A/n: (blablah) = thoughts.
[blah blah] = sounds etc...
Chapter 2: The tactless General.
+++Feagris castle; 6 years after the arrival of the Fahdiel clan warriors. Winter.+++
Rei, now a beautiful 18 year old Princess, is sprawled on a soft cushion infront of the lit chimney reading a book in the privacy of her chamber. It was early in the morning and it was freezing outside, that's why she was so close to the lit chimney. She's wearing a comfy looking cotton nightgown. It's kind of frilly but cute nonetheless.
[* Knock knock knock*] Rei's reading was interrupted by someone knocking the door. " Yes?" Rei said loudly without lifting her sight from the book she was reading.
The door opened and a pretty girl entered the chamber. She was Minako the daughter of one of the most important nobles in the kingdom and one of Rei's best friends. She was dressed in a a very elegant white silk gown and had a cheerful expression on her face.
Rei saw Minako getting inside her room. " Ah , it's you Minako. What is it?" " Guess what!? I've got some news!!" "I've told not to go gossiping so much. It's not nice." Minako pouted. ¬_¬ "Its not that! And i haven't been gossiping... that much!" "Yeah, right." Said Rei still reading her book.
Minako walked to Rei's side and snatched the book from the princess' hands. "HEY! I was reading that!" "And I was talking to you!" " Give it back!" " NO." "GIVE IT BACK!" "Only if you promise to listen to what i've got to say!" "... OK What is it then?" Said Rei knowing that if she didn't give in Minako wouldn't give her book back. "Heheheh, SHE is here. I saw her arrive with the others this morning." Minako winked. Rei's eyes got as big as plates and she got up immediately.
"REALLY?! THEN IT'S TODAY?!!"
" OH MAN! Don't tell me you forgot about the graduation ceremony, all thegraduate cadets from the military academy are going to be named knights today and you just forgot about it?!"
Rei began to undress quickly infront of Minako. "WHAT THE---" Minako shrieked. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING THERE LIKE A BAKA!! HELP ME GET READY!!" Rei said. Minako giggled at her friend's excitement. After all, her crush was arriving today to the castle after 6 months of training in that military academy, anyway she opened Rei's wardrobe and helped her choose a gown for the ceremony....
+++++++++ Meanwhile at the throne room...+++++++
The throne room, chamber where the graduation ceremony would take place. Some of the graduated would also receive posts in the royal army due to their excellent performance.
The chamber was beautifully decorated, the flowers , the curtains and the Red carpet that crossed the chamber up to the throne everything was elegant and of good taste. Chairs places at either side of the carpet where the graduated were to walk on up to the King. On the chairs were the nobles invited to the ceremony all of them well dressed and waiting for the ceremony to start. Everything was ready for the ceremony to begin.
On the northern end of the room were the thrones of the King and the princess. Sitting on the biggest throne was Rei's grandfather, the king.
The enormous oakwood doors of the chamber opened and the royal messenger walked up to the throne and knelt.
"Majesty, the cadets are here. We're waiting for your permission to begin the ceremony." The king turned around to his side to see the princess´ empty throne and sighed.
" ¬_¬ Rei... You're late again!!" Mumbled the king to himself.
++++++++Rei's Chamber+++++++++
"AHHHHH!!" I'M LATE AGAIN!!" Rei opened the door and ran out towards the throne room while tieing the last laces of her gown with Minako running behind her while trying to braid Rei's hair.
While they desperately ran to the throne room the stepped on and bumped lots of people but Rei stopped dead on her tracks when she hear a familiar voice calling her.
"HAHHAHAHA!! Just look who's late AGAIN." Rei turned around to give a death glare to whoever had said that but her attempt at it fell flat when she found herself staring at a familiar pair of deep green-yellowish eyes.
Rei's heart skipped a beat when she realized to whom those eyes belonged to. They belonged to a beautiful chestnut long haired woman with fine facial features framed by two strands of hair shorter than the rest of her hair, snow-white skin, full kissable pale pink lips and dragon- like eyes.
She was the same age as Rei and Minako but like 3 or 4 inches taller. She was dressed in the uniform knights use: Black short sleeved tunic with the kingdom's emblem sewn to the left part of chest, black slacks, a white long sleeved silk shirt that goes under the tunic, a whine red cape,two sashes of the same color, one crosses the chest and the other serves as a belt and mid-shin length black dyed leather boots. Since she was going to be near the king she couldn't have a sword with her so she was disarmed.
Rei thought she looked gorgeous in the uniform even though she didn't look feminine at all.
"Ra-R-Ra-R-R-R" Poor Rei was so nervous that she couldn't stop stuttering she was feeling butterflies inside her stomach for crying out loud.
This girl's eyes had always had this effect on the poor princess every dingle time they looked at her.
Minako couldn't stop giggling at Rei's dumb face. The girl with the dragon-like eyes smiled broadly at them.
" My ladies, I'll be seeing you at the ceremony. Now if you'll excuse me." She made a reverence and walked away towards the crowd of nervous cadets where she blended in and dissappeared.
Minako giggled, she had always thought that girl made a perfect gentleman even if she was a woman. She turned to look at Rei. She was still petrified at the spot with a blushed and dreamy face so Minako had to haul her all the way to the throne room.
Rei was now sitting on her throne next to her grandfather. The ceremony had started and her grandfather was giving the knighthood title to the graduates and some of them had gotten posts in the army as captains and such. She was bored and wasn't interested in the ceremony at all. She was too busy daydraming to care.
"Häggen Morfän." The messenger said loudly and a tall and clumsy blonde guy walked towars the throne and knelt.
(I can't believe I acted like an airhead in front of her! We haven't seen each other in 6 months and all I could do was stutter and go numb! Now she must think I'm some kind of dork!)
"Due to your excelent performance in the academy i shall grant you the post of captain of the eastern legions..." The king said as he layed his sword on Häggen's shoulders. Before long he walked away and sat with the other graduates
(I ....I want her.... I want her to hold me tight. I want to whisper sweet words into her ear...I want to...I want to kiss her...but most of all, I want her to notice me. I want her to look at me they way I look at her, I want her to see me as a lover and not as the princess she has to protect--- )The name the messenger said next interrupted Rei's thoughts.
"Radhamis Valndür." Announced the messenger and Rei's eyes quickly turned to stare at the enormous oak wood doors. They opened and the dragon eyed soldier from before entered the chamber...
As soon as she had stepped inside gasps, murmurs and loud chattering from the nobles filled the chamber making Radhamis feel uncomfortable.
All of the comments and gossips were about the same thing.... [Radhamis? Is she that filthy savage the king brought to the castle six years ago?]
[They say that she comes from the northern lands of Mavoria and that she belongs to the Fadhiel clan...]
[I can't believe the king allows such a blood thirsty beast like her walk among civilized people like us!]
[They're all a clan of murderous devils, Did you know they kill their own parents and children? Parent and child fight each other until one or the other dies in combat!]
[Just look at her eyes! They're like a beast's!]
None of the "civilized" nobles made an effort to keep their voices down, everything they said Radhamis could hear even though she pretended she didn't and kept a dignified expression on her face.
She walked faster towards the throne as if she were trying to run away from all those insulting words. Rei cound't help but to look at her, sigh and feel how much she wanted to protect her from all those ignorants to talked as if they knew her.
Minako, who was sitting on a chair of the first row, looked at her friend understandingly. She knew how strong and deep were her friend's feelings for the noble girl who the nobles liked to insult and that now was kneeling before the king, her face red and her eyes shut tightly from the shame of being insulted and criticized publicly for things that weren't her fault....
[They shouldn't let her be so close to the king and heiress, she might try to do something....] [The only human thing about them is their appearance.] [They stain the honor of the goddess Fahdiel by pretending to be consecrated to her...]
The king cleared his throat as a sign for everyone to remain silent and as soon as the chattering began, it stopped.
Rei was outraged, she had been able to hear all those stupid comments herself, she shot death glares at the people she saw mumbling who just lowered their gaze to the floor not daring to look at their princess to the eyes. Soon after her glance fell on the kneeling Radhamis and her stare softened. Rei heard how Radhamis sighed letting the pent up frustration go. Just by looking at Radhamis like this Rei got a terrible urge to hug her but she managed hold it back.
Radhamis rises her gaze a bit a saw how Rei smiled reassuringly at her. She smiled back at her weakly as a way of saying thank you.
"By the powers bestowed to me as head of the kingdom of Feagris by the all migthy goddess Fadhiel. I, King Saekaki VI, name you, Lady Valndür, knight of the sacred order of Feagris." The king layed his sword on Rad's shoulders. (A/N: Since I don't know the name of Rei's grandfather I just named him Saekaki.)
"Now please get up." Said the king and Radhamis got up. The king then beckoned one of his servants to come. He, on a red cushion, carried a broadsword in it's sheath, a beautifully forged mithril sword.
" Now is the day I answer the call of your people and your and our fates. You have proven your worth as a warrior in the academy and now is the day recognize it."
The king took the sword the servant was carrying and unsheathed it. It was a beautiful sword, the blade resembled a white slender flame in it's shape and practically irradiated light.
"This is Faradir, our kingdom's treasure bestowed to the general of the royal Feagris' army The most prestigious and important post in it...."
Radhamis knelt. " I bestow you this sword thus recognizing you as the General of the royal Army if Feagris and as agreed with your people I also give you the title of personal escort of the heiress, who some day shall be your queen." The king sheathed Faradir and gave it to his servant. ( Radhamis, my personal escort!? Wow! We'll get to spend more time together. I'm so lucky! ^-^) The servant tied the sheath's belt to Radhamis' waist. She was recieving the greatest of honor a soldier could receive yet she didn't seem happy or exited about it... Her face was unexpressive, Rei could notice that... But why? Having this important post in the army would make all those ignorant nobles respect her and she would enjoy a great life in the castle. Why didn't she show a bit of excitement?
The king took Radhamis hand and whispered something into her ear. "Now, I hope you live up to what is expected from you... Good luck." He said. The king went back to sit on his throne while Radhamis made a reverence. "I think you my lord from the bottom of my heart for this honor." Said Radhamis coldly and with no emotion at all before joining her comrades who looked at her in awe just like all the nobles.
No one expected an unexperienced young knight to be given that post in the army, only knights with lots of experience and infulence made it there and to think a graduate who above all is considered a little more than a beast is now the general was outrageous enough for the whole room to become silent.
Radhamis avoided the other graduates' stare, her gaze didn't leave the and she remained silent all the time.
" The feast will soon take place in the dinning chamber. Please let us go there." Said the messenger loudly and soon everyone left the room heading to the dining chamber. Everyone except Rei and the new general....
Before long the throne room became empty leaving those two alone. Radhamis kept her stare on the floor lost in thought while Rei looked at her.
She walked to Rad's side. "Radhamis Valndür , General of the Feagrisian royal Army. Sounds pretty cool! I bet you're really proud of your self!" Said Rei happily interrupting Radhamis' thoughts. Rei smiled and looked at her sweetly, Radhamis looked at her with a meek smile and gaze making Rei feel butterflies in her stomach again.
"... There's no reason to be proud of myself, I didn't earn this. I don't deserve it. The only reason I got Faradir was because of that agreement the grandfather, our clan's chief made with the king. It would be dishonest to feel proud about something that I didn't earn."
Rei loved that attitude of her's, always so proper, so honorable, honest and noble. That's one of the reasons why she had fallen for her. Radhamis stood up. "...Well, if that's the way you feel why don't you talk with my grandfather and quit the post? I'm sure he would understand your reasons."
Rei inwardly slapped the back of her head. (BAKA! Now she'll also have to quit the escort title and you won't be able to be with her that often. DUHHH!!")
Rad's meek smile was replaced by a smirk. "And loose the chance of being you escort? No way! I'm I've ever been good for something it's been for fighting! I'll protect you no matter what!" Rad said with determination, her self confidence had come back. Rei's eyes turned into little hearts.
"OH! Radhamis, do mean that?" " Of course! If I quit then you'd keep on being late for everything!" Rad said teasingly. Rei got kind of angry and her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Damn it Radhamis! We haven't seen each other in 6 months and all I get to hear from you are mean comments like those?!"
Rad didn't get that with her teasing she has hurting Rei and kept teasing her.
"Well what do you want me to say princess? Oh! I know! *Rad began to talk in a high pitched voice* ....Oh, Rei-chan! I've missed you so much! I can't stand it when you're not with me! I want to stay with you for all eternity!... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! C'me on Rei, it's not like we're lovers or anythi-..." (OK, I think I screwed it up this time.) Rad stopped talking whe she saw Rei's hurt expression. Now THAT did hurt Rei's feelings since that was the way she felt about her. "You're right, I'm not your girlfriend... " Rei said sadly. She turned around and walked away towards the door when she suddenly felt how Radhamis hugged her waist tightly fom behind to stop her from going away.
"...Rei, I'm sory. I didn't mean it like that." "........................." Rei said nothing, she was too busy blushing to aswer. Her breathing got faster. Rad noticed that... she tenderly made Rei turn around so that they were face to face and looked at her eyes.Rad's arms were still around Rei's tiny waist and Rad's meek expression was back on her face. Rei's breathing got even faster and her blush deepened. She wrapped Radhamis' neck with her arms. (A kiss, just once.... I'd give anything for Rad to kiss me. Please, just this tim--)
Before Rei could finish her thoughts Radhamis was already slowly leaning forward. Rei thought that this time the gods had been merciful with her and had granted her wish. Rei leant forward, she yearned for Rad's lips to press on to her's, she closed her eyes... at any second they would be kissing each other passionately. Their lips were brushing against each other when suddenly Rei felt something on her forehead that made her stop. She opened her eyes and saw Rad's hand on her own forehead and her other hand over her's.
"Rei, are you feeling, ok? You're all red, you breathing's not normal and you practically passed out on me. You sure you don't have a fever?"
"AHHHH!!!RADHAMIS, YOU'RE AN IDIOT!!! ARE YOU EVER GOING TO GROW UP?!!"
Rei was really annoyed by this last thing and she yelled her frustration out on Radhamis who was kind of confused by Rei's sudden reaction since she was just worried about her princess' health.
Once Rei finished yelling she walked to the door and before opening it she yelled: "BAKA GODS!!!" She opened it and slammed behind her strong enought to make a little bit of dust fall from the ceiling. Rad stayed inside the throne room with a "what did I do now?" face. She wasn't being mean when she asked Rei if she had a fever, she actually was kind of worried seeing how Rei was red and all. She also didn't know the reasons for Rei's moodswings, one moment she was happy and the next she was yelling at the top of her lungs at her and for no apparent reason.
"what did I do now?" Said Radhamis while looking up at ythe ceiling as if she were trying to communicate with the gods.THERE WAS TOTAL SILENCE AND Rad took that as an answer.
"..Forget it, I bet you're asking yourselves the same thing... -.-" Radhamis exited the trone room and entered the dining room. Its was already crowded with tables and chairs with nobles sitting on them. This time there weren't any comments about her since their mouths were full of food. Some of them showed how hypocrite they could be by introducing themselves and asking for favors.
Sha wasn't all that hungry so she just walked to an empty table far away from all the merry nobles and sat on a chair and thoughts of what had happened with Rei.
( ¬.¬ Now what's wrong with her, maybe I did tease her a bit but i didn't mean any harm. Why is she so youchy all of a sudden..... Maybe it's that time of the month... Geeez! She didn't even say hi when we saw each other before the ceremony. What a great welcome....)
"Here you are! I've been looking for you all over the place Rad!" A long haired blonde guy said as he sat at Radhamis' side.
"-.- Hi Häggen....*sigh*" "..Hey what's wrong? We've gotten good posts in the army, there's lots of good food, happy atmosphere and yet you're here sulking! .... Ah! I know, It's Rei. Isn't it?
"O.o How did you know that?" "Well since you were busy sulking here I couldn't find you and when I asked Minako where you were she said you were inside the throne room with Rei. Soooo what happened?
"Rei got angry with me... -_-()" "Again?! ¬.¬ What did you do this time? You ate her cherry flavored chapstick again, didn't you?! Hahahahaha :D"
"Stop reminding me of that!! That was when just got here! I didn't know that thing was some kinda make up! I thought it was... cherry jam in a tube! It smelled and looked edible and I was hungry!... wait! That's not the point here!!"
"Haahahahahah Your face! You should've looked at your face then you had red stuff all arround the lips and you were happily munching it! HAHAH*SNORT*AHAHAHA!" Häggen laughed loudly thus he attracted the attention of some of the nearby people. Rad needed something to shut him up with ,she looked around and the only thing she found was a loaf of bread inside a little basket. "Shut up Häggen baka!!" [WOOOBBB] Rad shove the loaf of bread inside her noisy friends's mouth making him shut up. "Are you going to listen to me now?" Häggen nodded because he couldn't speak. "Good..." Radhamis told everything to Häggen while he ate the bread and as soon as haggen had finished eatning Rad had finished talking.
"Do you have any idea of why she got angry this time?" Rad asked. "Mmmmmm lemme see ................. nope I don't know."
"That's because you two are the dorkiest soldiers in the entire kingdom!" A woman's voice interrupted and the two knights turned around.
It was Minako.
"How long have you been eavesdropping on us?" Asked Häggen with a surprised expression on his face.
"Mmmmm lemme see.... since Radhamis sat on the table I guess." Minako carelessly said as she sat with the knights.
-_-() ( Radhamis.
. ( Häggen.
In that precise moment a pretty waitress passed by carrying a dessert tray and Häggen, being more atracted to the sweets that to the waitress, got up and followed her.
Radhamis noticed how Minako's eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of baka Häggen following that waitress. She knew Rei did that too when she looked at some other girl besides her. Radhamis sweatdropped.
When Häggen returned with the whole dessert tray Minako gave him a death glare. "What?" Häggen asked cluelessly. Minako ignored him.
Radhamis sighed "What did I do now?" Häggen asked. Minako ignored him again, looked at the tray and suddenly looked at Radhamis. "I've got an idea!" Minako said. "Is it about why you're ingnoring me?" Häggen earned another deathglare and another leaf of bread shove into his mouth. "What is it about?" Asked Radhamis.
"I know how you can make up with Rei." "How?" Minako pointed at one of the tables where the banquet was being served. "They're serving eastern dishes there. Hehehe" Rad cutely tilted her head to the right. "Huh? Does that make Rei happy?" Minako sighed. -.-()
"No Rad, her favorite type of food is an eastern dish called Fugu. She didn't have any breakfast this morning and it's noon already I bet she's really hungry so If you show up in her room with some fugu for her I'm sure she'll forget your lack of tact ^.~ "
" Lack of tact?" Said Radhamis reproachingly. "Rad-chan, you've got the tact of an elephant inside a crystal shop.Now go and get your fugu." Said Minako trying hard not to laugh. Radhamis stuck her tongue out and went to get some fugu.
Luckily Radhamis managed to snag the last serving of fugu after fighting off the bumping and pushing crowd there.
Radhamis rised the plate up in a legend of zelda like manner (A/n:You've got fugu!) and looked at her friends, minako and Häggen were still arguing... well Häggen kept being ingnored by Minako as a matter of fact.
Radhamis sweatdropped and made her way to Rei's chamber....
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rad-chan(the author, notice the -chan ^_^) :Wow, the chapie turned out to be longer than what i had expected, oh well... Ok, I wanted to thank all of you who've left reviews. * Rad-chan gives cookies to the reviewers * Thank you! Hope you keep on reading. ^_^ Arigato-gozaimazu.
[blah blah] = sounds etc...
Chapter 2: The tactless General.
+++Feagris castle; 6 years after the arrival of the Fahdiel clan warriors. Winter.+++
Rei, now a beautiful 18 year old Princess, is sprawled on a soft cushion infront of the lit chimney reading a book in the privacy of her chamber. It was early in the morning and it was freezing outside, that's why she was so close to the lit chimney. She's wearing a comfy looking cotton nightgown. It's kind of frilly but cute nonetheless.
[* Knock knock knock*] Rei's reading was interrupted by someone knocking the door. " Yes?" Rei said loudly without lifting her sight from the book she was reading.
The door opened and a pretty girl entered the chamber. She was Minako the daughter of one of the most important nobles in the kingdom and one of Rei's best friends. She was dressed in a a very elegant white silk gown and had a cheerful expression on her face.
Rei saw Minako getting inside her room. " Ah , it's you Minako. What is it?" " Guess what!? I've got some news!!" "I've told not to go gossiping so much. It's not nice." Minako pouted. ¬_¬ "Its not that! And i haven't been gossiping... that much!" "Yeah, right." Said Rei still reading her book.
Minako walked to Rei's side and snatched the book from the princess' hands. "HEY! I was reading that!" "And I was talking to you!" " Give it back!" " NO." "GIVE IT BACK!" "Only if you promise to listen to what i've got to say!" "... OK What is it then?" Said Rei knowing that if she didn't give in Minako wouldn't give her book back. "Heheheh, SHE is here. I saw her arrive with the others this morning." Minako winked. Rei's eyes got as big as plates and she got up immediately.
"REALLY?! THEN IT'S TODAY?!!"
" OH MAN! Don't tell me you forgot about the graduation ceremony, all thegraduate cadets from the military academy are going to be named knights today and you just forgot about it?!"
Rei began to undress quickly infront of Minako. "WHAT THE---" Minako shrieked. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING THERE LIKE A BAKA!! HELP ME GET READY!!" Rei said. Minako giggled at her friend's excitement. After all, her crush was arriving today to the castle after 6 months of training in that military academy, anyway she opened Rei's wardrobe and helped her choose a gown for the ceremony....
+++++++++ Meanwhile at the throne room...+++++++
The throne room, chamber where the graduation ceremony would take place. Some of the graduated would also receive posts in the royal army due to their excellent performance.
The chamber was beautifully decorated, the flowers , the curtains and the Red carpet that crossed the chamber up to the throne everything was elegant and of good taste. Chairs places at either side of the carpet where the graduated were to walk on up to the King. On the chairs were the nobles invited to the ceremony all of them well dressed and waiting for the ceremony to start. Everything was ready for the ceremony to begin.
On the northern end of the room were the thrones of the King and the princess. Sitting on the biggest throne was Rei's grandfather, the king.
The enormous oakwood doors of the chamber opened and the royal messenger walked up to the throne and knelt.
"Majesty, the cadets are here. We're waiting for your permission to begin the ceremony." The king turned around to his side to see the princess´ empty throne and sighed.
" ¬_¬ Rei... You're late again!!" Mumbled the king to himself.
++++++++Rei's Chamber+++++++++
"AHHHHH!!" I'M LATE AGAIN!!" Rei opened the door and ran out towards the throne room while tieing the last laces of her gown with Minako running behind her while trying to braid Rei's hair.
While they desperately ran to the throne room the stepped on and bumped lots of people but Rei stopped dead on her tracks when she hear a familiar voice calling her.
"HAHHAHAHA!! Just look who's late AGAIN." Rei turned around to give a death glare to whoever had said that but her attempt at it fell flat when she found herself staring at a familiar pair of deep green-yellowish eyes.
Rei's heart skipped a beat when she realized to whom those eyes belonged to. They belonged to a beautiful chestnut long haired woman with fine facial features framed by two strands of hair shorter than the rest of her hair, snow-white skin, full kissable pale pink lips and dragon- like eyes.
She was the same age as Rei and Minako but like 3 or 4 inches taller. She was dressed in the uniform knights use: Black short sleeved tunic with the kingdom's emblem sewn to the left part of chest, black slacks, a white long sleeved silk shirt that goes under the tunic, a whine red cape,two sashes of the same color, one crosses the chest and the other serves as a belt and mid-shin length black dyed leather boots. Since she was going to be near the king she couldn't have a sword with her so she was disarmed.
Rei thought she looked gorgeous in the uniform even though she didn't look feminine at all.
"Ra-R-Ra-R-R-R" Poor Rei was so nervous that she couldn't stop stuttering she was feeling butterflies inside her stomach for crying out loud.
This girl's eyes had always had this effect on the poor princess every dingle time they looked at her.
Minako couldn't stop giggling at Rei's dumb face. The girl with the dragon-like eyes smiled broadly at them.
" My ladies, I'll be seeing you at the ceremony. Now if you'll excuse me." She made a reverence and walked away towards the crowd of nervous cadets where she blended in and dissappeared.
Minako giggled, she had always thought that girl made a perfect gentleman even if she was a woman. She turned to look at Rei. She was still petrified at the spot with a blushed and dreamy face so Minako had to haul her all the way to the throne room.
Rei was now sitting on her throne next to her grandfather. The ceremony had started and her grandfather was giving the knighthood title to the graduates and some of them had gotten posts in the army as captains and such. She was bored and wasn't interested in the ceremony at all. She was too busy daydraming to care.
"Häggen Morfän." The messenger said loudly and a tall and clumsy blonde guy walked towars the throne and knelt.
(I can't believe I acted like an airhead in front of her! We haven't seen each other in 6 months and all I could do was stutter and go numb! Now she must think I'm some kind of dork!)
"Due to your excelent performance in the academy i shall grant you the post of captain of the eastern legions..." The king said as he layed his sword on Häggen's shoulders. Before long he walked away and sat with the other graduates
(I ....I want her.... I want her to hold me tight. I want to whisper sweet words into her ear...I want to...I want to kiss her...but most of all, I want her to notice me. I want her to look at me they way I look at her, I want her to see me as a lover and not as the princess she has to protect--- )The name the messenger said next interrupted Rei's thoughts.
"Radhamis Valndür." Announced the messenger and Rei's eyes quickly turned to stare at the enormous oak wood doors. They opened and the dragon eyed soldier from before entered the chamber...
As soon as she had stepped inside gasps, murmurs and loud chattering from the nobles filled the chamber making Radhamis feel uncomfortable.
All of the comments and gossips were about the same thing.... [Radhamis? Is she that filthy savage the king brought to the castle six years ago?]
[They say that she comes from the northern lands of Mavoria and that she belongs to the Fadhiel clan...]
[I can't believe the king allows such a blood thirsty beast like her walk among civilized people like us!]
[They're all a clan of murderous devils, Did you know they kill their own parents and children? Parent and child fight each other until one or the other dies in combat!]
[Just look at her eyes! They're like a beast's!]
None of the "civilized" nobles made an effort to keep their voices down, everything they said Radhamis could hear even though she pretended she didn't and kept a dignified expression on her face.
She walked faster towards the throne as if she were trying to run away from all those insulting words. Rei cound't help but to look at her, sigh and feel how much she wanted to protect her from all those ignorants to talked as if they knew her.
Minako, who was sitting on a chair of the first row, looked at her friend understandingly. She knew how strong and deep were her friend's feelings for the noble girl who the nobles liked to insult and that now was kneeling before the king, her face red and her eyes shut tightly from the shame of being insulted and criticized publicly for things that weren't her fault....
[They shouldn't let her be so close to the king and heiress, she might try to do something....] [The only human thing about them is their appearance.] [They stain the honor of the goddess Fahdiel by pretending to be consecrated to her...]
The king cleared his throat as a sign for everyone to remain silent and as soon as the chattering began, it stopped.
Rei was outraged, she had been able to hear all those stupid comments herself, she shot death glares at the people she saw mumbling who just lowered their gaze to the floor not daring to look at their princess to the eyes. Soon after her glance fell on the kneeling Radhamis and her stare softened. Rei heard how Radhamis sighed letting the pent up frustration go. Just by looking at Radhamis like this Rei got a terrible urge to hug her but she managed hold it back.
Radhamis rises her gaze a bit a saw how Rei smiled reassuringly at her. She smiled back at her weakly as a way of saying thank you.
"By the powers bestowed to me as head of the kingdom of Feagris by the all migthy goddess Fadhiel. I, King Saekaki VI, name you, Lady Valndür, knight of the sacred order of Feagris." The king layed his sword on Rad's shoulders. (A/N: Since I don't know the name of Rei's grandfather I just named him Saekaki.)
"Now please get up." Said the king and Radhamis got up. The king then beckoned one of his servants to come. He, on a red cushion, carried a broadsword in it's sheath, a beautifully forged mithril sword.
" Now is the day I answer the call of your people and your and our fates. You have proven your worth as a warrior in the academy and now is the day recognize it."
The king took the sword the servant was carrying and unsheathed it. It was a beautiful sword, the blade resembled a white slender flame in it's shape and practically irradiated light.
"This is Faradir, our kingdom's treasure bestowed to the general of the royal Feagris' army The most prestigious and important post in it...."
Radhamis knelt. " I bestow you this sword thus recognizing you as the General of the royal Army if Feagris and as agreed with your people I also give you the title of personal escort of the heiress, who some day shall be your queen." The king sheathed Faradir and gave it to his servant. ( Radhamis, my personal escort!? Wow! We'll get to spend more time together. I'm so lucky! ^-^) The servant tied the sheath's belt to Radhamis' waist. She was recieving the greatest of honor a soldier could receive yet she didn't seem happy or exited about it... Her face was unexpressive, Rei could notice that... But why? Having this important post in the army would make all those ignorant nobles respect her and she would enjoy a great life in the castle. Why didn't she show a bit of excitement?
The king took Radhamis hand and whispered something into her ear. "Now, I hope you live up to what is expected from you... Good luck." He said. The king went back to sit on his throne while Radhamis made a reverence. "I think you my lord from the bottom of my heart for this honor." Said Radhamis coldly and with no emotion at all before joining her comrades who looked at her in awe just like all the nobles.
No one expected an unexperienced young knight to be given that post in the army, only knights with lots of experience and infulence made it there and to think a graduate who above all is considered a little more than a beast is now the general was outrageous enough for the whole room to become silent.
Radhamis avoided the other graduates' stare, her gaze didn't leave the and she remained silent all the time.
" The feast will soon take place in the dinning chamber. Please let us go there." Said the messenger loudly and soon everyone left the room heading to the dining chamber. Everyone except Rei and the new general....
Before long the throne room became empty leaving those two alone. Radhamis kept her stare on the floor lost in thought while Rei looked at her.
She walked to Rad's side. "Radhamis Valndür , General of the Feagrisian royal Army. Sounds pretty cool! I bet you're really proud of your self!" Said Rei happily interrupting Radhamis' thoughts. Rei smiled and looked at her sweetly, Radhamis looked at her with a meek smile and gaze making Rei feel butterflies in her stomach again.
"... There's no reason to be proud of myself, I didn't earn this. I don't deserve it. The only reason I got Faradir was because of that agreement the grandfather, our clan's chief made with the king. It would be dishonest to feel proud about something that I didn't earn."
Rei loved that attitude of her's, always so proper, so honorable, honest and noble. That's one of the reasons why she had fallen for her. Radhamis stood up. "...Well, if that's the way you feel why don't you talk with my grandfather and quit the post? I'm sure he would understand your reasons."
Rei inwardly slapped the back of her head. (BAKA! Now she'll also have to quit the escort title and you won't be able to be with her that often. DUHHH!!")
Rad's meek smile was replaced by a smirk. "And loose the chance of being you escort? No way! I'm I've ever been good for something it's been for fighting! I'll protect you no matter what!" Rad said with determination, her self confidence had come back. Rei's eyes turned into little hearts.
"OH! Radhamis, do mean that?" " Of course! If I quit then you'd keep on being late for everything!" Rad said teasingly. Rei got kind of angry and her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Damn it Radhamis! We haven't seen each other in 6 months and all I get to hear from you are mean comments like those?!"
Rad didn't get that with her teasing she has hurting Rei and kept teasing her.
"Well what do you want me to say princess? Oh! I know! *Rad began to talk in a high pitched voice* ....Oh, Rei-chan! I've missed you so much! I can't stand it when you're not with me! I want to stay with you for all eternity!... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! C'me on Rei, it's not like we're lovers or anythi-..." (OK, I think I screwed it up this time.) Rad stopped talking whe she saw Rei's hurt expression. Now THAT did hurt Rei's feelings since that was the way she felt about her. "You're right, I'm not your girlfriend... " Rei said sadly. She turned around and walked away towards the door when she suddenly felt how Radhamis hugged her waist tightly fom behind to stop her from going away.
"...Rei, I'm sory. I didn't mean it like that." "........................." Rei said nothing, she was too busy blushing to aswer. Her breathing got faster. Rad noticed that... she tenderly made Rei turn around so that they were face to face and looked at her eyes.Rad's arms were still around Rei's tiny waist and Rad's meek expression was back on her face. Rei's breathing got even faster and her blush deepened. She wrapped Radhamis' neck with her arms. (A kiss, just once.... I'd give anything for Rad to kiss me. Please, just this tim--)
Before Rei could finish her thoughts Radhamis was already slowly leaning forward. Rei thought that this time the gods had been merciful with her and had granted her wish. Rei leant forward, she yearned for Rad's lips to press on to her's, she closed her eyes... at any second they would be kissing each other passionately. Their lips were brushing against each other when suddenly Rei felt something on her forehead that made her stop. She opened her eyes and saw Rad's hand on her own forehead and her other hand over her's.
"Rei, are you feeling, ok? You're all red, you breathing's not normal and you practically passed out on me. You sure you don't have a fever?"
"AHHHH!!!RADHAMIS, YOU'RE AN IDIOT!!! ARE YOU EVER GOING TO GROW UP?!!"
Rei was really annoyed by this last thing and she yelled her frustration out on Radhamis who was kind of confused by Rei's sudden reaction since she was just worried about her princess' health.
Once Rei finished yelling she walked to the door and before opening it she yelled: "BAKA GODS!!!" She opened it and slammed behind her strong enought to make a little bit of dust fall from the ceiling. Rad stayed inside the throne room with a "what did I do now?" face. She wasn't being mean when she asked Rei if she had a fever, she actually was kind of worried seeing how Rei was red and all. She also didn't know the reasons for Rei's moodswings, one moment she was happy and the next she was yelling at the top of her lungs at her and for no apparent reason.
"what did I do now?" Said Radhamis while looking up at ythe ceiling as if she were trying to communicate with the gods.THERE WAS TOTAL SILENCE AND Rad took that as an answer.
"..Forget it, I bet you're asking yourselves the same thing... -.-" Radhamis exited the trone room and entered the dining room. Its was already crowded with tables and chairs with nobles sitting on them. This time there weren't any comments about her since their mouths were full of food. Some of them showed how hypocrite they could be by introducing themselves and asking for favors.
Sha wasn't all that hungry so she just walked to an empty table far away from all the merry nobles and sat on a chair and thoughts of what had happened with Rei.
( ¬.¬ Now what's wrong with her, maybe I did tease her a bit but i didn't mean any harm. Why is she so youchy all of a sudden..... Maybe it's that time of the month... Geeez! She didn't even say hi when we saw each other before the ceremony. What a great welcome....)
"Here you are! I've been looking for you all over the place Rad!" A long haired blonde guy said as he sat at Radhamis' side.
"-.- Hi Häggen....*sigh*" "..Hey what's wrong? We've gotten good posts in the army, there's lots of good food, happy atmosphere and yet you're here sulking! .... Ah! I know, It's Rei. Isn't it?
"O.o How did you know that?" "Well since you were busy sulking here I couldn't find you and when I asked Minako where you were she said you were inside the throne room with Rei. Soooo what happened?
"Rei got angry with me... -_-()" "Again?! ¬.¬ What did you do this time? You ate her cherry flavored chapstick again, didn't you?! Hahahahaha :D"
"Stop reminding me of that!! That was when just got here! I didn't know that thing was some kinda make up! I thought it was... cherry jam in a tube! It smelled and looked edible and I was hungry!... wait! That's not the point here!!"
"Haahahahahah Your face! You should've looked at your face then you had red stuff all arround the lips and you were happily munching it! HAHAH*SNORT*AHAHAHA!" Häggen laughed loudly thus he attracted the attention of some of the nearby people. Rad needed something to shut him up with ,she looked around and the only thing she found was a loaf of bread inside a little basket. "Shut up Häggen baka!!" [WOOOBBB] Rad shove the loaf of bread inside her noisy friends's mouth making him shut up. "Are you going to listen to me now?" Häggen nodded because he couldn't speak. "Good..." Radhamis told everything to Häggen while he ate the bread and as soon as haggen had finished eatning Rad had finished talking.
"Do you have any idea of why she got angry this time?" Rad asked. "Mmmmmm lemme see ................. nope I don't know."
"That's because you two are the dorkiest soldiers in the entire kingdom!" A woman's voice interrupted and the two knights turned around.
It was Minako.
"How long have you been eavesdropping on us?" Asked Häggen with a surprised expression on his face.
"Mmmmm lemme see.... since Radhamis sat on the table I guess." Minako carelessly said as she sat with the knights.
-_-() ( Radhamis.
. ( Häggen.
In that precise moment a pretty waitress passed by carrying a dessert tray and Häggen, being more atracted to the sweets that to the waitress, got up and followed her.
Radhamis noticed how Minako's eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of baka Häggen following that waitress. She knew Rei did that too when she looked at some other girl besides her. Radhamis sweatdropped.
When Häggen returned with the whole dessert tray Minako gave him a death glare. "What?" Häggen asked cluelessly. Minako ignored him.
Radhamis sighed "What did I do now?" Häggen asked. Minako ignored him again, looked at the tray and suddenly looked at Radhamis. "I've got an idea!" Minako said. "Is it about why you're ingnoring me?" Häggen earned another deathglare and another leaf of bread shove into his mouth. "What is it about?" Asked Radhamis.
"I know how you can make up with Rei." "How?" Minako pointed at one of the tables where the banquet was being served. "They're serving eastern dishes there. Hehehe" Rad cutely tilted her head to the right. "Huh? Does that make Rei happy?" Minako sighed. -.-()
"No Rad, her favorite type of food is an eastern dish called Fugu. She didn't have any breakfast this morning and it's noon already I bet she's really hungry so If you show up in her room with some fugu for her I'm sure she'll forget your lack of tact ^.~ "
" Lack of tact?" Said Radhamis reproachingly. "Rad-chan, you've got the tact of an elephant inside a crystal shop.Now go and get your fugu." Said Minako trying hard not to laugh. Radhamis stuck her tongue out and went to get some fugu.
Luckily Radhamis managed to snag the last serving of fugu after fighting off the bumping and pushing crowd there.
Radhamis rised the plate up in a legend of zelda like manner (A/n:You've got fugu!) and looked at her friends, minako and Häggen were still arguing... well Häggen kept being ingnored by Minako as a matter of fact.
Radhamis sweatdropped and made her way to Rei's chamber....
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rad-chan(the author, notice the -chan ^_^) :Wow, the chapie turned out to be longer than what i had expected, oh well... Ok, I wanted to thank all of you who've left reviews. * Rad-chan gives cookies to the reviewers * Thank you! Hope you keep on reading. ^_^ Arigato-gozaimazu.