Albion Grimm

Albion Gimm

I was looking around the room when Red spoke. It was just as bright and airy as the foyer, with heavy black curtains held back from covering stained glass windows.

“You’re Majesty. We have brought Alice.”

When Red spoke, the man sitting on the brilliant throne looked our way. His copper colored hair was long and swayed softly as he turned to look at us. His dark eyes regarded us calmly with an unreadable expression. He was dressed in dark clothes that matched the color of his eyes, and a red scarf was wrapped around his neck. The pin that was holding his scarf was made out of a dark purple gem that reminded me of the sky at dawn.

I felt myself almost falter as I took in the intimidating figure of the ruler of this land.

“I-I understand Red and Hansel were acting on your orders b-but why did you have them kidnap me?” My question was met with a cool gaze.

“I had you brought to this world in order to punish the Spinner of Tales. That man brought a human from another world into Wonderland. Otherwise known as the World of Stories. That person is you, Alice.” His voice was low and cold as he answered me and I got the feeling he didn’t really care about me.

“In that case, I’m not the one at fault am it? I’d like to return to my own world. I don’t know how to do it on my own. Will you help me go back?” I don’t know where my confidence came from but I was worried it was going to get me in trouble.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that.” My mouth fell open; he refused my request outright. Without even listing to what I had to say. He continued to speak in a cold voice. “If I return you to your world, there’s a chance that others will find out about the World of Stories. I have no intention of taking that risk.”

“I understand” My lip wobbled as I dropped my head.

“In that case, give up your hopes of returning home and accept your fate.”

My head snapped up “That doesn’t mean I accept your position. It’s completely one-sided. You order me to be brought here without explanation, and when I finally meet you face to face you tell me to give up all hope of returning home and quietly accept my fate. Talk about being ungentle manly.” I glared at the him. His brows moving ever so slightly. “Another thing: You just told me the reason you had me abducted, in other words, you had time to explain, so there was really no reason for you to bring me here so hastily.”

He let out a small sigh and cast his eyes downward. “I admit it was less than courteous.”

Seeing that he was willing to consider things from my perspective, I continued my questioning.

“Why don’t you want people to know about the World of Stories? The people of my world aren’t usually able to enter, right? If it weren’t for the Spinner of Tales, I wouldn’t be here either.”

“There’s no need for you to know.” He abruptly cut me off.

He kidnaps me for some unknown reason, and then completely refuses to explain. Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?

I felt myself starting to seethe. It took several days to get here, which requires that we camp outside, only to be given a cold reception, and no answers.

“Fine! I won’t rely on you. I’ll find a way to return to my own world without your help!” My voice rose as I unleashed my anger.

“Wow. Talk about having guts, speaking to the King that way.”

“Yeah.”

I heard Hansel and Red whispering together behind me.

“Red, Hansel.”

The Kings cool gaze moved from me to Red and Hansel.

“I want this girl confined to the castle for the time being. I’ll provide more details later.”

I bit my lip as I listened to him issue there instructions dispassionately.

As Red and Hansel led me to my room, I found I could no longer remain silent.

“He bids me to come here. No, he has me kidnapped, and then gives that attitude. What’s with him? Honestly I find it hard to believe…” I realized who I was talking to and finally manage to regain some calm, but I still wasn’t satisfied.

“Well coming from King Grimm, I’d say he said a lot” Red spoke as if having someone go off next to him was a daily occurrence

“Seriously?”

“The King dislikes people who are not residents of the World of Stories.” Hansel added as he directed me down a hall.

“I wonder if that’s why he doesn’t want the people of my world to learn of the World of Stories.” I cast a sideways glance to Hansel as I ponder this. “So, why does he dislike me?”

“I’m afraid we don’t really know. We only know that he does.”

Red grimaced apologetically.

“You’re not to blame for not knowing. This is the Kingdom of Grimm, not Wonderland, right? Is this also part of the World of Stories?”

“It is. The King, Hansel and I along with everyone in the castle and village are all characters in a story.” Red said with a cheeky grin.

“I see.” I stopped talking to focus on where we were going.

He mentioned confining me, so I assumed I would be held in a cell but…

I was led to a proper guest room. Red and Hansel briefly showed me around the room before leaving with a promise to bring me dinner later. I took another look around the room before settling onto a blue chair. The room was decorated in blue hues and was chic and comfortable immediately putting me at ease, there was a huge bed against one wall with posts that reached up to the roof and had baby blue nets surrounding it to give a sense of privacy, it was covered in pillows of different shades of blue that stood out on the navy bed cover, there was a dresser with an ornate mirror sitting on top with only a hairbrush sitting in front of it.

I sat and cleared my mind, considering my next move. I still want to find a way to return to my own world but… For the moment, I didn’t have enough information. I hardly knew anything about this world.

I suppose I’ll just have to gather information for the time being.

Just as I made my decision, there was a knock on the door.

“Red? Or is it Hansel?”

“It’s me.” Red said through the door

I stood up and opened the door.

“I’ve brought you dinner.”

“Thanks”

I’m still getting nice treatment.

My eyes widened as I took in the tray Red placed on the table. There was soup, salad, delicious looking sautéed meat, and two huge cookies as dessert. In his other hand he held a teapot, the scent of freshly brewed mint tea drifted into the room.

“Can you tell me, is there a library here in the castle? I know I’m to be confined, but I’ll be bored out of my mind if I have to stay in this room.”

It would be easier to find information in books, rather than going around asking questions.

“Well, there’s a library near your room.”

Red nodded in the general direction before giving me directions to the library.

“Thanks”

“If you want, I can take you there after you eat?”

Before Red could finish, there was another knock at the open door.

“Pardon me. I was told I would be able to find Lord Red here.”

Red turned to the soldier standing on the other side of the doorway and I heard the relief in its voice.

“Ah, there you are. King Grimm wishes to see you.

“Very well. If you’ll excuse me, Ayla.”

“I’m fine, thanks. Am I allowed to go to the library on my own?”

“Sure. You’re free to roam around the castle, as long as you don’t try to leave.”

With those paring words, Red walked away with the soldier.

Okay. First things first, it’s time to eat!

After eating dinner, I decided to find the library but the hallways were much more complicated than I imagined. “Where am I?” I mumbled to myself.

I came to the realization that I was lost. But I’m still inside the castle. I’m sure I’ll encounter someone if I keep walking. I’d just tell them I had permission and have them lead me to the library.