Chapter 2

Marion followed closely behind Luna as they entered Red Fountain. A few days had passed since she last received new from her parents, Lord Damon and Lady Grace.

Headmaster Saladin stood by the entrance, offering a courteous welcome to each of the guests.

"Don't look now, but your in-laws just arrived", Luna whispered. Marion turned just in time to see Queen Regina enter from the King`s arm, head held high, and piercing green eyes that matched her own. The woman`s sole presence was intimidating. She had to wonder if they`d ever get along.

"See what I mean?" Luna said, before waving at a tall young man who stood on the arena.

"Who is he?"

"His name is Radius. He just transferred from Solaria",

"So he`s a friend of yours"

"Not exactly, we met not too long ago", she mused.

"I didn't know Oritel´s parents would be here" Marion whispered,

"Well, would you look at yourself? You`re using his Christian name already! That`s the spirit", she grinned. Marion groaned internally, Luna was right. They hadn't been formally introduced yet and already she`d dropped his title from his name.

"Hello..." the fairy who they sat by greeted them with a bright smile.

"Hi there…" Luna responded, although it came out as a question rather than a greeting. The girl giggled.

"I'm Princess Rachel of Linphea, our parents are friends"

"Oh! Rachel" Luna replied as if remembering suddenly, "you'll have to forgive me. This is Marion, a noble daughter of Domino" she introduced.

"Pleased to meet you" Marion said, smiling apologetically. Although she knew Luna well enough to notice that she probably didn't remember the girl entirely. But she wouldn't dare say that out loud.

"Marion, look" Luna nudged her, "that guy hasn't stopped looking at you since we took our seats". Marion looked down toward the arena to see a blond-haired specialist staring up at her…but he wasn't prince Oritel. He offered a smile before one of his friends pat him on the back and said something into his ear, steering his attention away from her.

"I don't suppose you would know him?" Marion asked with a roll of her eyes.

"Not much. He's from Eraklyon is all I can say"

"And that, would be your 'one and only'", Luna said just as Prince Oritel was stepping onto the battle field wearing his specialist uniform, revealing just how fit he was. And Marion didn't think she'd ever seen anyone look more handsome. He bowed before his parents who sat somewhere amongst the first rows. But he had no incline of her presence whatsoever, she realized. He smiled politely toward the crowd in general, as every other specialist had, and Headmaster Saladin began his welcoming speech.

"Are you rooting for someone here?" Rachel asked suddenly. Why did Luna have to speak so loudly?

"My brother attends Red Fountain but he won't be competing today" Marion explained. Rachel nodded in understanding. Suddenly her expression became one of displeasure.

"I didn't realize Lady Samara would be invited. She doesn't even attend Alfea"

"Oh the invite wasn't for her, it was for her parents" Luna explained. Again, how she knew it all, was beyond her. Rachel leaned in and lowered her tone,

"Even worse. Two years ago, her parents visited Alfea to confirm that it was pure enough for their daughter. Apparently, our school wasn't good enough and they left without as much as a ´thank you´".

Marion watched as the girl in question took her seat along with her parents, in the same row as Queen Regina. She seemed eager for the show to start and Marion found herself wondering if she too was rooting for someone here.

So that was why the royals of Domino had come, to see their son. Marion could almost smack herself for such carelessness. The news of her engagement to the Prince still had her head up in the clouds, unfortunately.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Think we should hang around for the after show?" Luna asked, grinning. Marion looked toward the sidelines where Oritel celebrated and laughed with his friends once the event was over.

"I rather not, let's just go" Marion replied dryly. Seeing the Prince probably hadn't been the best idea. It wasn't like she was expecting him to notice her or anything…but then, why was she so upset? Marion sighed. Perhaps it was because she now felt a little more invisible than she did that morning. Luna twirled a lock of hair around her finger, nervously.

"What's wrong?"

"Please don't think of me as a bad friend…Radius invited me for coffee after the function and-"

"Go" Marion replied easily,

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Positive. Don't worry about me, you have fun. Just be careful, alright?"

"Don't worry" she winked, "I won't do anything you wouldn't do" she said before trudging off in the opposite direction. Marion shook her head and started on the path toward the school's entrance. Her books were waiting for her at Alfea and they certainly wouldn't study themselves.

"Marion!" she heard someone call. She turned, surprised to see the specialist from before running to catch up with her

"Yes..?" what she actually meant to ask was how he knew her name, but she didn't want to sound rude.

"Forgive my audacity, I'm Alister" he said shaking her hand as they continued to walk.

"I don't suppose we've met before?"

"We haven't" he said, rather uncomfortably, "I learned your name from a friend, I've wanted to meet you for a while now, and I just didn't know what to say" he admitted, almost out of breath.

"You wanted to…meet…me?" she asked, incredulous.

"Definitely" he replied almost not understanding, as if it were an obvious thing. Perhaps under different circumstances, this would`ve pleased her. But now…

"I hear you`re from Domino..?"

"Should I really be answering a stranger´s questions?" she asked, chuckling.

"I´ve told you my name", he said simply. Marion laughed,

"See that guard over there? I know his name, too", she said, signaling to one of Red fountain`s wardens, a man in his early forties, at most. Alister blushed but couldn't hide the grin that formed across his face.

"Point taken, ask me anything you`d like to know", he told her, but just as the words left his mouth, someone called him.

"You should get back"

"I`d like to talk to you some more, if that`s…alright with you?" he said slowly. Marion hesitated.

"Just as friends?" he tried. There was something about this guy, the clumsiness in his words perhaps that seemed awfully sweet.

"I don't see why not", she said finally.

"I guess I`ll be seeing you at…?"

"Four. I`m free after four", she called over her shoulder, as she started walking again. Marion thought with a roll of her eyes about what her friend`s reaction would be once she told her about this.

Flashback

"As you know, the law has always supported that we choose someone of our own world"

"Will your majesties host a ball to seek a potential wife?" a member of their court asked.

"No Luca, I prefer not to choose my son`s fiancée from a round up", Regina replied, pensively, "Choosing a fiancée also means choosing the next Queen. And you all know very well that selecting a Queen for this realm is in no way the same as selecting a Queen for another",

"And I`ll have to agree with my wife", King Leander stated, "We know our son well enough to make a choice",

"My lord with all due respect, a woman representing Domino with her graciousness will not be enough. She will also be the next holder of the sacred dragon flame. She must be trustworthy enough to hold that power responsibly. If she turned out to be hungry for power it would be our finish, and if she weren't strong enough to hold the flame, we don't even want to imagine the outcome", another member reminded them.

"Yes, well, I think I have someone in mind", the King said, a knowing smile on his face. Regina raised a brow,

"Do you, now?"

"A close friend of mine, a Lord who`s worked for me in the past has a daughter nearly my son`s age. She`s beautiful as she is kind. And by everything her father has shared with me, I know she`s a strong young woman",

"When can we meet her? I must admit I`m intrigued", the Queen mused.

End of flashback

Oritel removed his sword as the event came to a close. He turned in every direction, looking for the classmate who was supposed to help him round up the dragons.

"You haven't seen Alister have you?" he asked Radius, who shook his head.

"Not at all",

Oritel had been stressed since the moment he awoke, or rather, since the moment his parents announced that they would choose his fiancée. Today`s event had only added onto his pre-existing anxiety. But all things considered, the day of the royals turned out to be a complete success. Headmaster Saladin was the first to congratulate them on their performance. His parents however…

"Excellent work, son", his father praised, patting his back. He smiled.

"I appreciate it, father",

"I know this may not be the best place to speak of this, but Leander and I must leave immediately. You should know that your marriage has been arranged, Oritel. To a noble daughter of Domino", his mother said. Oritel sighed, trying his best to hide his chagrin. He knew this was coming, it was tradition. However, it didn't make things any easier. He was to marry a stranger, a stranger he would be sharing a bed with, and a life. Fortunately, they would be given some time to know each other. Just how much time, was still unknown. His studies didn't provide a great amount of free time, either.

"When can I meet her?"

"She studies here in Magix, so for now that`ll be difficult. Don't worry about it, son, we`ll make sure to let you know in advance", his father promised.

"May I know her name at least?" Oritel insisted.

"Your majesties", Saladin arrived suddenly and bowed before his parents, "Thank you for coming, it has been an honor". As dear as the Headmaster was to him, Oritel couldn't help the sudden sense of frustration.

"Please excuse me", he bowed and went back to the dragons that awaited, still.

"Still no sign of Alister?" he asked again, rather irritably.

"I have to go, I asked Luna out and she accepted", Radius said in a rush.

"Look, there he is, Alister!" Radius called. Oritel turned, curious to know what was taking him so long. They weren't exactly friends but he knew his classmate wasn't usually this laid-back.

And he had to admit he was impressed. Alister was all smiles but that wasn't what caught his eye. He was speaking to a girl, tall, slightly curvaceous, with thick red curls. It was evident that her eyes were clear, although she was too far to distinguish their color.

And she was gorgeous. Her full lips parted and dimples appeared on each of her cheeks as she smiled at whatever Alister was telling her.

As he made his way back, Radius eyed him with a grin.

"A girlfriend?"

"Not at all, she`s just a friend", Alister answered, laughing it off. And Oritel believed him. Now, whether or not he was interested was another story. He stood there for a moment, watching her leave the school. Who was she?

A/N: To those who reviewed and followed, thank you for giving this story a chance! Like I said, it's my first time writing about this couple and the chapters may be a bit short due to my small amount of free time and that sort of thing. Anyway, please let me know what you think, R&R!