The midnight bell rang softly, announcing the end of the royal ball. The White Queen gracefully informed the guests in the hall, "Ladies and gentlemen, the ball is coming to an end. Thank you all for coming. Wishing you all a wonderful night." The guests gradually dispersed, and the noisy palace slowly returned to tranquility. However, friends still in the hall soon noticed that Tarrant and Alice were missing.
The Red Queen and the White Queen stood on the stairs, their gazes intertwining with a hint of confusion. "Where did they go?" the Red Queen asked in a low voice, furrowing her brows as if slightly uneasy.
At this moment, the Cheshire Cat silently appeared above them, revealing his classic cunning smile. "Who can say for sure? Perhaps they are enjoying the moonlight of a wonderland in some corner?" He squinted his eyes, disappearing and reappearing as if knowing more but not intending to reveal it.
The White Rabbit, McTrip, stood by the dance floor, still somewhat flustered as he fumbled with his pocket watch. The Cheshire Cat suddenly leaned down and said to him, "Hello, McTwisp, do you know where they went?"
The White Rabbit was startled by the sudden question, and the hands of his watch nearly fell off in his hands. "Uh, no... how would I know? They suddenly disappeared," he stammered, avoiding eye contact, obviously not wanting to be involved in any trouble.
The Cheshire Cat's floating smile became even more mysterious as he drifted to the White Rabbit's side and gently patted his shoulder. "So, why not go look for them? They won't run far," he deliberately drew out his tone, his fluffy face constantly closing in on McTrip's twitching nose, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
The White Rabbit listened and immediately felt flustered. "I? Looking for them? Okay, but I don't know where they are," he said hesitantly.
"Of course, you won't go alone," the Cheshire Cat's laughter seemed to swirl in the air as he floated lightly, circling around the White Rabbit a few times. "I will accompany you, don't worry."
"Stay with me? Are you drunk...?" The White Rabbit widened his eyes, somewhat skeptical but helpless, and had to agree reluctantly. So, the two stumbled towards the palace corridor, pushing and shoving each other. The White Rabbit looked particularly uneasy as he tried to maintain his dignity and composure, but the Cheshire Cat's sarcastic remarks made him extremely anxious.
"You're always so nervous, take it easy," the Cheshire Cat teased, his tail wagging casually. "You're not going to face the Red Queen."
At the end of the corridor, Alice and Tarrant leaned against each other on the terrace, enjoying the breeze of a summer night in Wonderland. The distant sound of arguing made them exchange smiles. Tarrant leaned slightly and whispered in Alice's ear, "It seems that we have been discovered." Alice shook her head gently with a helpless sigh, "Cheshire cats are always so unpredictable."
As the noise approached, Tarrant and Alice slowly emerged from the terrace door and stood in the shadows of the corridor, watching the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat stumble towards them.
"Whoa! What are you looking for?" Tarrant suddenly spoke up, interrupting the argument between the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat.
The White Rabbit turned around abruptly and saw Tarrant and Alice standing at the terrace door, a look of great surprise on his face. "Oh, you... you're here! We are just looking for you," he stammered.
"Obviously found it," Alice smiled, her gaze sweeping over them gently.
The White Rabbit was still twitching his pink nose: "The ball is over, the queens are worried about you. Since you're okay, I'll also report my safety to the queens."Turning to leave, he reached for the Cheshire Cat's tail, but the cat quickly turned into smoke and floated above Tarrant's head, leaving only its mouth and a pair of luminous night-shining eyes. It lazily said, "So you guys are enjoying the moonlight here, it's really romantic."
Tarrant glared at it, ignoring its teasing. "All right Alice, it's getting late. Let me take you back to your room," he said.
Alice nodded and gently hooked her arm through Tarrant's. They bid farewell to the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat, walking slowly back towards the corridors of the palace, accompanied by the night breeze, quietly making their way to Alice's room.
When they reached Alice's door, Tarrant reluctantly stopped. He stood there in silence for a moment before gently reaching out to stroke Alice's hair. His fingers were tender and delicate, as if tracing the outline of her face.
Alice leaned into his touch, her eyes opening to reveal crystal-like orbs that sparkled in the night. She swayed her dress and gazed at Tarrant with a playful look.
"Tarrant..." she whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of longing and hesitation.
Tarrant smiled and whispered back, "Goodnight my Alice." As he turned to leave, he felt a gentle force tugging on his collar. He turned back to see Alice holding his collar, pulling him towards her.
She raised her hand, cupped his cheek, and gently kissed his eyes, his nose, slowly moving down to his philtrum, before her lips softly touched his.
Tarrant was momentarily stunned, his heart seeming to skip a beat. Instead of immediately responding, he gently held Alice's face, mimicking her actions by kissing her left cheek, then her right, and finally returning her kiss with deep and tender affection.
Alice was clearly not satisfied and wanted to feel more deeply. She took a step forward, while Tarrant's fingers brushed through her hair. He lightly kissed the mole above her lips, smiling warmly and saying, "Don't be naughty, my Alice. We still have a tea party tomorrow, don't we?"
Alice looked at him, her pupils sparkling like jewels in the quiet night. A playful smile played on her lips. "Well, Tarrant," she finally let go, stepping back. "See you early at tomorrow's tea party."
Tarrant nodded gently, his gaze sweeping over her face with one last loving look.Then close the door for her, turn around and leave.