*~*~*~*~*

The council room was vast, its marble floors gleaming under the weight of history. The towering walls were adorned with the emblems of Wonderland's four suits, each throne a testament to the legacy of its realm. The Heartlands' crimson seat was the most commanding, a throne carved from rosewood, its backrest adorned with intricate thorns and wild roses. Across from it stood the sparkling white stone of the Diamonds, a seat that glittered in the light like a jewel. The black iron throne of the Spades was sleek and cold, an imposing silhouette that seemed to absorb the very light around it. And lastly, the Clubs’ dark throne was rougher, forged from iron but etched with delicate, swirling patterns, reminiscent of both strength and cunning.

At the center of the room sat the round table, its surface as polished and cold as the floor beneath it. The rulers of each suit gathered here, seated in their respective thrones, their eyes sharp with the weight of years of political games. A heavy silence stretched across the room as the monarchs settled into their seats. Tension hung thick in the air—each ruler was well aware of the stakes in this meeting, the delicate balance they all sought to maintain.

The first to enter was the Queen of Hearts. She moved with an air of calculated grace, her crimson gown trailing behind her like bloodstained water. Her fiery hair, like the flames of a fire yet to be tamed, framed a face sharp with intent, her eyes gleaming with a ferocity that made the other rulers uneasy. They rose from their thrones as she passed, offering the customary respect, though their movements were stiff, wary. No one dared speak.

As Carys took her seat on the Heartlands' throne, the others slowly resumed their places, the council at last coming to order. The heavy silence lingered for a beat longer, the air thick with anticipation. Then, her voice sliced through the stillness, calm but with an edge of authority.

“It is time for us to discuss the future of Wonderland,” she began, her tone a smooth purr. Her gaze swept over the room, holding the eyes of each monarch in turn. “Each of us has watched the balance of our realms shift over the years. Some have thrived; others have faltered. But the Heartlands have risen. And now, it is time for Wonderland to unite under one banner.”

A subtle murmur rippled through the room. The other rulers exchanged glances, none of them willing to speak just yet. Carys’ ambition was no secret; neither was her ruthlessness.

“The Heartlands stand at the pinnacle of power, and it is only natural that we expand,” she continued, her voice now steely, firm. “I propose that we claim the northern borderlands. It is a disputed territory, yes, but one that is ripe for resolution. If Wonderland is to have peace and stability, it will need to be governed under one rule. And that is the rule of the Heartlands.”

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. There was no mistaking Carys’ intent. She wasn’t asking for agreement-she was demanding it.

A cold tension settled over the room. Gemma, the Queen of Diamonds, sat stiffly in her throne, the light from her shimmering stone throne reflecting in her eyes, turning them into hard, unforgiving mirrors. Though she was a queen of wealth and influence, her resistance was clear. She might not have the fire of Carys, but she was no fool.

“And what do you propose we do if we do not agree with your terms, Carys?” Gemma’s voice was soft, but underlined with a defiance that could not be ignored. “You cannot simply take what is not yours. The northern borderlands are not just yours for the taking. They are disputed for a reason," she stated simply, but firmly

Carys’ lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. It was cold and calculating, a predator’s grin. “If you do not agree,” she said, her tone slipping into something darker, “I trust you will find a way to be useful.”

A murmur rippled through the room at her words. The other rulers shifted uncomfortably, but none dared to challenge her directly. To do so would mean more than just a verbal disagreement; it would mean the end of diplomatic relations. In other terms, it would mean war.

Queen Lyra of Spades, always calm and composed, shifted slightly in her seat. Her fingers drummed rhythmically on the armrest of her throne, betraying the storm of thoughts brewing in her mind. Lyra was a master strategist, but even she knew the stakes were high.

“Perhaps there is a more…delicate way to approach this,” Lyra suggested, her voice low and measured. “Surely, we can reach a compromise without resorting to open conflict. There must be a way to ensure peace without any...bloodshed.”

Carys turned her sharp gaze toward Lyra, a small laugh escaping her lips. “Delicate?” she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. “Do you think weakness will save you, Lyra? Wonderland does not have time for diplomacy now. I have extended my hand in friendship, but if it is not enough…then so be it.”

Her words sliced through the room like a sharp blade. The other queens and kings exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared speak out against her openly, as the weight of Carys' words was undeniable. The air grew thick with anticipation, each monarch calculating their next move, and being mindful on their choice of words.

“The Heartlands will rise to rule all of Wonderland,” Carys declared, her voice now commanding. “You have all been warned. Wonderland will be governed by one force, and that force will be mine.”

Her words were an ultimatum, and they rang out in the stillness of the room like a declaration of war. For a moment, no one spoke. The silence was suffocating, a heavy, oppressive weight that no one dared break.

It was then that King Sterling of Diamonds, his presence quiet yet undeniable, spoke up. Unlike Carys, Sterling was a diplomat, always seeking peaceful resolutions, no matter the cost. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Carys’ fiery ambition.

“We cannot simply allow this to spiral into a war, Carys,” he said gently, his voice carrying the weight of his concern. “We must consider all options. There must be another way, a way for us to come together as rulers, not adversaries.”

Carys glanced at him, her expression softening ever so slightly, but her eyes remained sharp, unyielding.

“The time for diplomacy is over, Sterling,” she replied. “This is a time for action.”

King Mortis of Clubs, seated beside Queen Lyra, remained silent, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes, however, betrayed little. Queen Athena could feel his thoughts as if they were her own. The Clubs were the most calculating of all the suits, and Mortis wasn’t one to be easily swayed by words. His loyalty to Lyra ran deep, but the Clubs were not foolish enough to underestimate Carys’ strength.

“Perhaps we should resort to discussing this in private,” Athena suggested, her voice low, her eyes meeting Carys’ with a silent challenge. “We have not yet exhausted all possibilities.”

But Carys wasn’t at all interested in negotiations. “No,” she said sharply, her voice once again cutting through the air. “The decision is final. The borderlands will fall under the Heartlands’ rule, or I will take them by force. You will each choose your side.”

                                 ♣️

After the meeting, the royal gardens seemed darker than usual, the weight of the discussion still lingering in the air. Athena walked alongside Thorne, the King of Clubs. Their footsteps were soft against the cobblestones, but the shadows of the trees stretched long, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

“We cannot let Carys take everything,” Athena murmured, her sharp gaze scanning the horizon. “But we must be careful. A confrontation now would only play into her hands. We must bide our time.”

Thorne didn’t respond immediately, his eyes focused on the path ahead. But the quiet intensity in his gaze told Athena everything she needed to know. The Clubs were not a faction to be underestimated. They had their networks, their spies in the Underground, those who would oppose Carys’ rule. But it would not be an easy fight.

~~~

Later that day, in the chambers of Queen Gemma, the weight of the council meeting still hung heavy. She sat alone, staring out at the sparkling lights of Diamond district, her mind racing. The Diamonds were powerful, wealthy, and influential—but compared to the Heartlands, they were small. If Carys’ ambitions were realized, there was little hope for them.

Sterling entered quietly, his presence steady and reassuring. He approached her throne, his expression thoughtful.

“Do you trust her?” he aksed in a soft, gentle tone, his voice carrying the weight of his concern. “Do you truly believe we can negotiate our way out of this?”

Gemma didn’t answer immediately. She stared out at the city below, her thoughts consumed by doubt. “I do not trust her,” she whispered, her voice tight with frustration. “But it seems we have no choice. For now, we must play her game.”

********

The sun sank behind the hills, casting a deep red light across the sky. Carys stood alone in the throne room, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The weight of her decision pressed down on her, but she welcomed it. Wonderland was hers to claim-it always had been.

“No one will take this from me,” she muttered under her breath, her voice cold and unwavering. Her eyes narrowed, a silent vow forming in her mind. "No one."

The quiet of the room was broken only by the soft rustle of the curtains as the evening breeze gently entered through the open window. It felt like the calm before the storm, a fleeting moment before the world would change irrevocably. Carys turned from the window, her eyes now filled with a fire that seemed to consume everything around her. She had made her decision. And now, there was no turning back.

********

The following days were marked by a tense silence in Wonderland's royal halls. Whispers spread like wildfire, rumors of a new order taking shape, and the rulers of each suit found themselves on edge. The quiet was deceptive; beneath the surface, alliances were forming, and old rivalries were being stoked. Everyone knew that Wonderland’s fate had been sealed, and the only question that remained was who would align with Carys and who would oppose her.
                                ♦️

In the heart of the Diamond district, Queen Gemma was still seated in her private chambers, the weight of the situation bearing down on her. Her kingdom had flourished for centuries, known for its wealth and its delicate balance of diplomacy. But now, Carys was threatening to upend it all. She had seen ambition before, but never one so unyielding, so determined to reshape Wonderland to her will.

Sterling’s voice broke her thoughts. He entered the room quietly, his presence a calm contrast to the turmoil swirling around them.

“Have you made a decision?” he asked, his gaze steady but laced with the uncertainty of their situation.

Gemma rose from her throne-like chair, her fingers gently tracing the rim of a diamond-encrusted chalice. She looked out over her kingdom, her mind racing with possibilities.

“I cannot allow Carys to take everything,” she said, her voice a low murmur, the resolve building in her chest. “But I cannot stand alone either. The other realms will turn on us if we act too rashly. We need more allies.”

Sterling nodded, his eyes narrowing as he began to piece together their next steps. “Then we must find those who will stand with us. The Clubs, perhaps—Lyra will understand the need for caution. And maybe… maybe the Spades, though they are harder to read.”

“I’ll reach out to Lyra,” Gemma said decisively. “She values strategy above all else. If we can convince her to see the bigger picture, she may be our strongest ally. But the Spades…” Her voice trailed off, knowing that Lyra’s kingdom was a labyrinth of political webs that few could untangle.

                                ♠️

Elsewhere, in the shadowed gardens of the Spades’ kingdom, Queen Lyra stood alone, her silhouette cast long in the waning light of day. Her thoughts were heavy, the weight of Carys’ ultimatum pressing down on her. Lyra had always valued neutrality, but the idea of a single ruler dominating Wonderland did not sit well with her. The balance must be maintained, she knew that, but how far was she willing to go to stop Carys?

The sudden rustle of footsteps interrupted her musings, and she turned to find King Mortis of Spades approaching. His dark, steely eyes met hers, and for a moment, neither spoke.

“Lyra,” Mortis finally said, his voice low, as though testing the waters. “You understand what’s at stake. Carys will not stop until she has all of Wonderland. And when she does, she will turn her eyes toward us.”

Lyra met his gaze, her expression unreadable. “And what would you have me do, Mortis? Fight against her? Our armies are strong, but the Heartlands are the heart of Wonderland. It would be a war that no one could win.”

“Not if we take the fight to her first,” Mortis replied, his tone more confident now. “But not alone. We need the Diamonds. And the Clubs, of course. We may be few, but together, we could strike at the Heartlands before they fully unite. If we don’t act, we lose Wonderland forever.”

Lyra hesitated, her mind whirling with the implications of what Mortis was suggesting. She knew he wasn’t wrong-if they didn’t act now, they would be caught under Carys’ iron rule. But Lyra had never been one for rash decisions. She needed more time to consider her options, to understand what each move would mean for the future.

“I will think on it,” Lyra finally said, her voice calm but firm. “But know this, Mortis; if we go down this path, there will be no turning back.”

                                ♥️

Back at the Heartlands, Carys stood once again before her throne, her fingers lightly resting on the rosewood armrest. Her thoughts were cold and calculating, her vision clear. Wonderland would bend to her will. It was only a matter of time before her reign began in full.

But even she was not blind to the challenges ahead. She knew that her demand had placed her at the center of a delicate web of politics, and while her power in the Heartlands was unmatched, the other realms had their strengths too. It was not just military might she needed to win—it was the hearts and minds of the other rulers.

With a deliberate motion, Carys summoned her trusted advisor, Seraphina of the Northern Territories, to her chambers. Seraphina was known for her tactical brilliance and icy demeanor. She had played the game of thrones for years and was one of the few who could truly match Carys’ strategic mind.

Once Seraphina entered, her silver hair shimmering like a stormcloud, Carys stood to greet her, a rare smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“I trust you’ve been keeping watch on the other realms?” Carys asked, her voice smooth, but laced with a cold edge.

Seraphina nodded. “Yes, my queen. The Diamonds are uneasy, and the Clubs are preparing for something—exactly what, I do not know. Lyra is cautious, but she is not stupid. She sees the shifting tides, and she knows we cannot allow your rule to go uncontested.”

Carys leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with determination. “Then we shall show them our power. Let them come to us if they dare.”

Seraphina’s expression softened slightly, though the sharpness in her eyes never wavered. “I have already made preparations, Your Majesty. The northern territories are ready for whatever comes next.”

Carys smiled again, this time with true satisfaction. “Good. We will take Wonderland piece by piece. No one can stop us.”

********

The chessboard was set. As the queens and kings of Wonderland prepared for what was coming, alliances shifted, and plans were laid in the shadows. Every monarch had their own vision of what Wonderland could become, but only one could hold the throne.

In the darkened corridors of the royal palace, where whispers of power grew louder, the future of Wonderland would be decided—not by words, but by the actions of those willing to rise above it all.

The quest for power and leadership was in progress. And for Carys, this was only just the beginning.