(Alright. I have the next chapter ready. This is much sooner then I expected, because my computer is still not working, but I found an old copy of my fanfic that I edited to get the next chapter up, so ignore the grammatical errors and R&r, Please. I hope you like it, since I'm working off a formally corrupted file where I had to literally figure out what I had written.)
P.s. Escaflowne isn't owned by me, but it's respective owner. I just own the rights to this fanfiction, and my thoughts are my own, sorry.
Such a nice warm morning! I feel so awake!
Van didn't know when he last felt this good. He was in such a good mood! The morning was sunny and bright, and as he walked past the windows in the open corridor, he smiled to himself.
Although he wasn't able to tell Hitomi how he felt the night before, he was happy that he almost had his chance to kiss her.
He was inches from her when they were interrupted.
I can't believe it! I think she was blushing! She was so beautiful! I almost kissed her! I've thought of doing that almost since I met her, but last night I almost did!
Despite his authority as a nation's ruler, as an accomplished soldier, and a strong willed young man, his thoughts had turned into that of a normal teenager. Someone who for at least a moment, didn't care about anything but his luck at finding the woman of his dreams, that cared for him enough to let him get that close to her.
He planned on making the morning meeting short, so he could go to practice his fighting skills, besides, he had a new advisor, even if it was a temp, to distract the fools on his advisory council.
He really didn't want an Advisory board, especially after the war, but he was told be the members of the Alliance that it would be unwise to not have one. In the chaos following the war, he had hastily picked men he thought to be sensible or reliable on the short space of time he had. He had needed to reform the government from scratch, seeing as he never truly had time to rule before the war. He knew now that as soon as the Castle was complete he would fire anyone on the council he had grown to distrust, and let those in his country, not himself decide who would replace them.
It puts less pressure on my shoulders and might reinforce loyalty in Fanalia... I'm a King, not a dictator...
His smile widened as he walked the hall to his destination.
A thought that I seemed to have gained through Hitomi's Influence...
He remembered that conversation that he'd had with her so long ago, almost a month after he met her...
"Do you have elected officials in your parliament, Van?" She had asked. "Parliament? What do you mean?" He had said, puzzled at the meaning of such a word. "Elected government officials, like advisers. You know, before..." She trailed off, seeming uncomfortable.
At the time, he thought the question was stupid, because all he had known about his government was that advisors were selected by either the King, or Generals, never elected.
"Why? Do you think we would let any normal Fanalian commoner choose? No! We had advisors, but they were selected, not elected. What does a simpleton know about the regime of his country? Nothing. My countrymen trust Leaders to choose other leaders, and don't bother themselves with meddling in government."
He had thought then that his answer would be enough to satisfy her, but he hadn't yet known her well enough to suppose she could be content with such an answer. He was very surprised to see her become angry at his remark.
"Simpletons, You say! How can you be so barbaric! Of course your 'countrymen' would know what they want from their government! I would think they would know more than you, or any of your royal court! You can't say that someone under a tyrannical rule doesn't have any thoughts at all about that rule!" She had yelled, startling him.
"How can you be so stupid! Trust me, your 'commoners' will be happier if you at least allowed them some say in government...They will trust you more to lead them properly, and at least you can give one of your responsibilities of ruling a country to people who won't use that power for material gain, but to help ease their own, and neighbors hardships in their lives!" Then she ran away from him fuming, but yelled behind her as she went, "Dictator!"
A few days later, his curiosity overcame his anger at her appalling behavior, and in a would-be calm voice asked what the meaning of a 'Dictator' was.
She had answered him in a similar tone that a Dictator was an absolute ruler that was neither elected, born into, or chosen as one, but ruler by force, that usually ruled with little or no regard for those who they ruled, but only cared for the power gained through forced rule.
"Why did you call me that!" He barked at her, his pride hurt more than he would have liked to admit.
"You just don't seem to care what your people would want, Van. Consider if youwere forced to follow someone that didn't care what you would need, let alone want. If you don't allow them to follow you and let you rule them without resentment, then you won't turn out to be the ruler you want to be. Do you want your people to hate you, or love you?"
Silence had followed those words, and he hadn't brought up the conversation with her again afterwards, but he had stayed up many nights since pondering her words.Was it then, or before that, where he noticed the intelligence and passion that drove Hitomi to be who she was? When did he truly begin to be drawn to her?
As the war raged on, her seemingly crazy words about government seemed to ring true as he witnessed the horror of the tyrannical rule of Dornkirk in Zaibach, until he couldn't refuse the logic behind them, and instead of pondering government, he had soon began to wonder about another topic, one that even now he pondered with enthusiasm, and a nervous energy that seemed to blur all of his other thoughts.
His thoughts wandered away from her intelligence and lingered on her personality, charisma, and other aspects that made more enticing questions that he could only wonder about now, but hoped to learn answers to soon, and only from the object of his most engulfing thoughts...
Such a beautiful day... To match such a beautiful girl...
XX
As he reached the COM room and stepped inside, he was so wrapped in his thoughts he almost ran into Donte.
"Your Majesty, " Donte asked, avoiding a collision, Are you okay?"
"Yes! I mean…yes. Is everyone here, Donte?" He asked, trying to act normally.
"Yes, but Allen isn't here yet."
Van nodded and took his seat at the head of a long table, surrounded by the members of the council of Fanelia.
Originally because of the deaths of the council, he had replaced the council with those of the Fanelian guard and remaining small army that had survived the attack on the country two years ago, and the council had twelve members, ranging in age of 17 to 70, most members wise and trusting, though not entirely organized, and more than one wasn't the best councilor.
Among the council was the youngest, Donte, who was also the only animal man, and Gothel, his head advisor.
"How are you, your majesty? I hope your doing well, but we have some pressing business to attend to."
Van recomposed himself, and turned to Gothel, now speaking intently to him from across the room.
"Our reports from the Alliance tell us that Diaz is already gathering allies from the north, meaning Basram is no longer part of the alliance."
A silence hit the room. Every member knew what this meant.
"What!"
Van was suddenly angry, a horrible thought crossing his mind after hearing this trying bit of information.
One of his trusted allies turning to Zaibach was definitely bad, especially one as powerful as Basram , the same country that tipped the balance of power in the last war with their ultimate weapon. To loose a powerful ally like that was unacceptable.
"We have to send a diplomat to the country, to try to nullify Basram 's alliance with Zaibach." A man of 45 at the far-left end of the table interjected.
The company nodded in agreement.
Allen came in suddenly without warning. He looked a bit flustered, as if he had been running.
"What's going on?" he asked angrily, walking right up to Van and slamming his fist on the table.
"What are you talking about? Allen, don't undermine me here. You are a quest, but I am the host, so treat me well."
Allen looked much taken aback at the response of Van, but he still looked angry. "I heard that the council was corrupt, but to this extent!" He yelled, turning to the council.
Allen had come here as a messenger from the new Queen of Austuria, Millerna, had a lot of valuable information about the countries around Fanelia and beyond, and was the ambassador to Fanelia from Austuria and his Queen and King.
Over the two-year span of Hitomi's absence, Millerna had renewed her marriage to Dryden, and both were trying to remake the government after the death of King Aston soon after her departure. For him to come in and yell about anything was insolent, and Van was becoming irritated by this meeting more then he thought he would be.
All the members of the council stared with intense hatred toward Allen, silently cursing him.
"What is the meaning of this?" The oldest man of the council rose to his feet, raising his fist to the young knight, shaking vigorously.
"I believe Allen should explain himself before we get ahead of ourselves." Gohel said calmly, his low voice cutting through the thick, heavy atmosphere of the room.
Allen started, at first facing Van, but turned to face the men of the council his face contorted with rage that rivaled Van in battle. "I have heard that a man of this council has been leaking information on our weapons, plans and projects of defense to a double agent of Ziabach. One of the merchants on his way to Austuria was attacked and killed, who was really an agent of the Alliance this morning. He was carrying information on our secret weapon. The information was taken when the man was killed, meaning that someone has taken it! Only a member of this council would know about the agent, so tell me what is going on!"
"What proof is there of this?" The old man said angrily, taking a step forward.
"It doesn't matter. We have to worry about Basram now, Allen." Van suddenly said.
The whole room stared back at him.
"I believe that in the best interests of the country and the Alliance that we attend to the more pressing matter. Without Basram , we cannot hope to win this war. The supposed conspiracy of this council is of less importance."
Van had risen to his feet, speaking calmer than anyone in the room had seen him before.
"We will, however, have to seize the control of the council temporarily to look into the matter of betrayal. We cannot allow any traitors to this country to get away with their crimes. I will have to see to this matter personally. If anyone has objections, they can tell me when I come to them. This meeting is adjourned."
Without another word, he walked out of the room. Everyone stared at the man as he left, at a loss for words. Allen followed him out of the room, still fuming.
The sudden ending to the meeting sparked a large argument among the council members, all of whom were confused and angry at the accusations of Allen. The oldest began yelling something about how Allen couldn't be trusted, while another simply laughed at the idea of a conspiracy. Donte remained quiet, thinking about the day's events.
The only one who hadn't seemed phased by the accusations was Gothel. His face was emotionless except for one thing. He was smiling.
(All right, that is the end of this chapter. I don't think it wasn't very long, but I don't think it had to be much longer. I tried to get to the point quickly this chapter. (Not!)
Who could betray Van? Find out soon. Don't worry, There will be more action involving Van and Hitomi next chapter, but I had to get this part out of the way. Gothel might have to appear more often now, because I have something planned for him, and I don't think it's as easy to figure out as you might think it is. What if it's so obvious that it's obviously not what it seems? Read to find out.
I will have the next chapter up soon! Maybe...TT)