Lady (Y/n) slowly opened the door to the Spades quarters. It was dark, quiet and empty. She lit up a candle and took careful steps so as to not wake up anyone. She heard a groan and froze, spinning around to look at the couch. She relaxed when she saw Arnold, sleeping on it, his pet rabbit asleep on his chest. She felt a sense of guilt. Was he waiting for her?
'He probably wanted to catch me by surprise, but ended up falling asleep.'
She brought the candle a little bit closer to see his face. He was frowning, his face twitching from time to time. He must be having a nightmare. She wondered if she should wake him up. Suddenly, she heard a squack and turned over to see the bird from the hunt flying towards her.
"Shshshshsh!" she harshly whispered, quickly putting the candle on the table and catching it, then covering its beak. "It's me! It's me!"
Arnold groaned again. She froze and watched as he wiggled in his sleep. He turned to his side, making Blizzard fall on the floor. It shook the small animal awake and it looked around in panic.
"Ow no, you poor thing." (Y/n) crouched. "Are you okay?"
Blizzard simply looked back up at Arnold, then went to hop on the couch opposite of him. (Y/n) couldn't help but chuckle.
After making sure the bird knew she wasn't an intruder, she let it go and went to the kitchen. The servants must've made her something, she thought, if she missed dinner, there should still be a place setting at the table. She walked in the dining room and saw that there actually were two place settings at the table.
"No way." she looked back. "Arnold...?"
She pursued her lips, feeling her guilt growing stronger. She didn't even want to eat anymore, not when he didn't. She went back to him and sat on the couch opposite of him, mindlessly petting the bunny next to her.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered. "This really isn't how I planned it... How we planned it."
'But the progress we've made is so incredible though!'
This situation left her a bit conflicted. Nobody – not even the council – knew this, but (Y/n) has been Arnold's confidant for a while, turning to her whenever something was bothering him. But they've both been so busy lately and their schedule simply didn't allow them to spend a lot of time with each-other. It worried her. How was he holding up with everything? Was he doing well on his own? Was he doing well without her?
She shook her head. This was Arnold after all. Even if he was doing well, she knew it wouldn't mean anything regarding his mental or emotional state. She wanted to check on him, just to check if he was okay. But she still didn't want to wake him up, he looked more peaceful in his sleep now.
She thought for a moment and went to her room. Wrote a couple of sentences on a small note that she then placed on the coffee table, where the young man could easily find it upon waking up. She covered him in a blanket and ran a hand through his hair.
"Goodnight." she whispered, then went to Blizzard and gave it a big smooch, waking it up. "Goodnight cutie patootie."
The rabbit watched her leave with a yawn that made it yawn too. It scratched the back of its ear then spotted the paper note in the moonlight. It hopped on the table and sniffed the paper. Just as it was about to eat it, something happen and it ran away in fear.
A breeze blew. A breeze that came from nowhere, for all the windows were closed, and not even the Marquis' hair moved along with it. Like an invisible hand, it swatted away the note and gently pulled it under a chest of drawers. Never to be found, and never to be read.
The next morning, the servants woke up before their employers and found the bird scratching a set of drawers. They thought maybe it was hungry and it made it cranky. Indeed, it stopped when they gave it a good meal. The members of the High Council of Spades woke up shortly after that.
"Where were you last night?" was the first Arnold asked (Y/n).
She glanced at the others. She wouldn't have a problem telling him the truth, but with Catherine and Gwendolyn... She knew it would start something that she didn't want to happen.
"I was with Mr. Dear." she said. "We bumped into each-other and hanged out."
"Until this late?" he frowned.
"Who are you, her father?" Gwendolyn rolled her eyes. "She can and should allow herself to have some leisure time with her friend."
"He needed help regarding some business matter, and I helped him." (Y/n) said.
She felt really bad about using Eddie as an excuse. She hoped this won't come back to haunt her. She shall apologize to him when they'll meet later that day. For indeed, they've agreed to meet this afternoon. Everything before that however...she had her work cut out for her.
The invitations she's received have been growing in numbers, and the people who wrote to her have been higher and higher on the hierarchy. (Though of course nothing could beat a letter from a King and one from a Queen!) And so because of that, she had to cancel some plans she's made for today in the past. For meeting with a Duke would be much more efficient than meeting with a Baron.
Once again, she took a more casual approach to conversations, but talking in that manner to people she didn't know that well made her feel uneasy. But if they then felt more comfortable around her, then to her it was worth it. And they did. In fact, people were now very nice to her, treating her with – shockingly enough – respect! Like she was an actual person! What a nice change of pace, she thought.
At some point, during a brunch party in the Southern gardens, she ran into the Count that Arnold almost killed. She saluted him with a bow, he looked embarrassed by it.
"Lady (L/n)..." he looked down. "I just want to take this opportunity to apologize for my transgression." he bowed his head.
In this moment, she viewed him as nothing more than a kid. She smiled.
"It's alright, my Lord. It's all in the past now." she said, offering a hand for him to shake. "Let us move forward together, in the hopes for our lands' to be on good terms and to remain that way forever."
"R-Right!" he nodded and reached for her hand.
"Honeybear?"
The two of them looked over to see the young Count's mother. She sent (Y/n) a cold glance before smiling brightly at her son.
"Come over here, you haven't said hello to your aunt!"
"My aunt...? Mother-"
"Come oooon." she gestured him to come closer.
He let out an uncomfortable hum. It was clear he didn't like his aunt. (Y/n) and him said goodbye and he left, walking passed his mother, who was still looking at her. (Y/n) curtsied and waited for her to move on before walking away.
'Offended for her son, when he was part of the blame and later acted with maturity...' she shook her head with a sigh.
By some coincidence, her and the Countess eventually ended up in the same conversation circle. (Y/n) wouldn't talk unless spoken to, since literally every guest here was of a higher rank than her. The Countess however, was the complete opposite: she would put herself in the center of every subject and take this opportunity to show her flamboyantness. (Y/n) wondered if she should judge her for it. After all, if she had all these expensive things, would she show them off too...? She didn't think so. But she didn't want to be categorical about hypotheticals like this.
"For the Shuffling, I have bought the softest gloves from the Mao Provinces." she raised a hand to show the group.
"These are lovely, Countess!" a Marquise exclaimed. "And those diamond bracelets!"
"Ah yes. Those are my summer diamonds!"
"Summer diamonds?" (Y/n) let out, confused.
Everyone looked at her, and she realized that she hasn't talked once in this conversation. The Countess didn't seem interested in acknowledging her question however, so for one long second, no one was talking and she felt awkward and out of place again.
"Yeah!" a familiar voice came from beside her, she looked up and saw Barnaby. "'Cause some are diamonds, summer not!"
Everyone burst out laughing, even the Countess. (Y/n) however felt bad for her.
'That's a mean assumption to make...'
Barnaby noticed the look on her face, so while no one was looking, he gently turned her away and explained the joke quietly in her ear.
"Ah!" her face lit up. "That's really clever!"
"I think a laughter would be a more appropriate response." he tilted his head with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you say it again, I'm sure I'll laugh this time."
"It won't really count though."
"Say another one then." she nudged him lightly.
It was at that moment, as the two of them walked side by side, that Barnaby could confirm that he's successfully taken Lady (L/n) away from the group. And she herself didn't even notice.
"Alright." he thought for a moment. "What is Wally short for?"
"The King? He told me it wasn't-"
"'Cause he got little legs."
"Ah!" she burst out laughing, which caught the attention of the people nearby.
One of these people being...
"Well I'll be damned." Barnaby tapped her shoulder and discreetly pointed. "Look who decided to come mingle with the lil folks."
(Y/n) looked over and gasped in horror when she saw the King of Hearts entering the garden in the distance, accompanied by Frank and Julie. He was looking right at them!
"Oh no!" she harshly whispered, turning away from him, her face red. "Did he hear us?!"
"Naaah, even if he did, he wouldn't have mind."
She watched as the two friends waved at each-other, smiling.
"You two are really close, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah. Basically grew up together."
"Really?" she blinked twice, surprised.
"Yep, my mom was transferred here from the Clubs Kingdom. I just had to join her since I'm such a good son."
"How old were you?"
"Like two?"
"You kind of had no choice then."
"Then how come she always says I'm the greatest boy ever?"
The two of them chuckled.
"Anyway." he exhaled. "You're still nervous around the three of them?"
"Huh?"
"You shouldn't be. You guys are friends now, aren't you?"
"H-How do you know about...?"
"The tea party? Wally told me."
"...You seem to be less of a jester and more of a confidant, Barnaby."
"Jester, confidant, trapeze extraordinaire, tie dye enthusiast. I am very talented, thank you very much." he curtsied.
"What in the world is tie dye...?" she mumbled.
"And look at me." he opened his arms. "Being close friend with my King, calling him by his first name and making jokes at his expense with the upmost comfort."
"Well that's easy for you to do, your role of jester gives you a pass. And you grew up together too!" she looked down. "I'm just a simple noble lady..."
"A very nice noble Lady. Nice enough for them to want to be friends with you." he nodded towards the three royals.
"We've only met a week ago."
"During our first encounter, you opened up to me. And you're doing it now too." he gestured back and forth between the two of them. "You do know this is only the second time we've ever talked."
Her eyes widened. Only the second time?
"When there's a good chemistry between people, things happen naturally." he said. "You just have to let it happen. Unless you don't want to be friends with them and you wanna keep things professional." he raised his hands with a shrug. "Which would be fair and understandable."
"It's not that I don't want to..." she glanced to the side, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. "I just don't know if I can."
"What does that mean?"
She pursued her lips. She herself wasn't sure how to explain it.
"I don't know if I'm...good, at this..."
Barnaby sighed through his nose and noticed something behind her.
"Well m'lady," he smiled. "there's only one way to find out."
"What do you mea-"
"Lady (L/n)?"
"Eeeeee!" she flinched.
Both Barnaby and Wally laughed at her strange surprised yelp. She covered her red face in shame.
"M-My King!" she finally looked at him, trying to calm her fast beating heart. "You scared me."
"I apologize. Next time, I shall announce my presence once I'm three steps away."
"Yes please." she nodded. "Do give me some time to prepare myself."
"Barnaby." he nodded to him.
"My King." he nodded back. "You're just in time!"
"In time for what?"
"Nothing!" (Y/n) said before Barnaby could explain anything. "What is it, my King?"
"Yes, would you mind if I steal you away from this conversation? I assure you it won't take long."
"Eh I was about to leave anyway." Barnaby stepped back. "I gotta get outta here and look for other opportunities to use my incredibly comedic timing. I'll leave you two to it. M'lady." he bowed to her. "I'll see you later, my King."
The three of them waved. Now alone, Wally gestured her to follow him. Feelings eyes on her (more than usual), she walked with him.
"You see," he said. "Frank, Julie, and I need a fourth opinion on something."
"Well I'll certainly do my best."
He led her to a spot where Frank and Julie were looking at a bunch of artworks of a variety of mediums displayed before them. Passersby would compliment them on this and Frank would say a quick 'thank you' without even looking at whoever was addressing them. Since he wasn't open to converse, not a lot of people came over to talk to neither him nor Julie.
"There she iiiiis." Wally said.
"Ah!" Julie spun around with a bright smile. "(L/n)! There you are!"
"There I am." she chuckled.
"(L/n), good, come over here." Frank gestured her to come closer.
"Way to break the chain Frank." Julie gave him a side eye.
"What is all of this?" (Y/n) asked as she stood in front of the artworks with the three royals. "It's beautiful!"
"A prince from the Escoba Kingdom just gave these to us." Frank explained.
"And now we're splitting them between us, taking turns to pick one." Julie added. "There's only one painting left, but Frank refuses to take it, even though it's his turn!"
"I am not taking that thing!"
"And I'm here because...?"
"Well Wally said you have a keen eye for that stuff." she pointed at her friend. "That time when you painted together?"
"Oh you..." (Y/n) turned to him. "You told them about that."
"Yes." he nodded.
She kept staring at him in silence. He tilted his head, as if to ask 'is there something wrong with that?'. She sighed through her nose and turned away.
'Well now I feel stupid for keeping it a secret.' she thought, her cheeks dusted with pink.
She cleared her throat.
"And so?"
"So?" Frank rolled his eyes. "Look at this and tell us you think it's good." he pointed. "I dare you."
"The Escobar Kingdom is undergoing an artistic renaissance right now. It can't be that ba-" she looked over and closed her mouth tightly shut.
Set on a tall easel was a small painting of three knights without helmets, each on different plains of the image (foreground, middle ground and background). However, there were no scenery painted, and the anatomy of these characters was a bit...wonky. Not only that, but the style with which the painter made this was very realistic. So it looked like three monsters, of three different sizes, side by side, disguised as humans stuck in a white void. (Y/n) folded her arms and cover her mouth with one hand, processing what she was looking at and how it made her feel. A long moment passed.
"I'm sorry..." she finally looked at the three royals. "I am no artist, and I truly hope whoever made this painting isn't here to hear this..." she hesitated to say it, her eyebrows furrowed. "This is the worst painting I've ever seen in my entire life." she wheezed.
"Right?!" Frank gestured towards her. "It's not coming home with me!"
"Oh come on Frank!" Julie whined. "It's the newest art mouvement at Escoba, this is hot stuff!"
"I don't care! It's ugly!"
"Maybe it's on purpose...?" (Y/n) suggested.
"Why in the world would you make something ugly on purpose?"
Wally thought for a moment, fixing the painting.
"I think I understand what the artist wanted to show." he stepped closer to stand beside it, to make a small presentation. "Maybe this is a commentary of the almost alien nature of being a royal knight. Because, clearly this isn't human. See how the smallest one is leaning to the side?" he pointed, making the other three lean closer. "It, its very essence, is being absorbed by the one next to it. And the absence of background actually reflects their own perception of the world around them: complete focus on their duty and the people who share that same role, those same responsibilities. But you see, the fact that they are so neutral to what's happening here, shows that such things can deprive one of what one once was."
"...You're right." Frank nodded then took the painting under his arm. "This is coming with me, this is absolutely amazing."
"Wait no!" Julie exclaimed. "Now I want it!"
"You said yourself that it was my turn."
"Yeah but then my pile would be one short! We gotta make it equal!"
"The number of artwork we've received was an even number, Julie. This was bound to happen." he shrugged.
"This only happened because you lost at rock-paper-scissors!"
"This only happened because you insisted on playing rock-paper-scissors until you won!"
Wally laughed, watching his two best friends arguing. He felt eyes on him and looked to the side. Lady (Y/n) was giving him a weird look, her eyes squinting a little bit. Like he was suspecting him of something.
"Is there something on my face?" he placed a hand on his cheek.
"No, it's just..." she smiled. "You have a way with words, your Highness."
He smiled back.
"I only used my artistic expertise to express what I saw, that's all."
"What you saw," she leaned closer, speaking more quickly. "or what you wanted us to see?"
They looked into each-other's eyes for a short moment. Wally chuckled.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Lady (L/n)."
"...I'm not sure either." she leaned back with a smile. "Would you like the painting, perhaps?" she raised an eyebrow. "Since you seemed to have such a connection with it."
"A connection is a strong word for it, don't you think?" his eyebrows furrowed. "Besides, I can accept the fact that it is Frank's."
"Ha! See?" Frank pointed at him while still looking at Julie. "Even Wally can accept it."
"Let's take turns!"
"You don't take turns with art!"
"Actually, that's not such a bad idea."
The three royals looked over at (Y/n), who began thinking out loud to herself.
"The frequent trading of artworks... Maybe once per season maybe. And if made public, it could raise the people's interest in others' culture! That's amazing!" she turned to Wally. "Oh please my King, excuse me so that I may think upon this project further!"
He couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. But as she stared at him with stars in her eyes. He became confused that she still hasn't moved. Then he realized, she's made a request, not a declaration. Frank understood right away however.
"You're excused." he said.
"Thank you." she curtsied before leaving.
Wally watched her leave. She walked with quick steps, and once she passed the garden's entrance, she lifted her dress a little bit to run. He chuckled.
"What's up Wally?" Julie asked.
"She's a strange woman."
"I hope you don't mean that negatively." Frank gave him a side eye.
"I would never." he turned to the artworks. "Now what do we do with these?"
Julie and Frank sent each-other a look.
"Lady (Y/n)?"
"Ah! Catherine!" she looked back at her with a big smile. "Hi!"
"What are you doing here? Weren't you at a brunch party?"
"I was, but I had to excuse myself. I had this great idea for cultural international trading!"
"I can see that..." she looked at the mess (Y/n)'s made on her desk.
"And I was just drafting a pitch to add to my future binder-" she gasped. "Oh no, what time is it?" she suddenly stood up. "I have to meet up with Eddie! I have to change first- Shoot!" she tumbled and almost fell on her way to her wardrobe.
"Ooo, first name." she mumbled before stepping into the room. "I can help you with your hair if you want."
"Oh that would be great, thank you." she took out a dress and laid it on her bed. "But don't you have something planned?"
"I do have a rendez vous with my dear Brahms, but don't worry, he knows I'm always late."
"Are you sure?" she asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"It's fiiiine!"
After a quick change, the two ladies exited the Spades quarters together. As it turned out, they were going to the same direction. They walked through the gardens, arms in arm.
"So why are you meeting with the Dear Merchant?"
"Well, after my ornithology lesson with him and the King of Diamonds, I expressed my interest to try crafting pretty looking binders. And Mr. Dear offered to give me some spare arts and crafts material he has."
"Ooo! How lovely!" she smiled. "It would be a good change for you. Not to be mean or anything, but your paperwork is very...violent looking." she laughed.
"Hey! That's not fair, you know I write fast."
"Have your parents never made you take some calligraphy classes?"
"No... I never had a lot of opportunities to write in the first place before."
"How can that be?" she sent her a confused look.
"Well I spend most of my time outside. And I didn't know anyone who wouldn't be accessible by simply walking."
"Unbelievable." she sighed.
"I told you we were quite secluded." she chuckled.
"I didn't think it was to this degree."
There was a pause in the conversation. (Y/n) noticed that they still haven't parted ways.
"Where are you meeting Brahms, Catherine?"
"At the river!" she beamed. "I wanted to go feed the birds there."
"Oh, but there are birds by the coops, why bother to go to the river?"
"For the swans, Lady (Y/n), the swans of course! Besides, I refuse to even look at dirty chicken coops." she tilted her head forward. "If I want a healthy baby, it is said that I should be looking at only pretty things."
"A baby?! Catherine, you guys aren't even married yet."
"But we will be, once we go back home after the Shuffling!"
"That's true. Still, to have a baby this soon..." her face twisted a little bit.
It made Catherine laugh.
"Oww," she patted her shoulder. "you'll understand when you have a fiancé."
She pursued her lips.
"Ah!" Catherine suddenly turned away. "The stables! I can't look!"
"How are the stables on the list of things you can't look at?" she looked at it as they walked passed it.
"It's dirty in there!"
They heard giggles coming from inside, it sounded like a man and a woman. (Y/n) blushed, her eyes big.
"Wait." Catherine said. "Are they...?"
"Yeah I don't wanna look either." she turned her head too.
"Ow but now I want to! Just to see who it is!"
"A shame, truly."
"Oh (Y/n) please, could you tell who it is?"
"I'm not going to look in there!" she whispered harshly.
"Well don't look in there, that'd be weird."
"Then why are you asking me to-"
"Just look over there, and if you see someone, tell me who it is."
"Fine, I'll do it." she huffed. "But only for you."
"You are a good woman and a great friend." she patted her arm.
(Y/n) slowly turned her head. Luckily for her, it would seem that whoever was in there have finished whatever they were doing. A woman stepped out.
"I see... Oh, it's Grand Knight Mavis."
"Ooo, I know her. She teamed up with Brahms during the hunt. My gosh, I can't wait to tell him about this. And who's with her? Who's with her?" she tugged on her arm.
Catherine was in between (Y/n) and the stables, so she could see the look on her face as her expression fell, her face got paler.
"Lady (Y/n)?"
She kept staring with big eyes.
"Who is it?" Catherine frowned.
(Y/n) opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Catherine turned around to see her dear fiancé stepping out of the stable and giggling with that woman while she seemed to be encouraging him to not leave yet and get back inside.
"Catherine I-" (Y/n) started to say.
But just then, Lady Catherine went to the stables with quick steps. Panicking, Lady (Y/n) followed her.
"Brahms Howard Meredis!"
Said man looked over and cowered in fear, looking like a child who got busted stealing from the kitchen. Grand Knight Mavis took a big step away from him. But once Catherine reached them, she smacked the woman across the face.
"You!" Catherine shouted. "And you!" she looked at Brahms, raising a fist. "You..."
Her hands shook. She began to cry. With a frustrated groan, she ran away.
"Catherine!" "Cathy!" both (Y/n) and Brahms called out for her.
They both started to go after her but (Y/n) faced him with a dark glare that no one has ever seen before from her.
"Don't!" she sternly exclaimed, pointing at him, making him stop instantly. "Later." she said between her teeth before going after Catherine.
Lady (Y/n) had lost sight of Lady Catherine and was panicking as she looked for her, disregarding anyone she passed by that then looked at her weird. She breathed a long sigh of relief once she found her, sitting under a tree, hiding from everyone, her knees close to her chest and hiding her face in her arms. The relief she felt quickly changed to heartbreak seeing her like this.
"Ow Catherine..." she sat beside her. "I'm so sorry."
"I..." she sniffed, her voice shaking. "I know our engagement was arranged, but...I loved him. And I thought... I thought he at least liked me." she sobbed. "I thought things were fine."
(Y/n) wrapped an arm around her, patting her shoulders. She didn't know what to say to comfort her...
"I'm such a fool."
"No! No you're not."
"I suppose that, having a mistress isn't uncommon."
"That doesn't make it okay... Especially if it results in heartbreak-"
"How would you know?! You've been sheltered almost your whole life, you've never even been courted before!"
Her sudden outburst made her flinch, but she wasn't upset by it.
"You're right... I don't know."
They sat there in silence for a while. Catherine kept crying and (Y/n) felt horrible about not finding the words to cheer her up.
"Do you want to go see Mr. Dear with me?" she offered. "I don't believe staying in your corner would help..."
She sniffed and nodded. Arm in arm once again, the two ladies went to the meeting spot, where Eddie has been waiting for a while now and had begun to be worried. When he finally spotted his friend in the distance, his face lit up and he waved.
"Lady (L/n), good day to you!" he walked over to her.
"I confess that, this day could be better." she said with a bittersweet smile.
"What do you mean? I see you brought your friend, Lady Catherine, righ-?" he looked at said lady and panicked. "Oh my goodness m'lady! What's wrong?"
Catherine opened her mouth to explain, but like a wave of emotion coming back, her crying grew more intense.
"Oh my goodness!" he quickly stood by her side and held her other arm. "Come, let's find a nice comfortable spot to sit in."
The three of them found a bench in a secluded area and sat down, with Catherine in the middle. Eddie took off his hat and looked at her, concerned.
"What's wrong, m'lady? What's gotten you so distraught?"
With her not being in a position to speak, (Y/n) explained everything that happened. Eddie nodded along, but when she told him what they saw-
"He what?!"
"Oh my." she leaned back, shocked to see him angry.
Eddie stood up and put his hat back on before stomping away.
"Where are you going?"
"Gettin' my crossbow! I'm goin' hog huntin'!" he exclaimed, his southern accent thicker now.
"Woah- No no no!" (Y/n) went after him. "Eddie please stop! This will only make things worse!"
"He ain't gonna escape this!"
"Please!" she stood in front of him, making him stop. "If you get involved, this will turn into a bigger scandal than it already is."
"Are you...protecting him?" he slowly asked, shocked.
"N-No! I'm protecting Catherine!" she gestured towards her. "Just please sit back on the bench."
He huffed, but the two of them went back. This time, Lady (Y/n) stayed standing.
"Being a Grand Knight is the highest and more respectable rank a knight can have. Mavis is from the Court of Hearts too... And Catherine slapped her- I'm not saying you have any blame in this!" she quickly clarified. "I'm just saying that, if Mavis decides to let people know about this, she can easily twist the events and paint you as a villain. People will believe her."
"I admit that I've acted without thinking..." Catherine looked down. "I'm sorry."
"N-no, Catherine. You're not... I-" she sighed. "You're heartbroken, and here I am talking about work and the impact this will have to our courts. I'm sorry."
"No. You're right, this is important too." she forced out a chuckle. "This wasn't the best timing for these sorts of things."
(Y/n) felt a twist in her chest. Maybe she should just stop talking...
"Hey now, m'lady." Eddie leaned closer to her. "It's alright to be angry after someone you trusted betrayed you. It's completely understandable." he paused. "You must've really loved him."
She nodded.
"The worse part is...I still do." she let out a small laughed and looked at him. "Is that normal?"
"Well...how long have you loved him?"
"Years. Before we were even engaged."
"Ow darling..." he placed a hand on her back, making small circles. "Then it's completely normal. But I can you with certainty: he does not deserve it. If he wasn't happy with you, he could've just talked to you about it like a real man. Instead of going behind your back like a coward!" he huffed, getting worked up just thinking about it.
"You're right..." she nodded, a frown appearing on her face. "You're right! I always tell him when something is bothering me."
Eddie scoffed.
"Typical! And Mavis, she must've known about your engagement. That viper! And they're both knights too! Don't they know of the code of chivalry?!"
Watching and listening to them venting, (Y/n) noticed that Catherine had stopped crying, and so has concluded that Mr. Dear was indeed very emotionally intelligent.
'No wonder he has so many friends.'
"Oh when we go back home I swear I'll..." Catherine stopped herself and looked down.
"What's wrong, Lady Catherine?" Eddie tilted his head.
"I can't call off our engagement, it'd create a scandal back home."
"Ah... Well, that all depends on you."
"I... I don't want to stay with him. But..."
"I've been single most of my life. I can tell you, it's not that bad."
"You are a man though. You live by completely different rules."
"...Lady (L/n)," said lady was caught by surprised at the sudden mention of her name. "you're not engaged, right? How is it?"
"Uh... It's not, that bad?" she spoke slowly with a shrug, not knowing what to say.
"There, and look at Queen Julie too, for example." he added.
"Well she's a queen, and (L/n)s are a peculiar bunch."
(Y/n) couldn't disagree with that.
"What excuse would I have?" Catherine looked down.
"That you were unfortunate enough to be with a joke of a man who betrayed you!" Eddie slapped his knee. "Listen to me, you are a very kind and elegant woman. I'm sure that bachelors would line up at your doorstep if the opportunity presented itself."
She smiled, but it soon faded.
"What if I...don't want to remarry though. What do I do then?"
"Well, what do you wanna do?"
This seem to light a spark in her.
"...As soon as I was of age, my entire life has been circling around the idea of marriage and starting a family. Yes, I wanted to have happy married life. But was that really all I wanted...?"
"Mmh." he took her hand and patted the back of it. "Only you can answer these question Lady Catherine."
There was a moment of silence. Catherine looked up at (Y/n).
"As someone from the Spades Kingdom attending the Shuffling, what can I do right now?"
"...Nothing. It's our words against their, and yes there are three of us and two of them. But Mavis is a Grand Knight of Hearts. Even if others saw us, the only concrete thing there was to see was you slapping her." she paused, not liking any of the words she was saying. "The only thing we can do is...act like nothing happened. At least until the Shuffling is over. Once we go back home, I promise you, if you call off your engagement, you will be supported in your decision."
She nodded, her gaze wandering.
"I see... Thank you, both of you."
'I haven't helped much...' (Y/n) pursued her lips.
"Cathy!"
Everyone looked over to see Brahms walking over to them.
"Uh-ho." (Y/n) said as Eddie stood up and placed himself in front of Catherine.
"Now you listen here partner!" he pointed. "You gotta lotta nerve for comin' back here when-!"
"Thank you Mr. Dear." Catherine stood up and walked passed him "I shall take care of him."
Eddie and (Y/n) exchanged a concerned look as Lady Catherine came face to face with her fiancé. He smiled, hopeful. A moment passed. Catherine took a long look around to make sure no one was around to hear them. Then finally...
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
(Y/n) covered her mouth, both her and Eddie shocked, along with Brahms.
"Cathy I-"
"Do not call me that! You've lost every right to call me that!"
"Catherine calm down, please."
"I gave you my whole heart, and you do this?! In the situation we're in right now?! Not only are you a terrible husband but you're also completely ignorant of the long-term consequences of your actions!"
Eddie and (Y/n) nodded along.
"I'm not your husband yet, Catherine. You've always talked like we were already married, from the moment we got engaged! I felt pressured, I gave so many signs!"
(Y/n) glanced at Eddie and shook her head.
"I had dreams before this you know? I wanted to focus on my career, travel the world and-"
"Well did it ever occur to you that I had dreams too?!" she hit her own chest. "You could still be a knight, but I would be doomed to be your wife and nothing else! I was completely fine with that because I thought you were worth it! I thought you were a good man with an honest heart-"
"I am! Catherine, I'm so sorry!" tears began to fill his eyes. "I-I was confused, so many things are happening I... I was scared!" he opened his arms and walked closer to her. "Catherine I love y-"
She smacked him across the face. Eddie and (Y/n) did their best to stay quiet.
"You listen to me. I don't care what you do behind my back- You could've had a mistress if it made you happy even! But don't you dare look me in the eyes and say that you love me!" she shook her head, her eyes filled with tears as well. "If you've really loved me, you wouldn't have kept any secrets from me... And you wouldn't have broken my heart." her voice quivered.
Not wanting to cry again – not in front of him – Catherine looked up, blinking fast, and turned away from him. A moment passed, she cleared her throat.
"Once we're back home, I'm breaking off our engagement. For now, we have to keep up appearances. But, and I'm sorry Lady (Y/n)," she looked at her. "I will not be able to look at this man in the eyes anymore."
"...Understandable." she nodded.
Catherine nodded back and began to walk away.
"Wait, Catherine!"
"What is it Brahms?" she looked at him, speaking in a monotonous tone that shocked both him and (Y/n).
And it would've shocked the whole Spades kingdom too. Lady Catherine was an emotional woman, every time she spoke, she did so with an open heart. Seeing her like this, Brahms was at a loss for word. His fiancé waited a few seconds, then turned away again, leaving. She passed by Eddie and (Y/n), who looked at each-other and gave one last nasty look to Brahms before catching up to Catherine.
"That was incredible m'lady!" Eddie exclaimed once they were far enough. "You really showed him what for!"
"Are you okay?" (Y/n) asked, still concerned.
Catherine just sniffed.
"...Can I still tag along with you for the rest of the day?" she asked.
"W-Well... I don't know about certain gatherings." she mumbled. "But right now, me and Eddie are actually going to meet up with Miss Molly!"
"Ooo, the young Duchess? I hope she won't mind."
"Not at all," Eddie smiled. "I assume you, she's a real sweetheart."
Indeed, Molly didn't mind at all. A friend of (Y/n) was a friend of hers as well. With an unfortunate coincidence however, the young girl decided that today would be a great day to chaperon a secret rendez vous between Clarabelle and her...swan lover, with whom she was...having an affair with... While the bird couple was frolicking in the river, the group was sitting by the river bank. (Y/n) kept checking on Catherine to make sure she was okay, but she looked completely fine. She even found the bird couple cute. There was one moment however when she looked distant.
"...What is the swan's name?"
"Huh, I don't know." Molly thought for a moment. "He looks like a Philip to me though."
"Do you think Philip has a swan lover too?"
"No actually. Swan mate for life!" she beamed.
"How nice..." she smiled faintly.
(Y/n) looked at Catherine, concerned. She could only pray that she finds happiness again.
The day went on without any more hitch, but Lady (Y/n) was still bothered by what happened. Brahms has been taken care of, but Mavis... She didn't know much about her personality and so didn't know what course of action the lady knight will take. Will she keep her mouth shut? Will she tell everyone? Just a few people? Who? (Y/n) didn't know and it bothered her. At parties, she brought up Mavis in conversations to see what people thought of her and she heard nothing but good things: Kind, intelligent, virtuous. It took everything in (Y/n) to not roll her eyes and to keep smiling.
When she came back to the Spades quarters, she sat at her desk, but couldn't get back to work. Her mind was raising. The feeling of not liking someone when you've never spoken even once was new to her. But she didn't like Grand Knight Mavis, for she had the upper hand and (Y/n) didn't know what she'll do next. She was posing a threat to Catherine, to the Spades, and to the plan.
(Y/n) held the bridge of her nose and sighed. Something needed to be done about this. That woman can't go on, be a home wrecker, all without consequences. But really, what could be done...?
She looked over at the piles of paper on her desk. A moment passed before she put everything aside and grabbed a new sheet to write on.
"Knock knock."
Wally looked up from his desk to see Barnanby standing in the doorway. He smiled, he knew this routine.
"Who's there?"
"Nobel."
"Nobel who?"
"No, there's no bell, that's why I knocked."
"Oh. I can install a bell if you want."
"Wally no, that was the joke."
"Oh!" he laughed.
Barnaby sighed with a smile. It would seem that, despite knowing the gist, his best friend still hasn't gotten the hang of it just yet.
"Speaking of which, someone gave me a letter for ya." he walked up to him.
"Someone gave it to you? To give to me?" Wally pondered over this, looking back down at his own paperwork. "Well that's peculiar."
"It's from the Lady of Spades, Brave-Bloody-Bare-Hands herself."
The king suddenly looked at him with big eyes.
"Lady (L/n)?"
"The very same."
"If she gave it to you... She must not want people to know of this correspondance."
"I'll say. A simple lady reaching out to a king? That is completely unheard of."
"Give it to me." he reached with both hands, opening and closing them again and again.
Barnaby chuckled and gave the letter to him. Wally pushed everything aside for him to properly open and read it. For a moment, he stared at her family crest on the wax sealing the letter. She's used her ring!
"I'll leave you to it, I feel like I shouldn't be here when you read it." Barnaby stepped back and left the room.
Wally didn't look at him leave, but he did wait until he heard the door close before opening the letter. Unknowingly, he was smiling, excited to read a letter from her, a new friend. He wondered what she wanted to tell him. His mind began to fill itself with questions and his heart beat faster because of it.
Which was why it felt like a real punch in the guts when he read:
To His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Hearts, Wally Darling.
She told him about a scandalous event involving a knight of each of their court. But that wasn't what shocked him.
(Y/n)'s tone, the way she addressed him... It was cold, emotionlessly polite, professional. He didn't like that. He didn't like that at all. He couldn't even imagine the look on her face if they were speaking face-to-face.
I trust you will deal with the situation accordingly, regarding Grand Knight Mavis. As shall we, regarding Captain Brahms H. Meredis. I bid you a good day and wish you nothing but the best. With my deepest respect, kind regards, Lady (Y/n) (L/n).
Wally took a deep breath, casting aside the immediate thought that she must hate him now. After all, this was a serious situation and she had to let him know, since it involved a Grand Knight of his own court. If anything, he appreciated this and the fact that she went to Barnaby so as to keep it secret.
Still, he refused to read it again. The very first letter he received from a new friend being about such an ugly thing... It made him sick to his stomach.
He called a servant and asked them to go fetch Grand Knight Mavis. His serious expression made them go faster.
In his mind, Wally made a note: to make sure Lady (Y/n) would never have to speak to him this way ever again. For that would be very bad, for business... And for the relationship between their kingdoms.
And besides, he thought, anyone would like anyone better if that person was smiling and friendly and happy...
When meeting with her King, Grand Knight Mavis was fearing for her life. She will not be sleeping well tonight. Neither will her lover, who shall sleep on the floor for the rest of the Shuffling.