Villainess Of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts had been ready to accept Chesire's offer for help when somebody knocked on the door. A familiar voice came through the door, "My Queen—Her Majesty, it's me." It was the King of Hearts. 

Rosalyn felt one of her eyes twitch. 

"Oh, maybe it isn't necessary after all." Chesire chuckled and flopped back onto the couch. "Back to cat nap." His sincerity had no longer any need and so the cat person suddenly switched back to his cat-like demeanor—back to relaxing and napping.

Rosalyn Lockhart rested her face on a hand and sighed inwardly, "You do not need to ask permission to enter, Your Majesty." The Queen of Hearts wasn't exactly happy but somehow the King had gone here by himself? At least she wouldn't have to ask Gine to do it for her. She had a lot of things—

The door swung open at last. the man walked in and sighed in relief. The King of Hearts's eyes were focused on her, did he even notice that the Knight and Cat was here? "I'm glad that you're safe, Your Majesty." 

"No thanks to you." The Queen of Hearts smiled at him.

She enjoyed the man flinching before he nodded, "I-I apologize that this horrible thing happened to you, but you know that this isn't within my capacity to control." It was normal for him to accept his faults and it wasn't even fun that he did it—this was the reason why the people loved him, he was willing to own up to his mistakes.

"Of course, we could keep listening to you say your excuses or we could get down to business immediately, Your Majesty of Hearts." Rosalyn couldn't stop herself at this moment. It didn't matter that the Chesire was here along with Gine, they could watch her talk with the King for all they wanted to. Neither of them were exactly important right now.

Alexander Hartsmichdt sighed but nodded, "I know that I may have left my post—"

"You abandoned your duties as the King! And for what reason? To sneak with the Queen of Clovers in your little gazebo?" The Queen of Hearts snorted and slammed her hand down on her table. "Listen here, Alexander. You're not a King just to smile and please the Kingdom's people in my stead! You should have been aware that the Joker arrived but instead of handling the situation properly, you placed your duties with the Lord Duke—"

The King of Hearts didn't say a thing.

She and him were already used to this routine. She exploded and he'd listen—a simple pacifying silence that was almost like a wall. The Queen of Hearts hated it whenever he did this, it made her realize how upset she was and how he wasn't even reacting at all. Most often, she'd finish her rage and there was that time she splashed him in the face with tea and he wordlessly accepted it.

Rosalyn Lockhart's voice trailed off and she rubbed her forehead. "That was unsightly… but I'm upset. I'm terribly disappointed with you." Was she talking to the King or was she talking to herself? Her gaze lingered on her table and she sighed, shaking off the memories of a young girl hearing the same exact words. Exploding like this at him would do nothing in regards to their duties—it was only a way for her to vent out. And it was… she didn't want to look up and see if Chesire was staring at her or if Gine was throwing his own disgusted look at the King of Hearts. That Knight would naturally take her side in this occasion.

Alexander Hartsmichdt offered no words to sympathize or even apologize.

And that was fine for her, it was better to pretend that nobody heard her excuse herself. She was aware that she had blown her top off—and somehow she couldn't muster the same self-righteousness and blazing fury that she had before. Her fingers tapped on her table as she steadied herself and looked at the King of Hearts.

She still hated looking at him.

He almost looked like Alice with his blonde hair and blue eyes, it was irksome. But she clicked her tongue and straightened up on her chair, "Let's divide our tasks, King of Hearts. I'm not sure how your relationship stands with the Joker…" She didn't mention that the Joker wanted to see him, but she noticed him stiffening at the mention of the guy.

It was amazing honestly.

The Queen of Hearts had managed to rile him up once and only recently, but the Joker was able to get the man before her to freeze up? That much reaction to the person who brought him to his position? Rosalyn Lockhart stifled back a snort. She could learn a lot from that man if she ever wanted to see Alexander Hartsmichdt in displeasure. She enjoyed this particular moment before she cleared her throat and continued.

"You do not have to worry about him until dinner, I'd once again entrust you with saying a few things in his honor and surely a short word of gratitude for the other Kingdoms visiting us, the Prime Minister is talking with the Joker but once he's done—the two of you could work together..."

"Are you truly fine, Rosalyn?" He used her name.

The Queen of Hearts furrowed her brow—she was thinking of making him suffer and he was asking if she was fine? How ridiculous. "It doesn't matter, we don't have enough time to think about that right now—I already asked Lord Warth Duke to clear the situation out in regards to the attempted assassination. We have to show to the other Kingdoms that this was a small thing for us or they'd think we're weak, Your Majesty."

"Of course, I'll get to it at once, Your Majesty. Thank you." He didn't need to bow but the man inclined his head respectfully. Once again another slip-up in his position.

Rosalyn Lockhart averted her gaze away from him and clicked her tongue. "You don't have to thank me, we're supposed to help each other as King and Queen. You don't have to look deep into this."

"I'll try not to, but I'll carry out my duties now." Alexander Hartsmichdt placed a hand beneath his back and swept for a bow. His gaze was fully on her as he straightened up and then he finally left—the door clicking softly as he shut the door.

How long had he been King again?

He kept missing the point of being a Royal despite the amount of time he had spent in studying to become a King. She shook her head. His position truly didn't suit him at all and though she was aware that the position was thrusted on him—he didn't need to pull her down with this. 'You wanted a Prince with golden hair—' The words of the Joker resounded in her mind and she gritted her teeth. This was all coincidence, the Joker was in no position to allow someone to win the Card Trial just because of some flimsy and childish wish she had before—the Joker was all about fairness and executing judgement.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" The voice of her Knight quietly asked her.

She looked up to see the face of her Knight who had stayed silent throughout this whole ordeal, the one who suggested having Chesire look for the King but watched her decline it—and then he had to see her talk with the King. Rosalyn Lockhart had tried to evade herself from too much pondering but here she was once again. There were too many memories and history between her and Julius Ginellevé. Even if she tried to ignore it and pretend everything was fine… simply looking at him was enough to bring them back. 

She felt a pang in her chest but waved a hand, "Why would I not be fine, Gine? Don't ask me the same question that the King had already asked me. It's time for us to do our responsibilities, my Knight."

"I'll stay by your side then, Your Majesty. I'll keep you safe this time."

'Do not worry, Your Majesty. This blade shall smoothly cleave your head off —you won't feel a thing.'

A smile broke out on her face as she felt something prick her eyes. "I hope you keep your word this time, Gine." She brushed the corner of her eyes and cursed inwardly. She hated crying and now she was doing it in front of him—what was she, five? Her gaze flickered momentarily to Chesire who was on the couch and he looked like he had dozed off.

That was a little relieving.

And yet the warm liquid that poured down her face didn't stop. She couldn't wipe them all out, it was annoying. Was it solely because of Gine? Was it because she had nearly died this time again and had barely escaped it? Was this because she could vividly remember this time and the last one? She should have already been dead before and her dream had shown her that she already died more than once. Her eyes stung as she sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

Now this was the most unsightly thing she would show anybody else.

"Rosalyn?" His voice was laced with worry. "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

She could hear his footsteps move towards her and he finally stopped at her side. The Knight knelt by her chair as he reached for her hand and held it in his. His hand was warm compared to hers, and he squeezed her hand gently and comfortingly. He didn't say anything else nor did he try to push her to explain why she was even crying.

She was thankful for this.