Bab 13: Needless Things Before Lunch

Friends.

Allies.

Partners.

They were all similar in meaning but at the end of the day, one's partner and ally didn't necessarily mean that they were your friend. Rosalyn Lockhart was quite familiar with that. The person who you smiled and laughed with could very well be holding a knife behind their back.

Rosalyn Lockhart decided to put those things away as she reached for the freshly-baked plate of tarts. Thinking about such foul things like betrayal while eating would only upset her stomach. Instead she eyed the young woman, Mary Ann was currently busy preparing her a glass of lemonade. Someone like her was… content with friendships.

Was it as good as they say it was?

"Ah, Your Majesty, it's actually an hour past lunch—would you like me to prepare you something else besides tarts?" Mary Ann asked as she approached her.

Rosalyn Lockhart raised a brow, delicately nibbling on her roseberry tart. She accepted a cool glass of lemonade and sipped it before answering. "It's just an hour past lunch?" What an odd thing, today felt like a hurricane for her. "Sometimes I feel like a lot of needless things can occur before lunch."

A chandelier would crash itself without warning.

Snakes would erupt from white rose bushes.

She could have tea with her killer.

And she could have a fight with her husband.

Conversations could occur between a Queen and a servant.

It felt like there ought to be six impossible things to have occurred and preferably right before breakfast—but then again, she enjoyed being able to idle and putter around. If only she could actually get some time to smell roses. This truly was something she would have never done before. Already giving some time for her old friend Catherine Duke was done so on occasion and often felt more like a chore.

"Her Majesty's schedule is always overwhelming." Mary Ann would remark, perhaps trying to be helpful.

One thing then passed her mind as she stared at the young woman before her and the plate of tarts. Actually make that two. The first of them was that Sir Julius Ginellevé would be ill pressed to find her and that alone was enough to amuse her. On the other hand though, she pushed the plate of tarts forward.

"Your Majesty, is something wrong?" Mary Ann's brows knitted together at the sudden action.

She flicked a wrist towards her, "I've decided that I have had enough tarts for the day." What an outrageous statement! She reached for another tart. Make that two. And another one. "I'm certainly finished with my plate of tarts—you can have it." She shoved a tart to her mouth and tried not to sulk.

"Your Majesty?" The woman looked at her with widened eyes, "Are they not to your liking?"

Of course she did! What a nonsensical question, but then again she was giving her plate away. Which was completely out of nature and was normally out of discussion… but Mary Ann probably hadn't eaten yet since she had been preparing her tarts. And that remark about her schedule being overwhelming? She had an inkling that the servants had more work on their plate than hers. Rosalyn finally swallowed and shrugged, "They are delicious, but I don't want them anymore right now." Ah lies.

"Your Majesty, what if I put in a basket for you to eat at a later time?"

A tempting offer.

But her decision was final.

Rosalyn Lockhart gave the woman a sharp look, "You seem to be speaking out of turn, Mary Ann. Do not speak to me unless I do so first, get the plate of tarts and eat it. If I want tarts later, I want a fresh batch as always."

Mary Ann ducked her head and squeaked, "Forgive me, Your Majesty!" She hastily moved forward and grabbed the tarts away from her. "I will do as you ask."

The Queen of Hearts felt her heart break as the tarts were taken away from her but strengthened her resolve. She actually didn't do bad with how she did it, right? It was a bit of a hard thing, but perhaps she was feeling generous today. Or rather what the servant before her said earlier made her consider some things. Rosalyn Lockhart decided on one thing today as she watched Mary Ann hesitantly reach for one of the tarts.

When the young woman noticed her looking, she quickly began to chew. Until her expression changed to gusto and Mary Ann soon began to enjoy the tarts that she had given to her. Rosalyn was pleased with the reaction—roseberry tarts were amazing indeed. And she remembered what she had felt about tea parties the other night.

It surely was more pleasant to enjoy something like tarts with another person. Her decision now solidified. The Queen of Hearts would surely make friends.

After all, friends were different.

It would do her good to gain friends.

Actually, she chewed on the tart that she had swiped from the plate. That was what Alice had used, didn't she? Friends were more powerful than simply mutual agreements—friends could possibly argue and banter but still take care of each other at the end of the day. They would do it despite their behest, wouldn't they?

Who would need favor from the King when she had her friends?

More friends to be more specific. Instead of simply beheading the people that Alice rallied—wouldn't it be more satisfying to have them against her? The look on that girl's face would surely satisfy her. Finally finishing the tarts that she had on hand, Rosalyn Lockhart pulled herself up from her chair.

She would start at once.

"Your Majesty?" Mary Ann looked up at her with a confused expression.

Once again the woman called her without heed to what she said.

Rosalyn Lockhart decided to overlook it. She made her way to the door, before glancing back at her shoulder. She could have simply left and said nothing, but she found the urge within her to at least say something. "I will now be off to make friends, Mary Ann. You seem to give good advice despite your station. I leave my tarts to you, until I return later this evening."

And then she was off.

The Queen of Hearts would spend the rest of her day to form friendships.