By:Tequ!ni
A/N: Wow, you really still there? Thanks for sticking with this fic.
As it says in my bio, I'm taking my finals this year in April and June, so I'll probably not be updating till ummm…July? Maybe a teeny weeny cappy in May, but only if I haven't THAT much stress (fat chance for that one huh?).
Well anyways…enjoy the new capter, you've been waiting long enough.
Chapter11: I could offer you a warm embrace, to make you feel my love
We better get you something to eat. Yesterday I saw you playing around with your food without eating any of it." "Food! Oh, great let's go!" With that she grabbed Van's arm and dragged the startled King out of her room heading straight for the dining hall.
Millerna and Merle were already enjoying their breakfast when Van and Hitomi strolled into the royal dining hall hand in hand. Both were grinning madly and had Hitomi's face had the colour of a ripe tomato.
On their way to the big hall, Van had had Hitomi up against a wall several times and kissed the living daylights out of her.
Merle giggled knowingly, "Oh, Lord Vahaaan!" He instantly sported a facial expression similar to a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. She picked on him, "Whatever did you do to Hitomi to make her look like she was chased around the whole castle?"
Van pulled his hands away from Hitomi and put them in the pockets of his trousers trying to look all strict and royal. He was embarrassed to see that some of the maids in the far corner of the room were starting to giggle like mad.
He could handle to seduce Hitomi, but was far too unsure of his looks concerning other females.
Millerna thought, 'Uh oh, there we go: The "Emperor-Mode". Better cheer him up a bit.'
"You know what?" She said while he and Hitomi sat down on their respective places beside each other. "Dryden sent a messenger. He wants me to come back today. The festivities will start tomorrow."
Van smiled at her while helping himself to an apple and some grapes, "Great."
Millerna nodded, "The levi ship should arrive in about an hour or so. I've already asked some maids to help me and pack everything. The messenger also sent this formal invitation for you." She said while handing him an envelope with the beautiful Asturian crest on it.
Van took it and after reading it, nodded approvingly, "I'd be honoured to attend your ball."
Shaking her head in utter disbelief she said, "Now, drop this emperor voice. You're one of my best friends and the only member of a royal family that I really can talk to without having to watch my manners."
"And Hitomi?" Millerna waved her hand in front of Hitomi's face who had, quite some time now, been staring down at her empty plate. Still a bit dumb-folded from Van's assaults, she looked dreamily towards Millerna, only to notice everybody grinning at her. 'Huh, did I miss something? Better stop daydreaming now.'
Millerna continued, "I've been meaning to ask you, if you'd like to accompany me to Asturia. I could show you around the city and tell you everything about the royals attending my ball, so you will not be completely clueless."
Hitomi smiled, "If it's only for one day until everybody gets together again. Sure, I'd like that." She looked at Van, who had a neutral expression on his face. "Or…not?" She asked.
Van shrugged, "Sure, go. I've got nothing against it. I'd have no time for you today anyways…at least, I guess so. I don't know what my advisors have in store for me today."
Merle laughed, "Allrighty, then it's settled." Millerna nodded, "Oh, I almost forgot. Merle will be coming too." The cat woman kept a neutral expression on her face and merely extended her sharp claws for Millerna to see. Everybody sweatdropped while Merle nibbled away on some banana-like fruit.
After breakfast, Hitomi and one of the maids walked up to her room to pack her few belongings. Hitomi hit her head with her hand while folding one of the more casual dresses, "Oh no! I almost forgot." She put the dress on her bed, "Will you be okay without me for a few minutes Else?" She asked the young maid. The girl smiled, "Sure Lady Hitomi." Hitomi blushed, "You don't have to call me Milady. I'm younger than you even." Elsa shook her head, "His highness had everybody instructed that you be treated as royalty."
Hitomi scratched the back of her neck, "Oh god..."'Van, why did you do this?'
She didn't know what to say, so she started to inch out of the room, "Okay then…be back in a minute." She only heard a faint "Yes Milady" before she closed the door behind herself.
'Oh no…I don't want them to call me Milady or Lady Hitomi. I'm not even royalty.' She kept thinking this while guessing her way through the castle towards the seamstresses.
"Thank god I found it without difficulties." She exclaimed while knocking on the door.
Hitomi let herself in and was welcomed by everybody, "Good day Milady!" "Oh, hello Milady." "Good morning Milady Hitomi!"
'Maybem I'll get used to it…' Hitomi thought, trying to ignore the formal addresses.
After a few minutes she left the room with two beautiful dresses wrapped in some silken fabric that she had insisted on carrying herself.
After avoiding direct contact with Millerna by sprinting up the big staircase, ("Hitomi! You coming? The ship's here!) she had the maid –after insisting to carry some herself- help her carry down her bags.
On the bottom of the staircase, Van run into them, "Oh, there you are. I've been meaning to help you. Give me this." He said while prying the bag out of Hitomis grasp. "Hey! I'm not THAT weak, you know?"
Van grinned, "Of course you are not." Hitomi slapped him playfully and trotted beside him, pretending to sulk.
When they arrived at the landing space, Van and the maid handed the bags to some Asturian "sailor" who brought them onboard.
'This ship is much smaller than the Crusado (spelling?). But still VERY impressing!' Hitomi thought while the ship was prepared for take off.
Millerna said to Hitomi, "Well, come on and say good bye already you two. After all it's only till tomorrow evening. You'll see each other again in no time. See you tomorrow Van"
Hitomi blushed and Van stuttered, "Erm…yeah. Well, bye then Millerna." While glancing at Merle, who was waving furiously at Van while walking up the gangway beside Millerna.
Van considered his options. 'Ah, what the heck…' He grabbed Hitomi and pulled her towards himself. He stopped a mere centimetre before his lips touched hers and looked at her facial expression.
'Angelic and innocent, 'he thought. Hitomi looked into his eyes and saw longing and passion-directed towards her. That thought made the pit of her stomach grow warm and she became happy instantly. A little smile started to form on her full lips and this moment Van used to press his mouth against hers in a sweet declaration of love, meant only for her.
Later, when she stood leaning against the railing of the levi ship, Hitomi decided that what had happened before she came back to Gaea didn't matter. She was sure that Van only loved her and nothing could change this.
It took the ship about three hours to get to Asturia and a few more minutes to reach the palace. The whole time, Hitomi had spent her time on the observation deck, staring out of the windows at the beautiful world around her. When Millerna appeared beside her while passing the first houses of the Asturian country, she noticed how proud the young Queen was. "You know," she started to tell Hitomi. "Dryden has really helped to make a change. Even the poorest inhabitants of my country are able now to make their own living and be productive individuals of our society."
Hitomi nodded and listened. "He loaned them money and told people which businesses were still needed and brought a decent wage. I'm proud to call him my husband and King now, "she sighed. "Do you remember when he told me that he'd try to prove that he was worthy of me?"
Hitomi nodded, "How could I forget. It was the day I ruined your wedding." Millerna shook her head violently, "Don't you start that again. You know well enough that it was NOT your fault, and that's that. Anyways…In my eyes, he's fulfilled this promise." Hitomi smiled at her and said, "I'm glad that you're happy Millerna. I'm glad for Dryden."
This moment the captain, a quite hansom man about the age of 25 with chocolate brown hair, spoke up from the other side of the room, "Your Highness, we've arrived. Looks as if your husband and the "Knight from the Cell" are there to greet you.
Millerna shook her head, "Ruben, it's "Kight Caeli" and you know it. Quit this stupid insulting thing you've got running with him already." Turning to Hitomi, she explained, "That's Ruben, one of Allen's old friends. They've known each other since they were..uh…I'don't know since they were three?"
Hitomis face brightened, "Allen is here?" Millerna nodded, "Go and greet him, I think the gangway is ready now." Hitomi wasted no time in rushing out of the ship and looking around her in search of a mop of golden hair. That's when she saw him talking to some servants who were busy fastening the ship to the ground more securely.
He had changed a lot, as far as Hitomi could tell. Allen had abandoned his puffy sleeves and aquamarine coat and instead wore a dark blue coat with numerous pockets and belts made out of leather. His long blonde hair didn't look as shiny as before and was now in a sloppy ponytail. Nevertheless he looked VERY handsome and the new outfit gave him some sort of 'edge'.
Hitomi thought, 'Too bad that he's not my type anymore.' She noticed one of the servants pointing in her direction and Allen fixed her with his gaze. He looked at her for some seconds until a huge grin formed on his face, "Hitomiiiiii!"
tbc…
Well, this was it.
As always, please review. I really appreciate all the constructive criticism (as well as the encouragement) I got so far.
And if you think that I should be hunted down and burned on the stake for writing this story, feel free to send in flames. They will gladly be used to warm up my cold bedroom.
Tequ!ni