"Only the important stuff that every girl needs to learn. He taught his sister like that and she's not someone to mess around with. Girl or guy your down on the floor with one move and she'll just brush past you like a piece of dirt." Dwight stood closer to them and smiled. Ari glared at him and he respectfully took a step back, "You should met Hero, she's a lovely woman, strong, dedicated, hardworking, never lets anyone push her around, and in her own way lovable."

"You sound like you have a crush on my sister," Van glanced over to Dwight, the effect of his stare was intensified by only half his face showing over Ari's head.

"What? I could never Light! I mean back then yeah, but not now! I haven't seen her in over... years!" Dwight said quickly even raising his hands in defence and waving them around in panic. Then it quickly was replaced with a sly look, "Although you weren't half bad either, even when you took-"

"You shut your mouth!" Van snapped with actual fire in his words and Dwight once more respectfully backed off.

"Returning Knights! To the center," an announcement broke their conversation up and Van passed a reluctant Ari to Sen.

"Princess, I have to go." She finally let him go and he walked off with Dwight. He stood in line with the other Knights and folded his arms and closed his eyes. The atmosphere, the scent, the sounds, how much he missed this. Easy going parents talking to their children, Knights talking to each other about being in this line, the smell of cake, and mixed perfume, the dinner they had, and the sound of hushed whispers and footsteps, the people breathing. He looked over to Dwight and seen him also looking at him and smile, he couldn't help but smirk. He clearly remembered how much he was anticipating this moment when he was younger and looked to the current Queen of the Castle.

"Gentlemen, I thank you for your service," the Queen started and she looked proud as she stood there before them. "I would like each of you to come forward to receive your reward for a job well done and for your continued service." A footman stood beside her revealing some ribbons. There was a purple one in the mix and the excitement started to buzz about who would get it.

"I bet you its me," he heard whispering down the line, it was a woman and prepared for his name to be called first.

"Sir Lionsfoot," the Queen called and the first one to walk up was a man dressed in White and Gold. It was a bit presumptuous of the man to be so 'Noble' looking. He was handed a ribbon and returned to the line.

"I thought I was going to be called first," Van whispered to Dwight.

"Sir Oxarm," the next man walked up dressed in Black and White and Van was noticing a pattern. They weren't kneeling when receiving their ribbon. No wonder they were called first. Soon almost everyone but him and the woman were called. He glanced at her and she gave him the meanest look.

"Dame-" before the Queen finished the woman swore and threw her sword to the ground. "Willow, will not receive a Ribbon."

"That's bullshit! I worked hard for this rundown castle!" Dame Willow sheathed and then turned to him glaring before turning and walking out of the castle.

"Sir Light Van Wolf," the Queen said not bothered by the outburst but Van could tell that she was trembling. Van walked over to the fallen sword and picked it up and laid it before the Queen and drew his own sword and kneel, his forehead to the hilt. "You have been given the Purple and Black Ribbon for your boundless loyalty and strong resolve. I hope you continue to teach those after you the lessons you've learned during your time in the Castle, and may those lessons continue after you have gone." She placed the ribbon on his cloak and said that he could rise. He sheathed his weapon and placed his right hand in a fist over his heart and bowed and walked back to his spot in line. He can immediately see that she had stopped shaking and continued with their speech.

Once the speech was over the Knights surrounded him to congratulate him on his achievement and went off to their own circle saying that they had forgotten to kneel and said that they would work on it.

"Can't believe I forgot to kneel," Dwight said mentally kicking himself. "No wonder you got that ribbon, I was surprised to see that it was your emblem on it when I took a glance when I was up there." The ribbon he looked at had an elegant wolf head with amethyst eyes. "I do think it is safe to say that the Queen has a crush on you."

"Would you stop. Why did Dame Willow react like that?"

"Oh her? Who knows? You'd think she held a grudge against you with how she looked at you."

"Yeah, I hope she doesn't become a problem."

"Why don't the two of you kiss already?!" one of the Knights called out facing him and Dwight.

"Are you saying that because you also have strong feelings for Sir Light Van Wolf as well?" Dwight called them out then turned to Van smiling. "Because if he'll allow it, I will gladly Kiss him."

"Sir Dwight, quit it. This is the reason why people misunderstand," Van pushed Prince Charming away and started to walk away. He wanted to find Sen and Ari so they could go home. This was the last event of the evening and he can't wait to get home.

"Dawddy!" Ari called out and ran up to him, Van felt a stab in his heart seeing the little girl dressed like a princess running up to him with open arms and a huge smile. He held his arms out and partly ran up to her calling 'Princess' and picked her up and swung her around before hugging her. He really tried to keep the dark thought of her leaving from his mind but it clouded through with a haze.

"Did you have a fun night?" Van asked instead of dwelling on the thought any further.

"Yeah! I want to come here every day!"

"Sweetheart, you can't come here everyday," Sen caught up and took Ari back.

"Why?" she asked sad at the thought of not coming back.

"Because I'll be lonely," Van said as they started to walk towards the exit. Ari thought for a moment then nodded her ok but before she could say anything Prince Charming ran up to them and gave Van a hug. Shocked and frozen to the spot he couldn't help but think that the hug was warm then realization sunk in quickly that the hug lasted long enough and pushed the man away.

"I'm going to miss you," Prince Charming said and took Van right hand and kissed it, the soft lips, the warm sensation, he felt dizzy and embarrassed. He quickly pulled himself out of the fuzzy pink tint and quickly dulled the hearts and sparkles from the moment.

"Would you cut it out!" Van said loudly, "your pranks are getting old."

He walked away hoping to catch up to his Chef and Princess.

"I'll miss you! Come back soon!" Van felt lightheaded from hearing those words but a sudden pain over took it and he focused his mind on going home.

He relaxed in the car and tried not to think of the events that had happened, he felt exhausted.

"Is there something you want to eat when we get home?" Sen asked his voice holding no emotion. He wasn't sure but it bothered him a bit that Sen was trying to keep himself in check. Was it about Ari? Did he take it too far?

"No," Van said his tiredness was also voiced through the simple word. Van didn't want to risk looking at Sen and kept his gaze out the window, the lights giving him a slight headache. He also still felt a bit dizzy and the pain in his chest won't go away, it was a familiar pain. A pain he was very well used to but the hurt still feels fresh. 

It hurts.

It hurts so much.

Why won't the pain stop?

Arriving home they got out and Sen carried a sleepy Ari, Van took his time going in, wanting to calm down before bed. The dark room, the only room he felt like he could just be. He felt like he was about to fall forward and quickly went inside, partly surprised by how light he felt. Walking up, he noticed that Ari left some of her toys on the side of the stairs. He felt happy to see them there. He heard Sen in the kitchen and stood halfway up the stairs listening to the sound. 'I'm going to miss this.'

He stepped on and looked to the kitchen seeing Sen making something quick for them to eat. He sat in his usual spot and watched Sen work, he knew he was going to miss this most of all. Being brought back to childhood, watching his mom cook, turning and smiling asking if he would want a taste. Sen hasn't turned to him, but just watching the back of him was enough to bring him back to that simple happy time.

Van finished eating and was about to go to his room but had to stop and admire Sen's working back. Turning he slowly started to make his way to his room, the feeling from earlier still won't go away.

He was suddenly pushed to the wall to a disappointed Sen.

"I asked if you were ok," he wasn't sure why but the question struck him and he felt that he should be defending himself. It also felt like Sen was too close, like he was cornered, it frightened him. He suddenly felt like he was back in that dark place, he pressed himself further to the wall, he could feel himself shake. The dizziness returned suddenly and he felt like he could throw-up, soon he could start to hear 'That' man's voice. His body started to move on it's own, he felt that he wasn't in control anymore.