on hiatus

◇ All because of a slight fever (02/09-14/09) ◇

Alfons

♡ Villains want to bother little 'Robin' (18/08-31/08) ♡

Al&Elbert: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

Vic&Will: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

◇ Doting LoveHolic (04/08-17/08) ◇

Alfons

☆ Alfons' 1st Birthday (01/08-31/08) ☆

Story | Letter

♡ I Want to Steal You (20/07-03/08) ♡

Alfons: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

Victor 95k story

♡ Luxury Liner (06/07-19/07) ♡

Victor: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

♡ Black Wedding p2 (22/06-05/07) ♡

Victor: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

◇ Absolutely Obedient Maid (08/06-21/06) ◇

Alfons | Victor

♡ Black Wedding p1 (25/05-08/06) ♡

Alfons: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

◇ Secret in Your Heart (11/05-24/05) ◇

Alfons | Victor

♡ Wicked Love Blooming in the Dark Night p2 (28/04-09/05) ♡

Alfons: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

Victor: 1 | 2 | 3Bitter | 3Premium | Epilogue

~~Part 1~~

Victor: "Kate, reaching the best ending is now in your hands."

Victor: "...... come, let's send you to the twisted fairytale world."

~~~

When I woke up, I was lying on a bed in a beautiful castle.

(...... this place)

As I looked around, under the veil of the night, for a brief moment, I felt a sense of serenity.

Blue-eyed, blonde man: "...... you're awake?"

(...... what a gorgeous person. I've never seen someone so beautiful)

Blue-eyed, blonde man: "Good morning, Snow White."

(I'm Snow White!? That means I've been transported to the world of 'Snow White')

Kate: "... Um, I'm sorry, I know we've only just met, but who are you?"

Queen Elbert: "...... I'm Elbert. Also known as the 'Queen of Greed'."

(He's the Queen?)

The Queen in the fairy tale was jealous of the beautiful Snow White and tried to kill her with a poisoned apple.

(Could he be the one who is causing distortion in this world?)

Kate: "... Why am I in this castle?"

Queen Elbert: "Thanks to the huntsman called Roger..."

~~~

Roger: "Oi! This young miss dropped (unconscious) in the forest. You in there?"

Queen Elbert: "... I'm here."

~~~

Kate: "Humph, treating someone like an object!...... I appreciate the help you have given me."

This world was a little different from the usual fairy tales.

(... It was not unexpected, considering it became warped because 'something was missing')

Queen Elbert: "... Snow White."

Kate: "Y-Yes...?"

~~Part 2~~

The intensity of his gaze made me stiffen, which in turn caused the beautiful queen to tilt his head innocently.

Queen Elbert: "Are you hungry?"

I was taken to the dining room, where I was presented with a plethora of dishes lined up on the table.

(Woah, fluffy bread, corn potage, and desserts!)

(Wait, they might be laced with poison...)

Queen Elbert: "......Is there something that's not to your liking?"

Kate: "Oh, it's...... no, not at all."

He pulled out a chair and urged me to sit down, but then sat a few spaces away from me.

It felt like he was trying to show concern, picking up on my distrust of him.

Kate: "Why are you being so considerate towards me? We've only just met."

Queen Elbert: "...... why indeed? I'm searching for the most beautiful thing in the world."

Queen Elbert: "It might be that you're what I'm looking for."

A beautiful and terrifying smile filled with madness reached his blue eyes, but

It soon vanished as fleeting as a summer mirage.

Queen Elbert: "...... besides, I didn't want to leave you alone."

Kate: "Huh?"

Queen Elbert: "..... It feels lonely to wake up alone."

Disarmed by the sincerity coming through this combination of madness and kindness, I felt myself slowly letting down my guard.

Kate: "I'm also looking for something that is 'missing' in this world."

Queen Elbert: "Oh, then... you might want to ask Al."

Kate: "Al?"

~~Part 3~~

Queen Elbert pointed to a portrait,

depicting him and a figure visible only in their profile.

Queen Elbert: "My attendant, Alfons Sylvatica. He's my mirror."

Kate: "Mirror..."

Queen Elbert: "He lets me know whether something is beautiful or not, amongst other things."

(Hmm, does that mean I should go and see the mirror called Alfons?)

Kate: "Where can I find him?"

Queen Elbert: "??......?"

Queen Elbert: "......I wonder."

(What?)

With Lord Elbert's permission, I set out to search the castle.

(Not here)

(Not here either)

(He's nowhere to be found! Does this mean he's not in the castle?)

???: "You seem troubled, Snow White. If you're looking for Alfons the Mirror, he's in the pub."

(Huh? I just heard someone's voice...)

There was a little bird by the window, its feathers reminiscent of the colour of the night.

Kate: "A talking bird...?"

Little bird: "I talk, of course. This is a twisted fairy tale world, so your common sense doesn't really apply."

(Oh, I see...)

Kate: "Thanks for letting me know he's in the pub."

Little bird: "Make sure he doesn't touch the nape of your neck. He has the ability to briefly alter your perception."

Little bird: "Well then, take care. Byeee."

~~~

I slipped out of the castle and made my way to the pub in question. The moment I entered, an atmosphere of decadence surrounded me.

(The person in that portrait, the one with raven hair...)

Alfons the Mirror: "Snow White has awoken from her slumber. Would you care for an apple?"

~~Part 4~~

Alfons the Mirror: "Snow White has awoken from her slumber. Would you care for an apple?"

Alfons the Mirror: "... Ah, this sounds like something El would say."

Sitting in front of me was the person from the portrait.

Kate: "You're Alfons, am I right?"

Alfons the Mirror: "Uh-huh, I'm Alfons. How did you end up in a place like this?"

Alfons the Mirror: "Wouldn't it be nicer being pampered by the queen with a hoarding addiction?"

(If I want to get information, I have to confide in him about the situation I'm in, don't I?)

Kate: "Actually..."

Alfons the Mirror: "You want to find 'something that's missing' in this world in order to return to your reality, is that right? Why do you care about finding it?"

Kate: "Eh?"

Alfons the Mirror: "There are more ways to get back to normal, don't you think? There's no point obsessing over what's missing."

Kate: "What other ways are there?"

Alfons the Mirror: "Being hit on the head, drowning in a river, or simply just dying."

(......what the heck)

It only took a short exchange to realize how insolent and inappropriate this guy was.

Kate: "There might be other ways, but... I don't think it'd be right if I was the only one saved."

Kate: "I will find what is missing and correct the distortion of this world. That's my happy ending."

Alfons the Mirror: "A-ha! You're so very serious, aren't you?"

Alfons the Mirror: "After all, distortion of the world and turmoil of others are trivial matters when compared to protecting yourself."

~~Part 5~~

Kate: "I'm fine with being seen as foolish. So, is there anything missing in this world?"

Alfons the Mirror: "Is there, or isn't there, I wonder?"

Kate: "Please, think about it."

Alfons the Mirror: "Mhm, I've already committed myself to this, so here's an idea."

Ostentatiously, he held out an amber coloured cocktail in front of me.

Alfons the Mirror: "Shall we have a drink together until I remember?"

Kate: "...... but I'm in the middle of conducting my search."

Alfons the Mirror: "It's unlikely you'll find it today or tomorrow, am I right? If you don't take a breather, you'll exhaust yourself."

Mesmerised by the gentle swirling of the drink and the voice pouring into my ears, I could feel my resolve weaken.

(...... indeed, he's right. I've been on my toes up until now)

Kate: "Then... I'll have some of it."

Alfons the Mirror: "Please do. Bottoms up. Barkeep, same again."

~~~

Two shadows flickered in a small room at the back of the pub.

Alfons the Mirror: "Heh, watch out... careful where you step, please."

Kate: "Ng.... no more drin...k."

Alfons the Mirror: "Haha, you're properly sloshed."

As he tried to lay her on the bed, Kate firmly grabbed Alfons' neck.

Alfons the Mirror: "Whoa..."

The gesture was so innocent that it seemed like a child lost on their way home.

Alfons the Mirror: "You shouldn't hug a man whilst looking so lonely."

His fingertips slid down to the nape of Kate's neck, and his lips whispered in her ear.

Alfons the Mirror: "I'm your precious lover. Feel free to entrust your mind and body to me..."

Kate: "......Alfo......ns?"

Alfons the Mirror: "Now, forget all the troublesome things..."

~~~

London, the glittering and prosperous capital of the United Kingdom under the reign of Her Majesty the Queen Victoria.

I was an ordinary citizen working to deliver mail in this city.

As such, I struggled to support my favourite past-time, a theatre, and afford tickets to plays I wanted to see.

(All right, all deliveries are done for today)

(A little more, and I can finally buy tickets for the next show...)

Kate: "I'm back."

Director: "Kate! Just when I need you... or maybe not, the streets are too dangerous at night..."

Kate: "What's going on?"

Director: "Well, there's an opening for nighttime deliveries, with us being short-staffed and all."

(That's it!)

Kate: "Please, allow me to take them."

~~~

After accepting the task, I found myself walking through the dimly lit residential areas.

(All that's left to do is delivering a letter to the bookshop manager)

(Oh, 'Kingsley Books'... here it is!)

Kate: "Excuse me, I'm working for the post office. I'm looking for the manager..."

(There's no one here. I guess I'll have to come back tomorrow... huh, what a place 👀)

I picked up a book that casually landed at my feet.

As if drawn to it, I opened the untitled tome.

Kate: "Gah...!"

The sudden gust of wind, then a blinding light enveloped me...

~~~

Beautiful longhaired man: "Welcome to the twisted fairytale world..."

Beautiful longhaired man: "A visitor... how marvellous!"

Ahead of me, a beautiful, long-haired figure awaited.

Kate: "...I was at the bookstore just now... and then..."

I had no idea where I was, nor who was the person in front of me.

All I knew was that this was not the bookshop I stepped into, and I still had work left to do.

Kate: "Umm, I'm in the middle of a delivery, so I'd like to go back to 'Kingsley Books' if possible."

Beautiful longhaired man: "That might be a smidge difficult."

Kate: "Eh?"

Beautiful longhaired man: "More precisely, I have no clue how to send you back."

The man, who introduced himself as Victor, smiled and proceeded with an explanation, trying to soothe my confused mind.

It transpired that the place I found myself in existed between two worlds, the world of the living and the fairytale world.

Kate: "......a fairytale world?"

Victor: "You must have been led here by the untitled tome. Don't you remember?"

Kate: "Indeed I was. Does this mean I got lost in a book?"

Victor: "That's right. You're a smart girl, quick on the uptake."

(I never thought that the adaptability I developed working for the post would be put to use in a place like this)

Kate: "But you... Victor, you mentioned earlier a 'twisted fairytale world'."

Victor: "Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty..."

Victor: "Most fairy tales in the world have a fixed plot and normally lead to a happy ending."*

Victor: "However, the fairy tale world is currently in a state where the plot of the story has gone awry, chaos has reached its peak, and the endings are far from happy."

Kate: "...... How is that possible?"

Victor: "That's because... each fairytale is missing something."

Kate: "Missing something... What might it be?"

Victor: "I don't know that either."

Victor: "I suspect you've been brought here to find out."

(......... huh, then)

Kate: "When the missing piece is found, the distortion of the fairy tale world should be fixed, and the story will lead to a happy ending."

Kate: "My job in here will be done..."

Victor: "And you might be able to go back to your world, to reality."

(If that's my only chance, I might as well try)

(I'll find what's missing in this twisted fairytale world and correct the distortion. Then lead it to a happy ending with my own hands)

I was going to go back to my world and continue my delivery.

As I made up my mind, I could hear bells ringing in the distance.

Victor: "Ah, looks like it's time to wake up."

Victor: "Kate, reaching the best ending is now in your hands."

Victor: "...... come, let's send you to the twisted fairytale world."

~~~

~~~

(Where... am I...?)

(I'm sure I went to sleep in my room at the Crown castle, did I not?)

I decided to walk around and assess the situation...

Victor: "Hi there, Kate."

...I was greeted by Victor, who suddenly appeared in front of me.

Kate: "Victor....!? You appeared out of thin air..."

Kate: ".. oh, is it a magic trick, perhaps?"

Victor: "Pfft, it's not a magic trick. This is just a dream you're having, so anything is possible!"

Kate: "A dream...?"

Victor: "Yes, anything that happens here, happens according to your wish."

Victor: "Whether it's gorgeous gem- adorned dresses or delicious, buttery pastries..."

Victor: "One wish from you, and you can have anything you want."

As he said this, he picked up a tree branch that lay at his feet.

Victor: "Let's see --"

He gently waved the branch as if it were a wizard's wand.

At that moment, a table ready for a tea party and a large wardrobe fell from the sky.

The wardrobe opened itself, revealing a variety of colourful dresses.

Victor: "... ta da!"

Kate: "Whoa... amazing! It really is a dream..."

Victor: "Your enthusiasm is appreciated! Well, no point just standing around; let's continue our chat over a cup of tea."

He urged me to sit on the chair that had just appeared and drink the tea prepared for me.

(I feel like I'm always drinking tea with Victor...)

(...it's strange to enjoy myself like that in a dream)

Kate: "By the way, why are you my dream, Victor?"

Victor: "I'm here to make your dreams come true! It's like a stage set-up."

Kate: "My dreams, you say..."

Victor: "Yeah, no matter how daring they may seem. Tell me what you want?"

Victor: "Let your imagination run freely. Whether you want to fly, do something outlandish, or just visualise it!"

Victor: "I'll accept anything and make it come true!"

Kate: "Then... I want to spoil you, Victor."

His jewel-like eyes widened in astonishment.

Victor: "...spoil me?"

Victor: "Um... it's definitely something you want to do, yes? You're not trying to fulfill my wishes?"

Kate: "Yes, it's what I want."

Kate: "You're busy working as the Queen's Aide and looking after the Crown."

Kate: "And yet you never show that you're tired and always take care of me..."

Kate: "So I thought I'd let you rest your body and mind."

Victor: "........."

Kate: "But whenever I try to persuade you to take a break in real life, you politely refuse..."

Kate: "And there's only so much I can do when I lend you a hand with work."

Kate: "So... will you allow me to help you, even if just in a dream?"

Kate: "That's what I want."

Victor: "Seriously... you know you've already helped me enough?"

Victor smiled softly in an attempt to dispel my anxiety. He was kind even in a dream.

(Still, it was true I've been performing my duties as a fairytale writer...)

(Little by little, I feel like I'm helping the Crown)

(... but, that's not enough)

I wanted him to need me more. I wanted to be useful... I wanted to get closer.

These feelings welled up in my heart whenever I was with Victor.

Wanting to dote on Victor was more for my own benefit than his.

Victor: "........."

Kate: "I'll do whatever I can, so..."

Victor: "...now now, don't be too hasty saying things like that."

Victor: "Even if I'm just a figment of your imagination."

Victor chided me but then winked playfully.

Victor: "But... if that's what you want, then by all means, feel free to pamper me."

Kate: "Thank you so much...!"

Victor: "Haha, I should be thanking you."

Victor: "Hmm, so you want to pamper me then... but what should I ask you to do?"

Kate: "Would you like to have a nap? You could use my lap as a pillow!"

Victor: "Lap pillow...?"

(Oops, I got carried away and said something weird... offering my lap was a ridiculous idea...)

Kate: "S-sorry, forget what I said..."

Victor: "What a splendid idea, Kate!"

Victor: "I'm tall, so I always look down at you, don't I? It'll be fun to look up for a change."

He did not find it strange and accepted the proposal.

As I sat down in a field of flowers, Victor took off his coat and gently placed his head on my lap.

(It's strange... the touch of Victor's hair and his warmth feel so real)

Kate: "Are you comfortable?"

Victor: "Of course! It's perfect... though isn't my head too heavy?"

Kate: "Not at all, it's very light... Erm, I don't mean that your head is empty or anything like that...!"

Victor: "Haha! Don't worry, Kate!"

Victor: "I know you wouldn't look down like that at anyone... I can see right through you."

Kate: "... thank you."

His words made me happy; I could feel my lips curve into a smile.

Victor, who had been watching me from the lap, reached out and stroked my cheek.

Victor: "Being able to see your happy face at such a close distance... definitely makes me a fan of this position."

Victor: "Thank you for being by my side and always keeping a smile on your face."

His tender touch tickled me, and I returned the favour by combing my hand through his hair.

We continued talking about trifle things, until...

Kate: "....achoo!"

I suddenly felt a chill and let out a small sneeze.

Victor: "Are you feeling chilly? I'd hate for you to catch a cold."

Victor: "Put on my coat for now... I'll get something else to keep you warm."

He stood up in a hurry, intending to leave me.

Kate: "W-wait, please! I'm fine, so stay with me a little longer..."

It was Victor's presence that brought happiness into my dreams.

I felt that the moment he disappeared from view, the dream would end, and I would be back to reality...

I stopped him, wanting to immerse myself in this world a little longer.

Victor: "... then, may I hug you?"

Kate: "Huh...?"

Victor: "There's nothing here that can keep you warm other than me. Kidding --"

Kate: "... is it okay to impose on you this way?"

I was aware I was dreaming, and yet I did feel a bit chilly.

I wanted Victor to stay by my side, and I wanted to stay warm,

His offer satisfied both of those needs... so I gladly accepted it.

Victor: "........."

Hearing my reply, Victor became unusually silent, and then, hesitating, he gently pulled me into his arms.

He wasn't supposed to be real, and yet I could feel his body heat,

my own body, which meant to be cold, gradually started to warm up.

(I don't know why... I feel so calm)

Being held like that by a man made me embarrassed.

But more than that, it was like my body had been waiting for Victor to embrace me for a long time...

It gave me a sense of security—the sensation that I was where I belonged.

Without saying a word, I hugged him back, and his arms, initially hesitant, tightened their grip around me.

Kate: "... I think I like being hugged by you."

I said it without thinking, and then I realized. This was not the reality but the world of dreams.

Kate: "Still... this is my dream and my desire. I'm sorry for making you go out with me..."

I was happy to have my shallow desires fulfilled by the dream Victor...

...yet my happiness rang hollow.

Victor: "... you think so? Maybe this isn't just your wish."

Victor: "I'm sure the real Victor would appreciate it as much."

Wrapped in the arms of an imaginary Victor whose words were kind, just like in reality.

I sincerely hoped that this pleasant dream would last a little longer.