Chapter XIX: Trouble in the party.
The party has started with casual music. Large chandeliers were hanged in the middle of the dance hall.
There were a lot of new faces for Alice, dancing and swaying like an elegant lady with each of their partners.
Alice was stunned, she was even surprised by what she saw. Unlike in the wonderland, people are always lowering their heads in the entire party if her presence was known.
However, in this place where she has no name. No one cares about her. No one pays appreciation to her presence.
"...This is…" Alice's widened eyes met the extravagant celebration. It was sparkling and shimmering everywhere she laid her eyes.
"Amazing…" she addedly whispered to herself.
Due to excitement, Alice didn't notice the gazes. Gossips began to plague in no time from the moment they saw her and the young master Xinyi.
"Is that so? Is this your first time attending a party?" Xinyi couldn't help but ask out of his curiosity. Upon seeing the girl's excitement, he could easily think that it was Alice's first time.
"...N-no. But everything here seems different. That's why I can't calm myself." She answered differently from what the young master thought of.
While walking together in the aisle. People commenced from greeting the young master Xinyi.
A greet that anyone can easily tell that they only want to build rumors of absurdity.
"Greetings, Young Master Xinyi. It was a pleasure to see you here… with such a beautiful young lady."
The man shifted his eyes from Alice's feet to her head. Ridiculously glancing with his dirty eyes. He was wearing a formal tuxedo with a red bow.
Alice immediately knew that this is the moment why she went to that place.
"My Lord."
Kai Xinyi respectively lowered his head before the man. "...why are you bowing in such a crooked man…?" Alice who was standing nonetheless remained in her posture. Eyeing with a disgusted look to the man.
"What are you talking about? His rank is higher than ours. Ms. Alice." Xinyi mumbled to her.
"O-ya O-ya… it seems the young lady here has forgotten her manners."
The man instantly veers his attention to our dear Alice. He was either looking at her with mockery or an interesting expression.
"Ms. Alice!" Kai lightly yelled at Alice.
The girl sighed, being forced to respect the guy against her will didn't make her feel any better.
Soon Alice lowered her head before the man.
"Who is this sweet girl anyways? I haven't seen you bringing such a gorgeous girl for such a long time." The man commented.
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Those words ran out through Alice's mouth although it was nothing but a whisper. Kai can hear them.
Yet, Kai didn't let them bother him. Proceeding from answering every question that the man set to him.
"She was my cousin, My Lord. She visited us a few days ago."
Instead of saying Alice was his fiance, Kai knew that if he told this man that reason. Alice might have fallen in danger. Kai was very careful with every word he was releasing.
"Is that so? Hmm, she quite has the look."
The man started oddly inspecting Alice. As for the girl only felt nothing but reluctance toward the man.
"My Lord…" a man, wearing formal clothing approached the Lordship who was having a conversation with Xinyi. "What is it?"
The man mumbled, their words don't leak as if they were very secretive with something.
"...everything is ready. We need you there for the confirmation." His servant murmured to his ear.
The man's expression unexpectedly delighted from the words he had received.
"Ehem." He cleared his throat as he took back his attention to Kai and Alice.
"Pardon my rudeness. But this humble subject has an urgent matter to do while the party isn't yet commencing. Good evening to the two of you."
He said as he pulled out himself to Alice and the young master Xinyi. Kai only smiled as he nodded, acknowledging his excuses.
"Geez… I can clearly see that he is definitely scheming something!" Finally, Alice was able to breathe after that formal conversation.
"Even so. Ms. Alice, you still need to acknowledge the rankings and title. We will be in trouble if you continue being stubborn."
Kai wasn't so pleased with how Alice acted back then. However, he can't also be mad because he thought of Alice as a special person.
Few more minutes, the Mother Queen (Dowager Queen) finally arrived.
The sound of the trumpets began to sound, "Pay your respect to her majesty, Mother Queen!" As the host of the party informed everyone.
All of the people in that place paid their respect to the Mother Queen who set her appearance. That includes Alice and Kai.
Wearing a very expensive type of gown, every ruffle and accessories that were attached in this gown were glimmering in gold.
The Mother Queen walked in the center of the crowd. As for Alice who never bowed for anyone, lifted her head slightly to see what the dowager Queen's may look like.
"Ohh…she just looks like...mother. She is also old. Although, what a grand piece of clothing. I never saw something like this in my whole life." She mumbled to herself. She then noticed a girl walking behind the Queen.
But the girl she saw only wears a simple gown like how commoners wear. It was nothing compared to how the Dowager Queen's gown is.
Soon, the two of them sat on the throne.
The Dowager Queen started to say her appreciation for the people who attended her birthday party.
"Thank you. This night is not only for my birthday to celebrate. But also for my grandson who will have a night with his beautiful crowned princess. Enjoy as you pleased tonight."
After saying such a speech, the Dowager Queen indicates the person in charge to begin the celebration officially.
"Begin the celebration!" He yelled.
The music commenced, everyone started dancing and romping inside the hall.
As for Alice who is standing still in the corner. Started to be bugged.
Kai was accompanied by people. Alice was left alone. Even so, she can only watch people dancing happily in the distance.
"My only purpose here is to protect the kid…" the girl once shifted her glance to Kai who seemed to be enjoying the party.
"But it seems they already accepted him?" She then curves a smile beyond her adorable face after seeing how happy Xinyi is.
After some time, someone who wears a very sophisticated formal suit approached her.
"May I have this dance?"
A guy bowed before Alice, reaching his hand as he lifted his head once more. Giving Alice a gentle smile.
"...S-syaoran!? W-why are you here?"
Instead of letting Syaoran dance to her. She edged her fingertip with him while having a silly confused expression all over her face.
Syaoran can't help but giggle due to Alice's abrupt expression.
Standing once likewise, the gentle guy patted her head. Treating her like a little lady.
"I should be asking that. I heard that…'' Syaoran unexpectedly moved his head to Alice's side ear to whisper something. " Demi-humans aren't allowed in this place."
Upon hearing those words, Alice instantly responded. Covering the playful Raksha's mouth, she dragged the man outside the party.
Even though Syaoran can easily struggle with Alice's grips. He didn't think any of that. He was happy being dragged outside.
"Shhh! Shsss!" Alice sheesh the man with a clumsy expression. "No one must learn that I am a demi-human even though I'm not really one of them."
"And why is that?" Syaoran asked.
The two of them were on the patio of the palace. They can see how bright the night was, the fountain and garden in the distance were sparkling because of the fireflies all around it.
"Because I'm only here to help my friend. He was being mocked, that's why I want to protect him. Although, right now. He seems to enjoy it. I can't help but think of my home."
Alice began to recall how vivid her life in wonderland was. Where every single one respects her. She knew that in the world she was standing right now, her presence wasn't treasured by anyone.
However, whenever she is around Syaoran. She can feel at ease most of the time.
"Wonderland…?" Alice nodded warmly. "Everything is different. How many times did I already compare it? But even so, I still think that both worlds weren't in my expectation of how it should be." She asserted.
Syaoran made a surprised chuckle when he heard her.
"How is it then?" He effused yet, he stared at the girl who was looking at the night sky beautifully. "..." He observed her, feeling at peace.
"I want a kind world." Acquiring words from Alice. Syaoran reverted his stare to her, he then objected to what Alice's stated.
"Don't expect the world to be kind to you. Because this world wasn't only made for you but also for the people around you. There is no such thing as kindness—" Alice suddenly glared at him.
She tilted her head in front of him just to be seen that she was glaring.
"What are you talking about? Coming from you? You already showed your kindness by saving my life. How is that not kindness? If you are saying you were just pitied me. Fine, however. I still consider that as a kindness."
Syaoran was surprised by what he heard just now. He trembled as he stepped backward slightly.
"..." Speechless he was, he began turning into a tomato. Alice noticed that his whole face was blushing from time to time.
"Oh! How cute. Did you get swayed because of me! Hahaha! Sorry but that was the truth." Although she found that funny, she just laughed because of how cute Syaoran is.
"How ridiculous…" Syaoran muttered while switching his glance away from dear Alice, "hmm..?" Yet the girl wasn't able to hear him.
Few seconds after the two of them enjoyed the night.
A scream and shouting from the inside of the party can be heard.
"Your Majesty!" People chorused.
"The Dowager Queen lost her consciousness! Summon the royal physician and priest immediately!"
Both Alice and Syaoran were aware of what they just heard. They ran inside to check what happened. From what they heard, it seems it was true.
To be continued.