Thank you all who reviewed the first chapter. I forgot to say that in the last author note. I was surprised at how many reviews I got just for a first chapter. Thank you all so much.
Chapter 3: Fabia
"I think it was foolish to promise the boy and his Bakugan that prize." Said the elder woman on my right I knew to be the royal court's keeper of Laws and Culture, Lady Darcia, she was called, "We must keep the guardians in Neathia. We can't allow that kind of power to wander away ever."
I understood Lady Darcia's thoughts, but this human grew up with rights to freedom and now was forced on a planet to which his rights were gone and he was just a slave to the court before me. I was disgusted with myself in the thoughts that came. Dan and Drago had no clue that they were now a lethal weapon to keep under watch, lock, and key. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as the conversation went on. They were debating on whether or not he would be allowed off grounds or even allowed to participate in certain matters that the Castle Knights dealt with, but my sister, I was glad that she was fighting the court for his freedom.
"It's final then." Serena declared ending the debate, "Daniel Kuso will be under constant surveillance, but allowed his freedoms except for leaving Neathia and going over our borders without escorts and protection and when the times comes, Drago must prove to all of the court members gathered here today that he is capable to control himself. We've agreed to these terms and let it be written."
"Aye." We all said in unison.
"Now for the next matter." Elright stated now, "Gundalia has appointed Nurzak as its king and I believe he's selecting an Ambassador as should we be doing."
I knew this topic was coming and I felt all eyes on me. I knew they would first ask me and I thought it was a nice idea, but I wasn't ready to be launched fully into politics.
"As much as we'd like to think the princess would be perfect for this job, I would like to disagree." Said a young noble I knew as Sellon.
She was the royal court's record keeper for sessions such as these, but her position normally kept her from speaking out and her eyes smiled cruelly at me as she spoke. We were only acquaintances and I like it that way.
"Sellon, you are speaking out of line." Grumbled the older gentleman next to her earning a glare from her.
It was true that she was considered the lowest ranking official in the room, but that didn't stop her from showing malice to those above her. She turned to my sister with a respectful bow before speaking once more.
"Your majesty I realize that it's out of place seeing that I am a lowly court Record Keeper, but experience can assure you that I am more suited for this job than the Princess, after we need someone to take the throne after you and we can't have her too busy now can we?" Sellon said raising her head to give me a wink.
I didn't know whether to take that as kindness or something else, but I smiled at my sister and nodded.
"I agree with Sellon, it would be best that I have my post here as Princess rather than Ambassador." I told my older sibling, "Plus she is a better choice than I or any in this room due to her job skills and specifically her vast knowledge of our inner workings. She's just as good of a choice as Lady Darcia, but we might consider Lady Darcia as a choice as well."
"Very well." Serena said to me and then turned to face Lady Darcia while Sellon's face fell a bit, "Lady Darcia, what are your thoughts?"
The older woman shifted uncomfortably and glanced over Sellon before returning her gaze to her queen.
"As much I would like to think I'm a good enough choice, I would prefer to not tread on Gundalian grounds despite our treaty I still don't trust them and would advise to seek Sellon's thought to see if they are the same." Lady Darcia replied with a smirk.
She and Sellon weren't the nicest to each other so hearing such compliments from her definitely surprised Sellon and me. Sellon held back delight as Serena nodded and returned her attention to the Neathian before her.
"Sellon what are your thoughts on the Gundalians?" Serena probed.
Sellon grinned as she answered, "Despite our war, I've always been curious of their culture and world, so I hold little ill will towards them your majesty. This is probably why the court and other nobles consider me an outcast, but I assure you I will do my best."
Serena smiled and I did too as she proclaimed Sellon as the Ambassador of our kingdom. Sellon bowed deeply and then took her seat so my sister could continue on the list of topics. I was glad that I didn't have to leave my home now and could watch over Dan with my sister, but I was also finding my thoughts wandering a lot to the brunette. I tried to focus on the topics and put in some input every once in a while or whenever I was called upon, but I couldn't necessarily focus. It wasn't much longer before it was declared dinner time and we all went our separate ways. I was more than overjoyed to finally be able to go to my room and just sleep. I wasn't very hungry so I skipped dinner and went straight to bed for it had been a long exhausting day.
The next few weeks went by pretty quick with preparing to rearrange the ranks of the Castle Knights, guards, and reinforce our army as well as finishing repairs. I barely saw Dan and when I did I had to go in the opposite direction. One day I was hiding in the garden from Linus and any others wanting my official statements on certain things or whether to check for my approval on techniques for brawling. I was wearing a simple dress and had my human disguise off because I had no need to wear it anymore.
I leaned against a stone statute of my great great grandfather and allowed my body to slowly slide into a sitting position, closing my eyes as I did so. I listened to the nearby fountain letting the sound calm me and help me get into a meditative state. I was so relaxed that I jumped when I heard the humming and footsteps. I opened my eyes and looked around hoping it wasn't Linus or any of the others. I then peeked around the right of the statute to spy a Neathian boy dressed in a beige tunic with dark brown pants, a maroon colored shawl wrapped loosely around his waist and draped over his right shoulder, and black boots. His skin was a dark lavender and his hair brown which was surprising since it was a rare color for Neathian's to have so I guess he must've dyed it. I didn't recognize the tune he was humming at all and then I heard the rustling of paper. He was reading a book, but I couldn't see the title by the way he held it.
I inched closer staying out of his view as I tried to absorb his features. He looked to be about my age, maybe older, and he was lean on muscles. His grin was bothering me as he read the book and I grew aggravated that I couldn't see his eyes. I finally gave up on my stealth tactics and tapped the boy on the shoulder.
"What'cha reading there, sir?" I inquired earning a yelp of surprise and the boy jumped to his feet before whipping around to face me.
I gaped at his ruby red eyes that met my emerald ones. He was definitely a rare color for not many Neathians had such pigmentation. He gaped at me and I smiled warmly and felt some familiarity about him so I decided to ask.
"Sorry about that." I said as he picked up the book that had fallen off his lap when I scared him.
"It's okay." He replied as he brushed off the dirt and went to say something more, but I cut him off.
"So who are you? I've never seen you around her before nor any Neathian with colors such as yours." I quickly interjected.
He stared at me for a moment and then started laughing and it took me a moment to recognize it.
"Dan?" I murmured as he calmed down from his laughing fit.
"I guess the disguise really needs some adjustment then." He said as he pressed a button on his armband and his form returned to human.
I chuckled uneasily in embarrassment as I sat down upon the bench and Dan sat next to me. We stared at each other for a moment and then I felt the heat rise to my cheeks once more and notice his were turning red. I giggled and smiled warmly at him.
"Sorry." He said immediately breaking eye contact, "It's just I've never gotten to really look at your true form before now."
"Of course." I murmured and then realized what I needed to say next, "Oh Dan also I would like to apologize to you."
"For what?" He asked clearly confused by my words.
"I should have begged for your freedom to return home." I admitted my smile disappearing and my face became downcast because of my shame.
He scoffed and put his hand on my shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry about it too much. After all I don't have any hatred toward you or any of those people in that room that day." He murmured to me with a faint trace of a smile, "After Drago and I started training I realized why exactly I and him had to stay."
I wanted to place my hand on his assuringly, but held myself back from doing so as I remembered the name mentioned to his pals before they left.
"Runo."
I didn't realize he had removed his hand and was standing up turning back on his disguise as he did so. He looked back at me with a silly smile on his face trying to comfort me, I was sure of it as he faced me and offered his hand.
"Want to come with me for a bit." He asked and I nodded taking his hand, "It's nice to have a familiar face for company since the one I see in the mirror now days is well…."
I gripped his hand tightly and my sadness grew as he pulled me along. I should've been happy at this moment of togetherness we were sharing, but I wasn't. He didn't belong here and he should've been allowed to return home just like his friends. He was speaking to me at the time, but I wasn't really listening due to my thoughts. I snapped out of when he let go of my hand and laid his book down on a table filled with books and papers.
"I'm kind of glad I got to stay behind and learn more about this place and its culture, not that I seem like the type to take an interest. Heh, the guys would be surprised to know." The brunette rambled on as he organized the table and restacked the books.
I just stood there listening.
"I'm not all about brawling twenty-four seven." He went on as he forced the papers into a stack, "I do care about other things and have a brain."
I giggled slightly and made him pause to look at me.
"What?" He murmured to me a little confused.
"Nothing." I teased with another giggle, "I just find it funny that you think I thought you were a complete dolt."
"Oh well, I-I uh…nevermind." He mumbled and finished with the table before grabbing a rag and wandering up to the pedestal with the dim orb sitting on it.
He proceeded to clean it in silence for the next few minutes while I watched. He looked so dutiful as he polished the white back on the stone. I observed his body once more taking in the finely toned muscles and realized that he had paused noticing my staring. Flashing his famous grin at me I knew he was about to tease me as he walked away from the pedestal and placed the rag in a bucket.
"Still can't get used to the disguise?" He teased nudging me a bit and smiled nudging back.
"Kind of." I replied before I heard footfalls behind me.
"Hi Gilda." Dan greeted the person coming up behind me.
I turned to face the old caretaker of the shrine. Gilda and I barely knew each other, but I did see her on occasion conversing with my sister. She was a Neathian well into her years, possibly in her 70's if I went by human years. Her turquoise eyes met mine for a moment and a small smile appeared on her face before she hunched down more and I guessed she was kneeling to me in respect.
"Your majesty, I am pleased to be graced with your presence and hope my apprentice has been treating you well." Gilda said as she bowed her head before me and I felt a little embarrassed.
"Please rise Gilda," I said to her kindly, "Of course Dan has been taking good care of me. He and I fought side by side in the war."
"Ah, forgive my memory it isn't what it used to be now." Gilda apologized as she slowly stood back up and Dan came up to my side with Drago now on his shoulder.
I wondered where the Dragonoid had been all this time, but that wasn't much relevant as Gilda spoke once more.
"I believe your knights need your majesty's guidance and suggest you return to aid them." Gild advised and I nodded respectfully.
"Yes, you're right I've been avoiding them long enough." I admitted and turned my head to gaze upon Dan and Drago, "I'll see you guys later."
Dan flashed a smile and Drago nodded his tiny head.
"It was great to see you again, Princess Fabia." Drago said politely before I took my leave of them.
END
Warning, backtracking again for next chapter. Though there is going to be a wait. So please be patient and thank you.
