Painting the White Ones Red

Chapter Six: Explanations

"So, let me get this straight: That thing was a Jabberwock, which is a monster. The Tea Party is part of an organization called the White Knights that kills monsters and demons and what-nots. And I'm supposed to believe this?" I summarize briefly, while Victor sits in his chair, calmly cleaning the blood off his pure black sword.

"Yup."

I stop pacing and stare at him for a moment. He finishes wiping it off and sets the cloth on the small table beside him. Victor stabs his sword into the ground and stands. I watch as he approaches me. "Are you serious?" I try to not shout. Chess was with Jasper, taking him to the small infirmary in the palace. 

"As death itself." I can't stand how calm he sounds. It's as if he expects me to just absorb and get used to all of this immediately. I just blink and stare at him. 

Instead of yelling or getting mad, I just let out a breath and try to adapt to it. "You know...I can't picture you as a knight." I tell him, shifting my weight to one hip. 

In response, he gives one of his stupid smirks. It must be his favorite emotion, or I'm just that amusing to him. Either why, it's annoying.

The doors fly open and I look over. "Delia!" Harvey explaims, hugging me tightly. He holds me as if he never wants to let me go. "Oh thank god you're safe." He lets out a sigh of relief. "We were so worried about you." He informs me, pulling away far enough for me to see his face.

Right as Harvey opens his mouth to speak, a woman's voice interrupts. "Harvey, move!" They command. He does as so, revealing Lareina behind him. That's it. She's going to kill me. Part of her home was destroyed, and I was involved. She's going to kill me.

But she doesn't. 

She hugs me tightly, pulling me into her warm embrace. Everything around her says what Harvey said--"Thank god you're safe". She won't say it out loud, though. That I know. She just stays there, hugging me tighter than Harvey did. I smile softly, because this is one of the rare times she shows emotions.

When we both let go, she turns and faces the hatter. "Thank you for killing the Jabberwock, Hatter," She tells him. "And for saving Cordelia." Victor smiles as if to say 'my pleasure'. "Unfortunately, we can not have you end up having to save our Cordelia constantly, in case this happens once more. She will require physical training and must be taught how to fight.

"I would appreciate it, Victor, if you would please teach her these things as well as her current lessons." The queen tells him. "I understand that this means longer lessons, but please. We can offer a permanent stay if it is needed." Wait...More time with him? No way. I mean, yea--I'm grateful for him saving my butt but--no freaking way. And now he has to live here. 

Victor looks at me. I try to not show any emotion. He might just use it against me. I don't want to let that happen. Victor looks back at Lareina. "It would be my honor." He bows slightly. Stupid eighteen year old. He stands up straight once more. "When would you like for me to start?" 

Lareina steals a quick glance at me. "May I speak with you in private?" She avoids the question. Victor nods and follows her out, Harvey trailing behind. I watch them leave. It's my education, but I don't get to be involved? I don't find this fair.

Letting out a breath, I walk to the infirmary to check on Jasper and Chess. The infirmary is so clean and white and organgized. It looks like a long hall, with five white medical beds on each side. I walk to the bed in the far back right corner, where Jasper lays. Chess is sitting on the next bed over.

His shirt is unbuttoned, adhesive bandages placed over some of the ribs. He looks fine, other than that. Chess is swinging her legs back and forth, a lollipop sticking out of her mouth. They both look over at me as I approach; Jasper's face lighting up at my sight. "Hey." He smiles.