FORGOT TO MENTION: this chapter was inspired by To Honor Thy Lady by futrCSI1490

BOOK 2: Interesting and Confusing Twisting Events
By Rurple101

Chapter Seven

Princess Revealed

I hurried from the Library, past the Royal Gallery as she hurried to find Tarrant at once. If she was to explain what she found out to anyone, then it had to be him.

Where was that Hatter when you needed him!?

"Tarrant?" I called before deciding to go outside and search for him there.

I heard swords clashing and I spotted him…fighting with a guard. I was going to go other to him and demand what was wrong but then I saw that several people were watching the fight with amazement. Then I stopped and realised what I was seeing.

The White Knight, the Queen's top guard (besides my position) was fighting with my dearest friend, Tarrant Hightopp (whose chest was completely and utterly bare) which was (for me defiantly) very arousing.

Control your emotions Alice!

But its so…

DO NOT FINISH THAT THOUGHT!

But…

No buts!

But look!

Oh, my god…I see your point altogether…

It was then that I realised I was staring in awe at them. Nobody had noticed, thank lord.

But then I was left to myself, should I intervene or just stand and watch?

So instead I sat down and watched as they fought. I couldn't help but notice seeing as all Tarrant was wearing was a pair of loose trousers, barefoot, not hat and of course a bare chest - which in Aboveland, would be very improper. But also arousing as ladies never really see men's naked chests.

Oh no, now I'm thinking about watching Tarrant, up there, half naked. Please lord, save me before I turn into a beetroot.

I found some paper and a pen on the table and decide to write a small review of what I theorised.

After a while after they paused to take a break. Tarrant seemed to have spotted me, sitting alone at a table, writing frantically onto some paper and quite red in the face.

He put his sword, blade first, into the ground and cleared his throat which made me raise my head. My expression cleared and I grinned at him.

"You know something" he mused as he wiped the sweat from his face.

"I know a lot of things" I played along but winked at him. "But there are things which must be discussed seriously. I know –"

I lowered my voice serious and quiet "I know who Princess Angela is."

He looked at me in surprise and burst into laughter. "Oh Alice" he sighed after he finished but sat down next to me after seeing my face fall slightly "Princess Angela is dead for sure, as well as dearest Princess Lily."

"How can you be sure? I have been in the Gallery, the Library and gathered a very logical conclusion to who she is. It's so simple and I bet Mirana knew all along!"

He seemed confused. "Explain."

"No" I toyed with him, running the pen down my chin playfully. "I shall tell you later when you have finished your duel."

"and no offence at all intended Tarrant, but you don't smell too good at the moment and you can't like being all sticky." I added before he could answer back. He grinned.

"Wuld yer let meh sport yer colours m'lady?" he asked in his Scottish brogue which sent shivers down my spine. I looked at him confused.

He reached up and tugged at my ribbon in my hair which happened to be in the same colour blue as my dress. I nodded, reached up and undid it, making my hair fall down and hide my face.

He boldly reached up as well to tuck my hair behind my ears. He noticed that it made my whole frame tremble slightly under his touch but I tied my ribbon firmly round the handle of his sword and kissed his cheek softly.

"For luck" I said simply and he pulled back, completely surprised. He got over his shock and kissed my cheek in return.

"Thank you" he said and strolled back to the White Knight, who seemed to be determined to win.

I watched the rest of the fight, trying to resist the passion full of fire raging deep down inside me.

I was experiencing feeling I had never thought of or hated more than this. I am a lady! Not a sexual animal! Oh lord, please make it go away!

It was the image of seeing Tarrant of all men, with the White Knight (who must have been boiling deep inside his armour which he refused to take off) , sweat rolling off him, his abs showed and muscles tensed and coiled to break or defend the blows from the offending opponent.

This is why my mother hates my difference! I thought, it was because she was worried I would become the beast I felt like, even though I hadn't done anything!

Tarrant was only practising, he was training, but also he'd drawn quite a crowd around them.

Several ladies of the court (who KNEW I and him were 'destined' to be together – was I jealous?) flirting and calling shamelessly at him. I was fully satisfied that he was more into the game than the catcalls and cheering.

If you ever touch him, you'll have me to deal with! I thought evilly in my head. If ANYONE touches him...

"Mr Hightopp! I LOVE YOU! But sadly the woman you love will die!" came a familiar girlish voice from behind me.

Before I knew what was happening or I could move, a hand was around my throat and I saw a knife. The whole crowd gasped and the two fights men stopped at once. Tarrant looked outraged and his eyes turned orange immediately.

"Charlotte! Leave Alice alone!" he roared. The whole crowd froze as he stated walking forward.

But my mind was stunned. Tarrant…loves me? But I shook that off as I hatched a plan.

"Ahh.." I choked out. "Hello Princess Angela, do us a favour and make history, tell everyone where you have hidden your mother and cousin!"

Everyone gasped, including Queen Mirana who had just walked outside. "Charlotte…? What, Alice?" she said, absolutely flabbergasted.

"Hehe, might as well get it out while I'm here, shouldn't I Angela? You have never told your aunt have you?"

"I am not a PRINCESS!" Charlotte (or Angela) screamed, shaking me hard.

I ignored the speech and my hand slipped down, stretching to take my dagger which was just under the hem of my dress. I grabbed it as soon as Charlotte tightened the knife and drew it down my neck.

Ignoring my dagger, I raised my elbow and hit her in the eye, she let go of me and I grabbed the knife, twisting her so both arms were behind her back and arms twisted upwards. I took her knife and threw it so it hurled and stuck into the tree trunk.

Charlotte wriggled but I kicked her in the ribs with my knee and she stopped. Breathing heavily, I got her up and face the completely frozen White Army and crowd.

"Just need a word with this one. Tarrant, Your Majesty, a word if you please!" I hissed through my teeth and shoved Angela inside. Mirana and Tarrant came to life again and followed me inside to complete and utter silence.

Please review and rate! Sorry if it seemed rushed but I think it was good! :D I was going to be mean and end the chapter where Charlotte grabs Alice but I though 'naahhh'