The Past, the Present, and the Future

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own any of the characters, nor do I make proffit out of this.

Chapter 3

Miranda could see her sister was nervous. Anyone in her position would be. She felt bad for her, having to face everyone after everything... But it was time and it couldn't be helped. Iracebeth had worked hard for this, to build the new Castle and to prepare the party, to make sure everything was perfect.

"Raeci, calm down. You'll wear off the soles of your shoes." Miranda placed a hand on her sister shoulder.

"I know I know. It's just..." the Red Queen bit on her nails. "what will happen then? Eveyone will be watching and... and what if they ma-"

"It won't happen, sis." Miranda grabed Racies shoulders forcing her to face her. "It's diferent this time. Nobody will moke or say anything hurtful about you. I promisse."

"You've allways had to much faifth in everyone."

"And you've allways had to little."

"Your Majesties?" The wight Rabbit pecked from the door.

The room they were in was directly connected to the Throne Room, where the fact that they would rule together would officially be made. Many people still didn't know what had hapenned, and Mirana would prefer if it stayed like this since it didn't portray Iracebeth in the best light, but they had the right to know. So between she and her sister, they decided on what exacly would be told and on what would be deemed as confidential.

"What is it?" Miranda turned to him.

"Everything is ready. You may go when you please."

"Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear..." Iracebeth started to pace again, feeling more nervous than ever.

Miranda grabbed her sister from behind and turned her around, engulfing her in a bone crushing hug. Iracebeth leaned into the toutch, hugging back her sister. She was not more relaxed, only happy not to be alone in this.

"C'mon. We can do this."

Miranda grabbed Iracebeth hand and opening the door, they both walked in the Throne Room. It was huge, just like it had been in Marmoreal, but there was a feeling of warmth, much like Salazar Gum. The walls were painted with deep red colour, with embroidery of wight here and there. The pilars sustaining the ceilieng were wight with embrodery of red. It was the only room mixing both Queen's colors, and when they had seen it for the first time, they could not help the smile that crept into their faces.

Each throne had on speciafic colour. Red for Iracebetth and wight for Miranda.

The room was filled with people, with more arriving continuasly. It seemed that most habitants of the Underworld had decided to show up. Some of them gasped when they saw her, others fainted. And that did nothing to erase Racie's fear.

Sitting on her throne, Miranda could feel her sister slipping back in her Queen-like persona. All about her was royalty, a slight arrogance that allways scared whoever was not her. Even after all this time, Miranda still admired her older sister. Because she was fearless and would face any obstacul with a head held high.

Iracebeth felt her sister's hand slide into hers, and the corner of her lip quirked upwards slightly. Miranda smiled as brightly as ever, and then turned to the people.

"People of the Underworld, a few weeks ago, there was a disturbance in our peace." Miranda waited for the murmures to cease. "However, everything has been taken cared of, and there is no need to worry. In the light of last events, I and my sister have connected back together."

The murmures got louder, and Miranda could see some panick arising. Next to her, Iracebeth was calm and stoic, even when she had a storm of feelings inside of her. Suddendly, a chubby little man walked forward, and directing a glance to the Red Queen, he asked Miranda.

"Your Majesty, if you may, what does that mean?" he was shifting his balance from one feet to the other, scared that he would be killed just by Iracebeth's presence.

"It means" Iracebeth was the one speaking "that from now on we will rule together, and not as two separated parties."

Everyone went silente. What did that mean? Would they go back to the rule of terror of the Red Queen? What would happen if this was all a plot? And what exacly were those last events?

More reporters walked forward, asking questions to both Queens. Miranda was extremely proud of Iracebeth. She had allways been a force to be reackon with, but she was trying to control it. And doing a splendid job at that. She wasn't speacialy nice or caring, her voice a flat, bored tone, but she wasn't chopping heads either.

The more questions she had to answer, the worst Iracebeth felt. Being nice was dificult. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tarrant walk up to them. He wore a big smile, a nice pair of pink trousers and a shinny green jacket, with his knew mostrad yellow hat. Ceasing from listening to the reporters and leaving them to her sister, Iracebeth waited for him to get nearer.

"I like the Castle." He said, spinning around to see everything. "I'm happy. Aren't you?"

The people were starting to disperce, and Miranda had taken to walk among them and greet some. Seeing no problem in leaving, Iracebeth stood up and walked with the Hatter to a further part of the room, through the window and into the balcony. People around them bowed, slightly (very) scared. It was easier than she thougt it would be.

"I am. Happy, I mean. But is not easy." they were in the balcony, and she was looking at the forest beneath them.

"I don't understand. Can't say I do. But you're diferent." he handed her a glass of plumpberry juice, one of the finest drinks in the Underworld. "It's good."

"Good?" she quirked an eyebrow.

"Good." he turned to her, smiling a toothy smile. "People will like it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I like it and I'm people."
He looked so serious that Iracebeth couldn't stiffen a laugth. Count on Tarrant to raise your mood. There was a sound from the door, and Mallikum came running and jumped to Hatter's pocket. The man picked her up by the tail, and looked at her closely.

"Now, now, where are you, my litle Malikum?"

Above them, a blue catish face apeared, spinning around and smiling.

"Help me Tarrant! Chess wants me to" she gulped "dress for the occasion!"

"Don't worry, Mally! We'll go and find you a nice litle hat to combine with your dress!"

Gigling, the Hatter run off holding his small friend with a hand, snapping his fingers and the ritham of the music with the other. Alone, Iracebeth turned around to go back to the party and find Miranda. Maybe the other Queen would be a better companie.

"Congratullations, your Majesty. I must admite the control you had over your temper during the ceremony surprised us all."

The Red Queen fought against sighting. It was rude, after all. But the blue flying cat was still there when she looked up. At least she was not hearing voices.

"I am surprised to see you still having scuried off." the smilling feline had never inspired her confidence. "Why don't you go after your friends, uh? I have other things more important to do."

"Uuuuuuhuhuh... Seems like I hit a soft spot. Maybe the old Queen is still somewhere in there."

"Of course it is, you stupid cat. I'm still the same person." Iracebeth was feeling agrier by the minut.

"So... aggressive. I'm sure that the inhabitants of the Underworld will love it. Anyway,-" Chessure continued, cutting the red haired woman. "you're right. I should go after my friends. Just be carefull. There are many who would like to see you fall."

With that, he turned into smoke, leaving one of the Queen staring at nothing. Stupid cat. As if I didn't know that already...

Since she was alone outside, and sure that people were starting to look at her through the winoes, the red haired woman walked back inside with a confidence she didn't felt.

Now, where did you go, Miri? Honestly, with all the wight you wear some would think it would be easy to find you in a crowd.

The more she looked around, the less she felt capable of finding her. Too many people, drinking too much, in a too loud room were making her nervous. A few steps to her left, Iracebeth hears a male voice adressing someone by th etitle of 'Majesty'. Finally getting a hint of where her sister could be, Iracebeth turned to walk in that direction.

As she got closer, pieces of the conversation her baby sister was having found there way to her. Who was that man with her? Was he thinking about courting her litle sister? No way that would happen until he had her premission. Of course Iracebeth knew she couldn't stop Miranda from loving him if she did, but there was no evil in trying to protect her.

However, has she got closer, she realised the topic of conversation was not of any mature content at all. Those two were talking about her!

The eldest Queen walked faster, curiousity taking over her.

"I don't think that's a good idea. My sister, walking by herself with no one..."

What's the problem of me walking alone? I've donne a lot of times.

"I understand, Your Majesty. But you must think of your people. How much they've sufered at her is vicious, hot tempered, and you know that it is just a matter of time until she goes back to being the Bloody Big Head. At least confine her to a room, or take away her troops. How hard would it be to overthrow you? Not hard at all, I must say."

"You are right. She could easily over power me again. Still, locking her up wouldn't solve anything. Something more permeanent would be better."

"But with your vow of never killing any living creature..."

"I kno-"

Iracebeth walked away, not believing in what she just heard. Did her sister really thought that? That she was vicious, that she would go back to what she was before that easily?

The Red Queen walked to the doors, not bothering to answer or aknowledge the people around her. That man... He surely seemed to believe. With a tall muscular body, a well taken cared of beard, shine green eyes and long black hair caught in a ponytail, he looked the perfect candidat for a King. Someone the people would follow, love, much better to help her Miranda than her.

But still, she had promessed Miranda to try! Didn't her own sister value her word! She was trying! Trying so hard, for god sakes! She had not snaped, screamed or glared at anything or anyone in the time she had been reunited with her sister!

And yet, she still thought of locking her up. Killing! Even after having apologiesed for exiling her, for not apologiesing for so long and not trying to understand her side! Had all that been fake? Had been the laugths they shared fake too? The smiles, the time spent together... Was it all just a plot to try and get ride of her for good?

Without realizing, Iracebeth had started to run. Tears streamed down her face. If they were of fury, betrayal or sadness not even her was sure. The people around her held confused faces. After all, they had never seen her like that.

Oh, how stupid she had been! Of course Miranda wouldn't have forgiven her! God, she hadn't donne it herself yet. And worst, she was such a stupid eager creature that she didn't even realize what had been going on right behind her nose!

What if they had gotten away with killing her? What then?

Baging her chambers door closed, Iracebeth leaned against the door taking deep breaths. Soon, those breaths became sobs that rocked her body. She let herself slide to the ground, curling up in a ball.

Why was she so mad? Was it because she felt betrayed or the idea of her sister killing her?

Now that she thought about it, it wouldn't be that bad, would it? The idea of death, the finallity of it... Maybe it would bring her some peace.

How would everyone react? Would anyone miss her? Tarrant might be slightly upset by not being able to make her a hat anymore. Alice, if she ever came back, might mourn her a litle, with her good heart. And Time...

What would he do? Would he toss her clock away carelessly like he did with many others? Or would he hold it with care and love, thinking of what could've happen between them if she hadn't been a stupid bitch. Would he nostalgicly remember her, the time they spent together, the litle presents, the kisses, their first kiss? Would he try to remember the details of her face, the feeling of their bodies pressing together, her smell, like she was doing now? Would he let go of it gently, a lone tear escaping his blue eyes has her clock gave it's final tick? Would he remember her through the times?

She missed him. Oh, she did, so badly miss him!

Back in the Throne Room, Miranda could see her sister walking fastly to the side door. Had something hapenned? Has someone said something rude and upset her?

"I apologiese, but you will have to excuse me, Count Blunet." Miranda said to the man she had been talking the past few minuts.

"Certainly, your Grace. A woman like you certainly has a lot to do. I will not keep you away from your duties. A good night, my Lady." he leaned down, kissing her hand gently.

As soon as he left, Miranda went after her sister. Smiling and waving, her mind couldn't leave the conversation she had just had. As much of a charming man as he was, Blunet could be very suffocating too.

She passed Malikum and the Hatter, although the little one didn't seem very happy. Miranda would have to ask about it another time. Right now, it was time to find her sister.

She walked through the door and into the corridor. The Queen was quick to ask a servant if she had seen the other Queen. No need to say that she was beyond worried when she heard that Iracebeth had run all the way up to he bedroom crying.

She hurried her passe. Queens didn't run, but they could look as if they were sliding though the ground faster. That was another diference between her and Racie. While she allways seemed to float, gentle and soft, the Red Queen was just like fire, a presence impossible to ignore, a force to be reckoned with.

After having finally climbed all the way up to the Tower where her sister's rooms were, she gently nocked on the door. No sound came from inside, and for a moment, she feared the worst. However, after some long seconds, she heard the sound of fabric rustling. So Racie was indeed inside the room. What could she be doing? The party was only half way through, she couldn't leave now. Then again, she had been crying.

"Racie? I know you're in there." Miranda leaned against the door to try and hear. "People have asked where you've been"

"Go away Miranda." the mufled voice came from inside, and she was sure her sister had been crying.

Slowly, not caring for the words spoken, she openned the door. At first sight the room seemed empty. But at closer inspection, Miranda could see a big lump on the covers, shaking sligthly from time to time.

She walked up to her sister and placed a hand on what she supposed was her head. She was shocked with what hapenned next to say the least. Iracebeth bolted from bed, slapping her hand way.

Looking in her eyes, Miranda could only see fury. Was it directed at her? It seemed to be.

"Racie, what's going o-"

"Don't you play dumb with me! I heard you, alright!? You can come out clean now!" the red Queen had her hands balled into fists, trembling on the side of her body.

"I don't understand... Please, let's sit down and talk. Maybe you could explain me what is it that is upseting you. I'm sure we could solve it." Miranda looked with love to her.

"You want me to sit and tal- Danm no! You're not pulling this shit with me! I heard you speaking with that sneaky bastard!"

"Who? Count Blunet? I know he canbe slightly anoying, but there's no need to-"

"Stop! Stop! STOP STOP STOP! Stop pretending! I heard what you were saying! About dealing with me in a more 'permanent way'! How you dodn't trust me to walk around by myself! God, to think I even thought this could work!" at this point, the Red Queen was defeneatly fuming, walking from one side to the other.

But Mirana could see further. Iracebth eyes were shining, not only with fury, but with pain. She really doesn't feel safe yet, does she?

"Racie, I didn't say that. He thought it would be wise to lock you up, but I know you need freedom. The kind you never had, to just be yourself. You're my big sister, I would never do something like that to you. I know we've had rough times, but it's all in the past. We promessed to trust each other, remember?"

The Red Queen stoped with her passing and stared for what seemed to be the longest sseconds of Miranda's life. She stared deep in her eyes as if trying to see her soul with an anguished face. Finally, the red haired woman let herself fall back in bed, head resting on her hands and the elbows on the knees.

"I know, I'm sorry. I should've talked to you instead of jumping into conclusions."

"It's alright." the youngest sat right next to her and placed an arm around her sister's shoulder. "I can inly imagine how stressfull this is for you."

"That doesn't matter. It's stressfull for ou too and you don't do this kind of thing." Iracebeth lifted her head and looked straiht at Miranda. "Maybe this was a mistake. Mother and Father were right, I was not cut out to be Queen. You're way better then me at this. It's only the first public event and I'm already messing up!"

Her red heart shaped lower lip was quivering, her eyes not with tears but pleading.

"Racie, you aren't giving yourself any credit. You're a much better Queen than you think, and you've imroved so much. You no longer scream or make irrational decisions. And it's alright to be mad or angry too. As long as it isn't constant." Miranda smiled and kissed her sister's cheek. "I can't do this without you. You're smart, not easily manipulated and have a very strong will. People like you are made to rule and hold power. But sometimes they only need a litle push in the right direction."
"I... guess you're right. We're like a peanut butter and jam sandwich." seeing the Wight Queens confused expression, she added. "We're good when we're apart but even better together."
"That's it, you're spending too much time with Tarrant. Time to go to bed."

"What about the party? Shouldn't we go back?"
"Of course. But being Queen has it perks, and it turns out that it is fine to miss a social event if you're sister is having a midle life crises."
"I'm what? Then I'M the one spending to much time with Tarrant. At least turn off the lights before you go under the covers."

"Already on it. Night sis."

"Night baby girl."

To be continued...

A.N.: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to update. I'm trying to plan a litle better my stories so that there aren't many inconsistences. Any way, if you have any sugestion, I'd very much like to hear. Don't forget to check my other fanfics. Adeus.