Villainess Of Hearts

In the Kingdom of Hearts, one would be surprised to find many secrets that will keep one in a bind.

To hold knowledge privy to others were a weight on one's shoulder but he would carry the burden if it meant that his beloved wouldn't suffer. Those were words that a certain Knight would have said but at the moment he regretted his choice. Perhaps he should have stuck with watching over his Queen over the idiots in front of him.

Residing himself in the hidden space between walls of the Castle of Hearts, the Knight simply lay in wait as he listened to any news that would be beneficial for Her Majesty to hear. It was an amazing feature of the castle to hold secret passages between rooms, not that other castles didn't hold any similar feature but the previous Kings and Queens of Hearts were prepared.

Even paranoid of their security.

The passion poured into this castle was immense.

Knowing what a greenhorn of a King that Alexander Hartsmichdt was, the Knight was positive that he may have been the only one to employ this method. Leaning against dusty inner walls bothered him not, though dirt clung to his pristine white uniform. Julius Ginellevé watched the four Kings all gathered together with their associates as they discussed—or attempted to discuss trade deals and agreements.

Each of the representatives of the Kingdoms were known for different temperaments.

In the Royal Conference Room, it was a struggle to have four authority figures stuck in one place with each of their own motivations.

The King of Spades that lounged around the upholstered chair didn't seem interested with the ongoing topic. Alfred Villeuce wore a bored expression on their face, resting their face on a hand as their main attendant bustled with the paperworks and minutes of the events being discussed.

It was a contrast to the King of Hearts, who seemed to be taking the discussion seriously. Which was only necessary for them to do so, they were the host King and thus should be the one facilitating this meeting with elegance and authority—Julius Ginellevé would say that they were doing decently enough.

They had some assistance from that rabbit-like man they had at their side, Prime Minister Blyke Edelweiss held the papers as Alexander Hartsmichdt discussed them.

"As you can see from the papers that have been distributed by Sir Edelweiss, though the location of our Kingdoms are quite far apart and not all the roads are fully made, it would still make sense that a 'multilateral free trade agreement' should be made between the four Kingdoms, it would a chance to further relationships between each cou—"

"I found… well, my assistant had found a good hat shop." Ivan Nordskov remarked and motioned to the man that Julius Ginellevé encountered yesterday. Dimitri procured a top hat on the conference table. 

It was an obtrusive comment.

Alexander Hartsmichdt mustered a smile, "I see, that is well and good—"

"Is there really a necessity for such things?" Somebody sighed aloud, it was the King of Diamonds. He flicked a piece of paper around, "We already have a pre-existing trade agreement and I find the terms more favourably before than now, it doesn't make sense that I'd import items when my Kingdom can already produce them. It may improve the economy of your Kingdom and others, but it won't do much for mine."

Power. Passion. Luck. Wealth.

Those were the symbols of the four Suit Kingdoms. There may have been other smaller Kingdoms around—not a lot with the current conquest of Spades, but they were the four that changed the fate of the entire realms. He held back a sigh. A Knight like him should have bothered more with learning combat and following the code of chivalry but this much was necessary.

There was never a moment of peace between the four Kingdoms.

Even now the illusion of it was simply waiting for something to teeter on towards the verge of war, Sir Julius Ginellevé's fingers twitched over the hilt of his blade. Not necessarily out to save the King—though at the end of the day, he had sworn allegiance to the Kingdom but the mere air between the four Kings was enough to keep him wary.

All of them had their own misgivings:

One didn't bat an eye at all.

Another attempted to communicate.

The third was more willing to produce disputes.

And the last King focused more on their self-interest.

Somebody placed their feet atop the table, a loud yawn emanating across the entire conference room. Alfred Villuece rested their arms behind their head, "I don't really care about whatever contract or trade of agreement we do, as long as either one of you provides the Kingdom of Spades my swords and spears in good quality—I'm good."

The other three Kings blinked.

"Well, the Kingdom of Diamonds will provide only the best of jewels and ornaments, the properties of our gems are simply topnotch." The holder of the mines, Francis le Diamant gave a well-practiced smile and nodded towards his counterpart. "And you may know that Her Majesty, Jeanne la Monique's House is a producer of—"

"The Lockhart House is what I actually had in mind to produce the blades, jewels and gems are fine but actual steel? I would wish to commune with Your Queen, Alexander." Alfred Villeuce turned the topic back to the Kingdom of Hearts.

Or more precisely the Queen of Heart's House.

The Knight clicked his tongue and shifted his footing, it wasn't a stretch to say that Sir Julius Ginellevé was both pleased and annoyed that they were talking about his Queen. But the Lockhart House was truly deserving of such praise, even if—Julius Ginellevé shut his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh.

Holding onto previous events would do him no good.

Julius Ginellevé, raised in the Lockhart Household had sworn fealty to his Queen and he would resume his role as her most trusted Knight and confidante.