Alice's eyes fought to stay closed but she forced them awake and immediately regretted it. Her entire body hurt and it was difficult to think of anything besides the sharp pains. Alice sucked in a quick breath and lifted her head to look around. She was in Stayne's room still; he hadn't touched her once she had passed out. Her body fought every attempt at movement and once she stood up she saw what damage he had done; to both the room and her. Alice didn't walk over to the large mirror that hung on the wall; she didn't want to see what her face looked like. Besides, she doubted she would even be able to make out her face because the mirror was smashed; the thing that had done it was her body by the feel of things. Alice looked down at herself and was astounded to find less blood there than she expected.
She twisted to look at her backside and cried out in pain.

"He broke my ribs." She said exasperatedly, clutching her sides. Alice straightened out after the pain subsided and went to the door. Alice leaned her ear against it and listened for the guards that regularly patrolled the Red Queen's halls. No sounds came from the other side of the door so Alice opened it slowly, peeking her head out and looking around. The hall was completely empty as she slipped silently out of his room and shut the door softly behind her.

The plush carpet dampened any noise her bare feet might have made as she walked to her room, fear of getting caught written all over her face. When she arrived at her room she stripped out of her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror as the bath filled up. Deep purple bruises littered her body. They were concentrated on her ribs and thighs and dried blood stained her usually pale face. She shuddered at her discolored skin and immersed herself in the bath water. The coolness of the water soothed her aching body and put out the fires that had been burning on the surface of her skin. Alice washed her body carefully, washing off the blood that had caked on her face.

The thought of trying to explain to the queen what had happened began to loom over her. She would have to choose the most conservative looking dress the queen had given her. Luckily, there weren't many bruises on her arms but her face was a different story. A loud knocking thundered through the house which caused Alice's head to throb in pain. She lifted herself carefully out of the water and grabbed the crimson robe off of the floor and wrapped herself in it. On her way to the door she grabbed the sleeping mask off of the bedside table and pulled it over her eyes, covering most of the bruises on her face.

"Yes?" She asked as she opened the door, feigning grogginess. It was one of the cards.

"The queen has inquired about your absence in court and demands you come at once." He said; his voice thick with authority. Alice nodded in response but regretted it when her neck screamed out in pain. Alice quickly got dressed and put a scarlet mask she found over her eyes. She was surprised at the normality in her appearance as she left her room. With all bruises concealed, she walked into the long hall. The queen's high voice rang above the soft chatter, silencing everyone.

"Ah, there you are, Um. Come, sit, I am quite bored and it is up to you to entertain me." At the mention of Alice's "name" Stayne's head snapped up to see Alice walking toward her usual spot by the queen's side. Alice saw him and held his gaze defiantly, straightening up and walking almost like normal to conceal how much he had hurt her. When she sat in her usual spot she stared straight ahead until she was sure Stayne had stopped looking at her.

"This might be harder than I thought." Alice sighed to herself.

Alice entered a daze as the queen's voice drifted into the background and her thoughts took complete control. The loud sound of the large doors closing behind someone snapped Alice out of her daze. She looked around and felt panic build within her when she could not find Stayne.

"Your Majesty, where is your Knave?" Alice asked, trying to sound as uninterested as possible. The queen gave a breathy sigh and looked longingly out the window.

"He's left."