#Blood Dupre | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

wildflower-otome · 3 months

Text

[Translation] Clover no Kuni no Alice ~Promise Red~ Light Novel - Chapter 6

ACT 6 - Inseparable person, beloved family

‘You did well today, Alice- Would you like to have a meal with me after this?’

The White Rabbit, who wasn’t in his usual red, but a black suit, gave a radiant smile as he asked her to come out with him.

They were not at Heart Castle, but in the large meeting room at Clover Tower. It was the place the Assembly had just been held in.

The discussion now over, all attendees aside from the two of them had already disappeared.

Alice didn’t have any plans until the next meeting, so she nodded yes.

‘A meal? Sure, is there anything you want to eat, Peter?’

As the girl who was wearing her special Assembly dress answered with a question, he continued, looking shy.

‘There’s nothing in particular but…..I just thought that I’d like to go out for a meal with you. I’d like to take you somewhere that you’d like to eat.’

‘Let me see.’

Unlike animals with strong preferences such as Elliot or Pierce, there wasn’t anything Alice herself especially liked or disliked. She thought she would be fine with anything, but pondered for a moment on how she should answer.

The first time she had come to an Assembly at Clover Tower, this White Rabbit had been the one who had said that no matter what he ate, it had no taste.

That he had invited her out to eat even so, meant that he had suggested it because he wanted to spend time with Alice. That made her feel happy, but she also had her doubts.

‘But are you alright with going out to eat? Although if it doesn’t bother you, Peter, I don’t mind.’

It was true that she was hungry since the discussion had gone on for so long, but it wasn’t yet so bad that she felt about to collapse or anything like that.

Because things had no taste for him, she thought he might not be able to enjoy himself even if they were together, but Peter vigorously shook his head from side to side.

‘If I can be with you…..it’s not possible there would be anything I would dislike-! I am more than happy to go with you!’

Ever since she had asked Peter to be her lover he was always following her around, to the extent where the period he had spent being distant seemed like a lie. The way he would call out and start looking around for her whenever she went away from him was the same as it had been before she had come to Heart Castle.

However, the biggest difference was that instead of looking exasperated as she said, “Stop it already”, Alice now looked bashful instead.

‘Let's go together, no matter when, I wish to make you happy at all times.’

‘.....Thank you. Alright, let’s go then.’

As he held Alice’s hand tightly, Peter’s cheeks were flushed.

‘How about the mushroom restaurant we went to not long ago? You said it was delicious and seemed to enjoy it, why don’t we go there again?’

Standing exactly on the other side of her, the red eyes peered into her face.

The gaze with which he looked at Alice was as soft and warm as ever.

Alice loved those eyes. They only looked at her, a red colour that put her at ease.

‘That sounds nice, they might even have a new menu too. Let’s go there.’

In her previous relationship, they had never held hands and walked side by side.

When she was with him, her heart beat faster, and she couldn’t calm down. But, it wasn’t just Peter who became worried when they weren’t together, Alice felt the same way.

She loved how warm the palm of his hand in hers felt, right now she was able to honestly admit that that was how she felt.

She found the changes in herself unbelievable. At the point where she had wanted him to become her lover, there must already have been something quite wrong with her head. Alice had thoroughly come under the influence of this world, and of this White Rabbit.

‘Peter.’

‘Yes, what is it, Alice?’

A small voice, just below a whisper. Unlike when it had been just the two of them in the meeting room, as they walked through the town together there were, of course, other people around them.

Even though her voice had been quiet enough that it wouldn’t be strange for it to go unheard amongst the noise that surrounded them as they walked.

Those long ears had heard her call. Though normally what people wanted to say to the White Rabbit never got through to him, he would always listen to what Alice alone had to say, without fail.

‘.....Nothing really, I just kind of wanted to try calling you.’

‘Is that so.’

‘S-Sorry. I said something weird all of a sudden.’

It had made her happy that he had responded, but, just as she was apologising, embarrassed that she called out to him for no reason-

‘—Alice.’

‘Hm? What is it?’

Within the white hair, his gently laughing red eyes shone softly.

Red was a colour that she had become very familiar with in this world. Blood, roses…..those were the sorts of things she immediately associated it with.

However, this red was one that did not blend into any of the others.

Perhaps this red looked as beautiful as it did all the more because it existed within white. That was what she thought.

‘It’s the same for me. I just wanted to call your name.’

‘Wha-.....!?’

In the deep red, Alice was reflected.

His field of vision only reflecting her, the White Rabbit was happily smiling.

‘When I call your name, it is as if I am touching something very precious…..that’s how it feels to me.’

‘Peter…’

Seeing her own face reflected in his eyes, Alice smiled as if embarrassed. How contented she looked. She wondered if Peter could see himself looking the same way in her eyes.

‘Please call my name whenever you wish, Alice. If you call me, no matter where I am, I will always hear you.’

Her hand as he held it felt hot.

Peter’s hands were enveloped in gloves, so this heat surely came from Alice.

‘—If you say things like that, I really might take it seriously, you know?’

‘But, I am serious, after all.’

She had changed the topic to hide her embarrassment, but Peter gave an emphatic nod and continued.

‘I want you to take it seriously. Alice, if you believe it, no matter where I am, I will come flying to you.’

His gently smiling face had the same appearance as cotton down.

Because just as he said, it seemed as if he might end up flying away on the wind-

‘I won’t be going anywhere.’

As if she were grasping at white down, Alice held his hand more tightly in return.

***

The mushroom restaurant was as busy as it had been the first time they went there.

In the midst of the bustle, Alice was eating her meal after having been shown to her seat, but right now wasn’t at all in the mood to leisurely enjoy it. Blinking again and again, she cautiously opened her mouth to speak.

‘.....P-Peter. Are you sure you’re not forcing yourself? Are you alright?’

‘I'm perfectly fine. Do I look that strange to you, Alice?’

Tilting his head in confusion, the White Rabbit lightly tapped at his own face with his hands as he spoke as if to check.

What she was surprised at wasn’t his appearance. She had already become accustomed to the figure with the long ears, of which the face alone was good-looking. At this late stage, it no longer surprised her.

What had shocked her was Peter’s actions, or, more precisely, his facial expressions.

‘But, the way you look…..it’s completely different from before.’

The first time they had come there to eat, he had merely silently carried the food to his mouth as if it was no more than a chore. It had been in this restaurant that he had told her that no matter what he ate, it didn’t taste of anything.

‘You can’t taste things, right?’

Since just before, the White Rabbit had been slicing up his food and carrying it to his mouth, but each time he ate the expression on his face was changing. Mushroom, meat, bread…..the way he looked as he ate each of the different ingredients made it seem as if he could tell the difference in flavours.

‘Yes, that is correct. Even though food shouldn’t have any taste, I wonder why.’

Staring intently at the potato he had stabbed with his fork, he appeared perplexed himself.

‘We went on a picnic together not so long ago, right? Ever since then, whenever I eat with you…..it feels like food has flavour to it.’

‘Huh?’

‘Strange, isn’t it? I never felt anything at all up until now no matter what I ate, this too…..’

In a smooth movement, he put the potato into his mouth.

When he chewed, the White Rabbit did not speak. Because to talk while eating would be bad manners.

As he swallowed it down, sure enough, Peter again still looked puzzled.

‘It really does taste of something…..I wonder why that would be.’

‘Um, you know, that’s normal. Of course potatoes and mushrooms don’t taste the same.’

‘.....Hmm, it really is strange. It feels odd.’

His table manners were perfect.

However, it was only the look on his face that seemed mystified.

Seeing Peter eat in such a mismatched way made Alice feel happy somehow.

‘Is it good?’

‘I’m not sure, I believe this could probably be called delicious but…..I can’t quite tell.’

He ate another mouthful.

While chewing on a piece of soupy pie, the White Rabbit’s head was still tilted in confusion.

‘But, I do feel as if things taste delicious whenever I eat with you, Alice.’

Peter put down the knife and fork and smiled.

Just as she was about to return his smile-

The bell on the door rang as another customer entered.

The moment they did—the feeling of deja vu that darted across her chest might have been a premonition.

‘..........!!’

Without knowing why, Alice looked towards the entrance, but the instant she saw the figure of the man standing there her eyes widened.

It was impossible that Peter would not notice her reaction. As if following after Alice, he looked in the same direction, and when his gaze met that of the black suit wearing man, the expression on his face changed.

‘You really are a man that does nothing but get in the way, Blood Dupre.’

‘Hmph, and what about you, Prime Minister? Taking a guest out to dine, you must have a lot of free time on your hands.’

A black hat with trump card symbols.

Wearing a suit that left a strong impression, the Hatter was smiling sarcastically as he lightly swung his cane.

As he smacked it into the palm of his own hand, he gave a light sniff.

‘I hadn’t expected you to tame our young lady. Animals should act like animals, and stay as the pets they are.’

The green eyes beneath the brim of his hat seemed to be smiling, but were penetratingly cold.

‘You must really want me to destroy Heart Castle. I hadn’t thought you were the suicidal type, Lord Peter White.’

‘Blood. Um…..this is-’

Alice didn’t know how far his information network extended. To say nothing of the fact that she was unaware of the existence of the rose garden at Hatter Mansion, it wasn’t possible that she would know the Queen and the Hatter’s secret.

However, the only thing she was sure of was that there was no way Blood, who was skilled at obtaining information, was completely unaware of recent events.

‘You are one of my Mansion’s people, aren’t you, Alice?’

‘............’

‘That is what you yourself told me. That your home is my Mansion—You haven’t become so deceived by the esteemed Rabbit here that you would lie to me, have you?’

His intimidating aura was enough to make her shiver.

The cold air of a Mafia boss causing her to falter, Alice was unable to move.

All the more because what Blood was saying was the truth, she couldn’t say a word.

He had given her a home to belong to.

Because she had a place that she could go back to at any time.

Hadn’t a part of her thought that if Peter didn’t accept her, it would be a simple matter of returning there?

She had asked him to be her lover, because she was in love with him.

She should just say those pure thoughts had been the only thing on her mind.

Unable to completely deny that a sneaky part of her had been thinking so calculatedly, Alice couldn’t make an answer.

‘Please don’t insult her any further. She has done nothing for you to criticise her for.’

‘Peter.’

Having gotten up from his seat before she had realised it, Peter had cut in to stand between Blood and Alice who was also now standing.

Hidden behind his black suit wearing back, Alice could no longer see the Hatter’s face.

‘Hmph…..were it not for that foolish pact, I would be taking back the young lady right now—however, the next Assembly will be the last. I will let you save face here, and withdraw.’

‘Blood.’

The girl moved forwards so that she could see the expression on the man’s face, but the White Rabbit’s arm immediately before her eyes held her back and she was unable to do so.

Flustered, she looked at Peter’s face, but the red eyes were coldly looking at Blood.

‘Once the Assembly is over, the pact will also cease to be in effect. Look forward to that, Prime Minister.’

‘I return those same words to you.’

A cold aura came from not only the green, but the red eyes also.

In the restaurant that had fallen completely silent before she had realised it, the two role holders glared at each other for a short time, before Blood eventually brought it to an end by turning his back on them.

‘Blood, I-.....’

‘Alice!’

She had reached out her hand in order to chase after the departing back, but Peter’s arms had grabbed hold of her. Her empty hand had not reached the Hatter.

Hearing her voice, the man turned around for just a moment towards the girl.

‘............’

However, in the end, still without speaking a word, he quietly put the restaurant behind him.

Alice hadn’t been able to read any of his emotions from the gaze he had directed towards her.

‘Blood…’

Alice was in no small amount of shock at the man’s reaction, but when it came to detaining her, Peter spared no effort.

‘Please don’t go, Alice-!’

‘Peter, but-…..’

He may have been an enemy to the White Rabbit, but to Alice, Blood was not just her household head.

It was no longer how it had been in the beginning, when he had just been the person with the same face as her past lover. He had given her a place to belong, even amongst her other friends in this world, he was someone she had a strong emotional attachment to.

He wasn’t somebody she was fine with ignoring. That was what she thought, but the Rabbit would not so easily let go of her.

‘Please don’t leave me. Please…..don’t go anywhere.’

The fervency of the arms that wrapped themselves around her was too strong for her to break free from, and at the same time had a heat to them.

No matter what, she was unable to shake them off.

***

It was a problem they would eventually have to face.

Something that sooner or later, Alice would have to tell Peter.

‘Hey…..Peter, there’s something I want to talk to you about.’

Having returned to the Tower in a heavy-feeling mood after coming face to face with Blood at their meal, Alice had come to visit Peter in his room.

Stopping the White Rabbit as he diligently went to prepare her some tea, she sat down on the sofa.

‘.....Alice…..’

There was a frightened look in the red eyes. There hadn’t been such anxiety in these eyes since the time he had found Alice when she had gotten lost at the doors.

She was causing him distress yet again.

She really was such an awful person. She couldn’t stop the self-loathing she felt at how little her pathetic self deserved to have feelings that were so honest directed towards her.

‘I heard the Assembly will be over soon. Not like up until now, where we’d come here for discussions again after a while, but that the Assembly period itself will be over soon.’

The next discussion would be the final meeting. The Assembly that would be held for the purpose of announcing the end to the meetings would soon be upon them.

And—at the same time, it would also be the end of Alice’s residence at the Castle.

‘Once the Assembly is over…..I’m thinking of going back to Hatter Mansion.’

‘!’

She had definitely seen the red eyes start and tremble.

He clenched the two hands he had placed on his knees as if enduring something.

‘Alice-.....’

‘I have to keep my promise. Whether I want to remain at Heart Castle or keep living as I always have at Hatter Mansion, I can’t break my promise to Blood.’

If she continued to stay at Heart Castle without doing anything—she would surely regret it.

It wasn’t just Blood. She would be causing trouble for Elliot, the Twins, and her co-workers. She couldn’t do something so selfish as changing her place of residence without first apologising and then explaining herself.

While thinking such thoughts, Alice smiled bitterly to herself. Even though she had found someone so essential and important to her, she was already at the point of thinking of how she could properly move to Heart Castle …..it was also accompanied by the most terrible of feelings.

‘............’

‘I’ll come see you again. Just like always, I’ll come see you at Heart Castle, so wait for me. Alright?’

She could just go and see him.

Just like she always had.

When she went to see him, they could spend time together. There would be nothing wrong with that.

‘I’ll come see you…..Alright, Peter?’

She couldn’t abandon Hatter Mansion. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to leave the White Rabbit who didn’t understand what things tasted like without her, on his own.

That should have been a point of compromise for Alice, who was unable to narrow what was important to her to only one thing.

However, the red eyes didn’t nod in agreement.

‘I—absolutely, refuse.’

‘Wha-, Peter….Kyah-!’

When the White Rabbit, who had maintained his silence, had rejected her suggestion, Alice hadn't understood exactly what had been said to her.

And not only that, he had suddenly climbed on top of her, completely changing the positions they had been in. The face that should have been on the other side of hers just a moment ago, was now directly above as he looked down at her.

‘Wha-.....What is it?’

‘Why are you trying so hard to return to Hatter Mansion? You’re my lover, aren’t you, Alice!?’

White fingers. The glove covered fingertips felt firm against her skin as they traced her cheek.

The reason a shiver ran down her spine might have been because of them. Or perhaps it was an effect of a light in his eyes that she had never seen before up until now.

‘But you must already know that place is where I have my role-’

Back when she had been in her original world, she had already begun preparations to become independent of her sister after graduating school.

It wasn’t as if she had ever forgotten how she had felt at that time. However, in this world, after she had begun to live at the Mansion—she now had a role that had been given to her at her own request.

If she were to give it up, she would be abandoning her responsibilities for a second time.

‘Everybody needs a role. Don’t…..take that from me.’

‘Am I, not enough?’

‘.....Huh?’

As Alice’s eyes widened, startled at this sudden change in direction, Peter was biting down on his lip. His normally graceful features were now badly contorted.

‘Are you still unsatisfied with the role of being my lover, but not with the one that Blood Dupre gave you?’

‘It’s not about, being enough or anything like that-.....Peter!?’

His white hair, and red eyes.

They came right up close to Alice.

A stinging pain ran down her neck—and then she realised he had left a mark.

‘Wha-.....What are you doing-’

‘Aren’t you my lover, Alice?’

Alice had raised her voice in a fluster, but in contrast, his voice sounded unruffled…..and cold. The light in the red eyes just below her chin was so sharp it seemed as if he were about to leap at her at any moment.

Rabbits were supposed to be herbivores, but his gaze was fierce enough that she could almost feel the sharpness of his hidden fangs.

‘If we’re lovers, then this is only normal. To kiss, and do even more than that…..right?’

‘Ah-.....’

Seeing his slender fingers undo the ribbon around her neck, Alice involuntarily cried out. However, the voice that was unconnected to either a yes or a no twined itself around the ribbon and without further ceremony was dropped to the floor.

‘Peter.’

‘Did I not tell you I would give you anything you wished for? If you wish for a role, then I, and only I, will give one to you.’

His lips skimmed her neck, passing over her chin and then—stopped up Alice’s mouth.

‘Mnn-’

Body stiffening in almost fright, she went to close her mouth, but not longer after melted at the heat that slipped into it.

Before she had realised it, she had closed her eyes. Perhaps because her skin had become more sensitive from no longer being able to see, the sensation of the arms wrapped around her felt terribly sweet.

‘Unlike you, I am also…..an existence that can be replaced.’

‘P-Peter-’

As she called his name, gasping for air, the White Rabbit gave a silky laugh and began to kiss her once more.

‘I can no longer bear to simply keep waiting for you to come to me. I want to just lock you away.’

‘-’

The white arms sank her into the sofa.

Even though she had to resist. Even though she couldn’t just let herself get swept along.

‘I do not need anything but you. It is only you that makes me greedy.’

‘............’

‘I had never thought that you could love me. But if I can make you belong only to me by marking you—even if it hurts you, I want you.’

Drowning in red eyes that were beautiful even at a time like this, Alice relaxed into the strength of the arms that sought her.

***

Her body hurt.

Looking up at the ceiling in a daze, she slowly turned her sluggish feeling head to the side…..and saw a white shirt.

‘............’

The long ears atop his head were at the moment hanging down.

Feeling a creaking sensation here and there as she moved to get up, the bed made a small sound.

He probably knew that Alice was awake. Nonetheless, Peter didn’t turn around, his back still facing away from her.

Which was why she sat up, and stretched out a hand to him.

Taking hold of the sleeve of his white shirt, she tugged at it a few times.

As if she were knocking at a door.

‘Peter.’

‘-’

Surprised herself at how hoarse her voice sounded, she repeated herself once more.

‘Peter.’

‘............’

‘Look at me.’

‘.....Alright.’

Trembling, or perhaps twitching with nervousness.

With a manner so timid you wouldn’t think he had pounced on her so ferociously not so long ago, the White Rabbit’s eyes as he turned to face her drifted from left to right, and didn’t try to look at Alice.

He probably didn’t realise that doing so was, on the contrary, only making her more anxious instead.

‘Um, that is…..was I not to your liking?’

She thought that she was about average, but was well aware she was a far cry from the womanly figure of someone like his boss.

However, Peter shook his head and immediately answered, ‘Absolutely nothing of the sort.’

Even so, his gaze did not meet hers.

‘I would never have thought to do something like this with someone that wasn’t you. And also, that is-…..you were very lovely, Alice.’

‘But for all that, you seem to still have something on your mind.’

Just as she had pointed out, the White Rabbit still had an awkward look on his face.

The way he was acting reminded her of how he had been when she had first begun to live at Heart Castle.

‘So, you do regret it after all?’

‘Not at all, of course I wouldn’t. I just…..feel ashamed of my own greediness.’

Alice didn’t understand the things Peter said. As she tilted her head in puzzlement, he tentatively stretched out a hand towards Alice’s face.

He was probably afraid to touch her.

‘I had always thought that I was happy just having you here, with just being together with you…..but despite that, I ended up thinking that I wanted you even if it hurt you.’

‘Peter.’

‘I hadn’t wanted to sully you with desires like these.’

The weak and pure White Rabbit was afraid that she would reject him.

As Alice touched the white hand that shook as it stroked her hair, it immediately went to move away. However, Alice grabbed on to it, and didn’t let go.

This Rabbit only understood things that were said to him straight up. That was something she had known ever since she had confessed to him at that grassy field.

Conversely speaking, if she was able to speak to him without any ambiguity, she should be able to get through to Peter, who always bent his ears to listen to what Alice had to say.

‘Alice…’

‘Being wanted by you made me feel happy, Peter.’

‘!’

The ears that had been hanging down a moment ago were now standing straight up.

Smiling at the easily understood reaction, Alice repeated herself once more.

‘I’m a greedy person, so rather than pretty sounding words like just being together is enough…..I prefer something more easily understood, like just now.’

That person had never touched her.

He had kissed her with affection. But he had by no means given Alice his heart, he had never desired her as intensely as Peter had.

‘Peter…..it was because it was me, that you brought me to this world, right?’

‘Yes. I do not care about what happens to anyone else but you. Because you were the only one that ever loved me.’

There were many mysteries in the things that the White Rabbit said. Ever since the first time they had met, and even now, that hadn’t changed.

Still, in the midst of those mysterious words, Alice could tell for sure that his heart was directed towards her, without a doubt.

‘If you’re going to hurt me because you love me—then, promise me one thing.’

The hand still within her grasp slightly trembled.

Right now, if she were to let go of the hand that seemed about to run away at any moment, it felt as if he would end up going somewhere far away from her again.

‘Only do these kinds of things to me.’

‘............’

‘Don’t…do this sort of thing to anyone else.’

The only one that the too pure Rabbit would hurt was Alice, who possessed nothing special other than her heart.

She didn’t want to give that up to anyone else. Those were her thoughts.

‘.....-’

The arm that she hadn’t been holding on to all at once drew Alice closer.

Smelling the scent of soap from the body that embraced her, she closed her eyes.

‘Alice.’

‘Ah-.....Mnn-’

However, her face was lifted up in an instant as he kissed her.

A soft kiss, that was a mere light touching of the lips.

Gradually, it began to change to a deeper one, an action not at all like the normally germaphobic Rabbit.

‘The only person I’ll do this to, the only one I’ll do something this dirty to, is you.’

‘Peter.’

‘You’ll promise me the same thing, won’t you? Alice, you’ll love only me, won’t you?’

As if he wasn’t looking for an answer, he continued to incessantly kiss her again and again—and just like that she melted into Peter’s embrace.

***

She wondered how many times she had now stood in this exact same place.

—Open it—

—Open the door—

‘But…..this will be the last time.’

The enticing doors that whispered to the lost.

Alice wasn’t in the midst of a green Forest, but at Clover Tower. She was in a place that was close to the top floor, but nobody had ever said a word of reproach whenever she entered this room. It wasn’t far from the territory leader Nightmare’s room, but she always ended up coming here before she realised it.

Whenever Alice came to the doors she was always alone. She came here alone, and then went back when the White Rabbit stopped her—that was the usual pattern of things.

Right now Alice was also alone in this place. Nobody should have known that she was here.

Still, for some reason, she felt a presence close by.

Still looking at the door, without turning back, Alice shook her head. She was sure she had left the room without waking him, so she wondered when he had noticed she was gone.

‘I’m not going to open it, so don’t worry, Peter.’

‘Alice.’

‘I’m not going anywhere.’

She put her hands together behind her back to show that she wasn’t touching the doorknob.

Right now the hand that was usually holding onto the doorknob before she became aware of it was completely empty.

After all, what Alice wanted to hold onto was not a cold metal doorknob—but only a certain warm white hand.

‘But, the fact that you’re here….must mean that you’re still hesitating, is that not so?’

An anxious sounding voice echoed from behind her.

Peter must be wanting her to deny it, but all the more because he knew that it wasn’t so easy for her, he had no choice but to ask.

All the more because he couldn’t read hearts, there was no other way to be sure but through words.

‘I do not wish to let you go anywhere…..whether it be Hatter Mansion, or the other side of the doors…..I do not want to let you go anywhere.’

‘Yes, I know.’

The shadow that had been standing behind her, now stood next to her. She had grown completely used to this presence being beside her.

Her relationship with him had begun when she had fallen into this world, but to guide her was his role. Even though she was always thrown by the things he did, even though she was always the one following along after him-

Smiling up at the red eyes immediately close by to her, she gently took Peter’s hand.

‘I didn’t come here to open the door…..just for my own self-satisfaction.’

‘Alice?’

‘I came here to say goodbye.’

Turning her gaze away from the red, Alice looked at the door directly in front of her.

—Open the door—

They continued to whisper even now. As if to mock her that in the end that was all her determination amounted to, they continued to sway her emotions.

However, what she was holding was the hand of the White Rabbit who had led her to this world.

The emotions she had felt when she had decided to go to Heart Castle when she had been at the Tower before.

Unable to completely rid herself of her regrets, Alice wavered and continued to hesitate, but right now she was able to be absolutely certain that as long as she had this hand, she wouldn’t lose her way.

‘“Say goodbye”?.....it can’t be, please don’t say you mean to leave me behind, Alice-!’

‘That’s not it.’

Smiling wryly at Peter who had paled as he raised his voice, she lightly shook her head.

The dream demon had said that Peter had been too neglectful of his own feelings. And that it was the reason he didn’t understand the emotions of others.

She recalled the silver eyes as they had said that he would be able to understand them someday, but she wondered when exactly that would be.

‘I was saying goodbye to…..the place that’s best for me.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

Feeling him hold her hand more tightly, the girl continued to gaze at the door as she spoke.

‘I probably…..won’t be able to completely forget my original world. It’s not in my personality to just take it easy by forgetting absolutely everything.’

‘Alice-’

The red eyes twisted with sadness.

However, just as he was about to raise his voice in protest, Alice stopped him by putting a finger to his lips.

As if surprised at the small heat that was touching his mouth, the White Rabbit stopped moving.

‘I don’t know if someone is waiting for me on the other side of the door. I’m always wavering, and I can’t make up my mind.’

Her older sister smiling in the sunlight. She must surely be waiting for her return, a gentle smile on her face.

She had to return to her. Emotions that were similar to an obsession were smouldering away within her even now.

‘But, I’d like to not want to go to the other side of the door. Because you’re important to me Peter, and I don’t want to leave you behind.’

‘.....Alice.’

‘I don’t care even if I never do find out what place is best, I want to be where you are. So that’s why I was saying goodbye.’

If Alice wasn’t there, this White Rabbit wouldn’t understand what things tasted like. It made her happier than anything that Peter, who had never cared about anyone else up until now, didn’t want to let her go.

She didn’t want to think that she fell in love with him because he treasured her. But she was too contrary a person to be able to deny it completely.

Honest and pure—all the more because she was unable to have emotions as white as Peter’s.

By being with him, Alice wanted to have faith in herself.

‘.....Alice.’

‘What is it, Peter?’

She went to move away the hand she’d had at his lips, but the White Rabbit took hold of it. Grasping her wrist, this time she was the one caught.

‘I love you.’

‘..........’

‘I love you. I won’t let anyone take you from me, not even a ghost. This I promise you.’

His lips as they pressed against the back of her hand felt heated.

She was surprised at the sudden kiss, but didn’t try to withdraw her hand.

‘Yes.’

Rather, that he wished for her made her happy. She even felt joy at being so wanted.

She had a feeling that the uncertainty that had always plagued her back when he had told that he was happy just being together was gradually beginning to fade.

‘It’s a promise.’

‘Of course-’

Holding tighter to his hand, as Alice began to walk, the White Rabbit happily followed after her.

Even though Alice had always, always been the one guided by this hand. Right now, that relationship was beginning to change, bit by bit.

Although, whether that was a good thing or not, she wasn’t sure.

—Please don’t forget. Even if it’s just sometimes, remember me—

She had a feeling she’d heard a lonely sounding voice come from the door she had just turned her back on.

‘..........’

She turned around just once.

But in the end, it was just a door. They always looked the same, and nobody was necessarily going to come out of one.

What she saw was a doorknob that no one was touching, a door that remained closed.

‘I couldn’t ever forget.’

She made a reply to the whisper that was so small it might be erased by the sound of their footsteps.

What Alice was trying to abandon, what she was trying to leave behind on the other side of the door was by no means something insignificant. It was something important, a part of her very own self.

As she had told Peter, what exactly that was, Alice didn’t know.

But, what Alice had chosen…..what she wanted to hold onto, was not a chilly doorknob.

‘Peter.’

‘Yes.’

There was no way she would forget, she would remember again, over and over.

‘.....I love you.’

‘Yes, I love you too, Alice!’

A white hand that didn’t wish to touch anything dirty, that rejected impurity.

A White Rabbit that was too beautiful for Alice, of whom it was difficult to say was beautiful in heart and body, to touch.

However, it was only Alice that was allowed to dirty him—right now she wondered if it was alright to have that kind of self-conceit.

‘You’re my lover! My one and only beloved…..you are everything to me!!’

An affection that was far and beyond. But even so, they were emotions that were completely untainted.

Though they were too great for someone as twisted as Alice to be able to straightforwardly accept.

She was probably the only one that could take his hand.

It was the red eyes that made her that promise that bound Alice more strongly than anything to this world.

***

‘…..Um, w-well then…..let’s begin the Assembly. It’s taken some time, but this will be the final meeting.’

Despite the many discussions that had been held, Nightmare’s awkward chairmanship was the same as ever.

And not only that, his pale complexion was busily going back and forth from red to white. Each time it did, although Gray, who was sitting next to him, covertly handed him his cue cards or whispered advice, it wasn’t enough to maintain the solemnity of an event holder.

‘So it’s finally the end. Goodness, we have been so irritated not being able to execute people whenever we wish.’

‘Um, I think that might be kind of a good thing actually…..’

Rather, for people other than her, it was likely much better to not have to be executed for no reason. Uncaring that Alice had not seemed to agree, the Queen was pouting as she swung her scepter.

‘Really, these rules are so absurd. So tedious.’

Murmuring a non-committal reply to the annoyed Queen, Alice quietly shifted her gaze.

What she had turned to look at was Peter, who was silently watching the meeting without joining in the women’s conversation.

Once this meeting finished, both the Assembly period set for them by the rules, and Alice’s stay at Heart Castle would be at an end. It would not be just one thing that would come to an end.

Even before they had come to attend the meeting, Peter hadn’t said a single word on the subject. The last time he had said that he wouldn’t be letting her go anywhere was when she had bid farewell to the doors.

However, there was no way it would end at just that. Judging from Blood’s behaviour from when they had met at the mushroom restaurant, it was clear that he had no intention of continuing to let Alice stay at Heart Castle.

‘……….’

But, how to say it.

She wasn’t sure how to say something so selfish as wanting to remain at the Castle. Alice was seriously worried as to what to do.

She thought that she had a pretty good grasp of the personalities of the people at Hatter Mansion. From how the twins had acted when they had tried to get her to come over to their seating area at the previous Assembly, it appeared that changing her place of residence would not be so easy.

If the rules were no longer in effect once the Assembly was over, then in this world of sharp weapons and flying bullets, the place might become a battlefield.

Even though she knew that if she simply returned to Hatter Mansion, she could avoid further aggravating the situation—she was unable to ignore the feelings that tightened her chest.

Her affection for Hatter Mansion was unchanged. She hadn’t forgotten the gratitude she felt towards Blood.

But even so she wanted to stay at Heart Castle, and she wasn’t sure how to tell them.

‘Everyone…that you have all remained healthy, without any absences…..um, is very well done, so g-good job on that.’

Even as Alice remained worried, Nightmare continued his speech, his gaze desperately drifting around the room.

However, a single voice spoke, breaking apart his hard work with just a few words.

‘No one cares about this absurd meeting, Nightmare.’

‘P-Peter…..?’

‘Peter White!? What are you-…..’

Responding to Alice and the event holder Nightmare who had both reflexively called out with a glance, the White Rabbit directed his glittering gaze towards the attendee seats.

It was a tall man in a black hat that his look bore into.

‘Since all role-holders are already here, I thought I would take this opportunity to let you all know. Even once the Assembly is over, Alice won’t be returning to Hatter Mansion. She will continue to live at Heart Castle.’

There was a sudden eruption of noise.

All the participants that had been acting so bored just a moment ago reacted to this sudden speech.

‘W-What-!? Alice, you’re going to live with Petey? How nice, how nice…I wanna live at the Castle with you guys too!’

‘Stupid Mouse…..There’s no way someone like you could live at the Castle. They’ve got tons of mousetraps set up there.’

Both of them were whispering, Pierce sounding envious, Boris seemingly surprised.

On the other hand, the residents of the Castle nearby to Alice also had different reactions.

‘Coming from you, White, what a wonderful idea. If that’s the case, we do not mind co-operating with you.’

‘Hahahah, nice one, Peter. You’re for real, huh.’

Normally neither of the two ever saw eye to eye on anything, but it appeared that only in times like this they were in complete agreement. They seemed to have no objection whatsoever to the sudden proposal.

The Mafia were all alike in their change of mood at the White Rabbit’s words.

‘There’s no way we’d ever let you take Big Sis from us. All you rabbits are nothing but big idiots. You don’t seem to need your head, so let’s cut it off.’

‘That’s right. We’re the ones that should be with Big Sis. We’re not going to lend you her any longer.’

They glared.

What glittered more dangerously than the pair of axes they held were red and blue eyes. The black suit wearing twins had brutal smiles on their faces, but the feeling of high tension that emanated from them was enough to pierce the skin.

‘Alice is one of us. Don’t go saying weird stuff, you sneaky rabbit-! Just let someone like that be, and let’s go home together, Alice.’

‘Dee, Dum…..Elliot…..’

So Elliot said even while putting his hand to his gun, waiting the usual three seconds, but Alice couldn’t move.

It was all she could do to watch the response of the unmoving man who remained sitting, as if to take responsibility for them.

‘……….’

The Mafia boss didn’t seem to intend on stopping his subordinates as they suddenly stood up, and was staring fixedly at her.

It was a cold stare with no emotion in it. He was acting as lethargic as ever, but Alice wasn’t so thick-witted as to not be able to sense the sharpness within it.

‘Alice…..What’s the matter with you-‘

‘Big Sis? Why won’t you come with us?’

‘Let’s go home together.’

Noticing that Alice hadn’t gotten up, the three of them had uncertain expressions on their faces. From their point of view, it was a natural reaction. Because she had been taking refuge at Heart Castle during the fighting, they likely thought that she would return to them once things settled.

However—Alice lightly shook her head at the worried looks they gave her.

Not in agreement, but from side to side.

‘…..I’m sorry.’

Hearing her speak as if unable to do anything but apologise, they all raised their voices simultaneously.

‘”S-Sorry”?.....What do you mean by that!?’

‘Did that stupid Rabbit do something to you?’

‘Unforgivable.’

Each holding the weapons that were their specialty, the three of them all looked as if they were preparing for war, but Peter wasn’t necessarily standing back and watching either.

‘Alice won’t be returning to Hatter Mansion. She’s going to be staying with me forever. I will not hand her over!’

The White Rabbit’s golden pocket watch had already transformed into the shape of a gun, and he was holding it at the ready.

Still, no matter how strong Peter was, there was no way he’d be able to take on all three of them at once.

Forcing herself out of her frozen state, Alice stood up in order to stop Peter, who was already in the process of lining up his aim.

‘St-Stop it- We’re still in the middle of an Assembly, what about the pact-’

‘…..Th-that’s right- I’m the one in charge here, so what do you all think you’re doing-‘

‘Shut up-! XXXX caterpillars need to stay out of this-‘

Bang-!!

The short-tempered rabbit pulled the trigger at last, but luckily the bullet didn’t hit the event holder he had been aiming it at.

‘—It is as she says. We are still in the middle of an Assembly, do you mean to break the pact, March Hare?’

Gray, who had instantly taken his knife out from its holder and deflected the bullet, spoke quietly. It was clear from the look in his eyes that if they intended on taking things further, he did not plan on remaining silent either.

‘Keh- Acting all high and mighty…’

Elliot probably didn’t intend on harming Nightmare. Clicking his tongue in displeasure, he momentarily lowered the muzzle of the gun.

‘Alice, really, what’s gotten into you…..you’ll be coming home to us, right? Right? I’ll share as many of my carrot cakes with you as you like-‘

‘…..Stupid rabbit. That’s gonna have the opposite effect. Only rabbits would be happy about something like that.’

‘That’s gonna make Big Sis not want to come back, so stop it.’

‘You brats-‘

While grimacing as the three people that should have been on the same side started pointing their weapons at each other, Alice continued in a firm sounding voice.

‘I know that what I’m saying is selfish. But, I…..want to continue to stay at Heart Castle.’

‘………’

‘I can’t ask you to forgive me, but that’s what I want.’

‘When we met in town not long ago, you told me, didn’t you, young lady.’

A voice chilly enough to make her break into a cold sweat lowered the temperature of the now rowdy meeting room.

The voice of the Hatter who had maintained his silence up until now had that much weight to it.

‘You are one of my Mansion’s people. Of course, we have not yet formally welcomed you as a member of the Family, but to have you leave so easily would be a problem.’

‘Blood.’

‘It is not so easy to sever a connection with the Mafia, but that is only if you have made a contract. I’m sure you must be well aware of that, young lady.’

His impassive sounding voice contained the intimidating air of someone who stood above others. It had the kind of heavy pressure that would not allow Alice, who was not even so much as an underling, to protest.

She recalled what she had been told about Pierce at the move to the Country of Clover.

It wasn’t impossible to leave the organization. It was no big deal if one left the main branch to do as one pleased. Nonetheless, in exchange—no matter where you went, or what Country you existed in, one stayed tied to the Family.

You could do as you wished, or go somewhere else. But betrayal alone would not be forgiven.

That was how the Mafia, in this world that did not fit Alice’s common logic, operated.

‘Didn’t you tell Pierce he could change his place of residence?’

‘Yes, if you are a formal member of the Family, I do not care what you do or where. It’s because you haven’t made that kind of contract yet. We do have a connection, but I cannot say that it is a relationship you are unable to break.’

To be free was the flip side of making a contract. And as an Outsider who wasn’t bound by the rules, she could only answer with her unreliable emotions.

She thought that would be the correct way to do things.

‘Would this count as a betrayal?’

Those who betrayed the organization were killed. That that was a part of the Mafia’s rules in this strange world was something she remembered well.

She gazed closely at the face of the Hatter, but was unable to read any emotion from the expression in the green eyes.

There were times when his feelings were easy to understand, but conversely, he was also the kind of man that could hide his emotions completely like now. And if Blood didn’t want to let his emotions be read, no matter how she tried, Alice would be unable to divine his true intentions.

‘I know that I’m saying something selfish but…..I love everyone at Hatter Mansion. You might not believe me, but I think of you all as my home, and my family.’

There was no change in her consciousness that the place she wanted to return to wasn’t the place her older sister awaited her, but the headquarters of a Mafia family.

‘I love you all, and you’re the place I feel comfortable. But— the one I want to be with is Peter.’

It was just that there was someone she wished to be with more strongly than she wanted to return to them.

Depending on how you took it, perhaps what she’d said sounded like self-protection. But they were Alice’s true feelings.

‘………’

‘B-Blood-‘

‘Boss, that Rabbit’s said something weird to Big Sis. We have to hurry up and bring her home.’

‘Big Sis is gonna get taken from us-…..’

Unlike his flustered subordinates, befitting of someone who was leader of an organization, the man with the arrogant air appeared unfazed.

Just as Blood stood from his seat with a clatter-

‘Wait, wait you guys- We’re still in the middle of an Assembly, so put down your weapons!’

Nightmare raised his voice as he pounded on his desk.

His complexion was as pale as always, but unusually for him, he continued to speak in front of everyone without seeming nervous.

‘Fighting during an Assembly is strictly forbidden!’

‘Hmph, then what do you propose we do? It does not appear the Prime Minister has any intention of putting away his gun, and my group also doesn’t seem to want to back down. Do you have any good ideas, lord territory leader?’

‘Ugh…..th-that is-…..’

Nightmare hesitated a moment at the Hatter’s obviously sarcastic tone, but his exceptional right-hand man didn’t miss a beat in giving him support.

‘It’s clear things won’t be settled through a mere discussion, but surely there is no need to use guns to decide everything. There must be a more peaceful way of going about it, wouldn’t you say, Lord Nightmare?’

‘Ye-Yes. Of course! I am a distinguished person, so I’ll definitely get this under control-’

‘That’s it, that’s the spirit. Lord Nightmare…..I’m sure you can do it-‘

Bolstered by the support of his subordinates, Nightmare coughed as he continued.

‘Let me see…..how about peaceably settling this with a game?’

‘A game?’

‘Indeed. Luckily, we have a variety of them here in the Tower, we’ve got chess, board games, cards…..almost everything.’

As she blinked in surprise at the unexpected suggestion, the silver haired event holder continued further.

‘So long as it isn’t a fight to the death with weapons, it won’t be in violation of the rules. Although, that’s only if you and the Hatter agree to it.’

‘There is no need for Alice to participate in this, I will.’

Peter moved forward from where he had been standing beside Alice, but the Hatter gave an exasperated laugh.

‘This has nothing to do with you. It’s a problem between the young lady and myself. Don’t butt in where you’re not needed.’

‘This is a game that will decide the future of my beloved. And also…..with you as the opponent, there’s no telling what underhanded tricks you might use.’

‘You bastard….. you looking down on our Boss?’

Acting as the Mafia he was, Elliot threatened in a menacing sounding tone. The light of the gun he held up faster than thought glinted, but he soon lifted the muzzle upwards in a change of direction.

‘Don’t shoot, Elliot.’

‘B-But, Blood-‘

‘That’s an order. Quiet down a little.’

Following after the Hatter who held his subordinate back with his single cane, Alice also called out.

‘Peter! That goes for you, too!’

Her voice broke apart the dangerous atmosphere that was beginning to brew once more, but the White Rabbit continued to glare, his eyes fixed on Blood.

As she continued to pull on his sleeve again and again, at last the red eyes turned towards her. However, he still didn’t look convinced.

‘It’s as Blood said. This is my problem, not yours, so I should be the one to go.’

‘But, there’s no guarantee that man won’t try and cheat, is there-!?’

‘It’s rather unexpected that you think I could only win by cheating.’

Smacking the tip of his cane into the palm of his own hand, the Hatter shrugged.

Still, seeing him stop his right-hand man from getting ready to shoot once more with just a look, it appeared that Blood had no complaints with the idea.

‘Now that I think about it, you and I have never played a game together until now. I’m not sure of your skill, but…..since it’s you, I expect that it will be a fine match. Although of course, I don’t intend to lose either.’

Whether it was because he was displeased with the girl who had betrayed his favour, that he wanted to bring back the traitor, or perhaps—something else entirely.

As he took a step forward, she was unable to tell Blood’s true thoughts.

‘I don’t play games I plan on losing either.’

‘Heheheh. If it’s the same for the both of us, that’s fine. Oi, Nightmare.’

Whoosh.

Cutting through the air, the black cane pointed at the event holder. It was an item that occasionally changed into a machine gun, but right now showed no signs of transformation.

Nevertheless, he had to be well aware that he was someone to be approached with caution. Gray, still with knife in hand, was quietly standing in the direct line between him and his boss.

It wasn’t possible he hadn’t noticed the glint of the blade, but there was no change in the Hatter’s expression as he unconcernedly continued.

‘So then, what exactly do you propose we do to settle this? I will defer to the event holder on this occasion, so hurry up and make up your mind.’

‘Good grief, you really are always so arrogant. Now then…..there are various types of games, but I believe one in which the victor is clear would be preferable.’

The silver gaze glanced in Alice’s direction.

He was in possession of the eyes and ears to read hearts. Still, Alice wasn’t sure whether he had the ability to speak directly within someone’s mind.

Nonetheless, she had a feeling that his eyes were conveying an unmistakable message.

—This is your game. What will you choose, Alice?—

It felt as if he were asking her that sort of question.

‘……….’

Alice wasn’t sure exactly what kind of work the Hatter did. However, as a Mafia Boss it didn’t seem likely to her that he would lack skill when it came to gambling.

If it were to come to a drawn-out battle, she would probably only lose all the faster for hoping for a change in luck. But when it came to matches that were decided in an instant, like poker, luck would truly be the only deciding factor.

‘You needn’t hold back. Make him lose as spectacularly as possible, Alice. Just imagining what his face will look like when he loses amuses us all the more.’

‘What are you talking about?! Blood is hella strong- There’s no way he’s gonna lose-‘

Elliot’s voice intertwined with the elegant laugh slipped into her ears. As it did, Alice’s eyes stayed looking at the silver dream demon.

A game that Alice knew, and one in which she could formulate a strategy depending on the moves of her opponent.

‘Ah.’

Alice herself wasn’t sure why she had thought of that game. All the same, she had a feeling that its name had definitely sprung up inside her mind.

‘Hmm…..then as the holder of this Assembly, I shall decide the game.’

Whether he had really read her mind, or come up with the idea himself. As someone who couldn’t read hearts, Alice could only guess, but maintaining the authoritative air of an event holder, Nightmare chose the game.

‘Clover & Heart, a game of three matches. Do either of the two of you have any objections?’

He named the game the girl had thought of, and then almost simultaneously the Hatter and Alice shook their heads no.

***

The place the girl sat at was a large table that had been temporarily placed in the centre of the Assembly room.

‘……….’

Sitting at the table were just three people, Alice and Blood, along with Gray, who had been chosen as a neutral witness.

Peter and Elliot were each sitting in the area assigned to their respective territories as they watched over the proceedings.

She knew that even from an onlooker’s point of view she appeared nervous. Gray was looking at Alice as if worried, but purposely not calling out to her, he quietly began.

‘I believe you two already know the rules, but just in case, I will state them again. Starting now, I will be handing you the trump cards K, Q, J, 10, and A. You will each choose one out of the cards that you are holding and place it on the table.’

As the Lizard continued his matter-of-fact explanation, there were already two rows of only five cards lined up before him.

The symbols on the cards were hearts, and spades.

‘The match is decided depending on the value of the card. The exceptions are K and A, A is the only card that can beat K.’

He stretched out his hand in a smooth movement to touch the cards on the table. He pointed out the one that was both the trump and the weakest card.

‘You can only put up one card at a time, and you cannot change it once chosen. It is a game of three matches, so the first person to achieve two wins will be the victor. Normally the participants would be the ones displaying their own cards, but on this occasion, it will be conducted so that I will be the one to flip the cards you have placed face-down on the table. I take it you have no objections to these rules, Alice, Hatter?’

The golden eyes stared directly at the two sitting at the table.

Even though it was a game, it had the feeling of a solemn rite being carried out.

‘Yes, that’s fine.’

‘Likewise.’

Confirming that both had nodded their agreement, the gold eyes looked up at his master, who stood opposite him.

The contrasting silver eye conveyed his assent to proceed not in words, but through a nod.

‘…..Very well, let us begin. The two of you, please pick your cards.’

Gray passed over the cards to either side of him. Taking up the cards placed on the table, Alice quietly began to think. The symbols on the cards Alice held were hearts. It was the same symbols as on the cards she had used in her game with Vivaldi.

She snuck a glance at the man sitting on the other side of her, but he remained unmoving, his hands put together.

What he was looking at was not the game equipment, or the witness sitting between them, but only Alice.

‘Before we begin the match, there is something I would like to confirm.’

‘Blood?’

‘If we don’t agree to terms beforehand, it doesn’t appear the animals behind us will ever calm down.’

Thunk thunk.

His glove covered fingertips quietly tapped against the table. The wooden tabletop made a light sound.

‘If I win, as I’m sure you know—after the Assembly, I will have you return with us to the Mansion. That is my condition.’

‘…..Yes, I understand.’

Having come this far, she couldn’t say that this was unfair. As she gave a deep nod, Blood finally smiled at her.

The face covered in the shadow cast by the brim of his hat was the lethargic looking face of the household head that Alice was familiar with.

Slightly relieved by the sight of it, the girl spoke her terms in the event of her victory.

‘If I win, I’ll remain at Heart Castle. Is that alright with you?’

‘Very well.’

Nodding magnanimously, Blood at last stretched his hand out towards the cards set before him.

Spreading out the five cards, starting from right to left, he looked at them.

Now that he was holding his, Alice could now concentrate on choosing her card, but it didn’t last long.

Blood quickly decided on a single card, placing it face-down on the table.

‘Huh? Y-You’ve decided already!?’

‘Yes. This is my card.’

The gray-coloured gloves once more touched the card, but that was all. Putting all the remaining cards together and setting them to the side, Blood began to stare fixedly at Alice.

‘….Wh-What are you-’

‘Nothing really—I just thought I’d observe my opponent’s situation. Things like these are also part psychological warfare as well, so I must make sure I haven’t read your strategy incorrectly.’

She found this hard to believe, since he clearly had not even the slightest intention of losing.

When it came to this game, you could say that Alice was still a novice. She wasn’t sure how often Blood had played it before, but he was a man that was experienced in various things beyond the boundaries of this game. He wouldn’t allow his card to be so easily guessed.

‘….….….’

A card that had been placed so readily you could almost call it careless.

The value on the other side of it would decide the outcome of the first match. It was a three-match game, but it would all be over if, like when she had played the Queen, he was able to secure two consecutive wins.

What should she do?

The first time she had played this game at Heart Castle, Alice had lost twice in a row to Vivaldi. In a game like this, where reading the opponent and no small amount of luck was involved, it wasn’t necessarily something she could win for sure just by thinking, but she couldn’t help but worry over it.

‘….….….’

The meeting room that had been in a ruckus just a moment ago was now completely silent, as if it had absorbed her nervousness.

Finally deciding on a card at the end of much thought, Alice placed a card on the table face-down, just as Blood had.

‘So you’ve made your decision, young lady?’

‘….Yes, this is the one I pick.’

The girl’s voice as she answered was firm, and after meeting her eye, Gray moved to turn the cards.

‘Well then—let’s begin.’

The long arms turned over both the cards he had put a hand to simultaneously.

Not just the two of them, the gazes of everyone in the room was concentrated on the two symbols that were revealed.

10, and Q.

‘Congratulations, young lady. It appears you have won the first match.’

‘Th-Thank you.’

Alice felt relieved at the result, but this game didn’t end at just one match.

If she won the next, Alice’s victory would be assured, but she was unable to think that he would lose so simply.

Not only that, but the more powerful cards would also be used up the more that she won. The longer the game dragged on, the more likely it would be that she would have to read her opponent’s thoughts in order to win.

‘Hmph, I see….Then, this is what I choose.’

So casually you wouldn’t think he had just lost one match, Blood once more decided on a card, putting it forward. Placing it face down as he had just before, he placed his hands together, resting his chin atop them.

‘Now then, I look forward to seeing which card you pick. It amuses me to see you thinking it over so seriously.’

‘…..…..…’

He seemed to be making fun of her, but it would all be over if she allowed him to pull her into his pace.

They both still had the trump card A. If she thought it over simply and played K, Alice would have a high chance of winning, but if he had played A having expected that, it wouldn’t just be a mere evening of the score. Having already played her Q card, she would all at once be at a disadvantage in the final match.

Thinking it over for a moment, Alice placed her chosen card face-down, and then the Hatter spoke up as if he had just remembered something.

‘Young lady.’

‘? What is it, Blood?’

‘I would like to ask you something, just for my own reference. What is it that that Prime Minister has that I-that is, my Mansion doesn’t?’

‘…..Something that Hatter Mansion doesn’t have?’

‘Yes. I am having difficulty understanding why it is you wish to stay in that Castle so much. If there is something there that you want, that our Mansion doesn’t have, I would like to ask you what that might be.’

‘…..…..…’

Hand still on her card, Alice couldn’t help but worry for a moment.

She hadn’t thought that Blood would ever ask her something like this.

Something that Heart Castle had, that Hatter Mansion didn’t.

‘…..…..…’

As she searched for the answer, eyes still looking downwards, she was unable to immediately think of anything. They were both places where guns and bladed weapons were pulled out immediately, so in that sense they weren’t all that different. In this world, Alice was an Outsider, and thus was unable to truly become like them. She was aware of that.

‘Alice?’

‘Ah, sorry. Continue, Gray.’

Looking up in a fluster at the quizzical sounding Lizard’s voice, she urged him to continue.

‘Well then, this is the second match. These are their two cards.’

Taking up the cards with steady fingertips, he laid bare the front sides of the cards.

The cards revealed on the table were J—and Q.

The corners of the winner’s mouth lifted up in a sly grin.

‘Oh, what a shame. It appears the second match goes to me.’

‘I realise that.’

‘Ah, I feel relieved. It would be so tedious if my game with you ended just like that. I shall have you entertain me until the very end.’

They each now had a win. An even score.

Nonetheless, on the emotional side of things, there was a big difference beginning to appear between Blood, whose clearly confident attitude showed no signs of breaking, and Alice.

They both still held the K and A cards. As near as they were to the end, both were still in possession of the trump cards.

‘…..…..…..’

The only other card Blood had was J.

On the other hand, Alice’s other sole remaining card was 10.

The situation was still one in which, no matter which card they played, they could win, lose, or come to a draw, any number of patterns were possible.

However, if she were to lose this game—Alice would no longer be able to stay at Heart Castle.

That feeling of anxiety caused the girl’s fingers to waver as she went to pick her card.

‘Maybe this one…..no, but…this one…no, but maybe-‘

Perhaps it was just like her that she was unable to imagine herself winning no matter what she did.

Just as she was biting down on her lip and groaning, ‘Alice,’ a voice sounded from directly opposite her, calling her name.

The hand of the man who had wasted no time picking a card for each of the first two matches was right now not touching the cards at all.

‘What is it, Blood?’

‘I’m glad you are paying such close attention to your game with me, but I haven’t yet heard your answer to my question from earlier.’

‘Huh?’

‘I cannot let this game come to an end without hearing your answer.’

‘…..…….’

Something that Heart Castle had, that Hatter Mansion didn’t.

She hadn’t yet been able to find the answer that she hadn’t made before.

For a moment she considered side-stepping the question, but the look in Blood’s eyes was serious. He was someone she already knew had an unexpectedly stubborn side to him. Since he had made up his mind to hear her answer, he likely would refuse to budge.

While feeling Blood’s gaze on her, Alice glanced for a moment at the inner seating area where the White Rabbit sat.

‘Alice…’

Seeming anxious, but all the same awaiting Alice’s victory, Peter appeared to be staying put, but was likely not feeling so calm on the inside. In the same way, Elliot and the others were also watching her, troubled looks on their faces.

That’s right, whether it be the Castle or the Mansion, Alice the Outsider was likewise accepted at both places.

So then, how had she reached her decision to remain at the Castle?

‘Heart Castle and Hatter Mansion…..’

Something that place had, that the Mansion didn’t.

That is—in other words, something that Peter possessed, that Blood and the others didn’t.

Both were undoubtedly important people to Alice.

Had she chosen to remain there because she had been drawn to something that Peter had?

‘—That’s not it, it’s the opposite.’

‘The opposite?’

As Blood responded to the words she had suddenly murmured with a lifted eyebrow, she shook her head.

‘I didn’t necessarily make my decision because there was something Heart Castle had, or that Hatter Mansion didn’t have.’

‘…..…..…’

‘That person has nothing important to him.’

Blood, Elliot, the Twins. They each had things that were important to them. Their boss, their subordinates, things that they liked, they definitely all had things to love.

If Alice were to leave, they would miss her. They would no doubt cause trouble for their colleagues by suddenly skipping out on work.

But even so—even without Alice there, none were the kind of person that would lose everything.

‘I’m the only thing important to him, without me there, he can’t connect to anyone.’

Even though it had always been his role to guide Alice.

Right now, she felt that someday she wanted to be the one to take Peter, who was unable to connect to anyone, along with her.

‘Is that not just pity?’

‘That’s not it. After all, since I’m the only one that can take Peter’s hand…..although I do feel as if I can’t leave him to himself, that I want to be with him forever is a stronger emotion than that.’

The perfected love that she had once seen at her mother’s funeral, the kind that could end a world because of the death of a single person.

Even if she couldn’t imagine it being exactly the same as theirs had been—Alice was certain that Peter was a partner that wanted her.

‘For example, even if I wasn’t there anymore, Blood…tea wouldn’t lose flavour for you, would it?’

‘…..…….’

‘That’s what I mean.’

There was nothing outside of Alice that he wanted, he was unable to wish for anything else.

So pure that nobody else could touch him, a White Rabbit that belonged only to Alice.

‘Hmph. I see, so that’s the answer you’ve come to.’

Nodding once, Blood abruptly took up his remaining cards.

No sooner had the green eyes glanced at the cards, than he picked one and placed it on the table without any hesitation, just as he had before.

‘Then, let us continue our game. I’m sure you know that whether your answer will be realized or not depends on the victor.’

‘…..Yes, I know.’

Until the last, she had no idea what hand he had played.

Nonetheless, Alice also had to come to a decision.

Letting her gaze drop once more to the cards she had continued to hold onto, she picked one from among them.

As she put it on the table as if following after Blood, she gave the signal to the witness.

‘This will be the final match. The two of you are both certain these are the cards you want?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yes, please continue, Gray.’

‘—Understood.’

His fingertips roughly touched the final cards.

‘Now then—’

Along with the short sentence, the values on the cards as they were turned over were revealed.

It wasn’t just Alice sitting at the table who was holding her breath. The participants sitting around her were also deeply focused on seeing the result.

The values on the cards that had been played were different. It wasn’t a draw.

One card was K, and the other was A. Therefore, the victor and loser were clear.

‘…..…….’

All the same, the winner was tilting their head as if puzzled. As if they didn’t understand how this result had come about, with that sort of question in their gaze, they looked at their game partner.

‘Wh-…..Why?’

‘That should be my line, young lady. Even though you’ve won, why make a face like that?’

Still looking oddly amused despite having lost, Blood flicked one of the remaining cards.

On the other hand, still not sure whether to feel exhausted or rejoice, Alice simply continued to look at the man’s face. She still didn’t understand his reasoning.

‘…..I thought you were good at card games.’

‘That’s right. I don’t often lose. It wasn’t quite a complete defeat, but it’s been a while since I’ve lost a match two to one.’

Changing the direction of her gaze at those words, the shock of the people of Hatter Mansion was incomparable to Alice’s.

‘You’ve got to be kidding…..it can’t be that Blood- Blood lost-! No way, did Alice really win against Blood of all people!?’

‘Wow, Big Sis, what kind of tricks did you pull…?’

‘Even though we’ve never won.....not even once.’

Even now Elliot’s jaw looked as if it were about to hit the floor. The twins’ two coloured eyes were wider than she had ever seen them, as if they had forgotten how to even blink.

Even the top brass appeared to be in the same state. As for the so-called faceless maids and servants, they were scrambling to look out the windows, asking ‘Is it going to rain or something?’, looks of serious concern on their faces. It appeared they were in complete disbelief at their boss’ defeat.

Still, even if it wasn't to the same extent, Alice was also in the same state of mind.

It wasn’t the first time she had played this game, but she was still pretty much a beginner. While she didn’t think a Mafia Boss would be able to reach the position they had through luck alone, she thought it unlikely they’d be able to do it completely without it.

‘I thought you definitely would have been able to read my card.’

‘Heheheh, you’ve overestimate me, young lady. There is no woman who surpasses my expectations more than you do.’

Despite his loss, Blood was acting more like the victor than she was. He appeared to even be enjoying his subordinates’ collective consternation.

‘The victor has been decided, you are the winner of this game. You should pick the territory you wish to reside in.’

‘Ah.....r-right.’

Truth be told, hearing him say those words so readily, Alice was unable to keep up with what was happening.

He had talked so much about how they were family, and how despite not being a part of the Family she was something close to it, she hadn’t thought he’d let her go so easily.

She had experienced a similar emotion back when he had given her permission to stay temporarily at Heart Castle. Even though she wanted to go to where Peter was, a part of her had been thinking that she wanted him to stop her.

What a dirty, selfish way of thinking.

‘.....I’ll be going to Heart Castle, Blood.’

‘Yes, if that’s what you’ve decided, that’s what you should do.’

Seeing him do an about-face and act so easygoing simply because he had lost a game, she couldn’t help but think that in the end an Outsider’s rarity held no meaning for Blood.

Though she still felt guilty for leaving them, having already made up her mind, she had no right to criticize his attitude. Still, she hadn’t thought he would send her off like this.

Ah, she really was dirty.

She couldn’t help but feel that her emotions were filthy.

‘Alice.’

‘Blood, I—huh?’

Just as she had thought her name had been called, a pair of amused green eyes were immediately before her.

Why was he so close? Faster than she could ask the question, the grey-coloured gloves reached out to her chin.

‘Huh-, w-wait, Blood!!’

‘Hatter, you-.....’

As Alice panicked, faster than Gray, who was sitting closest to them could stop him, the Hatter’s lips traced the girl’s cheek.

‘.....Wha- wh-wh-wh-what are you-.....!!’

‘Your face is bright red, young lady.’

With a sly grin, moving as seamlessly as when he had come closer, Blood stepped backwards. In the place the black suit had been in just a moment ago, cutting through the wind, something flew through.

Something that was a common sight in this world, a fired bullet.

‘Blood Dupre.’

Trembling all over, the White Rabbit was holding up his gun.

‘A man like you is.....unforgivable. What do you think you’re doing to Alice, giving her your germs.....you deserve a thousand deaths! Die-!’

Brandishing the gun he had earlier put away once before, Peter was earnestly shooting to kill the Hatter, but unfortunately, none of the bullets hit Blood.

‘Fufufu, what a short-tempered Prime Minister. I was merely wishing an important friend a bit of luck upon their new journey.’

‘She does not need any luck from the Mafia! I shall return it to you in bullets.’

Bang, bang!

Evading them with light steps, almost as if he were dancing, Blood suddenly met Alice’s gaze.

His eyes said, ‘With someone like this, I think you’re going to have a fair amount of trouble, don’t you?’ but the words his lips spoke were completely different.

‘Alice, if you ever tire of the Prime Minister, come home at any time. Your home is my Mansion, after all. Think of it as your family home and drop by whenever you like.’

—I’ll be waiting for you, young lady—

‘Who would ever want to go to such a bacteria-covered Mansion-?! Alice would never go there, and neither would I let her-!’

‘White Rabbit, cut it out. We’re still in the middle of an Assembly!’

The Lizard’s voice didn’t reach Peter. As the Rabbit continued to shoot, the Queen on the other side of him was frowning in annoyance.

‘What a noisy Rabbit. If you must finish him, do it in one shot.’

‘Hahaha. You’re so violent, Peter.’

Laughing loudly, the Knight didn’t seem about to stop him either.

The meeting room which was originally supposed to be used for pointless discussions was now becoming a battleground of flying bullets.

‘P-Peter White! Stop, those bullets are even reaching where I am, you know!? ....-Uwah- It almost hit me-, it almost hit me, I said-!’

‘Lord Nightmare, why are you only out in front in times like this-!? In moments like this, please evacuate into a dream-‘

The event holder who should have had the situation under control just a moment ago was now running around frantically trying to escape, that was now the current state of the meeting room.

‘...........’

Even so, this is the world I chose.

She almost had a headache thinking that she had already grown completely used to scenes like these. She didn’t think Blood would let himself get shot so easily, but she couldn’t just stay watching the White Rabbit go on a rampage like this. The situation was completely different to the one when he had shot at Pierce in the Forest.

Finally standing up from her seat, she turned around towards the Rabbit behind her and called out.

‘Peter, stop it already-. We’re still in an Assembly. Don’t ignore the pact-‘

‘I do not care about the pact! Killing that man is much more important-‘

Peter answered while continuing to shoot, but there was one person who had continually been listening to the sounds of the gunshots who called out faster.

‘O-Over, the meeting is over I say-! From here on out, I declare the Assembly finished!’

The event holder making the announcement in a voice that was like a scream—the Assembly period that had continued on since the move to the Country of Clover had now come to an end.

#heart no kuni no alice #hnkna #translation #otome game #alice in the country of clover #alice liddell #peter white #blood dupre

14 notes · View notes