Three weeks ago

People of Fanelia were thrilled as the evening of the festival was approaching, the most important event that year. Their king celebrates his eighteenth Birthday only once after all. The preparations started almost a month earlier so everything would be ready and flawless when the time comes. Invitations were send ad the answers arrived as well, the only thing about the whole thing that the young king didn't like about the whole celebration.

"I swear, the first person that approaches me about a daughter that is in the right age to get married will fly out of the window." Van said seriously. He was sitting on his place at the head of the table in the meeting room to set the last details about everything with his advisers.

Folken was the only one who found he's brother's words amusing, the other advisors looked terrified. They knew the king meant what he said and they also knew at least five of the invited royalties are bringing their daughters. Throwing one of them out would be a scandal.

"Your majesty, they are only looking for their kingdoms like you do for Fanelia." Cowin said "It doesn't matter if you like it or not but the fact is a political marriage would be good for all of us."

"Accept for you if you continue with this nonsense." Van looked at the older advisor seriously "I already said I will not do such a thing, and my words are final."

"Where is the cat boy?" some people just don't know when to stop "We haven't seen him in a while."

"He is not here." Folken answered shortly preventing his brother to snap at the adviser once more.

"Yes, we can see that. But where is he?" Cowin was persistent.

"Exactly when did the whereabouts of our cousin become any of your business?" even Folken's patience started to wear our.

"I am merely concerned that the neko doesn't harm anybody."

"They cut it out or I'll get Merle to show you exactly what kind of harm a neko is capable of." Van looked at Cowin angry.

"Perhaps my advises are unwanted here." Cowin stood up and headed towards the door.

"More then perhaps." Van muttered under breath for only Folken to hear which resulted with a snort from the prince.

Two days later

Brown eyes observed their surroundings like it would be the last time. 'If everything works out good it would be.' Gant chuckled 'Then I will be the ruler of Fanelia. I don't need that traitor Leat for that. My own flesh and blood betraying me like that, going to the enemy, to the demons.'

"Having second thoughts?" serious male voice made him turn. Dain Borzan stood on the doors smirking to his ally.

"Hell no!" Gant snapped "I will have what belongs to me."

"Good, because all the preparations are finished. We will proceed as planed and that beast of yours won't be able to do anything about it."

"There is still the palace security. The guards will be standing on every corner." Wannabe-king said pointing to the only flaw in the plan. Or so he thought.

"About that." Lord Borzan was smirking "I have new, fresh information and I can tell you the guards will represent no problem."

"And who is this new informant?" Gant asked suspiciously.

An older man stepped in the room making him frown. Gant eyes the scrawny man carefully trying to judge if he should trust the foreign or not. He did look familiar, like he could remember him through fog, but just didn't know from where.

"You think we have already met, and you are right." The old man said coldly surprising Gant "I was your brother's advisor and later your nephew's."

"That spawn is not my nephew!" Gant snapped at him before grinning "I do know who you are now. You are that bastard Cowin. Gaou despised you and planed to get rid of your advising ass. I see now why. You are a disloyal old scoundrel."

"It seems I am quite known." Cowin said.

"It seems you are unwanted." Gant said back before glancing at lord Borzan who nodded his head giving his ally a clear message they already knew everything necessary.

"Guard!" the former royal adviser paled upon hearing that "Take this traitor down in the dungeon and get rid of him." Gant ordered and looked at Cowin who was about to protest "What did you expected me to do old man? You already told us everything we need to know so we have no need for you anymore. What good are you to us, huh?"

"I helped you." Cowin managed to mutter.

"You betrayed your king." Lord Borzan said coldly "You are unreliable."

"But… but…" as the guards dragged the man in the dungeon as ordered Gant poured two glasses of wine and gave one to his allying Basramian lord.

"Nothing can stop us now." He laughed "Fanelia is as good as mine."

Two weeks ago

Merle was on her way to the roof to let Van known the last preparations for the celebration were made and now everything was ready for the guests to come. For the last several weeks he had spend every free moment on the roof, and every time someone would ask him why he was doing that he would just shrug.

When she was in Adon just last week she had talk about that with both Ruhm and Leat. The cat-boy had a quite an interesting explanation for the strange behavior. He said that on the roof of the palace, the highest structure in Fanelia he was closest to the sky, and with that to Hitomi.

That explanation bothered Merle. She wanted to see her childhood friend and adoptive brother happy. But as it seemed it will remain an unfulfilled wish.

"Folken said I should tell you everything is ready for the arrival of the guests tomorrow." She said softly after sitting next to the king.

"I've been an lousy company lately." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Van knew very well he treated everyone around himself badly and refused to talk to anyone about the reason for it.

"I miss her too." Merle whispered but Van heard her never the less.

"If only she could come." Van finally said what was on his heart "For only this one day or at least a couple of hours. How can I celebrate when I need her presence to be able to smile?"

"Unfortunately we can't just cancel. It would open way to many questions." Van knew her words were true and he just sighed.

"I just don't want the damn pressure they will put upon me! I do not want to marry some snob of a princess for Fanelia. I want to marry for myself! I want to marry…" his voice trailed off but even without the last word Merle knew very well what the young king planed to say. He wants Hitomi and no one else.

And Merle wanted Hitomi too. She wanted for the green-eyed girl to return and chase the sadness away.