Heartlessness (finished)

Chapter 7

I waited at the castle patiently, my extravagant sundress surrounding my legs like a pool of red silk. Sitting out in the garden on a sweet summer day was a pastime of mine that I particularly enjoyed because it reminded me of Jest. His smile could compare to a day such as this. His eyes ripe lemon colored like the ones on the lemon trees. His personality was as craving as a delicious pastry made by yours truly. He was different than any other man. He was mysterious, and treated those around him like equals instead of looking down upon them or up above him. Normal men my age are difficult and superfluous in some ways. Every intention written upon their face like a vow to unholy yearning. Never did a man seek to make more of me than my appearance or like some, my cooking. With Jest it was like we had nothing to gain and nothing to lose. Just the freedom of our love coursing through our veins like an unexpected shock of lightning, and the growing growl of thunder. 

I was catapulted out of my thoughts by a servant tapping my shoulder, "Miss, the girl is here." the servant said timidly. Her shaking fingers prove that she's more afraid of me than she would be the Jabberwock. "Bring her here, and by the way Jane?" 

"Yes miss?" she said once again with shyness.

"Have a drink, it looks like you deserve it. Just get some out of the basement where the wine and other beverages are, and if anyone asks, send them to me. Alright?"

She stood there for a moment, presumably in shock. I can't blame her either, I can't imagine the most terrifying beast in all the land ever offering me a drink without menace.

"Of course Miss, I mean thank you miss, I mean... I'll bring the child now."

"Thank you." 

"Y-you're welcome."

I waited once again patiently until little Alice arrived.

She came stomping along the grass with a look of fake indifference upon her face. I could also see the slight awe in her eyes of the beauty of the castle, but she didn't want to show it. Watching her was quite humorous.

Once she was in front of me I stood up and smiled.

"Hello."

"Hello." she responded looking down at the ground.

"Would you like a tour of the castle?"

she shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Alright, we'll start with the gardens." I offer my hand to take, and she surprisingly takes it.

We walk through the gardens silently, until we meet with my handsome red rose bush. I pick a flower off of it and let go of Alice's hand to turn and front of her, and get down to her level of height. sticking the flowing behind her ear and into her hair I say "My what a beauty you are." and touch her cheek.

She turns her face away. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

I stand again and go and sit on the nearby fountain and pat the spot next to me. She sits down with reluctance and and awaits for my response. "I once lost someone very important to me. they were the happy sun to my sad moon. Made me feel like the world was in the palm of my hand. Then they were gone with a gleam. I lost them because they were trying to protect me. It was truly my fault that they're gone now, which makes the loss much more sufferable. Ever since, I have not been the same. Making mistakes and choices however, are part of life, and I've made a lot of them, and being kind to you is one of those choices."

A moment of silence passed before she responded, "I still don't trust you though, because you're a monster! You've killed so many innocent people, and I think you're trying to make me forgive you, but I'm not. You don't deserve forgiveness."

"You're right, I don't. I don't deserve anyone's forgiveness, whether they choose to forgive me or not, is their choice, I still have a lot of choices left to make little girl, whether they be right or wrong is my choice. That's the curious thing about people. Choices are limitless in our life, and we as beings tend to downplay them and make them seem unimportant. So whether you choose to run out of this castle any second now, or stay and courageously face the beast is your choice, not mine."