One loud cheer from the colosseum in the distance couldn’t ruin the graceful quiescence of the castle. The summer clouds above accentuated the four-story high, five block long building. Rabbit tip-toed forward and grabbed the gate simply to look in at the servants tending the garden and mulling about.

“It must have been amazing to grow up here.” Rabbit said and eagerly looked back at Alice, ears wobbling.

“You could see inside if you like.” Alice rubbed her chin, “although Father will be back after the gladiatorial contests.”

“Your father, the king….”

“Yes. He’s not likely to bother us, though. Yes, I’m sure it will be fine.” Alice smiled and spoke to the gateman, “Let us in, Harold.”

Harold cautiously glanced at Rabbit but followed orders and hauled the gate open.

“Are you sure?” Rabbit asked.

Alice grinned at Rabbit and led the way into the castle yard. Rabbit really had no choice but to follow or go home. Home wasn't really an option so the two walked all the way around building, taking a cobblestone path which looped around shrubbery and smelt of expensive flowers.

“You know I won’t be able to choose my own husband.”

Taken aback, Rabbit asked, “Why would you tell me this?

“You said, “It must have been amazing to have grown up here” I suppose I don’t have a lot of difficulties in my life but things certainly aren’t perfect.”

The two continued their stroll to a white gazebo in the middle of the castle backyard and slipped onto the bench together.

Alice broke the silence again, “I suppose I also tell you this because you’re an important member of society. You’re the only were-beast who can keep his sanity after drinking the elixir after all, so I am interested in you."

The wind slightly rustled Rabbit’s ears, “Actually I never drank an elixer. I was always like this, for as long as I can remember. Hm, I have always been in Castle Bestia, but I have a few dreamlike memories that I feel will also stay with me forever.”

Sasha thought for a moment, she had perked up upon hearing that Rabbit was always a were-beast who lived in a faraway castle, but she asked, “What were these dreams?”

A smile crossed Rabbit’s face as he thought back to the dreams. He had only really thought of those youthful Bestia dreams in secret as he lay caged.

Down on the floorboards the shadow of the sun touching the roof of the gazebo barely covered Rabbit’s feet.

Rabbit began, “Oddly enough I had a family when I was in these dreams, although I know that I had never met them. My family and I would go exploring the world, my favourite place being a land of red sand and a golden snake that left a golden trail.”

“That sounds like the deserts of Africa and the cobra.”

Rabbit stared at Alice for a moment with a quivering lip. He had always imagined those places to be creations of his imagination. Rabbit’s small mouth opened to speak when he was interrupted by an angry voice.

“Alice!” An elderly voice screamed.

The two people on the gazebo whipped their heads around as they knew they were in trouble and saw the king, in white general’s gear and encrusted crown, storming towards the gazebo followed by a group of guards.

“What is that traitorous beast-man doing here?” And then the king spoke directly to Rabbit, “How dare you run away during such a joyous occasion.”

Rabbit began to stutter an answer.

The king shook his head, clearly disappointed, “We’re just going to have to send you back to Bestia and get another beast-man. Hmm, I’ve heard good things about Stag; perhaps he will fight for freedom.”

“My king,” Rabbit stepped out of the gazebo and knelt before the great golden crown, “It would be an honour to fight for you, I love this country.”

“Why would you say something like that?”

Rabbit stole a look back at Alice who was clutching her chest with tears in her eye, “I say it for Princess Alice, my king. I can’t live if I can’t see her again.”

A brief smirk appeared over the king’s face, “Then you shall see her after your first successful mission.” The king patted Rabbit on the shoulder, “Don’t let us down, beast-man.”

Rabbit bowed his head and said, “Thank you, my king.”

The guards from behind the king surged forward and seized Rabbit by the arm to escort him back to General Marker’s Training Hall. As Rabbit was led out he watched the king console Alice when he got a glimpse back.