39 The Weight of A Crown

The Kingdom of Hearts was a lush kingdom with verdure and forestry that still filled one's vision once they left the towns and villages. It was a refreshing sight compared to the primary frigid climate at the Kingdom of Diamonds, the temperate one at the Kingdom of Clover and the sweltering heat at the Kingdom of Spades, their Kingdom was the one that seemed to be blessed the most.

And that had made the people content with their days, for the crops and fruits grew without a problem and most of the people pursued activities that brought them joy—arts, weaving, hat making, baking and such. The citizens of Hearts were not as wealthy as the Diamond, not as combat-ready as the ones from Spades and neither were they asked to serve a suspicious ruler.

At least that was what Alexander Hartsmichdt had learned when he became the King of Hearts, it became much easier for him to associate specific quirks and traits to such Kingdoms, although he'd never admit that he was one to generalize. But it made his work a lot easier. It was overwhelming to learn something new and his only companion and aide that time had been Blyke Edelweiss while his supposed partner… well, it was something he placed aside for the moment as he concentrated on the events ongoing.

"The Lockhart House is what I actually had in mind to produce the blades, jewels and gems are fine but actual steel? I would wish to commune with Your Queen, Alexander." Alfred Villeuce turned the topic back to the Kingdom of Hearts.

It was supposed to be good.

He hadn't exactly known that the Lockhart House operated in steel—still, the way that the other man before him acted was something he didn't like. The two other Kings acted more pleasant, even deceptively so but the King of Spades didn't beat around the bush. He supposed that it should be refreshing and yet it only made him slightly irritated.

They wanted to talk to her.

He sighed and mustered a smile, "I can assure you, Your Highness that I and Prime Minister Edelweiss can handle the affairs for you, it's a small matter that could be even relegated to your ass—"

"No. I'm not leaving this to my right hand man, you may not know this 'King' Alexander but creating good weapons is an important matter to me. I won't be satisfied unless I talk with someone from their House and the best candidate among them would be the Queen herself. Or would you prefer I head over to the Marmoreal Castle?"

The man at his right side was already fidgeting, he could feel the man's feet thumping underneath their table as Alexander Hartsmichdt kept their face blank for a moment. This was a battle of wills as much as it was a battle of power and authority, and the reason why he was being unwilling to bring in the Queen was—

"She is a very stubborn woman." He spoke lightly and tested the atmosphere at his comment.

The King of Spades lifted a brow but made no further comment and neither did the other Kings for some reason.

Alexander Hartsmichdt continued as he inwardly sighed and recounted the past two days, it felt like he had been dealing with a very different woman. "At the moment, she seems more compliant and calm but I'm actually a bit afraid if she were to get upset—it's something that I wouldn't wish for His Majesty to have to concern himself with. And that is why I wish to take over it."

Her outbursts were always something that he had taken care of.

But now she had somewhat stopped cold turkey.

That was much more frightening if he was to be honest.

"...I didn't expect that His Majesty of Hearts was such a weak man when it came to the Queen of Hearts." The King of Spades chuckled slightly, if not mockingly. "Whatever a temper of a woman, I'm sure she understands her duties so I do not think that there's anything to be fussed about. I believe she hadn't exactly been the one set for the throne if not for your winning the Card Trial, but the Lockhart Household is more professional."

And you are unsuited for the role of a King.

Nobody had said it aloud but surely it was in the back of their minds and he was aware that it was something that most of the Royal bloodlines, regardless of Kingdoms, were in complete behest with. Out of all the people within the Royal Conference Room, he was the least experienced and he worked hard to overcome the gap between them.

But not everyone saw that.

He sighed and rested his chin on a palm and motioned for Blyke Edelweiss to move, "Very well then, that was simply a mere heads-up before I ask for the Queens to join us in this room—"

"I only requested the Queen of Hearts." Alfred Villeuce cut in helpfully with a grin. "You don't need to invite everyone here." The grin was somewhat unnerving, or rather it spelled something else entirely. 

Why didn't the King of Spades want their Queen to be here? 

"Well, I surely don't mind if Her Majesty Anasthasia would join me." Ivan Nordskov also chimed in with an even more overbearing smile. "I think it's quite a splendid idea. Why haven't they been here in the first place?" 

And this one was throwing in their opinion for amusement. 

It reminded Alexander of—he placed the memory in the back of his head. That was a life he had already gone over with.

The King of Diamond soon offered a nonchalant shrug and an answer, "Surely this matter can be solved amongst ourselves without bothering them. It's been awhile since my Queen had a chance to relax and visit quaint places like this Kingdom." Using the word 'quaint' over an entire country was rather demeaning but Francis le Diamant didn't bat an eye, "Then again, our meeting today was about the new trade agreement? I oppose it, so I think we can end this and reconfer some other time?"

Alexander Hartsmichdt frowned, "That's one vote against the other undecided ones. Will His Majesty Villeuce side with me once you make an agreement with Her Majesty of Hearts? How about you, His Majesty Nordskov?"

"Well, Anasthasia had already put in a good word for you and your stance—I guess I'm quite inclined to agree."

The young King tried not to sink into his seat and proceeded to nod towards his Prime Minister, the only one he could give an order to, the Royal Conference Room only held the Kings and one of their assistants to keep their matters private. "Please—" He stopped and reworded his sentence into one more suitable for a man in his authority, "Prime Minister, intrude on Her Majesty's schedule once more and request her presence to join us… along with the other Queens if they wish."