The Kingdom of Cards

Chapter 9

As light touched Elizabeta's face she sat up and looked out the window where the sun was rising. She sat a moment, watching the color rise into sky and light the garden on fire, it almost seemed to bring the various flowers and plants to life.

Suddenly, she saw fire as she heard the joker's stupid voice in her ear, "Dragons." She stood hurriedly, stealing the sword off the nightstand.

She finally calmed, there's no more dragons, no more visions, you're just tired and stressed.

She quickly dressed before asking Raivis if Roderich was awake, he shook his head and Elizabeta headed down to breakfast. She griminced when she realised this meant she would have to talk to Lili again, but it was too late.

Here she came smiling, "Oh! We heard about Roderich, is he okay? You two are welcome to stay as long as you need!" she said quickly, "Oh dear this just awful, your kingdoms have been attacked and your jack, and the spades."she looked as thought suddenly she might faint.

Elizabeta silently hoped she would.

Elizabeta shook her head, "He's fine and we really need to warn the Hearts. Once he gets the okay from the doctor, we're leaving."
Lili slowly replied, "We could send a messenger."

Elizabeta really wanted to go by her home kingdom, so she shook her head, "We really need to give the message ourselves, plus, I would like to visit my old.... Home..." she said falling off for lack of better words.

"No more words, I understand," her eyes sparkled with sympathy.
Elizabeta shook her head, realising what conclusion Lili had come to, "No, me and Ivan, we're fine... it's just..."

Lili touch her compassionately, her mouth moved, but Elizabeta didn't hear her words. Lili's touch seared her arm and Elizabeta collapsed.

When she looked back up, she was sitting on the ground. She looked around, noticing that she was in the king's quarters. She stood slowly, dusting herself off. The king was sitting on his knees at the queen's side. The jack was off to the side, standing guard. Antonio looked as though he might faint. Lovino looked down at her curiously. She turned her head to see the queen pale and unmoving.

She felt a hand touch her shoulder, she turned to Lili who looked worried but healthy. "A-are you okay."

"Why would you think I was not?"

"You collapsed and then you were looking around bewildered like you didn't know where you were...." Lili said slowly, concerned creased her face.

"I'm fine... I just..... Need to get some breakfast...." she said. Lili nodded and led her to the same large banquet hall where they had eaten dinner that evening. Elizabeta sat opposite the king and queen. The servants served some delicate eggs and sausage of exotic deer meat.

The Diamonds ate little, prefering to chit chat. Elizabeta, ate hungrily, mostly to avoid speaking. She sought a way of telling them about the real reason she was here without sounding like a lunatic. She could barely convince herself that her original vision was sane. The Jack sat by her uninterested, and kept to himself.

After they finished, Elizabeta asked if Lili asked kindly as she could, "May I have some bulbs? I would like to plant some tulips.... I admire your garden and would like to make my own."
Lili smiled, and stood quickly, excited that she enjoyed her flower garden she worked so hard to keep perfect. "Yes, I have some left over, I will go ge them. What color?"

"White." Elizabeta said, as Lili ran out the door. Elizabeta asked a servant to go fetch the knights. Francis decided not to speak up against her commanding his castle, when he saw the fear on her face.The two came in awkwardly and stood behind the king.