Worlds Apart | Book 1 Wonderland | Jungwon X Reader

001

"His Royal Highness, acting King of Hearts, Prince Kim Sunoo."

The moment his name reached the room's occupants, they dropped to one knee. Their fake smiles and heavy breathing weighed down the atmosphere, their fear suffocating. The Prince breezed by them all, an unreadable smile plastered on his face, and a crown atop his head.

He was straight out of a fairytale. Red hair styled to perfection, matching robes, and a long, white cape floating in a nonexistent breeze. His steps were light, and he was more than handsome. But everyone knew fairytales were nightmares for anyone outside the main cast. Anyone without a throne in Hearts was dammed.

The prince gestured for his Court to leave the room, perching on his thrown nonchalantly, watching you with a crazed stare. You bowed, averting eye contact. "Miss y/n...I take it the rabbit has eluded you once again?"

You bowed a second time, this time deep enough to strain your back. "I apologize, your highness. The rabbit's accomplice threw us off his trail. We were unable to obtain his head."

"Hm." The Prince's smile dropped, and he grabbed a golden scyth from one of his guards. "Miss y/n, remind me why I have put up with your incompetence the past three years?"

"Of course, your highness. As I am from the Otherside, and so is the rabbit's accomplice, we think similarly. I can interpret their plans and thoughts much easier than a citizen of Wonderland."

He walked forward slowly, twirling the long blade like a flag. "Precisely. But the Rabbit's accomplice, my sister, was also from the Otherside. Also played the loyalty game, until, of course, my mother was no longer needed. And then-" In one swift motion, the scythe had been pressed to your throat, making it hard to breathe as it slowly drew blood "-it was off with her head." He pulled away his blade, coming close enough to you that you could feel his breath across his cheek. "The Court wishes you beheaded. But I have one mercy to spare. This is your last chance Miss y/n."

The red-haired prince marched towards the door, the rest of his card soldiers following. Your knees shook as you bowed one last time. "Thank you, your highness. You're too kind."

He smiled once again, turning to face you momentarily. "Oh darling, I'm well aware."

-

Despite the recent news of his friend's possible demise, the March Hare hopped gaily down the path. He was a curious creature, not as soft nor short as you'd expect a young rabbit to be, but with all the expected playfulness and energy.

He paused at a fork in the road. Any and all joyousness quickly faded to impatience, his foot thumping against the ground. "It's 5:53, that dammed cat is late again."

A laugh left your lips as you linked your arms together. "Mr. Hare, 'tis always 5:53 on this end of the forest. You know that."

The Hare huffed, "Well, whether time is stopped here or not, our own time continues to flow. My legs are beginning to hurt." He wasn't wrong. Despite the time freeze, you could feel your legs turning to mush beneath you.

A wide, crescent smile formed in front of you, and with it, appeared a young man. He picked at his teeth with his nails, glancing at your companion momentarily. "I could hear your grumblings from across my territory, Hare. You interrupted naptime."

"Oh pish posh," The young rabbit replied bitterly. "'Tis always naptime for you. Now take us to the Hatter's cottage, Cat."

The Cheshire Cat smiled wryly, casting a small look at you. "Only because the Prince's Ace of Spades is here." He bowed, taking your hand. "Miss y/n, follow me."

Reluctantly, the March Hare allowed the Cat to drag the two of you through the Dusk, grumbling about disrespect and unrulyness. You had to hush him on multiple occasions, keeping him from making vulgar comments. The Cat, however, seemed unbothered by the Hares brooding, simply taking you through the winding forest calmly.

Today, the Hatter's Cottage was stationed at the edge of Sunspot Cliff, a notorious vacation spot, and danger zone. The tall bluffs hung over an open ocean, glittering gold with the forever-setting sun. At the very tip of the highest point, a man could be seen standing in tree pose, sipping tea from a white porciline cup. He was wearing a long patchwork tailcoat and a tall, black top hat, a doormouse sitting in its rim. The man seemed unbothered by the doom only two steps forward.

"You're late! Tea time is nearly over," the Hatter quipped, setting down his cup of tea. "Y/n, Riki, you're always late!"

"We're quite on time, Hatter," the March Hare huffed. "I do wish you'd stop calling me that."

"Nonsense. I refuse to call you by that half-assed name. Riki suits you much, much better. Besides, if you were to call my son 'Hatter' too, it would be quite confusing to distinguish who's who. It's best not to rely on the queen's names, but the names we chose."

Jungwon, from the far side of the table, took a sip of tea from the bottom of a cup. "Father you think of things far too seriously, and far too outlandishly. You're mad."

The Hatter scoffed once, twice, and then thrice. "A trait you've inherited child."

The boy glared at his father briefly before turning to you and the March Hare. "But I do agree. Names shouldn't be given by someone like the queen. Tea?"

"I must refuse, I came only to drop off our young rabbit," You said, smiling. "But I appreciate the offer."

Silent complaints left the Hatter's mouth, the doormouse in his hat nodding along with his rant about how 'tea was not to be turned down.' Jungwon, however, was unphased. "Walk with me then, Ms. Y/n. The sunset is beautiful today."

Another sharp whine from the March Hare. "Late, beautiful today. It's always the same!"

"Quite hypocritical of you to say so, Hare," You say, a silent grin spreading upon your face. "If you're so jealous, just ask to join."

He huffed once, twice, thrice, before sitting at the table.

Jungwon smiled, looking at the Hatter. "Makes me wonder who your son really is, father."

The Hatter winked, sipping his tea. "Well, to wonder in Wonderland is a wonderful thing."