In my original plan this chapter would be longer and completely explained. But I changed my mind and left you with a cliffhanger... a really good one too... but do not fear, the next chapter will be posted before the end of this week.

BIG NEWS-I plan to finish this story before continuing to write and post "Memories of the heart". That story is giving me headache. I already deleted the next chapter six times and now I need a break of it.

Day of the Birthday celebration

Levi-ships were landing one after another and Van had a quite a problem greet all the dignitaries as they arrived. Chesario and Ezgardia were late due to the fact those kingdoms were the most far away from Fanelia which gave Van a short opportunity to relax.

Something he won't be able to do in the next week.

The agreement was made that a second summit of alliance kingdoms was to be held in Fanelia. It was a perfect opportunity cause all royals were already there. Van agreed.

Young kind pulled back in his study to finish some paperwork that remained from the day before when a guard posted in front of the doors knocked and opened them to inform Van there is a visitor that wishes to speak to him.

Van agreed to see the person and the guard nodded and closed the door. Several moments later the man walked in surprising the young king.

"I believe there is something you should know." He said "It's about your uncle and his plan to take over Fanelia."

"I already know about that." Van answered coldly "And to be honest I don't understand what you are doing here. Or why I should trust you."

"Not everything is as it seems." Van frowned upon hearing that.

"And I presume you count in there?"

"Of course I am king Van. I deceived many, and the game is still on."

"So, this is all a game to you?" young king was losing patience "Why should I trust you? Everything you have done so far-"

"It is all a part of a bigger plan. A plan that would return things as they once were. That would make things right again." The man stood up and walked to the large window. From it he could see princess Lavelia in the garden with her mother "You know what I'm talking about."

Van nodded "The rumor spread they all died."

"All but one." King of Fanelia joined his guest by the window before the man ended his request "And the last one wants back what was taken away from her with force. Will you help?"

"And my uncle?"

"Gant… he is another matter we will discuss later. Ezgardia is arriving." Van looked towards the east mountains and saw a levi-ship approaching.

"Yes. We will discuss it later."

"I'm looking forward to it." Van watched as his unexpected visitor headed towards the door when a question appeared in his mind. He knew very well that if he didn't asked it now it would continue bug him till they get the opportunity to talk in private again. So he simply asked.

"Why now? Why not sooner?"

The man turned back "Because of my son. I wanted to be sure he was safe. You know, mandatory army service."

"I understand." Van said and the man leaved.

Young king really understood. If he made any moves to claim back what was taken away from the woman he loves their son would be caught in the crossfire. And that was something no father would allow.

The Fanelian anthem started to play as Van entered the great hall. All guests turned towards the king and one by one they approached him to congratulate. All but one. Lord Borzan was the last one to do so and then some of the royals noticed the Basramian king wasn't present nor were his wife and daughter even though they arrived earlier that day.

"How rude." Queen of Ezgardia mumbled to her husband and he nodded.

"It is well known that the last one entering the hall should always be the host or the guest of honor." Chid agreed with the older monarch.

"Perhaps that is why we are arriving as last." King Biel said walking in proudly followed by his wife who looked a bit tacky in her shinny dress and princess Laviel. Young princess looked quite charming but it got Van angry she was in a deep red dress embolden with gold threads.

Others noticed it too and started to whisper surprised by it. She was wearing Fanelia colors and king Biel just said they are guests of honor so there is only one conclusion to the whole thing.

"I honestly hope you do not believe your actions are in any form amusing." Van said seriously "I have refused your advances already. Twice. And I would appreciate if you would cease to play with my patience."

As soon as everyone sat at the table the pressure increased "I don't understand why you wish for us to hide." Princess Laviel said sweetly "After all people will start to talk in several months once it becomes visible."

"When what becomes visible?" king Allen asked feeling he already knew the answer. Still he hoped he was wrong.

Van's temper was quite known to the former Ceali knight and the last thing he needed to hear was a "Why the baby."

"I beg your pardon?" Eries asked after almost choking on her drink.

Laviel continued like it was no big deal "I guess I should admit now after I have already revealed enough." She sighed happily "I'm pregnant. And it's Van's."

"And you expect us to believe that?" Millerna asked eyeing the girl, searching for the signs of fever cause that would explain her delusional state.

"Do you claim my daughter is some whore?" queen Julliette snapped.

"Of course not." Van said calmly surprising everyone. He turned to Laviel "If you claim the child is mine I would do the only honorable thing. But I must let you know that the Fanelian law clearly says if a woman marries a man because she is with a child and the child is later discovered to belong to another both she and the child are in quite a trouble. Usually the woman gets executed and the child left in the wood for the dragons to feast on."

Folken eyed his brother blankly the whole time. He knew very ell there is no such law but only two of them knew that for sure.

It was quite fun to watch as the Basramian princess shifted on her chair and took a sip from her drink before speaking "Perhaps we should discuss everything in a more private place."

"Or perhaps you should forget about the whole thing." General Maynar from Chesario suggested and practically everyone nodded.

"Not that we don't believe you." his queen said.

"We just believe Van more." Celena Schezar finished. It was one of the rare moments she left the solitude of her room so not many knew the younger sister of Asturian king and he tried as hard he could for it to remain so. And people respected that. Not than anyone was crazy enough to mess with him.

Guards were falling silently one after another. Some were simply disabled with a blow on the head and some like the ones in the royal wing were killed. And all that for one simple purpose-to kill the demon.

Moonlight that illuminated the rich decorated room gave enough light for the attacker to see his prey sleeping peacefully in the bed. He knew very well what kind the commotion the murder would cause and he just smiled proudly. It would be him who killed the mistake of nature, an honor many wished.

Slowly he moved closer to the bed when two eyes opened and saw a stranger holding a long shiny dagger.

Shoot...