"SO CLOSE TO REACHING THAT HAPPY END." — KUROO TETSUROU

"SO CLOSE TO REACHING THAT HAPPY END." — KUROO TETSUROU

NOTE: this is a heartless au.

so for everyone who doesn't know about heartless, it's a novel by marissa meyer centered on the villain origin story of the Queen of Hearts.

i do hope this will be to your liking ,,, so HAPPY READING !!

You were destined to be queen — one way or another.

Being one of Wonderland’s most desired and eligible bachelorettes and a daughter of a well-known Marquess, it’s safe to say that the King of Hearts (the fiercest and strongest ruler of Wonderland, to date) is also one of the many suitors lining for your hand in marriage. Though, being the crown queen wasn’t in your list of priorities because your sights have been set on creating pastries and confectioneries that deeply move the people of Wonderland.

In your own destiny, you have always believed you would end up as a baker. A humble one, with a store right in one of the shopping districts of Wonderland, its storefront bragging colors that complemented your creations and the inside booming with the aromatics of your baking, and there you are, dressed in a baker’s garb that you always wanted; aprons, mittens, and all. Alas, but a dream that only is.

However, the one who will set your dreams ablaze appeared right above you. Literally.

It was a ball that night. A black-and-white themed ball, to be exact. But you were presented by your family in a voluptuous red tent—gown, rather. Everywhere in the ballroom’s floor was a wave of black and white, stretching from ivory-tailed dress coats, ebony elbow gloves, chessboard leggings (who wore those?), feathery face masks in a monochromatic coloring, and black silk and velvet skirts twirling with rhinestones. Even the King’s royal guards, you can spot your friends, Hinata (his bright hair like a beacon) and Kageyama (whose face set in a scowl), with paint over the red hearts pasted under their eyes.

You are noticeable and it made you feel suffocated in your corset.

“I’m deeply sorry for breaking your trance, Lady [Last Name], but there are people lined up behind you,” the White Rabbit, Sugawara (his real name), cleared his throat in a reminder. “Your parents are long gone to the dance floor.”

Taking your skirts, you manage a bow and went your way to the dance floor. The stares bore into you like icy needles, their whispers of your being an attention-seeking harlot, and being a trying hard lady of the court flittered through your ears. You duck your head in a submissive bow while walking towards the feasting table — the safe haven in this wretched place. Just by maneuvering and staring at the assortment of treats laid out, you could feel your corset tighten in a silent warning.

A bite of the lemon tart you brought for this ball wouldn’t hurt, right?

“Lady [Last Name], I came here to remind you that this is a black-and-white ball,” a haughty drawl made you stop short in front of the feasting table.

You turned, uplifting your head to level your stare with the tall Knave of Hearts. A black tunic adorned his lazy posture, which rather fit him well, as much as you want to deny it. Black glasses covered his eyes, which was earned when he was hit by a croquet ball right in the face in one of the tea parties, giving him poor eyesight afterward. The mole might have spat on him.

“Hello, Tsukishima,” you greeted the Knave with a slight bow, making him scoff. You lowered your eyes in faux shame, however, you feel annoyed at the growing time you spent with this young man. “I believe somebody has mixed up my invitation, I was sure this was supposed to honor our kingdom’s colors.”

“You look stupid.”

You reel back, blinking up at the tall lad. “Is there any need to insult me?”

His brown eyes glared at you, scrutinizing your red gown in distaste. “You don’t even look half as decent as you always were, Lady [Last Name]. In fact, my poor eyesight says it all.”

“You perfectly know I didn’t want for it to be this way—“

“You’re awfully proud parading your embarrassment in this ball,” he scoffed again, “and you think you’re so high and mighty but let me tell you this, I am not afraid of you one tiny bit.”

“What are you talking abo—?”

“I don’t even like you that much at all, to begin with.”

And with that, Tsukishima walked away from you. You let out a sigh of relief at the end of that usual banter but you were wrong when he turned to you once again, his finger pointing at you in a scold.

“And you smell like a rose. Those rotten and stinky ones!”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment—ow!”

Tsukishima grunted, pulling on one of your curls, then he swiveled and marched his way towards the King’s royal guards, who followed his line of sight. Hinata brightened up when his eyes met yours, his hand waving frantically in the air. Kageyama, on the other hand, bonked him on the head to tell him off, but later noticed that it was you the orange-haired boy was waving so he opted in giving you a formal bow.

“Now that is what I call a confused boy,” a purr echoed behind you, making you jump an inch in the air.

“Why, hello to you, too, Lev,” you laughed, relieved that familiar company is present in this ball. “Are you allowed in here?”

The Cheshire Cat, or Haiba Lev (his birth name), grinned at you, his hand gripping the silver tray full of strawberry macaroons. His silver hair glinted against the overhead chandeliers and his slitted emerald green eyes shone with mischief as he gobbled up the treats with no care in the world. For such a tall boy, he managed to not rumple any of the displayed food on the feasting table. In fact, his silver tail was curling in satisfaction at the sweets he munched.

“I’d rather not think about that,” Lev answered, continuing his munching feast. “All I want is to finish up these macaroons. Are these the ones you brought for the ball? They’re heavenly, I tell you.”

You grimace, glancing sadly at the lone lemon tart beside the overgrown cat. “No, the lemon tarts are my specialty.”

Lev stopped eating and looked at you. “Why didn’t you say that was your creation?! I ate one of those and it’s by far the most delectable treat in this feasting table!”

“Your flattery will do you wonders, Lev.” You rolled your eyes as you stared on at the mingling guests in the ballroom. “Everybody is quite lively tonight.”

Lev hummed, swallowing his last bite of the macaroon in his paw. “I should tell you this but my conscience has been bugging me to never say it,” he told you. “But as the greater part of myself, I’ll still say it — the Knave has been placing some tarts that look exactly like the ones you made in his pocket.” He examined his claws with a half-lidded stare. “Thought you ought to know.”

“What?” You spun around and made sure that the beanpole Tsukishima was nowhere in sight before glaring at Lev, who was licking his lips with a satisfied smile. “Clearly you’re mistaken, Lev, he’s not here at all.”

“He was doing it earlier,” Lev retaliated. “Quite a strange fellow for someone who hates you, Lady [Last Name].” He perked up instantly, which made you lean back because the feline boy leaned forward to your face with sparkling green eyes. “Oh, by-the-bye, have you heard of the rumors? I was just being my adorable and invisible self when I heard it.”

“Rumors?” you questioned him, racking your brain of the recent events that’s been happening in Wonderland. “You mean Duke Tanaka expressing his love for the Lady Kiyoko one night with an orchestra of fish? Or that one time Sir Sugawara, in all his bunniness, announced His Highness Oikawa wrong, saying he was an escort of the Swan Palace? The latter was quite funny to watch.”

Lev curled his lips in disapproval. “You really are not acquainted with the rumors, huh? Those were the last two week’s rumors! This is a new day now! I was talking about the newly hired court jester, which by the way, hasn’t made his appearance yet. Maybe the king wanted the jester’s entertainment for himself? No one knows.”

“I don’t quite follow.”

The silver cat stared at her blankly. “All you’ve been doing is baking so I expected that response from you.” He sighed, crossing his lanky arms across his chest. “Some say that he spooked everyone with his appearance when he was walking down the streets lining the Blue Castle. I mean, who wouldn’t be scared when two men dressed in black just saunter their way towards the royal palace? He and his companion asked for the King’s audience and he easily performs a trick or two, which involved the orange and blueberry boys over there — something to do with a ball and a fast attack. I don’t even know. In the end, he was accepted. I also heard this night will be his debut but I don’t see him anywhere.”

You craned your neck to get a good view of the ballroom but it was quite hard catching the sight of the court’s new jester when almost all men chose to dress in black. “I don’t see any sort of man who might be the court joker.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling you!” Lev exasperatedly exclaimed, yet he continued. “Have you heard about the other rumors?”

“What are these other rumors? Do they concern me?”

Lev swallowed down a bubbling laugh as he looked at you from your red headdress to your red heeled shoes. “The king has chosen a bride! And he will be announcing it sooner or later—“ The sound of trumpets interrupted Lev, making him meow in delight. “I say, he’s going to announce it now!”

“PRESENTING HIS ROYAL AND INGENIOUS MAJESTY, THE KING OF HEARTS!”

Sugawara shouted at the top of his lungs, his trumpet tucked at the side. You turned around along with the rest of the guests as the King stood with his chest inflated in a proud inhale on top of the castle’s staircase. The aristocrats bowed down at the sight of the tarot of rulers standing at the top of the staircase.

There was King Oikawa Tooru of the Blue Castle and the leader of the small kingdom of Spades. Quite the ladies’ man with his charming chocolate curls and eyes. He was impeccably dressed in a white undershirt and a black waistcoat that seemed to be embellished with accents of his royal colors — aquamarine. His loyal adviser, Iwaizumi Hajime, shoots arrows to the side of his head as an attempt to leash the harlot and condescending king. Some say that he was not only a pretty face but a ruthless leader under the guise of ‘The Grand King’, the sources of such allegations coming from his subjects in the Spade courts.

Beside the smirking Oikawa was the leader of the Diamond court, Ushijima Wakatoshi of the Swan Palace. The ever stoic general of the Eagle Corps, the indomitable army of Wonderland, overlooked everybody on the dance floor with an outfit adorned with amethyst accents. His black coat was a sight for sore eyes, as it bore the insignia of his army and the royal seal of the court of Diamonds. His right hand, Tendou Satori, smirked and snickered at the people gawking at them, his alias of being the ‘Red Monster’ befitting him as his grin never ceased.

The last member of the four rulers of Wonderland was the duke of the land of Clovers, Terushima Yuuji. For a dukedom known for its rambunctious and quite interesting revels, their ruler also harbored the fortitude of being the land’s wildest overseer, his palace always flowing with an abundance of wine and courtesans once a week. Dressed in a black inner-shirt that gave quite a view of his chest and fitting pants, Terushima was quite the heartbreaker. It was noticeable that the duke of Clovers was a magnet for a lady’s attention when Oikawa gave him a dirty look for stealing his glory.

And the subject of your nightmares was standing there in between those three towering leaders. The King of Hearts, Nishinoya Yuu. Being the youngest out of the four of them, Nishinoya inherited the title of king when his father passed on because of an accident when walking down the waterfalls in Turtle Cove (one of the most sought-out attractions in Wonderland), making him the youngest king in the history of the Kingdom of Hearts, only at thirteen. But being the youngest meant that he could be neglecting some of his responsibilities, namely; the rise of the Jabberwocky and the invasion warning of the Queendoms of Chess. He was, in fact, chasing you, rather than doing his job as the King. Before you, however, he was blatantly confessing his love for the radiant Lady Kiyoko but something happened for him to shift towards you.

Nishinoya was dressed in full monochrome regalia, with his white fur coat too big on his short frame and a blinding white suit studded with rhinestones. On top of his head is the royal crown of Hearts, its heart-shaped finial and rubies saying it all. He was grinning when you rose from your curtsy.

You inconspicuously blanched when he grinned at you.

Stiffening in your perch as he jostled down the steps to reach you, you forced a smile on your face, curtsying again.

“Lady [Last Name]! Isn’t it such a fair evening for a grand ball?” he asked in your face, looking up at you with a hopeful expression that would definitely hurt if you ruined it.

“Indeed, Your Majesty,” you replied. “How is your night faring in this wondrous celebration?”

“It is incredible now that I have finally seen your face!” Nishinoya exclaimed with stars in his eyes.

You looked away.

Sugawara, who stood at the foot of the stairs, cleared his throat. “His Royal Majesty would like to request the hand of Lady [Last Name] [Name] for the first quadrille.”

Your eyes widened. “Why, thank you, Your Highness. I am honored.”

The King wasn’t an intimidating man. To be honest, he was the opposite. Nishinoya has the tendency to shout or laugh at the most inopportune moments, like that time Sugawara mistook King Oikawa for being an escort of the Diamond Court. For such a young child, the King of Hearts was a vibrant and kind boy, befriending even the commoners serving as his Royal Guard. His lack of intimidation was what kept you in your best and most civil behavior, seeing as he never treated you harshly.

But he wasn’t the brightest shade of red in the kingdom.

Nishinoya led you to the dance floor and continued gazing at you with utmost adoration but your mind was filled with other matters not concerning the King. Yes, he was a sweet young man and a happy one at that. He was also the one responsible for making Hearts the kingdom as it is today.

“You look utterly stunning, my lady,” Nishinoya told you, looking like a puppy waiting for a treat. It was almost endearing.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” you replied, forcing some enthusiasm in your voice.

It was always forced when it comes to the King, seeing as you always hated the thought of being leashed, of having your dreams taken away from you with just a snap of his royal fingers. And you quite treasured your dreams, your bakery, and the simple life it held. But knowing his royal and boisterous Highness, everything will always come his way.

“My favorite color is red, in fact! And seeing you dressed like an empress, a queen rather, makes my heart pound with longing!”

You recoiled. The implication in his sentence sent a tremor of dread down your spine. Your destiny was inevitable, that’s what your mother said to you when you tried fighting or your dream of being a baker. She said that many things are waiting for you in the life of a noble lady and a possibility was lying in one of them — that you will be the next Queen of Hearts. You didn’t want that.

“You, my lady, are a treasure,” he said, dazed.

Your heart ached for so many things in that moment. Your heart ached for your dream, for your tied-down future, and lastly, for not having the capabilities of returning the king’s affection.

“I definitely should ask,” Nishinoya mumbled shyly as you went back in his arms after a twirl, “but did you bake any treats this evening? I was wondering which of those on the feasting table did you bring?” He glanced at the table at the side of the ballroom, his eyes passing by a munching Lev, who watched the two of you with a knowing glint in his eyes.

Your discomfort vanished in an instant as you smiled at the King. The two of you raised your hands to let the couple beside you duck underneath. Once face to face again, you beamed. “I offered baking the lemon tarts this evening and I’m happy that it was to everyone’s liking.” You continued smiling as you remembered some people talking about your treats. “I do hope you have at least a bite, Your Highness.”

Nishinoya perked up and grinned at you. “That’s fantastic! I might take a bite after the dance!”

“I’m happy to hear that, Your Majesty.”

He missed a couple of dance steps as he visibly gawked at your smile. You couldn’t help but think that it was adorable for a moment. The dance ended after a few twirls and exchange of partners and you find yourself huffing at the exhausting quadrille. However, your partner was energetic as usual as he giggled.

“Thank you for gracing this night with your effervescent presence, Lady [Last Name],” Nishinoya bowed. “Now I must find those tarts of yours in the feasting table.”

“And thank you, Your Majesty,” you replied, curtsying. “You honor me so.”

You can feel your shoulders relax after the young King turned away from you. Not finding any interest in continuing the ball, you tried finding your parents in the crowd to tell them that you have to go home because you’re not feeling well. The ball was so far, tiring and you sluggishly pad your way towards the balcony, not minding the posture your etiquette teacher taught you, in an attempt to have fresh air. But you hadn’t even moved from your spot before the lights flickered out, washing everything in darkness.

The band stopped the music. Shocked gasps chorused amongst the crowd. A scared cry erupted from one spot in the ballroom. You faintly heard one of the guards shouting orders to one another to find out what caused the blackout. But a few minutes later, a spark and a flicker came from above. Everyone looked up to see what kind of spectacle displayed itself. The center chandelier gave an ominous glow over the ballroom, with it being the only thing giving out light.

There, hanging on the chandelier, was a large hoop of glinting silver, and lounging comfortably inside the hoop was a jester.

He was dressed in a midnight black tunic belted at his hips and tight-fitting trousers tucked in a pair of leather knee-length boots. His hands were enclosed in gloves, matching with his whole dark ensemble. Skin glowing amber (unlike the pale skin everybody sported in the kingdom) under the mellow lights of the candles in the chandelier, he continued sitting in the hoop. His hair was so unruly and messy that you assumed he only rolled out of bed before perching above the ballroom. It covered the right part of his face, shadowing his visage even more.

You took in a sharp inhale of breath as you continued staring at him, your heart pounding in your chest.

The unknown stranger’s half-lidded golden eyes were looking straight at you.

part two will be up probably tomorrow any other day bcos let's face it,,, i'm a procrastinator,, i mean, who isn't?