The Melancholy of Wonderland

The Code of the Heart

"Anya... What is so important that you had to take me out back, outside, at 5 am in the morning?"

"Sorry, I have to ask you something, but Raven can't be around to hear it," Anya said sheepishly. "Emilio, I need you to explain the Code of the Heart to me. What is it? How does it work? Why is it so bad to break the law? Why does nobody seem to do it?"

"Slow down, Anya. Well, the Code of the Heart is Wonderland's set of laws. It was written by the Queen of Hearts once she ascended the throne. Because of this, it is absolute. There are two parts to the Code: the Outer Book and the Central Book. The Outer Book is where most of the laws are written. Breaking one of the laws in the Outer Book is not that serious. You might spend some time in jail or have to go to guidance sessions but that is about it. Most of the laws are basic, like do not steal from others or do not intrude on others' private land.

"Breaking one of the laws in the Central Book is taboo. The minute you do so, the queen's agents will swarm you and ship you off to the capitol. You will go on trial and be automatically executed right after."

"I see... So there goes that idea," Anya muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing, please continue."

"The Central Book contains the laws that are more serious, such as do not kill another human and do not insult the queen."

"So there are less serious laws and super serious laws, and they're grouped separately... Okay. That queen is pretty meticulous. Let's head back now. Thanks for this, Emilio."

"No problem, but Anya?"

"Yeah?"

"What exactly are you planning?"

"Not much... Just might be breaking a couple of laws here and there."

Anya started to cackle, skipping amiably back to the house. For some reason, a sense of dread was beginning to descend upon Emilio.

Anya laid awake in her cot for another hour or so before Cecelia called them for breakfast. It wasn't a fish dish this time, instead consisting of a grey bread and vividly colored jam. Cecelia was frying what appeared to be eggs but they were bright green. They reminded Anya of a children's book from a famous author. Something about green eggs and ham. There was also juice and a light salad.

"In the name of the queen, we take this daily grace," Anthony Steelcrest, Emilio's father, said. "I heard about what happened to you two. It is fortunate my sons found you in time. I assume you have become acquainted with Emilio here. I got home late last night, and I heard you all talking." Oh, so that's who told us to shut up.

"Eh, it wasn't that big of a deal." Anya shrugged and buttered some bread. "With all the crazy weather patterns and such, I'm sure it happens all the time."

"I am not so sure. We have passed by that specific island several times now. Right, Emilio?" Christian said.

"Hm? Oh, yes. It was kind of weird."

"No doubt, it is the doings of the divine forces the great Queen of Hearts has put to work," Anthony said. "Thanks to her interference, you were able to rescue two stranded souls. Good job." He ruffled Emilio's hair.

"I wouldn't call it divine, more like a coincidence. We just happened to be on the right island at the right time," Anya said. "It was pretty darn small, too."

"Do you not believe in the security set by the queen?" Anthony asked. "The queen is always right. She gives us all we need."

"I mean, I've been on the streets for as long as I can remember, so I'm mostly self-sufficient. I only let Blondie here tag along 'cause we have the same goal." Anya glared at Raven. He took the message and continued to eat, not butting into the conversation.

"You did mention you wanted to meet the Mad Hatter and the March Hare," Cecilia noted.

"So how do you get food?" Christian asked. "Do you have a home?"

"Nah, I'm always on the run so I just sleep wherever's comfortable. Gotta pack light if you wanna survive on the back end of society. As for food," Anya took in a deep breath, "I mostly just pick-pocket from street vendors. An apple here, a small bun there. Nothing to make me stand out." This was the ultimate test.

The clatter of utensils was suddenly halted. Everyone was staring at Anya. She took no note and continued eating, chewing her bread nonchalantly. "Gotta say, having a nice place to sleep in and eating warm food is pretty nice for a change."

"Do you... Do you not have any regard for the Code of the Heart?" Anthony whispered. Anya shrugged.

"What can I say, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive. If I wanted to live, I couldn't be a goody-two-shoes. Besides, I'm technically not stealing. The food doesn't belong to the vendors; if that was the case then they wouldn't be selling anything. It's not in the possession of anyone until it's purchased. So I'm not breaking the Code in any way."

"Even so, what you are doing is most definitely wrong!" Christain protested.

"It was either that or die in the streets. In the end, my will to live was stronger than whatever hold the Code could put on me. I've got free will. Society didn't have a place for me so I carved it out with my own two bloody hands. I don't give a crap about what the queen wants. If she really cared, then everyone would have warm beds to sleep in and good food to eat. She might provide everything for you but for a street rat like me, that ain't the case."

Anya surveyed the Steelcrests' expressions. There were barely hints of shock and confusion ghosted on their features. Raven knew perfectly well what she was doing but even he looked a bit surprised.

"Surely you jest," Anthony suddenly said. "Free will is not needed. We have the Queen of Hearts! I am sure she would give a poor child like you food if you asked for it. Whatever it is Her Majesty desires, we give her as her loyal subjects."

"The Queen of Hearts is always right. The Code is absolute," Cecilia stated.

"I dunno, I thought she had a pretty good point there𑁋"

"Hush, Emilio. You are too young to understand."

"He's the same age I am. If he wants to be innovative, let him be innovative!" Anya shrugged. "He's got the same free will as anyone else."

"He does not need a free will when he has the Queen of Hearts," Cecilia said, stroking Emilio's hair. "After all...

"The Queen of Hearts is always right."

Anya frowned, but she couldn't say any more or she'd risk getting Emilio in trouble. All she could do now was hold her tongue and keep her ideas to herself.