Chapter 37 - Alice in Trouble-8 (2/2)
After joining Heart's men, SoYoon told Heart her thoughts. He was already aware of certain parts of them. Extensively planning would make it that much more troublesome.
When he had found out that Alice had been kidnapped, he had planned to use this chance to abandon her. Given the circumstances, he had to pretend at least to try to save her but hoped that she would die by accident. He thought this as he looked down at SoYoon.
”Whitey.”
He called her before entering Jack's lair. SoYoon stopped and looked up at him.
”The fact that Jack has something up his sleeve were your words. Remember them.”
His red lips broke into a smile. He happily realized that she froze for a moment as she nodded in response.
”If you're not trying to worry me.”
The moment these words were uttered, his men opened the door. Heart leading, SoYoon and the suited men followed.
Jack was sitting in a chair in front of the wall that was directly in the line of sight from the door. It was propped up on a pedestal and was decorated lavishly like a throne.
They walked through the door onto the red carpet laid out in front of them. Heart stopped in the middle of the room, opened his arms wide, and smiled.
”It's been a while, Jack. It seems like only yesterday that I saw you running away with your tail aflame. What's your reason for coming back to Wonderland? Ah-ha, have you come back because you ran out of money? Do you need an allowance?”
Heart had a way of pushing the wrong buttons. It was an intentional taunt, but it bothered Jack either way. His lashes, slightly darker than Heart's, fluttered, and his lips soon broke into a smile.
”Does the owner need a reason to come claim what is his?”
”Was there something you left behind? True, you should keep tabs on your belongings. But is there something here that belongs to you?”
As the two continued their dialogue, SoYoon scanned the walls for a place that might double as a closet. There were several doors and traces of where doors existed on the wall. Only behind three could she sense a human presence.
Then, Heart propped his arms on SoYoon's shoulder.
”Don't look somewhere else.”
He growled, which caught Jack's attention. She had already captured his attention, being the only other person not in a suit, but he quickly remembered who she was.
”If taking Heart was not enough! Now you switch out the White Rabbit. Do you think they are names you can just do whatever you want with?”
”You were always a stickler for the rules. What a shame. So young, but stuck in the ways of the elderly.”
Heart spoke slowly as if bored, but she realized that there was anger there. This was not good. SoYoon became more alert. She saw Heart reach slowly for the ax at his belt. Jack also reached for the sword propped next to his chair.
”I'm glad I decided to become Heart. The name would have disappeared if not for me. The one before me is probably rejoicing with me in his fiery hell.”
”Shut up! How dare you speak about our father!
”This is what I'm talking about. If I were in your shoes, I would think about what was the best way to survive and wouldn't have crawled back in here.”
”Don't make me la—”
”Didn't you think it was strange? Why would I let you live unless I wanted you to? With impeccable timing, the king's men showed up to save you—not a single person followed you as you ran away—plus a bank account and money were put in your name in Outhouse. Who do you think put that money there?”
Heart was smiling, but his voice was angry. He continued, as Jack threw a tantrum, to stop making up lies.
”The previous Heart begged at my feet to save you. So I, being the gracious king that I am, promised him I would find a way to let you live. Which means that you have been living lavishly thanks to me, you dummy.”
Under the red light of sunset, an ax and sword made an appearance. SoYoon's bangs fluttered in the wind. Her eyes, which could just barely be seen under her hair, were planted on the back of Heart. When her eyes were hidden once more, the metal weapons clanged into each other.
”Die!”
”I have no intention of letting you live after doing what you did.”
”You said there was nothing here of mine! I'll return the same words to you! Everything! You stole everything from me!”
”I think you are sadly mistaken. Hm, but our relationship was always like that, wasn't it? This is nothing.”
Heart put pressure on his ax and pushed Jack off.
The sword compared to the ax had a longer reach. Jack placed his sword between them to maintain a safe distance, but he was still too slow. Heart caught up to him quickly and swung his ax. Dripping with blood, the red metal headed toward Jack's waist. Jack blocked it with his sword. The two weapons trembled as they hit each other.