Let Bygones be Bygones

The stiletto dagger glittered enticingly to her and just within fingertips reach—it seemed to be calling her. What else could possibly be the best weapon for her except this one? 

'She must lift her own blade and strike?'

Why did those words sound so familiar… and she was already reaching for it before she even realized it. The Queen of Heart's gaze sharpened on the King of Spades, "What do you call this?"

Alfred Villeuce lifted a brow at her, a perplexed expression crossing his face, "It's a stiletto—"

"I know that. But why are you giving me a dagger?" Her lips curled down into a frown as she watched the man's body movement before her. What was his purpose for this?

He chuckled, "I did tell you that it was a present, a far more useful one than what His Majesty of Diamonds had given you."

Rosalyn Lockhart averted her gaze from him and clicked her tongue. Was this something akin to differences between their Kingdoms? Was it normal for them to give 'practical' gifts like knives and daggers? Did the King of Spades simply commit a faux pax?

"Hah, it's almost like you're asking me to stab someone." Her gaze lifted once more to the King of Spades. She could risk being a little more forward with this man. Would they consider this a crude joke?

A smirk appeared on his face, a single dimple appearing as he gave her a rather relaxed shrug, "If you wish to do it to someone, feel free to do so. The weapon is yours, I believe that you'll use it in the most important of occasions."

His answer didn't exactly sound wrong as he still offered it to her.

And perhaps that had been his intention. 

Despite giving her the weapon, the choice of using it for harm or self defence rested primarily in her hands.

It was a little drunkening—a chance for her to have power within her fingers.

There was something that drew her in as her hand hovered above the stiletto dagger until she finally accepted it and held it in her hands, "My gratitude for such a… tasteful gift. But where exactly do I keep it? How did you not scratch your arm?"

The weapon was moderately light in her hand as she held the hilt, somehow it didn't seem like she would have a problem with swiping it or stabbing it through an enemy. Her gaze met the man's once again.

"I don't think this is an important occasion." Alfred Villeuce chuckled as he raised a hand up, although they didn't look intimidated as she held her weapon and he instead pulled down his sleeve to reveal a sheath gauntlet. "Perhaps you can commission someone to have this prepared for your left arm. You are right handed yes?"

She raised a brow, somehow it shouldn't have been surprising that their Kingdom had failsafes like this. "Commission? Then it must mean that I should keep wearing long sleeved gowns."

A carefree laugh escaped the King as he unfastened the sheathe gauntlet from his forearm and then extended a hand, "Well, I think it's in the Queen of Heart's best intentions to keep one's flawless skin hidden from the eyes of men."

The Queen of Hearts had already heard a similar line from her Knight, His Majesty of Spades wasn't the first to compliment her at that.

But it didn't mean that she wasn't pleased at such a remark. Such was the benefit of her being raised in a noble household after all.

Should she accept his hand?

Rosalyn Lockhart's lips pressed together at the offered hand before reluctantly reaching out to them with her left hand—commissioning a separate sheath would involve letting another person become aware of her weapon.

And that was something that she wished to keep to herself.

With surprising gentleness, the King of Spades drew back her sleeve and revealed her forearm before he fastened it over her arm, "I suggest you wear more loose fitting sleeves for smoother unsheathing of the blade but this much is fine, Your Majesty."

His touch made goosebumps run down her skin, she cleared her throat and drew back her arm. "I thank you for your advice, I can take it from here." Carefully she slipped the dagger into its sheath before inclining her head at him, "You have my thanks once more."

"If you truly are grateful, then perhaps the Queen of Hearts could oversee the production of my blades?"

Rosalyn Lockhart stifled a smirk, "I believe that you are pushing your luck, Your Majesty."

"Well, you couldn't blame a man from trying."

Somehow it wouldn't do well with her to keep comparing His Majesty of Spades to her Knight, the Hatter or even the King of Hearts. They were all separate individuals with their own identities after all, and yet she couldn't help but do so.

He wasn't that bad of a person was he?

Questionable. Arrogant and Conceited. Perhaps justifiably so? He did have the skills for it although she could only wonder how the King of Spades would fare against her Knight.

The Queen of Hearts pursed her lips, "Pardon me by the way, Your Majesty. I would have expected that the King of Hearts would have toured you and the other Royals for leisure activities."

"And so what if he did?" Alfred Villeuce cocked a brow at her… before clearing his throat and scratching the back of his head. "Honestly, I do not wish to demean you or your Kingdom, but although it is indeed blessed with spring—I care not much for sights. I did tag along for a bit before I decided to leave."

He didn't even make up an excuse like her?

Despite only meeting him quite recently, it seemed like that was something they would do. Rosalyn Lockhart gave a resigned sigh and flicked her wrist, "Bygones be bygones."

"It does surprise me to see you out of bed, Your Majesty of Hearts. Have you finally recovered from your illness? It seems like a reoccurring matter." The King of Spades remarked with a somewhat suspicious look.

Had she been able to fool him with her lie from earlier or was her Knight's words of her looking frail holding true? The Queen of Hearts sighed, "Well—"

"Rosaaa—I mean Your Majesty!"