Yet annother short chapter. I simply can't make myself to write longer ones cause I really don't have much to say. One plot is finished and I'm making the foundations for the second one.

Due to the long and eyes-opening review I got for the first version of this story I changed the base plot cause Van really was out of character. I hope people will like this version more.

Enjoy!

Representatives from all alliance kingdoms sat at a round table in the hall. They assembled in Pallas to discuss about the future of land and people of now fallen Zeibach Empire. The representative from Basram was the loudest and he demanded to know why Dryden, who was here in the name of king Aston who was ill, held that the lands should be annexed to Fanelia.

"Do I ask to much?! After all Basram did send an army in the war and what did Fanelia send? A boy!"

"A king." Dryden answered calmly glancing at Van who was sitting calmly and ignored the outrageous jealousy rampage like it wasn't about him at all "And you also seem to forget that the other Fanel brother killed Dornkirk and so stopped his plans."

"That traitor? He should be put to trial!" some rolled their eyes on Lord Borzan's words and his obvious desire that the lands be given to Basram and so to him as king's most trusted advisor "And that witch from the Mystic-"

Before he managed to finish what he wanted Van stood up and looked at him seriously "I was silent while you called me a worthless boy and while you called my brother a traitor. But I will not listen what you intended to call Hitomi. You never met her not even seen her and you probably never will considering she is with Ispano makers now so shut up already so we can do what we came here to do."

Dryden looked with amazement at the young king and his extraordinary ability to remain calm and not to raise his voice when other would have snapped and started to yell after being insulted like that. Others mush have thought the same cause they silently nodded.

"Well than, I suggest we vote if van should or should not be given the claim over the lands of Zeibach." Dryden suggested and was right away supported.

"All for?" he looked over the lifted hands and noticed two weren't in the air. One who voted against was Lord Borzan but that wasn't a surprise, what shocked him was Van also voted against.

"I don't think I understand. Why haven't you-" general Maynar from Cesario looked confused as Van simply shook his head before the man was able to finish his question.

"Fanelia is a one large ruin and needs to be rebuild. I don't have the time or strength to deal with lands of old Zeibach as well." Van truly did look tired, but not cause of the lack of sleep but cause of the all the fighting.

"Perhaps." General Maynar smiled to the young king "But with your brother as a regent you will be just fine. Besides, a queen and children will come too." His smile vanished seeing how Van's expression changed suddenly from tired to horrified.

"I don't have much choice, do I?" Van asked with a sigh "Majority voted for."

"It's settled then." Dryden said seeing Van gave up and accepted the offer others would have taken without second thought "And don't worry about rebuilding. Asturia will… correction, I will personally help you with anything you need."

"Why?" several voices asked at the same time.

"It is for me to know and for you to get crazy while trying to find out." Dryden said smugly.

Later that evening Van walked down the empty corridor towards the library hopping to find Dryden there. That was after all the most obvious place to look after, as Merle nice called him, the bookworm.

He pushed the large door and walked in the dim room. A light illuminated only one table at the far end and he went there with the attention to get an answer.

"Why?" Van asked simply sitting down opposite of Dryden.

"Did anyone tell you what amount the Ispanos asked for the repair?"

"Other than Hitomi?" Van asked sadly, something that didn't go unnoticed to the merchant.

"Before they asked fifty millions." Van stirred at his words, after all that was a lot of money "But as she told up Zeibach is approaching they noticed her gift and requested her in the exchange for the repair."

"She is worth way more than fifty millions." Dryden smiled at Van's words. It was more than obvious he wasn't being objective; it was his heart that set the worth of the young seer, not his head.

"The thing is… I was ready to pay the price when they changed their minds, so in a way… she saved that money."

"I still don't understand." Van looked at him and Dryden smiled.

"I am surprised. It is quite simple actually. Millerna realized the moment I told her. It would be like I paid for the repair like I intended to do cause I won't have the money, and you…"

"I can't accept that Dryden. It's an generous offer but I can't." Van stood up and was ready to leave when Dryden's words made him stop.

"I know that won't bring her back, but it will give you a chance to bring your kingdom to it's former glory so when she returns…"

"She won't return. Ever." Van said holding back the tears and walked out.

"Your suggestion comes quite suddenly I must say." A tall dark-haired man said.

Opposite of him was Lord Borzan who came with an interesting suggestion that only a mad man would say 'no' to, or a man who has nothing to lose like in this case.

Lord Borzan explained his plan and why it would be better to wait while his companion quietly nodded on all that not even trying to hide the smug smile on is face. The plan was indeed good and should definitely be put to action… when the time comes.

After all, what is the point of attacking and taking over a completely destroyed kingdom when they have the time and can wait till it is rebuilt?