Chapter 1

I put two braids of my hair in the front and left the rest out behind my purple bow. My name is Cecilia, my friends call me Ceci. I saw my dad was still sleeping, so I snuck out to go see Raguna. I love Raguna! He saved me a few years ago. I was lost in Clemens Cave and he came and rescued me from being hurt by a giant monster.

"Hi Raguna!" I said. Raguna looked up from his crops. "Hey Ceci!" he said. "I'm almost done here. Want to go to the beach?" he asked. "Yes!" I said excitedly. I loved hanging out with Raguna! I love him! I just wish we weren't so apart in age… He's twenty and I'm six… but I love him! I really do!

After he finished, he walked with me to the beach. It's summer time, so we went swimming. After that, he made me lunch! Strawberry Milk and a PBJ! I love Raguna! I really do! How can I show him it though….?

***

I saw Raguna come in the library later that day. "Raguna!" I yelled with excitement as handed him a poorly wrapped package. "Thanks Ceci." he said as he began to open it. I gave him my most prized procession: my Lapis Lazuli. His eyes widened when he saw it. "It's a thank-you gift for saving me!" I said happily.

"Wow! Thank you so much Ceci! I don't know what to say!" he said. I smiled. "One sec. I'll be right back!" he said. Yeah! Maybe he was going to go get me a blue feather!!! I waited for him to come back and scoop me in his arms and carry me away. I waited… And waited… And waited some more…

"Tori?" I asked. "Y-Yes Ceci?" she said looking up from her book. "How long has it been since Raguna left?" I asked. Tori checked the grandfather clock. It's still hard for me to read it… "About two minutes… Why?" she said. "Oh… nothing…" I said. "It sure is taking him a long time…" I thought.

"Ceci?" my dad asked. "Yes daddy?" I answered. "Could you go pick up my bottle of medicine I ordered from the clinic?" he asked. "Sure thing daddy!" I said. Raguna will need to talk to my dad before he can marry me… right? I skipped to the Clinic next door. I looked through the window and found Raguna down on one knee.

"Lara… Will you marry me?" he asked. "WHAT?!" I exclaimed. "Oh! Yes Raguna! I thought you'd never ask!" Lara exclaimed. Raguna scooped her up and gave her a kiss. "Let's go tell your father!" he said after the kiss. "Well uh…" Lara said as she looked Dr. Edward. He nodded and she said, "Okay!"

They ran through the door, not seeing me, and ran to the chapel, holding hands… Lara had one my true love's heart… And it was because of my present, that he was able to propose to her… She always talked about wanting one… And she said when she had it, she would marry the man who gave it to her…

"Stupid!" I thought as I hit myself in the head. I began crying and ran to the bathhouse. For some reason, I always feel better after I go there… I ran to the bathhouse, forgetting my dad's request, and ran straight through the door and into the women's spa… I sat in the corner and began to cry even harder….

After a while, Melody came down stairs and saw me. "Are you okay Ceci?" she asked. I shook my head. "No!" I wept. I told her everything that happened and about my love for Raguna… I've never told anyone other than her that…

"Melody?" I asked, still crying. "Do you think he doesn't love me because… because I'm an elf?" Melody got a shocked look on her face. "No! Ofcoarse not!' she exclaimed. She dried my eyes and softly said, "He didn't base his love on race dear…." I looked up at her and smiled. "If you need more advice from another elf, I know just the girl you can ask!"

***

I ran to the De SainteCoquille mansion. Tabatha was the only other elf in this town. I told her about my secret love and about Lara… She and Melody were the only ones who know that today… I never told another living soul… She gave me advice similar to Melody's, I thanked her, and went home.

"Where have you been? I was worried sick!" my dad said. "Sorry dad… I just needed some girl advice…" I said. Dad's worried face, grew sad. He understood when I had to go to the other girls in town for advice. I don't remember my mother, and he never talks about my childhood…

I ate my cold dinner and then went to bed. Once dad was asleep, I sat up and looked at my bear, Mr. Stuffykins. He has light brown fur, two black button eyes and nose, light crème colored paws and tummy. He's really old and has had to have "bear-surgery" many times. Dad say's I've had it since the first time he saw me. I love Mr. Stuffykins. Maybe I am too old for stuff animals, but I don't think so.

"Mr. Stuffykins." I said to my bear. "Do you think Raguna love me?" I talked to my imaginary bear and he told me the same thing as Melody and Tabatha. 'Raguna loves me, but I'm too young for marriage. And I'll meet a wonderful young man someday when I'm older. It's not because I'm an elf.'. I sighed. "Thanks" I said as I hugged my bear. I yawned and drifted to sleep."Thanks…"

Author's Note:

MR. STUFFYKINS!!! Aw I love how little kids name bears and pets silly names like this one… It's so cute! This story has NO relation to my last Rune Factory Story. This one is obviously about Ceci's love for Raguna. Well, I hope you like it! (It will begin to be more in RF2 later on…) This would be Year 2.