Chapter 39 (2/2)

When the last man carrying Alice left, SoYoon opened her eyes.

Upon looking around her surroundings to figure out what happened, the first question she asked was, ”What about Alice?” Heart's arm and Mad Hatter's gaze both seized up.

”My Whitey threw her body to protect her. So of course, she's okay. Do you have anything else to say?”

”Who healed me?”

”I did. You don't think it happened through your actions, do you? What would you have done if I wasn't here?”

”Thank you, Mad Hatter.”

There were only a couple of people in Wonderland who knew that Mad Hatter was a wizard. She thanked him sincerely for his decision to risk exposure to help her. Heart snorted with discontent.

”Let her down now, Heart.”

For obvious reasons, Heart did not let her down. He instead pressed SoYoon's head tightly into his shoulder.

”My Whitey, don't you think we have a lot to talk about regarding our relationship?”

”You're not the only one with something to say. White Rabbit, I also have things to discuss with you.”

”We can't talk here, so you choose.”

”Whose house will you go to?”

Although the two voices coming from opposite sides were different, the meaning behind them was the same. SoYoon wanted to run away. But she of all people knew that she could not do that. After a few seconds of thought, she looked at Mad Hatter.

”Mad Hatter.”

When SoYoon called his name, Heart's arms flexed. Mad Hatter's blue eyes fluttered, and he smiled. She felt a strange guilt toward Mad Hatter, and she continued.

”To check up on Alice, I'll stop by Heart's house first.”

Mad Hatter's expression deflated. On the other hand, SoYoon didn't see it, but Heart smiled as if he had gained the entire world. His laughter carried a tone of victory that both SoYoon and Mad Hatter felt. Heart, still carrying SoYoon, started to walk with pride.

”Well, then, we will be on our way. See you later, Mad Hatter.”

”I'll stop by tonight.”

”Says who? I'm going to make you cry tears of joy all night.”

”You need to release me now.”

As the two people passed each other, Mad Hatter smelled the scent of trees and dew, blood, dust, and a whiff of fruit. All of a sudden, he was hit by a strong migraine that nauseated him.

From his lips escaped a chilling laugh. His eyes that had been peeking sideways at her were now looking down coldly as if he had done no such thing. In it was not his usual cool-headedness, but a hazy shakiness.

”...If you don't leave.”

She was still here. Even though she knew everything about him, he did not want her to see him swept up by the emotions of his past. He stumbled out of the hideout. It was night outside.

SoYoon, in Heart's arms, looked up at the sky that resembled Mad Hatter's blue eyes. The sunset that had dyed the sky when they had invaded the lair was now only barely present. In a place other than the neutral zone, it was a time where no eyes were looking at them. But SoYoon still felt uncomfortable, so she pushed Heart's shoulder.

”Let me down.”

But Heart continued without saying a word. SoYoon gave up and sighed while leaning her head on his shoulder. Heart flinched for a moment, then stopped and hugged her. His embrace squeezed her shoulder and arms, and it pressed her sword into her back, but she didn't say anything.

Luckily, the two did not meet anyone while on their way to Heart's house. There wasn't anyone to greet them, and the few men who reacted in surprise were swiftly ignored as they passed by. Heart quickly entered his bedroom, made her remove her sword, and laid her down. She had assumed he would have thrown her, but she was caught off guard by his careful handling of her.

”Heart?”

He climbed onto the bed and hugged her with his entire body. Even a person drowning would not have held on as tightly to their savior. She didn't know how to respond.

She could feel his heartbeat through her own. Unlike the previous times, his body was cold. The cold felt too unnatural to assume it was because he had just been outside.

”Heart.”

She called him in a quiet voice. He stepped back slightly and kissed her head. The quick peck was now on her forehead. His lips traveled to her temples, then her eyes, then, removing her mask, he kissed her paler-than-usual cheeks.