In a far away tower in the Zybach castle a meeting was taking place. It had absolutely nothing to do with the group they claimed to be in. These people were wearing a mask known as the dragon slayers, when they were really apart of a secret organization of rebels known only as the Z.A.D., or Zybach Against Draconians. This was a highly illegal organization of wild citizens of Zybach who refuse to tolerate the presence of any draconian. (of course all you readers familiar with Escaflowne can guess why it was illegal **cough*Folken*cough**) Each of the dozen men had taken a specific vow to wipe out every single draconian on the face of the planet. B y Any means necessary.
"Are you sure everything is going to plan, Benjamin?" That was Michael, the founder and leader of Z.A.D.
"Sir, yes sir," reported Benjamin
"How many times must I tell you, don't call me sir when we are in a meeting," he sighed, "So, you are sure the girl has taken after her mother?"
"Yes s…yes. I saw it with my own eves when I was set out on guard duty for the king. Her and Van"
"Good, good. One devil at a time though. We can't kill them all at once; it'd be too suspicious. We have to take out only one at a time. Keep up the good work Benny-my-boy and one day we'll be rid of those demons forever." Maniacal laughter followed as most evil people do after discussing an evil plan.
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Laughing was the only thing that Angela wasn't doing at that moment. In fact, crying was basically what was occupying the poor princess' time. That and remembering all that she had been through. Why had fate dealt her such a confusing and unknown hand? What had she done to deserve all that she had endured? She buried her face in her hands. What was she going to do now? As if coming to give her all the answers, Melissa knocked on the door and called out her name. Angela slowly walked to the door and opened it.
"Are you alri…AHH!!!" she cried and almost fainted.
"What, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Blood, your face, Oh God, not again."
'Blood? On my face? She looked down at her hands and almost fainted herself. They were covered in blood. It must be Migel's. I have to wash this off before father sees. She ran past a still startled Melissa and into the nearest bathroom, across the hall. For the first time since she came back from Zybach, Angela got a good look at herself in the mirror. She looked dreadful. Her hair, once in a nice bun, was falling down in lengths, highlighting the blood staining her face, body, and dress. Even her makeup was running because of her tears and the heavy rain. No wonder she scared the hell out of Melissa. She would have laughed, if she could do it without bursting into tears, but she couldn't, so she just smirked.
'Whatever I do, I can't run around looking like this. I have to clean up.' She thought and proceeded to get clean. She took off her dress and examined the crimson stains that now almost completely covered it. (don't worry, she had a towel on.) If it was washed right away, the stains might come out. She called for Melissa, who appeared as if she was waiting outside the door the entire time.
"Please, Melissa, would you wash this for me?"
"Of course"
"Is my father here?"
"Yes miss, and he wants to know if you will be joining him tonight."
"Yes I am. Please tell him that."
"Of course," Melissa said and backed out of the door, closing it behind her.
Angela again glanced at the mirror and saw the necklace.
'This is the only thing reminding me of the good times, so I think I'll keep wearing it.
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Angela walked gingerly down the stairs, which was something she normally didn't do. She knew that whenever her father requested her presence at dinner, he needed to talk about something important, and with the way the last bits of discussion had gone, this was not going to be good.
She got to the foot of the stairs and walked into the elaborately set dining room. Her father wasn't there yet, so she took her usual place at the table- the left of her father's seat. As she sat, she stared at the seat across from her. It used to be her mothers.
Funny, she couldn't remember all that much about her mother; after all, she was only five when she died. After her mother had died, she was told that she had gone on to a better place and since she was a child she had often wondered just where that "place" was. And after twelve years she still hadn't found it. Maybe she never would.
Not all her memories of being young were bad. There was playing with her father on rainy days and running around on the lush green lawn when it was warm enough to go outside barefoot. Not to mention playing with the kids from the different provinces, especially from Fanalia. They were best friends, her, Van and… Folken.
Angela hadn't realized she'd been crying until a tear hit her hand.
'Not again. Get a hold of yourself, Angela. You have to control your emotions.' She sniffed and didn't shed another tear. At that moment, their young butler Greg walked in the door.
"Your father has arrived, miss" He was a nice looking blond who actually knew how to do his job. He may have been young, but he was the most mature person she knew.
"Thank you, Gregory"
Whatever the news was, she was about to hear it.
