IMPORTANT NOTE: To all my past readers, just want you to know that I've made a lot of MAJOR CHANGES in this story. I've revised the past chapters esp. the first chapter and added some more information regarding my characters. Thus, if you have the time and it won't be too much to ask from you guys, please please please read the past chappies again 'coz they are of great value in the story. Sorry if I haven't updated for quite a while, I've been busy with making revisions and everything. And before I forget, I want to give a lot of thanks to Crystal Night and aradow for all the suggestions and constructive criticisms, your reviews really helped me out. And to others who reviewed my little piece of work, many thanks. You really inspire me to continue and do my best.

Disclaimer: Don't own Escaflowne but wish I did ()

Now on with the story.....

Chapter 7: Fatal Circumstances

Hitomi woke up with the feeling that something or someone was licking and purring on the side of her neck and right arm. When she finally opened her eyes, Merle's happy face popped in front of her making her scream out loud.

"Hitomi!" Merle cried out. "Am I that ugly?"

"I'm sorry. I was just surprised to wake up with you in front of me. I didn't mean to offend you or anything." An apologetic smile was on her lips.

"Oh alright. Time to get up sleepyhead. Today's a wonderful day. Let's not waste it." Merle said cheerfully, getting up on her feet.

"Wait, ah Merle..... About last night, I'm sorry if we started off on the wrong foot. I thought it would be better if we could be friends....." Hitomi hesitated a little, "If that's alright with you, I mean....."

"Of course it is! We're already friends way back before." Merle happily replied, giving her a nudge at her side.

Hitomi squinted at her. "Oh, is that so."

"Yup. Now get up and go to the bathroom and freshen yourself up. The bathroom is that door over there." She pointed at the far-end right side of the room. "While I'll go and bring you some clothes, alright?"

"Oh ok." Hitomi watched as Merle started to the door. "And thanks."

"It's nothing!" Merle looked back after opening the door and left.

Hitomi then pulled herself up and went to the said bathroom to have a refreshing bath.

After a few minutes.....

"Hitomi are you done? Breakfast is ready and Lord Van said he will meet us at the dining hall. Hurry up." Merle shouted near the bathroom door, holding the clothes she brought for Hitomi.

The door slightly opened and Hitomi's head wrapped in a towel peeked out. "I'm almost done."

"Here are your clothes. I think these'll fit you. I picked them up from the dressing room reserved for lady guests that come to Fanelia every so often." Merle said as she handed them to Hitomi.

Hitomi smiled. "Thanks. Just give me a few minutes more." She then closed the door and began to dress up.

"You know what Hitomi, I've missed having you around, even our petty fights," Merle admitted sheepishly. "I remember how I tried to piss you off every chance I got because of the way Lord Van treated you. I was jealous really. I felt like you're taking him away from me.....But now, I've already realized that Lord Van would never love me the way he loves you. And I'm way over my childish crush on him. He was merely like a good brother to me now. I just hope you'll gain your memory back soon so that I'll finally see both of you happy....." Merle had one of her little speeches again, but this time she didn't mind at all if Hitomi didn't want to listen to her. She just felt like saying those things. It made her feel better inside.

"What did you just say? I didn't quite hear....." Hitomi finally went out of the bathroom door.

"Oh, noth----" Merle's words were stuck to her throat when she abruptly turned around and came face-to-face with Hitomi. Her big fluffy eyes widened at the sight of her. "Wo-wow! That dress really fits you well Hitomi! You look great! And I haven't noticed you now wear your hair that long. But nonetheless, you're much much much lovely and pretty that way. Wait till Lord Van sees you!" she exclaimed excitedly.

The dress that Merle gave Hitomi was a long pale green gown made of satin that hugged every curve of her body. It had a beautifully pleated neckline with glittering rhinestone straps and a silk scarf on her neck. Her long hair was loosely braided draped casually over her right shoulder. Her feet adorned with simple white leather-strapped sandals exposing her small toes.

Hitomi blushed profusely. She looked down at her feet in embarrassment. Darn her not-so-good self-esteem. Whenever other people complimented her about her appearance she really got awkward and uncomfortable. This was mainly because in her mind she always thought she was just a plain-looking girl, nothing extraordinary and that those people were just lying or trying to make her feel better about herself; which of course was too far-fetched in the eyes of those who really admire her beauty.

"You're just exaggerating Merle," she blatantly accused.

"I am not! Come on let's go!" Merle gripped her left hand and dragged her to the door all the way to the dining hall while the catgirl blabbered almost about anything.

'I wonder what's taking them so long.....' Van thought to himself while he waited patiently for the two girls to appear in the dining hall. He was sitting lazily in his assigned seat at the head of the long dining table; his right elbow on the armchair and his cheek rested on his fist.

"Lord Van! Sorry if we had you waiting. You see, I had to find Hitomi a dress....."

Merle's delighted tone made Van turned his head in anticipation at the doorway. And he almost tripped in his seat the moment his eyes set on Hitomi, his jaw dropped and his lips agape while he looked at her for what seemed like a long period of time. Slowly he stood up as he remembered he ought to give them the right courtesy.

'Bless you Merle.'

Needless to say, he was completely, utterly and absolutely transfixed and speechless by Hitomi's delicate and enchanting beauty which was accentuated more by the green dress she was wearing that matched her startling forest green orbs and her long braided hair. He couldn't take his eyes away from her even for just a second, afraid that she would vanish into thin air if he did so.

'She's a goddess.'

Hitomi felt her cheeks burned under his gaze. She felt as though she could drown any minute in his enigmatic mahogany eyes if she failed to guard herself. Thus without more ado, she pulled loose from his stare and glanced sideways. 'What's with him? Was it me? Or the dress? It's not as if I came down from heaven.'

"Hello! Anybody! I'm here you knowww!" Merle said, sort of singing the last syllable, just to break the silence between the two creatures in front of her who both seemed to be lost in their own world.

"Good morning Merle, Hitomi. Please have a seat." Van invited, slightly recovering from his trance.

The two ladies reluctantly took the seats offered, and so the meal proceeded, where Merle took it upon herself the task of monopolizing the whole conversation while Van found satisfaction by just staring at the girl on his left (which was none other than Hitomi), not even bothered if he was eating or not; and Hitomi took interest on her food, though she was barely stuffing them to her mouth and merely played with them with her fork.

More then Hitomi was willing to admit, the way Van looked at her with such longing and admiration made her feel greatly complimented and appreciated than anyone ever did. Her low self-esteem was starting and working to build up overtime. 'What's happening to me?'

"Before I forget, Lord Van....." It was then Merle had the full attention of Van and Hitomi who aimed their twin gazes at her. They both waited on what she was about to say. Merle went on with much apprehension. "Hitomi told me last night that she wants to go home to her world..... And that if we could help her to it....."

A deafening silence followed. Even Merle couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Th-that was right. I need to go home....." Hitomi found her voice for the first time.

Van managed to maintain a façade of indifference from the subject; though he felt like a sharp metal blade pierced through his chest at that very moment. His unruly raven locks shadowed his eyes as he spoke, "I'm sorry to leave you both so sudden but I just remembered there are matters I need to attend to at once and discuss with my council." He said quietly, his voice filled with icy coldness as he immediately shoved himself up and left the room barely giving either of the girls a glance as he went.

Merle and Hitomi sat there, both wondering what just happened.

In the confines of the palace's garden Van found himself leaning back against a tree after he departed and ran off from the dining hall in such haste. He needed to escape. He felt as though he couldn't breathe, like if he stayed there much longer he would suffocate and fall apart.

Van ran his hands through his mass of raven hair and across his face. His fears were coming back to haunt him.

No, not this time.

He wouldn't let her go. Not again. He couldn't take the pain and feeling of loss the second time. He promised himself he would make her remember everything about her past, about Gaea, and about them. And he would do just that. He would bring back her memories without her leaving his side. It doesn't matter if he's being selfish by keeping her to himself. He loves her. That's all that matter. And that's all there is to it.

'What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she doesn't love you like you love her and never did even before?' His pessimistic side surfaced for a moment and taunted at him.

'Then I'll make her fall in love with me. Even if it takes forever..... and all my life.....' He vowed to himself.

'I'll make you love me Hitomi, I promise.....'

Van didn't know how long he had been in the garden. With his head bowed in between his knees and eyes fiercely closed, he just sat there hardly making any kind of movement at all like his whole body went numb.

"Lord Van! We've been looking all over for you! What are you doing here? We thought you said you had a meeting with your council....." Merle trailed off when she saw him.....looking broken and desperate.

"Leave me alone Merle," he answered coldly, head still bowed.

"Hitomi wants to speak with you. I think you two have a lot to talk about.....I'll go now," Merle said in a soft voice. She turned her back, and without another word started to walk towards the castle.

It was only then Van lifted his head and met with a pair of saddened emerald eyes.

"Van.....I-I....." Hitomi couldn't make out the words. All of a sudden, all she wanted to do was hug him tight right there and then, and ease the pained look in his face. And it was such a strong urge that she had to clench her fists beside her to keep from taking a step toward him and do what her heart told her so. 'I don't understand.....Why am I feeling this way about him?'

"What Hitomi? You wanted to talk to me to ask me if I could help you go back to your world? Is that it?" Van asked, his voice raw from the emotions raging inside him.

"I-Its not....." Hitomi wasn't able to finish, Van cut her off.

"I'm sorry I can't help you. You will stay here in Fanelia until your memory is retrieved. You cannot go back to your world. I WON'T ALLOW YOU," he said sternly, his face void of any feeling.

Hitomi was taken aback by the audacity of his tone. She was unable to believe he could say those words to her, let alone treat her that way. After all the good things Merle told her about him while they were searching for him; that he was a fine and just ruler of his kingdom, that he was highly respected by his subjects for his humility and fairness to everybody; that he was a thoughtful and kind-hearted brother.

'Those were all but crap! Fabricated stories!' Her tender feelings a while ago were replaced by a building anger and disdain for the man in front of her.

"What right has you to boss me around like that? You don't own me! I'm not one of your servants! I will do as I please because this is my life! Besides who are you to me anyway?" Hitomi was so infuriated; her blazing eyes could kill a hundred men.

A muscle in Van's jaw began to tick; his look was dim and emotionless.

"Maybe this would remind you of WHO I AM in your life!" he said in fury, and his lips seized hers in a ruthless kiss, while his hand gripped the back of her head; a kiss that Van didn't actually plan and was only propelled by the mixture of pain and rage within him.

Hitomi was shocked for a moment, and then struggled to break free. She wouldn't give him this kind of satisfaction. She would rather die than let him had his way.

But the kiss suddenly changed; it became soft, warm and soothing. And to her horror Hitomi was finding it difficult not to give in, her struggle long forgotten. All that were occupying her mind was the wonderful feeling the kiss was giving her.

When the kiss ended, both Van and Hitomi stood there motionless, neither of them wanted to speak. Thoughts and feelings of what just took place between them flooded their minds.

"Hitomi....." Van tried to reach for her arm. But before he could, Hitomi's hand went up and slapped him hard across the face.

Van couldn't do anything but watched as she hurriedly ran away. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Inside the palace

Merle was merrily humming to herself, while she passed the corridors leading to her bedchambers. She had just finished her class of proper decorum without mistakes and without having her teacher snarled at her the rest of the afternoon. "Not a bad day for me," she told herself.

She wondered what had happened to Van and Hitomi after she left them in the garden. Still she hasn't seen either of them anywhere inside the palace. Thus she had made the assumption that they were having a good time with each other and haven't taken notice of the time. 'Good for them. They have a lot of catching up to do,' she thought with a broad smile.

"Lady Merle! The King and Queen of Asturia have just arrived. They wished to speak with the king at once. They said it's of utmost importance." A panic-stricken handmaid approached and informed Merle as she was about to enter her room.

"What? Dryden and Millerna are here?" she asked in surprise.

"Sir Allen, Sir Gaddes and Lady Celena are also with them. Along with Lady Agatha and Lady Aria."

"What? The two brats are also here?" Merle asked again as if she didn't hear it right.

The handmaiden nodded. "Yes, Lady Merle."

"Alright! I'll find Lord Van. Have them ushered in the council chamber. I won't be long."

"As you wish." The handmaiden curtsied and left immediately.

"I wonder what made them come at such short notice....."

"Now everything will begin....."

"Mistress how will the seeress handle the things to come?"

"In her own way Erisha..... I trust her....."

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