Archetypes: The Royal Flush

If the Shoe Fits: A Royal Flush Short

Cardios
Kingdom Xanthos
Xanthos Castle

Out of the four, Cassidy was least open to the idea of spending time with the Kings in their own respective Kingdoms. Perhaps she would be more open to it – if only any of the other three would be there with her. However, fate didn’t seem to grant her the opportunity.

She had attempted to quarrel with Jacques Amadour, stating that she didn’t trust him fully as to let him have her in the Kingdom’s castle with him alone. Jacques argued against that, saying that it wasn’t just him who would be with her. A few feet away, Jacques’ Knight nodded in agreement.

“Jacques doesn’t keep the castle to himself,” Xian Long explained. “Someone needs to keep him straight before he burns the whole thing down.”

That didn’t make her feel any better.

It took Robelle a lot to convince her to go. Cassidy had thought that the other was crazy before Robelle put her foot down, glaring angrily at the stubborn girl.

“Are you seriously going to let him be the cause of your mistrust? King Jacques already proved himself to you. Don’t make him go through anymore of your ‘woes’,” she snapped, lacing the word with sarcasm. “He’s not untrustworthy. He is a King and already has been for a number of years.”

“So you side with them,” Cassidy accused Robelle. The latter merely held her head high, folding her arms over her chest.

“I trust them. They’re helping us out. If Astrid’s game with the idea of staying with Nicholas all over at Raleigh, then why aren’t you?”

“Nicholas is better than Jacques!”

“And for what reason aside from the fact that he looks like your ex-boyfriend?” Robelle snapped.

That made Cassidy’s eye twitch. “Get out.”

The Royal Flush Relationships: Jacques and Cassidy

Harvest Time: A Royal Flush Short

Cardios
Kingdom of Khloris
Harvest Fields

Robelle shielded her eyes from the sun and squinted at the field, seeing Antonio casually talk with the other farmers. The man had opted for simpler wear, and Robelle watched as he laughed and assisted them in their harvesting.

No – rather, he was doing the harvesting himself. Robelle Florence watched, amazed, as he picked tomatoes and tended to the plants, carrying a large watering pail while a basket full of the red fruit was strapped to his back like a bag. She had earlier offered her help when he told her what he would be doing, but the King politely declined and told her that she’d like it more in the shade.

Contrary to his belief, Robelle preferred to be active. Although not as sporty as the other girls back in school, Robelle prided herself to be the most confident in sports of the four. She did wonderfully at soccer (although failed at swimming), and training long hours under the sun accustomed her to the heat.

Beside her, Clemente Benenati, Franco’s twin brother, was painting a lovely picture of the scenery with a carefree smile on his face. “You look like you  wish to join him, Lady Robelle,” Clemente observed. Robelle made a face.

“I’m willing to – and don’t call me Lady, please…plain old Robelle would do.”

“But King Alberto told us to address you with respect–”

“You’ll be respecting me more if you just call me Robelle,” the other pushed. Clemente made a face, swallowed, and then nodded. Robelle smiled. “No need to feel so bad about it, Clemente.”

“If you say so.” The male returned to painting and Robelle shook her head slowly, looking back at the field. Away, Franco was busy sorting the ripe tomatoes from the under and over. Albero still looked interested in what he was doing, and Robelle tilted her head as she continued watching. “You should join him,” Clemente suddenly suggested.

“Didn’t you hear me? He won’t let me,” Robelle tried. Clemente, however, stood up after setting his art materials down. “What are you doing?”

“He can be too noble sometimes,” the twin complained. He grabbed her arm and tugged lightly, “Come with me.”

The Royal Flush Relationships: Alberto and Robelle

Inclement: A Royal Flush Short

Cardios
Kingdom of Gorlassar
Gorlassar Castle

Main Entrance

“I can’t believe how rainy it is over here,” Karina Lestrange told the King, “Over at home, the weather is similarly close or practically the same. It’s like I never left in the first place,” she finished. Amused at her comparison, Arthur merely listened. The wooden carriage was bringing them back to the castle after a day of roaming the Kingdom; Arthur had toured her around and introduced her to a number of citizens. Up in the front, Alexander called.

“How does the weather look?”

“How else does it look?” Arthur replied dryly, “Aside from wet and depressing?” Karina heard Alexander snort and the King shook his head. “It might get worse. Speed up.”

“Don’t exert Georgia too much,” the blonde Knight complained. Either way, the carriage sped up and Karina found herself with her back against the seat, the surroundings falling away even faster as they moved to the castle. “We should be back in a good ten minutes. Is that fast enough for you?”

“Don’t test me,” Arthur replied, glancing at Karina and rolling his eyes. Karina merely smiled, glancing out the window of the carriage.

In truth, Karina hadn’t been feeling at her best. Ever since her friends had departed to three different kingdoms (Astrid to Raleigh, Robelle to Khloris and Cassidy to Xanthos), she felt strangely alone. Even though she was much more introverted and preferred to sit back and observe people, she had to admit that being away from her usual circle wasn’t that good at all.

(Arthur noticed. )

That morning, while they were having breakfast, Arthur told her to dress for the outdoors. When Karina replied that she didn’t have any other attire, Alexander ‘coincidentally’ passed by and dropped a parcel on an empty spot next to her utensils.

Contained inside the parcel was a set of new clothes.

So there she was, on the way back wearing a new attire. Karina was mildly thankful that whoever arranged her outfit chose for her to not wear a skirt.

“-rina?”

“I – sorry, what?” Karina glanced up at Arthur. The brunet King was studying her with his sapphire-colored eyes. “Did you say something?”

The Royal Flush Relationships: Arthur and Karina