A smile spread on Alexander Hartsmichdt's lips as he eyed his counterparts. "This one is clearly in the wrong for losing such a precious gift, although do take note that as it was a gift—shouldn't the giver not care about its whereabouts?" The man strolled into the area, followed along by his attendant. He kept the smile on his lips, "The Queen could have thrown it into a fireplace or into a sinkhole but as the receiver of the gift, does it not make sense that she'd do as she please?"

"Ah, one has spoken truthfully, but you cannot give me the chance to at least speak of my grievances." The King of Diamond sighed with a tired smile. "If one were to see their gift carelessly thrown away, would you not be even a little bit upset?" They finished their statement with a raised a brow.

The King of Spade simply laughed unconcern or perhaps wishing to change the subject. "You know how emotional a Heart can be and how Diamonds cannot help but be concerned of costs. Let bygones be bygones, shouldn't we continue the tour?"

"It also happens that the Prime Minister is also here." The King of Clover remarked with a keen smile.

"My humblest greetings to the Kings of the Suits, this one couldn't greet at once in respect to one's station." Blyke Edelweiss gave a respectful bow.

Alexander Hartsmichdt waved a hand, "I'll promise to return the necklace itself. After all, it's always a good day for a swim." An idea formed itself in his mind, a plan that made his lips twitch into a grin. "How about we enjoy the summer sun in our Kingdom and try to see which one of us can find the necklace the fastest? Consider it as a welcome challenge."

. . .

It was time for him to deduce things. Friends. Would the Queen of Hearts return to the Gathering of the Suits? The Knight shook his head, "She wouldn't make friends with His Majesty around. Lady Catherine Duke is too far away to visit unless she wishes to leave. Is there any chance that she'd wish to reconcile with… no. She wouldn't."

He swept through the corridors. Asking that one servant wasn't enough. Somebody else should have seen her, and that was where he began to ask any servant, man or woman for any sightings.

Not the stables.

She hadn't gone for a carriage.

No library.

She wasn't in the mood for books.

He was losing his hope, the Queen would have ensured that she at least escaped undetected if she had truly wished to hide from him—she knew at least that much.

Unless.

Another side of her was her zany and outrageous ideas.

She had already decided to do the complete opposite of his request; she would much as well do the same thing when trying to make her so called friends. The Knight made his way down towards the entrance of the castle. The very gates were people left to and fro. "Had any of you seen the Queen?"

A silence enraptured the soldiers on guard of the gates.

He eyed them; their silence rang clearer than any bell. "Well?"

"We… we may have seen Her Majesty leave the castle walls." One of the soldiers gulped.

He narrowed his eyes, "Outside? Who could she possibly…?" He shook his head; the lead given to him right now was as good as any kind of direction he could turn to. Perhaps even better than going blindly at the wind, at least he could attempt to scour the entire town by himself.

"Knight Ginellevé, shall we rally some men to search for Her Majesty?" One of them asked.

He sighed and shook his head, "There is no need." He checked his current change of clothes, his sword was still strapped to his side. He turned away from the soldiers and started his way to the town. "This matter shall also remain under wraps," Sir Julius left them with some parting words. "Unless any of you would like to face the consequences personally from me."

.

.

.

.

.

Evacuate.

She looked at the two people in her room, remembered the third one who went out for her—their sake. Would she make their sacrifice in vain by at least not saving herself?

Still.

The man would still be alive if it weren't for—

She shook her head. There was no time for her to second guess her decisions at all. "Alright, show me the way." If the Hatter ends up dead, well it was the man's problem and not hers. That was at least one thorn off her side. She was here to survive. There was no use to slow down at all.

Even if…

The woman led her to the room where Harold had come out from earlier. It was a simple bedroom, a closet and nothing else of note. "This way, Your Majesty." Mallory called for her. The woman pushed the closet aside and faced an empty brick wall. Until they ran their fingers through the edges of bricks, a small indent triggered a cubbyhole.

"That's not fit for all of us!" Harold cried out, still maintaining a good distance away from her.

Mallory rubbed her face, "Did I say that we're evacuating? Now, Your Majesty—"

The door previously left close was now ajar.

The Queen was gone.

.

It didn't make sense for her to rely on anyone. At someone else's goodwill at that? She'd rather have her head back on the floor than accept anything that was shameful.

Who needed friends?

At the expense of her head, she was more willing to face her conflicts head-on. She didn't need some mad man taking the blow in lieu of her. They were better off making hats than playing like some sort of gallant hero.

Knock. Knock.

The main door beckoned her forward; the Hatter was still fumbling about for the door. "One moment please."

She glared at his back and reached for the back of the man's shirt. She was the one who'd face it. "Hold it right there—"

The door swung open.

Nicholas Hatter balked at the sight of the Knight.

Sir Julius Ginellevé stood before them, holding up a bloody hat. "I presume this is yours. Where is the Queen? Ah, Her Majesty—always lured with trouble. Or perhaps danger is allured with you."