Sweet Sunset Soiree

We had managed to make it back to the castle, but only because Elliot was there to guide us. We said our good-byes at the entrance to the courtyard and as soon as I stepped out, Peter was there, suffocating me with his hug...

"Ameena! Why did you run off?" he asked with his puppy dog look.

He annoyed me, but the look was starting to get to me, so I lied by saying, "I was anxious to explore..."

He smiled and said, "Oh is that all?" He then turned his attention to Ace. "And what were you doing with my precious Ameena?" He took out a gun and pointed it at him.

Ace put his hands up in the air and said."Just out for a walk... You're not too careful, you know... She could've been killed..."

"Shut up, you filthy knight!" Peter said and fired at him.

Ace dodged the bullet by simply moving his head to the side and it grazed his shoulder.

I was in shock and scared out of my mind. Without thinking, I pushed away from Peter's embrace and ran in front of Ace. Both Ace and Peter were surprised by what I'd done. Peter froze with his finger on the trigger.

"Ameena, what are you doing?" Peter asked with a serious face.

I didn't answer. I was still in shock, leaning against Ace for support. Ace put down his hands and rested them on my shoulders, pulling me a little closer to him.

"Looks like she doesn't want you to kill me..." Ace yelled to Peter.

"Ameena, get away from him! His hands are covered with blood..."

"St-" I was about to yell for them to stop, when a powerful voice rang out.

"Stop this nonsense at once! Can't you see you are causing her nothing but trouble? This is why we think men are useless..."

I turned to see a beautiful woman with raven black hair in bouncy ringlets and a long flowing red dress, decorated in hearts. It didn't take me long to guess who she was.

"But your majesty, he-!" Peter began complaining.

"Silence, Peter! We do not wish to hear your complaining... We have come here for one reason, we wish to see Ameena..." She said and looked in my direction.

I was panicking inside. I had never been in the presence of a Queen before... What do I do? What should I say?

"I-It's nice to meet you, your majesty..." I stuttered and curtsied.

She smiled and said "Please, there is no need for that... We are Vivaldi and we wish you to have some tea with us..."

Vivaldi had guided us to a cozy corner of the garden that had a table and tea set already waiting for us. Vivaldi sat across from me and Peter stood close by, looking upset. Ace was standing directly behind me, leaning on my chair from time to time, which annoyed Peter.

"Vivaldi...?" I asked, nervously.

"Yes, what is it, dear?" she said nicely.

"Well, I've been wondering this for some time now... How is it that everyone here seems to know me?"

Vivaldi looked surprised and turned to Peter, looking a bit irritated. "You mean you haven't told her?"

Peter started acting nervously and said "W-well, I didn't get the chance too and I thought it might be better if she remembers herself..."

Vivaldi was angry. "You're worthless! If you don't tell her then I will!" She began arguing with Peter.

Ace leaned forward, his face by mine and said "Actually, Ameena is from Wonderland. You used to live at the castle and Peter is actually your father. We used to play together a lot... Ameena was so cute then, but your even prettier now..."

I was in shock, but my mind was blank because of what Ace had said and how close his face was to mine.

Peter's gunshot snapped me out of it. It went between Ace's face and mine, going straight through the chair. "Don't you dare get any closer to her! Why did you tell her that?"

"Ooh, scary~ I was just being an honest knight" Ace said, smiling.

"Just get away from her! I won't let you, of all people, touch her"

Ace moved back a little and smiled at Peter, who was watching him with suspicion. Suddenly, Ace quickly leaned back in and forcibly kissed me! I was in way too much shock to shove him away or say anything... Heck! I couldn't even think straight!

Peter was just as shocked as I was, his mouth wide open. Vivaldi did seem a little annoyed, but wasn't surprised by the situation and didn't say anything. Ace was the one to pull away and gave me an intimate smile before standing up straight again. My face was red and my hand automatically went to cover my mouth.

I kept thinking over and over: I-I can't believe it... He... That... My first... k-k-kiss!

Peter recovered and pointed his gun at Ace again, angrily saying, "W-why did you go and do that?"

Ace licked his lips and smiled. "I thought it would be fun... And it annoyed Peter!"

"Why you!" He yelled and started shooting at Ace non-stop. Ace took out his sword and began dodging and blocking the bullets. It was obvious that the fight was going nowhere.

Vivaldi quietly sipped tea. "Sh-shouldn't we stop them?" I asked, a little panicked.

She looked annoyed as she said "No need. Just let them be... Besides, those stupid men have no sense of delicacy! I mean, really! Kissing you like that! Are you alright, Ameena?"

"Y-yeah... I think so..." I said, my face was still faintly red.

Vivaldi looked at me oddly and then she asked, "Ameena... Could it be... that you've never been kissed before?"

Peter and Ace stopped in the middle of their fight to stare at me. I was feeling uncomfortable with everyone staring. "O-of course it was! Its normal for girls in my world!" I shouted, flustered.

Everyone was silent for a bit. Ace was smiling at me again and Vivaldi came over and hugged me to comfort me. Peter just stood there, staring at me until he noticed Ace's smile. "What're you smiling at? Don't you get all happy! I won't let you get away with this!"

And so the fighting continued...