Hi, This is my nexh chapter, and it was very hard to write. Let me tell you that nobles are just way to difficult, and making a war isn't easy
either. Anyway, I hope you truly enjoy it.
Disclamers: I don not own Escaflowne :(
The Pain of Loving You
Green Eyes
"In time, we hate that which we often fear"
-William Shakespeare
Music was heard from bellow: its sweet melody reaching Hitomi's ears. She loved music, and she live for the moment when she could
dance again. For a moment, she lost herself into it, letting her body relax. A sweet smile appeared on her face. Her body moved to the
rhythm of the music. It was magical. She forgot all her problems. Suddenly, there was no war or kingdom to serve or engagement. She
was not a princess full of responsibilities. She was just her, Hitomi, and there was only the music. She was one with it. The moment
stopped as soon as another song began. Hitomi opened her eyes and was faced by her reflection on the mirror. She took a long look at
herself before moving her head to the side. Today, Allen would announce their engagement to the whole world. It would be made official.
'It's for the best' she thought 'It's for my people, for my father, fore peace.'
At long last peace between the two kingdoms would become a reality. Hitomi hated war. She despised whoever attempted against
peace.
'As long as my people no longer have to fear war, I'm happy'. Hitomi was no fool. She knew that this marriage wouldn't solve all the
problems of Kansaki. Zaibach was becoming stronger by the minute, and no one knew who the Dragon was. Hell, all they knew was that
it was a he and that the only two survivors they had found were in no conditions to tell who he was. Every village or town he passed
burned to ashes, and all its people killed. It was horrible, inhuman. Hitomi had often thought about this. Who could he be? Why did he do
it? What could possibly make anyone want to hurt so many innocents? He couldn't be human. No one would be able to live with their
conscience with so many deaths on them. No one could be cruel enough to do those things without remorse. He had to be emotionless,
and if he was emotionless, he was no human. Besides, he had to be a monster to be able to cause so much fear with just the mention of
his… nickname. The Dragon couldn't be his real name. She'd like to know his name. Oh, if she ever had the chance, she would make
sure to tell him a little piece of her mind. She would look into his eyes and tell him just how much she wished he had never existed. She
would make him pay for all his crimes. Well, that is if she ever had the opportunity. She doubted it with the marriage thing. Hitomi sighed
and took one last look at the mirror. Her hair was pulled up, making all the features on her face stand out more. Her lips were red and
her cheeks peachy. She was wearing a green gown that fell to her feet and clung to her body, making all her curves show. The color of
the dress made her eyes look greener. After making sure everything was perfect and in place, she turned to the door and left the room.
It was time.
"So, Allen, what is this surprise you have for all of us?"
"Well, dear, if I told you it would just ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?"
Millerna laughed, throwing her head back, shaking her long blond her. She took a cup of a wine from a waitress and smiled at Allen. Her
blue eyes had a bright twinkle. Her husband was right next to her, his arm around her in a possessive grip. Millerna and Dryden were the
king and queen of the Freid Kingdom, and they were close friends of Allen. Millerna's family had once ruled Asturia, but somewhere
along the way, the power had passed to the Schezar family. Although they weren't related by blood, Allen loved Millerna like a sister.
She suddenly grabbed Dryden's hand and pulled him to the dance floor. She smiled at him as he put his arms around her and started to
dance. Allen watched them. They had had a rough beginning, and he was happy it had all worked out in the end. Dryden only had eyes
for her, and Millerna... the look in her eyes as she watched them was full of love, and no one that saw them could deny that they were
truly, deeply, in love. Allen felt some jealously. For many years, he had been looking for just that. He wanted a person that he could lost
in, and that he would love more as each day passed. When the Kansaki kingdom had come to him for a peace treaty, he had never
imagined it would have let him to his very wish. The thought of marrying for politics was unacceptable, deplorable, from his point of view,
but the moment he had seen his 'future wife', he had changed his mind. Never in his life had he seen something so beautiful and pure. She
was like a goddess, and he knew he had to have her or stop living. It was like love at first sight, and the first time she talked to him had
been heaven to him. He just fell deeper and deeper in love with her. She was what he had been looking for all his life.
'She doesn't love me' Allen kept his eyes on his friends 'She smiles at me and understands me. She knows I'm here for her and that her
every wish is my command, but she doesn't see me the way I see her. She doesn't come to me when she needs someone. She looks
right through me without seen the misery she is putting me through.'
Everyone thought he had the perfect life. He was, after all, the King of Asturia, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Gaia. Power,
money, beauty, he had all he wanted and much more. He was the best swordsman Asturia had ever seen, and the only thing that seemed
to be missing in his life was the perfect queen, and he had found her. The only problem was that she was marrying him because of a
stupid treaty.
'It is time' he thought 'to unit magical and unmagical kingdoms'
He gave a signal for the musicians to stop playing. He walked gracefully to the stairs, everyone's eyes on him.
"This is the moment you have all been waiting for. As you know, both parts of Gaia have always have problems between each other.
Difficult times are coming, and it is now time to leave old rivalries behind. I found a way of doing so without sacrificing anything, and I do
believe some of you will find it hilarious" He winked at Millerna "As must of you know, I was away for several months. As you also
know, half the guests are the rulers of the magical kingdoms. I have spent the last few months at the Kansaki kingdom, where I met its
king, which is unfortunately not here. I'm about to confess a huge secret here, in front of all you fine rulers. I, Allen Schezar, have fallen
madly in love with the most unique human. I am please to introduce to you Hitomi Kansaki, princess of the Kansaki kingdom, and my
future wife"
The trumpets sounded loud and clear, and the most beautiful woman came down the stairs. All eyes were fixed on her as she smiled at
Allen and accepted the hand he was offering. They went to the middle of the dance floor and dance as the music started. Whispers were
heard from the guests, some doubts appearing in their minds, but no one could deny that Allen truly did look like he loved her, and the
made a gorgeous couple. As for his partner, she was so beautiful and delicate and looked so happy that no one thought of questioning her
feelings. They took for granted that she too loved him. Millerna watched them curiously. "I can't believe he is getting married and didn't
tell me before all of them" she whispered to Dryden. He didn't answer, and she looked up to see what the problem was. He was looking
at them dancing on the floor, but he didn't have a smile on his face like the other guests. He actually looked sad.
"He loves her" he told her "but she doesn't"
"What?"
"Look at her. She smiles like she was the happiest person, and this was the moment she had dreamed of all her life, but it's not. It almost
looks perfect, her act, but she doesn't keep her eyes on him. She is looking everywhere but at him. She is wearing a mask and convincing
everyone that this is where she wants to be."
Millerna was about to answer him when a loud noise was heard and a foreign looking soldier came into the room.
"Lady Hitomi, lady Hitomi!" the soldier yelled. Hitomi quickly went to him.
"What are you doing here? Are you alright?"
"Lady Hitomi" the soldier bowed and kneeled before her "Our kingdom has been attacked. It was Zaibach. He has declared war on us
and the rest of Gaia. They… they did a surprise attack. They were so many; we were barely able to keep them from taking the city,
but…"
"What are you saying? Who are you? Answer me!" Allen yelled at him.
"I am not lying. All I'm saying is the truth. Ask milady Hitomi" Allen turned to look at Hitomi, who nodded her head. She signaled for the
soldier to continue.
"I…I... Zaibach has declared war on all kingdoms of Gaia that do not support him. He wants to become the ruler of all of us. Dornkirk
made the announcement minutes after attacking us. My king sent me to warn all the others before he…"
Chaos suddenly came into the room. Everyone was trying to talk above the others. Some believed him; some didn't.
"He hasn't finished and we have to hear al of it" Hitomi suddenly said. She hadn't shouted, but her voice had been loud enough for
everyone to hear. They all went silent. She got to her knees and made the soldier look at him. "Continue" she whispered to him.
"I don't want to bring any pain to you, milady, but it is necessary. Sad news always travel fast, and I want you to find out from one of
your people, but…" The soldier looked down.
"What is it? What are you hiding from me?"
"We did all we could, milady, but it wasn't enough. The king ordered all troops to defend and safe the people, and before we knew it, he
was already in his guymelef and fighting. There was only one way to stop them, and he did it. The king got as close as he could to the
enemies troops and activated the self destruction system, blowing more than half of the off. He sacrificed himself in order for his people to
life. I'm sorry, queen Hitomi."
Hitomi went rigid as the words sank in.
My queen.
She was now queen of Kansaki. She was now… She couldn't do this. Her father, her loving father, had sacrificed himself for…Oh, the
pain, it was like someone had hit her on the stomach and left her breathless. It was way too much for her.
"Get him to one of the guests' rooms and feed him. Make sure he has everything he wants." She ordered to one of the maids. She saw
Allen coming to her and said no with her head. He stopped.
"All heads of the kingdoms must follow me into the throne room. We have to discuss this. Gadess, prepare the army. Send troops to
Kansaki to help them. Put troops on all the frontiers of Asturia. Send messages to the kingdoms of the ones that are here. Send spies to
search for new attacks, and send a messenger to Kansaki. Inform them that troops are on their way and that their queen is safe. Keep me
inform" Allen said, dealing with the situation. Now was not the time to think about Hitomi.
"Yes, sir" Gadess said and quickly went to do all. Hitomi silently turned on her heels and ran as fast as she could.
Van was in the perfect spot to spy the ball. It hadn't been difficult to get through the soldiers that surrounded the castle. With so many
trees, they made his jib easy. He watched how the highest society of Gaia had fun. No remorse or guilt showed in their faces. It was as if
they had never done anything to him. His hatred towards them became stronger. Memories were flashing through his mind. He felt the
emotions of that day as if he was living it again. He shocked his head furiously and focused on his job. He scanned the room and watched
everyone. Just how was he supposed to know who Hitomi Kansaki was? He had never seen the nobles of the countries he hated so
much. A man suddenly caught his attention. He stood in the middle of things. He moved all around the room, talking with all the guests.
He stopped to talk warmly with a couple. He looked confident and arrogant. After analyzing him, he knew he was the king of Asturia, his
enemy. Every single instinct told him to grab his sword and kill him. He wanted to cause him so much pain; he would beg him to kill him.
He wanted to slaughter everyone he cared about. He wanted to hurt him so much, he had to calm himself. He had his orders, and he
couldn't disobey them. The king of Asturia moved to the stairs and started to talk. Van moved closer to listen.
"… I, Allen Schezar, have fallen madly in love with the most unique human. I am please to introduce to you Hitomi Kansaki, princess of
the Kansaki kingdom, and my future wife"
Hitomi Kansaki. The king of Asturia loved Hitomi Kansaki, his target. A cruel smile appeared on his lips. He was to bring her alive to
Dornkirk, but no one had told him not to torture her. Kansaki was dancing with Schezar, but he couldn't get a good look at her. What he
did caught, though, was he happy look. He really would have fun torturing her. No one that could love someone like Schezar deserved to
live. A soldier interrupted the, and he told them about Zaibach and its attack.
'So it has begun. Good, they will pay with blood and tears. Soon, Dornkirk will destroy them as if they were insects, and I'll finally
avenge my family and kingdom. All I need is he' Van kept his eyes on the drama playing before him. All he could see of her was her
back. Van saw her suddenly leave the room. He immediately started to follow her. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for all
night. Now he only had to find the perfect moment.
Hitomi ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She just wanted to get away from everything and everyone. She was running with the hope
that if she ran fast enough, the pain wouldn't follow her.
Your father sacrificed himself
Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't care. Everything she did, she had done it for him, to make him proud. She had always pretended
to be happy and strong for him. Whenever she felt that she couldn't pretend anymore, she looked at him and found the strength she
needed. The thought of marrying for duty had seen less painful because it would make him happy. He had taught her so many things. She
had learned the importance of peace, loyalty, illusions, duty and so many other things through him. He had make her understand how
important it was to hope and dream and forgive and never give up. He had taught her to accept herself. It was because of him that she felt
proud of been a seer. He had always been there for her, until now. He wouldn't be able to make her feel okay anymore. Hitomi tripped
over a rock and fell hard on the floor. She didn't get up.
I'm sorry, queen Hitomi
Everything was useless. There was no way to escape from the pain. She stood where she was and tried to stop her sobs. She had to
calm down. She couldn't afford to be weak now. She had to be strong. A whole kingdom was expecting her to guide them through the
war. Her people needed her. She was the Queen of Kansaki, and… she heard the sound of metal and immediately went still. There was
something pointy at her neck, and she had a good idea of what it was.
"Turn around"
A shiver went through her body as she heard the coldness of the voice.
Van followed Kansaki until she suddenly tripped. He got closer to her. She was trembling from trying to stop the sobs. This was the
perfect moment. With all the commotion at the castle, no one would be looking for her. She was alone and in pain.
'Alone and in pain, just like him' Van cursed himself. This was no moment to think of that, not now, not ever. What did he care if she was
alone? He was going to torture her. She was just a tool, a way to hurt Schezar. Long time ago, he had sworn to himself to never feel
anything for anyone ever again. That included pity. He hadn't even seen her face. He decided to torture her more, to make her feel more
pain. Yes, that would cause him to stop thinking about stupid things. Emotions only made people weaker, and he was a mercenary, the
Dragon. He simply wasn't allowed to feel anything but pain and hatred, a little satisfaction after the killing, but that was all, nothing more.
He drew his sword out and placed it at her neck. She went still.
"Turn around"
She slowly got up. It seemed to take eternity till she finally faced her. Her eyes were close.
"Look at me"
She didn't open her eyes.
"I said, look at me" Van said. He grabbed her chin and pulled her close to him. "Look at me" he whispered to her. She opened her eyes
fast and made eye contact with him.
Van stood paralyzed. He had never seen greener eyes in all his life. She didn't look at him with fear but with anger. As much as he tried,
he couldn't brake free from her gaze. Her eyes bore into him. He suddenly felt very small. Those eyes, what did they have? What did
they do to him?
"Green eyes" he said softly, and his world went black.
Yey, another chapter. I hope you like it. It wasn't as dark as the other ones, but it was very important. Jajajaja, Van got lost in her eyes.
Oh, and a cliffhanger. Now you'll have to read the next chapter to find out what happens. Review, please, and tell me what you think.