Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ FF8: Tales Of The Surly Knight ❯ Act II: Courtship ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: All FF8 characters are courtesy of Squaresoft Enix

 

 

Tales of the Surly Knight

 

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,

Men are deceivers ever,

One foot in sea, and one on shore,

To one thing constant never.

Then sigh not so,

But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny,

Converting all your sounds of woe

Into hey nonny, nonny.

 

-Much Ado, Act II.i. -

 

o - o0o - o

 

ACT II

Courtship

 

 

 

On an open field, close to Balamb Castle...

 

“…Uh, Your Majesty, King Laguna…”

 

“I know… I know! Stop nagging me Kiros, I know we're a bit late…”

 

“How about a whole day late, Sire?”

 

Sir Ward, King Laguna's other trusty attendant nodded his head in agreement almost violently. He was a massive man, standing well over six feet five. Boobab, his chocobo, in spite of her cute name, was also very sturdy like her rider.

 

“Awww! Don't you start on me too, Ward!”

 

“Your Majesty, if you will allow me to state my opinion…”

 

“Hah! Since when have I ever been able to shut you-up, Kiros?!” And added under his breath, “Even if I did, you would ignore me…”

 

“I heard that, Sire!” The thinner one of his two companions complained, but continued on to say, “We should have used the Ragnarok to get us here speedily!”

 

“Bwaah! …But I wanted to impress King Cid by arriving on Chub-chub!”

 

That was the name King Laguna had given his own chocobo.

 

“Sire, the same could've been accomplished, and more speedily, had we used the airship!”

 

“Poor Chub-chub is scared of Ragnarok!”

 

After having, in his mind, the final say, Laguna spurred his chocobo on, trying to keep a safe distance between himself, and his two nagging attendants. The rest of the Royal Choco-Knights commandeered by Kiros and Ward, followed suit. Soon, they had the fortifications of Balamb Town and Castle within sight. `I hope my son will be at least not unhappyto see me…' Laguna tried to suppress a sigh. He knew his son blamed him for not protecting his mother adequately, for allowing her to visit her sister in Trabia, `-Snort- As if she even asked for permission!' Squall had been almost six at the time…

 

…

 

“Sire! Queen Raine has been captured by white goblins!”

 

“WHAT?! How!?! I thought she was visiting her sister, Queen Aeris in Trabia!?!”

 

Kiros, ever the voice of reason intervened, while Ward placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

 

“King Laguna, please allow her to explain…” The Baron then directed his attention to the messenger, “Elaborate.”

 

“Sire, as per the Queen's wishes, we took a complement of Choco-Knights to escort Her Majesty to Trabia Kingdom, …but we… we were ambushed by a large group of white goblins at the Vienne Mountain Pass!…”

 

The king was unable to contain himself.

 

“She's sooo stubborn! Itold her to take the airship!”

 

Ward's hand on Laguna's shoulder became almost like a restraint. Kiros addressed the messenger once again.

 

“How is that possible? Gluck has stuck to the peace accord, and white goblins are not exactly… intelligent. They are violent, and they are vicious, but they do not have the wits to plan, let alone carry out an ambush!”

 

Tears of anguish and hopelessness fell off the herald's face, only to be replaced by a deep seated anger.

 

“Sire! They were expecting us! They knew we would be making that crossing!”

 

…

 

“Ahem! King Laguna! We've arrived…”

 

Laguna, as if coming out of a trance, realized that Chub-chub had stopped, and that a large group of people congregating at Balamb Castle's massive archway of an entrance was actually staring at him unblinkingly… Amongst them his own son, for once without the disgust he usually wore whenever they came face to face. `Humph…He seems…Huh? Distracted?' He dismounted.

 

“Laguna!” King Cid was the first to break away from the reception committee. “You ol' slacker! You were expected yesterday!”

 

The slap he gave Laguna on the back almost made him choke.`Hell, the man's stronger than he looks!'

 

“Indeed. It seems that punctuality is not as valued a trait in Esthar as it is in Galbadia.”

 

Laguna suppressed a grimace. King Caraway, his archnemesis. He'd completely forgotten that he would be present too. He looked accusingly at Kiros, who just shrugged his shoulders as if implying, `It's completely your fault we're so late in arriving…' His gaze then strayed to the brunette standing beside Caraway who greeted him with a curtsy. `Well, little Rinoa has grown-up to be quite a pretty young lady!'

 

“King Laguna…”

 

“Rinoa-Hime, what a nice surprise! Was it only yesterday that you were running around chasing rabbits?”

 

Rinoa blushed prettily at Laguna's remark, causing Squall to cast his father a dark look. `A-ha! I see…' He flicked a furtive glace over at his two trusted attendants, Kiros and Ward, and snorted, `Of course those two noticed! As if they would miss somethin' like that!'

 

“Sir Laguna! Welcome!!!”

 

“MAJESTY”

 

“Your Majesty…”

 

Lady Selphie's enthusiastic welcome always made the King of Esthar smile. His smile faltered a bit when he greeted Lady Fujin, and tried to remember they were allies… ` -Gulp- Gotta be that young lady's eye-patch…' As his gaze alighted on Lady Quistis, he tried valiantly not to drool, but then that young beauty always had the uncanny knack of making all the knights around her feel clumsy and tongue-tied. `Must be those sky-blue eyes…'

 

“My dear young ladies, I'm…uh…”

 

“What King Laguna means,” Kiros intervened smoothly before Laguna made a fool of himself, “Is that he's overwhelmed at being greeted by such a bevy of beauties! Isn't that right, Sire?”

 

“Err… Yes! Right!” Laguna assented vigorously, glad to be saved once again by Kiros.

 

“King Laguna, you and your companions must be very hungry! Please join us for luncheon.” The Queen grinned, “We are in luck! Lady Dincht has kindly consented to perform her magic over the Castle's kitchens during the festivities!”

 

Laguna bowed low at Queen Edea, who as usual was flanked by her four young knights: two of the most accomplished blademasters in all three kingdoms, an archer that never missed his targets, and a most gifted weaponless fighter. They stood to the side to allow the King of Esthar sufficient space to kiss the proffered hand of their beloved Queen.

 

“My Queen, as usual your hospitality is incomparable, and most welcome!”

 

With a gracious smile, Queen Edea gracefully laced her hand around the crook of Laguna's arm, and guided him inside the Castle. She fully expected everyone to follow in her wake.

 

o

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o - o0o - o

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o

 

Later at the gardens in Balamb Castle…

 

Two young ladies were slowly strolling arm in arm down a green path fragrant with the scent of rosebushes. They were inside Queen Edea's renowned magical rose maze. The very heart of which was said to be ornamented with a beautiful wishing fountain whose waters came directly from the Sea of Balamb. Legend had it that whoever made it to the centre of the labyrinth could wish for anything they wanted, and it would come true. However, none had ever reached the heart of the maze. No matter how anyone turned, nor how many different paths were tried, they always ended at the starting point, which was the entrance. Nevertheless, the beauty and fragrance of the rosebushes made it a very popular place amongst the castle folk.

 

“Wow! Both Quisty Onee-chan and Fujin-chan train so hard!”

 

“Yeah… -Snort- I think Onee-chan puts way too much effort on her whip practice, an' not enough of it on gettin' Seify-kun to notice her! I mean, I know why Fuj-chan does it, but really, Onee-chan doesn't have that kind of excuse!”

 

“But… but she and Seifer-kun are always arguing!…”

 

“Exactly!”

 

At the other girl's confused gaze, Selphie sighed before elaborating.

 

“Seify-kun's the ONLY guy who can stand up to her!”

 

“B-but Onee-chan said he was up to no goo...”

 

“Tch! I know the crap she says… We share a room! But, trust me, Rinoa-Hime…”

 

“Oh, please! No honorifics!” The princess waved her hand in a negative gesture, “Just plain Rinoa or Rina will do, Selphie-chan!”

 

The auburn-haired girl replied to the request with a wide smile.

 

“Okay-dockey, Rinoa-chan! Anyway, going back to Onee-chan, she's sooo stubborn! And she's waaayyy too picky for her own good! At this rate, she'll end up with, like, nooo-one!”

 

“But Quisty Onee-chan is so popular with the knights! They all gaze at her in abject adoration!”

 

“Yup! `Abject' is right! An' add, like, `super-duper hopeless-slash-useless' to describe that bunch of mega losers!... Ha!” The scorn in Lady Selphie's voice was more effective than her words to get her meaning across.

 

“Humph, now that you mention it, they do keep a very respectable distance…”

 

“That's cuz they're all afraid of Onee-chan!”

 

“But... I don't get it! Why?”

 

“Onee-chan's got herself one wicked tongue! If a guy's too good-looking, she'll refuse by sayin' he might as well be her sister! If he's not cute enough, she'll say she can't stand looking at him! If he's tall, she'll say he's too gangly for her, if short too squat!”

 

“Well... How `bout the more daring knights...?

 

“Hah! If a guy dares speak to her, she'll say he's a blabbermouth! If they don't say a word, in her eyes he's too dumb to speak!!! Oooh! Onee-chan is waaaayyyy toooo picky!!!”

 

“Now that you mention it, the only ones who dare approach Quisty Onee-chan are Queen Edea's knights…”

 

“That's because we all kinda grew up together, y'know?”

 

“Oh! You're lucky! They're sooo hot!”

 

Selphie smiled sunnily at her brunette friend, before saying, “Which of `em d'you like, Rina-chan?” Not allowing the other girl to answer, she warned, “Well, you can't have my Irvy, an' you can't have Seify-kun `cuz I think he's Onee-chan's only hope, but there's the rest…”

 

The brunette stared humorously at her new-found friend, “Geez! That leaves me a lot of choice, Selphie-chan!”

 

“Don't it? Rina-chan!”

 

They both burst into giggles.

 

“Now, that's the kind of sight that pleases me greatly when I go for a stroll in the rose garden! Isn't that right Seifer?”

 

The melodious voice belonged to no other than Queen Edea, who had her hand resting on her tall escort's forearm. Behind them, Irvine and Zell grinned at the girls foolishly. The dark knight was conspicuously absent.

 

“It's always a pleasure to behold such beauty, Your Majesty...” Wicked sea-green eyes winked at the two giggling girls.

 

“Ah, a place where I can rest for a bit!”

 

The Queen had spotted one of the many ornate stone benches that dotted the rose maze. Most of them were conveniently located in a nice shady arbour. After being seated, Edea gracefully slid a fan out of her sleeve, and started to cool herself with it.

 

“Seifer-kun! Be a dear and show Rinoa-chan around the rose gardens...”

 

The only surprise the grey knight exhibited at his Queen's unusual request was to widen his eyes slightly. After bowing deeply to his Queen, he offered his forearm to Rinoa who took it blushingly. Smiling reassuringly at her, he said.

 

“Let's go this way... I'm sure you haven't been to the Regina Rose Arbour... It's Queen Edea's favourite place here...”

 

“I-I'd love to see it Sir Seifer!”

 

“Nah! Seifer'll do!... If I may be allowed to call you Rinoa-chan?”

 

“Alrighty, Seifer-kun!”

 

The Queen watched the retreating back of the two young people with great fondness, specially that of her young grey knight. `Rinoa should keep you busy for a while...' She laughed at the inquisitive look of the remaining three.

 

“You're probably wondering why I sent Seifer out with Rinoa-chan when it's clearly Squall the one who's interested in her...”

 

Edea smiled at Selphie and patted the space beside her. The two boys stood patiently waiting for Selphie to sit herself beside her sovereign. With the exception of Zell, all of them had been orphaned at a very tender age during the terrible Goblin Wars. Edea was more than their queen. She was like a mother to them.

 

“Do you think Seifer fancies Quistis-chan?...”

 

The Queen's simple question made Selphie bound out of her seat with one hand up on the air making the two surprised boys leap out of her way!

 

“Booyaka! Queen Edea, you rock!”

 

The Queen laughed at her knights' shocked expression.

 

“I think it's about time Quistis-chan and Seifer-kun settle down... Don't you think?”

 

“Uh-huh! I totally agree, Your Majesty!”

 

Lady Selphie nodded her auburn vehemently, in complete agreement with her sovereign.

 

“Quisty Onee-chan is way too difficult!”

 

“Yeah! An' Seifer's probably made the rounds with all the ladies at court already! …OUCH! Why d'you do that for!?”

 

The archer had elbowed his loose-mouthed friend, before whispering.

 

“Shuddup, you dumbass!”

 

When the shorter knight with the spiky blonde hair realized to whom exactly it was that he'd blurted his comment, he blushed to the roots of his hair... Edea smiled at her young knight.

 

“Oh, I agree with you, Zell-kun! I'm afraid Seifer loves them all and none at all! Unlike you and Irvine-kun!”

 

“My Irvy-Poo's the best!”

 

Conveniently forgetting that Irvine was possibly the greatest flirt in court, Selphie latched herself onto her archer, and rested her head on his upper-arm. The young knight stared down at his petite lady with great tenderness, and without thinking bent to plant a soft kiss on the top of her head. Edea smiled at the young couple before continuing.

 

“Zell-kun, I've heard from certain sources that you've been wooing a certain young lady archivist, here in the castle... And quite successfully, I might add...”

 

If it were possible for the young knight to blush even a deeper red, he would have! At the same time, he was glad to know that his clumsy overtures were actually welcomed!

 

“Really? Your Majesty?” Zell couldn't help blurting out the question.

 

“Yes, really, Zell-kun! Your affections are returned...”

 

“Yay! All right!!! ... ”

 

“Now,” The Queen adopted a business-like no-nonsense voice, “I'm of the opinion that Seifer and Quistis are very well suited for each other!”

 

“I agree, Your Majesty! Seify-kun's the only guy I know who will not allow Onee-chan's sharp tongue to faze him!”

 

“Yeah! Asshole's arrogant enough! ... What!?!”

 

Both Selphie and Irvine had turned to glare at him, while Edea tried to hide a chuckle behind her fan.

 

“Anyway, both King Cid and I are in agreement to undertake the extraordinary task of betrothing those two... Even King Laguna has offered his services...”

 

Large green eyes full of mischievous speculation turned to eye her Queen.

 

“Sooo... What's the plan, Your Majesty?”

 

o

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o - o0o - o

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o

 

Meanwhile at the Regina Rose Arbour…

 

Rinoa took a quick peek at the tall handsome knight escorting her, and tried not to blush again. `Wow! He's sure hot-looking! How can Quistis resist him?' Remembering how he and Onee-chan had antagonized each other during dinner last night, she couldn't help but wonder… `Can Seifer-kun actually likeQuisty Onee-chan…'

 

“Seifer-kun…”

 

The knight flashed the girl an inquiring look.

 

“Uh… How come you don't call Lady Quistis `Onee-chan' like everyone else does?”

 

At the mention of that particular name, Seifer was almost irritated enough to ignore the question.

 

“Now, Rinoa-chan, whyever would I be calling Lady Disdain by any other name than the one she deserves?”

 

“Uh, well, you see…”

 

Rinoa didn't know how to put into action Selphie-chan's wishes, but she was saved from making a muddle of it by Seifer.

 

“How about if we -not- talk about such an unpleasant subject, Rinoa-chan, and you let me tell you that I know of a certain someone who's majorly interested in you…”

 

Seifer raised a blonde eyebrow at the girl, knowing that at least he'd succeeded in taking her attention away from that difficult subject, Quistis, and into the more pressing one of gauging how genuine the princess's interest was in Sir Puberty. From what he could recall of last night's dinner -whenever he was not engaged in a battle of wits with Lady Harpy- the princess and Squally seemed to have been staring at each other across the table and blushing a lot. At times, he'd been exasperated enough to want to grab his friend by the collar and tell him, “Suck it up and be a man! She fucking likes you!” -Snort- Of course, if he were proven wrong, Lady Harpy would be on his case forever!

 

“Oh... I-uh... I don't know what to say... ”

 

Rinoa didn't quite know what to do... Had her interest not been taken up by the dark knight yesterday, and had Selphie not warned her that Seifer was for Quisty, she could have easily fallen for the grey knight. Of all the knights present at court, him and Squall-kun were the ones that had caught her eye immediately. `How strange, I never thought Seifer-kun to be the type to approach girls this way...' Unaware of how Rinoa might have interpreted the lame way he changed the subject, Seifer continued in his quest to help his friend.

 

“Well, let me tell you that he... Uh, he's a very valiant knight... One of the ... Ah... best, if not the best there is!”

 

He would make sure Squally paid him back in full for making him say such sissy remarks! He tried not to grimace, Irvine was way the better sweet talker... He'd never really bothered. If the lady wanted him, fine. On the rare occasion when his interest was not returned, he just sought another... There were too many out there for him to be wasting all his effort in just one... `I should've waited for tonight's fête as planned…'

 

“Seifer-kun, if your friend is so valiant... How come he needs you to speak on his behalf?”

 

Rinoa flashed the grey knight a downright challenging look. After staring at her for a full second, he smiled -A genuine smile, not a polite one- A smile that made Rinoa gulp, `By the gods! How can Quisty Onee-chan resist him!?!'

 

“Humph, I like that! You want it straight and to the point, huh?”

 

Rinoa nodded vigorously before replying, “Absolutely!”

 

The grey knight smirked, “Well, princess, let's put our cards on the table...” But his gaze turned serious to ask, “What d'ya think of Squall?”

 

Rinoa couldn't help herself. She started to laugh.

 

“Err... princess, if you could share the joke... maybe I can laugh too.”

 

Rinoa found the grey knight staring at her curiously, but he didn't seem to be angry.

 

“Oh! I'm so sorry Seifer-kun! I was just laughing at myself! ... Oh, I feel so silly now!” The princess blushed a deep red, making Seifer smirk again.

 

“Okay, Princess, out with it!”

 

“I... ah... I thought you were ... like, kinda referring to ... ah... yourself...”

 

“What!?!”

 

Rinoa got her answer when she beheld the knight's stupefied expression, `I guess the answer is a definite no...' Even though she was relieved, she couldn't help feeling piqued at the same time.

 

“Humph! You don't have to be so... Huh!?!”

 

The knight had taken her hand and sank dramatically on one knee to kneel at her feet.

 

“Oh, Rinoa-Hime Sama, I'm so blinded by your beauty!” Seifer bent his blonde head to kiss Rinoa's hand, then wicked sea green eyes full of mischief stared up at her, “Please allow me to confess my everlasting devotion to you!”

 

Rinoa hid her giggles behind her hand. He was just too funny!

 

“Excuse me, if I'm interrupting, but Her Majesty told me to come and get you!”

 

A cold voice interrupted their fooling as both Seifer and Rinoa turned to stare at Squall's expressionless face. He bowed perfunctorily at Rinoa and completely ignored Seifer.

 

“Queen Edea wishes us return to the Castle, and prepare for tonight's fête.”

 

After saying that, Squall just turned and left. He was fuming. The other two just stared at each other stunned. Seifer was the first to recover. In one fluid movement, he casually stood up and brushed the soil off his knee. At the look on Rinoa's face, he stated matter-of-factly.

 

“You like him.”

 

She nodded, trying to suppress tears, still trying to recover from the aftermath of Squall's shocking coldness.

 

“ -Snort- There's no greater fool than the fool who's in love!” At Rinoa's stunned look, Seifer continued, “Why d'you think I asked you before about Squall!? The idiot likes you!”

 

“He acted like such a... such a meanie!”

 

Rinoa was indignant now. `How dare he!' She fumed. She didn't like being tried and judged with no chance of even offering an explanation, `How dare he assume anything!' As if he could read her mind, Seifer went to defend his friend.

 

“If you were to see it from where he stood, it did look like I was courting you...”

 

“Well, it's none of his business. I never promised him anything! He never asked!”

 

“No. He asked me instead to do it...”

 

“But...”

 

“His quarrel is with me, Princess, not you. As I said, he likes you. He thinks I betrayed his trust... the dumbass!” The last two words were said under his breath.

 

“If he's truly your friend, he should trust you more!”

 

“Oh, he does!”

 

“B-but...”

 

“If he didn't, he would've used Lionhart to cut me down...”

 

“Lionhart?”

 

“His Greatsword.”

 

“Oh!”

 

Seifer offered Rinoa his forearm, “Let's obey Queen Edea's summons. We can set him straight during the fête.” `Even if I have to tie down and sit on that stubborn dumbass...' However, the knight refrained from expressing his thoughts out loud since he knew they would upset the princess. Instead, he winked at her and said.

 

“Don't give up on that dumbass… And dress up real nicely so he'll eat his heart out!”

 

The girl recovered her good humour, and lacing her hand on his forearm replied.

 

“Seifer-kun, you're some friend!”

 

“That's me! I'm all heart…”

 

o

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o

 

 

Dusk at Balamb Castle's Great Hall…

 

“Hey, Fu-chan! Raiji-kun sure knows how to tuck in! …Oh, my! Are he and Zell-kun having a how-many-pies-I-can-eat competition?”

 

“NEG...”

 

“Wow! Hey, I think they tied! Raiji-kun just ate his twelfth pie!”

 

Fujin listened to Selphie-chan's rather amusing take on Raijin and Zell eating habits. Both of them were making their way through mounds of food with an almost religious zeal. It was as if they felt honour bound to polish off the mountain upon mountain of the most delicious looking foodstuff, displayed so very artistically by castle staff under the tyrannical eye of Lady Dincht. Similarly laden tables were to be found all over the huge Great Hall. It felt as if all of Balamb was here! Knowing quite well how much King Cid loved a good party, she knew that the festivities would continue throughout the week! Tonight being just the inaugural night…

 

A familiar voice interrupted Selphie's rather one-sided `dialogue'.

 

“Darlin' you actually... like, counted how many pies they each had?

 

“FACT”

 

Selphie pouted at this unexpected attack by two fronts.

 

“Humph, you were kinda busy with Lady - and I was getting bored of bein' ignored...”

 

“Baby, I wasn't, like, ignorin' ya! It's Seif, man! He, like. asked me to do him this fav...”

 

“Hah! Excuses, excuses! That's what you guys do best...”

 

Used to the couple's rather nonsensical arguments, Fujin tuned them out and focused her attention on the three kings conversing quite animatedly over at the central dais. The Lords Martine and Deling were also part of the group, and one other gentleman. He seemed to be younger than the other five. `Humph, not bad looking either. I wonder who he might be... ' Standing slightly to the side of King Cid, and clinging to Baron Seagill's arm, was Lady Xu. No one would think she was the fearsome captain of the King's Guards looking as she did tonight, deceptively ornamental in a long flowing dress. `Not too shabby... Xu Sensei gets to flirt with the Baron while still keeping an eye on His Majesty.'

 

“Appearances are deceptive, aren't they, Fu-chan?”

 

A quiet voice said to her side. Fujin didn't have to turn to know that it was Squall.

 

“AFFIRMATIVE.”

 

“You?”

 

Fujin did not bother replying to the dark knight's question, instead she smiled up into the blue-grey eyes that were staring at her, and then looked down patting one of her long sleeves in the process. She never went unarmed to anything.

 

“I see.”

 

“Squall, man! It's `bout friggin' time that, like, you showed up!”

 

“Yeah! Irvy-poo n' I've been lookin' all over for ya!”

 

“My Sweetie's right-on! ... ”

 

Fujin tried not to sigh... As usual, it was all roses for these two again... Her eyes strayed to Raijin, who was still busy giving a Zell a run for his money in the `making-a-pig' of myself arena... `Why DO I love you!?!' He was a chatterbox. He ate like a pig. He snored and mumbled in his sleep... `Because he's there for me...and just... because.' She'd long given up trying to rationalize her emotions. The conclusions were always the same: Love was highly illogical!

 

“... gotta tell ya somethin' to do with Seif...”

 

Squall surprised everyone when he slashed the air with his hand and exclaimed.

 

“I want nothing doin' with him!”

 

“Uh, why, Squally-kun?”

 

Squall looked to side, a stubborn cast to his face, “I'd rather not say.”

 

“Well, well, well speakin' of the devil...”

 

The grey knight was approaching their group with a radiant looking Rinoa-Hime clinging to his arm. People turned and stared at them. They made an incredibly good-looking couple. The tall young knight with his burnished golden hair and powerful frame, made a very nice contrast to the princess's long dark tresses and petite figure. Queen Edea was looking at the couple with a very smug look on her face. `All we need now is for the final player to appear...'

 

“Your Majesty, we haven't had the pleasure yet of Lady Trepe's company... “

 

Edea smiled at the Duke of Dollet's pleasant countenance.

 

“She was kept quite busy helping Lady Dincht with the organization of today's fête, my lord, but I expect her to be here shortly.”

 

The Duke bowed at the Queen, “It is my most sincere hope that Your Majesties have considered my humble suit.”

 

“Oh, we have, my lord... Indeed, we have.”

 

While the Queen was engaged in conversation with a very elegant looking courtier, Selphie's avid gaze followed Rinoa and Seifer.

 

“Oooh! Rina-chan looks so mega-pretty in that blue dress! Don't ya think, Squally-kun?”

 

No reply from the silent knight. Selphie was not the kind of lady who could be deterred once she'd set out her course of action. Seeing that the dark knight was going to ignore her question, she elbowed her friend's belly. Squall felt the jab and glared at the girl.

 

Large green eyes stared unrepentantly at him, “Weeell... ?”

 

Squall couldn't suppress a grimace. He should've known better! Even as little kids she would be this way...

 

“Aw, babe, like give him a break! Like, some guys take longer to process information...”

 

It was Irvine's turn to be glared at...

 

“Squall, just the guy I wanna talk to!”

 

Seifer stood right in front of him, a smirk on his face, a challenging look in his eyes. Squall stiffened. He ignored Rinoa's pleading eyes, and bowed low to his nemesis.

 

“Lead the way, My Lord...”

 

“Oh, after you Sir Numbskull...”

 

Not bothering to issue a retaliation, the dark knight turned and stalked to one of the many archways that lead to the castle's inner courtyard. Seifer narrowed his eyes after the departing figure, then he bowed swiftly to Rinoa and kissed her hand whispering, “Don't worry Rinoa-chan.” Then he left, following Squall.

 

“Woo! Shouldn't we follow them?”

 

“NEGATIVE”

 

“Fu-chan's right, darlin'... They, like, gotta settle this between `em”

 

“Oh, please, Selphie-chan! It's just a huge misunderstanding...”

 

The three suddenly noticed that Rinoa was nervously twisting a handkerchief which had seemed to materialize from out of nowhere, and that she didn't look as self-confident as she did when she was clinging to Seifer's arm.

 

“Yo! S'up?”

 

“You guys are missin' some good stuff, ya know?”

 

“Shuddup, you two!”

 

“QUIET”

 

“Rina-chan... You were sayin'...?” Selphie added her own glare to Fu-chan's, “Before we were sooo rudely interrupted!”

 

Raijin and Zell, who were the new arrivals stared at Irvine, but the archer just shrugged his shoulder and placed a finger on his lips. But Rinoa had calmed down with the timely interruption.

 

“I'll tell ya when those two return...”

 

“... But...”

 

“I promise! Besides, it shouldn't take Seify-kun tooo long...”

 

She tried not to cringe when she heard the very faint clang of swords coming from the courtyard, but everyone just kept looking at her, completely ignoring what was going on outside. Of course, it dawned on her that she'd be the only one able to hear it...

 

“Are Squall and Seifer outside?”

 

“Queen Edea!”

 

After everybody scrambled to salute their Queen, they racked their brains for a good excuse, since the present company knew -from childhood- how those two knights exchanged `words'...

 

“I see.” The Queen smiled, “Let them be. Rinoa-chan, could I have a word with you?”

 

Rinoa curtsied, “Uh, of-of course, Your Majesty!”

 

The princess followed the queen outside. Once they were outdoors, Rinoa nervously surveyed the area afraid to have their Queen witness their fighting. They were nowhere to be seen, but she could still hear the resounding clang of clashing blades. This time the sound was closer, less faint.

 

“You can hear it too, don't you, Rinoa-chan?”

 

“Your Majesty?”

 

“It's all right, my dear. I raised these children. I know they are fighting in their favourite spot.”

 

At the princess's bewildered look, Edea just raised her eyes to the castle's watchpath. Sure enough, the two knights were having it out there! Rinoa gasped, they moved such lethal speed that they were both a blur of motion!

 

“Impressive, are they not?”

 

There was such motherly pride in that voice, that Rinoa could only stare at the Queen in wonder.

 

“However, we're not here to talk about the prowess of my two young knights.” Edea paused and stared at Rinoa's startled eyes, “You could hear then, back there, could you not?”

 

“I... uh, I...”

 

The flustered Rinoa felt a pair of warm hands take a hold of hers.

 

“It's all right, my dear. You have sorceress powers. You know that.” It was not a question, but a statement of fact.

 

Rinoa looked down, “Yes.”

 

Long tapered fingers lifted Rinoa's chin. Kindly golden eyes regarded confused brown ones, “Child, you have a good heart. Can you not sense me?”

 

Rinoa opened up and was almost pushed back by the blast of power. She would've fallen had the Queen not taken a hold of her arm.

 

“Oh, Rinoa-chan! How reckless of you!”

 

“M-my Queen?”

 

“Your father asked me to train you to focus and control your power...”

 

“H-he did?” Rinoa tried not to blush. She'd almost burnt one of her father's keep once.

 

“How do you feel about that, Rinoa-chan?”

 

Edea tilted her head and smiled at the young girl. Rinoa didn't know what to say. She knew her father loved her, but he was a very dour man. She almost broke down at the kindness that emanated from the eyes of this beautiful queen. `Wow! I understand now why everyone, from the lowest peasant to the mightiest of knights love Queen Edea so much!'

 

“I... I would love that, Your Majesty!” Rinoa sank to the ground in a deep curtsy, “It will be an honour, My Queen!”

 

“Please, rise, child. You may not feel so grateful once we start your training...” The Queen then looked up to where Squall and Seifer were still fighting. “Now. Let me put an end to this foolishness...”

 

Rinoa gasped out loud when she saw Seifer jump high up in the air, raising his sword to swoop down onto Squall who pushed up his sword swiftly to parry the grey knight's attack. However, before their swords could connect, a streak of lightning came from the heavens making both knights leap apart.

 

“Squall! Seifer! That's enough. Come down.”

 

Rinoa tried not to gasp again, when both Seifer and Squall leaped down and gracefully kneeled at their queen's feet, sheathing their swords in the process.

 

“Stand-up, and make peace.”

 

Under Edea's censorious gaze, they both shook hands. Seifer as usual with a smirk on his lips, and Squall with a glare directed at his friend.

 

“Seifer-kun, lend me your arm.”

 

After the grey knight complied with His Queen's request, she turned to the other two and smiled at them.

 

“Now Squall-kun, Rinoa-chan, we shall leave you both to become better acquainted...”

 

“Uh, Your Majesty?”

 

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at Seifer.

 

“May I, uh, say something in private to Squall?”

 

Edea raised an eyebrow, but nodded her consent and released the young man's arm. Once freed, Seifer grabbed Squall's arm and said to the dark knight.

 

“Don't be such a dumbass an' blow it this time, Squally! Rinoa-chan's one of those chicks that can be real scary if you make `em mad at ya!”

 

Seifer winked at Rinoa who like Squall, was glaring at him and proffered once again his arm to escort His Queen back to the Castle's Great Hall. Edea, who like Rinoa had heard Seifer's `advice', was trying her best to suppress a chuckle... `I shouldn't encourage this rapscallion's outrageous behaviour... Ah, Freyja, your son is so like you!'

 

“Aw, Your Majesty! Why did'ya stop our sword practice? It was gettin' to be real interestin'!”

 

“Humph, is that how you call it these days?”

 

She tried to infuse a censorious note to her voice, but knew she'd failed miserably when the scamp flashed her his insouciant smile.

 

“Hyperion was tired of just slicin' goblin's head...”

 

Edea stared at Seifer's handsome countenance,`Time to sow the seed...'

 

“The Duke of Dollet made an offer for Quistis-chan.”

 

Anyone else but her would've missed Seifer's almost imperceptible stiffening.

 

“Oh! The ol' man must be deaf...”

 

“Seifer, the Dollet you knew passed away a few days ago.”

 

“I thought the old guy had no issue...”

 

“Of his own, but he did have a nephew who is now the new Duke of Dollet.”

 

“Humph...”

 

“My child, you're probably wondering why I'm telling you all this...”

 

“You know she'll refuse him.” Seifer smirked, “Nothing pleases Lady Disdain.”

 

“You don't understand, Seifer-kun, but in this suit The King and I might exercise our royal prerogative and compel Quistis-chan to marry the duke.”

 

“Your Majesty!?!”

 

o

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o - o0o - o

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o

 

End of Act II