Villainess Of Hearts

"His Majesty of Hearts, I've heard that the Gazebo of Dreams is a memento to your success in the Card Trials—I'm quite interested in hearing of your victory once more." A young Lady gave a smile at the King of Hearts.

Alexander Hartsmichdt could only hold back a cough and instead shook his head, "It's nothing too special. Thank you for your kind words, Lady B—Eris?" He wasn't supposed to use first names. It denoted too much, but there was already a shine in the woman's eyes.

"But it is true, I've watched it myself—His Majesty has done a splendid job in outmaneuvering all of your opponents, it's frightening." the Lady from Lorie House agreed with a nod. Other murmurs of agreement came from the Lords, if not surprisingly less enthusiastic than those of the women.

"I've only done what I must," he said. All he could to survive.

Why they found it enjoyable to watch—and whether or not why it had been a test tantamount to presenting someone a crown always confounded him until today. And yet there was another remark from the youngest daughter of Eris House.

"Your Majesty—is there any chance for you to take us around the Gazebo?"

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." Her father would say, except he didn't sound so sorry at all. "My second youngest is rather a bit eager with architecture and history. She's too engaged with them that I even had her overlook a project in our lands to build additional structures. All of my daughters are quite interested in their own pursuits that I could only support them. May His Majesty overlook this situation."

Parental pride mixed with something else, Alexander could only nod. He should deny it, but if the young woman's desires and interests were true… It was just a short walk. He managed a weak smile, "Well, I do not mind taking a short excursion tomorrow—perchance I could take a walk with all of those interested."

"We would be delighted to join you, Your Majesty."

He wasn't sure if they were laying it on too thickly, or this was genuine. He had mostly entertained and welcomed them as the first of the arrivals of the Nobility, and while they were here—it was only appropriate that he entertained them. At the end, they were still vassals of the Kingdom and all were of important places.

Alexander could only wish that the Prime Minister didn't leave him ten minutes ago.

"Your Majesty, it has also come to my notice that there hasn't been much literature in regards to your success. Perchance you would also allow me to conduct a short interview? In my spare time, as the duties in our families are often delegated, I also take pride in writing. Actually, I have here a book about the Queen Selection Test and some inputs—"

"Her Majesty of Hearts, Rosalyn Lockhart-Hartsmichdt has arrived."

The second daughter of Eris House received an inconspicuous kick underneath the table from her younger sister. She faltered in her words and gazed back at the Queen who had suddenly come back despite her absence for the rest of the day.

The woman strolled down the room with nothing but a well-practiced smile on her face. The dinner table was occupied by a number far larger than when the Royals from the four Kingdoms gathered together—and with a lack of presence of the Joker. And yet it was irrelevant, instead she focused on the seat beside the King of Hearts.

At least the Eris House was wise enough to leave it unoccupied, except they had somehow managed to snag a position usually meant for Noble House Heads. And yet she kept the smile on her face until she sat down beside the King, "Thank you for waiting for me. It's good to see all four of you gathered tonight, Lords and Ladies."

"Your Majesty, it is good to see that you are in good health."

"It is a pleasure to meet with you again, Your Majesty"

She raised a brow at them but simply nodded. Her presence was enough of a reply. In the corner of her vision, she noticed that there was a slightly relieved look on the King of Heart's face. It was enough to make herself stifle herself from rolling her eyes—he was too pathetic and easy going to even actually make an effort to deny their requests once again, didn't he? 

The Queen of Hearts turned back to the three ladies seated in front of them. "And now who may these women be?"

"Lady Therese of Eris House, Your Majesty." the first one said with a curtsy in her seat. She was a lovely brunette with green eyes. "And accompanied with me are my younger sisters, Bethany and Diane." The two ladies followed suit in greeting.

"Is that so?" She managed a smile, "It seems that the three of you are not aware of proper table arrangements."

"Pardon?" the third one blinked.

The second one frowned slightly, "His Majesty has allowed us to seat here in accordance with our desire to speak with him. Surely there is not a problem if His Majesty has already given permission, Your Majesty."

Alexander Hartsmichdt cleared his throat slightly, "They did have some questions and the other Lords and Ladies didn't mind, even if it isn't a traditional arrangement."

Somehow it made her question whether or not it was important that she came here—and yet the Prime Minister plopped down beside her. The only commoner allowed to seat at a place higher than that of even Heads of the Nobility—and now simple Ladies were doing the same? She felt one of her eyes twitch, but reined her irritation down. "Is that so? Very well then. It will be troublesome to move around again when everyone's famished."

A chance to put the people to their places was held back by the King himself—she eyed the Prime Minister who only looked uncomfortable. At least this man was aware that there was trouble in this kind of arrangement, alas everybody seemed content.

"Her Majesty, how are you doing today? You've been absent for the entire day—we were worried about your health condition." the Lord from Eris House greeted. "It seems that Her Majesty is easily fatigued, may I suggest a good doctor?"

And what would the doctor say? That she was infertile?

"... I am fine." She managed a more natural smile and eyed the four of them. "I suppose I do have a lot of work when there are some incompetencies from the Nobility that I am forced to rework again and fix. But I thank you for the concern—you are in good health as always, my lord. Have I heard that your wife is once again in terms of another pregnancy?"

"Ah, yes, Your Majesty." A smile was returned. "Her Majesty knows—I am honoured and will relay your greetings to my wife. She was unable to attend here because of this fortunate blessing."

"May it be a son this time."

It was a terrible situation that the Lord of the Eris House still didn't have a son in his late fifties despite having at least nearly twelve daughters. His sudden desire to get one of his daughters associated with His Majesty was no doubt beset by the fear that his family name would not be held by a bloodkin.

Now who else was next? After the three Ladies of Eris House were the widow of the late Lord of Lorie—do not tell her that even this old woman was eyeing a position in the King's harem? Rosalyn Lockhart inclined her head. "As for you, Lady Lorie, it seems that you are looking lovely this evening."

"Is that so?" A pleased laugh came from the much older woman in her forties. "They did say that as one's sons have finally grown up then there is much more time to relax. And the eldest of them is currently in conversation with the head of the soldiers, Your Majesty. We've brought more knights to add to your current numbers—they would be useful for Her Majesty's security and that of the Castle."

Her words were light, but the incident that had happened to her had gone so far that it even came to this woman's ears. She smiled, "You have my thanks, Lady Lorie." What were the chances that this woman would conspire something like that? No, she wasn't too smart to start an assassination that was clean and without trace.

Something that still confounded the Lord Duke. The woman couldn't have done anything like that, she was too indulgent in her life when compared to that of the Lord Eris.

"Actually, my second son is doing well with his swordsmanship and is interested in having a spar with your personal Knight." the Lady spoke up, "After all, his talent and skills has been renowned since…"

Tension filled the air.

The Queen of Hearts' smile faltered slightly, and yet her blood ran cold at their words. "Since what, Lady Lorie?" The Lorie House was part of those who had willingly joined with the King's faction in the past.

"Your Majesty, if your health is a little too overworked because of the incompetencies of some of the Houses, I suggest you enjoy the several fresh fruits I've brought—freshly squeezed grapes are good for one's heart and quite rich in flavors." Lord Marius interrupted with a cough. The hefty orchard Noble changed the subject as tactfully as a horse kicking off a man in their stable. 

The Head of Hawthorne House eyed the older lady of Lorie House and shook their head.

These were only four Houses… how much more headache if more were to come?