Encounter
"Van I'm glad you came" said Millerna to her old friend, who was apparently shifted, with all the royalty of Asturia in the lounge and kings and queens of other countries, it was normal to find the king of Fanelia although he rarely participated meeting as well.
"Do not worry about it you know I would not miss Mahad´s birthday party ".
"I know you like him very much and I am happy with that, but try to enjoy the party a little, you seem upset".
"Do not get me wrong Millerna but after all I've heard from my advisors to be in a room full of "royalty " would not be my choice. " Increasingly, the royal advisers of Fanelia asked their king if he would not be interested in knowing more people from the nobility to make "friends" and what they weren´t saying was: and also to see if he did like some princess and made her queen. And every time they touched the subject he ignored them even though he knew he could not stay all his life alone and also Fanelia would need a queen and of course he would not like to live alone.
Who I´m kidding, if Hitomi was here we would probably be married and who know with children like Millerna and Dryden .
After this kind of disturbing thought he takes another sip of his wine and looks away to the lounge while Millerna apologized and went to greet other guests and as if they were afraid to let him alone arrives Allen, his friends sometimes were so predictable.
"Van, are you enjoying the party?"
"Sure, " Allen sighs and looks at him shaking his head.
"You know, if not for this attitude you would be very well accompanied now and be really enjoying themselves."
"I'm enjoying myself."
"Listen, I don´t want to argue with you but your attitude is scaring all the people interested in talking to you, the poor monk who was here before Millerna was truly interested in learning more about Fanelia but I could clearly see how your responses were insufficient to call it a conversation. "
"He asked me questions and I answered the point."
"Imagine ..." And Van gives his best to look authoritative, one that he has learned over time that dare people to retort what he said.
"Do not give me that look, you know that it does not work with me, actually it only works with your advisers." Allen said while hiding the smile sipping his drink while Van became increasingly annoyed.
"Look, Dryden is coming I will take the opportunity and leave you with it, I don´t see Celena, I can´t take my eyes off her even for a minute that she disappears!" Allen said as he apologized and scoured the room with his eyes searching for his sister. He never imagined Celena would be so partying, though he couldn´t blame she after the war times so quiet like this where you can enjoy good music and have a good time without fear of tomorrow is a blessing.
"Van! Glad to see you!"
"Equally, Dryden " and Dryden hugs him, clapping his hands in Van´s back.
"I can not believe Mahad is already 3 years old, how time flies!" And Dryden looks at the hall looking for the girl about whom his wife had spoken. They had talked about whether it would be nice to invite her or not, as Van would certainly see the resemblance that existed between the two and how it could hurt their friend. In the end decided that they should , even Millerna still feeling a little uncomfortable with the idea because of Hitomi but they all agree that now is more than time to Van move on , Hitomi certainly would agree. Although Dryden doubted that even Hitomi would feel comfortable with the similarity of the two.
"Where is she? Millerna said that wouldn´t there how to confuse her..."
"Dryden, are you looking for what?"
"Me? Nothing why?" and gives his best innocent face. Van thought he looks very suspicious but does not say anything more.
Meanwhile, Millerna across the hall sees Yuuki and goes greet her.
"Yuuki, good to see you here."
"It's an honor to be here queen Millerna."
"Don´t be so formal, that way I feel a bit old "And they laughed sweetly.
"I want to present you to a very dear friend."
"It will be an honor to meet him." And they walk toward where Van and Dryden were talking.
"Dryden, remembers Miss who I became friend the other day?"
"Of course, no accident would be this lovely beautiful girl beside you?"
"Exactly, this is Dryden who I bet you heard about and this is Van Slanzar de Fanel king of Fanelia."
"It's an honor to know you personally king Dryden, and also an honor King Van" Yuuki said softly while bowing her head and giving them a small smile.
"Van, Dryden ,this is Yuuki , the daughter of a seller very important here in Pallas. "
When he saw Millerna approached he thought his eyes were deceiving him, he was hallucinating seeing Hitomi walk beside Millerna as before. And when she spoke he really believed to be mad, thinking with every year all the problems, everything finally caught up, he blinked several times but those emerald green eyes still continued to look directly at him drawing his soul. When he realized that everyone was waiting for an answer he could only say:
"Hello" he looked at his glass to finding out if something was placed in his drink, but soon turned to look away at it, if it was a hallucination or not, he didn´t want to waste even one more second of sight. She was like he remembered, not exactly alike if he just repairing well, her face had some features that did not match with his memories but her eyes were the same deep green, with whom he would like to lose himself. Her hair was black, and long to the waist. On her neck was a beautiful emerald necklace that emphasized more her eyes. She wore a dark green dress, which accentuated her curves but at the same time left her with an air of delicate and discreet.
Dryden and Millerna knew exactly what thoughts Van should be having and then apologized and left the two alone.
Don´t believe I'm face to face with the king of Fanelia, and he looks at me if waiting for something ... think ... think ... say something interesting, come on! Do not miss this opportunity!
"Are you enjoying the party, Van-sama?" My Gosh how interesting! Why not ask about the weather?
"Yes and it's getting better." He said not looking away for a second.
Well, if it was not a hint .. wow the remarkably dull and disinterested King of Fanelia is sizing me up ...
Yuuki had heard of Van, after the war was almost impossible for anyone not know about the king of Fanelia and his gymelef, Escaflowne. He was known as a hero in almost every part of Gaea and also by his unsociable behavior of the rare occasions that he attended, always when invited by his friends and closest allies. And of course his partner the mysterious and powerful Kansaki Hitomi, who supposedly came from the Mystic Moon. When Millerna said that she was like her, she had almost choked but managed to brilliantly disguise it, like she would like to be compared with a crazy idiot, stupid and on top of that came from a cursed place. She was the daughter of one of the largest retailers of wine Pallas, or better perhaps the best of Gaia, the wines of her father were on the table of everyone from royalty to commoners. Also, she could be considered royalty because her family was rich, very rich. And just to be considered like an ordinary, classless left her shaken, she really thought Millerna wasn´t feeling good to say something like that but unfortunately she couldn´t make any comment because it wouldn´t be wise to waste your luck with something so small.
She had left earlier than usual to do some shopping in town when she bumped into someone, she turned and was about to yell at the stupid when she realized that the person was a woman with an almost real-size, which indicated right away that was someone important then she put her best smile and apologized. To her surprise the woman also apologized and said she didn´t go there so long and didn´t think it would be so crowded at that hour. Yuuki paid more attention to the women trying to capture as much detail she could, of course royalty, or at least someone with money to stay at home for a long time and seem to hide. Previously she stayed at home and sent her employees to make purchases but over the time she dismissed the idea because she always had to have several dresses back as she couldn´t trust the taste of her employees. Commoners don´t know what is good taste and refinement, and it was very boring staying at home doing nothing all day and still having to hear her father talking about working with her brother and the truth was that she also liked the looks of admiration and envy she received on the street. Women envied her for her beauty, clothing and jewelry and the men wanted her by her family or have a princess as a wife, she thought. Fools all of them, as if she were to condescend to marry someone like that .
The woman continued to talk while she rambled on so when she heard a gentle invitation "would you like to go? " She said yes and followed the woman, she wondered where she would be going but soon saw that they entered on one of the most expensive and best clothing women´s stores of Pallas and the woman turned and formally apologized for being rude but did not want to be exposed . And to her surprise it was nothing less than the queen, she must have suspected for her air of nobility but who would imagine the Queen in person shopping.
"Not wanting to be rude majesty but why are you here? You could ask someone to do it." unless you are running from the house for something or someone, this really would be news. She completed silently.
"Yes I could, but I'm tired of getting stuck there. And boy shopping once in a while is great for relaxing and now that you're with me is even better, I don´t really like shopping alone and my sister would never come with me if she knew how many things I have to do in the palace. "
"I am honored to know that Her Majesty will be happier, " said Yuuki trying to be as respectful as possible,since she never had the opportunity to talk with someone so important before ,at parties she would sometimes see someone of royalty was present but she never could say more than two words before being virtually excluded from the conversation.
"Millerna, call me Millerna no need to be so formal with me" and they kept going into various stores buying several dresses and jewelry. In the late afternoon they were already tired and decided to end the day in a pleasant cafe overlooking the sea. For her she could continue to order even tired as she was because the queen had given her several dresses from top brands and even the party dress which she is using today. And without the slightest remorse gave her an emerald necklace that even her father would had a heart attack if he saw the price. And that's when she started talking about this woman from the Mystic Moon, how she remembered her friend and not to misinterpret her, that she knew they were different people but she wanted to be her friend.
She wasn´t crazy to refuse a request of the queen and even more one like this where she had several gains and no losses. When she returned home full of bags her father gave her a wry look and was about to begin a discourse on how he could not wait to marry her for her husband to take charge of her spending and how it was irresponsible to squander both. Her father could be so mean sometimes but she just said she did not spend a penny with them and her father went quiet and looked as if doubting what he heard, then she asked him to sit down and listen to the news. Throughout history the face of her father, was skeptical to interested person and then his eyes flashed when he saw a great opportunity.
He wouldn´t be as rich if he wasn´t at least smart enough to see how lucky she was. And amazingly he kissed her and said that of course he was happy with her for have made this friendship and that he would give her more money when she would go out with the queen again, he didn´t want her to look poor in front of the queen. And so here she was talking to the king of Fanelia while her father talks with how many real members he could and certainly closing deals.
And for the thousandth time she wondered what to say to Van, but amazingly he seemed unwilling to speak, only stared with that disturbing eyes. A mixture of garnet and ruby. In all he was very handsome, tall, muscular, a killer smile placed in his face as he looked. As if he knew what she had just been thinking. Really disturbing. She couldn´t take anymore of the pressure of his gaze so she turns to look at the dance floor and makes a comment that she pleased mentally herself after for it be innocent, shy ,an indirect and discreet one in the same time. From someone who does not know how to act while do not want to leave.
"I like to dance and you?" She looks at him and then quickly look away while putting her hands forward, leaving her with an air of sweet and shy turn. If all about she had heard of the achievements of her brother was certain was that no man can resist a sweet, inexperienced and shy woman.
"I love to dance, Miss would you give the honor to accompany me in this dance." Van said offering her his hand as he thought charming the way she was shy and insecure wondering if he really would invite her. As if he wasn´t , he was willing to start a conversation to keep her by his side, and while he was thinking of something to say, she was faster and he thought he had lost her but when she saw the room and then looking shyly talking he thought he was lucky that this woman so pure have ignored his previous lack of education.
As the couple walked to the dance floor with a smiling Van and a shy Yuuki , Dryden, Allen, Millerna, Chid and even Gaddes who was at the corner of the room in service was paying attention to every move of the couple. And wondering if Fanelia would win a Queen and Van the happiness that everyone wish for him.
The party's over quick for those who were enjoying and throughout the night Van and Yuuki continued talking and laughing together which attracted glances from some people around, because Van was not seen like this for years . Certainly he laughed, chatted with friends but for an unknown, to be talking and laugh with him would be a first time in a while.
When the time to say goodbyes arrived, Van accompanied by Yuuki came to her carriage, while Dryden accompanied by Millerna , Allen from her sister and Yuuki´s father follow the couple a few steps away. Yuuki turns and says goodbye to everyone, as her father.
When the coach is already a certain distance from the palace and away from prying ears, the mask of sweetness and delicacy of Yuuki collapses, she sighs.
" I just can´t believe I had to endure almost five hours of it. "
"What are you complaining? You seemed really excited about this boy with whom you was and by the way who was him? I guess someone of Fanelia nobility,by the royal emblem he wore."
"You know, if he wasn´t the king I really would have leave him talking to himself after hearing three times about those pastures so stupid that he likes, what is so good in so much green?"
When Yuuki said the word king, her father's eyes grow wide and he grabs her arm.
"Do not you dare miss this opportunity, he is the king! Van Fanel ! I can hardly believe that he noticed you!"
Yuuki feeling a little offended departs from her father and rubs her arm.
"Well, because he noticed and not only him the queen in person made a point to introduce ourselves. King Dryden also seems to like me, although Millerna have said hat I look like a friend of hers, that girl of the Mystic Moon .
"You mean Hitomi Kanzaki, the seer of the Mystic Moon?"
"Yes, the little thing." Her father grabs her arm again and puts one of his finger in front of her face.
"Do not even think about offending this woman in front of any one of them! you hear me?" Yuuki shaken, shakes her head in positive gesture.
"Sorry but what you do not know is that she was a close friend of the queen and the king, and not only them but for all in service at the time of war, her predictions helped the Allies gain. That's why Van was interested you! I heard rumors that they had something but she had to go home and they never saw each other again. "Even after all these years he could not forget the wartime, when he lost his sweet Eliza, his beloved wife whom he admired for her talent and vision that helped him not to lose business and his life at that difficult time . Back then he wanted to know everything he could of what was happening and one thing he learned over the years was that for an marketer information worth more than gold.
When he heard about the seer, at first he did not quite believed it was true, but when the Zaibach gymelefs raided the wedding of the princess he saw how important she was for an ally to declare war openly because of a simple person. After that he sought to hear everything he could about her, and several times her name was with the king of Fanelia. She was very clever because she only made important friends, if he could he would wanted to acquainted her. Someone like this could be very useful and influential.
Her father was silent and continued to think about all the benefits that could bring their resemblance, if they really believed that she was like her friend, she would become queen, and he would go to the nobility, including a prosperous future for his business and a profitable marriage for his son and maybe in a future for him too because he was a widower for a long time. While Yuuki gradually calmed down and directed her thoughts to Van, and having plans in a way similar to her father although it was aimed at Fanelia and how she was perfectly suited to be queen.
In the palace ...
"So that's what you were up to?" Van said as he watched the train go its way and taking the beautiful lady who captivated him.
"What are you talking about?" Dryden said adjusting his glasses and trying to provoke Van.
"Right, and I bet I was the only one that realized the similarity of them?" Milerna answered this time.
"Well, Van you don´t seem that you're bored instead, so I'll be honest, I meet her a little while and really do know nothing about her but I thought it would be a good idea to .." She stops talking when she sees the hand of Van lifted, perhaps he was notso happy.
"Van, don´t fight with Millerna, we all want to see you happy and we just thought you'd like to meet her." Allen said.
"You mean, you all knew about it?" seeing everyone nodded claiming he sighs.
Really... if I didn´t know better I would think they are trying to make me a fool.
"I will not lie and say I´m not happy to meet her, she's lovely but next time don´t plan anything like that, don´t treat me as if I am still a teenager."
But for the first time in years, I spent a whole night without thinking about Hitomi, I didn´t feel lonely and incomplete. I wonder if that's really good.
On Earth ...
Throughout the day Hitomi felt uneasy as if something wrong was going to happen. But she didn´t know what it could be and that bothered her. When night came the feeling got worse and she did not know what else to do so she did the same thing she always do when she is very stressed went to her piano, trying to touch something to put her emotions out. After returning to Gaea, one of her classmates told her that she would come into school to learn to play the flute and she asked if she was interested, she would immediately reject it since she never cared too much about it but then thought that trying to learn something would give her a welcome distraction.
On the first day of music school walking down the aisle she heard a beautiful song, and went toward the sound. Just stopping in front of a huge room with a piano and a boy playing with his eyes closed like being in another world. What reminded her of herself, and after talking with him and he have said: "When I close my eyes and start to play it, I let my mind wander and it's as if I were not here anymore but in my own private world. Or when I want just forget everything around me I come here and play." And she instantly identified with the instrument, she wanted to learn to play it because she knew it would be a salvation for her in the moments when she would be sad and depressed ,when everything was suffocating her. And now after years she plays every time that she want to empty her mind and travel with music to calm her down. Even when she goes to her private world she sees Gaea, its trees, its flowers, its people, its lakes, all of the most incredible landscapes that she enjoyed during their travels. Like all the times she is surprised at how Gaea has become dear to her without her even noticing.
After finishing, she felt the slightest uneasiness stopped and she sighed. Perhaps everything is getting all to much, she could not continue living like this, as she also knew that Van could not live there like that always thinking about her and would probably already find someone . She shakes her head with a negative and thinks: no, I have not forgotten Van, truth decreased our conversations, but we talked last month. Well, not exactly a conversation it was a phrase but it's something and nothing indicated someone.
And disengaging from distracting thoughts like that she went to bed to sleep, not wanting to think about what more she knew it was inevitable for her and for him. If she didn´t come back to Gaea, sooner or later they would separate definitely.
I really hope you enjoyed this second chapter.
I have too much trouble translating it.
But I'm happy with the final ^^
Please reviews!
