As the gang was headed to the castle, they saw few groups of people walk into it. At the entrance was Mirana and to her left stood a man with light skin, dark eyes, and short, curly auburn colored hair. The couple were greeting their guests. Alice blushed as they got closer to the entrance. "Wow, he's quite good looking," she whispered to Hatter. "No wonder the queen was out of it." She wondered what the future king was like. Mirana noticed her friends coming her way. "Good morning, your highness," Zanik said and bowed down to her along with Tyva. "Good morning, my friends," she said in an undeniable joyful tone. Mirana turned to the man at her side and introduced everyone. "This is my fiance, Lord William," she turned to her friends, "William, this is Mr. and Mrs. Hightopp and their son, Tarrant. These are his aunt, uncle, and cousins." William shook each of their hands and gave the ladies a quick kiss on theirs. Mirana faced the Kingsleighs, "This is Mrs. Kingsleigh and her daughter, the one who restored all Underland, Alice." William finished kissing Helen's hand and turned to Alice, who seemed to be mesmerized by him. He gently took her hand in his and gave it a lingering kiss while he stared into her eyes. Alice didn't know what overcame her in the moment. Lord William's eyes were as dark as the midnight sky yet she couldn't look away. She felt hypnotized. Mirana seemed too oblivious to see what was happening among the two. Hatter looked between them and coughed rather loudly. Alice jumped and William let go of her hand, "It's such an honor to finally meet you," he turned to Tarrant and they gave each other cold stares that only they noted, "All of you." Alice felt a tad uncomfortable around William so she strolled over to Mirana. "Your majesty, shouldn't you be getting ready for your wedding," Alice reminded her. Realization hit the queen. "Right, we were only waiting for you lot. We mustn't be late! Come along, come inside. Help yourselves to anything. Make yourselves at home. The ceremony starts an hour past brilig!" she yelled to the group. "Come, love." Mirana dragged William with her and disappeared into a corner of the castle.
The guests of honor sat around in the grand hall - which was transformed into the reception room - waiting to be called outside for the wedding ceremony. McTwisp mentioned earlier that it was to be held outside in the queen's garden. It would overlook the stunning waterfalls Marmoreal had to offer. Alice stood looking out one of the windows of the castle; she was watching more and more guests step onto the castle grounds and make their way towards the enchanting garden. It was dressed with fresh purple flowers and the most exquisite decorations. There were white fancy chairs lined up in rows of ten on each side of the aisle almost all the way down to the river near the entrance of the property. Alice looked down at the bench where years before, she wept at the thought of coming face with a large, frightening creature called the Jabberwocky. Who knew she'd be here years later, safe and sound and accompanied by her mother this time. She speculated if her mother figured out that "Wonderland" is actually a real place by now. Though, it looked like she was holding up well here. It appeared that her friends already loved her mother and the feeling was reciprocated by Helen. It was a bit funny because her mother didn't seem like the type of person who could stand such a whimsical place. Alice felt footsteps behind her. She turned her head and saw Hatter approaching her with a small smile. She smiled back as Hatter pointed down to the bottom of her dress, "I saw a seam there start to tear apart and just thought I'd fix it up for you." Alice looked down to see a string of thread falling off her dress onto the floor and a small hem beginning to fall apart, "Oh, it's no big deal. It's hardly noticeable." Hatter fumbled with a tiny case until he found a spool of thread and a needle. He knelt down to her feet and began to work at it, "It's possible to step on it and trip. I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself." He looked up at her and reassured her with a smile. Alice's eyes met his and she noticed a twinkle in his eyes. She recalled that same twinkle when she snapped him out of his moment of rage at Salazen Grum. Alice hummed and looked away before he could catch her blush. She looked out the window as he worked on her dress. "Is the entire kingdom wearing purple?" she asked him as she studied the guests' clothing. "Yes. You see, it's kind of like Keltikidik, the day Underland celebrated the White Queen with only white. Since she's getting married today, we're celebrating with purple. It's her second favorite color." She looked back down at him, "How curious." She examined Hatter's skillful hand move this way and that. Alice heard more footsteps behind coming her way. "Enjoying the view?" Helen asked her daughter. "Beautiful, isn't it," Alice commented as Helen stood next to her taking in the view outside the small window. "Lord William seems like a flirtatious man. I wonder if he's like that around every woman he meets. The queen is obviously awfully blinded by her love. Poor woman," Helen half-whispered to Alice, "Plus there's something off about him. I can't put my finger on it." Alice gave her mother a look seeing as Hatter could hear what she said. Hatter chipped in, "I agree with you, Mrs. Kingsleigh. His first impression on me wasn't a good one. I think he's the type of lad to have secret lovers behind the queen's back. My father was right." Alice was taken aback by his words. "Other than the slight uncomfortable feeling I have around him, I happen to think he's very friendly. He seems genuine," she paused as if in thought, "and there was something in his eyes that made me feel something. I just don't know what." She whispered the last part, though Helen and Hatter could hear her just fine, and stared out into space. Mrs. Kingsleigh and Tarrant looked at each other strangely then back at Alice. Alice shook her head a little like she was coming out of a trance. For an odd reason, she couldn't recall the last ten seconds. "Well...I'm done," Hatter got up from his position and smiled at Alice once again. "Thank you," Alice told him as she looked down. Her dress was as good as new. "Madam," he nodded to Helen and walked back to his family sitting around one of the tables in the center of the room. Mrs. Kingsleigh looked down at her daughter's dress, "That man looks very in love with you," she looked her in the eyes as Alice's face got red, "Is there something I need to know?" Her mother teased her. Alice looked back at the Hatter, who was conversing and laughing with his family. "We're only friends, mother." She glanced back at Helen, "Besides, even if-" she was cut off by McTwisp announcing the initiation of the ceremony. "Come, my darling." Helen took Alice's arm in hers and they walked behind the Hightopps. They made their way down to the garden.