Tarrant walked with a steady and graceful pace towards Alice, as if everyone in the entire hall had disappeared and only she was present. His gaze remained locked on Alice's eyes, where the deep purple pupils slightly glimmered with uncontrollable tenderness. When he reached her side, he gently bent down, extended his hand, and said in a low and gentle voice, "Alice, may I ask if Tarrant Hightopp would have the honor?"
Alice smiled and nodded, gently placing her hand in Tarrant's palm. As their palms touched, almost the entire Wonderland fell silent for an instant. The previous suitors also left with smiles. Tarrant gently tugged her and led her slowly towards the center of the hall, where the dancing Wonderland residents focused their gaze on the couple with admiration.
The dance floor in the center of the hall shone brilliantly under the interplay of starlight and candlelight. The light from the crystal chandeliers poured like a flowing river of stars across the entire floor, illuminating every step they took. The royal orchestra played another dance tune, and Tarrant gently lifted Alice's hand, spun her around, and her skirt gracefully fluttered open like a flower blooming in the wind. Every movement was filled with tacit understanding and harmony, as if they had practiced this dance in countless dreams.
Tarrant's movements were precise and gentle, supporting Alice's waist with both hands and leading her through elegant spins. With the rhythm of the music, Tarrant's every step was steady and powerful, while Alice's movements flowed like water, making the dance feel like an instinctive part of her. Their footsteps were like mutually chasing stars, sometimes close, sometimes apart, with light and tense steps that silently conveyed their emotions to each other.
"You look like a real queen today," Tarrant said in a low voice, with gentleness and appreciation in his tone, and a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. His gaze never left her face, as if he wanted to forever etch every expression of hers into his heart.
Alice chuckled lightly, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And you, Tarrant, look like a prince."
She finally had a good look at Tarrant's ball attire: he still wore his tall hat, a delicate dark blue frock coat, with a neatly pressed red waistcoat and a white shirt underneath that shimmered subtly under the lights. Intricate patterns outlined with fine gold thread adorned the coat, winding like waves, elegant and full of vitality. A colorful velvet bow tie adorned his neck, matching his purple pupils and adding a mysterious and charming aura. A belt with silver buckles was tied around his waist, and his Scottish kilt accentuated his slender figure. The entire outfit combined gentlemanly elegance with the unique fantastical atmosphere of Wonderland, with striped long socks and brown pointed-toe shoes making every step effortless.
Tarrant laughed, his eyes sparkling with joy. "The Mad Hatter is always the Mad Hatter. I dare not compare with a prince," he said, his movements becoming even smoother as he swirled her around the dance floor like the wind. Alice's skirt danced lightly with his guidance, as if she were floating in mid-air without any effort. She found it strange; in the real world, she usually watched dances at any gathering from the sidelines. But in Wonderland, dancing with Tarrant felt so smooth.
The Wonderland residents watched them dance, seemingly captivated by the scene. Young men and women couldn't help but smile and even started swaying gently to their rhythm. Alice's friends—like the White Rabbit Maxwell, Absolom—stood in the crowd, staring at her with joy in their hearts. Maxwell nervously wiped his pocket watch, but the smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed his inner delight. Absolom leisurely puffed on his hookah, occasionally exhaling a cloud of smoke and saying calmly, "Alice is always so outstanding, not surprising."
The Red Queen stood on a high platform, her brow slightly furrowed. She watched the two on the dance floor, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. The Red Queen was usually fierce and arrogant, but at this moment, her gaze revealed a hint of sentimentality and faint nostalgia. She slowly turned to the White Queen, who remained elegant and composed, with a faint smile on her lips, seemingly pleased with everything before her eyes.
"I also want to catch up with that guy Time," the Red Queen said softly, her voice tinged with helplessness and hidden admiration. The White Queen did not respond but simply nodded slightly, her gaze still gently fixed on Alice.
The spins on the dance floor gradually slowed down, and the music transitioned into a soft melody. Tarrant gently pulled Alice closer, their foreheads almost touching, their breaths mingling, and their eyes only had each other in them.
"Tarrant," Alice said in a low voice, with a tender smile, "I seem to have dreamed that I would dance with you on such a night."
"I seem to have dreamed about it too," Tarrant replied in the same low and gentle tone"I will never forget such a night."
The melody came to an end, and around the dance floor, the inhabitants of Wonderland began to applaud spontaneously, their hands clapping in slow, harmonious rhythm with the lingering beats of the music. Low laughter and whispered conversations once again filled the crowd, as if everyone was enchanted by this magnificent dance. The air was thick with warmth and joy, and everyone felt a sense of contentment in this moment.
Tarrant and Alice gradually ceased their dance steps, yet they remained embraced, their gazes intertwined, as if everything around them had faded away, leaving only each other.