Disclaimer: I own nothing here except the plot. Technically, the whole 'Love's Games' idea isn't mine but the concept for this story is mine.

I. Of Queens and Kings (Prologue)

The King of Spades

And so he watched, eagerly, scrupulously.

One false move and he would move in for the kill.

He would win- he should win.

He had betted everything on his hand.

He could sense her apprehension. Even without looking at her, he knew she was dreading every moment. He chanced a downward glance and all but smirked. Never in his life did he think he would see her in such a state. Her veil didn't hide her palpable fear; it didn't hide the confusion swimming in her eyes; it didn't hide all her anger. The mixture of emotions, he thought, made her look all the more alluring.

His conscience had gone against his rash decision yet, he would constantly ignore the constant mumbling at the back of his mind. This was what he wanted. It didn't matter to him that as of the moment they didn't see eye to eye. Eventually, he knew, she would come around.

But if eventually never comes..?

No. He chastised himself. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. It was all business. Strictly business. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk as he gave her figure a once-over. Yes, it was business but that didn't mean he couldn't mix in a bit of pleasure.

Pleasure, yes. Definitely pleasure.

The Queen of Hearts

She had everything to loose but almost nothing to win.

At least that's what her naiveté told her.

So she played safely.

Not wanting to loose anymore than she already has.

She would have glared at him, or at anyone for that matter, for looking at her like that. And the bastard was smiling too- as if he was enjoying her misery. Had it not been for the people in attendance, she would have kneed him in the groin or done something even more severe like a bullet to the head or slitting his throat- anything to wipe that arrogant smirk of his face.

Deep breaths… deep breaths…

No, it was much too early for murder. She gingerly touched her cross-shaped pendant and tried to calm herself. It had always helped calm her especially during recitals. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to help calm her at that moment. She was too preoccupied with the thought of not having the future she had always planned. There were so many things she wanted to do, so many new things she wanted to try, so many people she wanted to meet.

Fate- she did not believe in fate but now, considering her present circumstance, she started to believe. If fate did not exist, there would be nothing or no one to blame for her misfortune. So she believed, if not for the folly then for the sake of having a scapegoat.

Too preoccupied in her thoughts, she failed to hear the priest talk. A light nudge at the side made her snap out of her little reverie and look up.

"Do you accept this man in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, 'till death do you part?" And though she was out of her daze, everything the priest said sounded like a buzz. She closed her eyes and saw fate laughing at her, scoffing at her dreams. She had always been a cynic, too grounded to ever even think of a happily ever after, but cynicism can only go so far. Like every other cynic, she had brief lapses of idealism. And in those brief lapses, she thought about a bright future, a future where she had everything she wanted- everything she deserved, a happy future. She opened her eyes to reality and bitterly realized that there was no hope of her ever being happy.

"I do." And with those two words, she sealed her fate.

"You may kiss the bride."

Gingerly, he took off the veil and gently cupped her lovely face. Even with her radiant smile, he knew she was miserable. Her eyes said everything. Her smile did not reach her eyes. She looked at him with those miserable eyes and wondered if he made the right decision. He mentally shook himself and held his resolve- he would see his decision through. His tall frame bent to give his new wife a chaste kiss.

"You will be happy." He murmured, loud enough for her to hear, low enough so the others in attendance wont.

She closed her eyes and took in his words. Her amethyst eyes locked with his blue ones and she softly said, "Liar."

The King of Diamonds

He was second fiddle- that much he knew.

They paid almost no heed to him.

He was not a threat.

But that was exactly what he wanted them to think.

Behind his tinted glasses, he stared at the couple for what seemed like an eternity. How long ago did he envision himself to be the man beside her- to be her husband, to have her as a wife? However, that was a long gone dream. A dream that like his brandy snifter the night before, came flying ad crashing down, shattering into a million little pieces. He stood up together with everyone else and applauded the newlyweds.

As the couple marched down the aisle, he felt a part of him crumble. Every step they took, he felt like someone was wrenching his insides, killing him brutally. He felt his heart constrict. He took a deep breath and mustered a smile- he had to look happy. He had to calm himself.

"Is something wrong?" Kaidou looked down and saw the concerned face of his wife- his beautiful, loving and caring wife. Wife. And it hit him then, he had married first. Rei had to watch Maya walk down the aisle first. She had to watch them exchange vows first. She had to endure seeing him get married first. And he smirked at this revelation.

Returning the favor, eh Rei?

-TBC-

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A/N

o Yes, yes… Ominous Whispers hasn't been updated in ages as well as Bitter Solace. Well, Lila (my computer) got sick (stupid virus). All my files went bye-bye and even the illegal music I spent hours on end downloading. Anyway, for those who give a damn, I will update those fics ASAP. I SWEAR.

o I love Poker. I really do. But I don't play for money, I'm too broke for that. I play for candy and whatnot. Hehehe…

Review/flame… whatever. Leave a message. I don't bite… err, well, I'm not rabid.