Hi there! I was busy and couldn't update until today but this is a lot about Hitomi and Van in this chapter!!! Thanks for all the nice reviews!!! And please, review again!!!

Chapter 7: Fiancée?!

Hitomi didn't turn around to look at the man. She knew who it was but thought she could will him away if she didn't look at him. It was Allen's voice.

She forgot how to breath for a moment, still thinking about what to say but Allen started to talk anyway.

"So, I wonder how you managed to escape. Your father told me you were kidnapped by some rebels."

She knew he was lying. He knew that she went with them, that she didn't want to return to the castle and if he owned a little bit sense, he had figured out that marrying him had been one of the reasons for her to run away.

Poor Allen. He's such a pride man..., she thought ironical.

At the same time, Van was watching the two of them. He couldn't tell why but he felt angry. Who was this guy?! And why did he know Hitomi's name? He listened to every word.

"My dear princess. I think your father will be more than happy to hear that I found his only daughter well and in good condition.", Allen said, looking at Van and adding: "And I don't have to say that I'm more than happy, too. I finally got my fiancée back."

The last words seemed to burn the air around them.

Fiancée?!, Van thought, still trying not to think about why he felt this way. What was it with him?!

He looked at Hitomi and her eyes were screaming: "NO! NO! I'M NOT HIS FIANCE!" But she was still silent, looking at the ground. Then, als if she snapped out of a dream she stared at Allen, smiling brightly.

It was time to tell the truth, no more hiding. She was not going to run away for the rest of her life.

"Who said I agreed to marry you?", she asked, her pale cheeks becoming even paler.

Allen laughed roughly. "Why wouldn't you? Your father already told me you're going to be mine."

"My father no longer decides for me. Don't you understand that I ran away that night more than 6 months ago? Don't you know that I didn't want to come back?"

Van couldn't help but stare at her. An expression of hurt crossed her face as she spoke again.

"Oh, don't try to fool me, Allen. You knew all that or you wouldn't have send people to burn our house in the forest to its grounds. You wouldn't have killed Aki.

I'm not going to go back to Zaibach and I'm not going to get married to you, N-E-V-E-R!"

"Don't play around, little princess. You are still a princess, the only daughter your father has – and he will force you to marry me."

"No one can force me, no one! Not even my father.", she told him.

"You would never be able to leave all you had behind.", he tried one last time, getting more angry with each word she said.

"I ALREADY left that behind that night. I don't WANT to be a princess.", she tried not to shout at him.

Suddenly, Allen grabbed her wrist. "Listen to me, young lady. I don't care what you want. You're going to be my wife and I'm going to be the next emporer of Zaibach, no matter what you say.", he whispered but Van could still hear it.

He didn't know where the words came from but he admitted to himself (finally!!!) that he loved this girl. That strange girl who he met for the second time tonight.

"Don't you ever touch my fiancée again.", he said.

Both, Allen and Hitomi stared at him.

"What did you say?", Allen asked.

"I said: Don't you ever touch my fiancée again.", he repeated politly.

He didn't wait for Allen to answer but took Hitomi's hand in his, walking away with her. She didn't say a word until Allen could not hear them anymore.

"Why did you say that?", she asked, not sure if she should be angry. There was a feeling inside of her that told her this was right. That this was what she wanted. But she was not able to admit that to herself right now.

"Well, he won't talk to you tonight again.", Van said, trying not to smile too brightly. He was still holding her hand, his heart beating fast and he feared she would hear it.

That was true.

"May I ask for this dance?", Van asked and she nodded. She admitted at least that she liked him, she liked being near him because he was different. He was not like every nobleman she had ever met.

As the dance ended, a certain man was standing next to them.

"Van.", the man with almost white hair was smiling down at his younger brother.

"I just heared that you decided to get married, so wouldn't you mind to introduce her to your family before you tell it someone else?"

He wasn't angry, just surprised.

"Of course, Folken, this is Hitomi.", he said and smirked.

It had all started as a game and now they were – at least it seemed so – getting married. Van couldn't remember that he had been happier in his whole life. Then, he looked at Hitomi, afraid of what she would say but there was a smile appearing on her lips as well.

Van sighed in relief, not letting go of her hand as they walked towards his father.

Hitomi was not able to tell what exactly she was feeling. She was not angry nor disappointed. It just felt good, holding his hand and being near him.

As Folken asked them to meet Van's father she had been afraid but Van smiled at her and she feared nothing. No matter what was going to happen , he would protect her.

***

King Goa couldn't help but smile as his two sons came near, the princess of Zaibach, a princess who left her royality behind, at his younger sons side.

It didn't matter to him which girl Van would choose. He wasn't going to be king anyway. That honour belonged to Folken.

So he talked to them for a while. After all, she seemed to be a nice person. The way Folken was looking at her seemed not to bother only Goa but Van, too.

Hitomi was pretty, her green eyes shining. But he knew that this girl was not as simple as every other princess. There was a fire hidden behind her eyes that scared him for a moment but then he thought how stupid he was, worrying about a girl that could not harm him.

Out of the blue, a certain cat-girl ran towards them. She didn't mind everyone staring at her.

"VAN?! I JUST HEARD IT! I KNEW YOU WERE UP TO SOMETHING!!!", she screamed, staring at Hitomi.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"

"Who's that?", Hitomi whispered, for a few seconds forgetting what had happened this evening.

"Oh, that's Merle. Just Merle.", Van said and he didn't have to explain as Merle stared at her again.

"VAN'S GOING TO GET MARRIED!!!"

***

TBC

Did you like this chapter? Please review!!!