Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of the Dragon ❯ Letters ( Chapter 29 )

Chapter Twenty Nine: Letters

 

Dilandau cursed when Seibu gripped his twisted arm. "Leave it to you to do something so stupid!!" she yelled, yanking it back into place and smiling when he yelled in agonized pain. After she set it, she felt bad, considering that he really was going through a lot of pain. "Want me to knock you out?" she asked kindly.

 

"Do something, damn it! This hurts!!" he yelled at her, tearing his mutilated arm out of her grasp. The bone was still sticking out, and blood was running down it and dripping onto the bed. The sight of the snapped bone made him sick.

 

She whacked him upside the head and he went limp. She sighed, wondering if she should wait for him to get better and then check out the floating city, or just go now. She had sustained little to no damage from the unplanned attack on Fanelia, so she was ready to go. But I am tired, she yawned, crawling over to Dilandau's side and curling up to him. I guess I will wait for him to heal.

 

 

**********

 

"He has a concussion, and a pretty bad one to. I don't think that it will do anything permanently, so don't fuss too much over him. He just needs to rest for a few days. That punch that he received must have been pretty powerful, for I've known him to be hit so hard he was flung to the ground." Nara smiled. "And then he would get right back up and go after the person who dared to touch him." She paused, covering his highness with a soft blanket and then smoothing it with motherly care over his chest. "You know, for as long as I've known this boy, I have never seen him knocked out by just a simple hit."

 

Hitomi sat in the dark green chair by Van's side, taking hold of his weak pale hand. "Yeah, I know. But Dilandau is different. He has some sort of power now. I think its something like mine."

 

Nara stood up from Van's bedside and straightened. "Yes, I think so too. But just not as powerful as you my dear." She tapped Hitomi's cheek like her father used to do and then left. Hitomi sighed and laid her head on his chest, listening to his beating heart and being reassured by the rising and falling of his chest. She didn't even hear Merle and Allen come in a few moments later. Merle laid her hand on her shoulder, shaking it gently.

 

"Hitomi, did Van ever read that note that came from Freid?" Merle asked with worry in her voice. Hitomi sat up, giving Merle a confused look. Merle handed it over.

 

 

 

Van, King of Fanelia,

 

 

 

There has been a floating city spotted flying high in the air about twenty miles east of Freid. Chid, the Duke of Freid requests a meeting of all the nations of Gaea in three days. We hope to see you there.

 

 

 

Hitomi read it again. "A floating city? What does that mean?"

 

"I don't know, Hitomi. All I know was that I think this floating city has something to do with the enormous crack that split Freid right down the center, and Asturia's oceans to overflow and engulf half of the market and town houses. Not to mention the dragon's that attacked Fanelia," Allen said, taking back the note in Hitomi's fingers.

 

Hitomi steered them out of them room so they wouldn't disturb Van. "I don't know if Van will even be able to get out of bed in three days. I think that I'm going to have to go in his stead."

 

Allen blinked, Merle laughed. "That's ridiculous, Hitomi," Merle said. "You couldn't possibly have any idea about the relations Van goes through."

 

Hitomi pursed her lips. "Yes I do! I mean, I have an idea. It wouldn't be too odd to see the queen in the king's place, would it?"

 

Allen clamped his hand over his wife's mouth before she said something else rude. "No, not at all, Hitomi. I think it would be a good refreshing change anyhow. I think those men need a woman's touch. And all the better for you because you're a mother."

 

"Yeah, I guess being a mother does have its feminine advantages, doesn't it, Merle?"

 

Merle bit down on Allen's hand. He yelped and took it away, muttering about her sharp teeth and biting something off. She gave him an innocent smile, saying, "Yes, it does, Hitomi. You should see how much Allen drools over my body since it's so much more...lush because I gave birth. In fact last night—"

 

Allen dragged her away, telling Hitomi that he would deal with her in private. Hitomi didn't miss the wicked smile on both their faces, either.

 

She walked back into Van's room, hoping to see him awake. She sat next to him on the bed, curling her legs underneath her. He wasn't awake. If anything, he looked dead. He was pale, his ear was still bleeding, and it had a cloth held against it so it wouldn't leak out onto his face and run onto the pillow. She wondered if he was bleeding internally and he would hemorrhage or something.

 

She knew that sitting here and worrying wouldn't help him. So she got up went outside to the garden. She didn't see her dragon Rain, nor Varie. She wondered if they were alright. She knew that worrying about them too wouldn't help her, nor her health. Strolling down the walkways, she found an area that was completely empty, had nothing there at all, just grass and some towering oak trees that kept the area cool and let some sunlight through at the same time.

 

She sat down and sighed. She thought about her impending doom with going to Freid without Van, and dealing with all the stately relations she would more than likely go through. What should she tell them about Van? Oh yeah, he got punched and he got a concussion. He just might die because he is still bleeding out of his ear. She snorted. No, I will just make up something to make them sympathize him. She hoped it would work.

 

She got up after a while and went back to check on Van, and to pack.

 

When she got there, he was still unconscious. She had a maid stay by his side, telling her that if anything of important happened while she was gone, to send her a message immediately. The girl nodded, almost drooling over the fact that she would be watching his highness. The girl smiled and nodded stupidly to Hitomi speech, which referred to how to take care of him and the like. While Hitomi was saying this, she shoved some clothes into a satchel, and then had the girl help her dress, for Van always did her work. She knew that properly she should have a hand maiden do it, but she would rather have Van do it. She smiled and thanked the girl as she tugged the ties as tight as she could on her back.

 

Hitomi gathered up her bags, of which there was two, and set them outside the door, asking one of the samurai to bring it down. Even though it wasn't his job, he adored her and would do anything for her and his highness. She decided to let him come along with her on her little trip.

 

She stopped by to make sure Vera was ready with the twins, for she remembered what had happened last time she had gone without them. The girl, which was only a year or so younger than Hitomi, was clearly ready, and seemed to have been waiting for quite some time. Hitomi made her apologies and helped her bring the twins' things down the grand stair case. She had decided to bring several women to help Vera on the trip, and also help her become adjusted to court life. Vera was so excited she almost dropped Ryu. Hitomi just laughed and took her precious child from the ecstatic woman that was nearly trembling.

 

The three other women, Adelina, Marastasha, and Yorlanda, politely asked for the children and Hitomi handed over Ryu, and then Malaika. She gave them each a quick kiss, which made them giggle and gurgle their delight, and then said she would see them in a little bit, for she was riding a horse. The men and women thought this was a little too rough for the queen of Fanelia. She just thought it funny, for she was stronger and more powerful than any of them. She just made it a laughing matter and silenced them all when they complained some more. They all shut up at her order.

 

She loved bossing people around, considering she had been bossed around her whole life. She had to make up for it.

 

As she walked out of the now metal gates that used to be thick wood, she turned back, staring for a few moments at the palace. Van, please get better soon, she prayed.

 

 

**********

 

 

They got to the inn Van, Allen, Merle, and herself had all spent the night at the first time they had all gone to Freid when she had married Van. Isdin, the old inn owner, came out to greet the entourage like he had last time, kissing her hand, and asking how she could possibly get more beautiful than she had been last time. She just blushed and smiled. When he asked where her husband was, she didn't tell him about the state of weakness Fanelia had been left in with its king as good as dead, and the queen away. She just said he had already gotten there. He looked hurt that he hadn't stopped, but then just shrugged, saying he didn't understand royalty. Although she doubted he could be a spy for Dilandau or Seibu, she didn't want to take any chances. Van would probably think her very smart for thinking of it. She got to her room, wondering why people called movies and shows on TV so bad for your brain, when it had taught her probably more than school ever had.

 

Vera and another woman named Adelina came in with her children, demanding that she feed them before the women went nuts from the whining and crying. Hitomi was mad when she saw their perfect little faces stained with tears. She didn't ask why they hadn't asked her sooner, she just told them to leave politely. She promised herself she wouldn't leave her babies alone with those women for any longer than necessary. Vera seemed to have done a better job by herself, than with the help of the slightly older women.

 

She fed them quickly and changed their diapers, which seemed to make them much happier. She laid them on the bed to let them play with each others hands and kick with their tiny feet while she undressed and got ready for bed. She was beyond sore from that horse, and she longed for a bath for she felt dirty from the dirt she had accumulated from the road, but it seemed something too luxurious at this time of night. If she had still been at Fanelia, she could have taken a bath technically any time she wanted, even if it was one in the morning. She heard the inn go quiet with sleep and sighed, laying her babies underneath the blanket and surrounding them with pillows so they wouldn't roll around and fall off the bed or something. She crawled in and murmured a small lullaby to help them to sleep, and it worked magically. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, being plagued by the familiar demons of her visions.

 

 

 

**********

 

 

In the morning, she felt surprisingly refreshed. She hadn't felt so energetic since before this had started happening. She didn't even remember what it was like to be normal.

 

They got to Freid in the afternoon, Hitomi staring at the enormous split down the center of her capital. On further inspection as they went through the city to get to the palace, she saw it slowly being filled with dirt and rocks. She knew it was going to be a long and laborious process, but it had to be dealt with somehow, and that seemed the only way to fix it.

 

She dismounted with ill-grace from her horse, hoping that no one had seen it, and smiling when she realized no one had. She stretched a little bit and walked around the group of samurai and women to help loosen up a little bit more. When she hadn't felt as stiff as she had, she let a servant lead her to her quarters, the one that Van and her had shared when they had gone to that disastrous ball. She tried to forget that.

 

She knew she was a day early, but all the better for her and her group of women she was planning on taking around so she could marry off, just so she wouldn't have to bring them back with her. She gave them each a bag of gold coin so they could leave, and also included Vera, thinking she deserved a big break from the children. She wanted to be with them for a while anyhow. She felt that for a queen, she was hardly neglecting them, but for a woman that came from Earth, she was. Mothers were usually always with their children when they could be on Earth.

 

She ended up taking them both up in her arms and bringing them outside of the room, just to show them off. An improbable amount of people stopped and cooed and made funny faces, telling her they were the most adorable prince and princess twins they had ever seen. Hitomi just let them bask in the little children. She had a particular destination, and she just hoped that she would get a chance to talk to him. She hadn't talked to him for years. She hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Duke Chid when the ball had been going on, but now she had a chance.

 

She saw Boris turn a corner. Well, she thought, where Boris is, Chid is. She walked as fast as she could, bouncing her children in her arms and making them giggle. She caught up to Boris, and got a quick glance at Chid before he turned a corner. "Wait! Duke Chid!!"

 

Boris turned around, looking not a year older, and his eyes widened. "Queen Hitomi! What...I mean, what are you doing here? Where is his highness?" He bowed, his hands together in front of him. Hitomi smiled and nodded back to him, performing as much as a pathetic curtsy she could with the babies in her arms.

 

Boris motioned for her to stay while he stopped the Duke. Hitomi waited patiently until Chid, with a big smile on his teenage face, turned the corner. Hitomi was completely astounded to see how tall he had gotten. He was just as tall as her, if not taller!! He had his blonde hair a little longer, so close to how Van used to have his that Hitomi almost giggled. He bowed to her and took her hand, placing a small kiss on her wrist. She was more than surprised at the gesture, for she would think he wouldn't dare, especially for such a young age.

 

"Queen Hitomi, it is so wonderful to see you here. I am sorry about what occurred last time you visited our fair country. I hope that your stay this time is much more to your liking."

 

"Thank you. But if you don't mind me saying Chid, you've really grown! If I didn't know any better, I would think you were a different person!"

 

Chid grinned, his white teeth flashing. "It's alright, Hitomi. People who haven't seen me for a few years tend to wonder what happened to me." He paused, staring at the black haired children nestled against her. "Are...are those your children?" he asked as politely as he could.

 

Hitomi laughed. "Yes. Would you like to hold one?"

 

He blinked at her, and then back down at the twins. "I've never held a baby before." He held out his arms, seeming a little nervous, but anxious at the same time.

 

Hitomi gave him Ryu, since he was weighing down her left arm, which wasn't as strong as her right arm. She told him to make sure his head was supported, and he smiled, taking this as a challenge. He cradled the child gently in his arms, looking down at him and asking Hitomi if he was doing it right. She nodded enthusiastically.

 

"He's so small. I don't think I've ever seen anything so small and delicate."

 

"Wait until you have your own children," she kidded, smiling at him. She remembered how she used to smile down at him, but now it was at him, considering he was face to face with her.

 

He paled at her words. Hitomi got a concerned look on her face, wondering if he was alright. He gave her back her son, excusing himself quickly and going into a room, closing the door quickly. She was left with Boris.

 

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

 

Boris shook his head. "No, your highness. He is supposed to marry soon, and we are still searching for a bride. We haven't quite managed to find someone that he would like. I know it is odd that we should care, but Duke Chid is very important to us, and we wish to see him happy."

 

"Married?! How old is he? Ten!??!"

 

Boris smiled. "No, your highness. Duke Chid is currently fourteen years old, turning fifteen this week. It is said in the texts that all Dukes of Freid are to be married by their sixteenth summer."

 

Hitomi cleared her throat. "But um, don't you think that is a little young? Van, I mean, my husband, the king of Fanelia, didn't get married until he was nineteen, almost twenty! Shouldn't you perhaps give him a little time to grow up or something?"

 

Boris shook his head. "No, your highness. It is an honored tradition. Fanelia and Freid are very different, even though Fanelia is more powerful than us now."

 

That shocked her for a moment. Fanelia more powerful than Freid? she thought wildly. That's amazing!!

 

Boris excused himself and she was left with her children. Ryu was starting to fuss and Malaika wanted to play. She sighed good-naturedly and brought them back to her room, still thinking about Fanelia.

 

 

**********

 

 

Van felt his mind trying to wake up, but his eyes just wouldn't open. It hurt too much for some reason. Even the little light that was getting through seared his poor brain, made him want to heave up his guts and then lay down and die.

 

He lifted his hand to scratch his irritated cheek, and his hand came in contact with a piece of cloth. His eyes shot open and he immediately yelled in pain to the blinding light all around him. He heard noisy murmurs and the familiar sound of the curtains closing. He knew that the white half see-through curtains wouldn't offer much relief, so he kept his eyes shut tight.

 

"Van? Van, are you alright?" someone male asked.

 

Van felt tears gather behind his lids at the soothing voice, but it just hurt too much for him to listen. "Please, don't talk," he begged, trying to bring his hands up to cover his ears.

 

Allen smiled, at least knowing that his friend was alive, after the five days of being unconscious. Nara had been wondering if he had gone into a coma. He took hold of Van's hand and squeezed carefully, letting him know he wouldn't talk.

 

Van sighed with relief, but instantly regretted it. Everything hurt so much, he couldn't even breathe without it hurting. But his head...he couldn't take the pain...it was too much. "Allen?" he asked, barely audible.

 

He received another gentle squeeze to his white hand. "Why does it hurt so much?" he cried, trying not to let the tears come.

 

Allen felt so odd watching his best friend try to keep back the tears of pain. He held onto his hand tighter when Van gripped it for reassurance. Allen's passive face remained still even when a lone single tear streaked down Van's face and into his mussed hair. Van's grip loosened and his face went peaceful. Allen let go of his friends hand and laid it next to his sleeping form, looking back once to make sure everything was alright before he walked out. My sister, he thought. My sister is causing all this pain...this suffering and anguish. Is it all my fault? Is it because of me that this is happening? Why, Celena? Why can't you just come back to me....

 

 

**********

 

 

Hitomi's eyes narrowed on the fat and repulsive looking man sitting in front of her. His already red nose was turning purple to her denouncement on his country. Only two out of all the countries of Gaea weren't contributing to the war. And his was one. His tiny little pathetic country was too haughty for it to help the rest of Gaea. "Listen you snobby little moron. Even though you probably wouldn't help in the slightest way for this cause, you should at least be on the side to save this world!! What is your problem?!!" she yelled, standing up and pounding her fists on the long table all the lords and kings were sitting at. She was the only woman there. Not only did she feel weird, she felt like no one noticed her, for she was a woman. She was so mad that she could have screamed.

 

"Listen you insolent woman!! Where is your husband?! He should be here to silence his disobedient wife!!!"

 

"Insolent?!" Hitomi screeched. "I'll show you insolent!!!" She was about to jump across the table and ring his neck, for the rest of the arguing males wouldn't even notice, they were so engulfed in what they were doing. Only when she felt a stilling hand on her shoulder did she stop. It was Dryden, who had taken a seat next to her, promising to help her. He was the only few choice people who knew about Van. Duke Chid knew, but he hadn't said anything. She thought that perhaps he was still upset about the marriage thing.

 

Hitomi smiled grimly and seated herself in the high backed chair. Considering how many petticoats she was wearing, not to mention how heavy her gown was, she didn't need a padded seat. Her gown was good enough.

 

She cleared her throat and regained her composure. She had to show that she was perfectly capable of doing this, and doing it good. She had to show these men that she, a female, was just as good as them, if not better. Way better.

 

Dryden didn't have to help her once after that one time. He was surprised that for a woman, she was about ten times smarter than three fourths of the men there. However, she was from the Mystic Moon. Apparently the people there were very smart, and women equaled men. Or something odd like that.

 

The men there that Hitomi didn't know, which was all of them except for fatty across from her, and Chid and Dryden, seemed so surprised and dumb that she was smarter than them that she continually outdid them in everything, even tactical maneuvers for the war. By the end of the meeting, she had been the one adding up the armies and how they might compare to the enemies. She had piles of paper in front of her, ink wells and quills. Her fingers were stained, and she loved every minute of it. It felt good to be smarter than almost everyone around her.

 

When the meeting was over, she was practically appointed the person of smartness, or at least in her opinion. The men shook her hand, thanked her for helping, and asked her to come again. They had smiles on their faces, and for the first time, they thought they could win.

 

 

**********

 

 

Over the next proceeding days, Hitomi's name became common house, and everyone, even the fat man that sat in front of her knew it well. It had been two weeks since she had left Fanelia, and her husband. Not one word had come to her about his progress, and she became increasingly worried. She didn't like the thought that something was wrong with him without her knowing it. She wanted to be by his side more than anything, but at the moment, it was impossible. Especially now that the men depended on her so much now. She decided to write a letter.

 

 

Sunday, July 15

 

Dear Van,

 

I am going to try and write this without sounding too mushy, so if it does, I'm sorry. If you could only see how happy I am right now, you would probably get better. I haven't heard anything about your progress, so I can only assume everything is alright. Just to make you stop fretting over the twins, they are fine, and they miss you. I can tell every time they see me that they are looking for you. They must really love you.

 

The proceedings here are going great, and I know you must be mad at me for taking over your duties, but I had to. The men here at first hated me for some reason, but now its like they can't even live without me. I did almost attack this one fat man named Jonak, but Dryden stopped me.

 

Oh, and by the way, I got proposed to about I think five times. I was so surprised that I just stuttered and couldn't talk. I am happy that the men took that as a no, for I wouldn't have been able to say anything. I guess they didn't hear anyone call me the Queen of Fanelia.

 

I wish I could see you right now. I hope to be home hopefully by the end of the month. So far everything is wonderful, like I said, but I don't really know how much longer this might last. I will write to you and inform you about anything that might be important, or because I just want to talk to you. Be careful.

 

I love you,

 

Hitomi

 

 

Hitomi ended her letter as fast as she could when she heard a knock on the door. Vera burst in, the biggest smile on her pretty face imaginable. "Your highness!! Oh my, guess what?!! The Duke is holding an informal ball in your honor!!!"

 

Hitomi stood, sealing the letter with melted wax from the ring hidden in a drawer. Vera was followed in by three more women, who all took hands and started dancing around the room. Hitomi just smiled at them and how excited they were. Adelina, Marastasha, and Yorlanda started laughing so hard that they fell to the ground. Hitomi just continued to smile at the laughter and joking around going on between the ecstatic women collapsed on the floor.

 

"Informal?" Hitomi asked, handing Vera the letter.

 

"Yes, that means that you don't have to be so starched and prissy!! Isn't it wonderful!! Come on your highness, we have to get ready!!"

 

Hitomi frowned as Vera and the other women dragged her outside of the palace and into the carriage. "Wait! When is this ball?"

 

"Two days, your highness!! We can finally have some fun in this tedious place!! Aren't you excited?" Vera asked, starting to get concerned.

 

The women helped her out of the stuffy carriage and into a clothing shop, where about ten women were measuring, sewing, and doing other things.

 

"I am, but I haven't ever been to a dance without Van."

 

The women shushed her. "Shh, your highness, you can have fun without him, can't you? Just have some fun your majesty, that's all! We want to see you even happier than you already are!!"

 

Hitomi gave up with a smile on her face. "Alright!" She threw up her hands, laughing. "Lets have some fun!!"

 

 

**********

 

 

Van sat up in his bed when there was a soft knock on the door. He still didn't like loud noises, but at least people could talk to him without him yelling in pain. Allen strode in, Merle walking gracefully behind him. He saw a mischievous glint in her eyes, and only when she jumped on the bed and bounced over to him, did he realize that something good had happened.

 

"What is it?" Van asked, trying to keep Merle from licking his face.

 

"Down, Merle, Van isn't your husband. I am. You are only allowed to lick me," Allen announced, his voice perfectly calm, as if he was more than used to it. Merle pouted, pretending to be upset, but Van and Allen just laughed at her. She crossed her arms and glared at them. "You humans like to abuse me."

 

"Alright, so you found us out. But I think Van deserves this," Allen said, handing Van a letter.

 

Van thanked him and broke the seal, his fingers almost ripping it apart in his haste when he saw the crest of Fanelia was the seal. He opened it and read it, a smile on his face when he read Hitomi's letter.

 

"Its from Hitomi, right Van?" Merle asked. Lately she had been really hyper, and was doing anything for Van, for he had been getting into a depression. He got a lot more cheered up when she did the daily ritual of bouncing on the bed and practically launching him off of it while doing so. Today she thought that he deserved the special treat of getting his day old beard licked off. He had been deprived of affection since his wife had been gone, so his withdrawals didn't get better, they got worse. She wondered what would happen to him if Hitomi would die. She didn't want to think of it. Instead, she stood on the bed and jumped on her husband, causing them to fall onto the thick carpet with a loud thump. Allen pinned her against him when she struggled to get out of his hold, and Van just laughed at them after he finished the letter.

 

"You two need to find a room."

 

Merle unleashed her claws and ran one rather long nail down his neck until he released her. She smiled triumphantly. "No, I don't think so. Allen knows better than to harass me in your glorified presence. I just had to teach him a lesson."

 

Allen looked horrified. "Harass?! Are you insane?! You know you like—"

 

Merle clamped a hand over his mouth. Van shook his head and all but ordered them out of his room so they wouldn't start something on his carpet. He remarked how much closer they had gotten since Merle had given birth to Aleta. That precious little specimen only made him long for his own children. Merle liked to bring her along sometimes so he wouldn't miss his own twins so much, but it just made him want them all the more. At least they were alright, he thought. That's all that matters.

 

 

**********

 

 

Hitomi put on the simple pearl earrings and sighed at her reflection. She never did look good without Van next to her, or at least that's what she thought. She jumped at the sudden knock on the door.

 

"Who is it?" she called through the door.

 

"A royal messenger from Fanelia, your highness."

 

Hitomi nearly squealed with delight and jumped up, racing across the room to get to the door. She jerked it open, ripping the letter out of the messenger's hands. She blinked when she saw the date. It was the same as today.

 

"How did you get this here so fast?"

 

"His highness requested that it be sent via air cruiser your majesty," the young man said, bowing deeply in front of her. He had an odd arrangement of simple armor and luxurious clothing all at the same time. She was surprised it didn't look ridiculous. "Thank you. If you'll just wait a moment, I will write a reply."

 

He nodded and bowed while she walked back into the room to her desk. She broke the fancy seal of Fanelia and read:

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 17

 

Hitomi,

 

I am sorry that I'm not there with you. I can't really write a long letter, for it hurts my hand too much. I had no idea that no one was writing you about my progress, for I remember telling someone to inform you every three days. I guess that someone forgot or something. But anyhow, I heard that Duke Chid is giving an informal ball in your honor from the messenger boy that carried you message. So have you corrupted all of Fanelia and Gaea yet? Don't worry, I trust you probably more than I trust myself. It's nice to hear that my daughter and son are doing good. Are they getting bigger? I regret that I can't spoil them with my presence. I hadn't really noticed how much I loved them until they were gone. Now I feel all alone. Please come home soon.

 

Your husband,

Van

 

 

Hitomi had tears in her eyes at the last two sentences. How could he be so...beautiful at everything, she wondered, even writing! She scrawled a quick letter back to him, telling him that she was going to be at the ball in less than a half an hour, and yes, she did corrupt all Fanelia, but hadn't quite achieved in doing it to all Gaea. She knew he would smile at that. If anything, with the happenings taking place here, she had more than succeeded in filling her husbands coffers more than they already were. He probably was wondering where all the money was coming from. She smiled and handed the man the latter without even sealing, not caring if everyone on Gaea read her letter.

 

The man nodded to her, bowed, and left her esteemed presence. She knew that had to hurry, for she could already hear the boisterous noise below. She adjusted her dark green gown and patted her hair, hoping she looked alright. She asked the maid that had helped her dress if she looked alright, and the woman told her she was more than likely the most beautiful woman in all of Freid. Hitomi just smiled at the errant comment and walked towards the stairs. She was about to place her slippered foot on the carpeted stair when she heard someone clear their throat.

 

Hitomi made a graceful curtsy as low as she could, almost straining her back in the process, but ignored it. Chid smiled at her and asked, "Hitomi, would you give me the honor of letting me escort you tonight?"

 

Her eyes widened, but she felt enormous relief go through her. "I would enjoy it very much, your grace," she said, giving a quick curtsy again to the young man.

 

Chid smiled and took hold of her arm with friendly courtesy. "You know, you don't have to curtsy to me every five minutes."

 

She blushed. "I'm sorry, um, your grace."

 

He laughed at her as they walked down the stairs. "You don't have to call me that either. We're friends, right? I'm sure you don't go around calling your friends by formal names. And anyhow, not only are we saving each other from being alone, you are saving me from being assailed by prospective mama's and their daughters."

 

Hitomi laughed as they set foot on the marble floor. "Yes, and your saving me from the more than necessary marriage proposals."

 

He smiled and walked her out over the floor. She couldn't imagine how ridiculous this would have looked five years ago. Chid had barely gone to her waist, now they were eye to eye. She didn't really worry over it though, for she had the feeling she was going to have fun. She liked the plan Chid and her had to keep all the men and women away from each other. Normally people wouldn't approach a couple and ask them things like that. She sent a quick silent prayer upwards and asked for Van's fast recovery, and let Chid bring her out onto the dancing floor, a wicked scheming smile on both their faces.

 

 

**********

 

 

Van received his unsealed letter later that night, about four in the morning. It didn't really matter, for he hadn't been able to sleep. He almost laughed when Hitomi said she had more than corrupted Fanelia, but hadn't quite achieved in doing it to all of Gaea. He set the letter down and walked across the study to the small wooden stand next to the sofa. He picked up Hitomi's book, the one she had been reading before she had left. He missed watching her read and be at peace like that. Most of all he missed having her warmth next to him all the time. He almost missed having her burn him! He plopped onto the sofa and closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep. He decided that he would reply to her letter in the morning, for it was too late now. He yawned and fell into a deep blissful sleep.

 

 

**********

 

 

Hitomi woke up to a splitting headache. Uh, she thought. I indulged on that wine too much last night. But then she giggled, remembering how funny Chid had been, drunk out of his mind. More than half of the people there had been intoxicated beyond belief. Chid and her and been walking, no, stumbling around, and making fun of half the other people there who were doing the same thing. She didn't think she had laughed so hard over the most ridiculous things in her life. She knew that Van would have enjoyed it, but then he would have been more than mad in the morning for doing it and endangering himself and other people. Sometimes her husband took things too seriously.

 

It was then that she realized that she needed to see him right then. She jumped out of bed and promptly fell on her face. She struggled to get up, groaning at the pain in her head. Her ladies came stumbling in at the loud noise and asked her if she needed anything.

 

"Yes!!" she moaned, "give me coffee. And now if you please. We are going home today."

 

"But, my lady, we um, we were hoping we could stay here. You see, we uh, we like it here."

 

Hitomi hid her evil smile in her arms. She was hanging half off the bed, her arms around her head. She didn't want to know what she looked like. "Alright, you can stay. But me and Vera are going back, at least for a day or so. I miss my husband too much to take this much longer."

 

The women squealed and thanked her, telling her that they would get her coffee in a moment. Hitomi sighed gratefully as she shoved her clothes haphazardly into her bags. Vera packed the children's clothes and toys quickly, almost as delighted as Hitomi was about going home. Hitomi wondered if Vera had someone she loved back home. She forgot about it when her coffee came. She drank it down greedily, and then got up to write a quick note to Chid, explaining to him that she would be back in a day or so. He scrawled her name quickly, and then walked out the door.