#god declan and rosalie are so cute I love them

[carewyncromwell]

”Halfway between where I've been and where I'm going -- In between wondering why and finally knowing...”

x~x~x~x

HPHM Cardverse developed by @ariparri // student showcase idea by @dat-silvers-girl 

The “duet” written for the fictional opera Judith e Charles is partially inspired by both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the songs “I Believe My Heart” from The Woman in White and “All That Matters” from Finding Neverland, with a rather Shakespearean early modern English tilt to the writing style. ❤️

x~x~x~x

Every spring, the university of Hearts was host to a student exhibition, which was meant to showcase the talents of those enrolled. Although yes, the vast majority of this exhibition would focus around those with performative talents -- namely, singing, dancing, and such -- there was also a gallery for budding artists, a salon for up-and-coming political thinkers, a marketplace for young merchants and craftsmen, and a dueling field for those seeking to join the military. Also new this year, at the urging of the student chosen to organize the exhibition, was a fair showcasing the work of aspiring inventors, historians, professors, doctors, and other more scholarly and/or scientific minds. Fortunately the university’s Dean, Albus Dumbledore, was charmed by the idea, when he first learned of it. 

“Your passion for this is admirable, Carewyn,” Dumbledore said with a dewy smile. “May I presume there’s a personal reason behind it?”

Carewyn glanced away, but she kept her shoulders straight and her voice polite. “The university may highly esteem the arts, but there’s more to its student body than those with artistic leanings. I know people with talents that don’t fit inside the current boxes...they deserve to shine just as much.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Well said. And I’m sure her Majesty the Queen would agree.”

Carewyn frowned slightly. “...Yes. She did say she was planning to attend the exhibition, this year.”

The Dean nodded. “Yes, indeed. I invited his Majesty the King earlier in the year, and he said that they would both be present for it. It is a great honor...one I knew I’d have to take into account, when I chose an organizer for the event.”

His light blue eyes twinkled over his half-moon spectacles at Carewyn. 

“Fortunately,” he said amusedly, “it seems that your high standards have made it so that I don’t need to instill in you the importance of our event in order to ensure its success. I would say if you merely continue on the path you’ve mapped out, everything will be well in-hand.”

Despite this reassurance, Carewyn threw herself all the more into preparations for the event. If the King and Queen were going to be present, then the students at the exhibition would have all the more opportunities to garner personal success, so she had to make sure those students were shown at their best. And so Carewyn personally supervised the construction of every stage and the decoration of every hall, as well as all formal dress rehearsals, just to make sure that any tiny little issue one of the performers or back-stage volunteers might’ve had would be properly addressed. 

When Carewyn first started at the university, most of her classmates saw her as stuck-up, because she dressed so austerely and never attended any parties. By the time the exhibition arrived, however, that perception largely changed. Her talent for organization and for inspiring others really were put in the spotlight for the first time, and she put in so much care and so much of her own time to ensure that everyone was comfortable and prepared for the event. Even those girls who used to mock Carewyn’s ugly black spinster dresses found themselves a bit chagrined, seeing how diligently she mended their costumes and how expertly she dealt with disputes. 

This didn’t mean, of course, that Carewyn’s friends didn’t sometimes need to intervene. Carewyn was such a perfectionist that she put in so much work at the expense of her own health, which prompted Diego, Barnaby, and especially Chiara to call “time-out” every-so-often so that Carewyn could take a proper lunch break. 

“Thank you,” Carewyn said awkwardly one day when Chiara delivered a whole tea service in the middle of rehearsal. “It’s just...King Declan and Queen Rosalie are planning to attend the exhibition this year. It’s a big opportunity for everyone involved...and with the Queen’s health the way it is...”

“...It’s remarkable that she’ll be able to come at all,” finished Chiara with a knowing nod. 

The young nursing major had accompanied Madam Pomfrey to the palace a lot more often as of late -- the Queen’s age and underlying risk factors had been affecting her health, which meant her chronic gout had been acting up even more in response and she’d been restricted to her bed for extended periods. She’d even been unable to attend any of the Kingdom’s usual new year’s festivities, due to her condition. 

Carewyn nodded, her face growing more solemn. 

“The Queen really enjoys large social events,” she said softly. “I gather the Passion Ball is her favorite time of year. So I know she must be looking forward to this, even with how her health has been...if she is able to come, I want to make sure she has as good of a time as she can.”

Chiara smiled as she took Carewyn’s hand. “I’m sure Queen Rosalie will appreciate all the work you’ve put in, Carewyn.”

x~x~x~x

The day of the event, Carewyn arrived at the exhibition dressed more nicely than anyone had ever seen her. She’d saved up coin by coin over the course of a year, and finally she’d managed to collect enough to buy a new, Kingdom-of-Hearts-produced dress. The light pink linen fabric and the off-the-shoulder puff sleeves gave Carewyn a sweet, delicate glow that prompted many stares from the student body. Even Diego -- looking dashing as ever in light blue and gold -- couldn’t stop himself from striding right up to his friend, throwing his arms around her, and flooding her with compliments. 

“Carewyn Cromwell!” he greeted amiably. “Look at you! You look marvelous! Like a cherub dressed in clouds! A pink rose, in the flesh!” 

Carewyn couldn’t hold in her amusement. When she’d seen Diego’s over-the-top compliments as insincere, she’d only be able to hear them as condescending -- but now that she knew how ridiculously and almost innocently sincere they were, she couldn’t help but laugh, whenever he gushed so profusely. 

“Diego!” she tried to scold him through her giggles. “For goodness’ sake -- it’s just a new dress...”

Diego pulled away, holding her at arm’s length as he grinned brightly. “A new dress? Hardly! We all stand up that bit straighter, when we’re wearing something that makes us happy!”

He smiled a bit more warmly.

“Trust me, Carewyn -- it’s you that’s glowing, not the dress.”

Carewyn’s eyes softened a bit as she smiled, clearly touched. 

“...Thank you, Diego.”

x~x~x~x

The student exhibition that year was a great success. The science and historical research fair, in particular, was extremely popular -- Carewyn’s heart was practically bursting at the seams with pride when she overheard several doctors discussing Chiara’s medical research. 

Oh, Jacob -- Mum...if only your discoveries were here too, she couldn’t help but think, those men would be celebrating you just as much...everyone would...

Barnaby himself excelled on the dueling field, beating nearly all of his opponents in various forms of combat. His only loss that entire day ended up being to Diego in sword combat, but it was well-known among the student body that Diego was an expert swordsman. His footwork on the dueling field was as precise as it was on the dance floor, allowing him to dodge attacks and weave around his opponent with ease.

Carewyn also participated in the political salon, so as to showcase her knowledge of international law. While there, she got into a heated debate with a fellow student regarding the acceptance of refugees into the Kingdom of Hearts, when he insinuated that there wasn’t enough housing and financial resources set aside to support them.

“As a refugee from Spades myself, I can testify that we require no further ‘support’ than any other citizen of Hearts,” Carewyn said very sharply. “And even if financial resources were so limited, they would not be for long, once those refugees contribute to our Kingdom the same way they did in the Country of Spades. Welcoming those who need a home is a humanitarian effort, and international law already ordains that they should not be treated cruelly...but bringing new minds and voices into our fold is also an investment in our future. More labor means more production, and fresh ideas means innovation. Diversity means both personal and national growth. Any short-term cost in money is one we should be able to stomach, when the rewards we will reap as a society are so great.”

It was as the salon came to an end that Carewyn realized they’d had an audience. Waiting just outside the salon, she found Queen Rosalie waiting for her.

“Your Excellency!” Carewyn said, startled but also smiling.

The Queen of Hearts immediately held out her arms wide, encircling Carewyn in them once she got close enough. 

“My dear Carewyn,” she said indulgently. “I’d recognize your passionate voice anywhere.”

The Queen took both of Carewyn’s hands and brought them around her arm pointedly.

“Come! Walk with me.”

Carewyn did so. At several points as they walked, Queen Rosalie gave a wince, which she tried to cover up with her usual lady-like smile. 

“Queen Rosalie,” Carewyn said concernedly, “are you all right?”

But Rosalie merely patted her hand. “Oh yes, dear -- simply the gout acting up...”

“You should sit down,” Carewyn said at once.

“Oh, I will, I will,” Rosalie waved this off. “It’s only just starting to flare -- I’ll sit down before it gets worse.”

She smiled warmly at Carewyn, her dark eyes sparkling. 

“Declan and I have been walking around, surveying everything you put together...Carewyn, my dear, I am so impressed.”

Carewyn shook her head modestly. “Thank you, but it wasn’t just me. Everyone came together to do this.”

“True...but you helped bring them together so that they could do it,” said Rosalie. “That kind of leadership is important -- and the humility to accept praise on behalf of all, rather than just yourself, is very endearing,” she added with a slightly wryer smile. 

Carewyn couldn’t bite back a small smile of her own. 

“Where is the King?” she asked curiously. 

“At the dueling field -- I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so focused on something that wasn’t in a book,” laughed Rosalie. “I promised to meet him at the performance showcase, after I found you...you are planning to sing for it, are you not?”

“Yes,” said Carewyn. “I’ll be singing a solo at the beginning of the night, but I’ll also be singing a duet with a friend of mine, later on. I hope you’ll enjoy it,” she added with a smile. 

“I'm certain I will.”

x~x~x~x

Every year, the performance showcase was always the grand finale of the university’s student exhibition, and this time was no exception. There were so many different acts that Carewyn had had to make a very long list and several files to keep track of them all -- singers, bands, dancers, acrobats, magicians, actors, comedians...it was a dizzying array, and yet somehow or another, everything came together.

Carewyn performed her solo right after a cherubic-faced girl dressed in lavender. The song was more hopeful than anything she’d sung in a while, and it made her low First Alto tone echo with a resilient, empowering kind of warmth. 

“Though April showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May, So if it's raining, have no regrets, Because it isn't raining rain, you know -- it's raining violets... And where you see clouds upon the hills, You soon will see crowds of daffodils, So keep on looking for a bluebird And list'ning for his song, Whenever April showers come along...”

The entire time Carewyn sang, Lane and Jacob’s faces rippled over her mind, and she couldn’t help but hope that, wherever they were, they could feel how much she wished she could reach them. 

The King and Queen watched the showcase from their own private section, distanced a bit from the rest of the audience the same way the Dean and university faculty’s “box” was on the opposite side. Rosalie herself held Declan’s arm the entire time, resting her face beside his arm -- the gesture made the more reserved King’s face soften around his blush, his eyes resting absently on the crown resting in her hair as he leaned in and whispered,

“Your favorite has a wide array of talents.”

Rosalie beamed. “Doesn’t she?”

“Yes,” said Declan. “I would hardly have believed she could be as studious as you’ve described, with how comfortable she appears on that stage.”

Rosalie looked very proud. 

“I knew she’d be able to manage it,” said the Queen. “Carewyn might not be much one for socializing, and she might avoid the spotlight far too much, even when she’s truly earned it, but she’s so capable. And she stands so tall and proud, in the face of adversity. Rather like someone else I know.”

The Queen lightly toyed with the gold tassels decorating her King’s coat. Declan couldn’t fight back a fond smile even with how proud and stoic his shoulders stayed locked.

“Do you mean to say that you chose her because she reminds you of me?” asked Declan.

Rosalie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Mm, not necessarily...but I suppose it would explain why I like her so.” 

The duet that Diego and Carewyn sang toward the very end of the showcase was from Judith e Charles, Queen Rosalie’s favorite opera. It was a stirring and dramatic duet set toward the end of the tragic story, centered on King Charles’s decision to remain by his mad Queen’s side, even as the Knave of Hearts’ men close in around the Palace of Hearts, calling for their deaths. 

“Off with their heads! Pray, off with their heads! Is there aught else? Nay! Still you caterwaul at the sky Time after time and day after day! Where's thy sense? Where's thy head? Has't thee hath lost those folk ages ago? Who art thee anon? Art thee truly thee? I hardly even know... Mine dearest, mine queen, comf'rt me.”

“Off with their heads, I hath said -- Through a needle, a thread I clutch onto with nary a place to start... Who art thee? Who is’t? I? I whisper and cry, With nothing to trust but mine own heart, And mine heart trusts thee... ...Mine heart trusts thee...”

“The night hast become so dark t's as pitch -- I wonder at which hour last we hadst day. We liveth a life here yond's so very rich, And anon for t we might not but pay. The kingdom is rousing like a beast in the night; Those gents've cometh for our hides and our souls Like a Jabberwock; there's no end in sight Naught a way to accomplish thy goals, And yet as we stand, damn'd as can be, All I seeth is thee... This is mine destiny. If 't be true this is mine end, with mine final breath, Mine tend'r hands shalt maketh amends Before I meet sweet Death! If 't be true this is mine end, I shalt give thee peace -- Mine own gentlest spell shalt bless us well, And our fearful reign shall cease.”

“Off with their heads! Off with their heads! I clutch at a needle, through the needle, a thread -- I know not what doth -- I know not what I hath said -- Off with their heads -- prithee, off with their -- ! Wherefore won't those gents come? Prithee, wherefore won't those gents hear? Where is their loyalty? Pray, where is their fear? Wherefore won't they hark? I’m their queen, do they not see? Off with their heads, I bid thee! Wherefore won't thee heed me? ...Off with their heads...off with their heads...”

“’Tis over, mine dearest. ‘Tis over, mine love.   There's no heads to be taken -- Thou hast them all.”

“Not all, husband mine. There is one here still.”

“Mine heart is yours already. Take mine head as well.”

“We art one, you and I, yond's once what thee said -- If I tooketh thy head, I too wouldst be dead.”

The number received a lot of applause from those assembled. Even Dumbledore took a moment to rise to his feet and applaud it, shooting a rather pointed look over at the royal “box” across the audience from where he and the faculty were sitting. The Dean’s expression made Declan fail to fight back a grin. 

Rosalie raised her eyebrows curiously at her more reserved counterpart. 

“What’s that smile for?” she asked. 

Declan turned to her. 

"Forgive me, my dear,” he said amusedly. “I’m merely pleased.”

Seeing the prodding look Rosalie gave him, Declan explained. 

“The other day Professor Dumbledore spoke to me of a student of his who he thought I should consider as a possible favorite.”

Rosalie cocked her eyebrows, smiling wryly. “Albus must’ve felt very confident, to make any such suggestions to you.” 

“He was -- I, however, was not. One’s charm and popularity amongst his peers means nothing, in the face of such great responsibility.”

Declan’s expression softened.

“...But then, as if by fate...Madam Rosmerta arrived with your birthday gift...and she remarked that that very same candidate had also purchased one for a dear friend of his, who was forced to spend the holidays alone.”

The King’s eyes sparkled at Rosalie. 

“And I remembered, when we first took on our roles...how generous you were, in trying to help an uptight, awkward young King feel welcome and appreciated. And sure enough, when I watched this candidate of the Dean’s at the dueling field -- fighting his hardest and yet also helping and instructing those who needed guidance, with the biggest smile on his face...”

He nodded to Diego up on the stage as he took Carewyn’s hand so that they could bow together before departing behind the curtain. 

“...Even now -- up on that stage, loyally supporting his partner as they play their parts before the whole world...all I can see is you.” 

Rosalie took this all in, stunned. Then, as she slowly digested Declan’s words, her eyes slowly lit up. 

“Carewyn,” she whispered in delight. “Carewyn had to spend the holidays alone, without her mother and brother -- Chiara mentioned it, when I asked about her after the Passion Ball...”

This information only seemed to make Declan’s smile grow. 

“So it seems my new favorite,” he said with a soft, wry smile, “is on rather good terms with your favorite.” 

Rosalie’s face shone as bright as a sunbeam. 

“Oh, Declan!” she sighed happily. 

She swept in and placed a chaste kiss to her King’s lips, her delicate hands resting on his scratchy, bearded cheeks and she nuzzled his nose with hers. Declan didn’t return the gesture -- instead he smiled and blushed as he closed his eyes, relishing his Queen’s affection. 

x~x~x~x

The day after the exhibition, Dumbledore bestowed Carewyn with a certificate of merit from the university, commending her excellent organization of the student exhibition. Enclosed with that certificate was a letter from the King and Queen of Hearts, written on formal letterhead parchment and sealed with an official royal seal --

To Carewyn Cromwell, from their Majesties, Declan Conroy, King of Hearts, and Rosalie Emilien, Queen of Hearts;

The Crown sends along its highest regards for your university’s wonderful student exhibition. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed, nor has your skill for organization, knowledge of international law and politics, and gift for public performance. These qualities are not easy to cultivate and, combined with your kind heart, modest nature, and passionate desire to help others, her Majesty the Queen expresses the sincere belief that you could do much good for the Kingdom of Hearts, as her successor. And so it is with this letter that we formally invite you to join the court of Hearts and bestow upon you the title of Princess of Hearts, in the hopes that that crown bestowed upon you will be greater, upon Her Majesty’s retirement. 

On a more personal note, her Majesty is well aware that you may consider yourself ill-prepared to take on the mantle of queenship. We hope that you shall take comfort knowing that you are not the first to feel unworthy of the responsibility offered to you, nor the first to look at the Palace of Hearts as something of a gilded cage. But given the Queen’s health, she has been seeking a replacement for some time, and both she and His Majesty think that you would have both good vision and strong conviction when it comes to providing and caring for the Kingdom of Hearts and its people. And even if you ultimately choose not to accept the honor of queenship, however disappointed her Majesty would be, both of us sincerely hope you will still accept a place at our court, for your voice would be strongly valued there. Her Majesty would also like to invite you into her confidence enough to confess that you will find several friendly faces at the court of Hearts, should you choose to join. 

The Crown favors you greatly, Carewyn Cromwell, and we eagerly await your next visit to the Palace of Hearts.

Signed,

Declan of Hearts

Rosalie R