"Where's Daddy?"

Your mother looks up at you coldly. "He's gone."

"Oh." You frown. "When will he be back?"

"He's not coming back."

You try to make sense of it. "Why?"

"Because." She sighs and pushes her long dark hair over her shoulder. "He's a good-for-nothing idiot who thinks that stupid magic of his will grant him fame and fortune." She flips her long h/c hair over her shoulder and goes back to aggressively stoking the fire.

"But he's good at magic." You argue. She snorts.

"Not good enough. Choosing magic over his wife..." she stabs the coals. "Never heard of it."

Your four-year-old head processes it slowly. He was gone. Why? He said that magic was good. That it would provide food for the table. That it would bring you all together. He wouldn't have lied to you.

So why was he gone?

"He left you something. It's on the table." Your mother stands up and throws the poker against the wall before storming outside. The door slams behind her.

You walk over and look at the gift.

It was a simple necklace, with a clear crystal hanging on a long plain leather thread.

You were now standing between two large hedges. Suddenly, a projectile flies out of nowhere, slamming into you and sending you toppling into the bush. You clamber out of the plant and whirl around to see the flaming cat from before.

"What are you doing here?" You gasp.

It ignores your question. "Where are we?"

"We're in Alice in Wonderland! Wha-"

"Myah! That was serious?!" Grim almost falls backwards from shock.

"What do you mean, 'that was serious?'"

"You were talkin' to Crowley about some Crown of Roses, right?" You blink.

"How much of that did you hear?"

"You're stealin' it, right? It's gotta be some important magical object if Crowley wants to have it."

"You were eavesdropping?"

Grim smirks. "And you didn't notice me. Some student you are."

You put your hand on your forehead and stare at him in disbelief. "No. No no no no no no. You can't be here."

"Huh?"

"Look. Grime, the-"

"It's the Great Grim!" He said, stamping his foot.

"Right, Grim, look. As you apparently already know, I need to steal a Crown from the literal Queen of Hearts. I can't have you messing this up."

"Wha- hey!" Grim cries indignantly. "I'm not gonna mess anything up! If anything, it's you who's gonna be holding me back! Didn't you say you got caught doing something like this before?"

You drag your hand down your face in exasperation. "Yes, exactly! That's why I can't have some amateur ruining my plans!"

Grim gasps indignantly. "Amateur?!"

"Have you-" you stop, falling silent.

"What-"

You shush him frantically and listen. In the distance, the faint sound of singing reached your ears.

"Painting the roses red, painting the roses red~"

"That's it!" You take off running.

"Hey! Don't leave me here!" Grim yells, chasing after you as you turn the corner. "Slow down! I can barely see your feet under the bushes!"

"If we don't hurry we may never get out!" You yell back, sprinting toward the voices. "The Queen of Hearts's maze was supposed to be endless. We could be in here for weeks and not find anything!"

"What? You guys never mentioned that!"

"Well, forgive us for not planning on having a straggler!" You turn another corner and the singing grows louder.

"Why did Crowley choose you anyway?" Grim questions as he catches up.

"Well, I am exceptionally talented at stealing things."

"So you're a thief?!"

"I prefer the term acquisition specialist."

"Does it make a difference?"

"No, but it sounds fancier."

"Let me help you!"

You turn the corner and encounter another dead end. Groaning, you pivot on your heel and dash in the opposite direction with Grim and your heels. "No offence, but what exactly are you bringing to the table?"

"I have magic!"

"Sorry Sparky, but I'm not really a fan of magic as a whole so that's not exactly a reason to want you around."

"Wha- Grim spluttered in shock. "I don't get it! You don't have magic, and you don't even like magic, so why did Crowley-"

You both turn a sharp corner and come to a sudden stop as the singing ceases. Three pairs of eyes fixate on you, causing you to toy with your necklace nervously. Nobody uttered a word, which was frankly the least anxiety-inducing thing about this situation.

The card soldiers were not cards at all. Instead, you were staring at three young men.

Three attractive young men, but you needed to stay focused.

Swallowing, you met their eyes and forced a smile. "Hi. I'm, uh... lost."

A beat passes, and then the orange-haired one starts to snicker. Your cheeks grow hot.

"Lost?" The tallest one with glasses and a clover painted on his face frowns. "That's not good. How did you get here?"

"I- why are you painting the roses?"

When in doubt, deflect.

"Well, you see Miss..." the blue-haired one with reddening ears pipes up, "the white roses were planted by mistake."

"It's just the rose colour though. Why paint them?" You ask, despite already knowing the answer. According to legend, the tyrannical Queen of Hearts demanded her card soldiers paint her roses red because...

Well, you suppose she must have had her reasons.

The tall one held up his paint can for you to see. "Well you see, the King likes them red."

"...the King?" You look down at Grim, who meets your eyes with the same bewildered gaze.

"The King of Hearts." The orange-haired one with a heart on his cheek tells you. "You know, the angry ruler of Wonderland?"

"Ace..." the tall one says warningly.

"If he sees white he'll throw a tantrum and we'll all lose our heads." Ace finishes. The other two swallow.

"Yes, but we should still have some time." The tall one turns his attention back to the rose in front of him. "We can take you to the King later, but we have to finish this first."

You nod. "Oh, thank you... Can I help you?"

"Well, if you insist." "Ace" walks over and dumps his materials in your arms. "Here you go. I'll go grab the extras."

"Ace..." the blue-haired one scolds. "We can't just ask them to-"

He's interrupted by a trumpet blaring. Startled, everybody jumps and turns towards the faint sound of marching in the distance. The other two drop their supplies and run with Ace in line before prostrating themselves on the lawn.

"C'mere!" Ace hisses. You awkwardly scuttle over and follow their lead with Grim, lying on your bellies.

In the story, Alice joined in with the cards and painted the roses. Unfortunately, it seemed you had taken up that time talking instead, which you felt a little guilty about. However, they were going to be beheaded anyway, and you had bigger things to worry about.

The card soldiers marched into view in formation before standing at attention. The bugler sounded his trumpet. "His Imperial Highness, His Grace, His Excellency, His Royal Majesty the King of Hearts!" The soldiers applauded.

Looking up to see the King of Hearts, he was definitely... not what you had expected (not that you had expected a King in the first place.) He was smaller than you thought he would be, with bright red hair and steel grey eyes. Everything about him seemed regal, but he appeared less frightening than you had expected. You watch as he marches over to a rose bush and studies it. The garden was eerily silent.

"Who's been painting my roses red?" The King asks softly, looking around before his voice crescendos. "WHO'S BEEN PAINTING MY ROSES RED? Who dares to taint with vulgar paint the royal flowerbed?"

"For painting my roses RED-" He pauses and struts over to where five of you are lying. He stops and bends down, a wide smile spreading over his face. "Someone will lose his head."

Your heart began to pound.

"Please Your Majesty, it's all his fault!" The tall one pointed at the blue-haired one.

"Be not Your Grace! It's Ace, it's Ace!"

Riddle's head snapped towards him. "You?"

"No, Two!"

"Deuce you say?"

"Not me! It's Trey!"

"SILENCE! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"

The crowd cheers and begins to sing as the three are grabbed from under their arms and hoisted away.

"They're going to lose their heads, for painting the roses red! It serves them right, they planted white, the roses should be red. They're going to lose their heads~"

"SILENCE!" Riddle bellows, and then as if just realising takes notice of you for the first time. "Oh look, a girl. And... is that a cat?!" His pleasant expression contorts into a scowl, and you can see the rage bubbling up inside him. "Rule #23 states that one must never bring a cat to a formal affair, and a beheading is a very formal affair indeed. OFF WITH THEIR-"

"WAIT!" You cry. "He's not a cat!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"He's a..." you glance down at Grim, who looks like he's on the verge of passing out. "He's a Grim."

"A what?"

"A Grim! And his name is Sparky." You scoop Grim up (who looked offended) and point to his ears. "See these? These fire ears are the trademark of the Grim species. And this!" You flip him over so Grim's draped over your arm. "This is a bonafide pitchfork tail! They're famous for them."

The King looked thoughtful at this new information. "I've never heard of a Grim before..."

You gasp. "You haven't? Why, Your Majesty, they're the new pet frontier!"

His eyes widen. "Are they?"

"They sure are, Your Highness!" You advertise. "They're affectionate, playful, and temperate."

"Yours looks angry."

"He's just upset because he hasn't gotten enough belly rubs today! Isn't that right, Sparky?"

You swear Grim is plotting your death. "...Yes."

"And they talk!"

"Well, yes." The King remarks. "Most animals do?"

You pale. "...right. But... do they sing?"

"Yes."

Grim claws your hand.

"Of course they do!" You laugh. "As do Grim's. I'm sure you can see why they're becoming so popular."

"I see..." The King nods. "Thank you for introducing me to Sparky, Miss...?"

"Y/n."

"Miss Y/n." He smiles. "My name is Riddle Rosehearts, but you may refer to me as 'His Majesty.'"

"Uh, thank you, Your Majesty."

"What brings you to the Hearts Castle?"

"I'm lost."

"I see." Riddle frowned, and you decide that next time you should think of an alibi before you come to reduce the chances of being beheaded. "In that case, why don't you stay here for the time being?"

"That would be amazing." You reply earnestly. "Wouldn't it, Sparky?"

"Yeah... real fun."

"Excellent. A party must be held." Riddle smiles. "Card soldiers! Arrange the venue."

"Uh, Y-Your Majesty?" A card soldier steps forward. "What about the flowers?"

Riddle turns to you. "Is today your birthday?"

"Uh, no?"

"Then this is simply a party for new friends. Leave the roses as they are."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The soldier bows and runs off.

"Follow me this way, if you please." Riddle commands you with a smile. Still carrying Grim, you follow alongside him.

"I thought you liked your roses red?"

"As per Rule #469, when one throws a party for new friends the roses must be both red and white."

"They should be both red and white?"

"Yes, but only under these conditions."

"You care a lot about rules."

"Without rules, there is no order." Riddle takes you into a garden area, where tables and chairs are being set up. "The rules must be enforced."

"You sound like a very fair ruler."

Riddle smiles and stands up straighter. "I try to be. Rule breakers must be punished."

"Rule breakers must be punished?" You repeat. Was that a core belief you just discovered?

"If we allowed them to run rampant, we would descend into anarchy."

You take a deep breath. "What did those three do wrong to be beheaded?"

"They broke the rules. The flowers should have been red."

"I thought the flowers should be red and white?"

Riddle pauses in surprise and thinks for a moment. "Are you saying they expected this?"

"No, but they did say they would take me to you."

Riddle considers what you've said. "Well, Trey is very forward-thinking. I suppose you must be right. You there!"

The card soldier jumps and turns to face Riddle, freezing in place and paling. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Go find Ace, Deuce, and Trey and have them released with a warning. Next time I shall not be so forgiving."

The soldier raises his eyebrows and a few others in the area pause. "O-Of course Your Majesty! Right away Your Majesty!" He then sprints off.

Riddle turns back to you with a warm smile. "Now Miss Y/n, have you ever played croquet?"