Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of the Dragon ❯ Life is Good ( Chapter 20 )

Hitomi checked on Van a few hours later. He was reaching futilely for a glass of water, and he looked near to tears that he couldn’t reach it.

"Van, stop. I’ll get it."

Van collapsed to the bed and closed his eyes. He was absurdly weak, so weak in fact, that when he had spotted the glass of water on the table beside the bed, he didn’t have the strength to reach it. "Please, I'm so thirsty."

Hitomi was there in a moment. She sat beside him, brought his head to her shoulder, picked up the glass, and efficiently put it to his lips. "Why didn’t you call or something? Gaddes was just outside the door. And it was open."

Van closed his eyes in bliss. The water tasted wonderful. Hitomi only allowed a small trickle but it was fine with him. To swallow was a chore.

When he finished nearly half the glass, she set it down, but continued to hold him. He seemed so small and weak, as if he was less than a child. "How are you feeling?" Hitomi asked.

Van looked up into her eyes and saw concern. He gave her a sickly looking smile that had Hitomi giggling. "I feel...so fragile."

"You certainly look like it," Hitomi said and smiled. Van’s feeble smile widened at the warmth in Hitomi’s.

"What day is it?"

It’s Friday, late afternoon. You were very ill for two days. You had me so scared, Van. I thought I was going to lose you."

Van closed his eyes and said, "You should know that some sickness won't kill my stubborn hide."

Hitomi smiled and kissed his forehead tenderly. He reopened his eyes and said groggily, "I'm tired."

"I’ll let you sleep then."

Van shook his head. "Don’t leave me."

"I won't. I promise," Hitomi whispered as his eyes drifted down again. His small grip on her arms tightened a moment before he fell asleep.

"Hitomi?"

Hitomi looked up and saw Allen. "Yes?"

"We’ll be docking in Fanelia in a few minutes. I just wanted to tell you. Maybe you should get up and let Van sleep."

Hitomi glanced down at Van. "No, I promised him I wouldn’t leave him."

Allen got a confused look on his face and Hitomi said, "He doesn’t want me to leave him alone. I think he’s scared of being alone now. That or he doesn’t want to lose me again."

"Hitomi, I...we need to talk."

Hitomi nodded and Allen walked over to the bed. He sat in the chair and gave her a close look, as if trying to figure out what to say. Hitomi let the silence stretch out unbearably until he said, "Hitomi, I just wanted to tell you that...I don’t love you."

Hitomi nodded and he kept talking. "It was all Dilandau’s fault that we fell in love. I wouldn’t ever betray Merle like that, and I know more than my love for Merle that you wouldn’t do that to Van. I just wanted to know if everything was alright between us. I really value our friendship, Hitomi. I don’t want to lose your companionship more than I already have."

Hitomi gave him a gentle smile. She started stroking Van’s hair and he sighed in his sleep. "I don’t either, Allen. And don’t worry, I don’t hate you or anything, and I never will. Unless you kill Van or something. Other than that, don’t worry. Lets just act like this never happened." She paused, nervous suddenly. "Maybe you should talk to Merle."

"Why?"

"Just...talk to her, alright?" Hitomi pleaded.

"I will later. Until then, I’ll let Van rest. I’ll send someone when we land in Fanelia."

Hitomi nodded and he walked away, closing the door. Hitomi felt Van’s weight tug at her and she laid down on the bed next to him. He stirred and opened his eyes. Hitomi was staring at him closely. He buried himself into her and smothered his face in her bosom, apparently his new favorite spot. He gripped his hands around her back and Hitomi was surprised to feel him shift to get into a more intimate position. "Van...."

"Shhh," Van whispered and Hitomi felt her uneasiness disappear. Van had a way of doing that with just a simple word.

"I had a dream," Van said suddenly. Hitomi caressed his face and shoulders with her fingertips as he told her about it. "I dreamt that you died and I was all alone, and for the rest of my life. I wasted away, much like how you were doing back on Earth, but much worse. When I finally died, another war broke out and Gaea was completely destroyed." He closed his eyes and Hitomi felt his soft eyelashes brush against her skin. "What do you think it means?"

"I think that you are feeling rather lecherous."

Van smiled. "How so?"

"With the position you got me in?" Hitomi snorted in an unladylike way. "I have no doubt, my dear."

Van felt slightly embarrassed and started pulling away. Hitomi’s hold on him tightened and she begged, "No, don’t leave me."

Van chuckled. "So now you want me to stay. So who’s feeling lecherous now, hmmm?"

Hitomi giggled and Van smiled, his hands went to her ever increasing waistline. His hands covered her rounded belly and he let them rest there. "What kind of parents do you think we’ll be, Hitomi?"

Van looked at her and his smile widened when he realized she was asleep. He nestled in closer and held her, seeking sleep. It didn’t come to him for a while, and when it did, he was grateful.

*******************

Allen sent Kio up to wake Van and Hitomi a half an hour later. He thought he had let them sleep long enough. And anyhow, both Merle and Hitomi needed checked over to see if their burdens were alright, not to mention Van. He didn’t want to think about the scolding he was going to get when Van’s generals saw their highnesses and the condition they were in.

His concerns went away from his friends and Merle, when he remembered how long Van had been gone. No one knew where he had been, but it was very obvious that he had been tortured very badly. But by who?

"Boss, we have landed. I reminded Kio to wake up the kids."

Allen smiled and nodded. Even when they had grown up, they were still considered kids, especially to his men.

Kio walked in at that moment, Van’s right arm slung over his shoulder. He looked extremely pale, and Hitomi was fretting over him so much Allen wondered if Kio’s ears were going to explode.

"Kio, Hitomi, get Van into the palace quickly. I can see that he is about to collapse," Allen said and walked to his room to get Merle. She was sleeping still. She seemed to be resting a lot more lately.

He shook her shoulder, and her eyes shot open. "What?"

"We’re at Fanelia."

Merle tried to sit up, but with some difficulty. Allen helped her up and she thanked him, blushing slightly. Allen couldn’t help but smile.

Merle tried to straighten her rumpled appearance as best as she could, but her dress was beyond repair and her hair was a rat's nest. She gave up with a frustrated sigh.

Allen brought a somewhat wobbly Merle out of the Crusade and helped her into the palace. Van’s generals were standing around, yelling and giving orders to Allen’s men that happened to be unlucky enough to be inside at that moment.

Allen walked up to General Dunwe and stopped him in mid-yell. "Why are you order my men about?"

He stuttered and then turned red in the face. He humphed and walked away, towing Van’s other three generals with him. More than likely to find the rest of his advisors and hold a council, Allen thought.

Merle and Hitomi were ushered to the infirmary by Nara and a small group of healers. Nara was quite appalled at what her highness was wearing, not to mention Merle. Van had already been carried away to be treated. Hitomi paled when Nara told her what had to be done to him. He had severe cuts that had to be stitched, his ankle looked like it was broken and it had to be set, not to mention other things that had Hitomi feeling faint.

Nara fixed up and bandaged Merle and Hitomi’s small scrapes and cuts and got them dressed properly. After that, she ordered them fed a good meal and sent to bed. Both Merle and Hitomi agreed willingly.

When they were both sleeping peacefully, Nara ordered guards to stay with them at all times, and not to let his highness know. He would probably say that he could do it, but Nara knew that he wouldn’t be able to do much for a good while. All he would be able to do is complain and rest in bed for at least a week or so before he was even allowed to walk around properly, and with an attendant to help him.

Allen was off trying to find Van’s generals, although he had been trying to avoid them like the plague. He found the conference room soon enough, but when he heard yelling and screaming, he was almost taken aback.

"Listen, his highness does not yet know about the man entering Fanelia and going to his room and taking something. On further investigation, we found that he had taken her highness’s pendant. We could do nothing, for the man had a signed legal paper saying that he was allowed to. We must tell his highness immediately and find out if he did sign that paper and give that man permission."

"No," General Eagan yelled. "We must let his majesty recuperate before we bother him with any of the stresses of running a country. Oh, and by the way, what happened to the letter that was left by that man?"

"In a safe place, have no worries," General Sudan said. "But we have to take safety precautions, even if his highness doesn’t know. I have increased the guards patrolling the boundaries of the city, and had them extended to the outer limits. I have the best samurai protecting the palace, and we are recruiting as many able-bodied men in Fanelia as possible. After reading that letter, we can take no chances. I say as soon as his highness feels better, we tell him and he can send missives to the other kingdoms. We must not take this lightly."

"Exactly," Van’s advisor Esau said. "The power in that pendant must not be taken lightly, just as Sudan said. The stories from The Great War say that the pendant holds immense power. I just don’t understand why his highness didn’t have it guarded."

Allen couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What man? He decided he couldn’t take the suspense anymore and barged in. "Who is this man?"

Everyone that had been standing around the table and gathered closely together, looked up and started yelling at him to get out. He just crossed his arms over his chest and waited for them to shut up. "Just tell me. I could be of help, you know."

The men gave him suspicious stares and finally general Eagan stepped forward. "A man with silver hair and black and red armor. He had a certain upsetting air about him, especially the way he ordered about his men."

Allen’s hand went up to his throat. Oh no, he thought. Not Celena, not his little sister. "Thank you," Allen muttered and walked briskly from the room. What was he going to do? He knew that Dilandau had been resurrected, but he didn’t know how far he had gone with his power. Now he had Van’s pendant. What would he do with it?

 ******************

December drifted past and January came flying in with its blistering cold snow and freezing temperatures. Van’s recovery was slow and painstaking, and Hitomi was always there with him to make sure he was alright, and for company. When asked why she was always with him, she didn’t mention that he was terrified of being alone. It seemed like he had been messed with in the head just like Hitomi had, except he hadn't. He was fine except for the being alone part. Maybe he was scared of having something like that happening to him again and wanted all the protection he could get, Hitomi thought. Although he didn’t admit any of this, Hitomi knew it, and so did Nara.

When the middle of January came, Van was well enough to walk around by himself and without too much help. His generals and advisors were getting restless and wanted to tell him, but they always ended up waiting longer. They knew that his highness would be very angry for not telling him, and they feared what he would do for punishment. He never did anything like that before, but they suspected it was going to happen.

Hitomi and Van were laying side by side in bed, just talking when there was a knock on the door. Hitomi got up with some difficulty and it had Van laughing by the time she got off the bed.

She opened the door and general Eagan and Sudan were standing there, sweating their faces off and wringing their hands. General Eagan handed her a piece of paper and ordered, "Give this to his highness. He has to read it before it’s too late. We have been stalling as long as we could so his highness could recuperate, but it is taking too long. Please have him read this, your highness."

Hitomi gave them an odd look and walked back into the room, slamming the door in their annoying respective faces. She walked over to the bed and handed Van the piece of paper. She could tell he was reluctant to open it. She said, "I bet it’s a note from Dilandau. Did you ever find out anything about the pendant he took?"

Van shook his head and opened the letter.

Dearest Van and Hitomi,

I have taken your little pendant, and all without one single problem from your guards. I was surprised when I barged in and handed one of your puny guards the letter and they didn’t do anything. It’s a pity, I was almost hoping they would. By the time you get this, I should already be back to our fort that Seibu and I strategically captured with ease from Asturia. They didn’t even know anything happened because we killed all of them.

But enough of this, let me tell you about the pendant and why we took it. My dear wife Seibu has been purposefully searching for someway to revive the legendary power of Atlantis. When she opened one of her very old sorcerer's books that she has littered all over our new little castle, she discovered a whole page on the pendant. When she read it and found out the power the pendant held, she was very ecstatic. We had everything we needed to bring the power back to life, except for the pendant. That’s why we captured your wife in the first place, but she didn’t have it. Then we captured you, and you still did not have it. But we have it now, and don’t be surprised when Seibu and I are ruling all of Gaea. Thank you for your wonderful cooperation. Love always and forever, Dilandau  

Van crumpled the letter in his fist. Damn.

Hitomi got one look at Van and knew something very wrong had happened. "What's wrong? What did it say?!"

How to tell her that their child would have no world to be born into? His shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes. "Send me my generals. We have to alert all of Gaea."

"What?! Why?!"

"Hitomi, I will tell you later. Please just go get them."

Hitomi gave him a worried look and walked back over to the door. She opened it and blinked. All of his generals were waiting outside of the door. "Um...his highness wants to talk to you now."

They nodded and walked in, all but pushing her out of the way. She found a door slammed in her face right before she was about to walk in. She scowled at the door and walked away. She was hungry for something sweet anyhow.

 ******************

Two hours later, Van had sent out carriers to all of the kingdoms on Gaea, not caring if they were small or huge. They all needed to be informed. He hoped that they didn’t take this the wrong way and think that Van was mad or something. Allen himself was the carrier for the missive to Asturia. He smiled when he remembered what Allen had done right before he had left. He had walked up to Merle, given her a quick kiss, and then said, "Will you still marry me if I ask you?" Merle had giggled and slapped his arm playfully. "Maybe," she said.

Then Allen had gotten down on one knee and proposed to her in one of the most beautiful ways that anyone had ever seen. Merle had burst into tears, and he had started laughing when Merle said she was too hormonal for this kind of stuff and then said yes.

Allen would be back in less than a week, and until then, many preparations were going to be made. They were still recruiting men for the possible upcoming war, and two groups of people were to be married. The celebrations weren't going to be big, in fact they weren't even going to do more than a small dinner.

Hitomi had started giggling when she realized that everyone still called her ‘her highness’ or ‘her majesty’ when she wasn’t even married to Van anymore. She was still overjoyed that they were going to be remarried in a few days, and it was hard for her to keep her excitement contained properly.

The week that everyone anticipated came soon and Allen returned. He told Van that Millerna and Dryden weren't taking any chances and were making the same preparations as them, if not more.

Van was beyond grateful, for so far no one had returned with news. All of his messengers were still out and he wondered why. Surely it wouldn’t take almost a week to send the missives to the closer countries.

Everyone got ready for the upcoming small marriage ceremony. Hitomi was in her room, trying to find a suitable dress that actually fit her and looked nice on her. Only a few days ago Van had ordered her to get more clothes made because her older dresses that fit her slimmer form didn’t quite fit anymore. She had felt so much more relief when she had comfortable clothes on that she had almost sung hallelujahs. When she found a deep maroon one, she tried it on and got a glimpse of herself without being shocked at how big she had gotten. The long and looser bodice hid the curve somewhat and she smiled at herself. She liked it.

Van walked in at that moment and smiled. "You look beautiful."

Hitomi blushed a light pink at his compliment. "Thank you," she murmured. She looked up at him and saw that he was only wearing a nice white silk shirt and a pair of leather black pants. "Dressing rather casual for our marriage ceremony, don’t you think?"

Van shrugged and pulled her into his arms. As always, his hands went straight to her stomach. She giggled and said, "Do you think I'm fat?"

Van looked appalled for a moment and he said in a stern voice, "No, of course I don’t think you're fat! You're pregnant, there’s nothing you can do about it. Even if you were fat, I would still love you."

"So you don’t think I'm ugly? Not even a little bit?"

Van smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "I will always think you're beautiful, even when your old and hunched over and have wrinkles and—"

"Van!!"

Van laughed and started dragging her slowly to the door. All of a sudden the door flew open and banged loudly against the wall. Hitomi almost jumped out of her skin and said, "That’s just startled her!"

Van looked down at her and said, "What startled who?"

"That noise, it startled the baby!"

Van gave her a smile and looked at the door, who had general Dunwe standing by it. "Sorry your highness, but I had to tell you that two of our messenger boys just came back. They both have good news."

"Thank the gods. Well, why don’t we get going and get married, my dear? I can see how very excited you are that you are about to be married to me."

Hitomi was looking a bit pale at that moment and she said, "I think I need to sit down."

Van panicked and rushed her over to the bed, nearly carrying her. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. The baby is just kind of exercising right now."

"Are you sure?"

Hitomi nodded and her hand covered the mound of her belly. "Let me just sit for a minute and let her calm down."

Van looked like he was ready to attack the general and the man gave an excuse and left. When Hitomi felt better, he stood her up and asked if she was ok again. She nodded and they started down the stairs.

They were told that Allen and Merle were already at the temple, and probably being married. Van and Hitomi hurried over to the temple and peeked their heads through the door to make sure if anyone was in the middle of something. Allen had just kissed Merle, meaning the ceremony was over. They walked in and gave Merle and Allen a hug, re-congratulating them on getting married.

Allen saw how tired Merle was looking and asked to be excused so Merle could rest. Van was upset that Allen had even asked, but he nodded, taking Hitomi’s hand. She glanced shyly up at him and he smiled back at her, bringing her to the altar.

Van wasn’t nervous this time, he was perfectly fine, as if he did this all the time. The monk proceeded and soon the part where Van was allowed to kiss the bride came. He stared at her, in awe of how beautiful she was. Her face literally glowed with happiness, she had a soft pink blush high on her cheeks, her lips were slightly parted and she had a gentle smile on them.

"I'm sorry your highness, but are you just going to stare at her majesty, or are you going to kiss her?" the monk asked.

Van smiled at him and he lowered his face to Hitomi’s. His lips lightly grazed hers and he pulled back, another smile on his face. He touched his forehead to hers and said, "Hello, wife."

Hitomi gave him another teasing kiss and giggled. "Hello, husband."

The monk watched them as they just talked and whispered loving words to each other. He could tell how much they loved each other, and felt happiness for them. His highness deserved happiness and love, considering everything he had gone through.

At that moment, the door in the back of the temple opened, and Varie walked in. She looked upset for a moment, for she had missed her son’s second marriage to the same woman. She smiled and walked as fast as she could up to them. She wrapped her arms around Van and said, "How couldn’t you not wait for your dear mother? I guess your just going to have to get married to her again!" Van chuckled and kissed her cheek, saying sorry. Varie turned to Hitomi and gave her a gentle squeeze. "How is my first grandchild? Is she being good?"

"I suppose. She got a sudden scare at a loud noise and then got rather energetic. I had to sit down."

"Oh, my dear, are you alright? Maybe you should rest! You have to be more careful now, you should know that. In addition, Van...why aren't you protecting her from those kinds of things? She could hurt the baby!"

Van took both of the woman’s arms and walked them out of the temple. "It wasn’t my fault, mother. One of my generals just barged in."

"What?! And you didn’t do anything about it? I think I will have a nice chat with all of those pigs. They should know that they aren't allowed in the king and queens’ royal chambers. That is one of your only escapes, and that’s where you retreat when you need a break. You should get rid of them."

Van just smiled at her and got a glimpse at his wife. She was walking with her hand on her stomach, staring at the ground. He thought something was wrong, but didn’t know. She was off in her own world, he guessed.

Van asked his mother if she would like to eat dinner with Allen, Merle, Hitomi, and him. She gladly accepted, for she had to keep her eye on both of her girls. She hadn't been able to do much considering how Rain, Hitomi’s dragon, was in hibernation. She had just been walking around, doing nothing, and when she was doing something, she was either with Hitomi and Merle, or some kind of needle point. She had gotten Hitomi into it, and she was getting pretty good. Merle had already known how to do most of it, but she hadn't done it in years. She smiled, remembering a few days ago. They had just been sitting there, talking about babies and doing needle work.

Hitomi walked next to Van, holding onto his arm in a tenuous grip. She could tell he was worried about her, so she gave him a small smile before she went back to thinking.

His mother excused herself suddenly, saying she had to get ready for dinner.

"Hitomi, what's wrong?"

Hitomi looked startled for a second, and then said, "Nothing."

"Hitomi, you can't lie to me. I know when you are."

They walked for a while, although it was freezing out. It had stopped snowing, but neither of them noticed. Hitomi didn’t know how to express her concerns to Van, it would just make him upset that she was terrified. "Van, you have to understand that it’s hard for me to talk to you about this."

Van nodded, although he didn’t know what she was talking about. He noted the marked tensing of her body as they walked. They were walking into the city, for what, he didn’t know.

"I'm scared, Van," Hitomi said and stopped walking, standing beside him. She was doing anything to avoid eye contact with him, she was playing with the folds of her wedding gown.

Van contemplated her a moment before he said anything. "What are you scared about, Hitomi?"

He could tell that she was getting more upset at the way her breathing increased and she was almost destroying her gown with her hands. He took hold of them to further prevent injury to the gown and just to hold her. He brought her into his comforting embrace and she buried her face in his neck. He thought she was going to cry, but she held silent. "Hitomi, what are you scared about?" he asked again.

"About everything," she mumbled. "I'm afraid about what is going to happen to Gaea, about what might happen to Fanelia, what might happen to us. But I'm mostly scared about this whole giving birth process."

Van shared her same fears and he smiled. "You don’t think I'm scared?" he laughed. "Hitomi, you don’t have to worry about being scared. I am taking so many precautions that I don’t even know were they begin and end. We have three countries so far in this possible upcoming war, and we probably have more coming. Our army is increasing everyday, and the guymelef production has increased one hundred percent. The only thing I'm pretty much scared about is you."

Hitomi smiled against his neck and pulled away. "Really?"

Van grinned back at her. "Yes."

Hitomi felt relief flood through her. It had made her feel better just telling him, and knowing that he shared her same fears was also a help.

Van took her hand and they walked further into the town. Hitomi was surprised that anyone was even outside, and Van didn’t even seem to notice, as if he was used to it. They walked to the market, where the goods were sold. Hundreds of merchants flowed all around them, and Hitomi started to get excited at all the exotic things she saw. Van just smiled and kept her close to his side, not wanting to lose her in the throng of people.

The populace that seemed to recognize Van and Hitomi bowed, nodded, or curtsied. Hitomi didn’t even seem to heed this enlightenment for she was so enthralled in everything else around her. She pointed out a stand with beautiful bolts of multicolored silks and satins, and tugged Van over to inspect them. Van bought her some ribbons for her hair and a pair of soft kid slippers so she could be more comfortable walking around inside the palace.

Hitomi hated that he had to buy everything for her, but he didn’t care at all. He had told her before that he had plenty of money, and she didn’t have to worry. She thanked him with an innocent kiss to his cheek. He blushed and looked down. He couldn’t help he was still shy about showing affection in front of other people.

As if Hitomi knew what he was thinking, she gave him a longer, much more shameless kiss on his lips. The man that had just sold his highness the ribbons and slippers was smiling his face off, almost wishing he was in the other man’s shoes.

Hitomi slipped away from him and he leaned forward for more, but found out she wasn’t there. He found her a few yards away down at another stand and went after her. He wanted more, it wasn’t fair that she tease him like that. He smiled at the thought and came up behind her, wrapping his arms under her breasts. She swatted his hands away, trying to get the silly grin off her face. Van let her go and stepped beside her, acting as if nothing had just happened and trying to keep the blush off his face at the knowing man’s look at the booth they were at.

Van bought her a brilliant white shawl and a shimmering black one along with it. She put the black one around her shoulders as soon as he purchased it and felt grateful for more heat. Van insisted afterwards that they go back, for she needed to rest and they had to eat dinner. Already the sky was darkening with the upcoming night, promising more cold and freezing snow.

They walked across the slush-covered cobble stone streets until they were back to the palace, which was surrounded with beautiful, new white snow that hadn't been touched. Hitomi reminded Van about the promised snow fight and he sighed, telling her maybe tomorrow. He brought her inside and back upstairs to put her acquired things away and to get changed into something more comfortable. He suggested a nap and Hitomi argued with him until she gave in. She couldn’t win with Van anymore, probably because she was too exhausted at the time, or she just gave up more easily now.

Van gave her a small kiss on her forehead before he left to get changed himself and go to his study and do some more work with the protection of Fanelia. She sighed and closed her eyes, falling asleep as soon as he left.

Van made sure the guard outside her room was alert and kept the door open a crack, so he could hear anything from inside that might be distressing. The guard said that he would make sure she was taken care of on his duty and bowed, smiling at the remarried man. Van thanked him and talked to the other guards protecting the royal suite before he left. He wasn’t letting anything slip, he wouldn’t let himself.

Hitomi woke a half an hour later, feeling refreshed and ready to eat. She saw how her door was open and wondered if someone was in her room. She brought the heavy blankets to her chin and looked around more closely. When she started hearing odd noises, she panicked and hid underneath the covers. She didn’t know how long she had been under there, but the noises just seem to get more scarier by the moment. She heard something creak and she wrapped her arms around herself to keep herself from crying out in hysteria. A hand touched her back and she jumped, screaming. The covers were jerked back and she fought against the person who grabbed a hold of her arms.

"Hitomi!! It’s me!!"

Hitomi cocked open one eye and then the other. When she saw Van, she sagged in relief and fell against him. "Hitomi, what's wrong? Why didn’t you call for the guard outside if you were so scared?"

Hitomi held onto him tighter and he pulled her onto his lap for a better position. "I don’t know. I woke up and I saw the door open and panicked, thinking someone was in here. Then I started hearing all these noises and sounds. I guess my fear amplified them. Please, if I ever take another nap, stay with me."

Van picked her up and made her stand. He rubbed her arms to create some heat and just to have some contact with her. He was disconcerted that Hitomi had been so scared over little noises and agreed willingly. He didn’t want her to be panicky in her own home, let alone her room.

Hitomi pulled out of his consoling and loving hold and went over to put on her dress that she had laid out. It was a simple dark blue dress that went to her ankles, preventing her from tripping on the hem. Van laced and buttoned the back and she slipped on her new slippers, and the white shawl. Van smiled and told her she was absolutely beautiful. Hitomi flushed a rose color much to Van’s amusement. He walked her out the door and he thanked the guard, who was as alert as he had been when Van last talked to him.

"I hope you’re hungry," Van said on the way down to the formal dining room. Hitomi nodded eagerly and Van smiled at her enthusiasm for food.

When they got there, Merle, Allen, and Varie were already there. Two servants were walking around to serve them and two more stood off to the sides for more assistance just in case. When they saw their majesties, they rushed over to their chairs and pulled them out, seating them. They proceeded with serving them food and Hitomi excused them when they were done, saying they would help themselves. The nodded, bowed, and curtsied out of the room, closing the door.

"So, my dear, how are you feeling?" Varie asked after the servants walked out.

Hitomi looked up from engulfing herself in her food and wondered if Varie was talking to her. Merle was in the same state she was in, her mouth full of food and her fork held up to her mouth to shove more in. Van and Allen started laughing and Hitomi swallowed with some difficulty. She guessed Varie had been talking to her for she was looking intently at her. "I'm fine, just hungry, as you can probably tell."

Varie smiled at her and then asked Merle. Merle had been prepared for the same question and had already swallowed. "Just really tired. And hungry. As you can more than likely also tell."

Varie had a small laugh and went back to eating. It was relatively quiet until there was a knock on the door and General Dunwe walked in, disturbing the festive air.

"Yes?" Van asked, beyond annoyed. His generals always seem to disturb him more than necessary.

"Your highness, the messenger from Freid has returned."

"Did he bring good news?" Allen asked, interrupting the rest of what the general was going to say.

"Yes, Duke Chid has agreed willingly, and he has sent some men along with the messenger."

"How many?" Merle demanded and Allen smiled at her, trying not to laugh at the sudden stern tone in her voice.

"Only one hundred, but it will help immensely. He has sent Freid into preparation for war, and is already drafting young samurai for training and learning. As soon as you get more information, he wishes to know. Until then, he will make sure everything is in top production. He said he won't take any chances this time."

Van nodded, above happiness. He was ready to jump up and yell how grateful he was, instead, he leaned forward and gave his wife a kiss. Freid was a magnificent bonus, and Asturia an unbelievable one. He had four countries ready to do battle for Gaea, and more were possibly coming. With those two powerful countries in it with him, there was little to no doubt the rest of them would join in. The only one he was worried about was Ispania. He was wondering if his messenger had even been admitted into their country. Ispania was a very powerful nation, the most powerful on Gaea. They wouldn’t worry about a possible war. He shrugged. If they got destroyed from the power of Atlantis, it wasn’t his fault. He had warned them.

Hitomi could tell how cheerful Van was and shared it with him. She leaned into his kiss and she heard Merle giggle and Allen laugh. When they stopped laughing, Varie started and Hitomi could only guess they were kissing too.

Van shoved his chair to the side to get closer to Hitomi and Varie laughed all the harder. Hitomi wanted to laugh at his eagerness to kiss her more and she started pushing at his chest to make him stop.

"Van, dear, I think that you need to let her up for air," Varie said, still laughing. She couldn’t believe that both couples were kissing so very enthusiastically in front of her. Van broke the kiss and smiled at his wife. "Sorry."

Hitomi was blushing furiously in front of everyone and got all the redder when Allen and Merle started laughing too. She put her hands up to her cheeks to cool them, but nothing seemed to help. Van sat back down, completely reserved, as if nothing had just happened.

Hitomi looked back at Merle, Allen, and Varie, who were trying to calm themselves and stop laughing. It wasn’t working very well. She stood up without warning and ran out of the room. Both Van and Allen stood in a rush, ready to go after her. Van told Allen to sit back down and he left quickly, wanting to know if something was wrong with his wife.

He didn’t go immediately to his room, for his study was one of her favorite places to be, especially when he was in there. With all the books, she constantly had something to read. When he didn’t find her in there, he went to sewing room where his mother, Merle, and her spent a lot of their time lately. He sighed and went on when he didn’t see her. She must have gone back to their room.

He walked back slowly, pondering and contemplating what was wrong. He walked past the guards in front of his doors standing attention with sharp, deadly spears in their hands, and threw open the doors. He didn’t see her. He closed the doors behind him silently and went to the bathing room to get through to her room. He didn’t know why he didn’t just move her clothing in with his, she never slept in her room in the first place. All she did in that room was get dressed.

He stopped at the appearance of his wife lying on the side of the pool, more than half of her skirts hanging in the water. She was lying on her side, her face buried in her arms. He thought she was crying, but he couldn’t be sure. He walked over to her side and laid his hand carefully on her side. When she didn’t stir, he shook her slightly. "Hitomi? Hitomi, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

She still didn’t move. He felt something creep up his spine and he turned her over. Her eyes were closed. He panicked and checked the pulse in her neck to make sure she was breathing. The beat was strong and steady. He couldn’t believe the relief he felt when he realized she was sleeping. A silly smile splayed over his face and he picked her up carefully, her drenched skirts weighing her down and the water pouring onto the floor. She didn’t even jolt awake at the movement of him picking her up. He waited a moment before he walked into his room so most of the water had poured out of her waterlogged gown.

He carried her into the room and took off her dress with some difficulty. He lugged it back into the bathing room to let it drip dry and closed the door behind him, locking it so no one could get in that way. He went to his dresser and grabbed one of his soft white silk shirts to put on her to sleep in. He slipped it on over her head and tugged it down her body, lifting her hips to pull it down the rest of her body. He couldn’t see much, only her outline for it was so dark in the room.

He put her under the covers and went to take off his own clothes when he realized how freezing it was in his room. He cursed silently, mad that no one had thought enough to light one in his room. He walked over to the fireplace and put a few logs on that were lying next to it. The coals that had been dying in the fireplace came back to life at the source of food and soon a small fire built up. He nudged it with his foot a couple times to get it going better and went back over to the bed, stripping and slipping under the covers quickly. He rolled over to Hitomi for more warmth and she sighed, spooning into his back. He fell asleep to her soft breathing and a slight kick every once and a while on his back.