Chapter 2: Matreshka Dolls
The young woman trudged silently down the marble walled corridors of the castle her haunted blue eyes peering from between the strands of her long blond bangs that fell down to her cheeks. Her walk was unsteady and slow for she carried heavy burdens with her.
The lighter of the two burdens she drug along behind her; the leather traveling bag, filled near bursting, was far too heavy to carry any great length of distance. The second burden was only visible in her eyes, but it weighed her down more than the bag ever could. It was only when she was away from the palace that her eyes came alive and her demeanor changed. Those who traveled with her were always surprised by the difference in the girl. Her veiled appearance and her soft voice didn't change. But she lived when she traveled. And she died again, back home.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Eries had been on a mission, one of her 'princessly duties' imparted to her by King Aston. She rather enjoyed these duties, finding the art of persuasion and negotiation to be something she was not only fascinated with but something she was good at as well. And if this particular mission meant spending two glorious weeks in the kingdom of Fried with several of Asturia's merchants and noblemen, that was quite acceptable too. Sure, the food had been bland, the beds had been nothing more than hard pallets, and the people spent most of the day in quiet prayer, but it had still been a glorious time. It gave her plenty of time to read. The more knowledge she gained the better she became at her duty. And usually came away successful.
This time, however, not everything had gone according to plan.
King Aston's goal for her and the merchants had been to negotiate a new trade agreement. The first ten days had been a wonderful success - Fried wanted to ship out a portion of its rice harvest and was willing to use Asturia's harbor as launching point - but the unthinkable had happened and the negotiation had fallen through.
It was well known that Fried had closer ties to the Kingdom of Daedalus than to Asturia, and once the officials from Daedalus discovered that she, the daughter of King Aston, was there, they'd immediately set about sabotaging the whole operation. Eries and the other men were left gaping as their once gracious hosts became frosty and asked them to leave.
Though Eries loved Asturia dearly, she dreaded being back, and the worry had been enough to make her physically ill on the way home. She'd have to face King Aston and confess to the botched deal sooner or later. She preferred later, so she had gone to find her sisters before coming before her father. It wasn't really her fault, this time; just one little mistake from the past, one little slip of the tongue had reemerged to haunt her again. It had been three years ago. Just how long would Lord Daedon hold onto his grudge?
Marlene sat by herself at a table in her quarters, her golden curls brushing against the pages of the diary she wrote in. On hand came up to shush Eries as she entered, bidding her to keep quiet until the thought was finished. The satchel Eries carried with her grew heavier as she waited for her older sister to finish the entry. Growing weary of waiting, Eries heaved the bag up onto the table where it broke its already strained seams and spilled its load of books across the surface and onto the floor.
The diary quickly shut with a snap, and Marlene finally looked up to acknowledge her little sister. "You're back from Fried rather early."
Eries nodded and immediately changed the subject. "I'm returning the books you let me borrow."
"I heard Lord Daedon's advisors showed up," Marlene said with a grin tugging at the corners of her painted lips.
"So everyone has heard already?" Eries asked with a heavy sigh.
"Yes, and Father is furious. What did you call Lord Daedon again?"
"I was twelve years old," Eries protested, chewing on her bottom lip.
"You called him a 'trumped-up, pompous, aristocratic tyrant' who 'wallowed in a swill of luxury while his people starved for the crumbs of his table'," Marlene grinned. "You told him he had less brains than a horses rump, and less compassion than a rock through a temple window."
"And he called me a pretentious little brat before shoving me in a jail cell for six weeks," Eries said. "I think we were both right."
"You need to work on your eloquence," Marlene said. "You're too good at making enemies."
"I didn't say anything to offend Duke Fried. He just heard about that fiasco, and took it as an insult because of his ties to Daedalus."
"Father's been in a real uproar since he heard the news that the trade fell through."
"I thought he would be. I've been sick with worry over how he's going to take it. He never should have sent me to Fried. He knew the Duke's mother was Lord Daedon's elder sister," Eries protested meekly.
"Oh, I'm sure Father will readily admit he was wrong," Marlene said her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Eries sat down across from Marlene and rested her head on the broken satchel. "I'm really going to get it this time, aren't I?"
"Might as well get it over with. The longer you avoid him, the angrier he's going to get."
Eries groaned.
"Oh, come on. You made your bed, now lay in it," Marlene said. "If you can't handle the consequences, you should learn to handle your tongue. Or just plain refuse to take the mission."
Eries sat straight up and stared at Marlene incredulously. "And then what would happen? Have you ever tried saying 'no' to Father?"
"No," Marlene said, averting her eyes to her diary.
"Then don't expect me to."
Marlene sighed. "Well, maybe you should just keep quiet from now on. Women are supposed to be seen, not heard. The same goes for little catgirls posing as women, too. Besides, I'm sure that new merchant he appointed to the Council could have handled it without you. When is Father going to give him a chance?"
"Meiden Fassa?" Eries shuddered. She'd met the man shortly before this trip and she'd taken an instant disliking to him. Meiden was a miser, though he preferred the word "economical." He had a way of looking at people that wasn't actually looking at them, but calculating the price of the clothes and jewelry and the value of the person themselves. "I rode on his merchant ship, and met his children. They talked to me on the way home, but I think there was an ulterior motive behind it all."
"Oh, and what was that?"
"They wanted to borrow your books. They may live on a merchant's ship, but they don't have much in the way of possessions. Meiden makes them pay for any trinkets they want to use from his ships, and he sells their stuff if he thinks he can make money off it. There was one room on the ship for the girls and one for the boys so they slept like cargo stacked, one on top of each other. I felt sorry for them, so I let them borrow the books. The oldest boy, Dryden, was coming by all the time. He said he was saving his money to buy a leviship of his own and start a business for himself." Eries played with her pale strands of blond hair that framed her face and fell into her eyes. "Dryden said it would have lots of open space inside and he'd have two dozen rooms just of his own quarters. And a library full of books that he'd never sell. He told me all about it."
"Sounds like you talked to him quite a bit," Marlene commented, a wry smile wringing her lips. "How old is he?"
"About my age. Well educated, but also rather immature and rude when he wasn't after something. Still, he was more interesting and pleasant to be around than any of the older men on the way back," Eries replied.
"Sister!" a voice called down the hallway, followed in a moment by its source, Millerna, who wore a pair of boy's trousers beneath her frilly dress. She flounced into the room, her golden curls bouncing about her face, and she plunked down next to Eries. "Welcome home, sister. Did you bring me a present?"
"Of course," Eries said while rummaging through the pockets of the satchel until she found Millerna's gift.
"A doll?" Millerna scoffed openly.
"I picked it up at the bazaar in Fried. Dryden told me about it. It's actually several dolls that nest inside one another. He called them Matreshka dolls."
"Wooden dolls," Millerna said dryly.
"There's another one inside. See?" Eries popped the doll in half to reveal another one inside. "Neat, huh?"
Millerna shrugged and began pawing through the pile of books that scattered the table. "Did you bring my book back?"
"Yes, Millerna," Eries said and joined in the search.
"Did you read it?"
"Of course, I read all these books. Some of them twice." She pulled Millerna's "Tales of Love and Honor" book from the pile.
"I remember that," Marlene said taking the book. "I used to love it when I was little. There was a story about a handsome knight and beautiful princess. And her father's sacrificing the princess to the hungry dragon. So the knight slays the dragon and saves the princess. And they run away and live happily ever after."
"I liked the one about the poor servant girl who bravely saves the life of the prince," Millerna said. "And the one where the princess's father won't let her marry her true love so she runs off with him, leaving behind all her royal pleasures for a simple life."
"They were so sweetly romantic," Marlene sighed and flipped through the pages of the book. "Which one did you like, Eries?"
"I thought they were ridiculous," Eries said bluntly. "That sort of thing doesn't happen in real life. And if it does there's nothing honorable about it."
Millerna looked at her with big eyes. "Why not?"
"It's irresponsible," Eries said sharply. "A princess is born to great privilege and great duty. And it's her responsibility to do what is best for her people. You marry a man who's good for your kingdom and love follows later. No princess would marry a poor man. No prince would go live with a swine-herder's daughter. No one gives it all up for love."
"Why not?" Millerna asked.
"What do you know?" Marlene asked there was bitterness in her voice. "Since when do you know anything about love?"
"I'm no expert on love, but I do know duty. And responsibility. For a princess, a marriage is a responsibility."
"One that you'll never know," Marlene said. "You'll never get married, Eries,"
"Why not?" Millerna asked, thoroughly confused.
"Because it'd have to be a forced marriage," Marlene laughed. "And because any man forced into marriage with her would run screaming from the bedchambers on their wedding night. There would a war declared in the name of his honor."
Millerna looked confused, and Eries shot her older sister a cold glare. Marlene knew better than to bring up things like that up. Not around Millerna, at least.
"I believe in love, even if Eries doesn't," Marlene continued. "Love doesn't have to mean abandoning your responsibilities. Not if the man you love is noble and brave and honorable and smart. Handsome is good, too. And if he's perfect, why would you have to give him up?" A dreamy look entered her eyes.
Millerna looked up at Eries. "I don't want to get married either. Boys are gross." She stuck out her tongue.
"Yeah." Eries stuck out her tongue too. "I won't ever fall in love with some guy."
"You're such children," Marlene said contemptuously and silenced them.
They watched as Millerna cracked open each doll and set them in a line along the edge of the table. The dolls were wooden girls with brightly painted faces and monk's robes. One had gold hair, the next black, the next one's head was covered. Each one was unique and each one a head shorter than the one before it. The smallest Millerna tried to pry apart, but it was not made to open.
"My ladies," came a male voice. Eries turned and saw a knight in the doorway. He must have been about her age, but he looked much older. Shoulder length blond hair, a handsome face, and the uniform of a Knight Caeli. "Eries Hime, your father sends word he wishes to speak with you."
Eries nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Marlene smile at the knight.
"Thank you, sir knight. What is your name?" Eries asked.
Marlene answered for him. "This is Allen Schezar, the newest and youngest member of the Knights Caeli. And the finest swordsman on Gaea."
"You're too kind," Allen said.
"Allen," Millerna piped up. "Open this, won't you?" She presented him with the doll.
"It doesn't open, Millerna," Eries said. "That's as small as they get."
"I bet there's another one in there. Chop it in half with your sword," Millerna demanded. "I want to know what's in there."
"If I chop it in half it will be broken," Allen said. "I wouldn't want to ruin your toy."
Millerna shrugged.
"You better get going, Eries," Marlene said. "Don't keep Father waiting any longer. And take Millerna with you."
"Why should I go see Father?" Millerna asked. "He asked for Eries, not me."
"Then just leave," Marlene said. "I'd like some peace and quiet." Eries saw her smile again at the knight, and the knight smile back as well.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Eries had hoped to find King Aston in a place where there were other people, where it wouldn't just be him and her. She hoped that would in the throne room; she always felt more confident there. Then it would feel like any other mission she went on; she would be the diplomat and Aston would sit like a fat toad, squashed in a throne that had been constructed for a god.
Instead, he waited for her, casually sipping his wine, in his study, in a chair where he was the larger, the dominant force, and she was the lowly beastgirl. He rose to meet her as she entered; he stood a full head taller. Aston dismissed the guards and shut the door with a loud thud. Eries' heart began to race.
"Two years," he growled. "Two damn years I spent forming that alliance with Fried. For two years I worked so Asturia would benefit! And in days you manage to destroy it completely!" His voice crescendoed louder and louder as he leaned closer to Eries' face She could smell the drink on his breath. "Damn you, girl!" He shoved her hard across the room and Eries crashed into the bookcase. She crumpled like a rag doll to the floor, not bothering to cover her head as books spilled on top of her.
Aston came closer. "Damn stupid girl. A thorn in my side. That's what you are."
"I'm sorry, Father," Eries choked out, tears spilling down her cheeks. Every ounce of strength was sapped from her body.
"Don't call me that."
"I apologize, King Aston," she whispered.
"If they would kill you, then I might find some value in you." He tipped a heavy book off the shelf and it smacked against her shoulder. His fingers crawled over to the next book and dropped if off the shelf, continuing the process as he spoke. "Then I could gain sympathy from the other kingdoms. They'd be up in arms. Killing an innocent princess, that'd be awful. And I, the grieving father, would play my part. We'd gut those miserable nations for all they're worth." He chuckled and tipped another book off the shelf and onto the back of her head before going back to his desk to find the wine.
Eries didn't move. She'd realized long ago that King Aston used her as an ambassador to keep the more dangerous allies at bay. They didn't dare kill her for fear of retribution, but Aston wouldn't shed any tears if they did. She played his game to get out of the palace and away from him, from those who knew her dark and dirty secret.
Aston and Marlene. As far she knew, they were only ones left who knew of her deformities, as she'd once called them. Now she knew it was just her mother's infidelity that made her different, that made her unclean. Marlene and Aston were apt to shove these facts in her face whenever they were alone. Or whenever they were angry or frustrated with her.
"I'm glad you're not really my daughter," Aston said with a drunken smile, coming to stand above her again, clutching a half empty bottle in his hand. He must have been drinking all morning for a second bottle sat on his desk, already empty. "I'd be ashamed of fathering something so stupid. But you're only a beastgirl. A stupid little beast I cannot tame. And now I have to go repair my little pet's mess. Damn foolish beastgirl. Damn foolish me." He kneeled beside her and pushed the bangs away from her face. "Foolish little thing."
Their eyes locked together. Eries could not tear her gaze away from his, and they sat on the floor like that for a long time, his hand cradling her face, his eyes digging deeply into her soul.
Aston's mood shifted once more and his eyes became angry. "Stand up." She didn't comply fast enough and received a smack across the face. "Ungrateful, wench. I've given you everything when you deserve nothing. I could have thrown you out on the street long ago, but I kept you. Made you a princess. Made you my ambassador. Gave you power and position your kind could only dream about. And you repay me with this insolent behavior! By being a thorn in my side!" Eries steeled herself for another blow.
He swung the wine bottle, but it hit the bookshelf instead of her and the bottom smashed apart. Aston looked at the jagged end of the bottle. "I could pull that thorn out right now," he said darkly.
"Daddy?" a soft voice questioned.
Eries looked across the room to where Marlene stood half hidden behind the door. Her eyes tried to avoid Eries and her voice pretended nothing was wrong.
"What is it, Marlene?" Aston asked, setting the broken wine bottle on the shelf.
"Yes, um, well," she searched the air for help. "I heard you might be going to see that Zaibach fortress. And I was worried about you since it might be dangerous there."
Aston's eyes trailed from Marlene down to Eries. "Don't worry, darling. I've decided to send your sister in my stead. And she's going to be a very good girl, right?" Eries nodded. "And not cause any more trouble for me since I have to go to Fried now?" Eries nodded again, the tears rolling down her face. "And she's not going to do anything to upset Zaibach now, is she?"
"I'll be good," Eries said, still nodding.
Aston smiled. "You'll leave in two weeks. You may go now."
Eries quickly joined her sister outside the door.
"If you'd be good in the first place this wouldn't happen," Marlene whispered fiercely, and offered her handkerchief so Eries could dry her eyes.
The blond knight, Allen Schezar, was waiting down the hall.
"Are you alright, Eries Hime?" he asked.
"She's fine," Marlene said hastily. "She just gets all worked up over politics. So emotional about all that negotiation stuff." Marlene laughed. "That's my sister; if her head's not buried in a book, it's in Father's business or some matter of state."
Allen smiled. "Ladies shouldn't worry about such things."
"I always tell her that, but she never listens." Marlene pushed Eries off down the hall. "Now off you go. Get yourself cleaned up, your face is getting all red and puffy."
Eries nodded, sensing her presence was not wanted anymore by Marlene. "Thank you, sister. May I borrow some more books from you? I think it's going to be a long trip to Zaibach."
Authors Notes: What I wanted to do with this story was make it fit with the plotline of the Vision of Escaflowne the best I could, and not only have the plot of that story affect Eries in this one, but have Eries's action in Neko Hime affect those in Escaflowne, without messing up the Escaflowne plotline. (um... it will make sense as you read more)
For example, there are several plot points in this chapter that are the cause of events in Escaflowne. I'll leave the most obvious one out (you should have gotten it anyway), but I will cite the less than obvious example. When Millerna later visits Fried the Duke comments on her eloquence and how magnanimous he finds her. In this chapter, he has obviously thought of Eries as less than eloquent, so that's why he's so impressed with Millerna later on.
There will be much better and more interesting ones later on. But you'll have to keep on reading. Don't worry, not all the chapters will be this long.
The young woman trudged silently down the marble walled corridors of the castle her haunted blue eyes peering from between the strands of her long blond bangs that fell down to her cheeks. Her walk was unsteady and slow for she carried heavy burdens with her.
The lighter of the two burdens she drug along behind her; the leather traveling bag, filled near bursting, was far too heavy to carry any great length of distance. The second burden was only visible in her eyes, but it weighed her down more than the bag ever could. It was only when she was away from the palace that her eyes came alive and her demeanor changed. Those who traveled with her were always surprised by the difference in the girl. Her veiled appearance and her soft voice didn't change. But she lived when she traveled. And she died again, back home.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Eries had been on a mission, one of her 'princessly duties' imparted to her by King Aston. She rather enjoyed these duties, finding the art of persuasion and negotiation to be something she was not only fascinated with but something she was good at as well. And if this particular mission meant spending two glorious weeks in the kingdom of Fried with several of Asturia's merchants and noblemen, that was quite acceptable too. Sure, the food had been bland, the beds had been nothing more than hard pallets, and the people spent most of the day in quiet prayer, but it had still been a glorious time. It gave her plenty of time to read. The more knowledge she gained the better she became at her duty. And usually came away successful.
This time, however, not everything had gone according to plan.
King Aston's goal for her and the merchants had been to negotiate a new trade agreement. The first ten days had been a wonderful success - Fried wanted to ship out a portion of its rice harvest and was willing to use Asturia's harbor as launching point - but the unthinkable had happened and the negotiation had fallen through.
It was well known that Fried had closer ties to the Kingdom of Daedalus than to Asturia, and once the officials from Daedalus discovered that she, the daughter of King Aston, was there, they'd immediately set about sabotaging the whole operation. Eries and the other men were left gaping as their once gracious hosts became frosty and asked them to leave.
Though Eries loved Asturia dearly, she dreaded being back, and the worry had been enough to make her physically ill on the way home. She'd have to face King Aston and confess to the botched deal sooner or later. She preferred later, so she had gone to find her sisters before coming before her father. It wasn't really her fault, this time; just one little mistake from the past, one little slip of the tongue had reemerged to haunt her again. It had been three years ago. Just how long would Lord Daedon hold onto his grudge?
Marlene sat by herself at a table in her quarters, her golden curls brushing against the pages of the diary she wrote in. On hand came up to shush Eries as she entered, bidding her to keep quiet until the thought was finished. The satchel Eries carried with her grew heavier as she waited for her older sister to finish the entry. Growing weary of waiting, Eries heaved the bag up onto the table where it broke its already strained seams and spilled its load of books across the surface and onto the floor.
The diary quickly shut with a snap, and Marlene finally looked up to acknowledge her little sister. "You're back from Fried rather early."
Eries nodded and immediately changed the subject. "I'm returning the books you let me borrow."
"I heard Lord Daedon's advisors showed up," Marlene said with a grin tugging at the corners of her painted lips.
"So everyone has heard already?" Eries asked with a heavy sigh.
"Yes, and Father is furious. What did you call Lord Daedon again?"
"I was twelve years old," Eries protested, chewing on her bottom lip.
"You called him a 'trumped-up, pompous, aristocratic tyrant' who 'wallowed in a swill of luxury while his people starved for the crumbs of his table'," Marlene grinned. "You told him he had less brains than a horses rump, and less compassion than a rock through a temple window."
"And he called me a pretentious little brat before shoving me in a jail cell for six weeks," Eries said. "I think we were both right."
"You need to work on your eloquence," Marlene said. "You're too good at making enemies."
"I didn't say anything to offend Duke Fried. He just heard about that fiasco, and took it as an insult because of his ties to Daedalus."
"Father's been in a real uproar since he heard the news that the trade fell through."
"I thought he would be. I've been sick with worry over how he's going to take it. He never should have sent me to Fried. He knew the Duke's mother was Lord Daedon's elder sister," Eries protested meekly.
"Oh, I'm sure Father will readily admit he was wrong," Marlene said her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Eries sat down across from Marlene and rested her head on the broken satchel. "I'm really going to get it this time, aren't I?"
"Might as well get it over with. The longer you avoid him, the angrier he's going to get."
Eries groaned.
"Oh, come on. You made your bed, now lay in it," Marlene said. "If you can't handle the consequences, you should learn to handle your tongue. Or just plain refuse to take the mission."
Eries sat straight up and stared at Marlene incredulously. "And then what would happen? Have you ever tried saying 'no' to Father?"
"No," Marlene said, averting her eyes to her diary.
"Then don't expect me to."
Marlene sighed. "Well, maybe you should just keep quiet from now on. Women are supposed to be seen, not heard. The same goes for little catgirls posing as women, too. Besides, I'm sure that new merchant he appointed to the Council could have handled it without you. When is Father going to give him a chance?"
"Meiden Fassa?" Eries shuddered. She'd met the man shortly before this trip and she'd taken an instant disliking to him. Meiden was a miser, though he preferred the word "economical." He had a way of looking at people that wasn't actually looking at them, but calculating the price of the clothes and jewelry and the value of the person themselves. "I rode on his merchant ship, and met his children. They talked to me on the way home, but I think there was an ulterior motive behind it all."
"Oh, and what was that?"
"They wanted to borrow your books. They may live on a merchant's ship, but they don't have much in the way of possessions. Meiden makes them pay for any trinkets they want to use from his ships, and he sells their stuff if he thinks he can make money off it. There was one room on the ship for the girls and one for the boys so they slept like cargo stacked, one on top of each other. I felt sorry for them, so I let them borrow the books. The oldest boy, Dryden, was coming by all the time. He said he was saving his money to buy a leviship of his own and start a business for himself." Eries played with her pale strands of blond hair that framed her face and fell into her eyes. "Dryden said it would have lots of open space inside and he'd have two dozen rooms just of his own quarters. And a library full of books that he'd never sell. He told me all about it."
"Sounds like you talked to him quite a bit," Marlene commented, a wry smile wringing her lips. "How old is he?"
"About my age. Well educated, but also rather immature and rude when he wasn't after something. Still, he was more interesting and pleasant to be around than any of the older men on the way back," Eries replied.
"Sister!" a voice called down the hallway, followed in a moment by its source, Millerna, who wore a pair of boy's trousers beneath her frilly dress. She flounced into the room, her golden curls bouncing about her face, and she plunked down next to Eries. "Welcome home, sister. Did you bring me a present?"
"Of course," Eries said while rummaging through the pockets of the satchel until she found Millerna's gift.
"A doll?" Millerna scoffed openly.
"I picked it up at the bazaar in Fried. Dryden told me about it. It's actually several dolls that nest inside one another. He called them Matreshka dolls."
"Wooden dolls," Millerna said dryly.
"There's another one inside. See?" Eries popped the doll in half to reveal another one inside. "Neat, huh?"
Millerna shrugged and began pawing through the pile of books that scattered the table. "Did you bring my book back?"
"Yes, Millerna," Eries said and joined in the search.
"Did you read it?"
"Of course, I read all these books. Some of them twice." She pulled Millerna's "Tales of Love and Honor" book from the pile.
"I remember that," Marlene said taking the book. "I used to love it when I was little. There was a story about a handsome knight and beautiful princess. And her father's sacrificing the princess to the hungry dragon. So the knight slays the dragon and saves the princess. And they run away and live happily ever after."
"I liked the one about the poor servant girl who bravely saves the life of the prince," Millerna said. "And the one where the princess's father won't let her marry her true love so she runs off with him, leaving behind all her royal pleasures for a simple life."
"They were so sweetly romantic," Marlene sighed and flipped through the pages of the book. "Which one did you like, Eries?"
"I thought they were ridiculous," Eries said bluntly. "That sort of thing doesn't happen in real life. And if it does there's nothing honorable about it."
Millerna looked at her with big eyes. "Why not?"
"It's irresponsible," Eries said sharply. "A princess is born to great privilege and great duty. And it's her responsibility to do what is best for her people. You marry a man who's good for your kingdom and love follows later. No princess would marry a poor man. No prince would go live with a swine-herder's daughter. No one gives it all up for love."
"Why not?" Millerna asked.
"What do you know?" Marlene asked there was bitterness in her voice. "Since when do you know anything about love?"
"I'm no expert on love, but I do know duty. And responsibility. For a princess, a marriage is a responsibility."
"One that you'll never know," Marlene said. "You'll never get married, Eries,"
"Why not?" Millerna asked, thoroughly confused.
"Because it'd have to be a forced marriage," Marlene laughed. "And because any man forced into marriage with her would run screaming from the bedchambers on their wedding night. There would a war declared in the name of his honor."
Millerna looked confused, and Eries shot her older sister a cold glare. Marlene knew better than to bring up things like that up. Not around Millerna, at least.
"I believe in love, even if Eries doesn't," Marlene continued. "Love doesn't have to mean abandoning your responsibilities. Not if the man you love is noble and brave and honorable and smart. Handsome is good, too. And if he's perfect, why would you have to give him up?" A dreamy look entered her eyes.
Millerna looked up at Eries. "I don't want to get married either. Boys are gross." She stuck out her tongue.
"Yeah." Eries stuck out her tongue too. "I won't ever fall in love with some guy."
"You're such children," Marlene said contemptuously and silenced them.
They watched as Millerna cracked open each doll and set them in a line along the edge of the table. The dolls were wooden girls with brightly painted faces and monk's robes. One had gold hair, the next black, the next one's head was covered. Each one was unique and each one a head shorter than the one before it. The smallest Millerna tried to pry apart, but it was not made to open.
"My ladies," came a male voice. Eries turned and saw a knight in the doorway. He must have been about her age, but he looked much older. Shoulder length blond hair, a handsome face, and the uniform of a Knight Caeli. "Eries Hime, your father sends word he wishes to speak with you."
Eries nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Marlene smile at the knight.
"Thank you, sir knight. What is your name?" Eries asked.
Marlene answered for him. "This is Allen Schezar, the newest and youngest member of the Knights Caeli. And the finest swordsman on Gaea."
"You're too kind," Allen said.
"Allen," Millerna piped up. "Open this, won't you?" She presented him with the doll.
"It doesn't open, Millerna," Eries said. "That's as small as they get."
"I bet there's another one in there. Chop it in half with your sword," Millerna demanded. "I want to know what's in there."
"If I chop it in half it will be broken," Allen said. "I wouldn't want to ruin your toy."
Millerna shrugged.
"You better get going, Eries," Marlene said. "Don't keep Father waiting any longer. And take Millerna with you."
"Why should I go see Father?" Millerna asked. "He asked for Eries, not me."
"Then just leave," Marlene said. "I'd like some peace and quiet." Eries saw her smile again at the knight, and the knight smile back as well.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Eries had hoped to find King Aston in a place where there were other people, where it wouldn't just be him and her. She hoped that would in the throne room; she always felt more confident there. Then it would feel like any other mission she went on; she would be the diplomat and Aston would sit like a fat toad, squashed in a throne that had been constructed for a god.
Instead, he waited for her, casually sipping his wine, in his study, in a chair where he was the larger, the dominant force, and she was the lowly beastgirl. He rose to meet her as she entered; he stood a full head taller. Aston dismissed the guards and shut the door with a loud thud. Eries' heart began to race.
"Two years," he growled. "Two damn years I spent forming that alliance with Fried. For two years I worked so Asturia would benefit! And in days you manage to destroy it completely!" His voice crescendoed louder and louder as he leaned closer to Eries' face She could smell the drink on his breath. "Damn you, girl!" He shoved her hard across the room and Eries crashed into the bookcase. She crumpled like a rag doll to the floor, not bothering to cover her head as books spilled on top of her.
Aston came closer. "Damn stupid girl. A thorn in my side. That's what you are."
"I'm sorry, Father," Eries choked out, tears spilling down her cheeks. Every ounce of strength was sapped from her body.
"Don't call me that."
"I apologize, King Aston," she whispered.
"If they would kill you, then I might find some value in you." He tipped a heavy book off the shelf and it smacked against her shoulder. His fingers crawled over to the next book and dropped if off the shelf, continuing the process as he spoke. "Then I could gain sympathy from the other kingdoms. They'd be up in arms. Killing an innocent princess, that'd be awful. And I, the grieving father, would play my part. We'd gut those miserable nations for all they're worth." He chuckled and tipped another book off the shelf and onto the back of her head before going back to his desk to find the wine.
Eries didn't move. She'd realized long ago that King Aston used her as an ambassador to keep the more dangerous allies at bay. They didn't dare kill her for fear of retribution, but Aston wouldn't shed any tears if they did. She played his game to get out of the palace and away from him, from those who knew her dark and dirty secret.
Aston and Marlene. As far she knew, they were only ones left who knew of her deformities, as she'd once called them. Now she knew it was just her mother's infidelity that made her different, that made her unclean. Marlene and Aston were apt to shove these facts in her face whenever they were alone. Or whenever they were angry or frustrated with her.
"I'm glad you're not really my daughter," Aston said with a drunken smile, coming to stand above her again, clutching a half empty bottle in his hand. He must have been drinking all morning for a second bottle sat on his desk, already empty. "I'd be ashamed of fathering something so stupid. But you're only a beastgirl. A stupid little beast I cannot tame. And now I have to go repair my little pet's mess. Damn foolish beastgirl. Damn foolish me." He kneeled beside her and pushed the bangs away from her face. "Foolish little thing."
Their eyes locked together. Eries could not tear her gaze away from his, and they sat on the floor like that for a long time, his hand cradling her face, his eyes digging deeply into her soul.
Aston's mood shifted once more and his eyes became angry. "Stand up." She didn't comply fast enough and received a smack across the face. "Ungrateful, wench. I've given you everything when you deserve nothing. I could have thrown you out on the street long ago, but I kept you. Made you a princess. Made you my ambassador. Gave you power and position your kind could only dream about. And you repay me with this insolent behavior! By being a thorn in my side!" Eries steeled herself for another blow.
He swung the wine bottle, but it hit the bookshelf instead of her and the bottom smashed apart. Aston looked at the jagged end of the bottle. "I could pull that thorn out right now," he said darkly.
"Daddy?" a soft voice questioned.
Eries looked across the room to where Marlene stood half hidden behind the door. Her eyes tried to avoid Eries and her voice pretended nothing was wrong.
"What is it, Marlene?" Aston asked, setting the broken wine bottle on the shelf.
"Yes, um, well," she searched the air for help. "I heard you might be going to see that Zaibach fortress. And I was worried about you since it might be dangerous there."
Aston's eyes trailed from Marlene down to Eries. "Don't worry, darling. I've decided to send your sister in my stead. And she's going to be a very good girl, right?" Eries nodded. "And not cause any more trouble for me since I have to go to Fried now?" Eries nodded again, the tears rolling down her face. "And she's not going to do anything to upset Zaibach now, is she?"
"I'll be good," Eries said, still nodding.
Aston smiled. "You'll leave in two weeks. You may go now."
Eries quickly joined her sister outside the door.
"If you'd be good in the first place this wouldn't happen," Marlene whispered fiercely, and offered her handkerchief so Eries could dry her eyes.
The blond knight, Allen Schezar, was waiting down the hall.
"Are you alright, Eries Hime?" he asked.
"She's fine," Marlene said hastily. "She just gets all worked up over politics. So emotional about all that negotiation stuff." Marlene laughed. "That's my sister; if her head's not buried in a book, it's in Father's business or some matter of state."
Allen smiled. "Ladies shouldn't worry about such things."
"I always tell her that, but she never listens." Marlene pushed Eries off down the hall. "Now off you go. Get yourself cleaned up, your face is getting all red and puffy."
Eries nodded, sensing her presence was not wanted anymore by Marlene. "Thank you, sister. May I borrow some more books from you? I think it's going to be a long trip to Zaibach."
Authors Notes: What I wanted to do with this story was make it fit with the plotline of the Vision of Escaflowne the best I could, and not only have the plot of that story affect Eries in this one, but have Eries's action in Neko Hime affect those in Escaflowne, without messing up the Escaflowne plotline. (um... it will make sense as you read more)
For example, there are several plot points in this chapter that are the cause of events in Escaflowne. I'll leave the most obvious one out (you should have gotten it anyway), but I will cite the less than obvious example. When Millerna later visits Fried the Duke comments on her eloquence and how magnanimous he finds her. In this chapter, he has obviously thought of Eries as less than eloquent, so that's why he's so impressed with Millerna later on.
There will be much better and more interesting ones later on. But you'll have to keep on reading. Don't worry, not all the chapters will be this long.
