“H-Have mercy…”
“Who am I?”
“Th-The pretty princess of Wonderland.”
“And Jean?”
“Y-Your brother?”
“Which one of us do you find prettier?”
“Wh-Why you, of course.”
“Excellent.”
Alice delivered a heavy blow to his stomach. He fell unconscious, coughing up blood.
“Now I can put my mind at ease. Oh wait, I almost forgot.” Alice rearranged the Demon Lord’s body into a groveling pose with a satisfied smile.
Alice returned to her party, drenched in blood, smiling.
“Alice?! Wh-What’s with that creepy smile?!”
“Get away from us!”
Hatta and Haigha shook in each other’s arms as Jean’s soul left his body.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you two, but pack your stuff; we’re leaving. Seb, fetch Jean. I’ll make a man out of him yet.”
“As you wish.”
Alice exited the throne room with a light spring in her step, as though a heavy weight had just been lifted off her shoulders. The Demon Lord’s minions politely cleared the way, even the dragon. He was so scared, he curled up into a ball.
✦ ✦ ✦
❤❤❤
AND so, thanks to Alice acting on her petty grievances, peace had been restored to the land. All’s well that ends well, as they say.
They returned to the coach and were back on their way home.
You’d think they’d be on the top of the world, having defeated the Demon Lord himself. But not exactly.
Hatta and Haigha wouldn’t stop shaking, Jean was still unconscious, and Seb just wanted to go home and rest.
The only one who felt anything remotely positive was Alice as she placed the freshly captured carrot monster next to the potato monster, smiling all the while.
On their way back home, they stopped by the Land of Cards to get Jean something to wear that wasn’t a disheveled dress. Alice and Haigha picked out his clothes and returned the Red Queen’s Poem of Jabberwocky while they were at it.
“If it wasn’t for you, we never would’ve made it,” Alice said.
“I’m glad I could be of assistance,” declared the Red Queen.
“Now, I’m going to need you to work in conjunction with the Beast King to stifle rumors of me infiltrating the Demon Lord’s castle. Think of it as a favor.”
“So, the rumors were true after all, although it’s not too surprising given that it’s, well, you. I’ll clear the air…but you owe me.”
“Much appreciated.”
While the Unicorn Knight Order kept their mouths shut, the Lion Knight Order spread all sorts of myths and legends about her uncle and, by extension, Alice herself. So, following Seb’s advice, she decided to employ help from the most powerful individual within Wonderland’s borders in an attempt to hide the fact that she ever snuck out of the castle.
“Also, did you see the White Rabbit? Little rascal escaped from the dungeon.”
“I think he’s in a better place by now.”
He wasn’t, but he’d come close—many times, in fact.
“Well, if you happen to find him, let me know.”
“Will do. And with that, I bid you adieu.”
And so, they set off for home. It was a short yet eventful journey. So eventful, in fact, that they all even felt a little homesick.
“Seb, how long ’til the castle?”
“A couple of hours or so, seeing as the monster attacks have all but ceased.”
The griffin-drawn coach made quick work of the remaining distance. Once the city came into view, they let Jean off and instructed him to pretend like he escaped from the Demon Lord’s clutches all on his own.
“We’ll be heading back to the item shop now. See ya around, Alice.”
“Be sure to invite us to your upcoming tea party, Alice.”
“Thank you, Hatta, Haigha.”
Hatta and Haigha left with a smile on their faces. The two were very much “all’s well that ends well” types, which is why they managed to stay friends with Alice despite everything.
“Oh no.”
“Is something the matter, my lady?” Seb asked.
“She took Onion Boy with her.”
“I’m sure you’ll get the chance to meet up soon enough. You live in the same place, after all.”
“I guess you’re right. We’ll be heading back now, Griffy. You’ve been a great help. Now go! Be free,” Alice said as she removed the reins, parting ways with Griffy.
They then disposed of the coach and snuck back inside the castle through a secret entrance. Alice managed to switch places with her decoy without anyone noticing, as they were all too excited over Jean’s return.
That very night, the King threw a welcome back party unlike any before, and everyone loved it. The days to come were marked by peace and prosperity for all. Well, all but Jean, who had no idea what Alice had in store for him next.