"And what are you doing up?"

A soft, sleepy voice distracts March from his card game. There was no one else playing, of course. But there are plenty of card games that one could play against himself without looking totally mad. Cold brown eyes flicked to the doorway, spotting his girl in the dim light of the hall.

His Queen. His wife.

It was scenes like this that reminded him of how he fell for her. It was hard to tell exactly when it happened, as March was a total nonce when it came to recognizing his own feelings. Being sold like cattle to a tyrant queen had that affect on people. But if he had to choose a single moment... it would probably have been when he'd first helped her with her corset at the castle. Granted, he and Raiden had just kidnapped her and held her for ransom against the King. But she'd been quick to forgive.

She always was.

"Can't a man play Poker in peace?" March asked smoothly, giving her a sly glance. An invitation.

She sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes. She looked the best she'd ever had. No crown, no corset or petticoat. Just sleep-messed hair, shorts, and a shirt that looked suspiciously like Raiden's "Fine. Only because I love you."

March was silent as she sat down and grabbed a hand of cards. His eyes bore into her, but not in a suggestive way. More introspective. Unusually quiet for who he was. March had never said the magic words back, despite having married her a few days ago with the other eight. But that's what a shit family and a previously broken heart will do.