Chapter 7: Her White Knight

Tarts for dinner. Tarts for breakfast.

Rosalyn Lockhart stared at the mirror and patted her stomach, "Would I get fat if I continue doing this?" She was now clad in her favorite red gown and could see her reflection looking back at her. A questioning look in her eyes. "Well… I might need to eat something healthier. But Mary Ann did make good tarts last night."

Red lips curled into a smile, "Ah, everything feels so new despite living this time before. Today must be the day where the delegates come from across their countries—that means His Majesty, shall be majestically preoccupied."

Yesterday was a whirlwind of emotions as she returned back to this time and met everyone again but with this new morning, everything seemed calm.

Peaceful.

She had an ample amount of time to spend to live as she did before Alice had arrived. "I wonder how satisfying it could be if I order Mary Ann's head off, like a practice perhaps. Before I see the real thing happen." Her stomach grumbled its protests, "It appears it won't be the case. I suppose now would be a good time to go out for breakfast."

Rosalyn Lockhart strolled out her room, determined to have a pleasant day today.

She stepped out of her door and found a person already awaiting her, standing beside a beautifully painted portrait was a more dazzling man. Julius Ginellevé backed off the wall, eyes lighting up as he looked at her. "Good morning, Your Majesty. A pleasant morning to you."

He held out a red rose to her, a smile on his face.

"Sir Julius?" She greeted him and felt her lips twitch back into a smile. Rosalyn wondered if she should pluck the flower out of his hand, she lifted her hand but made no move to grab it. Considering the implications and possible consequences if she did so.

"I am pleased to see that you are well—" The man suddenly stepped closer to her and grabbed her wrist, tugging her into his arms. Her face collided into his chest, the warmth of his body engulfed her along with the fragrance of a woodsy and musky scent. Something crashed behind her as his grip tightened around her and a soft laugh escaped his lips. "Ah, how dangerous."

She blinked and looked over her shoulder.

It had shattered right where she had been standing.

Miniscule and large fragments of the chandelier that adorned the castle's ceilings now glittered and shimmered on the carpet.

She had been standing there until he pulled her away.

Rosalyn Lockhart tilted her head up and met the coldness in the man's eyes as he studied the chandelier and then gazed up at the ceiling. "Faulty? An unfortunate accident?" A tsk left his lips as he held her tighter for a moment.

"Sir Julius." She cleared her throat and he gazed down at her with apparent concern in his eyes. He resembled a child with such an honest expression on his face.

His grip loosened momentarily, as his face leaned closer towards her. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

It was enough of a chance for her to step away from him. She studied the array of shards on the floor with slight disappointment, but turned away. "There's no use fussing over that Gine, glare at it all you want but it won't repair itself."

Her steps halted for a moment as she raised her hand and inspected her fingers.

Putting her hands down and dismissing that sudden movement, she looked over her shoulder, "If you wish to give me that rose then quit staring at that—I'm famished and will be eating breakfast. Of course you are not free to join me, but you can at least wait on me."

Without waiting for an answer she continued her steps towards the dining hall.

A certain Knight did follow after her.

Her breakfast was a quiet one compared to the sudden mishap outside her chambers, she was waited upon by the servants and enjoyed a variety of dishes but also had a piece of a roseberry tart. Or was it two? She couldn't exactly remember as she walked back to her quarters.

Rosalyn glanced at her company, fiddling with the red rose in her hand. "How many did I eat?"

"An entire plate of roseberry tarts, you weren't even keen on sharing." Sir Julius remarked as he rubbed his hand with a childish complaint.

She eyed his left hand, it was slightly red from the slap before turning to look at her stomach, holding it uncertainly. "I suppose I shall take a short walk in the garden." She had planned to spend the rest of her day inside her room—and even considered the man with her as company.

But it seemed that today was a wonderful day to walk.

"...are those white roses?" She froze and stared at the bush, she stepped closer before taking a step back and shaking her head. She looked at Sir Julius with irritation and searched for other servants. "Have it burned, dispose of it. Who are the gardeners? I want them—"

Sir Julius Ginellevé's fingers twitched at the hilt of his sword, "Yes, Your Majesty?"

The words 'behead' stuck to her lips, the King of Hearts was busy entertaining the delegates—she could get away with this if she wanted to. An eager executioner at hand.

"Give me your sword." She stretched out her palm towards him.

To his credit, Sir Julius Ginellevé's eyes widened, "Pardon me?" Perhaps he wondered if he had heard correctly. Rosalyn tsked her lips and walked over towards him, reaching for the sword's handle from the sheathe herself.

His hand held hers, his brows furrowing as he stared at her face. "It's dangerous, Your Majesty. Please allow me to do it instead, I do not want you to sully your hands or dress."

It was a completely ironic statement.

She smiled and shook her head, "Do not worry." He reluctantly let her go as she picked up the sword. It was heavy, she could barely lift it but she did her best to bring it over back to the rose bushes. She gripped the handle with two of her hands and prepared herself.

"Your Majesty—"

The blade shredded through the white rose bush, energy coursed through her veins as she hummed happily. She did it again and felt the sword cleave through the shrub. "Ah, I think I understand why warriors adore their blades. It allows them power within their fingertips—"

A snake lunged out from the bush.

And was quickly swatted down with a hand, "Rosalyn." Sir Julius pulled the sword away from her grip—a quick curve of the sword ended the creature's life then and there.

But more retreated out the bushes.

Rosalyn Lockhart stepped back at the sight of the slithering creatures, they were fast on the grass. "Gine—"

Too late.

One of the snakes had pierced his leg with their fangs. The man hissed for a moment but quickly cut its head down. "I suggest you stand away from the grass." It was less of a request and more of an order as he turned towards the snakes.

They fled away.

"Are you alright?" It was a stupid question she know, but venom was—

He rubbed his face and glanced at her with a relaxed smile, "Do not concern yourself of such small matters, Your Majesty. They were just the common grass variety." Though he wore a smile, his amethyst eyes glinted dangerously, "But it appears that we might need to behead gardeners for letting such a number grow in your gardens. Perhaps even a couple of servants for the chandelier incident."

Her vindictive knight.

Rosalyn Lockhart bit back a relieved sigh and instead decided to move on from this incident once more. It couldn't be helped if fate and luck decided to be cruel to her.

She had already died once.

Clasping her hands together, she gave him a smile. "Sir Julius, would you like to have some tea? Let's have a breath of fresh air instead of the opulent fragrance of flowers here—the gazebo down the lake is a wonderful setting. Consider it as my way of thanking you for your service today."