Merle walked down the hall towards Van's chamber. It was still early and she knew he wasn't up yet so waking him up and right way giving him a hard case of guiltiness was a perfect thing to do today.
A week ago, one day after their last accouter during which she clearly showed him what she meant messengers were send to friends and allies inviting them to a meeting for the king has an announcement to make. Merle already have a hunch what that announcement would be he will make today.
Slowly opening his door she walked in his chamber quietly and stopped startled upon seeing him already up.
Van was standing at the window looking up in the sky like he was hopping to see something there like he often does for the last year. Yes, it's been a year now.
"Lord Van, about the announcement today…" she didn't know how to ask him.
"Don't worry bout it Merle. Everyone arrived last night or will during morning today." Van answered calmly what disturbed her even more.
"So this is it? You're going to announce it today? Your gonna announce that you forgot how much she done for you on the anniversary of her… of when she left?" Merle wiped the tears that came down her cheeks "Well I will not participate in this! Just so you know!"
With that she left the room leaving Van completely shocked and even a bit guilty. Perhaps it would have been better if he was honest to Merle since the beginning, but it was over now, there is no turning back. He had to go on with his plan.
Two blond people walked out of the levi-ship and were right away greeted by the young king of Fanelia. The king and queen of Asturia arrived first out of those who were invited on this small gathering.
Some people say that late king Aston is now probably turning in his grave cause of his not so favorite night was now sitting on his throne. Millerna decided to change the law and finally be allowed to marry who she wishes only two weeks after her fathers death ten months ago and was now happily married to Allen. And the happily part could be easily seen in their eyes. Something Van couldn't see while Millerna was married to Dryden.
Their marriage ended little after the summit on which Dryden stood up for Van and he respected the merchant for it and hoped he would find a good woman who will make him happy too.
"It is wonderful to see you again Van." Millerna pushed the appropriate behaving aside and hugged the young king "How are you? How is Folken? How is Merle?" after she looked around her eyes turned back to Van and the smile vanished "Where is Merle?"
Van chuckled a bit "She is… well, angry at me for not telling her why everyone are invited here today."
"Merle doesn't know?!" Allen looked shocked "It must be a really important than if you wanted to make so sure no one would find out before the time comes."
"And I wanted to ask her is she knows anything." Millerna joked.
"Perhaps princess Eries knows something." A young girl said walking out. Van smiled to Celena hoping Millerna won't listen to her suggestion.
"I didn't tell Merle, what makes you think I would tell Eries?" Van asked trying to smooth things out and than changed the subject "I heads some rumors…" Van grinned "Is there something I should now?"
"No. Not until we know what's going on." Millerna said smiling but than burst in laughter "Alright. The rumors are true… I am carrying."
Princess Eries turned from her window as the door of her chamber opened and Millerna walked in. Right away she hugged her younger sister and smiled mysteriously. Something that hasn't escaped Millerna's eye "Do you know what is this announcement Van asked us for?"
"Even if I did knew something I couldn't tell you. It wouldn't be nice towards our host; after all he did went through all this trouble to keep it a secret." Eries said calmly.
"You do know something!" Millerna said "Spit it out!"
"I'm sorry sister, but all I know is… it's gonna be something happy and I would guess completely unexpected."
"Happy and unexpected…? What could that be?" Millerna mused.
"You will see tonight at dinner." Eries ended the conversation and the sisters went for a walk in the garden.
"Van? Why haven't you told Merle? She's been in my room the whole day sulking." Folken walked next to Van.
The young king pulled at the only place where he had peace and could think. Noticing he's brother didn't even hear what he asked but was instead staring at the sky Folken shook his head 'He is still clinging to her. Hitomi… I wish I met her before she stayed, she must have been a real jewel if everyone are praising her so much. I wonder how she would react if she knew…'
"Folken, I am worried about the people's reactions." Van said finally taking his eyes of the sky that was painted in warm colors.
"You shouldn't be. Everything will work out fine." Folken assured him "But… I believe the secret is out though."
"Who knows?" Van turned to his brother in a flash.
"I presume Nariya and Eriya. Eries said something about their strange behavior."
"It is too late now Folken." Van smiled "There is no way out."
Folken smiled back before suggesting that they should go in the dining hall where people already gathered and they were late.
People were sending curious glances to each other and towards Van during entire diner, but he ignored them all. On his right was Folken who had a mysterious during the whole time and on his left was Eries. She was given the place of importance right away after arriving to Fanelia as an ambassador.
Merle was sitting on the far side of the table and was strangely quiet what confused and even concerned the guests. Some even whispered to their neighbor that Merle is angry at Van for moving on or something like that. But those were only silly thoughts until Van decided it was time and stood up. It was a surprise even to him that he managed to stand that long without revealing anything.
After taking a deep breath Van smiled and looked across the table where everyone waited "I am happy to inform you of a upcoming royal wedding that will be held in three months!" he offered his hand and a woman on his left stood up with a smile on her face.
Before anyone had the chance to say anything Folken stood up as well and Van bonded his hand with Eries's.
Realizing what just happened Millerna jumped and rushed to her sister to hug her while everyone else congratulated Folken and wished him and Eries good luck. But one person stood aside watching the events with disbelieve.
Van walked to Merle who stood next to her chair. Her ears were down and she looked at the floor ashamed for jelling at Van that morning. He smiled slightly when she looked at him after he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I understand your anger Merle, and I am not going to take it against you. You had every right to be mad at me for keeping it a secret and I guess my behaving in the last week didn't help either." Van said calmly "But I hope you will trust me when I tell you this Merle…"
"What is it Lord Van?" she gave him a weak smile.
"I truly love Hitomi. It took me a while to understand that it was love, but I am sure in it. And I would never do that what you thought I had in mind Merle."
"Lord Van…"
"I would never give away a goddess I adore for a mere mortal that I could never care for in the way I care for Hitomi. Never…"