Chapter Four The Knave and the Lizard

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Black's POV

"How dare that impertinent girl trick me and run away! I yelled angrily as I stalked to Clover Tower. "How was she able to trick me of all people? I must be getting soft or something."

I stood still for a moment in shock at the thought.

"No! No way am I getting soft!" I said laughing hysterically and then stopping. "Wait, What if I am getting soft?"

"Argh!" I exclaimed angrily in frustration taking of my hat and throwing it to the ground. "It's all that pesky girl's fault! Why am I even going to get her? She's just a pain in my neck! I should be glad she escaped then I don't have to deal with her anymore."

I shook my head and sighed. Then I remembered what she had said to me. Black I love you.

"Love...," I mumbled with a slight blush and scratch of my head.

Why did she say that? I thought in confusion.

"Urgh!" I scowled in annoyance. "I'll just have to find out!"

I had made up my mind. I was going to go get her back whether she liked it or not. She was my prisoner and that's the way I liked it. I picked up my hat up off of the ground brushed it off and put it back on my head.

"You're mine Scarlet Erinwald." I said darkly with a grin and a laugh. "I'll make you pay for what you did. Then you'll be sorry."

...

"Miss Erinwald!"

"Gray! What's wrong?" I asked in astonishment. "Why are you so out of breath?"

"It's-It's Black! He's causing a commotion downstairs. He's been going on about where you were. He's destroying things and yelling that if we don't find you fast he was going to destroy Clover Tower!" Gray exclaimed in utter horror. "Even worse he might even hurt Lord Nightmare!"

Black! What in the world was his problem? So, okay I can imagine he is probably pretty upset about what happened, but still that was no reason to go on a rampage.

I sighed and got out of my bed and went towards Gray.

"I'll take care of it." I said with a slight smile and nod to Gray. Gray looked at me from my feet up to my face and coughed.

"What's wrong?" I questioned confused.

"Sorry I did not mean to intrude." he said with another cough not looking at my face while he talked to me.

"Why are you acting so weird?" I questioned. "You don't have to act so formal, you can come visit me anytime. That's what friends are for."

"I-It's not that." he mumbled as he slowly lifted his left hand and pointed at me.

"Huh?" I said as I looked down at myself.

I was wearing long sleeve, red silk pajamas with black buttons on the front and red pants. My long, dark brown hair was up in a pony tail. I did not see anything wrong or inappropriate about my outfit. What was his problem? I shrugged and looked at him for answers.

"What's wrong with the way I look?" I asked curiously.

Gray still did not look at me, but it kind of looked like he was blushing for some odd reason.

"Men should not see women in their undergarments." he replied gruffly. "Unless... they are married."

"What? He thinks I'm wearing my undergarments?" I thought with a snort as I tried to cover my mouth from laughing though to no prevail.

"Ah ha ha!" I laughed loudly as I bent over in laughter with tears in my eyes.

"Sorry." I replied wiping the tears from my eyes and looking up at Gray after I had stopped laughing. "I did not mean to laugh at you. It's just these aren't my undergarments they're my pajamas."

"Oh." Gray said in surprise with a blink as he turned and looked at me again. "Sorry that I was mistaken Miss Erinwald."

"No." I said with a shake of my head and a smile. "I'm sorry too. You didn't know. I shouldn't have laughed at you. Can you forgive me?"

"No worries Miss Erinwald. It was a mistake on my behalf." he said with a slight smile and a shake of his head.

"It wasn't your fault." I said with a smile. "Plus don't keep calling me Miss Erinwald call me Scarlet. We're friends you and I. That's what friends call each other by, kay?"

"Oh!" Gray exclaimed in astonishment. "Okay Miss Erin- I mean Scarlet. Thank you."

"Sure any time!" I said with a grin. Gray nodded and then smiled for the first time since I had come to live in Clover Tower. I stared at him dumbfoundedly for a second before he asked me what was wrong.

"Is something wrong Miss Erin- Scarlet?" he asked in concern looking at me worriedly.

"I-I'm fine." I stammered with a slight blush and looking away.

"I don't believe you are." he said sternly as he grasped my right wrist and pulled me closer to him. He grasped my chin and lifted my face up to meet his. "You look slightly flushed. I might just have to stop you from going down there."

Alice just stared with her mouth gaping open and then closed it and grinned mischievously while raising her eyebrows.

Oh. Great. I was going to be hearing about this for awhile.

"No, i-it's fine." I replied as I pulled away from Gray. "Thank you for your concern, though."

Gray stepped away and nodded with a slight smile.

"I better hurry and take care of this issue with Black." I said hurriedly with a blush as I grabbed the door knob.

"Sorry. I'll have to postpone our slumber party until next time, Alice." I said turning slightly around and looking at Alice. "Is that okay with you?"

"Sure. No problem." she said with a wave of her hand like it was nothing and then grinned. "You just go take care of that boyfriend of yours."

"He's not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed with a huff. "Oh. Whatever. I'm leaving. Bye."

I turned the knob and stalked out the door with a loud scowl slamming the door behind me as I heard laughing coming from inside.

She's impossible. I thought with a sigh and a shake of my head as I headed down the hall. Not to mention what was that? Why did I blush when Gray smiled and got close to me? He's my friend... I shook my head dismissing the thought.

Anyways right now I gotta focus on what lies ahead and right now that is dealing with Black. I thought with a sigh and a grin. Ready or not here I come, Black!

I had made it almost all the way down the hall when I suddenly thought of something.

Wait! I'm wearing my pajamas! I can't let Black see me like this! Who knows what he'll think especially since Gray was mistaken about them. I thought ruffling my hair as I looked for the nearest maid or servant.

I wasn't going back to my room. No way! Too embarrassing.

I spotted a maid carrying some towels into another room with short, curly light blond hair. It was Michelle my friend. I had invited her to my slumber party, but she had to work. I slowly crept toward her not to startle her or anything I just did not want to delay her very long from her work.

"Michelle!" I cried in happiness and desperation. "I need your help."

Michelle slightly jumped and then looked at me sternly.

"I've told you a thousand times, Scarlet, don't sneak up on me like that!" she reprimanded putting down the towels she was carrying on a nearby chair.

"Sorry." I said apollogetically. "I didn't mean to. I just didn't want to bother you while you were working."

"It's fine." she replied with a sigh and a smile. "Tell me. What is it do you need my help with? Boys perhaps?"

"No, no." I said shaking my hands in protest. "Well... I guess sorta."

"Do tell." Michelle said with a spark of interest in her eyes. "It's not every day that you want to talk about boys."

"It's just...," I said embarrassedly as I poked my fingers together in nervousness. "Do you think I could borrow some of your clothes?"

"Yes! Of course!" she cried excitedly as she grabbed my arm and dragged me away. "I never thought you would be going on a date!"

She had incredibly the wrong idea, but knowing her I wouldn't be able to get a word in.

...

Ace's POV

I slowly opened my eyes as I watched a butterfly fly passed my view. I got up and stretched my arms above my head as I looked down form the tree limb I had been lying on.

Clear of bears. That's good. I thought with a pleased grin as I leaned against the back of the tree and began to close my eyes again. Then I suddenly remembered I had to deliver something to Nightmare from Vivaldi. I couldn't remember what it was exactly, so I sat up and sat cross legged thinking contemplatively.

"Hmm...," I said trying to think of what it was.

After a little while I scratched my head and shrugged.

"Ah ha ha! Oh, well!" I laughed with a smile. "It probably wasn't that important anyway."

...

Meanwhile back at Heart Castle.

"White do you think we've made a grave mistake by sending that foolish knave to send our agreement to attend the Winter Solstice Ball at Clover Tower?" Vivaldi asked looking at her prime minister perceptively.

"Yes...," White replied pushing up his glasses to the bridge of his nose. "That foolish knight can't do anything right."

"We have a bad feeling that the letter will arrive way later than expected." Vivaldi said with a sigh.

...

Ace's POV

I stood up and jumped down from the tree limb as I headed to Clover Tower. Whatever it was that I forgot I figured that it would eventually come to me along the way. I raised my arms above my head and began to whistle as I went.

"It has been awhile since I have payed a visit to Clover Tower." I chuckled and then smirked. "I hope Scarlet hasn't forgotten the promise she made to me."

...

Hi! I hope you enjoyed it. Please if you wish review and comment. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. The next chapter will be called The Winter Solstice Ball. Until next time. Bye!