A new day.

Her mother was neither worse nor better.

Alice sat at her desk and stared at the opposite wall. Her mind was both blank and running a mile a minute. The looming reality that her mother could be taken from her at any moment seemed to consume her thoughts. A life without her mother- a life without the very woman she knew as a close friend- a life where she would have to face this world alone.

She exhaled shakily, afraid to sob even though no one was there to hear it. She wasn't ready for this new path of uncertainty. Any moment, any time could be her mother's last-

Time.

To think her world Time wasn't the same as Wonderland's Time. This one was cruel and heartless and.. and a friend to no one.

He took as he went. Anything and anyone that stood in his way. Gone. Forever.

And he would soon take away her mother.

Her Time gave before he took. He had a heart albeit made of metal but a heart. Her mouth curved downward because even if she lived in Wonderland and she had asked it of him, to spare her mother, he could do no such thing.

She fished out the broken pocket-watch the young boy gave her and looked at its cracked face and tarnished silver. Never to tick again, it stared back at her, almost daring her to speak to it, to coax it back to life.

To have control of something since arriving home.

She snapped the watch shut and slid it away.

"I was going to say, you won't be able to find the time that way," a voice mused lightly from the doorway.

She started and glanced at its owner – a small smile forming on her face when she realized who it was. "Mister Harcourt," she greeted though her voice wasn't as lively as she wanted. "What brings you here? The Ascots mean to sue us?"

"No," he said, giving a bit of a chuckle. He stepped into the room. "I came to offer my condolences about your mother."

Her weak smile lessened. "Thank you."

And his eyes were kind. "If there's anything I can do, Alice-"

"Mister Harcourt!"

She turned away suddenly – it was too soon in this world to hear Mason's voice. She wasn't ready for the sheer stupidity that walked on two legs. She turned to her pocket-watch again, hoping to appear busy, hoping he wouldn't speak to her.

"I think you're wanted in the parlor. I have much to discuss with you. Let's give Alice some respite," he announced. She could tell he was straightening his jacket as if to emphasize his superiority over James.

She reluctantly turned around again and gave James a small smile. "Thank you for stopping by, Mister Harcourt. Know that your presence is welcomed here. My mother could use some more visitors from time to time."

The gentleman returned her smile and nodded his excusal.

Her eyes flitted to Mason who lingered, surely wanting something. Why else would he send James out so quick?

He seemed to struggle for words as if speaking his mind in front of her hadn't always been so easy. She noticed he couldn't meet her gaze – too weak and fragile to face her sadness and depression. But in an instant Alice did not like, his face changed-

Evening – realizing he had been mean to her all this time, causing her unnecessary pain. Softening – realizing she was no longer the sharp-tongued Alice he knew, now undeserving to weep over her mother who should have never fallen ill. Yearning – wishing to see that beautiful smile of hers again.

Her eyes darkened when he cleared his throat. Tired as she was, she would defend herself at whatever his mug had to say.

"Your sister is here."

She lowered her gaze – she really was against him. But perhaps for her mother, she should lessen her hate... give him a chance. She shook her head, throwing that idea from her mind, and met his eyes once more. She gave a nod, "Thanks."

He left then and Margaret appeared, her mouth in a tight line.

Alice had been dreading a moment alone with her sister. She knew what the other was going to say, and she wasn't ready to hear it. But Margaret was headstrong as well – in a different way of course, but headstrong nonetheless and there was no way she'd leave without saying her peace.

She glanced up at her when she didn't move. "You can sit, if you'd like," she said, flicking her eyes to the empty seat in front of the desk.

Margaret took the offered seat and sat quietly for a moment – letting the icy silence settle between them.

And after what seemed like forever did she speak. "Alice."

The younger's stomach clenched with anxiety when she heard the bitterness of her name. She put away the watch and avoided her gaze.

"There are some things I wish to speak to you about."

She gave a nod.

Margaret sighed harshly when she realized Alice wasn't going to look up. She wrung her hands a bit, "I'm not going to sugarcoat things, Alice. You- you should have known the consequences of your actions all these years, what they would ultimately amount to."

The younger glanced at her then looked away. "And what consequences have come?"

"Mother is very ill. Gravely ill. And- and I know it would put her more at ease to know that you'd be taken care of when she's gone." She paused a moment and studied her sister. When she didn't react, she continued – poised similarly to Princess Mirana. "Your actions of trading Mother for a life of wealth and adventures have brought on the consequence that you have not found a husband. You have not fulfilled your duty as daughter and given her some piece of mind knowing you'd be loved long after she has passed. Alice, I'm asking- begging you to give her this happiness. Just this once."

"Just this once?" Her voice held a dull fire.

Margaret vaguely relented.

"I will be tied to a man for the rest of my life, but it's 'just this once'," she scoffed. "I told you I didn't wish for my life to be ran by someone else."

"And look at the life you've led up until now."

Alice looked away. "It doesn't bother me. Why should it bother you?"

"Because you're giving Mother more grief, more than she already needs." She straightened in her seat. "You are twenty-four, Alice. You're no longer a child. You're a woman, and a woman must find a husband. One who will provide a good life for her."

The younger sneered.

"One who Mother will approve of."

"And Mother only approves of one," she growled.

Margaret sighed. "She can be persuaded. It's.. it's still your choice, Alice."

"As long as I do what you say, I still have a voice." She clenched her jaw and exhaled sharply. "Twenty-four years, I know, I have not forgotten how old I am. Five years ago, it was deemed that I marry Hamish-"

"He was to become a lord," Margaret interrupted a bit exasperated.

"'A woman shouldn't have ideas of her own. When in doubt, one must remain silent, no matter how wrong and unfair she thinks the world is. That is a woman's place'," Alice quoted. "Sound familiar?"

Margaret suddenly couldn't look at her.

"I said, does that sound familiar?"

"I didn't think you heard," she replied quietly.

"The day after I refused to marry Hamish, you were speaking to Mother-"

"I was consoling her that you merely weren't ready to be a wife. That you didn't understand the gravity of what it meant to turn Hamish down." Margaret huffed, "A simple apology does not undo all wrongs, Alice. I had to make sure Mother knew. Then you ran off to talk about these wild ideas for the company- The company that kept Father away from his own family night after night- But you were too excited to put yourself in his shoes- To lead the company… away from your family."

"Perhaps I wanted time away from my own family," she countered. "Perhaps I needed time away."

Margaret's eyes narrowed.

Alice scoffed, "I spent all my life in the shadow of the perfect Kingsleigh – the one who made all the right decisions, the one who got married. Everyone thought I would be just like you, but then they realized I grew to be just like Father.

"Too headstrong for a girl, too outspoken for her years, too brash in comparison to her darling sister." She smiled bitterly. "I was relieved when I was able to break free from the future that had been set up for me, and you must know I will not break so easily to this."

"I thought you cared for Mother," Margaret tried from another angle. "I thought you loved her."

Alice didn't answer.

So Margaret went on. "It's your choice, dear Alice, but please put some sense into it. James Harcourt, he's a fine man. He's a well-known man about the city-"

"Particularly the Ascots," Alice cut in.

"He no longer works for the Ascots, don't you remember?"

"I do. But he's the only one they have peace with." She stood from her seat and stepped up to the window, looking out at the busy street. "And it's good for a financial man to have friends among our enemies."

"Everything's not a business transaction."

Alice didn't take her eyes off the young girl jumping from the carriage across the street into a puddle of muddy water – the hem of her dress getting splattered – then getting scolded by her mother. Her voice held a warning. "I will not give up the company, Margaret. Not when I'm married, not when I have children – because that's going to be the next damn thing you demand. I have worked too hard to give it up. Only when I die will I let it go."

Margaret looked both at a loss and angry. "You really have no care, do you? You really have no care for no one but yourself."

Her eyes caught sight of a blue butterfly on a horse's back, and she didn't want to look away.

"You're just like him," she said quietly.

Alice turned her head at that, looking at her sister through her hair. She waited.

"He spent all his life in that study of his, pouring over maps and books of the sea. And the Wonder, a ship he loved more than any of us, was his life. He thought little of Mother and abandoned her for most of ours-"

A chord was struck within Alice. "He didn't abandon her-"

"Don't you see, you share those same delusional dreams. He believed he could reach all over the world and return in time for supper. He made you believe you could do impossible things before breakfast."

Alice turned away again. "I had no idea you paid attention to what he said to me."

"I may have been the perfect Kingsleigh, the one who Mother preferred – don't think I didn't hear you either." She gave a sigh, "A girl survives on the love of her mother but truly yearns for the care of her father. To him, I didn't exist. He loved you more.

"Was it a crime to listen to him when he spoke to you? Was it a crime to see what connected you? Was it a crime to want to be loved?"

Alice swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Time cannot be undone, Margaret. I can't go back into the past and apologize." She glanced over her shoulder. "He had important hopes for the company. He knew they could happen."

She gave a quiet and bitter laugh. "And he had to be the one to do such things. He couldn't hand it over and let someone else do it. Sound familiar?"

"I know my limits," she countered.

Margaret scoffed, "You'd know your limits the moment they'd sail past you. That is why you have kept Mother worrying the entire time you were gone. Oh, it wasn't good for her health, but Mum's health be damned because I'm Alice Kingsleigh and this is my company and I should take all the glory that follows because I can't step aside and let someone equally worthy and experienced to take my place!"

Alice clenched her jaw and folded her arms across her chest, still turned away from her sister.

"You're too headstrong for a woman, Alice. I don't regret my words one bit, now that I see what you've become. I only pray you find what you have here before you take that risk like he did-"

"Don't!" she snarled suddenly, her voice watery.

"He threw himself onto that ship, believing he could better our lives here," she persisted. "He had grown too greedy for power, and he thought he was invincible."

"Margaret," her voice turned into a plea.

"He never came home. He so selfishly left his wife and two daughters on their own." She looked at Alice's back. "And you dare to bring the same thing upon us now."

She didn't reply.

So Margaret tried again. "Mason Montgomery. Now I know what you think of him, but please Alice, he is a good man – in his own way, yes, but still. And with time, he can become a great captain. You wouldn't need to be out as much-"

"Margaret," she interrupted stiffly. "Please, you've made your point. I do not wish to talk about it anymore."

She stood from her seat and sighed. "Don't shut me out because you loathe to hear the truth."

Alice gestured wildly. "The truth is you do not know him as I do. You do not know how awful he is-"

Margaret gave her a pitied look. "Why must you always do this? Finding the evil in others."

"Finding evil in others is not as hard as you imagine," she retorted, finally facing her sister.

"You are quick to point out others flaws but you dare to believe you have none of your own."

She didn't reply.

"Mason, please Alice, you know how much Mother loves him-"

"Just this once," she interrupted, remembering the phrase that sparked the argument.

Margaret sighed tersely. "Well, he has recently made an investment with Mister Harcourt. He's offered to take on half of the company. With your approval of course."

Alice opened her mouth to speak but Margaret cut her off. "Please, Alice. With Mother- and the doctor- By God, Alice, how are we to keep affording her care? Tell me. How?" She shook her head and pursed her lips. "He is willing to share his wealth- relieve our burden. You forget he's from a very wealthy family. Sure they are not the Ascots, but he has the means to support us. Please, Alice.. I fear turning him away will condemn us to bankruptcy.

"Consider it at least," Margaret finished.

Alice – arms still folded – gave a harsh sigh. "I will consider it if he speaks to me personally. I do not take to messengers. He sends a messenger again, I will find the means of money somewhere else." She glared at the woman still standing in her study. "If that is all you have to say, please leave."

Margaret's face softened and she stepped around the desk. "Please, Alice. Let's not part like this-"

"You come in here, demand me to marry, insult Father, then tell me I am to consider sharing the company with Mason. No, I have listened to you for long enough. Get out."

"Alice-"

"Get out!" she snarled.

Margaret, concealing her pain, left the study, not bothering to notice Mason who stood in the corridor. He waited several moments partly in expecting Alice to follow her older sister, but when the younger didn't appear he stepped to the doorway.

She stood at the window, her back to the door, looking out on the streets.

He could tell she was hurting, and how could she not? With her sister berating her? Telling her she did not love their own mother? Cursing her very own flesh and blood? He was surprised to see Alice still standing and not sitting with her head in her hands defeated by everything.

He knocked on the wooden frame. "Alice?"

She turned her head but didn't quite look at him. "Yes, Mason?"

He knew she knew of his offer – he had been listening at the door the entire time. He took a stuttering step into the room. "I know I should have spoken to you first before arranging matters with Mister Harcourt, but you have been so concerned with your mother, I did not wish to bother you."

She fully faced him and leaned against the bookshelf. "Mason-"

"I also wish to apologize for my behavior during the journey. I had no right to treat you as such."

Alice held up her hand. "Mason, about the offer-"

"Please, Alice. I am not declaring that you cannot afford your mother's care yourself- if you took offense, I meant none. I am simply wishing to take the weight off your shoulders, giving you time to focus on your mother's health. It was wrong of me to assume you'd forgive me for everything I've done and accept this, but please, I just wish to see the light return to your eyes again."

Her heart began to race. Everything was happening entirely too fast, and she wasn't sure she would ever catch up. She cleared her throat and nodded. "Mason, I cannot speak about this right now. Tomorrow, we'll talk more tomorrow. Please, I am tired."

Mason's features softened and he inclined his head. "Of course, Alice, I apologize for assuming." He turned to leave then swiveled on his heel. "May I- may I have a word with your mother?"

She met his eyes. "Yes. Uhm, thank you- for asking. It means a lot."

He nodded again and left.

She watched him go, and when the door closed behind him, she sunk to the floor. She pulled her legs up against her chest and took out the pocket-watch. She ran her thumb across its face, not flinching and not caring when the glass cut her.

Her mind was still racing, and she felt entirely helpless at the turn of events in her life. She seemed to be in a maelstrom and her ship was about to sink.

She let out a shaky breath and clutched the watch tightly. She rested her head on her knees and cried.