Hikaru

Chapter Twelve: An Elongated Stay

"What's going on?" Van demanded as he exited his bedchamber. He had left Hitomi to wait in the confinements of his room, as it was the safest part of the palace. He heard yelling… he ran down the steps and through to a corridor where he saw that Salvador was being held down by two guards.

"Let go of him! What are you doing?" Van was furious, his most trusted subject, being treated ridiculously by his guards without directly consulting him.

Mericulus emerged from the end of the corridor hastily pulling up his long robes in order to reach Van as soon as possible.

"My liege," he began nervously, "we fear for your safety… this abomination… he…"

"Do not…!" yelled Salvador as some guards put a piece of cloth round his mouth. His head was bloody…

"Comectivus Salvador was the one who attempted to assassinate the Duke of Fried…" Mericulus said, shaking his head in shame.

"Salvador!" Van exclaimed, "You did not!"

Muffled yells came from Salvador's mouth as it moved erratically under the cloth.

"Let him speak!"

The guards gave a blank look at Lord Van, they were as unresponsive as the castle walls.

"Did you not hear me?" Van was outraged, "Listen to your king, and the heavens will give you mercy! Let the man speak!"

The guards let Salvador fall to the ground on his knees. His hands were tied by strong rope so his resistance was not a threat. One of the guards reluctantly pulled off the cloth that was tightened around his face.

"I did not try to kill the Duke of Fried! Think logically my King, what reason-"

"Nonsense!" Mericulus interrupted, "We found the arrows in his bedchamber, we have two witnesses and a dead subject that flung himself in front of Duke Chid. My Lord, he tried to kill the child!"

"I would never, my Lord, you must realise…" Salvador said desperately, as maroon blood trickled from the side of his face. His eyes were wide, his expression full of anxiety and pain.

"Hush!" Mericulus said angrily, "You try to defend yourself when you are clearly in the wrong. My Lord… you must observe the evidence…"

"Salvador… you could not have…" Van begun… he could not believe this… He trusted Salvador almost much as he did Balgus… and here Salvador was, being charged with an assassination attempt on one of Fanelia's closest allies.

"Lord I would never! I would never disgrace you like that!" Salvador was hesitant as Mericulus glanced viciously at him.

"Lord, do not let him play you as a fool…"

"Mericulus always envied me, my Lord! This is just a way to get closer to you! He mocks you-"

"Lord you must realise, he speaks the words of a devilish kind… When he, he was the one who first advised you for marriage? No, he was more conscious of getting Duke Chid into the castle walls when he arranged the date of the Ball with the Princess of Asturia…"

"My Lord Van! Do not listen to him!" The guards gave another look to Van, but this time they awaited his orders… as Salvador continued pleading his innocence and Mericulus kept spouting evidence, Van's head was spinning in confusion. All this disaster was happening, the nobles were stuck in Fanelia with hardly any means to get home, one of the most respected advisers, Salvador was accused guilty of treason, and the Duke of Chid's life was under threat. His feelings and thoughts conflicted as he tried to force himself to think as rationally as possible. As Mericulus pressured him to act, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Get him out of my sight." Van said emotionlessly. In actuality, it pained him to see Salvador scream in pain as the guards kicked him and wrapped the cloth around his face again. "And do not hurt him."

Mericulus nodded approvingly, "It will take no time at all for the jury and yourself, my lord, to see that Salvador is surely a traitor. You have made a wise choice, my lord… I bid you farewell for now for I must begin preparations for the trial."

Mericulus exited as Van stood there, watching his subject get dragged away. As he thought about his decision, he was filled with uncertainty and shock. Given the 'evidence,' Salvador was a prime suspect… but was this right? Salvador had always been loyal. However, there would be much speculation among the nobles who feared for their safety after last night's events. To keep the guests content and feeling safer, Salvador would have to be kept under arrest until the nobles were to return home. Van could feel his body tightening as he tensed at the idea Salvador would be kept as a prisoner under a King he had served so faithfully until the very end… but what else could he do? Allen for sure, would object to his inability to act in the interests of his Kingdom and in the interests of Allen's son, Duke Chid. Salvador would have to understand that he was doing what was best for the Kingdom, and bear some burden until he was set free, that is, if he was innocent. Then it struck him – what if Salvador was indeed, guilty? He could not believe it, he really could not. Salvador was difficult to live with at times, but an important asset to the kingdom. He managed royal finances, organised events… he was one of the most high-ranking officials of his day… what incentive would he have to kill Chid? Van closed his eyes forcefully, as he tried to calm himself… Salvador meant much to him. As the King of Fanelia whose subjects seemed alienated from him, he had finally found a subject he could truly consult, yet Salvador's reward was to be a humiliating dismissal. Van's uneasy heart felt heavy with disappointment and dispute.

"Van!" called a light, heavenly voice. It was Milerna, she had woken up early and had much fun gossiping with some of the ladies in waiting about Dryden in a bedchamber she shared with some of her friends. She was most pleased, for they showed some jealousy over her 'love' affair, if that was the proper term to describe her relationship with Dryden, and they had told her how lucky she was to have him so interested in her. She had learnt that as much as Dryden was much desired for his dashing good lucks, huge intelligence and extreme bags of wealth, he apparently had manifested a habit of charity over the years and was now known as "The Heart and Sacks of Gold."

Van turned to Milerna, who was dressed in a flirtatious dress in the latest fashion from the Kingdom of Zuriel. "How are you feeling? How is Hitomi? I am so keen to see her again. Is she alright, though?"

"Hitomi's well. I am fine. How is Chid?" Van said, holding a tray of food. Milerna glanced at it with some entertainment, as Van was obviously catering for his beloved Hitomi who had returned the night before.

"He is fine. He and Allen, as well as I, am dealing well with last night. Chid is young, but he is a strong and fine Duke now. He can react well to such disasters." Milerna said proudly and persuasively.

"That is good to hear." Van continued walking.

"Van… please wait. I also have an important thing to tell you."

"Can it wait?"

"Van, this is very important."

Van nodded in allowing her to continue.

"Allen," Milerna began, her voice tinged with some spite as she said his name, "has contacted only some families' kingdoms and unfortunately, many nobles do not have a means of getting home for a few more days."

"I heard about that from Mericulus earlier. We have already given them permission for an elongated stay," confirmed Van.

"Yes…" Milerna said stressfully. "Apparently there are some guymelefs stationed at certain areas that will not allow any suspicious characters through, and that includes any nobles. Apparently there have been many assassination attempts on rulers lately, including my own father. It's a conspiracy!"

"Yes… I've heard that also," Van seemed concerned. "Well, that is fine, they can stay. Are you returning to Asturia though?"

"I would… but I would prefer to stay here and help you with things. My father will be very much so annoyed, especially with such danger lurking around, but I have sent a telegram. Yet, Asturia is in a good position with all countries and so I should be safe... I will try to keep low profile in case anyone decides to take me as a hostage!" she laughed, "But people have mistaken me as a lady in waiting for you! Gosh, it's nice when people think I am as young as you! But yes… It is Chid they are after… and Allen and I shall watch him closely." she said.

"Milerna, you must return to where it is safe… A life was lost last night!" Van said anxiously.

"Hah, Lord Van, you amuse me. Do you not remember when I was with all of you when confronting the Zaibach Empire? I can surely take care of myself. Besides if anything as such happens again, heavens forbid… I shall ensure that my medical abilities will be put to good use. Besides," she said rather naively, and then blushing, she continued, "I heard that Dryden is coming?"

"Thank you Milerna, you are a great friend indeed." Van paused, "Although I would prefer, for your safety's sake that you should return home, your decision is very much appreciated. My guards shall be put on full watch to ensure your safety. And yes, Lord Dryden has reacted exceptionally quickly and is coming to aid nobles in returning home." Although, I am pretty sure it is an excuse to see Milerna, Van thought to himself.

Milerna smiled, "Yes, he really made an effort to make himself a better man, has he not?"

"You must be glad." Van gave a brief smile, "Now, if you may excuse me, I am going to find Hitomi."

"Of course." Milerna replied, "Make sure you tell her I am dying to see her again!"

Next Chapter:

Chapter Thirteen: The Meeting of Rivals

Author's Note: PHEW! I just finished planning the next chapters, and I'm quite excited about where the plot is going. There's only one thing I can't decide… whether to conclude the romance between Milerna with Allen OR Dryden, leave people hanging or what? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I might decide to follow XD or I might not, just to shock you. I have no idea yet though, honestly! Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story at the moment. Although I'm not much of an Englishy person (especially as I don't do it as a subject anymore XD) I am finding it quite fun to write, and I'm definitely going to write some more fan fiction (if you all don't mind). I've also got some ideas from this story (as well as studying 16th Century France for history) for an original manga (yes, I'm sort of an amateur artist ;;; http/yinsey. ) and may consider doing some fan art to go with the fic. Anyway, loving all your reviews Some of them have been very constructive and interesting. Many thanks to Kowa, who's been writing many and wonderful reviews! Thank you and a big "cheers" to anyone who has put this story on alert or favourite so nice of you!