Chapter Six

The castle hadn't changed much in the time Hitomi had been gone. Now that the Seeress of the Mystic Moon had returned, the people of Fanelia had faith that their king would live. Many had heard, through the ever-present castle grapevine, that their monarch was dying. The entire population was worried for their young king.

The first to notice the change in the young king were the servants. The maidservants had quite a shock when they entered Van's chambers the following morning. Clarice entered, immediately going to the large windows. She drew the curtains back, bathing the room in the morning sunlight.

She turned and clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. There were two lumps in the bed, where only one should have been. In all her time as King Van's maid, she had never seen another body in his bed. What did this mean?

Blinking her eyes at the sudden light, Hitomi sat up. She rubbed her eyes, looking around. She smiled gently at the young woman. Placing her finger over her lips, she made a hushing gesture to the maid.

Clarice blinked, but nodded. She never thought she'd get to see the Seeress up close. She was indeed a beautiful woman. It was no wonder that King Van fancied her. Bowing, she quickly departed.

Once the woman was gone, Hitomi turned back to the sleeping man beside her. She smiled, her hand caressing his face softly. He looked so peaceful asleep. His face was clear of all worry and fear. Leaning down, she brushed her lips over his. "My sweet angel…"

She never forgot the first time she saw his wings. They were huge and as beautiful as he. Not only that, but he had used them to save her life. He seemed to do that a lot, she noticed. Now it was her turn to take care of him.

Sliding out of bed, she padded over to the desk at the far end of the room. Sitting down at the desk, she rummaged around, trying to find pen and paper. Something fell out of one of the drawers and she frowned. Picking it up, she rolled the piece of parchment in her hand. Opening it, she gazed at the contents.

It appeared to be a piece of legislation. Her eyes perused it, a smile on her face as she realized it was an alliance between Freid and Fanelia. She gazed down at the signatures, her finger running over Chid's small scrawl. Blinking, her finger ran over the second signature.

King Vanarin Fanel of Fanelia.

'Wow. Such a…noble name. I shouldn't be surprised.' Hitomi smiled, turning her head to watch Van as he slept.

Shaking her head, she put the parchment back and began to write on the list of things she would need once more.

Zaibach had changed from when Dilandau had last been there. It was the desolation and despair that hit him the hardest. He'd never really noticed it when he'd been here before, but then, he'd been one in power and had pretty much ignored any and all around him.

Heading up the steep stairs towards the main part of the palace, he noted the destruction of the palace and wondered what had happened. He knew that Van and Hitomi had been here, from Celena's memories. Had just the two of them been able to destroy the Emperor and the palace? It seemed so far fetched…

But he had to admit, that a part of him was not sorry for the destruction of this place. This was where he had suffered, where his mind had been split and they had tortured him. He refused to think of them doing it to Celena; it had all been to him. Consequently, his mind was less than sane at the best of times and this certainly wasn't the best of them.

He felt an enormous weight drop on his shoulders and he shivered. He didn't want this, did he? A part of him longed for the destruction and death that he'd caused not so long ago as the head of the Dragonslayers. But another part just wanted to hide, to hide and stay with Celena, nuzzling into the safety of her warm touch.

He certainly couldn't have both, now could he? Or could he? This place had always been his home, no matter what had happened to him. The doctors were gone; the Emperor was gone. But the people of Zaibach remained, and in need of leadership. Could he provide that to them? Could he make them the great and proud nation that they once had been?

Whatever Dilandau was, he wasn't a quitter. He had longed for a chance to redeem himself, to prove to himself and Celena that he was worthy of her. This was his chance. He still hated Allen and Van, would always hate them with a passion. But perhaps he could show them what he was truly made of as well.

He would prove to himself that he could do it. He would prove to all of them that he could make something of himself, something besides a crazed maniac.

Though being a crazed maniac had its advantages…

Allen sat back in his chair, surveying the council meeting with a bored expression. With Van's return to health, he'd taken to once again governing his land. Hitomi sat on his right while Allen had taken to sitting on his left. Both were usually quiet during these meetings, Hitomi out of respect and Allen out of boredom.

But lately the advisors and the nobles both had started pressuring Van. Allen could certainly see why the young king had been so ill. They never seemed to let up! He looked over at Hitomi and grinned. She would be a steadying influence on Van, though. No matter how aggravating the advisor's became, he was quite sure that she would put them in their place if needed, assuring Van's continued health and sanity.

Hitomi was starting to get a twitch behind her right eye. The advisors were doing it again and it was seriously ticking her off. If they didn't stop with the snide comments about needing an heir to the throne soon, she was going to go ballistic and possibly kill one of them. Van did not need this right now.

Van, of course, had other ideas. He knew what his advisors and nobles were saying was true. He did need an heir. He was the last of the royal line, what with his brother's death. If he didn't produce an heir, then the royal line of Fanelia would cease to exist upon his death. He didn't want that to happen anymore than they did.

But he had a plan for that. Oh yes, he had a very nice plan indeed. He couldn't wait to see the look on Hitomi's face! The time was growing close to his announcement, but he bided his time, waiting for the proper moment.

And the moment finally came. The Lord Chamberlain announced the end of the session and if there was any further business to attend to. Van stood up, much to the surprise of his advisors. He cleared his throat and began.

"Ever since the war ended and Fanelia has attempted to regain the peace it once had, my reign has been tenuous at best. My people yearn for security, a security that I cannot give them alone. It is time for Fanelia to have not only a King, but a Queen."

"Your Majesty!"

"How wonderful!"

"This is truly a day to remember!"

The cries of the various attendants of the meeting almost made Allen fall out of his chair it was so loud. He shook his head and smirked at Van, who winked back at him. "My lords, hear me out please."

The room quieted, though reluctantly. Van cleared his throat and smiled, the light of his happiness shining clearly in his eyes. "I have selected my bride, though she hasn't given me her answer yet. I do hope it will be a yes, since I can't begin to say how much it would pain me for her to refuse me."

Hitomi looked down at her clasped hands, trying not to fidget. He'd chosen a wife already? She had hoped…but it was useless. She would stay long enough for the wedding and then go home, go home to a broken heart.

She was surprised when Van knelt in front of her on one knee, taking her hand in his. "Lady Hitomi of the Mystic Moon, will you grant me the honor of being my chosen bride and Queen?"

Note: Gomen for taking so long to update this. hadn't realized it was so long. I'll try and be good and update much sooner! Hope you enjoy this chapter!