((Hi, guys! I'm sorry this took so long to update! I've been swamped with school work and exams..oi. But I figured I'd get something up for you! I just want to take this time to thank all of my readers (ha, do y'all get annoyed with me saying that like, every update?) but y'all truly mean so much to me and I couldn't have been able to keep up with this for so long if it wasn't for all of you (both old and new). I truly appreciate all of it! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!))
Chapter 26: A Royal Pair
Alice timidly clung to Ches's arm, her head tipped forward so her sunhat veiled her eyes from meeting those of the curious stranger. Her delicate parasol was propped up on her shoulder nearest to Ches, shielding the both of them from the sun's rays while her fingers slowly twirled the J-shaped handle. She stuck close to him, synchronizing her footsteps with his.
All around her, she could feel the stares of strangers gathered along the streets boring into her and her companion along with muffled whispers too low for her ears to hear. She kept her gaze casted downward, watching her feet as they shuffled across the cobblestone streets.
"Is it normal for the village to be so…crowded?" Alice asked quietly.
"I suppose they caught wind of our errands," Ches replied behind the stoic safety of his mask. Alice had become accustomed to his scarred lips and was disappointed when he took cover behind his artificial smile, but she knew the Cheshire's grin was a notorious aspect of the Club Kingdom and when making public appearances, it was best to keep his renowned appearance.
"Nothing gets past them, huh?" Alice mused aloud, sneaking a glance at the perimeter of the market place where crowds of people had gathered. They stared on intently as the duo passed, some of them bowing their heads in respect or others out their hands to be touched. Alice glanced up at Ches and once he allowed a soft nod, she pried her hand away from his arm and delicately swept her hand along the crowd.
"My, what a lovely young lady!" an elderly woman praised.
"She touched me!" a younger boy bragged.
After a few minutes of making contact with the crowd, Alice veered closer to Ches, returning her grip on his arm, but this time, she didn't use him as a shield to shelter her from the unfamiliar surroundings. Ches noticed the change in her body language and let out a soft exhale—his version of a quiet chuckle—and nonchalantly peered down at her. She tilted her head upward and caught a glimpse of his cerulean pools, her heart skidding to a halt.
His eyes were deeper and more magnificent than any blue ocean she could ever dream over. At a quick glance, they were distant and aloof, but upon closer inspection, they were gentle and considerate, their warmth tucked away behind hues of teal and sapphire. He always wore his cloak—save for a few instances Alice rather not imagine for the fear of her cheeks turning pink—but casually laying around the mansion, he allowed his hood to slack ever-so-slightly and she had often caught the glance of his piercing blue eyes. To her, they were mightier than the ocean and sky: they were the portals into the soul of the person she loved.
"Ah, Your Highness!" A voice shouted.
Alice was jolted out of her admiration when a young woman came bounding down the steps from a large store. She was petite in size with cardinal tresses piled into a high ponytail and large golden eyes reminiscent of those belonging to an innocent doe. She ran up to the duo, bowing briefly to Ches before turning her attention to Alice.
"Ah, you must be the Lady!" she exclaimed, earning a light blush from Alice. She still wasn't accustomed to all the attention. "Our Majesty has informed me that the Ball is coming up and you haven't a thing to wear! Luckily, I've tailored something that I think you might enjoy!"
Alice didn't want to attend the Ball for fear of her nightmare coming true, but Ches informed her that the Ball was a big deal in Wonderland and it'd be frowned upon if she were to miss. Along with that, he assured her he was going to have guards on duty and be conscious of happenings-on around him to ensure that both he—and she as well—would be safe. Reluctantly, Alice agreed to attend.
The perky shop owner grabbed hold of Alice's hand and yanked her toward her store, almost making Alice drop her parasol in the process. Alice fumbled with closing the umbrella once she was pulled into the front doors merely because of superstition, but Ches came to her aid and gingerly took the canopy from her, folding it shut with a poised action that almost made Alice feel unworthy of associating with such royalty. But before she could have the chance to feel self-conscious, the shop owner whisked Alice into the back of the shop, blurring the sea of regal dresses and gowns on either side of them as she dragged her into a dressing room.
"Try this on, Milady," the woman said, gesturing toward the blue gown hanging on the wall of the fitting room. "Our Majesty has informed me that you're fond of the color blue."
"Ah, yes," Alice spoke shyly, still regaining her breath. "I love the color."
"How wonderful!" The woman clasped her hands together enthusiastically. "I do hope the measurements are accurate."
"How'd you know my measurements?" Alice couldn't help but wonder aloud.
The shopkeeper simply giggled in response. "Our Majesty seems to know you personally."
Alice flushed for reasons unknown to her and before she knew it, the peppy woman had taken hold of her hat and gingerly tossed it aside before aiding the stripping of Alice's clothes. Alice found it odd at first, but considering the woman seemed to know what she was doing, she put her faint in her.
..
To her amazement, the dress fit perfectly, earning another blush from her. The strapless nature of the bodice fit nicely against her figure; not feeling too tight nor lose to the point that it may accidentally fall to reveal her chest, and the waist cinched in to hug her ribs comfortably enough that she could breathe. The skirt was large and pooled around her legs, but it wasn't impossibly heavy to the point that she'd be unable to walk. The entire bodice was adorned with strings of ornate crystals that glimmered even in the mild lighting of the shop.
The shopkeeper clasped her hands together once she backed away from Alice, smiling admirably at her work. "It's beautiful, if I do say so myself," she chirped. "Here, take a look!"
She pushed the curtain aside to reveal a rather impatient-looking Ches, who sat slouched in a large armchair. He stood up upon hearing the clanking of the clasps that held the curtain in place.
"Well?" the woman sang.
Ches made his way over to Alice with agonizingly leisure steps. Alice felt herself hold her breath as he made his way closer, refusing to utter a sound. Stopping in front of her, he bent down to her ear level and murmured a soft, "Beautiful," before backing up to appraise the dress. Alice blushed, swatting him away while the shop keeper beamed behind him.
"You've outdone yourself, Shara," Ches complimented.
"I'm so glad you like it, Your Majesty," she said, grinning to the point that her eyes nearly disappeared into slits. "I hope Milady likes it as well." She turned expecting eyes over to Alice.
"It's beautiful," Alice replied with a smile, lifting up her skirt and turning the material over in her fingers. "I truly love it."
"How wonderful!" Shara sang."You look marvelous. Here, take a look!" She directed the duo toward an expansive full-length mirror to which Ches took his place at Alice's side and gently took her hand into his.
Alice had to force herself to not gawk at the reflection. It wasn't the fact that she felt she resembled a goddess, but it was the first time she had seen her and Ches together viewed from the outside looking in. With her hand draped delicately in his and her height shyly reaching his shoulder, she felt as if they were made for each other and no one else. Ches seemed to unknowingly agree, for he bent down and placed kiss on her head.
Yes, they were indeed the perfect couple.
