AN: Wow. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm truly honoured that you think so highly of this little fic. I'm commenting on the reviews at the end of this chapter, just so you know.
Now, this is the last part I've written through. I went over it two days ago, and concluded it needed a little work, so sorry it's a bit "late". I did promise it'd only be a few days, didn't I? ;; Oh well. The next couple of chapters certainly need some work, so there will be a while with no updates (I'm hoping a week, but guessing a couple of weeks).
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Watch me!
Phil was upset. Furiously upset, actually, the way only Phil could be. Well, what else could be expected? His precious daughter had been wanted dead, again. And, again, it was while he hadn't been there to protect her. So, he was more than willing to listen to Zelgadis' suggestions. Zel had dragged Gourry with him to the meeting.
Gourry served two purposes. First of all, he was an expert on battle strategic. Nobody ever seemed to recognize that fact, though. But right now they would need all the expertise they could get. And second, he served as a meat-shield.
However, Phil didn't seem at all resentful towards Zelgadis today. Whatever Lina had said, it had worked wonders. Zel just hoped it wasn't too far from the truth. Nor too close to it.
Gourry was thankfully the one bringing up the suggestion that he and Zel could protect Amelia. Zel backed that one up by claiming that if they could keep her safe from Dark Star, they'd be able to keep her safe from just about any threat that might lurk out there. After that meeting it was agreed upon that Gourry and Zelgadis guarded Amelia at all times, on changing watches. Zelgadis taking most of them.
"I can go at least three days without sleep or food. I can stay constantly alert. And I don't have a family to tend to. I'll take most of the watches, Gourry!"
Gourry had tried to argue with him, but the chimera had a point. Besides, it was only until Amelia was married. Sure, she'd need bodyguards for the rest of her life, probably, but since there were so many people against this marriage, the worst part of it might be over once they were irreversibly married.
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But of course, this little arrangement needed some getting-used-to.
The first bridge to cross was encountered that very same morning, right after their meeting with Phil. Zelgadis had to take the first watch, and so he went to wake the princess, who was sleeping in today.
He knocked. No answer. He knocked a little harder.
"Princess?" He hadn't meant to shout, but did so unintentionally. Just like his last knock made a mark on the door. Why didn't she reply?
He stood there, battling himself. His manners and decency kindly informed him that he couldn't just barge in. But his sense of protectiveness and his fear screamed at him to just open that damn door. What if she was in danger? What if he was too late? What if he'd have to stand with her dead corpse once again?
He opened the door and stormed in. She was lying there, in bed. He forced himself to keep calm. He could still hear her breathe.
"Princess?" he asked again, nearing the bed. She still didn't respond. He reached out to touch her. This was wrong, he told himself. He shouldn't even be in here. But why hadn't she woken yet? He gently shook her by the shoulders. She woke up with a gasp.
Their eyes met, and he was caught in a deadlock again. He tried to move away, but the scene somehow seemed too familiar, even the nightgown was the exact same. He was holding her shoulders, looking into those blue eyes.
She also seemed to recall the situation by its similarity to the current one. Then, she obviously forced herself to return to the present. She lightly titled her head, and smiled.
"Have I overslept, Zelgadis-san?"
He stepped away, and cleared his throat, while closing his eyes.
"Yes you have, princess.. I… I was quite worried…"
"Princess?" She asked, slightly frowning. "Why are you calling me that, Zelgadis-san?"
"Because it's proper speech to somebody you work for…" He said, and added, when she looked questioning at him; "..Your father thought it might be a good idea to position bodyguards with you. Gourry and I volunteered. So if you have no objections-"
He didn't really have a chance to finish that sentence, as the princess flung herself around him. She was still sitting in bed, half covered by the sheets, and hugged him in waist height. His initial reaction was to try to get her off of him. However, somehow he didn't mind. Over the last two years he'd come to miss her affectionate outbursts.
"So, you'll be watching me?" she asked, looking up at him, with what might have been a teasing smile. It had a little different effect though.
Zel freed himself from her embrace and stepped a little away.
"Yes. From now and 'til midday, then Gourry will watch you until dinner, and I'll…. Take the night-watch.."
She smiled. He inwardly sighed with relief. She didn't mind. Good. Not that he thought it would be like her to mistrust him, but she might not have liked the idea of him watching over her, in her sleep. Then he thought how much easier it would have been if she had mistrusted him. But she just didn't seem to own that healthy, natural mistrust most people have.
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Somewhere in the outer world, in a little shop, a teakettle whistled. The owner of the "Mace & Vase" gracefully got up from her chair behind the counter and put the "on tea-break"-sign up in the door. She then went to the little adjoining kitchen, long golden hair waving after her with each step, and gently poured the hot water into a pot. She then took out her favourite cup, a light rose coloured one, white on the inside, and sat down at the little table, sighing contently.
She barely had a chance to enjoy the first sip before an only too well-known sound made her head snap towards the door. And it wasn't the doorbell.
"My my, Filia-san. Shouldn't you be on a boat by now?" the shadow appearing by the door said. "Or does dementia set in early in golden dragons?"
She inwardly counted to ten. Then, when that did nothing to calm her down, she tried for twenty. That – that.. namagomi! Just showing up like that. And in her teabreak, too! While she was busy counting, Xellos made his way to the kitchen, drew out a chair for himself, sat down and made himself comfortable. Out from the dark nothingness he pulled a little black and purple teacup and sat it on the table in front of him.
"Or could it be that the self-conceited dragon has decided that she'd rather stay home, not attending the wedding of one of her few friends?" he said, opening his eyes, giving her a daring and teasing glance as he reached for the tea-pot to pour himself a cup.
Her eyes snapped to his, and her hand slapped his away from the teapot. She then sighed, grabbed the pot and poured him a cup, herself. She'd be civilized to the last. That much she'd promised herself.
"I'm flying there, namagomi. No need to take off yet." She said, calmly, putting down the pot and taking her cup in her hand. "But I was for a moment considering not attending…"
She trailed off. Xellos lifted an eyebrow and looked at her with his trademark "Oh?"-expression. He then smiled.
"And why is that, Filia?" he asked in a tone that implied that he knew full-well why she'd considered not showing up.
"Because while I know from Amelia's letters that she's exited about getting married, she doesn't sound happy." The dragoness sighed. "And I guess we all know what would have made her happy. And him too. But it doesn't seem like they managed to realise it before it was too late. So I'd hate to see her being married into a loveless marriage, when love was so close. It makes me so sad.."
The Mazoku let out a slight amused laugh, opening one eye and smiled at her teasingly.
"Now that's so typically the selfish dragon, not wanting to go because it would make her sad." He obviously enjoyed her anger a moment, but before she reached for Mace-sama, he decided to continue. "But for once you and I agree on something, though."
That caught her off-guard. She hadn't expected to agree with the namagomi on anything else than the fact that they never agreed.
"We do?" she said, incredulously.
"Basically. I too oppose to our little princess being married to this prince Orin." He said, and knew that she'd be sceptic anyways, so he might as well offer her his agenda on a silver-platter. "Because these are two very orderly and peaceful nations, that we Mazoku have a hard time getting our claws into in the first place. Imagine how hard it'd be when they unite. It'll be so perfectly white there'll be no shadows at all left for us to live in or work from."
Filia opened her mouth to say something, but as his explanation sank in, her mind settled for letting it hang open in disbelief.
He drank his tea, slowly, enjoying her baffled expression. When he was all out of tea, and she still hadn't regained herself, he put his cup down, and looked at her a little worriedly with a wondering look.
"Well, even that taken into consideration, I think it's still safe to say that my reason is less selfish than yours, Filia-san." He smirked. "At the very least, I was opposing to the wedding on behalf of my peoples well-being. You on the other hand were just selfishly wanting not to become sad." He said the last with a little mocking tone, sorta hoping she'd snap out of it. When she didn't he tried pouring himself another cup, just to see if that caught her attention. When that didn't work either, he put his hand on top of hers.
That, however, seemed to reboot the dragoness brain, and with a scream she grabbed Mace-sama from her garter and swung it at him. He dodged, Mazoku style. The mace dug itself into the wall, just above the teatable, and only a nifty rescue-action from a certain purple haired trickster saved her teapot and favourite cup when the mace finally came out of the wall, and crashed down on the table.
"Ah, welcome back, Filia-san." He smiled and put the teapot back on the table.
She blinked, and released her grip on Mace-sama. Had she just been out? He handed her the pink cup and she took it without words, but with a stern glare. After sitting down, placing the cup, pouring herself another cup of tea, taking the first gulp, she spoke again. Like a roller coaster her mood went from riding high, to falling low, and now it was climbing again.
"So you're going to foil poor Amelia's wedding?" She snarled, briskly. "You- you!! Why would you do such an evil thing!?"
He blinked and looked at her through his creased eyes, wearing his "Oh?"-expression again.
"Mazoku, remember?" he then returned. "But it sort of puts me in a pinch, seeing as how I'm bound to do a good deed either way." He pensively stoked a finger along his chin. "If the marriage happens, you'll be relieved that I didn't manage to spoil it, because for some reason you're such a hypocrite that the sole fact that I oppose to the marriage makes you in favour of it. So the fact that I told you about my feelings towards the marriage will actually have saved you a lot of scruples by attending, doing both you and Amelia a huge favour. And if the marriage is cancelled you'll be relieved that poor Ame-chan doesn't have to marry somebody she doesn't love."
Again she opened her mouth to dispute, but once again she had to leave it standing open. Dammit, he had a point!
"But that aside, I never personally intended to spoil the marriage." He said with a fake sigh and slouched back into the chair.
She shot him a sceptic glance.
"Somehow I don't buy that one, namagomi!" she crossed her arms over her well-endowed chest.
"Well come now, just because I'm not trying, doesn't mean that it isn't being tried." he smiled. "Actually, they've all more or less set in the last spurt of attempts. Both some politicians, some rulers over neighbouring countries, some suitors, some Mazoku, and then of course let's not forget the one with the smartest plan, Lina Inverse."
Filia blinked. Lina-san? Why on earth would she… And even if it was logic for her to want the best for her friend, why start now?
"I guess it was to that end she asked me to fetch Zelgadis Greywords." He said, in mock-thought. "And I must applaud her; if I myself had to come up with an idea to foil that marriage, what better actor to throw on stage than the old flame."
She clenched her teeth and fists. Lina was being used again. She'd probably been talked into this stupid plan by this ..this.. namagomi! And even if she wasn't, it was clear that if Xellos was against the marriage, the only right action was to defend it!
"Why are you telling me this, namagomi?!" she growled, picking up Mace-sama from the table.
"That…" he said, and she knew what was coming next, so she swung the mace, only a fraction too late to stop him from continuing "..is a secret!" and disappearing with a sizzle.
The baffled dragon sat behind, wondering what actions to take. Thankfully, Val woke and began screaming, giving her a chance not to think about it.
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The day at the Sailrune castle had been pretty uneventful. Zel had walked her to her office and been keeping an eye on her while she was doing her duties. He'd also unwillingly kept an eye on her, noticing just how much she'd grown up. A part of him didn't quite like that. She was supposed to be cheerful, bubbly and happy, and she showed little traces of those traits now. Funny, though, how she returned to being a little bubblier when she talked with him. He must have reminded her of the old days. Yes, that was probably it.
"So, what are you doing today?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going since it clearly lifted her mood, and first time around totally unaware of the interest that sentence usually implied.
"A little diplomatic paperwork, I guess. I could also start on some of the other pile, but I don't really feel like it." she sighed heavily, resting her elbows on the paper and stared into nothingness. "I guess being a hero of Justice isn't only sometimes dangerous, but also sometimes downright boring."
Bird in a cage, that was the first thought that struck Zelgadis. He never really had taken her for anything else than a privileged, naïve child. But maybe this was why she had been so reluctant to let go of her friends. Her everyday life sure wasn't exciting, unless you count attempts on your life as excitement.
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After an hour's work or so, she let out an almost Lina-like growl of frustration and her hands fisted into her hair.
"How the heck am I supposed to figure out if their over-all tax-collection adds up when I don't have the specifics!?" she whined, effectively making Zel stifle a little chuckle. She shot him a glare. "What?"
"Lina's bad mood rubbing off on you?" he simply asked, voice almost soft. She glared, but then broke out laughing. She couldn't hold that angry façade for long anyways. At least, not towards Zelgadis.
"Let's look at it without the Inverse-attitude, and I'm sure we'll figure it out." He said, gathering the pieces of paper and looking them over. Amelia still just looked at him, but this time around it was more of a surprised stare than a glare. She'd almost forgotten how he liked an intellectual challenge. Then it struck her.
"Shouldn't you be on guard?" She used an almost teasing tone, also to save face. It wouldn't look good if he was able to just figure this one out right after she'd given up.
He looked around the room. Aside from the door, which could be locked, there was only a window that presented a potential assassination threat. He grabbed the desk, and slightly moved it, so that Amelia's back was now turned towards the window. She stared at him puzzled. Wouldn't this just make it easier to attack her? He then moved to stand right behind her, and leaned ever so slightly over her, placing a hand on each side of her, effectively shielding her with his body.
The awkwardness fell upon them like a ton of bricks. She could feel his breath on the crown of her head. Every single move presented a danger of accidentally touching him, and she knew how he hated that. He apparently also felt the tension.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." He calmly concluded, and started to move away, but the princess' hand grabbed his right arm, and held him in place.
He had taken the initiative on this one, and it was possibly as close as she could be with him, with his consent. Although she wasn't really sure why, she liked having him this close. It made her feel… protected.
"Please…" She didn't exactly know how to phrase this so it wouldn't sound terribly desperate. "I… I feel a lot safer like this. So please, Zelgadis-san. If it's not too uncomfortable for you…" She tried to find some of that Lina-courage she'd accumulated over the years. "Unless of course you're scared of me, Zelgadis-san." She turned her head to look at him, to give him a slightly teasing wink. In stead she stopped dead in her motion, not really having thought of how close their faces would be if she turned around. She swallowed, and just turned back, not lingering to see the wide-eyed chimera blush.
Afraid? Zelgadis mind managed to make a sceptical huff. If there's anything I'm afraid of in this situation, Amelia, it's not you, but me. He thought.
He wasn't afraid. At least not the kind of afraid she was referring to. But then again, he had run away from her, avoiding her, avoiding confrontation. But all in all he couldn't really admit that he was afraid of her per se. It was more like he was afraid of what her emotions might do to him.
But all that was behind them now, and he was only guarding her. There was no need to feel the same kind of fright as he had so long ago, because it was over. She was getting married, he was only there to protect her. End of story. So why was he still feeling so damn edgy?
"If you want to scare me, Princess, you'll have to try better than this." He said, finally. "Now, about those taxes…"
They worked together, not saying much, but when they spoke the tone was like in old times, or perhaps even better. When they came down to eat lunch, Zel almost felt sad that his shift was over. But then again, it was also somewhat relieving not to have her around. As much as he enjoyed her company, she still made him edgy. And the two times she'd made a justice speech while trying to fill him in on a diplomatic issue that she was handling, he'd almost snapped and yelled at her.
After lunch Gourry took over, and with him also Lina. Orin was around, and Zel caught a glimpse of him once or twice. Generally Orin was a very handsome man, and he seemed kind and smiling. But Zel had to agree with Amelia, he wouldn't last long in a fight. Not a real fight, where there are no duel-rules, at least. However, at least he seemed like a well-meaning guy. That was something. She could have done worse, he thought.
The only thing that saddened him was the fact that while she was smiling at him, she just wasn't smiling. Not really. It was her mild, dignified and beautiful smile, that she put on not to worry anyone. But not her beaming smile. Then again, somewhere, he was glad that this particular smile was reserved for her friends.
Orin seemed to approve of the idea to position bodyguards with Amelia, and was rather satisfied with the fact that one of them was Gourry. However, he would like to meet the second bodyguard. Nobody really felt like letting him in on the fact that it was Zelgadis. They didn't want to upset him, apparently. But he had to know sooner or later. That time became later that evening, when they were about to dine.
Gourry came down with Amelia on one side and his lovely wife on the other. His shift was over, and the food ready. Orin was already sitting at the table, with Phil on his left side, and a chair for Amelia on his right.
He complimented his fiancé, and she sat down beside him.
"Where IS he, already!?" Lina growled under her breath. "Late again!!"
Zelgadis slowly entered the room, trying to look as neutral as possible. Orin's eyes became wide, as he apparently connected the dots.
"Is that the chimera called Ze-"
"ZELGADIS-san!" exclaimed the deep baritone bear-voice that was Phil's. "Come and sit down, my boy, I think Lina-san is starving…"
"Damn right I am, Zel!" she growled.
He sat down on the other side of Amelia. Orin looked confused, and on the border to angry.
"What is he doing here?" he demanded.
Zel tried not to meddle with it. If his friends wanted his honour intact they had to jump to its defence. He had no intention of running from what he'd done, and he could live with the blame.
"He's my other bodyguard." Amelia said, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Nonsense.." Orin said, but then it apparently dawned on him that no, this wasn't just an elaborate practical joke. He added: "I won't have it, Amelia-love. I simply won't! I shall have some qualified and trustworthy bodyguards from Zephilia brought here, immediately!"
"Great idea, you could probably need some bodyguards, too!" Gourry said, not really grasping the situation, but then again in some way managing to say just what needed to be said.
Amelia took calmly a sip of her wine.
"Well, Zelgadis-san is more than just qualified, and I trust him with my life!" she said, with determination. "So if you send for a replacement, you'll only be wasting your time, Orin-san."
"You can't just decide that without my approval, Amelia!" Orin objected.
She narrowed her eyes and shot him a glare over the tip of her glass.
"Watch me!"
And with that said, nothing really changed. Even though he repeatedly pleaded her to change her mind about it. Zel couldn't blame him. In fact it reassured him that he didn't trust him. He shouldn't. It's only healthy to be suspicious of people… Well, monsters… Monsters, like me, he thought.
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The rest of the evening Amelia spend reading. Zelgadis was constantly alert, and hence didn't feel like dropping his guard by reading himself. Too many windows, too many angles, and of course the fact that there'd been an attack just the night before in the very same room. Amelia was apparently expanding her knowledge about magic. It would be good. Then she wouldn't be so helpless..
Lina and Gourry sat in their usual end of the library, on a safe distance from Zel. Lina tried to calculate in her head how far they'd have to sit from Zel to be out of his ears range. The fact that he was listening actively for enemies of course made it a little easier. So their usual spot by the couch would do. And what she was about to discuss with her husband was not exactly something she'd like her stony friend to hear. She put down her cup of cocoa on the little table.
"This is perfect!" she snickered, rubbing her hands in glee, shoulders raised, and looking back over one of them, eyeing Zel and Amelia.
"What is? The couch? Or the fact that we've been allowed to eat in the library since you're pregnant?" Gourry asked, a little confused.
"No you idiot!" she growled, but couldn't find it in herself to get mad at him. After all, if he'd understood, she wouldn't have had the chance to explain her own genius plan to him. To gloat, one of her favourite pastimes.
She took a casual sip of cocoa, and gestured at the couple far behind them.
"This little bodyguard arrangement is per-fect!" she did her best to keep her voice down, but the excitement seeped into it and the last part came out like a strangled squeal. "Zel is so going down. He can't avoid it this time around."
The blonde looked to the couple, but couldn't see what exactly Zel was supposed to avoid. And even if there were something, shouldn't he rather deflect it? Otherwise it might accidentally hit Amelia.
"I don't think he'd have to avoid anything, with that thick skin of his, Lina…" the blonde started.
"Oh but that's exactly the point!" Lina chimed, like a little girl. "This time around the attack will be hidden, and he won't see it coming until it's too late, and she's way under his skin by then!"
"Ehm.. Lina?" Gourry asked, while trying to figure out just what the heck she was talking about.
"You see, if love attacks Zel head on, like Amelia did long time ago, he'll just deflect it, because "he's a monster" and he's "undeserving" and crap like that. And he'll see the attack, because it's coming straight at him, giving him time to think before he feels." The redhead snickered, put the cup down and went back to rubbing her hands in glee.
Gourry nodded. Aha, so they were talking emotions here and not battle strategies. Well, that was great! It went from one of his strong topics to another of his strong topics, without even passing through the ever-dangerous land of Sorry-I-wasn't-listening-because-I-don't-understand-this-at-all-and-why-is-this-important-again?
"But this time around.." Lina said with her evil-voice. "..we trick his brain into thinking that he's around Amelia to protect her, thus giving it enough of an excuse for him not to push her away. And that excuse is exactly what he needs. If he serves a purpose, there's nothing wrong with burdening her with his presence. If he's only around her to protect her, then there's nothing wrong in being around her, nothing wrong in opening up to her. And that's when his heart will turn traitor and ambush him!"
Gourry didn't exactly understand. Of course Zel wanted to protect Amelia. It was because he loved her, right? Wasn't it just that simple? Why then all this talk of attack and falling into an ambush?
"So you're saying that being her bodyguard will make him realise his feelings?" Gourry asked.
"More or less." Lina said. "You see, as much as he'd hate to let himself do something foolish like falling in love with her, because he's sure he'd only end up hurting her, he can't protect Amelia if he tries to protect himself from her. You can't be a shield to a person and also have some odd kind of mysophobia towards that person!"
She sighed with self-satisfaction and tried to balance her cup of cocoa on her belly while leaning back.
"Hmm.. I'm not sure this is the right way to do this, Lina…" Gourry said, in his thinking-position, hand on chin, looking upwards with a tilted head. "Zel's pretty bright. Lot more bright than I ever was, and I'm sure he'll figure it out on his own, without any ambushing of a tricked heart or a traitorous brain or whatever."
Lina glared. Oh hell no. The stubborn stone had caused them all so much trouble, it was only fair that he fell, hard! Realising bit by bit wasn't evil enough; he had to full-out fall head over heals for the little princess, fast and hard! Also because of the time pressure with the wedding and all. Nope, realising bit by bit definitely wasn't going to do.
But by the looks of things, it was going well according to her plan. While Zel might be tense because he was alert to any attacks, he was seemingly totally clueless to what the little princess charms did to him. Well, to be fair, so was Amelia. But the tone between the two had softened which was good, and earlier today she'd even heard them joke together. Oh this was going just according to plan, alright, and with any luck, Zel would fall so hard that it'd be difficult to dig the blue bastard out of the ground afterwards.
The dragon-spooker gave a diabolic laugh that caught the attention of all in the library, including said two lovebirds. When she explained herself by mumbling something about missing blowing people up, they had the mind not to ask her any further.
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After her reading Amelia and Zelgadis went to another wing of the castle in ground-level. Even if it was from the inside this time, Zelgadis still recognized the place. He confirmed with the time that it was a little past eight. When they got to the door, Amelia stopped, suddenly realising that she had a chimera tagging along. She turned to face him with as slight blush over her nose. She didn't notice that Zel had a matching one.
"Ehm… I should have thought of this…" she mumbled and looked at the floor. "But this is a bathroom, and.. well.. I was going to take a bath, but maybe I'll wait until Lina takes one. She might be pregnant, but she can still protect me, if it's only for a bath. Besides, who would attack me here?"
Her nervous giggle made it obvious that she knew well enough that an assassin didn't care at all whether you were dressed or not when you were killed. Zel sighed. It was actually a good place to attack, since the window was in ground level.
"But Lina took a bath this morning…" Amelia mused while frowning. "Can't I just…"
Then she apparently had an idea.
"You're hearing is pretty good, isn't it, Zelgadis-san?" she asked, rhetorically. "So, you would be able to hear, if there was any danger, right? If you were in the room, that is."
Zel thought about it. Yes, if she didn't splash too much around, he would be able to hear if anybody was sneaking up on her. Especially if he was sitting near the window. He nodded.
"Right!" Amelia said, taking in a deep breath. "Then we have a solution!"
She darted back to her room, a slightly confused Zel right at her heels, and went to a drawer. She sceptically glanced over a couple of pieces of cloth, choosing carefully. Then she set course back to the bathroom. On the way she asked him to pick up a chair, and bring it. He did so without asking, having a slight idea of what her plan was, and not really knowing how he liked it.
"Right, sit over there!" she pointed at the window. He sat the chair at the designated place and sat down. Then she went to lock the door. Smart. Now there'd be no sneak-attack from that front. But how would she solve the last part?
Just as he thought she drew forward a scarf. First she held it in front of her eyes, checking its transparency. Then, she bent forward, and tied it around his eyes. She waved a hand in front of him.
"See anything?" she asked.
"Not really, no." he answered in a calm voice.
"Good!" she then stepped back, and hesitated. "You're sure you can't see anything?"
"Quite." He replied.
He could hear he drop one piece of clothes, but couldn't identify which. Then again it was probably better not to try to visualise the impression too much. She then obviously hesitated.
"You swear you can't see anything, Zelgadis-san?"
He let out a slightly exasperated sigh.
"Didn't you claim that you trusted me with your life? Is there such a difference between your life and your dignity?" he asked, with a stony eyebrow cocked. When there was no reply he added: "Amelia, why would I peep on you?"
That came out wrong. He knew it the moment he'd said it.
"I'm sorry.. I guess I'm just flattering myself.." she said and tried to make a little chuckle. It couldn't hide the fact that she was a little hurt by his remark.
She then took off the rest of her clothes and ran to hide in the pool. Zelgadis didn't move. He was just sitting there, like a statue, keen ears listening for any trouble.
"Zelgadis-san?" she asked, after a while.
"Hmm?"
She moved about in the water.
"You still had my bracelet…" she started, carefully. "…why?"
"Because I hadn't returned it." he answered, shortly.
"No, why did you hold on to it?" she asked.
Silence.
"Why would I throw it away?" he countered.
"I dunno… Maybe because it was unimportant to you…" she tried.
"It was apparently important to you that I had it, so it was important to me to hold on to it." he offered. He actually thought that was rather nice. For his standards. At least it couldn't hurt her.
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She stood up from the bath and dried herself. Oh, why did I even bother to blindfold him in the first place? He couldn't care less.. she thought and sighed. He's right, why would he look at me? And why would I care? I'm over him… aren't I?
Her temporal fit of low self-esteem was pushed back by recalling Lina's kind words. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps it was just a matter of attitude and self-esteem that made Amelia think that she wasn't the beauty her friends told her she was. At least she'd like to see if the chimera was totally unaffected by her.
"You can take off the blindfold.." she said.
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He should have known. Her voice was a little more daring than usual, and he hadn't heard her put on her clothes. But he'd been occupied by listening to the garden. A guard had passed by, once, but that was it. No sign of Xellos either. So when she asked him to take off the blindfold, he hadn't questioned it. He should have.
The only thing she was wearing was the lavender-coloured towel she'd wrapped around herself. Her perfect skin was covered with little pearls of water, and her hair was framing her head in wet, natural curls. Her shapely legs were only too visible, long and firm, but with a very womanly figure to them. And her shoulders… He saw the scar, and cursed himself to a life in hell. The only thing that marred this perfect beauty was that scar. The one he'd given her
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She felt her self-confidence grow under his gaze. His admiration was well hidden, but it was there. He's watching me, she thought. He's actually not only noticing me, but also watching me as he'd watch a woman, not a child! She felt a slight blush creep up on her cheeks. Then she saw how his face changed, and tracing his gaze, she realised that it was because of the scar.
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"Why didn't you heal that one with magic?" he asked. His mind shouted out that he should rather have asked why she wasn't dressed yet.
She looked down at the floor, then touched the scar with a thin, damp hand.
"Because…." She sighed and looked to a side. "Because I knew that it might be the only thing I'd have to remember you by…" she sighed again and turned around.
That was not the answer he had expected. In fact, he wasn't sure what he had expected, but it sure as heck wasn't that.
Without thinking he reached out to touch it. She looked at him, over her shoulder, a look that made him quickly withdraw his hand, even if she hadn't really been looking angry or at all like she minded him reaching out for her.
"It doesn't hurt, anymore." She whispered.
It was so typical. Something to remember him by. A scar, from a rather nasty wound. Something that hurt. Or had done so for a long time. Well, he had to compliment her, if he'd have to choose something that would represent him, he'd probably also have to admit that a scar was ideal. He looked out the window. Or at least pretended to, but actually he was looking at nothing at all.
"It wouldn't have done so in the first place if you'd healed it with magic immediately." his voice droned, a little blaming.
"But… I wanted it to.." she sighed. "Because I'd hurt you.."
His eyes snapped back to her face and he gave her a puzzled glare.
"I must have, somehow.." she mused, to herself this time, now looking at the wall in front of her. She walked over to her clothes, put on a bluish kimono, and fastened it, before removing the towel underneath it. She then thoughtfully gathered her clothes in her hands. "Like Lina-san said.. You wouldn't have done it for no reason!"
He was struck dumb. So she thought she'd hurt him in some way? And that he'd taken revenge on her that night? She sure had misunderstood the situation. Heck, she'd even misunderstood the situation he had tried to fake!
"But whatever I'd done you must have forgiven me." She smiled at him, a little sweet smile, unlocked the door, "Why else would you return?" and went out.
Zelgadis followed her, trying hard to think of what to say.
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Nothing intelligent popped up before they reached her room. She went behind her dressing screen, and slipped into her nightgown. Zelgadis waited by the door.
"Do you want me to wait outside, like last time we guarded you?" he asked, referring to the time where Phil was thought dead.
"No…" She said, coming out from behind the dressing screen, clad in her nightgown. She blushed a little. "I'd like you to stay with me tonight.."
His eyes widened a little, and as she saw that, her cheeks flushed a tad more.
"Wait, that didn't come out right…" she waved her hands in front of her. "I'd just like you to be there.. y'know.. To watch me.."
His cheeks grew a little more purple, as he tried to suppress the mental image. Trying not to lose face, he smirked and crossed his arms, leaning back a little and looking at her sceptically. The teasing kind of sceptical, that was.
"No! Over me. To watch over me, was what I meant!" she frantically corrected while waving her hands defensively in front of her again. Then she gave up and laughed. "I can't save that one, can I?"
He shook his head, still smiling wryly. Growing a little bolder, he took a step towards her, slowly.
"So, young princess…" he said in a low voice. "..You would like me to watch you, huh?" he teased, and felt the pressure of this awkward situation being placed solely on her.
She narrowed her eyes. He was playing her the fool. Well, they'd soon see about that.
"That depends.." she started and turned her back to him, walked towards her bed, put a hand on her hip, and twisted herself towards him, and shot him a flirtatious glance over her bare shoulder. "If you would like to watch me… Zel-ga-dis-san.." She winked at him.
That look sent chills down his spine. Surely it was just payback, but, man, was she good at that. He had to really strain himself to regain his cool composure.
How to reply on that one? He didn't want to offend her again. However he didn't want to give her the wrong impression either, or to overstep himself. The silence was kinda becoming awkward.
The door opened, and Lina's face peeped in. Amelia quickly scrambled to her bed with an un-dignifying squeak, and quickly covered herself with the sheets. Zelgadis sighed. It only made the situation look way more suspicious than it actually was.
"Oh… Sorry.. Didn't interrupt anything, did I?" she teased.
"No!" they replied, simultaneously.
"Riiight…" she snickered. "Well, just wanted to say goodnight.. and ask if you happened to have the key to the pantry? Some idiot locked it up, for no obvious reason!"
Amelia shook her head, and tried to hide her red cheeks.
"Okay then, I'll just pick the lock… with a fireball or sum'thing! G'night!" she shot a wry smile to Zel and closed the door. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she said from the other side of the door.
Stupid Lina, Zelgadis thought, finding himself a chair to sit watch on. Amelia scuffled around in her bed, trying to find a comfortable position.
"Good night, Zelgadis-san…" She said in a thin voice.
"…night.. Princess." He replied.
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AN: Oh the OOC-ness. But then again, if this couple doesn't move a little out of their normal personality range, then nothing will happen between them. Either one of them has to take the initiative, or they'll have to move towards each other. I guess I'm trying to pull off the latter. ;) Just ignore the fic if you think it failed miserably.
Now, as for replying on the wonderful reviews I've received.
DianaMe: I'm glad you liked it and I hope you enjoyed the update too.
Raywing: Also pleased that you like it so far. And yes, it is always nice to meet a fellow AZ-shipper.
Ichiban Victory: As I replied, university is only so important. ;) Get back to writing. :P And yes, I'm afraid it's already too late to turn back now. I have sold my soul to fanfiction.
Kitsuneofthedarknessflame: Updated. ;) And I hope you still think so highly of it.
DQBunny: Glad you think it's realistic so far. It's a bit jumpy in this chapter, I'm afraid. But then, that's the price I'm paying for not wanting it to drag out. And about the wine and Lina being pregnant… ooups? I'll correct that so that she sips from her glass, not mentioning what's in it. ;) Then it could be anything.
Earth Star: Thanks for your praise. And yes, we'll have to do something about it. :P
Princess of Imperfect Dreams: I am proud to have challenged your laziness. ;) And I do hope you enjoyed this chapter.
RowenaTheWitch: I am so agreeing with both you and Gourry. ;) If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. :D
Once again thanks.