The castle was far from what Alessansdra had expected. Rather than smooth marble and turrets it was odd curves and hearts, not to mention the blood red embellishments that drew the eye. It was strangely beautiful, in an unorthodox, grotesque sort of way. The surrounding moat, though, that was another story entirely. It was filled with an ominous black liquid, several hundred severed heads floating around. She couldn't help the shudder of repulsion that passed through her, just as Stayne couldn't help but smirk at her squeamishness. She couldn't help it really. Pain and the infliction of it were all well and good, she could even tolerate murder, but to have reminders of it surrounding your home, well, that was taking things a tad too far.
She quelled her slight disgust as they entered the throne room's annex, more concerned with the passing judgemental gazes from the oddly proportioned people they passed. Of course she knew that she might not exactly be dressed to meet royalty, but then again it wasn't as though she'd chosen her outfit for the day planning to plunge down a rabbit hole. The walk to the throne room seemed endless, but when they finally reached the imposing doors she found she wasn't quite as ready as she thought she'd been. She took a deep breath as the doors swung open, holding her head high and plastering a detached expression on her face.
As she entered the throne room she was aware that she had to tread carefully, that is, if the scent of fear and the barely suppressed terror on the faces of the courtiers was anything to go by. A path opened for them as they approached a dias equipped with two thrones where a man and woman sat, obviously the King and Queen. Alessandra found her eyes locked on the woman, not only for her bulbous head, but because she radiated power. It was obvious she was the one with royal blood, the one who wielded the power. She wore a Victorian dress patterned with hearts, the fabric mostly black, tan, and red. Her face was powdered white, eyebrows stenciled on far above the normal brow line with bright blue eyeshadow coating the entire area between her eye and eyebrow. Her lips were painted with a tiny red heart, and her hair, which was blood red, was piled atop her head, also in the shape of a heart.
There was something inexplicably beautiful about her, and Alessandra felt her breath catch. Her eyes flicked over to the King, only to quickly return to the Queen, unimpressed by the man. He was handsome, as was to be expected, but his appearance paled in comparison to the powerful woman seated to his left. His dark hair and ordinary but chiseled features faded into the background, not to mention he dressed in neutral colors in contrast to his wife's bright red.
The room quieted as both monarchs' gazes settled on her. She dropped her head immediately, deferring the control of the situation to them.
"Stayne, what is this?" a deep but feminine voice asked.
"This, Majesty, is a girl I discovered wandering the roads. She bested me in hand to hand combat and I felt she could be useful to you," Stayne simpered, and Alessandra felt her lip curl against her will as she heard the forced sincerity and adoration in his voice.
The Queen hummed, cocking her head slightly to the left. There was nothing extraordinary about the girl, not that she could see, but then she had yet to see her face properly.
"Lift your head, girl," she ordered.
Alessandra did as asked, though she did not meet the woman's eye. The monarch stared at her, trying to find something that made her stand out. Her eyes raked down her body, an eyebrow quirking at the unusual and revealing clothes. She felt her eyes stopping at the girl's cleavage, which appeared to be the most unusual part of her, and the largest. Her breasts were practically straining against the fabric of her top, and she found the sight slightly exciting, though she wasn't sure why. As for the girl herself, she was pretty enough. Long wavy brown hair, oval shaped face accented by fairly high cheekbones with vivid green eyes that stood out against her pale complexion. She noted with pleasure that she wouldn't meet her gaze.
A tingle of something ran down her spine, something oddly akin to attraction, and she couldn't deny that she liked it. The girl was fairly tiny and petite, but if she had bested Stayne she deserved deeper consideration, not mention that unexpected allure.
"I believe a closer look is warranted."
Alessandra swallowed nervously as the Queen stood to view her more clearly. She diverted her eyes, keeping them riveted to the ground, and in doing so was only able to see the hem of the woman's skirts as she circled around her. The room was silent, save for the swish of the material and the sound of her own slightly labored breathing. Black boots came to a stop in front of her, and she soon found her head being lifted by a small hand on her chin. Slowly, nearly agonizingly so, her head lifted, her eyes rising slowly after to meet the deep brown ones of the Queen.
The woman's powdered face was inches from her own, her heart shaped lips pursed in thought. She took note that there was a calculated and guarded look there, but at the last second something sparked in chocolate orbs. Without a word, the monarch's hand slipped away from her face, and she turned and resumed her seat upon her throne. Alessandra held her breath, knowing the moment of truth was upon her.
"Someone fetch her some proper clothes!" the Queen yelled, shattering the silence, and Alessandra released her breath. "How can she be a proper member of the court without clothes?!"
Immediately the room burst into motion, courtiers scrambling left and right to appease the woman's demands. Alessandra watched them scatter, finding amusement in the way they skittered about like decapitated chickens. A smirk curled her lips which did not go unnoticed by the Queen.
"And just what are you gwinning at?" she snapped, angered at the thought that the girl may possibly be mocking her.
Alessandra snapped her head around instantly, bowing it in a show of submission and respect, something that pleased the tyrant.
"Nothing important, your Majesty. I was merely finding amusement in the way the other courtiers were scrambling around like chickens with their heads cut off."
The Queen narrowed her eyes. While the girl's voice was light and pleasing to the ear, there was an odd accent that she couldn't place.
"Where are you from?" she asked.
"America," the brunette answered, only serving to confuse her further.
"Where is this 'America'?"
Alessandra risked looking up.
"A place in the world above this one."
"So you are from Above then?"
"I suppose so, yes."
"And what is your name, dear girl?" the King asked, speaking for the first time and causing Alessandra to face him shock, not missing the venomous look the Queen shot him.
"Alessandra," she answered cautiously, "but I prefer to be called Aless."
"Absolutely not!" the Queen roared, her face tinting a light red. "I absolutely abhor that name. You shall be called Alessandra or nothing at all!"
"Yes, Majesty," Aless answered.
"Good girl. Now tell me of this America and why you are dressed so improperly."
Unable to help herself, Aless laughed.
"If you will permit me to approach?" Receiving a nod, she seated herself on the steps beneath the Queen's throne. "I come from not only a different world, but a different time. Where I live this," she gestured to her jeans and tank top, "is a normal outfit. In fact, I rarely wear anything more than what I am now, with the exception of a jacket."
"And what are those clothes called?"
"The top is called a tank top, I'm not sure why, and the pants are called jeans."
"And women are allowed to wear trousers?"
"All the time. In fact, most do. It's actually pretty rare to see a woman in a dress or skirt." She continued to tell the Queen of her home, both becoming quite engrossed in the conversation. "So this place is called Underland?"
"Yes, and only one other Abovelander has found it, that brat Alice." She looked at Alessandra with large brown eyes shining with innocence and slight bit of anger. "Do you know she caused such a ruckus that my courts weren't stable for a week? And she had the nerve to question my rule!"
"Well she is just a child, she knows nothing of running a kingdom," Aless responded, though inwardly agreed with the girl.
"Hmmm, I suppose," the Queen conceded, "but she was such a rude little thing!" A man approached, interrupting them. "What?! Can't you see I'm busy, idiot!"
"But M-Majesty, we have the materials for the young lady's dress," the man whimpered, obviously terrified.
Aless smirked at him. She didn't find the Queen the least bit frightening, though she supposed she probably should. The woman looked irritated, but waved a hand at him in dismissal and several bolts of fabric were brought forth. She noticed immediately they were all of darker color, and her eyes found the bolt with the darkest of blacks.
"Majesty, if I may?" The Queen nodded. "I'd much rather have an outfit similar to the one I'm wearing. I'm far more comfortable in this and I can move much more easily than I can if I wear a dress. And since it is my understanding that you wish to have me as a soldier, shouldn't I be able move about freely?"
"I hadn't considered that, Alessandra. Smart girl." The woman turned to the same man who had approached originally, and Aless realized he was the tailor. "You will make several outfits to her liking or I shall have your head!"
"Yes, Majesty, of course, Majesty!"
"Okay then. I'd like most of them in black, though I think one or two in this red would suit nicely as well, and perhaps a few in this dark blue. For the pants I'd prefer leather, or something close to it, and I suppose I do need a few dresses in case of formal events, which should also be in black. I'll explain later how I'd like them to be cut."
The man's mouth hung open in shock, and Aless grinned. She had no problem giving commands, she was there to serve only the Queen.
"Of...of course, Miss. If you'd stand and allow me to gather your measurements," the man responded, shaking off his shock.
The Queen smirked, quite pleased that this one had a backbone.
Aless stood obediently still, grinning in amusement when her bust was measured and the man let out a small gasp. She knew she had large assets, but it always amused her when someone, particularly a man, came to the same conclusion. Her slim waist also fed the illusion and made them seem much larger than they were, but that often played to her advantage.
Measurements taken, the man made to scurry away.
"Oh, and sir?" Aless called, gaining his attention. "Make sure there's some form of support under the bust, and make it as tight as possible."
He gulped, nodding before exiting, and Aless was pleased to note the faint flushes on the men's faces, especially Stayne. It obviously had not gone over their heads that she did not intend to wear a bra or corset. The Queen herself had a slight blush when she again faced her, and she couldn't help the grin that covered her face.
Perhaps being stranded in this Underland wouldn't be so bad after all.