"Holy shit."

If Lovino thought the ship was luxurious, the Palace of Hearts took it to a whole other level.

The architecture was like nothing he'd ever seen before— not from where he came from, anyway.

Grand windows were scattered thinly around strong ivory walls in seemingly perfect symmetry, along with holes of various sizes for archers and artillery. Accented turrets loomed over every corner, overlooking the lush greenery and water below.

If there was one word to describe it all, it would be 'breathtaking.'

Just looking at the Palace and its surroundings gave Lovino that similar Saudade-like feeling he had experienced upon exiting the Royal Flush and seeing the island's gorgeous shoreline for himself.

This world… it looked like it came straight out of a storybook. The scenery, the monarchy, the ranking system— it was so utterly fantastical.

Monarchies did exist in the real world; like Kings and Queens and Knights and Nobles in their extravagant clothing and haughty smirks. But things were obviously different in the Realm of Suits.

And Lovino was curious to learn more.

"This is it," Feliciano said enthusiastically, somehow not losing any of his fervor from the long overseas journey and bumpy carriage ride. "This is our home."

Lovino couldn't help but hesitate to call the palace the same thing— wouldn't he be wrong in doing so? After all, despite bearing the correct Marking, he most certainly was not the Ace of Hearts.

He was Lovino Vargas, the hard-headed, Italian gambler.

And he was determined to remember that if anything at all.

"Right…" Lovino uncrossed his legs, resting his elbow on his thigh. The clothes he had been given were bizarre— they resembled Feliciano's, to some extent, but appeared to be crafted for practicality rather than looks. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that the outfit looked quite nice when put together. The giant 'A' and Heart insignia on the chest could take some getting used to, though.

Feliciano checked his savonnette again, his body tensing ever so slightly. "Ve— His Majesty is arriving very soon."

Lovino almost gagged at the mention of the King. He hadn't met the King of Hearts just yet, but he had definitely but Ludwig Beilschmidt before.

He shuddered.

One potato bastard is enough, dammit!

Especially if the bastard's weird older brother is in this world, too. He's so obnoxious!

"Oh, fabulous," Lovino replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why don't we throw a parade for him, too?"

Feliciano's face lit up. "Ve, you're right, big brother! I'm sure His Majesty would love that! We can have pasta and dancing and music and pretty ladies—"

Lovino felt the urge to smack his brother upside the head.

How dense can he be?!

"I wasn't being serious, dammit!" Lovino hissed, his lips twisted into a deep scowl.

Feliciano hummed to himself, most likely still mulling over the idea of hosting a celebration of the King's return. "Well, I think it's a good idea!"

"Honestly, I don't know who made someone as incompetent as you the Jack."

Feliciano flashed a toothy grin and held up his right wrist, making sure that Lovino could see the Marking. "The Fates did, of course!"

Lovino rolled his eyes. Feliciano's spiel about Fates and Markings and how rulers were somehow 'chosen' still sounded like total bullshit to him.

I guess people believe what they want to believe.

With the topic of Ludwig fresh on his mind, Lovino made a retort. "Yeah… totally. I bet that blonde bastard's been brainwashing you."

"No way! His Majesty would never do something like that!" Feliciano insisted. "He's too kind! And caring! And romantic, also, but only when he wants to be and he gets really blushy too…"

While Feliciano rambled on in the background, Lovino contemplated what his plan would be once he entered the palace— the carriage was drawing closer and closer, and there was no time to waste.

After all, every minute he spent in the Realm of Suits was a minute his friends and family back in Vegas spent wondering about his whereabouts.

Maybe, Lovino thought with a smirk, I've got a doppelgänger too. Just like Feli and the potato bastard and… Kiku. He's the Queen, right?

It was an interesting notion.

It would be the only explanation as to why someone who looked and acted exactly like Lovino was living in the Realm of Suits, operating as the Ace of Hearts.

Though, it was very difficult to swallow.

It's not like I could just text someone from back home and find out.

My phone wasn't even in my pocket when I woke up in that stupid casino.

So, if I'm here, would the actual Ace of Hearts be in my world? Or, maybe he's still here, after all, and I was the only one dumb enough to get sucked into a different dimension.

Lovino massaged his temples, feeling a headache begin the form. All that thinking was doing nothing but making his brain hurt.

"Listen, I don't care what you do with the 'King' or whatever," Lovino spat. "But at least keep it private! I don't wanna hear about him!"

Feliciano chuckled nervously. "Ve, I think you're gonna hear about him a lot, Lovi. Whether you like it or not." He gestured out the window. "This is the Kingdom of Hearts, and Ludwig's the king."

There was nothing Feliciano stated that could be argued with, much to Lovino's chagrin.

I mean… he's right.

I gotta just suck it up, then.

"Che. Fine."

Feliciano beamed, having won another argument. "Yay! That's the spirit!"

Lovino was afraid that if he rolled his eyes one more time, they would roll right out of his head.

"So." Ludwig put down his teacup, his cold stare as hard as steel. "You played a game of three-card poker against the King of Clubs in Las Vegas, fell unconscious, woke up in the same casino but in an entirely different universe with the Hearts Marking and Grand Card."

Lovino scoffed, refusing to realize just how unbelievable his story sounded out loud. "Yes! That's exactly what happened!"

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe." Ludwig shifted slightly in his seat, the elaborate crown not moving a single inch from its place on his head. "How do I know you aren't making up excuses to neglect your duties?"
Lovino's face burned in rage. He had never felt so insulted. "W-what?! That's ridiculous, dammit!"

Feliciano cowered at the sudden escalation of tension. Through his peripheral vision, Lovino noticed many of the guards stiffening up as well, drawing out their weapons subtly on the occasion that their supposed Ace of Hearts tried attacking the king.

Even if I did have a gun or something, it'd be no use. The only way I can get out of here is by finding the Queen of Spades.

And to do that, I need connections.

"It's a very real possibility," Ludwig responded. "Although, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to believe your explanation, either…"

Lovino relaxed.

Finally!

Ludwig spoke again, his voice echoing with authority. "The Realm of Suits has had its fair share of supernatural experiences, so the idea that your… 'Las Vegas' really does exist might not be completely fictional."

If anything's fictional around here, it's this place!

I mean, come on. Magic? Fates?

But it was good that the King understood where he was coming from; even just somewhat.

"Fine." Lovino sucked in a breath. "What now?"

"There's still more to discuss," Ludwig insisted. "Like, for example, whether you should assume the role of the Ace of Hearts or not."

Well, that was a tricky subject.

"I… I mean…" Lovino trailed off, his mind abandoning him.

I'm not the Ace, he reminded himself for the billionth time. I'm not him.

But… the real one isn't here, right now.

So…

"What does the Ace even do, anyway?" Lovino asked, opting to change the subject.

Ludwig and Feliciano exchanged glances. The entire hall suddenly grew pin-drop silent.

Lovino squirmed.

I just asked a question. Why are they acting like I just told them I killed their grandma, huh?

"There's something about this kingdom— these kingdoms— that might seem kind of… weird," Feliciano said, his voice wavering even more so than usual.

Lovino quirked an eyebrow. "As if this could all get any weirder," he grumbled. "Just spit it out."

"Lovi… do you know how to gamble?"

The Queen of Hearts had never been one to display emotion. Not readily, anyway.

In order to know what he was thinking, one would have to scrutinize his face with exceptional precision. A twitch of the lips, a dilating of the pupil— all very minuscule things.

But after hearing about the kingdom's new arrival from Ludwig—

Kiku's facial expression was 100% transparent.

Even the most incompetent person would be able to see right through him.

It actually happened.

I never gave it a second thought.

Could it be…

As a fellow Queen, Arthur Kirkland was in close contact with Kiku. The two liked to share tales and stories, telling their Kings that they were discussing trade affairs.

One particular afternoon, however, Arthur had proposed the concept of a multiverse— the idea that multiple universes are present in the plane of existence.

It sounded like a conspiracy, at first.

THREE WEEKS PRIOR

"Don't tell anyone else I said this, but…" He leaned in closer, bringing his voice to a mere whisper. "I think there's a universe very close to ours. It's so close I can almost feel it."

Kiku nodded, though he didn't quite understand. "Really?"

"Yes, really. There must be parallel versions of us, too."

"Like…" Kiku recalled the old foreign word that had been pushed to the back of his mind. "A doppelgänger?"

"Exactly!" Arthur's eyes lit up in excitement— they would always do that when he was on to something. "Doppelgängers! Our worlds are so similar, yet so different at the same time."

"Hm." Kiku stared through the study's window, with Solacé's silvery skies staring back at him.

"But I believe what's separating our worlds now is… tearing. The energy is leaking through the rupture."

"Oh?" As Kiku had noticed, Arthur had always been in touch with his surroundings. The Queen of Spades had a good grasp of paranormal elements, as well, being able to 'sense' things that no one else could.

"Don't you think something's bound to fall through that rupture, though?"

"..."

"Perhaps it's just a hunch, but…" Arthur angled his face downwards, masking his features with a shadow. "Maybe there's more to this deck than we thought."

"Your Highness!" someone yelled, snapping the Queen out of his reverie.

Kiku blinked. "Y-yes?"

"His Majesty requires you in the meeting hall, at once!"

"Is there anyone else present?" Kiku asked.

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that question, Your Highness."

"Is that so?"

Kiku got up from his chair, his curiosity piqued.

A multiverse, a crack, a leak.

"I shall find out for myself, then."

A/N:

Another chapter is done, woohoo.

Our favorite grouchy Italian arrives at the Palace of Hearts, where he meets the object of his animosities.

We also get some of Kiku's perspective.

I am not lying when I say Cardverse is amazing. I'm inclined to work on the next chapter of this story instead of cycling through my list of unfinished works and uploading chapters as I usually do.