Chapter 4

"Rupert!" Pitchise finally greeted, rushing up to the man. Alice's heart began to beat normally again, a flood of relief washed over her.

"Hiya Pitchise! How've you been? Going to the ball?" the man asked. He was skinny and had hair the color of fire. About as tall as Pitchise, it seemed. The gardener leaned against one of the castle's walls.

"Yes yes, and so is my friend here," he replied, showing Alice to him. "This is Alice."

"How do you do, how do you do??" Rupert asked, shaking her hand enthusiastically. How many people does this guy know?? Alice thought in amazement. It seemed like everyone in the country knew him!

"I was just showing Alice the beautiful country. I think she'll be staying with us for quite awhile ," Pitchise explained.

"Well that's certainly nice! I'll see you at the ball. I have a lot of gardening to finish before the guests arrive," Rupert replied, standing now and heading toward some nearby rose bushes.

Alice and Pitchise both nodded and left the garden, now walking on the interrupted cobblestone path. The sun was now high in the sky, as it was probably nearing on noon.

"Hungry?" Pitchise asked. Alice nodded, her stomach growling in reply. With all this excitement, she hasn't even thought of food until now. Pitchise grabbed Alice's hand and they followed the path for a little while longer until the trees started to thicken. The cobblestone faded into dirt and there in the woods they found a small cottage. It's just like out of a fairy tale. Alice thought, and the two took place on the doorstep. Pitchise knocked on the door.

The door stayed closed. Pitchise knocked again, a little harder. "Come on, we're hungry," he mumbled. Still no answer. Persistant, Pitchise pounded on the door. "Wykes answer this door now!" A tap responded, and a piece of paper was slid under the front door. Pitchise picked up and read it aloud. "This is not a soup kitchen. Go away."

Pitchise chuckled. "But I have a friend with me. I'm sure you'll like her. Her name is Alice," he explained through the door. A few mumbles were heard and finally the door opened, but just a crack. A leprechaun-like being answered it. He looked at the two, and finally opened the door all the way. Pitchise patted him on the shoulder while the guests walked through.

"Help yourself," the leprechaun said with much resentment. Alice sat at the kitchen table, while her guide shuffled about the room, putting a pot of tea on the stove and getting out whatever he could find in his friend's refrigerator.

"Why do you always insist on dressing in bright clothing?" Wykes asked with much annoyance. He folded his arms and sat at the kitchen table with Alice.

"I don't know. I want to stand out. It's in my nature to dress this way," Pitchise explained with a grin. He put the plate of cookies out on the table and waited for the tea to be ready.

"Well I'm sure Libberswokkett doesn't appreciate it," the leprechaun commented. Alice studied the new fellow, wishing he wasn't so sour all the time. Her face was almost in a pout. "I guess it's time you introduce yourself. You look just about as grim as me," said Wykes.

"Oh, I'm Alice."

"Oh. Where do you come from?"

"Not Libberswokket," she replied. Wykes was not amused. He sighed instead and looked down at the kitchen table.

"Now Wykes leave the poor girl alone. She has a lot on her mind," Pitchise butted in, pouring the ready tea into three mugs.

"Enough to where she can't tell me where she's from? That leads me to suspicion. I say call Lady Raven here and get this girl straightened out." Wykes insisted.

"No that won't be necessary. She'll only be visiting for a short while anyway."

"Enough to ruin this beautiful country! I know what demons dwell inside of her."

Pitchise sighed. "You have to excuse him Alice, he's usually not this rude toward guests." Alice nodded, but still felt embarrassed and out of the loop the rest of the stay.

"See you at the ball then," Pitchise called out over his shoulder, Alice right behind him. The two started backtracking toward the castle again, except taking the path around it instead of through.

"We need to find you a date for the ball," the golden man piped up with a smile. Alice blushed.

"Is it necessary?"

"Sure it is!"

"Then who are you bringing?"

"Ah. Erm, only for visitors is it a necessity," Pitchise explained. Alice rolled her eyes.

"I'm not thick. I don't want to go with anyone. I feel out of place enough as it is," Alice complained.

"Now now. Once you meet Greggory, you'll be head over heels in love. I know it," Pitchise reassured. Alice stopped arguing and started inquiring.

"What's he like?"

"Oh he's very nice, but a bit quiet. He won't make the first move doing anything."

"Is he tall?"

"No, not yet. He's a little over 5 foot I'd like to believe…"

"Is he fat?"

Pitchise chuckled. "No, he watches what he eats. Strict diet.

"Does he like animals?"

Pitchise grinned. Yep, she's excited. "I think you should be asking him those types of questions instead of me. It'll help break the ice," he gently explained.

Alice fell quiet again, but already they were on the front stoop of a rather large cottage. Pitchise tapped lightly on the door. A woman answered.

"Hi, is Greggory there?" Pitchise asked. He nudged Alice forward. The woman smiled.

"Yes. Do come in!"

The duo made their selves comfortable on the sofa as they waited for the boy to come down. Alice started drumming her fingers on the sofa's arm. She jerked her head up to finally see a handsome boy waltz down the stairs. His blonde hair was perfect, his teeth were perfectly straight and white, and his clothes didn't sport any wrinkle or stain. Alice sighed. Maybe he was high-maintenance. That would be too much for Alice…

"Hi. I'm Greggory. Greggory Raven" he introduced, holding out a hand to Alice. Alice smiled and shook his hand.

"Alice," she replied getting up.

"My father's told a lot about you," Greggory informed, turning to Pitchise. "You should be the next ruler of Libberswokkett." Pitchise grinned.

"No no, the country would go to ruins." Pitchise replied with a wave of his hand.

"Why don't you live at the castle?" Alice piped up, realizing he was part of the royal heir.

"Oh, that was my decision. I'd rather live a normal life and not be related to those royal, fluffed up, bastards," Greggory answered. Alice looked to Pitchise for help.

"Oh…" was all she managed to say. She looked down to the ground.

"Obviously you don't appreciate being normal. You don't know what it's like. I'm the only boy left in the royal heir. I was almost forced to continue the family name, but I said no! Let Ramona have it, because I don't want to be related to you pompous lot! Everyone in that castle thinks they deserve to be treated with royalty and will be treated all the time like so," he ranted, pacing in front of the two guests.

Alice sighed. Is he done yet?

"Okay well you are going to the ball, aren't you?" Pitchise interrupted.

"Apparently I have no choice, so yes," Greggory replied.

"Oh good! Alice here is going too!"

"Oh. I'm guessing you want us to go together then?"

"That would be fantastic of you Greggory!" Pitchise answered, slapping him on the back. He then started chattering away, all about love and spring and some lady that he wants to bring to the ball…

"Let's go," Greggory said, pulling Alice away from her guide and leading her to the back yard.

It was absolutely beautiful. Surrounded by trees and flowers…Alice worked her whole way around, smelling every flower and studying every tree.

"Did you plant all of this yourself?"

"Well, the trees were already here but the flowers, yes. They stay grown all year long so I never have to replace them…though they did cost a bit much."

"Wow. I want to garden sometime…I've never done it though. Our gardener always does it for us," Alice explained.

"Your…gardener?" Greggory stumbled.

"Yes…is there a problem?" Alice asked, starting to wish she didn't say that.

"You're in a royal heir aren't you?!" he exploded. "Get out of my house!"

"No, I'm just well-off," Alice tried to explain, backing up, Greggory bullying her out of his backyard.

"Stop playing games with me! Get out out out!" he bellowed, the two now inside the house.

Alice turned and ran to Pitchise, grabbing his hand. "I seemed to have made him angry. Let's go!"

Pitchise was quickly derailed from his daydreams and ran with Alice outside of the house. They caught their breath and started their way back to the castle.

"What made him so angry?" he asked her.

"Well, I said that back home I didn't ever get to garden, because my gardener takes care of the yard," she innocently explained.

"Ah, yes. Greggory still has a lot to learn though. Please forgive him. Maybe you can make amends at the ball," Pitchise suggested.

"Maybe..." Alice answered. But what if we didn't? There you go, being stupid again. Then you just won't have the boy of your dreams. So what? So what?! He's the boy of my dreams! I SHOULD GET THE BOY OF MY DREAMS!

With the depressing thoughts raging inside of Alice's head, she started to pout.

"Don't worry, you'll be able to make amends I know it," Pitchise reassured, patting her on the back. Apparently he had no idea what love at a young age would amount to.