The heels of your shoes clicked softly against the polished floor as you walked alongside Trey down the long, dimly lit hallway leading to the throne room. You couldn't shake the feeling of dread in your stomach. Though Trey kept his expression stoic, he must have sensed your unease, as he gave you a quick, reassuring glance.
"Stay calm," he murmured under his breath. "If Riddle is on edge, let him take the lead, and simply agree."
You nodded, grateful for his advice, though your pulse quickened at the thought of facing Riddle in one of his tempers. Trey had mentioned the prisoner a soldier who had failed in his duties and from what you'd gathered, Riddle was in no mood for leniency. This was your first time accompanying Riddle to deal with official business, and the gravity of it weighed on you.
The grand double doors to the throne room loomed ahead, guarded by two soldiers who nodded at Trey's approach. With a word from him, they opened the doors, revealing the expansive room within. Red velvet curtains framed tall, narrow windows, casting a deep crimson glow that made the marble floors seem almost alive with color.
At the far end of the room, Riddle sat in his grand throne, one leg crossed over the other, his expression one of icy disdain. Beside his throne was a smaller, heart-shaped seat, clearly meant for you. As you moved across the room and took your place next to him, you tried to appear as calm as possible.
Moments later, another man entered. He was striking, with orange hair that fell in soft waves to his shoulders, and he wore a nonchalant grin that gave him a mischievous look. He glanced between you and Riddle, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.
"Cater," Trey said, greeting the man with a nod. "Thank you for joining us."
"Happy to oblige, Trey," Cater replied smoothly, his green eyes full of interest as they flickered between you and Riddle. He cast a quick, amused smile your way before giving Riddle an exaggerated bow. "Your Majesty, looking splendid as always."
Riddle rolled his eyes, brushing off Cater's greeting with a wave of his hand. "Enough with the flattery, Cater. We have business to attend to." He motioned to the guards near the entrance. "Bring in the prisoner."
The guards departed and returned moments later with a disheveled soldier in shackles. His gaze darted around the room nervously as he was forced to his knees before the two thrones. Riddle's lips curled into a faint, cruel smile as he observed the prisoner with cold satisfaction.
"Tell me," Riddle's voice cut through the room like a blade, "why did you fail to capture the intruder? Ellis has been causing enough trouble in this kingdom, and you had him within your grasp."
The soldier stammered, bowing his head low. "M-My apologies, Your Majesty. He was with Chen'ya, and they vanished before I could reach them."
"Chen'ya?" Riddle repeated, his voice laced with disdain. "I should have known that nuisance would interfere."
You glanced at Riddle, noticing his fingers tapping steadily against the armrest as he processed the soldier's words. Riddle's jaw tensed, and you could sense that his patience was wearing thin. Whoever this "Chen'ya" was, he clearly knew how to get under Riddle's skin.
"Did you even think to report back?" Riddle's voice grew colder, a menacing edge to his tone. "Or were you hoping I'd simply forget your incompetence?"
The soldier's head lowered further, fear rolling off him in waves. "No, my king, I—"
"Silence!" Riddle snapped, his hand tightening into a fist. "Enough with your excuses. Trey," he said, his gaze shifting to his adviser, "what do you recommend we do with this one?"
Trey's expression remained carefully neutral, though he glanced your way with a look of calm reassurance before speaking. "Perhaps, Your Majesty, we could assign him a task to redeem himself. The labyrinth gardens could use additional guards to ensure security."
"A lenient punishment," Cater muttered with a smirk, though he quickly held his tongue after Riddle shot him a warning glare.
You could see Riddle weighing Trey's suggestion, and you felt a flicker of hope. This was your chance to help ease his anger. Gently, you placed a hand over Riddle's, feeling the tension ease under your touch.
"Perhaps Trey is right," you said softly, keeping your voice steady and calm. "The labyrinth gardens are a secure place to redeem oneself, under the watch of our loyal guards. It would remind him of his duty and teach him discipline without further weakening our forces."
Riddle turned his gaze toward you, his sharp expression softening just a bit. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he seemed to consider your words.
"Very well," he said reluctantly, shifting his hand to turn it palm-up beneath yours and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I will allow this... once. But fail me again, and the outcome will be less merciful." His gaze bore into the soldier with a chilling intensity.
The soldier practically collapsed with relief, bowing low. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness," he stammered, addressing you gratefully as he was escorted from the room.
As the last of the guards left, Riddle leaned closer, his voice dropping to a murmur meant only for you. "You surprise me, my dear. You have quite the persuasive touch. I wonder... what else you might persuade me to do."
You swallowed, forcing yourself to smile as if unfazed by his piercing gaze. "I only serve you, Riddle. I merely thought it best not to waste useful soldiers."
Riddle raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, and straightened up, motioning for the others to be dismissed. "Perhaps your touch will benefit us more than I realized," he murmured thoughtfully.
Trey stepped forward, addressing Riddle. "If I may, Your Majesty," he said, "there are further reports regarding the intruder Ellis and his recent activities. Chen'ya has been seen with him in the north."
Riddle's eyes narrowed at the mention. "Ellis and that wretched feline... they'll regret testing my patience."
You observed his reaction carefully, piecing together the situation. It seemed Ellis was a troublemaker, someone who didn't belong in this kingdom perhaps an outsider, much like you. And Chen'ya... from the way Riddle spat his name, he was clearly a thorn in the king's side. Wait Ellis is Alice and she or now better he will come here anyway if I am right.
"Shall we send additional guards to the northern sector?" Trey asked, casting a sideways glance at you as if to gauge your reaction.
You hesitated, then said, "It might be better to lure them closer rather than chase them to the north. Draw them in somewhere we have the advantage."
Riddle's lips curled into a pleased smile. "I like the way you think," he murmured, clearly impressed. "Yes, we'll make sure they come to us. Trey, see that our forces are positioned strategically near the castle gardens. Cater, spread word of an event to attract Ellis's attention."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Cater replied with a mischievous grin, clearly relishing the idea of setting a trap.
As the two of them departed, Trey lingered for a moment, his usual stoic expression softening as he addressed you. "That was well done," he said quietly. "You diffused his anger. Most wouldn't have dared."
You managed a small smile. "Thank you, Trey. I'm learning to manage."
Trey looked at you thoughtfully, as if he could see the layers of tension hiding behind your composed facade. "Your position isn't an easy one. But if you ever need support... you have my loyalty."
For the first time, you felt a sense of relief. At least Trey's presence offered a potential ally in this strange new world. "Thank you," you replied earnestly.
He nodded before taking his leave, closing the doors behind him. Left alone in the throne room, you sank back into the velvet cushions, the strain of the day finally catching up with you.
Left alone in the throne room, you sank back into the velvet cushions, the strain of the day finally catching up with you.
Once the silence of the evening settled, you let out a long breath, rubbing your temples as Riddle's words and the day's events replayed in your mind. Each story you'd fallen into seemed to hold new dangers hidden behind every smile and word. The savannah had tested you through Leona; no
You needed to find that mysterious book. You were sure it was the only way to escape this place and to avoid being lost in this realm's madness.
Under the cover of night, you slipped from your chambers, moving quietly down the winding halls until you reached the grand library. You'd never seen such a room, with towering shelves stretching to the ceiling, each row filled with dusty tomes and ancient books. You began running your fingers along the spines, skimming over the gilded letters and strange titles as you hunted for an
The Enigmas of Cheshire... Poisonous Puzzles... The Dance of Card Soldiers... Book of all Rules... Nothing useful. You sighed, pushing your search further into the library, where the books were older and the dust heavier.
Just as you were about to give up, a gleam of color caught your eye, and you pulled a thick volume from the shelf. The cover's design stopped you cold. The Lion's Fate was embossed in the center, with an illustration of a lion's shadowed profile underneath.
You let out a surprised laugh, half from nerves and half from sheer disbelief. "Wow, a fairytale inside another fairytale," you muttered to yourself. "And this one... ew, this one I don't want to see again anytime soon."
The memory of Leona's piercing gaze and chilling intensity flashed through your mind, sending a shiver down your spine. You shoved the book back onto the shelf, stepping away as if it might leap back into your hands.
Turning on your heel, you took one last glance over the rows and rows of books. The magical one you needed was somewhere in this world. You were sure of it. And no matter how bizarre Wonderland became, you would find it.
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1,711 words
Hello! Another chapter is here and today little bit longer. :3
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