So, now we're finally approaching the castle. We're finally going to know why Mihael is here. The moment of truth.

Let's get on with the show!

Death Note © Ohba & Obata

Alice in Wonderland © Lewis Carroll

The plot and writing is mine.

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Chapter Seven: The Dizzying Smoke

As the two stepped foot into the marble castle, they were greeted with excited applause. Nate's grip tightened a bit on Mihael's hand as he walked past the cheering crowd, leading Mihael along. Mihael, despite all of Nate's warnings, was waving excitedly to the people as they passed them.

"Mihael, please don't wave to them." Nate said quietly. "It makes them think you want to stay here."

"Sorry." Mihael said sheepishly, lowering his hand as they walked into a double-doored room that was opened for them. Before them, Mihael saw two people seated in thrones, one of them a beautiful blonde woman. It was to these two that Mihael was brought to, Nate's expression unreadable.

"Your Majesty, I have returned." Nate said, dropping down to bow on one knee.

"Welcome back, my beautiful bunny!" The woman said, rising from her seat and extending her arms into an embrace. Nate allowed her to wrap her arms around him, not even flinching when she smoothed his hair fondly. "I see you brought me a lovely child." She stood up and extended a hand to Mihael, gently stroking his cheek.

Mihael drew back a bit. "Uhm…if you don't mind, ma'am, I don't really want to be touched right now."

"Of course, my apologies." She smiled with blood-red lipstick and then gestured for Nate to rise. "You will be my guest tonight, and we have prepared a grand feast just to celebrate your arrival. Tell me, boy. What is your name?" She asked, going to sit on her throne again.

"Mihael, ma'am. Mihael Keehl." He smiled, nodding politely.

"My, what a good-mannered child." She giggled. "A good find, Nate. You have done well; feel free to enjoy yourself at the feast tonight."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Nate said, his gaze shifting towards Mihael. "Would you permit me to escort him to one of the guest rooms?"

"Of course." She smiled. "We'll come get you when it's time for the party."

Nate nodded and took Mihael's hand, bowing at the waist before he led the boy out. He moved at a quick pace past the crowd and didn't release the boy's hand until they were in an empty hallway. Letting out a sigh, he turned and knocked on a door. "Ide? It's me, Nate."

"Come on in." A voice said from inside. Nate nodded and opened the door, leading in Mihael. He made sure the door was secure before he turned to the man clad in blue before him. "Welcome back, Nate. I heard your mission went well."

"Ide, we have to get the Looking Glass." Nate said, approaching him. "I can't do this anymore. I can't watch her hurt Mihael."

"That's her prized possession. That will be extremely hard, and if you're caught you will be punished." Ide brought a pipe to his lips and blew out a few smoke rings. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Mihael coughed, waving his hands around to dissipate the smoke. "Hey, can you guys plot when I'm not in the room, please?"

"Oh, sorry." Nate looked at Mihael. "I forgot to warn you about his smoking."

"Nate, you forgot to answer me." Ide said impatiently, blowing another row of smoke rings towards them.

Nate stepped between the smoke rings and Mihael this time, turned to the boy. "I want to stop this bloody tradition."

"What tradition?" Mihael asked.

Nate ignored him, turning to face the blue-clad man. "Please, Ide. You're the only one who could get to that thing, or at least tell me how to get it myself."

"You need the keys she keeps on her person." Ide blew out another row of smoke-rings. "In that heart-shaped pendant. Which requires getting close enough without the King interfering."

"…You were his father's friend. Couldn't you do something?" Nate asked.

"Nate, I'm going out on a limb giving you this information as it is. And even if you get this one boy out, what is the guarantee that will stop the tradition?" Ide asked, rising from his seat. "I'm not going to risk my life for this harebrained scheme, even if I want the same thing as you. His father's friend or not, if I am found to be directly linked to this then the King will KILL me. I imagine you will be killed as well, White Rabbit."

"I'm willing to take that chance." Nate said firmly. "I'm tired of being the Hunter. I want this tradition to stop now!"

"Can we please go somewhere else?" Mihael coughed, slumping against the wall a bit. "I don't feel so good."

Nate turned to him. "…I'm sorry, Mihael. I'll get you to your room." He turned to Ide. "If you choose to change your mind by tonight, please come find me."

"Very well." Ide set his pipe down, sighing. "I'll see you at the feast, Nate."

Nate nodded and opened the door, leading Mihael out. The trip down the hall was had in silence, as Mihael could tell that Nate was feeling too upset to talk right now. Once they reached another room, he opened it and led Mihael in.

"Uhm…Nate?" Mihael watched as the other boy locked the room. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Very well, ask." Nate said, turning to him.

"…What's the 'bloody tradition'?" Mihael asked. "And…who is 'Alice'?"

"Alice…" Nate closed his eyes. "Alice was…a girl that visited here with her family. A diplomat's daughter."

Mihael sat down on the bed, looking at him. "What happened to her?"

Nate looked up at him, frowning. "It was…much before my time." He walked over and sat on the bed next to him. "Since we have so much time until the feast, I guess it should be spent telling you the truth I've been hiding."

"Okay." Mihael nodded, adjusting to make himself more comfortable.

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I lied; you're being kept in suspense until the next chapter. XD