To say that Alice was looking forward to Christmas would be the understatement of the Christmas was special to Alice because it was her first Christmas in Underland.

She wondered how the traditions here were different from the ones she was used to at home.

Her friends had explained a few traditions to her and shown them, and from what she saw they were not much different from what she was used to.

Well... only one thing struck her as wasn't weird,but she just wasn't used to it. She wasn't used to smiling so much at Christmas...and...feeling...lucky.

She was pleasantly surprised by the calm and comfort of her seemed so magical, it warmed her heart so much. The smile on her face for once wasn't fake.

She herself had never experienced such happiness at Christmas since the death of her...father.

She shook her head from such thoughts, she had work to do, especially now she was due in time for the Queen's Christmas Ball, she couldn't afford to be late.

Almost everyone in Underland would couldn't wait, according to Tarrant, it was one of the most beautiful celebrations in Underland.

Speaking of Tarrant, Alice had to admit that the suit he had made for the occasion was beautiful.

The pale blue suit with white accents and patterned gloves appealed to her, and she didn't even think of the silly dress.

She was never in a dress,at all addition, the suit looked fabulous for her, so no dimwit could complain.

Mirana was because she thought the party wouldn't go well, but because of Alice.

At any moment the celebrations should begin and she was already thought they would have to start without her when Alice finally appeared.

Mirana gasped younger woman was absolutely...gorgeous.

Her curls hung loosely around her shoulders, the lights outside the ballroom making them look like a golden waterfall she longed to stretch her fingers through.

She was so captivated by the girl's beauty that for a moment she lost sight of anything else going on around her.

"Your Majesty, are you all right?"She blinked dazedly several times, having no idea who had spoken to her, but once the all-too-familiar voice registered in her head, she knew instantly who had spoken to her.

"Alice."The White Queen couldn't help but sound more breathy than intended, and her treacherous eyes followed Alice's...figure.

She was like something out of a couldn't have known Alice thought the same of her.

"Alice, let's start now at the last minute."She offered her her hand, and Alice took it.

It was lucky they made it at the last minute or they'd be in big trouble.

They walked through the door together, and the royal herald announced their entrance with fanfare.

Hand in hand, they walked through the hall to the in the audience bowed, as was was a brief moment of solemnity before the celebrations and entertainment began.

Alice released Mirana's hand and stood to the right of the White course, as was customary slightly behind her.

She was wary of any suspicious movement or any would never forgive herself if anything happened to her queen under her protection.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad we all gathered here today in good health to celebrate Christmas."The smile Mirana gave to everyone in the ballroom was warm and calmed a lot of people from their nervousness.

"I don't think it takes long speeches for this day, so I'll just say one thing: Merry Christmas."

Everyone in the room picked up the cups prepared by the servants in advance and said in synchronization, "Merry Christmas."

Alice was she wanted to do was take one of those delicious-looking plates of food and eat it all at once, but that would be rude.

Alice was not interested in decency, but White Queen, was sure Mirana would be very angry at her for she controlled herself and concentrated on what she was doing.

Together with the Queen, she was talking to one of the guests when she heard a one known Hatter's speak to her.

"Alice, would you dance with me?"The blonde turned and saw Hatter as she didn't expect to look so hopeful and sad at the same time, with her hat in her hands and head bowed.

"Do you mind, Your Majesty?"Mirana would like to hug Alice now and tell her to dance only with her, but she was had no right to interfere with this decision on top of that was against her promises to deny her any happiness, even though it was dancing with Hatter that she was already jealous of.

"Of course I don't mind, my dear."She was glad she learned to control her expression long ago, or her lie would have been easily recognized.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."Normally she would have said Mirana to her,but they were in public, it wasn't appropriate here.

Still, she considered it when she saw the white-haired woman's dejected gaze.

She didn't get a chance to say anything else when Tarrant literally pulled her away from the White Queen and quickly walked out onto the dance floor with , this sudden movement didn't faze her at all and she started dancing with it.

She had to admit that Tarrant was a good movements were graceful until she felt as if she were dancing in heaven.

Mirana watched their dance from a distance. She didn't like the look in Tarrant's eyes, Alice. It was a wild look that clearly said, "It's mine." Which upset Miran, because Alice didn't belong to anyone.

She was neither Tarrant nor . . . nor hers, so neither of them should make such a knew subconsciously that he had said no such thing,but his manner was clear

In the meantime, Alice realized one unpleasant had followed all the rules of decency while dancing with her, but Alice was all too aware of his hands moving lower from her hip, just above her buttocks.

They danced a fairly brisk dance to Alice's great relief, so that Tarrant didn't get a chance to touch knew he meant no harm, that he was her boyfriend, but she still found it unpleasant.

Alice wanted to get out of the slow dance that was to follow and she talked herself out of wanting to rest and drink.

Tarrant, like a proper gentleman, wanted to bring her drinks, but was held back by a young woman who wanted to dance with him.

Mirana approached the younger woman at the wine and food table after a mild discussion with did not like Alice's reaction to Tarrant's dance with her.

Mirana approached the younger woman at the wine and food table after a mild discussion with did not like Alice's reaction to their dance together.

After the dance, there was an unmistakable look of discomfort and mild fear on her face. She wondered why the blonde looked frightened.

"Alice, are you all right?" Mirana asked when she reached the younger , in retrospect, was not a good idea, because the girl jumped up and almost spilled the wine she had been drinking.

"Of course I'm alright, Your Majesty."Alice didn't seem all seemed very upset, and it didn't help Mirana's peace that she drank one glass of wine after another.

"Alice,today is such a special day, would you like to dance with me?"Alice smiled at Mirana.

She would love to dance with a white-haired woman,but she wasn't sure if two women could dance together.

"I would love to dance with you,Your Majesty..."The last part whispered, so that no one but Mirana could hear it."...but can two women dance together?"

Mirana recalled that although she explained to Alice that it didn't matter if two women or two men loved each other, she didn't explain if they could dance together at royal balls.

Mirana also quieted her voice and leaned in to Alice's ear to hear her, wasn't it at all to inhale her natural scent, as you thought?

"Of course they can,dancing is for everyone,it doesn't matter who's dancing with whom."

Mirana hoped that she had convinced Alice to dance with would only take one dance with her Campion to make her the happiest person in the universe.

"Well...if no one minds,I'd love to dance with you."These are the words Mirana has been waiting for,for so wanted to dance with a younger woman since the beginning of the ball, and now she finally has.

Alice went to the dance floor with Mirana. This time it was different from when she went there with Hatter.

It was unhurried and so very nice to go hand in hand with the Queen, and the smile she gave Alice made her feel warm.

The band began to play a slow melody that reminded Alice of the melody that had been played to a waltz in the mountain world."Your Majesty,what kind of dance is this?"Alice asked curiously.

She thought she was quite familiar with the dances of Underland, but she didn't recognize this one at reminded her of the combination of the slow waltz,and this...what were the dances only called...hmmm one was a polka mixed with oh...she didn't really remember the name,so she had to wait for the beautiful queen's answer.

Wait...beautiful. Not that Alice thought Mirana wasn't beautiful, except this time it was in a completely different context.

It was like she wanted to...hug her and feel her body against her own.

No...no,no,no,no,that's not how she felt about didn't want to kiss those black-rimmed lips and fight her for supremacy in a passionate kiss.

She didn't want to caress the white skin she was sure was smoother than silk...What was she even thinking about?She,Alice Kingsleigh had nothing more than friendly feelings for Mirana of didn't love her at all, she just didn't.

Or so she thought until she felt her heart melt as Mirana led her through the dance, constantly whispering words of comfort and support in her ear.

Alice wasn't at all sure why, but once she found herself crying in the middle of the dance, it dawned on her that Mirana had saved her neck, so to speak, by leading them from the center of the dance floor to the edge, closest to the door outside.

"Alice, you wouldn't want to walk in the gardens."Mirana whispered gently.

Alice could only nod her head slightly from a spot on Mirana's shoulder.

Alice wanted to untangle herself from the embrace she and Mirana were in, but the White Queen only allowed her to do so in half.

She began to lead the younger woman out of the room with her arm around Alice's waist and young Champion's head on her shoulder.

They did not move from their position even when they left the room.

They entered the gardens, all the while walking quietly, neither of them sure what to say to the other.

They walked until they reached a beautiful fountain in the middle of the royal motioned for Alice to sit with her, which the younger woman did.

Mirana caught Champion's hands in her own, gently stroking Alice's knuckles with her fingers.

She wondered how to ask the younger woman what was bothering her.

She didn't have long to think about what to say or not to say, because Alice spoke first.

"Thank you."Mirana looked at Alice in surprise."You're welcome, you know,you don't have to thank me for "it."I'm sure anyone else would have done it for you with the same enthusiasm as me."

Alice looked sadly at Mirana, trying to ignore the feeling she was getting from Mirana holding her hands.

"No Mirana, if anyone else were in your position, they wouldn't."Alice spoke with steely conviction. She looked at her feet rather than Mirana because she did not want the Queen to see her knew that the only person who could take care of her while she cried in a room full of people without anyone noticing was this beautiful queen.

The realization that even if she ever found the courage to confess her feelings to Mirana...and if she did, Mirana would most likely refuse her because she would never be good enough for her...broke her...heart.

Less than an hour ago she had refused to admit any feelings for this charming yet slightly dark woman, and now she was thinking of such (for her) stupidity that Mirana might like her, too.

The hands that had held hers were now on her face, wiping away tears Alice had no idea where they were coming from.

Mirana carefully embraced didn't want to scare her,she had to calm her down, even though she didn't understand why the younger woman was crying.

"Alice,what troubles you...what your mind thinks so much about and it brings you more sadness than happiness."Mirana really wanted to wanted the younger woman to confide in her.

They'd been friends for so long, shared more than a few of their secrets, and...she thought even trust.

"Believe me Alice, I will not betray you, and if you speak out it will help both your soul and your heart."Alice could not breathe,could not even knew Mirana was right,but she could not tell her when Mirana herself was the problem.

"I can't tell it you when you're part of this problem."

Alice slapped her hands over her couldn't believe what she'd just said.

She didn't want to say anything, so...so...revealing him,that's how Mirana would have found out about her feelings almost as soon as she realized and accepted those feelings.

The White Queen stared at Alice, her mind going in a thousand directions at hope that her feelings might not be unrequited burst into a powerful flame.

"Alice, why did you cry at the ball?"Mirana was glad that although the younger woman was upset, she had not yet fought against her embrace.

Alice sniffed loudly, trying to think of any lie, but she knew that anything she could come up with would not be believed by Mirana.

Unfortunately, Alice wasn't so lucky."It's a shame, Alice, but take it from the positive side…"Alice waited for Mirana to continue, but as soon as she didn't she looked at her face and what she saw twisted her insides painfully.

Mirana looked at her with such a pained look in her eyes that Alice couldn't help but stroke her cheeks.

She had never been good at reassuring others, but this time she knew what she had to do, or rather say.

"Mirana please...don't look so...painful I...maybe I don't know...what's bothering you...and honestly I can't help myself, let alone anyone else...but I'll do anything for you...even start to feel my own feelings...so I can help yours...just please...please...don't look at me so painfully it breaks my...heart."

Alice just wanted to kiss the expression to make it disappear and bring back Miran's beautiful smile.

It was only after she felt the wetness on her fingers that she realized Mirana was crying.

For a moment she thought she'd said something wrong,but after Mirana smiled at her she understood that it was tears of happiness,not sadness,that Mirana shed.

Mirana...why are you crying?"Asked young Champion.

Mirana smiled a bright smile. She looked like she was about to say something, but instead she just pulled her harder into her embrace.

"Mirana..."Alice could not speak. She finally realized what her mind and body had been ignoring all along.

Queen's curves fitted perfectly with her position strangely warmed her insides.

She couldn't understand why, but Mirana held her on so tightly that even if Alice wanted to get out of the embrace, she couldn't.

She had little confidence in her actions around the Queen, yet she listened to her inner voice, which tempted her to play with Mirana's hair.

Nothing could prepare her for Mirana's first words after her crying, words that uttered them with utter ease, till it stopped her: "Alice ... you prefer women to men."

She wondered if Mirana had been able to read her mind, and then the sheer horror caught up with did Mirana know?Did she know about her more than friendly feelings? No, I couldn' 's try to play accordingly and come up with something.

"You must read minds."Instead, she decided to didn't want to say anything aloud.

She wasn't superstitious, but if she said it out loud, Mirana might find out her feelings in some miraculous way.

Mirana smiled at her answer with a wider smile than she thought now indirectly

said she was attracted to women!

"Seriously Alice?What's your favorite type?"Mirana knew she was being mean, playing with Alice like that, but she couldn't help herself.

In this way, it was much more fun finding out the blonde's feelings than simply asking her.

Plus, when Alice was blushing, she looked so cute.

Her hand slowly stroked Alice's back in circles, and each time she asked, her hand moved a little lower.

"Do you like blondes or brunettes or bold redheads?Same old,older or do you prefer younger?Do you like tall or small women? Tell me, just tell me, Alice."

Alice looked more determined with each of Mirana's questions.

She understood the game Mirana was playing with her, and in her opinion it would be a shame not to join in. She smiled evilly at what had occurred to her.

"Me?I prefer women I know I can trust, you know."

This was a strange answer to Alice, could be interpreted in several ways, yet if Alice wanted to play her game, wouldn't she do it in the same provocative way as Mirana?

Mirana was too buried in her thoughts and reflections to perceive Alice approaching her face,till there was hardly any space between them.

Alice kissed Mirana.

She,Alice Kingsleigh took the first step!A girl who had just cried and looked as if she would fall apart when someone raised her voice found the courage to kiss Mirana.

Who was also the White Queen, so that if she didn't like the kiss, she could have Alice driven from her new if she wasn't as good as she looks, she could have been executed.

Which, given how sweetly she kissed back, wasn't necessary.

Mirana pulled Alice closer until the girl was almost sitting on her lap.

To Mirana's delight, Alice sat on her White Queen was the first to pull away from the kiss.

Despite being separated from the kiss, they remained in the same position, but did not kiss , they rested their foreheads on each other and smiled wacky.

"I think, besides the women I can trust, I also like..."Alice deliberately stopped to give Mirana a quick kiss and continued."Strong and above all beautiful you with everything in you,how good so bad."

"Alice, you know exactly how to warm your queen's heart."

"You know, I'd love to talk to you more Mirana, but I'd much rather kiss you, if you don't mind."Alice said, stroking Mirana's cheeks.

"But of course Alice."Mirana kissed her Campion more passionately than before, and let her hands caress Alice's body.

Needless to say, the love of two people was found in Underland that no one could ever separate.

And with any luck, the connection that happened between Alice and Mirana that night could bring a beautiful baby into the world.