{.1o} {Pleasure : ღ: Card Soldier #5}

That day was simply horrendous. Really, she had never felt so... bored.

Vivaldi had not assigned them that much work that day, busying herself in Alice's company. Most of her faceless friends were too busy with some other duty. One maid was assisting Peter White with his skills in dance. Her other maid friend was out, probably struggling to guide the absentminded Ace back to the castle.

At the moment, she had absolutely no one.

'Well there was always him...'

Her heart ticked painfully at the very thought of card solider number five. She just couldn't bear being near him that day, at that very moment of time.

'He's probably with the foreigner,' she thought bitterly to herself, shuffling her feet through the hallways in a pace similar to that of a depressed slug. She resisted a violent quiver at the very notion, dropping her eyeless gaze to the castle floors.

The pain of the memory was still all too fresh in her mind, her heart still aching and raw.

She thought she could get over it a lot quicker. She already knew he was besotted by the Liddell, taken by the luminous radiance that surrounded Alice's very presence.

She just never expected her heart would still ache to see it unfold right before her, to see he would truly choose Alice over her.

She sniffled once, thankful that she did not have eyes. It certainly would have been horrible if she broke down in the hallway in tears.

'Just a few more time cycles... That's all I need...'

Just a few more time cycles, and she hoped the broken gears of her heart would mend themselves back together.

No matter how hard she tried to avoid him, no matter how she truly worked to keep her distance, fate had decided to play the cruelest of tricks on her.

"Hey! There you are!" The faceless maid froze in her place, finding herself momentarily breathless. She recognized that voice perfectly, her heart ticking a little faster. She slowly turned around... and cursed mentally.

"Oh... hi there," she said, trying to feign a cheery disposition... but feeling that she was failing pitifully.

Apparently, the card soldier did not seem to notice and said, "You know. It's really weird. It feels like I haven't seen you in such a long time! Been busy?"

"Uh, yeah. You know, its nothing but work, work, work when it comes to that slave driver of a queen," she fibbed and added, "But what are you doing here? I would have thought you were with Alice. She is visiting, you know"

To her surprise, the card soldier released a burst of laughter. "Why would I do that, silly? I haven't spent time with you in what feels like forever! Now that we both have some free time, I might as well enjoy the pleasure of your company." He offered her his arm. "Now, you ready to go?"

The faceless girl merely stared at the gesture, feeling a warmth rush through her chest and touch her cheeks. She couldn't believe it.

'He's choosing me over her...'

She smiled at the thought and accepted his arm, commencing to walk through the halls.

All the while, she tried to surpress the thought, her sheer euphoria over having his attention and companionship. She knew it was just a friendly, innocent act. Such happiness would only cause her more pain in the long run.

'But there's no harm in indulging the thought?' There was no harm in pretending that he truly cared for her in the same way she cared for him, right?

A little indulgence was fine once in awhile. Everyone needs a little pleasure, no matter how fleeting.

Sequel to the Wonderful drabble. You all can probably guess where it comes from.

Thanks for the read!