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“The Queen of Hearts is known throughout Twisted Wonderland for her spirit of strictness.”
Riddle had read through that book so many times, he could recite its content out loud. The book documented the lives and legacies of the Great Seven, and when he was just a little younger, he would carry the book around and read it whenever he managed to squeeze out a bit of free time, during independent study, or before bed. It was one of the few books he discovered in his study room which was unrelated to the subjects his mother was teaching him.
“The Queen used her power to punish those who broke the rules, keeping her kingdom in order. All her subjects lived in contentment and happiness.”
The lines flashed through his head as he stared at the window. The newly installed metal blinds were shut, and sunlight could only enter the room through its slits. For a week now, he hasn’t been able to see the bakery from across the street, or anything outside at all. Trey and Chenya… were they okay?
“Riddle, you have five minutes remaining to complete the analytical alchemy assignment,” his mother said disapprovingly, likely having noticed that his attention has drifted off. He frowned and turned his attention back to the textbooks, pen moving across paper and writing down lines after lines of equations.
His chest hurt, and no amount of studying was able to numb the pain.
“Queen of Hearts,” he thought as he laid in bed one night, unable to fall asleep. “Is this the true punishment of those who break the rules?”
There was no reply, but in his imaginations, the Queen of Hearts smiled back at him knowingly. Maybe the Queen was being benevolent when she offed the heads of those card soldiers, Riddle thought.
It has been two years since the incident, and Riddle has learnt that desires were merely a form of distraction, and he could do so many more things when he abandons what he wishes for and focuses entirely on his studies. He knew this well.
Even though he knew this, his desires kept coming back to distract him.
“The Queen is righteous, and she always bestows the correct judgement upon rule breakers, with dignity and with fury.”
Friends, strawberry tarts, going outside. And thus, they became fuel for his anger. Wishes and distractions, he’ll burn them all up in his emotions. He inhaled deeply and pointed his magical pen at his mother.
“Off With Your Head!” he yelled.
The heart-shaped collar locked around her mother’s throat, and he froze at the realization.
His mother looked pleased. “Congratulations, Riddle! You mastered your unique magic ten minutes ahead of schedule.”
Hands shaking, he slowly raised his magical pen and undid the spell, and the collar faded away like mist.
Her mother nodded. “You may now use this time to take a break and prepare for your next lesson.” She exited the room, leaving him standing alone and breathing shallowly.
He did it. He mastered Off With Your Head. This was an achievement to be proud of, to master his unique magic at such a young age.
Yet, why did he feel so empty?
Dinner that night was unflavoured salmon paste with fresh lettuce, a slice of cheese, and walnuts. The food tasted dry on his tongue, and Riddle thought back to what he had read in the book: of monthly tea parties filled with desserts and entertainment, both of which were far too luxurious for him to obtain.
Sending another spoonful of salmon paste into his mouth, he chewed and closed his eyes.
Riddle stood in front of the door, his luggages neatly packed into a suitcase, and a duffel bag which he carried on his shoulders. The Black Carriage would soon be coming to pick him up.
There was not much certainty in his future. He knew he was going to join the Equestrian Club. He knew his goal was to score first in every upcoming exam. He knew that during his fourth year, he would intern at a magic doctor’s centre. Aside from that, however, he didn’t know what was going to happen, and the thought almost frightened him. He could easily make a misstep somewhere, and the pain would start again.
But surely, he would be sorted into Heartslabyul?
By now, he has had all 810 of the Queen of Hearts’ rules memorized by heart. He knows every detail on how the Queen of Hearts used to take care of her hedgehogs and flamingos, all the etiquettes to pay attention to during Unbirthday Parties, the conditions under which roses grew best and the best type of paints to colour them.
“Queen of Hearts,” he thought to himself, “would I find contentment if I were to become one of your subjects?”
If Riddle was to become a card soldier, he’s confident that he would be one of the best Twisted Wonderland has ever seen. None of the roses in the maze would be left unpainted, and every detail of the tea parties would be flawless.
He opened the door and stepped out of the house, aware of his mother’s presence behind him. She didn’t follow him and stayed by the door.
“Goodbye,” she said, “I’ll see you on winter break.”
It was a gentle voice, but void of any concern or worry. A voice Riddle has grown so used to hearing. He loved it, and he feared it, and he respected it. But, he had never felt any intimate connection to it.
So he walked on without a response, without looking back, as if he didn’t hear a thing. With every step, he moved farther away from that sunlight deprived study room, and his chest began to feel lighter.
Maybe he would miss his mother. He didn’t really know anymore. Would it be wrong not to miss her?
What would the Queen of Hearts do, in a moment like this?
“All ways are my ways!” she would probably say. No matter the hardship and adversity, the Queen would affirm her own righteousness and do what she believes to be correct. Riddle wished he could have some of the Queen’s self-assurance.
Then it hit him. What if he became the Queen himself?
He has the knowledge required, and with the amount of magic he’s studied over the past years, he would stand a chance in a duel against Heartslabyul’s current dorm leader. With responsibilities, his future would become a clear path. Just as how all queens must keep a clear sight when reigning their respective queendoms.
Riddle grinned to himself. It’s settled, then. He shall become Heartslabyul’s next dorm leader.