“Alice, how’s it coming along in there?” the queen yelled.

“I’m almost finished, Your Grace.”

At the queen’s command, a bath had been drawn for Alice early that morning so she could wash up before the banquet. The night before she was placed in a secure room with barred windows and a door that locked only from the outside.

Alice was grateful the queen had allowed her to spend the night in a warm bed rather than on the cold floor of a cell, but that did not stop her from crying herself to sleep. Not only was she in fear for her life, but this was the first night she’d spent apart from Roger since she found him injured in her aunt’s backyard.

“Sweetheart, we don’t have all day,” the queen said impatiently.

“My apologies, Your Grace.” Alice stepped out of the tub to dry herself. “I will be dressed shortly.”

Without warning, the queen barged through the washroom doors. “That won’t be necessary. I took the liberty of throwing your old clothes away.”

Alice quickly used the towel to cover her body. “B-but I don’t have anything else to wear!”

“Those rags you strolled in wearing hardly count as clothing. But don’t worry, I bought you something new.”

“May I please have my cloak back, at least? It was a gift from my aunt.”

“If you really are the princess, you don’t have an aunt,” the queen retorted. “Whoever this Dinah person was must have lied to you.”

Alice felt a twinge of sadness, then anger. “We don’t know that yet.”

“Either way, I will procure you a new shawl.” The queen turned to the door. “Cheshire!”

In walked a young woman who smelled strongly of mint. She had bright purple hair, yellow eyes like a cat, and a very large grin beaming from ear to ear. She was dressed similarly to the castle maids, but her dress was pink instead of gray and the fabric was much nicer quality.

“This is Cheshire. She is my lady-in-waiting, but from now on she will be in your service.”

Cheshire lifted the sides of her dress as she curtsied. “It is my great pleasure to serve you, mistress.”

Alice, still in nothing but a towel, bowed her head. “It is very nice to meet you.”

“Hurry, Cheshire! The box!”

Cheshire swiftly left the washroom and returned a few seconds later, dragging a very large box behind her.

“Come here, sweetie. Let’s get you covered up before you catch a cold,” the queen said.

The lady-in-waiting pulled a set of undergarments from the box and held them out for Alice. Her hesitation led to Cheshire tearing away the towel and shoving the clothes in to her arms.

“H-hey! There’s no need for that!”

Cheshire’s grin no longer seemed friendly. “Forgive me, mistress, I only wished to help.”

Alice turned away with a huff and started putting on the undergarments. Once she was fully dressed, the queen sat her down in front of a vanity and ordered Cheshire to style her hair.

“Now then, it’s high time we talk about palace etiquette,” the queen said, taking a seat beside her. “If you really are the princess, it has been a long time since you last attended a party. Therefore, I will remind you that a princess should never run, slouch, yawn, or drag her feet. She must listen intently and speak softly, but if she can avoid talking altogether, she should.”

“That sounds quite droll.”

The queen tenderly touched Alice’s cheek. “A princess’ sole duty is to bring happiness to others. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The queen smiled warmly. “It is a weighty responsibility, but I am confident you will not let me down. Remember, you are not the only one who is hoping for a favorable outcome tonight.”

Alice’s hand instinctively reached for her neck as she recalled Knave’s threats. She pictured the executioner walking up the podium, then his ax coming to take her head.

“Try not to stress,” the queen advised. “It causes wrinkles.”

“O-of course, Your Grace.”

Cheshire set down the hairbrush. “All done, Your Majesty.”

Alice glanced at her reflection, and was truly alarmed by what she saw. The dress, which was black and white with a red heart pattern, appeared much larger and gaudier now that she was wearing it. Her hair was braided and pinned into two heart-shaped buns and silly little bright red hearts had been painted on her cheeks.

“What do you think, Alice?” the queen squealed with delight. “This is the latest trend in regal attire.”

“It’s quite…astonishing,” Alice replied vaguely.

“I’m glad you think so!” The queen clapped her hands in approval. “Now then, I must go and greet our guests. I will call for you when everything is ready.”

The queen gave her a pat on the head before leaving the room. After a moment, Alice turned to Cheshire anxiously.

“Any idea how we shall pass the time?”

Her lady-in-waiting glared coldly, though her lips remained curved in a grin. “We cannot pass time, mistress. Time passes us.”

Alice laughed. “I meant what activities might we occupy ourselves with in the meantime?”

“Any activity that will occupy you.”

“Well, what activities are available?

Cheshire shrugged. “What activities would you like?”

Alice sighed. “Never mind...”

With that, Cheshire returned to the foyer and Alice to her bedroom. She watched the sunset from the edge of her bed until accidentally dozing off. As it neared ten o’clock, Cheshire burst through the bedroom doors, jolting Alice awake.

“It’s time, mistress,” she announced. “The celebration is ready!”

Alice shook off her grogginess and followed the lady-in-waiting. The guards did not say a word as the two of them left the room, nor did they accompany them down the dimly lit hallway. Alice wondered if this was part of the test the queen had mentioned.

Cheshire came to a sudden halt. “I just remembered something important I have to take care of. I trust you can finish the journey on your own?”

“Wh-what?” Alice exclaimed. “But I don’t even know the way to the party.”

“Listen carefully then,” she replied. “Go down this hall until it stops, then take a right and go down that hall until it stops. It is about a thirty minute trek.”

“And then I will have arrived?”

“That depends on you.”

Alice saw no point in further discussion with someone who preferred to speak in riddles.

“Farewell, Cheshire,” she said, in an effort to be polite.

The lady-in-waiting gave a brief look of pity. “May you also fare well.”

With a single blink of an eye, Cheshire was gone! It was almost as if she had never been there to begin with, yet the scent of mint lingered.

Alice continued down the corridor as instructed. She did not dillydally, lest she risk being accused of trying to escape. As she rounded the corner of the first hallway, something caught her attention. For the first time, there were no guards to be seen. An eerie silence made her all the more wary as she continued down the empty hall.

Just then, Alice heard the sound of footsteps. She spun around to see three masked men coming toward her. The air filled with the smell of rotting flesh and Alice scrunched her nose. She’d never encountered such a disgusting, malicious scent.

“Wh-who are you?”

The men laughed, raising the hairs on the back of Alice’s neck.

“All you need to know is that the Mad Hatter sends his regards.”