Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except the descendants of the characters in Crown and Court Duel, so don't sue me!!!

Heart Duel

Chapter 1: Leaving Home

"Are you all packed and ready to go, Tylana?" asked my mother, the Countess of Tlanth, Lady Nimiar Argaliar.

"Yes, mother." I replied crisply, while stuffing a few of my personal belongings into one of the 3 trunks I was bringing with me to Athanarel to celebrate my Flower Day.

I admired my reflection in the full-length mirror once again. Looking pretty in a peach coloured gown, which my mother said brought out my green eyes and reddish brown hair, I picked up the signet ring with the Astiar family crest upon it, and slipped it onto my middle finger before following my mother to the nursery where my younger siblings Nimaric and Brimiar were playing.

Fraternal twins, they looked quite different from one another. Nimaric was a bubbly little boy with a profusion of curly red hair he looked like an exact replica of our father, the Count of Tlanth.

Brimiar, the more subdued of the two was the exact opposite, looking more like mother than anything else, with her hair a shade darker than mine and hazel eyes.

"Kiss your sister goodbye now!" ordered mother, smiling as we were welcomed by two bundles of joy. I was soon smothered with kisses and laughing so hard that I had to put Brimiar down before I dropped her after she clambered into my open arms.

It was soon time to leave. The entire household had assembled to send me off. As the carriage rolled away, I waved almost sadly at the shrinking figures, smiling when I saw my entire family of four waving enthusiastically.

I would be representing the Astiar family at court, and hoped to make a good impression. I had never been to court before except for my christening, when I was to meet my sovereigns. I certainly looked forward to meeting my aunt, who was the Queen of Remalna.

Father always said I reminded him of her. We "have the same spirit and stubbornness" he said.

I was soon lost in my thoughts of the royal Palace, and drifted off to sleep with the rumblings of the carriage.

A/N: hope you guys like it so far..this is my first fan fic so send me any constructive ideas or comments.I would go more into detail of the characters later so dun worry!!! Oh, and I would only continue if the response is good!!! So do what you have to do.R and R!!!