A/N: right soz for all the typos in chapter 3 but it was kinda rushed n my typing need work. Iv been through this next chappy n its kinda crap but plz R&R ne way.

Chapter 4 Confrontation with the King.

Allen and the others were led in to the main throne room; they had been here before when they first came to Palas.

Hitomi and Van were told to stand at the side with a load of armoured men. A few knights Caeli walked in with a rope and went towards Allen who was stood on the middle of the red carpet; which led to the throne.

"Allen Schezar I believe you know why you are here?" Said the first man, Allen nodded and took off his sword, Hitomi had not seen him with his sword since she arrived. He handed the sword to the man who had spoken. Deep in her heart she knew that both men did not what to do this as the silent one searched him, tied up his hands and sat him down. They both knelt beside him as the king walked in with aid. As he came in he was followed by several people and Kari.

"Allen Crusade Schezar VIII you have been called before King Grava Aston of Asturia to question your status after the Lady Princess Karia de Allamine Alkia also known as the Woman in White brought the state for why you have been branded a traitor to your country Asturia was unjustified!" The young man read of a scroll then bowed and walked off.

Princess? Traitor? Now Hitomi was confused.

"Allen Schezar my men have told me the worst of the situation and I fully apologise. I jumped to conclusions judging on your past. So I have dropped all charges and would like you rejoin the Knights Caeli as…" King Aston looked towards Kari "as an accident left three men dead." Allen glanced at Kari who did a little shake of the head. "And in the short term I would like to inform you that Millerna will be helping me run Asturia."

Allen looked up to face the King.

"Thank you King Aston, but I will not be rejoining the Knights Caeli." Everyone gasped as they heard him speak those words; they did not know he left on his own accord. "I left because of valid reasons; I do not wish to rejoin now or later in the future." King Aston sighed.

"Very well, but I must insist you remain in the castle before you travel to Freid tomorrow." Allen and the others looked surprised at King Aston's offer, "Princess Alkia informed me you were to accompany her to Freid tomorrow." King Aston looked past Allen and frowned for standing at the door was the one person he had not wished to see.

The man slowly walked forward stopping as he reached Hitomi, and looked at her; he was very handsome. The man had black short hair and dark brown eyes, he also had a small scar under his left eye on his cheek identical to Kari's, was this man possible related to her?

Kari stepped down from beside King Aston "Brother, what brings you to Palas?"

Brother! So he was related to Kari. Hitomi was so confused who was this woman, this 'Woman in White' this 'Princess Karia de Allamine Alkia', this Kari, Kay. Who and what was she.

"I've come to speak to the King," He turned and bowed to King Aston, "Your majesty, I came here because I am worried for Asturias well being, if Asturia falls like Fanelia; Zaibach will suffer greatly; I can not risk that. It has been too much of a challenge for me to repair that Empire after the Great War. I will not let my work go to waste because of your disrespectful ways." He spoke with a cold chill in his voice, which made Hitomi uneasy, she looked towards Van; he had barely said a word since she found him by the shrine and this worried her, what was on his mind, it was not like him to be so quiet. Kari's brother sighed and carried on before the King could answer "I see my sister being here is not good news, I expect she has informed you on what has happened, and what will happen, if things do not improve. I will be back later to see for myself, good day your majesty." He bowed, turned and left leaving everyone gob smacked.

Kari apologised for her brother and also left.

"So Allen Schezar tell us about this princess!" King Aston, Dryden Fassa – A very rich merchant from Asturia who was married to Millerna for a short period, Millerna, Eries – second daughter to King Aston, Van, Hitomi and Allen were sat round a large dinning table. Allen looked towards Dryden.

"There really isn't much to say Dryden, I'm sure you have heard all the stories?"

"Hmmm yes though I didn't really believe them all, I would love to meet this Princess, too bad she left," Dryden turned to Millerna next to him, "I'm sure you would have liked her Millerna," he turned to face Allen again "I hear you know everything there is to know about her Allen?" Dryden smiled as Allen blushed a little.

"I wouldn't say I know everything she has her secrets."

"Hmmm!" Everyone turned to look at Van, "to be honest I don't care who she is Dryden, she's a Zandrion and they're all trouble." Van stood up and left, Hitomi was about to go after him when Allen told her not to and that he would speak to him. Hitomi was left alone at the table.

"I'm sorry Miss Hitomi this all must be very confusing for you?" Hitomi was about to answer Eries when a messenger came to King Aston saying that Princess Alkia had returned and needed to speak with him, dinner was over and Hitomi still had no idea who Kari was apart from that she was a Zandrion what ever one of those were.

Millerna walked up the stairs to the roof; she heard what sounded like swords clashing and thought it was Van and Allen sparring. When she went though the open arch she noticed it wasn't Allen and Van but Allen and a long haired stranger.

They were moving pretty fast and looked blind folded, the white haired stranger wore a long pair of trousers and a baggy shirt, he was extremely good giving Allen a run for his money.

Millerna gasped as Allen was slashed on the arm this distracted him and in seconds the strangers sword was at Allens throat. Allen threw down his sword and took off his blind fold.

"Princess!"

"I'm sorry Allen I didn't mean to distract you and…?" The stranger removed his sword from Allens throat and took off his blind fold – it wasn't a man at all; but Kari "You must be Princess Alkia, I'm so sorry I thought you were a man; you see I've never seen a woman fight like that or really fight at all."

"Hmmm don't worry 'bout it; I get it a lot, but you really should be more quiet in future. Allen was doing well in his training. You shouldn't be shocked by simple cuts Allens had worse injuries." Allen walked past Kari whispering in her ear, "I don't think that's helping," He picked up his sword and glanced at his arm, it wasn't bleeding much but that did not stop Millerna running up to him with a cloth.

"You should be more careful."

"You shouldn't have distracted him," Kari looked disapprovingly at Millerna, "I want you up and at Maria's a few hours after sun up, the King and Hitomi as well, I want to get going as soon as possible. That's if the Princess has stopped mothering your cut." Kari walked off down the stairs.

"Don't worry Princess Millerna she's usually not that rude, she's just not happy being here. Goodnight Princess." Allen started walking towards the stairs.

"Allen wait." He stopped before reaching the arch if he hadn't he would have seen Kari who was listening in, "I… Will you be back? Oh Allen you know how much I care for you; I don't like to see you like this." Millerna was up close to Allen, waiting for him to say something but they heard foot steps and he backed off.

"I figured you would still be here!" Kari had had it of hearing Millerna speak and decided to break it up. "Change of plan, I want you there at dawn, to go straight to Freid and you better get there before I do. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Allen smiled at Kari that kind of remark would have probably got him in to trouble if Millerna was not there.

"Don't push your luck Schezar!" And she was gone.

Allen once again told Millerna not to bother about Kari she; as he had said before was not happy being in Palas and was in a bad mood, he followed Kari leaving Millerna alone on the roof top.

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or anything to do with it.But i do own Kari n a few other ppl that turn up like poker n maria(the list is very long ish) so plz dont use them wiv out asking (y ne one would i have no idea)