Chapter Text
He rounded the corner of a building as he exited an alleyway in the Central Quarters district, it was an officer's duty to patrol the city and protect the citizens. A howling gust from around the buildings tousled his mint colored hair and the bright warming sun of late spring reflected off his golden eyes, the shadow cast from his military hat fading as he looked up at the cloud dotted sky. The proud Queen of Hearts surveyed the area, taking observation that things had slowly turned back to normal since the war with the magic tower was won over a year ago. The black and red army’s made some amends, agreeing to co-govern the domain of Cradle, allowing its citizens to intermingle without discrimination. He turned his head toward the popular confectionery shop in town when he heard the familiar voice of a certain girl.
Her hair was the embodiment of strawberries, light pink curls tied with her favorite red ribbon falling to the small of her back and her eyes were dipped in chocolate, a hypnotizing array of dark mahogany. She frequently visited the confectionery, always making an assortment of treats for the red army occupants, her presence a calming wave that flooded the headquarters. The white blouse she wore was buttoned up, hiding her curves and the dark blue layered skirts she wore hugged at her knees, fluttering and bouncing with every turn and step. A small pink bag hung around her wrist, obviously stuffed with ingredients for her next confectionery adventure in the kitchen. She plucked a sample of mousse from the tray that the owner chased her with, begging her to sample the deliciously tempting treat. He watched the smile across her face as she graciously accepted the dessert, licking the quickly melting remains from her fingertips before bowing in thanks to the store's owner.
His eyes were fixed on her from a distance, watching her leave one store to enter another. She soon exited the store with yet another bag around her wrist, happily wandering around the shopping district while making conversation with the local business owners.
The tender smile on his face soon faded as he realized something important, “She is beautiful… beautifully unguarded…!” He quickly hid in an alleyway between the next set of stores that he knew she would be making her way into. As soon as her skirts came into view, he grabbed her by the arm, covered her eyes and pulled her into the alley. Her pink and blue bags fell from her hands as she tried to struggle, but his strength was holding her firm, giving her no chances to use the self defense she was taught.
“EEK-” Her quick shriek was suddenly muffled by a gloved hand.
“Please tell me Rebecca…” He whispered into her ear, “Why is my lovely girlfriend wandering the streets unguarded again?”
She pulled his hand from her mouth, “JONAH! Don’t scare me like that!”
He chuckled as she turned around in his arms while he backed her into the wall, letting his hands fall to her waist. “I have told you many times not to leave headquarters without a guard.”
“I can’t stay guarded forever. It’s hard to do any shopping when a soldier is constantly with me.”
“You will have a guard until I say you can’t. People know you are my lover, do you know what dangers that can bring?” His angered eyes turned into a tender plea.
“Jonah… I feel safe here now, this is my home. The war is in the past and Amon and his disciples were dismantled and executed. Having a soldier with me just draws more attention and the townspeople don’t want to approach me because of fear of offending the guard…” She chided and poked him in the chest, “Or forbid offending the Queen himself and going to jail.”
“I didn’t realize it was that hard on you.” Jonah sighed dejectedly as he ran his hand through her hair, watching as the strands fell through his fingers. “I just don’t want anything to ever happen to you.” His lips traced over hers, placing a light and chaste kiss, enough to taste the chocolate mousse she sampled a few minutes ago.
“Mmm… Jonah… but you’re on duty right now…” Before he could respond, footsteps could be heard running into the alleyway. Jonah just barely had enough time to draw his sword to parry the attack of an unknown assailant. “AHH!” She yelped as Jonah buried her body into his chest to protect her.
Jonah locked eyes with the assailant just as the man turned pale as a ghost. “Q-queen…” The red army soldier trembled in instant fear. More red soldiers poured into the alleyway, all pausing in stun to see Jonah as the person holding onto their beloved Rebecca.
“The Heart Defenders?!” She exclaimed as her and Jonah immediately recognized the small squad of men.
“M-my Queen, Lady Rebecca… I apologize greatly.” The leader of the group lowered his sword, throwing himself to the ground at their feet in a bow.
“Explain yourselves immediately.” Jonah's flirtatious tone had vanished, replaced by the cold, narrowed stare of an angry Queen.
“We noticed Lady Rebecca had left the barracks without a guard again. When she does we, the Heart Defenders, follow her secretly through town to protect her.” Jonah’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You follow me!?” She was both happy and a bit annoyed.
The Heart Defenders were a group of red army soldiers that revered the Queen of Hearts as sworn followers to protect him. Jonah was oblivious most of his career that he had acquired such a fan club in secret until the fall out last year with the magic tower caused them to reveal themselves as secret followers and protectors of Jonah. When they realized their Queen had fallen in love with Alice the Second, they swore to protect her as well.
“We swore to protect you, so we have been allowing you to wander around Cradle without knowing you are secretly guarded. You suddenly disappeared into this alley and we surrounded it. We thought you were being kidnapped… I didn’t realize you were having a secret tryst-”
“ENOUGH.” Jonah’s voice was commanding as he cut off the soldier from saying anymore. He looked down at Rebecca who he was still holding close to his chest, her face had turned the same shade of pink as her hair. “I was on duty when I noticed her wandering around, I thought I would give her a little scare. I appreciate you always looking out for her.”
A roar of apologies, tears and cheers spread through the crowd of soldiers. “Thank you Queen, we will protect her with our lives.”
“I guess it can’t be helped.” Jonah smiled happily, “Is it alright if they follow you discreetly so you can enjoy your time in town without stares?”
She thought for a moment, looking around at the loyal red army soldiers that have protected her all this time, “Yes, thank you everyone for always being there for me. I’ll make you dessert later for your hard work.”
The cheers continued, “Our Ladies dessert!”, “How kind of her!”, “I can’t wait to try it!”. One of the soldiers leaned down and picked up the fallen grocery bags. “Let me carry these bags for you, my Lady.”
Jonah released her, sheathing his sword back into its holster and straightening out his ruffled uniform. “I still have patrol work to do, I’ll leave Rebecca to all of you.”
The soldiers stood in salute. Jonah took her hand and kissed the top of it as a goodbye, gaining a swoon from the heart defenders.
“Stay safe Jonah, I’ll see you later!” She smiled at him as he turned to leave, holding her kissed hand to her heart.
“You too, stay out of trouble.” He turned to the soldiers, “Men, I’m counting on you.”
A unanimous “Yes Sir!” rang out from the crowd as the Queen exited the alleyway.
“My lady, I again apologize.” The leader looked around the group. “Men, resume your stations.” The men scattered back into the crowded streets of central.
She sighed, she should have known that the heart defenders were following her. “I’m finished with my shopping, lets head back to headquarters so I can cook some tasty treats!” The soldier nodded, carrying her bags and lagging a bit behind her to give her some space. They entered a carriage and headed back toward home, the peaceful days in Cradle unknowingly numbered.