So, This Is Love?

Chapter 21

Red's POV

Bored out of her mind, she decided to do something she never thought she'd do in all her years of life but here she is calling her mom's number like it was a normal day. She watches her phone ring for what felt like forever, with her anxiety almost spiking up as the call was answered.

Bringing the phone up to her ear, she lets out a tiny shaky breath. “Hey mom.”

“Rosebud! Such a surprise to be calling at this hour, how are you?” Her mom's voice wasn't as cheerful as what she was used to.

“I'm okay, just waiting for Chloe to finish her practice.” She mumbles, laying down on her bed and staring at the ceiling.

She hears her hum. “Is there a reason you're calling, Red?”

How her face frowned at how gentle her words were to her, it almost made her want to hang up but she did promise Chloe that she'll try connecting with her. “Yeah, I guess.”

She heard shuffling from the other line. “Sorry, darling. I was looking for a place to sit, you may continue.”

Her mouth gaped, nodding a little and focused on her breathing a little. “I- I thought about what we discussed yesterday.”

“Oh? And what is your decision, my rose?” Her mom asks softly, sending shivers across her body from the unfamiliarity of her.

“I still want to be your sole heir.” She breathes out, she hears her mom exclaim in excitement.

“That's great news! But that's not the only thing you wanted to talk about, is it?”

“I was skeptical at first, because of… You know, but you're not her, you're different from her. A good difference and I guess ruling Wonderland one day without violence and bloodshed behind it, helped me a lot with deciding.” She said her lips formed a half-smile.

“I'm so very proud, Red. If you need anything at all, I'm here for you, my rose.” Her mom affectionately smiles.

“Also, I wanted to ask you about something, when Chloe was cornered by Henry yesterday. I felt so angry that Uma said my eyes turned… Red.” She mutters the last word, expecting her mom to berate her for being different instead it was met with a surprised gasp.

“I knew it was possible but I didn't know you inherited it.” She hears her mom exclaim in happiness.

Knitting her brows, she was beyond confused at this point. “Inherited what?”

“Darling, your great-grandfather had something like this. One where you feel your love being threatened, it doesn't do too much but just turns your eyes red to intimidate those who dare challenge your relationship, there‘s not much said about this but if you discover something new we'll have Maddox check.” Her mom chuckles.

“So basically, like a soulmate thing?” She thought Wonderland couldn‘t get any more weirder but it did unsurprisingly.

“No, Rosebud. It's more like you found pure love, the purest of them all.” She could feel the smile her mom had through her voice.

“He almost went to war against the neighboring kingdom because he thought they insulted your great-grandmother's love for croquet.” Her mom laughed. “I told you, love makes you a fighter and a protector, it also is maddening, Red. There's always madness within us, it's only up to ourselves on how we cope with it. ”

“But I haven't even-” She was about to protest but she heard her tsked softly.

“Red, love cannot only come from words, it also comes from our actions and from within. Even if you haven‘t said it yet, you're showing it with what you can and I know Chloe doesn't doubt that for a second. Has she forced you to say it back?”