Alice in a Twisted Wonderland (BL 18+ Completed)

Chapter Nine: Alice in the Ball

Erin slowly wakes up in Wonderland, with no one but Ace by his side and the Knight standing by the window on guard.

I'm here... finally! He can hear their faint voices despite having his eyes closed.

"... evacuate everyone in the villages into the Palace," says Knight.

"The Palace isn't safe, too. If we gather everyone here, we just put a huge target here where Spade can kill everyone with one attack."

"We're one Magician short because Cheshire left for Ausrine."

"..." Erin sits up with blurry eyes, very tired and his voice is a bit gone after screaming so much. He wants to call out to the King, because last time he saw Ace everything was burning. He tries hiding a smile when seeing familiar red eyes. "Ace...?"

"Erin... dear god, you slept for so long..." Ace leans closer while holding Erin's hand like a worried lover. Knight stares suspiciously, observing Erin's smile.

But Erin thought, No, Ace is only worried because I have Alice's face. If I burned it, it would've been less useful. Still, he managed to make fun of the King. "Did you miss me, Ace?"

"Your voice is gone. Knight, get him a warm lemon tea." He pretended not to hear the question. When Knight left, Ace sighed heavily. "Erin, I thought you were gone for good... maybe I shouldn't have thrown you into the village... I am so sorry..."

"I'm sorry!" Alex also said in the real world. Seriously, leave me alone. They have the same voice and face, there's no escaping him.

Erin couldn't bring himself to pull his hand out from under Ace's. "It's okay, we're both alive. Looks like you missed me, huh." I sure did.

"What, don't be arrogant." His ears are red, he's so transparent. "I... I was just waiting for you since everyone is anticipating your presence. You saved them, after all."

Ace stood up to prepare Erin's dresses, but the boy remained seated on the bed. "But you saved me, Ace. I barely did anything..."

"You evacuated a few people. And to them, you killed all of the soldiers. Let's keep up the illusion." Ace brought him a gorgeous purple dress with a lace petticoat and flexible steel crinoline.

So he just saved me because of the deal... "What happened back there? Why were you bleeding?"

Ace looks down at their hands, "I used Alice's power. The card I gave you, the Queen of Hearts, contained a small amount of Alice's magic. Using another's powers is considered Dark Magic, and isn't allowed. If the other magicians did what I did, they'd die. I almost did, and it hurt a shit ton. You couldn't use it because you're not a magician."

"So Alice was a magician?"

"Not quite," Ace reached up to Erin's face to push a strand of hair off his eyes. "She acquired her powers when she became Queen of Wonderland. But, she killed the Red Queen's dragon without any magic. That's how powerful she is. And if I used her power to defeat Spade, it'll kill me."

Erin gasps. Ace adds in a soft and quiet voice, "I would easily do that, for the good of Wonderland. With Alice's powers, I could turn the sky blue. But, I don't want to die without seeing Alice again. Would you sacrifice your life if it meant you could never see your wife again?"

Erin's throat strained and his heart pounded sadly. "No... Ace, don't do that. Alice will come, right? You don't have to die."

"That's what we're hoping for. But when all is lost..." Ace gave him the Queen of Hearts card again, "It's my duty as King."