Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Star Ocean.

Note: My fourth fanfic! Yeah...I shouldn't start another fanfic so soon, but I couldn't resist! I had to write!

Crimson Blood

I woke up from the wooden floor, tired and weak, unable to move. Slowly, I summoned my strength and managed to sit up. The thin blankets that were wrapped around me slipped off, revealing my thin, one-layered kimono that was a deep red and had a split all the way to my right thigh. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around me and the person sniffed my hair.

"…Nel…I love your eyes, your emerald eyes. Why don't you show them to me?" He whispered in my ear. Irritated, I pushed him away and struggled to stand up.

"My lady, a princess shouldn't force herself." The man with long, black hair that was loosely tied said.

"I must also add that your father, the emperor is worried about you." He said. I ignored him and looked into the dark sky. It was only midday and yet the sky looks so red, as if spilt with blood and fire. These times of war ripped my body of my energy and life.

"…You're not listening are you...?" The man mumbled and stood up next to Nel, the emperor's daughter of Aquaria.

Chapter One: The Crimson Princess

I walked down the narrow hall decorated with paintings of past emperors and empresses and gently touched each painting absent-mindedly.

"Lady Nel!" Someone called out to me. Slowly, I turned around and saw a girl my age with short blond hair run towards me.

"I'm so glad you're up Lady Nel!" The woman exclaimed and took deep gasps of breath before continuing to speak.

"I've news of the war." She said. My eyes widened and my heart began to pick up its pace.

"I-Is my father alright?" I demanded. Tynave took me by the hand and led me to the garden.

"I don't want to say this…the emperor is alright, but…he may not make it, that is why he wants you to marry to produce an heir to the kingdom of Aquaria." She whispered. I stepped back several steps in shock. My father wants to marry me off? To whom though?

"Who does he have in mind?" I asked coldly.

"He wants Aide to be your husband." She said and bowed her head in defeat. Aide, the man who keeps obsessing over me…

"I don't want him." I said simply and ran off deeper into the garden, past the borders of the castle.

"LADY NEL!" Tynave shouted. I continued to run and looked back to see Tynave going into the castle, possibly to gather soldiers. I didn't care anymore…I want to fight! Father, you know well that I'm one of the best students, yet you tell me I'm not eligible. When my legs tired of running, I stopped and took deep breaths. I may only be 17, but I'm much older that anyone thinks.

The red sky grew darker and I continued to wander around the forest. Wild owls perched near me and began to hoot. Annoyed, I walked faster; however, I began to fear that I was lost.

"It's getting cold…" I whispered. My clothes weren't much warmth at all and I began to shiver. In the distance, I saw a light…like a fire. Quietly, I advanced towards it, but cautious for I know not who would be there.

"Get more wood would you!" A young man my age demanded. His hair was matted, with black hair on top, which slowly gradient into a blond at the tips of his hair. The back of his head revealed longer hair that was split in two, which was also blond, tied with long, white ribbons.

"Useless maggot…" He grunted. His red eyes seem to flicker with the fire, dangerous and powerful. Who was this man? He wore a long, buttoned, black shirt, except he didn't button it. It showed his slightly muscular midriff that made me blush slightly when I looked. He wore black pants, but no shoes; however, it looks like he's wet from taking a recent bath, which may explain his plain outlook.

"Here sir…" His frightened companion shook.

"You weak fool! How many times do I have to…?" For some reason he stopped. Did he know I was here? Fear pounded at my heart and I tried to look for an opportunity to flee.

"Go now you fool!" The young man suddenly snapped at his subordinate.

"Y-Yes sir!" The man squeaked and ran off. The dark-haired man took out his katana and began to look around. With the best of my skills, I stayed hidden, but his eyes….they seem to pierce through everything.

"I know that you're out there. Show yourself or else..." The man threatened. What can I do? I'm weaponless and not exactly clothed to fight. I have no choice…

"W-Wait….I'll show myself." I hesitated and stood up. The fire reflected my eyes and hair which made me stand out more.

"Hmph…what are you doing here girl?" The man scoffed. I should just play innocent.

"I…..got lost and I saw a fire so I was hoping that someone could help me." I blushed. "What a foolish girl you are…. Where do you live?" He asked. What do I say? What if he's the enemy? I might be taking him to massacre me.

"Erm…well I live in a town of…." Hmm….an enemy town….

"I live in Kirlsa…sir." I said. His eyes widened.

"Feh, there's no way you could girl. Kirlsa is miles away, how could a girl like you go this far?" He spat. Oh no, he's growing suspicious. He walked closer to me and I began to panic.

"You're lying girl…why are you so afraid?" He smirked. H-How dare he mock me! I wanted to snap at him, but what good would it do? I bowed slightly.

"No good sir….I'm not lying and I'm not afraid." He stared at me, suspicious.

"……Never mind, come with me." He scoffed and turned around. What was he thinking about? The man gathered his equipment and slipped into his black boots. I haven't noticed but his left arm…under the sleeve…is it metallic?

"Worm!" He suddenly called out. That took me by surprise, what is he saying? Heavy footsteps came this way and a man appeared, the same man who ran off. "Y-Yes my lord?" He saluted.

"Get the horses." The young man grumbled.

"R-Right away sir!" The soldier hesitated and guided me to a horse that was near a tree, which I did not spot before.

"Now girl, tell me the truth, where do you live? If you think we are part of Airyglyph you are wrong. I'm a mercenary and I do whatever I want." The man said. So, he's not an enemy…still…can I trust him? I suppose I've no other choice.

"…I live in the castle of Aquios." I finally said. The man's eyes widened and he tilted his head in curiosity.

"Are you of royal blood?" He asked.

"Erm…yes I am. I'm the emperor's daughter, Nel." I told him.

"…Interesting…It's strange to find someone out here, much less a princess." He grinned mischievously.

"I…I was running away….from my fate." I confessed.

"Keh, I don't care about your 'fate'. Let's just go so you can get off my back." He snapped. Anger boiled within me. How dare he talk to me like that! Before I could talk back, he put his arm under my legs and another arm under my back.

"Wh-What!" I gasped. He lifted me up with ease and set me on the horse.

"You are annoying me girl." He mumbled.

"Keh, who do you think you are? How old are you anyway?" I demanded.

"I am 17 years old. Why do you ask?" He asked. He is the same age as me then.

"Stop calling me 'girl'. I'm the same age as you." I scoffed. At that comment, he began to chuckle. He treats me differently than everyone else…who is he really?

Yay! An AlbelXNel fic at last! Please review!