Villainess Of Hearts

His words made her blush—even if she was used to the attraction of many men for her beauty, to hear it come from his lips still gave her a certain relish to it. The Queen of Hearts turned to him and rested a hand over her chest. "I think that's where you have your assumptions wrong. The drive to do certain things in bed and to go beyond kissing? That's quite a natural occurrence that I do not shame you for it."

"I mean, I know that—"

"But what?" She tilted her head and stifled the urge to pin the man underneath. There was some sense why she felt this way, but even she knew how to put her will into control. A fear of lacking was what had driven her earlier to say those words of her, of never having and never knowing him if she had done it in the past.

Alexander averted his gaze. "I really am just embarrassed."

This was the same man in the future who would blush because she insinuated having children with him—perhaps this was an expected response. She sighed and stretched her arms. "Well, there's nothing we can do about that then, Alexander."

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Because you were looking forward to me kissing you—"

Her face heated up, and she raised a hand to stop him. "Hold it right there, I only said it because you're an attractive and young man, but it's not like I'll die or anything if I were to never kiss you. If you do not know of it—" But he probably did learn of it. "I have slept with my most trusted companion before, he is a devilishly beautiful man who I had known ever since we were young. I do not think there is much for me to lose if I don't sleep with you."

To mention it now was weird, but she had finally said it in front of him. The Queen of Hearts never really announced it before and still enjoyed the privacy, and she wasn't the type to brandish and flaunt such a thing. But it wouldn't have hurt to tell it to him before. But she never did.

And she never really understood why.

Was it because she still cared about his perception to some degree she never acknowledged? A part of her might have agreed to it now that she was being honest with herself. 

"Uh…"

"What?" She raised a brow at him. Rosalyn Lockhart was waiting for something like a repulsed or disgusted expression to come over him and for the young man to call her names or something like that…

But he didn't.

It was a wrong thing to expect from a kind person like him.

"Could you just say that you slept with your childhood friend?" Alexander scratched the back of his head. "I feel like it's easier to understand when you put it that way."

"He is also my Knight."

"Right," Alexander weakly laughed. "And it's a casual thing for you guys, and I guess you wanted a casual thing with me as well?"

Casual never fitted Royalty. The very idea of it clashed—when she had to acknowledge that it was him who she had to marry in the past. Or in the future, in this case. All the complications of it made her head spin, but somehow she couldn't just say that 'yes' she wanted it to be casual between them when her mind had also slipped and delved into situations that couldn't happen.

Rosalyn Lockhart decided to be honest and gave him a smile. "I do not think that we'll have any other chance and that scarcity makes me desire you more… it doesn't sound appealing to you, does it?"

"It makes me feel like I'm the only steak left in a steakhouse." he laughed. "But I guess I am flattered and all, but why do you sound like we're never going to see each other again? I mean, I found you in the city without a place to stay so if there's anything I can see in the foreseeable future—it's the two of us here."

She stared at him.

"I mean—my parents and sister are still with us. But I think you get what I mean, don't you?"

His genuine words made her smile briefly. Was this how he treated a stranger he met from last night, or was it because it was her? Perhaps it was just her appearance…  but he also spoke of how he thought she was someone who was good. The Queen of Hearts almost considered that when someone expects you to be a certain thing—the urge to live up to such a belief would press you.

And it did.

She laughed and then reached out to cup his cheek; the man pausing his movements at her touch. "You are such a good person, Alexander. Perhaps that is why I am also afraid of getting too close to you."

"Huh?"

"I have done things I do sometimes regret," she said. "Necessary things on occasions and sometimes simply out of boredom because I could and nobody had ever stopped me. However, I look at you being true to yourself and whatever it is that your heart tells you—you are remarkable in your own way. It's frightening to think what you could accomplish if I wasn't by your side."

"... Rosalyn?" he looked at her with a confused expression. The young man came to terms with what she was saying, albeit hesitantly. "I should thank you, but you really don't know me that well—"

"Of course, this is how I see you. My perception could be false, but this is how I see you."

The only one who could truly know a person was their own self, wasn't it?

It was why she never agreed with Hatter's perception either.

Alexander reached out and clutched the hand in his face. He pulled her hand down and finally leaned forward, their faces now only separated by mere inches. "It's a little too sudden to be saying such things—I mean, everybody has regrets, you know? I sometimes wished I didn't reach for that extra slice of pizza that was meant for Allie and never told her, but… you really sound like you're about to say goodbye."

"Yes."

"I… I don't like it already."

"There is nothing left to be done." This was the pen ultimatum, and she had come to terms with it, and so would he. The Queen of Hearts could only wish that this occasion did not alter the future. "It is what is."

"I mean there's one thing…?" A blush crossed his face, but a look of determination crossed his face. "You could choose to stay and I can convince you if you won't."

Rosalyn Lockhart tilted her head. "And how would you—"

He kissed her. And he somehow tasted like the early spring blossoms, of a cool refreshing breeze that swept over her and a rich juicy plum all at once. The burst of emotions that swept through the kiss was immaculate and immutable. His fingers intertwined with hers and then they were one in that cherished moment.

And it was just a moment.

He quickly pulled away before anything else could happen and she would come across his burning face while she took into account the pleasant tingling in her lips. No words were spoken at this moment as the reality of things settled on her and to him as well.

"Ah…" he said. He ran his fingers through his hair and sheepishly laughed. "Seems kind of stupid to think that a kiss could convince you to stay, right? I thought about saying please, but it felt right to me."

Rosalyn Lockhart's cheeks were warm and yet her heart ached slightly, even whilst she gave him a smile. "It is indeed an incredulous notion, but one worth trying."

"Then did it work?" he asked. "Or do I have to try and convince you through some other way—" His body soon fell over into the couch and the sight of something akin to a dark rippling portal appeared behind the couch.

He could have looked like a reaper of death with his dark cloak, but the Time Man raised his hand in greeting. This individual had karate-chopped the younger man in the head and clicked his tongue. "He seems like an awfully young and horny brat."

Rosalyn Lockhart only stared at him incredulously and fought back the urge to say that she was the one who incited such an incident. But her fingers ran through Alexander's blond hair and she sighed wistfully. "You did not kill him, right?" It was a strange thing to meet him at this age and place.

"I'm not an amateur in what I do—tampering with events is troublesome. He'll probably only remember this as a vague and possibly pleasant dream." The Time Man said, his own blue eyes looking pointedly at her.

If she had any assumptions, it might have bordered with a hint of jealousy. She cleared her throat. "And his family?"

"The same will occur with them, so do not worry about it. Perhaps just be glad that it would be even strenuous on my part to have brought both King and Alice now to see you. It would have been a sight to see."

She could have wondered about how awkward it would have been if both were to see it, but her thoughts focused on something else. "Did you see everything?" 

"Of course."

"I see…" There really wasn't anything for her to feel guilty or embarrassed about—it had been nothing more than a chaste kiss. Something that could have renewed her faith in love? The Queen wasn't sure, but then she saw the Time Man offer his hand to her. His hand outstretched to bring her home.

Rosalyn Lockhart would take it.

There was no more time for such questions.