Chapter 10

"She is very curious, we have to watch for that." Corilith sat at the window seat in the large room, a ball of shiny string laying in her lap as she twisted and tied together a complication of knots with the substance, creating something like a spiders web that stretched out in her hands. She looked up at the Queen as the older women took a spot by the unlit fire hearth, idly scratching her large feline pet behind the ears. Corilith felt a sudden surge of adoration towards the old women and felt a small sad smile come to her face. The old women was dying, she knew it, everyone else knew it... but Corilith would miss her greatly.

"I was like that when I was young." The old women scanned the room, eyeing maps of the land and portraits of rulers before her years and years prior. "But... she will make an excellent Queen."

"The meeting went well, I see." Corilith corked an eyebrow.

"Very well. She handled herself with dignity and grace just as I expected." She chuckled. "She was quite surprised to find that there were women on the council."

"Did it bother her?"

"On the Mystic Moon, she tells me things are good for both sexes... so no, it didn't bother her in the least." She sighed, her age suddenly showing as wrinkled lined her face. "She's far too curious towards the Maiore."

Corilith nodded. "As she should be... she is young, and curious towards things she doesn't understand." She gently put the project she was working on down in her lap. "She can read the writing on it... did Shiro teach her?"

Hitomi's mother looked up in surprise. "I don't believe so."

Corilith smiled. "She has the gift, just as you predicted than. The ability to adapt quickly..." She trailed off. "She will be very powerful."

"And you will follow her, won't you?" Lorilae watched her friend closely.

She smiled. "Of course, Your Majesty."

"Good... she will need the help. Josceline isn't enough on his own, not matter how powerful he is himself."

Corilith scrunched up her nose. "Using a Celestial for a future queen..."

"I trust Josceline... I wanted him specifically. He needs her as much as she needs his protection" She shrugged her shoulders tiredly. "Besides, when she is crowned, you will be around for her as well."

"Your Majesty, you know the Celestial Gates were and still are formed to protect the Scryes... the male scryes..."

Lorilae waved a hand, as if shooing away the idea. "They've adapted to the times, Corilith, dear. Josceline is fine."

The younger mage sighed, giving in, and picked up her work again. "She can't figure out what's in that tomb."

"No... she can't." Yuki raised her head as the queen gently rested her hand on her soft back.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Van found Hitomi in her room later that day. He had avoided her that long only because Merle had urged him that she needed time alone. And now she was alone, sitting on her large bed, knees pulled up to her chin, flipping idly through a strange looking book. Her bodyguard was nowhere to be seen.

He knocked at the open door before shyly entering. She smiled at him, so he took that as permission to enter in further.

Her room was filled with tons of strange things. Posters of people and landscapes he'd never seen before adorned her walls besides the Draconians panted on the ceiling. On one short wardrobe she had placed a large black box made of a strange material, and books all in a glossy sort of covering.

As he got closer, he found her looking through a book filled with images some how placed into this book. They weren't painted and he looked at them in interest as he carefully sat at the edge of the bed, not too close to Hitomi. He didn't know what mood she was in.

"I'm sorry, about earlier." She smiled at him, and he visibly relaxed.

"It's fine..." He trailed off, his look turning to one of worry. "You looked... sort of scared, or worried about something in the garden."

Hitomi watched him, wondering if she should tell him. To stall time, she closed her photo album, and placed it carefully on the small table next to the head of the bed. She looked back up at him slowly. Gods... she didn't want to tell him. She couldn't. He might not understand... or worry. She didn't want either. "I'm just worried about getting more visions or something... if I learn more magic."

"Have you..." He hesitated, looking at the ground nervously. "Have you had any visions since coming here?"

Now was the time to lye. "No." She forced a smile, luckily he was looking away and didn't see it. She doubted he would be fooled by it. "I haven't had one for a long time."

He smiled at her and moved forward. In one swift movement, he had scooped her forward and held her in his lap, brushing his fingers through her hair. Hitomi closed her eyes and leaned into him, enjoying the feeling immensely. The pain she felt from the night before was fading, and she found herself wanting to be with him again.

"Your Mystic Moon friends are worried about you."

"I'll see them at dinner." She sat up, and placed a small kiss on Van's lips, than pulled away to look into his face. "I just want to be with you right now."

"Alright..."

She moved to lay down on the bed, and he came beside her, holding her against his chest as they lay on top of the covers, Hitomi placing her head under his chin, placing a small kiss on his collarbone as she listened to his steady heartbeat. All thoughts of the dream she had disappearing as she closed her eyes and was swept away in his embrace.

ooooooooooooooooo

"Hi Josceline." The guard jumped slightly, and turned around from his perch on the large tree branch. He could see a good portion of the hill residents and farms on the higher portion of the capital from that view point. His house was one of the large estates nestled in amongst them and the trees.

He stared at the platinum blonde standing below him. She was looking up at him with a smile, hand over her brow to shield her blue eyes from the sun pelting down. She had actually snuck up on him, something that was rarely done. He also realized that the last time he spoke with this girl he had been drunk... and lets just say he couldn't remember much of that night.

"Lady Selena." He climbed down quickly, jumping from a certain height to land gracefully on his feet. She stepped back as he straightened and dusted some bark off of his clothes.

"I didn't mean to bother you or anything." Her smile turned shy as she watched him, but her eyes held mischief. He briefly remembered her telling him that she was one of Queen Millerna's guards, much to her older brother, Allen's distaste. The knight had refused to let his little sister doing anything of the sort, but Dryden had insisted, and Allen had lost in the end.

"Your not a bother." He answered automatically, his years of training kicking in. There was a certain way his kind was suppose to speak with women. The only time he didn't do so was with Hitomi. But Hitomi wasn't from Gaea.

"Mm... perfect gentlemen." She suddenly grinned, and Josceline felt a knot grow in his stomach. "You were acting different the other night."

He opened his mouth to protest, but closed it right away. What exactly had he told her the other night? "I wasn't..." He struggled for the right words. "Myself."

"But they say people tell the truth when they're drunk." Oh yes... she was teasing him now. She placed a delicate finger to her lips as if in puzzlement. Damn her...

He narrowed his eyes. "So what?" He had dropped his gentlemen act right away, using the same tone he used with the heir to the throne.

"So... I just wanted to ask if you wanted to do something sometime? When you don't have to watch Hitomi."

He blinked at her in surprise. "I don't see women."

"You see men than?" She smirked.

He felt himself blushing. "No... I'm not allowed to see anyone."

"Doesn't mean you can't bend the rules a little." She walked closer to him, but he quickly took a step away. "Unless... you want people to know your secrets..."

He wasn't even sure what secrets she was talking about. For all he knew, she was bluffing, and he told her so.

"You think that..." She turned to walk away, but Josceline suddenly grabbed her arm, holding her in place. She looked back at him with a grin.

Josceline looked down as his hand, clasped lightly onto her arm, her fair skin against his tanned, he blushed and released her immediately. He frowned, than sighed in defeat. "What do you have in mind."

"Next time you get away from Hitomi, come looking for me... I'll figure it out than." Than with another grin, she turned again and left him.

He stared after her for what felt like hours before he finally blinked. What on Gaea did she just do?

"Josceline? Hey, you alive in there?" He turned sharply to his side, only to stumbled back slightly. Griffin was standing there with the cat girl, Merle at his side, both were watching him with curiosity that only their kind could perfect, Griffin with a hand out stretched after he poked Josceline sharply in the arm.

"What?" He sighed in irritation and ran a hand through his hair. This wasn't turning out to be a good day. Three people had already managed to sneak up on him.

Griffin turned to Merle with a grin. "Hangover."

"I don't have a hangover." It was true. He didn't have one just then, but his head felt like it would split open earlier that morning. He was just glad that Hitomi had decided to go up to her room after he found her in the courtyard.

"Where's Hitomi?" Merle asked, looking around as if expecting her to pop up.

"With the king... probably." Josceline passed a look towards the castle, up towards the large balcony that connected to Hitomi's room and his own. That was the other reason he choose this tree to climb, he could still keep an eye on Hitomi when she was in her room. The curtains were drawn at the moment, but he knew she was still in there.

"Ah... right." Merle grinned. "You must be happy you don't have to follow her when she's with Van."

Josceline shrugged. To tell the truth, he was starting to enjoy the heir's company.

"Anyway..." Griffin cut in, passing Merle a look that distinctly held a certain amount of jealously. Josceline was very good looking. He had known several maids and women in the castle to fall for the silent guard, he didn't even want to risk loosing Merle to his charm as well. "I came to ask your opinion on something."

"What?" Josceline crossed his arms over his chest and watched the cat boy carefully.

"Do you think that Hitomi's the one?" His question was careful, and he never took his eyes away from the Celestial's face.

Josceline was silent for a moment, than shook his head. "You were scaring her, this morning."

Griffin blinked. "I was?"

"You can't just go shooting your mouth off because of a bedtime story you were told as a child."

Griffin huffed and glared at the Celestial. "I know you believe the stories to." Josceline didn't say anything. Griffin sighed. "Well... I have ways of finding out."

"Safe ones?" Merle asked, glaring up at the cat boy. "You can't do anything that would hurt Hitomi."

"They are safe!" He looked undignified. "What do you think I am?" He passed a grin to Josceline. "Will you help me?"

"Dangerous or not, you know I can't."

"Why?" Merle asked, curious.

Josceline sighed and passed another look to the balcony of Hitomi's room. "It would look to suspicious... The Celestial Gates are on thin ice already."

"But if you prove that she is the one, than you'll be back in good graces again." Griffin pointed out with a grin.

Josceline shook his head and walked past the two cat people. "I won't help you. And you have no idea what your getting yourself into."

"Well, help and I will know." Griffin turned and watched him walk back to the castle. "You have to go where she does anyway!" He called after him, but Josceline ignored him and entered into the castle through a pair of French doors, nodding to two of the guards standing at the door. Both men bowed to him with respect as he passed.

oooooooooooooooo

Hitomi sat down to eat with her family and friends later that night. Her grandmother had another meeting to attend to so they waited till she arrived at the short table to start dining. (Luckily Hitomi didn't have to attend that meeting as well). She took her spot near the head of the table, Van sitting next to her on the comfy pillow spread around the room. Hitomi placed her hands on the small table in front of her and examined her nails, trying not to meet the worried gazes she was getting from her friends. She hadn't spoken to them since she ran away earlier that day.

Her grandmother entered with a certain style as always, parading into the room with her son Shiro, and Yuki, taking her seat quickly at the head of the table. She did not speak until she sat down, unlike her son who went straight to his wife and shared a quick greeting.

When she was settled, she motioned towards a young maid to bring them their food, no apology for being late or even an acknowledgement towards the fact. She didn't need to give one, and she knew it too.

After everyone had eaten their first portion of the meal and had some small conversations between bites (Josceline was just brought a glass of the rich fruit juice that everyone was drinking which he sipped idly well standing guard behind Hitomi against the wall. Hitomi wondered when he ever had time to eat), Lorilae coughed, calling for attention. They all fell silent at once, eyeing her curiously.

She laid a hand on her granddaughters hand and smiled gently in her direction. "It has come to my attention that nobodies told you something very important." She sighed slightly as if in irritation. "I didn't think I would need to tell you, thinking that surely someone would..." She passed a significant glance in Griffin's direction. "It has to do with your betrothal."

Hitomi actually jumped so horribly that she spilled her juice all over the table. Her mom moved forward with her napkin to clean up the spill but a maid had already hurried forward to mop it up, surprising her greatly. Hitomi only stared in shock at her grandmother.

"My- my what?" She managed to get out. Everyone was staring at her, Yukari looked absolutely horrified for her friend.

"Your betrothal." She shook her head. "Close your mouth girl, it's not the end of the world."

Hitomi did close her mouth, only to open it again, her voice shaking with anger. "I'm betrothed? To who!" She ignored the sudden touch that Van's gave her hand under the table, she didn't want to look at him. She was going to loose him, and it would be her grandmother's fault.

Her grandmother ignored her tone of outrage, adjusting herself on her pillows.

"Hitomi can't choose who she wants to marry?" Mrs. Kanzaki's quiet voice suddenly broke the unsure silence of the room. She was watching Hitomi was great sadness on her face, than passed a look to her husband who was patting her hand gently.

"If you let me tell you who it is..." She shot a look at Hitomi who was beginning to rise from the floor, her fists clenched at her sides.

She wasn't going to listen to her grandmother. She did, however, listen when Van's hand suddenly clasped gently around her wrist. She looked at him in shock... only to find him smiling. Sitting, completely mystified, she didn't move again, only stared at Van. Wasn't he upset... angry, like she was?

"As for choosing, I'd say she already has." She looked over at her grandmother again, who was watching her with mischief in her eyes, the lines around her eyes becoming more prominent.

"What..." Hitomi stopped, unsure.

"You are, and always have been, betrothed to the King of Fanalia." She motioned with one hand towards Van, who was suddenly holding Hitomi's hand in his.

"What!" She turned to look at him quickly. That would explain the smile. "How can I..." She stopped, and suddenly sent Van a furious glare. "You knew all along!"

He nodded, though rather carefully. She was in a very touchy mood at the moment, and he didn't want her blowing up at him right than. Though he knew, if she didn't do it now, she would do later. Hopefully when they weren't in the company of family and friends.

"Don't fight with him, dear." She turned back to her grandmother, the glare still on her face. "You know now, and that's all that matters."

Hitomi suddenly felt very sick. "I think I need to... go lye down... or something." With a hand to her temple she stood, shaking slightly, then, without another word, left the room. Josceline went to follow, but instead Van stood up, causing the guard to stay in his spot, unsure. But after a curt nod from the king, Josceline took his position back against the wall.

Selena passed him a distinctly sly grin when her brother's back was turned, which he tried to ignore. Everyone erupted into conversation about the betrothal at once.

ooooooooooooooooo

Hitomi ran to her room and promptly, after slamming the door, threw herself on her bed. A short while after that, when Hitomi had relaxed and remained face first in the pillows, a quiet, unsure knock sounded at the door.

Knowing who it would be, Hitomi turned so her face was uncovered and called for the person to enter. Van walked in, just as she expected, closing the door slowly behind him as he kept his gaze on her face. The sky was beginning to darken, giving the room a hazy sort of feel. Candles would be needed soon.

"Are you upset about it?" His voice was quiet, unsure, as he walked over to the bed. He did not sit down next to her, only went to the end of the bed, watching her as he placed a hand on the bedpost.

She sat up, gave a loud sigh, and hugged the pillow to her chest. "No..." He frowned, "It's just the principle of it!" She slammed the pillow into her lap and glared at nothing in particular. "What if it wasn't you I was engaged to? What if it was some person I've never met before who was old and wrinkly and perverted."

Van chuckled despite everything, and earned himself a glare from Hitomi. "But it's me... so you should be happy, I'd think."

"I am happy... sort of. But I figured we would be together anyway, so this doesn't really matter." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, than turned and glared at him again. "And you kept it secret! You knew all along, and when I asked you if you were engaged you said you weren't! You could have said something along the lines of 'yes, I am, to you actually.'"

"I wanted it to be a surprise." He gave her a stubborn look, his eyes set as he watched her fuss.

"Oh yes, Van. Just wait until my grandmother announces it in front of everyone over dinner."

"I'll ask you properly, when I have a ring."

She suddenly blushed and looked away. The look on his face was serious as he defended himself. She sighed, all anger leaving her, than look back at him, a smile on her face. "Your right, I should be happy." She crawled over the bed, getting closer to him hugging him around the middle, as he was still standing.

Smiling, he lent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm not old and wrinkly and perverted am I?" He asked playfully, running a hand through his hair.

"Your annoying as hell though." She pushed him away, but her face shone with laughter. "If you pull another stunt like that again..." She thought for a threat, than grinned evilly. "No bed play."

His face instantly fell, and he glared as she sat back, crossing her arms over her chest, her smile full of laughter and triumph. "You can't do that."

"Oh... Can't I?"

He sat down on his knees at the edge of the bed, a small pout on his face. "No... it isn't fair."

"Than don't do anything so stupid again." She unfolded herself from her sitting position and crawled forward, kissing him slowly, to which he happily returned.

ooooooooooooooooo

AN:

woohoo...10th chapter...yeah me.

All right, more character and plot developement. yes...I am on a roll now. But this chapter is very poorly writen, I know, forgive me!

Comment please!