Sorry for the long wait. I got stuck with... a game... and now a tv-series. But I found out that it isn't too hard to write while watching that series. I'm a really good multi-tasker.

And my sense of smell is awsome... just had to say it.

Enjoy!


Chapter 5

"I am not wearing that!" Allen almost screamed in protest when Cross showed him the dress.

"Yes you are; and these shoes..." Cross held up a pair of high heeled shoes. Allen's eyes widened in horror.

"You can't expect me to... walk in those..." He said horrified, Cross smiled evilly.

"Yes, I do. You don't see me having any trouble..." Cross showed Allen his own shoes – the much more manly high heeled shoes. "Besides, everyone here believes that you're a woman so you need to look the part."

"Even if I wear that they would realize I'm a man!" Cross scrutinized his nephew and then he said:

"A flat-chested woman – that's how they would see you."

"I will fall!"

"Link will escort you."

"I can't show myself in this! Not to the people here and especially not to our own people!" Cross sighed, he took a deep breath and released it and his eyes suddenly bored themselves into Allen's, who felt fear creeping up his spine...


"Run to the castle ahead of us, tell the King that the Aederian party has arrived", Cross told a Ligounian city guard and gave him an official looking letter.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard saluted and then got up on his horse and rode further into the large city of Li Sar.

Cross smirked as he looked back at the large ship they'd arrived in. He'd had the sailors make a "cage" of sorts by white sheets, there were no openings and with this no one will notice Allen's lack of womanly parts. Allen was going to walk to the carriage with this around, it was wide enough so that Allen could see at least one meter ahead and would be able to see any rocks or cracks in the pavement that would've otherwise had him fall. The prince opposed this, of course, but Cross was relentless.

Allen saw at least one good thing about the whole thing – he didn't have to wear make-up.

The procession was slow, the guards holding up the "cage" walked slowly so that Allen wouldn't feel stressed, when they came to the bridge connecting the ship with the port they had to go closer together – almost smothering Allen who walked in the middle. It took a minute or two before they were completely off the ship and now it was the short – or long in Allen's point of view, walking in high heels was not fun – walk to the carriage. Allen tripped on his feet once and the whole procession had to stop so that he could stabilize himself again; at least he didn't fall, that would've looked bad in front of the Ligounians watching the Aederian royalty.

When they finally were right in front of the open door to the carriage, Link, who'd walked right next to the procession, lifted the front sheet so that Allen could get into the carriage. The people who'd watched the whole thing didn't even catch a glimpse of what they believed to be the princess of Aederia.


"Your Majesty, I've been sent here to give you this letter!" The city guard said and handed the letter to Tiedoll. He looked the letter over and then he opened it. And what he read had him almost choke on his own breath and he immediately had one of the servants fetch his sons to meet him in the courtyard.

The four princes of Ligoun stood in a line in front of their father, King Froi Tiedoll.

"Alright, sons. I know that this came so sudden but I just got a letter from King Cross..."

"I suddenly got a major Deja-Vu feeling over here, what about you?" Daisya said and looked at his brothers. Marie Noise, the oldest of the four, smiled a little at Daisya's comment. Chaoji stayed quiet but Kanda said:

"Aren't they in the middle of a war?" Tiedoll read the letter again – as if it had all the answers.

"Yes they are, I'm just as confused as you right now", Tiedoll shook his head, "well, I'll ask Cross when they arrive..." the sound of trumpets cut him off and all five men looked towards the gates, Tiedoll almost dropped the letter he was holding.

It was a parade – at least it was close to be one. Fifty soldiers or so walked in box like formation around a red and gold carriage, dragged by four overly ornamented black horses. Marching in front of the carriage were six soldiers blowing into trumpets. When they entered the courtyard the soldiers in front dispersed to stand in line behind the carriage. The trumpet soldiers put the instrument away and from the roof of the carriage they took down multiple white sheets and the men held it up by the wooden bars at the top. They stood in front of the door to the carriage and Link opened the door.

Kanda saw that Link was helping someone out of the carriage but he couldn't see who, then he saw the king coming from the other side, having exited through the other door. Cross stood in front of the "box" and motioned for the soldiers to follow him. When they were in front of Tiedoll they stopped.

"It's been a long time since we last saw each other", the red-haired king greeted.

"Yes, it has been indeed. May I ask..." Cross interrupted him.

"We can talk as soon as my heir is taken care of", Allen sighed inaudibly, his Uncle took great care in not mentioning if he was a girl or boy. And the whole "parade" thing... Cross loved to make dramatic entrances.

"Yes, of course! The rooms you usually stay in are y..."

"No!" Cross cut him off – again. "We are in need of a suite as reclusive as possible, we are also eating alone. I apologize Froi – but it's for the safety of my one heir, I do hope you understand..." Cross said in a tone no one could talk back to. Tiedoll nodded and lead the Aederian royal party to an empty suite, with view of a garden; the same garden Allen, Kanda, Lavi and Lenalee had so often played in when they were younger.

Kanda and his brothers tried to catch a glimpse of the "princess" but all they could see were Allen's high heeled clad feet. They didn't say anything as they watched the procession walk pass them. It wasn't until they were alone that Daisya finally broke the silence:

"Maybe she'd embarrassed of her looks?"


The room's windows all faced the beautiful garden Allen remembered so well. The red roses had grown tall and cornered the walls around one of the windows. Tiedoll and his gardeners had tended the garden well. Then the calming scene was covered by blue curtains, Allen sighed and unceremoniously dropped down on one of the armchairs in the room.

It had gone quite well, going from the carriage to his room. He hadn't even tripped once! "Practice is everything" his Uncle had told him before he left the room to meet Tiedoll. Allen kicked off the 'killer-shoes' so they flew across the room. Sighing, Link picked them up and put them by the door.

"I'm not allowed to go out, am I?" Allen asked.

"No, Your Highness, you are not", Link answered.

"I'm not allowed to speak to anyone who isn't Aederian, either?"

"No."

"I cannot sit by the window looking out?"

"No, the curtains must be in place at all times.

"Can I wear my normal clothes?"

"No."

"Can I kill my Uncle?"

"... That's more a matter whether you're allowed than if you actually can."

"I could poison one of the wine bottles he brought... can you go fetch a poison?"

"No."

"...a laxative solution then?"

"No."

"Why?"

"My loyalty... as well as my sense of self preservation."

"I hate this", Allen finally said, looking up at the roof. Before they left Aederia Allen had gotten the feeling that this trip wouldn't exactly be a thrilling experience, and now that they were finally here in Ligoun... that feeling was even worse.

"Something..." Allen began quietly, Link glanced at him.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"Something will happen... probably at the feast..."

"And what would that something be?" Link asked, Allen got a thoughtful expression but it soon turned into a frustrated one.

"I dunno! But I'm sure that my Uncle has something to do with whatever it is!" Link kept quiet at that. Then Allen turned towards him. "When is the party, anyway? Hope we missed it."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, it's tomorrow night."

"I HATE MY LIFE!"


"What is your purpose for coming here, Cross?" Tiedoll asked seriously. The two were alone in Tiedoll's office, the old king stood by the only window looking out over the city. Cross didn't say anything, but Tiedoll could feel the smirk working its way across the other man's face. Sighing, he turned towards him. "I'm really at a loss here, is it about Alene? You're worried about her safety, or?"

"This place hasn't changed at all..." Cross suddenly said, and joined Tiedoll by the window. The older man looked at the other, not knowing what he was getting at. "You still have it?" Tiedoll frowned.

"What exactly am I supposed to have?" He asked carefully.

"How old is that son of yours, the youngest, Kanda was it?"

"Yuu will be nineteen tomorrow, hence the party."

"Three years difference huh..."

"Cross, what are you...?"

"You see, we have deal... a deal we made years ago... and I'm going to have to make you fulfill your part of the agreement soon."

"Deal? What deal...?" Slowly it dawned on him, his eyes widened in understanding and shock. "Oh..." Without further ado Tiedoll went to his desk and searched the cluttered desk. Cross smirked from his position by the window. After a few minutes, Tiedoll found what he was searching for. The parchment had yellowed with age and he carefully rolled it open and read it slowly.

"This..." Tiedoll looked up at Cross incredulously, the red-headed king nodded. "You're basically saying that this", Tiedoll held up the parchment, "is still valid?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Announce it tomorrow night, you'll know when", Cross simply said and left the room; leaving Tiedoll alone to ponder on the sudden news.


It was time.

Kanda knew it when he saw the first colorful garland and flowers in the hall – leading the banquet hall in the west wing. He also knew that he was going to hate it – especially after having a little chat with the old man which basically forces him to attend to this 'birthday party' – in his honor. Kanda had seriously considered fleeing but Lenalee had put a stop to that clean hit to his head with the nearest book she could reach. And he couldn't do anything back to her because of her brother, now King Komui, was standing not too far away, watching his every move for indication of inappropriate behavior towards his younger sister.

Lavi had of course come to join the celebration of his 'best friend in the whole wide world'. He'd arrived just an hour or so after the Aederian party and he had immediately opted to have the three of them go see 'Princess Alene'. But just as they were about to enter the southern wing they were stopped by King Cross' soldiers and were forced to leave without delay. But Lavi, being his normal stubborn self, wouldn't let it go and forced the other two to sneak into the garden to get to the window to 'Alene's' room.

This time the King himself stopped them, he didn't even let Lenalee, who heavily hinted that at least she who knew about Allen should be let in. But no. Cross was adamant in his decision. Slumped, Lavi gave up. Kanda didn't care. He was curious, that much he could say, but he didn't care if he met the Beansprout or not.

He snapped back to the present. He was in the banquet hall. Surrounded by people – lords, counts and countesses, princes and princesses, kings and queens, and other prominent citizen from around the country. He was wearing a normal black suit – his father had tried to have him put on something more unique, but Kanda didn't want to stick out in the crowd, not because he was afraid of the spotlight but because he wanted to be left alone. His brother's stood next to him, Daisya with his date, a luscious blonde woman whose name Kanda couldn't for the life of him remember, the other two alone for the time being.

Music was played slowly by the musicians up on the raised platform to his right. The people were small-talking, and the ones that had just arrived walked up to Kanda first to give him their congratulations and then joined the rest. The dance wouldn't commence until everyone had arrived, and Kanda was painfully aware that more people were coming, and that everyone would then expect him to have the first dance – with someone.

Marie, who was waiting for his date, told Kanda to try to pick a woman he was going to dance with, "just to be efficient", he said. Kanda had taken his advice and searched the room for a candidate; though, found none. Then suddenly he was met by Cross.

"So, this is the birthday boy", Cross began and looked him over. "I guess you'll suffice."

"What are you talking about?" Kanda snapped at him angrily, but Cross just smirked and turned towards the large double doors up the stairs. They were opened and at the top of the stairs stood Howard Link and... Kanda did not understand who the other was. Everyone went silent when they noticed to newcomers, and soon the whispers began. The pair slowly went down the stairs, Link had his arm held out to the other who's left, clothed hand were clutching it tightly, the naked, right hand was using the handrail to keep the balance. The dress was black and reached the ankles, it was slit above the right leg, showing it off. The whole left arm was covered from the shoulder to the hand, but the right was completely naked. On the feet was a pair of black, high-heeled shoes, which looked to be very hard to walk in, as well as painful. The long, silver hair was up in a simple high ponytail, with a large red rose pinned on it. Long bangs framed the young face which had a large scar over the left eye, ending in a pentagram on the left side of the forehead. Cross smirked and took a firm grip on Kanda's arm and dragged him towards the pair, who'd just reached the bottom of the stairs. When the four stood in front of each other Cross loudly called out:

"Please welcome my nephew, Crown Prince Allen of Aederia."


Poor Allen. I wish I could show you the drawing my friend made for me, specifically the dress he wears. It looks awsome. If enough people asks then I'll see if she can put it up on her devianart account, and then link to it from here. About the dress... that slit, think about Angelina Jolie's dress from the last oscars.

Realized it just now lol.

Seya next chapter ^^