Evelyn in the Country of Hearts

Castle of Hearts

Keeping  names from the original story so it will cause less confusion. Remember, this is a fanfic. All credit goes to rightful owners so on and so forth.

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I had absolute faith that the Commander of the Red Army would know where the Castle of Hearts was. He probably did, but if he mentioned that he fell on his head as a kid or that he had a rare case of Alzheimer's, I would have believed him. The boy had the worst sense of direction.
"I swore it was this way..." he muses again.
I sit down on a nearby stump, panting. From the get-go, he's been claiming shortcuts all over the place. At one point, he tried to squeeze us through a tree.
"Thanks anyway," I catch my breath. "I might actually be better off on my own."
"Now, now," he waves me away. "I'm almost positive it is this way." Ace climbs up a tree.
I grab him by the tail of his coat. "Are you willing to bet your life on it?" I ask seriously.
"Of course!" he responds instantly, sunshine radiating from him.

We ended up in front of a mansion--not a castle.
"Phew, I did better than last time!" he exhales, wiping sweat from his brow. I gawk at how far the castle looks now. So far, the thing looked like a freakin' pencil point!
"THAT'S IT!" I roar, grabbing him by his collar. "YOU'RE DEAD!"
He chortles nervously, "Don't worry. I'll definitely get you there!"
"It's been five time periods already!" I spat. "Where the hell are we?!"
"Mafia's Mansion," a voice answers. I turn towards the voice with feral eyes. The man with the top hate again, except he wasn't alone. The hare named Elliot and a butler with no face stood by his side. Bad. Very bad.
I turn back to Ace with a tight grin. "I might actually kill you," I seethe, strangling him. "Here I was trying to stay out of the trio war, and you lead me right to Satin's fruit!"
"Satin's fruit? How dare you!" Elliot bellows. " Master Blood is anything but!"
"I am so sick of rabbits!" I snap. "You want to go, bunny?!"
"You better watch it, little girl! The Hatter won't be pleased!" Elliot threatens.
"Like I care!" I retort. "I want out of this crazy shit hole! You think I care whether you people like me?!"
"Umm, Evelyn," Ace taps me tentatively. "I think you should stop. The bunny's face is turning red."
I roll up my sleeves, ready for a fist fight.
"Enough," Blood orders with an ominous air. "Why are you here? To disrespect me on my turf?"
"I don't even know how we got here! This idiot was supposed to take me to the castle!" I smack Ace on the arm.
"Don't be mean," Ace protests.
"Heh, you're wasting your time with him," Elliot snickers. "That guy couldn't find his way to sleep."
"Interesting," Blood utters. "If the lady wants to go to the castle, who is to stop her. We will escort you until you can find your way."
"No thanks," I object. "I'd rather not be involved with you."
"Yet you are going to the Castle of Hearts," the Hatter points out.
"I'm not taking sides!" I insist.
"Then let this favor be out of courtesy," he grins. I look at Ace. I could be lost forever if I stay with him.
"Do what you want," I huff haughtily.

 "Let's go!" Ace prattles, already heading into the brush.
"You fool!" Elliot hauls him out.
I sigh, he's already getting lost. I try to keep close behind them so I don't have to talk alone with the Hatter. At times when I had to look in his direction, I looked past him purposefully. Ace and Elliot press on with expendable energy. Gradually, I start to lag behind.
"If you hate it here so much, why did you come?" Blood calls not too far behind me.
"You think I came here by choice?!" I snap. "I was dragged here by that miserable white rabbit!"
"I don't understand your rage," he looks around. "I don't have a problem with the place."
I turn on him. "What if I dragged you to my world?" I demand. "You wouldn't have your mansion, your servants, or your little cups of tea. Annoying people would clamor around a pretty boy like you. They'll find every fault in you, take advantage of you, and say false words of politeness. Is that fine with you?"
He gazes at me evenly. "I'm using an incredible amount of patience on such a small girl," Blood muses.
I narrow my eyes. "Don't bother," I rotate on my heel. "You might as well shoot me if that little spiel inconvenienced you." I almost expected him to pull a gun on me, but he said something instead.
"You're pretty attractive as well."
I stop dead in my tracks. Slowly, I turn to face him with wide eyes, "What?"
He grins, "You are beautiful too."
My stunned expression slowly morphs into a smile. "At least you got the fake politeness down." I return to focusing on Elliot and Ace.

The Castle of Hearts was veiled with red roses. An impressive maze behind the garden loomed a large shadow over us.
"Woo, thanks guys! I think I can find my way from here!" Ace thanks graciously.
"We're already here, you dope!" Elliot knocks him upside the head.
The Hatter pulls me to the side. "A piece of advice: don't take that attitude of yours before the Queen unless you want your head rolling across her lawn," he whispers.
"What are you two shushing about?" Ace interrupts out of curiosity.
"Nothing really," I answer.
"Well then, let's go! The Queen is all about punctuality!" Ace urges.
"I didn't set up an appointment," I scoff. "There's nothing to be late for."
"See you senile commander, little girl," Elliot waves.
"Just keep what I said in mind," The Hatter reminds as a goodbye.
"BYE!" Ace waves violently. "Haa...such nice people..."
I harrumph in doubt.
"Just you wait Evelyn. If you like us, you'll love the Queen!" he assures.
"Can't wait," I reply sarcastically.