CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

 

 

The night was warm and mild. Heara looked out her window into the garden, then at the city clock. It was a minute to nine. The momento the bells started ringing, three Little lights flickered in the garden. That was the sign. She lowered her rope, hopefully for the last time. As she made her way down, a lot more carefully than on other occasions, she recapped everything she had taken with her. A few normal clothes, some jewlery she would probably sell, and a lockt with a picture of the royal family united.  Once on the grass, she pulled down her rope, knowing she would need it. Rope stacked neatly in her bag, she marched to where lights had come from. It was a Little forest, but more like a few tres around some trees. She walked towards them and recognized three figures in the dark. One of them was James, and he waved at her. She waved back and came to where they were standing.

“Hello” she said quietly.

“Hi” answered the brothers.

“Glad you could make it” James said. “This is Jack, and this is Joey. We’ll be spending some time together.” he added, pointing to his brothers. “Guys, this is Heara.”

“Nice to meet you, your Majesty.” Jack said jokingly.

Heara rolled her eyes, and the boys started giggling.

“Well, when you’re done with your Happy Hour, I’d like to get going.” she said crossly, but she couldn’t supress a smile.

They made their way to the Wall. There, Heara noticed that it was the same spot she had gone out to see James on that night. The stones were still pulled out.

“After you, your Majesty.” Jack said.

Heara shook her head, smiling, and started climbing the wall. Joey had put his hands on his mouth to stop himself giggling. On top of the wall, Heara took one last glance of the castle. Her life, her world, she was leaving it all behind. A seed of doubt swell up in her heart. Was she really doing the right thing?

But then, James put a hand on her shoulder. There were no need for words. His smil was enough. She did not belong here. No other prince would take her, not after the stunt she’d pulled. Anyway, none would even be closely as good as James. She had made her choice. And no matter what the future held, she would stick to it. She took a deep breath, and climbed down the wall on the other side.

 

*  *  *

 

“She left the castle last night, your Majesty.”

“Oh, has she realy? Well no wonder. She was always a coward. Besides, it was probably the best thing to do for her, considering she hasn’t listened to what I said.”

Caro slapped her gloves on the table.

“Any more news?”

Her new husband stood shaking in the doorway. “W-well, the Twins have quit their royal life and started a puppetering show in town.” He stammered.

“Well, isn’t this just perfect.”

“What do you mean, darling?”

“Don’t call me darling” she said crossly. “Anyway, watch and learn. By midnight, I’ll have all of the Card Kingdom in my hand. You go talk to the Pick and Trefle Kings. I’ll take the Heart. He needs a little more… persuasion.”

“And they don’t?”

“Oh, no. They’re probably even proud of what their daughters did. But old Heartswell needs a Little more… convincing. After all, his daughter has just left him forever.”

“That’s sad…”

“Get going!”

Th husband quickly ran out of the room, and after a few short moments, Caro followed. She took a carriage to the Heart Palace. A strong thunderstorm was slashing outside.

The King’s Throne Room was sad and gloomy. Only a few torches lit the large room. No one was there except the King when Caro entered.

“Good evening, your Majesty.”

“Why, hello, Caro” the King said, trying to hide his sadness. “Do come in. Is something wrong?”

“Well, your Majesty, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” She said with fake modesty.

“Go ahead, my dear.”

“Well, regarding the future of your kingdom. As I think you know by now, your daughter has run away. And, with no other heir, and all this tension going around, I would be glad to take it off your hands.”

“Well, I don’t have much choice, do I?” the King said sadly.

“Great! All you have to do, your Majesty, is sign this paper.” She said, rolling ou a long piece of parchment. The King read through it, then took out a quill and his stamp and signed with a sigh.

“You won’t be dissapointed, your Majesty. The kingdom is in good hands.”

But the moment she was outside, she shouted: “Yes!” It had gon a lot better than she had expected.

She ran to the carriage and went back to her castle. She went into her room and waited. Fifteen minutes later, her husband came in.

“What took you so long?”
“Well, I…”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter.” Caro said carelessly. “Did you get them?”

“Yes, they agreed immediately” he stuttered, showing two more pieces of parchment. Caro took them and spread them on her dressing table, along with her own parchment.

“Perfect. Tonight, the Card Kingdom  has a new ruler.”

“Alright, your Majesty, I will make the neces…”

“And of course, I will need a new title.” Caro interrupted him.

She went out of the room and headed towards the Throne Room. Her husband followed. She sat on the thone.

“What could it be?... Aha!” she jumped.

Caro walked towards the window and looked down on the town.

“Great years await these people. And I will personally take care of it. I, The Queen of Hearts!”