Chapter Text
“Your Majesty,” the White Rabbit said, nervously fidgeting with his pocket watch. “I bear news for you on this fine day.”
The Queen of Hearts rolled her eyes. “Whatever is it this time?” she asked. “Get on with it.”
The White Rabbit hesitated a few moments more, before finally drawing a shuddering breath. “I bring you news from the land of Chess.”
Catherine went rigid. Anger flashed across her eyes. “Why!” she yelled. She grabbed a vase and threw it violently towards the rabbit. He jumped just in time, before the vase shattered on the floor. Flowers and shards littered the marble, crimson petals spilling out as though they were blood. The Queen stood up.“I am rather sure I forbade travel to and from Chess,” she uttered slowly. “So why do I hear that you have gathered news from the other side of the looking glass?”
The White Rabbit writhed. “Y—your Majesty,” he stammered. “A messenger came through. The March Hare. He—he said the war between the Red and White Queendoms is over.”
Catherine’s anger suddenly dissipated. “The war is over?” she asked, lifting her brow. “I was of the impression that the war was as old as Time. That it would never truly end, because every time one side is close to winning, Time resets and it begins all over again.”
“Y—yes,” the rabbit said, trying to pull himself together. “But there was a girl, the March Hare told us. A girl named Alice, I believe. She managed to become queen and beat the Red King.”
“Alice,” the queen mused, sitting back down on her throne. “She has been here in Hearts before, hasn’t she?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the rabbit said, and braced himself as if expecting another tantrum. But the queen did not mention any of Alice’s mishaps during her time in the kingdom.
“She was the girl who grew two miles tall,” the queen simply said.
The white rabbit exhaled in relief. “Yes, Your Majesty. You would be correct.”
“I am always correct,” Catherine snapped. “Now,” she added, standing up. “Do inform the king I shall be paying a visit to the white Queendom.”
The White Rabbit stilled. “I beg your pardon?”
“Shall I replace you with someone with more capable ears, Sir Rabbit?” the Queen asked harshly.
“No, Your Majesty,” the rabbit said, scrambling away. “I shall have his Majesty informed right away.”
A dark shadow flashed as Raven flew across the room and sat on Catherine’s shoulder.
“I ought to have a word with the White Queen,” Catherine muttered to him, and descended the steps of the dais.