"So you were saying that you couldn't pass through to your world?" Mirana asked for confirmation. "Yes, right after James jumped through, it just stopped working I guess," Alice answered. The queen went to place her hand on the surface and sure enough her hand wouldn't go through. She stepped back and tried to think as she put a hand under her chin. Meanwhile, the Hatter was hitting his body against the mirror trying to get to the other side without any success. Then, out of nowhere, Lord William came strolling around from a corner of the palace and down to where the group was. "Have I missed anything?" He asked as he raised a brow at the Hatter who was, rather violently, hitting himself against the looking glass. "Work, you bloody piece of slurking, urpal," Tarrant was about to continue but thankfully Mally and Bayard snapped him out of it by yelling, "Hatter!" They both nudged their heads in the direction of their friends who were hearing his quite rude words. His face reddened as he apologized, "Sorry, everyone." Then he continued to thump his body against the mirror's surface while mumbling to himself. Alice eyed William suspiciously. 'I'm almost certain he has something to do with the mirror not working' she thought. Mirana looked up at her husband in worry and told him, "They can't seem to get to their world. I think the portal's closed." William worriedly looked at her then back to the Hatter who was still attempting to get to the other side, "Oh how unfortunate," then the king glanced at Alice, Helen, and James and continued, "Well until we get this issue resolved, why don't you stay here in the castle." He grinned widely at them, causing Alice to feel unnerved as she looked away. Suddenly, Hatter stopped hitting the looking glass and quickly turned to face Lord William, "I think it's best for them to stay at my home." William smiled at him and said, "We have thousands of rooms here in the palace." Tarrant was growing more suspicious of him but smiled back and responded, "I'm sure they would be more comfortable with me." William took a step back and simply stated, "Suit yourselves."
The Hightopps, the Kingsleighs, and James walked back to the Hatter's house. Alice walked alongside her mother and her fiancé. As James was about to intertwine his hand with Alice's, she shifted away and told him, "I need to speak with Hatter." She gave him a warm smile and caught up with her friend. "What game do you think he's playing," Alice quietly asked the Hatter. "I haven't a clue but I believe he wants us to be a part of it...Do you think he has to do with the looking glass problem?" He asked her, searching her face in the moonlight. The blonde girl seemed to be deep in thought then softly said, "Maybe I should've stayed at the castle...to look after Mirana." She feared for the safety of her queen and for others in the castle. William was not to be trusted. "Queen Mirana is strong. She knows how to take care of herself. She's done that for ages...Besides, I'm sure the bloke wouldn't bring harm to his own wife." Hatter stated, calming her down a bit. Still, Alice felt a bit of guilt within her.
Everybody was getting ready for bed in the Hightopp household. Tarrant was just about to go downstairs when he stumbled into James. "You know I never really got your name," James stopped him in his tracks and smiled at him. "Tarrant Hightopp, royal hatter at your service," the Mad Hatter tipped his hat to the young man, smiling back at him. "Oh right! Hatter," James responded enthusiastically, "Mr. HIghtopp, it's so nice to meet you. Alice has told me so much about you." The Hatter felt a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks and told him, "Yes, well we've been on quite a lot of adventures together and she's my closest friend. Though it's funny she never mentioned you before we-," Tarrant was beginning to ramble on and his eyes grew wide as he realized he was about to reveal something that happened earlier that night. James's face fell from contentment to concern as he waited for the Hatter to continue his sentence. Tarrant awkwardly cleared his throat and proceeded to talk with his friend's fiancé, "Alice is very lovely. You're a lucky lad." He smiled at James and patted him on the shoulder before hurriedly leaving him alone with a curious look on his face. "Indeed," James replied then turned and entered his room.