Temporary Refuge

But of course someone was keen enough to leave some folks to stay around the Hatter's place. They were sauntering about with a glint in their eyes, watching passerby walk around.

Now Rosalyn Lockhart had a lot of things to say to the Hatter that was carrying her—but it had ended when he mumbled about what she could have been eating.

The notion of having him beheaded now seemed more promising than befriending him.

She glanced at the people oddly waiting for them around the shop, thankfully they were in one of the shrouded alleys and were hidden from sight. "Of course they'd be prepared enough to do that." She muttered and narrowed her eyes at the Hatter. "Bring me to the castle, they could have assassins waiting but the guards—"

"I have an idea." The Hatter grinned, not necessarily at her but his eyes gleamed at the idea.

The liveliness in those eyes…

She sighed inwardly, shoulders drooping as she finally got a moment to consider things."I don't even know what you're doing this for. Wouldn't it be easier to hand me over to them or perhaps finish me off yourself? I am the person who had ordered you beheaded after all. Do you not have some grudge with me?" 

Sometimes she wished that she hadn't left that tea party with that strange man. Dealing with snakes, vixens and other things were actually quite cumbersome.

The Hatter blinked and looked down at her, "People have referred to me as the Mad Hatter, but I'm not that mad, Your Majesty."

His answer.

She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her thumbs, she hadn't exactly expected that kind of response. "Well… I hope this idea of yours isn't a mad one."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. It's brilliant."

This idea ended up as one of the least crazy one, they ended up visiting one of the nearby houses. Or to be more exact, it was actually one of the bigger places than just a house. Someone who at least had some substantial wealth.

She wasn't sure how someone like the Hatter could make friends. Then again, this was the person who had managed to rouse her kingdom's people to betray her.

How they always managed to do it had her stumped before.

But from what she had gathered… it had been the power of friendship. Something much stronger than a steel blade or an iron fist.

"Your Majesty, would you mind if I let you down for a moment?" The Hatter asked.

She gave him a look but reluctantly allowed herself to step back down on the ground. He must have gotten tired running a distance and even she wasn't the type who'd order a servant to carry her around. Rosalyn Lockhart wouldn't ask for this even from Sir Julius Ginevelle.

Once the man was free from his burden, the Hatter knocked on the imposing door.

It didn't take too long before it opened, and there she saw a petite woman that was standing at the door. She had expected a domineering man to open it, some merchant or nobleman but instead it was a young woman with soft and gentle features—almost reminding her of a mouse.

Until their eyes narrowed at the Hatter and she opened her mouth.

"Whaddya doin' here Nich—oh, Queen of mmphf!" Before the woman could say anything else, the Hatter had clamped a hand over her mouth. 

And then they stamped on the Hatter's foot.

"Ow! I'll explain later—Your Majesty, please walk in, your attire is even more eye catching than mine." The Hatter remarked with a wince.

Glancing behind her, she could see that there were indeed some townsmen who were looking their way. It was impossible to hide her regal nature after all… and well her red gown was bright indeed. 

Anyhow she shuffled into the house and away from the eyes of the public.

Soon enough, the Hatter shut the door as he followed suit.

The woman looked torn between chewing the Hatter's head off and between her presence. Finally the young woman cleared her throat and managed a bow—not a curtsy, but a bow. "Y'er Majesty, I'd offer me abode for you, I'll get you some tea if ye wish."

She was then led to some private quarters.

It was a decent place for someplace outside the castle, it wasn't lavish but it wasn't destiture either. There was some comfortable furniture and a rustic oaken table that gave her a quaint and homey feel. It seemed to be a living room as there was still another door beside the ones that they had entered from.

She then proceeded to pay attention to the elephant in the room.

The Hatter was standing awkwardly as the house owner left them for some time. She turned to him, "Why are you so stiff—"

The man nearly jumped out of his hat.

Fear and nervousness was still apparent to some extent as the Hatter made a laugh, "Ah forgive me, Your Majesty, just some nerves." He was eyeing the place around as if he wanted to escape the room, as if this man hadn't just saved her previously.

Rosalyn Lockhart wondered how'd she be able to make him a friend when the man still seemed jumpy. She wondered how bad of a thing it was to get sentenced by her and survive—it shouldn't be that bad. The man still had a head! Well, she would have to try again, "Sir Hatter—"

The woman then walked in, she brought her a tray of snacks and a drink. "If y' could excuse my friend and I have to talk, Your Majesty. We'll be back." The woman dragged out the Hatter by the collar. The door shut as they left.

Normally it would be disrespectful to just leave someone of noble stature without an attendant to serve them but she'd let them off.

She eyed the tea and the plate of snacks.

Biscuits and sliced cheese… it wasn't her choice of a meal but she popped one into her mouth. It didn't make any sense that they'd poison her right?

Cheese and biscuits weren't exactly that bad but a grimace crossed her features as she sipped her drink. The tea was bitter. Where was the sugar? Surely they had at least some milk unlike a certain Catherine Duke.

As she was looking for any confectionaries. The door swung open, "Ah the two of you are—"

She blinked. It was still shut.

A shout tore throughout the room.

"Mallory why am I seeing the Queen of Hearts?!"