"FIREBALL!" Princess Gracia dodged another fireball without much more success than the last one. Which meant, she was currently putting out the flames in her cape. "Gracia! Thanks to you the entire Moon Kingdom thinks that even dragons are repulsed by me! If you call me 'Dragon Spooker' on more time - !"
"Sir Inverse." said a quite, but stern voice. Across the royal courtyard, past the gardens where Princess Amelia picked flowers, Lina caught sight of Luna. Lina didn't notice her older sister was accompanying the Moon Kingdom's King Phil. She was too busy shivering at Luna's icy cold stare. As they approached, Lina's pupils widened in fear, but luckily, King Phil placed a hand on Luna's shoulder.
"Now, now, Luna." The king of the Moon Kingdom grinned to his long-time protector, "They were only teasing."
"Yes, of course, Your Majesty. But as Knights of the Moon, both I AND Lina," Luna gave her sister another fearful glance, "are sworn to protect the royal family. NOT to Fireball the princesses." Lina's eyes traced the ground, obviously looking very ashamed.
"I hope she's buying this!" Lina thought, trying to keep up her repentant appearance. Just then Princess Amelia walked up to the group with floral garlands in her hands.
"Look, Daddy! I've been weaving flowers from the gardens!" She crowned her father's head with a lei.
"Thank you, Amelia!" He fingered the lei and grinned again. "But girls, there's something I need to discuss with both of you. Tomorrow the Prince from Earth will be visiting the palace to seal an alliance between Earth and the Moon. As you know, our Moon Kingdom has been sealing alliances with marriage (whenever possible) for generations."
"M-m-marriage?' The two princesses stuttered, as well as their royal protector. Luna on the other hand, only stood emotionless, having been part of the earlier discussions with the Earth Prince and King Phil.
"And what does the Earth Prince think of this?" Lina arched her brow in a strange manner. Luna gave her another look, and she quickly appended, "If I may please ask, Your Highness?"
"He is a dutiful young man." King Phil replied. "He accepts a marriage alliance as a necessary royal duty." Phil motioned towards Gracia and Amelia. "Tomorrow, when the prince arrives, I want you two girls to meet him and make a decision as to which one of you will marry him."
That's what King Phil had told the Princesses yesterday. Since then, Gracia and Amelia tried to go about their normal business, but both were in an underlying daze. Gracia went a little over the top with her arrogance and demeaning towards Lina to hide her nervousness at the prospect of an arranged marriage, at which Lina sorely wanted to Dragon Slave her for. Luna sensing this, always made sure to be in the vicinity of the princess and her "protector", to deter Lina from such violent reactions. Unable to vent, and still required to stay with the princesses at all times for their protection, Lina was about ready to go nuts. Fortuneately, there was a party being held tonight to welcome the Earth royal court, so Lina could get some peace while Gracia got ready.
Lina passed down the hall, giving the guards at Gracia's door both a grateful and pitying smile for relieving her of duty, while she herself had to get ready for the party. Afterall, a Moon Knight as high ranking as Lina was required to be introduced properly to the Prince. She would have to get cleaned up.
Well, cleaned up in the general sense anyway. At an introductory party like this, all knights were required to wear their full uniforms. Which was fine with Lina. As nice as it was to get all dressed up in a ballgown and feel like a queen, it was nicer to be comfortable for the rest of the night. Lina's uniform wasn't much different from what she usually wore. It had the same type of tunic, cape, boots, and gloves, but the former were all a gleaming white to represent her allegiance to the Moon. Also in accordance with royal colors, the trim on her tunic was silver, where it was usually grey, as were the gloves and boots. There were little jewels on her silver shoulder guards, along with tiny golden moon etchings. All in all, it was a dazzling site. Lina made sure to brush her hair neatly and wear some special crescent moon earrings. Lastly, she sat on her bed, staring at the breastplate she left on the other side of the room.
She really didn't like to wear that thing. Not that she ever really needed it. And no! Not because there was nothing there to protect! Lina fumed at the memory of the common joke going on behind her back among the other Moon Knights. But she quickly subdued, remembering also her satisfaction at Fireballing the lot of them. Her forte was magic, not physical combat - which she thought she excelled in just the same. It was part of the official uniform only because the first knights were swordsmen. And swordsmen wore breastplates. Heavy, silver, gold-etched breastplates. Well, forget that! She wasn't going through with it! And Lina marched out her chamber door. She took not two steps when she noticed Luna in the hall, about ready to glare her down for what seemed, in the split second that Luna saw her, like Lina not wearing her full uniform. Lina quickly jumped back into her room and slipped on the form-fitting piece of metal. She took a breath as she exited her room again. This was going to be a long night.
The party was going well. The Prince hadn't arrived yet, but there were court officials and Knights from the surrounding kingdoms ringing the ballroom. Lina stayed seated at an empty table on the upper level, jutting over the dance floor. Having finished with a plate which she had sneaked from the kitchen that was too busy preparing for tonight's dinner, she sat content, looking over the white tiled floor. Many uniformed and highly decorated people having superficial chit chat no doubt. The string quartet continually playing the same song. "Hmm. I wonder if I can hit them with my spoon from here...?"
"Miss Lina!"
"Aah!" Lina jumped in reply.
"I'm sorry!" Amelia apologized, standing beside Lina's seat. "But Luna says that she wants you to stay with me and Gracia." Lina stood up stiffly, at the mental image of her older sister, and followed Amelia to meet with Gracia.
Lina wanted to yawn, but with her sister so near by (though on the other side of the ballroom), she had to keep up the dutiful soldier act. Lina stood up straight beside the princesses, just as Luna did beside the king, while she and the king chatted with the Mars and Saturn princesses. Gracia was comparing looks with the equally arrogant princess of Jupiter, another of the Moon Kingdom's allies. Martina of the Jupiter kingdom was virtually Gracia's reflection, in the moment Lina glanced at them. And Amelia was grilling the legislative advisor about justice. Thankfully, a kitchen servant walked by with an appetizer tray. Lina grabbed two handfuls.
Trumpets blared.
"Oh, great. Just when I get some food." Lina quickly gulped her appetizers and wiped the crumbs from her face.
"Zelgadis Greywiers, Prince of Earth!" A court servant announced beside the doorway at the top of the stairs. In that doorway stood a man, who Lina judged to be her age, 18, with smooth features and purple hair hanging over one eye. He decended the stairs, and was followed by a similar looking, older man who walked with a staff and his eyes closed, aparently blind.
"Rezo the Red Priest, advisor to the crown!" The prince, escorted by his own royal protectors, approached King Phil and Luna, who were now joined by Lina and the Princesses.
"Good evening, Your Highness." Prince Zelgadis addressed King Phil with a slight nod. "I must thank you for your hospitality."
"Oh, no need!" King Phil grinned, raising a hand lightly. "Let me introduce my first daughter, Princess Gracia."
Instead of curtsying, Gracia stood erect and haughty with her hands on her hips. She even added to her introduction, "The most beautiful and powerful princess of the entire Silver Millenium!" Even Luna sweatdropped. Zelgadis quickly gave his grandfather a glance both disbelieving and supplicant, to which Rezo gave a slight affirming nod, his expression also in disbelief.
"And this is my second daughter, Princess Amelia." King Phil motioned to the suddenly shy young girl who did curtsy. Rezo glanced at Zel, just slightly nodding for him to proceed. Zelgadis almost sighed and blushed, bowing to Amelia, taking her hand and kissing it gently. Lina could see that this was something forcibly rehersed. Lina raised an eyebrow. Luna made her stop. Beside her, Amelia had a shy kind of glow at the sweet formality, totally oblivious to the Prince's reluctance in the act.
"This is my grandfather, royal advisor, and court sorcerer, Rezo." Zelgadis motioned to the man in red robes. Before they could ask, Rezo stated, "I've lived a long time because of my magic. I've been giving the throne to my heirs when they were old enough." A nod of "oh" went around their little circle. Zelgadis continued, "This is my royal protector, Gourry, and these are my two highest generals, Rodimus and Zolf." Zelgadis motioned to the Earth Knights beside him. Lina noticed a mystic aura around the man introduced as Zolf.
"He must be a sorcerer knight, like me." Lina thought. "Heh. He has to wear some armor too!" The Earth Knights wore navy blue and forest green uniforms, with shoulder and hip guards, a breastplate, but no cape. They both bowed, paying their respects to the Moon King. It took Gourry a moment to realize he must do the same. In return, King Phil introduced their own royal protectors, at which, both Inverses bowed to Prince Zelgadis.
After the Prince acknowledged them, King Phil clapped his hands together and exclaimed, "Well! Let us begin your welcome party!" And at that, the string quartet began a more spirited tune, proper for a minuet dance. With much formality, the Prince asked Amelia for the first dance. A little shakey, she accepted. As the dance began, there was not much she could think of to converse with him, but it was just as well. The Prince would only speak when bidden, and then, very little and saying only the most appropriate of responses. Straight from the etiquitte text book.
By the time dinner came, Lina was bored out of her skull. She prefered the more lively dances that one usually found in countryside pubs. Every movement here was just all too well-organized for her. And speaking of which, the Earth Prince was the most perfect of all, although she could detect that this was all too boring for him as well. Well, she would help both of them out. Mid-dance, as partners switched and mingled around the room before rejoining again, Lina suddenly added more steps to her part, proving most confusing and embarassing for her partner at the time, which was of course the Prince. She switched off again in turn, going around the room, all the while surpressing the laugh she would have liked to voice at the Prince's blushing befuddlement. Now she knew what type he was. The only thing keeping him from retreating from this whole social activity was the promise that nothing was unplanned. All one needed was to follow the written rules of civility. ...And oh, how Lina loved to break the rules!
Lina followed the crowd down the hall for dinner. She almost giggled, still remembering how red the Prince had so quickly become. Then she noticed someone approaching her through the crowds.
"Hello, Princess Sylphiel."
"Good evening, Sir Inverse. ...Sir Inverse?"
"Yes?"
"Who is that blond man with the Earth Prince?"
"Hm? I saw you dancing with him earlier. Didn't he step on your feet a couple of times?" Lina gave a glancing inspection of Sylphiel's feet.
"Y-yes." Sylphiel blushed. "He apologized for it continually..." Sylphiel blushed even more. "He wasn't clumsy, he just didn't know all the steps. He just laughed at himself and tried again when he made mistakes." She smiled, not quite looking at Lina anymore. "He even let me teach him..."
"Um, Your Highness?"
"Yes?" Sylphiel snapped back.
"He's the Earth Prince's royal bodyguard. Gourry Gabriev."
"Gourry..." Sylphiel whispered.
"Yes." Lina nodded her head as if confirming the answer of a 5 year old. "Why don't you go ask Princess Amelia about him? I'm sure she'd love to chat about this stuff, and maybe she could introduce you."
"Oh, yes! Thank you Sir Inverse!" Sylphiel went off quickly through the continuing crowd. Well, not at crashing sonic speed, but faster than her usual delicate glide over the tiles. Lina shook her head. Both she and the other princess of the Silver Millenium planets knew Amelia loved to encourage the ideal romance. Amelia and Sylphiel would no doubt take up the rest of the night chatting about "the bliss of love" and "unimaginable depths of feeling" for the rest of the night. Lina gaged.
Zelgadis shuddered. The youngest Moon princess and the princess of Saturn had been going on non-stop about a crush the Saturn Princess apparently had on his royal bodyguard. Zelgadis glanced across the room to see Gourry making a mess of his dinner. He sighed, looking around at the table where he sat. To the left and right of him were princesses. Apparently, the royalty of each planet were not only allied with the Moon's, but they were close friends. The princesses all insisted on sitting at the head table together. And Zelgadis being the guest of honor, had to sit with them. He continued nibbling at his dinner. He really didn't like to eat much, but dinner was a time for conversation, and had to last for the duration of those conversations. And the conversations around the room were dragging on too long! Amelia had tried talking to him, but with their current topic, he just quickly promised to introduce Gourry to Sylphiel sometime, and then subltely refused any further involvement in the matter. Amelia seemed so enthusiactic about the topic, that he might have to sit here for quite some time. He sipped his tea again.
There was a large slurping sound.
"Oops. Sorry." A red head at one table looked about sheepishly from her soup. Zel felt a sudden increase in mystic energy. It came from a fushia-haired woman glaring at the red head. The Moon's royal protectors must have a very strange relationship. Zelgadis shook his head and returned to his tea. For no reason at all, he glanced back at the younger of the Sir Inverses. She had smiled so widely at him during the dance. If she thought he didn't notice her trying to embarrass him and having fun doing so, she was wrong. Then suddenly, she smiled up at him.
That should stun him. Lina returned to her meal. It certainly was easy to make this prince blush. But, it was a funny sight. Kind of...amusing, in some way. Still, she felt kind of sorry for the guy. He didn't seem to be interested in the food, and that was about the only interesting thing there. She knew. In fact, the whole kitchen staff knew. If there wasn't food to keep Lina occupied while she sat through these gossipy dinner functions, she'd hassle the servers to no end.
Lina decided to do something radical. No more formalities and just polite questions.
Zelgadis caught wind of a more interesting conversation going around the tables. Or rather, trying to go around the tables. Someone had read his mind, so to speak, in asking about the current threat of Mazoku. But it apparently was not on anyone else's. Other than a general dislike of Mazoku and shared stories of relatives they had killed, there was not much of real value. Soon, the conversation drifted off into nothing more than sentimental interest; receeding back to the same tone of the previous conversations.
Lina grabbed her fork, and with a jab, harshly speared it through the meat on her plate. Her conversation topic wasn't going in the direction she had hoped. She wanted to discuss strategies and mystic reserves. Maybe some ancient magics hidden in each planet? It couldn't hurt to be more informed about that. Anything that might be useful as a weapon against the Mazoku. Or they could at least share more useful information about the capabilities of the elusive Mazoku, lurking around the galaxy. Lina blew a strand of hair from her face.
But dessert was on its way, so Lina quickly set aside her annoyances for another day.
"May I have your attention?" King Phil rang his goblet with his fork. The chattering diners quickly became silent. "Prince Zelgadis has decided to make my youngest daughter Amelia, his betrothed." Many people cheered and clapped. "I invite you all for the wedding, to be held in one month."
The clapping and congradulations continued on into the night, as Zelgadis trudged to his guest suite in the palace.
"Not the happy bridegroom?" A voice accompanied by a chiming staff approached from behind him.
"Oh, hello, Grandfather." Zel stopped amid the vast, empty hall. "Should I be particularly happy OR sad?" Zelgadis shrugged matter-of-factly.
"My, my. If I had that attitude towards my marriage, your father may never have been born." Rezo smiled.
Zelgadis rolled his eyes. His grandfather...always with the bad jokes. The two continued towards their rooms.
"She seems a pleasant girl." Rezo commented.
"That she does." Zelgadis again stated flatly.
"And she is very pretty."
"Yes." Still, no real response. By now, they had stopped outside Zelgadis's door. Rezo placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"Ah, well! You'll react to her on your honeymoon."
"Grandfather!" Zelgadis blushed furiously, at which Rezo laughed. (Laughed at the embarrassment Zel exuded, not quite so much his face turning red.) The Red Priest continued down the side of the hall towards his own guest suite.
"Relax, my boy! One would think you would prefer the other princess."
"No!" Zelgadis was agast with horror. Rezo's laughing slowly echoed out.
Early the next morning, Zelgadis found an empty courtyard to do his daily sword practice. Gone were his normal black royal armor. Instead he wore a simple set of ivory tunic, pants, and cloak. He continued to swing his sword until a clapping sound echoed behind him.
"Very nice!" Lina appraoched him with a genuine smile of admiration, her eyes slightly widened.
"Sir Inverse - "
Lina's face scrunched at the sound of her title. It was just too strange. "That's Lina, Zel!"
"'Zel'?"
"Well, your name is Zelgadis, isn't it?" She continued pacing towards him.
"Yes, but no one's ever spoken to me so informally. Especially a - "
"A non-royal?"
"I meant to say a knight."
"But you were thinking a lower-class subject."
Zel began to blush.
"I meant to offense." He stammered.
"None taken." Lina drew her sword. Zel's eyes quirked and smiled at her skeptically. He readied his own sword.
Between blows, Lina continued their conversation.
"I came to tell you," she dodged another swipe, "Princess Amelia would like to show you around the palace later today."
"Well, thank you for delivering the message." Zel replied without so much as missing a beat.
Lina mentally cursed. She was huffing and puffing, straining against his sword, and he wasn't even distracted by side-talk. But ah, then the topic would have to be more interesting to grab his attention from the fight to do that, now would it.
"By the way, will you be giving Amelia the customary, after-date kiss?"
The grip on Zel's sword weakened considerably. And Lina's sword against his, easily forced him away, off his feet, in fact. Lina took the time-out to laugh at his expense.
"You..." Zel smirked, jumping back into the sparring session again. He chided himself for letting her find his weaknesses so quickly. But he had to admit, it was a simple, yet brilliant strategy. She would have to be strong in that respect, considering what he could glean of her sword ability so far. For a moment, he wondered how she got the position of royal bodyguard with her swordsmanship level. Then he noticed the mystic aura around her.
"You could have just asked if I was a mage."
Zel barely dodged a strike. How could she have felt him probing her aura? He was naturally adept in astral/psychic magics, and had by now become an expert.
"Oh, Prince Zelgadis!"
Lina mentally identified Amelia's voice behind her, on the outskirts of the courtyard. Oh, no. She was not going to get beaten in front of Amelia. Lina focused her attacks against the prince, forcing him to forego a greeting to the princess. For a moment, Lina saw a pitying glance on the prince's face, before he hesitated at a crutial moment. Lina struck the sword from his hand and pointed the edge of her blade at his heart. Amelia ran up to them, clapping.
"Oh, that was so great, Miss Lina! And you were wonderful, Prince Zelgadis!"
Lina still stood there, frozen in her winning position, staring at the prince. He stared back, his eyes asking for forgiveness.
"Prince Zelgadis..." Amelia looked between the two. "Would you like to see the palace now?"
Absently, Zelgadis nodded. Almost not knowing how to proceed with the princess. He remembered something about it being gentlemanly to offer one's arm as an escort. Amelia took it gratefully, a smile sparkling arcross her face, as she lead him out of the courtyard. Zel tried hard not to look back at the Moon Knight, still staring at him as he disappeared around a corner.
Lina stomped down the halls.
How dare he! How dare he! How dare he! Lina fumed profusely. How dare he patronize her! And he knew it! As if anyone wouldn't notice how he consciously slowed, his failing movement much more hesitant than he had already proven himself capable of. Thankfully, she didn't have to follow them around to protect Amelia. Lina had found the prince's royal bodyguard to fill in for both their roles. It took half an hour to explain what he was supposed to do, not to mention, where to go. So, needless to say, Lina was about to snap.
"Inverse." One of the palace guards passed down the hall. "Saw your match. Funny how just when you won, he moved slower all of a sudden. 'Course, that's probably the only way you'd ever win." He began to chuckle and was quickly joined by the surrounding guards posted. The laughing resonated throughout the halls, carried by the prevelance of guards everywhere in the palace.
"FIREBALL!!!"
Zel had finally escaped the little tour. It was all very uncomforatble silence for him. He liked silence, yes, but not when interrupted by occaisional comments on which flowers made the best leis, or the decisions that went into which room decorations, or the most romantic views one got at certain balconies and towers of the palace. He sighed. Now he had some time to himself. Just a cup of tea, some reading, and straight to bed.
Zelgadis wandered through the corridors of the palace, headed for the royal library. But strangely enough all the halls were empty. There were scorch marks where there should have been soldiers posted. Careless. And his kingdom wanted an alliance with the Moon's? It was more like the Moon needed an more reasonable ally to protect them. But he mustn't underestimate the Moon, Zelgadis reminded himself. They had possession of the legendary Demonsblood Crystal, as well as the friendship and loyalty of the other planets. Besides that, better to make friends, than enimies of the satelliete orbiting your home planet. Zelgadis sighed.
On the way, he saw a grassy hill with a lone sillouette. He stopped to scrutinize the almost familiar seated figure beside a tree. Sir Inverse. A wave of shame came over him. It was a cruel thing for him to do just for convenience's sake, especially with so many guards posted around the palace to see. And she certainly seemed the type where such a thing mattered. Knees drawn to her chest, she stared off into the horizon, never moving at the chilling breezes that ran through her hair.
But what did he know to say to help her? Why help her at all? The answer came in a wash of similar memories. Those past feeelings clear in his mind, he slowly made his way to the grassy hill.
Feeling the presence of an interloper, Lina closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. She sensed the person take a seat beside her. She was careful to block off her thoughts, even before she sensed the mystic aura. Despite the proximity to her, whoever it was wasn't making any attempt to say anything to her. That was fine; she wasn't about to share her thoughts. The minutes trudged on, and still, silence.
"More time for our match would have been nice."
Lina recognized the smooth voice. Zelgadis didn't dare to say anything more. He seemed to only watch the night sky. But Lina could feel a concerned glance from the corner of his eye.
"I'm just a little tired, that's all." She hoped that excuse would allow her to hide her face from the Prince. Holding her knees to her chest, she rested her head on them and turned away.
Despite that, Zel knew the expression she wore. It was the same he had all those years ago when he first began training in the the sword and mystic arts. She wanted to cry at her humiliation, and her helplessness, yet he knew that it was also the very last thing she wanted to do. Zel did her the courtesy of looking away. Instead, he focused his attention to view the stars and the Earth. "I promise, Lina. The next time we fight, I won't hold anything back."
"You better not!"
Zel recieved a swift punch in the arm. But he smiled, and Lina continued to rest her head on her knees. They stayed seated on that grassy hill together for a long time, neither saying a word, but never a word needed.
Early the next morning, Zel found the empty courtyard again, with his sword in hand. In the middle of adjusting his cloak as he walked towards the open area, he looked up and froze.
"Sir Inverse..."
"I told you." She smiled, getting up from the middle of the pearl white, open space. "It's OK to call me Lina."
Zel gently smiled and readied a fighting stance.
"Your move."
For the next few weeks, Lina and Zel's swords clashed every morning in the pearl white courtyard. Always followed by a nice reprive.
"So where are the princesses? Shouldn't you be watching them?" Zel sat on one of the stone benches seperating the open courtyard from the gardens.
"You mean Goldfish Fiecies and Miss Justice?" Lina laughed from where she sat on the ground, leaning against the bench, and almost spilled her water flask. Zel raised an eyebrow. "They don't wake up this early. Do you realize what an ungodly hour you get up at to practice?!"
"Then why do you get up this early?"
"Um, well...guards always get up earlier than the royals." Lina finished quickly, looked away and focused on drinking her water. "So, speaking of which... How do you royal people go through with these arranged marriages?"
"Why don't you ask Amelia?"
"'Cause I'm asking you! ...Besides she's too love-struck to help me figure this out." Lina rolled her eyes.
Zelgadis gulped his water.
"I mean, do you go through some kind of conditioning when you're born into a royal family, so you don't care who you have to put up with for the rest of your life?"
"That's one way of putting it."
"So you really don't care who you end up with?" Lina leaned forward on the bench, from her seat on the ground, in disbelief.
Zel only nodded blankly.
"Jeeze!" Lina plopped back down on the ground, again leaning her back against the bench's legs. More to herself, Lina began muttering, "I could never do," she blushed slightly, "all that..."
"I try not to think about it." He added. Then he smirked. "But I bet for enough food and money, you would."
"And how would you know I'd do that!?" Lina took a swipe at him with her fist, but he leaned away. Lina resisted trying again, especially against Zel, and just chuged her water flask again. She gave a large refreshed sound afterwards, then continued. "Do you think Amelia is really love-struck, or is she trying to fool herself. Y'know, part of the conditioning?" Lina sucked on ther flask again and looked to Zel.
"Why ask me? You've been her body guard."
"And you're her fiancee! Jeeze. Are you saying you haven't gotten to know her better yet?" A tinge of exasperation.
"It hasn't been enough time."
"And yet you're SO SURE what I would do." Lina looked up, annoyed. Her ears perked when Zel began to laugh. "What?"
"Does that mean you would go that far for money and food?"
Lina promptly replied by throwing her water flask at him.
The empty flask landed at Luna's feet. Both Lina and the Prince turned to see Luna look up coldly from the flask to her little sister.
"Good day, Your Highness." Luna nodded to Zel.
"Good day, Sir Inverse." Zel nodded in reply.
"Princess Amelia is waiting for you by the reflection pool."
"Thank you." Zel took his sword and got up. "I will see you, Lina." He smiled before leaving the courtyard. As soon as he was out of range, Lina stood up straight and tried not to shiver.
"Lina." Luna growled softly like a large carnivore. "This betrothal is vital, to both kingdoms. Don't jeapordize it!"
"What?"
"Lina, You've sworn to protect the royal family. And not just from mortal danger. The princess would be crushed if you took Prince Zelgadis from her!"
Lina wasn't afraid anymore, she was too angry for that. Unfortuneately, Luna was angry as well.
"And another thing, Lina." Luna continued in her dangerously even tone, as she picked up Lina's thrown water flask. "Don't throw things at your superiors."
A very loud and bright light caught the corner of Amelia's eye.
"What was that?" She asked Zelgadis as he walked along side her. Zel stopped and scanned in the direction of the courtyard. It definitely sounded like short range offensive magic and someone in pain. Very similar to Lina's voice...
"What?! Did she get hit in the head or something?!" Lina muttered to herself. "To think that I...would be...in love..." Lina paused for a moment. "...with...him..."
"Miss Lina!"
Lina almost fell over from her seat on the grassy hill. "Oh, hi, Amelia." She clutched her throbbing head.
"What happened, Miss Lina? Were you attacked?" Amelia kneeled by her protector in concern.
"Naw." She glanced over at Zel who stood across from her now, watching silently, worry in his eyes.
"Luna?" Zel asked quietly.
Lina closed her eyes and frowned.
"Oh, Miss Lina, we need to take you into the palace! To the royal healers and so you can rest in your bed!"
At the sight of Lina's scared look, an image of her walking past all the palace guards, all weak and charred by Mono Volts flashed into Zel's mind.
"No, it's alright, Amelia." Lina retorted.
"But, Miss Lina! You're hurt."
Lina indeed needed to bite back some of her aches and sores. "I'm just fine, Amelia. See?" Lina gave the princess her happy-go-lucky smile.
"...OK, Miss Lina." Amelia still looked worried. "But let me at least try my healing spells. Or, if it's because it hurts too much to walk, I'm sure Mr. Gourry can carry you." Amelia looked around. "He was following us around here somewhere."
"I'm. Fine."
Zel knelt beside her and began a healing spell. Lina watched Zel, trying not to hold her breath. He cupped his hands filled with white light, less than an inch over her arm, then her leg, then her face. Zel stared at her, concentrating on the spell; Lina, at him, for another reason.
"Thanks, Zel." She said when he had finished.
He smiled and sat beside her, as Amelia already had. This particular hill overlooked some of the surrounding city, over the palace walls.
"All these people will be Ok, won't they?" Amelia stared at shopkeepers and villagers going about their normal lives.
"That all depends on how ready we are, when the Mazoku decide to reappear." Lina answered. "They've disappeared for the past few months, but after what they're already proven themselves capable of, they've got to be planning something."
Amelia looked frightened. Lina took a glance and decided not to be so serious. She smiled.
"Don't worry, Amelia! We'll be ready!"
"Yeah! And if things get bad, they won't be able to beat the Demonsblood Crystal!"
"That's right, Amelia!"
Amelia stood and skipped towards the edge of the hill's slope. She stopped and smiled confidently at her people.
"Lina."
"I know, Zel." Lina's smile vanished. "If things get really bad, I'll have to use the Nightmare Magics. But it's important I... protect Amelia." Lina watched the princess near the steep slope.
"We'll be there to back you up. So it won't have to come to that." Zel stared intently and completely serious at Lina.
She smiled, suddenly feeling reassured.
By the slope, Amelia tried to do the same for herself. They're going to be just fine... Tonight, we'll have the final wedding rehersal, tomorrow I'll get married, and the people will still be just fine. Just fine...
Zelgadis walked down the hall in a tux. Lina should have been getting ready for the dress wedding rehersal. Instead, he found her playing poker with the other knights. Just for the sheer pleasure of making men three times her size leave in defeat. Then casting that both smug and innocent smile, and exclaiming "And that makes 60 GOLD that you owe me!", as the dejected knight cussed. Zel began to laugh to himself.
"By god! Something's made him laugh!" Zelgadis turned to see Rezo, all formally dressed as well.
"Hello, Grandfather." Zel blushed trying to re-compose himself.
"I hope you're ready for tomorrow, Zelgadis." Rezo continued to walk passed him. "Or, rather, tomorrow night!"
"Grandfather!" Zel let his strange relative walk off. Instead, he leaned on one of the low walls outlining the corridor and focused on dissipating his blush. Trying to distract himself, he began fidgeting with his gloves. He began staring at his hand. So close... he thought. He could have almost touched Lina. He felt his efforts to disipate his blush, fade. Did she notice?... I sincerely hope not! It had taken high amounts of self-conscious control on his part to act like healing her was an ordinary event. How he ever kept from blushing then,...Well, he just thanked L-sama. Staring out the 2nd story, open corridor, Zel's eye wandered. Finally, Lina was headed to her room to change. Luna would fry her to a crisp if she wasn't at the rehersal on time. Zel shook his head. Was it normal to be this concerned? Lina's sillouette behind the window curtains began slipping off her clothes. Zel whipped back towards getting through the hall. No way he was going to be able to stop blushing now. Great. I'm never going to hear the end of it from Grandfather.
"And then, I say, 'You may now kiss the bride'."
Amelia, glanced up shyly at Zel, watching for what he would do.
"Um..." He turned quickly back to the priest. "Then we lead the procession from the palace chapel straight to the ballroom for the reception?"
"Yes."
Zelgadis nodded, offered Amelia his arm, as was proper, then started walking down the aisle.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Lina burst through the chapel doors huffing and puffing. "But this bride's maid outfit is really hard to get on."
"That's because she has no figure." Martina and Naga giggled from their bride's maid positions by the priest.
Lina gave them a death glare. Luna gave Lina a death glare. Amelia tugged on Zelgadis's arm, as Lina realized she was blocking the doors and stepped to the side.
"Zelgadis?" Amelia looked up at him.
"Oh? Uh, yes." Zel snapped out of his sudden daze from when Lina burst in, and let Amelia lead him to the ballroom. He whispered to the side as he stepped passed Lina, "Look at you. All dressed up."
"You too." She smiled as he passed the chapel doors.
Where was she?
"Zelgadis?"
She should have been here by now.
"Zelgadis?"
"Hm?"
"Who are you looking for?"
"Nothing."
"You always say that." Amelia looked a little downcast, and Zel did feel a little sorry for her. But he wasn't too inclined to do anything about it.
The more time she's gone, the more chances are she's getting fried by Luna.
Zelgadis and Amelia continued to dance at the after-rehersal dinner party. The princesses chatted by the buffet table before each being escorted to the dancefloor.
"Oh, Zelgadis! Now is the perfect time to introduce Miss Sylphiel to Mr. Gourry!" Amelia lead Zel by the hand as he trudged and sighed.
Zel tuned out of the introductory chit chat. Again he glanced around the ballroom.
Where? Ah! "Excuse me a moment." Zelgadis left Gourry and Amelia, as Sylphiel continued engaging in their conversation. Zel stopped every few steps to let dancers go by or to see past heads. He followed the edges of a pink skirt disappearing behind more party guests. Ducking past, sprinting a few steps, pausing. Finally, he made it to the edge of the dance floor. The pink satin again disappeared behind more people - who were standing at a buffet table, no less. Zel smiled to himself. Yes, she'd go to the food first. He strode up to her and was about to tap her shoulder, when he saw the long blond hair. Princess Filia of Mars took a small biscuit to go with her tea and proceeded across the room. Of course! Zel grumbled to himself. Lina was wearing a bride's maid dress! The same as 5 other girls. Gods! He berated himself. How ridiculous!
Zel took a seat near the buffet table, with a good view of the other ones as well. Eventually, she would have to come. He stared blankly at the moving people, letting their collective talking dissipate into murmurs, as his mind drifted away. After 20 minutes, Zel shifted in his seat, crossing his arms. After more time had passed, he felt a tap on the shoulder from behind, just out of his periferal vision. Like a hiding game.
"Zel - " a familiar voice began.
L - Zel closed his mouth, mid-smile, after he turned in his seat.
"Prince Zelgadis." Luna nodded to him.
"Good evening, Luna." He replied.
"Enjoying yourself? Amelia is on the other side of the ballroom."
"I am aware."
Luna's features changed ever so slightly in a scrutinizing fashion. Zel tried to counter.
"I do not mean to disrespect your hospitality."
"What is it then?" Luna waited carefully for his answer.
"I suppose it is my fault. I don't feel I can enjoy the party yet."
"Oh?"
"It's nothing I can really name. If you'll excuse me." Zel took a cup of tea from the table and a small cream puff, from a variety which Luna recognized as one of Lina's favorites. Luna watched after him, her gaze even more critical as well as comprhending.
By this time, Zel had eaten the cream puff. Great. Now she's given me a sweet tooth. Zelgadis leaned back in his chair. The adjacent conversation drifted his way.
"...Of course, things are so much better, now that we don't have to worry about the Mazoku..."
Mazoku... Zel thought. Days earlier, he and Lina were discussing ways to counteract the Mazoku. She tossed around radical ideas like, destroying the negative energy composing a Mazoku, by feeding off of it, bit by bit, then recycling it before it took control. Theoretically, it could work. Mazoku were so powerful, they were practically energy beings - of negative energy, of course. Take apart their building blocks, and they would cease to exsist. Much easier than trying to totally dissipate the energy all at once with a single Ra Tilt. Espeically since the more dangerous Mazoku that they were concerned with were strong enough to withstand Ra Tilts. Zel rested his chin in his palm, proping his elbow up on the armrest. The other conversations continually drifted towards him, as he sat alone, in a silence.
Just when he was about to scream, he was so bored, he got up, and weaved passed the dancers, and towards the staricase. Ducking to the side, he waited outside the staircase, then abrubtly placed his hand on the banister. Which, blocked the path of the absent-minded hand gliding down it.
"Huh?"
Lina befuddled. A rare treat. Zel smiled.
"Had a rough time of it?"
"I'll say! When everyone left the chapel, Luna pulled me back inside, fried me, then I had to get cleaned up all over again!"
Did she notice how the jewels she wore sparkled on her glowing skin, or how her hair swished with each exasperated movement? Probably not. Stop staring. You're probably grinning like an idiot. Zel told himself.
"Zel. Stop grinning like an idiot."
He began to blush.
Lina chuckled a little. "Sorry about that, Zel. C'mon." She hesitated a moment before taking his hand.
Zel tried to read something in her eyes. Something breaking her usual fearless gaze? When she...glanced...at him? What...?
"You've got to start me on the dance floor!" She grinned, smothering whatever else Zel saw, with her enthusiasm.
"Alright." Zel followed. "But now I'm going to pay you back for that first time we danced!"
Lina wandered out one of the open doors of the ballroom to an adjacent outdoor patio.
"I heard you came looking for me, Zel?" Lina turned and leaned on the patio's banister. Zel glanced behind at the glass doors, thankful the people inside were too preoccupied with the party.
"Who told you that?"
"Amelia. She said you were totally distracted until...you were done waiting for me." She looked like an anxious child.
"Well...yes."
"Why is that, Zel?"
For the life of him, he didn't know, or rather, couldn't say. There were so many emotions swirling around while waiting what seemed like an eternity for her. And now that Lina was only a few feet away from him... He just couldn't identify it all. Even now, he couldn't explain things. His heart beat so fast and his breathing changed accordingly. Why couldn't he move or think when he looked at her?
Lina was gripping with her own emotions, continually trying to deny their only reasonable meaning. Experimetnally, she stepped closer to Zel, watching for his reactions. Lina's own chest heaved inside the corset of her dress as she stared up at him. If there was even the faintest glimmer of...that something, in Zel, then maybe, MAYBE her own instincts weren't that far off.
He stiffened considerably as she slowly paced towards him, continuing his stare. His eyes had so much confusion and fear...or maybe...longing?
Lina hadn't even noticed that she stopped so near to him. She was still captivated in deciphering what they both felt. Zel could feel his body flush and a heat rise in his chest. His senses felt inexplicably drawn to her. Why?
Both unconsciously leaned in, closing their eyes. Timidly, their lips met, gliding over each other for the briefest of seconds. Wanting, but holding back. In the release, both opened their eyes and saw. Their lips came together again, this time accompanied by their bodies.
At the same time, they pushed away from each other, just as suddenly as they came together.
"Stop."
"Wait."
They both gasped, staring at the ground. The two stared at each other for a moment, as eyes bored through the other's soul. Lina couldn't take that.
"Oh. The rose gardens."
"What?" Zel said, still dazed.
"The rose gardens." She glanced to the side and took a step back. "I should pick some...for...Amelia's boquet." She turned and stared walking off the patio stairs. She didn't dare look back, nor was she enthusiastic to speed her pace. Behind her, his steps followed. When she finally stopped, Lina had reached a thick enclave of rose bushes. A wind blew as she turned slowly. Rose petals fluttered to the already red carpet of sweet grasses. They again stood there, several paces apart, only the scent of roses on the breeze interupting their stare.
"Stop following me."
"Lina." Zel whispered with so much pain and confusion in his eyes. Summoning his courage, the prince approached her. "Does this...mean...?" He slowly reached for her hand, their gazes unwavering. Only when he began to squeeze her palm tightly in his, did she come back to herself.
"Mean what?" She tried to smile. Again, she turned from him, gently twirling her gown, and stopping to look at a far off tree.
"Lina." If this was true. If what they felt was really happening, then tomorrow would seal his fate forever. Both of theirs. "Lina." He had to try to save this, his one chance for happiness. "Do you feel the same as I do?"
What was happening? This could not be happening! She was in love with the Prince?! And not just any Prince... Lina became downcast. Amelia... She was supposed to protect her. If they did this... Lina would never forgive herself for hurting her. ...But that didn't mean she didn't feel it.
She turned back towards Zel. She shook her head, smiling. "Very direct as always, Zel." More quickly now, he reached for her hand. She anticipated the intensity of his hold and she never broke it.
"Zel." She looked up into his cerulean eyes.
"Truthfully, Lina. Don't change the subject anymore."
She mouthed the words: "I love you." She could feel his hand squeeze hers more tightly. And a smile came to his lips.
"And?"
"What do you mean, 'and'?!"
Rose petals flew by again.
"I'm scared." she almost whispered.
"So am I." He whispered in return.
Lina was very shakey in these matters, but the hell with it! She let her defenses fall even further, and leaned up against his chest. He closed his arms around her.
Zel was a bit surprised when she stared to snuggle within his comforts. He closed his eyes, savoring her movements. Gently, he bent his head down to rest on her shoulder, nuzzling her firey hair in reply. Lina felt his lips on her neck and was paralyzed.
"Zel? What're you - ?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't - " He pulled away.
At the sight of his repentant eyes, she smiled.