"Well you see, Your Majesty, I came with the Spinner of Tales from my own world willingly. He didn't force me at all. So it's rather bold of you to have me kidnapped and brought here. I'm very flattered though." Alice smiled coyly at the king.

"You needn't think so highly of yourself. I meant for your kidnapping to be punishment for the Spinner of Tales. He should not have brought you from the Real World. There is too much risk of people there finding out about the World of Stories."

"They won't, not from me anyway." Alice waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not ever going back to my old world. My home is in Wonderland now, and as much as I'm enjoying this visit to your kingdom, I'd like to return before my boyfriends get too worried. Many of them are powerful magicians, and I would hate for a war to break out because they were over-eager to rescue me."

Sieghard Grimm rubbed his forehead in irritation. "Very well, I will have you escorted back to Wonderland. Red, Hansel, if you would."

Hansel bowed to the king and started to lead Alice away, but Red spoke up.

"King Grimm, if I may..."

"What is it?"

Red wore a conflicted expression and seemed to be having difficulty putting his thoughts into words. "...Since she won't try to escape on her way home, I'd like to stay here. Hansel can manage on his own."

Grimm frowned. Before he could speak, however, Alice voiced her opinion.

"Aw, does my affection make you nervous? That's okay, I'll give you some space to get used to it. Sweet Hansel can take me back, and I'll come visit you again sometime."

"Visit?!" yelped Red.

"But of course. I haven't made the king fall for me yet." Alice blew a kiss toward Grimm. "Don't worry, Grumpy-Grimms. I know you're just a big teddy bear inside."

She grabbed Hansel's arm and started toward the door, hanging on him so he would lean over enough for her to whisper in his ear. Whatever she was saying produced amused chuckles from Hansel, though he sent a rather guilty glance back at the other men.

With his face burning, Red slumped down to a sitting position on the throne room floor. "I don't think I'll EVER get used to that woman..."

"She is quite unique," agreed Grimm. "The sort of unique that leaves everyone in her wake muddled. I can't say I dislike her straightforward approach to life, though..."