Unwonderland

Abel left the clearing to meet with The Queen. He sighed inwardly. He hated talking to Rosso Sangue.

"Sir?" Sebastian asked softly.

"Hm?" he turned back to the outline of Sebastian.

"What's wrong?" he asked again. Damn, was he intuitive.

"Nothing," Abel sighed out the word, "I'm just thinking about what she's going to make me do."

"Ah," nodded his outline.

"Yeah," Abel spoke. They walked in silence until the castle. Sebastian opened the door for him.

"Good luck," he whispered before Stayne came to get him.

"Abel," nodded Stayne.

"Stayne," nodded Abel back. Abel wondered what he was still doing here, but it was not his place to know, unless he were told.

"Come with me. Attendant, tend to something else," Stayne ordered. Abel immediately felt anger towards him for that comment. Only he was permitted to order Sebastian around.

"Of course," bowed Sebastian as he let the door close in front of him. The attendants had their own entrance.

Stayne began to walk. Abel had to speed up or he'd leave without him. They walked in silence. They made a series of turns and went through plenty of doors before finally arriving at The Palace Room.

"Yes, your majesty?" Abel bowed in front of her.

"Abel," she said sweetly in her disgusting voice.

"Yes?" he didn't meet her eyes, wasn't permitted to.

"How's your medicine?" she asked again.

"It's wearing off a bit. But I'm fine," he fought off the urge to giggle. If he did, she'd give him more of that awful medicine.

"Okay," she said, "Abel, look at me," she demanded.

He did as he was told, lying his purple eyes on her. She smiled sickeningly at him. His heart squeezed. 'she found out.' he thought.

"I've an errand I need you to do," she said. He let out the breath he was holding, silently.

"What is it, your majesty?" he asked softly.

"I want you to go to the Real Realm," she spoke. He was confused.

"The Real Realm?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Yes," she nodded.

"For what, might I ask," Abel asked.

"I need you to fetch me poisons," she said lightly.

"Poisons? Like what?" he asked again.

"Stayne, give him the list," she spoke lovingly to Stayne. He did as he was told, advancing on on Abel, and handed him a thick piece of paper.

"I'll be gone for a while?" he asked.

"Yes," she spoke.

"Is there a deadline?" he asked.

"No," she shook her head.

"When do I leave?" he asked, once more.

"Tomorrow evening," she spoke.

"Alright," he nodded.

"You may go, but not without your medicine," she said. Abel sighed inwardly, he didn't want to take it. He cringed a little as the needle slid into his skin.

"All done," said the doctor.

"Thank you," Abel nodded, then left.

***

Abel walked noisily to the clearing. He had a big thing coming tonight and he didn't know how to tell Alexias. He sighed. He heard his name slightly.

"Abel?"

He knew this voice. He picked up the pace. Then he heard an unfamiliar voice.

"Who's Abel?" asked a deep voice. He slowed down again.

"He's a friend of mine. Promise you won't say anything to The Queen?" she asked. He smiled, she really did like talking to him.

"I promise, Miss," he declared.

"I knew I loved you," she squeaked. As he entered the clearing she bent down to hug a dog around the neck.

"I see I have some competition," Abel's voice was low. She pulled away from it.

"I don't know," she shrugged, "He's gotten ahead of you, Abel," she smirked at him. He smiled back.

"Hardly. I think I could compete with a dog," Abel spoke, his smile growing wider. He was amused.

"I don't think so, he can talk," whispered Alexias. She had an expression on her face that he could tell she was struggling to come up with witty comebacks.

"So can I," Abel pointed out. He decided to dull it down a bit, giving her a chance to come back.

"Yes, but you see, you're not a dog," Alexias giggled. Abel chuckled with her. He ran out of comebacks.

"That I am not," he breathed, the smile still there. Alexias giggled again. Her giggle was adorable.

"Abel, this is Bayard," she pointed to the dog. He smiled at him.

"Hello Bayard," Abel smiled.

"Good evening, Sir," Bayard replied. Alexias moved toward the boarder.

"Miss Alexias?" Bayard asked. He could tell he hasn't won his trust yet.

"It's alright Bayard, come," she reassured him. She called both animals over to her. Bayard and the Bandersnatch came and laid down next to her. Flanking her sides.

"So, I took the ibuprofene this morning. And nothing happened," Alexias started.

"Yeah it takes a day or so," Abel explained.

"So, I've been wondering," Alexias started, "What does ibuprfene mean?"

"It means ibuprofen, but ibuprofene is more fun to say," he smirked. He liked that word.

"Have you ever been to the Real Realm?" Alexias changed the subject, excitedly.

"Yes," he nodded, "I am originally from Italy."

"Italy?" Alexias asked. She looked so lost.

"You've never been to the Real Realm, have you?" he asked.

"No," she said softly, "my mother was, though."

"Oh, I would've thought, because you sound English," he explained.

"My mother and father were English, and everyone around me was English too. I've been around it for my whole life," Alexias explained she blinked innocently.

"Oh, you know what? Later, I'll bring you a map of the Real Realm," he smiled at her. That's when he'll tell her the news.

"Oh my God! Thank you so much!" Alexias exclaimed.

"You've never seen the Real Realm, you're mother never told you about it?" Abel asked incredulously.

"No," Alexias shook her head, "whenever I asked my mother about the Real Realm, she'd change the subject. I don't know anything about it."

"Well where I come from, it's beautiful," he smirked. He saw the look on her face. She must've heard the slight accent he had. He hid it well.

"How beautiful? And where were you from?" Alexias asked.

"I was from Rome or Roma as us Italians call it. It is a beautiful city. It has historical events and monuments. I loved it there, but you see, we were needed here," explained Abel.

"Wow," Alexias breathed, "do you have pictures?"

"Yes," he smiled, happy to know Alexias didn't ask why his family was needed here. "I'll bring them with the map."

"Thank you!" she exclaimed happily.

"Alexias?" a female voice called. Alexias quickly moved to the river, "Alexias."

"Yes?" she asked, once she was situated. Ancilla, the maid, walked into the clearing.

"You must go back to the castle for your physical therapy and your teacher wants to teach you how to fight with only your right hand," Ancilla spoke. Her voice was strained, Abel was spotted.

"Okay," Alexias said softly. She looked like she didn't want to leave. As she got up, she looked apologetically at Abel. He smiled at her. She smiled back and left the clearing.

He sat there alone for a couple hours before the Bandersnatch came back.

"Hello," smiled Abel. It was carrying a note, "What's that?"

It stood in front of him, dropping the note onto the boarder. He picked it up, as the Bandersnatch plopped down in front of him. It read:

'Stay away from Alexias, or I will kill her.'

"Who did this?" asked Abel to the Bandersnatch. It lowered it's head.

"I did," Charudatta walked out of the brush.

"Why are you doing this?" asked Abel, he stood up. He was easily a head taller than him, even though he was at least two years younger than him.

"Just because I can," he smirked. Abel wanted so much to punch that smirk off his face. He clenched his fists at his sides and breathed deeply.

"What do you have against me?" Abel asked slowly, "I know you're working against the White Queen, but for who? And why?"

"I'm working with-" he was interrupted by Alexias' voice. She sounded cheerful, as though nothing could make her upset. Charudatta stiffened and left the clearing. Alexias quieted down. Abel realized, he hasn't brought the map and pictures. He'd better go now.

Before she appeared in the clearing, he ran, ran to his house.

***

"Alexias," smiled Abel, returning to the clearing. He hid the map behind his back. She turned from the river and smiled at him her smile was illuminating. His smile grew.

"Hello," she said, moving toward the boarder.

"I have something for you," he slowly brought the items from behind his back. She squealed.

"Thank you, so much!" she exclaimed. He laid them on the boarder, she snatched them up.

"Wow," she breathed, "it really is beautiful."

She examined the pictures first. Then the map. The world map.

"Wow," she smiled. Her eyes were bright.

"Alexias... I-"

"Abel! I can't believe you lived here!" she interrupted.

"Yeah," he chuckled.

"What was it you were going to say?" she asked. He guessed she interrupted unintentionally. He got really nervous and when he got nervous...

"I... Uh," he started off, "Io vado al Regno Reale," he said in a hurried voice, "Mi dispiace tanto, Alexias, vorrei portare con me-"

"Abel," she said. He stopped, "You're speaking Italian."

He took a deep breath, "I'm... Uh... Going to the... Uh... Real Realm," he said that last part hurriedly.

"What?" she asked. She sounded so disappointed.

"Yeah," he lowered his head, "I wish I could take you with me," he said softly.

"Hey," she said, "look at me."

He complied, lying his eyes onto hers. She smiled, although this smile was hiding something.

"It's okay, just be sure to bring be some pictures," she smiled.

He smiled back and said, "I'll bring you something more than just pictures."

"Like what?" she asked, excitedly.

"You'll see," he said.

"Sir, it's time for your departure," Sebastian appeared behind him.

"Hello Sebastian," Alexias waved.

"Good evening, Miss Alexias," he smiled.

"I must go," Abel said softly.

"I'll be here when you return," Alexias smiled, happily. Abel smiled back.

"I promise, I won't be long," he promised.

"Alright," Alexias nodded.