Guilty Alice: Finding Love In Wonderland

Chapter 3

-Mattie's 'Dream'-

"Have you finally decided to admit your crime?" The queen asks.

Even if I try to explain, the queen, exploding with anger, seems to turn an ear to my plea and though I haven't stole her 'Heart', I'm the one who actually broke it.

There's no way I can talk myself out of this after being confronted with such charges. What going to happen to me?

When the blade of the guillotine is released will I wake up or I'm I going to die in reality?

I tightly clasp my hands in fear and shut my eyes.

At that time, "Red Queen I have an excellent idea" a suspicious voice that bears suppressed laughter floats into the courtroom.

When I open my eyes, I see a man in the corner of the courtroom, where it should have been empty moments ago. It's a strange man with a cat-hood that covers his eyes. Huh?! Isn't that the shopkeeper from earlier today?!

"What do you want, Cheshire Cat?" The queen asked, clearly annoyed. "You interrupted me. Be careful with the next words that come out of your mouth. They could be your last." The Queen addresses the man called Cheshire Cat in a relentless voice. The kind of voice that sends shivers down your spine. She seriously plans on killing him depending on what he says next. But Cheshire Cat speaks calmly as if nothing happened. "I see that Your Highness is quite upset about her precious 'Heart' being stolen. First I would like to offer my deepest condolences. However, in my opinion, it may perhaps be the best if Your Highness did not make a permanent judgment regarding the execution of Alice in the heat of rage."

The queens scowls at Cheshire Cat as he bows deeply. The way he talks and his behavior are way to polite to the point that it sounds as if he's mocking the red queen. Is he not afraid of the queen at all?

"Even if Your Highness takes the life of a pathetic thief, the 'Heart' will be lost forever, never to return." he says while a playfully smirk tugging at his lips.

"What are you getting at, Cheshire Cat? I don't have time to play along with your silly game anymore." the queen says.

"Oh dear me. Dare I say the queen was not pleased with my prologue? You have my deepest apologies. Simply put, I was curious on what the queen would think if we just made this girl create a 'Heart' "

"Go on." The queen begins to take interest in Cheshire Cat's plans he speaks to her in an almost sarcastic tone. The red queen seems to be considering his idea, no longer yelling or ignoring what he has to say.

"Me? Make a 'Heart'?" I have no idea what they're talking about. Leaving me puzzled Cheshire Cat continues, "If it were possible I, Cheshire Cat, would be honored to make a 'Heart' and present it to the queen. However a 'Heart' can only be made by women"

"Actually, about that jewelry box, that mans the one that-"

"Silence Alice!" The queen interrupts me with her ruthless tone. "I am speaking to the Cheshire Cat at the moment You have no business in opening your mouth. Or perhaps you would like to be executed before hearing what Cheshire Cat has to say?"

Lost for words, I stand still. She throws a glance at me, but she quickly casts her eyes back over to Cheshire Cat.

"Do you really think Alice can make a 'Heart'?" The queens asks.

"Well, a 'Heart' is, as we say, an awakening crystal, a vessel for the awakening of someone's love. Even if we tell her to love somebody it's probably not something that can happen so easily. If she is going to end up being killed anyways, I believe there is still time to do so even after testing this out, is there not?" The Cheshire Cat grins a toothy smile.

"Interesting" the queens says.

"Having someone from that world know about the existence of Wonderland may not be the most desirable outcome, but please rest assured, Your Highness. If she fails producing a 'Heart' then all we need to do is kill her. And, if she successfully creates a 'Heart' all we need to do is take hers. Then all her memories during the time she has fallen in love and Wonderland will be completely wiped away. So how is my idea, Your Highness?" he says, still smiling.

After thinking for awhile, the queen looks down at me as she declares her verdict in a detached tone, "Very well, Cheshire Cat. Alice, I shall let you live for one more month. If you do not wish to be executed, you must successfully produce a 'Heart', and bring it to me."

"I...but I don't even know how to-"

I'm cut off again as the queen says, "It's simple, I'll send five men to your world. If you have five men, then you can at least find one to create a 'Heart' with."

"Wait! W-what?!" I say.

"What? No good? Then, would you like to be executed now?" The queen challenges.

"No I-I'm okay!" I say.

"Is that so. Feel honored that I'm doing this for you. Mistakes with not be tolerated. If you would fail producing a 'Heart', then that day will truly be the day your head rolls. Prepare yourself." The queen snickers.

This is crazy. I really want to raise up and object to her high-handed ways, but I'm to scared that she may change her mind in bad ways. But at least I know I'm fine for now. I guess.

Immediately after I let out a sigh of relief the world around me starts spinning, and suddenly I become frightfully dizzy.