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

Tragic Love

Chapter 1: Revelations

So Eltrio returned to the castle, feeling oddly dejected that he couldn't talk to the young woman before him. His father merely looked at him in question as he shook his head. "My mind hasn't changed yet father… Maybe tomorrow…" Maybe never.

He went back up to his room and changed into his proper clothing before he returned to the throne room. His mother however, looked at him sadly. She came over and cupped his cheek. "Eltrio, please don't take harm by it. We just want to honor the promises of the past to ensure the unity of our two kingdoms. I know Prince Trode thinks of it daily as he searches for a wife."

Eltrio nodded. "I know mother, but these women… they're more girl then women… always after the next title to further themselves with no regard to the heart they break in the process with their cruelty."

Queen Isabella nodded with a sad smile. "I know my love. Your father had much of the same problems before he met me…"

Startled brown eyes looked up. "Really? Dad?"

Isabella nodded, her silvering hair falling into her face. "Yes, I remember those times fondly…"

I was a mere noble from the town of Arcadia. I was supposed to be match to Morticar, the mystic of Arcadia. You know him as Dominico's father. Yet I hated the match. He was a brutal man with a nasty vision. I ended up shirking my duties and ran south, hoping to find someone to keep me safe.

I ended up spraining my ankle and having to hide out near the hunting grounds. That's when I met your father. Aden had come to get himself an Argon jewel to prove to his father and mother that he was ready to take a bride, and his place as king of Argonia.

He found me, shaken and scared.

"Who are you fair maiden?" He asked.

"I am Isabella. A noble of the town of Arcadia. I was supposed to be Morticar's wife, but he's just… he's so mean to everyone… I can't do it." I said as I began to cry.

He put an arm around me, "If you don't want to marry him, you don't have to. But why can't you walk?"

I whimpered, "I twisted my ankle running and making it here was hardship enough. I had hoped I could hide here until I healed and continued to run."

He picked me up and took me to a cave on the higher level. It hadn't always been just a land bridge with no way to the cave. He tended to my wound, using what little remedial magic and herbs he had to heal my injury as we heard Morticar screaming for me. We kept silent as he used his magic to strike at everything in the area, which destroyed the section of bridge linking us to the land around us.

He left after disavowing me, and saying that I would be an outcast forever from noble society.

Aden took me home and I was readily welcomed into the castle as a lady from a neighboring land who needed sanctuary.

He ended up courting me and the rest is history my darling.

Eltrio frowned. He had never known that part of his father's life. He turned a small smile to his mother. "I met a girl… but she left before I could get her name… I gave her a fake name to ensure that she didn't know I was a prince."

Isabella smiled. This was just how it started with herself and her husband. She merely spoke, "Then go search for her my darling. See if she will come back to the castle and meet your family. If she is willing, I will deal with your father."

He grinned widely. "Thank you mother." He gave her a kiss on the cheek before racing up to his room to change once more. He had to find her again.