Knight in charming armor

by stunn

Summary:

When Princess Red turns seventeen, she finds herself at a ball hosted by her mother every month until she turns 18 to find a suitor for potential marriage. Red would be okay with it if not for the fact that she's been helplessly in love with Chloe charming, her knight in shining armor.

or

Glassheart knight au

Chapter 1

Notes:

not proofread hehe enjoy

Sixteen.

Red was sixteen when her mother told her that she’d need to start scouting for potential suitors to ensure that she’d get married by Eighteen.

And here she was, a year later sitting on a throne staged dead center of the podium, overlooking the entirety of the ballroom. The setting was lively, with countless suitors for red to, “choose from” (as per her mother’s words). Her mother, Bridget, often hosted balls, but not for this particular reason. Red, being the only heir to the throne, needed a suitor—at least that's what her mother thought,— and being the queen that she is, Bridget couldn’t not hold a ball to find the perfect man for her daughter.

And standing right next to Red was her knight in shining armor, her best friend of 10 years, and the woman she’s been in love with the moment she laid eyes on her, Chloe charming. The two girls had been exchanging cheesy jokes and glances at each other throughout the night, mocking any man that caused Red any form of irritation.

As the two were about to engage in a conversation, Chloe catches sight of a man approaching red. “Incoming,” she warns red. And before the red head could react, a set of strong and firm hands grabs her own, “Princess Red, It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Max of the Hatter family,” The boy stated.

“Pleasure,” Red replied smoothly, having been forced to practice a formal greeting the moment she turned Thirteen.

Before the redhead could make an excuse to leave, Matt, mark? Mateo, or whatever his name is, immediately started talking.

“I’ve been meaning to court you for a while. I hope you’ll choose me amongst the many available competitors I have in this room,” Mad? no, Max, with a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips, talked with such confidence that his presence alone could scare off the other competitors.

All that didn’t matter anyway, because there was no one else she wanted in this room other than the bluenette standing next to her. Just as Max was about to continue talking, Chloe—her knight in shining armor—cut him off.

“Times up, Mr. Matt? Is it? It’d be best if you gave the other guests a chance to talk to Princess Red,” quipped Chloe, with pettiness lacing her voice.

Both girls could see Max’s face slowly turn from a smirk to a scowl,“It’s Max,” snarked the boy. Turning to Red, his voice softened, “It was a pleasure to meet you, princess. I do wish we had more time to talk, but unfortunately , I must leave,” Max announced, all the while standing up and taking his leave.

The moment the boy was gone, the two girls erupted into quiet chuckles, “You knew his name, didn’t you?” Asked the redhead, “that I did,” Chloe confessed. The two girls enjoy their moments of peace until the queen calls out to her daughter.

“Red, darling, why don’t you take a stroll around the room, Find a potential suitor?” Advised Bridget. “I’ll come with,” Chloe proposed, but to her misfortune, Bridget said no, because red “does not need somebody going around with her scaring off potential suitors.”

The ballroom was filled with laughter and noise as Red took laps around the room to converse with the countless people that came . She didn't want this, doing this hurt her to a great extent because she knew she had to do this to move on from Chloe. She had to hide who she was, she couldn't disappoint her mom by telling her about her sexuality. Not yet, at least.

Lost in her thoughts, Red accidentally bumps into a boy with ginger hair and eyes as green as the earth, “careful there, princess. Don’t want you dying before I can court you,” He joked. Red let out a fake chuckle and mumbled a quick “Thanks,” before she tried to walk away. Tried, because she was stopped by the boy with a firm grip on her, “I’m Mateo, from Camelot.You’re Princess Red, right?” He asked, “What do you think, ginger?” Red hissed, her annoyance clear by the tone of her voice.

Before Mateo could let out a word, Red’s hand found his, ”I’m so sorry, It’s been such a long night and I’m quite tired,” Sighed Red.

“Seems like it, I’ll give you some space, princess. I’m here if you need company,” flattered Mateo, and Red couldn't believe how easy he went away.

The moment the boy was gone, Red let out a breath she’d been holding for god knows how long. It’s weird how easily the boy went away. Rubbing her temple, she wonders why she still lets her mom do this. The queen had been throwing balls for Red every month since the moment she turned Seventeen, and Red doesn't know how many times she has to do this until her mother finally takes the hint.

For every ball that was held for her, Red always came out empty handed at the end of the night, using the excuse “I just haven't found the right one yet,” knowing that she’s helplessly in love with a certain blue haired knight.

Just as she was about to look for said blue haired knight, a voice called out to her. “What’s a Princess like you doing alone?” called a mysterious voice. When Red turns around, She's face to face with a boy. She examines his face, he’s got a smile as sly as a fox, eyes as blue as the sea, with freckles marking the areas of his face.

“Adonis of the Athens family. Nice to meet you, princess,” The boy stated, walking closer to red, “I could say the same. Athens, huh? You came quite the distance,” Red commented, “ well I’d go as far as the edge of the world to attend a ball this breathtaking,” Replied Adonis.

For the first time, Red found herself intrigued. He came for the ball, not for her. -In what world is a prince more interested in a building than a literal princess?- He'd make a good friend, she thinks. “Tell me more about yourself,” Red asked. Throughout their conversation, Red found out that he was an only child and he was adopted, that he lived in Athens–if that wasn't clear enough already– and that he had no interest in courting the redhead. He only came because “my mother forced me to, I’m only really interested in studies, love just isn't for me.”

Only when Red finds out all these things does she feel comfortable enough around him, thinking that her new friend here might be the only good thing to come out of tonight's ball.

Meanwhile, Chloe watches from afar as she stays on guard, keeping her eyes on Red at all times. The bluenette watches Red’s expressions closely, checking to see if she's comfortable through her body language and facial expression.

It wasn’t until she saw Red laughing with a guy. And after asking around, Chloe finds out that the boy's name is Adonis. It’s weird, She thinks. There's something in seeing Red be happy with a guy that affects Chloe in a way.

An hour goes by and by the time that Adonis left, Red took a mental note that he’s a friend worth keeping. The redhead remains in the very spot that she’s been for the past hour or so, and after a while, she eventually decides to move to a more crowded place to speak with the guests and thank them for coming.

Red starts going around the room, pausing every now and then to greet familiar faces and give them her thanks, when she feels the atmosphere change from joyful to intimate.

The band starts playing a slow, yet intimate song when couples all around the ballroom begin to dance, and Red feels a number of eyes land on her.

“May I have this dance?” called out a person from behind, and Red had even the slightest bit of hope that it was her knight asking that question. Instead, it was a boy with his arms extended and his grin spread wide.

During her training, Red was told that “you can’t decline a dance from a possible suitor,” So here she is, hand in hand with her other hand resting on the boy's shoulders, whose name she eventually finds out is Theodore Westergaard of Arendelle.

The two move around with practiced ease, swaying with the music. “We meet again, princess.” Funny, considering that she never knew his name up until a few moments ago. The boy can dance, that she can confirm. But there was some part of Red that wished it was Chloe she was dancing with instead.

Her Chloe, who had been lurking in the corner, keeping a close eye on Red. On guard and watching out for anything that might cause harm to the princess. That was her job, after all.

First, she looked around.

Then, she looked at the boy Red was dancing with.

And then she looked at Red.

Red looked back, and Chloe stopped. Her heart stopped. Her breathing stopped and she didn’t know why. Just as she was about to look away, Red flashed her a small smile. It’s small, but it’s there.

The moment Red met Chloe’s eyes, the redhead’s heart fluttered. It was moments like these with Chloe that made her fall in love even more, because the moment Red looked into Chloe’s eyes, everything around her went hazy.

everything but her and the bluenette were moving in slow motion. It’s as if the world went still and all Red could think about was how staring into Chloe's eyes was like staring into an artwork- you observe its every detail and corner until there's nothing about it that you don’t know.

Her eyes are shining, she thinks, they always are. To red, Chloe's eyes are those that look like they carry the weight of a million words, unspoken. Eyes that shine like stars in an endless sea of darkness.

Preoccupied by the thought of Chloe, Red unexpectedly bumps into another couple dancing. “Are you okay? You looked a little lost there,” asked Theo. “Fine, just tired is all,” Red responded, being snapped back into reality once she remembers she’s still at the ball. “So listen, I’ve been coming here monthly ever since the queen announced you’d be looking for a suitor. I was thinking maybe you’d let me invite you over for a second date?” Theo proposed, with a smile extending to his ears.

Red never even knew about this boys existence until today and now he’s asking her for a second date?

The band continues playing as Red stops dancing and lets go of the boy. “I’m-I’m not so sure about that, Theo. I’m still looking for a suitor, and I’m not sure I’m ready to choose yet,” Answered Red, her nervousness evident.

And like a tightrope, the boy snaps.

“Seriously? For 5 months you’ve been having monthly balls and you're telling me you still haven’t chosen?” He complained, his voice rising with every word. Once everyone hears this, the music comes to a halt and the dancing stops as everyone looks at Red and the boy in shock.

Before she could say anything, another voice spoke up from the crowd. “ Yeah, we’ve been busting our asses off for 5 months just for you not to choose? I’m starting to think you don’t even wanna get married at this point,” The voice commented.

It’s true, anyways. She doesn’t wanna get married—at least not to any one of the men in the ballroom.

The crowd could only stare as another voice rose from the crowd. “Why don’t you choose now? haven’t you had enough time to think about it?” asks the voice.

Red was uncomfortable. The pressure from the crowd looking at her and the sound of whispers amongst the crowd. The atmosphere shifted from joyful to tense in a split second. Everyone is quiet and only whispers, gasps, and snickers are heard.

red doesn’t like this. In fact, she hates this. She feels tears fall down her face when she takes notice of the fact that all eyes are on her, the crowd waiting for the princess to say something, anything.

Chloe, noticing this, pushes through the crowd to reach the red head. The air is thick and the tension is palpable as Chloe moves closer and closer to the princess.

Red doesn’t know what to do as she starts shaking and more tears are coming out of her eyes, but just as she was about to open her mouth, a voice called back from behind. “Princess, It’s time to go,” Chloe stated, and the only thing that Red could do was nod and keep her head down.

Nothing but footsteps are heard all throughout the castle when Chloe swiftly drags Red to her room. Red can feel it looming. She's shaking, she can’t even run or walk properly, and she can't breathe. Red feels as if the world is about to collapse on her, her mind is racing with thoughts—thoughts that she can’t control.

Red's thoughts continue racing , until she hears the sound of a door hinge opening, and she's carefully pushed inside her room, while Chloe locks the door.

The moment the door is closed, Red sits on the floor and leans against the door, trying to calm her breathing. Her breaths came in quick and shallow gasps of air, with each breath feeling like a thousand needles going through her skin.

It was Chloe who broke the silence first. “Red, look at me,” Chloe pleaded. “I can’t breathe,” Red lets out in a gasp, already struggling to inhale.

Chloe knew what to do, she’d only seen Red have an anxiety attack when they were young, and she could only observe how Red’s mom handled it.

She brings her hands to cup Red’s face, “Hey, I’m here. Look at me,” Chloe starts, and Red does what she’s told. She feels like the walls are closing in on her, like she’s about to get suffocated. Red’s gaze finally meets Chloe’s and Red’s thoughts stop stirring. “I–”

“I know, I know. Try to match my breathing, okay?” Pled Chloe.

“In,” seconds go by,

“and out.”

“That’s right, good job, keep going,” Chloe’s voice grounding Red in her moment of unease.

They keep going for a while, matching each other's pulse, and with every breath, Red can feel small measures of control coming back. “Are you okay now?” Chloe asks. “More than I was earlier. Thank you,” Red responds, her voice hoarse. “Do you want to talk about it?” Red hesitates for a second before shaking her head. She doesn't wanna talk about it, not yet. “Okay, Let’s get you to your bed so you can rest,” The bluenette whispered.

The room is quiet. Only the sounds of ruffling sheets are heard as Red lays down and closes her eyes. The door creaks open as another knight peeks their head through the gap. “Chloe, the queen requests your presence in the throne room,” The knight announced.

Chloe takes one last glance at Red–who is now peacefully sleeping–and leaves the room.

The blue headed knight walks the halls of the castle, looking at the pieces of history displayed around the walls. She knocks on the wood as she arrives at the throne room, entering once the doors were opened.

Chloe mutters out a quick “your majesty,” as she bows. “What happened today?” the queen starts. Bridget’s presence is demanding, her aura dark, yet comforting. “This guy, Theo. He snapped because Red wouldn't accept his offer for another date, then it just started a whole fiasco over the princess not having chosen a suitor yet,” Chloe replies, her voice just as steady.

Upon hearing this, the queens shoulders relaxed–slumped, even, her face softened and she let out a sigh. “I can’t help but agree, Chloe. It’s been, what, 5 months? 5 balls held in her honor and yet she still hasn’t chosen. Not one person.” Bridget complained wearily.

“Do you want me to try talking to her tomorrow, your majesty?” Chloe asks. The queen shakes her head as she gives Chloe a sheepish smile. “No worries, it seems like I’ll have to take extra measures. Go, I’m sure you need some sleep after today,” Ordered Bridget.

Chloe is appalled at what Bridget said. What was the queen planning?

The knight could only bow and leave the room, once again walking herself to the princess’ room. The door squeaks open as Chloe enters, and the Redhead stirs awake as she hears the sound of the door opening. “Chloe? Is that you?” Red asks groggily, exhaustion distinguishable in her voice.

“It’s me, yeah,” Chloe replies in a low voice, careful not to wake the entire castle up. “Go back to bed, just here to get some stuff,” The knight adds, movements soft and quiet. In a low and rough voice, the redhead asks. “Where are you sleeping?”
Chloe lets out a light chuckle at this. “Knights quarter, as usual. Why?” the bluenette asks. Red can barely speak now as she drifts closer to sleep. It takes a while for the knight to realise that her friend had fallen asleep.
Chloe stays like that, Watching the princess sleep, glad that she’s okay now. She carefully leaves the room, trying to make minimal noise so as to not wake Red up.
The moment Chloe reaches her bed, her eyes shut close. She’s tired, and she’d deal with whatever comes next tomorrow, because the only thing important to her right now is sleep.

Red hears birds chirp as she stirs awake, rubbing her eyes that are to yet adjust to the rays of sunlight entering her room. She starts remembering the events of yesterday, and her room is quiet. Too quiet.

That was, until a knock on the door echoes throughout her room. She hears a voice on the other side of the door. “Princess, you're needed downstairs for breakfast. I’ll wait for you here,” Red knows that voice. That voice that she’d been in love with for years, now. That was Chloe's voice.

After getting ready, she opens the door and is met face to face with a certain blue haired knight. “Ready to go?” Chloe asked. Red gives Chloe a smile and a nod, signaling that she’s ready to go.

Once they arrive at the dining room, Red can feel the tension in the air. Something was about to happen, she knows it.

Red takes a seat across from her mother. The table was long, she never got used to it. It was hard not being close to her own mother during the few hours that they actually have time together.

Food is served, and her mother opens her mouth to speak. “It has come to my attention that up until now, you still haven’t chosen a suitor, correct?” The queen asks.

Red swallows before answering. “Yes, mom. I just haven't found the right person for me yet.”

The queen lets out a long sigh at her daughters response. “It’s the same excuse every time, Red. I’ve no choice but to choose for you. I’ve already chosen a few candidates. Let me know when you're ready to meet them,” The queen deadpanned.

Red’s eyes grew at what her mother said. she couldn’t form the phrases needed to express her disinterest. Instead, she was stuck between words of complaint and shock.

“What?! How-”

“I don't even-”

“No, I'm not- I can’t-”

Red couldnt form a sentence, with anger filling her brain.
Finally, Red opened her mouth. “I’m not doing that. No!” Red argued, She couldn’t get away this time, she’d get married in 7 months and she couldn't do anything about it.

“Red you are to calm down this instant. My decision is final. You’ll be meeting them tomorrow afternoon. Further information will be given when you meet the men.” Her mother demanded. She was serious about this.

Red was mad. She was infuriated. How could her mother do this? What ever happened to free will? Is she really willing to trade her own daughter's happiness for an heir?
She could scream right now. She wants to scream and throw and punch.

There was so much anger coursing through her veins, her breaths quick and unsteady.

She’s about to explode. She’s about to scream at her mother until she feels a touch on her back. That touch was all too familiar. It had the kind of warmth that had Red melt upon contact and lean into.

“Red,” Chloe starts. “Why don’t we check out the garden?” The knight offers, clearly trying to defuse the situation.

“Yes, Red. Go clear your mind and come back to me when your head is in the right headspace,” The queen adds, clearly annoyed at her daughter's attitude.

Red let’s Chloe grab her hand and lead her out to the garden, the smell of flowers entering her nose as they walk outside.

“Why is she so obsessed with me and getting married?” Red complains. They walk throughout the garden, stopping to pick flowers for a vase that the two girls would set up later on.

There was something in Chloe’s presence that Red enjoyed, because no matter how sad or mad Red was, a single conversation with her knight would have Red back into her normal, joyous state.

They spent hours going around the garden, picking out flowers and ferns to put into a vase.

The sun had set and by that hour, the two girls had already finished picking out plants and flowers.

Only the sounds of the kitchen staff are heard as the two go up to the princess’ room, holding a bouquet of flowers on either hand.

Now in her room, Red hadn't laughed as much as she did right now. It was the feeling of spending so much time with the person you love that you don’t ever want them to leave.

Reality hit as Red remembers about the events that will take place tomorrow, and Chloe notices the shift in attitude.

“Hey, look at the bright side, You won't have to attend your monthly balls.” Chloe tried, trying to make Red feel better.

“And look-maybe you’ll meet your true love tomorrow. You know, love at first sight and all that.”
Red lets out a chuckle, knowing that Chloe was completely unaware of the fact that Red has been in love with her for the longest time now.

The two continue like this, playing games and prepping flowers, until they’ve run out of things to do.

Night comes as the pair grows tired and their eyes start shutting down. “You should go to bed, Red. I’ll leave now, sleep in the knight’s quarters.”

“Can you stay? just for tonight.” Red pleads, desperate to have someone, because right now, the thought of actually getting married scared her.

“Princess, you know I can’t,” Chloe lets out a sigh. She wants to, It’s just there are rules in place for things like these. All knights should sleep in their quarters. They aren’t allowed to sleep anywhere else.

It’s not like they follow that rule, anyways. The two had broken that specific rule multiple times.

Red looks at Chloe with pleading eyes, and Chloe can’t resist. After a beat, the knight finally agrees. “Fine. We’ll change first and then let's go to bed, okay?”

Red smiles at this, content with the idea that someone is there to comfort her. Chloe heads back to her quarters to change, as Red switches onto a more comfortable outfit.

After a while, Chloe re-enters the room and sees Red patiently waiting. She moves toward the bed and lays down just a few inches away from Red, and the princess immediately melts onto chloe.

Red was scared. She didn’t know what would happen tomorrow and that worried her. But at this moment, there were only two things that mattered right now and it was sleep. Sleep, and Chloe.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Chloe has some revelations, and Red finally meets the princes she'll be spending the rest of her month with.

Chloe awakens as she looks outside the window, the sun having yet to rise. The clock reads half past 5, 15 minutes before her shift starts. She gets up the bed, careful not to wake the princess up, and leaves the room to go to her own.

Upon reaching the knights quarters, Chloe gets ready, putting on a trouser, blouse, a leather trench coat, and arm sleeves before finishing her outfit with her breast plate, and others of her silver outer plates.

Checking the clock, Chloe notices that she still has time before work, so she decides to walk to the garden. Even without sun, the garden looks as heavenly as ever, with colorful flowers complimenting the green of the area, and the statues and memorials built, filled to the brim with flowers and candles.

Chloe recalls the events of yesterday as she makes rounds around the garden, thinking about that feeling of seeing Red with another man, the way her heart skips a bit when she looks at Red, that weird sense of protection flowing through her body when she sees Red hurt (though she is her knight, after all.)

She walks, and then she stops. A beat passes by and she remembers. She remembers something that she’d buried so deep inside her soul that she forgot about it.

When she was 13, she fell in love with Red. When she was named Red’s knight at 16, Chloe forced herself to forget about her feelings for Red, Because she knew that those feelings would affect her job and the way she makes decisions.

She never forgot about it, you never do. It just stays there, quiet and soft.

She remembers, and now she can’t stop thinking about it. She loved—no, loves Red. She runs back into the castle, speeding her way to the queens office, where she finds Bridget.

Bridget, who is dressed head to toe in pajamas, not a single trace of royalty left in her body. Bridget, who had been peacefully doing paperwork with droopy eyes, until Chloe barges in.

“Can I take the day off?” The knight immediately asks upon opening the door. “For what reason?” Bridget asks, Observing Chloe. The knight looks disheveled, her eyebrows knitted together, her eyes blinking and pupils shaking. She’s deep in thought, looking like she’d seen a ghost.

“Uhm, it's just that-” Chloe tries to think of an excuse, but her mind blanks. Bridget smirks at this, finally realizing what it meant.

They shared a knowing look, with Bridget giving Chloe a nod of approval, signaling a go ahead.

“Say hi to Ella for me, darling,” The queen adds. “Will do!” Chloe shouts, already at the other side of the door.

As she walks outside the castle, she reflects. This is too much. She can’t like red now, not when there's a number of men already after her, She can’t give Red that burden.

Arriving at the stables, she takes her horse, Chadwick. (yes, she named that horse. And yes, it is her brother's name). She hops on, and leaves the castle, her destination set on Cinderellasburg.

-

The journey to Cinderellasburg was peaceful. Quiet, even. For a moment, she forgets about what she had just remembered 30 minutes ago, she forgets about Red.

Instead, Chloe observes her surroundings, The trot of her horse being the only audible sound in the wind.

Upon arriving at Cinderellasburg, She’s met with glances and whispers. “Isn’t she the princess?” a bystander whispers. “Yeah, left when she was 16 to be a knight over at wonderland,” the local answered.

Chloe ignores these comments and makes her way to the castle, where she’s greeted by royal guards and the sound of large gates opening.

She walks through the halls of the castle, trying to find a sense of peace amidst the chaos of her thoughts. The bluenette looks at the paintings neatly scattered against the wall, with one particular painting catching her eye.

The charming family portrait.

Taken before Chloe moved to wonderland, before Chloe realised that her purpose wasn’t to rule, it was to protect.

It’s not like Chloe hates her family, she’d never. She only moved to wonderland after realising that Chad would be next in line for the throne, seeing as her presence would be better used as a knight.

Before Chloe met Red, she was told that her purpose was to rule. At the ripe age of Six, Chloe always thought that she had to become the queen of cinderellasburg, to have a love story exactly like her parents—but no.

Meeting Red helped Chloe realize that she can be who she wants, that she doesn't have to pretend. And when Chloe found out that Red needed a knight, She took that opportunity to be exactly who she wants to be.
__

Chloe and Red sit next to each other as their parents discuss Red’s situation. “Red, honey, you need to choose. You can’t enter this stage of your life without a personal knight,” Bridget pleads.

“None of the men you've presented me with aren’t even good, mom. At Least two out of the ten were checking me out during the interview,” Red counters, annoyance lacing her voice.

And like a lightbulb above her head, Chloe comes up with an idea.

“What if I were Red's guard?” The bluenette speaks up. Ella laughs at this, mumbling out a “nice joke, dear,” but upon seeing her daughters face filled with determination, she tilts her head in interest.

“You’re serious about this, Chloe?” Ella asks, and Chloe only nods at this.

“Chloe, how are you gonna rule if you’re busy being someone's personal knight?” Ella sighs. Chloe scoffs at this, knowing full well that her brother was next in line.

“Chad’s next in line, anyway. I’ll be fifty years old by the time I can even rule–I’ll have plenty of time by then!” Chloe rebutted.

And before Ella could counter, Bridget chimed in. “That’s not too bad of an idea, actually.”

Ella shoots Bridget a look that clearly says “You’re supporting this?”

“I’ve got the experience, mom. And it’s not like Red doesn’t know me,” the bluenette tries to reason, and Red chips in. “Yea, I think it’d be great to have someone like Chloe to protect me,” Chloe blushes at this, hiding her face to avoid being seen.

Ella–clearly being ganged up on–surrenders at this. “Fine. But we’re having a proper conversation on terms and conditions over dinner,” Ella announces, getting up from her chair and leaving the meeting hall.
__

Chloe’s recollection of the events that day were cut off when a deep voice surprises her. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” The voice asks. Chloe turns around in fear, and she’s met with a smirking Chad. “Haha, Chad. Where’s mom?” She snarks, watching Chad approach.

“Not here, went out to go experience the–and i quote–‘commoner experience’, said she wanted to connect to her people more,” The oldest replies. “Why the visit?” He follows up.

Moving to the living room, Chloe struggles as she tries to find the words to explain her situation. And when nothing comes out of her mouth, Chad lets out a hum, understanding the reason for his sisters visit, without it being explained.

“So is this about your little crush on Red?” Chad guesses, and Chloe chokes on air as she wonders how Chad somehow guessed correctly.

“You know?!” The youngest blurts out, only getting irritated when Chad bursts into laughter. “As if it wasn’t obvious enough,” A knock comes from the other side of the door as it creaks open, with Ella entering.

“I'm home, —Chloe? You didn’t tell me you were visiting,” The queen lets out, clearly in surprise.

Just as Chloe was about to speak, her brother irritatingly spoke first. “Chloe just remembered she has a big fat crush on Red,” Chad lets out, immediately getting up and running to leave.

“Chad!” screamed Chloe, clearly annoyed at her brother. “I was never here!” The eldest shouted in return, already sprinting out the door.

The bluenette sighs, having already given up on her brother. “Do you wanna talk about it?” Her mother asks, and Chloe slumps her shoulders in defeat.

“It’s just— It’s a lot, mom. I buried that part of me when I was given that position but that night at the ball just..” Chloe drifts off, her gloom evident. “It brought it all back,” Chloe whispers so low that it shouldn't be even considered a whisper.

“So, why not confess?” Ella suggests, confess? “It’s not as easy as you think,” Sighed Chloe.

Loving a person like Red isn't for the weak, It’s a whole will they, won’t they thing. The lingering touches, the flirty banter, the glances, all of it. And anytime Chloe actually thinks she has a chance, It’s shut down by Red’s constant crushes.

One moment, Red is telling her about how Chloe saved her, about how she’s so lucky to have someone like her, and suddenly she starts talking about this “guy” she’s crushing on—It’s like a switch, really.

“Confessing means telling Red the truth, about how I’ve been in love with her for the past four years. What if this changes our relationship? What if—what if she stops talking to me? I can’t risk our friendship over something that—“

“Chloe, sweetheart, calm down,” Ella interrupts. Chloe feels her mothers hands on her face as she tries calming her messy thoughts. “All I’m hearing are what if’s, things that have an unlikely probability of happening. I won’t assume whether she likes you back or not but Chloe, I’m not blind,” Ella reassured.

The knight shoots her mother a questioning look at her words, “What do you mean? She can’t like me back–She’s probably only into men, she doesn't see me that way, not like that,” Chloe mutters, trying to convince herself that Red would never reciprocate her feeling because, to Chloe, She can’t get her hopes up and then be disappointed–not again.

“Dear, I know you and Red long enough to know that she wouldn't do that to you. You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take, Chloe,” her mother says, giving the youngest a sympathetic smile.

“Maybe—just not now, not soon either. She’s getting married to God knows who, and between her ruling classes and the courting, I’m just not sure she can handle all that,” addressed the knight.

The two spend the rest of the afternoon together, catching up on memories and discussing kingdom matters.

It’s sunset by the time they finish, and when Chloe lets out a big yawn, Ella realizes that it’s time to rest. “It felt great to catch up, dear. You must rest now, you’ve got a long journey ahead of you tomorrow,” Ella says, before standing up and grabbing her daughters hand to bring her to bed.
__

When Red awakens, she’s met with an empty other side of the bed. It’s not like she was expecting to wake up next to Chloe, either.

The redhead gets ready for the day, putting on a long black dress with a leather corset. Deciding to leave her hair down, she leaves her room and prepares to face yet another day.

Usually, Chloe would be waiting outside the princess’ door, ready to greet her with some cheesy fact, or a knock knock joke. But today, she wasn’t there.

So, Red did the only logical thing to do—she went around the entire castle and yet, nothing. She’d checked the stables—to see if maybe she was tending to her horse—but she wasn't there.

Then she checked the knights quarters, the great hall, the walls, the throne room. And to no avail, Chloe was nowhere to be found.

She’s given up at this point, so she decides to ask her mother instead (which would have been a much better plan to do in the first place).

“Have you seen Chloe?” The princess asks, entering her mothers office. “Took a day off, she’ll be back tomorrow,” the queen replies. “Why? She didn’t tell me, not even a letter, at the very least,” Red grumbles out, clearly annoyed at the fact that Chloe left without notice (which, yes, it does sound a bit possessive. But Chloe is quite literally her knight, it’s her job to stay with Red and protect the princess).

“It was a last minute decision, dear. She had some personal problems to deal with,” The queen replies, her head buried in paperwork. “So who’s going to keep me company?” the redhead asks.

“I don’t know, Red. Maybe the princes I arranged for you to meet, those waiting downstairs?” Bridget snarks, not wanting to further stress herself out.
Red–recollecting the events of yesterday–gapes at her mother in shock. She actually did it, she thinks. “Whatever. So how’s it going to work?’ Red asks, not at all intrigued by her mothers plan. “4 suitors. You get a week each with one of them, and at the end of the month, you’ll choose who to marry when you turn eighteen,” explained the queen. But when Red thought of the word marry, the first thing she thought of was a certain blue haired knight, but no.

Chloe can’t see her that way, won’t.

So, in order to move on, Red has to force herself through four excruciating weeks, spending her moments with princes from different kingdoms she didn't even want to meet. “Right. Can we go meet them now?” Red sighs, impatience lacing her voice.

The pair go down in elegance, escorted by guards. And Red can’t help but think that it was Chloe escorting them instead. Because then, someone would be there to comfort her, to make her laugh during times like these.

Upon arriving at the meeting hall, Red sees 4 men–Two of them which she recognizes as Max, and Adonis, with the other two being unfamiliar.

“Red, this is Ace of the spades family..” The queen begins, pointing to a boy with jet-black hair and hazel eyes. He’s relaxed–slouching, even. Then, pointing to a boy with pale skin and dark brown hair, “This is Elijah, from the white family,” Bridget continues, and that explains the pale, almost white skin. “I was informed that you’ve met the remaining two, so I’ll leave you be,” The queen says, turning to leave.

Bridget leaves, and now she’s alone. She takes a seat, choosing a spot where she can face all four of the princes. She’s alone with these men and she wishes that Chloe was here so bad.

Even if they weren't allowed to talk, being in Chloe’s proximity always brought a sense of comfort to Red, knowing that someone was there to save her in case of a misfortune.

The atmosphere is awkward, It’s silent. To break the tension, Max speaks first. “It seems that fate has its way with us once again, Princess. And may I say you look dashing today,” Max says, his grin confident and wide.

Red smiles back at this, and she hears a chuckle from Ace. “Suck up,” Ace mutters, and it’s loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Max’ smile drops and Red laughs at this. “You’re funny,” she says, all the while pointing to Ace. “No need to state the obvious there, princess,” Ace returns, clearly flirting with Red. The princess doesn’t blush, she isn’t affected by this. Not yet, anyway.

The two exchange more banter, and it’s clear to the three that Red and Ace have clicked, but that doesn't mean that they’re backing down. Adonis moves seats, choosing to sit next to Red.

“Come here to observe the architecture some more?” Red asks, playfully nudging Adonis. “You know I am,” Chuckled Adonis. “Tell me, princess, were you born with natural Red hair?” Elijah asks, Intrigued. “Yeah, given the name,” the princess replies.
The conversation flows smoothly, with the tension in the room slowly dissipating.

After a while, the other princes leave and Red is left with Ace, who eventually asks the princess to take a walk outside a garden.
__

Meanwhile, Chloe can’t sleep out of worry for Red, so she decides to go back early.
After a quick goodbye to her family, Chloe takes off, watching the sun go down as she reaches wonderland.

After dropping the horse off at the stables, Chloe approaches the castle's garden (with the intention to surprise Red) she notices two figures laughing together, watching the sun set. Chloe approaches the figure, and upon further inspection, she realizes that the two figures were Red and an unfamiliar face. She’s happy, she’s got a big smile on and she’s laughing. She’s happy.

Not wanting to disturb her moments with the unfamiliar prince, the knight sneaks up to the throne room, looking to inform the queen of her return.

Upon entering the room, the knight bows. “Your majesty, I’ve returned,” Chloe croaked, clearly exhausted. “I thought you were going to return tomorrow?” Asked the queen, concern evident in her eyes.

“I was worried for the princess’ safety, so I decided to return early,” the knight answered. The queen hummed at this, “might not wanna show yourself for a while, she’s mad you didn’t inform her of your departure.”

So, she messed up.

“Right. Thank you, your majesty.”
Leaving the room, Chloe decides to go to the princess’ room, hoping to wait for her to arrive and explain. But to her surprise, look who she finds sitting with Red, looking through her pictures.

Ace.

Ace, sitting next to Red, going through the princess’ childhood photos.
“Princess, may we talk?” Chloe asks, and Red's mood changes upon seeing Chloe. “Yea, uhm–I’ll see you tomorrow?” Red questioned, turning to face Ace. “Yea, of course,” Ace replies, turning to leave the room.

The moment the door closes, Red's smile drops and she sighs, “what do you want?” Red snarled, clearly mad at her best friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Chloe apologized, and Red only scoffs at this. Pressing further, Chloe opens her mouth once again, “It was a personal matter and it was rushed–I couldn't write you a letter, Red I’m sorry,”

“I needed you there, Chloe.” Red breathes out, shoulders slumped in exhaustion. “I had to talk my ass off to four men, one of which I'm going to marry in a few months, and I don’t even like any of them,” sighed the princess.

Chloe could only stare in shock as she rubs her temples in defeat. “Red, I’m tired. Can we–can we talk about this tomorrow? I’ve had back to back trips and I don’t feel like arguing,” Chloe responded wearily.

Red scoffed, “Okay. whatever, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Chloe sighs in hopelessness, hoping that a good night's rest would help them resolve whatever the two were going through.

But there was one thing that the knight knew for sure.

She messed up.

Chapter 3

Notes:

Sorry for the late update !! Although summer break did just start so I'll have more time to write :)) This isn't that big of an update but I hope u enjoy ^^

Chloe can’t sleep. Everything’s keeping her awake: the cool air of the wind, the sound of her sheets shuffling, hell, even the sound of her heartbeat is too loud.

Not just those, but a certain redhead had been one of the main reasons Chloe couldn’t sleep.

The idea of ending the day with an argument between them was a thought that she couldn't stomach. So, Chloe does what any normal person would do—She gets up, and starts walking.

The halls of the castle are dark, quiet. With a lantern on hand, Chloe walks around the castle, gathering her thoughts and already making up an apology speech for Red in her mind.

She walks, runs, drags her feet against the floor until suddenly, she hears a step.

Not her own, though. There’s someone else roaming the halls of this castle.

Chloe tenses up, her guard is high and her hands are on the hilt of her sword—because who doesn't bring their sword everywhere?

Her footsteps are light, carefully listening for any sounds the intruder might make.

The footsteps get louder—closer. It’s fast now, practically running at this point.

She’s not scared. She’s just.. anxious. Who wouldn’t be worried after hearing footsteps in the hallways at 3 am in the morning?

Chloe sees the shadow get larger as the footsteps come closer and closer, until finally, a figure appears from the corner and Chloe immediately grabs them, putting the figure into a headlock.

The figure lets out a yelp, trying to get out of Chloe’s hold. “Let me go!” muffled the figure.

putting the lantern up to the stranger's face, Chloe gets a clear view of Bright Red hair and hears a voice she recognizes all too well.

Immediately softening her hold, Chloe realizes who she’s holding. “Red? What are you doing out this late?” The knight asks, finally letting go of the stranger that was revealed to be Red.

“Uhm,” The princess clears her throat, “Same as you, obviously,” Red answers, her tone dubious.

Chloe nods at this, not having anything to say.

A moment's silence passes by, a beat.

Another beat. Then suddenly, the atmosphere changes. Tension is palpable—intensifying, for lack of a better word.

They look at each other, their eyes saying a million things and nothing at the same time.

At last, Chloe breaks the silence. “I’m sorry,” She pauses and takes a deep breath. “I should’ve told you. I know today must've been hard, The least I could’ve done was write a letter explaining my absence. You know I would never leave you alone on purpose, Red,” The knight mutters, her head down, but pleading eyes locked with the princess’,

Red’s gaze softens, staring into Chloe's eyes. The princess melts at this, Having the person you’re in love with stare into your soul—maybe deeper, with brown, captivating eyes that are like pools of honey, reflecting every aspect of who she is as a person.

Staring into her knight’s eyes would be like staring into a sky overflowing with stars. Shiny, complex.

Red’s mouth opens, and closes, then opens again, struggling to find words—clearly distracted, staring into Chloe’s eyes.

Finally, the redhead speaks. “I’m sorry, too. I was too possessive. It’s a personal matter, I get it, I would have done what you did if It was that important,” The princess breathed out, flashing the knight a small smile.

Chloe returns the smile, relief washing over her.

“We’re okay now?” The knight asks, relieved when the princess chuckles.

“I could never stay mad at you, Chloe. After all, you are my knight,” Red banters, while Chloe turns away to hide the blush forming on her face.

As if turning on the knightly side of herself, Chloe raises her eyebrows. “So what are you actually doing out this late?” She asks, suspicion lacing her voice.

“I told you, same thing as you are,” The princess replies, a playful smirk growing on her lips.

Chloe raises her eyebrows, glaring into the princess’s eyes.

Red sighs, feeling defeated at trying to keep up her lie. “Fine, I was gonna go stargazing. Just out by the rooftops, nothing dangerous,” She pauses, pointing to Chloe.

“That was, until you came to ruin my plans,” She bantered, playfully punching the knight’s shoulder.

Like a lightbulb on top of her head, Chloe gets an Idea. “Who says I’m here to ruin your plans?” The bluenette whispers, and Red’s smirk only grows bigger.

With a lantern in hand and the sound of silent laughs and whispers, the pair navigate the castle, walking arm in arm and going up one of the towers to climb out a window to reach the rooftops.

Minutes pass and here they are, both sitting down on a castle rooftop, staring up at the sky.

To Red, looking up at the stars were no different to staring into Chloe’s eyes.

Both breathtaking, always managing to amaze Red–no matter how many times she’s seen them.

“I missed you today,” Red blurts out, not intending to say it out loud.

Chloe—flustered at this—struggles to find the words to reply. “Yeah,” she clears her throat. “I did, too,” Chloe returns, her voice barely a whisper.

There was some part of Chloe that thought maybe, just maybe, there was a chance. That she got a real shot at true love.

They sat in comfortable silence, with Red’s head leaned against the bluenettes shoulder, their arms intertwined, and their breathings synchronized.

Red breaks the silence, casually mentioning how her day went. “Today wasn’t so bad. This guy—Ace, he’s nice. We’ve got a lot in common, Handsome, too,” Red croaks out, exhaustion taking over her body.

A piece of Red hoped. She had hoped that Chloe would go against what she said, that Chloe would ramble off about him not being good enough for her.

Instead, She supported Red. “That’s nice, princess. I’m glad you found someone like him,” Chloe says, desperately trying to hide the heartbreak that’s flowing through her body.

And just like that, Chloe’s hope had once again shattered.

One moment she was just hoping that maybe Red liked her back. And now, that very hope just got crushed into pieces.

It’s fine. It’s not like Red declared this Ace guy the love of her life, all she said was that he’s nice and they have common interests.

Nothing more, nothing less.

So why does Chloe feel this way?

Why does she feel like she just got stabbed in the heart? Are her feelings for Red this severe that her talking about a boy makes her heart ache?

The knight pushes these thoughts deep down. She needed to forget, because she can’t have these thoughts now. Not when Red needs her support.

There’s a moment where it’s just silence, just the howl of the wind. Red wants to say something–I love you– In hope that a confession would get her out of this situation, that she wouldn't have to force herself to love a man for the rest of her life.

But who is she to hope? To hope that Chloe would see her like that?

There’s something in the air. It’s tense, electrifying.

Then, Chloe speaks up.

“We should get going. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow,” Chloe muttered out, already standing up.

“Can’t we stay a little longer? It’s barely been ten minutes,” The princess groaned, only getting silence from her best friend in return.

Her best friend, who was already going inside through a window, pretending not to hear Red.

__

The two walk in tranquility, both girls secretly drowning in a pool of heartbreak.

Upon arriving at the princess’ room, Red enters the room, with Chloe stopping just outside of her door.

“You aren’t going in?” Red asks, holding back a yawn.

“I uhm—I wish I could, Red. I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow and need to be up early, I’m sorry,” sighed Chloe—and no, she does not have a lot to do tomorrow.

“Oh, okay. That’s fine, no worries,” Red smiles, hiding her disappointment.

Red closes the door, letting out the loudest sigh that she’s sure Chloe could hear from the other side of the door.

She changes into a navy blue night robe–something she had stolen from her best friend's closet prior to Chloe becoming her knight.

Moving to her bed, the princess lays down and closes her eyes, collapsing to sleep.
__

As Red closed the door, Chloe is certain she heard a sigh escape from Red’s lip, the sound being just loud enough for her to hear from the other side of the door.

Chloe lingers just outside of the princess’ room, ensuring Red's safety before she departs.

As soon as the knight hears no further noises from Red’s room–Implying that she had fallen asleep, she leaves and—not so—peacefully walks to her chambers, Hoping that tomorrow would be a better day.
__

The sun rose, and Chloe stirred awake. She sits up, prepared to face yet another day.

She woke up later than usual, having stayed up late last night with Red, having remembered the sequence of events that occurred that night on the rooftop.

Chloe mentally recalls today’s schedule as she gets ready, and while going through today’s agenda, there's one particular event that managed to catch Chloe’s eye.

Dinner.

Not just any dinner, Red had dinner with Ace.

A dinner that she had to witness because she’s Red’s knight, because she chose to follow Red around wherever she went. She chose to protect her.

And sure, that had its advantages, like being around her best friend all day, but it had it’s down sides, too.

Jealousy was something Chloe couldn’t handle way before she became a knight, especially with Red. Chloe would glare into any boy that would flirt with Red when they were teenagers, scaring them off.

Her thoughts are disrupted once she arrives at the princess’ room, once again waiting to greet Red just outside her chamber.
__

Red watched the sun rise, having already gotten ready, why she was already up so early was a conversation for another day.

She stays in her room for a long moment, not wanting to face the events that would unfold today.

She lingers on what happened last night, stuck on the special moment she and Chloe shared that night.

Could two ‘friends’ really do the things they do? To spend time alone together stargazing, limbs tangled—Is that really something that a couple gal pals would do?

Red had rarely been around people her age when she was young, it was only ever her, Chloe, Chester, and Maddox around the castle.

Her understanding of a friendship had been—in a way, impaired.

Normally, there’s a limit to how long two friends would spend time together before they got sick of each other, normally. But Chloe and Red aren’t normal, they’re far from it.

Chloe and Red were–areas thick as thieves. boundaries barely existed within the pair, they were inseparable, never leaving each other’s side.

And that didn’t change once Chloe earned her position as Red’s knight too. In fact, it got worse.

The two could barely spend a minute without each other, often using ‘I need to protect her,’ or ‘She’s my knight, she can’t leave me,’ as an excuse to always stick by each other.

But now, she had the future to worry about.

Today marks the first week of the four that she’ll be spending with her suitors.

It’s hell—will she really subject her self to this torture, when the girl she loves is in arms reach?

She’s snapped back into reality with a knock. “Red? you have breakfast with the queen in a few minutes, are you still asleep?” Someone asks from the other side of the door, whose voice Red immediately recognizes as none other than Chloe’s.

“I’m up, I’ll be out in a while,” Red returns, wiping an unexpected tear from her eye.

She hears a soft ‘okay’ from outside as she stands up, moving to the door.
__

Upon hearing the door click open, Chloe stands up to greet the princess, who–weirdly enough, looks great for someone who didn’t sleep till past midnight.

“Hey, Good sleep?” Chloe asks.

“Great, even,” The princess replied, but this was all but the truth. No, she didn’t have a good sleep. Last night had Red tossing and turning every half hour with one thing in her mind : Chloe.

She couldn’t get this awfully charming girl out of her head all night, and for a reason.
All Red could think about that night were the what ifs, her thoughts switching from ‘what ifs’ to ‘that’s impossible, it won’t happen.’ within split seconds.

“You ready to go?” Chloe asks, yet again snapping Red back to reality.

“Yeah. What’s on the agenda today?” Red asked as they both walked to the dining room.

“Like I said, breakfast with your mom, then you have ruling classes all day until your dinner with Ace,” The knight replied, professionally going through her day’s itinerary.

“Right, the dinner. I’m not really looking forward to that,” Red groaned out, and truth be told, she is looking forward to it, just by a bit. Not because she likes Ace, god no.

It was purely out of platonic interest, She and Ace did have a lot in common, having both grown up with few friends and being into graffiti, they both clicked during their first meeting.

As they enter the dining room, the two look at the queen, already buried in paperwork early in the morning.

“Morning, mom,” Red greeted, making her way to sit on the opposite side of their incredibly long table.

Bridget lifts her head up to mutter a quick ‘morning, dear,’ to her daughter, when she notices Chloe and invites her to sit.

“Chloe, why don’t you eat with us?” Chloe moves to sit down—surprise, surprise, right next to Red.

“I’m sure you’re both hungry after all the sneaking around you two did last night,” The queen casually mentioned.

Red choked on air upon hearing this, “How—How’d you know?” She asks, while her knight is just frozen in shock at what she heard.

“I’m the queen of wonderland, sweetheart. I see everything,” laughed Bridget, returning to her paperwork.

“No worries, If Chloe let you do it, then It must've been safe. I trust her judgement more than I do mine,” The queen continued.

“Anyways, thanks for dinner, mom, but as much as I’d love to stick around, I’ve got classes all day,” Red says, before standing up to take her leave, with Chloe following suit.

“Wait,” The queen shouts, her voice loud and commanding. “Your dinner with Ace,” Bridget pauses and takes a deep breath. “Just, don't play around, okay? Try to take it seriously, It’s your future on the line.”

“Yeah, Of course, mom,” Red says, flashing the queen a small smile.

There was really only one person that Red wanted to spend her future with, but she couldn’t say that.

The rest of the day went by like flashes, her ruling lessons being the most boring highlight of her day.

Her lessons were filled with secret looks and laughs from Chloe when her tutor wasn't looking, hiding her laugh as Chloe mocks the tutor.

Then came Red’s dinner with Ace.

But oddly enough, when Red looked for Chloe for help with getting ready, she couldn’t find her.

“Hey, where’s Chloe?” Red asks hazel–one of Chloe’s colleagues.

“Feeling sick, your highness. Chloe thought it was best that you spend time with Ace alone.” Hazel replied, her tone firm.

“Okay, thanks,” Red faltered, going back to her room.

So now, the only person that would've gotten her through the night was gone–at least for tonight, anyway.

Upon getting ready, she steps outside and is greeted by Ace, wearing a Black suit, with traces of red, just slightly matching with the red of her dress. “Your highness, ready to go?” Ace asks, his hand extended towards the princess.

“Yeah,” Red returns, taking his hand.
__

Okay, Chloe really isn’t sick. She just made that up to avoid being witness to whatever romantic escapade Ace would bring Red to. Because truthfully, no one wants to stand there and watch the love of their life spend time with a man she’s bound to marry and do nothing about it.

Just thinking about the dinner date itself made Chloe’s heart ache already, so, yes, she’s valid for wanting to skip tonight.

Maybe Red needed her presence tonight. But by the way that she talked about Ace last night, It was clear that the princess enjoyed Ace’s presence too.

It may seem petty–that’s because it is–but Chloe couldn’t just watch Red fall for another man, knowing that it could never be her, Chloe couldn’t do that to herself.

She closes her eyes, hoping to just fall asleep and forget that Red’s out on a date with Ace, but to the best of her ability, Chloe couldn’t sleep.

She prepares herself for yet another long, sleepless night with the same person running all over her mind : Red.

Chapter 4

Notes:

gasp.. another update... anywho enjoy !!! ^^

If you told 10 year old Red that she’d be in a dinner date with a man seven years later, she’d had freak the fuck out, because she was sure that it was Chloe—her bestfriend, who she would spend her entire life with.

That was, until reality came and she realised that in no way would that happen.

And now she’s here, on a date with one of the four men that she has to tolerate for a month.

But as much as she’d hate to admit it, Ace was interesting. He’d make a nice friend, if not for the fact that there's a potential for marriage.

Ace isn’t your usual prince. He’s..messy. He does what he wants, rules are nonexistent to him.

Maybe that’s why Red took special interest in Ace. He's like if Red turned into a boy.

That doesn’t mean she wants to marry him, she couldn’t see herself rule wonderland with anyone else but Chloe—An imagination far from reality.

Red cuts Ace off in the middle of him babbling. “So, what’s your deal? You don’t seem like the guy to fight for a princess,” Red asks, curiosity taking the best of her.

“I’m not, but you’re growing on me. My parents forced me to go here, saying something about my future or something,” Ace returns.

“But you know we don’t have to get romantically involved, right? We can take it slow. After all, I have seen your baby pictures. We can start as friends, we’ll move up from there,” reassured Ace, giving the princess a small smile.

So, they were friends. For now, atleast. It pities Red to have to break Ace’s heart at a later stage of their friendship.

She’d have to tell him the truth sometime after their *maybe* wedding, She couldn’t have Ace thinking he’s found the love of his life while Red’s still hung up on Chloe.

“Thank you,” The redhead replied.

“You know you’ve really set the bar high for your competitors, You’re the first guy I’m to spend my week with but so far, you’ve been the best,” She adds, hearing a chuckle from Ace.

“I’m glad.” Ace returns, flashing Red a grin.

“I think we're straying away from what this dinner is supposed to be. Tell me about yourself, Red,” Ace asked, propping up his elbows on the table.

“Where to begin,” Red laughed. “I grew up in the castle, I rarely went outside so it did get lonely from time to time, but I managed.”

Ace leaned in, pity shining all over his eyes. “That must’ve been hard, having no one.”

To have no one was an overstatement. Her mind moves to one of the few people that made her feel less alone when she was growing up : Chloe.

Red smiles, a certain bluenette occupying her mind. “Actually, It wasn’t thatlonely. I had Maddox, Chester and Chloe.” Red hummed, her smile growing for every second that Chloe remains in her mind.

Ace raises an eyebrow, taking interest in a certain name. “Chloe, she’s that girl you’re always with, right? Your knight?” He asks.

Red thought it was impossible for her smile to get bigger—but here she is, desperately trying to hide the biggest grin of her life. “Yeah, she’s great. My best friend since seven. She’s gotten me through alot.”

Ace smiles. “That’s great to hear. Good for you, Red.”

“What about you? What’s your deal?” Red asks, leaning in, setting her food aside.

Ace takes a deep breath. “Well unlike you, I grew up alone. Other than prissy princesses throwing themselves at me, My only friend was me, myself, and I.”

“My only entertainment was to break rules and watch the guards and my parents freak out, so they were really strict on me back then,” Ace continued, playing with his food.

Pity ran through Red’s mind. “I’m sorry,” Consoled the princess.

It’s weird—almost uncanny how common she and Ace are.
Ace looks at Red, then back down at his food. “By fifteen they had given up on trying to ‘tame’ me, so they just let me go crazy.”

Red nods, urging Ace to continue. “That was, until about a week ago. They told me I needed to face my responsibilities as I got older.”

Red sits, stunned at the prince’s childhood. “That’s, wow. I’m sure you’ve got friends now, right?”

“Plenty, no worries,” hummed Ace.

Ace leaned back, relaxing in his seat. “I actually met Chester not so long ago, my family and his had trade business, we got into contact and have become close friends since.”

Red smirked. “Would you look at that, we’ve got mutual friends already,” She beamed.

Ace leaned back in, his mouth opening to say something. “So after dinner I think we should—”

Then, one of Ace’s guards interrupts. “Your highness, there’s been an emergency back at the castle. The harbor collapsed, workers were injured and trades were damaged. The king wants you there to help handle it.”

Ace sighs, disappointed. “Apologies, but I’m afraid our date has to end here. I’m really sorry, Red. I had lots planned for tonight, but it seems fate had other plans.”

The Prince stands up, ready to leave. “It’s alright, I understand. Future king duties, and all that,” Red replies, standing up to shake Ace’s hand.

The pair mutters out a quick goodbye, with Red watching Ace disappear into the night.

A part of Red was disappointed, but a bigger part of Red automatically switched to someone else—Chloe. One of the knights had mentioned that she wasn’t feeling well.

Making her way back into the castle, she heads straight to the knights chambers, going up to Chloe’s room and knocking.
__

It wasn’t 30 minutes into Chloe’s slumber that she woke up feeling like shit.

Her body is hot, she’s sweating like crazy and there’s a pounding force all over her head. Not only had she lied about being sick, she actually did get sick.

What luck she has.

She groans, struggling to sit up. Pain is taking over her body, she feels like she’s dying.

Then, a knock came at her door, followed by a voice that she could recognize from a mile away. “Chlo? It’s Red. Can I come in?” the redhead asks, her voice soft, careful as to not disturb the knight.

Chloe perks up upon hearing Red’s voice. “Come in,” Chloe returns, her voice weak and hoarse.

The door creaks open, Red enters. “Oh, clover..”

Chloe flashes red a small smile, her hair messy and head aching.

Red rushes to sit by Chloe’s side, immediately putting her hand on her forehead to check for her friend’s temperature. “You’re hot, you need to drink medicine,” Red sighs.

Brushing off Red’s hand, Chloe’s only focused on one thing. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?” Chloe asked.

“It got cut short due to some emergency Ace had to handle, Are you feeling okay? dizzy? you need to lay down,” Red replied, quickly dismissing the question and instead prioritizing her knight’s health.

“I’m fine, you should rest. You’ve had a long day with your classes and the date. I’m sure you’re exhausted,” Chloe managed to mutter up, already slipping in and out of sleep.

Red sighs, it’s clear she’s not giving up. “Exhausted or not, I’m taking care of you. I won’t leave till you’re all better, okay?”

It’s not long before Chloe gets pushed down to the bed, mumbling out a small ‘mhm’ before collapsing into sleep.
__

Red scrambles through the castle’s medicine pantry, trying to find the stored medicine best for the common flu.

After minutes of moving herbs and medicine around, she finally found a specific herbal solution to give to her friend.

Before going to Chloe’s chambers, she stops by the kitchen for a simple favor. “Hey, I’m sorry, I know it’s late but could you guys cook up a bowl of chicken noodle soup? Chloe’s sick and I need something to help her feel better,” Red asks one of the cooks, smiling sheepishly.

“Ofcourse, your highness. We’ll bring it to Chloe’s room after,” The cook replied, already moving to get the ingredients.

“Thank you,” Red hums before leaving.

She enters Chloe’s room, carefully stepping in with minimal noise.

Red moves to sit next to Chloe as she watches her sleep, watching her knight sleep peacefully, lights casting a soft glow on her face.

“Hey, I have medicine. You need to drink,” Red whispers, cupping Chloe’s cheek.

Chloe stirs awake, rubbing her eyes as Red helps her sit up.

Red hands Chloe a cup. “Here, drink. It’s ginger with echinacea, should help you get better,” Ordered Red.

It smells different. It’s not bad, but it’s not entirely good, too. Either way, Chloe downs the cup, hating the taste of ginger.

“Nasty. I hate ginger,” Chloe croaked.

Red chuckled. “As much as you hate it, ginger will help you get better.”

Chloe groaned, resting her forehead on Red’s shoulder. “Can I go to sleep now?”

“Nope, I had the cooks make you soup. You need to eat dinner,” Red replied, alongside a perfectly timed knock from one of the maids.

A mumble came from outside the door. “Your highness, Your food’s here.”

Standing up to collect Chloe’s meal, Red thanks the maid and moves back to where she was earlier.

Red places the tray down at a nearby table. “Eat, then we’ll head to bed.”

Slowly by slowly, Chloe finishes her meal, immediately falling into bed as soon as Red takes away the dishes.

“Red–“ Chloe’s cut off with a chuckle.

“You don’t need to ask. I’m spending the night either way,” Red hummed, changing into one of Chloe’s nightwear.

The two fall into a familiar flow, sleeping on each other’s bed was something the two had developed way before Chloe became a knight.

Chloe pulls Red down into the bed, wrapping her arms around the redhead’s waist, her forehead resting on the princess’ neck.

Red can feel Chloe’s breath on her neck, both their breathing synchronized as they lay in bed together.

But for some reason, Red could not sleep. Ever since that night at the rooftops, she’s had sleepless nights, always tossing and turning,

Red takes a chance, checking to see if her knight was asleep already. “Chloe?” she asks,

Red gets a small “hmm?” in return.

The princess takes a deep breath. “Do you— Do you think I’ll be okay? In the future, I mean. I just feel like everything’s going so fast.”

“If I know you, then I know it’s all going to be okay. You’re not alone, I’m here,” Chloe croaks, already half-asleep

Red shudders. Chloe hugs Red tighter in return, offering the princess a sense of comfort.

There was nothing else that the pair wanted to do at this moment other than be with each other, to feel each other’s presence.
__

Morning came, and Chloe did not feel better.

She felt worse, her head hurting ten times worse than last night.

She groans and sits up, noticing Red’s disappearance.

The door opens, and a familiar redhead walks through.

“You’re up,” Red whispered, once again moving to check Chloe’s temperature.

Red hissed. “You’re burning, Chlo.”

“It’s a good thing I brought ginger tea,” Red continued, picking up the cup from a nearby nightstand.

Chloe groans. “No more ginger, please.”

Red insisted. “You won’t get better soon if you keep refusing, Chloe.”

“If that means I won’t have to drink that garbage, then I’m fine with staying sick for the rest of my life,” Chle scoffed.

Red rolled her eyes, “Drink it or I’ll make sure Tiago rusts for the rest of its life.”

Chloe groans at the threat, finally giving in and drinking the tea.

“Okay, you’re like really burning up, I’ll go ask mom for a doctor,” Red says, her voice laced with concern.

The princess speed-walks to the throne room, where she finds her mother yet again buried in paperwork.

Red knocks, before fully entering and greeting the queen. “Do you.. Mayhaps know where to find a doctor?” The princess asks sheepishly.

Like a switch, Bridget immediately stands up, eyes wide and eyebrows knitted. “Why? Who got hurt? Do we need to call professionals?!” Her mother asks, voice echoing throughout the room.

Red laughs at her mothers overreaction. “No, no. It's just that Chloe’s really sick, she’s burning up.”

Bridget’s face relaxed. “I almost had a heart-attack, dear. I’ll have Maddox bring a mediciner to Chloe’s chambers in a while, you should go back now.

“Okay, thanks, mom.” Red shouted, already facing away from her mother.
__

Chloe awoke to three people in her room. She could recognize the two as Maddox and Red, and an unrecognizable man who she assumes to be a doctor.

Red helps Chloe up. “Doctor’s here, he’ll perform a quick checkup. I’ll be back, okay?”

Chloe flashes Red a small smile. “Sure, okay.”

The doctor starts performing a checkup as soon as Red leaves, with Maddox looming at the corner of her room.

The doctor asked her questions about her headaches, potential allergies, and anything else that could factor for the reason for her migraines. Then, her throat and ears were checked, followed by her breathing.

She was then asked questions about her diet and schedule, that’s when the doctor finally figured out the problem. He approached Maddox, talking to him about the observations made and what was going on with Chloe.

Red entered the bluenette’s room just in time, asking Maddox for an update. “How is she, Mads?”

Maddox clears his throat. “Nothing major, just the common flu. Though the doctor says her immune system is low, doc says that it’s the reason why her body’s reacting like that.”

Red nods her head, following along at what Maddox is saying. “You hear that, Chloe?”

Chloe gives Red a mock salute. “Loud and clear,” laughed the bluenette.

Chloe and Red say their quick goodbyes and thanks as they watch Maddox leave the room, being left alone together.
__

“Chloe, have you been taking care of yourself?” Red asks out of the blue.

“Yeah, why?” Chloe replies. But Red doesn’t believe this, a wave of concern flowing through her body.

Red raises an eyebrow. “Okay, when was the last time you had a full meal–not a snack or a bite–a full on meal.”

And when nothing comes from Chloe, Red heaves.

“What about a full eight hours of sleep? Or a full workout?”

Still, nothing.

Red sighs, defeated. The thought of Chloe letting her own health go was something that she couldn’t let happen anymore.

“Chlo you need to be more like me. I haven't gotten sick these past few months, I’m healthy as a horse.”

Chloe chuckles. “And who do you have to thank for that?”

Because if not for Chloe’s constant reminder to eat and drink, Red would be as sick as a Victorian child right now.

Red pauses, struggling to find a comeback. “That’s beside the point.”

The princess takes Chloe’s hands and moves them to her lap, fidgeting with her knight’s hands and intertwining their fingers. “Look–point is, take care of yourself. Okay? How are you going to protect me if you can’t protect yourself first and foremost? I won’t let you let go of your health, princess’s orders.”

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Okay, your highness.”

To a degree, Red was right. How could she protect Red from the dangers of the world when she herself isn’t taking care of her own health?

Ever since they were kids, It was Chloe who would protect Red. It was instinct, at this point. Chloe would protect Red from the simplest things like bugs to things bigger than them. Thirteen year old Chloe would fight an adult guard if Red told her to, because that’s the type of knight that Chloe is.

Even when they used to play pretend, Chloe was always the knight, it was by default.

It was programmed deep into Chloe’s soul—to protect. Sometimes, maybe too much that she’d forgotten to protect the most important thing of all, herself.

“We should take a daytrip out back to cinderellasburg when you get better, just the two of us,” Red suggested. “Just a little break, I know you’ve been overworking yourself, so you deserve to relax a little.”

Chloe is stunned at the suggestion, she hadn’t been working that hard, had she? It takes a while for her to build a sentence, until she finally agrees.

“Yeah, that– that’d be great, Red.” Chloe replied, excited at the thought of showing Red around her hometown.

And before Red could reply, a bird suddenly comes flying in Chloe’s room through a window, quickly dropping a letter and flying away.

Red picks up the letter, opening it to see that it was addressed to her, from Ace.

__

Your royal highness,

Once again, I apologize for our dinner being cut short. But fret not, I came up with a solution. Due to our harbor collapsing, the queen of wonderland—AKA your mother—had offered wonderland’s support to us. I was informed that you and the queen would be visiting to discuss matters of assistance regarding our harbor. I ask that you lend me some of your time later tonight to show you around our castle. I've got quite the date planned, so I hope that you agree to my plans.

 

Yours truly,
Ace spades
__

The princess read the entire letter with a small smile, and Chloe just sat there, looking at Red reading a dumb letter that an even dumber guy sent her.

Okay maybe the jealousy is getting too much, but who can blame her? If it was Chloe, she wouldn't have left Red at dinner like that, no matter the situation.

But never mind all that, Chloe had to focus on improving her health and getting better because once she does, she’d get to take Red around CinderellasBurg and show her everything.

And if that meant drinking a million cups of ginger tea, then so be it.

Chapter 5

Notes:

*ding* another one, thank you
enjoy ^^

It wasn’t long before Red was called into the throne room by a servant, insisting that it was an important matter.

Red turns to Chloe. “I gotta go. Rest up, okay?” Chloe nods in return.

Making her way to the throne room, Red ponders on what her mother could want to talk about. It being an important matter had Red wondering, could it be about her coronation?

Her thoughts are interrupted as she arrives at the throne room.

She knocks, and when she hears a small “come in” from her mother, she opens the door and walks in.

“You called me?” Red asked.

The queen paused whatever she was doing and looked up. “Ah, yes. I wanted to know how your dinner with Ace went.”

Red scoffed, how is that an important matter?

“That’s the important matter you insisted on?” Red fumed, clearly frustrated that her time with Chloe was cut short with such an unimportant matter.

Bridget raises her eyebrow and glares at Red, her eyes demanding respect.

Red sighs defeatedly. “It was fine, we had lots in common so we got along well, although it did–”

Bridget interrupted. “It got cut short, yes I was informed. That isn’t the only reason why you’re here too.”

Red raises her eyebrows, urging the queen to continue. “I’m heading to the Spades castle later today to offer support for what happened. Ace will be there, so I’m hoping that you spend time with him while you’re there.”

“Yeah, I know. Ace sent me a letter just before you called me in here,” Red monotoned.
Bridget smirks. “Exchanging letters already, I see.”

Red scowled. “Funny. It’s not like that.”

“Whatever you say, dear. Now shoo, I’ve got this pile of paperwork and it won’t get done with you hanging around,” Bridget chuckled, shooing her daughter away with a smile.

Red walks back to the knights’ chambers, deciding to spend the remainder of her time with Chloe.

But upon her arrival at Chloe’s room, Red is surprised to see her knight gone, nowhere to be found.

Naturally, the princess searches the castle, yet Chloe is still missing. She’s checked every corner of the castle, even the stables, the cellars, everything.

That’s what she thought, until Red remembers a certain place that she and Chloe had been to just a few nights ago.

Red walks a familiar pattern she had walked recently, turning specific corners to get to a place that she was certain her knight would be at.

The princess knew the directions like the back of her hand, turning at just the right corners. She had only introduced her sanctuary to Chloe a few nights ago, but Red had always gone to that place, even as a kid.

After climbing up some stairs, Red finally arrives at a specific window and climbs out.

Red heaves. “I knew I’d find you here.”

She sees Chloe jerk, her movement posture from calm to tense.

Chloe looks back, relief washing over her face upon seeing a familiar face.

She let out a breath. “Red, you scared me! I almost fell.”

Red raises her eyebrow, she can’t believe this. “Well I wouldn’t have to scare you if you didn’t go off missing,” Red accused, moving to sit next to Chloe.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” Red adds.

Chloe glanced at Red, then back at the sunset. “Needed fresh air and a view. I left a note, mind you.”

“You should've waited for me, I would've gone with you,” Red says, playfully nudging Chloe.

“Yeah, well I wouldn’t have to come up here for a view if you're with me now, would I? You’re enough of a view as it is,” Chloe flirted with ease, and she cannot believe she said that.

Red stares, her mouth left open upon hearing what Chloe just said. She looks away, turning to hide her face as Red as her hair.

Red clears her throat, deciding to change the topic. “Anyway, you’re already feeling better? What’d you do in the short moment that I was gone?” Red asks, surprised at her friend's state, because Chloe was lying in bed like a Victorian child a few minutes ago.

“Well, let’s just say my method was a little unorthodox,” Chloe smiles sheepishly

Red’s face drops when she realizes what her knight meant.

“Chloe…Just how many cups of Ginger tea did you down?” Red asks, her voice slow and careful as if approaching a wild animal.

“Like, just around 4…or 5,” Chloe stammered.

Unbelievable.

“Chlo, you hate ginger!” Red whisper-shouts, taken aback at what her best friend just said.

Chloe smiles. “Well once you mentioned going to Cinderellasburg with you, I got excited. Besides, who am I to delay a date with you?”

If Red’s face was red earlier, then it sure is even more red now.

What’s gotten into Chloe today? The princess thinks, because it’s once in a blue moon that Chloe talks to Red like this—not that she’s complaining, though.

“You’re such a flirt,” Red mutters, clearly flustered. “We should get back inside, If you really want that date tomorrow, then you’ll need a lot of rest,” The princess adds.

Two can play that game.

Chloe rolls her eyes, alongside a smirk playing on her lips. “Fine, but I’m coming with you to the Spades kingdom. You still need protection, after all,” Chloe snarked, her smile as charming as ever.

“Whatever, Chloe,” Red laughed, helping Chloe up inside the castle.

Their walk back to Chloe’s room was chaotic and filled with laughter, the two girls bumping into each other and struggling to suppress their laughs.

Their inside jokes, the shared whispers, the constant contact, It was something that the pair couldn't live without.

By some miracle—the two arrive at Chloe’s chambers, their laughter echoing all over the castle.

“You ready to go back to your knightly duties?” Red asks, her smile big.

Chloe shakes her head. “As ready as I’ll ever be, my princess.”

Red smiles even bigger. “I’ll go get ready. Pick me up when you can, my knight.” Red flutters, before turning to leave.

If there was a record for how many times a heart can skip a beat, Red would have it.

Chloe called her ‘my princess,’ and Red couldn't imagine anyone other than her knight saying it.

She walks to her room with the biggest smile on her face, blushing from time to time as she recalls the moments she spent with Chloe.

She enters her room and gets ready for her trip to the Spade’s castle.

The princess puts on a long, flowy dress with blue stitches lining the sleeves—a piece Chloe had custom tailored as one of Red’s birthday gifts.

Shortly after getting ready, a knock came at the door.

“Princess, are you ready to go?” A voice which Red recognized as Chloe’s came from the door.

Wiping away the wrinkles of her dress, Red called out. “Yeah, coming!”
__

Chloe is left breathless once she sees Red step out of her room. She looks stunning, her dress perfectly matching the color of her hair, eyes shining as bright as the stars.

“Wow.. you look–wow,” Chloe breathed, eyes wide.

Red tucks a strand behind her ear, looking down to hide yet another blush forming on her face. “Thanks. If you’re impressed, then I must be doing a good job.”

Something must be in the air today, the pair's constant flirting blurring the lines between romantic and platonic.

If Chloe thought that she was the only one that could flirt, then she thought wrong.

The two walk outside the castle and are met with the queen preparing to depart.

With Chloe manning the horses, the group departs from the castle and starts their journey to the Spades castle.

The journey on the way is rocky, their carriage rocking back and forth through the Wonderland terrain, traveling through the woods of Wonderland with Chadwick (the horse).

Chloe had insisted that she be the one to drive the carriages, wanting to make sure that the two got there safe.
__

Upon arrival at the spades castle, the three are welcomed with guards bowing and opening the gate.

Chloe allows the pair to enter the castle, first dropping off chadwick at their stables before she followed suit.

Red and Bridget make their way to the castle’s meeting room, with Chloe following shortly behind.

They stop short just outside of the meeting room, with Ace greeting them by the door.

“Your majesty,” He says, bowing in front of bridget. He then turns to Red, flashing a smile and picking up her hand to place a small kiss. “Your highness.”

Red internally recoils at this, forcing herself to reciprocate a smile. “Your highness,” Red returns.

“Go off with your date now, I’ll be in the meeting room if you need me,” Bridget says, before turning to Chloe. “You know what to do,” She whispers.

Chloe watches Bridget disappear into the room, before turning to follow the pair that’s already ahead.
__

Red nudges Ace. “So what do you have planned for today, Ace of spades?”

Ace chuckles, walking side by side with Red. “A picnic. At our garden this time. It’s not much, but it’s the best I could do in short notice.”

They continue walking to the garden, with Red stealing glances at Chloe from behind.

“We’re here,” Ace announces.

The garden is breathtaking, with blankets set up on the green grass, lanterns set up all over the place and beautiful vines and flowers decorating everything in sight.

The blanket has baskets filled to the brim with food, snacks, and fruit.

“Ace, It’s beautiful, wow,” Red expressed, being led by Ace to go further into the garden.

Chloe stood in the corner as the two sat together on a blanket, eating and laughing together.

She’s fine. She isn't jealous, no.

That’s what she thought, until she saw Ace wipe something off of Red’s lip, his hand lingering just long enough.

Okay, she is jealous, her grip tightening on the hilt of her second.
That doesn’t matter right now, because all she needs to focus right now is keeping watch. Her duty first, feelings last.
__

“What do you do in your free time?” Ace asks, his posture relaxed.

“I paint,” Red replied.

Ace leans in. “Really? I should get you to send me some of your paintings, then.”

“I will, I will.” Red says, nodding her head.

“What about you?” Red asks, taking a strawberry and biting into it.

Ace paused. “I play guitar, croquet with my mom, too.”

“You’re gonna have to let me serenade you sometime,” Ace adds.

“We’ll see,” Red laughed, sneaking glances at Chloe.

Chloe—who right now—is paying zero attention to Red but instead their surroundings, watching out for any threat that might linger around.

For a moment, Red and Ace stare into each other’s eyes. Then, Ace speaks up. “You know your eyes shine really bright, almost like the moon,” Ace flustered.

Red blushes. She does so at the compliment, not the person saying it.

“Thanks. You do, too,” Red complimented.

No, he did not have shiny eyes. The only eyes that Red would ever think of like that were Chloe’s.
__

Their date goes on for an hour, with Chloe restlessly standing at the side. Once she notices the queen standing by the entrance of the garden, they share a knowing look.

Chloe walks up to where Red and Ace lay. “Your highness, it’s time to go.”

The pair stand up upon hearing this. “Princess, It’s been a pleasure. I hope to see you again soon,” Ace bowed.

Red smiled. “I had fun tonight, Ace. Thank you.”

The two said their goodbyes as Chloe escorted her out, meeting Bridget halfway.

Bridget approaches the princess with a smile. “How was it?”

Red returns her mother’s smile. “It went great, thanks.”

Chloe and Red wait by the Spade castle entrance as Chloe goes to pick up Chadwick from the stables. (Again, the horse).

The trip back home was peaceful–for the queen and the princess, atleast. Chloe sat at the front looming in jealousy as she expertly maneuvers the horse, Galloping the horse through rocky terrain and messy land.

The carriage moves to the horizon, with Chloe enjoying the journey back home as she prepares herself for a busy day tomorrow.

Notes:

Not proofread so any mistakes are my own :D

Chapter 6

Summary:

Immense fluff. Read at your own discretion.

Notes:

sorry it took so long!! but for a reason hehe, eat this chapter up my children

As the sun rises above the horizon, Chloe groans, annoyed at the rays of the sun hitting her face.

Sitting up, Chloe wishes that she could just stay in bed all day—exhaustion still running around her body.

That was, until she remembered what today was. And suddenly—Chloe is fully awake, a smirk growing on her lips.

She had spent her whole night carefully planning a perfect day for Red. The princess was the one to suggest this vacation, after all.

Chloe has a whole itinerary written down, set to show Red all over Cinderellasburg.

She puts on comfortable clothes, fit to enjoy a perfect day out with her best friend.

She steps out of her room, the castle filled with the bustling sounds of the kitchen working tirelessly.

She makes her way to Red’s room, where she’s met with an already dressed princess waiting outside.

“Aren’t you excited,” Chloe sang, approaching Red.

The princess grins, moving to meet the bluenette half way. “Excited for what, exactly?”

“Oh you know, just our small trip to Cinderellasburg,” the knight bantered, her voice leaving a trail of sarcasm.

Red raises her eyebrows, her grin growing by the second. “Oh, really? I hadn’t heard.”

It’s nice, Chloe thinks. How easy the banter comes between them, how they get each other with no explanation.

The two burst into chuckles, their laughter echoing around the halls of the castle. “Funny. You ready to go?” Chloe asks.

Red’s grin only grows bigger, her eyes basically disappearing at her smile. “Yeah, I just need to let the queen know of our trip.”

Chloe nods, turning to walk away. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

—

Red’s walk to the throne room was peaceful, a contrast to the loud noises of the castle working.

Every step she makes reminds her of what today would be. She couldn’t wait to visit Cinderellasburg. It is her knight’s home, after all.

She arrives outside the throne room, quietly knocking—careful as not to disturb the queen.

She steps in once she sees the two large doors open, where she’s met with her mother, and Maddox.

Red bows, her movements soft and elegant. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be out with Chloe at Cinderellasburg for the day.”

Bridget nods, her usual composure replaced with the mother’s warmth, “Alright, I’ll get one of the guards to bring out the carriage.”

Red chimes in before the queen could call a guard, “There’s no need for that, actually,” she pauses. “I was thinking I could just ride along on Chloe’s horse.”

Bridget laughs, how Chloe and Red haven't gotten together yet? She has no idea.

Red lets out an anxious laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“Riding double, I see. Not even your father and I did that, and god knows where he is now.” Bridget replies, hinting at something more going on between the princess and her knight.

Red doesn’t entirely hate the idea of it, it’s just… impossible.

The princess scoffs, annoyed at her mother. “It’s not like that, it’d be a waste to use our kingdom’s resources for an unofficial day trip. I’m doing what’s best for wonderland.”

It’s a carriage.

a carriage to use for trips.

If she wanted to be close to her knight, she could just say so.

Before Bridget could reply, Maddox chimes in. “Here it starts, a lovers' tale. A game of hearts, here, two girls lay.”

Red’s neck practically snaps to where Maddox was standing. He stood in a corner, tinkering with a pocket watch in hand.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means whatever you want it to mean, princess.”

“And if I want it to mean absolutely nothing?”

“So it does. Although, I can’t say that's the truth.”

A staredown, Maddox looks like he knows something that Red is yet to find out.

“It is the truth.”

“Your actions seem to say otherwise, Red.”

Their mental battle is interrupted with a cough from the queen, urging to remind Red of the reason she’s here.

Red brushes it off, focusing on Maddox instead.

“Chloe and I are just friends.”

“Who said anything about Chloe? Not once did I mention a name.”

“You—”

“I believe you have a knight to get to,” The queen reminded, causing Red to snap out of her staredown with Maddox.

Red turns to leave the throne room, making her way to the castle’s entrance, where she sees Chloe leaning against a wall, her horse nearby.

“Took you long enough,” Chloe addressed, moving to take the princess's hand to help her get up the horse.

Once Red gets on the horse, Chloe hops on right behind her.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on the front?” The redhead asks, flustered at the sudden feeling of warmth behind her.

“You’ll learn how to ride a horse this way. Plus, it’s better.”

No, it is not better. In fact, it’s harder to control a horse with someone in your arms.

Honest? Chloe just wanted to feel close to Red, because she sure as hell is not watching Red fall for someone else without putting up a fight.

“Right,” Red believed Chloe, but a small part of her knew that something was off. She remembered something about riding double during her old classes when she was young, but Red was too busy drawing on her worksheet to focus on her lessons.

The two ride off into the horizon, their journey set on Cinderellasburg.

It wasn’t long before they stopped, with Chloe insisting that Red learn how to control a horse.

“Okay, hold this.” Chloe whispers into Red’s ear, handing her the rope.

Chloe’s breath was warm on Red’s neck, her head lingering just a little too close to the redhead’s.

“That’s the rein, that’s what you use to steer.” Chloe coached, her hand hovering just over Red’s, both hands clutching the rein. Their hands just barely touch, fingers a centimeter away from touching.

Chloe moves to take the rein, their arms lightly grazing. “So if you want to turn, just move it to either direction.”

“Like this?” Red breathed, letting out a shudder.

Focusing isn't exactly easy when you have someone like Chloe pressed up against you on a horse.

“Just like that,” the bluenette whispered, moving her hands to the redhead’s waist.

“Now squeeze with your legs to signal him. He’ll know to move forward when you do,” coached Chloe, her voice commanding.

Red lets out a yelp as the horse moves, her hold on the reins tightening. “I, uhm, I don’t know the way to Cinderellasburg.”

“No worries, I’ll direct you.” Chloe croaked.

The two continue on their journey, with Chloe speaking directions into Red’s ear. The trip isn’t that long. But with Chloe, Red could feel every millisecond that passed by.

It felt like torment. Every turn, every second, Chloe kept placing subtle touches everywhere, causing Red to slightly stumble on her words and actions.

Two can play that game, Red thinks.

“I must be doing something right if you let me on your horse, everyone knows how strict you are with him.” Red flustered, leaning back to rest on Chloe, her hand still clutching on to the reins.

Chloe chuckles, leaning forward to grab the rein out of the redhead’s hands and signals the horse to run.

Red let out yet another yelp, stunned at the sudden movement.

Chloe—ever the flirt she is—leans forward. “Trust me, you’re doing everything just right.”

oh.

Red internally goes weak at this, choosing instead to focus on the blow of the wind against their faces.

It’s not long before the redhead falls asleep, letting the knight take control of the horse.

—

She’s awakened with a hand on her waist, a steady voice in her ears. “We’re here,”

Eyes adjusting to the light, Red can hear the sound of large gates opening.

Chloe helps the princess down, hands carefully supporting the redhead.

Upon their entry inside, Red nudges Chloe, her curiosity over the roof. “So… What’s the plan?” She asks.

Chloe giggled. “You’ll see.”

Before she could process anything around her, Red felt a hand pulling her by her wrist. “Breakfast first, follow me,” the bluenette whispered, sneakily making their way to the castle’s garden.

They secretly walk to the garden, sneaking past guards and workers.

Once they successfully arrive at the garden, Chloe immediately walks up to a tree, plucking a ripe apple out and biting into it. “Where’s this breakfast you speak off?” Red asks, expecting plates of food.

The bluenette points out to the half bitten apple in her hand. “This is breakfast. Were you expecting a full course meal?”

Red laughs. “No, no. But this isn’t exactly what I expected either.”

“I fear you’re leaning in too much to the princess title, princess.” Chloe laughed, before running to pluck another ripe apple. “Here, dig in.”

“Thank you,” Red smiled, taking the apple out of her knight's hands.

Chloe looks around, examining the garden that she hadn’t been in for the longest time. “I’ll be back,” Chloe shouts, already running.

Red watches from afar as Chloe runs around the garden, picking berries and other fruits to munch on.

When she returns, her arms are supporting a plethora of fruits. berries, apples, oranges, you name it. Her arms were overflowing, fruits falling out of her hold,

Red let out a laugh. “Unbelievable. All that for me? you really are my knight, aren’t you?”

Chloe looks down as she moves to set the number of fruits right next to Red, trying to hide the blush forming on her face.

She sits down right next to the princess on the grass, leaning over to grab another apple. “Always am, Always will be.” She replied.

Soon as they finish their food, Chloe stands up, immediately helping the princess up. “Where are we going this time?” the redhead asks, rolling her eyes.

“Cinderellasburg art museum,” Chloe replies, leading Red out of the garden and into the road.

Their walk to the museum was..chaotic, to say the least. For one, they bumped into a guard who seemed to recognize Chloe.

“Hey aren’t you the prin—” the guard was cut off by the swift movement of the redhead dragging Chloe away. “Nope!” she screams as the two run away together.

The pair explode into laughter as they find a spot to hide behind a tree, shushing as soon as they notice the very guard looking around.

“Follow me, I know a way to get in the museum without having to enter from the front,” Chloe whispers, her voice low so as to not get caught.

Her mother couldn’t know she was there. If she did, her plans with Red would be disturbed and she would get coddled immediately. She would get forced into spending the day with her mother—something she didn’t come home for

Chloe pushes open an old gate, signaling Red to move. “Go through here,” she whispers.

They enter the museum through a back gate, the pair sneakily making their way inside through giggles and sneaky glances.

The museum wasn’t crowded, only having minimal visitors inside. It was quiet, the only sounds heard were the footsteps and the light murmurs of the people.

It was peaceful inside. The wind creeping in through the doors and windows, sending shivers down their spine, tinted windows reflecting color on every wall and floor, the artwork inside being a complete contrast to the white, traditional walls.

Red looks around the museum, taken aback by the beauty of the place. “Wow. Chloe, this place is amazing.”

The bluenette smiled, watching her best friend take in the place that she used to visit when she was a kid. “I know, that’s why I took you here.”

The pair walk through the museum in wonder, stopping to look at paintings from the past.

Through all the pieces of work they walked by, one specific item caught Red’s eyes. “Is that your mom’s glass shoes?” she asks.

A pair of glass heels stood in the middle of the museum, carefully encased in a glass box. “Yeah, look,” Chloe replied, taking the redhead’s hand to bring her closer.

“Isn’t that supposed to be at the museum of cultural history?” Red inquired.

Chloe chuckled in return. “It’s a dupe. My mom wouldn’t let something as precious as her glass shoes be displayed in a kingdom she doesn’t rule.”

“Wow,” Red admired, her focus on the glass shoes entirely.

The two continued moving through the museum, visiting wing after wing, looking at every piece of work they passed by.

A particular painting caught the attention of the pair—a painting of a heart fully made up of glass. It attracted the two like magnet, as if a force not to be reckoned with.

They approach the painting, its frames golden and old. The two feel as if they have a connection with the painting, like they’ve seen it being painted, framed, and hung. As if they’ve known the painting and what it stood for their whole lives.

They soon find out why when they approach the information panel. “Heart of glass,” Red mutters, reading out the name of the painting.

Chloe reads further, tracing her finger along the lines of the letters. “It was painted way back. Made to commemorate the alliance of Wonderland and Cinderellasburg. Two copies were made, one here, and one over at Wonderland.”

“It’s crazy, how I never noticed that painting back home,” Red mumbles, still in disbelief of how amazing the painting looked.

The painting itself was breathtaking. It was a symbol of peace–of an alliance, the painting perfectly capturing how the glass heart reflects every color of the rainbow as light passes by.

They were snapped out of their trance by one of the guards. “Princess Chloe,” the guard shouted, already walking over to the pair.

Both girls immediately run away, with Chloe dragging Red to exit the same way they entered.

The two found a secluded area to hide in, quietly laughing as they watched the guards pass by.

“Where to next?” Red whispers, fidgeting with the bluenette’s hands.

Chloe brings out a cloth, handing it to Red. “It’s a secret, wear this over your eyes.”

The bluenette led Red through rocky roads and forests, slowly making their way to a secret spot that Chloe had discovered when she was young.

The journey towards Chloe’s spot was… hard. It isn’t exactly easy to navigate unsteady terrain while trying to support a blindfolded friend.

“Are we there yet?” Red asks, her hands darting out to try and feel the environment.

“Almost,” The bluenette replied, swiftly moving through the forest, the sound of dried leaves cracking beneath their feet.

After a while, Red speaks up once again. “Are we–”

She’s cut off by Chloe, her voice shocking Red. “We’re here.”

“Okay, Ready?” Chloe asks, ready to take the blindfold off.

“Always,” The princess replied.

Red’s eyes adjusted to the light as the blindfold was removed. As soon as she takes in the view in front of her, her jaw drops.

Because right in front of her was a beautiful river, plants and flowers overflowing the land right beside, and a blanket set down filled with canvases and painting supplies.

“Chloe, wow—I have no words,” Red breathed, taking in the scenery in front of her.

Chloe shrugged. “You mentioned painting, so I figured why not have you paint here?”

The two move to the blanket that had been previously set up, sitting down to further enjoy the view.

“All this for me? how knightly,” Red mentions, her hands hovering over the number of art materials.

Chloe looks down, fidgeting with the materials on her corner of the blanket. “You took care of me. and you suggested I take a break. I couldn’t not thank you for all that.”

The bluenette points over to Red’s side of the blanket. “Now go paint, I didn’t spend all this money on paint just for you not to use it.”

They spend the rest of their afternoon there, painting together like it’s the only thing they want to do for the rest of their lives.

Chloe yaps off about their childhood, recalling memories they made back when they had nothing to worry about, while Red quietly asks her to hand the paints over. She’s focused on her painting, yet listening to Chloe. She always listens.

They paint in tranquility for a while, both girls occasionally looking up to steal glances at each other, laughing when they do make eye contact.

The air was filled with the scent of spring, the smell of flowers taking over. The beauty of nature took over, the flow of the river reflecting the sun like glitter, its waters streaming through the landscape and the soft sound of water running.

The flowers around them were bright with colors, each piece with its own uniqueness.

It’s not long before the two finish their painting.

“I’m done,” Red sang, her smile growing.

The bluenette looked up from her canvas, painting a finishing stroke before replying. “Just in time, so am I.”

“Show me yours,” Chloe said, her hands fidgeting with the loose corners of her canvas.

Red took a quick glance at her painting, then at Chloe. “I’m nervous. I’ve never shown anyone my paintings before.”

“I’m sure it looks amazing. Everything you create is.” Chloe smiled.

Red laughs, her heart fluttering at the compliment. She turns the canvas, revealing a gorgeous view.

“Red that’s.. Wow,” Chloe amazed, looking at the painting as if it was the holy grail.

The painting had captured everything. From the shine of the river, to the glow of nature–but a specific part of the painting caught Chloe’s eyes, because in the middle of the painting was Chloe. Light blue hair taking the spotlight, bright curls perfectly painted in.

It’s the type of painting you’d want to hang up everywhere.

“Is that me?” The bluenette asked, obviously it was her–she knew that. She just wanted to make sure for… certain reasons.

Red laughed, a blush forming on her face. “Who else would it be?”

“Fair, Fair,” Chloe laughed. “Okay, here’s mine.”

Chloe revealed her work, it was an attempt at painting a specific work of art they saw not long ago.

Red gaped. “Is that–”

“The glassheart, yes,” Chloe interrupted.

Red, trying her best to hold her laughter, couldn't anymore. She exploded into laughter, her voice echoing in the woods.

“I know I’m not the best at creatives–”

Red interrupted. “No, no. It's nice, I swear!”

The painting itself wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t perfect, either.

Chloe smiled, happy that the princess is enjoying their time together, even if that meant being made fun of. “You don’t have to lie!” She laughed.

Red continued in laughter, her smile bright and contagious. “Chloe, It’s beautiful. I’ll even hang it in my room. I’ll frame it, and all.”

Chloe rolls her eyes, picking up a cloth and throwing it in the redhead’s direction. “Funny.”

Their laughter transformed into comfortable silence, with the sun hanging just above the horizon. They soon set their paintings aside, both girls now leaning against each other.

They watch the sun slowly set, their breaths synced.

The pair came to a comfortable position, the bluenette laying on Red’s lap, her hands running through blue curls. They spend their time in serenity, recalling childhood memories and plans for the future.

“I don’t think I can do it— to pick someone, I mean,” Red confessed.

Chloe stayed silent. She doesn’t interrupt, her ears listening despite the exhaustion taking over her.

“It feels like I’m out shopping for a new dress. And nothing that I want, too,” the redhead continued.

“Having to force myself to fall in love with someone else when—” Red paused.

‘When who I really love is you.’ was what Red wanted to say—she knows she can’t— but she wants to.

“When, what?” Chloe asked.

“Nothing,” Red hummed, her fingers softly running through baby blue hair.

Red took a deep breath, her breath shuddering. “I feel like if I choose, I’m locking myself into something I don’t want and I won’t be able to get out—Like I’m a prisoner of my own choices.”

The bluenette hummed, urging Red to continue. “Chlo do you—do you think I can do it? To rule wonderland and to pretend in front of everyone, even to my future king.”

Chloe breathed, thinking long and hard about what to reply with. “If it’s you, I know you can do it,” She paused, turning to face Red, taking the redhead’s hand. “You’re so strong, Red. I’ve seen you experience the worst but through and through, I saw you win.”

Red’s breath shuddered, tears slowly forming. ‘Chloe–”

“I’m not yet done,” the bluenette interrupted. “I know you can do it. And if it doesn’t feel like it, I’ll be there to remind you that you can, to remind you that you’re strong, that you’re resilient. I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

“Thank you,” Red breathed, tears slowly falling.

“Great, now I’m crying like a baby,” the redhead laughed, trying to make light of her emotions.

Chloe moved her hands, cupping Red’s cheeks and wiping her tears away. “It’s okay to feel. Crying is okay—it’s important,” Chloe whispered, a small smile on her face.

“To live is to feel,” Chloe finished.

They look at each other for a moment—soft, calm. The silence stretches, a comfortable peace.

Their moment is interrupted with a voice.

“Chloe?” the voice who Chloe recognizes to be Chad speaks up.

Their heads snap to where the voice came from, where they see the blonde walk over to them.

“Chad,” Chloe sits up, shocked at the sudden appearance of her brother.
“What are you doing back home again?” Chad asks.

’again?’ Red thinks—she doesn’t remember any recent encounter with Chloe telling her that she would go back to Cinderellasburg.

Chloe stammers, unable to answer her brother’s questions. “Uhm–”

“Did you tell mom yet? And why are you here with your girlfriend–”

Chloe interrupted. “No, she can’t know–you can’t know.”

Then, at the same time, both girls speak. “And she’s not my girlfriend.”

They glance at each other, both thinking that what they just said wasn’t true—that they wish they were girlfriends.

Chad rolls his eyes. “Whatever. look—what are you doing here anyways? And mom already knows, by the way. Two guards came by the castle and just told on you—said you were running around with a redhead and all that, as if mom didn’t already know.”

Chloe immediately stands up, overtly annoyed that her brother had disturbed her time with Red. “That’s besides the point. Wait—mom knows?”

Chad let out the loudest laugh he’s laughed in years, his voice echoing throughout the woods. “Obviously, you dumbass. You really think you can run around here with that blue hair of yours?”

All the while the sibling banter, the redhead is sat on the grass, observing the sunset as her fingers twist and turn.

“What are you doing here, anyways?” Chloe asks, annoyance lacing her tone.

Chad scoffs, like his sister just asked a dumb question. “This is Cinderellasburg? Our home?”

Chloe groans, her brother was—is incredibly stupid. “I meant here. This place is my spot.”

“I don’t know, actually. Mom told me to go wander around somewhere and, well, here I am,” Chad replied.

The siblings are interrupted with a bird flying to Chad’s hands, a letter in its claws. He opens the letter, quickly reading before throwing it away someplace random.

Chad crosses his arms, his smirk smug. “Mom wants us home, by us, I mean me, you, and your little girlfriend there.”

Then, both girls screamed again. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

—

The pair came to their senses when they arrived at the castle, greeted by guards.

The three make their way to the dining hall, where plates of food are beautifully scattered along the table.

The bluenette sheepishly smiles, avoiding eye contact with the queen. “Hi, mom.”

“Goodluck in there, sis,” Chad whispered, turning to leave.

Ella took a deep breath, her gaze powerful. “Did you really think you could secretly run around in my garden without me noticing?”

“Uh–” Chloe stammered.

Ella turned her gaze to Red. “And you, princess Red, does your mother know of your little visit here?”

The redhead looked down, hiding the shame on her face. “She does, Mrs. Charming.”

Both girls immediately lift their head when they hear the queen laugh. Chloe raised her eyebrows. “You two remind me of Bridget and I quite a lot,” the queen laughed.

“You’re not mad?” the bluenette asked, confusion running through her head.

The queen sighed, her laughter stopping. “No, I just wish you’d called.”

The atmosphere in the dining hall shifted from tense to joyous in a split second, the mood of both girls immediately improving, their appetite showing.

“Now, eat. Bridget would kill me if I sent you two home with an empty stomach,” the queen urged, pointing to the plates in front of the two.
—

They were escorted to the castle gates after dinner, with Chloe’s horse on standby.

Chad did complain about the horse's name.

“Goodbye, mon cheri, stay safe,” Ella whispered, pressing her lips to her daughter’s forehead, hugging the bluenette.

“Bye mom,” Chloe returned the hug.

The queen walked over to where the redhead stood, the frigid air of the wind freezing the girls into oblivion.

“Tell your mother I said hi. Stay safe,” Ella smiled, pulling Red into a hug. It was comforting in all the right places, like a mother’s touch.

They set off, with Red sat at the front, and the bluenette steering the horse.

Their trip back to wonderland was peaceful, both girls enjoying each other’s presence. The redhead had long fallen asleep, snoring in exhaustion. The only sounds heard during the night were the trudging of the horse and the princess’s sleeping noises.

Chloe enjoyed that—just existing, riding home with a princess in her hands. She took in the smell of Red’s hair, floral and fruity—though having spent a whole day outside.

The redhead stirs awake, the blow of the cool, uncomfortable wind waking her. “Are we near?” Red mumbles, still exhausted.

“Soon, go back to sleep,” Chloe whispers, moving one hand to hug the redhead—an attempt at keeping her warm.

Red mumbles something beneath her breath before going back to her slumber.

—

Upon arriving at wonderland, Chloe carefully drops down—before carrying the princess and asking a local guard to bring her horse back to the stables.

She slowly makes her way into the castle, her movement soft and subtle so as to not wake the redhead up.
Chloe ever-so-carefully walks to the princess’s room, the hinge of the door creaking. She sets Red down to her bed, not bothering to change her clothes.

The room was quiet, small pieces of what made Red who she is scattered around her room. Paint tubes everywhere, canvases neatly stacked against the wall–these were things that Red admired, things that she learned to love when she was a child.

The bluenette took her painting out of the bag she’d brought with them prior to their trip, hanging it up on the wall.

She leaves the redhead’s room, walking her way to the throne room to greet the queen, when she bumps into the very person she was coming to find.

“Chloe, dear, you’ll have to look where you’re going,” Bridget reminded, helping the girl up.

Chloe dusted herself off, picking up the items that she had dropped. “Apologies, your majesty.”

“Walk with me,” Bridget offered. “I see you’ve arrived from your little vacation, where’s the princess?” she asks.

“Asleep, your majesty. It was quite the day,” Chloe said softly. “Queen Ella says hi,” she added.

The queen hummed in return, but before she could speak, a guard—Hazel, to be exact—called out.

“Chloe, the princess is asking for you,” The brunette softly said.

“In a minute,” Chloe replied, turning to give Bridget a bow—elegant and practiced. “You’ll have to excuse me, your majesty.”

The queen could only shoo the knight away, knowing that it was her job to cater to the princess.

Chloe’s walk back to Red’s room was slow, to say the least. She could feel every second that passed by.

She noticed the painting on the walls in a way that she never did. Because of Red, Chloe had a newfound love for art, as if finally understanding what art stands for.

She took her time walking, analyzing every stroke placed by the artist, every color, every shape.

Finally, she arrives back at the princess’s room, slowly opening the door, careful not to make a noise,

She enters the room where she’s greeted with a silhouette of the redhead sitting up, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her face.

“You left,” Red croaked.

Chloe approached the bed, sitting down next to the princess. “Just for a while, I talked to the queen.”

“You carried me here,” Red asked, but it was more of a statement.

Chloe shrugged. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Thank you for today,” Red whispered, her eyes adjusting to the dark. “That was the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

The bluenette playfully nudges Red. “Well, it is my job to tend to your needs.”

Red looked at Chloe, her eyes shining as bright as the stars. “Just your job?”

“And my pleasure,” Chloe laughed.

Red felt a sudden wave of guilt washed over her. “I know today was supposed to be your break, and all. I’m sorry I made you do all that work.”

Chloe shook her head, grabbing Red’s hand and gently caressing them. “Don’t apologize. You are my rest. My break, my sanctuary.”

“Thank you, Chloe. I don’t think I’d make it without you,” Red breathed.

“No problem. Now go to bed, I know today was exhausting,” Chloe urged, nodding to the bed they were on.

Red got ahold of the bluenettes hand before she could leave. “Can you stay?”

“Of course,” Chloe replied.

And that’s how the two girls ended up here—limbs tangled, their breaths matching each other’s, Chloe’s arm around the redhead’s waist as her hands run through blue curls, both girls succumbing to sleep.

Notes:

this was notttt proofread so any mistakes r mine :))

Chapter 7

Notes:

Very short update buttt enjoy! :D

The sun blooms on the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of a vibrant orange.

Chloe stirs awake, the redhead on her arms peacefully snoring.

Regret immediately seeped into the bluenette’s mind as she recalled the events of yesterday.

No. not regret, Chloe could never regret time with Red.

It was more of the bluenette calling herself an idiot with the amount of times she practically flirted with the princess.

She carefully slips out of bed, her movements slow and delicate.

Chloe is stopped in her tracks when she hears a low voice mumble.

“Why do you always leave bed early in the morning,” the princess murmured, her voice muffled by the pillow.

The bluenette turns, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. “I have a job to do, you know.”

“Your job revolves around being with me everywhere I go. So,” Red counters, sitting up from her bed.

Chloe chuckles. “Fair point. But technically I’m not allowed to be inside your room.”

The princess groans. “Whatever. Go and do your knightly duties and all,” Red shooed, falling back onto her bed.

Chloe chuckles, walking out of the princess’s room.

—

Today was the final day of Red’s week with Ace, they’d have one last dinner tonight, before parting their separate ways—for now, atleast.

Red walks out of her room to be immediately greeted with a boy holding flowers. “Hi, princess.”

Ace–flowers in hand, smile big–stood infront of the princess. “Ace,” Red starts, appalled at the sudden appearance of the prince. “We aren't supposed to see each other until tonight, are we?”

The flower boquet was stunning, filled with roses, sunflowers, carnations, and hydrangeas of a specific shade of blue that seemed to remind Red of a certain princess-now-knight in shining armor.

“I requested that we have the day together, it is our last time together,” Ace chuckled. “Not for a while, atleast.”

Red politely nods, her mind still stuck on a specific bluenette. “Right, of course.”

“I did request that we spend the day without Chloe, if that’s alright with you,” The prince offered.

No, it was not okay with Red–but she couldn’t say that to his face, she wouldn’t.

Red smiled. “No problem at all.”

The two flow into conversation as they walk to their first stop of the day, their small figures fading into the horizon.

—

 

“Ace requested that he and Red spend the day without you breathing down their necks, so you’ll be spending today with me.” The queen announced.

“What,” Chloe gaped.

“I let him do so, you and Red have been spending too much time together, anyways.”

“That’s my job.”

“Right. Why are you so bothered about this, anyways?” Bridget asks.

The bluenette’s face immediately flushes, her thoughts lingering on a certain princess.

“Oh, this is about your little crush on Red.”

“You— you know,” The bluenette asked—though it was more of a statement.

“And it’s not little. I like her like— a lot,” she added.

The queen could only sigh in return. “I know everything. And it’s not like you two spend every moment of your lives throwing heart eyes at each other.”

“Okay, fine—I need to go to—“

“To Red? You can’t do that today, remember?”

The bluenette groans, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

“Now go run around the castle, or whatever it is you do in your free time,” Bridget shooed.

Chloe tilts her head in confusion. “Aren’t I spending the day with you?”

The queen takes a quick glance toward Chloe, her head having been buried in paperwork. “I changed my mind. I don’t wanna be around you while you mope and cry about Red.”

Before Chloe could answer, a knock came from the door.

“Your majesty, you called me?” one of Chloe's colleagues—Hazel—entered.

“Yes, go take Chloe and do whatever it is that you knights do, please,” The queen commanded.

—

“Why do you look like a kicked puppy?” Hazel asks.

The halls of the castle they were roaming in were covered in paintings, rooms lit by the chandeliers hanging above.

Chloe had been moping non-stop, groaning and whining anytime she sees anything remotely close to Red.

“It’s nothing,” the bluebette murmurs.

“You don’t have to hide anything, you know. The entire castle knows about you and Red’s…whatever you two have going on.”

Chloe stopped on her tracks.

“What?”

“It’s daily gossip for the staff,” the brunette confessed.

“We don’t have anything going on,” Chloe insisted.

And as much as she wanted that to be a lie, they really do have nothing going on. They’re just friends.

“The staff seem to say otherwise. They’ve even got a running bet.”

“Now that’s just weird.”

“Whatever. Listen, how about we spar? I’m sure that’ll distract you,” Hazel offered, already leading the bluenette to the training grounds.

They get into position upon arriving, their swords polished and ready to use.

Hazel strikes immediately, and Chloe just.. stands there.

“Guess I lost,” the bluenette mumbles.

Hazel sighs, accusingly pointing her sword at Chloe. “Look, moping won’t do you any good, so put your free time to use and actually spar with me.”

“I’d rather sleep,” Chloe counters.

‘This girl is stubborn,’ Hazel thinks.

“If you win I’ll clean and polish Tiago for a month,” The brunette offers, a last minute attempt at getting Chloe to spar with her.

Chloe froze, turning to Hazel with a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re on.”

The first round started with Chloe immediately striking, her footing carefully strategized.

Hazel easily dodges, pivoting to catch the bluenette’s wrists, positioning her sword just over her neck.

“I win,” Hazel announces.

The second round starts, and this time, Chloe is more careful. She was distracted last round, she couldn’t focus.

They start to circle each other, guards raised high and tension over the roof.

Hazel lunged forward, her goal to disarm Chloe.

The bluenette dodges with ease, relying on her prior training to carefully turn and defend.

Hazel quickly strikes, Chloe counters, their swords making a clashing sound as they collide.

Chloe immediately crouches, taking advantage of her position to trip Hazel using her legs.

The brunette immediately falls, dropping her weapon.

“That’s cheating,” Hazel grumbles.

“You never said anything about rules,” Chloe countered, her hair messy after the second round.

The final round starts, and as the bluenette gets ready to strike, Hazel speaks up.

“Look, it’s Red!”

Chloe immediately turns to where she was pointing, where she’s met with nothing but no one.

Then, she’s immediately swooped to the floor by Hazel’s feet.

The bluenette falls back with a grunt. “What the hell, you cheated!”

“You never said anything about rules,” Hazel mocks.

“Okay, fine, whatever. You won, I guess,” the bluenette groans, standing up from her position and returning Tiago back to its hilt.

The brunette goes after Chloe, wrapping her hands around the bluenette’s wrist. “Leaving already?”

Chloe turns her head, looks back at Hazel, then to the training grounds they had previously been on. “I suppose a few more rounds wouldn’t hurt.”

The two spend the rest of their day training together, both girls pushing to their limits to make sure they win over little bets.

—

Red and Ace had long ditched dinner, the pair now walking around the outsides of the castle.

Their conversation had dissolved into laughter, the both of them walking into an unknown area of the courtyard.

“I’m really glad you spent not just the night with me, Red,” Ace flustered, a smile tugging on his lips.

The princess returns the smile, nudging Ace. “Well, I’m glad you offered.”

A moment's silence passes by.

Then another.

Then, Ace leans in, and a part of Red thinks that she should.

Not that she wants to, that she should.

Then, she hears loud laughter coming from the training grounds.

She immediately knew Chloe.

A laugh she could recognize from miles away, the laugh that seemed to give her comfort and warmth.

She turned to see Chloe laughing with someone else, another girl.

Her laugh was genuine, not forced, not cold.

She was genuinely having fun–she was having a good time.

She’s snapped out of her trance with a cough coming from the prince.

“I suppose I should head out now,” He offers.

“Yeah, it’s getting quite late,” Red returns. “I had a great time, Ace.”

Ace kneels down, taking the redhead’s hands and placing a kiss on Red’s hand. “I hope we’ll see each other soon.”

Red watches as Ace’s figure disappears into the horizon, her attention turning to the bluenette and her friend.

She resolves to just walk back to her room instead of disturbing the bluenette, choosing instead to spend time alone.

Red makes her way back in tranquility, her voice silent yet her mind running through a million thoughts. The castle has long fallen into deep slumber, candle lit walls the only thing giving the princess a source of light.

Then, she’s surprised with an all familiar voice. “Red? You didn’t tell me you were done with your date.”

Red stood in front of two knights, one Chloe and the other Hazel.

“I didn’t want to disturb you. Don’t tell me you missed me, or something,” Red bantered, a grin playing on her lips.

Before Chloe could speak, Hazel chimed in.

“Heavily. She was busy moping around before we could actually get any training in,” the brunette nudged.

“Really now,” Red smiled, her grin only growing by the second.

“...Whatever. I’ll see you around, Hazel,” Chloe mutters, her face covered in a familiar Red hue.

Red’s grin transforms into laughter. “Bring me to my room already, knight.”

Chloe chuckles, the redhead’s smile was contagious, you’d catch it like the plague. “As you wish, princess.”

They walk back to the princess’s room in laughter, both girls chatting about how their days went, exchanging short glances and jokes as they roam the empty halls of the castle.

Their night ends with Red and Chloe on the same bed, exhaustion taking over, their day having been tiring and eventful.

Chapter 8

Notes:

enjoy :D

The meeting hall was quiet, tension-filled. 

The only people inside were the queen, Maddox, Chloe, and Red.

Bridget and Maddox stood at the corner, their hands clutching the letters that had been brought to them.

It was silent, the sound of chandeliers squeaking filling the empty air around.

The room remained silent. No one spoke, not for a while.

Finally, the queen spoke up—gracefully walking over to her seat. “Prince Athens and Prince white have dropped out of the competition.”

“Therefore, a ball will be held next week to announce who you’re getting engaged to,” She continued.

Red’s ears perked up, her posture now proper—princess-like. “That also means you have to make the decision of who you want to get engaged to immediately after your week with Max.”

Red’s emotions shifted from calm to annoyed within a faction of a second, the air now filled with tension even more than earlier.

“Next week? That’s— that’s too fast, I have no time!” The princess complained, voice echoing throughout the room.

Bridget gazed at the princess, the weight of responsibilities forcing her to spend more time as the queen and not as a mother.

“It doesn’t take a week to plan a royal wedding, Red. It takes several months,” The queen reasons, her voice a mixture of duty and warmth. “With that and your coronation, planning everything will be troublesome.”

Bridget pauses, her mouth turning into a thin line. “Be grateful you even got the chance to choose .” 

The princess let out an exasperated sigh, her shoulders slumping. “I don’t even know the guy yet.” 

“I’m being forced to love someone I don’t, so forgive me if  I need a little more time to choose,” the redhead declared, her eyes flickering to a certain bluenette to her far left, the word love being associated with said bluenette.

“It’s not as easy as you think, mom ,” her voice softly breaking. “It’s not like shopping for a new dress. It’s choosing who I’m about to spend my life with, and it’s hard .”

“Especially because—”

‘Because she wants to spend her life with Chloe ,’ She almost slips up, her mouth shutting close.

The meeting hall has—yet again—found silence.

The queen adjusted her posture, her head slightly tilting upwards. “You will address me by your majesty when we discuss kingdom matters.”  

The fact that her mother cared more about kingdom matters than her actual daughter stung, bad.

Chloe—watching from the side—furrowed her eyebrows in concern.

Red stood up, forcing her chair back, the sound of its legs against the floor making a loud sound. 

“Am I excused now, your majesty ?” Red snapped, venom lacing her voice.

She didn’t wait for Bridget to respond before she walked out, grabbing Chloe by her wrists and muttering out “come on,” leaving Maddox and the queen alone.

Chloe stumbles on her feet, being dragged by her wrist. She stops walking, using her other hand to tug at Red’s.

“Princess, stop,” Chloe urged.

Red, angrily, turned around. “What?”

She was frustrated, and sad. Very sad.

Chloe squeezed the redhead’s hand, offering the slightest bit of comfort. “Are you okay?”

Red turned back as quickly as she turned to Chloe, already brushing the topic off. “Fine.”

“You know you can tell me anything, right?” The bluenette ran after Red, concern lacing her voice.

The redhead stopped walking, letting out a scoff. “Just— leave me alone , Chloe. Princess’s orders.”

Those very words were what just put a barrier between their friendship, as if glass shattering.

So, Chloe did what she was told to, she gave Red space, spending her whole day doing knightly tasks with Hazel.

—

Red gets reminded of her first date with Max as soon as she hears a knock on her door.

Today was the start of her week with Max Hatter, the final week she’ll spend before she has to pick.  

It was absurd, having to choose between four— two men, as if Red even considered looking at any of them.

“Princess, Max Hatter has arrived to pick you up,” a small voice came from outside her door.

She took a deep breath, preparing herself for an exhausting day ahead of her.

She gracefully walks outside her room, where she’s met with 2 masked guards that Chloe had ordered to look after Red.

Even if they were apart, her safety had always been Chloe’s number one priority.

She’s walked to the castle’s entrance-slash-exit, a man clad in purple and red standing in the middle of the pathway, ready to greet the princess.

“Your highness,” he greeted, nodding his head.

Red nodded in return, the pair now walking over to a carriage that he had brought with him.

After what seemed like forever, they arrived at the enchanted lake, a place that Max inisted be the “perfect place for a first date.”

Their hike to the enchanted lake was… awkward, to say the least. 

“I used to hike here when I was young, Maddox would take me here every weekend,” Max mentions.

Red only let out a small hum, her mind someplace else.

They sat by the enchanted lake together, awkward silence filling the air as they ate.

“So… what do you do in your spare time?” Red asks, trying to rid of the awkwardness.

“I paint,” Max smiled.

Tension dispersed as Red broke out in a smile, the topic of painting roused something in Red, though not entirely distracting her of her messy thoughts, or the fact that he had quite the attitude when they first met.

“I paint, too,” the redhead—excitedly—returned.

They remained like that for a while, snacking on their picnic while discussing artists, painting materials, and whatnot.

That was, until, Max noticed that Red had been spacing out one too many times. 

“Something’s on your mind,” He whispered, his eyes gazing into Red, as if to read her.

“Everything’s on my mind,” she confessed, rubbing her temple in stress.

Max smiled. It was soft, pitiful. “Will me apologizing for my rude behavior when we met help?”

Red let out a soft chuckle. “No, not really, but it does make me feel a tiny bit better.”

The enchanted lake was peaceful, calming. The gentle lapping of water against the shore echoing throughout the woods.

Max tilts his head in interest. “So, what’s up? why so blue?”

Red internally flinched, the word blue reminding her of a cool haired knight.

Red let out a sad laugh. “It’s.. a lot.”

It’s more than a lot. The weight of responsibilities buried within Red deeper to the point where she slowly starts to push away from everyone—where she starts to isolate herself.

Silence took over, awkwardness yet again filling the air.

Max immediately changes the topic, choosing instead to talk about the very place they're in.

“Did you know that the enchanted lake has healing properties? one of the many reasons it’s called the enchanted lake.” 

“Really? I’ve never been here, so I wouldn’t know,” Red mumbled.

“Well, I’m glad to have been the one to take you here for the first time,” Max flattered, his face slightly red.

It’s not long before Max decides to go on a swim, with Red sitting alone by the shore, a sketchbook in hand.

They spend the rest of their date enjoying themselves, with the sun slowly dipping into the horizon.

—

Chloe did what Red told her to do—but frankly, she could not be more bored.

She had politely asked two wandering knights to look after Red during her date, the princess’s safety still being her prime concern despite their distance.

Chloe and Hazel had been ordered to clean up the stables, something a knight wouldn’t do if the queen hadn’t specifically ordered them herself.

But instead of Cleaning, Chloe did what she finds herself doing for the past few days—moping. 

The queen had been in a particularly bad mood that morning—mainly because of Red’s attitude—and angrily ordered Chloe and Hazel to clean the stables, because ‘the cleaners are out sick.’

Chloe did all but clean, leaving Hazel to do ninety percent of all work. “Will you get off your ass and help me,” she complained.

“ Sure, sure,” Chloe muttered, except she didn’t help Hazel. She just stood there, face all sad and gloomy.

Hazel paused, taking a moment to read Chloe. “Stop moping and do your job, Chloe.”

“My job is to protect the princess,” the bluenette countered.

“Yeah? Well right now, it isn’t, so do what you were assigned to do because your damn horse won’t clean himself,” the brunette reasoned. “Plus, she literally told you to leave her alone, don’t ask why I know.”

Chloe let out an exasperated sigh, muttering under her breath. “You know you shouldn’t be meddling with other people’s lives.”

Hazel scoffed. “And you shouldn’t be sleeping with the princess in her bedroom, and look where we are.”

Chloe’s mind stutters, her movements clumsy. “That’s— how do you know that?”

“I told you, you and the princess are daily gossip for the staff. One of the few things that keep us entertained.” 

“Okay,” Chloe enunciated, slightly weirded out about the fact that people around the castle talk about her friendship with Red.

The pair continue cleaning the sables (and the horses), exchanging jokes and stories.

The sun had long set once they finished, the two now clad in wet clothes and dirty arms, with the stable being clean nonetheless.

Chloe and Hazel walk back to the castle together, both girls recalling memories they just made back at the stable.

They part their own ways when they arrive at their own chambers. 

To Chloe, today had been a memorable one, grateful that she made a new friend.

It’s late by the time she finishes her bath, all the dirty debris on her skin now washed off, the memory of her shared experience with Hazel still lingering.

—

The moon hung high on the sky, its light shining on the castle, peeking through windows, the late night breeze dancing around the bluenette.

Chloe felt a familiar tug at her heart, the redhead now invading her thoughts. And after giving it some thought, she decides to visit the princess.

She strides her way to the princess’s room, every step a countdown to what would ensue when she’s met face to face with Red.

As she approached the door, a nervous feeling had burrowed deep within Chloe. the bluenette contemplates her decision, fists lingering just over the door.

Finally, she knocks, the repetitive sound of wood against skin echoing throughout the halls of the castle.

When no one answers, she knocks again.

Then again, and again.

She thinks about leaving—maybe Red needed some time alone. 

But instead of leaving, she opens the door slightly, just enough to peek her head in.

When she does, she doesn’t find Red anywhere. Not on her bed sleeping, not painting, not looking out the window, she was nowhere. 

Her room was silent and comforting, a place that Chloe had familiarized herself with.

She looked around, looking for any signs to where Red had gone.

That’s when she spots a painting. Two figures, blue and red hair, on a roof, stargazing.

Chloe immediately knew where to find Red after finding that painting.                         

She secretly made her way to the rooftop, the very place that they spend together looking at the stars, the place where they can be themselves, where it’s just the two of them.

Red immediately noticed Chloe’s presence as the bluenette climbed out the window. “How’d you find me?”

Chloe sat next to Red, her arms just behind the redhead. “I wanted to check up on you, so I checked your bedroom. I didn’t find you there, so I figured you’d be here.”

Red let out a satisfactory hum. “It’s kinda like our spot now.”
Chloe nodded in agreement.

Silence stretched over, the atmosphere slowly filling with tension, frigid air circling their bodies.

Neither of them didn’t speak, not for a while. 

Instead, they just watched. They watched as stray meteors quickly fly by the dark sky, silently wishing on each shooting star that passed by.

Until, Red spoke, her breath trembling. “I’m sorry.”

“I pushed you away when I needed you the most.”

Chloe chuckled. “It’s nothing. You ordered me to leave you alone, and I did. You didn’t push me away, Red.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have. My date was extra boring without you to spice it up,” Red bantered, playfully nudging the bluenette.

“I missed you, too,” Chloe returned. She didn't have to hear Red say it to understand—she knew.

Red shifted, her head now laying on Chloe’s shoulder.

“What about you?”

“What about me?” Chloe piqued.

“What did you do today?” 

Chloe sighs, recalling the events of today. “Hazel and I cleaned the stables.”

Red let out a laugh, the softness in her voice filling the air.

Chloe missed this. They hadn’t been apart much, but Chloe missed hearing Red’s laughter, she missed the warmth the princess gave her with every second they spent together.

“It was hard , don’t laugh at me” Chloe laughed back.

“Your mom had an attitude the whole day since this morning, she basically wanted Hazel and I to suffer.”

Red’s laughter softened down, her smile turning into a small frown. “Yeah I probably should talk to her tomorrow, or something.”

Silence took charge,  as if the world around them stilled.

“It’s weird,” Red starts.

“Mom rarely gave me any attention when I was young, and then—suddenly, she just started caring not even a year ago.”

Chloe took Red’s hand in hers, their fingers interlocking, the redhead’s hand cold against Chloe’s.

“I’ve gotten used to it, its just—I can’t help but think about it,” the princess confessed.

Chloe remained quiet, words weren’t enough—not now. 

Instead, she held Red. tighter, closer, warmer.

They spend the rest of their night in tranquility, both girls saying a million things not with words, with comfort—with existing like the world's problems don't matter, like it was just them .

 

Notes:

Not proofread, mistakes are mine !!

Chapter 9

Notes:

Short update, sorry!! hopefully next chapter will be a bit more lengthy :D

Another day meant another date with Max.

A date she didn’t want to go to.

But she had to. For Wonderland, for the queen, to get rid of her feelings for Chloe.

She had just received a letter from Max stating that he “ can’t wait to see you .” Well, Red can. 

She was tired of having to go somewhere with someone who she couldn't care less about every day.

She’d wish that Zeus himself would strike her down just so she could avoid these dates. Granted, it’s only two men—but that’s two more than she’d usually have dates with.

Lucky for her, Chloe would be there to save her from the agony of spending her day in absolute boredom.

In (almost) every date she’d been on, Chloe was there.

She was there, with her dumb, cheeky smile, her secret glances, and her quiet giggles.

Chloe was the one thing Red only ever looked up to during her dates.

She’s knocked out of her thoughts when she hears a voice muffle from outside her room.

“Princess, you’re late,” the voice murmured.

Red dusts herself off, her feet already moving toward the door. 

She opens the door—but to her surprise, she sees not Chloe standing, but another guard.

She silently questions her knight’s disappearance—nevertheless, she’s carefully walked over to the castle’s gates, where she notices a certain bluenette waiting for her.

“Sorry I was gone,” the bluenette apologized. “I had to finish something with Hazel and I ran a bit late.”

Hazel.

It’s always Hazel this, Hazel that.

Ever since this little competition started, Chloe had slowly started to spend more time with her colleague, which isn’t exactly bad—Chloe can have friends.

Red wasn’t jealous. They’re just friends. She’d befriend her fellow staff too if she had to spend half her life far away from her home.

—

Chloe didn't mean to run late–really.

She and Hazel had been spending most of their free time and breaks together—always training, cleaning, or doing whatever the queen insisted that they do.

She thought it was better this way—to slowly stray away from Red, to get rid of her affection for her.

That way, Chloe wouldn’t have to let her feelings affect her job—her duty.

They rode their way to the Mad palace, where Red and Max  would have their dinner date—as Max suggested.

The ride was peaceful, the soft sound of hooves against land filling the air, birds singing on every tree they passed.

No one talked, neither of them started babbling. They just relaxed beneath the silence—the comfortable one.

The pair didn’t have to talk to enjoy each other’s presence, they simply just had to be there, to be in the present.

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, a clear sign that they’ve arrived at the mad palace.

Chloe helps the princess down as she gracefully climbs down the carriage.

Max stood in front of the palace, his figure small compared to the tall gates behind him.

“Your highness,” He bowed.

The tall gates opened and revealed a line of marching bands on the side, each guard playing their own instruments to greet the princess.

The band was playing a cheerful song, to which Red reacted with a “wow.”

“This is amazing,” the redhead gaped.

It was mediocre at best.

“Only the best for you.” Max flattered.

They walked their way to where the two would have their dinner, with the bluenette following behind.

Red was sure this date would be boring—but luckily, she has Chloe there to make it a little less depressing.

—

The castle was as bright as always, its glass accent reflecting rainbows cast upon the hallways of Cinderella’s castle.

Queen Ella sat in the throne room, her head buried in an uncanny amount of paperwork.

That was when the doors swung open, a knight entering with a woman in Red following behind.

“Your majesty, The queen of hearts is here for a visit,” the knight announced, nodding his head and turning away as to give the two ladies privacy.

“Bridget, what a nice surprise,” Ella smiled.

The redhead chuckled in return. “Yes, well, I’ve come to discuss matters between our kids.”

Ella raises her eyebrow in interest. “Perhaps this would be better discussed over tea,” she offered.

Ella often hosted playdates for their daughters when they were young, the two queens discussing life over a cup of tea.

Their garden was beautiful, trees and bushes filled with fruits—some missing after Chloe’s little heist, flowers surrounding bird baths and other structures scattered around the garden.

The two were now sitting under the shelter of a pergola, their teas sitting on small plates with carefully engraved patterns.

“So, what about our daughters?” Ella asks.

Bridget takes a sip before speaking, as if to prepare herself for what she’s about to say. “Our girls are in love with each other.”

“Really now,” Ella chuckled, sarcasm lacing her voice.

The Wonderlandian glared at the bluenette.

“We already knew that, is that what you wanted to discuss?” 

“We know, but they don’t.” Bridget urged.

‘They’ll figure it out themselves,” Ella shrugged

The redhead scoffed. She knew the two all too well, and she knows that neither of them would be brave enough to actually confess.

“Red would die before she actually tells Chloe how she feels, and your clover would rather get stabbed by a hundred swords than confess,” the queen countered. 

Ella laughs at their children's stubbornness. “Point taken. What do you suggest we do?”

“That’s why I came here. I have a plan—well, half of it, at least,” Bridget whispered.

They spent the rest of their evening organizing a perfect plan that would leave neither Red or Chloe yearning for the rest of their lives.

—

She was right. Her date with Max is boring, all they talk about are dumb, boring, kingdom issues.

Lucky for Red, he had finally grown tired of talking about politics and actually started asking questions about her.

“Any friends growing up?” Max asked.

“A few. I was rarely ever allowed to go out and make friends,” her mind immediately drifted to her knight. “Chloe, though. She was—she was one of the few that stuck around.”

 

“What about you?”

“Ah, lots. Now I feel guilty for asking,” Max remorsed, sheepishly smiling at Red.

The redhead chuckled. “Don’t be. I may not have as many friends, but they were all I needed.”

They ate together in (un)comfortable silence, discussing their childhood and dreams, a topic Red had gotten used to talking about.

Then– “What are your plans for when you become queen?”

Great, more kingdom talk.

The question had the princess pondering—what will she do when she becomes queen? She hadn’t thought that far ahead of her future—the only thing she was sure of her future was that she wanted Chloe in it.

“I don’t know, actually,” she starts. “Probably continue where my mom left off—I haven’t exactly figured it all out.”

“Wouldn’t you wanna make a name for yourself? Queen Red of Wonderland sounds way better in comparison to the daughter of the former queen, doesn’t it?.”

“It does,” the redhead laughed.

Max chuckled, his eyes closing with the way he smiles. “Well, whatever the future may bring, I’m sure I’ll be there to help you figure it all out.”

“We aren’t exactly married yet.”

“Yet, you’re saying I have a chance?” Max tilts his head.

Red raised an eyebrow. “I’m not saying anything.”

“Whatever you say.”

All the while, Chloe stood at the corner—watching, guarding. She always does.

The sun hovered just above the horizon,  painting the sky with strokes of a vibrant orange, the slightest hint of pink seeping through the sky.

The queen had given her a simple mission—to get the princess home before dark. The bluenette walked over to the pairs table, her posture high and stiff. 

The bluenette coughs, interrupting a small conversation they were in. “Princess, it’s getting dark. The queen instructed that you be home before dark.”

Red let out a sigh of relief, Max let out an understanding smile. “I’ll see you soon.”

Both stood up to shake the other’s hand, both saying their goodbyes as Max escorted the redhead to the palace’s gates.

“I had fun today,” Max smiled.

‘ I didn’t ,’ Red wanted to say.

“So did I.”

One second they were walking toward the gates, then the next—Max was leaning in.

Red didn’t move, she stilled. He was close, too close for comfort.

Max was about to kiss her, Red didn’t want that. 

Then, she heard a cough, Max immediately pulled away. “Princess,” Chloe coughed.

The redhead let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding once she heard her voice, her feet quickly moving towards Chloe. 

“You saved me there,” the princess whispered.

She really did, Red didn’t know what she would have done if she actually let the prince kiss her. 

The carriage trudged through foreign terrain as the princess succumbed to sleep, exhaustion taking over her mind.

—

The moon hung high on the sky by the time that Ella and Bridget finished their plan.

“Will this work?” Ella asks.

“I’m sure it will. Our children are miserable , Ella.”

Their plan was well thought, carefully structured. Everything had been covered, they knew what to do, where to do it, and how they would do it.

The bluenette sighed. “If you’re so sure, then.”

They could only hope that the plan would work, that it would bring the girls together and end their misery of thinking their love was unrequited.

 

 

Notes:

thoughts ?? It'll slowly start to get a bit angstier from here :))

also the amount of kudos and hits?!?!?! thank u????

Chapter 10

Notes:

a short chapter, but an important one !!

The bluenette woke early in the morning to visit cinderellasburg for reasons regarding her job–as Lionel, the chivalry captain in Cinderellasburg had mentioned over a letter.

She had asked the queen for a day off in order to meet Lionel, in hopes that he would bring some good news.

She left a letter for Red this time, sending a fellow guard to look after the princess during her date.

Her trip back home was quick—all thanks to wonderland magic.

She didn’t inform her family of her visit, as her main purpose was to talk to the knight commander.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, yes. Take a seat,” Lionel offered. 

The man looked tired, as if years of work had weighed him down like boulders. He was old, white strands of  hair peeking through, his bear overgrown.

His office was dark, weapons scattered on the wall and on the floor, the room dimly lit only by small torches mounted on the wall.

“As you know, I’m getting old,” He scruffed. “Retirement is coming for me soon, and I need a replacement.”

The room was dark, quiet, tension-filled.

He took his job seriously, being a captain was his life purpose.

“You want me to help you find a replacement?” Chloe, ever so oblivious, asked.

Lionel was Chloe’s mentor—even as a child, he was the one to teach her everything she knew, aside from her father.

He taught her techniques, forms, styles, he was one of the few that made her who she is now—he helped her become the knight she dreamed to be.

The man laughed at his successor’s obliviousness. “No, I want you to be my replacement. I want you to be the next chivalry captain, to be the Knight commander of cinderellasburg.”

oh.

Chloe didn’t expect this, She had guessed it would be something about her gear, or her training—but no, he wanted her to be the captain of knights.

“You’ve done good. Don’t think I didn’t keep tabs on you during your little knight job over at wonderland.”

She was found dumbfounded at what her mentor just offered her. “But— what about Wonderland?”

What about Red?

“You’d leave and go back home, Chloe. Is that not what you want?”

Red was home, she was Chloe’s shelter.

“I mean—I don’t know,” She faltered, the weight of new responsibilities settling in on her.

“I’ll give you time to think about it, you know where to find me,” Lionel nodded, shooing the bluenette away.

She walked out of his office, the doors closed behind 

She was stumped, she didn’t know what to do—she had to choose between duty and love, between her dreams and Red.

But did any of it really matter if her dreams were Red? Being a chivalry captain meant nothing without having to protect Red—to serve Red.

She couldn't decide, not now.

So, she went to her mother for advice.

Ella smiled as she saw the familiar face of her daughter walk through her bedroom doors. “Chloe, dear, what a nice surprise.”

“Mom, I need your advice.”

“Go ahead,” the queen urged.

“Lionel offered me the position of knight commander,” She said quietly, as if something she couldn’t accept

Chloe took a deep breath, fiddling with her fingers. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t leave Red—especially not now.”

“Then don’t,” Her mother said, as if it could ever be that simple, as if Chloe’s world didn’t matter with one decision.

Chloe sighed. “It’s not that—”

“Simple? It is, actually,” Ella interrupted.

The air around them was heavy, it was dense, hard to breathe in.

“You love Red, so don’t take the job. Stay.”

Chloe felt a familiar pang in her heart as she heard the word love.

“But she doesn’t. Taking the job would mean I could move on, I could stop loving Red—I wouldn’t put our friendship at risk,” She reasoned, her voice filled with so much restraint and oppression, fully believing that Red loving her back was impossible.

Her mother’s eyes softened. “Do you really think that?”

“No, but I have to. It’s the truth.”

“How do you know it’s the truth? Did she tell you?”

Chloe took a deep breath, her mother’s words stung like pouring alcohol on a wound—It means only the best and yet, it stings.

Ella held her daughter’s hands, an attempt at comforting the youngest—it works, just in the slightest bit.

“You listen to what your heart tells you, Chloe.”

Her heart tells her that it’d be best to leave, to rid of her feelings by taking this job.

Chloe stood, teary eyed and a bit more heartbroken than she was when she entered.

“Thanks mom. I uhm—I gotta go now. I love you,” She smiled.

She hugged her daughter goodbye. “I love you, too, take care.”

She left cinderellasburg with an empty hole in her chest—now burdened with having to make a decision that could change her life.

—

Chloe spent her entire day overcomplicating a—what she was told—‘much simpler decision’, to quote her mother.

She had a list of pros and cons on the ready, her room overflowing with crumpled paper scattered across the floor.

To her mom, this was an easy decision—go with your heart.

To her, it was the hardest decision she has ever had to make in her entire life. 

If she stayed, her feelings for Red would remain—get stronger even, and eventually, she would let her emotions affect her judgement.

If she left, she would leave Red—she couldn’t, she could never.

Chloe sighed. Maybe it was time to get a second opinion

—

She finds a familiar face standing by at the castle's entrance—Hazel.

“Aren’t you supposed to be taking a day off?” Hazel piqued, preoccupied with a task at hand.

“I am.”

“So,” The brunette said. “Why are you here?”

Chloe takes a deep breath, preparing herself for what she’s about to say.

“I got offered a job-knight commander of cinderellasburg.”

Hazel gapes. “Are you gonna take it?”

the bluenette struggles to give an answer. “That’s the thing—I don’t know.”

The brunette raised her eyebrow, urging Chloe to continue talking.

“I don’t want to leave Red, but I think—I think I have to.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Well, no, but—“

“There's your answer,” Hazel starts. “Do what you want, not what you think others want.”

She wants nothing more than to be with Red—but does Red want that?

But she also wanted Red to be happy—even if that meant she was happy without her.

“…Okay. Thanks, Hazel.”

Chloe walks away with a familiar pang in her heart , her mind spinning back and forth between two choices.

 

 

Chapter 11

Summary:

Bridget and Ella execute their plan.

Notes:

Ohhhh buckle up for this one :D

The plan was simple.

They would turn the rabbit hole into the tunnel of love, and make Red and Chloe walk through.

The two queens had planned to meet early in the morning just outside the rabbit hole, their hands full with boxes of decorations used during day of hearts.

“Will this really work?” Bridget asks, putting up signs that read ‘Chloe, be my girlfriend! ’ and ‘Red, be my girlfriend!’

The rabbit hole was quiet, a long tunnel stretching over a small distance decorated in colorful and exotic plants.

“I’m sure it will,” Ella confidently muttered, struggling with the amount of decorations they needed to hang up.

It was dark out—the moon had only begun to set as they prepared the decorations, fully knowing that it would be a restless dawn for them.

The pair decorated the rabbit hole in peaceful harmony, each sign and banner carefully placed where they were with one purpose: to bring Red and Chloe together.

They stayed inside the rabbit hole till sunrise, working together in peace to make the rabbit hole look like cupid puked in it, their silence only being broken by polite instructions like ‘ could you pass me that ,’ or ‘ hang it there .’

“It looks…” Bridget starts, unable to find the words to describe the place.

“ Perfect ! Oh , our girls are gonna love this!” Ella screams, her voice a mixture of joy and excitement, eyes shining with hope.

“Let’s hope it works. I can not stand the silent yearning that goes on in my castle,” the redhead complained.

Anytime Bridget was around Red and Chloe, she’d notice they make heart eyes at each other, yet they still believe the other doesn’t like them back.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Bridget yawned, already walking back to enter the rabbit hole. “I have sleep to catch up on.”

The plan would commence in a few hours, and both women needed sleep to prepare for god knows what they’ll see.

—

A loud and obnoxious voice woke Chloe up as the sun peeks through her room's windows.

“Wake up already! Mom says she needs you up before 6, something about having a surprise for you, or whatever,” Chad screams, swinging the door wide open.

After the recent news of a possible job promotion, Chloe spent the rest of her day off back home, her mother insisting that she take this day as an opportunity to spend time with her family.

She groans in bed, pulling the covers over her face.

“Wake up already, you weirdo !” 

“ Gods , I'm up, I'm up !” the bluenette screamed back, her voice loud as she removed the covers, light seeping into her eyes.

“Why do I never have any surprises,” The eldest muttered, closing the door shut as he left the room.

She walks to her window to take in the golden rays of sunshine, her eyes closing as the faint chirping of birds fills her ears.

It was peaceful outside, morning haze dispersed low on the ground, dewdrops hanging off leaves as birds flew off from tree trunks.

Her peace is disturbed when she hears the annoying voice of her brother. “Chloe, get down here already!”

“I'm coming !” she screamed back.

She walks down the stairs only to get ambushed by her mother. “Put this on,” she commanded, handing a blindfold to her daughter.

“Why?” Chloe asks, suspicion lacing her voice.

“Just wear it.”

“I can’t even get ready?” She asks, bedheaded with morning breath, only wearing a matching set of blue silk pajamas.

“No, wear this and follow me,” Ella hurried. 

Truth be told, she should have told her daughter to change into something more formal, but she was too occupied on making sure her and Bridget’s plan works.

Chad greets his sister and mother by the door. “What in fairy god mother are you wearing?”

“Shut up, Chad!” Both girls screamed, Chloe’s voice much louder than her moms.

Ella lightly nudged her daughter, leading her out the door by her hand.

“Where are we going?” 

“That’s a secret,” Ella answered, carefully leading the bluenette to the carriage.

Chloe spent the entire ride to god knows where in complete darkness. “You couldn’t have put the blindfold on when we arrived?”

“No. You’ll see, we’re almost there.”

The bluenette thought of every ‘surprise’ her mother could have done, but still came up empty, and decided to enjoy the short ride instead, the sounds of wheel and hooves trudging through rocky terrain.

—

The queen stood behind the window frame, carefully examining the girl sitting on the rooftop in front of her.

“I should put up bars specific to this window,” Bridget declared, frightening her daughter.

The redhead immediately tensed, her head immediately snapping to look at the source of the voice, relaxing once she realizes it's her mother.

Red was stationed up at her usual spot, the rooftops, early in the morning. “Hi, mom.”

The queen climbed out the window, joining her daughter on the rooftop. 

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Fine,” The princess hummed.

Wonderland felt alive, as if everything in it had a heartbeat—quietly humming and pulsing with energy.

Bridget nudged her daughter. “I have something to make you feel better.”

The princess raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“It’s a secret—put this on,” the queen said, pulling out a blindfold and handing it over to the Redhead.

“You want me to put a blindfold on while we’re on the rooftop?”

“Obviously not. Put it on once we get down.”

“Where are we going?” Red blindly asks, her eyes covered by the blindfold.

“You’ll see,” Bridget replied, excitement lacing her voice.

It’s not long before the carriage fully stops moving. “We’re here.”

She’s softly pushed out the carriage by her mother, her feet lightly stumbling on foreign terrain.

—

“Are we here?” Chloe asks, her leg bouncing in anticipation.

“Yes, don’t take the blindfold off just yet.”

Ella leads her daughter inside the rabbit hole, taking her blindfold off and immediately running off.

“What is this—mom, where are you going!”

She looked around what seems to be the rabbit hole to see a plethora of decorations hung up, when she accidentally bumps into someone else.

“Oof—sorry, I— Red? What are you doing here?” Chloe asks.

Before Red could answer, the rabbit hole immediately lit up to reveal bright pink lights with signs that read ‘ Chloe, be my girlfriend !’ and ‘ Red, be my girlfriend !’

Safe to say, both girls were aghast—they couldn’t believe what was happening.

“Oh…my–” Chloe gaped, her eyes scanning the tunnel filled with decorations.

“God,” Red finished.

They started walking through, and a sign that read ‘ you make my heart flutter! ’ popped out in front of them.

The bluenette stood there—mouth wide open as Red used wonderland magic to destroy the sign.

“Chloe, I’m sorry—I don’t know what all this is,” Red apologized.

“No, yeah—I understand,” The bluenette replied, watching as Red continued to destroy other signs that popped out of nowhere.

Signs continued to pop out of nowhere, and Red continued to break said signs.

They continued walking through, destroying signs that had romantic phrases written down.

All the while, Chloe silently hoped that this was Red’s plan, that she was actually doing something—that she likes her back.

They kept walking through, the redhead running around the rabbit hole to try and destroy every piece of decoration hung up.

Then—a band of rabbits playing instruments popped up playing a romantic song. 

Red kicked the group of rabbits only for the band to turn into dust.

The redhead continued running around the tunnel, hands now enveloped in wonderlandian magic and cards flying around, cutting through signs and banners.

They reached the end of the rabbit hole, with Red wounding up exhausted and panting.

“Clocks, Chloe, I’m so sorry—this was all mom’s stupid plan, I swear  I didn’t do this.”

The rabbit hole was quiet, too quiet.

Right.

“Yeah—us, dating, that’s stupid,” Chloe replied, teary-eyed and voice laced with sadness.

“How stupid of me to actually think—”

Red cut her off with a kiss. It was soft, quick.

The redhead had pulled away by the time Chloe could process what happened.

Chloe stared in shock. “Red…”

The Wonderlanian ran away before Chloe could say anything, her figure getting smaller as she entered Wonderland.

Ella and Bridget came right after. 

“Did it work? Are you guys girlfriends now?” Ella excitedly asked.

Did what work?

The blunette stared at the ground, eyebrows furrowed and eyes wide open—the fact that she looked like she just woke up didn’t help, too.

“You planned this?” she asked, her voice laced with venom.

“Chloe,” Bridget started.

The bluenette ran past them before the two queens could say anything, tears already coming out of her eyes.

Chloe ran—she didn’t know where, she couldn’t go back home, she couldn’t go to Red, she just ran.

—

When Red arrived at Wonderland, she went to the only other person she trusted.

She burst open the door to maddox’s workshop.

“I kissed Chloe,” the redhead declared, still struggling on whether it’s good or bad.

“Come in any later, this device would have exploded on my face,” He muttered, his mind immensely focused on a device at hand, tools scattered all over his table.

He takes one glance at the princess—nervously waiting by the door—and sighs, putting down the device.

“Okay, come in,” Maddox urged.

His workshop was messy. The soft hum of machines filling the room, messy inventions laid out on the floor—even black spots on the wall from explosions.

Red practically ran to a chair beside him, falling onto the cushions, wishing that it would just swallow her whole.

“So, you kissed her?”

“Yeah,” the redhead muttered, her head buried in her hands.

“I fail to see the problem,” Maddox stated, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

“I don’t think she wanted me to kiss her—the look on her face after I did… I messed up.”

“If that’s what you think. Now if you’ll excuse me…” Maddox concluded, already returning to his gadgets.

“Wait— what do I say?”

“For god's sake, Red—say it was a lapse in judgement, or something,” He counseled. 

Then, he muttered under his breath. “She probably wanted that kiss as much as you did, but I’m tired of trying to convince you.”

All Maddox wanted was to invent devices—not to get caught up in the princess and the knight’s love life.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. Bye now, princess,” Maddox smiled, before pushing a button that brought the princess back to her room—one of his most prized gadgets.

Red knew what to do now, Chloe did not want that kiss, and the princess could only hope that her best friend would understand. 

—

Chloe burst Hazel’s door open. “Red and I kissed.”

She had decided on sneaking back into wonderland to talk to the only person she could—Hazel.

“ ‘Hi, Hazel, how are you? ’ oh gee thanks Chloe I’m doing alright, what about you?” the brunette groggily mocked, having just woken up.

“No, she kissed me—does this mean what I think it means?” The bluenette continued rattling on.

“Not even a good morning?” Hazel complained, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light.

“Fine. Good morning, Hazel, I need your help!” an already panicking Chloe screams.

“Fine, sit.”

The bluenette walked over to her friend’s bed, sitting on the mattress, internally panicking.

“So, she kissed you,” the brunette restated.

“She did,” the bluenette affirmed.

“Did you kiss back?”

“Well, duh,” Chloe returned.

“Then what’s the issue? you woke me up for this?!” Hazel screamed, punching Chloe’s shoulder at the same time.

“I don’t know what to say! I need your help.”

“Just tell her you want to talk about it and speak from your heart,” the brunette shrugged. “Chloe, my shift doesn’t start in two hours, so I’d appreciate it if you’d be a good friend and leave me alone until then.”

Speak from her heart—Chloe can do that, surely.

“Okay. Thanks, Hazel.”

She made her way to the only place she knew Red would be—the rooftops, their spot, their hideaway.

She walked as slow as she could, making sure that she had enough time to prepare a speech.

Red kissed her.

Red kissed her.

Red kissed her.

The bluenette couldn’t help but break out in a smile, just the thought of being Red’s girlfriend could bring her happiness for years.

She arrived just in time to see the redhead leaving. “Hey.”

“Can we talk?” Chloe asks, fidgeting with her hands.

“I was just about to get you, actually.”

“So, about the kiss,” the bluenette smiled, excitement lacing her voice. Just the thought of dating Red brings her so much excitement.

“Yeah—uhm, I’m sorry.”

Her smile dropped.

“It was an error in judgement, I kinda.. misread the situation. I didn’t mean to kiss you—just got caught up in the situation, I guess.”

oh.

oh.

Right. 

How foolish of Chloe to think she actually wanted to kiss her, that she actually ever had a chance.

“Yeah, totally,” she replied, trying to mask her heartbreak in her voice.

There it was again, having her hopes raised high and for it to be nothing. 

The ache in her heart only grew louder by the second. Little did she know that the redhead was suffering as much as she is.

Red let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping. “I’m so glad you feel the same way. I’m sorry again, truly. That kiss meant nothing.”

That kiss meant nothing. It hurt even more to hear it from Red herself, as if rubbing salt on the wound.

“Back to friends, then? not like we ever stopped, but you know,” Red asks.

“Yeah, back to friends,” the bluenette echoed, heartbreak evident in her tone.

“Uhm, I have a date with Max in a few, so. I’ll see you later, bluey.”

The princess hugged Chloe before she left, her arms wrapping around her neck, and for a second– just a second, Red felt her touch linger, as if deciding whether to let go or stay.

Red walked past Chloe in a blur, and the bluenette noticed just the slightest hint of tears in the princess’s eyes.

The knight sat alone at the rooftops, silently observing wonderland as she recollected everything that happened.

They kissed. 

It was quick, but a kiss nonetheless. 

Kissing Red felt heavenly—higher than ecstasy, it was something a drug could ever recreate, something Chloe would grow to love—to crave .

Chloe stayed up on the roofs as long as she could, eyes closed as she enjoyed the way the wind blew against her face, the sound of trees rustling filling her ears as she succumbed to sleep.

Her nap doesn’t last long, though, as she’s reminded that she still has a job—a job as Red’s knight.

Not for long, Chloe thinks. She’s made her choice—she’s taking the job, she’s going back home.

She hadn’t forgotten about the job promotion—it never left her mind, despite the chaos that erupted this morning.

As always, the bluenette followed Red and Max to where they’d have their date—it felt weirder this time, to watch Red on a date with another man, as if they didn’t just kiss and had declared it to mean nothing.

Chloe was distracted the entire date.

She’s always distracted every date, but not for this particular reason.

Instead of focusing on guarding the princess, she instead spent her time wondering why her— their mothers would do that.

Was she that miserable that queens from two different kingdoms had to step in and do something?

The date went by in a flash, and before they knew it—both girls were now returning home, awkwardness still lingering in the air.

The princess had pretended to be half asleep upon arrival back home, just so she could avoid any conversation with her knight.

—

Ella and Bridget stood in the middle of the rabbit hole, looking at the mess Red made—pieces of wood everywhere, torn up banners scattered all over the ground.

“So, we messed up,” Ella stated, her eyebrows furrowing in distress,

“You never know. Maybe they’ll get together after this, trauma bonding, and all,” the redhead replied.

The two fell silent, quietly observing the situation and what they were going to do—as queens and as mothers.

“And you were so sure it would work,” Bridget muttered under her breath, causing the bluenette to glare at her.

“That was when I thought our daughters weren’t stupid,” Ella stressed, hands rubbing her temple.

“Just pure dizzy dinglehoppers,” Bridget cursed.

The bluenette looked at her friend with a confused face. “Dizzy-dingle-what?”

“Dumbasses.”

Bridget would always speak in Riddlish when she’d stress—even when they were young. Ella never learned, despite the smart student that she was, riddlish had gotten too complicated for her to learn.

“That, they are,” Ella replied. “We’re gonna have to make it up to them.”

“We’ll make it up to them as soon as we finish cleaning this place up—I will not have ambassadors coming in and thinking Wonderland is… dirty.”

The two spent a tiresome afternoon cleaning and getting rid of any evidence that the rabbit hole was ever turned into a tunnel of love.

“Rabbits, our daughters are heart sick.”

“They really are.”

The pair set off to Cinderellasburg, two cups of tea waiting for them at the gardens.

—

Red sat alone in her room, a canvas in front of her and her window open.

She remembered the events of today, she remembered kissing Chloe.

She remembered the amount of regret she felt.

It felt good—amazing, even

What didn’t feel good was having to tear up the decorations hung up inside the rabbit hole.

‘Tunnel of love’ seriously? 

She knew the bluenette wouldn’t feel the same way—she had to prove it wasn’t her idea, and she did.

She tore everything down to the best of her ability, using Wonderland magic to make cards fly and as sharp as a blade.

She loved surprises, but if this was her mother’s way of surprising her, then she’d rather munch on eat me cookies than go for another one of her mom’s surprises again.

The princess could only hope that Chloe would understand—that nothing would change between them.

She started painting, each stroke with its own purpose, colors perfectly capturing the outside world.

With each stroke, each dip on the paint, each flick of her wrist, Red thought.

She thought about her future as the queen in wonderland, about her future king.

Red had two choices, but the person she wanted to rule with wasn’t even in it.

With every hour that went by, she kept painting, and painting, and painting. Until finally, she placed a finishing stroke.

The painting revealed the night sky, constellations perfectly lined up, and in the middle—a bluenette, with shiny knight armor.

It was Chloe—it was always her.

Red took the painting before it could even dry and hid it in a secret compartment behind her desk, placing it alongside the other paintings that had Chloe in it.

There were tens and hundreds of paintings, dating from when they were still children. Red never showed Chloe, and she never will.

Red looked out her window to realize something. She knew what she had to do, she finally— finally, will choose someone.

For the sake of Wonderland, she thought.

She’s sacrificing her own happiness for the joy of her people—it’s what her mom would do. It’s what’s best for Wonderland .

Until then, Red had to rest—the following weeks, months will be hell, she knows it.

 

Notes:

So.. thoughts??

Chapter 12

Notes:

This chapter sucks butt I just needed to get this out cuz the next chapter will get VERY interesting ;D

A knock came at Red’s door early in the morning. 

“Red, your mom needs you at the throne room,” Chloe’s voice seeped in through the cracks.

“Tell her I’ll be there in a while.”

Her knight peeked the door open. “Her majesty insists, princess.”

Ever since the kiss, they never fully went back to being friends—the awkwardness never went away, it just got quieter, softer. 

Chloe spent most of her time away from Red, she was only ever around when her shift starts—the moment it ends, she leaves.

She was pulling away. Slowly. Red could feel it, she could feel how they spend less and less time together. She noticed how her knight just guarded her,  no cheesy jokes, no fun facts, nothing.

“Okay,” She replied, sliding off her bed and exiting her room. 

“So,” Chloe starts, leading the princess to the throne room–a path they've found themselves walking for the past few weeks. “How was the last date?”

“Boring as usual,” the princess replied. “Which you’d know if you were there.”

“I had to do something, you know that,” Chloe said.

“Yeah,” Red scoffed. “Something with Hazel ,” she spat, the name bitter on her tongue.

Chloe stopped in her tracks. “Yeah, because she’s my co-worker , Red.”

The princess only scoffed and muttered something under her breath. “Yeah, and I’m your princess, or so you say.”

It was low, but not low enough for no one to hear.

She walked faster, Chloe followed.

“What was that?” she asked.

“It’s nothing.”

The pair arrived outside the throne room, tall dark doors standing over them.

The princess entered, but before the bluenette could follow, a pair of strong hands stopped her. “The queen says you’re dismissed. She says you have a visitor in your room.”

Chloe hesitated at first, lip biting and brows furrowing. 

Then, slowly, she turned.

She walked her way to the knight’s chambers, each step a reminder of what happened not just a few days ago.

Chloe arrived outside her room, her hands gripping the door knob, anxious of what she might see.

Then, she swung the door open, only to find her mother looking around. 

“Mom,” she breathed. “What are you doing here?”

—

The princess entered the throne room, her movements graceful. “Yes, mother?” 

“Good, you’re here,” The queen declared, striding towards her daughter. “I wanted to talk to you about—”

“If you’re talking about choosing someone, I already chose,” Red deadpanned, her arms crossed.

Bridget stopped right in front of the princess, taking her daughter’s hand into her own.

“No, actually. I wanted to apologize,” Bridget admitted.

“I’m sorry,” she consoled. “For interfering, We shouldn't have forced you and Chloe together.”

“I’m sure you know how to make your own choices, you are turning queen after all.”

Red wasn’t so sure she could make her own choices—they kissed, but she was too much of a coward to try , she threw away at a chance of true happiness with Chloe .

She shut it down, she pretended as if it never even happened—all without asking Chloe how she felt.

Bridget brings her hands to cup her daughter’s cheeks. “I’m sorry— truly .”

“It’s okay, it’s nothing, really,” Red smiled.

“You do like Chloe, yes?” 

“..Yes,” Red admitted.

“Then, why aren’t you doing anything?” She asked.

The redhead scoffed. “She clearly doesn’t see me that way.”

‘Just dumb ,’ Bridget thought, her daughter is dumb, the dumbest—blind, too. 

It’s weird how Red never saw the way Chloe looks at her like she hung the stars, the way the bluenette speaks of Red as if she was the greatest woman alive.

“Okay, whatever you say.”

“Are we done here?” Red asks.

“No, actually. You told me you already chose. Who?” 

“Ah, Ace,” the princess smiled, as if happy with her choice.

The queen returned the smile. “I’m glad. We’ll host a ball tomorrow to announce your choice.”

Bridget hesitated, she wanted to say something.

“But, Red—don’t give up on Chloe yet, take a chance, confess. Don’t throw your life away because of a simple what if.” She reminded.

Red nodded softly “Maybe I will.”

“Okay, dismissed.”

—

“Why are you here?” Chloe asks, her eyes following her mother’s movements.

Ella approached, pulling her daughter in for a hug.

“I came to apologize.”

“We shouldn’t have executed that little plan of ours. Pushing you and Red—I shouldn't have done that, what we did was dumb,” Ella breathed. “So, I’m sorry.” 

Chloe hugged her mom again—tighter this time. “I know, I love you.”

“I love you too,” The oldest planted a kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “But you know I only want the best for you, right? Your happiness matters the most to me, even if that means having to pull off a hundred tunnels of love.”

The knight sighed. “Yeah, I know.”

The pair moved to sit on the bed. 

“So, what happened at the tunnel?” Ella nudged.

Chloe hesitated, her eyebrows furrowing as she remembered the words Red told her. “She kissed me.”

“But she said it was a lapse in judgement—she didn’t mean to.”

Ella raised her eyebrow. “And you believed her?”

“I can’t question the princess.”

“Hm. I can't with you two oblivious girls.” Ella complained, standing up as she dusted herself off. “Now, I’m sure you have other knightly duties to tend to, so I’ll see myself out.”

She walked out with a hug from her daughter, the queen still in disbelief at what she heard.

—

Chloe stood at the corner of the gardens as Red painted, bathed in sunlight as the sun casts a warm glow on her skin.

The bluenette kept a watchful eye on Red, her eyes never leaving the princess.

Then, like magic, the queen appeared beside her. “You’re running out of time.”

Chloe flinched, the queen’s sudden appearance sending shockwaves over her body. “What do you mean?”

“She’s chosen. A ball will be held tomorrow,” the queen declared. 

Red chose.

She finally chose.

Just like that, the ache in Chloe’s heart came back—only stronger this time, sadder, more tragic.

“Oh,” the bluenette breathed.

“Are you gonna do anything?”

“No,” she admitted, her voice slightly cracking.

“And why not?” The queen tilted her head.

Chloe stood tall, her back straight and hands behind her back as she carefully watched the princess. “It won’t change a thing. Doing something won’t make her like me back.”

Bridget raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure of that?”

“Positive, your majesty.”
The queen hummed, gracefully walking away to tend to her duties—disappearing just as quickly as she appeared.

Meanwhile, Chloe’s thoughts lingered on being knight commander back at cinderellasburg. 

She would be back with her family, she would be a captain— those were two of three things she has ever wanted in her entire life, except being a knight commander meant leaving Red—something she never imagined doing.

She didn’t know what to do—spending all her free time thinking about the offer, about going home .

But home was Red.

Red was the person Chloe wanted to come home to after a tiring day. Chloe wanted to help the princess rule—she wanted to show her what love meant in more ways than one, even if it meant loving her from afar.

 

Chapter 13

Notes:

plz don't get at mad at me OR chloe OR red after this chapter !! anywho enjoyy

The ballroom felt alive, families and representatives from other kingdoms celebrating something that Red had been dreading her entire life.

Today was the day they would announce who Red’s suitor was going to be, a day Chloe and Red never wanted to happen, a day they wish they would forget altogether.

The ball was grand, it was unbelievable how many people had come for such a small announcement.

Everyone was happy, champagne in hand as princes and princesses took this opportunity to get acquainted.

Red stood alongside her mother on the stage, her speech written down on a paper at hand.

At the coner stood Chloe, scanning the crowd for any danger, her eyes a mixture of duty and despair, silently wishing she could just skip today and forget all this ever happened.

Then, beside Red was Ace, the person Red had chosen.

He had his arms around her and a smug smile on his face, just like any prince who got what he wanted would have smiled.

Red did nothing but smile as if she was enjoying everything.

But Chloe noticed—she always did.

She noticed the way Red’s face faltered when she felt Ace’s touch, the way her eyes looked everywhere but at her knight.

Eventually, the queen stood up, catching everyone's attention. 

“I want to thank you all for coming today,” she announced. 

“For the past 5 months, I have been hosting balls to find my daughter her future king.”

“That all ends today. Everybody, welcome Prince Ace of Spades and Princess Red Hearts!”

Everyone applauded, the sound of clapping filling the ballroom.

Beside all the cheering, Chloe’s only focus was on Red. Red, now in front of the stage with her future king, slightly trembling as she announced her speech.

Chloe didn’t listen, she only watched. 

She watched Red, really watched. Every shift in posture, every deep breath, every tremor, she watched.

She didn’t even realize that her speech was over until she heard the loud uproar of the crowd.

Then, she saw it.

Ace pulling Red in for a kiss—a short, but quick one.

Red didn’t move, she didn’t pull away—she just… let him.

That was when Chloe broke—that was when she knew it.

All the time she spent deciding whether she would take the job or not, all for her to make up her mind because of one gesture—one kiss .

Chloe did all but walk to her room, tears spilling out as the walls feel like they’re gonna come crashing down on her.

She slammed the door pen, her emotions riding high and eyes blurry.

Seeing them kiss was the only answer Chloe needed, it was all the proof Chloe needed to know that she wouldn’t have her happy ending—not with Red.

The bluenette started packing her bags, emptying out her room to the best of her ability, her vision blurry and mind all over the place.

—

The moment Ace leaned in, the princess froze. Red wanted to push him away, to tell him to back off, but she couldn’t.

She stood there frozen as Ace planted a kiss on her lips.

There was so much joy amongst the crowd, yet Red only felt despair in this very moment.

She put on a fake smile for the crowd, before excusing herself to find a certain bluenette.

The redhead looked everywhere—even asked the staff, her mother, Chloe’s mother, but still, she was nowhere to be found.

So, she checked one last room.

The door to Chloe’s chambers were wide open, revealing the bluenette stuffing clothes into a bag, moonlight shining against her blue curls, her skin glowing.

“Hey.”

Chloe tensed, her posture straightening and her movements freezing. She turned around, her eyes red and full of guilt, like a deer caught in headlights.

“Red,” she breathed. “What are you doing here?” 

The bluenette left the room, closing the door shut as she carried her bags out.

“I was looking for you,” Red smiled, completely oblivious to what was happening. “You just disappeared without a trace.”

“And what’s with the bags? Don’t tell me you’re leaving, or something,” she joked.

Chloe looked at Red, her eyes filled with guilt.

Red’s smile immediately dropped.

“You’re leaving?”

A wave of betrayal crashed over Red— how could she do this, Red thought.

“I go offered knight commander back home. I leave tonight, thought it was better that you didn’t know,” Chloe deadpanned, tears slowly coming out of her eyes once more.

The redhead broke, her breathing heavy and tears spilling.

This wasn’t a dream, it was real—it was happening.

“Why would— I mean, you were just going to leave?” Red breathed. “You weren’t even going to tell me—not even a note, a– a letter?” 

The bluenette looked everywhere but at the princess, her eyes shaking.

“Clocks, Chloe you can’t even look at me.”

“I can’t,” Chloe shut her eyes. “do this anymore, Red,” She said quietly. 

“I can’t pretend I’m not in love with you”

oh.

oh.

Chloe loved her.

“Everyday, I hav to sit through endless pain of watching you with other men, knowing that it could never be me— knowing that I would never be able to show you how much I love you.”

Red wanted to say ‘ I love you’, She wanted to tell Chloe that she loved her back—but she couldn’t. Nothing came out of her throat, not a single word.

“Then, the offer came. It was a scapegoat—a way to protect my feelings as well as you,” Chloe’s voice gave out.

“I couldn’t stand by and watch you fall for someone that isn’t me. I just— can’t . I won’t.”

Red stood in front of Chloe, eyes wide open, tears falling and mouth stammering.

“Chloe I–”

Chloe walked past her before she could say a word. She didn’t say anything else, she just…walked away.

She walked away as if it wasn’t the hardest thing she had to do, as if leaving Red was easy.

Then, silence.

Red just stood there. Heart pounding, the weight of unspoken words settling in.

She didn't run after her knight, she didn’t hold her back—she let her walk away.

She opened the door to Chloe’s room, hoping that she would see the bluenette standing there, even after she watched her walk away.

The door swung open, its squeaking breaking the unbearable silence.

Chloe’s room was empty, stripped of any trace that she ever lived there. 

There were no dummies she’d train with, no sword polisher scattered around the room, not even traces of Red herself were there.

But upon further inspection, she saw it.

Her painting of Chloe—during their date to Cinderellasburg. It sat on the bed, holding the weight of a thousand memories, framed in gold with the date engraved.

She held the painting close to her eyes, letting tears fall from her face.

All the while, everyone inside the ballroom were celebrating .

Red was alone, crying her heart out while everyone else was partying, completely oblivious to the fact that Red had just lost her one true love.

It wasn’t long until her mother found her. “Red, everyone’s looking for you.”

The princess looked up, tears still falling from her eyes. 

Bridget gasped. “Oh, my baby.”

Red felt as though her heart would beat out of her chest.

The queen approched, pulling her daughter in for a hug—tight, comforting.

“What happened?”

“She left,” Red whispered, her voice muffled against her mother’s clothing. “She wasn’t even going to tell me—I just… found out.”

Bridget plants a kiss on Red’s forehead, placing a comfort hand on her back. “Oh, honey , I’m sorry.”

She let Red cry her heart out, the motherly instinct within her rising.

They didn’t return to the ball, not yet—they just both sat there, Bridget’s warmth overing Red the motherly love she wasn’t able to provide these past few months.

After a while, Bridget speaks up. “We should return, I’m sure they’re looking for us right now.”

“Okay,” Red sniffed.

Ace was on Red the moment she appeared.

 “Hey, you disappeared,” Ace smiled.

Disappeared —just like Chloe did.

Red couldn’t think of an excuse, too heartbroken to even say a word.

“Mother daughter emergency,” The queen chimed in.

Ace gave both girls a nod of understanding. “Right. Well, may I have this dance?” 

The prince had his hand gestured toward Red, his eyes lit up in anticipation.

She had no choice but to take his hand.

They walked to the middle of the ballroom, the band now playing a slow song—perfect for a dance like this.

Red put out the fakest smile she could, her emotions being far from happy

Her long, wavy, crimson hair waved around as Ace took lead of the dance, his feet moving places, hands where Red doesn’t want them to be.

Red felt a rush of emotions—not because of the dance, not because of Ace, but because of Chloe .

She felt as if she wanted to collapse on the floor and scream her knight's name as if it would bring her back, as if it would change the fact that she left.

The only thing keeping her alive right now was imagining it was Chloe she’s dancing with, that it was her best friend whispering sweet nothings into her ear as they danced.

“I’m really glad you chose me,” Ace whispered.

“Me too,” Red hummed, though it was far from the truth.

She wouldchoose Chloe if given the option—she would choose her over and over again in a sea of willing princes and suitors, except she couldn’t. Chloe left before she ever could.

But Red wasn’t giving up so easily—she would do whatever it took to have Chloe again, to hear her, to feel her.

The night dragged on with Red’s mind someplace else, the world in front of her blurring into nothingness.

She immediately ran to her room once the ball concluded, hands fisting her dress so as to not trip.

That night, Red wrote the first of many letters she would send Chloe.

—

The second Chloe left, she didn’t look back. 

She loaded her bags onto the horse, hopped on, and rode back home—It was a surprise how she managed to ride her horse through all the tears in her eyes.

Chloe arrived home with a heavy heart and a bag full of memories with the one person she never thought she would leave.

Aside from its residents, Cinderellasburg was empty, to say the least. 

She didn’t tell anyone she was going to leave—it was a last minute decision, after all—so her family were still at Wonderland, enjoying the ball.

Everything within Chloe missed Red—she craved her touch, her voice.

But she couldn’t. She couldn’t go back, not after what she saw.

The bluenette made her way to her childhood bedroom, rejecting any offer to help coming from the knights, insisting that she could bring all her baggage by herself.

Chloe broke as son as the door clicked shut, her back against the door as she relived the way Red looked at her with so much betrayal in her eyes, the way she just stood there as Chloe left.

She wished Red would stop her—but she didn’t.

There was nothing Chloe could do to change anything, she couldn’t turn back now.

—

Morning came, Chloe arose with red, puffy eyes, the sun hitting her eyes as she woke up.

After what happened not just a few nights ago, her room became her sanctuary—she never left, and when she did, it was only ever for essentials.

the bluenette would be holed up in her room, as if leaving would make everything real.

But not today. 

Today, she would finally accept Lionel’s offer.

She would finally be knight commander, but she wasn't happy, no. Not in the slightest bit.

“Commander Lionel,” Chloe greets.

The man stood up, shaking the bluenette’s hands, his movements stiff and shaky.

“Have you decided?”

“I accept.”

“Great, come sit,” Lionel smiled, his grin wide.

“So, how does this work?” Chloe asks.

Lionel pulls out a binder the size of Chloe’s helmet. “Normally, training for knight commander would take a year.”

“But you aren’t normal.” He whispered. “For the next two months, I’ll be teaching you everything there is to know about commanding a cavalry.”

“Are you up for the challenge?” Lionel asks, his voice deep and grumbling.

“Always.”

Training— now that was something she could use to get her mind off of Red, something she could use to forget.

Chloe could only hope that It would get better from here on out.

After what felt like hours of orientation, Chloe returned to her room, only to find a bird—a Wonderlandian one, with a letter in its claws.

It had the sigil of wonderland waxed into it, Chloe’s name written in Red’s handwriting—the handwriting Chloe never failed to recognize.

Her fingers curled the edge of the paper, as if deciding whether to open it or not.

The bluenette takes a deep breath, and opens the letter—it was careful, neat.

She unfolded the letter, preparing herself for what she’s about to read.

—

Chloe,        

         I don’t know when this letter will reach you. Truth be told, Wonderlandian birds aren’t the brightest, so, forgive me if the letter comes late. 

Come home. You left before I could say a word, you wouldn’t let me explain.

 Let’s talk, please. You haven’t been gone a whole week and I miss you already. I miss the way you linger outside my door, ready to greet me with a fun fact, or a cheesy joke. I miss you, I miss having someone to talk to while I stargaze. I miss you.

Can we just.. Talk? Please, Chloe.

I’m not sure you’ll ever read this, but I had to take my chances.

All the best,

Princess Red of Wonderland.

 

—

Tear stains marked the paper, half of it from Chloe, and the other half most likely from the princess herself.

Instead of replying, she hid the letter, as if some dirty secret. 

Chloe only wanted three words—she would rather hear, or read, those three words from Red than read every poem there ever is, was, or ever will be.

I love you. 

Three words Chloe searched for in Red’s letter, and three words she didn’t find.

So, instead of sending back a letter to Red, Chloe sent back a resignation letter, officially quitting as Red’s knight. 

Chloe couldn’t do it—she couldn’t stand by and watch as Red marries someone that isn’t her. 

She was going to get reassigned immediately after the union anyways—better now than later.

The only thing that would get the bluenette to come back was if she knew her feelings for Red were reciprocated, if she knew there was something between them. 

Until then, she would drown herself in training, hoping that she forgets anything ever happened and the world returns back to normal.

 

Notes:

thoughts !!! comments keep me going :D

Chapter 14

Notes:

Short chapter :D just a glimpse at the type of letters Red sends, there's also gonna be a two month time skip in between chapter 13 and chapter 15 !! anywaysss enjoy :D

Week 1

Chloe awoke late at night to hear tapping on her window, her body sore from her first week of training.

The window slipped open, a familiar piece of folded paper sliding in.

Then, the window shut close with a loud noise, startling the bluenette.

Ever since she left Wonderland, Red’s letters came more frequently—all she wrote were ‘I miss you’ or she would describe her day in full detail, no in between, butChloe read them. She always did.

Chloe slipped out of bed, her covers falling on the floor. 

She opens the letter, unsealing the paper—something she found herself doing almost every night now.

—

Clover,

 

          I miss you. Day went by as usual, I was stuck in between meetings discussing wedding themes. We aren’t even engaged yet. 

Meetings weren’t as boring when you were here.

I still want you as my knight, nothing’s changed. 

All the best

Princess Red of wonderland.

—

The bluenette sighed, taking the letter and placing it inside a familiar drawer, now filled with letters same as the one she was holding. 

She stayed up late that night, her mind running around a certain princess, thoughts messy and relentless.

—

Week 2

Chloe missed Red, that much she could admit.

She missed the redhead to the point where she gets distracted during training, gasping as she gets harshly pushed to the ground.

She was sitting on the ground, an icepack held to her face, as the familiar shape and color of a Wonderlandanian bird approached her, dropping yet another letter.

The bluenette dropped her ice pack, using both hands to carefully open the letter. 

—

Chlo, 

        Ace tried to kiss me today. It was weird, so I stopped him. I don’t think I fully like him just yet. 

I miss you. So, so, much.

I wish you were here right now. 

All the best

Your princess. 

—

She tucked the letter away, making a mental note to hide it inside a certain drawer once more, a routine she had found herself doing every night.

Then, another letter slipped in through her window.

—

Bluey, 

          I walked past the glassen heart painting today, it reminded me of you. I’m missing you more than ever.

I love you,  I miss you.

all the best

Red.

—

The bluenette went to bed with a heavy heart and a drawer full of letters.

—

Week 3

The letters never stopped.

Everyday, a bird would find Chloe and drop a letter. Some, she read. Some, she just hid.

No matter where the bluenette was, the bird would find her. And whatever Chloe was doing, she would stop and read the letter.

The letter came during training. 

She paused immediately, her hands reaching out to catch the letter.

—

Chloe,

          Your mom came over. Something about signing papers, I don’t now.

I had hoped you were with her, that I’d see you, even for just a second.

Let's talk, Pleas. A simple letter isn’t enough to tell you everything. 

I lov   I miss you.

All the best

Red.

—

Week 4

The letters came every day. 

Chloe read, she noticed.

She noticed how the letters have stopped turning formal, how Red didn’t even bother addressing it to Chloe. 

—

I miss you. 

I have so much to tell you, letters aren’t enough.

R.

—

Week 5

—

I went stargazing today, not as relaxing as when you were with me.

I miss you, I love y 

R.

—

Week 

—

I don’t think I ever told anyone this, but I have a secret room filled with paintings of you, of us.

I told my mom that I’d commission someone to carve a statue of you, because of your dedication to wonderland, your dedication to me. 

She said she wasn’t sure about it. I might still do it. I lo miss you

R.

—

Week 7

—

I miss you. 

Shocker, right? 

I’ve lost count of the amount of letters I’ve written to you. 

I know simple letters aren’t doing anything, but if you’d let me talk to you in person, I’d explain everything, I’d explain it all. 

—

Red didn’t have to sign the paper for Chloe to know.

It wasn’t until after Chloe’s 2 month training that something critical happened.

 

Notes:

Red's just a girl who doesn't throw the word love around, like me!! you're mad at red rn but im sure you'll get mad at Chloe once you read future chapters :DD thanks for reading !!

Chapter 15

Notes:

TW : light violence

Enjoy :D

2 months. That’s how long Chloe trained to be knight commander.

Through thick and thin, dos and don'ts, every day spent studying, training, learning has finally paid off. Training was finished—she was ready.

The bluenette had been pacing the garden, rereading one of Red’s letters, her fingers tracing over each word, mind 

The garden was quiet, peaceful, like a shelter from the world’s problems, a place where she could just be, but she felt watched—as if prey being stalked by predator. 

That was when Chloe heard it—the soft, rustling of a bush, followed by a quiet, deep voice whispering a profanity.

She tensed, her back straightening as she reached for her sword—the very sword that she left in her room.

With no weapon and her fists clenched, Chloe approached the bush. “Is anyone there?” 

Then—almost immediately—a man clad in black jumps out, attempting to tackle the bluenette onto the ground. Chloe, thankfully, dodges in time, pivoting to her left, eyes wide as she tries to comprehend the situation.

Immediately after, the man throws a piercing punch to Chloe’s throat, causing her to gasp out in pain as she stumbles backwards.

Then, he throws yet another punch to her lungs. Chloe could only take the punches in shock, barely registering anything that’s going on, gasping as she tries blocking.

The man successfully tackles Chloe onto the ground, the bluenette letting out a grunt as she fell, her head still struggling to take in what was happening.

The man on top looked old, homeless.

He started punching, Chloe started blocking.

“You remember me?” He huffed, throwing punch after punch.

“I was supposed to charm Red, then I’d steal from the castle—straight from the inside.” His voice was cold, detached.

“Until you,” Punch. “found out and got me imprisoned,” he threw another punch—strong, forceful.

Chloe struggled under the man’s weight, his legs pinning the bluenette down as he unrelentlessly threw punches.

Her mind raced, unable to understand what was happening at the moment—she was getting beat up, that she was sure.

She tried blocking the punches to the best of her abilities, but the man landed most.

“I don’t know you,” She muttered, twisting her legs and hips to flip them. “But whoever you are, you need to stay away from Red.” 

The bluenette had his arms pinned, using her all to subdue him.

“Guards!” Chloe croaked, her throat aching as she tried to scream, catching the attention of two knights not that far away.

Then, she felt something inside her. It was cold at first, then it stung. 

She looked down to see a knife buried in her side, the pain piercing and coursing through her body, Crimson red rushing out of her system.

It all happened within seconds. 

One second she had the man pinned, the next he was knife deep in her side.

Her body immediately tensed, blood running cold as he twisted the knife even further.

The last thing she heard was the loud “ Halt!” of the knights as her eyes shut close and her body went limp.

—

Red slouched as she sat in the meeting room, ambassadors gathered around the table.

2 months since Chloe left.

2 months of utter desperation.

Every letter written, every message sent, she tried to write the words I love you .

But she couldn’t—not over a letter. She could only hope that Chloe would read her letters, and that she would write back.

She didn’t, not once.

She carried Chloe everywhere. She was in every poem she wrote, every painting she made.

Red was reminded of the bluenette every place she went to—just the color blue could trigger Red to write another letter.

There were days where she missed the bluenette so much—too much, to the point where she slept in her room, trying to find the slightest hint of Chloe.

The princess had been spaced out in a meeting—her mother insisting that she be a part of these kingdom assemblies, as she’s about to turn queen in less than a year.

Kings and queens were discussing unity, merging, and whatever talk Red couldn’t care less about, when Maddox suddenly entered.

“Your majesty,” He slammed the door open, immediately gathering everyone’s attention—even Red’s

“Apologies for interrupting, but something’s come up, and it needs your immediate attention,” he whispered—just low enough that even Red heard.

 Maddox Pulled Bridget off to the side, Red followed.

“What matter is so important that you have to interrupt a very important meeting?” 

“It’s Chloe.”

Red’s ear perked up at the mention of her knight, her world blurring as the thought of something bad happening to her plagued Red’s mind.

“She got stabbed—ambushed,” he muttered, his voice quiet and careful.

“What?” Red asked, her voice a little too loud, causing 

Bridget placed a hand on her daughter’s arm—half to comfort her, half to prevent her from going crazy.

“Is she okay?” the queen asked. “Who did it?”

“She’s getting by. It was a Wonderland convict, one Chloe specifically caught,” Maddox replied.

“Mom,” Red breathed, her head tilting to meet her mother’s eyes.  “I need to see her.”

“I know. And you will, as soon as we finish up the meeting.”

Both girls returned to their seats as Maddox got dismissed, Red’s mind far from whatever kingdom talk was going on.

Chloe got hurt—she got stabbed.

Ever since the bluenette left, Red had felt an indescribable amount of regret for letting her leave—for not saying anything.

Letters did nothing. Chloe never wrote back.

So, she was going to use this opportunity to tell the truth—to tell Chloe she loved her, no matter the outcome.

It annoyed Red. The fact that Chloe got hurt and the only thing she could do right now was sit and wait .

The meeting dragged on. With every second, Red could feel the worry in her increase—she needed to see Chloe.

—

Chloe awoke with an ache in her side, her body sore and head pulsing.

Her eyes adjusted to the light, 2 figures appearing in front of her.

she heard the familiar voice of her mother. “You’re up.” 

“How are you? Does anything hurt? Do you feel comfortable?” Ella rambles, her hands moving everywhere.

Chloe stopped the woman in her tracks. “I’m fine, mom.”

Eyes glancing to the side, she sees a woman clad in red. For a split second, she thought it was her Red—her princess.

She hoped that maybe she had come to see her, to talk to her.

But to no surprise, it wasn’t. 

The woman next to her mother was Bridget—of course it was.

“What happened?” Chloe asks, confusion heavy.

“You got ambushed, then took a knife to your side,”  the queen answered. “You’re okay, the knife missed anything vital.”

“Great,” the bluenette cursed. Just as she was about to turn knight commander.

She took a nearby hand mirror and looked at herself. Her face was bruised— hard, bandages covering a quarter of her face.

“Who?” Chloe asked, rage coursing through her veins.

“Wonderland convict. He’s been subdued, now returning to wonderland,” Bridget answered, her tone professional.

“You’re pretty bruised up. Better take it easy,” Ella reminded, giving her daughter a pity smile.

“okay.”

The room went silent, both queens sharing a sympathetic look as they nodded at each other.

Then— 

“Red’s outside,” Ella whispered. “I’ll let her in and give you two some space, okay?”

Chloe didn’t answer, didn’t counter. Both girls left the room, leaving Chloe alone with her thoughts. 

Red was here. 

Red was here.

Red was here.

Then, the door creaks open. Red enters, her eyes looking like tears are about to spill out once more.

She approached Chloe, her figure lingering just beside her bed. “Hey.”

“How are you?”

“Fine,” Chloe muttered.

Silence took charge, tension filling the air.

“I missed you,” the redhead confessed, her voice filled with warmth that Chloe missed.

Chloe didn’t answer, she wanted to, but she couldn't.

“Chlo,” Red croaked, her hand reaching out to the bluenette's.

She pulled away. “Red.”

“I don’t think  now is the best time to talk—not now, not anytime soon,” the bluenette declared, her eyes avoiding Red’s.

“Chloe, just let me talk,” She pleaded, her eyes locked on Chloe.

“Go home, Red,” Chloe insisted, her tone firm.

“Clover, I lo —” 

“Just—leave,” Chloe says firmly, no hint of hesitation in her voice.

They were right next to each other, yet they’ve never felt more apart—more disconnected, more detached .

Red stood frozen, her heart breaking into a million pieces—quiet as she bites her lip. “Fine.”

“But don’t say I didn’t try,” Red whispered, her voice cracking as tears spilled out.

Red walked out, and there was no anger—no resentment. Just.. sorrow, despair, trying her hardest not to break right there and then.

Chloe hurt, and not from her wound—not the physical one, at least.

—

“What happened?” Ella asks, observing the princess in front of her.

“Uhm, it’s— it’s nothing,” Red brushed off. “Can we go home now, mom?”

“Already? I thought you—”

Just leave. 

Chloe’s words cut deeper than wonderland magic ever could, her heart breaking upon hearing the words leave.

“Please,” she pleads, her eyes downcast and eyebrows furrowed.

Both queens shared a sympathetic look. “Okay.”

She had never felt this empty in her entire life—between pretending to like Ace, and having lost Chloe, there was nothing that could bring back the spark in Red’s eyes.

“How are you feeling?” Bridget asks, placing a comforting hand on her daughter’s, voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

“Like hell,” Red croaked. “She won’t talk to me.”

“I’m sure she’ll let up,” She comforted. “Are you really still going to continue with Ace?”

Red scoffed. “Do I have a choice?”

“No,” Bridget replied—cold, stern.

Of course she didn’t. “Who’s side are you on, mom?”

“I’m on the side that best benefits Wonderland.”

In another world where union didn’t matter, she and Chloe would be together—they would be happy.

“Whatever,” Red muttered.

The carriage rode off into the horizon, the air between the two tension-filled and heavy.

—

After what seemed to be a week, a change of command ceremony was held in front of cinderellasburg—a large but private event, only open to those of Cinderellasburg.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Queen Ella announced, gathering the attention of the crowd as everyone shushed. ‘Welcome to the command transfer ceremony.”

“Everybody, please welcome Knight commander Lionel.”

Knights stepped out the walkway, the Cinderellasburg flag raised high and proud, bands playing the national anthem of Cinderellasburg.

Then, Lionel walked out, with Chloe following shortly behind as they approached the stage.

He taps the mic once, twice. “Thank you for coming, everyone.”

“For 30 years, I’ve served Cinderellasburg,” He spoke into the mc, his voice deep and grumbled. “I’ve watched the name of this land change from charmingsville to Cinderellasburg—I’ve been here since the beginning.”

“It’s been an honor to serve for Cinderellasburg, but unfortunately, my time is running out. Now, I think it’s time I pass on my legacy,” he paused, turning to Chloe. “To someone worthy of it.”

The bluenette bounced on her feet, her eyes a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

“Everyone please welcome Dame Chloe Charming, the now knight commander of Cinderellasburg.”

The crowd exploded into cheers upon hearing Chloe’s name.

“Thank you all for attending the command ceremony—it’s an honor to receive the title of knight commander at this age.”

“I want to thank Lionel, my family—” she paused. Red. She wanted to thank Red . “And you guys, for supporting this change.”

The crowd’s uproar fueled Chloe’s happiness, her nervousness fading and smile growing as the crowd cheered for her.

She moves to the front of the stage as she gets sworn in and takes an oath. “I, Chloe Charming, promise to protect Cinderellasburg and its people, to serve the queen, and to ensure the safety of this kingdom for as long as I am knight commander.” 

Everyone cheered, Chloe felt happy—but something was missing, someone was missing.

Suddenly, being knight commander meant nothing without a certain redhead cheering her on, without her support, without her.

 

Notes:

soo how we feeling??

Alsooo how does me taking one shot request sound? :D

Chapter 16

Notes:

short update !! enjoy :D

“I want everyone present for training tomorrow, understood?” Chloe asked, her voice loud and demanding, knight trainees cowering in fear—they shouldn’t, but they still do.

It's been 4 months since she turned knight commander—4 months since she got stabbed, the wound having long healed into a scar .

“We’ll do conditioning and sparring tomorrow. Find a partner as soon as now,” Chloe says firmly, her body moving quickly as she helps the recruits clean up training equipment.

“Training’s finished—go home,” She announced, shooing the trainees away.

Today was… exhausting, to say the least. Training a fresh batch of knight trainees wasn’t for the weak—that’s why Chloe was knight commander.

A familiar bird flew into Chloe’s hand, a letter in its claws.

Since her incident, the letters never stopped—it increased , there were at least two letters every hour asking about her wellbeing—asking about her.

She sliced the letter open with a nail.

—

Clover,     

             I miss you. I always do. I keep thinking that Maybe you’ve moved on, and I should too. I thought that maybe if I kept doing this thing with Ace, the feeling would go away. But it didn’t. I still miss you. I still love you.

I can't brush off the feeling that maybe you've moved forward and left me in the past, that you’ve forgotten me, but a part of me still hopes that you haven’t. That you didn’t.

yours

 

—

Chloe tucked the letter inside her pocket, the weight of Red’s words settling in on her.

Her day went on like usual, the job of being knight commander slowly weighing her down—tiring her with every second she spends with the job she so claims to be her dream.

—

“If you’d just tell me where you hid the jewels, then things might just go your way,” she reasoned, her shadow towering over the man in manacles.

“I’m not telling you shit,” He spat, his voice dripping with venom.

The man had stolen jewels from the charming family—his crime only adding stress to Chloe’s already hectic schedule, her day only getting worse by the second.

The room was dark—rotting away as the stone crumbled into dust upon contact, nature slowly taking over and reclaiming the room as its own.

The air felt still. It was cold, unmoving. “Would you tell me if I said please?” she joked, only causing the man to try and strike the bluenette with his head.

His attempt didn’t work. In fact, that was all it took for Chloe to be done with—it was clear that her job was taking the better of her, every day spent exhausted at whatever task she had to accomplish.

She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Take him to the dungeon. And call the town sheriff, I’m sure he’ll be of great help, tell him the queen needs his assistance in finding stolen family jewels.”

The knights quietly follow through with her order, forcefully leading the man to the dungeons as the sound of manacles clicking against each other fill the room.

She carefully took the letter out of her pocket, a routine she had found herself doing during her not-so-great days.

She opened the letter, unfolding it with ease. 

Red’s letter had brought Chloe a form of peace and comfort—one that she never stopped looking for, even the simplest letters from Red allowed her to destress even for just a moment.

Except this letter brought everything but—just the thought of Red moving on with Chloe in her life made all her other problems seem so small.

She traced her fingertips over the ink, its permanence painting the lasting impact of Red’s words, the comfort her letters gave Chloe now replaced with longing and despair.

The room felt cold, the air frigid around her skin as she read the letter again and again, hoping that the words would shift and read something completely different—something better. 

She carefully tucked the letter back in her pocket, exhaling shakily as she turned to follow the knights.

—

Chloe couldn't sleep. Not after today—not after her letter.

Nothing but the letter kept her away. Not the loud barking of stray dogs outside, not the exasperating laughter of servants gossiping outside, no.

The letter— Red’s letter kept her awake at midnight, her thoughts racing at the possibility of the princess moving on. 

She tried. She really tried to sleep, forcing her eyes shut as she tried to blank out her mind—but nothing worked.

Then—as if something within possessing her, she walked her way to her desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and started writing. 

Her mind said no, stop writing —but her heart said yes.

The pen hovered above the paper, her hands trembling as she started to write. It was simple, nothing long, nothing complicated. Just nine simple words.

Just seconds after, a familiar bird tapped on Chloe’s window, a letter once again in its claws. Chloe opens the window, her breath shaking as she grabs the letter and replaces it with hers.

—

Clover,

Our betrothal ball is tomorrow. 

I don’t know if you’ll go, I know it’s not a great idea to invite you, the person who loves me, to a ball that celebrates Ace and I, but this is the only way I felt as if I could talk to you.

Please go.

Even if it’s just for a second. I need to tell you everything. I miss you. I love you.

Yours.

—

Red sat alone at the rooftops, her eyes watching the sky as the bird landed beside her. “I already gave you the letter, why are you back?” 

Rubbing away at her tears, she tries shooing the bird away, only for it to keep pushing. 

That was when she noticed a letter—not hers, sealed with the Cinderellasburg sigil. She wrote back. Chloe wrote back, she thinks.

Something she once thought was impossible now in her hands.

—

I haven’t forgotten about you. I haven’t moved on.

—

That was it. That was all the letter said. No signature, no name, just that. Eight words that seemed to impact Red in ways not even the longest piece of literature could.

It felt as if Chloe was running away from her, yet turning back to check if she’s still chasing.

Red could only hope that Chloe would attend—that she would finally have the chance to say something—to tell the truth, to tell her she loved her.

 

Notes:

this story's about to come to an end D: Thank's for reading !!

Chapter 17

Notes:

I recommend listening to Exile by taylor swift and bon iver once you get to the balcony scene :)) enjoy :D

 

Red opens the door to find a bouquet of flowers on her doorstep, a letter sitting snug in between colorful flowers, the paper’s color a contrast to the vibrance of each flower.

She gracefully takes the letter, leaving the flowers on the floor as she closes her door shut, taking a deep breath as she unfolds the paper.

The letter was nothing special. All it read was : ‘ Special flowers for a special someone,’ then signed by Ace, his signature written gracefully on the lower end of the paper.

The flowers were all but special, some were even dying, and the letter wasn’t at all close to romantic—the effort was there, though, she’ll give him that.

Disregarding the letter, her thoughts traced back to Chloe—to her letter, the words in it engraved into Red’s brain, never to be forgotten again.

The betrothal ball would take place today, and she wanted no one but Chloe to attend the ball. She wanted nothing but to finally have the chance to talk—no big crowd, no celebration, just Chloe .

She let her hair fall loose as she looked at the gown laid carefully on her bed. It was big—grand. It was Red with black accents, red roses carefully placed all over the gown. 

Beside the dress were a pair of black gloves with intricate gold patterns and a box of jewelry, sun rays perfectly hitting gold earrings and necklaces.

She slowly got dressed, carefully slipping on her dress, heart racing as if it’s about to beat out of her chest.

Red looked at herself in the mirror—she looked graceful, queen-like, as if the perfect princess a queen could ask for.

It’s not long until a knock at the door comes. “It’s your mother,” the voice muffled, slightly peeking the door open.

“Come in,” Red says, her voice soft and steady, unlike how she was feeling at this moment—anxious, scared.

Bridget enters the room, stepping right behind the princess, their figures in front of the mirror. “Today’s a big day,” she smiled.

“There will be quite a number of ambassadors and royals present later today,” Bridget whispered, her tone in between threat and reminder. “Don’t mess up.”

That was when Red knew that it wasn’t about her—it was about connections, reputation . She let out a smile—it was fake, practiced. “I won’t.”

“You can’t .” Bridget reminded, her smile threatening and serious. “Consider this practice for when you turn queen. Remember—connections are important.”

More important than herself, it seems like. 

“Come down when you’re ready,” Bridget deadpanned, clicking the door shut as she left the room.

Red lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding upon her mother's exit, her hand reaching for a familiar piece of paper—Chloe’s letter.

She read the words over and over again, her fingers slightly tracing over dried ink.

Red spends what seemed to be an eternity in her room, just reading Chloe’s letter, going through what ifs and what could have beens.

Then, a knock at the door comes. “Your highness, her majesty is requesting your presence,” the servant announced, her voice muffled on the other side of the door.

Dusting off her dress, she shakily makes her way to her door—heart racing and fingers trembling as her hands hover over the door knob, unsure of what she was doing with her life.

“Tell her I’ll be in a while,” Red smiled, closing the door as quickly as she opened it.

She heard the soft ‘your highness’ of the servant, the sound of walking slowly dissipating.

With a final look at the mirror and a deep breath, Red slowly pushes the door outward, her expression something in between worry and misery.

She slowly walked her way to the ballroom, breath shaky and hands trembling—scared at what the outcome of tonight would be.

“Took you long enough,” Bridget whispered, a smile practiced as she greets visitors, the ball room slowly piling up with guests and royals. “Don’t mess up,” she reminded.

Red was all but calm—the ball was starting, and she didn’t know how it would end.

—

Chloe lay in bed with nothing to do—no newbie to train, no thief to catch, nothing .

Except there was something to do—the ball. It was today, Red had sent a letter inviting her—not to watch, but to talk .

But she couldn’t. No. Not right now. 

Still, Chloe lay in bed, boredom taking over as she twists and turns, the sound of sheets rustling filling the air.

Her heart wanted to go—wanted to talk to Red, to see Red, to feel her, but her mind said no, don’t do it, and she didn’t know which to listen to.

She grabbed the letter on top of her bedside, the handwriting in it all too familiar not to be recognized, ink on the paper like words engraved on wood, her eyes scanning the letter again and again, the words please go engraved in her mind.

After a while, Chloe dragged herself out of bed, her mind desperate for a distraction—still, everywhere she went, she saw Red. 

She saw Red anytime she passed by the glassen heart painting, she saw Red anytime she saw the color . Even in the gardens, Phantoms of her and Red running around haunted Chloe.

She saw Red in anything alive—anything that meant love, happiness.

The bluenette carried Red everywhere—even when she didn’t .

Red was in every song she listened to, every poem she read. In every star she watched pass by, Red was there.

She tried drowning herself in work—but there would always be a servant tattling on about the princess of Wonderland and how Chloe used to be her knight, the words ‘ used to’ ringing in her ear.

Then, she tried talking to the civilians, getting to know the people she seemed to never notice as a child—instead, they talked about Red, asking ‘you used to be Princess Red’s knight, right?’ 

No matter, she always answered properly, her heart fluttering at any mention of Red, of her princess—of who used to be her princess, atleast.

Nothing worked. Her mind itched to rid of this feeling—the feeling of missing Red. Chloe knew what she had to do, she just wasn’t sure if she could.

Now, she lay in bed, Red’s letters scattered on the bed and the floor, her face filled with dried tears as she reread each letter, searching for even the slightest hint of Red.

That was when Chloe knew it—she knew what she was going to do.

She gets dressed as fast as she can, her hair tied up as she slips into a tuxedo gown, not even bothering to make herself look flattering.

—

The ballroom felt dead. Empty.

It always did, it still does, but today felt emptier without Chloe. She wasn’t here to help her get through the night, to remind her that she could do it.

Red doesn’t know how many times she’s had to fake a smile and greet the same practiced phrase over and over again, with Ace keeping quiet beside her as they roamed the room.

It was tiring, knowing that there wouldn’t be a Chloe to run home to after a stressful night—knowing that she would still have to pretend even behind closed doors.r

Red couldn’t take it anymore. The waiting, asking— begging to talk, and not getting even a word of an answer. It was hard—exhausting, even.

But it isn’t love if you’ve never had to feel like giving up.

Love isn’t easy—only when it’s reciprocated does it get easier, almost as simple as breathing, as existing.

The ballroom got duller with every minute Red spent without Chloe.

She looked around the room, hoping for just a glimpse of Chloe—but there was nothing, there was no one,

Red was going to do something. She was tired of waiting around—if Chloe won’t come to her, then she’ll go to Chloe herself.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Red smiled, nodding her head in curtsy.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her wrist—it was firm, strong. “Where are you going?” Ace asked.

“Comfort room. I won’t be long,” she lied, her heart racing with every untruthful word she had to say.

She didn’t wait for the prince to say anything else before immediately turning, hoping to find a back exit where no one would see her go.

The redhead quietly roamed the castle, footsteps echoing down the hall as she quietly searched for an exit.

It’s not long until she finds an exit, heart racing at the thought of seeing Chloe—of talking to her.

But just as she was about to leave castle grounds, a voice stopped her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Red turns to see her mother behind, her expression livid and arms crossed. “To go see Chloe.”

“No.”

No? 

“What?” Red asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“No,” Bridget restated. “You can see her after the ball.”

She immediately turns around, walking away from her mother. “I'm going. You can't stop me.”

Outside it was quiet, wonderlandian flowers singing and ocean blue waves painting the sky—but inside Red, it was all but. 

“Red of hearts, you are to stay here,” the queen boomed, catching the attention of stray guards. “You will not ruin the Wonderland name all for some girl.”

“No!” Red snapped. “I’m done waiting around. All I do is sit around feeding into whatever kingdom matter you force me to listen to. I’m sick of waiting for Chloe—for whatever this is with Ace to end. I’m done , mom.”

“And she’s not just some girl—you know that.”

“Go against my order and trust that you will not be seeing Chloe for a  long time,” Bridget retorted, voice dripping with venom, each word a jab in Red’s heart.

“Are you serious?” She scoffed, her head in utter disbelief 

“Very.”

It was clear to Red what mattered more to her mother—and it definitely wasn’t her own child, or her happiness.

Red scoffed. “Wow. And here I thought you were starting to become a good mother.” 

“I’m being a good queen ,” Bridget reasoned.

“That’s the thing. Always a queen, and never a mother,” she spat, her voice laced with venom.

Bridget didn’t say anything—she never does. 

Instead, they went back to the ballroom with their practiced smiles, hearts a little bit broken at what the other said.

—

As if some magnetic force was pulling her, Chloe went to the ball, half wanting to see Red, and the other half already wanting to go home.

She didn’t tell anyone she was going—not her parents, not Chad, not Bridget, and definitely not Red .

The bluenette searched the room, people passing by in a blur as she tried to find the redhead.

Suddenly, a voice speaks up from behind. “Chloe, you’re here?” 

She turned around to find the queen, champagne in hand as she waved off a guest. “Your majesty,” she curtsied. “Have you seen Red?”

“You tell me.” Bridget scoffed, a mixture of guilt and anger in her eyes. “No. I don’t. Try the balconies.”

Chloe only offered a smile in return. ‘Thank you, your majesty.”

She greeted a number of guests and royals as she made her way to the terrace.

Chloe opened the doors to the balcony, where she spotted the princess perched up on a rail.

feeling the presence of the bluenette, Red immediately tensed, her back straightening.

“Hey,” Red croaked.

“Hi,” Chloe approached, now leaning on the rail right next to Red.

“You came,” the redhead sniffed, her eyes wet from her previous encounter with the queen.

“How could I not?” the bluenette croaked. “I saw you everywhere. Not once did a day pass by that I wasn’t thinking about you.”

Silence at first, then—

“I love you.” Red managed to look at Chloe, her eyes like pools of honey, tear-filled and gleaming with bittersweetness.

Chloe remained silent, slowly processing the words  that just came out of Red’s mouth.                                     

“You love me,” she restated, her heart racing at hearing the words come from Red herself.

“I do.”

“Don’t,” she took a deep breath. “Don’t say that.”

Red’s heart shattered into a million pieces the moment she heard Chloe say those words.

“Not when we’re at your engagement party. Not when everyone outside is celebrating you and Ace,” she muttered, tears slowly spilling out of her eyes. 

“I was gonna tell you—”

“When? When you and Ace have children? When he’s named king of Wonderland?”

“I was going to tell you after the announcement, Chloe. But you left—you left me standing there before I could say a word,” the redhead recalled the moment Chloe confessed to her—the moment she left .

The bluenette could only stare in shock, her eyes a mixture of regret and love.

“I tried telling you the last time we saw each other, but you said you didn’t want to see me. You pushed me away, Chloe.”

Silenced stretched over, long and fragile—ready to break over at any moment.

“Red—”

“No,” Red paused. “You promised .” 

“You promised that you wouldn’t leave—that you would be there to remind me that I could do it when I couldn’t,” She muttered, breath shaky and eyes drowning in tears.

Chloe turned around to leave, Red reached out, her hands lightly brushing against Chloe’s.

“You said you’d stay!”

the bluenette turned around, a mixture of anger and sadness swirling in her eyes.

“You think it was easy for me? To leave you—to let go?” Chloe screamed, tears freely falling from her eyes.

“You think I left with a smile on my face?” 

“I didn't.” She whispered.

“I’ve regretted that day since but I know there’s no going back because this is the only way I can stop loving you.”

Red's heart broke like glass—shattering into pieces, unable to be put back together again. No amount of painting and writing would be able to mend the girls heart.

“I never wanted to leave you, Red.”

“Then don’t. Don’t stop loving me. Stay now, stay here ,” She begged. “I don’t want you to stop loving me—I never want you to.”

“I’m–I’m sorry.”

Just as Chloe was about to leave, Red grabbed her wrists.

She wasn’t going to let go, not this time. “Let’s fix this—please, let’s try.”

“ I can’t imagine spending another month without you,” she confessed, makeup ruined and eyes puffy.

“You could have stopped me, Red—but you didn’t .”

“Because you didn't let me!”

“You told me you loved me and bolted—you didn't give me time to process or– or to say something,” she reasoned. “You left me, you didn’t give me a chance to tell you I love you.”

“Because I do—so much so that it hurts, Chloe.”

“I don’t deserve it—I don’t deserve you ,”

“Just—leave me, Red. You’re better off without me,” Chloe said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Red felt a familiar pang in her heart at Chloe’s words—how could she ever think that?

“I'm worse off without you,” she sobs. “Clover, please .”

“Chloe,” her voice gave out as she watched the bluenette walk out the door.

Red fell back against the door with a thud, bringing her knees to her chest, clutching it as if the only thing able to comfort her. 

On the other side of the door, Chloe leaned back, tears running down her face as she listened to the quiet sobs of the princess.

Everything in her wanted to go back—to hug her, to tell her that it’ll be okay, but she couldn’t. Not when she’s the reason for Red’s tears. 

They both sat on opposite sides of the door, letting their presence comfort each other in a time where they’re both the reason for their heartache.

 

Notes:

Thoughts?? mail is open for therapy bills :)

alsoo would you guys want to see a fic where it's just a compilation of Red's letters to Chloe? :D thanks for reading <33

Chapter 18

Notes:

short chapter, sorry!!!

Ever since the ball, Chloe felt empty—her heart, her brain, everything. It’s like there was an empty hole within her that no one could fill in.

Still, she had to remain fixed—unbroken. 

She had to do her job, she had to be knight commander of Cinderellasburg—not Red’s knight, not the princess of Cinderellasburg.

A large wave of regret washed over the bluenette as she recalled the events of the ball, the sound of Red’s silent sobbing never leaving her mind.

She had gone back to her regular schedule—training knight trainees, ensuring that Cinderellasburg would remain safe even in the future.

But there was something missing— someone missing.

Red’s letters had stopped appearing, the bird had stopped knocking on Chloe’s window at midnight, and she missed it.

She missed having to drag herself out of bed to open the window, she missed being able to read Red’s letter after an exhausting day—she missed Red.

So, she does what she usually does when she misses someone she loves—she spends time with her family.

“You cheated!” Chad accused, flipping over a chess board they had been enjoying (at least Chloe was.)

“You’re just a sore loser,” Chloe laughed, picking up the pieces that had gone all over the floor, chest hurting from heavy laughing.

“Whatever,” the prince muttered, his expression something in between anger and irritation. “You're just good at chess. If it was literally any other game, I’d win—no question.”

“You say that about everything, dear,” Ella reminded, placing down a bowl of fresh fruits—straight from her garden.

Chad whined like a sick Victorian child—he always did.

The rest of the night passed by in a blur, her laugh bittersweet as she spent time with her family—except there was always something missing, someone missing.

—

Everyday spent without Chloe felt like hell.

It hurt even more knowing that there weren't going to be cheeky jokes written in paper scattered all over her room after a particularly exhausting day, that there wouldn't be any more stargazing on the roofs.

It especially hurt knowing that there would be no one she could run home to after a day of pretending—knowing that she would have to pretend even behind closed doors.

The day after the ball, she found herself wanting to write to Chloe—to beg her to come back, to talk, to try ,

But she couldn’t. Chloe had given Red an answer barely using words. It was clear to her that Chloe had moved on, and so should she.

So, she stopped writing letters.

It was hard, having to stop reaching out to the woman you love the most—but she had to.

Even then, she wasn’t going to give up that easily.

Then, there was Ace.

Ace, with his stupid smirk and low-effort romantic gestures. It was exhausting everything within Red to keep pretending inside and outside.

She had to tell him the truth—it was the first step to moving on, to becoming happy again.

Right on cue, Ace appears just outside the garden, already making his way to the princess.

“You wanted to see me?” he asked, wearing his usual grin.

“Yes,” she cleared her throat. “I need to tell you something, and I need you not to hate me.”

“I have a feeling I know where this is going,” he muttered.

“I’m in love with Chloe,” she confessed. “Not you.”

His eyes faltered, head nodding in awareness.

“I can’t lead you on. You’re a nice person, Ace. You’re just not the one,” She consoled. “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”

“It’s okay,” he sniffled, forcing tears back into his eyes. “I knew—I just didn't want to accept it.”

Ace smiled, hiding the heartbreak in his eyes. “It was nice, though. Getting to know you and all.”

“It’s not all fake, you know. There were moments I enjoyed spending time with you. Not always, but there were times,” she nudged, trying to cheer the prince up.

The two sat together in comfortable silence, Ace listening in as Red fills him in on Chloe—on their story .

—

The throne room felt cold—stale.

In the center stood Bridget, her look unreadable as she (im)patiently waited for her daughter.

That night at the ball was… something. Red had been actively ignoring her since then, sitting on opposite ends during meal times and barely saying a word.

Bridget knew she messed up—both as a queen and a mother. There was no guarantee that a simple apology would fix everything, but it was the first step to becoming a better mother.

It’s not long before the doors open, its booming sound echoing all over the castle.

“You called?” Red asked, her shoulders slumped and eyes cold.

“Yes, sit,” she instructed.

Tension thickened as they looked each other in the eye, memories of the night of the ball flooding their heads.

“I want to apologize for that night—for stopping you,” Bridget said, words filled with emotion. “I never should’ve sacrificed my own daughter’s happiness for kingdom relations.”

Red took a sharp intake of breath, in shock at the sudden apology.

“I know words won’t amount to how I’ve treated you these past years—but I’m sorry. I always will be.”

“I want to become better—I want to be a mother.”

Red nodded slightly, her eyes that were once cold now returning to their original state.“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay,” she repeats. “It doesn’t excuse everything, but it’s a start.”

“Then, I ask you this one last time.” Bridget hummed. “Do you still want to continue with Ace?”

Red paused, breath caught in her throat at her mother’s offer.

“I’m giving you an option this time—a way out .”

Red didn’t speak—not for a while.

“No,” she said, voice tingling with tension, relief washing over her as her mother nodded in agreement.

“Okay. It won't be easy,” Bridget warned.

Red chuckled, half bitter, half genuine. “Nothing ever is.”

Tension dissipated as they shared a smile—soft and genuine.

Today marked the beginning of family. they aren't fully fixed, per se—But it was progress, and that was enough for Red.

 

Notes:

can't believe this story is ending soon sndawdasda we've come so far !!!

Chapter 19

Notes:

two chapters left...who cried ANYWAYS enjoy :D

Red and blue clashed into purple as two figures danced in the air, figures clashing into each other with newfound rhythm, a million words spoken not through speaking, but through dancing.

There was nothing else around them, everything but two figures hazy as they continued to dance around each other, an unspoken language in between.

Then, slowly, blue stopped dancing, purple stopped appearing.

“Chloe!” the figure screamed, voice echoing inside the void of nothingness, a merciless abyss of despair and misery.

Still, blue starts fading away into the void, its color slowly dissipating.

“Clover,” the figure begged, weaker this time. “Please.”

The figure kept on begging—pleading for the other to stay, to try—until finally, blue faded into black, leaving red alone inside an endless void.

Then —

Chloe awoke in a cold sweat, breath coming in short gasps as she recollects herself.

Another dream. Nightmare , even—two months of restless nights that the bluenette had been experiencing, and it had always been about one thing, one girl .

It was always about Red, about how she left her there—crying, heartbroken, all because of her.

2 months since she left her.

How could Chloe have managed to hurt the one person she loved the most—the only girl that ever truly mattered in her life.

A wave of regret washed over the bluenette as she recalled the events of the ball—a night neither of them have forgotten.

Her room felt cold, frigid air seeping in through the windows. For a moment, it felt just like that night at the ball—wind wrapping around their skin as they screamed at each other with anger and affection.

No amount of training prepared Chloe for the heartbreak that came after the ball—the heartbreak that hadn't gone away. The pain never went away—it just got smaller, quieter.

Chloe never moved on, never forgot. She still loved Red—she always will.

Her night continued on in the most restless way possible—tossing and turning in her sheets as she struggled to sleep.

—

“What’re you writing?” Ace asks, curiously peeking

at what the redhead was writing.

“Nothing—aren’t you supposed to be signing dumb papers?” Red dismissed, Immediately covering the paper.

Ever since she told him the truth, Ace had been supportive. He was with her during times where she misses Chloe so much—too much to the point where it hurt.

Ace was there for her as a friend.

“No, I’m done with papers,”  he returned, slumping into his chair. “So how’s this going to work?”

“We’ll announce it during the union ball—we tell them it was for personal reasons, we don’t elaborate then.”

“Why not announce before the wedding?” he asks.

“Kingdoms have already reserved that day for the union ball. It’d be a shame for that day to go to waste,” she explained. “As per my mother’s words.”

He felt more like a brother than fake fiancée—helping Red through two months of cruel kingdom work to call off their union.

“Okay.” Ace hummed. “Are you gonna tell me who that letter is for, or am I to assume that it’s for Chloe?”

Red paused, ink spilling as her pen dug into the paper at the mention of the bluenette.

Ace chuckled. “So, it’s the latter.”

It wasn’t easy—the spades family were mad. Enraged, maybe. Bridget had to give off wonderland resources and kingdom intel all to calm them down, the situation having been a tough time for Red.

Finally, she sent the letter away—a final parting gift to the bluenette.

—

A red figure hangs over the cliffside, body dangling as an arm struggles to support itself. “Chloe!” the figure screamed—voice weak and strained.

A blue figure stood over the clifftop, its shadow towering over its counterpart. “Chlo!” they begged.

then– the cooler figure walked away, turning its back on the red shadow dangling off the cliff. “Chloe please,” they begged.

The figure didn’t listen, didn't stop. It just kept walking, and walking, until it disappeared.

“Chloe!” the figure screamed one last time, before letting go of the cliff as it fell down the abyss.

suddenly—

The familiar sound of a bird tapping on the window filled Chloe’s room, jolting the bluenette awake.

It had been yet another restless night, hair messy as she tossed and turned on her bed.

She slowly dragged herself out of bed, silently wishing that the knock was nothing more than a bird crashing against her window.

A letter slipped in as she opened the window. Addressed to Chloe Charming, no returning address.

She took a deep breath before opening the letter, preparing herself for what she might read inside.

Then, slowly, she peeled the letter open, unfolding each crease as slowly as she could, tears already spilling out.

—

Chloe, Clover, Bluey, my knight,

           My coronation is tomorrow, then our wedding the day after that. I just thought you’d want to know. 

A part of me is hoping that you’d go and object to our wedding, but a bigger part of me has already accepted that you’ve moved on, and so should I.

I know this probably won’t mean much as it does compared to when I actually said it, but I love you. I loved you then, I love you now, and will continue to even after my nature reclaims by body.

This isn’t an invitation. Come if you want to, or don’t.

This will be my last letter for the unforeseeable future. Take this as a parting gift, my last gesture of love for you.  

Thank you. 

Thank you for sticking by me, for helping me during the days when I couldn’t take things anymore.

Thank you for being my best friend, you were the only person to ever truly care and listen, and I’m so grateful to you for that.

I’ll never forget you, even if you do forget me. You’ll live within me for as long as I’m alive. I’ll remember you even when I’m no longer queen. 

I’ll tell stories about our adventures to my children, whoever their parent may be (as much as I wanted it to be you.)

These past years with you are unforgettable. I’ll miss you every second of every day for until I die. You made life feel like it’s worth it. 

I’m sorry for not noticing sooner, for not stopping you—for letting you leave. 

I love you. I love you, and I’ll keep saying it to the moon in hopes that you hear it.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re happy, I hope life is treating you well, and I hope that you find someone who truly understands you.

I could live to see the sun die and still miss you, still remember the way your eyes shined with passion when you talk about swords and shields.

There’s so much I want to say but so little time to say it all. I love you.

Thank you. I love you so, so much. 

My love for you expands past the entire universe. No star or moon could compare.

All the best,

Princess Red of Wonderland.

—

The letter had been filled with dried tears—some Chloe’s, most Red’s.

Her pillows were wet with tears by the time she finished reading.

What broke her was that Red had signed it formally. No yours, no Red, nothing. She had signed it as if it were some business letter.

The letter in itself was nothing short of messy, ink splattered all over, tear marks everywhere, and words scribbled out.

The bluenette spent the rest of her night in tears, hazel pearls scanning the letter again again, words blurry as tears filled her eyes.

 

Notes:

thoughts? it gets better from here on out trust!!! next chapter will be the finale then the chapter after that'll be the epilogue :D

Chapter 20

Notes:

their story's done... can u believe it cuz i can't!!

The ballroom had never felt emptier than when she wanted Chloe in it.

The morning of her coronation, Red felt dull—eyes red and puffy after a night of crying, heart empty as she got ready for the coronation.

She had put on a Red sleeveless gown, black and red roses showering down the chest with gold linings—a similar dress to what she had worn during the betrothal ball.

Her entire day was spent wondering—wondering if Chloe was going to go to the coronation, or if what happened was actually  goodbye.

“You got this,” Ace reminded, trying his best to cheer the redhead up as they stood on the stage, their eyes scanning the crowd for any trace of the bluenette. A

The ballroom was packed—families from every kingdom filling every space in the room, wonderland citizens watching the rise  of  their new queen.

Then—

“I want to thank you all for coming,” Bridget announced, voice echoing inside the entire castle, crowd cheering as they witnessed the start of a new era.

“Ruling Wonderland has been one of the most tiring, yet accomplishing things that I have ever done in my entire life.”

“Being queen has been amazing, but my time has come,” She smiled, proudly looking at her daughter.

Their relationship over the past two months had improved, it had gotten better in ways more than one.

“And so, I proudly announce that my daughter, Red of hearts, heir to the crown, will now be taking my place as queen of Wonderland.”

The crowd’s loud roar rang in Red’s ear as she walked to the center, with maddox beside as they prepare to start the crowning ceremony

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he starts. “We are gathered here today to witness the start of a new era—to witness the coronation of Princess Red of Wonderland, future Queen of Wonderland.”

The redhead trembled as she bowed in front of an audience, the crown sitting comfortably on a pillow beside her, its presence making Red shake.

“Madam Red, is your highness willing to take the oath?”

“I am,” she announced.

‘Red of hearts, do you solemnly swear to serve Wonderland and its people, to protect this nation and to do what’s best for Wonderland?”

She nodded. “I swear.”

“Do you promise protection and fealty to Wonderland and its people, to uphold the laws and traditions of this nation, to punish and to reward in such matters that concern Wonderland, in peace or in war, in ways and in all others?”

Red took a deep breath, fingers trembling as she spoke. “I will strive to rule Wonderland as best I can, I shall bear this kingdom’s burdens and swear to uphold all for as long as I am on the throne, or for until death take me.”

The princess kneels, her gown mopping the floor as she looks at Maddox.

Bridget then takes the crown, carefully placing it on her daughter’s head.

 “If that be,” she starts. “I, Queen of hearts, crown you, now Queen of Wonderland.”

As Red rises, Maddox calls. “Long live the Queen!” 

And for a moment—just for a moment, she saw the glimpse of a bluenette.

The crown chants proudly, yet Red’s heart had never felt more empty without Chloe there to cheer for her.

—

She was running. Not away from something, but after someone. 

A blue figure ran in front of her as she tried to reach out, the blue only getting farther by every second that passed by.

She could hear herself scream. “Chloe!”

“Chloe!”

“Chloe!”

“Chloe!” Chad screamed, jolting the bluenette awake.

Another dream. 

“We’re going to Red’s coronation. Mom says you can skip it, but she’d rather you not,” he says, voice annoying as ever.

The sun had just started to set as Chad woke her up, dropping a freshly clean tuxedo gown right beside her bed.

She looked outside the window, letting her thoughts loom as she recalled yet another dream about Red.

“Chloe,” he nudged. “Chloe,” again. “Chloe!” and again. “Chl—”

“Gods! Chad, what?”

“I said—”

“You’re going to Red’s coronation. I heard,” she deadpanned.

“Okay. Mom says no pressure, but she prefers you be there,” he reminded.

Chloe hummed. “Sure.”

“We’re leaving in a few,” he announced as he clicked the door shut.

Minutes pass by—and instead of getting ready, the bluenette found herself reading the very letter she had received last night, tears falling on paper as she read the final line.

Then—the door swung open. 

“Chloe, dear, we’re leaving,” Ella announced. “Are you coming?”

She quickly dried her tears and hid the letter, dusting herself off as she stood up. “Yeah—yes. I’ll be quick.”

The bluenette quickly put on the outfit that her brother had not-so-kindly dropped off for her, tying her hair up in a bun as she ran to the carriage in a hurry.

They had arrived just in time—only for Chloe to stand outside the castle, only deciding to enter in time for her to hear the crowd chanting long live the queen.

Her eyes gleamed with pride as she looked at Red on the stage. 

She knew she was nervous, that she was scared—and she hoped that someone was there to hold her hand for her.

A part of Chloe wished that she was the one up there with Red, but she knew that it couldn't happen—especially not now.

Immediately after, the redhead ran off the stage, going god knows where.

Everything within Chloe was telling her to go after Red—Everything but her mind .

Then, as if it had a mind of its own, her legs started moving—she tried resisting, she tried stopping, but nothing worked.

Her body kept moving—fast paced, as if it already knew where Red was.

As much as she wanted to fight against it, she gave in—practically searching the entire castle at an unmatched speed, all so she could see the redhead.

Minutes passed, and Red was nowhere to be found. 

The castle was quiet. It was eerie, like a scene you would watch in a horror movie. Nothing but Chloe’s short gasps were heard as she tired herself from running all over.

She looked everywhere she could think of—Chloe was already familiar with the castle, having only been living in it for the past year or so.

Everywhere but one specific area—the balconies.

The bluenette stood in front of the door, fingers trembling as her hand hovered above the handle, unsure of whether to go outside or leave wonderland entirely.

With a final breath, she pushed the door wide open.

Red stood outside the balcony, her body leaning against the railing with a glass of champagne in hand.

They found themselves in the same balcony they were in just months ago, during Red’s engagement party. 

The balcony where Red had begged Chloe to stay, where Chloe walked away from a chance at true happiness.

Chloe approached, the air around them immediately shifting. 

Red’s posture ever so slightly changed, her shoulders now tense and breathing uneven, as if she immediately knew that Chloe was behind her.

“Didn’t think you’d come,” the redhead confessed, her hair shining against the moonlight.

Red looks back to see Chloe behind her.

The bluenette stood behind in awe, breath catching in her throat at the sight in front of her.

Red looked… gorgeous , to say the least—Her face moonlit as the crown shined on top, hair falling loosely on her shoulders, her dress mopping the floor with its length.

Her voice once filled with warmth and comfort now cold, eyes that used to sparkle with passion and love now dead and dull. 

“I didn’t think I’d come either,” Chloe muttered.

“Why are you here?” she asks, voice cold and monotone, barely batting an eye at the bluenette.

“I don’t know,” she confessed.

Silence at first, birds singing echoing against the night.

“You left me,” she said, voice shaky as she looked back. “More than once.”

Chloe reached out, placing her hand over the redhead’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

She shrugged Chloe’s hand off, swiftly turning her entire body to look at her—to really look. “Are you?” 

“Very,” Chloe whispered, eyes filled with remorse, looking as if she was ready to do anything to prove it.

Red scoffed. “I’m having a hard time believing that.”

“I’ll leave cinderellasburg and go back. I’ll go back home —back to you.”

Red paused, breath catching at the bluenette’s proposal.

“I can’t,” she breathed. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering,” she urged, eyes looking into Red’s, a silent plea to stay.

“Chloe, I can’t—”

“I read them all.”

Red paused.

“What?”

“I read all your letters. Every single word,” she confessed, mind racing back to nights where she couldn’t sleep, drowning in tears as she read the letters. 

She was telling the truth—no matter how much she wanted to ignore every letter, she always found herself reading them.

Chloe would tell herself that she can’t read it—that she won't . 

Still, she found herself every night, one of Red’s letters in her hands as she cried.

“I couldn’t—” the bluenette cried, tears slowly forming. “I can’t— I can’t let you go, Red.” 

“I won’t ,” she declared. “ Please .”

Funny, because it was Red begging not just two months ago for Chloe to stay.

Red broke in that very moment—her face once cold and ruthless, now broken and soft. Tears spilled out her eyes like a waterfall, her body acting on its own as she moved to hug the bluenette.

Their bodies collided, and it felt as if the world went still, everything around hazy as they wrapped each other in their arms.

They hugged, and the dam broke—their outfits now wet with tears as they both cried in each other’s arms. 

“I’m sorry,” Red cried, her arms around Chloe tighter than ever—not wanting to let go anymore. “I’m sorry—I love you.”

“I know. I am, too.” Chloe hugged back—tighter this time. “I love you. I thought I lost you.”

“I thought I did, too,” Red confessed. 

“You didn’t. You won’t —never again. I’m here to stay, I swear,” Chloe broke the hug, eyes staring into Red’s, pools of honey carrying the weight of a million words.

They stayed together for as long as they could, foreheads touching as their hearts slowly started to mend—their presence doing more than enough for each other.

It’s not long before they hear the voice of Maddox calling out Red.

The redhead sniffed, pulling apart from Chloe. 

“Stay?”

“For you,” Chloe smiled. “Always.”

Just as she was about to enter, Chloe grabbed her wrist. “Wait.”

“What about the wedding? the unity ball?” She asks.

Red chuckled. “We called it off. We’re announcing it tomorrow.”

“Really?” She smiled, her grin stretching over to her ear.

“Really.”

And with that, both girls stepped into the castle—the weight of a thousand possibilities sitting on their chests.

—

Red shook with anxiety as she stood beside Ace on the stage, royal families gathered to celebrate what was supposed to be their wedding.

behind the stage stood Chloe—her knight composure back, as if it never left her. 

“You got this,” she mouthed, earning a smile from the redhead.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Red starts. “We know you are all gathered here today to witness and celebrate Ace and I’s unity.”

“But we regret to inform you that the wedding has been cancelled, and so is our courtship.”

“We will not be disclosing any information as to why, as it's personal and not for the public,” Ace continued, posture high and straight.

Red smiled. “We thank you for taking the time to come here, and we apologize for not announcing sooner.”

Then, as Red and Ace walked out of view, a mixture of applause and confused whispers in the crowd grew.

The redhead immediately ran into Chloe’s arms. “I did it.”

“You did,” Chloe hugged tighter.

Then, Red pulls the bluenette in for a world ending, glass shattering, heart mending kiss.

Everything and everyone around them froze as soft lips connected, the world blurry as they smiled into each other’s lips.

And in that moment, Red had officially ruined kissing for Chloe—there was no one else in the entirety of the world that Chloe would rather kiss than Red.

“I’m so proud of you—of us ,” Chloe smiled, happy tears forming in her eyes.

“I love you,” Red whispered, pulling Chloe into yet another hug.

“I love you more.”

Not all fairytales have a happy ending.

But Chloe and Red were on the way to theirs, and that was enough for the two of them.

 

Notes:

epilogue should be up soon!! thank u for tuning in and always commenting :D

Chapter 21

Notes:

Epilogue!! Thank u all for tuning in <33

“Where are you taking me?” Red asks, a blindfold over her eyes as Chloe carefully led the way.

“You’ll see,” she replied.

They’d been dating for over a year now—their love for each other stronger than ever with every day that went by.

“Okay, we’re here.”

Slowly, Red took off the blindfold. “If you made me dress for nothing, Chloe Charming, I swear I will—”

She opened her eyes to notice the fact that she’s inside an observatory—a place just to watch stars.

Not just any observatory, one that Chloe had commissioned, painted stars lining the roof, red and blue roses lining the walls—a unique way of telling their story.

“Chlo, I—”

“I love it, I love you .”

Just when it couldn’t get any better, the redhead turned around to find Chloe on her knees, a box bearing a ring in her hand.

The ring was a heart—of course it was. Its color deep purple covered in golden vines.

Red gasped. “Clover…”

“I have spent,” Chloe paused. “More than half of my lifetime loving you”

The redhead looked down at her partner as if she hung the stars—quite literally.

“I never knew what being alive felt like until I met you,” she smiled, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. “I spent my entire childhood looking for my place in this world, and then I met you, I knew right there and then that it was by your side, as if I’m meant to be with you.”

“There’s nothing else that I would rather do in this world than be with you, to love you.”

“Red of Hearts, will you marry me?”

“Yes— gods , Chloe—yes,” Red smiled, happy tears falling from her eyes like waterfalls. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.”

The bluenette quickly put the ring on the queen’s finger, hands trembling as she struggled to insert it.

Their bodies met in a hug—warm and full of love.

“I love you—I hope the ring looks okay, ‘cause I struggled to—”

“I don't care, Clover—I’d marry you with paper rings if need be,” Red smiled. “I love you so much.”

They stepped out the observatory hand-in-hand, the promise of a bright future in front of them.

—

The ballroom felt grand, Red and Blue designs clashing into one another, civilians and guests from all over kingdoms gathered inside for one thing and one thing only—Chloe and Red’s unity ball. Their wedding.

The bluenette stood on the stage, Maddox right beside to officiate, Chad right behind as Chloe’s bridesman, Hazel right beside as her bride’s maid, with Charming and Ella standing right by.

On the far left stood Ace and Chester stood as Red’s bridesmen.

Chloe, clad in a navy blue tuxedo gown, was all but calm—today, they would get married. Today, they would start to rule together .

Then—the doors opened.

Red walked in, clad in a Red dress, black roses showering down to her legs—it was the same dress she wore during her coronation, the dress she wore when everything started to get better.

Then, Bridget walked by her, gracefully walking her daughter down the aisle.

Chloe immediately teared up when she saw Red.

Everybody sat down as Red finally reached the bluenette. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Chloe smiled, her grin reaching her ears.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Maddox announced. “We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the unity and wedding of Princess Chloe Grace Charming, and Queen Red of Hearts.”

“Today isn’t all about love—it’s about unity, the promise of a great future for wonderland.”

“Chloe, Red, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and passionately?”

Both girls nodded. “I have.”

“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?” Maddox asked, professionalism lacing his voice.

“I am.”

“If that be, join hands and exchange consent.”

The bluenette took a deep breath. “I, Chloe charming, take you, Red of Hearts , to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”

“I, Red of hearts, take you, Chloe charming, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you,in sickness and in health ,in good times and in bad , to honor you and to love  you for every day that goes by,” she returned.

Maddox nodded. “Let the exchanging of vows take place.”

Chloe went first.

“Ever since I was a kid, I was already looking for my purpose—something I was meant to be, to do. I couldn’t find it, I never could,” Chloe smiled, her grin eating up half of her face. 

“Then, I met you. You gave me a purpose, you helped me in ways not anyone ever could,” Tears were falling now, the ground a mixture of Red and Chloe’s tears. “Red of Hearts, You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“I promised you that I’ll never leave you—and that promise still stands, even after death,” Chloe says, joy lacing her voice. “I love you.”

Red smiled, carefully wiping away at her tears. 

“Chloe,” she starts. “I spent my entire childhood in darkness, stuck in darkness with no way out.”

“Then came you.”

“You saved me. You—not anyone else, you,” Red let out a shaky breath. “Being with you is something I never want to stop doing, I never want to leave your side ever.”

“You lifted me up when I was at my lowest, you made me laugh when no one couldn’t, you took care of me when no one wanted to.”

“You, Chloe charming, are my knight, my hero, my girl ,” Red finished, not bothering to wipe away the tears falling from her eyes.

After the small cheer from the crowd below, Maddox continued.

“Does anyone present know of any reason that these two should not be married?” He asked, voice loud and intimidating, as if to stop anyone from doing so.

“Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Silence. No one spoke, not even Wonderland itself made noise.

“If that be, I, Maddox Hatter pronounce you, Chloe Charming, and Red hearts, wife and wife,” He smiled. “You may now kiss the bride.”

The Bluenette pulled Red into a world ending kiss—the crowd beneath freezing as their tears met.

The crowd’s loud roar rang all over the castle, both girls wearing a smile so big their mouths were sore.

“I love you,” Red whispered.

“I love you more,” Chloe returned, sneaking in another kiss.

The celebration had started—a band now playing music, everyone congratulating the couple as they walked past them.

It’s not long before they were called to the dance floor.

Their entire night was spent on the floor, slow dancing to soft music as they both relished the achievement they've overcome today.

“I don’t think I could be happier,” Red whispered, feet moving gracefully as they danced to the music.

“I know. Me too.”

Then—

“Your majesty!” Maddox approached. “The carriage is here, ready to take you on your honeymoon.”

The couple’s smile only grew larger at the mention.

“Are you ready?” Maddox asked.

Red took a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Are you sure ?”  Chloe asks.

“Never have I ever before,” Red smiled. “Not until now.”

—

Red sat inside the observatory as the moon hung high in the sky, a paintbrush in hand as she painted the scenery in front of her.

The observatory had been a gift from Chloe—the girl knew how much Red loved stargazing, so she knew that it would make the perfect place to propose in.

Two years since their marriage.

Suddenly, Red heard the familiar voice of her wife. “I remember proposing to you right on that very spot.” 

She flinched, shocked at the sudden appearance of Chloe. 

The redhead turned around and smiled at Chloe, eyes soft and filled with unwavering love. “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” Chloe said, dragging out the last letter of the word. 

Red laughed in return.

Chloe laughed with her. “My queen,” she greeted, leaning down to give the redhead a kiss—soft and chaste.

“ My queen,” Red returned.

“I have something for you,” Chloe smiled, hands behind her back.

Red tilted her head in curiosity. “Show me.”

The bluenette gave her the box, her movements delicate.

“What is it?” Red asks.

“Open it.”

So, she does, and nothing could prepare her for what she saw inside.

It was a heart—made entirely of glass. 

It looked just like the one in the glassen heart painting.

Red immediately teared up. “Chloe..”

“You like it?” she asks.

“I love it—Clover, I love you ,” Red smiled, pulling the bluenette in for yet another kiss.

“Thank you.”

“I love you,” Chloe returned.

The pair spent until sunrise inside the observatory, Red painting as Chloe looks for and calls out any shooting star as they silently wish on it.

Red’s future was unclear—but there was one thing she was certain of, and it was that she was going to spend it with Chloe.

 

Notes:

As this story comes to an end, I want to thank all of u guys for reading and giving me your opinions <3 I don’t think I’d make it without your words of encouragement !! more stories soon :D