Villainess Of Hearts

Thomas and Theodore followed the Queen of Hearts with some slight reluctance. It was a curious thing to see Her Majesty without her Knight, especially since the attack from last night, but now she was going alone save not for their presence.

The two still remembered the incident last night, not the attack, but the heated conversation with Julius Ginellevé that ended with a one versus the entire order of the Lockhart Knights.

It had been a terrible night, even more when they realized what had happened after it. The two of them did not exactly share the same thoughts, but most often held the same sentiments.

What was so special about the Queen of Hearts that made a powerful man like Sir Julius to dedicate his entire life to her?

This probably went beyond simple vow to the Order of Knights.

While the two of them had been accepted into the Lockhart House during a sudden recruitment campaign and enjoyed the pay—they only did the bare minimum. Thus, neither of them were anything close to the monster known as Julius.

But one's servant could often be similar to their lord in terms of personality. In Thomas' mind, both the Lord Reinhard Lockhart and Rosalyn Lockhart seemed like frightening and cold people.

If anything, he just enjoyed seeing Alice sometimes when she was exploring around the castle of Lockhart House. Albeit, it was obvious that something was going on with her and the Lord… so maybe the man wasn't as cold as he thought?

What about the Queen? Her reputation for causing deaths was almost a known fact.

Thomas gulped and imagined the demon Knight chasing after him and his brother. He would use his brother as a meat shield if it came to that time. However, so far, all she seemed to him was a little prickly.

"Mary Ann—ah, she's not here." the Queen of Hearts clicked her tongue. 

Well? What would she expect after last night? It was enough to make people feel nervous about their safety. She had only gone out because it was to be expected from her. A Queen could not simply rest in her quarters and expect things to become settled without even lifting a finger. 

Rosalyn turned to the twins. "Let us head to the servant chambers and see if she is there. Nobody was allowed to leave last night at all so that's the only place where she'll be."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Both twins said with a bow.

It was a little strange to see her voice her thoughts aloud, but it seemed just like a quirk of the Queen. Rosalyn Lockhart would move again, expecting them to follow. 

In her thoughts, she felt like she wouldn't be able to go through this day without her sweets, breakfast and tea. These were troubling times, and eating was always comforting in a way that somehow told her that she was alright—she would survive and get through this.

.

.

.

Theodore knew it had been risky accepting a job into the Lockhart House, some rumors did fill the village and towns, not the most pleasant ones. Ill if he had to be honest. Especially with this House being a traitorous one, but both of them still chose it because the pay and benefits were good.

Not to mention, it wasn't an old and stuffy Nobleman or Lady.

This was the Lord Lockhart who had been left to take control over the House after both of their parents died as traitors to the crown. And while it may have puzzled Thomas. Theodore knew it wasn't important to him. He had already read a little about history.

The previous Crown Royals had long ago perished due to an attack around two decades ago, and so all of the Nobility rose to power—and if it weren't for the Joker's intervention, then perhaps a greater civil war would occur as several Nobles craved for the position of the crown.

It was only lucky that the current Queen of Hearts became Queen.

But if she hadn't become the Queen then—

"Is there something on my back, Knight Theodore?" the Queen of Hearts briefly glanced over her shoulders. It was a little aggravating to have someone constantly look at you that it was enough for her to feel it.

"A-ah… no, Your Majesty." Theodore blinked and mustered a bow. At the opposite side of him, Thomas shared the same reaction of gut-wrenching surprise.

"Well then, let's continue." She walked ahead of them, briskly setting a fast pace. It was her intention to find their reaction on Mary Ann immediately and possibly see how they would respond—whether the two of them had seen her or not.

But the two gentlemen gave one another a look, switched position and allowed Theodore to call the Queen again. Simply done out of curiosity and mostly due to their experiences for the past years. "Your Majesty?"

The two risked it in spite of possible ire.

Rosalyn Lockhart turned once again, saw Thomas standing in his brother's previous spot and then turned to the first twin with slight irritation. "What is it this time, Knight Theodore? Do you think it is right for you to simply address me without any actual concerns?"

Theodore felt his heart quiver, not simply because of fear—but because of shock and reverence. And Thomas somehow also felt the same. While they were willing to give a free pass for Sir Julius, someone well known for their battle instincts… She was a Queen who could have spent her entire time not even paying attention to either two of them.

Lord Reinhard Lockhart himself still mistook one for the other.

It also took a bit of time for Alice to actually be able to discern between the twins, virtue of them giving her hints and reminders—hoping to be recognized as distinct individuals from one another. And yet the Queen of Hearts figured it out in only one introduction.

"Well?" Rosalyn Lockhart stared at the two bumbling idiots. She couldn't help but wonder how these two got hired by her brother to become Knights.

"Ah… last night, we had a talk with Sir Julius Ginellevé." Thomas said and cleared his throat. This was in an effort to save his brother from getting strangled or buried alive. "And he spoke about how the Lockhart Knights must not only serve the Lord of the House, but the Lady of the House—and we already serve the kingdom, no doubt. Long live the King and Queen of Hearts… but we're still grateful for this opportunity you bestowed to us right now."

The Queen of Hearts felt her lips twitch. "You could have worked as someone who flattered the nobility, young man. It would have worked perfectly for them. I'll let this go one more time, but do this one more time and I'll have to ask for reprimanding from your superior."

Luckily for both Thomas and Theodore, this was all she would do to them.

These two men were strange to her.

What exactly were running through their heads? Such mischievous people—if it weren't for her experiences with Nicholas and Chesire… the Queen of Hearts slowed down her steps. Rosalyn Lockhart could remember seeing him last night. Chesire to be exact. She hadn't seen Nicholas since the last time. However, the cat person had been there and she had ignored everyone in lieu of her emotions.

She had never gotten the chance to talk with him.

It made her heart clench slightly. A twisted pain to rack through her chest. He had been with Lady Catherine Duke last night, and there was no grinning cat person back then. Something like this only fouled up and ruined her mood. Why must there be so many people who got in her way? 

Rosalyn Lockhart only wished to live a peaceful life.

The crown on her head and the sovereignty she had over the land wasn't making it easier for her at all. And yet, it was what she had also wanted. The least that she could have after all the turmoils and troubles that happened in her life.

She already knew it was impossible to have everything, or else she would have already been happier in previous times… 

The Queen of Hearts finally stopped in front of the hallway, where numerous people were gathered around. Each one of them eyed her, before quickly standing up to greet her. Rosalyn Lockhart walked past each one of them, the two Knights following her along.

Her heart pounded louder here than before.

Rosalyn Lockhart's imagination now ran a little wildly, still nervous of any attacks that might ensue out of nowhere. What if a traitor was still in their midst, but then she finally saw the young maiden of golden hair and blue eyes rushing over towards her.

"Your Majesty!" Mary Ann nearly tripped over, as she curtsied in front of her. "Shall I make you a batch of roseberry tarts and tea right now?"

But at least this girl knew what she liked.

A brief glance over her shoulder showed Thomas blinking and rubbing his eyes, while Theodore gazed at Mary Ann a little too hardly, before he elbowed his brother. "It's not her."

"I knew that."

The Queen of Hearts pursed her lips, "Knew what exactly?" She had caught them in her trap.

Both Knights would become stunned. The event of last night and the desire of secrecy and privacy coming to both of their minds. Nobody was allowed to know about Alice, and the two of them had been worried when she had suddenly escaped last night to wander about without them.

How would they respond to this?