The Mad Agreement

Within the premises of the Queen of Heart's chambers, a question hung in the air that awaited for his answer. Or it was less of a question and more of a confirmation of what the Queen had asked of him, "Haven't we previously made an agreement already, Mister Nicholas?"

Who knew what would be the end result if he disagreed with her at this moment?

He inadvertently gulped, and felt his gaze wobble for a moment. He could play it off and say he didn't remember. This was a defining question after all and though the chances of meeting the other Queens were quite unlikely after the Gathering of the Suits—it would do him a great deal if he were able to secure their favour for his own. Each Queen and her Kingdom had their own defining factor that allowed each one to prosper.

And yet at the end of the day he tipped his hat to both the Queen of Clover and Diamonds, either two of them would have been great people to gain favour with—even if Queen Neo Anasthasia was more of a 'titular' Queen than an actual one holding power, but their Kingdom had already shown interest in his hats. Which he still needed to produce and he was running out of time regarding that matter if he were to be truthful. However tempting it may be to share the income between the Queen of Diamonds and her Kingdom who were composed of wealthier citizens due to their mines—he tipped his hat to the both and rejected their offers. 

It was all because of a certain golden haired maiden that had given him a sharp look that had him here in the first place; he might as well show loyalty. And even if his 'song' would supposedly become a success—there was the word 'suppose' in the sentence. He couldn't count eggs until the chicken laid them. Or had it been the other way around? He offered a bow and tipped his hat in actuality this time, "Unfortunately—I mean, my sincerest apologies that I have already made an agreement prior with Her Majesty of Hearts." Speaking truths and riddles, it was hard to tell which was which.

Both the Queen of Clover and Diamonds would blink at his answer; the Queen of Spades would simply snicker at the remark… and the Queen of Hearts? Her ruby coloured eyes widened a fraction, a momentary slip of their well-practiced mask and it would be something that Nicholas Hatter would list down as one of his accomplishments.

That positively puzzled expression, lips slightly parted had been… cute. 

It seemed to be a topsy-turvy day for him to even realize that she was capable of such a face. The hot tempered Queen of Hearts that sentenced people to be beheaded actually had a side like this; Nicholas Hatter wondered how many had seen this side of hers. And he wondered if it was actually a good thing that he had seen this side of hers.

. . .

The Mad Hatter had agreed. 

Rosalyn Lockhart wished to pinch herself for a moment and make sure that she hadn't been dreaming—for what if all this madness that she had been doing, making friends and eating tarts once more were nothing but simply a way of her mind coping with what she had lost?

"Well, now that's all settled, I don't suppose that you have something else to do around here?" The Queen of Spades, Olivia Deuce spoke up and glanced around, boredom evident in their eyes. She hoisted up her peach dress and walked around the room, her emerald eyes were critically eyeing everything in the drawing room. 

It really was true that each Queen was quite different from the other, some had considered 'singing' as good pass time but for a Queen that was raised in a battle-oriented country, then this was as amusing as watching the red paint dry around on white roses.

A tedious activity.

The Queen of Hearts fought the urge to raise a hand and massage her temple, how could the people around her expect for her to remain calm when they all acted pretentiously like this? But of course this was her role as the Royal Host to the guests; she had to entertain them—even though all she wanted to do was run back into her personal chambers and eat tarts.

That was her current definition of a 'fun' time.

Her previous life she had always been prone to irritation and so all she could simply wish for was a bit of peace and quiet. At least before that vixen arrived and changed everything once more, but this time, she would be prepared. Already she was starting to gain the Mad Hatter's allegiance, one way or another.

She offered the Queen of Spades a smile, "Well, we do have some sights here and there that might entertain you, but is there any activity you would like to do? I'm more open to suggestions." What did Rosalyn Lockhart actually do in her spare time? That was a question she'd like to ask herself and at the moment, it left her stumped.

It was usually Sir Julius Ginellevé that had done all the entertaining.

Well it wasn't like she could suggest something along those lines—the Queen wasn't one for sharing and that was slightly amusing. Her lips quirked as she glanced at the other Queens; Neo Anasthasia was the hardest one to read while Jeanne la Monique's distaste was evident on her face. But the latter kept her lips shut as she placed back the parchment on the table, knowing that she had lost.

She lightly wondered if the reason why the other Queen was always upset was because of her relationship with her King? It was a fleeting thought that crossed her mind. Unless it would be useful, she'd rather much let it pass.

The Queen of Spades then shrugged, "Well, I suppose nobody other than me is interested in a little contest? A few rounds of sparring with one another, I know that Her Majesty of Neo has their particular talents. But I doubt neither of the Queen of Diamonds and Hearts are well-versed in combat."

"I do not wish to demean you, but living in a Kingdom where young women like yourself is forced to grow up learning how to hold a weapon sounds like a terrible time." Jeanne la Monique spoke up, shaking their head with a patronizing smile, "And I'm afraid that you're mistaken, the Monique House produces weapons, so it may be to your surprise but I do know a thing or two about swinging them around. It's Her Majesty, Lockhart who I assume who has never lifted a weapon despite her own family. Especially with her loyal Knight who's always at her side, which reminds me, where is he? Shouldn't a dog be around its master?"

The Queen of Hearts stayed silent for a moment, the giddiness of having Nicholas Hatter agreeing with her as being his patron was overthrown by that derisive remark… which was true. She never truly did need to learn how to even hold a blade. "Well, I suppose now is as good as any time to give it a try."

That had also been one of her pitfalls.

If she did have any faults, it was because she had entrusted her safety with someone else. She had placed her faith in him. Even if she treated him more of a tool, he had simply followed them all and she never expected anything. And that was why it had stung her more than when the King of Hearts banished her from the Kingdom. Gine had stayed with her until the very end—and he was the one who ended her as well.

Perhaps she had focused too much on Alice and had chosen to ignore the very problem that lay in front of her. Why did her own Knight, why did the very person she had grown up with… what had made him choose to end her life?

Would she be able to even find answers for it?

There might be a need for her to learn how to pick up a weapon after all.