Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.

Chapter 10

Dining Hall

Hitomi and Merle were already seated and waiting for Van so they could eat. Van arrived and he had someone with him that neither Merle nor Hitomi was expecting.

"Allen?" Hitomi got up and walked over to him.

Allen watched as Htiomi walked up to him. She too had changed. Her hair was much longer, and she matured in all the right places. *To think that I could have had her once. But that was a long time ago, she is Van's lover now.*(a/n: lover in this story does not mean sex partner, well at least not yet...^_^)

Hitomi saw his sad expression so she gave him a hug and a small peck on the cheek. Van watched this and felt a slight twinge of jealousy.

"Shall we start lunch?" he said leading Hitomi back to the table. Allen watched for a second then went off to find Celena. He returned with her a minute later.

"It is a great honor to meet you. I have read all about your adventures and quests." Celena said giving Hitomi a small bow.

Hitomi blushed and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you also Celena. Allen told me all about you the last time I was here."

"You are much more majestic in real life. The history books give you no justice." she said sitting down next to Hitomi.

"History books??? I didn't think that I was that old." Everyone laughed as she made a face.

Chapter 11

After lunch Hitomi went exploring the garden with Merle as her guide, Allen took Celena to practice ( he decided to teach her sword technique) and Van had a meeting.

Garden

Hitomi and Merle walked around smelling flowers here and there, talking to others enjoying the garden and just chatting.

"So, Hitomi, umm....well...you know...with Van..."

Hitomi smiled at Merle. "If your trying to ask what I think you are then yes. Well at least I think that I do. I don't really know.(confused? good then I've served my purpose to tell this story!) What do you think?"

"I don't know either. But I do know that Lord Van does love you, he's just stubborn and doesn't know how to show it. Ask him, maybe you can get him to come put of his shell."

"Yeah, maybe I will."

Van's POV

"Your Majesty?"

"Yes, what is it?" Van hadn't been all there during the whole meeting and his advisors were curious as to why.

"You seem in a better mood lately. Why might that be? If I may ask."

A slight smile played on his face as Van answered. " I just feel lighter, that's all. Let's just finish this meeting with today's meeting and be done with it. I feel like going out today."

"With the Lady Hitomi?" There was a slight frown on the advisor's face.

"Why do you ask?"

"Please excuse my bluntness, but, you must choose a bride, of royal blood, noble at the least, but.."

Van's face was getting red from frustration. "What are you trying to get at?"

"Well, I inferred that you and the young seeress, were, well....uh.."

"Were what?" There was edge on Van's voice as he got up and stood over the man.

"......in love...." It was barley a whisper.

"......" Van just stood there for a moment, then asked, " Is it really that noticeable?"

"My Lord. I now know that you do love her, but she is just a plain woman. There is no nobility within her."

"Yeah well, I don't know if she feels the same, so you don't have anything to worry about. Not yet anyway." With that he got up and walked out of the meeting, not even taking the time to adjourn it accordingly.

Back in the Garden

"Merle, why are all of those people looking at us?" Hitomi asked pointing over to the finely dressed men and women.

"I told you that you looked funny in those cloths. You should have worn that dress I gave you earlier."

"I HATE DRESSES!"

All heads turned in their direction. Hitomi lowered her head and Merle rolled her eyes.

"Let's go." As they were walking away they saw a crown of people, mainly women, gathering. When Merle finely pushed her way through she saw Van getting bombarded by all of the noble women. She grabbed him by the back of the shirt and dragged him away.

"Thanks Merle."

"Lord Van what are you doing here? I thought you were in a meeting?"

"I left."

"Why? It's not like you to just up and walk out of a meeting. What did they say to you?" She tried to look him in the eye, but he just turned around. Hitomi walked over to hear what Van's answer would be.

" The same thing they've been saying, what else." Merle nodded, knowing about his situation with choosing a queen. Hitomi on the other hand, didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about and asked Merle about it.

"I'll tell you later, when there aren't so many sensitive ears."

"Come on Hitomi, lets go for a walk in my private gardens." Van said offering his arm to her.

"Alright. Aren't you coming Merle?"

"That's okay, I think I'll go find Celena."

Hitomi just shrugged and walked away with Van, oblivious to the stares the couple were getting.

A/N: Well there's the next 2 chapters. Review if you want me to put up more. Flames allowed as are suggestions. I can take this story two ways (1) Hitomi and Van can have a fight or (2) Que from earlier can play a bigger role. I'm gonna let you all decide, and if you don't review telling me what you think then I'm not gonna to put up the rest of the story. Sorry but I need some reviews, and thanks to everyone who has.