Alice at Last

Chapter Three

Mirana glanced up at her desk from her paperwork, looking at the girl that slept on a large chair, Chessur in her arms. She smiled to herself, hearing the faintest of purrs from the cat as he slept. She didn't even remember the last time she heard the cat purr. Of course he showed happiness. In fact, she rarely saw him without that smile plastered onto his face but she still never truly heard him purr, showing that he was content. She watched him stretch and curl into a more comfortable position.

She now turned her attention to the blonde. She had Chess in her arms much like a stuffed teddy, her tiny body covered in a thick white blanket as she used the arm rest as a pillow. Mirana's eyebrows furrowed at that. Surely it was uncomfortable. Rising from the chair, she silently snuck out of the room, appearing more like a phantom than a person due to her movements. She came back with one of the fluffier pillows, being exceedingly cautious as she placed it beneath Alice's head. She gave a satisfied smile as the girl seemed to grow even more content in her sleep.

Her dark eyes traveled to the pile of paperwork on her desk, having collected for she had neglected it in favour of spending the day with the child. Even now she had no will to attend to it, wanting nothing more than to gather the girl and fall asleep. She was exhausted. Truly so. Her emotions drained her that day. They had all escaped, leaving her worn out and tired. The last time she truly let her emotions get the better of her was when Iracebeth had cut complete ties with her and became the queen of Salazum Grum. And left her alone without love… She had been the only family left, her father and mother having passed on Cloture Day. What a fitting name.

"Oh, Alice… What am I gonna do?" she mumbled to herself, seeing the child remain fast asleep, not acknowledging her. "You wouldn't know, would you…? You're a child. But you seem to have experienced enough to not be… You're wiser than some of the diplomats that come and go from Marmoreal." She carefully began to stroke her hair, easing her own nerves. "… You used a word. Crazy, I believe. Must be new. We use mad than here… I suppose we're all mad in Underland." She smiled. "We all grow mad. I suppose life just does that to everyone, regardless of good or bad luck. It's how we deal with the madness that makes us the person we are." She smiled to herself. "Tarrant is always proud about being mad. He said that he prefers Mad Hatter instead of Hatter but stopped when people would use it negatively.

"I wonder if people call me Mad Mirana of Marmoreal." She was now just thinking aloud to herself, chuckling softly. "But who would want that kind of queen?"

"Me," came a soft whisper from the large blanket. The White Queen turned her head to her, surprised to hear a response.

"Oh. Alice, I thought you were asleep. I'm sorry if I woke you." The girl sat up, yawning before burying her face into Chess' fur.

"I like listening to your voice. It's soft and nice like daddy's," she admitted.

"Oh, Alice. That's so sweet," Mirana whispered. "But I feel bad. You were sleeping so soundly. I truly didn't wish to wake you. You need your sleep to grow big and strong."

"I am big and strong!" she disagreed now, pouting. "My daddy says that I am and I know I am. I can fight anything and win!"

"Anything?" Mirana inquired, now playing along.

The girl responded with a fervent nod. "Yeah! Anything! One day I'll fight a dragon and beat it! Like those princes in the fairytales! Except I'll be the prince and I'll fight for you!" She happily announced, her eyes twinkling in the light of the candle on Mirana's desk.

"Really now?"

"Yeah! I promise! One day I'll fight for you and win! And I'll be better than those princes and show them that I can do it even if I'm a girl!"

"Oh, Alice! You're so adorable… But how are you so certain."

She shrugged, tenderly petting Chess' fur. "I… Just am," she whispered. "I just have that feeling and I don't know why but I know it's gonna happen. I know I can do it too… It's like my destiny," she spoke, her eyes sparkling brilliantly now at the thought. "And I'll protect you. Just like the princes…" She yawned, fatigue washing back over her now. "Just like them…" She mumbled and fell back to sleep, completely relaxed.

Mirana stared at the child, something about her certainty making her believe that it was really true, that it would happen one day. She smiled, kissing her forehead now, stroking her cheek with the back of her hand. "Already so sure what's gonna happen. Already so sure, my dear Alice…" She studied her delicate features, her smile growing. "My Alice…"

"Mmm. I don't believe she belongs to anyone," came a coy remark from Chessur. Mirana rolled her eyes in return, smirking.

"You just want to hog her for the pets and cuddles. I know you, Chess," she laughed.

"To be fair, my queen, you're never exactly free to provide me with the necessities I need. Do not forget. I am still a cat, regardless of my evaporation skills. Cats require a lot of attention and… love," he spoke calmly, nuzzling into the blankets.

"So you admit that you're claiming her as yours."

"Perhaps. But I'm not going to force her to do anything. I'll simply take advantage when she does," he stretched. "She seems more than willing to provide me with what I have been missing since I've been a meager kitten. Oh, but I do miss those days when we were all together and no one had to worry about family feuds. Even Tarrant got along fairly well with his family and time didn't stand completely still. I do wonder if time in Underland will affect Alice the same way it does us."

"She isn't going to remain here long enough for us to find out." There was a hint of sadness in the White Queen's voice.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"She has a family in the Abovelands. You know that she's not from here. She will eventually go back. Either we'll return her or she'll want to go home herself."

"And what if she is in opposition to the idea and wishes to stay here with us?"

Mirana was silent as she thought for a moment. "… I wouldn't say no to her… But what about Racie?"

"What about the bloody big head?"

"If she is to somehow discover Alice, I am unsure if I am capable of keeping her safe from her. Racie… I doubt would be fond of Alice… Or the mere idea that I am the slightest bit happy, regardless of… my relationship with anyone. You remember the king."

"Yes. She was paranoid he would have left her for you."

"He wouldn't have. I wouldn't have allowed it. He was filled with lust, not love."

"Regardless… Iracebeth is the very jealous type and unless she somehow managed to convince herself that you would not have taken him, he would have been beheaded. Although, I believe that he would have met the same fate eventually. No one can ever be too careful around her. Except Stayne."

Mirana shuddered unconsciously as he was brought up, absolutely disgusted at the mention of his name. She despised him. He was the most lustful. He was the filthiest and despite her sister being the way she is, she truly didn't see how she adored him so much. It sickened her to the very depths of her core and she appeared to grow pale with the mere thought of him. "Stayne does not deserve Racie."

"She thinks otherwise. She truly cares for him. Although he is only there for the position and how well she treats him, as horrid as she is perceived…"

"The ones closet to her get the most. She treats them well. In her own way, she has ways of caring for people. My sister is still there. And I miss her. But until things somehow get fixed… I have Alice," she smiled down at the child. "And right now… she's my priority."

"She is pure," Chess agreed. "But don't forget, she is still only a child. Things can change."

"I'll ensure they won't. But I do believe, truly, that she is too good to be affected by anything sinister."

Chess gave a small sigh. "You put a lot of trust into absolutely everyone. I fear that it will lead to your downfall, my queen."

"Everyone deserves to be trusted until proven otherwise."

"I understand that. But with that motto, one can put up a façade and kill you behind your back. Certainly, you are aware of that."

"Very much so…" Mirana stood, heading over to her desk. "But not everyone is bad, Chess. Don't you see that?"

"But you are also not seeing that everyone is not always good. People are broken and people are simply cruel. Your vow is never going to live fully. In order to defend yourself, you will eventually have to harm people. Your dungeon has remained empty when it should be full."

"For what reason? No one here is a criminal."

"In your eyes, they are not."

"In my eyes?" Mirana scoffed, turning and looking back at him as she sat on her chest. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"You are blind to a lot that is going on around you. Of course, my dear queen, everyone should have trust in everyone that we are all good. But in reality, that simply isn't the case, I regret to inform you. It is as though you will yourself to see good that simply… isn't there. The people that are in the dungeons deserve to be there… Being kind isn't just about… not harming people. It's about bringing justice to those that have been harmed. And that means punishing the ones who have harmed them and done wrong to them."

"Chess… Enough," Mirana mumbled, truly not wanting to think about it or discuss it.

"My queen, it is simply your best interest…"

"Enough," she said sternly. "Enough, Chess." Her voice didn't rise but it was enough to quiet the cat. Mirana was never seen angry or upset but everyone knew the limit to her, especially when her voice became stern. It was more of a mother tone that had the silent yet deadly threat that spoke absolute volumes. It was worse than pissing Iracebeth off. Everyone knew what she was capable of yet no one knew what the White Queen was and they presumed it to be far worse than what her older sister had to offer. The kindest are the scariest once their patience completely diminishes.

"I'm only here to take care of you. But I refuse to drag a dead body," he purred before dozing off entirely, curling happily under the blanket with Alice.

Mirana sighed, collapsing against the back of the chair. "I refuse to let the darkness consume me," she mumbled to herself, clenching her fists angrily. "I won't become like her. I can't. I refuse to. What good will it bring…? Even.. One might turn me. I can't risk it. I won't…" Her fists trembled as she grew more worried and upset each passing moment. "I'll be damned if I become like her… Father… Told us. From a young age to never let darkness consume us. That we wouldn't be able to find a way out. And to… Become like Racie..? I can't. Oh, no. I can't. I'd rather die before I allow that happen… Rather… die…" She grew even more frightened, her nerves getting the better of her. "I gotta stay strong for Alice. She needs a good role model. One can'[t be if one accepts torture and killing. All she needs is forgiveness and everything… else will be fine. Oh, Alice. I hope you never meet Iracebeth. She will be no good for you. That much I know for certain."

Her hands trembled harder at the very thought of Iracebeth hurting Alice. It was as though she was already her daughter, already her child. Part of her knew that she would break her vow to ensure Alice's safety… She knew… Even if unconsciously.