40 Sour Like Lemon
Removing themselves from the chambers was a relieving time for the Queen of Hearts. It had been stuffy and suffocating for some reason and it wasn't because of who she was dealing with. The four Queens had travelled towards the soldiers barracks, to the courtyard where the men all gathered to combat and spar.
The Castle of Hearts barracks were simple, functionable. The slabs of stone grey were the majority of it except for the emblem of the Kingdom displayed on the banners. It was a strange occasion, she had never stepped a foot here.
But today was an opportunity to change.
To raise one's sword and use it against another, without somebody else doing it for her. It was the beginning of her independence, no longer relying on her Knight.
She was to fight alone, didn't she?
It should have been obvious from the start, and her chest tightened more than she thought it would. Compared to her, the other two Queens had begun to converse with the soldiers, even now, an array of weapons were now being brought up for them to use.
And all she did was watch and listen.
Or perhaps she was too caught up in her own memories.
.
The House of Lockhart's own barracks were much smaller than the Royal Family, but while the latter focused on raising soldiers and guards to take over many tasks and roles in the Kingdom—the Knights of the Lockhart were elite.
They were only responsible for taking care of the House and its territory.
She hadn't paid attention to anything of that note though back then. A young lady like her was more concerned with her studies, etiquette, manners, conversation—and for someone as young as her, she was still caught up in playing.
Everyone else was busy.
Tutors couldn't be bothered for games and they weren't really fun to begin with. And what about Mikael? They were also caught up in their own business. Although she had everything a young lady at her age could wish for, everything still felt lacking until she had met him.
Her Knight.
.
"Your Majesty,"
A voice brought her out of the reverie, Rosalyn Lockhart turned to see the Hatter. He was still here…? Well, he hadn't been dismissed to begin with. Usually she would have been vexed to have been called for what appeared to her was no reason—she would call them out first.
But there was no anger within her at the moment.
She raised a brow at him and quirked her lips, she eyed the man from his top hat to his shoes, even for someone like them, a commoner and a mad man. He was sharply dressed, it was a passing observation, "What is it?"
Now that they were here, it was silly to even recall that she had been so frightened of such a man to begin with. But it was also this man that had sent their hat flying and stabbing someone in their eye—so wariness was still to be held.
Regardless of location.
If the man was truly mad, they could attack her suddenly and she was quite ill-equipped to deal with him. The thought brought her lips to curl down into a frown. Of course things would be quite different if her Gine—
She shook her head and turned away from him. "Stay where you are, I will repay my debt today, but I am the host as well of important delegates so it must take precedence." Once again she saw both Her Majesty, Olive Deuce and Jeanne la Monique testing out weapons.
The soldiers of course couldn't refuse them.
Rosalyn Lockhart was relieved that they acted appropriately, their commander had taught them well. If there was anyone who had been on the sidelines like her, it was the Queen of Clover. Surely, Her Majesty, Neo Anasthasia was proving themselves troublesome by acting so withdrawn.
But it was merely nothing, a small trifle if she were to compare it to impudence from the vixen.
The Queen of Hearts would have to intervene, ensure that they felt welcomed and it would be much better if their Kingdom would be looked upon favorably, "Your Majesty, do you have no intention to join us in our spar?" Rosalyn Lockhart asked as she gave them a tight-lipped smile afterwards. Recalling a piece of information made her wary but she brought it up nonetheless,"Her Majesty, Olivia Deuce had praised—"
"N-No." The Queen of Clover shook her head, their tone told Rosalyn that she was having none of it.
You.
She hadn't even been allowed to finish her own sentence. The Queen of Spades, born in a country that was raised with weapons had praised someone as weak, frail and pale like the Queen of Clover. Rosalyn Lockhart pressed her lips together before nodding, "I suppose that makes two of us." Though she herself had never needed to raise a weapon before, "But I will still have to give it a try. If you are uncomfortable, I can request a servant to get you something to eat? Late morning tea with desserts while watching the spectacle is possible."
"...Perhaps lemonade?" Neo Anasthasia answered at last.
Her face scrunched up. Lemons?
It was in the briefest moment that the composed face of the Queen of Clovers broke, dark eyes widening as they waved a hand, "If that is unavailable then it's fine—"
They acted so coolly but reacted so embarrassed with a question like this?
"Of course we have lemonade, that sour fruit. There is nothing to be worried about, the Castle of Hearts, no the Kingdom itself is bountiful in fresh produce and other resources. We'll get you your cup, or a pitcher." The Queen of Hearts soon looked around the barracks, most of the soldiers had evacuated to give space.
But there were still some left.
Her gaze fell to one of the soldiers, "You there, get Her Majesty of Clover a pitcher of lemonade and some tarts, cookies or anything that pairs with lemonade."
