Hikaru
Chapter Two: Fit for a king
"The Kingdom of Fanelia that you were born to continue… wears thin as time passes. Her greatness has stood for four years already, yet the nobles are getting hungry for power. It is your duty as a king to find a suitor, my lord."
"As always, Salvador… I leave my answer answerless," Van muttered, as he polished the edge of his sword with an old cloth, sitting on the floor like a soldier rather than a real King.
"Your highness, how can you vacillate at such a difficult time? The feudal fiefs are vying for power, even the Duke of Chid is being betrothed in his young age to secure a successor."
"Do you forget who secured peace in the kingdom long ago, Salvador?"
"Surely, no one can, sire… but at the same time, you must remember your duty."
"A king has a duty to protect, not to produce ridiculous amounts of offspring."
"Dynastic duty also."
"Why must you continue to pollute me with nonsense?"
"Sire…"
"Forgive me, Salvador. I grow irritated day by day. I haven't had a decent fight in ages. When is Allen next visiting?"
"Schezar is busy with some arrangements with the Kingdom of Narla… but my lord, please… listen to this advice."
"Speak of it once more, Salvador, and I shall leave this room."
"You must listen; it is truly for the good of the country. Forget this babble of love and…"
Van slammed the door behind him and disappeared in the corridor.
"The remnants of the past haunt me day by day."
"Surely Van-sama, it cannot be as bad as it seems!" Merle hugged him tightly as Van sat in his hunting fields, watching the sun fall behind the mountains.
"But honestly, Merle, a suitor? How could I possibly commit myself to someone that I do not love. My father would never stand for it. He married a Draconian after all, shocked every person in the kingdom, and to all them, a Draconian was as 'damned' as you could get. Besides… Hitomi was really the only one who loved my wings as much as you did, Merle."
"As much as she whines, I miss her too," her ear twitched, "if anyone is fit for you, the King of Fanelia, it has to be Hitomi."
"Hah, Merle, in that case, you are the only one who can decide who I am betrothed to!"
"Of course! My opinion matters the most!" She snuggled beside him as he placed his hand over her back in a brotherly fashion.
The hues in the firmament above flared gorgeously for one moment, and then the sun disappeared from sight.
Author's note: Hello everyone! I haven't written a fanfic in years. Honestly! Anyway, after watching Escaflowne again, I was immediately inspired to write once again! I've given up on my "works in progress" – those written when I was about 12 or so. Hopefully my writing style is bearable to follow and please enjoy the story! I would be very grateful for all your reviews! I