Disclaimer: I don't own anything of or from Escaflowne, I'm just here to write stories using the characters and their Guymelefs....ya know what I mean...:)
Dedication: To all who read and review!! You guys kick a$$...and also to my school buddy Taemyr...you rock girl....keep writing too!!!
~*~Chapter 4~*~
~*~The proposal~*~
The cheerful sounds of chirping birds floated into the room from the wide open balcony doors. The satin transparent curtains flapped wildly against the doors in the warm breeze. The bright harsh glare of the sunrise shone into the room.
Hitomi groaned and open an eye, and ended up clamping it back shut against the light. She quickly grabbed the pillow from under her head and placed it over her face in an attempt to drive away the light and welcome the darkness.
She sighed, " This isn't going to work...", she mumbled against the pillow.
She sat up and slid her legs over the side of the bed. Her bare feet came in contact with the very plush carpet and she gasped in content as she squished her toes into the softness. She looked around the room and frowned as she soon realized that she wasn't in her own bed with Tony jumping up and down on her stomach whining about when breakfast would be ready.
She stood up and stretched lazily. She walked over to the balcony and stepped out into the open with her arms crossed over her chest. She leaned forward against the railing and watched the rest of the sunrise. She blinked and everything suddenly went dark. She uncrossed her arms and backed away, shaking her head. She felt a harsh hand clamp her shoulder. She was spun around swiftly and she found herself staring into a pair of red eyes.
She felt a harsh hand grip her hairline at the back of her neck and then hard, demanding lips on hers. She tried to struggle against her intruder but it was no use, he ended up tightening the iron grip that he had on her hair which made her wince against his mouth. The more she struggled the more he hurted her. She realized that she was still in her sundress. A cold hand snaked it's way underneath her dress.
She squirmed and he pulled his mouth from hers. His red eyes burned into hers and he spat in her face, " Stop it you little bitch! No one can hear you, so you might as damn well give up already....".
She swallowed and shook her head, " No! Let me g - ", his hand connected with the side of her face and the sound echoed throughout the darkness.
She gasped loudly in shock from the blow. Little stars danced before her eyes. She felt his hand sneak up on her back. He was fiddling around with the clasp of her bikini top. A few minutes later he finally got it undone. He tore the dress from her body along with the bra. He threw them over his head and placed her hand onto her left breast. He squeezed it hard and kneaded it as if trying to figure out the texture. Smooth and erect.
He chuckled evilly before he brought his face to her breasts. He nuzzled the valley between them and then placed his mouth onto the nipple. His tongues did a lap around her hard nipple before he began to nibble greedily. Hitomi bucked her hips against him in an attempt to shove him off, but he only laughed against her breast.
" You can't get away you know. They're all gone.... ", he murmured.
She sniffed and realized that she was crying. She looked around the dark area and cursed silently as she looked for a way out. The weight of her intruder was suddenly lifted from her followed by a bright flash of light and she found herself fully clothed and kneeling on the ground coughing. She opened her eyes and looked around. The room was lit in a strange orange glow.
She coughed again only harder. She closed her eyes against a sudden stinging sensation that had grown in her eyes. A heavy sweat broke out on her forehead and neck as she stood up and stumbled around, looking for a way out. She tripped on something and fell forward. She let out a scream and everything went dark again as she felt herself falling. She closed her eyes and screamed out the first thing that came to her mind
" Van!! "
The sound of approaching footsteps stomping across rock echoed throughout the area. It was followed by a cry, " Hitomi!! "
She felt a strong hand grasp her wrist. she blinked hard and looked up to find Van staring down at her. His gloved hand had a firm grip on her wrist. She looked down and cried, " H-help me! Don't drop me...please. ".
Van shook his head and began to slowly pull her up, " Don't worry Hitomi. I won't let anything happen to yuo. You have my word....", he promised her.
She swallowed and looked back up at him, ' What's going on? I feel...strange. Just look at him, trying to save me....'
She quickly felt the railing underneath her stomach and then Van's strong arms encircle her waist. She immediately slid her arms around his neck and fell to the ground in his arms. She looked around still in shock of the fall. She blinked a couple of times and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Van tightened his arms around her body and whispered, " Shh....it's alright. You're back on solid ground now. Don't worry. "
She swallowed heavily and nodded slowly. A tear silently from her eyes as she closed them. A little sob escaped her lips and she buried her face into his shoulder. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her, he whispered against the side of her head as he brought his lips to her temple and kissed her tenderly, " Hey, come on. I didn't let you go now did I? I kept my promise. You're here...and alive. ", he added silently. ' and in my arms too...'.
She wiped her eyes against his shirt and smiled briefly at him as she looked up at him. Her hand slid up the side of his face, ' What am I doing? '. His eyes gazed into hers and she felt the gap between them closing. His outh was only a whisper away and she felt her eyes slowly close.
Her hand quickly snaked it's way up to the back of his head and she felt his arms tighten against her body, pressing her breasts flat against his chest. She felt him tremble and she smiled lightly. His lips slowly descended onto hers in a deep passionate kiss. Their tongues met and danced to their own rhythms. Hitomi tangled her fingers in his black hair and a moan escaped her lips as she molded her body against his, trying to fit every curve and swell into it's rght place against his own.
' What are you doing? ', a voice silently said in the back of her mind
' What does it look like I'm doing? I'm kissing him...', she replied.
' This isn't right! '
' Why not...? '
' Because! This wasn't suppose to happen. You weren't suppose to...'
' Suppose to what? '
' Nevermind! '
Hitomi pulled away quickly and jumped up. She looked down at his shocked and hurt expression. Her eyes went wide as she brought trembling fingers to her lips. She swalloed and looked around, then she turned her gaze back to him, "....remember? ", she whispered.
Van stood up and looked at her. He ran his tongue over his lips and cocked an eyebrow, " Remember what? Hitomi what are you talking about? ", he said as he outstretched a hand to her.
She took a step back and shook her head, "....remember? ", she repeated before she brushed past him and ran from the room entirely, leaving him by himself.
***
Merle watched as Marianne flipped through her picture book. Marianne looked up at Merle and cocked her head to the side. Merle smiled as she studied Marianne's face, ' Looks like Millerna...and then later on today when she was with Lord Van, she looked a little like Allen. Weird. ', she thought in slight amusement.
Marianne closed her book and jumped down from the chair. She glided over to Merle and peered up at her with curious violet eyes, " Who might you be? "
" I'm Merle. Who are you? "
" You're Merle? Daddy and his friend told me about you....", she giggled.
Merle cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward, " Is that so? What did your daddy have to say? "
" That you're very pwetty and that you've grown up now..."
" Your daddy knows me? Who is he? ", she asked in a light amused voice.
" Allen Schezar...you want to know who my mommy is? ", her eyes lit up.
Merle's jaw fell open and she almost fell out of her chair, " Allen Schezar? ", she almost screamed.
Marianne giggled and nodded, " Mm-hmm. My mommy if Miwerna....she's a pwrincess...you know that? "
Merle raked a hand over her face and nodded, " I know who they are. We've already met. Where are they?
" In the study with...the king...", she pointed a small finger down the hall.
Merle stood up and nodded. She quickly rushed over to the closed double doors. She knocked lightly and got no answer. She growled under her breath and pushed them open. She found Van with his back to her. His hands clasped tightly. Allen Millerna both looked at Merle and smiled.
Allen stepped forward, " well, well Merle....like I said to my daughter, you have grown up. "
She looked at him and smiled, " So I heard...."
She looked over at Millerna and grinned, " Millerna! Wow, what a winderful surprise. How have you been? ", she asked lightly as she brushed past Allen to hug her friend.
Allen looked hurt. He crossed his arms over his chest and snorted, " Well..fine then! ", he turned his back on the ladies and went to stand with Van. He shot him a sidelong glance and frowned, " What are you doing? Or even thinking? ".
Van turned his head to look at him. He sighed through his lips as he pursed them, " Just watching Hitomi, and thinking of what happened earlier this morning. That's all...why? "
Allen shrugged and quirked an eyebrow, " What happened? "
" Oh...uh, I went to go check on her this morning, and I found her out on the balcony. She was shaking her head and coughing uncontrollably. Then she just went flying over the railing. She looked out of it. I pulled her back up and we kissed. The funny thing about it was that she responded....then she pulls away from me like I had done something wrong. She looked at me and whispered ' ....remember? ' "
Allen frowned as he scratched his chin, " Weird. You know why? "
Van shrugged and shook his head, " Not a clue. It just seems strange ".
Allen nodded, " Did she look at you like she remembered you at all? "
" Hmm....no I don't believe so..."
Allen smiled gently, " She will...in time. Don't worry ".
" Yeah, I guess you're right. "
" Don't give up hope Van...she'll come to her senses sooner or later. ", he assured him.
Van sighed, " Have you laid eyes on that princess from Alexandros yet? She's spending the week here, and now those damn advisors of mine are planning our wedding. You know, I wouldn't mind if I got married to her. She's very beautiful...and she's like Hitomi was before she left...and forgot abouts us, cheerful and actually amusing to be around. "
Allen looked at Van, " Princess? Where? You have to show her to me! "
Millerna frowned. She silently walked up behind Allen and then flicked his ear hard with a long finger. He jumped and grimaced. He turned around and found himself looking into his wife's blazing violet eyes, " uh...hey love. How's it going? "
She pursed her lips and placed her hands on her hips. Merle snickered from behind her. Millerna narrowed her eyes, " yeah, yeah Allen, I just love you too! "
She then turned and began to walk away. Allen groaned and he grabbed her arm. Van watched in amusement as they argued. Millerna turned and looked at him sharply. Allen slid his arms around her waist and pressed her to him. He smoothed away her bangs from her forehead with his lips as he planted soft kisses, " I'm sorry love. I didn't mean it. You're the only one for me. Got that? No one else. ", he whispered between kisses.
Millerna smiled lightly and kissed his chin softly, " I know...excuses, excuses. "
Van laughed out loud unexpectantly from beside them. Allen shot him a look, " You're not helping the situation you know? "
Van shrugged, " Oh well, you're the one who got yourself into this mess, now you get yourself out of it! "
" Some friend you are Van. "
Van chuckled and patted Allen on the back, " I know Allen...I love you to...", he mocked. " I gotta go talk to her. This is driving me crazy. I'll see you guys around later...at supper. "
They looked at him and nodded. Merle frowned and left the room chasing after him, " Lord Van? "
Van stopped and turned to look at her, " Yes Merle? "
She looked at him, " So...uh, how's it going? With Hitomi I mean...any change? "
Van looked around uncomfortably, " No...unfortunately not. Why do you ask? "
" Because I care. That's why! "
" I see...how have you been Merle? ", his voice softened.
She shrugged and blurted, " Are you going to ask Gabriella to marry you? ", she turned away blushing.
He stared at her. He blinked and frowned, " I don't know, I...I might. But if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see Hitomi..."
She frowned and turned to leave without saying another word. Van went down the hall and slipped through a door thst led to the gardens. He spotted Hitomi stroking a red wildflower. He walked up behind her and said lightly, " Beautiful isn't it? "
Hitomi jumped and turned to look at him. She nodded, " Yes it is actually. Uh, how have you been? "
He frowned and walked up beside her. He looked down at the ground and noticed that she wasn't wearinf any shoes. He looked back up at her, " You aren't wearing any shoes, and your toes are covered in some...blue stuff...."
She giggled quietly, " I know. I guess I lost my sandals on the way here, and it's call nail polish. "
Van lifted a dark brow as he watched Hitomi wriggle her cute looking toes, " Nail polish? Strange...so, um about earlier this morning, what did you mean by remember? "
Hitomi looked down at the ground and shrugged, " I don't know. I feel as if I've kissed you before...it just feels so right that I don't want it to end. ", she confessed. " But it scares me..."
Van frowned, " What does? "
" That I'm on some other planet. I've been here before...I know it. I just don't remember. It scares me that wev're met and
I don't remember. Ten years ago too. I was what? Fifteen? It just doesn't make any sense! "
" Why not? I mean...it feels right to me, everything..."
" That's because you remember! ", she snapped. " I can't! It doesn't matter how many times I try, I...I just can't."
Van sighed lightly and looked at her. He watched as what looked like a sparkling crystal slid down her cheek. Her head was bowed as he couldn't see her expression. He walked up to her and lifted her chin by two fingers. She looked up at him with sparkling watery eyes. She turned her head to the side and sniffed.
Van's hand slid up the side of her face and he gently traced her cheekbone and stroked her lips with the pad of his thumb. She shook her head and looked up at him, " I can't do this anymore Van! I can't go on in this world not remembering who or what you were to me. "
She turned and left him standing there. Her pained expression remained in his mind and her tears remained on his hand as he clenched his hand into a fist at his side. He walked up to a tree and punched it hard, not caring about the harsh pain that shot up his arm. He didn't care if his hand was bleeding from cut up knuckles, all he cared about was Hitomi. But he was slowly starting to realize that she didn't care for him.
He walked slowly up the path and stopped as he spotted Gabriella bent over, probably smelling flowers. He sighed and watched her in silence, ' I guees she's the only one left now...maybe I'll ask her...since it's already being planned out. I wonder what she'll say...'
He walked up to her, " Hello Gabriella. How have you been these days? "
She stood up and looked at him, " Hello...Van. I'm doing alright, how about you? "
He shrugged and eased himself down onto a bench. He chewed on his lip, " I'm....alright. What have you been doing? "
She walked over and sat down, " Just admiring the flowers. They're all so beautiful...I've never seen so many of them. "
" Yeah, they are something aren't they? "
She nodded and looked down at her hands. Her eyes came to rest upon Van's bloodied hand. She gasped and looked up at him, " Oh my goodness! What did you do to your hand? "
He looked down and groaned, " Oh...this? I punched a tree. I was a little upset at someone today...mostly myself. "
" Why? What happened? "
" Well...a friend of mine is here, and she just can't remember something that happened a long time agao. That's all. "
" You're coming with me. ", she grabbed his good hand and pulled him to his feet. She then dragged him to his own study.
She looked at him and smiled lightly, " I'll be right back, alright? "
He nodded and sat down on the top of his desk. He looked aruond wondering what she was going to do. She returned a few seconds later with a bowl of water and a couple of rags. She knelt down in front of him and gently began to wipe the crusted blood from his hand. He winced once as she dug her fingernails into his flesh, pulling out a blood soaked sliver.
She wiped the blood away and smiled at him. He smiled briefly and flexed his hand.
He groaned in pain. Gabriella frowned. She reached down and tore a wide, long strip from the bottom of her gown. She wrapped it tightly around his hand. He watched her every move in fascination. When she stood back up, she smiled at him again, " All better? Or does it still hurt? "
He shook his head, " Thank you very much. I appreciate this..."
She giggled, " Now you're have something to remember me by..."
He looked down at his hand and nodded, " You're right...", he replied softly.
She blushed. He jumped off his desk and walked up to her. He gently took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. She watched him with wide eyes. He then knelt down to one knee before her. He looked up at her and smiled gently, ' What am I doing? This is the only way for me and Fanelia...right? It has to be done then...weither I like it or not. And besides, it's not as if anybody's going to object or anything...'.
" Gabriella Longarce? Would you like to become my - ".
" SIre! ", Keldorn's voice cried as he rushed into the room.
Van looked at him, " What? "
" I'm proud to announce that all the arrangements have been made. Sire, you and Gabriella are to wed by the end of this week. ", he said cheerfully.
Van let out an exasperating sigh, " Can I continue? "
Keldorn blushed and bowed deeply. Gabriella giggled nervously as she watched the side of Van's face. Van chuckled and looked back up at her, " Alright! Let's try this one more time. Gabriella Longarce? Would you like to become me wife and Queen of Fanelia? We'll be together forever, just you and I..."
She giggled again and nodded, " I'd love that very much....yes! I'll become your wife and I'll be honoured to become the Queen of Fanelia. "
Van nodded and stood up. He encircled his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her lightly on the lips. She returned his kiss as she slid her arms around his neck. Van slowly pulled away and looked into her twinkling eyes. She smiled at him and he smiled back. A tugging at the back of his mind that was there the entire time he was with her was starting to get annoying.
' I hope you're doing the right thing Van...and I also hope that you know what you're getting youself into. ', someone said to him from the back of his mind.
' I hope so too....I hope so too. ', he replied grimly.
Dedication: To all who read and review!! You guys kick a$$...and also to my school buddy Taemyr...you rock girl....keep writing too!!!
~*~Chapter 4~*~
~*~The proposal~*~
The cheerful sounds of chirping birds floated into the room from the wide open balcony doors. The satin transparent curtains flapped wildly against the doors in the warm breeze. The bright harsh glare of the sunrise shone into the room.
Hitomi groaned and open an eye, and ended up clamping it back shut against the light. She quickly grabbed the pillow from under her head and placed it over her face in an attempt to drive away the light and welcome the darkness.
She sighed, " This isn't going to work...", she mumbled against the pillow.
She sat up and slid her legs over the side of the bed. Her bare feet came in contact with the very plush carpet and she gasped in content as she squished her toes into the softness. She looked around the room and frowned as she soon realized that she wasn't in her own bed with Tony jumping up and down on her stomach whining about when breakfast would be ready.
She stood up and stretched lazily. She walked over to the balcony and stepped out into the open with her arms crossed over her chest. She leaned forward against the railing and watched the rest of the sunrise. She blinked and everything suddenly went dark. She uncrossed her arms and backed away, shaking her head. She felt a harsh hand clamp her shoulder. She was spun around swiftly and she found herself staring into a pair of red eyes.
She felt a harsh hand grip her hairline at the back of her neck and then hard, demanding lips on hers. She tried to struggle against her intruder but it was no use, he ended up tightening the iron grip that he had on her hair which made her wince against his mouth. The more she struggled the more he hurted her. She realized that she was still in her sundress. A cold hand snaked it's way underneath her dress.
She squirmed and he pulled his mouth from hers. His red eyes burned into hers and he spat in her face, " Stop it you little bitch! No one can hear you, so you might as damn well give up already....".
She swallowed and shook her head, " No! Let me g - ", his hand connected with the side of her face and the sound echoed throughout the darkness.
She gasped loudly in shock from the blow. Little stars danced before her eyes. She felt his hand sneak up on her back. He was fiddling around with the clasp of her bikini top. A few minutes later he finally got it undone. He tore the dress from her body along with the bra. He threw them over his head and placed her hand onto her left breast. He squeezed it hard and kneaded it as if trying to figure out the texture. Smooth and erect.
He chuckled evilly before he brought his face to her breasts. He nuzzled the valley between them and then placed his mouth onto the nipple. His tongues did a lap around her hard nipple before he began to nibble greedily. Hitomi bucked her hips against him in an attempt to shove him off, but he only laughed against her breast.
" You can't get away you know. They're all gone.... ", he murmured.
She sniffed and realized that she was crying. She looked around the dark area and cursed silently as she looked for a way out. The weight of her intruder was suddenly lifted from her followed by a bright flash of light and she found herself fully clothed and kneeling on the ground coughing. She opened her eyes and looked around. The room was lit in a strange orange glow.
She coughed again only harder. She closed her eyes against a sudden stinging sensation that had grown in her eyes. A heavy sweat broke out on her forehead and neck as she stood up and stumbled around, looking for a way out. She tripped on something and fell forward. She let out a scream and everything went dark again as she felt herself falling. She closed her eyes and screamed out the first thing that came to her mind
" Van!! "
The sound of approaching footsteps stomping across rock echoed throughout the area. It was followed by a cry, " Hitomi!! "
She felt a strong hand grasp her wrist. she blinked hard and looked up to find Van staring down at her. His gloved hand had a firm grip on her wrist. She looked down and cried, " H-help me! Don't drop me...please. ".
Van shook his head and began to slowly pull her up, " Don't worry Hitomi. I won't let anything happen to yuo. You have my word....", he promised her.
She swallowed and looked back up at him, ' What's going on? I feel...strange. Just look at him, trying to save me....'
She quickly felt the railing underneath her stomach and then Van's strong arms encircle her waist. She immediately slid her arms around his neck and fell to the ground in his arms. She looked around still in shock of the fall. She blinked a couple of times and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Van tightened his arms around her body and whispered, " Shh....it's alright. You're back on solid ground now. Don't worry. "
She swallowed heavily and nodded slowly. A tear silently from her eyes as she closed them. A little sob escaped her lips and she buried her face into his shoulder. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her, he whispered against the side of her head as he brought his lips to her temple and kissed her tenderly, " Hey, come on. I didn't let you go now did I? I kept my promise. You're here...and alive. ", he added silently. ' and in my arms too...'.
She wiped her eyes against his shirt and smiled briefly at him as she looked up at him. Her hand slid up the side of his face, ' What am I doing? '. His eyes gazed into hers and she felt the gap between them closing. His outh was only a whisper away and she felt her eyes slowly close.
Her hand quickly snaked it's way up to the back of his head and she felt his arms tighten against her body, pressing her breasts flat against his chest. She felt him tremble and she smiled lightly. His lips slowly descended onto hers in a deep passionate kiss. Their tongues met and danced to their own rhythms. Hitomi tangled her fingers in his black hair and a moan escaped her lips as she molded her body against his, trying to fit every curve and swell into it's rght place against his own.
' What are you doing? ', a voice silently said in the back of her mind
' What does it look like I'm doing? I'm kissing him...', she replied.
' This isn't right! '
' Why not...? '
' Because! This wasn't suppose to happen. You weren't suppose to...'
' Suppose to what? '
' Nevermind! '
Hitomi pulled away quickly and jumped up. She looked down at his shocked and hurt expression. Her eyes went wide as she brought trembling fingers to her lips. She swalloed and looked around, then she turned her gaze back to him, "....remember? ", she whispered.
Van stood up and looked at her. He ran his tongue over his lips and cocked an eyebrow, " Remember what? Hitomi what are you talking about? ", he said as he outstretched a hand to her.
She took a step back and shook her head, "....remember? ", she repeated before she brushed past him and ran from the room entirely, leaving him by himself.
***
Merle watched as Marianne flipped through her picture book. Marianne looked up at Merle and cocked her head to the side. Merle smiled as she studied Marianne's face, ' Looks like Millerna...and then later on today when she was with Lord Van, she looked a little like Allen. Weird. ', she thought in slight amusement.
Marianne closed her book and jumped down from the chair. She glided over to Merle and peered up at her with curious violet eyes, " Who might you be? "
" I'm Merle. Who are you? "
" You're Merle? Daddy and his friend told me about you....", she giggled.
Merle cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward, " Is that so? What did your daddy have to say? "
" That you're very pwetty and that you've grown up now..."
" Your daddy knows me? Who is he? ", she asked in a light amused voice.
" Allen Schezar...you want to know who my mommy is? ", her eyes lit up.
Merle's jaw fell open and she almost fell out of her chair, " Allen Schezar? ", she almost screamed.
Marianne giggled and nodded, " Mm-hmm. My mommy if Miwerna....she's a pwrincess...you know that? "
Merle raked a hand over her face and nodded, " I know who they are. We've already met. Where are they?
" In the study with...the king...", she pointed a small finger down the hall.
Merle stood up and nodded. She quickly rushed over to the closed double doors. She knocked lightly and got no answer. She growled under her breath and pushed them open. She found Van with his back to her. His hands clasped tightly. Allen Millerna both looked at Merle and smiled.
Allen stepped forward, " well, well Merle....like I said to my daughter, you have grown up. "
She looked at him and smiled, " So I heard...."
She looked over at Millerna and grinned, " Millerna! Wow, what a winderful surprise. How have you been? ", she asked lightly as she brushed past Allen to hug her friend.
Allen looked hurt. He crossed his arms over his chest and snorted, " Well..fine then! ", he turned his back on the ladies and went to stand with Van. He shot him a sidelong glance and frowned, " What are you doing? Or even thinking? ".
Van turned his head to look at him. He sighed through his lips as he pursed them, " Just watching Hitomi, and thinking of what happened earlier this morning. That's all...why? "
Allen shrugged and quirked an eyebrow, " What happened? "
" Oh...uh, I went to go check on her this morning, and I found her out on the balcony. She was shaking her head and coughing uncontrollably. Then she just went flying over the railing. She looked out of it. I pulled her back up and we kissed. The funny thing about it was that she responded....then she pulls away from me like I had done something wrong. She looked at me and whispered ' ....remember? ' "
Allen frowned as he scratched his chin, " Weird. You know why? "
Van shrugged and shook his head, " Not a clue. It just seems strange ".
Allen nodded, " Did she look at you like she remembered you at all? "
" Hmm....no I don't believe so..."
Allen smiled gently, " She will...in time. Don't worry ".
" Yeah, I guess you're right. "
" Don't give up hope Van...she'll come to her senses sooner or later. ", he assured him.
Van sighed, " Have you laid eyes on that princess from Alexandros yet? She's spending the week here, and now those damn advisors of mine are planning our wedding. You know, I wouldn't mind if I got married to her. She's very beautiful...and she's like Hitomi was before she left...and forgot abouts us, cheerful and actually amusing to be around. "
Allen looked at Van, " Princess? Where? You have to show her to me! "
Millerna frowned. She silently walked up behind Allen and then flicked his ear hard with a long finger. He jumped and grimaced. He turned around and found himself looking into his wife's blazing violet eyes, " uh...hey love. How's it going? "
She pursed her lips and placed her hands on her hips. Merle snickered from behind her. Millerna narrowed her eyes, " yeah, yeah Allen, I just love you too! "
She then turned and began to walk away. Allen groaned and he grabbed her arm. Van watched in amusement as they argued. Millerna turned and looked at him sharply. Allen slid his arms around her waist and pressed her to him. He smoothed away her bangs from her forehead with his lips as he planted soft kisses, " I'm sorry love. I didn't mean it. You're the only one for me. Got that? No one else. ", he whispered between kisses.
Millerna smiled lightly and kissed his chin softly, " I know...excuses, excuses. "
Van laughed out loud unexpectantly from beside them. Allen shot him a look, " You're not helping the situation you know? "
Van shrugged, " Oh well, you're the one who got yourself into this mess, now you get yourself out of it! "
" Some friend you are Van. "
Van chuckled and patted Allen on the back, " I know Allen...I love you to...", he mocked. " I gotta go talk to her. This is driving me crazy. I'll see you guys around later...at supper. "
They looked at him and nodded. Merle frowned and left the room chasing after him, " Lord Van? "
Van stopped and turned to look at her, " Yes Merle? "
She looked at him, " So...uh, how's it going? With Hitomi I mean...any change? "
Van looked around uncomfortably, " No...unfortunately not. Why do you ask? "
" Because I care. That's why! "
" I see...how have you been Merle? ", his voice softened.
She shrugged and blurted, " Are you going to ask Gabriella to marry you? ", she turned away blushing.
He stared at her. He blinked and frowned, " I don't know, I...I might. But if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see Hitomi..."
She frowned and turned to leave without saying another word. Van went down the hall and slipped through a door thst led to the gardens. He spotted Hitomi stroking a red wildflower. He walked up behind her and said lightly, " Beautiful isn't it? "
Hitomi jumped and turned to look at him. She nodded, " Yes it is actually. Uh, how have you been? "
He frowned and walked up beside her. He looked down at the ground and noticed that she wasn't wearinf any shoes. He looked back up at her, " You aren't wearing any shoes, and your toes are covered in some...blue stuff...."
She giggled quietly, " I know. I guess I lost my sandals on the way here, and it's call nail polish. "
Van lifted a dark brow as he watched Hitomi wriggle her cute looking toes, " Nail polish? Strange...so, um about earlier this morning, what did you mean by remember? "
Hitomi looked down at the ground and shrugged, " I don't know. I feel as if I've kissed you before...it just feels so right that I don't want it to end. ", she confessed. " But it scares me..."
Van frowned, " What does? "
" That I'm on some other planet. I've been here before...I know it. I just don't remember. It scares me that wev're met and
I don't remember. Ten years ago too. I was what? Fifteen? It just doesn't make any sense! "
" Why not? I mean...it feels right to me, everything..."
" That's because you remember! ", she snapped. " I can't! It doesn't matter how many times I try, I...I just can't."
Van sighed lightly and looked at her. He watched as what looked like a sparkling crystal slid down her cheek. Her head was bowed as he couldn't see her expression. He walked up to her and lifted her chin by two fingers. She looked up at him with sparkling watery eyes. She turned her head to the side and sniffed.
Van's hand slid up the side of her face and he gently traced her cheekbone and stroked her lips with the pad of his thumb. She shook her head and looked up at him, " I can't do this anymore Van! I can't go on in this world not remembering who or what you were to me. "
She turned and left him standing there. Her pained expression remained in his mind and her tears remained on his hand as he clenched his hand into a fist at his side. He walked up to a tree and punched it hard, not caring about the harsh pain that shot up his arm. He didn't care if his hand was bleeding from cut up knuckles, all he cared about was Hitomi. But he was slowly starting to realize that she didn't care for him.
He walked slowly up the path and stopped as he spotted Gabriella bent over, probably smelling flowers. He sighed and watched her in silence, ' I guees she's the only one left now...maybe I'll ask her...since it's already being planned out. I wonder what she'll say...'
He walked up to her, " Hello Gabriella. How have you been these days? "
She stood up and looked at him, " Hello...Van. I'm doing alright, how about you? "
He shrugged and eased himself down onto a bench. He chewed on his lip, " I'm....alright. What have you been doing? "
She walked over and sat down, " Just admiring the flowers. They're all so beautiful...I've never seen so many of them. "
" Yeah, they are something aren't they? "
She nodded and looked down at her hands. Her eyes came to rest upon Van's bloodied hand. She gasped and looked up at him, " Oh my goodness! What did you do to your hand? "
He looked down and groaned, " Oh...this? I punched a tree. I was a little upset at someone today...mostly myself. "
" Why? What happened? "
" Well...a friend of mine is here, and she just can't remember something that happened a long time agao. That's all. "
" You're coming with me. ", she grabbed his good hand and pulled him to his feet. She then dragged him to his own study.
She looked at him and smiled lightly, " I'll be right back, alright? "
He nodded and sat down on the top of his desk. He looked aruond wondering what she was going to do. She returned a few seconds later with a bowl of water and a couple of rags. She knelt down in front of him and gently began to wipe the crusted blood from his hand. He winced once as she dug her fingernails into his flesh, pulling out a blood soaked sliver.
She wiped the blood away and smiled at him. He smiled briefly and flexed his hand.
He groaned in pain. Gabriella frowned. She reached down and tore a wide, long strip from the bottom of her gown. She wrapped it tightly around his hand. He watched her every move in fascination. When she stood back up, she smiled at him again, " All better? Or does it still hurt? "
He shook his head, " Thank you very much. I appreciate this..."
She giggled, " Now you're have something to remember me by..."
He looked down at his hand and nodded, " You're right...", he replied softly.
She blushed. He jumped off his desk and walked up to her. He gently took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. She watched him with wide eyes. He then knelt down to one knee before her. He looked up at her and smiled gently, ' What am I doing? This is the only way for me and Fanelia...right? It has to be done then...weither I like it or not. And besides, it's not as if anybody's going to object or anything...'.
" Gabriella Longarce? Would you like to become my - ".
" SIre! ", Keldorn's voice cried as he rushed into the room.
Van looked at him, " What? "
" I'm proud to announce that all the arrangements have been made. Sire, you and Gabriella are to wed by the end of this week. ", he said cheerfully.
Van let out an exasperating sigh, " Can I continue? "
Keldorn blushed and bowed deeply. Gabriella giggled nervously as she watched the side of Van's face. Van chuckled and looked back up at her, " Alright! Let's try this one more time. Gabriella Longarce? Would you like to become me wife and Queen of Fanelia? We'll be together forever, just you and I..."
She giggled again and nodded, " I'd love that very much....yes! I'll become your wife and I'll be honoured to become the Queen of Fanelia. "
Van nodded and stood up. He encircled his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her lightly on the lips. She returned his kiss as she slid her arms around his neck. Van slowly pulled away and looked into her twinkling eyes. She smiled at him and he smiled back. A tugging at the back of his mind that was there the entire time he was with her was starting to get annoying.
' I hope you're doing the right thing Van...and I also hope that you know what you're getting youself into. ', someone said to him from the back of his mind.
' I hope so too....I hope so too. ', he replied grimly.
