For those people who waited for how many months, just for an update.

Chapter 3 - Pride

It had been days since Alice had last left her home. On that fateful day she had met Oz they had spent the rest of the day frolicking around and doing all sorts of mischief.

Oz did not know that Alice was a noble.

Alice did not know anything about Oz. Besides from the fact that he was an annoying brat.

They had both decided to keep their lives to themselves. Less connections the better. They had agreed on that in the alleyway where they had first met, shaking each others hands firmly.

Alice had wanted to go out again, but she had returned a bit too late. Her father had towered over her, but his face was devoid of rage. It was more of a dissappointed look.

It would have been better if he had screamed at her. But he only looked down at her and said.

"I expected better from you."

It was enough to make her isolate herself from the world.

Her stomach churned at the thought. She just wanted to have fun, to be free! Turns out, being free is burdensome.

She turned and faced the window. From her spot in the bed she could see the bright night sky, blanketed in a sea of stars.

She would ask for forgiveness tomorrow. If only her pride would allow her to.

The next morning, she was up ad about earlier than her usual. She had dressed better and tried to be in her best behavior. But exactly when she sat down at the table for breakfast, she had heard that her father had left that night and hasn't returned.

If he couldn't step down from his pride. Then so be it.

She left again after breakfast.

Oz was waiting for her in the alleyway. Or so it seemed. He was dressed in a loose dress shirt and black slacks.

"What's up with you?" She had asked the youth.

He was sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall with one leg folded near himself. His right han resting on the raised leg. He looked sad. Neglected.

He looked up, his face was bruised; but he wore an odd smile on his face.

"Nothing."

He stood up.

"What do you want to do today Alice?"

"What are you talking about? What happened to you?"

The smile left his face, he looke down his hand unconciously reaching for the bruise on the side of his lip.

"Its nothing Alice..."

"Oz tell me whats wrong!"

"Alice!"

She shut up and looked up at him. He green eyes, looke murky. No longer bright.

"You promised, no connections. Let's leave."

He started walking in the opposite direction she came in. She was speechless, she nodded and ran after him. What could she do. She did promise.

As he turned the corner she heard him cry. Alarmed, she ran after him; could it be the one who bruised him?

"You stay away from him!" She screamed as she rounded the corner.

She saw a tall young man holding Oz by the shoulders. His long face was framed by long curly black hair, his golden eyes were wide.

"Young master! How could you run away? She was your inssurance..."

Oz was facing away from the man, a pained look on his face.

"I don't need an insurance..." Oz had mumbled, still looking away from him.

Alice put two and two together and rushed up to the two. She pulled Oz away from him, making him stumble in the process and then she slapped the man.

The sound cracked through the air.

The man had his hand over the place where she slapped him.

"Who are you to tell him what to do? Leave him alone!"

The man's eyes where wide in surprise, his eyes had a peculiar color. Gold.

When Oz snapped out of his own surprise he pulled Alice's forearm making him face him.

"Alice! How could you? He is my servant Gil."

It was her turn to look surprised. Oz was a noble.

"You'e a noble?!"

Oz looked away again.

"Somewhat."

"You don't have any obligations to tell her who you are master."

The man now known as Gil sneered at her.

"She's merely a filthy rabbit looking for a partner. She's bored and most likely lonesome."

"No she isn't Gil-"

"You don't those kind of women Young Master. I for one know. That's why we don't let you leave, now come-"

This time Gil caught Alice's hand.

"See I told you Young Master."

Alice's face was red and not from emmbarassment. She shook her hand free from his grip and pushing him away and said.

"How dare you? Do you know who I am and what right does someone like you have to judge me?"

He opened his mouth to respond when she put a finger on his chest.

"You, who is merely a servant of someone else, should know better. You look like you took seaweed for a wig."

This time Gil's face turned beet red he was about to respond when Oz went between them.

"Stop it the both of you! I already have enough with the fighting at home and now here you fight. Gil shut it, I'm not going back not after what happened."

"Young master!"

Oz stormed back the way he came.

"Hah, nice going Seaweed Gil." With that she ran afer Oz.

Gil faced Alice and sneered at her.

"Its Sir Gilbert to you, lowly wretch." and followed suit.

She caught with Oz as he was entering an Inn.

The Inn reaked of beer and roasting meat and it was loud and stuffy. The sounds of raucous laughter reverbrated throughout the place. Shouts for order and squeals of the feminine sort made Alice's head ache. She hardly heard Gil entering after her, she was too busy looking for a head of golden hair.

She noticed a man and a woman kissing near the doorway. They both reeked of alcohol. Then she noticed what the girl was wearing. It was similar to hers. Simple shirt and a short skirt (without the leggings) all unbuttoned and lose. She felt her face heat up for the second time.

She pushed through the crowd, atching a glimpse of Oz's back as she did so. He was climbing the stairs into the second floor. She gave chase and arrived at the second floor just when Oz closed the door to a room.

Biting her lip she walked towards the door. It was silent, saved for a few hushed whispers and the sound of footsteps.

She knocked on the door. It was a handsome wooden door with iron numbers stuck to it. It read 15.

"You may stay out."

She heard Oz's voice muffled by the thick door. Witty Bastard.

"I don't care, I'm coming in."

And she started pushing against the door, she felt Oz pushing at the other side. Suddenly, the door opened and she tumbled on top of Oz. There face was close, so close she could hear him breathe.

Then Gil arrived at the doorway.

For certain reasons Gil is older than Oz by two years. I'm abit please with this chapter :)))