Chap 4.
Beautiful. That was a word Allen Schezar used to describe his wonderful sister. And because he had praised her so many times, she had run away from him. It was rather sad. He didn't know what her perception of the conflict was, but it had greatly upset her. Even though it was a few years since the scene, Allen Schezar still remember what had happened.
Life was as peaceful as ever, and Celena was refusing any suitor that came three feet near her. He, Allen Schezar, found it funny. He would silently laugh at the worthless suitors whenever Celena pulled a prank on them. But on the outside, he did not seem please even thought he was well beyond content with his sister.
It all ended when the Basramanian prince stepped foot on their threshold. He was desperate for Celena's hand in marriage, and sunk low enough to drug Allen with a special herb. He gave Allen the herb as a gift, telling him that the herb would make a man more handsome than he really was. The false medicine had immediate effect. Allen, instead of being more charming, suffered from short temper, and it altered his attitude. He forced Celena into this marriage if she didn't agree with it herself. It was lucky that she had enough wit to run away on her own accord.
But even so it didn't help much. She ran to the gates of Zaibach. And there, she met the almighty General Albatou. In his courtesy, she hid his in house as a maid. Unfortunately, he fell in love with her. And after finally admitting his feelings to her, he proposed to her. But Celena, too proud to admit that she loved him as well, refused it. Her rejection had destroyed their friendship and he chased her to the borders of Fanelia, cursing her name. That was when Allen lost track of her. That was when his spies he had sent to look after her when he found out that the herb was false, had been discovered, but mistaken as enemy spies, beheaded. After that, Allen could only pray that his sister was either in the Heavens or that she was living happily and comfortably with someone she could trust.
But that was all a long time ago, a fragment of the past. It was now two years since that had happened. But even though he had gotten over that conflict months ago, Allen had never found the heart to forgive Dilandau Albatou. And he would be getting all his revenge on him in the tournament. Yes, he Allen Schezar, Knight of Caeli, would be sparring for Asturia in a few days. It also meant that he'd be sparring against Dilandau. The last time they had been sparring, Allen had defeated Dilandau narrowly. It wasn't going to happen again, however. This year, Allen would defeat Dilandau juicily and palpably.
Meanwhile, he'd have to put up with Princess Millerna's flirts and winks while lounging on the Crusader, the airship flying to Zaibach. How old was she exactly? Fifteen? Sixteen? He himself was at least twenty-three. She was only a child to him. And anyway, Princess Eries would've had a flip when she found out that he was having an affair with her. The first affair he had caused Eries to throw a tantrum; she had degraded him as a punishment. What would her reaction to this one be?
Flashback
"Are you crazy, Allen? She's engaged to the Duke of Freid! If Father finds out, he'll have your head on a platter!" Eries angrily threw a nearby book at him. Allen winced as another on crashed into the window. Eries clutched her skirt her dress tightly and tried to calm herself as the glass on the window cracked and shattered. Eries, though younger than Marlene Aston by several years, was extremely protective of her sister.
"I don't want anyone to know about this, Schezar," she said in deep breaths. Eries' temper was known to have caused people injuries. He didn't want his face scarred by her cat-like nails. 'The best way to co-operate is to agree.' he thought. Allen nodded to show that he understood.
"From now on," he said. "I will not speak of Marlene, our relationships, and most importantly, the consequences of what had happened. I will serve under her as-,"
"AS WHAT? A COMFORT OBJECT? SHE HAS A RIGHT TO RID OF YOU, SCHEZAR! YOU ARE LUCKY THAT OUR FATHER DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS. From now on, you are no longer in her service. You will serve under Asturia as a Knight of Caeli. At least you won't be meeting her frequently, Schezar." With that, Eries pointed to the door and put a hand to her head. "Leave," she instructed. Allen only did as he was told.
End Flashback
Allen shut his eyes as he turned his back against Princess Millerna. She smiled as he opened his eyes to see her in front of him again.
"Yes, milady? May I help you?" he asked. She giggled. "I only ask for counsel, Sir Allen. We are landing soon, and I'd like to impress my dear friend, Lady Hitomi of Fanelia. What should I wear? I want her to think I am a mature woman, and not some little girl like I was years ago." Allen blinked. Weren't the Lady Hitomi and Millerna the same age? Hold on a sec, if they were the same age, and they were friends, did that mean that the Lady Hitomi was just another girl like Millerna? 'Goddesses,' Allen thought. 'What's to become of me?'
"I advise, milady," he said out loud, "that you should not wear something frilly. Wear something dark and not too many jewelry. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go to my room; I have some paperwork to finish." Millerna blinked. What a great advisor Allen was! He was also charming and handsome. Too bad she already had an eye on General Albatou.
Life was almost too boring for Hitomi Fanel. What was there to do in Zaibach? Her daily schedule was consumed by the same routine everyday; wake up, eat, train, go to the library, eat, stare out the window, talk to Dilandau, avoid Adelphos...Oh, was there anything she could do in this place? It felt like a cage. Day after day, she asked the Strategos or Adelphos (when she didn't feel like avoiding him) if she could go outside or not. The answer was always the same: "No, it is not safe out there." Gods, she was sick of that answer. When will they realize that she wasn't a bird to be kept in a cage?
Finally, on the fifth day of visiting, Hitomi decided to sneak out. She asked Dilandau about this, and he willingly agreed to help her.
"I'll come with you for this one," he said to her in the library. "But I can't come with you all the time. I have to train for the tournament."." Hitomi nodded.
"I myself don't know whether I'd be entering or not. It depends on my brother, Folken. If he wishes not to participate, then Van'll take his place and I'll take Van's."
"If he doesn't participate, then I'm quite looking forward to seeing you on the battle field, losing." Dilandau added. Hitomi punched him lightly in the shoulder and looked out the window. "So," she said. "How am I going to sneak out? Disguise?"
"No. That won't work. There are a few places where you can just slip through in and out of here. Let me show you the most convenient one." They got up and Hitomi silently, but eagerly, followed him. At first, she thought they were going to the back of the Vione, but then, he took an unexpected turn downstairs. They went deeper and deeper into the underground part of Zaibach. Finally, Dilandau stopped at a wall and took out a key from his pocket.
"The place you are about to witness hasn't been checked for ages. Don't scream or cry out." he instructed. Hitomi nodded although she knew it was no use. There was no light underground and she only knew Dilandau was still there by putting a hand on his back to make sure he was still there.
Dilandau, after thinking she understood, opened the wall. It wasn't a wall, as Hitomi suddenly realized. 'It was a door to the...dungeons.' There was light glowing from burning torches in the dungeon. As the past some cells, Hitomi swore she could've heard someone crying or whispering quietly. Frightened, she clutched Dilandau tightly in the arm.
"Don't be scared." he whispered. Hitomi nodded but continued clutching him. Suddenly, she stopped. In a place where there should've been a cell, there was a wall with magnificent carvings. She stared at the carvings. A star...the Mystic Moon...an eye The carvings were detailed, but the symbols on the wall were...strange. She felt like she had seen them somewhere before. But where? As she struggled to keep up with Dilandau, who was pulling her away from the carvings, and to wonder where she had seen the carvings before, the world suddenly became black and she couldn't breathe.
Flash
Fire...Burning houses...a boy...
"Helena! Run!"
"Brother!"
Flash
An old woman...An angry looking man...
"Your daughter is gifted with the sight, don't let her lose it."
"It's a curse! Not a gift!"
Flash
A young woman surrounded by two boys and her husband, looking at a little girl.
"Where did you find her?"
"I found her at the borders of Fanelia, mother. I found her when we went to check the burnt village, father and I."
"She must never find out that we aren't her real parents, Folken."
Flash
A red eyed man, standing behind a brown headed woman.
"You know how much I love you..."
Hitomi opened her eyes. Looking around, she realized she was in the hospital room. Taking calm breaths like the old Priest in Freid had told her to do, she tried to erase the dream she had jus witnessed. She hadn't had a dream like this in at least one and a half years. It was unnerving to have your sanity go bonkers when you knew it was finally normal.
'But was it ever normal?' Hitomi thought. Ever since she could remember, Hitomi had had dreams that chilled her to the bone. No wonder she had always feared the night one way or another. She remembered how much teasing she got from Van for being scared of the night. But the teasing was the reason they were so close to each other.
"You mean you're scared? Come one, you're eight years old. And you're such a big baby." A twelve year-old Van teased his little sister.
"I'm not." An eight year-old Hitomi pouted.
"Baby, baby, baby..."
"I'm not!" Hurt, the little girl ran away from her older brother. She ran and ran until it was nightfall. It was then she suddenly realized she was in the middle of the woods. And surprisingly, the wood was very unfamiliar at night.
Walking cautiously, she tried not to make any noises. Then, she stopped dead in her tracks and turned around. Right behind her, was a land dragon, one of the most vicious of his kind. It grunted.
Hitomi took a step backward, then another step, and another step. The dragon mad a move as to catch a prey. Instinctively, Hitomi turned around and broke into a run. She ran faster than she ever had. Running, running, and running a little more. She kept on running, not even when she ran out of breathe, for she knew that she'd be dragon food if she stopped.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, and angel dived down and grabbed her. It was Van. He had come to rescue her!
"Hitomi, are you okay?" he asked. Hitomi whimpered. "Stupid girl," he said after a while. "You should've known I was only kidding. When we get back home, I swear I will teach you the art of sparring so you can just take out your emotions by doing that, instead of almost becoming dragon chow." Ever since then, the two siblings had become closer to each other. Hitomi grinned at the thought of it.
"What are you grinning about?" a voice from the doorway said. It was Dilandau who had come to check on her.
"You have few things to tell me." Hitomi demanded.
"And you've just lost your chance to get out of here."
"Whatever. I want to know why the carvings on the wall were there."
"Shh. I thought you knew enough not to mention it."
"There's no one here but us."
"The walls have ears here, I swear."
"Right..."
"No seriously."
"Nevermind. How long was I unconscious?"
"About two hours. Already half the Zaibach militia thinks you've fainted because of too much of stress. And that I had found you in the hallway, half dead."
"Oh. So I'm the damsel in distress, and you're my knight in shining amour?"
"Pretty close. At least, that's what they think. The maids will be gossiping by tomorrow. Probably rumors of ou and I having an affair."
"I can't wait to see Adelphos's face when he finds out." Hitomi burst out giggling. Dilandau rolled his eyes.
"Would you like me to egg his bedroom and tell him you did it because you didn't want bad luck?"
"If only I didn't care about my reputation..."
"I knew it. You women are all the same! Always caring about reputation! Even she did!"
"Who?" Hitomi asked curiously.
"No one." Dilandau snapped back. Hitomi pouted.
"There's no need to be angry." she said, temper rising up. Dilandau shook his head and went out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"What's with him?" Hitomi wondered out loud. The door opened again, only to reveal a nurse who had come to check on her.
"Ah, you're awake." she said. "Let me take your pulse..."
Folken yawned. The meeting he had with his councilors about Fanelia's contact with the outside world was the most boring yet. Who cared if Asturia had a bigger economic system? Who cared if Zaibach's industrial cities were larger than Fanelia? 'It's not my problem.' he thought. Putting on one of his emotionless face to hide his boredom, Folken pretended to listen to the talkative advisor beside him.
"I think that it's time for Fanelia to have a queen." the advisor randomly said. This woke Folken up.
"What?" he said in a very un-kingly voice.
"Fanelia has to produce an heir, sir." the advisor said.
"And your suggestion of a queen would be..."
"Princess Lousiana from Basram." the advisor from across the table suggested. "Basram has a lot of oil. Creating a tie with it will make Fanelia larger."
"No, no." an old advisor at the corner of the table said. "The Basramanian princess is a great spender of money. The peasants will rebel."
"Well then, what about her sister, Princess Laria?"
"Too young, you silly man." The old advisor shook his head and looked up at Folken. "There aren't many a choice, but your decision is most important."
"What about Princess Eries?" Folken asked blankly. All at once, the room was full of murmurs and agreements.
"Yes, how could we have overlooked her?"
"Princess Eries, young, beautiful, and smart. She'll make a good queen."
"King Folken has made a very good choice in this matter."
"Very well, then. I will make a proposal to Asturia after the tournament. So unless anyone has anything to add to this, the meeting is dismissed." As they all got out of the meeting room, Folken sighed. He really needed a break from being King. And Eries? What would she say when she found out he was planning to engage her? Oh, the horrors. After all, she only saw him as a brother. Didn't she?
'Now I know what Hitomi felt like.' He thought. Turning to a corner, he bumped into Van, who was walking from the direction of the Library, holding some books.
"The library again, Van? I never knew you were such a big reader. In fact, I would swear the reason you're there is because of the new librarian."
"I don't go flirting to librarians." Van answered shortly. "And she has a name. It's Celena." With that, he walked on. Folken laughed. It was obvious Van had taken more than a liking with the new librarian. Smiling, he decided to visit the gardens.
When he reached it, he walked over to a rather big tree. Looking around to see if anyone was watching, he climbed it when he was sure no one could see him. Thinking about the time he was young, Folken got on to a higher branch. He recalled the time he had first met Eries.
It was her first visit to Fanelia, and thinking that she was just another one of those prissy girls, he had avoided her by hiding in the tree. One day, he had been happily munching apples when she came into view. He threw an apple core at her just to see her reaction. It wasn't pleasant. Knowing that he was in that tree, she had thrown the core right back at him. And it hit him in the face. That was the beginning of their so-called war. Folken would play one prank or another, and Eries would get him back by damaging him with whatever he had done to her. Unfortunately for him, she was always aware of her surroundings, and her paybacks were always painful. Finally, Folken began to have visible scars and bruises. But what was worse was that his sister and brother both liked her. After that, Folken had sighed defeat.
Closing his eyes, he wished he was back to being a mischievous teenager. 'If only fate was a machine...' he thought.
Well, ppl, that was Chapter 4. What do u think of it?
Okay, I need some help here. Should Hitomi enter the tournament or not? Plz tell me what you think in ur reviews. (that is, if u choose to review)
Joshua Glass: well, you've whined for it, and now you've got it.
bandescafreak: thanx and yeah, DXH RULES!
shadows-insanity: I've updated. btw, i like your that name, shadows-insanity...
Chisakami Saiyuki: we all like DxH pairings, don't we?
Sorcerer of Darkness: It depends on how many ppl think she should enter the tournamnent.
Koriina: Is Dilandau still an ass in this story? Hopefully not!
Kimpatsu no Hoseki:I think this chapter is better.
Sakura Shinguji-Albatou: Eighteen of fifteen...it doesn't matter. He's HOT! .:drools:.