"Lord Van? Oh there you are Lord Van!" Merle peeked around the corner of the porch in curiosity. A wide delicately pointy grin plastered over her face. He beamed happily back at her. Ten years had changed her from a cute girl of thirteen into a beautiful and talented woman of twenty-three. She wore her vibrant pink waist-length hair clasped back into a loose pony-tail. It waved in semi-formed ringlets down her back. Merle's dress was knee-length as always, worn leather belt clinging to her hips.

"Merle, I'm glad to have you back. How was your trip?" Merle purred loudly and gave him one of her infamous hugs.

"It was wonderful Lord Van. I did some more paintings. Asturia's ocean was inspiring. I painted some for you. That is if you want them." Merle had become an exceptional artist over the years. She was very talented with a paintbrush.

"I would love to have them Merle. I'll hang them up along with all the other ones." He had quite the collection. Merle did everything from portraits of people to landscapes of the Fanalian forests. Van had dozens of her paintings hanging along the hallway walls of the castle.

"So, how's that little boy of mine? I'm sure he missed his Aunty." Merle enjoyed seeing Van's face go soft and fatherly when she mentioned his son. I always knew he would make a good father.

"Yeah, he did Merle. He cried all night after you left. He's very fond of you."

She laughed at that. "I've missed the little tyke too. Is he around? I brought him something back." Merle produced a little polished gem from inside her belt pouch around her waist.

"No Merle, he's probably asleep. The queen is putting him to bed as we speak."

Her eyes went wide. "He's with her? Right now?" Alarm sharpened her voice. Her tone caught his attention. He immediately became concerned.

"Yes, she always puts him to bed. Is something wrong Merle?" Van's eyes darted towards the queen's room.

Merle stepped out in front of him. "No, it's nothing really. I'll give it to him tomorrow. You should go to sleep. You look exhausted." She shifted from side to side each time Van tried to look around her.

"I'll just check on them on my way to bed," he said with suspicion.

Merle gave out a tiny squeal and she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, stopping him in his tracks. " Please don't Lord Van. Please. I'm sure they're fine." Her eyes pleaded with him.

"Merle…" Van was starting to get annoyed with her antics. He unhinged Merle's paint stained hands from his shirt and made his way quickly into the castle. Merle's ears drooped with anxiety and sadness. What he finds is gonna break his heart.

Van's boots made echoing taps on the wooden floors. His head turned in anticipation around the corner. Van's breath escaped him. His eyes and mouth opened wide in disbelief. In the hallway, his wife stood in the doorway of her room. She wasn't alone. There was a man standing there with her, engaging her in a passionate kiss.

She froze...

Leaning back from the man, she looked at Van with a look of horror on her face.

"How could you?" he stammered, his expression pained. He knew about the other man already, but watching the scene play out before him . How could he describe the emptiness that was engulfing him? He couldn't pretend anymore. This marriage is a lie. It's fake. A marriage of duty, not love.

In desperation, she reached out towards him, her lips puckered into a sad frown. "My Lord I can…I can explain."

He didn't want to hear it. "There is no need." Rage bubbled against his stoic expression. Pivoting on his heels, he stormed off.

He ran. Van put all his focus into each pounding step he slammed into the floorboards. His future unravelled before him, bleak and lonely.

"Lord Van!" Tears welled at the corners of Merle's eyes. She stood waiting in lonely hallway, awaiting his presence. Van didn't stop.

"Wait Lord Van! Come back! Lord Van!" He didn't respond. He didn't care. Merle sat down in a hopeless heap. She wept for him. She understood his pain.

Out in the empty courtyard Van felt tears sting his eyes. He knew that this might happen. That he would eventually catch her infidelity and be forced to face it. Why did I agree to this? Van felt ashamed and wondered if this was what he deserved. He crunched his gloved hand into a tight fist. How can I escape this cursed fate? The last thing he wanted to do was go back to the castle. How was he to face her now after he had run away?

"I wish…" he began. No, I can't wish. It wouldn't be right. He clasped a hand around his pendant. I promised myself that I wouldn't. Without realising it he started to grind his teeth in frustration. Hearing his teeth clash against one another, he stopped himself. Van trudged off deeper into the courtyard. He couldn't keep his focus. The garden was too quiet, too alive. Flowers and leaves swayed, refusing to keep still.

The mystic moon glared down at him, and plagued his thoughts. If I could only see her one last time. He gave his pendant a considering look. To see her face again. I've always wondered how she's doing. His mouth curved into a smile as the pendant started to glow around his neck. Yes, I'll pay her a visit and tell her that I've missed her. Truly he did. Her absence had created a void inside him. A void he didn't know how to fill.

"I wish to go to the mystic moon. I wish to see her again. Please take me there. I need to see her again." The pendant slowly lifted off his chest and suspended itself into the air. The hazy red glow around it became fuller He felt the hairs on his arms prickle as the air became icy around him. A blinding white light swarmed around him and tugged him off his feet. Van's smile was one of pure happiness. He watched with no regret as the courtyard became smaller and smaller.

Merle saw the bright light filter into the hallway through an adjacent window. She burst out into the castle courtyard, calling out his name to no end. Eyes blinded by the white light she stopped calling. There was no use. Merle waved up at him with a bitter-sweet smile on her face. Tears began anew. She was happy for him.

"Lord Van, you wanted to see her again didn't you?" Her whisper was softer than velvet.

"Tell her I said 'hello'." Her bottom lip curled in a whimper. "I promise I'll take care of him for you. I promise." The light vanished from the sky, leaving her alone in the courtyard.

I will see you again won't I?

To be continued...