As Tarrant's children grew into their teen years the Hatter began to become more dependent on Alice. He was often plagued with nightmares and uncontrollable fits of emotion. Alice quelled him as best as she could, finding herself holding him close every night. The Hatter adored his sons to the greatest extent but life was becoming complex for him.
Tarrant awoke to the sight of his wife staring at him. "Good morning, my love." She stroked his hair.
"Good morning." He snuggled up to her and she hugged him warmly.
"No nightmares?" She rubbed his back.
"None tonight." He lisped.
"I'll go down and make breakfast." Alice kissed him and got up.
Their bedroom was fashioned with the very best fabrics and metalwork. The bed was a cornucopia of greens and blues with patterned pillows. Sun shone through the great bay window, illuminating the entire room. Alice dressed herself and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Tarrant readied himself and headed down soon after her. The boys were lounging around in the kitchen sipping coffee and reading the Underland newspaper.
"Morning." They said in sync.
"Aren't you two married yet?" Alice joked.
"Please mother, the women in the Underland nobility do not know how to handle a hatter." Vellian replied.
"Indeed, they can scarcely handle themselves." Valen laughed.
"You're too smart for your own good." Tarrant said sitting across from them. "You must find a woman that suits you and only you."
"We're looking father." Vellian put the paper down. "Oh and you simply must come into the workshop later, we've perfected a wonderful new design that we plan to present to the Queen during her next banquet." He sipped his coffee.
"I would be delighted." Their father smiled. Alice brought over a cup of tea for her husband and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Alice."
"Father, Valen and I were wondering about our trade…" Vellian said looking down.
"What about it?" Tarrant sipped his tea.
"The madness. How long did it take for you?" Valen asked.
The Hatter paused for a moment and tried to think. "I don't remember. I don't recall being anything but how I am." He confessed but inside he was frustrated that he could not remember.
"It's just what happens. All Hightopp hatters have gone through it. It's what defined the clan, mad as hatters." Alice said from the kitchen.
"We know, all of Underland is mad in our opinion." Vellian replied. "Would you being our mother have any effect on predisposition or anything?"
"Tarrant?" She looked to her husband.
"Mhmmm… Possibly." Tarrant drank some more of his tea.
"Forgive us father. We were just curious about the matter." Valen said patting his father's hand.
"I just wish I could answer." The Hatter looked down at his cup.
After breakfast the family went their separate ways. Tarrant joined the boy's in the rather large workshop and Alice went to doing household chores. The boy's loved working with their father, they made a lot of money through their business and hosted many parties in the mansion. With two available Hightopp men, the parties attracted many young noblewomen from all over Underland. The twins were swooned over for their looks, just as handsome as their father but with darker hair.
Underland had two unofficially crown princes, the Hightopp twins were every noble family's desire but the two had little interest in stuffy aristocrats. They needed that suited their lifestyle and were open to not only madness but producing more heirs.
