Cheshire Cat - Prince of Wondermare - Moon End

Cheshire Cat - Prince of Wondermare - Moon End

Chapter 7 - Unable to Go Back

When Cheshire Cat picked me up and jumped into the hole, I opened my eyse to see that we had arrived at a forest. 

(This is... The forest that we met in from the start?) 

As the sunlight was shining through the trees, the trees around us whispered as they swayed. 

Forest Tree: Hurry... Go back, go back. If you don't, you won't be able to... return... ...return... 

MC: I won't be able to return...? What does that mean? 

When I became suspicious about the trees' whispers, I looked at Cheshire Cat. 

Cheshire: So annoying... Be quiet for a bit. 

After he said that, he used his other hand to drive away the trees' whispers to make them stop. 

Cheshire: That rabbit won't chase us over here. 

MC: Come to think of it... It looked like that rabbit from earlier has been searching for you for a while. 

(Does that include the pocket watch too...?)

Cheshire: ...Looks like I have to tell you the secret to the trick. Alice, won't you hear me out? 

As Cheshire Cat looked at me, I was unable to looked away from the strong look in his eyes... 

Chapter 8 - The Truth About the Golden Clock

After saying "secret to the trick", Cheshire Cat began to speak with a serious expression. 

Cheshire: I thought that you were a replacement for Alice... That's why I've been showing you around this whole time, to see if Alice will return through you. 

MC: Okay...

Cheshire: But, it looks like it was no good. 

MC: ...No good? 

Cheshire: I don't want anyone else, but Alice. 

MC: Why...

Cheshire: The memories of playing with Alice... I don't want to just remember them. I only wanted those fun days to return... 

Seeing Cheshire Cat hanging his head down was the saddest thing I"ve ever since until now. 

(But, I'm not "Alice". I have to get that through to him properly.) 

MC: Um, Cheshire Cat... 

Ceshire: Don't leave my side.

As if he knew what I was going to say, I closed my mouth. Cheshire Cat pulled the pocket watch from his chest. 

MC: That's... The pocket watch that the rabbit was searching for? 

Cheshire: That's right, his household can go into any time period. He is the guard of time in this kingdom. Even though everyone in his household are pretty careless... Fufu. 

Cheshire Cat made an amused smile that was like a child's that had succeeded with a prank.

Cheshire: I'm borrowing this watch, so that I can rewind time♪ Well, those guys are pretty easy to deceive. 

(I feel a little sorry for the rabbit...) 

After Cheshire Cat said that, he tampered with the clock needle. 

Cheshire: I do this... There. Fufufu... For just a bit, no, for a while... Time will be changing quickly, so it'd probably be best if you close your eyes~

MC: Eh...? 

Cheshire Cat held my shoulder firmly. Then...

Suddenly, it started to turn dark around us as time was rapidly changing into dusk... 

After that... Time was moving quickly...

......

...

(...We're going thorugh time at such an amazing speed. I... I wonder where he's taking me.) 

In the middle of the dizzying time flow, I tightly gripped Cheshire Cat's clothes as it felt like I was going to be left behind.

Cheshire: My Alice... 

As I clung onto him, Cheshire Cat's voice echoed in my head...

Chapter 9 - A Memorable Place

When the morning sun went past the horizon, it's sunlight brightened up the entire area... The prairie shined with a golden color. 

MC: Huh, this place...?

Cheshire: That's right, it's where I met Alice and where she left... A memorable place... Do you remember? 

Cheshire Cat looked at me. 

(What should I do... How should I answer him?) 

Cheshire: At that time, Alice told me that she was going to leave. She said that she would never forget about me... And that she would come back here again... 

With a bitter expression, a single tear fell from his eyes. 

Cheshire: Alice, why... did you forget about me? 

MC: ...I'm sorry. 

I ended up saying that. 

(Cheshire Cat's ongoing feelings towards "Alice"... I...)

As I was silent, I gripped my hand tightly. 

With the tree leaves swaying from the wind, there was a sad cry...

Last Chapter - Final Decision

The trees around us looked at us and whispered something. 

MC: ...I'm sorry. 

(Because I'm really not Alice.)

It became silent between us.

(Cheshire Cat... He's not saying anything.) 

When I nervously looked up...

MC: !

There was an odd look in Cheshire Cat's eyes. 

Cheshire: You're sorry? ...Fufufu, what do you mean... Ahahahaha! Alice apologizing... Haha. 

After Cheshire Cat laughed for a while, his voice became strained. 

Cheshire: I'm okay... I just can't believe in anyone anymore. 

(Cheshire... Cat?) 

Cheshire: You don't have anything to apologize for. Besides, you can't obtain anything with nothing in your hands... See? 

Cheshire Cat's eyes narrowed like crescent moons as he smiled. My shoulders trembled when I felt a bit of a chill go down my spine... Then, the trees around us began to whisper again. 

Forest Tree: Hurry... Go back, go back. If you don't, you won't be able to... return... retun... 

Cheshire: Geez, so noisy...! Shut up!

As Cheshire Cat had his hands by his side, a gust of wind blew around us. 

Cheshire: I'm the prince of this forest...! If I hear one more thing out of you guys, I'll burn you... 

The trees instantly became silent. 

Cheshire: ...Hey, Alice. This is it. You have to make a final decision. 

MC: Final... decision? 

Cheshire Cat held his hand out in front of me and slowly raised one finger. 

Cheshire: 1, if Alice's memories return, you have to stay here with me. 2, if you regain Alice's memories, you have to stay here with me. 3, you can return to your own kingdom if you kill me... 

(...!) 

Cheshire: What's wrong? You're surprised. Let's see... Is it because all three choices involve you staying here... What the trees were saying earlier were probably all lies. 

With an odd smile, Cheshire Cat caressed my cheek. 

(...I...) 

Cheshire Cat gave me a warped look. His eyes were filled with sadness and sorrow from being alone for so long... 

MC: If that's what you want... I'll stay here. 

As it felt like some kind of mysterious spell had been casted on me, I said those words. 

Cheshire: How surprising, I thought that you were going to choose one of the three choices at least... 

When Cheshire Cat made a surprised look, he raised my jaw with smooth movements. Then, he softly kissed me. 

MC: Mm...

His tongue entered deeply. Through the kiss, I was being hit by his unstable feelings... 

Cheshire: Alice... I was so tired... of waiting for so long.

(...He's been waiting for so long because he believed in that promise. The promise with Alice...) 

Cheshire: Alice? What's wrong? You're making such a sad face... Did you dislike the kiss? 

I shook my head as Cheshire Cat held my cheeks with both hands. As I looked at him with trembling eyes, I told him how I felt. 

MC: ...I'll stay with you forever. 

I placed my hands on his back and hugged him as I said that softly. 

Cheshire: Heh... I see. Do you really promise that you won't go away? 

MC: Yes...

Cheshire: Then, show me some proof. 

MC: Eh...? 

Cheshire: Like I said, show me some proof... Of your promise of being with me for eternity. 

MC: H-How do I do that...

I was trembling the next moment... Cheshire Cat made a grin that was like a crescent moon. Then... 

He picked me up and jumped into a tree. 

MC: Ah... 

Up high in the tree, there was a view of the Kingdom of Wonders. 

MC: ...

As I moved my body around, Cheshire Cat held me tightly in his arms and stopped my movements. 

Cheshire: ...I won't tell you to stop now. Because that's what I love about Alice... Okay? 

MC: That's... 

Cheshire: From now on... No one will watch nor get in the way. So... Come here.

MC: C-Cheshire Cat!? 

Cheshire Cat gently pulled my hand... and gently placed it against his chest. 

Cheshire: Fufufu... What shall we play now? My... adorable "Alice"... 

His slim fingers untied the ribbon around my chest. When my neck was revealed, he placed a rough kiss on it... 

Cheshire: You're mine... For all of eternity. 

On my ear, nape and chest... After his tail traced those spots, I gave him a kiss as proof.

(I can't escape from here anymore...) 

Even though it was strange, my heart was going fast greatly...

As it felt like I was merging with the mysterious night of the Forest of Wonders, I closed my eyes... 

Main Story

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