I'm so so sorry for this incredibly late and tardy update! I won't even try to say that i was busy, even though it's true, it's just not a reason that is worth for you guys. Once again, I want to thank all of those who have read my fic, you guys are the reason i keep going. Special thanks to Tallemy, flora and pikaree1 for leaving reviews T^T.

Disclaimer: =.= too depressed for this.

Chapter 8

We walked in the throne room. There, I saw standing a familiar figure.

-Oi, Kazemaru! What are ya doing here for? –Burn asked.

-I got fired by the Red Queen! –he said merrily.

-Well, lucky you! –Endou said admiringly. I think the fortunate side to this fact was that he didn't get decapitated.

-Dodo! – was Kazemaru's reply. He ran towards Endou and dragged him away. Endou waved us goodbye and let Kazemaru lead him. I faintly heard Gouenji mumbled a complaint of some sort. We then got to the problem.

-Hiroto, you know you're the only one that can save Underland right? - The King asked me. The 3 witches nodded in agreement.

-I'm not sure why and I don't know how. –I hesitantly answered.

- We don't know much about it, either. But it has been foretold long ago that every time Underland falls in chaos, a hero from another world will descend and light the spark of revolution. At the same time, he will fight beside us and lead us to victory. It has been proven true through history five times already. I don't see any reason why there won't be a sixth. – He gave a mild shrug. – More importantly, we've got 1 week to train you all. You'll be going against his army and the Jabberwocky, the cursed dragon that my brother got as a peace offering from the Northern Empire. It's dangerous and powerful but I think you'll manage. –he said to everyone in the room and to me.

-How? I'm not a soldier. I can't fight...

-But the Mentor you have will be able to teach you.-he interrupted me. I suddenly remembered. The Mentor! How did I manage to forget that?, I blamed myself. He dismissed the others, ordered the maids to lead them to their room but kept me. He then approached me and patted my head.

-I don't want to take the throne from my brother, not one bit. I just want him to wake up from this horrid nightmare he's in. – he said and suddenly slashed me with a dagger on the arm. It was painful and I reflexively took a few steps back.

-Why did you...- Your Mentor, Hiroto, that's the blood you need, dear. – was his reply. He sounded like a 200-year-old grandpa but I understood his plan. I opened the packet and found a small blue marble inside. I mentally shrugged and, painfully, dropped the ball into the puddle of blood. A magic circle appeared and shone brightly, I had to shield my eyes. When I opened them, a girl was hovering in mid air above where the puddle used to be. Aphrodi's composure dissolved as the girl opened her eyes. She was a beautiful lady; she looked very mature, about 21. She has waist-length jet-black hair which was braided neatly and hazelnut-colored eyes, shielded behind long, elegant eyelashes. She wore a sky blue dress and, strange enough, had no weapons on her. She looked at me, her gaze carefully moved all over my body and stopped at my arm, she chanted something and my arm healed. After that, she kneeled.

-My Lord, are you the one who summoned me? – She asked and I nodded for confirmation. Still, I wanted her to skip the honorifics and formalities, though. –If that's your wish. - She said and smiled. Another mind reader...

- I'm Elizabeth but, please, call me Liz. I can use bows, twin swords and long swords. Spears and staffs are no problem. I'm not very good with axes, though. A pleasure to make your acquaintance! – She introduced herself briefly and as quickly as she introduced, she turned around and grinned. –Long time no see, A-PHRO-DI. - She spelled it out to him.

-Liz, you're still alive... – he said, his expression showed pure shock.

-Apparently so... –Her features briefly showed hints of sadness and nostalgia. But her voice still sounded very cheerful. – Now's not the time to remniscent the past! Hiroto-kun! In the following week, I'll train you into someone worthy of envy! We'll start tomorrow morning! –she said excitedly and skipped away. She knows my name...

Later that day, the dinner bell rang. I walked down to the dining room to find Liz helping the maids arranging the plates and bowls. When the others reached the room, she turned around and they froze, their face turned as white as the table sheet.

-Liz-nee-chan? Is that... you...? – Tachimukai managed to utter a few words in shock. She quietly put the dishes down and spread her arms; her face showed a tender smile. It was a warm, gentle smile, the kind they use to portrat the kind, forgiving, loving and caring nature of a mother.

-Liz-nee-chan! – The Underlanders rushed to her with tears streaming down their faces except Kidou and Goenji who stood and smiled in a distance, holding back their tears.

-You're alive! –Fubuki whimpered and she nodded, brushing her tears away. Kogure popped up and clung on her head:
-We missed you a lot, you know. –He said mischievously but I saw some tears at the corner of his closed eyes. –Welcome home...

-I'm back! –she smiled. The others nodded and we all sat down for dinner.

-Where were you? You suddenly disappeared with... –Endou was about to say something when he automatically shut his mouth and the others turned to him and their gazes showed that he almost slipped something rude. With whom, I wonder...

-I don't know about her but I went to another world and lived in a shrine. –Liz said with a straight-face.

-A shrine? Think of a more convincing lie, Liz-nee-chan! –Burn groaned, which made the others laugh. That night's dinner was full of tears and laughter, but I didn't see Hirato and the pirates, where were they?

Liz P.O.V:

It's been 8 years since the last time I've returned here. The last visit didn't last long, though and I didn't show my face, either. The other world was nice and even though the people there looked a lot like them, I still miss them so much. But, I'm glad they're safe... they didn't need my help after all... Well, I'm over the moon knowing Nagumo and Suzuno's relationship has progressed so much. I still remember how they use to bicker. Gouenji and Fubuki have also matured in many ways. Kazemaru and Endou are mostly the same but it made me glad nonetheless. Nagu and Suzu still they look so cute cuddling and hugging each other like that! Well, Endou is sleeping with Kazemaru, no surprise there. Kidou is as lonely as ever, being too smart sucks sometimes. The pirates, well, I'm glad they agreed to sleep in the castle and not steal anything. They hawk, Fudou, had paid a lot of attention to Kidou whenever he's in eyesight. What a predator! Sakuma, his owner, on the other hand, admired Kidou's intelligence. It's great that someone respects you Kidou, keep up the good work! Oh la la~ if I'm right, Hiroto has company.

- As you might have notice, Hiroto-kun, we look frighteningly alike. I'm certain that the reason is because you've arrived from another world, you're another me.

Hirato-sama, you're too smart, as usual...

-I've thought of the same thing. But how did you know I came from another world? –Hiroto-kun, you've just asked a silly question.

- It is unfortunate but I can't answer your questions. Moreover, this conversation can't be of long duration. Please answer me honestly, do you like Midori-chan? – Hirato-sama, now you're just plain mean.

-How did you know about...- Hiroto-kun is doomed, that guy has turned insensitive after what he'd gone through. By the way, your blush is obviously a "YES".

-That doesn't matter. I hope you keep our conversation confidential. Thank you for answering my questions in a straight-forward manner. Excuse me.

You said all that and and left the room? You must remember you're not the Princess' husband anymore; neither are you the Prince of Aliea, Hirato-sama. Well, looks like we shall have a talk.

Normal P.O.V:

Liz followed Hirato to his chamber and undid her spells. Hirato looked at her but said nothing. After a moment of silence, Liz knelt down with great respect.

-You've been away for quite long, your Majesty. Would you mind telling me about that curse you're suffering from, Hirato-sama? –she asked with a deadly serious tone, at the same time, stressing the vowel "a" in his name.

-It's an alias. Stand up, will you? I'm no longer royalty. The husband of the Queen has died 7 years ago.

-But you're still here. Now please tell me about the curse. I beg of you.

-You shouldn't have. - he mumbled but explained anyway- "I curse you of immortality and drastic changes in appearance. Your curse will be lifted when you physically come in touch your true love, if you can, that is!" was what she said.

-"She" who, your Majesty? –Liz questioned him.

-Elisa -he said with a calm demeanor. Contradicting Hirato's calmness, Liz face was twisted in pain. She knew Elisa. She knew her too well. So well, it hurts Liz to remember her.

-So she has made her move. –Liz whimpered.

-She has.

I wanted to try doing different point of views, please tell me your thoughts on it! Also, in the next chapter, we will be going into the inner world of the Red Queen! Look forward to it! Thanks again for reading so far!