Author's note: I don't own Dragon Quest VIII!

Tragic Love

Prologue: Who Is She?

Crowned Prince Eltrio sighed from his chair as he looked longingly towards the window in the far corner of the castle. It had yet been another boring day of suitors vying for his hand. None of them were his match though. He took off his crown and ran a gloved hand through his chestnut brown hair. They only want the title… They don't want me… He looked down at his emerald green jacket, a white bib with an argon heart jewel encrusted in the pin holding it in place. As the last maiden left, dejected, the prince got up and stretched as his father chastised him sharply. "Eltrio! You need to pick a wife, it is your destiny! We must produce an heir that can match with the heir of Trodain!"

Eltrio sighed heavily. "I know that father. You think I don't consider that every day of my life? I just want my match to be one for love, not one where they're greedy for my title." He smoothed out his green trousers and walked down towards the window. He thought he could see something … or possibly someone beyond the gates. He pulled out his favorite pair of sight seers and put them to his eyes to see a young maiden.

He put them away before turning to his father. "I'm going out to clear my head mother. Maybe I will reconsider some of the women from today if I can think."

Aden sighed heavily. "Oh Eltrio, I want you to be happy son, but we must fulfill the promise made since my father couldn't be with his love, the queen of Trodain. And their parents were too stubborn to see the brilliant match it would have made. Go and take your walk, but please, dress in normal clothing so that bandits don't get any ideas. Please…"

Eltrio smiled with a nod to his father. It was little wonder where his stiffer, younger brother Clavius got his dressing style. It was identical, including the stiff white ruff going around his neck. "I promise. I'm going to go change now." Eltrio said as he went outside of the throne room and up to the fourth floor where his room was located. Hurrying to the back room, he went inside and immediately stripped his clothing off of him, preferring a plain brown tunic and pant set with leather boots. He took his sword and strapped it to his back before going down the four flights of steps and outside the castle. His people knew who the prince was, but they also knew if he was in that clothing, it was to go outside and think.

He went outside and saw the woman heading towards the magical spring. A goofy grin spread over his lips. Wow… she's gorgeous! But she's not from my kingdom… I know every soul there. He followed her as she went past the small clearing and into the spring area. He approached her with a small smile. "Hello… I'm…" He thought about what to say for his name and grinned. "I'm Draco… Who… who are you?"

She turned with a small gasp. "Oh! Oh my! I'm sorry, I have to go!" The woman clad in white and red with long brown hair and a golden circlet quickly fled the area, vanishing before he could come out of the spring's circling forest.

"Who are you… Damn, that was the only way I could ask that question?! Really?! I'll never see her again…" He said as he looked longingly at the sky.