Hiya guys! Succorelle here, signing on for the fifth chapter!! (Wow, five chapters, five days! I'm on a roll!) Yeah, this chapter sorta drags. But it's important, so just stick with me! Maybe you'll like it. Kay, thanks!

Broken Dreams: Chapter Five

Sunset Sentiments

At roughly seven o'clock that day, Ishtar found herself wandering the corridors of the castle. She found the quiet halls peaceful, and would have been able to enjoy it if not for the bodyguards trailing her around like hound dogs. She tried to ignore them and focus on the murals around her, but their heavy footsteps were just too much of an intrusion. Finally she wheeled around to tell them to buzz off, she was perfectly safe without them there, thank you very much. She opened her mouth to shout at the guilty faces of Jill and Krai, when hurriedly approaching footsteps turned into the shape of Yuginn. He smiled brightly and said, "Princess! I was just looking for you!"

"Umm... o-kay..." she flustered, surprised at his sudden entrance. "Wha... what do you want?"

In response, Yuginn grasped her wrist and tugged playfully at it. "C'mon," he said enthusiastically. "I want to show you something!"

Filled with curiosity, Ishtar nodded. He smiled, and he led her off at a run. Her guards stared at the retreating figures until they turned a corner.

"What. The. Hell." said Jill "Was that about."

Yuujel led the raven-haired teenager up winding staircases and trapdoors, through hallways and doorways, until they were both thoroughly out of breath and laughing hard enough to cry. Finally, they stopped and collapsed to the floor, giggling helplessly.

"Ah ha ha ha ha! Did you see the faces on my guards when we ran off? Priceless!!" the princess gushed happily. "So, what did you want to show me?"

Yuginn, who was lying on his back and chuckling quietly, pointed towards the ceiling. "See that trapdoor?" She nodded. "Well, that's the tallest spire in the castle. Let's take a look, shall we?" he inquired, getting to his feet.

Ishtar soon found out that the trapdoor didn't actually lead into a tower spire. Rather, it led to a balcony outside the tower.

"Wow..." she breathed, leaning against the railing. She was struck by the beauty of what she saw. The country of Zi Alda stretched out in front of her, reaching past her line of vision. Woods and meadows covered the landscape in a rich green, interspersed by little villages and farms. Large areas were covered with wheaten crops, and everywhere little brooks and rivers meandered to and fro. The sky was painted with lush reds and brilliant, gleaming golds. She stood, looking breathlessly down at it. It was beauty beyond any the princess had seen before.

Behind her, Yuujel came up to her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. She didn't complain. "Do you like it, princess?" he whispered. "It could all be yours, someday."

Looking down at the scenery below her, Ishtar felt a love for the little country growing inside of her. She would enjoy ruling a country like this. She would cultivate it, cherish it, and care for it until it became an Eden. All if she married the prince.

Still, something seemed a little... wrong... with this idea, as if it was something she wasn't supposed to do.

Maybe it's because I don't love him.

She pushed that thought roughly away. When you were part of Phelios' bloodline, love had nothing to do with it. The best you could do is find someone you were happy with.

"Do you mind if I call you Yuginn?" she asked suddenly "I got to know you best as my magic instructor. Yuujel, in my mind, is still the little 13-year-old pig." The prince in question laughed at this, but gave his assent. "If you like, I can still give you magic lessons."

Ishtar nodded at this, her attention once again on the countryside.

He gently leaned over, kissed her neck. "Ishtar, I want you to marry me."

Ishtar felt his lips, felt the warmth of the setting sun. She watched a horse running free through a field, its muscles rippling as its feet pounded the earth. The princess closed her eyes and felt the slight breeze as it brushed against her cheeks. Quietly, she thought,

I could get used to this.

Aaah! Finally! Yeah, sorry how slow this chapter is. But I really had fun writing it!! Now, I hope you'll have as much fun reviewing it!