A/N: Apologizes for the lateness, things have been busy. But here's the rest of the chapter.

Never in my life would I have pictured this moment like this – at least not with a talking rabbit, in a blue castle of all things. But my eyes couldn't have deceived me this time. There she was. Alice Kingsleigh stood before me.

I couldn't find my voice this time, and it seemed neither could she. Though I didn't need to double check, I tore my eyes off of her to scramble for my locket. I popped it open and there it was again, two identical faces. The one I had was much younger; she didn't look any older than me. But as I saw her now, she looked about a bit younger then Victoria; her face a bit worn down by the years but she had the same blue eyes and wispy blond curls. She walked over to me now, till we were about face to face, and gently took the locket from my hand to gaze at it.

"I – I can't believe it's you, wha – I –" It was if I was speaking for the first time, but that didn't seem to bother Alice and she smiled softly at the locket, though not really paying attention to the photo.

"You kept it." Her voice was barely a whisper, and cracked a bit.

"Yeah, I guess I did." She let it go and went back to looking at me. I barely heard Nivens shuffle in the background.

"I'm so happy, and surprised." I began "I mean, it wasn't logical, but I always knew. Knew you were really here – well, not here here – but I always held onto that belief." She squinted at me, throwing off that happy glaze on her face.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," I took the locket again "People always told me not to get any false hope, but I always knew. I had the picture, and I would have dreams with you in them – well, dreams or memories, I couldn't tell the difference. I knew it wasn't by accident."

"You….you remember me?"

"Yeah, of course! Well, a bit. I don't really remember who you are exactly, the photo told me long ago, if it isn't lying. I don't really remember, but I feel like I know you. Actually, a lot of this feels very familiar." She continued to stare at me while I smiled dumbly, then over to Nivens, and I followed – but Nivens wasn't looking at either of us, he just seemed to be very interested in studying his watch. It was like he knew this was coming.

Alice grabbed my locket again, and slipped the photo out, probably seeing where her name had been crossed out with "mother" written below it. I thought she was angry for a minute, but then she brought her gaze to me, almost as if to take me in, and the same smile came back again.

"It isn't lying."

I had never been a very affectionate person; I mean I only ever hugged my adoptive family if it was their birthday. But what I did next surprised me, and I think everyone else too. I grinned widely then threw my arms around her, hugging her close.

"I knew it." My voice was muffled since my face was pressed into her shoulder. Soon though, I found her arms around me too, holding me tightly.

"I can't believe your back."

I guess this was how I had imagined it after all.

x.x.x

It wasn't long before I was trailing after Alice in the hallway. After she let go of me from our embrace (I let go before she did, but it took her a few more seconds), she told the rabbit, or Nivens as he is, to "gather everyone in the dining hall early." She said they were about to have supper, but I couldn't just simply squeeze myself in – she needed to announce my arrival first. Apparently this was a big deal.

"You can just wait outside while I tell them all." She offered.

"Um, sure. But who are they all?"

"Friends, attendances of the castle, knights. People who hold a higher job, just so they can be informed first and spread it to the workers under them."

"Ok.." I tried to picture who they might be. I didn't know any "friends", and the others might just be maids and such – and I had a brief glimpse of hope that maybe, they'll be the creatures or people that had clogged my mind for so many years. While I was buzzing with that thought, I took another look at the older women ahead of me. Her attire didn't give any clues, just a dress and sword at her belt; I knew she was my mother, but who else was she?

"Well wait, who…who are you exactly?" She glanced over her shoulder, looking quizzically at me.

"I thought we already established that."

"No I mean, what's your job here?" A grin danced on her lips, and she moved her eyes away from me.

"Well this may be hard to believe Erika, now, but," she turned back, and I couldn't help but think she was doing it for dramatic effect "I'm the Queen of Underland." I stopped in my tracks.

"You're..you're the Queen?" I breathed out. Any thoughts of my mother previously were very fuzzy, so this was completely new news to me. It was the last thing I would've guessed.

"Not by blood, but in every other sense." She replied calmly – I guess she had perceived that reaction from me. She stared at me a bit more, then kept walking. I sped up to keep up behind her.

"But if you're Queen, shouldn't you have like, a crown or something? Maybe someone trailing behind you to watch over or whatever?"

"I find crowns a bit ridiculous," she began "I don't need to wear one all of the time, people are aware of who I am – it's only important in ceremonies. And as for a guard," she smiled briefly, and looked at me, her hand reaching down to tap her fingernails on her sword handle "I can handle those things on my own."

"Wow." I muttered – but then another thought seemed to slam right into me like a truck, and I stopped again "Ok wait, hold on!" I held out my hands as if to stop her; she just appeared confused again.

"So, if you're Queen, and I'm your daughter.." I folded my hands together and pressed them to my lips. I didn't want to acknowledge what I was about to say "Doesn't that make me…a princess?"

"Correct." She replied casually "Your Princess Erika."

My brain couldn't even process this for a while, and I just stood there, letting the shock sink in.

"Oh god…..I'm having my own Princess Diaries moment." I muttered, literally putting my hands to the sides of my face in astonishment.

"Sorry?" She asked, quirking her head, and I realized she probably didn't make the connection. Katelynn would've found it funny – she would've found the whole ordeal funny. I found myself imagining her reaction, and I shook my head.

"Nothing…it's nothing." I grumbled and rubbed my eyes. If this wasn't enough (and don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm here, but it's been a long day), I get to find out I'm freaking royalty.

"I know that's a lot to handle Erika, but don't worry – no one would be expecting anything of you just yet." I didn't know whether or not to take that as an insult or compliment. And what did she mean, "not yet"?

We continued down the hall until we reached a fairly large, I guess, meeting room to which I could hear very, very faint murmuring (I suppose eavesdropping was out of the question). She stood in front of me and put her hands on my shoulders.

"Just stay here and wait until I come back. Most are going to want to meet you right away, however if you're not comfortable making an appearance straight away they can meet you separately."

"Uh," I drawled, not knowing which side to pick. I hate being put in front of an audience, but I was dying to see if I could find any familiar faces.

"I think I can handle them." I spoke a little unconfidently – damn my curiosity. I just had to see.

"Great." She said nicely, putting on a smile. Then she slipped in between the two grand doors, clicking when she closed them. I didn't even get to peek in to see who was in there.

Sighing, I slid down the wall and sat on the rugged carpet, trying to swallow this "princess" pill – this was going to be an interesting ride.

x.x.x

The murmuring ceased when Alice entered the room. They straightened their backs and paid close attention as she stepped directly in front of the room.

"Evening everyone." She started "I'm glad you could all join me, because I have some very, well, interesting news." They all remained quiet, sitting on edge as to what could possibly be said. She'd never call so many different people together if it wasn't for a huge reason.

"As some of you may have noticed, we have a special arrival…" Alice swallowed uneasily, mostly because she was having a hard time taking in this information as well. When Erika had stood there, ten feet taller but her blue eyes still as inquisitive as they always had been, Alice was sure she was dreaming.

"…my daughter, Erika, is back."

No one would've guessed that. Eyes drew wider and they all spun their heads to see the other person's reaction. Noise began to fly up again.

"Is she really?!" A voice carried out through the air. Alice looked down to the end of the wooden table many of them were sitting at to find Mallymkun. Despite coming from a very small body, her voice was the loudest over the commotion. Alice simply nodded.

"…Does she remember me?" Mally's tone seemed to squeak more at asking the question – there was a trace of desperation hidden inside it. Alice bit her bottom lip, unable to answer just yet.

"What about the rest of us?" A knight, in full-fledged uniform, raised his hand.

"How did this happen?!" Another voice rose, and Alice could tell she was slowly losing control of the room.

"Now just wait –" She tried, but with no luck.

"What will happen to her now?!"

A maid's voice cried out "What about –"

Faces went pale once they heard that one word, and they looked amongst each other, suddenly very frightened. At the sight of this, the Queen's eyes hardened.

"Quiet!" Alice yelled out – she hated to, but it got their attention. They fell back, a little shamed that they spoke slightly out of place. Alice sighed, and she attempted to gather her words.

"It is too early to decipher what should happen next. I need to speak with her more. You must be patient." She paused for a bit. "Erika seems to recall more then she should be able to, which is none, but do not put any pressure on her to place any more faces then she can. And as for…what was mentioned," the silence holding the room could've made their ears bleed "It's been far too long to worry about that; there hasn't been words passed about it in a long time, so you mustn't worry."

"Now, she has told me she would like to come in and meet you all – so please, do not crowd her, and don't be offended if she doesn't remember you, it's been a tiresome day. Lastly, the most important, no one shall mention anything as to what happened previous to her arrival besides the formalities. If she asks any questions, pretend you don't know. And Nivens and Mally," Alice scanned the room for them; Mally was still on the table, and Nivens had been hiding over by the knights, trying not to be seen "I want to speak with you both after we're done, I have some questions." She finished darkly, making everyone curious to know what those two creatures had been keeping from the Queen.

Alice then moved over and almost silently opened the door, calling for her daughter in a whisper. They all stood to attention, peeking over each other's shoulders, just to get a glimpse – a glimpse of the young girl they hadn't seen in so long.

"Erika, you may come in."

I jumped up almost rapidly, nearly forgetting that she was gunna call for me. Awesome – I just love crowds. I exhaled, stepping into the doorway, not having the slightest idea of what to expect.

There was about twenty or so many people in there – knights in armour standing at the back, a few staff members such as butlers and maids in uniform, and a few other oddities. They stared back at me, and I could feel them evaluating me –to which I then became immediately self-conscious of myself. Fantastic. I felt like running out, or even yelling at them to stop ogling me goddamn it! Whispers went up, but before anyone could speak out, I saw a small flash of movement.

I was about three seconds away from screaming when I felt something crawling up my arm. I flinched and jumped a bit, only to spot a mouse in a little uniform with a tiny sword at its side, come scampering up my arm. It reached up to my shoulder and stared hopefully at me.

"Erika! I haven't seen ya' in so long! Do you remember me?! I'm Mally!" She squeaked excitedly and I bushed my eyebrows together in trying to place her.

I did – well, as far as I could go. The familiar feeling started to stir in the pit of my stomach.

"Cute mouse. But what would a mouse need to defend herself from with a tiny toothpick of a sword anyway?"

"Yeah, yeah I do!" I grinned "Well, a little bit – it's probably good that you told me your name."

"You and me were best pals you know!" She chuckled, folding her tiny arms. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Now I finally knew one more – I was already starting to feel more at home. And as I went back to the others, I suddenly wasn't so afraid any more.

"Well," Alice clapped her hands, calling the attention to her quickly "You are all dismissed, and I'm sure if you would like to speak with Erika, she wouldn't mind." She smiled down to me, and I nodded to the audience.

They got up from their chairs and spots, passing through the doors and some waved or said hi to me; and I returned the gesture. They didn't seem all that familiar, but I had to be polite.

"Now," Alice began, peering over my shoulder to Mally "Mally, I still need to speak with you and Nivens, please."

"Alright." She sighed and ran back down my arm – but not before telling me she'd see me later. She went over to stand by Nivens beside the table.

"And Erika, there should be – wait, there they are." She pointed over to a spot in the room. I quickly turned my head that way. She had directed out two guys in chainmail with swords on their belts, and motioned for them to come over. They didn't look any older than me.

"Erika, this is Gareth Selwyn, and Tobias Blythe. They are part of my knights, and the youngest ones; the most successful for their age." She smiled, and I scanned them over. The first one she mentioned looked about seventeen, tan skin with red hair and green eyes – he grinned brightly, obviously a people person. The other, well, was a lot more striking you could say.

He had black hair a bit past his ears and bangs partly sided so they were over his right eye just a tad. His skin was light in tone and he was slightly taller. But his eyes stuck out excessively; they were an icy pale blue, so light it almost made them look white. He glanced over to me and a smirk crawled onto his face. He had the "mysterious stranger" thing down packed.

"Your Majesty, you're too kind." The first – the redhead – spoke out, but I you could tell he enjoyed the praise.

"I only speak the truth Gareth – well, as far as the truth goes." She grinned. "I was hoping you could take Erika for a short view of the castle, just so she knows where everything is."

"Of course!" Gareth said, turning to the other one; Tobias, I believe. He kept his calm and mysterious demeanor, still smirking.

"Of course Your Highness." His voice was low and he nodded to her.

"Excellent. Just be back before dinner is served, I heard the March Hare has helped cook up quite a feast." She nodded appropriately, then soon she was walking out the door as well, Mally and Nivens trailing after. We were the only ones left in the room. I stared back at them, feeling the awkwardness surrounding us.

"Um, lead the way gentlemen." I gestured out to the hall and followed them out.

x.x.x

Alice led the accused down the hall, into one of the many rooms that just seem to show up among the halls without a purpose. She ushered them in before closing and locking the doors. They stood in a tense silence, the two creatures waiting for Alice to say something while she pinched the bridge of her nose, looking slightly overwhelmed.

"Now, I know we're all happy about Erika's return; I can't deny that I'm happy to see her." She finally glanced up "However there are some questions that need answering."

She looked down to see Nivens nervously wringing his paws and lightly stomping his foot, while Mally had her eyes cast down in an annoyed way with her arms crossed, though her expression gave away that she was guilty of something. Alice knew it only took a small while before someone eventually gave out an answer.

"Alright it was me, I apologize!" Alice couldn't help but have a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She knew it was bad to prey on Nivens's extreme nervousness and anxiety, but she also knew he'd be the first one to give away anyway.

"You don't even know what she's asking!" Mally spat at Nivens, angry at his weakness and inability to keep quiet. Alice ignored Mally; she'd give in later.

"It's alright Nivens." She sat down on an open armed chair "Everyone knew you were the one who had to take care of Erika. I assumed you did, and while everything seemed to work out, she can still remember in certain ways. Why?"

"Oh, well you see, it's a tad complicated…" Nivens fumbled with his words, but eventually got a hang of it. He explained everything, but kept on twitching, and had to press himself to go on. Alice had rested her chin on her hands as they were clasped together, still watching Nivens – and as he told her what had happened, her calm demeanor slowly started to evaporate. As it had turned out, Nivens had not carried out his duty like he should've – and only now she finds out.

When he was done (whispering the last few words because he was reluctant to say it), there was a small silence as Alice processed it, staring down at the floor. She couldn't believe it; she had trusted Nivens, and while he was always did his job well and did things correctly, but when the matter of her daughter had come in place, something like this happens?

She leapt up from the chair, anger getting the better of her "So all these passing years, you had never told me this, and Erika was up there, with almost an entire conscious of her past?! Of us?! She was in danger!"

Both Nivens and Mally shrank back from the sudden tone in her voice, and Alice could see the frightened look on their faces. She took a step back, and mentally scolded herself. Alice was always firm – she had to be in her position – but never got angry and yelled unless absolutely necessary. She knows they still remember the days of the Red Queen, her harsh rule, and where a simple slip up could mean punishment for all of them. She never wanted them to remember that, or feel like they were in that position again.

"I'm sorry Nivens. I just wished you had told me earlier."

"I'm sorry, again..Alice."

Alice let out a sigh of air and fell back into the chair, trying to think of where to go from here now knowing this information.

"I'll think of something. Now Mally,"

Mally's head turned sharply to Alice, as if she just remembered she was here for questioning too. She saw the young Queen pull a small, what looked like, piece of paper out of her pocket and she felt her heart skip a beat.

"Explain this to me." Placing it upwards, Mally saw what it was, and stared at the floor again in quiet shame.

"I believe that's a photo of you, Alice."

"I realize what it is Mally, tell me why I found it in my daughter's locket when I knew it had been empty."

Mally twitched her whiskers and scuffed her feet along the floor, stalling.

"Mally –"

"Why do you think it was me?!" The mouse snapped.

"Because no one else would have dared." Alice answered calmly. She knew her friends well, that was for sure.

"Alright…it was me."

"And this," she turned over the picture to show the crossed out words and what had been scribbled underneath "Only you print this un-neatly."

"I do not! I write a lot better then you! In fact –" Then she slapped a small paw over her mouth, just seeing what she had unintentionally admitted. Alice raised her eyebrows up in slight amusement.

"You've become too predictable Mally. Now just tell me why you did it."

Mally finally admitted defeat and sighed, and if Alice wasn't mistaken, she saw a glimpse of sadness dash across her face.

"I did it 'cause, well, I didn't want her to forget. It wasn't fair! She was one of my closest friends! You were the only one who had a photo anyway. I crossed out your name so she would really know who you were."

Alice nodded ever so slightly after a while, then slid the picture back into her pocket, her expression somber. The choice was as hard on her as it was on everyone.

"I'm…sorry Alice. It was a bit selfish."

She sat it on a bit longer, trying to think, staring at her lap again. Regardless, Erika was here with knowledge she shouldn't possess, and that was all there was to it. Eventually she lifted her face to her friends.

"Well, there isn't much we can do about it." She tried to smile at them and look not as anxious as she felt about the matter; they however, gave much larger smiles back, relived that she wasn't completely mad at them.

"That's a better way to look at it." Mally offered, then scampered up the arm chair to make it to Alice's shoulder as she was getting up.

"What do you plan to do?" Nivens asked the young queen, coming up by her side.

"I'm not sure yet. We'll just have to see if she gets curious-er about her past to the point of asking."

"Well she's your daughter, so that'll happen all too quickly." Mally chided, and Alice couldn't help but actually smile at that.

x.x.x

The three of us stomped down the spiral staircase after, what felt like, touring about fifty different levels of this place. We're reaching the ground level now Gareth said – he'd been doing all the talking, Tobias only breaking in when he pointed out something wrong – then out to the courtyard. He led the way to a large hallway.

"Down there at the end is the kitchen," Gareth pointed, and I could smell the various scents of the food, reminding myself how hungry I was "but we probably shouldn't go in there now. The March Hare is cooking up a storm, and he isn't at his best when he's busy." We turned the other way, though I was confused.

"Why not?"

"Let's say that unless you want a tea cup or some jam thrown to your head, you best stay out." Tobias told me, his voice dripping with sarcasm. That just made me more confused, but we continued in silence.

"This place is rather big," I said off-handily, just to fill in all the quiet "I'm confident I'll get lost as soon as I step out of a room."

"Don't worry, you'll become familiar with it quickly Princess!" Gareth grinned, putting his hands up nonchalantly. I chewed on my tongue lightly, mind buzzing.

"You don't have to call me 'Princess' you know." I tried casually, except they both looked at me with ghostly expressions – ok well, just Gareth; Tobias only raised his eyebrows in what looked like a surprised but impressed way

"Really I'd rather you didn't – I mean considering I only found out about twenty minutes ago. I'm not one really."

"Then what shall we call you?" Tobias inquired.

"Just Erika, that is my name after all." I shrugged and he smirked.

"That is true, and it is lovely. Erika means 'powerful and regal' you know."

"Does it?" I whipped my head up to see him; he was about three or so inches above me. He nodded. "…What does Tobias mean?"

"I don't have the slightest clue." He admitted, chuckling a bit and so did I.

"Well I think it's too formal – how about Toby?"

He waited a while, scrunching his face a bit, but then relaxed – his eyes lit up while he kept smirking.

"I guess so – just you only Erika." He breathed lowly, not looking away from me. I couldn't help the smile pressing itself over my lips, and I didn't really wanna look away either.

"Can I call you Toby?" Gareth poked in, smiling in a jokingly sweet way from behind us and Toby just gave him the most forward "are you serious?" expression. I held back a laugh.

"I don't think so Selwyn."

"Fine," Gareth pretended to pout "but next time going to sign you up for stable cleaning duty."

"You wouldn't dare." Toby folded his arms, and when Gareth shrugged while smiling, Toby started running towards him. Gareth's eyes grew ten times their size and he wasted no time sprinting out of there. I sped after them, laughing and made sure no one poked someone else's eye out.

x.x.x

We had scowered the courtyard rather quickly – Gareth told me if we dawdled we'd be late for dinner. They showed me the stables, were the blacksmith was, and the courtyards where the knights practiced. When we got upstairs, Alice was leaning against the doorway.

"Good, you two aren't late." She stood back up properly "Unfortunately, Nivens is."

"I find it surprising that you find that surprising Your Majesty." Toby joked, and she chuckled some.

"Indeed. Well, I know you two always dine with the other knights, but you are welcome to join us this evening." Toby's eyes lit up at that, but Gareth seemed to frown – actually frown – at the idea.

"We thank you for your offer, however I believe it is not quite our place yet Your Highness. Tomric will be expecting us anyway." Gareth politely reclined.

"Very well." They nodded to us and then made their down the hall, disappearing soon.

"Who's Tomric?" I questioned.

"He's our Head Commander, he's in charge of all the knights in the castle." She then pushed open the door for me, gesturing for me to go in first. I strolled in, seeing all sorts of new faces sat up against the table. Multiple dishes were strewn all over the table – all looking amazing, by the way. Dishes holding heaping amounts of roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, etc. A tray of tarts and scones, including a butter dish. A bowl with some kind of cream soup accompanied each plate. And at the end there's a steaming roast. There can't be enough people for this ridiculous amount of food.

Speaking of which, I scanned all the different faces. At the far end of the table (closest to the double doors, to us) was, what looked like, two little twin kids, both boys. Odd little guys, both bald. On their side to the right was a rabbit – but not Nivens; it was a scrawny little guy in a blue waist coat, his crazed eyes darting everywhere. I could only take him to be the March Hare. Across from him was an empty chair which I could assume was for Nivens, and across from him was an old Bloodhound of all things. Would he be eating our food? I just tried to imagine if a dog tried to sit at our table, Victoria having a fit. Finally, next to Nivens's empty chair, was a fairly strange looking man. He was in a brown waistcoat with a disarray of different colours poking out of him. He adorned a top hat and he had frizzy, curly orange hair. His face was extremely pale, seeming like it was caked with white chalk; and he had very bright, green eyes.

Alice went over to the head of the table and I tried to keep pace – and I chose a seat just on the right side of her, the only empty one which wasn't already preoccupied.

"This looks fantastic." I spoke up.

"Yes, they really out did themselves this time." Mally replied; she was sitting right next to me – well, just on the table, her smaller helpings already cut on her plate. Even though it was half his doing, the March Hare didn't even look up for his compliment; he was far too fascinated with his cutlery instead.

We soon all dug in, scooping our own portions. Nivens scampered in a bit later, apologising for his lateness; not that anyone seemed to notice. I grabbed a spoon from one of the dishes, just as the top-hated man went for it as well.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" I shrunk back.

"Erika, this is Tarrant, or Hatter as we've all come to know him. He's makes all the hats for the Queen." My mother told me.

I glanced back up out of my embarrassment, and his green eyes glinted as he grinned.

"Dude's got quite the top hat. Can you draw me with one too?"

"You wish."

"Or course." I smiled at him.

"Pleasure, Princess. It's been so long you know. I'm very glad you could make it."

"Me too." I took everyone in again. I seemed to recall them somewhat – but I needed a roll call.

"Um," I turned to my mother as she placed a spoonful of food in her mouth "Do you mind…?" I gestured as lightly as I could to them all, and she seemed to place my meaning. She smiled and picked up her butter knife, pointing using the end.

"Down at the end there," she began "are the Tweedles; Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee." They were ramming food into their mouths, sometimes squawking at one another, sometimes shoving. They reminded me of my siblings.

"Which one is which?" I wondered, but all she did was roll her eyes and throw her hands in the air.

"I'll never know." She mumbled, making me laugh. Guess I'll just have to figure it out for myself.

"You already know the two rabbits. The Bloodhound is Bayard –"

"He eats our food?"

"Somewhat." She shrugged, just like you were talking about the weather "And that should be everyone." She sunk back into her seat. "Except perhaps –"

She was about to finish – that is, until some mists of smoke started to arise around the top of Hatter's hat. It seemed to phase into something – a cat of all things, blue and grey striped. He perched himself on top of the hat and grinned down at me with the widest grin I've ever seen.

"Chess, I was about to mention you. How nice of you to drop in." My mother smirked. He glazed his eyes slyly at us.

"I do try to make an appearance every so often." He purred. Hatter almost immediately saw where the feline was sitting, which was almost on top of him. Looking disgruntled, he threw his arms up and snatched his hat, but not before the cat, one step ahead, rolled off and floated next to him. Hatter kept his hat on his lap, scowling at him.

"The flowers were gossiping as per usual, and I simply had to come and see if it was true." The cat carried on. Now his large, turquoise eyes were preying on me. "And it seems they are."

"I don't think cats have that many teeth. At least make his smile less wide, he freaks me out."

"Yes, so it seems." I bantered back "I'm –"

"There is no need for an introduction my dear." He wisped away, then phased back in beside me, curling his tail around my neck. "I know who you are."

"Ah, but I don't quite recall your name." I smirked, and he put a paw over his chest, feigning hurt; Alice was grinning beside us.

"Why, I'm insulted. I'm Cheshire, the Cheshire cat."

"How fitting." I rolled my eyes a bit, still grinning.

"Hmmm…" he mumbled, giving me a look over, folding his arms in the air and resting his chin on them "Yes, no one can deny she's your daughter Alice." He snipped sarcastically. Alice rolled her blue eyes as well.

"Well, Chess, would you like to join us for dinner?" She asked politely, moving onto another subject.

"Well, in any other circumstance, you all know I would rather be on my own; but given such a special occasion, I think I will." He then floated onto Mally's chair, because she for sure wasn't using it.

Throughout the night, we chatted and laughed – to which I almost lost it when the March Hare threw a lump of mashed potatoes at Chess, but he phased out, and it splattered all over Mally instead. She didn't find it as hilarious as the rest of the table did however. But the happy atmosphere kept up, and I didn't stop grinning and beaming at our group, all evening.

x.x.x

Dinner didn't take too long to clean up. Alice had excused herself – mostly because Nivens was nagging her to finish up some tasks. But when I got up from my seat, stuffed, I saw her speaking with an older man in a tux.

When I tried to help the staff clean up – but kept getting politely declined – he came up and tapped my shoulder. I spun on my heels to see him; he was much older, in his fifties or so with black hair, a few grey splotches in between the strands. He smiled at me, the wrinkles turning under his kind brown eyes.

"Hello Princess."

"Hi." I smiled back.

"I am Vaen, the Head Butler. Your mother was just speaking to me a moment ago; she would like me to show you to your quarters, if you don't mind."

"My…quarters?" He chuckled a bit in his throat, still smiling.

"You're bedroom, Princess."

"Oh!" I was going to have to get used to the way people spoke around here "Sure, uh, that would be nice."

"Very well. Follow me please." He turned gracefully and I followed him up. We trailed through the halls, going up another flight of stairs. Things had turned silent; everyone had nearly retired to their rooms now, or were just finishing up a few things. The hall was pretty dark now as we strolled down, our footsteps making the only noise.

"I hope it fits your suiting Princess. Our maids just finished tiding it up."

"I don't think you can disappoint." I shrugged, striding along beside him "I mean, I had to share a room with a little seven year old brat who hide her stolen cookies under my bed until I was thirteen. I'd wake up to find crumbs in my socks. "

He tossed his head back, laughing graciously, and I couldn't help but giggle slightly.

"I do hope the rats didn't nibble at your toes."

"They were merciful." His smile brimmed and so did mine; I did enjoy his company, he was a very warm soul.

"Here we are." He twisted the door handle to a double door-ed room open, and I'll tell you, it went beyond my own suiting.

It was a humongous size; the walls were painted a crème color, and the furniture around it had the same colour, but with a bit of a tint of gold. To my very far right was a four podium double bed with a draping sheet at the top – it had about five million different pillows on it. At the end of it, there was a very Victorian, flowery mired table, and beyond that was a door that undoubtedly led to a bathroom. In the center were about four lounging arm chairs and a white granite table. A very light brown round rug with gold tassels sat underneath it. On the left wall was a dark wood pull-out closet, then beside it was a writing desk (accessorized by a pot of ink and quill) and at the end was a bookshelf. At the opposite wall facing us were two square, obsessively large windows and in between them were two glass double doors, leading out to a round, grey cement deck. A shimmering chandelier with glowing candles dangled from the ceiling, lighting up the whole place, save for a few candles placed on things like the desk or my beside drawer. Still in a state of shock, I stepped in further.

"It's not as quite as large as the Queen's, but suitable I believe." Vaen pondered, observing the room.

"'Suitable'?!" I gasped, rotating in his direction "Vaen, this is amazing!"

My eyes felt like they were gunna roll out of their sockets as I gaped at the room. I spun happily like a middle school girl in a dress going to the dance, holding my arms out.

"This is better then when I got my own room!"

"I'll tell the maids you liked it." He chortled "This used to be your old room, though I'm not sure it's how it once was."

"I wish I could tell." I murmured, thinking a-loud to myself more then him.

"Well," he spoke after a bit "I'll leave you to yourself. To let you know, we'll be turning our lights out in about an hour from now. I believe your night cloths are in the closet there."

"Thank you Vaen." I told him sincerely, and his teeth seemed to gleam in that smile of his. He nodded, his brown eyes shining.

"Of course Princess. Have a good night. Oh –" as he was closing the door, he peeked over his shoulder, a slyer look on his face "and I hope our rats are as merciful as yours." I grinned, and wished him well too.

When I was alone, I puttered on what to do. It wasn't quite time for bed. Eventually, I picked to go out on the deck. The cool night air hit me briskly when I yanked open the doors, but I pushed forward to the end, resting against the stone railing. The view was spectacular; I could see the entire courtyard, though of course everything was dead asleep by now, except for the faint whinnies of the horses. Beyond that were groups of large green trees, but darkened now. The sky was a very dark blue, stars poking out here and there – beautiful actually. Even the scenery around her was wonderful. I stared out hopefully into the night, to what felt like, a stretching period of time.

It had indeed been a long, long day but it really had been what I'd always kind of wanted – sure as hell not what I expected, but somehow what I had been dreaming of. Nothing was fulfilled yet, but this was a whole lot better then I'd ever been. For once there was a gleam of faith. That everything that had stuck with me for so many years was actually in front of me now; no more listlessness, feeling of "what if?" about my life and past. That, in fact, they weren't actually dreams; they were memories. They were real, and they were right here in front of me.

Grinning like a mad man, or perhaps a certain feline, I slipped back into my room to hit the hay – surely after all of this I'd be out like I light. And when I was done, and my head hit the pillow, that was precisely the case.

Even though I'm probably talking into the void, I feel like I should say that I don't like the way Alice turned out. I didn't think she'd be a hard character to master, but no matter what, it just doesn't sound like her. Of course, she can't be exactly as she used to given she's older and has more responsibility in her role(s) – though I still don't like it :P Blah; pardon this rambling.