Chapter Two

She was getting used to Fanelian dresses, she mused to herself as she studied her reflection in the mirror. After the ceremony to celebrate the return of King Gau and her arrival, things have become more settled and, well, normal in Fanelia. After staying for nearly six months in the kingdom, she was no longer surprised by the lack of formality in this kingdom. Courtly rules and behavior was almost nonexistent here, which took a while for Eries to get used to, being raised as the proper Asturian princess that she was.

She missed home and her sisters, but it seemed that slowly, she was carving out a separate life of her own here. Even at her young age, she knew all the implications and the importance of her possible marriage to Folken. Even if politically and economically, Fanelia was considered a backward country, she knew that an alliance through marriage would also ultimately be an advantage not just for Fanelia, but for Asturia as well.

There was a knock on the door. A smile lit up her face. He was always on time. Although she was already well-acquainted with the people and the places of Fanelia, Folken always made a point to be with her, and she enjoyed his company. Whether it was his attending of his duties, practicing his sword fighting or going through the books and scrolls in the library, they were always together. If it were anyone else, she would've been tired of their company and longed to be alone. But it was Folken. He knew when to speak, and whatever he said always interested her or made her laugh.

She opened the door. "Good morning!" Folken greeted, holding up a pile of envelopes tied with a blue ribbon. "Your letters arrived today."

"Oh! Thank you." She said, smiling. She saw Allen's familiar handwriting at the very top of the pile which made her smile even more. "I guess I'll have things to do while you're gone, then."

He nodded. "They're just getting the horses ready. We'll be showing you to the temple the next time." Today was the day of the annual visitation to the temple of Escaflowne. It was a strictly private affair which involved only the highest officials and the royal family to offer prayers to their god. Eries also knew that this was the time of the year when important matters would be discussed regarding the future of the royal family. She knew, one of these matters would be deciding whether this arranged marriage would be a prudent decision.

Whether she would like to admit it or not, Eries was nervous. No one really knew why King Gau agreed to the arrangement in the first place, when he himself made an unconventional match of his own. Fanelia's current reputation was that it did not stand too much on conventional political and social rules, and the very fact that the engagement even existed was a wonder. She did not know how the decision was going to be made. A rejection would be unbearable, she would not be able to show her face to the kingdom… and she would rather not think about it.

Noticing her sudden silence, Folken put one hand over hers and smiled encouragingly. Eries was startled by this action, as while she now considered Folken one of her closest friends (and as far as friends go, she really only had Allen and his mother, Encia), he was not one to show gestures like these.

He took his leave then and as she closed the door behind him, Eries suddenly thought of Millerna, and how someday, she would lose her childhood like this, too.


Folken had been silent all the way to the temple and during the ceremonies. While this was not unusual of Folken's character, there was a palpable heaviness with his silence.

People had always said that the grooming of Folken as the future king of Fanelia had an almost rushed quality to it, like there wasn't enough time for the first son to be learned in his duties as future king. Many people considered it odd that he should be considering marriage at the young age of ten. Then again, Folken seemed far older than his age.

When the rituals were finally done, the king and his councilors then set to discussing matters regarding the kingdom. It was a mere outlining, since this discussion itself was also a ritual. There were still many council meetings to come.

Folken was intently listening to his father when he felt his mother's eyes upon him. "How was Eries when you left her?" she asked softly.

"She is well." Folken replied, not looking at her. He sensed that she seemed to want to say more, but she remained quiet and was eventually taking part in the discussion as well.

Three raps on the table. He felt himself tensing up. He knew what was next on the agenda:

His possible engagement and marriage to Eries Aria Aston, princess of Asturia.


She tried to forget what was being decided on that day and devoted herself entirely to the reading and re-reading of her letters from home. Most comforting were the letters from her elder sister Marlene, and from Encia Schezar, her mentor and friend.

Encia had been her private tutor since she was a little girl, and Eries had always aspired to be like her. Her love of books and quietness came mainly from Encia, who showed her the different worlds her mind could be opened to. She was also very good friends with Encia's eldest son, Allen, although she couldn't think of anyone who could be any opposite of herself, and despite their disagreements, they were each other's confidante.

Marlene's letters were full of fondness and news of the kingdom, while Allen's was distracted and full of descriptions and stories that made her laugh. Encia's, as always, was sweet and philosophical, but somehow suffused with certain sadness, a sadness that she would only understand later in her life. Little Millerna also had a letter for her: a drawing of a scenery of the garden from her bedroom. "We miss you, Eries!" was written in an awkward hand, making Eries feel a sudden pang of loneliness and homesickeness.

When she set to writing letters, she found her mind could not be set still. The words she meant to write suddenly denied being set down in ink, no matter how she tried. She was pacing around her room for nearly half an hour when she decided to go out for air. The walk somehow turned itself into a desire to go out horseback riding and indeed she was well on her way out of the stables with her white mare when she met Balgus along the way.

"Princess Eries." He seemed startled to see her, and bowed slightly. "Out for exercise?"

Eries suddenly felt guilty even though she wasn't doing anything out of order. "Master Balgus." She inclined her head slightly. "Yes. I think I need some fresh air. I will be back shortly."

"Would you need an escort, Princess?" Balgus said, surprised by this unexpected burst of independence from the Asturian royal.

"No, an escort would not be needed, thank you." Eries shook her head. "I'm already well-acquainted with these parts, and I promise to stay near." She added, just for good measure. Please let me go, please let me go… she prayed silently.

"Well…" Balgus looked unconvinced. "As you wish, Princess." He finally said, albeit a bit begrudgingly.

"Thank you. Good day, Master Balgus." And with that, she set off. When she was sure she was out of his sight and out of the city proper, she rode at full speed.


"As we all know," Gau began, not looking directly at his eldest son. "That freedom is something that my father, and his fathers, has fought for hundreds of years for our kingdom. Not just by freedom by name, but a freedom that would be enjoyed by all of our people, each and every one."

Folken remained silent, eyes suddenly set on the surface of the smooth wooden table. The events that led to this moment suddenly flashed in his mind.

It was his first state visit accompanying his father. Asturia, being the kingdom closest to their own, and one which they had traded with, and so an insurance of friendly relations was vital. It only lasted for two days, consisting mainly of never-ending council meetings. Folken, despite his dislike of Asturia's society, was impressed by its bustling cities and advanced development. Perhaps not as advanced as other countries, but going at a pace which he approved of.

He could see that his father was a bit wary of the politicians in Asturia. Indeed, while there was nothing lacking in King Gou's leadership and governance skills, his public relations skills still left much to be desired. The truth of the matter was, no one took Fanelia seriously. It was a small country and had nothing to boast of other than its strong military tradition and natural resources.

It was in a party when he first saw her. He was first struck by the color of her hair, which was a curious mix of silver and gold, and glinted in the candlelight. He had overheard a conversation between her and another boy her age, yellow-haired and whom he now knew as Allen. Allen had been teasing her for stealing away a book to the party, and being snobbish to the members of her father's council.

"You will never be married that way." Allen had teased. "You will be too busy reading your books to dance with anyone."

"I don't think my father intends to give me away. He doesn't think anyone will want to have me." Eries had retorted, and while it was a remark wryly made, something about it pained Folken. She seemed so resigned, so bitter, even, for someone her age. He resolved to go and ask her for a dance, but before he could even do so, she had already slipped away from the party with Allen.

"We all know why you are doing this, Folken." His father's voice brought him out of his reverie. His head snapped up, and found that everyone was looking at him. "But you needn't barter your happiness for anything. There are other ways of creating a better future for our country."

"Fanelia has been too long out of the loop with the other countries." Folken said firmly, even though he really felt quite small inside. "This is the best way, one of the strongest ways of ensuring an alliance with Asturia, which in turn, would be favorable to us when dealing with other countries."

Gou winced, as if hearing such a cold assessment from his son pained him, and it did. Varie said nothing and merely watched on. The other council members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. "Marriage is not to be taken as a mere token of politics, my son." Gou said softly, and he exchanged a look with his wife, and smiled faintly.

"I am aware of that, father." Folken said. He knew. He knew how important it was, to his father, that freedom to choose whom one loves. He took a deep breath. He had to say it. "Were it anyone else but the Princess Eries I would never even have expressed any wish to be affianced. Its obvious advantage to our country only strengthened my resolve." He looked straight into his father's eyes. "I do wish to marry Eries, and no other will do for me."

The council members seemed surprised by this revelation, but his parents were not. "Folken, you are young." His father said finally, after studying his son for a few moments. "While we have the advantage of withdrawing the engagement any time you please, we wish to avoid humiliating the princess."

"I am aware of that." Folken nodded. "Please do not think that I am curtailing my freedom by doing this. That is not the case. On the contrary, please consider this as an exercise of that freedom."

Gou was about to say something when Varie placed a hand over her husband's. A look passed between the two of them, and it seemed that something had already been settled without words. Gou nodded heavily to his son. "Then we shall respect your wishes. The council and the kingdom hereby bless your engagement to Princess Eries Aston."


She rode fast and furious, the wind whistling past her ears.

I had only wanted to be what they expected of me.

Folken and the kingdom had been so kind to her for the past six months, yet she could not drown out her own self-doubts. She had created everything around her so carefully, not even for her father to be loving or indulgent of her. Just to be tolerant. That what was all she wanted.

She learned carefully, at her young age, all the rules, written or unwritten, what to do, what not to do. She was aware of her power, her politics, and what her place was within the Asturian court. While Marlene performed the part of the charmer, she played the part of the politician, always actively being involved in even the smallest functions that her father was in. At the age of ten, she knew what path she wanted to take.

That was why the offer of marriage took her by surprise, an unexpected note to her plans. She had not even met Prince Folken, and knew only that she was near his age. Marlene had just been engaged herself, and no one was expecting another marriage proposal until several more years.

So she took it without a word, dutifully, as was expected of her. She was upset when people made suppositions that it was a poor match in comparison to her older sister's, and that the reason the king agreed was that he wanted to get rid of her. It seemed to her that she had to re-create her role once again.

And if she went back without an engagement to Folken, she knew that there was no way for her to save face. It was a public humiliation and a stain to her record.

Folken is my friend, but…

She suddenly slowed down, realizing that the sky, through the trees, was dimming. Knowing the perils of the forest, she immediately nudged her horse back into the opposite direction.


She found Folken in the library, in the dead of the night.

She tried looking for her friend since she returned, but he would not see her. Instead, she received a note asking her to meet him in the library, midnight.

Goodness, we both look like ghosts. Eries thought to herself when she caught sight of him, busily scribbling something on a piece of parchment. It had not been an easy day for him, she thought. She seated herself across him, saying nothing.

When she was beginning to think that maybe Folken just asked for her to watch him scribble, he finally broke the silence. "I wanted to give you something without anyone else seeing." He drew out an intricately carved wooden box, and pushed it towards her. He seemed shy when she opened it.

Inside were two carved earcuffs, glittering golden in the candlelight. She looked quickly up to him. "Those are the jewelry one who is engaged to a Fanelian prince wears." He explained, looking at the box intently.

"It's beautiful." She breathed, taking one into her hands. They were delicate things, with intricate carvings in a language she did not recognize.

"I know we're both aware of the political implications of our engagement." Folken went on. "But you are my friend, and I value your opinion and your happiness. I asked father to allow me to ask you first before he announces anything."

She slowly lowered the piece back into its box, not meeting his eyes. "Folken, why do you ask this of me? You know what my answer will be."

"Forget your duties first and tell me what would make you happy. I do not want to deprive you of your own freedom to choose." He said.

"I cannot forget my duties, my lord." Eries began carefully. "My country's well-being is more important than my happiness."

"But I would not have an unhappy wife for a queen." Folken said. He seemed sad when he said this.

"Folken…" she finally broke through the formality. "Nothing would make me happier than to be a worthy man's wife. My father could have made a worse match." She involuntarily shuddered as she said this. "Much, much worse. I will wear these," she said, taking the earcuffs and sliding them on. "As a sign of my promise to you. Someday, I'll marry you."

He looked at her for a moment, studying her. And then, Folken took her hand and kissed it. They were children no more. Yet as Eries smiled at Folken's sign of affection, inside, inexplicably, she felt like crying.


Author's notes: Wow, updating after… THREE YEARS! He he. I don't know why, but I knew I would continue this fanfic sooner or later.

For ten-year-olds, Folken and Eries sound so old and world-weary, eh? Anyway, I made changes in their ages (originally, Folken is older than Eries by four years), but for the sake of the fic, I made them the same age, since it can more or less still be acceptable in canon form.

Earcuffs: I didn't know what else to call them. p