Alice slowly ascended the main stage, and the noise below seemed to instantly calm in her presence. The Red Queen and the White Queen stood on either side of her, their poses elegant and their gazes steady. Alice bowed slightly, taking the wine goblet from the White Queen with courteous yet solemn demeanor. As the cheers from below gradually subsided, the White Queen gently raised her arm, signaling for silence. Her gaze was as deep as a lake under the moonlight, cool yet carrying an indescribable gentleness.
The White Queen's voice was soft yet resonant, echoing through the entire hall like the wind. She spoke in an ancient and mysterious language of Wonderland, her words carrying an incredible power: "Eliath seruth enanna, veren sigra Alice Kinsley..." Her speech was like a distant hymn, each syllable seeming to flow from the depths of Wonderland's history.
This language contained the magic of Wonderland, secretive and filled with sacredness. Her voice rose and fell like water flowing around stones, smooth but firm: "Shea mael ilunna, veren sha'el, elithra di althara..." (She is the bearer of light, the symbol of courage, leading us through the darkest nights.)
These words were not only an introduction to the White Queen's subjects but also seemed to announce to the entire Wonderland that Alice Kingsley, the rightful Champion of Wonderland, was not just a name but a symbol of hope and future for countless people. The White Queen's words echoed in the air, mysterious and solemn, seeming to touch the hearts of the Wonderland people.
The crowd below erupted into a passionate cheer: "Champion Alice Kingsley! Champion Alice Kingsley! Champion Alice Kingsley!" The cheers reverberated through the palace like waves crashing ashore. All eyes were focused on Alice, as if she were the star of this land.
Among the crowd, Tarrant gazed intently at Alice on the stage, his eyes filled with pride and tenderness. Just as he was lost in thought, the Cheshire Cat suddenly appeared silently behind him. The familiar, floating smile like a wisp of mist quietly crept up to Tarrant's ear.
"Wow, Hatter, your eyes are really crazy," the Cheshire Cat's voice carried its usual sarcasm, the tail end lingering as if tasting Tarrant's emotions. "Look at her, she looks like a real queen. And you?" He lightly floated to Tarrant's shoulder, his semi-transparent body suspended in the air, his tail elegantly curled in the breeze. "She shines brightly on stage, while you can only stand here daydreaming. What do you think, Hatter? Can you keep up with her footsteps?"
Tarrant furrowed his brow slightly but did not immediately respond. Despite the Cheshire Cat's jabbing remark, his gaze remained fixed on Alice on the stage, as if she were the center of the entire world. The Cheshire Cat's voice continued to echo like a shadow, "If you want to dance with her, now is a good time. Don't let her be taken away by people from the entire Wonderland." The cat's smile remained in the air, gradually dissolving into a faint mist.
Alice slowly turned and walked down the main stage with graceful steps. Each of her steps seemed to tread on soft clouds, her skirt gently fluttering as if the air danced with her footsteps. Just as she stepped onto the last step, several young Wonderland residents eagerly approached her. A youth dressed in a robe embroidered with blue patterns quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply with a hint of nervousness and earnestness: "Miss Alice, may I have the honor of having you dance with me?"
His words had barely finished when another young man in a silver tuxedo quickly approached from the other side, eagerly interrupting him: "Why don't I dance with you, Miss Alice? My dancing skills will definitely not disappoint you."
The atmosphere in the air suddenly became tense, and more and more young people gathered around, as if all wanting to seize the opportunity to dance with her. Everyone was filled with admiration and respect, eagerly wanting to showcase themselves in front of her. However, as the crowd gathered, the competitive tension also spread.
A young lady wearing a white feather shawl also stepped forward gracefully and said softly, "Gentlemen, please be polite. Miss Alice may prefer to dance with a lady rather than make a gesture between you two."
Her words provoked dissatisfaction among several young men, and one red-haired youth immediately retorted, "Don't joke around! She has just returned from battle, how could she choose a lady!"
As these words fell, arguments began to rise one after another. Some debated who had better dancing skills, while others questioned whether the other side was truly worthy of dancing with Alice. The atmosphere in the crowd quickly shifted from enthusiasm to slight anxiety. Even two young men, due to their argument, moved closer to each other, glaring at each other as if they were about to fight the next second.
Alice stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching this scene with some embarrassment and helplessness. She had never imagined that her arrival would cause such a dispute. She wanted to say something to ease the situation, but before she could open her mouth, a light laughter rang out behind her.
"Oh, Hatter, look," the Cheshire Cat's voice came again, with sarcasm and teasing from beside Tarrant, "It seems that our Wonderland champion is really popular. You have to be careful with so many young suitors, Otherwise, you wouldn't even have a chance to dance a song."
Tarrant stood still, watching everything calmly. Although his face remained expressionless, his heart was already troubled. His fingers tapped lightly on his coat, and his gaze was fixed on Alice. The Cheshire Cat's teasing caused his eyebrows to furrow slightly, but he didn't respond. The underlying anxiety in his heart made him somewhat uncontrollable.
Just then, Alice suddenly laughed, her smile as bright as sunshine. She gently raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet and said with a gentle tone, "Everyone, there's no need to argue. Today is a day worth celebrating, and I'm glad to be able to dance with everyone. But we still have the whole night, don't we?"
Her voice was like a gentle breeze, sweeping away the tense atmosphere just now. The young people gradually stepped back, their eagerness still not fading, but the arguments ceased. Alice's gaze once again scanned the crowd, seemingly searching for something.
At this moment, Tarrant coughed lightly and finally took a step towards Alice. His movements were not fast, as if he was deliberately waiting for this moment. The Cheshire Cat's smile faded behind him, with a faint whisper, "Oh, it seems that our Mad Hatter is finally ready for action."