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Disclaimer: SD3 does not belong to me, but Artonia and Lance I own so don't take them! This may be the chapter that may start my writer's block, but unless I get some reviews I might continue. Please read and review! ^_~ Warning, after the next chapter don't expect any more chapters any time soon!

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Eyes



Riesz, Hawkeye and Jessica were led down a long, yet beautifully, decorative hallway. Life-like creative paintings that hung perfectly in place were hanged along the way to their destination. The others, meaning, Angela, Duran, Kevin, Carlie, and Elliot were out enjoying the day carnival while Riesz, Hawkeye, and Jessica decided to stay at the castle to rest.

There was a rather uncomfortable silence that hushed upon the group of four, the only sound were the 'click, clack' noise heard when their shoes hit against the beautiful marble floor. Riesz was rather taken back by the beauty of the castle itself; it was very bright inside since that walls were white with beautiful Artonian artwork and creativity.

Artonia was the country where fancy and luxurious creations originated from, and now, she was walking down the hallways of the Artonian castle while being escorted to guest rooms by the blunt, crimson haired prince that just suddenly decided not to hold them prisoners. Secretly Riesz glared at the warrior prince with distrust in her ocean eyes. His mischievous grin that he wore on his face every time he and her exchanged looks gave her a bad feeling about this stay, but above everything, he was okay for a perverted prince.

Riesz glanced over at Hawkeye who was looking straight ahead and had a fixed stare upon the red-haired young warrior who was humming a melody with his smooth voice. His golden eyes traveled to his side where he caught Riesz's gaze and turned his frown into a genuine smile that only made the marine-blue eyed princess feel light-headed.

Turning from his face, Riesz looked to the side and knew she was blushing madly but tried to calm down and keep the color of her red face to its normal calm color. Biting her lower lip, thoughts about the flower festival flooded her mind feeling a bit nervous and ecstatic the same time. She knew what the flower festival represented in Artonia, because it was the time where all the flowers were in full bloom and also a new moon should appear, which in Artonia represents a new beginning.

'Tonight.' Riesz thought in her mind as she took a deep breath and exhaled a second later calming her rapidly beating heart.

Hawkeye eyed Lance; he did not like his attitude and sudden attachments to Riesz and the red gleam in his eyes whenever he stole a glance towards her. He had to admit he was acting overly protective over Riesz lately. He was feeling like an older brother looking after a younger sister, in a flirtatious way. Most recently, his affectionate feelings towards his fragile Jessica had changed to those of the way he felt for Riesz. His love, sadly was not as strong as it used to and did not burn as strong as in his heart, he wasn't really sure now, and was having doubts about his fateful decision he made back a Navarre. His actions towards Riesz were not what he intended them to be; at least he didn't think so. He hoped both women he cared for the most hopefully knew that he changed and meant no harm in hurting them if he did, he never liked toying with young woman's emotions.

It was just, that his heart was the most confusing to him. One time he feels something for his fair and delicate Navarre princess, the next, he wants to be close to the brave and beautiful Amazon princess.

But no matter, his mind was made up and he planned to stick with it and spend his whole life with the one he held so deeply in his heart, and cherish the moments they will have together. He closed his eyes and inhaled feeling his heart being squeezed and it told him that his mind was deceiving him.

The graceful blue haired princess walked silently beside her childhood sweetheart. She fidgeted with the elegant looking silk white and blue dress that the old farmer, or rather the king of Artonia had given her. She never would of thought that the king was the kind elderly farmer. It turns out that the king was bored being in the castle for so long and disguised himself to go outside. Jessica smiled warmly while thinking of the old gentle king, which reminded her of her father, except the king of Navarre was not as old.

All this thought brought her to look up at the prince that ever so held interest in Riesz, was he adopted?

Her grip on Hawkeye's arm tightened when she thought about the declaration they were going to tell everyone. Was their decision right? After all, she was still young and had a big future filling in her father's shoes, becoming the Ruler of Navarre, which her brother Eagle would have been. Tears threatened to spill from her refined eyes as she gripped tighter to the one who murdered her much-loved older brother. She was truly infuriated with Hawkeye, but he went through so much for her. She never, no, couldn't stop loving him and wanted to be by his side always. He willingly gave his whole life for her, and she knew she would as well.

Blinking back the tears she sighed as she sniffed, making a sound that drew her the attention to everyone.

"Is something wrong Jessica?" Hawkeye asked a bit worried, and noticing for the first time how her soft frail hands tightly gripped his strapping arms. Salty tears gently slid down her slightly tanned face, but she just shook her head and smiled gently.

"I love you Hawkeye." She mouthed her words to him, which made Riesz a bit curious why.

"I love you too Jess." He affectionately whispered in her ear. Hawkeye held his dessert blossom tightly but as gently as he can for he worries he might hurt such a rare beauty. He thought to himself of how lucky he was for her to love him as much as he did to her, but now that his emotions changed he was more confused why he had said what he said.

It was no lie; he wouldn't lie to her, not Jessica. He promised to protect her, for Eagle. He'll watch over her for the rest of his life for Eagle, his best friend.

Riesz stood there holding a hand over her chest where her heart lay. She smiled; they do love each other so much. Maybe she should hold everything inside her heart and don't confess to Hawkeye instead. Save the hurtful face that would grace Jessica's heartbreaking face when she finds out. It would probably be the best, if she told him, he would forever feel guilty and she didn't want one of her closest friends, especially Hawkeye to be like that. Most of all she wanted to befriend Jessica, and she thinks Jessica does also, but people are just so blinded by their emotions.

Lance just stood there and then gave out an exasperated sigh, "Don't make a scene you two." He said crossing his arms and frowning, muttering how come he couldn't hold his golden haired goddess like that.

There was a momentarily silence that fell upon the group in confusion.

"There's no one here." Riesz said breaking the silence that was among the four. She glared at the stubborn ruby-eyed prince.

'Some manners he had.' Riesz thought as she rolled her eyes.

"Well you are aren't you?" He asked or rather bluntly just pointed out while continuing walking down the oddly quiet hall.

Riesz was just about to jump on the Artonian prince and choke him but just stood still and held her anger in, just like her feelings for Hawkeye, but that feeling was far too different than anger. When she found that Lance was not going to stop anytime soon to wait for them she quickly followed him, afraid to get lost in the huge castle.

"Hey, I don't have all day you know!" Lance's loud voice echoed down the marble hallway from which seemed the other side of the seemingly never- ending hall.

The three started walking towards where they heard his voice come from only to be confronted by two large, skillfully designed, large mahogany doors with beautiful wooden artwork etched upon the tall doors. (A/N: ^_^;;)

Standing beside the impressive looking carpentry, was a grinning crimson- haired prince.

"This room is for my golden-haired goddess, because my room is just right beside hers'." Lance grinned, proudly patted the polished wood while feeling it's smoothness under his hand. When he was done with that he looked back at the wide-eyed Riesz and smirked. Then pointing across the hall were doors identical to Riesz's.

"That room shall be for the lovely Jessica, and the one beside it will be Hawkeye's." Lance stated then turned to Riesz.

"Shall we check out your room while you stay here at the castle?" He asked gentlemanly-like but also a bit excited, like a five-year-old child. He gently grabbed Riesz's wrist and opened the giant doors, while dragging his astonished golden-haired goddess inside.

Hawkeye narrowed his eyes at Lance who smirked naughtily at him before he dragged a reluctant Riesz inside. Luckily though he did not close the doors, if he did he would be waking up tomorrow with many injuries, and a stitched mouth.

Jessica only giggled and glanced over at Hawkeye and smiled, giving her a warm glow around her, "She'll be fine. Don't worry." She said and gently opened the giant doors with not much of ease. The doors were heavy but she managed to open them.

"I'll see you tonight." Jessica said and gently walked over to Hawkeye and gave him a short yet sweet kiss on the cheek. Hawkeye smiled at that as she walked back to the room she was staying in.

With a last glance at Jessica's door, he glanced over where Riesz's open door was. He smiled to himself knowing Riesz can defend herself from anyone, especially Lance. He turned and opened his own doors and entered his most extravagant guest room.

Riesz just sighed and headed towards the balcony that looked over some of the castle and the beautiful kingdom. She took in an intake of breath as she saw for the first time the sophisticated kingdom.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Lance asked her, standing just beside her she saw for the first time that he was fairly handsome, but no matter how handsome a man was, she could never love another other than Hawkeye.

She felt herself change over the year she journeyed with everyone. Why was that? She wasn't herself no more, that was what Elliot had told her. Was falling for Hawkeye making her whole personality change? Mostly, will the kingdom tolerate a lovesick princess?

Hawkeye.

She longingly wanted to call out his name, and most of all want him to come and rescue her from the blazing pain deep inside her core, her bleeding heart.

She was snapped out of her reverie when she felt a warm finger upon her face, caressing it gently. She turned and saw Lance's crimson eyes staring into her sapphire ones, searching her soul and when he finally found what he was looking for her stroke her porcelain face while smiling a heart melting grin. Turning from his position he leaned against the balcony rail and sighing as the wind whipped his unruly red hair.

"I knew the two of you liked each other." He said looking up at the roof of the castle.

Riesz stood there blinking, and a bit surprised by the sudden words that escaped from his mouth, she didn't know what to believe, and was totally oblivious to what he was saying.

"W-What?" She finally said, unable to say it right, she stuttered at her words.

Lance softly chuckled and sighed again looking back at the bewildered amazoness. Taking in her beautiful face he fell into a trance under her deep pools of sapphire, a gateway into her soul.

"Your eyes tell it all. A person can gain access into your soul by your eyes, your beautiful eyes. Hawkeye has the same longing for you, but he is a bit confused. You should tell him how you feel so you don't feel burdened." Lance caressed her soft skin bringing his head lower towards hers; Riesz was too shocked to think of even moving.

He resisted the urge to kiss her lips and kissed her forehead instead much to his disappointment.

"Riesz, I'm here for you. Upon first glance I knew you were special, you can forget about Hawkeye and be with me." He said as he quickly brought her into a firm embrace. As shocked as Riesz was, she didn't know what was going on. Reclaiming her thoughts and putting them in order, she quickly pushed Lance away from her.

"Get out." She said quietly turning away from him, not wanting to face a young man that can easily see the feelings she couldn't hide. Lance stood there for a few seconds, then turned on his heel and walked quietly out the door. When Riesz realized she was alone in the room she sat down quietly and stared out at the kingdom.

Her worst fear was to be left alone.

All alone.

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Riesz had found an Artonian skirt made for celebrations placed enchantingly on her bed, just by looking at it, it was telling her to wear it. Stroking the fabric of the outfit she discovered that it was silk and loved the leaf- like design on it. How she hated Lance for doing this to her, did he expect her to wear such a thing? She was an Amazon, a fearless woman warrior. Sighing she threw the attire on a nearby chair and headed for the door.

Thinking of going for a stroll around the large castle to clam her down. She didn't really want to go to the flower festival after all. Now that she decided not to tell Hawkeye how she felt, she really wanted to stay in the castle and thought of sulking all day. The only thing that had her mind wondering was what Lance had said earlier, about Hawkeye.

Riesz couldn't take it no longer, these feelings, mostly confused feelings inside frustrated her more than an enemy had ever done to her. That was right, love is your worst enemy. It can hurt you in so many ways, and yet, you can't fight back but let it hurt you or fill you up with joy.

Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes she pushed at the large wooden doors.

"Hawkeye will you be able to forgive me? When I say I love-"

Riesz opened her eyes only to reveal Jessica standing at her door that was right across from her own door.

"You." She finished a bit surprised and scared at the same time of how Jessica will react.

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Just at the same time when Riesz opened the door, the Navarre princess was leaving her room as well. But upon hearing the confession escape from the young Amazon princess's mouth, she stood there staring at a surprised young woman.

There was a silence that held the intense tension in the air.

Jessica knew Riesz liked Hawkeye, but love? That's too strong of a word for anyone and she wasn't in a relationship with him, and she didn't know him as long as she knew Hawkeye. Riesz saw the tears well up in Jessica's eyes as she walked up to Riesz who's legs were paralyzed, she didn't want to move and closed her eyes hanging her head low.

Jessica stood one feet away from Riesz and bit her lip but smiled.

"I'm having trouble with my dress for the festival, can you help me?" She asked politely which surprised Riesz the most but smiled back at the calm and beautiful princess.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about dresses." Riesz simply replied.

Jessica was silent for a while then grabbed Riesz's wrist and dragged her back into the Amazon's room. Placing the puzzled girl down on a chair in front of a mirror the blue-haired girl picked up the skirt that Lance gave the Riesz. Picking it up Jessica smiled, "It looks so pretty. Why don't you try it on?" She asked placing the skirt in front the Rolante princess.

"It's okay, I'm not going to flower festival." Riesz said rising from the chair she sat on, but sat back down when Jessica gave her one of those glares. After that Jessica smiled and gave out a beautiful laugh. She was so pretty when she smiled, and her laughter made Riesz smiled even more.

"Of course you are!" She said while taking the green bow out of Riesz's hair and took a brush and combed the soft, and silky tresses.

Another uncomfortable silence came afterwards but was quickly gone when Jessica hummed a harmonious melody with her lovely voice. Riesz didn't know why Jessica was acting like this but smiled, she liked it and Jessica also liked it as well. The two found that they could have been friends quickly back then, but a certain violet-haired young man blinded the two.

Remembering about Hawkeye, Riesz stopped Jessica's humming.

"About earlier," Riesz paused when she heard Jessica stop her soft and comforting humming, "I think I kind of exaggerated on my feelings." The blond princess finished. After that Jessica put down the brush and stood in front of Riesz.

"Look at yourself, you're so beautiful." Jessica said as she stroke back a hair behind the girl's ear. Riesz hated being ignored, especially about her feelings. She stood up, surprising Jessica. Looking intensely into her eyes and found out that Lance was right, you can look into another's soul through their eyes.

Riesz saw an internal struggle and confusion withering deep inside those beautiful azure eyes of her and she knew it was because of her that caused such confusion. Jessica turned her head and sighed sitting down on a chair across from Riesz.

"Riesz, I'm having second thoughts." She said softly while gesturing for the girl standing in front of her to sit down next to her. Riesz complied but still kept her gaze upon the troubled Navarre princess. Staring at Riesz straight in the eye again she reached out to grab Riesz's hand, tightly grasping it.

"From a friends to a friend. Be honest with me okay?" Her voice pleaded, but her eyes were intense, and all the young sixteen-year old could do was nod. Jessica's face softened but her grasp on Riesz's hand was still tight.

"Do you have feelings other than friendship for Hawkeye?" She asked, her voice trembling a bit but her eyes told Riesz again that she was a bit desperate for her to deny it. Riesz slowly nodded not tearing her gaze from Jessica's intense one.

Jessica reluctantly let go of Riesz's hand. Playing with her blue hair that cascaded down her back she gave out a sigh.

"The reason why I'm having second thoughts is because, when Hawkeye and I return to Navarre, we are going to get married." Jessica said, turning her head away from Riesz, not wanting to see her expression and was hoping to get a clam reaction from the Amazon.

"WHAT?!"

Came the response, but the response wasn't from Riesz though. The voice belonged to a female outside Riesz's chambers with purple hair. A young man with brownish-orange hair held his hand over her mouth muted her and the other two people had their index finger by near mouth signaling for her to be quiet.

"Damn, you blew our cover." Duran said as he saw that Carlie and Kevin had skittered off to their rooms to hide. Looking back at Angela he found that Angela's face was turning a nice shade of blue. He gasped then took his hand over her mouth and nose. She breathed in heavily while muttering, "You almost suffocated me!"

When she stopped taking deep breaths, they turned back to the see what happened, but nothing did. The two obviously knew that people were looking at them from outside the doors but they just ignored it and the room and hallway outside became soundless.

It was silent until Riesz finally broke it with her voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

"Y-You're getting married?"



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Don't hate me! Confused about the characters' emotions? To those of you who are, I am a bit as well, but I know what's going on. All will be cleared up in later chapters, if I can fight my writer's block. I'm a very complex and confusing person. I'm also not that fond of Jessica even if I don't seem like that. She's okay.

Feel free to e-mail me if you want, but if you send me forwards like my friends do, I will hunt you down and kill you! Hehe just kidding, but seriously. Bye for now!

Love, bittersweet

P.S. I PROMISE there will be some chemistry between Hawkeye and Riesz in the next chapter, which I named:

The flower festival

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