Chapter 7:The Merchant Prince



Hitomi, followed by Allen, Iris, Melody and Ian, ran to the hanger where the Escaflowne sat. Merle stood before the giant, beat up guymelef shouting desperately for Van to come out. blood dripped down to the floor from the cockpit. Hitomi joined in with Merle's cries.

Steam shot out from the cockpit as it opened up and threw Van to the floor in a bloody mess. Hitomi turned to Allen and told him to get Millerna. Iris and Melody stood there helpless. What could they do other than get in the way when Millerna showed up?

Van stood up weakly, ignoring Merle's begs and pleas to stay put. He walked to the edge mumbling something under his breath. As he approached the edge, two lumps formed on his back which in a cry of pain turned out to be a set of white wings. His red tunic was torn to shreds as his wings burst forcefully out of his back.

Everyone was silent and looked in shock. Iris and Melody didn't know what to think. They could hear some of the crewmen call him a demon. How could something so beautiful be a demon?

Later when Millerna had bandaged Van up a question still remained unanswered. How could he have been hurt so badly? It didn't make any sense. It was only the armour that was damaged. Then something triggered in Hitomi's mind. Her emerald green eyes widened and she ran to the hanger to look at the Escaflowne.

Hitomi came to the conclusion that Van had merged with the Escaflowne so everything that the guymelef felt, he felt. It amazed Iris and the others beyond belief. How could it have been possible? Only Hitomi knew and only her.

"Boss, an Asturian convoy has been spotted. We believe it's Dryden's." Gaddes reported to Allen.

Allen looked through the window at the convoy of levi ships with a bit of a frown. "Ask permission to board."



"Iris, are you sure you want to be the one to talk to him?" Allen asked concerned. Iris nodded.

"Well I might as well. We'll be spending a whole lot more time together in the future so I might as well." she sighed sadly.

"Iris, why don't you let one of them go. I know how you get around strangers. You don't have to go." Melody whispered.

"Don't worry Mel. It's something I'll have to get over sometime so I should take this opportunity."

Nervously Iris boarded. She didn't know what to expect but she did have some ideas. He was rich so she figured Dryden would be one of those stuck up rich boys that cared for only money. *Oh god I hope he isn't one of those people.* she prayed silently.

As Dryden entered the greeting hall his eyes locked on Iris. She was clad in blown leather and had vibrant, long blond hair. Her blue eyes caught his attention and sparkled like sapphires. "Um, you're Dryden, aren't you?" she asked timidly.

Dryden cocked and eyebrow as he looked her over. "And you might be . . .?" he asked.

"She's the princess of Zenada, Iris." the short, rat-like servant replied before Iris could even open her mouth.

After their introductions Dryden lead Iris to his study. He pulled out the chair from his desk and gestured for her to sit. The entire time Iris was with him her heart was beating a hundred miles a second. She had never been more nervous in her life. This was going to be her husband!

She looked on the bright side of things to calm herself. *Well, at least he dresses casually unlike most nobles.* As she looked him over she found herself blushing. He did have a certain aura about him that was attractive.

"So do you like my study? Here you go." he asked as he handed her a cup of tea. Iris took a slip of the warm tea and put down on the desk.

"It's nice and cozy." Dryden set down his cup as well and took Iris' hand in his own.

"It's pounding hard isn't it? Honestly speaking, I figured you were just another perky princess five years ago when we were betrothed but you're nothing like that. I'm excited." Iris' eyes widened as he went to kiss her hand. So many things were going through her mind that she didn't know how to respond. *oh my god, I think he's a womanizer! I can't believe my parents engaged me to him!* a slight smile came to her face. *but then again, this could have some good befits.* she could feel herself blush and quickly pushed away "those" thoughts.

"Well, you're not what I expected either."

"Really? How so?"

"Well, I kinda figured you'd be the proper, snobby type."

"Really?"

"Yea." Dryden grinned.

"Well then lets got to Zenada and get married right away!" Iris almost chocked at the suggested.

"What!?! isn't this a little too sudden?" she hoped he was joking but that's where she was wrong. He was being serious.

"Sudden? We've been engaged for almost forever!" he grinned again. "Any ways, my business is booming and I'm super rich, I have knowledge that surpasses any scholar. I hate to say this but I'm good-looking right? Is there any problem?" Iris was literally speechless.

"Uh . . .D . . .Dryden . . .I uh . . ."

"Sorry, sorry. You have to prepare yourself, right?" she didn't know whether to nod or say something. His straight forwardness was beginning to scare her. "Well, they say 'haste makes waste'. You didn't come to talk about such things, did you? Let's get down to business." still in shock Iris managed to nod and say okay.



After Iris explained their situation to Dryden, he boarded the Crusade to see the Escaflowne. "Iris, are you alright?" Melody asked.

"Uh, ya I guess." the look of shock was still on her face from earlier.

"You such a liar. What happened?" Iris sighed.

"He seriously thought I wanted to talk to him about our wedding! He even suggested we go to Zenada and get married right away!" Iris let out a long sigh. "But well, at least he's not an idiot and has a good education. God I don't know what I'd do if my parents had me engaged to some stuck up dumb ass."

"Iris, this is your parents we are talking about. They probably saw that you two had a lot in common and would get along." Iris cocked an eyebrow at Melody in disbelief.

"Ya well my parents haven't exactly been good parents lately." Melody rolled her eyes and went to speak but was cut off by a bright green light emanating from the Escaflowne. "What the?" was all that Iris could manage out.

"What did you do?" Allen asked with wide eyes.

"I called them." Dryden replied calmly.

"Who?"

"The Ispano Clan who made Escaflowne." From the sky a sort of portal opened up to a large levi ship slowly descended from it. Dryden climbed down the Escaflowne to join the others to watch the unusual sight. "So, that's the legendary factory ship of Ispano."



Inside the "mother" ship, the Ispano Clan inspected the Escaflowne while chanting in their native tongue. "Are they okay?" Melody asked not really expecting an answer.

"They've confirmed he authenticity of Escaflowne." Dryden informed.

The short leader of the Ispano Clan dressed in a black cloak, walked up to Allen and held out his hand. "Fifty million." was all he said.

"F . . .fifty million . . .!?" Allen exclaimed in utter shock.

"The repair cost of Escaflowne." the leader replied still holding out his hand.

"Sarge how long would it take for us to acquire that?" Reeden asked trying to figure it out himself.

" . . .two thousand years!" Gaddes replied in disbelief.

"If you can't pay, we'll leave." the leader brought his hand down. There was silence among the group.

"I'll pay." Dryden offered grinning. His offer however didn't go over two well with his assistant.

"Young master!" he exclaimed and looked like he was ready to jump out of his skin.

"You can have my whole fleet. How's that?"again Dryden's assistant scolded him for his carelessness.

"Young master, it took you five years to collect these!" Dryden ignored him and signed the contract which he handed to the Ispano leader. "It should be worth no less than eighty million as a whole!" Melody nudged Iris in the side and whispered for her to say thank you or something.

"Dryden, thank you but we can't pay you back that much money-"

"Forget it. I just have a soft spot for the king, that's all." Iris knew that wasn't his real reason for his kindness. *is he trying to make me love him or something?* she looked away as he stared at her.



A/N: Okay, that was quicker than I expected! Lol! I didn't think I'd get another chapter done until at the earliest the weekend! Well hoped you enjoyed and please, PLEASE review! Thankies!