Thanks for the reviews!

I don't like to give things away, but since the question was asked, there will be no Hitomi in this fic. I've never been a fan of the whole Hitomi returns to Gaea idea. (Not that I don't like Hitomi.) However, I plan to eventually include every character from the anime, except of course, those that have died, plus a few new characters. It might take longer for some to show up than others, though. Sorry Merle fans, but she won't be around until Part 2.

So here's Chapter 2. It's a bit short but there's more to come very soon.

Chapter 2

"But, onii-sama! Why can't I go?"

"Because I forbid it. I do not want you there."

Gaddes leaned back in the red velvet armchair he'd taken refuge in, trying to make himself seem smaller. He had long since become used to being the awkward presence in the middle of one of the Schezar siblings' infamous arguments, but it still didn't make the situation any more pleasant. Mostly this was because more often than not, he tended to agree with Celena, leaving him torn between supporting the girl or backing up his boss. Not at all a good situation to be in.

This evening, the argument was over Celena's desire to attend that evening's banquet. She had been anticipating the event for some weeks now and had spent considerable time in the marketplace in search of just the perfect thing to wear. It was an oddity in itself that she worried so much over her attire. In fact, Gaddes had never seen her fuss over a dress or how to fix her hair when there were better things to fuss over… such as her brother's overprotective streak.

And fuss she did…

"That's not a good reason, and you know it! I want to know why you don't want me to be there!" She had already planted herself firmly between Allen and the door and now the girl advanced a few steps, her posture voicing a threat that she did not even know was there. "Everyone will be there! Why should I have to sit at home like an old maid? Answer me, onii-sama!"

Gaddes refused to look, but he could almost picture the expression on the knight's face. Allen always hated being stern with Celena. He was probably grinding his teeth and clenching his fists, looking too much like a child about to throw his own temper tantrum. "I simply do not want you thrown in the middle of all those foreigners."

Of course, it wasn't just any foreigners Allen was worried about, but three black robed individuals in particular.

"All those foreigners! You're lying again, I can tell!" The girl's powers of observation were uncanny at times. Gaddes had yet to get away with telling her a lie. In fact, he'd stopped trying all together.

That fact made things doubly troublesome when Celena rounded on him. "Don't you think he's being ridiculous, Gaddes! Tell him!"

Now trapped under the furious gaze of both siblings, Gaddes felt very much as if he were held at knife point. Truthfully, he would have felt more comfortable at knife point. "Ah… well… Maybe she's right, Allen." He cut himself off quickly just in case Allen managed to kill him with that glare.

Of course, Celena took full advantage of her reluctant supporter. "See, he said I'm right! You're being too overprotective again."

This time, Gaddes was quick to jump in, hoping to prevent one of the rare explosions of Allen's temper. "I'll keep an eye on her. We all will. You won't have to worry about a thing. And Celena will behave herself, won't you Celena?"

The girl flashed them both a perfectly angelic smile accompanied by a pair of large, somehow innocent doe eyes. Any man who believed she was innocent was in for a shock, but even knowing for a fact that she would likely get into trouble, Gaddes was inclined to believer her as she cooed her reassurances. "Yes, I'll be a perfect lady, just like onii-sama always says." She stepped forward, smoothing a few wrinkles from Allen's dress shirt. "I'll be good as gold. I promise."

Since the end of the Zaibach war, Asturia had stepped into a position of leadership amongst its allies. Despite the damage done to the city, the country itself was otherwise left untouched by the war and its economy was virtually unscathed. Reconstruction expenses were light, leaving Asturia the freedom to donate both money and aid to remedy the total destruction of Freid and Fanelia.

In the midst of the reconstruction, new foundations were laid on diplomatic grounds as well. More permanent alliances were formed, binding the three countries together in a triumvirate. Vows were made to act in the best interest of each ally in both trade and defense. Treaties were finalized in the courts of Asturia, barely weeks before King Aston took a turn for the worst.

The King's illness had entered remission for a time after the war, but it was said that the pressure of repairing the country took its toll on his health. After only four months, the king's illness returned tenfold, leaving him nearly bedridden. Word was sent immediately for Dryden Fassa, ordering him to return immediately. Full reign still remained in King Aston's hands, but all but the most important of tasks were delegated to his son-in-law.

However, in the last few months, the king's health took another tragic turn, leaving him a complete invalid. When it became evident that the end was near, the king officially transferred all royal power to Dryden, declaring he wished to spend the remainder of his days in peace. He refused news from outside his bed chamber. He despised visits, even from his own children. His nurses reported that he was slipping into a severe depression, refusing his meals and sleeping much of the day.

It was in this fragile time that Zaibach made its bid for peace, taking advantage, some thought, of the fragile condition of the Asturian monarchy.