Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Escaflowne. So please don't sue me!

Author's Note: This is my first foray into the world of fanfiction-writing. Constructive criticisms would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

POIGNANCE

PROLOGUE

"I won't ever forget you, even when I'm old."

He still remembered that voice, that gentle, soothing sound that overflowed with hope, love and the deepest tinge of sorrow he could have easily missed if not for the slight quiver in her tone. She was strong, with a temper that rivaled his own and a will not even the toughest of the Zaibach could break. But at that very moment, he knew, and he knew that she knew, that no matter how hard she tried to pretend that she wasn't—with her slight smile and hopeful words—Hitomi Kanzaki was breaking. And with every second that passed by, with every tear she tried to hold back, a piece of the brave, beautiful girl from the Mystic Moon was slowly, painfully, withering away.

"I won't forget you!"

"Hitomi…" Stay.

A bitter smile graced his lips at the memory. One word, one goddamn word could have made all the difference. But he, Van Slanzar de Fanel, was too much of a coward to take that chance. With all his rashness, arrogance and bravery in battle, it was baffling how a single girl, one who could neither wield a sword nor strike a fatal punch, could reduce him into this pitiful state.

"Stupid fuckin' coward!" He shouted to no one in particular, although deep inside, he knew that all this frustration was directed more to himself than to anyone else in Gaea. After all, if it weren't for his fifteen year old self's selfless stupidity and rationality, he probably wouldn't have been standing here right now, hopelessly staring at the Mystic Moon like the broken-hearted fool that he was. Yes, blame your virtue. Good job, Fanel.

He tried to convince himself that what he did was for the benefit of Hitomi. He knew that despite the strong connection—or he daresay, love—that they shared, Hitomi did not belong to Gaea. She had a family, friends, and a normal, peaceful life back home. And as painful as it was, he was aware that they belonged to two vastly different worlds, literally and figuratively. And as much as he wanted to hug her, kiss her and possess every single fiber of her being, he can't. Truth be told, he wasn't entirely dense. He knew Hitomi wanted him as much as he wanted her. But for Gaea's sake, they were mere fifteen year olds during that time! He could not, he absolutely could not, deprive Hitomi of the chance to live her life—her real, normal life— just because of some ridiculous feeling he wasn't even certain would last. Sure, Hitomi could stay. Hell, he wanted her to stay. But what if he changed his mind? What if she did? After all, how reliable could the feelings of fifteen year olds be?

At that moment, he knew he had to make the hardest—and most rational—decision of his life. Hitomi would gladly and willingly stay for him, that he was certain of. Merle had told him hours prior that Hitomi wanted to stay in Gaea. She wanted to stay with him.

"I want to see it with you. Or can I?"

But what if, in a few years' time, Hitomi realizes that she wasn't really in love with him in the first place? What if she decides to go back home? Her real home? The portal between their worlds could not possibly stay open forever, and by the time their romance ends and disillusionment kicks in, it might just be too late. Or if by some strange twist of fate, the portal chooses to let her in once more, what kind of life would she return to? He feared the worst, and it took him all of his strength and willpower to pretend that he didn't care. And it hurt him. It hurt her. That was the point after all, wasn't it?

Hitomi promised she wouldn't forget him, but he prayed to the heavens that she did, for her sake.

But what if she didn't? What if she's still holding on to that memory, like you are right now? The nagging voice inside his head just wouldn't shut up, and it frustrated him to no end that despite everything—despite all the urging from his advisors, despite all the sad, pitiful looks he got since she left, despite the twelve, long, agonizing years without any communication with Hitomi whatsoever, and despite the fact that he is to wed Lady Celena Schezar tomorrow eve—he was still deeply, madly and hopelessly in love with that emerald-eyed lass who once stole his heart years past.

He knew this would happen sooner or later. He was, after all, the king of Fanelia, the only one left of the once proud line of the Fanels. After the war, the people of Gaea grew to value peace more than anything else in the world. And they could not, for the love of everything noble and dear, allow conflict to arise once again. Everyone in Fanelia admired and respected Van's strength and wisdom, but they also knew that their young king could not possibly rule Fanelia forever. He was way past the marrying age in Gaea, and if anything were to happen to him now—oh Gaea forbid!—conflict would surely arise. The crown needed an heir, and Van was well aware of that. He just didn't expect everything to happen so soon, at least, not when he was still hopelessly in love with Hitomi.

Despite the fact that it was he who urged Hitomi to return home, and that their farewell was a silent acknowledgement of the thought that they were both to move on with their lives, he still felt like he was betraying her by agreeing to this marriage. I had to. I had no choice. He knew his responsibility as king of Fanelia should always come first, and the people would not take his love for someone long gone as reason enough for him to delay the inevitable. "It's been twelve years Van, grow up!" He could almost hear Merle's voice berating him. His best friend knew how strong his feelings for Hitomi were, and she also knew how painful it was for him to try and pretend that it wasn't. "Dammit Van, she could have been happily married by now, with little tots! Please, just let her live her life…and start living yours."

And so he tried, he really did.

It was four summers ago when he first became acquainted with his betrothed. He recognized her as Allen's sister, but since he was so caught up with trying to rebuild Fanelia—and his pining for Hitomi—he never really got the chance to get to know her. When the Knight of Caeli decided to pay him a visit after several years, it was then that he got to formally meet Celena. When his advisers saw how perfect a pair they would be, "What a lovely couple!", as one of them put it, rumors started spreading. And soon enough, the whole of Fanelia started talking about their young king's impending marriage to one Lady Celena Schezar of Asturia. She was a beauty, that he wouldn't deny. But in the twelve years since Hitomi left, none of the princesses or the ladies he happened upon—not even Celena—ever caught his eye, and his heart, like the girl from the Mystic Moon did. And now, in a couple of hours, he was to bind himself for eternity to one lady he didn't love, to one lady who isn't Hitomi.

Looking at the Mystic Moon from the balcony of his room like he always did every single day since Hitomi's departure, he sighed. "Would you allow me to see Hitomi one last time…if only to say goodbye?"

The Gods of both Gaea and the Mystic Moon must have been earnestly listening to Van's woes that night, for if one looked at the King of Fanelia's balcony and blinked a second after he uttered those words, nothing but a single feather slowly floating down the window could be seen.