Albion Grimm

Realization

I slowly opened my eyes. This place looks kind of familiar. When I realized I was laying in a bed, I slowly sat up. This is…

“Are you awake?”

I reflexively turned to look when I heard a female voice call out from the other side of the room. There, I saw a maid standing waiting for me.

“This is your room. The King carried you here.”

“The King…”

“Wait, please. You’ve been asleep all night.” The Maid stopped me as I threw the blankets off. “First you need to eat some breakfast. I’ll bring it right away.”

“Thank you.”

I was surprised to learn that I had been unconscious for much longer than I expected. But thanks to getting so much sleep, my headache was now gone. I ate a hearty breakfast before getting ready and exiting the room.

“Excuse me. I’d like to see the King. Is it possible to see him now?” I spoke to the solider outside the Throne Room.

“My apologies, Miss Ayla. At the moment, the residents of Grimm Town are in the midst of an audience with the King. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while.”

The soldiers armour shined in the light of the room as they stood guard in front of the door.

“Thank you. In that case, I have no choice. I’ll wait over there.” I pointed to a seat that was sitting in the warm light.

The King is a very busy man. Just when that thought crossed my mind I blinked as a new realisation hit me.

“Aren’t you the person who called me Alice yesterday?”

“King Grimm made an announcement to us yesterday afternoon.”

“We’ve been instructed to call you Ayla, not Alice.” The second solider pointed out.

“Is that so? This came from the king?”

“Indeed. Lord Red and Lord Hansel suggested it, and King Grimm agreed.”

“I see…”

I made my way over to seat to think this through. Maybe residents of the Kingdom of Grimm don’t mind if I’m not Alice, unlike the people in Wonderland. Red and Hansel might have been the ones to bring it up, but the King went out of his way to inform everyone.

“Come in Miss Ayla. King Grimm is expecting you.”

“Thank you.”

I got up and headed into the Throne Room.

“You’re here. What do you want?” Upon seeing me the King narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“You carried me when I collapsed in the library yesterday. I came to say thank you.” I looked into his eyes and watched as his brows knit together.

“What’s wrong with me wanting to thank you? Do I look like the kind of person who doesn’t show appreciation?” I gave a slight smile. “Despite being held in confinement, I won’t hesitate to voice my appreciation. Besides, for someone in ‘confinement’, I’m being treated very well.”

“I see”

I couldn’t help having mixed feelings about him. His attitude towards me didn’t change, but I could tell he was being considerate. At least I thought so. He showed me the library, and carried me when I collapsed. He even went so far as to ensure the people wouldn’t call me Alice. I have no doubt he still dislikes me because I’m not a resident of the World of Stories, but my impression of him was gradually changing. I no longer felt nervous about speaking to the ‘King’, and I felt my anger towards him ebbing.

“Well, I’ll be going now. I’m heading to the library, since I missed out my book yesterday.”

“All right. If you get lost, ask one of the servants.”

“I won’t get lost again.”

The Kings eyes crinkled in amusement when my statement gave away that I had indeed been lost yesterday. I quickly turned around and walked away.