Cath was in the kitchen, flipping through recipe books. She seemed it was appropriate to give Jest something for agreeing to set aside some of his pay for the future of her bakery. Cath knew he liked macarons, but decided on something else. She considered a cake, but decided it was too large to transport back to the palace and into his chambers without notice from anyone. Finally, Catherine chose to make 3 small eclairs.
She dedicated her afternoon to baking the treats, and when she turned away at one point, Cath saw a single gray paw touching the custard she was preparing.
"Cheshire!" Catherine scolded, batting at the felines paw. "I've told you more than enough to not touch the pastries."
Cheshire sighed wistfully. "It never hurts one to try," he clicked it tongue, head coming into view.
Cath plucked a stray hair from the mix, and resumed her baking. "What do you want, Cheshire?"
"Why, my dear Catherine, what a way to greet someone." He tsked.
"Get on with it, you pesky feline."
Cheshire's head started to turn, his tail appearing, "Can't a cat visit his supplier of all things sugary?"
Cath snorted. "What gossip do you have today?"
"Oh, nothing you'd be interested in, I assume."
"Is that so?" Catherine asked as she started to fill the eclairs with the custard.
"I've simply heard some rumors of a new lady of the court catching the Kings eye," He commented, claw picking at his teeth.
Cath raised her eyebrow, though still focusing on the treats before her, "Do tell me more."
"Abigail Swann, I believe her name was. A lesser known noble. Her fathers a Duke of an area far off in the forest. She paints, from my understanding."
"I should march straight to her door and thank her," Cath said. She racked her brain for a moment in an attempt to remember whatever she could about the girl. Her age, straight light red hair, green eyes, very short. Catherine had seen her a few times at the Kings gatherings and only spoken to her on occasion. She seemed nice enough from their brief interactions.
"Any word on what influenced her to attempt to pursue the King, and while he's in a courtship?" Cath questioned, standing back from the pastries and turning her gaze towards the lazy cat seated on the counter.
"To become Queen, I assume." Cheshire returned her look, "Like any other poor girl at court, save for you, of course, Lady Catherine."
"You know what I mean, Cheshire."
"I supposed I do," He returned to grooming himself.
"Well?" Catherine tapped her foot impatiently, crossing her arms, looking expectantly at the cheshire cat before her.
"So nosey now, are we?"
"If it means I can get the King to break off the courtship, then yes," Cath frowned.
"From what I know, her father has allowed her to attend more of the Kings festivities as of late. She painted his portrait as a gift, and sent in a stream of them. Even yours."
Cath was taken aback, "Mine?"
Cheshire nodded lazily. "Although, I do recall that there was a large red blob of paint by the base of your neck, as well as by your eyes. She claimed one of her servants spilled her excess paint, and she hadn't the faintest idea until it arrived at the palace."
Catherine's mouth when dry, and all she could offer was a hoarse, "Oh."
"It appears you have competition of a sort. Although I do believe you are still in the lead." Cheshire commented.
"I am unable to say I want to be in the lead, though I would rather not upset Lady Swann." Catherine swallowed.
"I spoke with her today. Kind enough, but did seem like the jealous sort." Cheshire stood and arched his back, back legs disappearing, followed by his front paws.
"Even so," Cath chose her words carefully, "she does not seem fit for Queen, if she is this agressive. Hearts doesn't need a ruler like that."
Cheshire cast an inquisitive look in her direction, "Are you saying you'd rather be Queen? Finally take up the offer so many girls would kill to have?"
"No! No, of course not," Cath shook her head, "I am only concern that if she is to woo the King, what will become of Hearts?"
Cheshire shrugged, "Maybe she is only threatened by you, and will do a well job of ruling."
Cath turned around to examine the eclairs laid before her. "Perhaps," she said, vexed.
When she turned back, Cheshire had gone, a paw print embedded into a single eclair.
—
It had become a regular occurrence for Cath to enter her room and find a fool propped up on the window sill or the chaise. Jest often visited almost every night, save for those where he was busy or they had seen each other earlier in the day. Cath would get cleaned up, he would ask about her day, and she would ask about his. On this evening, she was relatively quiet.
"—And Raven almost bit the fingers of a visiting Barons child who kept pulling at his feathers." Jest finished his story of the day, and Cath nodded absentmindedly.
He shifted to look at her, and Cath had taken a random string between her fingers, pulling at the loose material. "Something the matter, love?" Jest had taken to calling her by pet names, and it warmed Catherine's heart.
"Well..." She trailed off, unsure of how to start. "I believe another lady is quite jealous of my courtship to the King."
Jest raised a brow, "Yes, I would assume many are, after all, you have the chance to become a Queen."
"Stop that," She scowled, but quickly continued, "Abigail Swann. I was told the King has taken a liking to her."
"As he does to almost anyone who is kind to him," Jest concluded, pursing his lips.
"Yes, but," Cath thought back to all Cheshire had to say, "from my knowledge, she paints."
"And you bake."
"Not helping."
"I apologize."
Catherine preoccupied her fingers with combing through Jests hair, and continued, "She painted the Kings portrait as a gift. As well as mine. Though, mine was particularly interesting."
"Do continue," Jest said.
"According to Cheshire, mine had puddles of paint. Red paint. By my neck and eyes."
Jests brow furrowed as he looked down at the tip of his boots. "I had heard... rumors of a botched painting of you, but I didn't wish to alarm you."
Cath shrugged, "If I'm to be honest, I probably should be thanking her. While, yes, the painting is... concerning, she's drawing the Kings attention away from me, which is a start."
Jest turned to look at Catherine, "At the very least, be wary of her."
Cath nodded. "Of course, I just hope she'll hold his attention long enough to give me some time away from His Highness."
Jest sighed, "Perhaps I should speak to Hatta and see if he has heard any news of the Lady. See if she has been a customer."
Cath untangled her fingers from his hair and set a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you should talk to him about more than Lady Swann. It's been days since he's spoken to you, Jest."
He slumped, dejected. "I've been avoiding it."
"I could go with you?" Catherine offered.
He smiled warmly at her, though it held some sadness, "I know he will ignore me completely. Hatta is stubborn. He might ignore you too."
"That's all right," Cath said, "we'll handle his stubbornness together."
Jest nodded, "Very well. I'll see to it that the King has no need of me this afternoon." He sat up straight on the chaise, and turned towards Catherine, "It appears I've forgotten. His Majesty is hosting yet another ball."
Cath groaned, slapping her palm against her forehead, "By what, might I ask, is he exactly celebrating?"
Jest made an effort to look as though he was thinking deeply, "I believe it is to mark a fortnight since the Jabberwock has been sighted."
A huff escaped Cath as she shook her head, "I'm not too sure that is a good thing. After all, it could be ravaging another kingdom, or the beast is just waiting for another opportunity—an opportunity like the upcoming ball—to attack."
Jest nodded in agreement, "Dissuade him I can try, though I make no promise as it will most likely will be all in vain."
Jest looked at the clock Cath had in her room. He often left when the fire burned low, so as to allow Cath to get some sleep. Cath wondered if he honestly did at all.
"Goodnight, Catherine," He leaned to press his lips against her temple as he stood up and made his way towards the window, and soon, he descended into the night air far below.