Kaze no Kuni
Nausicaä stares out over her kingdom. At her side stands Asbel. The two stand guard over her kingdom. The two leaders, and their people, are celebrating their alliance. The festival is an annual event. It is also a memorial to the late princess.
"I will never be able to thank you for this," Asbel comments off-handedly.
"She died on our land. Your kingdom and my kingdom are allies. You and I are friends. This is the least that I can do for you," Nausicaä smiles reassuringly.
He nods politely and turns back to the view. The kingdom is beautiful. The festivities are loud and exciting. His people adore the brilliant celebrations. He too is excited. However, his enjoyment fails to show.
"Nausicaä," he says softly.
"Is there something wrong?" she frowns; concerned by his tone.
He smiles at her. "I want this union to last for eternity,"
He looks over her kingdom once more. She opens her mouth to press him further but decides against it. She knows him well enough to trust that he won't betray her or her people. He is a rare genuine person. Her knowledge and assuredness does little to lessen her concern.
"How was the food?" she enquires. "The cook's been… experimental lately."
"It's good enough," he responds, subdued.
Nausicaä stops at the door to his assigned room. His eyes are cast downwards. An air of gloom lingers around him. His smiles don't seem as sincere as before. Her worry has grown over the course of the night. Even his guards have been curious of his behaviour.
"I'll let you get some sleep," she tells him; not wanting to pry.
"Nausicaä," his voice trails after her. She could barely hear him from two feet away. "Thank you…"
"You're welcome," she replies.
She starts to walk away again. Her mind drifts to his arrival. He hasn't been at all like himself. His gloom has spread by way of various rumours made by his concerned people. They speak of love. They speak of his death. His people are scared. They are scared for their own fate and for his.
Nausicaä turns around. "That isn't what you want to say, is it? You can tell me anything. We're allies and friends. You can trust me."
Asbel flinches at the sound of her voice. His eyes turn to her warily. He remains still for a long moment. His mind battles over the decision to answer or flee into the room. She could easily drag him out. It wouldn't be in her nature to but he can't ignore the thought.
He turns to face her. "We're friends... I like you,"
The door slams shut. The noise reverberates around the hallway. Nausicaä can only stare at the door. Questions linger in the depths of her eyes and mind. She quickly glances around the hall. No one else has seen his odd reaction.
She shrugs to herself. As she walks away she decides to question him some the coming day.
Author's Note: Why is this so hard? I've been on such an easy-going roll! Aw… I'm not happy about this. Regardless of my feelings I do believe that the concept itself is genuinely interesting. If only I could possess the skill to showcase that. Oh well, I did enjoy some of the process. I will therefore hope that you too have enjoyed this story. Thank you for reading Kaze no Kuni. Please forgive me for my lack of writing and English skills.
Part of the Revival Collection.