"My marrying you has nothing to do with anything you said to your father earlier. You thought wrong. He's not marrying anyone and most definitely not trying to get rid of a daughter. It was I who persisted on getting you married to me not him." She looked shocked. Why?

"Why? I don't know you and you definitely don't know me and as you've said before you dislike the thought of marrying me."

"It's the only way." He stated, his voice hard.

"Only way?" she asked puzzled.

"To protect you."

She stared at him. * "To protect you…" did I hear him right? Protect me? *

"What are you talking about? To protect me from what?" she asked then she stood up and walked towards him.

"To protect me from what?" she asked again. She stood in front of him with her arms crossed, imitating his stance.

"Yourself, you seem in need of a protector." He smiled. She gasped.

"This is not the time to jest!" She exclaimed as she slapped his arm. Before she could put her hand on her side he grasped it and pulled her towards him. She was slammed against his chest and he immediately wrapped his arms around her. She stood there against him, surprised and yet comfortable. All the fight left her. All she wanted to do was to stay where she was and cry her heart out.

"Damn it. I don't want to get married…" she muttered against his chest.

"You're getting married…anyway…" he whispered against her ear. Tears started to fall. She cried, then and there. Her head against his chest as she cried her heart out. She lost track of the time. She felt trapped, trap made by her father and him. She slowly pulled away, wiping her tears with her eyes.

"I want to be alone." She whispered, not looking at him. He pulled her chin up and made her look at him. She tried her best to contain her tears but failed. He wiped her tears away.

"It's for the best." He said which made her angry. * For the best! For the best! It's for their best, but how about ME! * She pushed his hand away.

"Whose best are we talking about? And don't you dare jest with me!"

"Yours." He answered as he grinned.

"I've had enough with your lies! Just…just get out! Leave me alone!" She was about to walk away from him when he grabbed her by the waist and slammed her back against his chest again. His chest was against her back and his arms around her waist. She felt warm and protected.

"Let me go!" she said and then felt Van placed his forehead against the back of her head. She could feel his breath against her hair.

"I said…"

"It would have been easier for you if you know the truth, but it would make things difficult for me and your father. Trust us to know what's best for you. I know it's hard but, damn it, for once trust me." She couldn't seem to think of any reply. Before she could even gather coherent thoughts he turned her around to face him. She stared at him as he stared back. Then slowly he pulled away from her and left the room. She just stood there, staring hard at the door. * How can I trust you? You lied before; you will never hesitate to lie again *… she thought.

Two days passed without incidents. She stayed inside her room pretending nothing happened.

"Hitomi, please… you need to get out. You've locked yourself here and that isn't good at all…" Yukari said as she sat beside Hitomi at the bed. Hitomi turned away as she lay there at the bed.

"I'm fine." She muttered. She'd been inside her room for two days now. Since the very day she discovered she's getting married it seems all her energy left her. All she wanted to do was stay inside her room and wait the inevitable.

"But Hitomi…" Yukari stopped. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to her friend badly.

"Hitomi listen…"

"I don't know what to do, Yukari… I've never felt so trapped…and I do know I'm trap…so trap…" Hitomi whispered.

"I know Hitomi, I know…" Yukari said.

"But locking yourself here isn't going to answer your problem."

"But I have nothing else to do…I don't want to get out. I don't want to see father and I don't want to see him! Damn! If only I knew what's really going on!"

"Your father has been inquiring about you. He always asked me what you've been doing. He wants to talk to you but Van wouldn't let him. It will only complicate things, he said."

"Good! Because I definitely don't want to talk to either one of them!"

"Hitomi…" Hitomi sat up and looked Yukari in the eyes.

"I know I'm being stubborn. I know I'm being childish. But I don't know what to do, Yukari. I don't know…anymore…" Yukari hugged Hitomi.

"I don't know if this is a good idea but I know someone who can help you." Hitomi pulled away and stared wide eyes at Yukari.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"There's a ship on its way to Asturia tomorrow and I know someone who can give you passage but honestly I don't know if this will work. Your father and Van might still catch you."

"I don't think so. This is my chance, Yukari. My only chance. I have to take it." Hitomi stood up. "But I have to plan this carefully first. Van is clever, too clever."

"The ship will leave in the evening tomorrow. I'll give you the name of the man I know and they can give us passage…"

"No, Yukari… it's not us… it's me… I don't want you to come with me. It would be too dangerous. And I don't want you involve in the trouble that I'm going to make."

"But, Hitomi."

"No… I'll look for Allen there. And surely he'll help me." Hitomi stood by her closet, searching the contents that she'll bring along.

"Yes, he'll surely help you." Yukari said her voice held sadness.

"I need to leave after dinner. That will give me enough time to be by the harbor before the ship leaves."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I have never been so sure in my entire life."

The next day at dinner she had decided to join her father.

"I'm happy you've decided to join us, Hitomi." Her father said as she picked on her food. She didn't say anything. She looks up and frowned at Van who's sitting across from her.

"You should continue your training." Her father said.

"I don't think so." She answered.

"Why's that? I thought you want Van to train you?" her father asked.

"I don't have time. If you will excuse me, I'd like to rest now." She stood up.

"Hitomi…" her father took hold of her hand.

"I don't want to talk about anything that involves the wedding, father. Don't expect me to choose my wedding gown nor choose the names of the people you want to invite. I'm tired. So if you will excuse me…" she pulled her hand away and walked out of the room.

"I don't think this is a good idea, Van…" the king said.

"No use to back out now. Whether she likes it or not, we're getting married."

"But I don't like her lord Van!" Merle said from across Van.

"She's a spoiled princess and stubborn too! She should realize that it's an honor to be married to you!" Van laughed.

"No need to act as my champion, Merle."

_______________________________________________________________________

"What is the exact time of departure?" she asked Yukari.

"1:00 am. They've change time."

"Good. I couldn't leave unless it's midnight." Hitomi said as she pulled the string of her cloak close.

"Listen, Yukari. You'll go to your room and act as if you don't know anything."

"I know. I know. But please be very careful, Hitomi. You don't know anything about the outside world. You've been locked…"

"I've read books! Don't worry! I can protect myself." She pulled her brown bag and looped it to her shoulders. She adjusted her sword and crossbow.

"I'm already regretting this." Yukari muttered. Hitomi laughed.

"Think of it as my very own adventure!" Hitomi whispered against her ear.

"God help us then." Yukari answered earning her another laughed from Hitomi.

She had arrived at exactly one in the morning at Lady Luck and was welcome by Yukari's friend. She had taken a nap as soon as she arrived feeling exhilarated for the adventure she was about to take.

She looked around, the sun is bright in the sky and she could see birds flying around. For the first time that morning she found her smile. She smiled as she looked across the sea. It's already eight in the morning and she's on her way to…

"Freedom…" she whispered and laughed. She stood there at the deck as she stared at the sea.

"Is there anything you need, my lady Anne…" the captain asked as he walked towards her.

"Oh nothing, Captain. But I do thank you for inquiring and I do thank you for allowing me passage…" she said. She thought it would be best not to tell the Captain her real name.

"I hope you'll see Sir Allen when we arrived at Asturia."

"I know I will, Captain. I know I will…"