"Hello?".

The lonely questions echoes in the emptiness. With shy steps the author makes her way back in the fandom, looking around at the empty chairs her readers used to sit in. She sighs, but decides to speak anyway, just in case anyone could hear.

"Hi there, it's been a while… I think something like 7 years have passed since I last updated this fanfiction, I would raise a brow too should I see another chapter added to this story: I don't want to you to get bored, but I might have interesting news regarding my Alice in Wonderland Arc, should you still be interested, this is my quick explanation.

When I wrote this version of Not The Last One I was a 14-year-old girl who had just entered the fanfiction world and was just eager to show everyone what I had written, without realizing just how bad it actually was: plus, I am not a native English speaker and my knowledge of that language was pretty limited back then. I recently decided to go back to read what I had produced and… saying that I cringed would be an understatement. I had to make it better.

I have been working on it for a few years, I've been very slow- like, slo-mo slow. That was partly because I dedicated myself to studying (and I am still not done), then there was Covid that brought along a pair of ugly things into my life I really wish it didn't, then procrastination also came along… a bunch of stuff that made this work last longer that it might have.

Buuuuuut, now it's ready!

You really have all my understanding for not being in the mood of reading it, I realize Alice in Wonderland has been around for a few years and people have other interests, but just in case you would like to visit your old comfort movie fandom *shrugs*…".

The author pulls something that looks like a sheet of paper from behind her back and pins it in the showcase just in front of the chairs.

"There. I wanted you to have this, before I will delate this Not The Last One version to post the brand new one. I have to warn you, I have added some drama and trauma and because of that I think it will turn into an M-Rated fanfiction: all trigger warnings will be inserted.

I hope to hear from you on the other story, I remember you giving me a great support when this one and the following fics came out, it meant a lot to me and a big Thank You is in order. If I won't, it's ok: I hope you are all doing great with your lives and that you are all as close to your happiness as possible.

Fairfarren readers, from your former TitaHightopp05, now Wh00psieDaisy!".

The author leaves the room and closes the door, leaving just her sneak peek behind…

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Prologue – Out of sight, out of mind… or not quite

The thick grey clouds that covered the sky promised rain that day. The breeze of the early morning hours blew cold against the heart shaped rose bushes, caressing the still closed blood red flowers awake. Everything was still, everyone asleep, and the only sound that filled the creepily silent air was the rhythmical stomping of hooves on the grass.

He was watching her again. He would wake up earlier than anyone every morning to get a mere glimpse of her unnaturally pale face, forest green eyes, full smiling lips he longed so desperately for, and soft, bright copper hair –what would have he given to feel those rich red curls slide smoothly through his fingers again!

Time there had been heavy for her, he could tell: circles had spread around her eyes, dark hues highlighted her cheekbones, limbs had got thin, almost skinny. But even then, she had never seemed more beautiful to him. She galloped upon a proud pitch-black stallion; she seemed to be flying, so gentle was the horse's moves and so delicate her commands… the two matched perfectly. She led him across the Queen's gardens, occasionally biting her lower lip in concentration; her thick braid kept bouncing slightly on her chest and when a rebel strand would slide out of it and annoy her sight, she'd blow it away sending it flying over her head, only to have it fall again.

She pulled the reins and her steed slowed to trot and down to pass. She let her grip on the reins untighten and the horse lowered his head in relax allowing his mistress to hug his neck lovingly.

From his hiding place, behind the glass of a window inside the castle of Salazen Grum, he realized that his time to look at the love of his life was up. Again. Like every morning. Knowing her there, unaware of his presence, and not being able to be with her hurt. He wanted back the days when he would make her laugh, comfort her, kiss her, hold her, and never let her go; but he knew those were long lost peaceful days, that were never to return. So, he had accustomed with only, simply looking at her, daydreaming about her smiles and touches.

He passed a hand through his straight blond hair to compose himself and sat on his bed pretending to have just woken up as he heard the steps of the General approach and his heavy wake-up-knocks upon the doors of his guards.

After all, he would have just had to wait for the next morning.