Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. But I do own the plot… I don't think it's officially a fairy tale, because I made it up.
"Amor
che a nullo amato amar perdona…
Amor condusse noi a dura
morte"
Love conquers all,
Love led us to cruel
death…
The beauty of the country with its colorful flowers blooming in the
spring, and the busy life of it. The market place, so full of life, so full of
energy. The smell of freshly made bread and the sweet aroma of the freshly cut
roses create such a blend that even the finest perfume-makers cannot reproduce.
The smell was simply intoxicating. He inhaled deeply taking this all in. Wishing
to forever imprint it in his memory, forever remember the sweet smell of his
country. He can hardly believe that all this will be his, soon.
"Van, we need to get going now. Your father would be upset if you were
late. And you know how he gets, don't you?" Allen Schezar asked his best friend.
Van was a pretty nice guy, but he goes off into his own little world sometimes.
It was against his father's wish to come out here in the first place. After all,
leaving one's palace and going into the market place like a commoner is
absolutely not acceptable. But Van somehow manages to persuade his father into
going anyways. Saying it's for the well being of the country, that he must know
his country well, before he becomes king. Clever guy.
"Yes, I know our schedule is tight, but it's just such a wonderful place
Allen. And no, I'm not only saying that because it's going to be mine, but
truthfully, it is just so beautiful. And one must really stop and just breath in
the atmosphere," Van Slanzar de Fanel, was the 16, soon-to-turn 17 young
king-to-be. He'll be a much better ruler than his father; after all, he actually
cares for his country. Which is rare in a king these days. The people of Fanelia
can't wait until he becomes the king.
There was going to be a ball that night in honor of Van's upcoming 17's
birthday. Rumor has it that it would be during the ball that they would announce
his engagement to Asturia's charming Princess, Milerna. Tradition has it that
every prince must marry someone by his 17th birthday, or at least
engaged to someone by that time. Even though the citizens of Fanelia were
absolutely sure that their young prince would woo and marry the Princess
Milerna, all the girls couldn't help but attend anyways. After all, there still
might be a chance for them to dance with the handsome Prince
Van!
"Oh, we can go back to the palace as soon as I buy some pastry from that
bakery," Van pointed to a little shop by the corner, "it smells simply
fantastic. And it would please mother so. You know how much she loves sweets."
Van might be almost 17, old enough to be a king, but he still has some childish
features, like he wouldn't stop whining, until he gets what he wants. And in
this case he wants pastry.
Allen looked to the corner and sighed, he knew arguing with him would
only result in more time wasted. And besides, it does smell delicious. He
couldn't might having some. "Oh fine, Van. But let's be
quick."
Van smiled and led Allen to the little bakery shop by the corner. As soon
as they reached the threshold, the wonderful smell of the fresh pastries rushed
into their noses, feeling their every sense with the delicious foods. They
glanced at each other, hints of childish eagerness shone through Van's eyes.
They walked up to the counter, eyeing all the pastries in the case
waiting for someone to help them.
"Hello," in came a pretty girl with honey-blonde hair that was short. Her
look was unique, because many of the girls wore their hair long. But the way she
wore her hair was not at all boyish, instead it just made her face all the more
feminine, all the more beautiful. She had two beautiful green eyes that were the
color of the green grass fields in the summer. She had on a simple yet elegant
green dress that complimented her figure and brought out the color of her eyes.
Van's jaw almost dropped down, his eyes widened at the fair-haired
beauty. Wow, she's beautiful. He gazed at her with respect and love.
Oh my god, she's the one. She's the one I love. Isn't
she?
Allen caught the look from Van. He knew his best friend was in love. He
shook his head. Partly in amusement and partly in misfortune. Because he knew,
this was a love that cannot come true. His father, the current king of Fanelia
would never let his only child, his only son, his only heir to marry a
commoner. It is a shame though, because she really was a beautiful girl. Of
course he can always marry this girl, and then I'll get to be with princess
Milerna… and…no! I cannot do this. He is my best friend. It is best for him to
marry princess Milerna to ensure an alliance with Asturia.
Allen tugged on Van's sleeves to get his attention away from the girl.
Van turned his head to give Allen a questioning look, while Allen ignored him
and proceeded to tell the girl what they wanted to buy. "Um… this looks good,
I'll have 5 of that, five of the croissants…." Allen droned on and on, while Van
continued to stare at the girl. Catching a few eye contacts, but she always
turned her attention back to Allen every time she had caught Van looking.
She's shy…
After Allen finished the purchase, Allen motioned Van to head out as
well. But Van only told him to wait outside, that he'd be there in a moment. Van
soon turned his attention to the young beautiful girl. He smiled at her
brightly, while she looked down at her feet. Van could see that she was blushing
slightly. How cute she looks even when she's
blushing!
Oh my God! He's looking at me. My goodness he is so handsome… that brown
hair, cascading over his eyes. His beautiful eyes, the shade of dark velvet
green. And his undoubtedly strong arms… oh I wonder how it feels to be in those
arms…. Stop! Stop it Hitomi… keep your posture...
"I might be intruding a bit, but
may I ask, what is your name?" Van stepped close enough to the counter that he
could see every detail of her face. From the way her eyebrows arched to the way
her lips was curved so well and perfect, she might as well been a Greek marble
statue!
The beautiful maiden smiled shyly, considering her options. Should I tell
this handsome stranger? No, it is not safe, but… he's so handsome and charming,
and he liked her. She finally decided, "My name is Hitomi Kanzaki."
Hitomi Kanzaki…Hitomi…means eyes…wow what a beautiful name, it fits her
perfectly. She has the most perfect eyes I've ever seen. From the color of light
grass green to the way it flutters every time she blinks. I'm in love! I'm in
love with a beautiful stranger. I would love to dance with her… the ball! She
must come to the ball!
"It might be strange to ask you
this, but can you come to the Ball at the palace tonight?" he wondered if she
knew who he was. He wasn't wearing his royal clothes, and no one else seemed to
know so far.
"The Ball that is taking place at the palace tonight? The one to
celebrate Prince Van's up coming birthday, and to announce his engagement to
Princess Milerna? Why would I go there? I mean after all, Prince Van is going to
be engaged to Princess Milerna after tonight," Hitomi asked, a bit puzzled. The
new handsome stranger is asking her to the Ball, but… why would she a simply
commoner go to a Ball knowing that the great Prince is supposed to be engaged
that same evening?
Prince Van winced at the thought of his supposed engagement to Princess
Milerna. Sure there was plans of it, but it had even got out of the palace, and
now everyone in his country knows! And he wasn't even sure if he wanted to be
with Princess Milerna. Sure she's beautiful, and intelligent, and all the
things that father told me, but…all the reasons for me to marry her are
practical. Not love… she's really not the one I love. Hitomi is the one I love
now. "Well, I wouldn't be so sure about the his engagement to Princess
Milerna, but I'll be there, we can meet each other there. And maybe we can
dance."
Hitomi nodded, unsure about what he said. But if it means she'll see him
again…
Van smiled at her again, reached over the counter and took Hitomi's hand.
He kissed it gently, and retreating through the door, still holding eye
contacts.
"Well, did you court the young lady?" Allen asked Van the minute he came
out. It was quite obvious what the answer was, with that big smile on his face,
something must've happened.
Van laughed in pure delight, "Ah, yes, her ladyship is Hitomi Kanzaki,
and I invited her to the Ball tonight."
Allen just gaped at him, how cam he possibly do this? After all,
tonight's the night that the king is going to announce his son's engagement to
the Princess Milerna! Is Van going to just leave Princess Milerna at the altar?
"Van! You told her you are the Prince Van of Fanelia? Are you out of your mind?
And if you didn't know yet, the king, your father is going to announce your
engagement to the Princess Milerna! How are you going to explain that to Hitomi?
Or to Princess Milerna?"
Van stopped, a bit shocked, after all this was his best friend. He was
supposed to be happy for him, telling him good going. But here he is worrying
about his engagement to the Princess Milerna! For Heaven's sake, it's not
announced yet! "Allen, I never said I was going to be engaged to Princess
Milerna. As far as I am concerned she is but a visitor. And I don't have to
explain anything to Princess Milerna, because I never said I was in engaged with
her, nor did I ever say I was in a relationship with her. Therefore I will have
nothing to explain to her about Hitomi. All I have to do is tell Hitomi that I
am the Prince. It's nothing, and then I'll propose to her. It's that easy." Van
said it with such finality that Allen knew that they had finished on that topic,
whether he like it or not.
"Oh Yukari! I don't know what to do now… I mean that handsome stranger;
he had asked me to the Ball tonight. He had said he would be there for me,"
Hitomi paused, she sighed and looked off dreamily, thinking of that raven-haired
boy. With the most perfect eyes and… the most perfect everything, "oh my God! I
don't even know his name… I'll find out at the Ball, everything would be perfect
in time for the Ball."
Yukari, Hitomi's best friend looked at her. She was somehow skeptical
about the how handsome Prince appears out of nowhere; ask Hitomi's hand for the
Ball. She looked at her friend, sure she's pretty but… she looks so happy…
like… she's in love. She's in love with Prince Charming? Yukari smiled,
it might sound unbelievable, but if she did find Prince Charming, she has to go
for it.
"Okay Hitomi. You go have fun in the Ball. And you know something, I have
the perfect dress for it."
"Oh my God, Yukari! Where did you get this? It's beautiful!" Hitomi
cried. In front of her was Yukari holding the most beautiful dress she ever
seen. It was a dress with a low-scooped v-neck, trimmed with white lace. The top
was a rich maroon, with gold thread designs on it. The skirt was a full skirt
with a hoop in side to keep it stretched. It was green velvet with violet satin
attached by maroon bows. The skirt was covered with a purple coverlet with gold
designs on it. The sleeves were flared at the end and trimmed with white lace.
It was the most beautiful dress Hitomi had ever seen. Astounded by the exquisite
dress, Hitomi was speechless while Yukari just smiled and put the dress in from
of her for Hitomi to look in the mirror. It was perfect. Hitomi looked like she
was magically transformed into a princess. After staring into the mirror for
quite a while, the spell was finally broken when Hitomi shook her head in wonder
and said, "Yukari, where in the world did you get this?
It's…magnificent!"
Yukari smiled wistfully as if flashing back into an old memory, "It was…
my mother's when she got married. She wore this. When she died, she gave it to
me. Told me to use it only when I think it's time. And… I think it's time.
Hitomi, I might not have found the perfect man for me yet, but you have. And I
believe you should go for it. It's not easy to find someone you love. Treasure
it well, Hitomi."
Hitomi's eyes are covered with a glass of tears, "Yukari… thank you.
Thank you so much…" Yukari saw that Hitomi was threatened to cry she smiled
brightly and pulled on Hitomi's old skirt, "Come on, off with those ugly things,
time for you to meet your Prince Charming! And… we have exactly TWO HOURS to
make you look like a princess! Hitomi, hurry up!" The girls hurried off, Hitomi
ran to her bedroom, and started to change into her new
dress.
Two hours later….
"Hitomi! Hurry up! You'll be LATE! Get out of that bedroom,
NOW! Or I will go in and DRAG you out!" Yukari yelled at Hitomi.
The two girls had been working for two hours straight to get Hitomi look all
right. And now, Hitomi won't come out for Yukari to see the final product.
"Hitomiiiiiii!" Yukari whined again.
"All right, All right, I'm coming out… don't laugh though…" Hitomi's
voice carried from the bedroom through the door. Yukari smiled. She saw the
doorknob turn and waited with much anticipation.
Hitomi stepped out gingerly as if she was walking on eggshells (AN: I
know, not exactly original… but never said I was Shakespeare). She was walking
slowly because her feet are strapped in 2-inch high crystal high heels, which
made it extremely hard for her to walk at all. The dress was perfect on Hitomi's
body. It fitted her perfectly, much to both girls' relieve. After all, it would
be such a shame if Hitomi can't wear it. The dress hung on to her every curve.
Her slender fingers coming out of the flared sleeves. In her right hand was also
a beautifully crafted fan. It was actually borrowed from a noblewoman, of whom
Yukari's father was working for. Yukari's father owns a boutique shop. He also
does alterations and does custom-made dresses for nobles. Since the age of 9,
Yukari had been helping around in the shop, and now all of the costumers are
especially fond of her because of her amiable and easy-going nature. One of the
noblewomen, Lady Isabella overheard the girls talking about going to the Ball
that evening, Lady Isabella had offered them her hand-made wooden carved fan so
Hitomi would look graceful. The girls thanked her, but refused, but Lady
Isabella insisted that Hitomi borrow it, that the girls finally accepted.
Hitomi's hair was combed back and curled up at the end. And a beautiful
butterfly clip was strategically placed to keep from her bangs coming into her
eyes. She was also wearing a pendant with a red stone hanging. It was a gift
from her mother to her. She had always worn it. Hitomi looked
beautiful.
Hitomi saw her friend's shocked look, and smiled. She walked over to her
as gracefully as she can master. When she finally walked over and appeared in
front of Yukari, she curtsied gracefully, when she stood up again, she shook
open her fan, and started to fan herself.
Yukari finally recovered, and started to giggle at the image that Hitomi
was making. Hitomi followed Yukari soon after. Finally, after all the laughter
died down. Yukari looked out the window, and gasped, "Oh my Gosh! Hitomi it's
almost time. Get ready to go, okay? I'm going to get Amano to take you to the
Ball."
Hitomi nodded and thanked her friend. Amano was Yukari's big brother.
(AN: well, how do you propose for Hitomi to get to the ball?) Amano also own
several horses, and a pretty carriage because he was lady Amelia's servant. (AN:
you know those people that maneuver the carriages, I don't know what they're
called so…)
After several minutes, Hitomi was sitting in the carriage with Amano outside. Hitomi sat with anticipation of what's to come. And meeting the handsome stranger again.