"Oh my gosh!" (Y/n) exclaimed after Julie's big reveal. "It was them the whole time?!"
"The whole time!" she intensely nodded.
"I hope you got back at them for such a stunt." Frank huffed. "It's only fair."
"Oh I got a few pranks up my sleeve." she giggled with a smirk. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to use them!"
"Remind me to never get on your bad side, Julie." Wally chuckled.
There was a pause in their conversation. Lady (Y/n) has been so captivated by the Queen's tale that she has forgotten all about her anxiousness, for at least a little while. For as soon as silence settled...
'Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! I am sitting at the same table as the three royals!!!' she gripped her cup, trying to stop her hands from shaking. 'Nobody has been talking for so long!' it's been a few seconds. 'It's very probably because I'm here, I made it so awkward for them! I'm sorry!!!'

"By the way, Frank." Wally looked at his friend. "Have you decided on what talent you will be presenting at the talent show?"
"Yes. I have decided to not participate."
"Ah? Why is that?"
"Because knowledge isn't a talent. Simple as that."
"Oh but no one is as knowledgeable as you, your Highness." (Y/n) said. "I heard your personal library is so large, it has its own building!"
"Well I can't really pick it off the ground and bring it here, now can I?"
"R-right, I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, Franky was just joking!" Julie giggled, patting her friend's shoulder and shaking it.
'He was?'

"He is not the best at conveying emotions I'm afraid." Wally chuckled.
"Excuse me?!" Frank sat up straight. "Says the one who literally cannot frown."
"That's not true."
"Try it now!" Julie pointed.
"I can't."
"Why not?" Frank folded his arms.
"I have nothing to frown about."
"Quick, someone say something mean!" Julie waved her hands in excitement.
"I-I could never!" (Y/n) shook her head.
"Just think of something that really ticks you off!" she turned back to Wally. "Like whenever your servants put the sugar in your coffee!"
"I do hate it when that happens..."
"You don't like sugar in your coffee?" (Y/n) tilted her head.
"On the contrary. It's just that he prefers to put in the sugar cubes himself." Frank said. "Said it's part of his process."
"Oh!" she puffed a chuckle.

"But why would I frown, in such joyful moments?" Wally smiled, opening his arms.
"Oh come on," Frank rolled his eyes. "you're telling us you can't frown on command?" he turned towards (Y/n). "(L/n), frown."
She did so immediately. It made Julie giggle.
"See?" he turned back to him. "Frowning is easy."
"Maybe for you, but not for me." he said, adding another sugar cube to his tea.
'He has a sweet tooth.' (Y/n) noted.

"And what about you Julie?" he asked. "What sportive prowess will you showcase this time?"
'She plays sports?!' (Y/n) thought. 'Actually...I shouldn't be surprised.'
"Actually, I don't wanna do it."
"Pardon?"
"Yeah! I wanna see everyone else for once, I can't do that if I participate."
"I see, understandable." he nodded. "Lady (L/n)?"
Said lady became tense.
"Oh yeah!" Julie looked at her. "What's your talent?"
"Assuming that I have one..." she mumbled under her breath before clearing her throat. "Um, well, what I have is more of a fun quirk than anything. And I also want to see everyone else's talent. So..."
"...So I'm the only one at this table who will participate?" Wally asked?

"I-I'm sor-"
"Of course you are." Frank shrugged. "Only His Highness is ever so willing to show off his painting skills."
"Show off?" he placed a hand over his heart. "You're hurting me, Frank. The talent show isn't a competition, therefore I can allow myself to participate."

"Oh don't act like you didn't put on a talent show just so you would have an excuse to paint!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Here, have some more sugar." he slid the small bowl towards him. "It'll make you sweeter."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" he frowned while Julie giggled.
"You paint, your Majesty?" (Y/n) asked.
"Why yes," he nodded. "ever since I was a boy. I find it very calming."

She gasped.
"Have I perhaps walked by one of your creations when I walked through the halls of the castle?" she leaned a bit closer.
"Maybe." he chuckled. "I do tend to hide them in plain sight. Only a select few however."
"That's true!" Julie smiled. "When we were kids, he would stick up his drawings on top of the other paintings!"
That made the two women laugh.
"He thought nobody would notice!"
"I only did that a few times..." he mumbled.
"But yes, um..." (Y/n) tried to keep the subject going. "I know my Lord, the Marquis of Spades will participate however."
"Oh, cool!" Julie nodded. "How old is he again?"
"Seventeen." Wally answered for her.

"And what does he do?"
"Oh I don't want to ruin the surprise-"
"No I mean in general."
(Y/n) blinked twice. She didn't expect that question, and she felt a certain shift in atmosphere, but this was an opportunity to vouch for Arnold.
"Well, as the Head of the High Council, he has a lot of responsibilities and-"
"Oh! I thought you were head of the council!" she pointed.

"I..." she shook her head. "I'm really not."
"I dunno, you just have the..." she gestured towards her, up and down. "You just have the aura of a leader!"
Now, Lady (Y/n) was aware that, within the council, she was indeed the most active member, and that the others did regard her as such. But that wasn't how she wanted others to perceive her, for she didn't plan on staying in this position forever. She knew her fellow council members struggled to work, but as soon as they were ready, as soon as the Spades Kingdom was in a better situation, she will step away from the council, and she will go home...

"I'm just doing my best to keep up with the others, my Queen. If anything, I'm mostly there for emotional support." she chuckled.
"Emotional support?"
"Yes. Our current situation happened very suddenly, none of us expected it. And for some, it was too much to bear. Thankfully, I managed to cheer them up." she beamed.
"Oooooh I get that, it's the same with my sisters and me! So you're like the mom of the group!"
"I-" she stopped herself and stared into space, as if she's never thought about it that way.
Julie bursted out laughing and (Y/n) eventually chuckled, along with Wally.
"I suppose I am, yes." she nodded.
In her laughter, Julie bumped the table and, while Wally has lifted both his and (Y/n)'s teacup just in time like he knew that would happen, Frank's however was knocked over, and while he tried to catch it so as to not get tea on his lap, it got on his chest and face instead.
"Oopsie!" Julie covered her mouth.

"Oh no!" (Y/n) quickly took a napkin. "Here, let me-"
"It's alright." Wally said, putting her teacup back on its little plate.
With a gesture of his hand, a couple of maids walk over with a change of clothes and a screen to hide Frank while he changed. Meanwhile, the King of Diamonds loosened his collar, fuming.
"What the hell?!" he yelled at Wally. "Why didn't you save my tea too?!"
"I couldn't let anything happen to our guest, the Lady of Spades." he gestured towards her.
"You have two hands!"
"This is my favorite teacup." he raised it. "I wouldn't bear it if it was to break. You understand, don't you off friend?" he tilted his head with an innocent look.
Frank groaned as his head started to spin around. It took (Y/n) by surprise once again, but she noticed something that really shook her. A thick scar on the side of his neck.

"I'm sorry Frankyyyy!" Julie said, joining her hands together. "It's all my fault!"
"It's fine Julie." he huffed and stood up to go change. "I should've been more prepared."
(Y/n) watched him leave, still looking at the scar. Wally noticed her staring and smiled.
"Frank?" he called out. "Would you mind if our guest knows about your scar?"
She became tense. She really didn't like being put on the spot.
"Not at all." Frank responded from behind the screen. "It's from a failed assassination."
"What?!" she became paler.
"Yes. From my own people too."
"Oh no... I'm so sorry. It must've been really scary."

There was a pause. The three royals didn't expect such an observation. Everyone knew things like this were commun for people in power, therefore people assumed that they were used to it.

"It would've been scarier if they succeeded." Frank spoke again as he walked back to the table with a new shirt and coat on. "They tried to throw a poorly executed yet powerful spell at me while the three of us were sharing a carriage during a parade."
"I sensed dark magic nearby and pushed him out of the way." Wally said.
"You did?!" she looked at him with big eyes.
"Yes. Although it still hit him. I'm sorry about that." he bowed his head to Frank. "I feel bad about it to this day."
"Oh don't even with that again. You saved my life." he frowned. "And I shall be forever grateful."
Wally smiled softly.

"It was so cool!" Julie exclaimed. "And I caught the bastards with my magic!"
"Haven't you heard about it?" Frank asked. "It was all over the news."
"I uh..." (Y/n) glanced to the side. "I wasn't really keeping up with anything outside of my home in the past."
"Well, they were caught, judged, and executed."
"Oh my..."
"Don't feel bad for them." Wally smiled. "Trust me, they do not deserve such kindness."
She gulped.

"Being royalty sure isn't easy..."
Julie and Wally laughed.
"That is an understatement, (L/n)." Frank said. "...That does bring up a question that has been on a lot of people's mind, and I'll admit, I am curious as well."
"What is it?"
"Who will replace the late King of Spades? Or, with the High Council, will there even be a replacement?"
(Y/n) pursued her lips and looked to the side, looking for the right words to say. The three royals patiently waited, their smiles gone.
"Well... Without a proper heir to the throne, the second choice would be the Marquis. But he's...not quite ready for such a role yet. I'm pretty sure none of us are. I do believe that my Kingdom needs a ruler, but as of now, we just need to focus on making sure that our home is in a more stable situation. There is just so much going on right now. We still have the economic crisis, we haven't had a sunny day in a while, the local religions are at each-other's throats more than usual, because of our limited budget we missed a few festivals and so many birthdays, and of course the culture thing outside of-!" she cut herself and held the bridge of her nose with a groan.
The three royals were taken aback, both by her frustration and by her words. (Y/n) loudly exhaled as she looked back at them.
"But yes!" she exhaled. "There is just no way only one of us can take care of all of that. At least I believe so." she paused. "Of course, once everything is settled – at least a good part of it – we will then discuss who shall be the new Ruler of Spades." she nodded.

The three friends looked at each-other with big eyes.
"Would a bunch of money help?" Julie asked.
Now it was (Y/n)'s turn to be shocked, while Wally and Frank seemed to have expected her to ask such a thing. (Y/n) opened her mouth but for a moment, she said nothing, hesitating. Of course, her first reflex was to politely decline, but...
"Yes." her shoulders dropped and she nodded. "Yes it would, greatly.
"Now now Julie." Wally finished his tea. "Tea time is not a time for business dealings."
"Right right right." Julie nodded and gobbled her cake in one go.
'Right.' (Y/n) thought as she took a sip of her tea. 'Now's not the time for joking around. I almost got my hopes up.'

"I am curious about one thing..." Wally leaned back in his seat, resting his cheek on the palm of his hand. "You say you're waiting for your kingdom to be in a better position. But I am curious about what your overall goal is."
She looked at him, slowly drinking.
"'You' as in the High Council of course." he clarified. "What do you want the Spades Kingdom to be in, let's say, ten years?"
"...So it's not okay to discuss business, but it's fine talking politics?" she smiled as she put her cup down.
He just chuckled.
"In ten years..." her gaze wandered. "I haven't thought that far ahead in a long time."
She thought for a moment. Once again, the three royals patiently waited. Frank glanced at Wally, who was still starring at Lady (Y/n).
"In ten years," she looked back at him. "people who come to our land- any of the four kingdoms really." she gestured towards the three of them. "Should feel welcomed and accepted. And if they need help, all four kingdoms should have the ressources to provide it."
Julie and Wally smiled, Frank nodded.

"That is very vague lady." the latter of whom said.
"I-I'm sorry!" she blushed. "Well of course I want my people to be happy and for our kingdom to flourish in many ways-"
"It's alright (L/n)!" Julie patted her arm. "Vague answers for vague questions!" she chuckled.
"I like asking vague questions." Wally smiled, still looking at (Y/n). "The way they are interpreted can tell a lot about a person."
His stare made her nervous and she avoided eye contact.

Julie suddenly felt inspired to ask more vague questions about more simple subjects. Such as 'what's your favorite color' but in a vague way. She had an electric aura about her that made (Y/n) follow her in all her silly bits, thoughts and ideas. At some point, a butler came in with a bunch of notes, he seemed exhausted but relieved to have finally found the center of the maze.
"Ow, can we get him some water?" (Y/n) asked.
Wally gestured for a maid to do just that.
"Th...Thank you, Milady." the butler bowed.
After drinking a glass of water to refresh himself up, he cleared his throat, stood tall, and walked up to their table where he handed out the notes to each royal. Each one of them declined, saying they intended to stay here for the entirety of the event.
"Enjoying friendly company. Surely they'll understand." Wally smiled, his chin on the back on his closed hand.
"Of course, your Highness." the butler then turned towards lady (Y/n). "And these are for you, Milady."

"Huh?! Me?" she pointed at herself.

"You sure have a hard time believing that people are interested in you, (L/n)." Frank said.
"True." Julie nodded. "Like, I said you have the aura of a leader when push comes to shove, but other than that, you're really lacking in self-confidence."
"Wha- I- Well..."
'Why am I suddenly being called out?!'
"Well it's just that, it's my first being in the presence of...such a crowd. I've never really left my kingdom- Even my hometown before the King's passing."
"Ah. So like a 'big fish in a small pond, moving to a bigger pond with bigger fishes' situation." Frank pointed.
"More like a... A moderately average-sized fish, in a smaller than average pond, then moves to an ocean and-"
"See that's the problem right there!" Julie pointed at her and shifted in her seat to face her. "You need to be more assertive! Be more confident, be more sassy! Tell people what you think, take what you want! Tell them what you need and if they won't give it to you, make it your own!"

(Y/n) blinked twice, leaning back as the Queen grew more passionate with every word.
"You sure can be scary sometimes, Julie." Wally chuckled.
"Look who's talking!" she glared at him with a huff.
"And then you wonder why you're still single." Frank shook his head. "You're always so dramatic. We told you the majority of people don't like that."
"That just means that only a select few can handle all this!" she rapidly gestured to herself up and down.
"I think it's great that you can so freely be yourself, your Highness." (Y/n) smiled. "If it were anyone else, people would say that their behavior wouldn't be fitting of a lady. Yet when people talk about you, I only hear about how perfect you are."
Julie's smile softened.

"When I first became queen, I tried to be everyone's definition of perfect... It just didn't feel right." she shook her head. "I later found out that to be perfect, you have to feel perfect about yourself. It's about finding the right fit, the most natural fit. Be happy and be kind and you will glow as bright as the Sun!"
"I'm sure the caves of the Clubs Kingdom aren't as bright then, without their Sun."
"Oh my, (L/n)!" she covered her mouth and lightly hit her arm. "Where did that come from?!"
"Huh?" she blinked twice, confused. "I was just making a reference to-"
"I know I know!" she giggled. "You're really sweet!"
She smiled. Wally chuckled.

"So, Milady," the butler spoke. "about the notes...?"
"Ah! Yes, um... Please tell them that I'll have to politely decline."
"Very well." he bowed before walking to a trashcan that a maid presented to him.
"Oh. I didn't even get to read them." she realized.
"Doesn't matter, does it?" Julie shrugged. "You declined anyway."
"Still, I don't know who sent them..." she looked at the piles of notes that were for the four of them before turning back with a shrug. "I suppose you're right."
If she had kept looking for just a few more seconds, she would've seen Arnold's name on one of these as it was dropped into the can. She had a lovely time with the three royals and they kept chatting about various things, even after the event officially ended. Once (Y/n) came back, everyone had left and moved on with their day.
She was satisfied, the Shuffling's tea party was a great success.

The next morning, the members of the High Council of Spades were going through their letters. Lady (Y/n) seemed to have received a lot more of them than before.
'It's like they know who invited me! Even though we were in the center of the maze.'
Everyone was still rather fatigued from yesterday, laying back in their seat and flipping through their letters with slow and heavy movements. Arnold let out a big yawn. With the bags under his eyes, it would seem he hasn't slept well.
"Would you like to borrow some makeup to mask them?" Gwendolyn asked.
"No! It makes it look like I worked all night!"
"Ooooh, clever." (Y/n) nodded.
She flipped to another letter and as she saw who it was from by looking at the seal, her expression slowly fell. As if she was struck by lightning and was suddenly full of energy, she suddenly stood up and shouted something in the old language of Spade, scaring everyone.
"Lady (Y/n)! Language!" Catherine exclaimed while Arnold laughed in his shock.

"What in the world?!" she dropped all of the other letters and began to pace around the room, holding the one she had with both hands. "No way! No way! There is no way!"
"What is it? Who is it from?"
"Hold on!" she opened it and began to read it.
Gwendolyn grabbed the envelop as it was being tossed and looked at the seal.
"Is that the royal seal from the Kingdom of Clubs?!"
"What?!" the other two members exclaimed. "(Y/n), what does it say?!"
"Hold on!"
"Just tell us!" Catherine tried to look over her shoulder.
"Just hold on I tell you!" she faced her, hiding the letter from view. "Because if this is about what I think this is about, then this is huge!"

"So we have to share with you every word of the letters we get," Arnold folded his arms. "but the moment we ask you to share, suddenly-"
"She is not listening right now." Gwendolyn shook her head.
He scoffed and had to wait with everyone while (Y/n) carefully read her letter. The handwriting was very cute and round, with little flowers drawings. Not