3.Memories

Aquarian Kingdom over the years after the war rebuilt it's nation. Aquaria and Airyglph were no longer at war. Perhaps the marriage between the King of Airyglph and the high priestess's daughter Rozaria settle things down between the kingdoms. Sure there were still a fraction of people who were against the marriage. Still leaves Nel wondering about Elena's feelings on the marriage.

Would Nel have to deal with those feelings as well. Watch the person you wish she was walking down the aisle to meet the man she loved. She never did understand why Elena refused the king. Walking about the halls of Aquaria's castle had many memories. Some memories that were good and others that were bad.

Passing her old room she couldn't help but stop and stare at the closed door. She knew someone had moved in her room. Was not long for someone to move in to Dion's room after he was dead. Yes, back then she knew Aquaria had easily replaced the dead with the new. Had Albel replaced her in that sense? Was she dead to him and Leah was the new to his heart.

Feeling a tug on her hand her thoughts were dismissed for now as she starred down at an inpatient Glou. His face was just like his fathers it was as if she was starring at a little version of him only those eyes were not Albels. They were her eyes giving a small smile "Yes?" she asked her son as he gave a light sigh.

"Can we go. I really don't feel like hearing that guy talk" he said and Nel gave him a confused look.

"What guy?" she asked him and he just muttered something under his breath. Blinking her eyes she leaned down and rested her hands on his shoulders asking the question again to him. Still Glou didn't answer her and to be honest it was a little frustrating not knowing which guy he was talking about.

"He is talking about Lassel." Kira's sweet voice spoke up and a grunt could be herd from Glou.

Nel smiled "Lassel can be rather annoying. Yet, I have nobody who could look after you both. Clair is busy and Drave well..I am worried he wouldn't be able to handle you both" she told her son trying to get him to understand how important it really was for her to show up today. Glou starred up at his mother his eyes narrowing slowly as he tilt his head to the side giving off a annoyed growl.

"But he said me and Kira are bastard children."his voice huffed out and his right hand was bulging in to a fist.

Nel gave a sigh while standing up before her son's glare and her daughter's confusion of the whole comment. Lassel always made these comments though and she just had to get use to those comments. As much as she disliked it and felt that she might be a big disappointment to her family name. It really did not matter no more she would not be the leader of the crimson blades. Giving up that position was not a matter of choice she had to do it.

Still, bastard children was a bit to far. This comment had to just been recent before it was just she was widowed for her lover had went off to Greeton and supposedly died. Now that Albel returned and his engagement news must had flew out through Elicoor II. Not only was she once listed as a widowed women but now a disgrace for getting pregnant before marriage. A sadden sigh escaped her lips and she could feel those tears threaten to escape those emerald eyes.

Quickly putting up her mask to hide her sorrow she shook her head "Do not listen. Those comments are just as bad as the person who said them" she told her son.

Glou's glare did not leave when the entered the audience chamber. First thing they would see was that uptight man beside the Queen of Aquaria. His face stern as usual and he gave a bit of dull atmosphere around him. Possibly, he had to been the most anal man ever. As Nel approached her majesty a dissatisfied look crossed Lassel.

Glou and Kira waited by the door studying the audience chamber. Waiting quietly for their mother's return. Nel got down on one knee and bowed her head before the Queen. Even if Lassel was such an ass it wouldn't mean she wouldn't be loyal to her Queen. A gentle smile crossed Romaria's lips at the sight of her once best top spy "Hello, Lady Nel" her serene voice filled the air calming Nel's nerves.

"Your majesty. You asked of me for my appearance?" her eyes wandered over towards the Queen who sat on her throne.

"Yes. As you might know. We been working real hard to make festival arrangements."

"Yes. I am aware of this. How can I help with these arrangements?"

The Queen smiled lightly "Well, I herd the crimson blades are commencing a dance? I was wondering if you were going to be performing as well?"

Nel sat there with a blank look across her face. She was hoping for at least something important to had been said. But dancing? Glancing towards Lassel she noticed the little crease of wrinkle twitching on the right corner of his upper forehead. It was obvious why, only maidens that were virgins were suppose to be dancing to that.

"I'm not a virgin."

A laugh escaped Romaria's lips "Yes I know that. But does that make a difference really?" she told Nel.

I had to happen sooner or later, Lassel had to open his mouth eventually "My Grace, allowing someone who is not a virgin to dance is outrageous. Aquaria could face bad luck with our god Apris."

Romaria shook her head "Silence Lassel. Apris does not look down on people because they beared children before marriage. To think she is a dishonor after saving Elicoor II because of giving birth to two children without marriage would make me a bad Queen."

A loud snort escaped from Lassel "Do you think the people of Aquaria want to see someone dance like her that is no longer a maiden?" he huffed out and he glared at Nel "She is a whore!" he pointed out.

Nel glared down at the marble floor she could not speak up for herself. Even though these nasty words were untrue they were half right. Pain flowed through her heart but her serious exterior never collapsed. Glou held his ears as Lassel yelled out these painful comments towards his mother and Kira gave a bewildered look to her brother's actions. Romaria did not looked to please either for Lassel's comments.

"SILENCE" she hissed out sending the room to a unsettling quietness. Her dark red eyes were narrowed and she was about to scold Lassel for these ill hating words. Lassel went pale at the sudden look of his Queen and he had never seen her so angry. In a panic state he looked away and bowed his head.

"Forgive me. I should had not had said those things, your majesty" he told her out of fear. Though he still felt that he was right for what he said but didn't want to get on the Queen's bad side.

"Don't apologize me. Apologize to Lady Nel" Romaria spoke in a now calm voice and watched as Lassel looked straight on to the young woman who was bowing her head not making any more eye contact.

"Forgive me. I was out of line" he told her and glanced back watching Glou giving a light glare his way. The young woman got up and bowed her head to the Queen. Trying her best to look serious on the outside and also keep her cool.

"I forgive you. For the things you had said or nothing more then just the truth. I know I made a mistake. Many may think of me as those comments you had thrown. I know I'm a disgrace to my father's name. Yet still, I hold no regrets for my mistakes." Nel told Lassel and watched him look away from her. That man was stubborn and she couldn't be bothered by his actions. It was Lassel and he always had something to comment about. Sighing she looked towards the Queen and bowed her head to her "I don't think it would be wise of me to perform that ritual dance. It wouldn't be right."

Romaria gave a nod "If this is your decision. I cannot make you. You may go, Lady Nel. Please take care of yourself." watching Nel get up and leave with her children. The Queen felt ashamed of Lassel's comments. Resting her right hand to her forehead her dark eyes closed briefly and a frown crossed her lips. Slowly she regained herself only to scold Lassel once again "I don't even want to hear you say those things again, Lassel." she said in a angered voice.

Lassel bowed his head "Yes your, majesty" he told her reluctantly.

Outside of the audience chambers Nel had both of her children's hands. Walking them in a quick pace down the hall towards the staircase. Kira looked at her mother with a puzzled look "Mother, what is a virgin and a whore?" she asked her. Nel froze and looked towards her daughter shaking her head lightly at her daughter's innocence. She could not bring herself to answer that question.

"Nothing honey. Just words to hurt people" she said while they walked down the staircase. Glou knew some of the words that Lassel spoke. Only because he herd them from others around the city. Though he never herd of his mother being called a whore and didn't think she was. When he first asked Clair about the new word he learned she simply told him that it meant a loose woman.

When he asked her about what a loose woman was Clair just shook her head and told him not to worry about it. He didn't think his mother was loose or didn't look loose. Approaching outside they could see many people making preparations for the festival. This festival was the first for Aquaria because they had invited Airyglphians as well. I has been several years since that raging war between the two kingdoms and now they were going to have a festival to prove they were no longer enemies.

Aquarians were all helping out with the decorations and even Welch from Peternny came to help. She was putting up one of her new inventions in the middle of the city and it looked as if it was a wooden stage. Welch was huffing and waving her wand with the hand shouting out commands for people to set things right. Nel approached the front of the wooden contraption and looked towards Welch.

"What is it?"

"What is it? What is it? What do you think it is?" she asked Nel who gave a confused look and a irritated sigh escaped her lips. "Don't worry. Your not the only person who does not know what it is. It is called a stage. Which many people will be performing a play. In which we will relive the war and the strangers from the other world."

"You mean Fayt and them?"

"Yes. Hey, Nel you should play your part!" Welch held her hands together and gave a pleading look "Please. Please. Please!" she begged her.

Glou blinked his eyes and tugged his mother's hand "What part? Can I have a part?" he asked. Then Kira waved her free hand "I want a part. If Glou gets a part" she sniffled lightly. Nel released her son's hand and rested the palm of her hand to her forehead. Acting was not her thing sure she was able to act like everything was alright. That didn't make her the best actor out there though.

"Well. If you need me. I guess I could help out." she reluctantly told Welch.

Welch over joyed "YES! Now all I need to do is find more actors. Perhaps Lady Clair would take her own part. I wonder if I can find Roger I am sure he'd be willing" she went on talking about the play.

Nel just shrugged and made her way with her children away from Welch. As soon as they go to the house a relief spread through her. She was happy to be home and away from everyone. Opening the door she let Kira and Glou go play while she went to the kitchen. Now alone in her kitchen she let her wall collapse.

Was she really a whore now?

Albel was impressed by the report of the Greeton war. It seemed Aquaria took action as well and the war ended. Settling himself down on a chair in his bedroom he starred at his metal claw. Albel never liked removing his claw and starring at that ashamed marks which engulfed his left arm. Hearing a creek he looked up to find Leah approaching him apparently she just came back from the town.

In her hands was a bag and she was digging for something. Pulling out a red juicy apple "While I was out in town. I though I should pick up a few of your favorites" she told him with a gentle smile. She handed him the apple and then went to sit on his bed watching him look at the apple. Her blue eyes watched him stare at his apple ever since they returned he had not been the same. Perhaps even a little distant with her as she watched him a sigh left from her.

Albel starred up at her and watched her thoughtful look smirking lightly he took the apple bitting in to it. Leah just smiled and watched her fiancé eat the apple she had bought for him. Getting up from the bed she stood before him "Albel. Something wrong? You been looking rather troubled lately" she asked him.

"Nothing. I'm fine"

She was not convinced at all her love was acting rather strangely. She wanted to dig in to his mind and find out exactly what it was. Yet, he would not be happy with her if she continued to interrogate him. As he finished the apple he threw it in to a waste basket near the desk and got up from his chair. Resting his claw on his crimson blade he looked to her "I'm going outside. To train. I'll return by dinner" he said.

Leah shook her head and watched him leave her. She felt so alone when he walked off out of the room. Going towards the bed she sat down on the right side at the edge and looked down at her hands which rested at her lap. Starring at the ring on her ring finger she thought about the night he asked her to marry him.

Flash Back

It was only a year in to the war of two parts of Greeton. The part she lived in happened to be the one that Airyglph came to help. She watched the Airyglph knights move in through the middle of the city. Approaching the Southern Kingdom who was in dire need of help and Airyglph agreed. Aquaria on the other hand had back down on helping because they had to much work to deal with as it was.

Leah could replay the scene over and over; she was standing by her best friend Melissa. Dressed in her elegant dress which happened to be covered in ash. A fire had broke out while she was in the market with Melissa as they hurried themselves out. Their dresses were ruined as they reached the temple for safety they watched the knights. At first glance she noticed Albel Nox and thought of him as a rather handsome man.

It seemed he was second in command of this operation. For he stood beside the King of Airyglph who rode a lum through the streets. She knew the King was here to talk to the King of Aizen which was the South Greeton Kingdom. Few days passed and a bloody war erupted between the two kingdoms. Such a bloody war that her father who happened to be a noble named Felix had urged her and her family to move to the outskirts of the forest.

At first Leah hated the idea of leaving. Melissa would not be coming with her and she would be worried about her best friend while she was out of the town. Though many more houses were sent ablaze and Felix would not have his family in danger. So Leah was forced to leave the city and to the forest. Sadly on her way to say good bye to her friend Melissa all she was greeted with was the flames of her friend's burning house.

It was painful to watch those flames engulf a friendship. Leaving the town she was filled with sorrow yet she had her father and her little brother Eric. Traveling through the forest was rough but they did find a abandoned cottage which they took as their home. As the year was to it's end Leah had seen Albel again.

Yet he was laying on the ground just outside of the town of Aizen. It looked as if he was dead but as Leah searched for a pulse she found one. Her father noticed he was a Airyglph knight so he placed him on the little cart which held some of the food they bought from the village today and went back to the cottage. Three months had passed and Albel Nox had woken out from the comma. Disoriented from after from sleeping all that time he got up and traveled around the cottage.

"Your awake" a kind voice spoke.

Albel's vision was still a bit fogy and he saw a smothered image of a young woman. Leaning his back against the wall he tried to regain his strength. Starring at her and trying to figure out who she was he called out a female name he could only think of the time "Nel?" he said softly.

"No. I am not Nel. I am Leah" she approached him cautiously. Taking his right hand with her hand and looked up to him "Your alive. I thought you were going to die!" she spoke to him.

Albel's vision came back and noticed the young woman holding his right hand. He forced his hand out of her's and glared at her "Don't touch me, maggot" he huffed out.

Leah looked rather startled by Albel's comment and backed off from him. Soon two figures joined them. The father, Felix was a man about 6'2 and had white hair his son was only around 14. "Eh. Your awake hmm? So tell me, what is your name?" asked Felix "Can you remember?" he added.

"Albel Nox"

"I see. Well I am Felix. That is my daughter Leah and this is my son Eric" he told the young man.

"Hmp, mind telling me what happened?"

"Of course. My daughter found you about three months ago near dead outside of the town of Aizen. Luckily I was there to bring you back to the cottage. There you slept about three month and honestly I thought you were going to die." he said with a laugh "You knights must have a rather strong soul."

"Hmp. I'm tired of this chat. I'm going back to bed" Albel then left them and went back to his room. Sitting down on the bed he looked down at his chest he noticed a bandage covering a wound. Closing his dark eyes he started to think about the woman he loved that he left behind. A knock at the door stopped his thoughts and he watched as Leah walked in with a water basin. She nervously approached his side resting the water basin on the table "Do you mind if I clean your wound?"

"No." he simply said.

Moving closer to him and with a shaky hand she gripped the bandage. Moving it aside to stare at the old dried up blood wound. To her relief it was healing rather quickly and so she grabbed the cloth now moisten. Pressing it against the healed wound she nervously looked at his eyes. Eye contact sent a shiver down her spine and she watched a grin form on his lips "Done, maggot?" he asked her.

Nodding she got up and left the room. Two years passed and Albel stayed with them. The war was over. Yet he had stayed with them and helped out around the cottage. One day out in the field of wild flowers Leah had approached Albel to tell him dinner was done.

He was busy training with his crimson blade and hardly now wore his claw. Leah watched him over the years as they went by. She fell more in love with him as the days passed and it seemed like a dream which would never be real. Until that day in that field he approached her with a smile "You know. I can't help but wonder about myself sometimes" he told her "I am so unpredictable" he added.

Leah simply nod "Yes. Indeed one minute your shouting maggot and the next your calling me by my name" she giggled.

"Yes..but the truth is. When I'm around you I feel like my troubles of my past shatter away and you're my light" he blushed.

"...Albel?" she stood in her place as if it was too hard to believe what he was saying. Yet he embraced her and pressed his lips to hers. She went limp in his embrace and only happily returned the kiss. Though inside Albel's heart was screaming for him to stop for Nel was still buried deep with in it. He couldn't deny he didn't understand his own action but his mind thought the best for him.

He figured Nel had already moved on and now with Leah he felt he could have just as a good life. Five months later Albel had asked her to marry him. They were outside of the cottage at night watching the little glowing fairies flutter about. He had been nervous all day and finally she knew why.

"Leah?"

"Yes?"

He gulped and approached her taking her hand "I'm not good a this. But, will you marry me?" he showed her the ring he had bought for her a while back.

Surprised and shocked she embraced him with tears streaming her cheeks "Yes. Yes I'll marry you" from then on it was official.

End of flash back

As Leah thought about her past she never bothered to ask Albel of that name he shouted out when he was wounded. Who was this Nel person he had spoken of. Was this Nel someone he use to love. Getting up from the bed she wanted to go and ask Albel who this person was. As she made her way towards the training area she watched as Albel swung his sword in to a dummy.

"Albel" she called out.

Turning around and facing her, he sheathed his crimson scourge "Yes?" he asked.

Starring at him and resting her hands at her hips she was about to ask him. Yet, he gave her a smile and approached her. Giving her a small embrace "Sorry. I know I have been worrying you. Just coming back here many memories have been bothering me" he kissed her cheek.

"Oh. It's okay" she embraced him closer to her.

"So, what was it you were going to ask me?" he asked while giving her a concern look.

"Oh. It's nothing forget about it."

TBC

A/N: Sorry about not updating lately. I had terrible writers block. Though I like this chapter and I hope you all liked it as well. Hopefully this helps how Albel and Leah met! So please review my fic and I'll try to update as soon as I can!