Lost In Wonderland

4. Hospitality

I looked around before collecting all the details. I shook my head slightly. Cheshire vanished instantly.

"I'm sorry, but my home is at the Hatter's Garden." I motioned to her and she looked down at her hands.

"You'll understand as soon as we talk. Would you like to speak over Levi's famous tea?"

"That sounds fine." I managed to say. The Queen leaned over to Connie for a brief moment, then rushed over to me, shoving me out of the throne room and into an empty guest room with an extra pair of clothing. The entire walk here was gloomy, with red and black décor and often times a painting here or there.

"Please try these on, Miss Gold." She called out, handing me a dress to wear.

"Thank you, Connie." I smiled, and she did the same, leaving me alone with the red dress with a bow at the waist and a single strap.

I slipped out of the wet clothing, and into the new dress, just as Levi knocked at the door. Struggling to tie the bow from behind, I allowed him to come in. He looked at me with a mild expression, but I shrugged it off.

"Can you tie the bow for me?" I asked, and he nodded without saying anything. His calm demeanor was exactly like Colin's when he was around guest's of Ethan. They respected those who they worked for. They were much alike, even though they never saw eye to eye.

When he finished, I combed my fingers through my hair to flatten it out while he wrapped up my ankle and slipped on a pair of black flats. He was treating me kindly. Was it an order? Or was it out of consideration? I couldn't quite tell. Honestly, I couldn't distinguish anything about the people here in Wonderland despite the fact that being insane was a common trait.

The sun shone brightly, and the open curtains allowed that light to come in, leaving a lively feeling between us. The room was nothing like the other rooms. The sheets, wooden chest, and bed frame were all painted a solid white tone, compared to the deep red of the corridor.

"Would you like to visit the garden? The Queen is already waiting." His voice broke the silence, and I wish he'd waited a few more minutes so I could soak in the sun. Nodding, he took my hand and led me through the long hallway. We didn't speak the entire way, but as soon as we pushed past the bulky red doors, the rose garden unraveled.

Something about the roses made me feel as if they were celestial. So perfect in their shades of red. Not a single dried up and withered plant. Every bush was the healthiest green I've ever come across. I wanted to touch them, but I knew I would just cut myself on the stem. It was strange. All my life, roses made me feel frightened and disgusted, but these drew me in.

I took a seat at the round metal table under the awning. The Queen- my mother- sat in front, sipped on a cup of tea while Levi poured me a cup. I looked at it hesitantly. Without looking up at me, she began to speak, carefully choosing her words. Levi left, but neither of us were aware at the time being.

"Please do not interrupt me until I finish saying what must be said." She said between deep breaths.

"Okay." I held the teacup by the handle and sipped on the brew. The taste even reminded me of the roses that mocked me among the bushes. The steam rose like the circles that came from Doc's pipe, but reminded me of the warmth from Ethan.

"You are my daughter. Ethan's father, the Mad Hatter, sent you away when you were born as a punishment for something that I did a long time ago." She shook her head. "That's a story for another time. Anyways, during the period that you were gone, he passed away, leaving his only son to take up his position. Since then, there has been a fault between the two gardens."

"Most of the people of Wonderland see you as a threat now because you're from the 'Real World," as they prefer to call it here. For sure, there is at least one group targeting you at the moment." As she said that, my mind trailed back to the carriage. I wonder what ever happened to the person holding onto my ankle. I looked down at the bandage. "You must choose were you want to stay, so first, tell me who you have your heart set on, and do not lie to me, because I saw you at the Hatter's boy's birthday." Her brown eyes were focused on mine, and the memory of that night sent my heart racing. I wasn't in love with anybody, even though several times, the boys have all tried to hit on me; or so I thought. I looked away, placing the cup back down and taking up a cookie from the plate.