Heyo!

Here's a very short one-shot I wrote. :) BIG HUGE thanks to my semi-beta-reader~! He's fantastic. :D

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rune Factory, or anything related to it.

If only I'd been there.

Maybe none of this would have happened… maybe she would still be here… I wouldn't be all alone, sitting at my kitchen table, smoke clogging the air around me.

She was so beautiful… perfect, under any description of the word. Golden… an angel. I rubbed a tear off my cheek sadly, resting my chin on my hand. Bright red hair fell in my eyes, but I ignored it, instead bemoaning the loss of my beloved. Why did she have to die so young…?

She had so much to live for… a future, fame, and happiness. All impossible, because I wasn't home. I'd carelessly left her, and now she would never live to see greatness.

I'd killed her. It was my fault. Right in the prime of her life, she'd died miserably, drowning in flames.

"Doug?" A concerned voice spoke behind me, and I sniffled, not moving.

"Go away, Margaret."

I could almost hear the elvish girl's eyes roll as she responded, "Stop mourning, Doug. It's gone. Get over it."

"Don't talk about her that way!" I shouted hoarsely, whirling around and glaring at her with my bloodshot eyes, "I loved her!"

Margaret stood still for a moment, as if contemplating a response. Apparently she decided against it, because with a sigh, she turned and left.

I went back to wallowing in my misery. Heartless girl.

I heard shuffling on the stairs, and I groaned. Could nobody just leave me alone?! Someone sat slowly on the chair beside me with a moan, and I frowned.

"I'm fine, Granny."

"Doug," Granny Blossom started sternly, "You need to go out of here. This smoke is going to be the death of yo-" Her sentence was cut short by a series of hoarse coughs.

"I'll be fine. You should go downstairs." I spoke irritatedly, and the elderly woman sighed.

"Alright then… but I expect to see you go outside soon!" She commanded sternly before taking her leave.

Maybe I should go outside… I considered, blinking back smoke-induced tears. The evening of Spring fifth, and I felt like I was going to die. With the looks people were sure to give me tomorrow, I might as well. My life was as good as over.

Kiel and Vishnal were sure to be smug. It was disgusting… they had no souls. Telling me it wouldn't work out with her, anyway… and now she was gone! They wouldn't even be the least bit upset. Not at all.

I moaned, standing. Might as well go face the music. I trudged to the staircase, slogging slowly down the steps. As I made my way into the shop, I saw a girl standing at the service counter, conversing with Granny.

I frowned, narrowing my eyes at the girl. Here was the one who would replace her. My divine little angel, never to be known, but this girl?! She would win for sure.

The girl turned around, her green eyes lighting up with a smile. "Hi Doug!" She greeted me cheerfully.

I nodded shortly, "Frey." And yanked the store door open, walking out into the blinding rays of the setting sun. "Stupid sun," I muttered darkly as I shoved my hands in my pockets and marched down the road toward the Observatory, anger practically rolling off me in waves.

"Doug?" A surprised voice drew my attention, and I shifted my gaze to my left, taking in the speaker.

"What do you want, Arthur?!" I asked crankily.

The blond merchant shrugged, "Nothing really. You just look… agitated."

"Agitated," I scoffed, "Arthur, use English!"

"That is perfectly normal English…" Arthur looked confused, and shifted his glasses further up his nose.

"No it's not! You and your fancy words… geez." I swept past him angrily, storming over to the doors of the Observatory.

"Um… o-okay?" Arthur said softly behind me, and I yanked the doors open, running up the spiraling staircase. The ancient smell of the old building comforted me, and I found myself slowing as I neared the top. The scent of the boards that creaked beneath my feet relaxed me, and as I walked out onto the balcony of the tall building, I felt a smile tugging at my lips, begging to be released.

The setting sun lit the town of Selphia in a blaze of orange light, casting large shadows. It was falling behind the mountains of the Sechs Empire, surrounded by clouds. The sight was breathtaking, and I stood quietly, soaking it in.

Yes, she was gone. Forever. Once I got home, I'd have to deal with my charred oven and smoke-filled kitchen. And maybe I wouldn't be able to enter her in the Cooking Contest tomorrow… my beautiful Baked Onigiri… and maybe Frey would reign victorious. Again. But, life would go on, and tomorrow was a new day, with promises of food and more food. Sighing, I leaned my elbows on the rail of the balcony, ignoring the protests of the soldier stationed up there, and smiled. Yeah, I would be fine.

There you are! I hope you liked it, teehee. ;) :) Please leave a review, I love them~! :D

Have a lovely day!

~Swaggy-chan