The sun rose over the mountains surrounding Forget-Me-Not Valley. Kate finished her breakfast and headed for Romana's Villa. She loved visiting the mansion and did regularly. Romana loved company and always welcomed people in her house with a smile. Of course the best part of visiting Romana was to see the garden that Sebastian took such good care of.
Kate loved plants and in particular, bright colorful flowers. He mother always kept flower arrangements in the house. That was before she left. She wished she had learned how to grow flowers before the divorce.
(Oh well) she thought (maybe Sebastian will give me some of his gardening tips)
Kate was torn from her thoughts as she neared the Villa. There was arguing to be heard in the garden. Kate darted up the paved road to find Sebastian and the Witch Princess (who, although unwelcome, lived in the shed behind the villa) arguing over a patch of dead plants.
"Well I think they look better that way. All the color in this garden makes me sick," that said, the Witch Princess turned away only to be met by the freckle faced girl running up the walkway.
"Good Morning Sebastian, "She waved and then noticed the patch of what used to be flowers. Now they were wilted and brown, looking somewhat decomposed, "What happened?" she gasped in astonishment. Sebastian always took painstaking care for the garden, so it was unusual…make that unperceivable that they would be in this condition.
"Ah, it's nice to see you again, Kate, but you came at a bad time. You see our good friend the Witch Princess has taken the liberty of killing Ms. Romana's flowers," as he finished his sentence the butler glowered visibly and received a look of complete indifference from the witch.
"I merely improved them," she stated casually, "but since you don't appreciate my effort and I'm so generous a person, I'll turn them back," before Kate and Sebastian could stop her, the witch uttered her spell, "AXOA XAO X," a moment later, the entire patch of flowers disappeared all together, "Oops, that wasn't suppose to happen. I must have gotten the spell wrong again. Oh well," she smiled and readied her broom stick, "that took care of the problem. Bye now," Sebastian shook his head and sighed.
"I should go to Vesta's farm and see if she has any flower seeds,"
"Can I come too?" Kate asked gleefully, "I can help you plant them."
"I don't see why not," the old butler smiled kindly, "Just wait for a moment and I'll tell Romana," he then dusted his hands off and proceeded into the villa. Kate waited only a couple minutes before Sebastian returned. "Should we head off then?" he asked and the two started off down the hill.
It wasn't until they reached the bridge leading to Vesta's farm, when Kate remembered what she wanted to ask Sebastian.
"I was wondering, Sebastian, that maybe you could teach me how to grow flowers like the one's at Romana's villa," She didn't wait for a response before continuing, "My mother used to grow lots of flowers before she left, but the ones I have always die," this time she waited for a response from the butler.
"I would love to show you my gardening skills," he said, "but you see, I'm afraid I am not the best of teachers--"
"I learn real quick and I can help keep the Witch Princess away from the garden." she added desperately.
"Now hold on, hear me out. What I think you should do is ask Vesta if she'll take you on as an apprentice. She would undoubtedly have more knowledge in that area than I.
"But Vesta grown vegetables," Kate argued, throwing her arms out in exasperation, "I want to grow flowers. I don't even like vegetables."
"It's the same concept: flowers and vegetables. They both take time and care to grow. You know the first plant I grew on my own was mint."
"Mint?," Kate looked skeptically at the butler
"Yes. You know my other hobby is cooking, right? I used in in my cooking. It was a way to connect my two favorite past times."
"Well mint is not a vegetable," Kate mumbled.
--
Well that was chapter one