~***~

This isn't gonna go away, I've finally accepted that.sighs Yes, I'm stuck here, in this Asturia place. God...I'm so screwed up. Do you think that a person can go so crazy, that they get stuck in their own dreamworld? I mean, isn't this what this is? A dreamworld, that I've made up for myself....Am I that sad now? Yes, that's the answers, that's the only answer.

For the longest time, I just sat there, staring up at the sky, willing myself to wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up, I just kept repeating that, but..it never did any good. So..what other explanation do I have? Maybe, I'm just still lying in that alley, and I'm dreaming this all. Like I'm just stuck in my mind, yeah, yes, that's what it is.sighI know its all bull, but...at least its something I can rationalize. Don't you see?! I'm not like Hitomi! I can't just accept things, I can't just, say 'Okay, so this is the situation, lets make the best of it!', No! I cannot! I'm..I've always been, a logical person, and this...this just isn't logical! So...I'll just give myself that explanation, and maybe, I'll just...do as Hitomi does, and make the best of this crazy ass situation..

~***~

Yukari knelt slowly, and picked at the yellow flowers that dotted the lawn. Daisies. Just like on earth. How many days had it been since she had awakened, and found herself staring at her planet in the sky? 3 days? 4 days? Or maybe a week? It seemed so jumbled, so confused. Everything was confused. She lifted the daisies, in a bunch up to her nose. They smelt fresh. She blinked, it was early morning, god only knows what day. Yukari wondered if her friends would be missing her. She wondered if they would be worried, would Hitomi even notice? Probably not.

She strolled through the dewy grass. The palace had beautiful gardens, and she had taken to wandering among them, alone. It was almost comforting, to know that here, at least, things were familiar. The plants, the grass, the trees, they were familiar, unlike everything else on this planet. She also escaped to the gardens when the stares and the whispers became too much to bear. And often, they were. She was odd, she was different, and people looked, and people whispered. Rumors circulated the castle, lightning fast, only to be replaced by new ones. Over and over.

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Allen Schezar, Heavenly Knight of Asturia, knelt before his king, and seethed. Why was King Aston being so stubborn?

"As I said before, Your Majesty, she is from the outlying villages. She is not well, her parents did not want her, as many in the village thought her crazed. She has fit in well, becoming one of Millerna's handmaidens." Allen explained patiently, for what seemed like the dozenth time. King Aston narrowed his eyes. Something about that explanation was fishy, something just wasn't right, and he was going to get to the bottom of it!

"Well, then why should we have to become the orphanage for this child?!" Aston exclaimed, pouncing on something, anything, that would make Allen seem a liar. What was about Allen that aggravated him so much? Was it the air of self-confidence? Or the way the Knight held his daughter's heart in the palm of his hand, and didn't seem to notice...Whatever it was, it irritated Aston. Allen looked up at him angrily,

"Your Majesty! It is only a King's duty, and a Knight's honour to do what is best for the people of this country, no, this world!" Allen said, his chin determined. King Aston rolled his eyes,

"Do not tell me my duty, Allen Schezar." He said, his tone sharp. Allen flushed. King Aston sighed, and stood up from his throne. He shook his head, pacing about. He really didn't' understand this boy. He really didn't understand him at all. Allen Schezar could have the entire kingdom at his fingertips, he could have anything. From the kingdom, to his daughter, the Princess Millerna. What else could a man crave? But over and over, Allen had to go and tempt Fate to take it all away, first with that silly war, by running off, and fighting his own petty battles, and now by sticking his head into a business that did not concern him at all! It angered him, how many other knights would give their soul to have what Allen had, but Allen just shrugs it off! Like it matters nothing! Aston ground his teeth in frustration. He sighed, and paused over the kneeling form of Allen.

"Allen, I do not know what to say. You refuse to tell me the truth about this odd child," He silenced Allen's look of protest, "I can tell a lie, Allen, and you are too honorable to lie well."

Allen flushed even darker, his eyes staring at the ground. Aston continued,

"But, I shall accept your word of honour, as a Heavenly Knight, that this child is truly as much as you say she is."

Allen nodded, his golden hair glinting.

"You have my word, Your Majesty."

Aston looked at Allen a moment longer. What a pity, he could have everything, Aston thought. He nodded.

"Alright, you are excused."

Allen bowed, and exited quickly.

He closed the ornate doors to the throne room gently. Crossing the hall, he checked into Yukari's room. It was empty. He approached the unmade bed and leaned against the window sill. It was a beautiful day, the sea sparkled in the distance. His eyes were caught by a lone figure, wandering amongst the gardens. He peered closer, and saw Yukari, bending over and picking little yellow flowers. She was building quite a bunch.

Before he even thought about it, he was outside, crossing the field towards her. It was something about her quiet aura, her slight shaky movements that made him feel so protective when he was around her. He came up behind her, softly moving. She didn't notice him, as she continued, walking slowly on. Her plain light blue dress trailed lightly behind her. Allen cleared his throat. Yukari gasped, clearly surprised, she turned, her eyes wide. Allen smiled reassuringly at her, and her face calmed. She was so small, so thin. Whenever he was around her, he felt like his slightest breath would break her in two, she was so different from Hitomi. Hitomi had been strong, had been wild and like a rock amidst the turbulent waters. Allen spoke softly,

"Enjoying the gardens?" He asked, strolling slowly beside her. Yukari blushed, her head tilted forward so that her dark hair covered her face. She nodded. Allen hid a smile, she was so shy. She was so quiet, speaking barely above a whisper since that one outburst in the Great Hall. The sky was light blue, and the clouds were like cotton, drifting slowly in the sky. Allen smiled, the sun warming his face. He wished time could stand still.

~***~

I can barely breathe when I'm around him, seriously, he just does this to me. I've never felt like this before..not to anyone. I know that if I were to unclasp my hands from holding this damn bunch of flowers, they'd be shaking like all hell had broken loose. sighWhy can't I be calm? I wish I could just..say something! Anything! Anything to break this silence! Maybe...I could say something interesting, or funny and make him laugh...but, my mind is blank. If only I could be like Millerna, she's so perfect.

I stay in one of the inter-connecting rooms that connect to Princess Millerna's chambers. I dont' really do anything...although Millerna tells me that I'm her 'handmaiden'. But in the mornings, we walk together, through the gardens. She loves the flowers, and I don't mind telling her what they are called on Earth. But, I feel so ugly whenever I'm around her. Its like, she just makes everything around her seem less. But, I don't really mind. She's very interesting, she tells me that a great war has just ended. I imagine Allen would've fought in it. Perhaps, I should ask her tomorrow...but then, she's never very willing to speak of it. Well, I wouldn't be too eager to speak of wars either....

I met Millerna's sister the other day..Her name is Eries. She is nice enough, but...somewhat of a stick-in-the-mud. I have never met a worst party pooper! I'm certainly glad she doesn't live on Earth, or she'd be awful to have at a party! I wonder though, Millerna speaks of inheriting the throne. In all the stories...isn't it the older child that gets the crown? Hmm....

~***~

Yukari cleared her throat. They had stopped in front of a small pond.

"Why is it, that Millerna is going to become Queen, not Eries?" Yukari asked, finding nothing better to say. Alllen looked at her, then back out across the pond.

"I'm not sure.....you'll have to ask the Princes herself."

Yukari nodded, her heart sinking. And now, they were back to square one.

"How do you like it...here." Allen asked. Yukari nodded enthusiastically, happy for anything to say.

"Its...very beautiful..these buildings." Yukari gestured around at the grand castle.

Allen nodded, but seemed to expect more. Yukari blinked, staring at the ground. Why couldn't she just look him in the eye?

"I...I miss it." Yukari blinked away. Everytime she thought about home, every time she thought about Hitomi, or Amano, or even her not so close friends like Agnes, a wave of homesickness and panic would wash over her. She had learned, durning the worst of the hours, to just block the throughts from her mind. "I miss.." She laughed a small laugh, it sounded empty even to her own ears, especially to her own ears, "..everything, actually."

They stopped, both looking out over the pond and the grass that continued after it. Yukari sighed,

"Its so different, I still think its a dream."

"Is it a dream?" Allen asked unexpectedly. Yukari stared up at him, confusion hiding her shyness.

"Well...." She looked confused, "..I didn't think so...you tell me.."

Allen shrugged,

"It feels like a dream to me also, and this is my life."

"Oh?"

Allen nodded, "It feels unreal."

"How so?" Yukari asked. Allen looked down at the soft grass by the pond bank. He sat abruptly, looking up at Yukari to follow suit. She shook her head. "I might get this dress dirty." She said softly, blushing again. Allen shrugged,

"Millerna has plenty. Come on." He grabbed her hand and pulled her down to sit next to him. SHe sat slowly, careful not to rumple the beautiful dress. When she was seated, Allen continued,

"..Did Millerna tell you about a war?"

Yukari nodded,

"Yes, she said it was a great war, with great heroes that emerged."

Allen nodded. Yukari looked at him, her eyes squinting in the bright sunlight,

"Were you in the war?"

"Yes, I was. I fought alongside great heroes, as Millerna mentioned."

Yukari smiled. Allen studied her face. It was so odd, when she smiled, everything about her seemed to smile, from her eyes, to the little dimples that formed on her cheeks.

"I'm sure she meant you as a great hero, Allen." Yukari chided softly, her eyes dancing. Allen smiled, he couldn't help it, but he shook his head,

"No...no. Millerna speaks of ones that were much greater heroes that I ever was, or ever will be." His eyes became distant, lost in some memory, "They were valiant, and honourable, when honour and valour had little importance in the world. They were courageous, when cowardice was around every turn. They were the perfect knights." Allen smiled softly, his gaze faraway. Yukari stared at him, absorbing every word, trying to picture these knights as Allen described them. She came to the conclusion that they would look like Allen, tall and graceful, yet with a powerful aura. Allen fell silent. Yukari pulled at the blades of grass,

"Who...who were they? How many?" She asked, curious.

"There were two. Two people I will admire for the rest of my life."

"Who...who were they?" Yukari asked again.

"One was Van, King of Fanelia, a country not far from Asturia. The other..." Allen paused. Should he mention Hitomi? Would she know Hitomi? Allen decided against it. "...the other was...his princess."

Yukari's eyes shone.

"What did they do?"

Allen smiled at her, "They had a love that could overcome all the evil in this world."

Yukari sighed, it was so romantic. Something out of a fairytale. Closing her eyes, Yukari imagined this King Van.

~***~

King Van, and his princess.....sighits so perfect, so romantic. Some great fairytale destiny love, that would span centuries.

King Van...he would be tall, gallant....with beautiful long blonde hair, just like Allen. And he would be proud, very proud.

And his princess...she would beautiful, very beautiful. Like Millerna, only with long auburn hair, hair that would touch the ground. And Van would be in his princess' power whenever she was near, she would have that power over him. When King Van would be around his princess, his pride would crumble, and he would be humbled in her presence....

sighIts soo romantic, its so perfect...

I bet every girl in the world would give half their soul to have a love like that. A great love, not just the mushy stuff, but real stuff, like giving your lives for each other love. The love that spans worlds and times....that's the love I think everyone in the world yearns for.....

~***~
"..Yukari?" Allen's voice broke her dreams. She blinked up at him. He was smiling. She smiled back at him, absently. "..Tell me about your world." He asked. Yukari was momentarily taken back. What should she say? But when she finally got a grip on her tongue, she grinned, and began.

"...my world, is really.... busy" She paused, "..for starters.." She laughed at Allen's confused expression. There would be a lot to tell....

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Millerna stood on her balcony, her gaze going down to the two figures, seated in the soft grass by the swan pond. Something gripped her inside. It was Allen, and the strange girl, Yukari. Millerna gripped the railing, her knuckles going white. You're being foolish, she scolded herself. Why, that girl was merely a child! What was there to be jealous of! Surely Allen wouldn't fall for a child! He had tastes in older women, Millerna thought bitterly, remembering the fated day that she had found her older sister, Marlene's, diary. But still..something cast a doubt over her heart, not willing to let her have peace. Maybe it was the way he sat, so careless, so relaxed, down there with her. Millerna watched Allen. He was lying back in the grass, and the girl was talking. Allen was never relaxed around Millerna. He was always stiff, and formal and always always so damn knightly! Millerna almost wished that he would just be himself, just like he was with her....

And then there was that way he reacted every time she was mentioned. So...protective, it was like he thought Yukari was breakable, a glass china doll that he was trying to save! Millerna believed that Allen would go running if Yukari so much as broke a nail!

Get a grip on yourself, Millerna instructed herself. Your being silly, she thought, turning away from the scene abruptly. It was nothing. And even if there was something, it wouldn't matter. Yukari would have to leave, just like Hitomi did, and whether it was sooner or later, it didn't matter much to the Princess of Asturia. She would have Allen Schezar.....