50 The Gift Of Present

"Is that the best you can do?" A raucous remark came not from the soldier of Hearts but from the Queen of Spades herself. Compared to her reserved demeanor when compared to the Queen of Hearts and Diamonds, somehow, Olivia Deuce was more open in the time of combat.

In a stark contrast to her, the Queen of Clovers was entirely reserved and stayed in one place. A seat and table was brought out for her as her gaze swept across the courtyard, she was taking everything in but said not a word. Her only outburst before had been her speaking out against the amount that should have been paid for Nicholas Hatter.

For Nicholas Hatter these were all interesting sights that he had been able to witness for himself at this moment. And perhaps it would even be useful for him in the future?

Probably.

But he needed to focus on the present.

When she had stepped outside the courtyard, Nicholas Hatter's gaze flitted towards the young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was carrying a tray that had a pitcher of lemonade and a plate of pastries and biscuits. There was something about her that he couldn't quite pinpoint.

He felt drawn to her.

Although at the same, it didn't seem like he truly was. There was just something in the way that she looked that made it feel like he knew her but from her quiet and sheepish demeanor as she approached the Queen of Clovers and never looked elsewhere, he couldn't help but feel like he had drank bitter tea. An unpleasant situation.

Nicholas Hatter wasn't one to judge appearances and first impressions, but his gut instincts was another matter.

But he didn't make a move.

Instead he rubbed his face for a moment, keeping in mind his friend's words to stay put. He wouldn't fancy getting the Queen of Hearts upset again, avoiding her wrath for a second time was something he didn't want to experience. Nicholas Hatter instead chose to move towards the entrance to the Castle of Hearts, once again he was asked to stay put by the Queen herself—

The sound of footsteps thundered down the hallway as the fragrance of roses engulfed his senses. One moment he had been alone, but now a Queen stood close to him, he tried not to cough as he gave his greetings, "Your Majesty, you look like you've run all the way here?"

She quickly turned her head and met his gaze, she stared at him with bewildered eyes. "You're here, Hatter." She breathed and let out a heavy sigh.

Did she run in order to make sure that he was still here?

"Where else should I be, Your Majesty?" He inclined his head and tipped his hat towards her. Somehow she looked harrassed for some reason, as if she had just barely escaped a terrible predicament. 

He returned her gaze with his own as he felt the need to lighten up the mood and crinkled the corner of his eyes, "The Queen of Hearts had after all asked me to be here."

"Of course." She paused. 

Somehow she seemed to be at loss for words. Had the mere effort of running worn her out? Or perhaps it was something else? Her lips curled down, "If you had left, it would have been your head that would be returned to me."

His head would be returned to her.

The image came to mind.

"A-Ah, well then it is good that I stayed." He laughed albeit shakily so. Perhaps he had forgotten about who he was dealing with, despite their demeanor that sometimes made his heart soften up—she was still the same Queen as she always was.

Although that didn't seem right to him right now. She had her faults like everyone else but it meant that she had her good side as well.

Perhaps not a lot of people were able to encounter that side.

"Your Majesty!" Another voice came right behind them. Her white haired Knight came down the hallway, his brows furrowed together and amethyst eyes lit up with worry as they met gazed at her. "Did something—are you alright, Your Majesty?" 

It seemed like his gut instincts were right then, there seemed to be something troubling the Queen.

And it was also in that moment that the other people began to notice as servants and soldiers chorused as one, "Greetings to Her Majesty of Hearts." 

She managed a small smile, "Yes, I am alright."

Nicholas Hatter felt some relief to hear that, and yet something still seemed odd—

"Your Majesty!" A voice came from the distance and soon stepped closer. A bright luster of blonde hair came across his sight as the young woman approached and curtsied, "Is there anything you would like me to serve you?"

Somehow the Queen of Hearts stepped back, closer towards him and flicked her wrist, "Ah, Mary Ann, there is no need—please head back and get some rest already. Thank you for your hard work."

Nicholas Hatter wondered if he was dreaming. It seemed like three impossible things had occured right before lunch.

The Queen of Hearts used the word 'please'.

She thanked somebody else.

And she had called somebody else by their name.

It was nerve-wracking—wait, she had done that with him as well. But her actions now was still odd to him as the young woman bowed and then went on her way back inside the castle.

Someone's voice came out nervously at first, the Queen of Hearts' lips curled into a smile that twitched, "T-That was Mary Ann, had she caught your eye? Do you not think that she was a beauty?"

That was some kind of trick question wasn't it?

The Knight's gaze followed after the young woman as well, for a reason he couldn't tell. Perhaps the both of them were able to pick up on Her Majesty's hesitance?

Nicholas Hatter turned to the Queen of Hearts and shook his head, "If there is someone eye-catching, it is you yourself, Your Majesty. You're quite beautiful."

Wait.

What did he just say?

He cleared his throat for a moment and quickly bowed his head, "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, it is not within my position to say such things informally." 

It wasn't a lie or anything of untruth but he shouldn't be the one—

A small laugh escaped her lips, the Queen of Hearts had a hand over her mouth as she stifled another one, her cheeks were dusted red. Her gaze steadied on him, "Pfft… thank you, Mister Hatter. To hear that from you, ah...well, I suppose you're not wrong."

Nicholas Hatter fought back the urge to chuckle as well and opted to incline his head. An opportunity to make her smile and laugh was perhaps a rare gift in itself.