Pairings: Monaco/Seychelles, mentions of past Seborga/Monaco


Queen of Hearts

Chapter 1 – Falling (but Not in Love)


For Seychelles, the Academy in autumn was a bit too cold a place. Strong gusts of wind cooled her face and tied knots in her hair. A few leaves danced across the street. It was the beginning of a new school year and the weather was doing everything in its power to remind people of that.

It was three weeks before the start of Seychelles's second year in the World Academy W and she had just jumped off the plane there. Still dragging her luggage behind her, she was tired. The flight from her home was a long one. All she wanted to do was get to her lovely, old, single room and rest a bit before dealing with the odd assortment of people which studied alongside her.

Unfortunately, that was not a wish that was about to be granted. Because, coming closer to the Southern Dormitories, Seychelles's vision was drawn to an enormous, orange poster.

"The Southern Dormitories have been closed due to water damage caused by flooding. Please contact the Head of Dorms before the beginning of the term... This is horrible!"

Seychelles dropped her duffel bag to the ground in defeat, as to be able to gesture violently at the air. What kind of idiot left the water running over the summer!?

Letting loose a small scream in frustration, Seychelles turned around and stormed towards the main building of the school. Slamming open any doors in her way, she made her way into the Student Council's room. There she stopped, catching her breath, as the sole inhabitant of the room raised his hand and waved at her distractedly.

"Good morning, Seychelles. Glad you decided to finally show up at school. We have a lot of things that needs to get done before the semester starts." England ranted hurriedly as he shifted through papers, not even noticing her stressed out condition. As the President of the School Council, no doubt had he already arrived weeks ago to set things up. He was the only member to actually do any work most of the time. "Did you know the Southern Dorms have been closed? Some leak or something. We need to fix a list of were people can stay when they change the floors and such."

"I know! I live in the Southern Dorms!"

That made England finally look up. "Seychelles, are you quite al-right? You seem... bothered."

England may be a downer at most times, and really bossy at others, and weird, but deep down he was a nice guy. It was buried very deep down, under layers and layers of... England being England. Still, he was Seychelles's friend, so when he pulled out a chair and tried acting like the gentleman he often pretended he was, she sat down with a small smile. Part of her was glad to be back.

"Because of the flooding I have nowhere to live now. I'll have to find someone to share a room with now, but I don't even know any girls in this school besides Hungary, and she already has a room mate." Seychelles managed to explain when she'd calmed down a bit. "Are there even any other girls here?"

"I'm quite confident there are at least two more."

"Like that's any help. They're probably rooming with each other."

"I guess. You might have to find a room in town. Though that's a really long way to travel every morning." England had gained a thoughtful look. "Speaking of something completely different... If you just got here, and your room is closed off... Where did you put your luggage?"

Seychelles stood up, knocking down her chair in the process. "I left it by the dorm! I'll be right back!" She was throwing up the door and preparing to sprint towards the dorm as she bumped into someone, knocking them both to the ground.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there." She looked up to find France, vice-president of the Student Council.

"It's alright, ma chérie."

"So you finally bothered to show up, frog?" England questioned as he rose from his chair to help them both up. "We have a lot of work that needs to be done before school starts."

"I only came by to leave this at the lost-and-found box, Angleterre." France brushed off the Brit, smiling smoothly. He held up a gigantic turquoise duffel bag. "I found it outside, just abandoned in the street."

"That's my bag! Thanks."

"You really need to start looking after your things." England returned to his desk, stacking together his papers. "Anyway, we need to find possible lodging for almost half of the student body. A lot of them can bunk with people in the Northern Dorms, but those rooms are limited as well. Frog, go and find a list of people who have double rooms to themselves. Seychelles, you... you just try to find some-place to stay yourself, to begin with."

France looked up at that, shock glittering in his eyes in a most melodramatic way. "Ma chérie, you don't have anywhere to live?"

Seychelles simply shrugged. "I don't know any girls. You know, that I could bunk with."

"Why didn't you just say so? I have the answer to all your problems, chérie. I know every pretty girl in school. Naturally."

Seychelles felt herself relaxing, even though France was just showing off. "That's great!"

"Of course, it is moi. Now, to begin with I think we can ask my sister. She has a single room, but if every student from the Southern Dorms rooms in the Northern ones, doubles will fill up very quickly."

"You have a sister!?" Seychelles quickly closed her mouth, which had opened a bit too wide.

France huffed up his chest. "Why wouldn't I?"

"No reason. None at all."

"Well... Still, I'm sure Monaco wouldn't mind, if I asked her nicely."

"Thanks."


"No. Absolutely not."

France's sister was a very short girl. Very short. It was actually distracting. Even Seychelles towered over her. It almost made her forget why they were there to begin with.

"Why not?" France was acting as mediator, and was frankly doing the best he could. It just that his usual method of mediating was flirting... and she was his sister. He obviously didn't know how to handle such a situation. It was almost funny.

"I need to be able to focus on my studies. That's why I got a single to begin with. To avoid loud room mates. And besides..." for the first time in their conversation, Monaco turned directly towards Seychelles. "I don't know you. Sorry."

"So if you just get to know me, I can stay in your room? Great!"

Not paying attention to the other girl's protests, Seychelles grabbed her hand and pulled her along.


"And this is my favourite café. They have tuna sandwiches. And hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is better than tea, no matter what England says."

They had found their way to Greensleeves, a coffee shop away from campus, where many students would spend time studying late at night as soon as finals drew near. Being a time even before school started, it was largely empty.

"I wonder if tuna-flavoured tea would work..."

Monaco made a face. Somehow she had ended up in very strange company. Seychelles seemed quite set on spending time together with her though, so there was little Monaco could do to nestle her way out of the situation.

"I'll go order for us." Monaco said instead, trying to both buy time and get a moment's breather. "Hot chocolate and a tuna sandwich, right? It's nearly lunch time."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Monaco got up. She'd get herself some coffee, she decided. She'd need some energy if she'd be able to make sure Seychelles understood that they wouldn't be sharing a room. To tell the truth, it was hard to do so. Seychelles seemed nice enough, but Monaco had practised her stern assertiveness with her brother. She could probably make it work against the dark skinned girl too.

Still, she needed to keep her resolve strong. She knew, at least, her poker face would hold. The rest was up to her.

When Monaco returned with beverages and sandwiches Seychelles rose and helped her put them town on their table.

It was a good a moment as any.

"Listen, Seychelles. I really don't want to share a room with anybody. It's... it's not you, it's me?"

Seychelles put her cup to her mouth as she thought about it.

"If it's really bothering you I'll find someone else, but let's be honest here... I'd like to room with you. I don't really know any other women here. Also, I think we're both gonna have to room with someone. Since there are so few rooms available. Wouldn't you rather room with me than some stranger?"

Monaco stopped herself from commenting on how the two of them basically were strangers. The other arguments, however, were sound. She needed to find a way to counter-attack.

"Do you snore?"

Seychelles turned her head slightly to the side in thought.

"I wouldn't know. I sleep very heavily."

"How heavily?"

"Very! I totally could sleep through a seagull attack on my face while on the beach! And once, I fell asleep while I was singing!"

Monaco didn't really know what to say. Seychelles had all the good cards on hand. There was only one course of action, since bluffing hadn't worked; Folding and counting her losses.

"Fine then."

"What?"

"You can stay in my room. But only until they've fixed up your dorm. Okay?"

"Really!? That's great! Thanks!"

Seychelles got up and flung herself on Monaco. The armchair Monaco was occupying wobbled unsteadily once, twice, and then fell backwards, causing both girls to end up in a pile on the floor.

Monaco hit the floor hard. The hurt faded quickly, though. Mostly she'd gotten the wind knocked out of her, not to mention having Seychelles land on top of her. Speaking of which, the other girl was still lying on top of Monaco. Their faces were mere inches away from each other. Monaco could feel herself blushing.

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?" Seychelles sat up, pulling herself off the shorter girl.

"I think so... Mostly, I guess."

"We're alright, everyone. Sorry about the commotion." Seychelles told the other occupants of the room and sheepishly put her hand behind her head.

Monaco removed her glasses and looked them over. They seemed fine.

Seychelles pulled herself up and immediately put out her hand for Monaco to grab on to.

Maybe Seychelles had underestimated her own strength, maybe Monaco was lighter than she appeared, but when she pulled her up, Seychelles ended up pulling Monaco very close.

Monaco blushed again. She stepped back, putting some space between them.

"Thank you."

"Sure. Hey, let's finish our lunch and then go unpack."

Monaco couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"Let's."


Author's note: This chapter is about four pages. What do you think about this length? Too long, too short or just right?

My spell-check thinks 'Greensleeves' should be 'Transylvania'. Wait, what? (Does that mean Romania is a regular customer there?)