Fine Wine, Dine and Run

Rosalyn Lockhart tried not to lose her temper and fume in front of the guests. Being able to attend and participate in the Gathering of the Royal Suits was an opportunity for her and the Kingdom of Hearts as well. Her memory was not a hundred percent accurate but she could recall that something important had happened after this event.

And judging the other Kings' personality during the conference earlier, it didn't sound like something good had happened. And yet she was delaying something else important because of her time here.

She stabbed the steak with her fork and fought the urge to sigh aloud. The morning events had come to an end with the Queen of Spades, Olivia Deuce facing a good number of soldiers.

There were quite a few of them that had been able to defeat her in a spar. One of them being the soldier who had brought Mary Ann to the courtyard. She had mixed feelings about it but decided to put it on hold.

Her Majesty, Neo Anasthasia simply had her plate of cookies and the pitcher of lemonade. Of course she was invited to sit and watch the other Queen put their soldiers to shame—and of course that was a sour thing to consider. Her Knight was much more furious about it than herself, as far as she could tell when he broke the glass of lemonade that the Queen of Clovers had given him.

But she was still missing her own goals right now—she had to befriend the Hatter.

And yet she had to leave him in her drawing room of all places, she had made sure that he was to be served lunch as well, with the very same food that was given here. But what would he even think?

She was the one who asked for him to come and she wasn't seeing him or even getting the chance to tackle what she had in plans. Rosalyn Lockhart tried not to hung her head or sigh aloud—

"Are you alright, my Queen?"

She stiffened for a moment and opened her eyes, getting too caught up in her thoughts didn't mean that she had to forget who she was currently accompanying. On her left side was the King of Hearts, Alexander Hartsmichdt. All of the Kings and Queens were gathered together to enjoy lunch.

Rosalyn Lockhart had missed dinner and came to the breakfast only after being summoned. But she couldn't care about that… wait, the King's question. She had already done it before when she first returned in this time, but if she had to do it again—then so be it.

The Queen of Hearts coughed slightly, covering her mouth with a napkin. "N-No, I'm afraid not. I don't feel well, it seems like I've pushed myself once again."

They had already made an excuse that she had been sick before. Now it made sense that she, the dutiful Queen who had overexerted herself to be a host was once again in need of recuperation.

Alexander Hartsmichdt's brows furrowed over as he glanced at her with those ocean blue eyes of his, "I see, would you like me to escort—"

"No! I mean, it's fine." Rosalyn Lockhart swept her gaze across the dining table where everyone was present and returning her own look with theirs, "I would like to deeply regret that I once again do not feel so well. It seems like I need to excuse myself."

"Do rest up, Your Majesty." The King of Spades was quick to react, raising a goblet of wine, their lips immediately curling into a smile. Almost a knowing smile."I would like to wish you a swift recovery at once."

The others began to raise their goblets as well. A gesture she didn't really expect but she took it all in and offered a weak smile, "Thank you."

.

.

.

Slacking off. Escaping her duties. Avoiding the other Royals. Perhaps that was one way to phrase it, but either way—it all meant the same in the end.

The Queen of Hearts once again left his side.

Alexander Hartsmicht tried not to sigh aloud as he watched her retreating figure, her long hair swishing back as she hurriedly stepped out of the Dining Hall with a gait that was far much healthier than someone sick should have ought to take.

But there was only a singular question he had in mind.

Why?

What was more important than fulfilling the duties that she herself had strove hard to achieve? Shaking his head for a moment, he eyed the King of Spades who sipped their wine with a relaxed expression on their face.

It was easy to admit that he was annoyed.

. . .

It was a scrumptious food affair, Nicholas Hatter was able to come into the Castle of Hearts and take in the delights of being able to wine and dine.

And wine did he drink!

He loved tea, he really did. But there was nothing better to a sirloin steak than a glass goblet filled with cabernet sauvignon wine. He was living the life! This must be what the peak and the elite of the Kingdom were dining everyday, and once you tried red wine—you won't be able to go back!

Perhaps he was overdoing it.

It was just him alone in the Queen of Heart's drawing room, the wine red wallpaper, the pristine white lounge chairs and the same wrought-iron furnace now burned brightly with the flames as a servant earlier made the necessary preparations to make sure he was perfectly comfortable.

He should feel terrific, ecstatic… this was an opportunity that not many people were able to afford or even give themselves to, and yet he felt lonesome. Both Mallory and Harold would have loved to be here.

And even the Queen of Hearts herself?

Well, she was the one who requested him to be here. She had ordered her own personal Knight to come and fetch for him and yet he had to stay and wait for her… if she was even going to come.

Not that he was being upset.

He clearly understood that an alliance between the Four Suits were much more essential than meeting up with him and showing him gratitude but—

The door clicked open.

Nicholas Hatter sat up at once, "Good noon, Your Maje—"

A flash of white appeared before him.

It was Sir Julius Ginellevé and not the Queen of Hearts. Of course, what could he have been thinking? That was pretentious of him to even consider. He eyed the man warily, "Sir Knight, what can I do for you?"