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Van wasn't surprised when they were met at the border by his guards. These men, while hand picked by Van himself, were a few short. It seems some of them couldn't be bothered to be loyal to a Draconian.
Hitomi, silent and straight backed nodded to Charles, the only guard she knew well enough to greet and he nodded back before turning to Van.
"You have a rather chaotic group of people waiting for your return." Charles' eyes were true, showing that Van could sprout fangs and horns and he would still be there, a loyal guard and soldier.
"Any of them from other lands?" Van asked, glancing towards Fanelia. They were quite a ways away from the gates. He couldn't even see if anyone was on the road.
"A few. Front and center, of course, is Gelming." Charles didn't bother with the formality owed to a Lord and Van almost smiled. He was relieved to have even this many men still loyal to the throne, nomatter who was seated on it.
"Well, lets get this over with. I will address the crowd once we reach the Royal gates." Van said and the men formed a circle around the three with Charles inside the circle, on Van's left.
Fanelia had always been so beautiful to Van. Even as a child he would lean out the carriage window whenever he was forced to go somewhere and wait for the moment when he would see the green rooftops from afar. He loved Fanelia and it caused a sickening twist in his belly to think that the one place he had ever called home would turn against him. He didn't know how many of his subjects would be taken in by Gelming's rioting but he was preparing for the worst.
If he prepared for the worst than things could only get better, right? But if the worst is what they found then Van would try his hardest to win his people back. Even if he had to speak to each and everyone of them one on one- he would do it. He wasn't someone to be feared just because of what he was. He was their King and would do all that was in his power to convince them that he wasn't evil and wasn't plotting against his own lands.
He knew that was one of the angles Gelming would take. A demon come to Fanelia just to twist it to his own desires and purpose. Van could have said the same thing about Gelming.
Through the gates and down the streets, Van saw a more than a few curious faces trying to catch a look at him while many others scowled.
Suddenly a hand on his arm was pulling him down and Van felt something wiz by the top of his head.
"A rock." Hitomi said, letting go of Van's arm and sliding back into her own saddle which she had nearly fallen out of to pull him out of harms way.
Two soldiers caught the young man who had thrown the rock and brought him with them to the palace. The boy, realy he was rather young, looked terrifyed when he saw where he was being led.
Van felt like his body was made of lead as he dismounted at the gates before his palace. His movements felt painfully slow as he turned to face the crowd that had gathered.
"As I am sure you have all heard, I am Draconian. Half Draconian. But I am still the man who was crowned just a week ago. I am still the man with this country's best interests at heart, despite what, I am sure others have been telling you. My father ruled before me and even my mother and brother were a large part of what made Fanelia such a wonderfull place. My father married for love and found a woman who wanted what was best for this land just as I want what is best for this land. My mother was Draconian. As was my brother. My father saw past that and saw the person beyond the wings and the superstitious murmerings. I am asking you, the people of Fanelia to look past the rumors to what you know about me. I grew up before many of your eyes. I know you can see, just as you saw then, that I am no demon." Van sighed. Only a few faces before him looked convinced and among the other faces Van could see Gelming and his 'friends'. The group was pointing to the ring on Hitomi's hand.
Taking a breath Van announced, "While taking steps towards Fanelia's brighter future I have brought back an old law. This law brings back the King's official court. One person can not hope to see all possible outcomes of their choices. A court is needed. The fist appointment I have made to my Court is Hitomi. She is a true Seer and a true friend and isn't bothered in the least by the idea of sharing her opinions on how I do things." Van smiled despite the situation and saw Hitomi turn a bright red as Naoki laughed, "I hope you will welcome her into Fanelia as though she were born to be here."
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Van stood in his mother's room and looked around slowly. He wished he knew what she would have done in his place. She had always handled things with an ease he was jealous of. Always a smile for everyone she met and a kind word those who, servants mainly, were ignore by most.
Everyone loved her. Even those who knew what she was.
The young man who had thrown the rock was questioned and it turned out he wasn't even from Fanelia. He had been put up to causing trouble by a group he had met on the road. He hadn't known the names of any of the people but he did say that they paid him to try to get the Fanelians to riot.
Van had a good idea as to who had paid him but he didn't have any evidence. While it would have felt wonderfull to march right back out to the gates and call Gelming forward just to strip the man of his title before everyone, Van knew it would work against him. People would say he was taking his frustrations out on people who were just trying to tell the truth.
They weren't telling the truth but Van storming out there and yelling at the man would make Gelming look like a victim.
A slight touch on his arm and Van knew who was next to him, taking his hand gently in hers.
"I brought you dinner." Hitomi said quietly, looking up at the portrait of Van parents that hung above the hearth. She squeezed his hand before tugging him towards the door.
"I'm not hungry." Van said, even as he followed her across the room.
"You have to eat." Hitomi didn't loosen up on Van's hand as he tried to pull away, "If I have to tie you down and feed you myself I will."
Van almost laughed untill he saw the look on her face. She was serious. He stopped trying to pull away and followed her to his room where she had set up a table and two chairs.
"How did you get this in here?" he asked, visualizing her trying to bring the table up the stairs on her own.
"I had some help." she said evasively and pointed to a chair, "Sit before it gets cold."
Van sat, a smile threatening as he uncovered a steak and vegies on his plate. Giving Hitomi that ring, while giving her more of an excuse to boss him around, was the best thing he could have done. Not only did she lighten his mood but he enjoyed her company. She said what was on her mind and didn't back down because he was King.
He enjoyed her honesty.
And it was her honesty he needed now.
"What did you think of our return?" he asked, taking a bite to avoid looking into those eyes.
"Those who believe Gelming are idiots. Your speech was wonderfull and you were direct. They needed to hear what you said. You didn't shy from the looks or even the rock that was thrown. You spoke truth and they could hear it in your voice." Hitomi began on her own dinner, which Van could see wasn't steak. She wasn't fond of it. Instead she had what looked like fish.
"I'm glad you are here." he said quietly, "You don't let me brood and you make me see things the way they are, not how they appear to be."
"I am gald to be here." Hitomi watched Van who kept his eyes firmly on his plate, "If it weren't for you Naoki and I would be confined to a Temple for the rest of our lives. That is if no one found out about me."
Van felt sick at the thought of what would have happened to Hitomi if she'd been discovered. Those thoughts were better not persued with food in front of him.
She was here and she was part of his council. He could keep her safe and keep Naoki safe while they were inside Fanelia. He couldn't be sure what would happen to them in the outside world but with that ring on her finger many would think twice about bothering a member of the royal court.
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A/N: I hope you all liked this one. REVIEW!