A slow song was playing in the background as Alice and William danced. The king pulled the young blonde girl close to him. A tad too close for comfort. Alice watched out of the corner of her eye to see if the queen was watching but saw that she was distracted somewhere else. Mirana seemed to be anxious about something as she was discussing it with a few of her guards. Alice frowned and her face fell. Lord William noticed and spoke up, "What troubles you, Miss Kingsleigh?" He seemed genuinely concerned for the girl but she could see right through him unlike her unknowing but dear White Queen. "Alice," she corrected him. She believed 'Miss Kingsleigh' was too proper and serious for her and she was anything but that. She dared to continue while trying to keep a straight face.
"I hope she doesn't get too close to that man. Mr. Harcourt could get jealous," Helen stated and Tarrant turned his head immediately to her. She looked over at him to see what he would say. "What do you mean?" the madman asked her. He definitely seemed interested in the topic. 'Maybe he'll stay away from Alice after he hears this. I can't have her living in this strange world.' Helen thought. She turned her whole body to face the boy and scooted closer to him. "My daughter is going to be married to the most charming young man in all of London. His name is James Harcourt," Mrs. Kingsleigh stated carefully, trying to keep him far from Alice but at the same time, trying not to break his heart entirely.
"What game are you playing, Lord William?" Alice asked him straight up to his face. Her eyes never leaving his. William looked down and smiled as he raised his head to meet her face again. That mischievous smirk told her everything. He rose an eyebrow and corrected her, "King William." Alice looked up at him and kept a smile as not to stir alarm with the guests. He continued to talk, "You slurvish girl. You're not as stupid as I'd thought you'd be." She gave him an uncomfortable smile as they were still dancing close and responded, "Quite the opposite. Why have you lied to Queen Mirana about where you're from and how do you know of such a place?" She referred to him telling her majesty that he was from Umbridge, a land made up by Alice while trying to stay alive during the Red Queen's rule. "Ah, wit and shrewdness. Two grand qualities I admire in women as opposed to her Unmindful Highness," he broke apart from Alice quickly, mocking Mirana's arm movements. "I'm not as I appear, you now see. You caught my little white lie. Let's just say I'm from the dangerous part of Underland where no one dares to enter. Many creatures who could rip you to shreds in an instant. A land of many vicious muds. Very gorgeous place I must say," William whispered to Alice. He spoke almost like Chessur. This sent shivers down her spine. She wasn't sure what to say to him as he now frightened her. "A little birdy told me all about your small lie a few years back in order to retrieve the Vorpal Sword. There will be revenge for everything you've done." Still a bit confused she proceeded to ask, "What do you want with the queen?... Harm her?... Take her crown?" He smiled as they twirled on the dance floor, "You'll find out soon enough, doll face." Alice pulled away from him to head towards Mirana, "I must tell the queen." William pulled her arm back and held her close, "She'll never believe you. She's too in love with me as anyone can clearly see. You wouldn't want to break her heart, would you dear?" He chuckled to himself and continued, "This is between you and me, darling," he leaned closer to Alice and threatened her, "If one word about this slips out of your mouth, you won't see sunrise, got it?"
Tarrant felt his heart shatter into a million pieces at the sound that Alice was to be wedded to another man. He felt sick to his stomach. 'I should've told her what I felt for her years ago' he thought. There were many thoughts going through his clustered mind. Though, Alice had always taken up most of the space up there. Helen noticed his eyes slightly turning grey. "Excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Kingsleigh," he smiled but kept his gaze to the floor as he walked behind her and out of the ballroom and towards the garden. 'Perhaps I came on too strong' Helen thought as she watched him with sad eyes. She slightly regretted telling him that. She contemplated on going after him but stayed put.
Lord William clutched firmly onto Alice's waist and held her closer - if that was even possible - and purred into her ear, "I really fancy you Alice," he paused, "Won't you join us, love?" She leaned far from his face and replied in a low voice, "Never. Get away from me." He smiled and whispered, "You will soon, pet," as she ripped away from his grip. Over his shoulder, she could see the Hatter, who looked pretty upset, get out of his chair and rush out of the room. Just as the song was ending, Alice curtsied to Lord William quickly without looking him in the eyes and swiftly made her way out of the ballroom in the direction of the garden, chasing Hatter. She was greatly worried for her friend, who seemed happy merely minutes before. She also needed some air and time to think about what just happened between her and William. 'I guess we're both having dilemmas' Alice thought as she exited the building and searched for Hatter.