And What I Found There - Book Two

5. There I Was Again Tonight

I can't believe this party is for me. Everyone is talking about the Alice, celebrating the Alice, and meanwhile, no one seems to notice that I am the Alice. But that's perfectly okay for now, I'm a little way too shy to be the center of attention.

Suddenly, I register a beautiful woman also seeking cover from the party on the other side of my giant vase. "Oh!" We startle at the same time.

I have to smile. "Sorry, I guess we're both ducking low, huh?"

"I guess so," she nods stiffly and nervously looks out at the crowd as if on the lookout for someone.

"This uh...party is to the nines, am I right?"

She doesn't seem to have heard me though, too busy looking around with huge, vivid green eyes. She is really super pretty with pale, smooth skin and long, silky rich brown hair which is loose at her shoulders though a neat bun is perched perfectly on the back of her head. Her wide eyes are framed by thick eyelashes like a doll. She is pretty small, short and delicately built with a dainty, pointy chin, round baby doll cheeks, and a small button nose. Her dress is a color of green that matches her eyes and by the number of emeralds she is wearing, I am going to have to say she is probably a Duchess.

"Sorry," she says quickly. "You said something?"

I smile again, "I just don't think this party is really our speed, huh?"

"Oh," she rolls her eyes with a faint smile. "The party is wonderful, it's just the persons that make it hard to enjoy." I grin. "But this is probably just swimming for the Alice..."

I'm surprised. "Oh, I'm the Alice."

"Twinkling stars!" She yelps and now swiftly curtsies. "Forgive me, My Alice. I'm such a wreck, I hardly can remember my own name! Forgive me for not noticing you at once."

"Don't mention it," I grin reassuringly. "Just call me Adara. By the way, what is your name?"

She widens her eyes. "Oh yes. I'm sorry, I've failed to introduce myself. I'm Lady Speira La'Vona, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edelynn." She pauses, now asks, "forgive me for being noisy but, why aren't you enjoying your party?"

"I'm kinda shy," I admit with a blush, she smiles though and nods.

"There's worst things to be cursed with than being shy, my dear. Trust me."

"So why aren't you out there?" I nod at the dance floor.

"Just trying to...avoid my dad..." she mutters absently as she keeps sweeping her eyes over the crowd. "He refused to invite me along, but I came anyway," she smiles more as she glances at me. "And I'm glad I did. Whoever would have thought I'd be speaking to the Alice herself?"

"Please, just Adara," I grin more. She nods.

"Adara it is then. Say..." she trails off for a moment before pressing on. "I hate myself for asking but...is it true that you were guided to the Palace by a Dark Rider?" she widens her huge green eyes with fascination.

"Wh-what?"

"I mean, I hear things. So...?" She raises her eyebrows and tilts her head as she briefly looks me over as if for clues. "Was it the Blood Prince?"

I widen my eyes. "What makes you think that?"

"I overheard my father talking about something the Queen of Hearts said. I'm sorry. I mean, it's not my place to ask such questions. That's one of the reasons why my father refused to invite me here tonight, he's always so afraid I'm going to embarrass him. Please forgive me, but I've no intentions of going to the press with anything."