Author's note Yea I know that Van was slightly out of character for the 2nd chapter, but remember my story was set before Van met Hitomi so, something could have happened that made him change and become more withdrawn (hint hint, nod nod) catch my dr

Author's note Yea I know that Van was slightly out of character for the 2nd chapter, but remember my story was set before Van met Hitomi so, something could have happened that made him change and become more withdrawn (hint hint, nod nod) catch my drift? Anyway you've heard enough out of me so just enjoy. (Don't worry all will be cleared up by the end of the story)

One more thing, anything in parenthesis like these ( ) is just a happy interjection by the author.

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Angela bolted upright in bed at the sound of a knocking at her door. Actually it was more of a rapping, but anything was better than hearing those screams. She couldn't believe she had had that dream again, and rubbed her head. When would these terrible nightmares stop? Why won't they leave her alone?

By this time the knocking had gotten considerably louder, so Angela decided that the only way to make the pounding stop was to get up and see just who was knocking for so long. She got up and as she passed her nightstand, something caught her eye.

'How odd, it's a note.' Her eyes went wide as she read it.

My dearest love,

I'm sorry I had to leave so early this morning, but I had to go and explain to Valgus where I was last night. I'm so happy that we sealed our love in such a way last night. I can't believe that one day we will be man and wife. I shall see you soon.

-Van

'Oh God, it wasn't a dream after all. We did have sex, and I promised to marry him.' She mentally slapped herself. "Baka!!!!!" She screamed, causing the knocking to finally stop, but the calling to begin 'Damn,' she thought, 'now I've upset the help'

"Are you alright miss, hello, miss, please answer me. Are you alright?" Whoever was knocking called from behind the door.

"What? Oh, yes, I'm fine and I'm coming." Angela called and opened the door. It was Melissa, her personal servant.

"Oh, I'm so glad to see that you're alright." Melissa looked like she would have had a heart attack if Angela had opened the door even one second later.

"I'm sorry, I was just preoccupied for a moment. Was there something you needed?" Angela asked.

"Um, yes, miss, you see, your father, he…um…he…"

"Well, out with it!" She hadn't meant to yell at the poor dear, but she could be soooooooooo exasperating at times.

"Yes, yes, of course. Your father has arranged a meeting with Lord Dilandau and you are to be ready at 11:00 sharp to go." She said the last part in a monotone, as if she was reading it from an invisible piece of paper. At last free from delivering her message, Melissa practically ran back downstairs to avoid the wrath of her miss.

'So, today's the day, huh? OK, let's get ready to face the music. Maybe with a little luck, she could convince this Dilandau fellow to call off the wedding.' (fat chance wha ha ha!!) She glanced at the clock. '10:30? Oh no, I'd better hurry up.'

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Finally she was ready for her date with destiny. As she stepped out of her room, Angela made a mental note to kill her father for this. On her way down to the carriage, she passed Melissa who complimented her dress

"Teal is such a nice color on you miss, it matches your eyes very nicely, and it goes so well with that necklace too."

Angela paled slightly. 'The necklace! She had almost forgotten! Ugh, there was no way she could put it back in her room now. She'd have to take it off later.'

"Um, thank you, and, Melissa, I'm sorry I blew up at you this morning. I've just been under a lot of pressure what with the arrangement and all"

"Don't worry, I understand completely." It was if Melissa ran on sunshine. She always had enough to spare, but Angela wasn't fooled.

'No' she thought as she walked outside and got into the carriage, 'You'll never understand. But thank you for trying to.'

The ride to the Zybach palace was a long and bleak one. The weather just seemed to get worse and worse until, finally, it began to pour, like the world was crying for her.

'Fitting weather for such a meeting' she thought while watching all the farmers who were working run for cover so they wouldn't get soaked, but it was to no avail. After a few minutes, they gave up and went back to work, even though it was still pouring. 'I'd give anything to be like them, free from the pressures of ruling, but I guess my father's right. It's a burden I must bear if I'm going to make Ispanio great. I just wonder what and how I'm going to tell Van.'

"We're here," the driver announced.

"Oh, great," she replied with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

This was going to be one hell of a first meeting.