The Queen returns.

Sitting on her "couch throne," the Red Queen surveyed the room, holding two glasses of wine in her hands. "Oh my... I wonder where my dear husband has wandered off to again..." She gave a dramatic nod, then shrugged. "Well, more wine for me!" With a satisfied grin, she sipped from the first glass. "Ah, now this... this is some good wine."

She continued to sip, noticing her glass was empty. "Oh, my glass is empty..." She glanced at the door. "Come on, James... where are you?" After a brief pause, she placed the empty glass on the nearby table. "Huh... is it just me, or did I already drink half of James’ wine without realizing it?" In truth, she had about half a glass. "No turning back now, Cat..." With a grin, she gulped down the second glass like it was water. "Huh, I could just get the bottle myself. It’s probably in the ice bucket anyway..."

With that, she walked down the long hallway, dim light protruding through the crimson curtains. "Ah, what a beautiful day..." She smiled as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Now, let’s see where that bucket is..." After searching for a few minutes, she found it near the pantry, whose door was slightly open. Peeking inside, she saw a small figure her son, Foxo, quietly munching on cupcakes. Poor Foxo, always getting into mischief when he was hungry.

Cat laughed to herself and walked away, returning to her couch... Thrown... She poured another glass. "The sweet nectar of the gods," she chuckled, savouring the rich, sweet, slightly sour aroma of the wine, its alcohol leaving a warm aftertaste. "Oh, this is so good..." she murmured.

After a few more glasses, Cat blinked, swaying slightly. "Is... it just me, or... am I dizzy?" She giggled softly, feeling the pleasant buzz overtaking her. Drinking was one of her greatest pleasures—tasting so many delicacies had always been her indulgence. "Oh my!" A male voice came from the door. "Cat... don't tell me you drank my glass too?" It was James, her husband, laughing as he stepped inside. "I leave for half an hour, and my queen’s having a little party all by herself?" Cat smiled, wobbling toward him before wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Ha ha... sorry... you know..." James chuckled, scooping her up with ease. "Too good to resist, huh?" "Yeah..." She kissed his cheek.

As he moved, his heavy steps echoed on the stairs. Cat’s long red hair shimmered in the sunlight, a beautiful crimson silk that caught his eye. What a stunning vixen, James thought. I’m a lucky fox. He didn’t rush, taking his time to admire her figure.

"Jamey?" Cat's soft voice broke the silence. "Yeah?" he replied.

"I love you."

James smiled, warmth spreading through him. "I love you too, Fire Fox." Cat chuckled lightly. "Fire Fox... I haven’t heard that nickname since we were kids."
He paused dramatically. "You looked like a fire red, crimson, shiny like a star." Cat laughed. "Oh, I remember! That was so cute. We were like... 10 or 11."

"Yeah," James nodded. "You still are my fire. You always will be."
Caitlyn closed her eyes for a moment, tightening her embrace around him. "Oh, my knight, I am so happy..."

With a little help from his son, who spotted his father struggling to open the door, Foxo rushed over and swung it open. "Thank you, kiddo!"
Foxo smiled and dashed back to his room, likely to continue his mischief after all those cupcakes.

James gently laid Caitlyn on the bed. "Dream well, dear." But before he could say anything else, she grabbed him by the collar of his tunic and pulled him down on her.
"Whoa! I almost squished you, dear!" James laughed, bracing himself with his hands on the bed to avoid to hurt her.

"Nah, I’d be fine. No worries..." Caitlyn replied with a grin. He leaned in and kissed her; her soft lips tasted like grapes, mingling with her aroma like a sweet love potion.
James wrapped his arms around her tightly as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room into a warm twilight.
As night fell, the queen and her knight embraced, lost in their own little world.