(AN:Thanks to Goddess-Hitomi, Selene Ann Potter, wildkat and Storm-Maker for your comments. I'll try to make the story enjoyable for you all!)

Chapter 3

The weather calmed over night, and by the next morning the sun was beaming down just as hot and muggy as the first day she arrived. Hitomi opened her curtains and French doors onto the balcony only to affronted by the brisk morning air and smell of the salty ocean. The harbour was filled with early morning sailors, some riding the colourful sail boat type ships that Griffin told her where called Zahifs. Boats that the local natives rode as tradition. There were large merchant ships, fishing vessels and leisure crafts floating idly in or out of the large harbour, and she heard the soft clanging of the gong type instrument that signalled to the ships when they were granted entrance by the harbour master.

Hitomi smiled, stretched her arms out to the sky, but stopped halfway through her action. Just as she noticed a carriage moving away from the entrance of the castle to the stables where the other carriages sat, a small knock sounded at her door.

"Come in." She turned away from the strange carriage and to the door.

"Good morning, Princess." Griffin walked in, followed by Josceline who stood at the doorway.

"Good morning." She picked up her night coat from the end of her bed and slipped it over her shoulders, tying it up around her waist to cover the lacy night gown she had on. She wasn't embarrassed to be wearing it in front of Griffin she realized, but around Josceline.

"You have a guest." He sat on her bed, as if the act was proper manners to show in front of a princess. She didn't mind at all, but she wondered briefly what other princesses would think of they're servants acting the way Griffin did.

"Who?" She went and sat over by her makeup counter. She didn't wear makeup herself, but the queen had provided the counter and large mirror along with an assortment of cosmetics for her anyway. She picked up the dainty decorated brush from the counter and ran it quickly through her hair to remove tangles.

"Only a certain King of Fanalia." He smirked as she suddenly froze halfway through setting her brush down.

"What?" She breathed out.

"He just arrived. Him and Merle."

She noticed briefly that he didn't use the title 'Lady' in front of Merle's name as all other seemed to do. Perhaps she wouldn't need them to meet after all.

"I'm not ready!" She stood up suddenly, than plopped right back down again after getting a rather large head rush. "He can't be here now!"

"I suggest you get ready, Your Ladyship... It isn't polite to keep royalty waiting." Josceline's voice cut through the air, his spoke airily, not showing any authority, but still managing to have that air about him of someone with the proper rights.

Griffin looked at him briefly, a strange look on his face before he turned back to her with a smile. "He's right you know. Friend or not, you still shouldn't make him wait."

Hitomi stood up, hardly feeling her legs beneath her as they carried her over to her wardrobe. "But- I don't..- what will I wear?" She pulled out two dressed and held them up to herself absentmindedly.

"I would wear that one, it's pretty and simple. I don't think he would expect you in something elaborate and expensive anyway." Griffin stood and went to her jewellery box which she had set on a small shelf near her makeup stand. He began riffling through it and pulled out a locket that her mom gave her for her 16th birthday. "And wear this, it's pretty."

He grinned happily as she took it from him, raising an eyebrow. "Thanks."

She went behind the paper, changing blind, decorated in ornamental designs, and began to change into the outfit.

"He doesn't know your the princess yet, so we can surprise him."

"She'll surprise him you mean." Hitomi couldn't see them from behind the blind but she could almost picture Josceline's irritation.

"Same thing. We'll be there, so it will be us." Griffin spoke to the older boy as if explaining the concept to a 5 year old. Hitomi change quickly and stepped out from the blind to avoid them getting into a fight.

"There, doesn't that look nice Princess?"

Sure enough, Josceline was glaring furiously at the younger boy, hands resting on his daggers, well Griffin choose to ignore it completely. Hitomi looked down to examine her dress. "Ya, it is pretty isn't it?"

She turned on the spot in a circle, causing the bottom of the dress to swirl around her. It was a creme colour with golden embroidering along the bottom and top. The silver locket added to the affect. She still felt extremely pale compared to most of the inhabitants, but she could already see the effects of the sun from yesterdays walk on her shoulders and arms. She smiled despite herself and went over to her wardrobe again. From one of the bottom drawers, she pulled out a pair of slip on sandals to finish her outfit.

"Come along than." Griffin held out his arm to her and led her from the room with Josceline, as usual, falling behind.

After a long while it seemed of silent walking, they had reached the castle gardens when Griffin came to an abrupt halt. Hitomi gave him a look of surprise, than one of suspicion when the cat boy began to glance around as if seeing the place for the first time. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing... just looking about. It's quite lovely today isn't it?"

"He doesn't know where he's going."

Griffin visibly flinched at Josceline's comment. "I know where I'm going... they just moved around is all."

Josceline rolled his eyes, an action Hitomi thought she would never see from him with as much info she knew about his personality. He stalked past both of them, but still kept within good reach of the pair as he led them down the garden path, than off onto the grass, cutting across the perfectly trimmed lawn to a large white structure.

Griffin had told Hitomi during her tour that the building was constructed for performing music on special occasions and for dancing. He said that as festival times, torches were lit outside the building and traditional dancers performed under colourful canopies for the nobles and their guests.

As they reached it now, Hitomi heard her Grandmother's old voice, and a louder, clearer voice that she recognized instantly. Images of what the cat girl Merle looked like last time filled her head so she could compare the differences upon seeing the younger girl again. Her grin swept away however only to be replaced by a nervous look when a low husky voice joined with the other two.

Griffin passed her a distinct wink, than stepped into view of the company. Josceline had already stepped up behind Hitomi again, and was now gently nudging her forward, another action that surprised her greatly. She nearly stumbled as she went around the corner of the building, but she held herself up. She did, however, bump straight into Griffin's back as she corrected her stance.

"Ah, here she is now." She briefly heard her Grandmother say as she tried to shrink behind Griffin's back, just hoping to fall of the face of Gaea. She didn't want to meet Van now! She pictured this going slightly different in her head.

She was nudged into the open by Yuki's broad head, startling her. She gasped slightly, but felt quite relieved she did not stumble again. She noted quickly that Merle sat on a bench next to Van, who was sitting in a high backed chair before she dropped into a hasty curtsy, letting her hair hide her face.

"Have a seat, dear." She saw her grandmother's hand come up, motioning her to a large amount of cushions on the floor. Griffin had already warned her to get used to sitting on the floor, it was part of their custom.

She knelt into the soft, cushy fabrics, spreading her dress around her as princess-like as she could manage well still hiding her face. She saw Griffin walk past her, as he sat next to Merle on the bench.

"You already know each other, but it's only right you meet again as station should have it."

She looked up than, wanting to see Van's reaction. When she did, she wished she hadn't. Her eyes met with his strong burgundy ones. They looked disinterested, but, as what the Queen said registered into his head, his face changed to a look of curiosity.

"I don't think I've met her before, Lady Lorilae." He smiled at Hitomi, though it looked horribly forced, before he turned back to the queen. "I don't know where I would have met her."

Hitomi felt her throat constict. He didn't know her? Was he lying?

"Oh hush, Van." Her grandmother lightly patted Van hand as it rested on his leg. "She might look a bit different, I wouldn't know, but she is still the same Hitomi I would think."

Her heart pounded.

Everything became silent around them. She felt eyes boring into her. Van was just... staring at her, in unconcealed surprise. She felt light-headed, but than she realized she was holding her breath.

Just as she let her breath out, Merle seemed to come through first. "Hitomi?" She sounded unsure. "But-" She forrowed her brows and passed an irritated look to Griffin which clearly stated 'why didn't you tell me.'

"Hello Merle." It seemed a good idea at the time. But as the words left her mouth, she was furled sideways as a ball of pink slammed into her side. She fell over, thankful for the cushions, and tried to pry the cat girl away from her. She was taller than the last time they met, and slightly heavier. "Your crushing me, Merle!"

The cat girl backed away. "I'm sorry." She looked as if she would start crying. "I can't believe your back!" She hugged her again, though less forcefully. Than she began to bathe Hitomi's face with her sandpaper like tongue.

"That's really gross, Merle." Hitomi laughed despite herself, but passed a pleading look to Griffin who only shrugged. It was obviously he was desperately trying to hold back laughter.

Her eyes automatically drifted over to Van over the top of Merle's pink hair. He was still staring at her, though in a slightly different way. He looked like he was in shock still... but looked happy. Hitomi felt as if a heavy boulder was lifted from her shoulders.

Merle backed away again, just as the queen stood and walked back to the castle without a word. Nobody bowed (except Josceline), and she didn't expect them too. "I can't believe it Hitomi! How are you a princess! Why didn't you tell us!"

"I would have, if I'd known myself." She grinned. "This has been a very interesting week for me."

"I bet..." She whispered in awe. Then, realizing that was still nearly sitting in Hitomi's lap, she back away to sit just on the end of the cushions, a large grin on her face. "I didn't recognize you. You don't look like a boy anymore." Hitomi glared. "I mean..." She reached forward and gave Hitomi's hair a small tug. "You have long girl hair, and your not dressed funny."

"My clothes were never 'boyish' thank you very much." She laughed. The comment about the hair was right though, it had grown longer. It was now past her shoulders, and she liked it like that. Her eyes lingered over to Van again, and when he realized she was watching him, smiled sweetly at her. She felt her ears go hot and her heart race up at the small action.

"Have you seen her weird stuff yet?" Merle's question was directed at Griffin.

He smiled. "She let me poke through her room yesterday." He grinned. "She has lots of neat things."

Hitomi sighed slightly and was about to change the subject when Merle pointed past Hitomi. "And who's that?"

Hitomi turned, only to find Josceline watching them from not too far behind. "That's Josceline. My bodyguard." At the mention of his name, he walked casually over, every inch a trained warrior.

When he was standing just at her side, Merle's eyes widened in shock. "A- You have a Celestial Gate as your personal bodyguard."

Hitomi looked at her in confusion. From her awed tone, she guessed this wasn't normal. "I guess..." She passed a quick look to Josceline, but he seemed fix on staring at something in the garden.

"All members of the Do'Urden family have a Celestial as their bodyguard." Griffin commented.

"Grandmama doesn't." At least she couldn't remember a silent shadow following the Queen everywhere.

"No... she doesn't." Griffin smiled in a very catlike manner. "She doesn't need them. She's connected to the whole chain of 16 here in the country. They protect her."

"The chain of- what?" She stared at him in puzzlement.

"The chain of 16, the 16 famous mages of La Vallex." It was Josceline who answered. Merle visibly jumped as he suddenly spoke.

"Mages?" She blinked. "There are actually Mages living here?"

"Well no, they live elsewhere, but they work for the crown. The queen herself is a mage. Or did she not tell you." Griffin looked thoughtful. "I suppose you could be one too, you just need to be trained. I bet Her Majesty is intending on training you when you soon."

Hitomi felt herself becoming visibly shocked. "I can't be a-"

"Why not, your a seeress, close enough." Griffin shrugged, than laughed. "Let's see how much more you can find out in a week about yourself. This is getting interesting." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and holding his chin.

She ignored him. "Is there medicine for headaches here, 'cause I feel one coming on."

Merle gave Griffin a sly look, before she suddenly sprang to her feet and grabbed onto the unsuspecting cat boy's arm. "Hitomi's getting a headache, we should leave her alone." She gave an all to obvious glance in, the still silent, Van's direction, that proceeded to dragging Griffin away. "I haven't been here in a while, you can show me what's changed."

"But I have to-" He stopped when she glared at him and made another obvious head shake in Van's direction. "Sure I will!" The cat boy smiled cheekily, took her arm like a perfect gentlemen, and led her away through the garden.

Josceline shifted uncomfortably beside Hitomi.

Hitomi watched the pair leave, than turned back to Van, trying to smile normally, but she felt the smile only show nervousness. "Griffin told me he didn't know you."

Van was quiet a moment, just simply watching her, but he blinked suddenly and answered, looking at his lap as he spoke, strong tanned arms crossed over his blue shirt. "He doesn't. I know of him, but I hadn't ever met him until today. Merle's known him for a while."

Hitomi nodded, and looked hesitantly up at Josceline. The guard stood silently, arms still crossed loosely at his waist, hands on her hilt of his daggers. He was still staring off somewhere into the garden. She turned back to Van. "I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner."

Van shook his head and smiled. "It's OK, Hitomi. I knew you weren't able to." He frowned suddenly. "I thought...- he passed a hesitant look at Josceline before speaking. "I thought, when we couldn't talk to each other anymore, that something bad happened."

Hitomi shook her head. "I don't know what happened." She sighed, than whispered. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore."

Van blinked. "Why would you think that?"

Her ears began to burn terribly and she knew she was blushing. "It's just that... your a king... and I thought you would have to be married..." She trailed off, watching him expectantly. For some reason, she wished for an answer.

Van visibly stiffened at the question, passed a tense look at Josceline, than turned back to Hitomi. She felt as if time stopped for those brief minutes. Until Van began to laugh...

She stared in disbelief at him. He was laughing... she had hardly ever heard him laugh. She smiled. "What? Why is that so funny?"

"You don't know do you?" His eyes were twinkling with mischief when he spoke again, getting hold of himself long enough to speak. Another thing that surprised her.

"Know what?" She tensed at the question, but found it hard not to feel happy with Van looking so... so... his age. "What don't I know, Van?" She looked up at Josceline in question. This time, her guards gaze was turned to her.

"His Majesty is-"

"No, no." Laughter was obvious in Van's voice as he held up a hand. He was breathing funny because of his laughing, and his hair fell into his eyes, something that Hitomi found deliciously cute. "Let it be a surprise, if nobodies told her already." He suddenly frowned. "You may not like it though."

"What?" She felt herself becoming extremely nervous. "Your not married are you?" Oh... she hoped that didn't sound as squeaky out loud as it did to her ears.

"No, I'm not." Again, it sounded as though laughter would take over again. "That's not it."

She glared at the king. "Your teasing me."

"Hitomi dear!" She turned around. Her grandmother was standing near the castle, Yuki at her side. "A storm is coming, you better head in."

Hitomi looked at the sky in surprise. It didn't look like it was going to storm. She looked at Van and raised an eyebrow, he too was looking into the sky sceptically. He noticed her looking and smiled. God... he grew up. His hair was still the messy black mop, even more so than the last time she saw him, but his smile was different. Maybe because she hardly saw him smile before. His teeth were perfect against his tan skin. She blushed. He had filled out well to say the least, his white shirt and black light brown pants fit him perfectly.

Knowing all to well what the weather there was capable of, she sighed and stood up, ignoring her blush and embarrassment.. "We should listen to her." Josceline fell into step right behind his charge, but she waited patiently for Van to stand and walk with her. When he did stand, she could see he had grown taller. Not as tall as he brother, Folken, had been, but he still was still around a head and a half taller than herself. She hadn't grown much since she left Gaea.

He followed her quietly, walking at her side with Josceline behind the two as they headed silently back to the castle. Both unsure of what to say to the other. Both afraid to say what they've wanted to say for 4 years.