Golden sunlight filtered in through the window next to Alice as she sat at the table, pouring herself a cup of tea. She sighed as she smelled the strong aroma, then took a sip. The tea was sweet and warm, and it lifted her mood higher. She set her cup down and gazed out the window.

"You want me to kill the Queen in front of many people," Alice stated with a smile, repeating what her contractor said.

Lucas, who was sitting across from her, gave her a firm nod. "Yes."

Alice looked at him. "And what's your plan after that? What will you do about the princess? Your . . . half-sister."

Lucas lowered his head, his eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know. I've never met her. But . . . she seems nice. I saw her once feeding a stray dog."

"I see. But aren't you worried? She will despise you once she discovers you were involved in the Queen's murder. Worse, she'll hate your race even more." Alice leaned toward him, a wicked smile plastered on her face. "How about we kill her too? She was the heir apparent to the throne. If she dies, the throne is yours. You were the late king's son, so you have royal blood in you, no?"

Lucas's eyes widened. "What? N-no. I have no plans to take over the Hearts Kingdom. I . . . "

Alice stared at him for a few seconds, still smiling, then she leaned back in her seat and gazed at the afternoon sky.

"Don't forget," Alice said. "Whatever you wish for, I will grant them all for you, my master."

***

When night fell, Alice and Lucas made plans to leave. They were going to the castle, which was Alice's idea. She was curious as to whether the Queen had a familiar and who the spirit she was contracted with was.

"Are you sure we need to do this?" Lucas asked as he grabbed his halved top hat and cane.

"Of course. I needed to know what I was in for. Even if I'm powerful enough, I'm not stupid enough to rush into a blind attack."

"But you're the most powerful spirit, aren't you? So I'm certain you will win."

Alice sighed. "Power, Master, isn't enough to guarantee victory. You should use it as well." She tapped her head twice.

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Lucas just shrugged, as if he didn't have anything else to say.

Lucas was reluctant to come, and Alice understood why. The Queen wanted him dead as well because he was an illegitimate child of a king and his half-beast woman affair. Everyone in Hearts Kingdom was looking for him. However, Lucas, as her contractor, was ought to come, as a familiar shouldn't be separated from their master or they will be weakened.

Alice and Lucas then hired a carriage to take them to the city. Lucas hid his face behind a cat mask. He stayed behind and pretended to peruse the stalls, while Alice transformed herself into a shadow and crept into the castle's main gate, which wasn't far away. The two armored knights standing guard didn't seem to notice her.

As Alice approached the gate, she sensed a powerful aura she was all too familiar with.

A smile crept onto her face. "Ah, so the Queen is contracted with the Cheshire Cat."

***

"You want me to cause a disturbance during your execution?" Lucas asked with a look of disbelief.

Alice took a sip of her tea before responding. "Yes. I need you to divert the Cheshire Cat's attention."

Lucas frowned. "Can't you just kill him too along with the Queen?"

"The Cheshire Cat is a spirit contracted with the Queen. The first thing he'd do isn't to fight me but to protect his master. And I assure you, that will only complicate things."

"But you're no doubt stronger than him, right?"

Alice placed the empty cup on the table and looked Lucas in the eyes. "That's right. But believe me, even if I'm stronger, the Cheshire Cat is a bit of trouble. He's one of the strongest spirits. If you aren't aware, he was once a human. Or should I say . . . a half-beast man."

Lucas's eyes delated in horror.

"Yes," Alice said in a firm voice. "That's why we go to my plan. Don't worry, I'll protect you. A familiar will sense if its master is in danger."

***

A week later, Alice and Lucas planned to assassinate the Queen of Hearts. The sun shone brightly as Alice made her way to the main gate of the Hearts Castle. Lucas, on the other hand, stayed behind and strolled around the street, but keeping his presence close to her.

When Alice approached the armored knights guarding the main gate, they crossed their spears in front of her, blocking the entrance.

"What do you want?" the taller knight asked.

Alice smiled. "I want the Queen's head."

"Y-you!" they growled.

Alice drew the knife from her dress pocket and decapitated the taller knight in an instant. As blood sprayed from his severed neck, she roared with laughter. Her laughter grew louder as the headless body fell to the ground.

The other knight froze on the spot for a brief moment. He then regained his wits and charged. He propelled his spear forward.

Alice laughed as she sidestepped and avoided his attack. People began screaming behind her, and her heart pounded with joy and pleasure. She tried her hardest not to use her power because she was pretending to be a rebel. She had even altered her physical appearance. And, in order to conceal her identity from the Cheshire Cat, she disguised her aura as nothing more than a human.

"I'm here to overthrow the Queen," Alice declared before charging forward and stabbing the knight in his chest.