Color, that was all Van's vision was filled with once he entered in the grand room. Gazing left and right he found himself lost in the thrills of magic tricks, the music rich from foreign lands, and the customary beauties who'd toss him a wink occasionally.

Nervously fiddling with his accustomed red-white tunic and beige trousers that he wore daily Van attempted to occupy his mind. The only difference to his usual attire, was the addition of his dull colored, chest-plated, brown-leathered armor which complimented his boots that were of a dark brown color. His slender hand immediately went to the untamable mane that the servants had attempted to control through extreme means. But as usually his dark raven hair had won the battle. As he continued to inspect himself he heard a familiar annoying voice call out to him.

"You could've at least worn something else Van"

"Oh shut up Reeden. What good is dressing up? I look like a chicken" Van retorted.

"Aw, now that's not very mature." Reeden pouted

"You're behaving like a sixteen year old," replied an even older man who went by the name of Gaddes.

Snorting, Van folded his arms across his chest before raising an eyebrow to the two scrawny men who's filthy white togas revealed their low station. Nevertheless, Van was grateful for their company. Company was something he was rarely blessed with during occasions such as these.

Quietly he continued acknowledged both their accusations.

True he didn't bother to pick something new for what now had to be his fifth visit to the Ziabach empire. He saw no reason to.

It's not like she'll notice

He attempted to justify his reasons.

As for Gaddes remark Van simply stated "That's because I am"

Gaddes gave his usual smirk "Very true, very true,"

Reeden just gave a yawn in reply. Gaddes nudged him in the stomach "Hey Getting tired already? It's not even that late"

"No" Reeden stated immediately, "I am bored cause I don't see any good company worth hanging around with."

"You mean you can't attract any good company worth hanging around with" Gaddes mocked.

Reeden's face flushed bright. He attempted to come back with a witty remark, but once he discover there was none he shut his mouth, crossed his arms and 'humph.' Van couldn't help but smile. Reeden's reminded him of Merle whenever she didn't get anything her way.

"Hello my friends." Van's ears perked up at reconization of the old weary timber voice. Turning around he spotted an elderly man way over his 70's approaching.

The massive ten meter-long white tigas that the elder wore indicated his high status. And Van couldn't help but feel small to the great man.

"Hey Dornkirk, how's it going" Reeden's beamed.

"Excuse me?" The bright smile on Reeden's face immediately fell at the cold demur the emperor was displaying. "How dare you address me such, you insolent slave"

Reeden jaw's went slack as Dornkirk continued "I ought have you whipped for the frankness you have just shown"

"Ah…I…Sor…Please" Gaddes and Van smiled at each other, as Dornkirk had managed to turn the 17 year-old into a blubbering fool.

Dornkirk too began to smile, a smile that became a hearty laugh as Reeden's stumbled for a reason not to be punished.

"Reeden, my boy" Dornkirk patted the young man's back "I was only joking"

"Argh.. Why me, my emperor? Why do you always pick on me?"

A wide smile spread across Dornkirk heavily wrinkled face "Because Reeden you are the easiest one to fool."

"That's what you get for being thick in the head" Gaddes said as he pointed diligently at Reeden's small skull.

"Why you" Reeden's turned to take a swing at Gaddes. Fortunately for Gaddes who was taller, all he did was grab the teenager's head and laugh loudly as the boy attempted to reach for him.

"Hey if you actually grow, who knows someday you may actually be able to reach me."

"ARGHHHHH!!!" Reeden's jumped furiously. Van and Dornkirk chuckled as Gaddes was beside himself with laughter.

"Woss... woss...wossssssss"

"AHHHHHHH!"

"Atta!" Van's laughter was immediately silenced as he heard the voice call out. The voice contained such a melodic quality to it that anyone would've admired it's beauty.

Turning around Van came face to face with a girl who was one year his junior. She hadn't changed from the last time he saw her, as she still carried the golden staff with the dragon emblem engraved on it.

"It's her guiding staff, to help her when she walks" Van remembered Dornkirk once say

The skin upon her face was still slightly pale yet contained a little bronze. She had chosen to wear her honey colored hair up, unlike last time. Van noted how little jeweled hair pins she had worn on this occasion. Not surprising, since she never cared much when it came to these meetings. The stola she wore ran down to her ankles and was securely clasped at her shoulder with the finest gold pieces Zaibach could offer. Her attire greatly complemented her hair especially since it was curled. But perhaps the most astonishing thing Van realized was the color of her stola. It was a color that was barely worn by the emperors and empress. It was green, a similar shade to her eyes. And with lips that mirrored a baby rose in bloom to accompany them, she was indeed a sight.

Realizing that he had the attention of all three men, Van coughedandimmediately changed his expression to a cold one. To his frustration, the girl with dis-focused eyes just smirked before facing her 'father' and began talking to him by forming symbols in his hands. Dornkirk replied in the same language, minding the preciseness of the symbols he chose.

"Phspt" Van's attention was drawn to Reeden's ,"What's with that girl? Why is she moving her hands like that?"

"Reeden's" Gaddes voice contained a warning

"What? It's creepy. Nobody in their right mind would speak with thei..."

The girl's distained eyes suddenly rose and attempted to find the source of the voice.

Reeden's's shrugged innocently towards the beauty. "What?"

The girl simply stared slightly to Reeden's right shoulder before she whispered something gently in Dornkirk's ear. Dornkirk responded with a chuckle.

"What?" Reeden's replied now angry that he was being the subject to ridicule. "What did she say? Hell, cross that Who is she?"

"Reeden you much watch your tongue." Dornkirk lectured before facing the 15 year old, "This is my daughter..."

"Hitomi Kanzaki" she finished.

Both Gaddes and Reeden's's mouth's dropped to the floor. "YOUR DAUGHTER"

"No offense Emperor but... aren't you...well..a bit" Gaddes began

"Ancient" Reeden's exclaimed, "I mean look at her, and look at you. She looks at least 13 years old..."

"15..." Hitomi interrupted.

"Yeah… sure my empress?" Reeden replied, "As I was saying. She's 15 and your what? 80."

"77" she interrupted again

"STOP DOING THAT?" Hitomi just smirked to Reeden's's reaction. Van stared shocked.

Did he see a twinkle of mischief behind those eyes

"That must mean you were..." Reeden's paused as he attempted to make the calculations in his head. Van couldn't help but smile as Reeden's's forehead began to breakout in sweat.

"62."

"Arghhh I was getting to it." Reeden's yelled at Hitomi who just blinked.

"Why are you angry with me? I didn't say anything"

Reeden's turned and looked at Gaddes who's arms were folded across his chest as he wore a smug expression.

"Gaddes"

"That's what you get for missing out on Aristotle's classes" he replied calmly.

"I outta!" Reeden's didn't finish as he attacked Gaddes once more, leaving Dornkirk, Hitomi and Van alone as he's eyes fell upon Hitomi.

With horror Dornkirk immediately saw what drew Van's maroon's eyes. There exposed, for the entrie world to see was Hitomi's collarbone that revealed a beautiful, captivating gold dragon tattoo. Whispering softly into Hitomi's ear, Dornkirk subtly rose Hitomi's stola during the process. Hitomi's eye's widen briefly before placing a cool mask before them. Dornkirk then moved back to speaking with Hitomi in that special language the both of them shared.

The hand conversation between the two quickly ended as Hitomi was sent to fetch some drinks once again tapping her staff against the ground ahead of her to make sure no one was in her way.

"Van." Dornkirk replied wearly as both of them watched the disabled beauty disappear into the crowd of bright colored togas and tunicas.

"Yes Emperor."

"I wish to speak to you, but after you have seen Hitomi to her quarters."

Hitomi came back not too shortly after, a smile seen on her face as always. Her smile faded for a second as she realized it was silent. Dornkirk immediately smiled as he replied "Hitomi it's alright" Hitomi responded back with a smile. She handed him his drink before standing somewhat expectedly.

"Van will walk you to your quarters," he explained.

Hitomi's eyes seemed to widen like saucers and for the first time in their... complicated relationship, Van saw Hitomi blush. However as most things in life it quickly ended as she shot her chin forward, straighten her posture and pushed past him, leaving Van to follow. Turning back Van saw Dornkirk give him a knowing glance before walking into the crowds.

Meanwhile Van couldn't help but ponder about the enstranged tattoo on Hitomi's collarbone.

She is indeed a mystery.

She is also pig-headed

And she's your wife another voice couldn't help but add.