Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. All I'm doing is mixing Stephenie Meyer and Lewis Carroll's characters in Tim Burton's world while adding a dark splash of my own imagination.

Chapter Eight: Isabelle of Marmoreal

Afterward, Riley took it upon himself to take Alice back to the March Hare's house. He did so on his horse, seeking more time and contact with Alice. When Riley dropped her off, he reiterated to Alice that he was at her service if she ever needed anything. Alice thanked him once more for his attentions at the castle and told him that should the opportunity to use his assistance arise she'd definitely seek him, making the Knave more than happy.

Edward felt the opposite, though, as he had seen the exchange between them. To say that he was upset would have been an understatement, yet he was able to contain his rage somehow and didn't mention anything to Alice. Instead of fighting with her, Edward focused on a new dress that he and Mallymkun had been working on for Alice.

During supper, Alice recounted the day's events, but kept most of the details to herself. Edward observed her, wondering why she didn't divulge more about her newfound friendship with the Knave of Hearts, but again, he didn't question her. He simply kept his thoughts to himself, knowing that there was a reason for Alice's behavior that he'd have to look into more in the future.

The following morning, Alice repeated the same routine from the previous day, but instead went to the White Queen's castle for tea. Since Edward and Mallymkun had finished her new dress, she wore it. As the other two dresses that they'd made her, it had the same style and finish except that it was made from black taffeta. Edward had purchased a black and red corset that she wore over it, and as she had the day before, she wore a matching hat, stockings and fingerless gloves, making her look impeccable.

After another carriage ride, Alice arrived to the White Queen's castle where she was greeted by the queen. She introduced herself as Isabelle of Marmoreal, leading Alice to the castle's tearoom. As they walked there, Alice took note of everything about the castle and the queen, mentally comparing both from what she'd seen the day before.

Unlike Victoria, Isabelle had alabaster skin, making her very pale. Her hair was white, although her brows were almost as dark the color of her painted lips. Isabelle was dressed in a white gown, and just as Victoria's clothing had matched the décor and atmosphere of her castle, so did Isabelle's; therefore, everything was light colored, making the ambiance luminous.

Isabelle was nice and polite but had an air of authority that showed who was in command. It was clear in the way that her maids behaved around her, looking fearful of making a mistake that would warrant some type of reprimand. Alice noticed while she watched carefully as she and Isabelle were served tea.

"Thank you so much for accepting my invitation," Isabelle told Alice. "It's an honor to have you here."

"The honor is all mine," Alice replied, smiling politely.

"I understand that you also accepted my sister's invitation to her castle?"

As she took a sip of her tea, Alice nodded. "Yes, that is correct."

"I'm positively sure that she simply did it to know what you are doing in Wonderland," Isabelle sneered. "Knowing Victoria, she's terrified that I'm going to retaliate because someone from her side killed my Jabberwocky."

"I had no idea that it had been killed," Alice confessed.

"Nobody knows, actually, because I don't want people to be terrified. If they find out, they'll think that Victoria is going to take over all of Wonderland, and that could cause chaos—it could very well be the beginning of a deathly war."

"I wasn't aware the situation was that bad," Alice lied.

"Well, it is, and it's all because of Victoria, really." Isabelle rolled her eyes. "She has always been so selfish."

As Alice looked into Isabelle's brown eyes, she wondered how Isabelle could lie so easily. Although, to be honest, Victoria wasn't any better than Isabelle, because despite the fact that she hadn't mentioned anything regarding her ongoing war with her sister, Victoria had truly been tactless and conspicuous about her suspicions that Isabelle had sent her.

"What are you going to do?" Alice asked before taking another sip of her tea.

"Actually, that's why I asked you to come here," Isabelle told her.

"What could I possibly help you with?" Alice asked, bewildered.

"Well, given how much everyone in Wonderland likes you, I thought that maybe we could become allies to defeat Victoria."

Alice raised her brow at her. "Allies?"

"Yes, we would both rule Wonderland, but to do this, you'd have to do something for me."

"And what would that be?" Alice asked, suspicious.

"You have to do get rid of her, of course" Isabelle said casually. "I would do it if I could, but it's against my vows."

As soon as those words left Isabelle's lips, Alice felt their weight on her shoulders.

Sensing that Alice was probably panicking, Isabelle told her, "Don't worry about it now, Alice. Take some time to think about it and then let me know. Let's enjoy our tea, shall we?"

Upon hearing that, Alice realized that both Isabelle and Victoria were much more alike than she'd thought.