Bitter Blissfulness

Van gaze fell to the courtyard, looking at nothing in particular, enjoying the scenery. He watched with amusement as his little son bounced playfully through the lovely flower gardens, carefully sculpted to perfection before him. His giggle was so innocent and happy as he scooped up as many tiny pale yellow flowers into his chubby arms as he could. Van smiled to himself. His son was the splitting image of his brother Folken with that tiny head of silvery locks. He was cute as a button. Always running around with a grin splitting over his adorable chubby cheeks. The tiny boy ran clumsily, almost tripping over his armful of flowers towards his mother, Van's wife. Her deep burgundy hair flowed down over her dress and on to the lush grass as she bent down gracefully to collect the flowers her son offered. She was elegant and beautiful with deep blue eyes and rosy cheeks.

Van felt very isolated sitting on the porch watching them. He was fond of his wife, however their relationship left much to be desired. He didn't choose to marry her, his country did. He owed it to them. To give him an heir and to tie Fanalia to Basram. At the age of twenty-one he married. It was very much a political marriage. She was a princess and he was a king. The perfect match right? Hardly. He didn't feel any real love for her and neither did she. Her smiles always seemed forced. She remained stiff and awkward around him. It wasn't much of a secret that she often spent time with a certain nobleman she always battered her eyelashes at during meals. Frankly, it embarrassed him. He had no idea how he was to handle the situation. All the nobles gossiped about it. He pretended he had no idea what was going on. The truth hurt.

"And who do we have here?" Van asked as the tiny bundle of his son clambered on to his lap. The little boy smiled fondly up at him with his mother's cool blue eyes. He giggled in pure delight as Van tickled his round belly. The little tyke closed his eyes in a moment of bliss. Amidst all the soft chuckles his son handed him a single lone yellow flower. Van accepted his humble offering with smiles of exaggerated gratitude. With a big grin on his face the little prince reached up to weave his small fingers through Van's thick ink-black hair. Once Van's hair had been thoroughly explored he toyed with Van's nose. The little boy's eyes dazzled with light and enjoyment. When it came to his son, Van possessed the patience of a saint. He sat back and let his son poke and prod to his heart's content.

Van felt a soft presence behind him. "My Lord, I am going to retire early to my chamber. I bid thee good-night." His wife's tone was regal and proper.

Van nodded and gently removed his son's hands from his ears. "As for you my prince, I think it's time for bed," he whispered quietly. Van smirked playfully at his boy and lifted him up over his head. That caused another tiny eruption of giggles. The little prince grinned from ear to ear as his father stood up and began spinning him around in the process. His wife stood quietly and calmly, waiting for him to finish. With another smile for his son, Van handed him over to his mother. Her expression never wavered or faltered. Gathering her son into her arms, she made a polite curtsy. Van smiled warmly and bowed. He really didn't see why her formality was necessary.

"Have a restful night, My Queen." There was no love in those cold blue eyes. He completely understood why. He watched her gracefully stride away into the castle to her own quarters. Even after four years of marriage, she still insisted that she should have her own room. He didn't protest. She felt the same way he did about their marriage. He sighed deeply. Even kings aren't always happy. Looking up longingly to the sky, the mystic moon was as distant as ever. It's been ten years. I wonder how she's doing? He always wondered about Hitomi. Van lightly touched the red pendant dangling from his neck. He never took it off. It was his only keepsake from her. His first love. "Hitomi…" Her name escaped his lips. He hoped that wherever she was that she was happy. Looking deep inside himself, he knew that he wasn't.

To be continued...