*Damn! Why does he have to kiss me?! * Hitomi said to herself as she stared hard at the back of Van. They are now standing in front of the King.

"It's been a while Allen. I have been waiting for you to visit us soon. So, to whom do I owe the honor of your visit today?" The King asked.

"I'm sorry, my lord. The army had been occupied with the different situations happening around." Allen's voice took a different kind of tone.

"I see. It must have been hard for you…"

"It's not, my lord. It's for the betterment of the countries." Allen cut him off.

"I've always known you'll make your dead father proud. I could only hope he could see you now and see the man you are."

"We share the same sentiments, my lord."

"Why don't you go to your room and take a rest, Allen, we'll talk about it later." The King suggested then added "Before you go. I'd like you to meet, Van Fanel…"

"I've met him, my lord. Princess Hitomi, introduced us."

"I see, so, why don't you go now and rest."

"I will, my lord but before that I would like to ask for permission to escort Princess Hitomi for a walk by the garden. It's been a while since I've talked to her."

"Sure. You go a head." Allen walked towards Hitomi talking a hold of her arm at the same moment Van turned and looked hard at Allen's hand.

"Shall we, my Princess." Allen said as they walked towards the door, with Van on their back. Allen stopped then and turned.

"No need for you to come along. I'll take care of her." Allen said.

"And I'll take care of you if you don't take your hand off her." Van answered back as he took a step towards him.

"Now…wait a moment…" Hitomi said as she inserted herself between them.

"I can take care of myself. And you will not take care of him." Hitomi said as she looked hard at Van. "Now both of you, no swords. Allen, listen, he's my personal guard, even though I don't want to, please bear with him."

"If that's what you want, Princess."

"Yes, it's what I want, Allen. Thank you."

________________________________________________________________________

"It's been a while…" Allen said as they sat down by the bench.

"Yes…you've grown…taller…" Hitomi glanced at him then turned to stare at the fountain in front of them. She could feel Van staring at her back. She could almost see him standing by the tree leaning against it as he stared at her.

"And you've grown much more beautiful."

"No need for compliments, Allen. So, how's Austuria?" She asked as she turned to him.

"At the moment, it's peaceful."

"At the moment?"

"Zaibach is quite aggressive in gaining our alliance."

"I see. I only hope they won't start a war. Or are you thinking that there might be a war that's why you're here, to gain alliance and also to warn us?" Hitomi asked as she stared at him bewildered at what have come out from her mouth. Allen smiled.

"I'm not here to talk about that, Hitomi. I'm here to get to know you again. We've been apart for quite sometime and I want to know what you've been doing."

"Nothing really, as you can see father hired a personal guard…"

"Why is that?" Allen asked. He looked at Van, leaning by the tree, looking bored.

"It's because of the incident before…"

"But why now? He should have hired him before, right after the incident."

"I'm not really sure of his reasons but all I can say is he's quite persuasive about it."

"I see. So tell me, is Yukari still with you?" Allen asked.

"Yes. She's the only companion I have actually, but I'm quite happy about it anyway."

They talked about the past, getting familiar with each other once more. Time passed without them knowing. It left her feeling quite calm and happy.

"I think, Allen, it's time for you to rest. I wouldn't want to tire you before youyou're your talk with father. We'll talk again tomorrow?" Hitomi said as she stood up.

"I don't think so, Hitomi." Allen smiled and then his right hand came up and slowly caressed her cheek. She stared at him.

"Why is that?" she whispered.

"I have to get back to Austuria. I'll talk to your father tomorrow morning then leave for Austuria right after."

"But you've just arrived! You can't go!" She exclaimed as she pressed his hand against her cheek.

"I can't…stay."

"Damn you, Allen! You left me before, did I stopped you? Answer me, Allen, did I?! You can't leave me again! You and Yukari are the only friends I have!"

"Yes, your friend." Allen's smile wavered.

"Allen, please…" Hitomi pleaded, tears brimming on her eyes.

"Listen, Hitomi, I can't stay, there's a possibility of war starting and I have to do all that I can to prevent it. I want you to stay here. I don't want you to go around without your guard. It's for the best. Zaibach will likely plan to take every possible captive they can to gain alliance. They'll come here sooner or later. They want to start war against opposing countries to gain power. Do you understand?" Allen asked.

"You…can't mean that..." she paused.

"They killed my mother! How dare them to ask for alliance!?"

"It's their way, Hitomi, by giving your father an example of their capabilities, their powers. They want you to know they'll get what they want whether they kill or not."

"Allen…"

"I want you safe, both you and Yukari." Allen smiled again and then leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Please take care of yourself. Don't do anything stupid." He said.

"I'd better talk to your father now rather than tomorrow so we could leave early. Van!" Allen called. Van looked at him.

"Escort Princess Hitomi to her room, I'd like to talk to her father." Van walked towards them.

"Allen…please be careful…and don't you dare come back here with missing limbs!" Allen laughed.

"I wont, go Princess." Allen watched them leave.

"Take care of yourself, Hitomi. We'll see each other soon. And by then I'll have you by my side…always and forever." Allen whispered.