Beyond Aeaea
DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.
NOTE: Now, things get exciting for me. For the next few chapters, I will try my best to strike a balance between some action, some drama, and a fair bit of comedy. I never really intended for this story to be a serious (and cheesy) as it turned out to be.
At first, it was really more of a crack fic and was meant to be a lot shorter and much funnier. But I guess it has evolved into something else (although still weird) and I'm quite proud of how it turned out. I'm also glad that there are people who were interested into this strange little piece.
So I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's going to be a bit funny and also a bit serious because I'm building up the tension for the end of the story which is coming very, very soon.
Chapter Seventeen
"And just where do you think you're going, sister?"
Eries turned to see her younger sister frowning sternly, arms folded, and exuding an air of utmost disapproval. The older princess smiled with great amusement at the strange role reversal that had just taken place.
How Millerna had managed to find out that she was about to leave was a mystery to Eries, but the latter was also slightly impressed. She had been so very discreet about this particular trip.
And she had been caught just as she was about to ride her carriage. Such perfect timing.
"To our rest house in the outskirts of Palas," Eries answered calmly, "I've been meaning to go there for quite some time now but I haven't been well enough for the journey these past few days. This morning, however, I felt much better and I decided that this is probably the best time to go."
"To travel by carriage in your condition?" Millerna exclaimed, looking appalled.
"I'm pregnant, Millerna, not handicapped," Eries answered calmly, "besides, it is not a long journey, just several hours through the woods. We won't be meeting any other travelers at this time of year, and I expect it shall be a very pleasant and relaxing journey."
"But why go there when you are so close to your due date?" the sister continued to interrogate.
"Precisely because I want my child to be born there," Eries replied, placing a hand on her bulging belly, "in a small, simple house, surrounded by nature and in the tranquility of the country, far away from the hustle bustle of the capital. Because the child will have to face all this chaos soon enough, so I had planned not to let him or her experience it from the very moment he or she is born."
"Why did you not tell me of this then?" Millerna asked in concern.
"I was certain that not everyone would approve of my decision so I was quiet about it," Eries explained, "and I didn't want to burden you with my plans. I certainly did not want our father to know about this."
"So this was to be a secret from everyone?" Millerna asked again, slightly offended at being left out.
"Not everyone, of course," Eries answered with a smile, "my husband is perfectly aware of the plan and has given his approval. He is currently away on business but he hopes to return in time for the birth of our child. Everything has been worked out accordingly."
"Well, in that case," the younger sister said, "I insist on accompanying you on this journey."
She had expected resistance or protest but Eries merely smiled and held the carriage door open to her. Millerna looked at her sister curiously
"I would be glad of your company, sister," Eries remarked gratefully, "you are very welcome to join me."
"I hope I won't be interfering with any of your other secret plans?" Millerna asked carefully.
"Of course not," Eries said with a small laugh, "to be honest, the only reason I refused to let you know about this was because I knew you would accompany me and I did not want to disrupt your schedule. Are you sure that you do not have any other matters to attend to?"
"How can anything be more important than the health and safety of my own sister?" was Millerna's quick reply, "and I'm not about to miss the birth of my new nephew or niece? I didn't get a chance to see Prince Chid's birth so I'm making sure I am there for your child."
"Well, then," Eries answered, smiling affectionately, "I suppose I have no choice."
"No, you don't," Millerna replied stubbornly, but returning her sister's smile, "besides, I would have found out sooner or later, you know."
"Perhaps," Eries conceded.
Millerna then wondered whether it was her sister's plan to have her come along in the first place, and this had been an indirect invitation. She shrugged it off. It didn't really matter for as long as they would be together during the journey. It was, after all, just a short one, and bound to be uneventful.
In a few moments, they had ridden the carriage and began the short trip to the royal family's small and discreet rest house on the outskirts.
Both sisters were glad for each other's company since they had hardly had a chance to really converse since Eries had returned. Somehow both of them had been too busy with their duties and attending various events and functions to really speak to one another.
At one point, Millerna felt that she was able to communicate more to her sister in their letters than when Eries was actually in Asturia. And of course, whenever Folken visited, Millerna could never pull her sister away.
But she was eager to catch up with Eries now, and the latter returned her sentiments.
"We shall not be bored at all on this trip," Millerna said excitedly, "there is so much I want to talk to you about."
"It seems so," Eries replied calmly, "we have barely had a chance to speak the whole time I've been here. What news do you have for me?"
"Oh, sister," Millerna answered, "I don't want to talk about me today. Things here in Asturia have been progressing just as expected, nothing really changes, and you would know about that more than anyone. No, we shall not talk of Asturia today. You must tell me more about your life, about Zaibach, about everything."
"Well, certainly not everything, of course," Eries replied with amusement, "or else we shall have to speak for days on end."
They both had a laugh at this and the sharing of stories began. Millerna was an eager listener and seemed to be fascinated by every observation Eries had about her new life. It amused Eries that her sister seemed so interested in Zaibach, so she decided to dwell more on the pleasant aspects of her life.
For the moment, she would leave out the darker details, and all the suspicions she had about Emperor Dornkirk's plans. There was no need to burden Millerna with that information.
So Eries focused on the technological innovations of the empire as well as some amusing characters (General Adelphos, for one). She also told her sister about the twin cat-girls, who had been hostile and possessive at first, but then eventually warmed up to her. In fact, when they heard of her pregnancy, Naria and Eria sent their best wishes and expressed a desire to see and play with the child once he or she was born.
Millerna's eyes widened like that of a little girl as she listened to all the interesting stories her sister had to share about her life. She had never heard this many details from Marlene, who had written often but only seemed mildly content with her life at the start.
Something had changed about Eries ever since her marriage, Millerna thought. The older sister seemed happier somehow. And it was still difficult to imagine how this could be considering what a dark and forbidding place Zaibach still seemed.
And even in spite of the public display of affection Folken had made during the council several months ago, Millerna was still slightly doubtful about her brother-in-law. But then again, Eries seemed very happy with him.
At length, Eries noted her sister growing pensive as she listened to some of the stories. The older sister knew immediately what was plaguing Millerna.
"You must be too shy to ask," Eries said, opening the subject herself, "but I'm sure you're very curious about my husband, aren't you?"
Millerna blushed slightly at being so discovered but she nodded timidly.
"There's no need to be embarrassed about it, my dear," Eries said with a laugh, "I know how much he gives an air of mystery. Everyone is curious about him. And I think that to some extent he enjoys the attention."
"But you can be quite mysterious too, sister," Millerna commented.
Eries laughed at this.
"I confess, that is true," she said, "and maybe that's what makes us so compatible."
Millerna smiled at this. For all the seriousness and mystery of Lord Folken, the fact that he could have such a pleasant effect on Eries had great merit.
"But all jests aside," Eries continued in a graver tone, "Folken is a very complicated man but he is not as frightening as he seems. When you get to know him, in fact, he is such a kind and gentle soul. But he has been through a lot in his life and he has learned the hard way that there are certain appearances you have to keep up in order to survive, some masks that need to be worn."
The younger princess looked at her sister in concern and saw that Eries had grown very pensive.
"I should know that well," the older princess continued, "and so it was when we were both completely honest with each other that everything else fell into place. I do firmly believe that no other man would suit me."
"You really do love him, don't you?" Millerna asked in earnest.
"Yes, yes, I do, very much," Eries answered immediately, without the slightest hint of hesitation, "he is truly the best man I have ever known."
Millerna could not help but smile warmly at her sister. The young girl squeezed Eries' hand affectionately, again expressing her happiness for her. She had never seen Eries so affected by anyone, and she hoped for the best.
Because if anyone truly deserved to be happy, Millerna thought, it was Eries, without a doubt.
"And contrary to what other people may think," Eries continued, "he loves me too. He has always shown it to me, and that's all that really matters, I think."
"I don't think many people doubt that after what happened in the council last time," Millerna said with a grin.
Eries could not help but laugh again as she recalled that preposterous incident.
"I have to admit that it had surprised me too," Eries said, "I've never known Folken to be so impulsive. But there was this strange twinkle in his eyes that convinced me outright. He was hardly mischievous but when the rare opportunity presents itself, I will always cooperate."
"You seem to know each other so well, even after so short an acquaintance," Millerna observed, but in a tone more of curiosity than suspicion.
"That's true," Eries conceded, choosing her words carefully before proceeding. She felt that it was not yet the time to speak of the dream or the strange island. In fact, as time passed, that memory grew fainter and fainter and it might be unnecessary to mention it at all.
"We were very open to each other at the start of the marriage," Eries explained, "somehow we both saw it as more than just a political arrangement so we wanted to know as much about the other as possible. After all, we were going to spend the rest of our lives together. It might as well be a worthwhile relationship."
"And that's how you both fell in love?" Millerna asked a little more eagerly than she had wanted to sound.
"Well, not exactly, although you could say that," Eries answered, searching for words. She paused to compose her thoughts.
"I don't think we fell in love in the same way that most people do," she explained more clearly, "we felt a gradual connection and a mutual respect and esteem for each other, one that grew the more we learned about each other. It seems rather boring to talk about, I know. Nothing in that grandiose or romantic fashion that people like so much."
"It certainly is something different," Millerna said, "but seeing how wonders have come about from your unusual process, I think it works better than most haphazard love affairs. Yours seems destined to last."
"I'm glad you think so," Eries replied with a smile, "and I guess the experience is different for different people."
"Maybe it was complicated because only complex and intelligent people like the two of you would be able to make any sense of it," Millerna remarked with a smile, "and it turned out to be a deeper love than anyone ever expected."
"A deep love," Eries repeated, somewhat thoughtfully, "yes, I suppose you could say that."
"And I can only hope to have even half of what you have," Millerna repeated a wish she had had ever since she had noticed Eries' happiness, "perhaps someday, with the right person."
"I'm sure you will, my dear," Eries reassured her, "and you needn't go through all the twisting paths that we had to pass. I don't mean to imply that you are simple, of course. You're my sister, how could you be? Just that the love you seek will find you in a way you don't really expect."
"That's something to look forward to, then, isn't it?" Millerna replied brightly.
"Of course it is," Eries said, embracing the younger girl affectionately.
At that moment, their carriage came to a sudden halt. The two princesses were immediately concerned, and Eries opened her window to check.
"What's the matter?" she asked the coachman, "why have we stopped?"
"I'm sorry, my lady," the coachman replied, "but there's a man here who needs some assistance. It seems he has lost his means of transportation."
Curious but cautious, both princesses alighted the carriage to see the stranger. At the sight of the young man, their eyes widened in recognition.
"Well, well, who would have thought I'd bump into you here?" Dilandau asked with dark amusement.
They made the necessary courtesies, bowing and curtseying slightly. The coachman was relieved that the princesses seemed acquainted with the stranger.
Millerna was shocked and shy all of a sudden. She had not seen Dilandau since the incident at the council and she was not sure if he remembered her. If he did, he made no sign of it.
"Serendipitous indeed," Eries replied, unfazed by his smirk, "but what brings you all the way here, Lord Dilandau?"
"Faulty technology," he replied curtly, but with a mischievous grin.
Eries rolled her eyes.
"With you any new technology doesn't stand a fighting chance," she commented, "which Alseides prototype did you destroy this time?"
"It isn't my fault if the flight function wasn't working properly," Dilandau said, renouncing any responsibility.
"I'm sure you weren't supposed to take it out of the Vione yet, were you?" Eries asked him suspiciously.
"How else are you supposed to test flight function without taking to the sky?" was his witty retort.
Eries shook her head and sighed. So much for an uneventful trip. Nevertheless, she was greatly amused by the turn of events.
"You're determined to give General Adelphos another headache, aren't you?" she teased.
"One of life's small pleasures," Dilandau replied mischievously.
"The poor man," Eries replied sarcastically, "I'd feel sorry for him if he wasn't such a pompous boor."
Dilandau grinned widely at this, glad to see that once again, the lady was on his side.
"What are you doing traveling anyway, in your condition?" the young captain asked, "you look just about to burst."
"Which is why I'd like to reach my destination as soon as possible," Eries replied calmly, "and you are welcome to join us, of course. We can contact your beloved superior when we reach the rest house."
"That is, of course," Eries added suddenly, "if you don't mind more company, Millerna? Captain Albatou can be quite a pain."
Dilandau glared at her but said nothing.
The younger princess blushed immediately.
"It would be no trouble at all," Millerna said shyly, "I would be very glad to have Captain Albatou in our company."
Eries noted this change in Millerna's tone with concern. As much as she was fond (and tolerant) of Dilandau, Eries did not want her sister to show any particular interest in him. She could only be thankful knowing that he would never encourage her.
"Well, then, I guess it's settled," Dilandau said audaciously.
"I suppose there's no harm in having a bodyguard of sorts," Eries teased.
"Whatever you say," Dilandau replied gruffly.
They all rode the carriage once more, Millerna blushing furiously as Dilandau had to sit beside her since Eries needed much space. The older sister watched them carefully, and with some amusement.
It was going to be a very interesting trip, indeed.
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"Is something troubling you, Folken?"
"No, your Highness," Folken replied calmly.
The Strategos faced the screen with the raspy voice seriously, after having delivered a number of important reports. He had been there for hours already, fulfilling his responsibilities, and executing many of the emperor's crucial plans.
He wondered why Emperor Dornkirk would ask him such a thing all of a sudden.
"Are you sure?" the old man continued, "because lately, you have seemed rather…distracted."
"I apologize if it seems that way, my lord," Folken answered, "but I am also thinking of the birth of my child. My wife is due very soon and some changes in living arrangements will have to be made."
He had been away at work for weeks now and he had not been able to visit Eries. He tried his best not to show any sign of pining for her or too much concern.
The slight tinge of threat in Dorkirk's last comment had not escaped him.
Distracted. Under no circumstances could he risk seeming so. While Folken was unsure of what Emperor Dornkirk would ask him to do once the child was born, he would make sure that nothing would seem to change in terms of his service. He knew what Zaibach was capable of, and never had he been so anxious for himself before now.
"Ah, yes, congratulations," the Emperor said coldly.
"Thank you, sir," Folken answered, slightly nervous about where this was all going, "has any of my recent work been unsatisfactory?"
"No," Dornkirk replied, "your performance has been exemplary, as always."
"Thank you, sir," the Strategos answered coolly. But there was something clearly bothering the Emperor, and he needed to find out what it was.
"And I hope that none of your new family circumstances will alter the quality of your work for the Empire. You are well aware that for our ideal future to be realized, every single detail must be worked out. The slightest adjustment can alter the whole course of destiny."
"I am well aware of that, sir," Folken replied calmly, "and you can be assured of my utmost cooperation. I will make sure that nothing stands in the way of our ideal future."
"Good," the Emperor replied curtly, "that will be all."
Folken made a bow as the image of the emperor disappeared from the large screen.
There it was at last, that silent, hanging threat over him. Folken had been expecting this but not so soon. He needed to be very, very careful not to betray how he truly felt. Because the more time passed, the less he was convinced by the Emperor's grand plans for a new world and for the Destiny Prognostication Engine.
Folken had begun to feel that his ideal future was a simple one, a life lived with Eries and their child. It was possible for something good in the world.
But he would not risk letting anyone know of this dangerous realization. He needed to keep up appearances so that he could protect his family. Right now, they were all that really mattered.
He just hoped that he would do a better job of convincing Dornkirk of his loyalty. But Folken was also beginning to think that if it reached a point that he would have to choose between his indebtedness to the Emperor and his love for his family, he would choose the latter. And the consequences then will surely be dire.
The Strategos shook his head, banishing all such unpleasant thoughts. There were other errands to attend to, other orders to follow. And the sooner he finished his tasks, the sooner he could return to his beloved Eries. He would figure everything out later on.
Unfortunately for Folken, Emperor Dornnkirk was not fully convinced of his Strategos' absolute loyalty. At first the marriage with the Asturian princess had seemed like a very useful political maneuver. And even the child that was about to be born was a beneficial addition, to keep up appearances and to solidify the alliance with Asturia.
But now, there was a change with Folken, and Dornkirk frowned upon this.
At this stage in their plans, when all the pieces were moving into place, when soon only the dragon was needed to complete the puzzle, they could not afford even the slightest change.
All his hard work, all his dreams were about to be realized, and he would not let anyone, even a princess and her child, stand in the way of his destiny.