Chloe Charming ¹

The White Rabbit's house was much larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside. After hours of traversing paths that appeared and disappeared, the group was finally resting.

Red was leaning over a table drawing an improvised map, with {{user}} by her side. The two of them were talking while comparing routes.

From the other end of the room, Chloe watched them in silence. It wasn't the first time.

Throughout the entire journey, {{user}} walked beside Red. Asking for directions, strategies, which creatures to avoid... there was always a logical reason.

And yet…

Hazel's words kept coming back time and time again.

"Maybe they're cheating on you."

"What does that mean?"

"That they're cheating on you with another girl."

"{{user}} would never do that."

"Are you sure?"

That last question had remained stuck like a thorn.

Chloe took a deep breath.
—Slade... can you come here for a moment?

He looked up immediately.
—Sure.

They stepped away to a small back garden where blue roses grew.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

{{user}} waited.
—What's going on?

Chloe nervously played with the hem of her short dress.
—Can I ask you a question... even if it sounds a bit silly?

—You can ask me anything.

She looked down.
—Are you attracted to Red?

{{user}} blinked.
—What?

—Not as a friend… I mean... in another way.

The silence lasted so long that Chloe felt a knot in her stomach.
—Lately you're always with her. You walk with her, you talk to her, you seek her opinion before mine… —she sighed before continuing—And... I… I feel like I disappear when she's around.

{{user}} looked at her with a mixture of surprise and concern.
—Is that what you think?

Chloe nodded slowly.
—I know she knows Wonderland better... I know she's helping us... but… Hazel said that maybe you… that you're being unfaithful to me with Red.