Alistair returned home to the White Castle. The White Queen, Shiro, was kneeling besides her soldiers. She helped the doctors wrap their bandages and though she looked like a saint or "goddess" as almost all the residents of the White Castle called her, Alistair saluted to his queen.

"Your majesty, I'm here to report," he said in a sarcastic way.

Shiro turned to see him and welcomed him home, "Let's return to the palace shall we? Do forgive me for seemingly abandoning you soldiers..."

The soldiers, though badly hurt, kept a smile and waved at their queen. They didn't mind since the goddess herself had came to bless them with her presence and goodwill.

"What news of my sister?" Shiro spoke almost at a whisper that Alistair struggled to hear.

"So far," he began to say, "she has yet to appear on the battlefield. It seems as though her soldiers are fighting on their own and without the aid of the Red Queen."

Shiro sighed but kept quiet. They entered the palace immediately and walked towards the throne room. It was quite small, but it allowed the White Queen to be more intimate with her subjects. Instead of walking to the throne room, Shiro turned to the royal kitchen that was next door. They entered and Shiro brewed up some tea, which was most unusual of a queen to do, and sat across Alistair.

"Well," she placed the teacup onto the table in front of him, "you're telling me that my sister, Hong, is not giving any directions to her soldiers?"

Alistair nodded, "Judging from the number of soldiers on our end, none of them have been badly hurt. The soldiers from the Red Castle are exceedingly strong. It doesn't seem like they are trying to kill anyone on purpose."

Because they have relatives on our side...Shiro remembered and felt guilty.

"I did notice however," Alistair continued, "That the Thorn Kingdom have been attacking the Rose Kingdom and made it past the border when I was on my way back."

Shiro shivered. She didn't know much about the Thorn Kingdom, other than her father taking part in the war. Her mother had sheltered her to the point that she wasn't aware that they were in the midst of war until she saw what Hong had done to their father when the war was reaching its climax. I still can't believe what Hong did to father...

Alistair watched as the queen clenched her fist on the table, "Queen Shiro."

The White Queen looked at Alistair and tried to free herself from remembering that day, "What happened with Tweedle Dum? Any progress?"

Alistair tried not to react to the name, "Seems like he isn't remembering anything. I don't even know if he's trying..."

Shiro walked towards him and placed her hands on one of his. Her beauty was almost surreal compared to Alistair. His face looked exactly like Jack's, his hair was slightly longer than his enemy, but they were fighting for their own cause.

"Oh Tweedle Dee..." Shiro patted Alistair on his shoulder.

"I promise," she said, "That once this revenge is over, Jack will most likely remember you..."

End of Chapter 4..........................................................................................................................