Kallien was worried, although the banquet was going just as he imagined, with homs gossiping with Machina and Nopon sharing advice to Hi-Entia, he still had a concern. This was that only four of the seven honored guests had come out to the party, three were staying in the changing rooms and pampering their noses. Annoyed, Kallian tapped his fingers on the edge of the bronze table.
"What could be taking them so long?"
Melia stared at her reflection in the silver rimmed mirror. She looked terrible, at least to her, but sexy to just about anyone else. She wore a Magenta dress with white deigns almost everywhere, except for the chest, which was completely exposed. The only thing seperating Melia from being a Princess instead of a stripper were the pink straps just barely covering a part of her chest and holding the damned thing together. Trying to make the outfit seem less sluty, she grabbed a silver chain and an equally shiny bangle bracelet and walked out of the changing room.
She wasn't the last one of the three remaining to be done, stepping out into the hallway, she could tell Fiora was having trouble finding a suitable dress that fit her Machina body, seeing as a large pile of various dresses lined the outside of her room. Seats lined the wall, next to the changing room doors, the only person who was in the halls was Dunban. He had a black suit with a velvet red coat and navy blue pants, and like always looked powerful and extremely attractive. She felt slightly relieved, seeing that even Dunban's plain shirt under the jacket was a low-cut V neck. He turned and smiled at Melia, removing his hands from the amulet he had been messing with, that he had also slung around his neck.
"You look great Melia, like a princess should, I guess."
Melia smiled.
"It sounds like quiet a party out there. may I ask why you're waiting? Reyn and Sharla have gone, probably at the bar now."
Dunban looked down at his leathery boots, he seemed to be pondering it himself, or making up a quick excuse.
"Because she's my sister, and I'll be there for her, to make sure she doesn't slip. Because I refuse to even let the possibility of her perishing again exist." He looked back up at her, his eyes seemed to had gotten larger, and she had too look away, other way she would surely lose herself in them.
"Well, I'll meet you out once she's ready."
"Have fun Melia."
And she walked out, with a little bit less insecurity then before.
Kallian grinned as Fiora walked out of the changing room with her brother. Standing up, he motion to a group of about 20 butlers to bring trays and trays of various delicacies, and with a dashing smile to the guests, he cried for them to feast.
Reyn and Riki pounced in unison for the various foods on the table. Recongizing just about none of it, Reyn piled his pearl white plate high with stacks of all different colored and shaped foods from around Bionis. And he was loving it. Riki was much straighter to the point, like many Nopon, he simply scooped up a type of food, ate it, regretted it, and looked for a fish he recognized. Riki stopped, turning around to see Melia, looking down cast with a single glass of wine, he knew what was wrong, but he spotted someone else who would take care of Melia and smiled gratefully.
Melia looked up at the golden ceiling, sparkling and smiling as it should. She then looked at Shulk, he was dancing and smiling with the love of his life in his pale arms. Why couldn't she take Fiora's place? Fiora giggled, resting her head against Shulk's shoulder as a love song slowed. Melia grimaced, looking back to her wine.
"Are you quiet alright, Lady Melia?" Dunban rested a hand upon her shoulder, so gently it took her a second to realize it was there.
"I'm fine Dunban, thank you." Melia said, perhaps a bit to defensively. Yet Dunban still stood, undeterred. Trying desperately to avoid Dunban's glare, Melia turned her head regretablly, towards Shulk and Fiora. Once she saw them, her eyes locked, only halted by the clear tears swelling up near her eyes.
"It's Shulk and Fiora then, I thought as much."
Melia turned, the lock between the dancing couple and her immediately severed by his nonchalant voice. She sighed, knowing she had to come out clean to save herself a lot of pain.
"I-I love "
"I know."
Melia's eyes widened.
"You know?"
Dunban chuckled
"I may be a bit older, but I can sniff out love like a bloodhound."
" You're not angry?"
"No, definitely not, relieved more."
This peaked Melia's interest, and she blurted out the question before she could think about just how pushy she must be.
"Relieved? Why relieved?"
Dunban sat down, slinging one arm over the side of the chair.
" The moment I noticed your feelings about Shulk, I hoped it wasn't true just as fast..."
"Because I would get in the way with Shulk and Fiora's flawless relationship." Melia finished for him.
"No actually,"
Dunban looked at her, and for once she saw something else in his eyes beside determination and weariness. She saw blossoms of hope and passion, with fear wilting the tips. He smiled,
"Shall we dance, Lady Melia?"
"Not before you say it." Melia said. She wanted to dance more than live, but she wanted to hear him say that sentence more than kiss him at that moment, which was a far greater urge.
"My Lady Melia, I love you more than the Bionis should ever allow."
Melia took his hand happily, blushing all the way. And as she walked with Dunban, Shulk looked at her, a rose perched between his fingers, a look of horror on his face, though you could barely tell from the red lipstick that covered his pale face.

Excuses Excuses!
I'm sorry for not updating on Metal Bones And Bloody Claws but to be honest I haven't even started :P
I was to busy working away at this!
Tell me if you all require more!
I don't know when Metal Bones part 4 will be published, but I'll do my best
Hope you enjoyed my first romance! :3