The Circle's End: Chapter 3
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It was not until the terrible events with Zaibach, Fanelia and Escaflowne several years later that she saw him again.

Millerna was already a young lady at this time, and by what Eries could see, was turning out to be so much like Marlene. It was frightening to her , the similarity in their impetuous behavior, and the way they both were headstrong.

Millerna's accession to the throne was settled with her betrothal to the elder son of the Fassa lineage. Eries was surprised by the quirky choice, as were many, but her father and Meiden had fixed upon the idea. Dryden was a brilliant man, young, wealthy - and also Asturian, which relieved many those who feared a foreign king. Dryden, however, was not cooperating by not showing up for regular visits with his betrothed consort.

Eries worried - Millerna had also fixated on Allen Schezar, who she had not seen that much since he was posted out in the far reaches of their kingdom. Allen had grown even more handsome and more skilled as a swordfighter. Millerna had grown obsessed with - and constantly kept track of his whereabouts.

"Millerna," Eries had told her, "You know you are betrothed - therefore you must be cautious in what you say and discuss about Allen. Father is not pleased by your behavior, and particularly since Allen is not in his favor."

"It's all foolishness!" Millerna sulked, "Why must I do what everyone says? I just want to be a doctor and marry Allen!"

"Millerna!" Eries scolded her, "You said you wanted to rule Asturia, and to do so, you have to accept the consort that was selected for you!"

"I'd rather have Allen," Millerna pouted, with tears in her eyes, "I'd leave everything just to be with him!"

Eries stared as the words ominously rang in her ears. "Hush!" Her heart grew heavy and cold, as she remembered Marlene and the tortured look as she married and left Asturia. "Don't say that!"

"Why? " Millerna sobbed, "Why must I do what everyone wants? Why?"

---

Eries knew that answer, and she felt partly responsible for Millerna's misery. Her own choice to withdraw from the line of succession meant that Millerna had to be married off to someone powerful within Asturia - someone who would have no secondary loyalties. Father had settled on Dryden, because of his wealth, and because of his clear familial loyalties to Asturia.

Eries wished she could say something to Millerna, but she feared hurting her sister. Millerna never knew about Marlene and never knew she herself loved Allen too much to marry some one else.

'Did anyone know?' she often wondered to herself. If anyone had guessed, surely they would have thought her foolish. Eries knew that she could not compete with a ghost who was legendary for her beauty and then was immortalized by her own sad, tragic death.

'Did he know?' The thought tortured her. If so, then could his seriousness around her imply that he would never think of her with love? Or was it that he simply didn't know? All she had was his faith in her. In the few times they saw one another, Allen would leave her a bit of hope with his trust in her. It was only a thought here, a confidence there that he would allow, but to her, it was enough.

Sometimes she thought she perceived something beyond that respect. That dinner, with the young king of Fanelia, the girl named Hitomi, and with Meiden the merchant - Allen had turned to look at her more than once with an unfathomable expression that resembled a feeling of restlessness.

She had gone to him later that night, with her heart full of unexpressed yearnings, but instead of saying what she had wanted, could only talk of Millerna.

"I will never love again," he had said to her, maybe to make her drop the issue of Millerna. But he had no idea how much that had wounded her heart. He had no room for anyone he claimed, but was blind to what was unfolding before him with both Hitomi and Millerna.

She had fled - before she could shed tears of bitterness. She was fancy's fool. She saw his future unfolding without her.

--------

Much time passed - and surprisingly, Millerna and Dryden's reacquaintance resulted in her finally agreeing to marry. Eries was not sure why - part of the concern had to do with their father's deteriorating health and the other was unclear. That Millerna felt a great debt to Dryden was clear, but perhaps she also saw his innate goodness.

Still, many who knew Millerna expected her to suddenly change her mind. But with her whole kingdom watching, she went through the wedding.

Although, a surprise attack by Zaibach had marred the ceremony and poor Dryden fell trying to save Millerna, he took it into stride. Dryden, while hobbling around on a crutch, showed quickly his ability to lead in their father's stead. Despite his younger age, he was able keep ambitious or confused nobles at bay - and consolidate their support behind the plight of Fanelia and Freid.

"I never knew that Dryden was such a sensible man," Eries remarked to Millerna one day.

"Yes," Millerna was thoughtful and smiled a bit, "Father perhaps judged too well. "

Eries noted the slight pride in Millerna's voice and realized that Dryden, his reputation aside, was growing in their esteem.

It gave her hope for the future. With Dryden as king, Asturia was certain to remain strong.