{W/R} *Sniffle* I'm so touched by all my reviews!! I almost thought that no one cared to read my stuff anymore, cuz I haven't gotten a review in days and then I find good reviews just for me. Prob cuz of a glitch that ff.net was havin that they were talkin about. Mean glitch made me think no one liked my work. Newaiis, I luv u all for being so nice!!!!!

*Big Hug to All Who Reviewed*

SwingQueen29 (Rane292007) ~ Thank you so much for reading my chapters. I really appreciate all you've done and I love reading your emails. J

FelSong ~ Well, at least I know how it works, sort of. Anyway, I meant 25 in total, not 25 more before I update again. I think that was only like 11 more reviews, plus the 14 I had before I posted my fifth chap. Thanxz for reviewing!

Rasmus ~ I'm glad you liked it so much. Keep reviewing!!!

Emerald-random ~ Never thought that it'd be creepy. *Shrugs* Thanxz so much for your review!!!

Loup Garou42 ~ I'm continuing, so no need to do it for me. Lol. Thanxz for the review!!!

*Jumps up and down, energetically* You people make me sooooo happy!!! Please keep reading and reviewing!!!!!!!

Recap: When we got back home, we were covered in dirt and sweat from the road and walking. We were dead tired, falling asleep the second our heads hit our pillows, for me anyway. My days are sure becoming complicated, was my last thought before blissful sleep took me away to another world.

************************Here's The New Chapter****************************************

I woke early the next day for my mind was anxious to get some answers. I snuck out of the palace; all the while, my mind or my conscience, really, was telling me that it was such a bad idea or more of a silly one. I knew where I had to go for my answers and anyone in my place would do the same, in my opinion. I strenuously walked the back through the long path that I had been thinking of chopping off my sore feet, the other day and found that I got to my destination quicker than yesterday without breaking a sweat. It seems a motive behind my actions really urge me on, that or I was just lazy the yesterday. All the same, I got there and my heart down twenty feet below the dusty ground that I stood on.

Before me were a couple scatters of papers and such, and nothing else. Before my eyes was the level and dusty land that had been unoccupied before the carnival came. I groaned in aggravation. This world is working against me, I cried out, silently.

"Looking for something, Milady?" Someone asked, behind me.

I nearly yelped, in surprise if I hadn't turned to find that the voice belonged to that of an elderly man. What in the world is such a man doing in the middle of nowhere, I thought, especially in the sun without an umbrella or something for shade.

"Yes, I was wondering why the carnival here left so quickly." I tentatively asked.

There was something strange going on, it was quite obvious to me and I wanted to find out, along with the other mysteries crowding my life, lately.

"Carnival?" He replied and I nodded.

He gave me a very puzzled look and I blushed, knowing that he was probably thinking that I was crazy.

"Are you sure that you haven't been tricked or something of the kind? There hasn't been anything here, but litter for the last few months, since the Naguth family deserted it. I'm not surprised they did, seeing as that this land is so barren-like."

"I see," I said, drawing out my words, as I thought about his reply.

"What is an affluent girl, like you, going around here anyway with no offence, of course, and why would you like to be in such a place?"

I blushed, realizing that I had forgotten to change into plainer clothing for this trip.

"I'm new to the area and just looking around Athanarel before I leave."

He smiled, pleasantly.

"I hope you enjoy your stay, Lady. I'll be off."

He bowed, quite remarkably well for such an elderly man and I was left alone with my thoughts. It couldn't have been a dream, I told myself. It was too real and vivid, but how can I fight the evidence placed before me? I shook my head lightly and rubbed the goosebumps on my arms away. I set off back home, seeking Rhianna. I found her among my other friends, in deep conversation. They greeted me as they saw me approached and Rhianna tilted her head, as she asked me where I had gone off to so early in the day. I, of course, couldn't truthfully say what had happened in front of so many and replied an inconspicuous remark about getting out for a long walk. The dirt and dust on my clothing backed my story up and I went to change when I realized that fact. Rhianna waited outside my room, as I changed. She knew me quite well and knew that I had been lying. How she knew so, I have no idea.

"So where have you really been to?" She asked, eagerly before I took one step out of my room.

"First, you have to answer a question I have. Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

"Well, of course, my memory isn't so bad. We went riding, you got lost, and then nothing much happened afterward. Are you okay? You said something about feeling dizzy yesterday and left from dinner early."

"I did?"

"Of course, it's not surprising. You seemed a bit distracted after we found you."

What reality am I in now, I thought to myself.

"In that case," I replied, "I have been in the middle of nowhere after losing my sense of reality."

She raised an eyebrow at me and I shrugged. I had too much of a headache to explain, especially since I had no idea what was happening to me myself.

"We must be heading back to our friends, then," Rhianna declared, composing herself from her curious and puzzled expression.

It seemed that her strange intuition or older sister-like qualities had explained to her that I didn't care to elucidate the situation and I would sooner or later. So instead of plopping onto my bed and going to sleep so my mind could absorb everything placed upon me, I headed back to the most probable place that my friends would be with Rhianna, who diverted our conversation quite efficiently to other events and subjects.

The day was a bore and I was like a puppet through most of it. I barely noticed Rhianna trying to cover up for my behavior. My thoughts were on of course the carnival and the "vision" I had. I ate and did everything I normally would do routinely, out of habit. I regretted waking up to the last few days, because of the stress and I know I understood completely what Alaraec always complains about whenever he comes home to visit during breaks from his school. {W/R: The idea of Alaraec at school credit completely goes to FelSong. Much thanks to her.} I could almost swear that someone could have made me sign away my soul and I wouldn't have noticed. {W/R: Kind of like me, in a sense.} The only thing that brought me out of my world was when I bumped into my father when I was walking alone and remembered about the whole Flauvic ordeal. I was surprised to have not thought about him for like hours, which was a lot compared prior to when Rhianna came. I asked him about his plans dealing with Merindar, as casually as I could so I wouldn't disclose my apprehension and inquisitiveness about the subject. He knew me too well and smiled all-knowingly.

"It'll be handled. No need to worry."

If I had been younger, I would have pouted and whined until I would get my answers, which was a rare occurrence, but I didn't.

"Are you not going to give me the tiniest of details?"

My father shook his head, ruefully and patted my head, like he would do when I was younger.

"You are not to be any further into this than you are. Your mother and I are making sure of it."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Your mother is taking you to Leone with her."

"Why only me?"

"Your sister is in Sartor at school, don't you remember?"

"Oh, I keep thinking she's just sealed in a room, decrypting something."

"Now, you should probably start packing. You are leaving tomorrow. Didn't your mother tell you so already?"

"Doesn't matter, I'll be ready by tomorrow. Are you sure you have everything with Flauvic handled?"

"Aren't I supposed to be the parent here?" He teased.

"The way you act with mother sometimes, it makes me wonder."

He smiled, thoughtfully and I scrunched up my nose, fairly certain whom my father was thinking about.

"I'm going to go now, before you say anything that I don't want to know." I said.

He laughed and leaving for his small study, as I headed to my room to do some packing. This time away from Athanarel, I saw it as an escape, rather than my parents sending me away because they thought I was too young to handle this problem with Flauvic. It was an escape from my delusions and Flauvic. In Leone, I would probably forget all about this mysterious man from the vision, as well. The thought of this person sent chills down my spine and my lips tingled. I smiled. Even if it was dream of some kind, it was a very vivid and realistic one.

Not soon after I heard about my pending trip to Raea {W/R: Upon rereading my stuff, I realize that I put Leone as Rhianna's home. Just make believe that Rhianna and her family were in Leone for a trip or something. Sorry for the mistake}, did Rhianna find me and help me go pack. I had a feeling that this gesture was not only to help me, but a way to escape one of the males that had been trying to get her all to himself. I expressed this, nonchalantly, in which she confirmed it, blushing. With Selene's help, I got all packed before dinner, which Selene and Rhianna reminded me was to be a farewell party to mother, Rhianna, Lady Demalmis, and me. Without Rhianna or Selene always helping me, I'm sure to have made a fool of myself a thousand times by now, even though I have been born into this environment and lived in it for all my life, almost.

Rhianna left with great excitement to get ready for the party and in anticipation at going back home the next morning. Selene helped me become all beautified, which I thought was impossible. I slipped on a flattering pale peach gown and matching slippers. She applied all kinds of powders and face paint onto me until I felt nauseous from the flowery scents, in which she finally stopped and turned to work with my hair. Armed with my favorite fan and slipping on my peach gloves, I left my room. Rhianna was beside me not to long later and we walked together toward the grand staircase. Two people were awaiting us. One of them was a close friend of mine, Lord Gavin Bonody, who Rhianna clasped her arm to and the other was another friend, Lord Dorian Repson. Both were dressed gorgeously and both complimented on our gowns. I mouthed a silent thank you to Rhianna for I had forgotten to ask someone to be my escort and she gave a slight nod back to me, before we headed down the stairs.

The night was filled with music, dancing, and eating. I was surprised to see so many at the party, at such short notice. Dancing a lot with friends and talking about trivial things, I felt like I returned back to my typical self, forgetting about the mysterious and obsessions of other days. I laughed and smiled, more easily on this night, Rhianna as well. It was great to finally relax and be able to have fun. Finally, the air inside became stuffy for me and I stepped onto the balcony.

It was a cool night and I breathed it in, closing my eyes. The balcony overlooked one of Athanarel's magnificent gardens. It was illuminated dimly and it looked heavenly. Outside, the music and chatter lowered tremendously, although I was not far from all of it. The troubles of the present came back quickly with a single greeting. It was something that I had sensed and anticipated, so I was not surprised.

"Leaving tomorrow, I hear."

"Yeah," I replied. "I probably won't be back until Mother finds out whose behind Lord Devin's illness and Father gets rid of you."

"You make it sound like I'm a vermin."

I grinned at the implication, as Flauvic stepped out of the corner of the balcony and out of the shadows that had hid him.

"You know that's not what I meant. So, what are you doing here?"

I turned around to face him and leaned back, a little, against the balcony railing. My heart throbbed a little faster, seeing him. His pale hair against the light of inside seemed to make a halo around his head. But he is anything except one, I commented to myself with a silent sigh.

"Always armed with a question," he replied.

"Don't forget the fan, right now." I joked back him. "So what are you doing here?"

I felt a bit concerned about the scandal if anyone found me alone with this man and felt concerned about him being found here at all.

"I can't enjoy some dancing once in awhile."

I lifted an eyebrow in criticism of the idea.

"When you are practically the villain of this world?" I asked, softly.

"Why not," he asked in turn and grasped my right hand, as the music flowed out from inside. "Care to dance?"

I sighed and nodded. We danced in that little space on the balcony. Oddly enough, I was not uncomfortable dancing with him, so much so that I leaned in and rested my head on his shoulder. It was an audacious and out of character thing for me to do, but I did. He didn't pull away, surprisingly. He was warm and smelled of cinnamon. I smiled, wondering if he could change. I, for one, wanted him to, although there was no reason why, especially after all this time. I doubted, particularly, that he would do so for me. Sadly and at last, the song ended and I pulled away from him.

He smiled at me thoughtfully. He wasn't affected by what I felt around him and my heart broke a little, although I knew it was a silly thing for my heart to do. I tilted my head at him, a bit and asked,

"Why are you always so strange?"

"It makes life interesting," He replied softly, before disappearing.

Always leaving me with the questions, I remarked to myself. I breathed out a deep breath and turned back to look at the garden below. It calmed my aching heart and after a few more minutes of quiet, I headed back inside.

{W/R} That was a page longer than usual. I hoped all of you enjoyed reading this. I know everything was a bit rushed and of course, out of character, but I wanted to move it along. Please review now, it gives me inspiration and motivation to write more for all of you. Oh yeah, just so you know, I didn't mean give me 25 more reviews, but enough reviews so that the total that I had was 25. No matter anyways, I updated earlier than that. Go ahead and review, it won't hurt or bite, I promise (unless of course some freak accident occurs as you press the button).