile.

But of course, he kept it to himself.

"It’s real." Youngjae breathed with a sigh of relief, that chubby smile still in place. He bowed once again at Howon before grasping his hands. "I'm happy to finally meet you, your Majesty. The Kingdom would surely rejoice at finally having found its King."

He smiled timidly, not really returning the Jack's- his Jack's enthusiasm. "Y-yes... all she's missing is the Queen."

Youngjae waved him off. "All in good time, you’re Majesty, all in good time. I'm sure our army could last a little longer without its Imperial Commander. The Kingdom, on the other hand, won't without its ruler. There's only so much an adviser can do." He patted the other’s shoulders apologetically. His Jack only smiled at him.

He almost forgot how each Kingdoms work: The Jack was the royal adviser and the one who manages the finances, the Queen was the one who handles the whole army and external affairs, and the King runs the whole Kingdom as well as second motions all the Jack's and Queen's decision. If you think about it, any Kingdom would never survive without its King – guess this further proves how competent his Jack is, having singlehandedly ran Clubs for two years.

"When do we return back to Clubs?" the Jack asked. Howon, thankfully, had an answer ready.

"In a few days – I still have a lot to do here."

Youngjae nodded understandingly. "Of course." And with a final bow, excused himself – saying something about visiting Diamonds' monarchs to extend his gratitude on informing him about Howon's existence.

It was only when Howon closed the door that he started second guessing the sudden turn of events in his life.