The Beauty Of It All...

Rain met the brown eyes of the Prince Domon.

"P-Prince Domon..." Rain stammered. He smiled back at her. "W-What are you doing here? Where's Lady Allenby? I thought you and she were-" she stopped when she heard him laughing.

"We were, but all she could talk about was that one man... Orpul was it? Well, she can never stop talking about him. 'Orpul has a very nice nose, the curve is just right. Orpul is so kind, he gave me a tart to eat, even though he already ate half of it.'." Domon said, mimicking Allenby's high voice. Rain laughed, making Domon smile. "So, Lady Rain. How about that horse back ride?" He asked her.

"Hm... Sure." She said smiling, her face beaming. " I would love to." She put her hand onto his outstretched arm, walking out the library to the Royal stables.

Domon helped Rain get onto the horse, a sheer white mare with a brown star on its forehead with a flowing white mane. The mare was gentle, barely fidgeting when Rain got on.

Domon led Rain's horse, and went to mount his horse. The black stallion stood tall, holding his head up high, and stared at Domon. The stallion was jet black and somewhat rebelled against Domon's actions to mount, but once Domon was on, the stallion stood still.

"Are you ready?" Domon asked Rain who nodded. Domon commanded the stallion to gallop with a single word. Rain followed. The galloped over across the bridge, which stood 50 feet above the swells, to the open field behind the castle, where they came to a secluded woody area. Rain looked confusedly over at Domon who smirked.

Domon led Rain to a vast open space, where a lake was. It was a huge lake leading to the castle bridge, with crystal clear water, lily pads strewn throughout the water, small fishes swirled in the waters, batches of various flowers covered most of the earth by the water. Rain couldn't help but stare in awe of the beauty.

"Do you like it?" Domon asked, smiling at her face, his heart, for some odd reason, thumped loudly in his chest. 'It must be cause of the rise here and the water...' Domon thought stubbornly. "It's my most favorite place to stay, this place calms me..." he said, his voice dreamy and soft, as if reminiscing about something in the far past.

"Its a wonderful place... It's so.. peaceful." Rain said, her voice calm, like the lapping water. She got off the mare and gracefully walked to the waters edge, sitting on a rock. She stared into the water at a fish, who stared back at her.

Domon couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked like a water goddess by the lake. He got off the horse and walked to Rain, sitting next to her.

"You like this place?" He asked her, whispering it in her ear.

"I love it... Its beautiful..." She said, giving him a side glance. He noticed her pink cheeks grew more red.

"It is... It's almost..." He stopped himself, his face flashing shades of red.

"Almost as beautiful as what? Prince Domon?" Rain asked him, concerned as he flushed red.

"its nothing..." He said, looking away from Rain into the trees.

Rain's heart felt weighed down. 'Why...? Why do I feel like this? It's not like he was going to say something like it was me... maybe...' Rain thought, sighing heavily.

"What's the matter?" Domon asked her, hearing the sad sigh. "Are you tired? Do you not like it here?" He said, concerned about her.

"No, I'm fine, I was just thinking." she replied. 'why is he so concerned?'

"About?"

"Nothing really."

"Are you sure?" he asked her, his usually hard eyes a soft auburn color. His concern stirred a feeling deep within her, but she was unable to tell what it was.

"Yes, But, I think I must be going." Rain said, getting up. But she was too slow for Domon was on his feet giving her a helping hand up and onto the horse. "Thanks." she said as she sat on her horse. He got onto his easily. They trotted in an uncomfortable silence when Rain spoke up.

"I'll race you back. And I bet you I'll win!" Rain said in a challenging voice. Domon raised his eye brows.

"Fine, I take your challenge. On your Mark..." He said.

"Get set...." Rain replied, getting braced for the horses running.

"GO!" They both yelled, hitching their horse into a run. Rain was ahead by a couple of yards, her horse flying, until she felt her legs slipping. 'Oh no! I'm sitting sidelong!' Rain thought, starting to panic as she tried to pull her leg over.

That, was a big mistake. Rain's left foot that was on the stirrup (A/N: I think that's what you call it!) slipped, causing Rain to fall over the horse onto the right side of the horse. Rain barely managed to get a grip on the saddle. Rain screamed aloud, hanging on for dear life.

Domon rushed onto the scene in an instant. He rushed onto Rain's left side, trying to keep her from falling only to watch her fall to the right side. "Marie!" He yelled as he tried to grab her arm. The looked ahead to see they were starting to cross the bridge. He desperately tried to reach Rain, who was clutching the mare for dear life.

The mare though, had other plans for Rain. Unable to bear the painful weight on her left side, ran diagonally towards the upcoming bridge railing. Rain opened her clamped shut eyes to see the railing coming dangerously close to her.

"help me! Domon!!!" She cried. Domon, who had finally gotten the reins on the horse, pulled the mare to an abrupt stop, causing the horse to rear up high.

"aaahh!!! Rain yelled as she lost her holding onto the saddle. She tumbled onto the railing, hitting her head, and falling over the edge.

Domon looked in horror when the few seconds that it happened, seemed as if an eternity had passed. He heard the guards coming, Rain's scream, and, himself.

"MARIE!!!" He screamed as he leaped onto the rails, ignoring the screams of protests from the guards, and leapt of, trying to reach Rain. He gritted his teeth, reaching out with his arm to grab her lifeless form.

Finally, he grabbed her hand, pulling her close to him, getting ready to protect her from the fall. 'Geez... Please Marie... Don't die...' he thought as he plunged into the raging waters, not coming up for some time. He held Rain strongly in his arms, trying to escape the waters pull. His arms stretched out, trying to pull the two of them to safety. He heard faint shouts from the guards summoning a search team to be gathered.

At long last, he finally grabbed onto a branch that hung down low. His body was freezing with the cold water. His arms were tired and num. He could barely feel Rain anymore... 'Marie?!' He thought as he looked to see his arm empty. "Damn it!" Domon cursed as he saw Rain's body bobbing in the water, head for the falls. "NO!" He screamed again as he once more, swam towards her, his arms pumping heavily. He reached her as they once again, headed down, this time, a vast waterfall. Domon again, hugged Rain close, and for what seemed a whole life time, finally hit the water, blacking out, almost immediately.

~*~*~Palace~*~*~

The head Guard came rushing into the Kings court in a full run.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!" the guard yelled, falling to his knees. The King glared at the guard.

"What is it?!" He bellowed aloud, Prince Kyoji covered his ears.

"Prince Domon! He has fallen into the Crystal River! He jumped to save Lady Marie Louise!" The guard yelled.

"WHAT?! And where all YOU GUARDS?!" The king barked.

"we were at the castle gates your highness! Prince Domon and Lady Marie were heading for the Crystal lake! We thought, they might need... to be.. alone... If you know.. what I mean..." The guard said, blushing red. "We thought not to follow, fearing Prince Domon's wrath!"

"IMBECILES! ALL OF YOU!" The King yelled standing up furiously.

"Father, clam down." Kyoji said, ushering his father back to his seat. Kyoji looked at the trembling Guard. "You! Guard! Get your men together! Find my brother or I'll have your head! Send for Sir George De Sand! He shall help you in finding my brother! Go! NOW!" Kyoji yelled, making the guard break into a run.

Bwahaha! Oh well, I know my chapters are short,
and I know I don't update them a lot sooner... But,
I have to study a bit! STAT testing all this week!!!
Argh! Well, have fun reading everyone! I'll update
A.S.A.P.!!!

Lina