CHAPTER 1

The story begins after Seymour Guado proposes to Yuna at his manor in Guadosalam. The summoner and her guardians have made their way through the Thunder Plains, Macalania Woods, and even the impending danger at Lake Macalania in order to give Seymour a response. Yuna is whisked away by Tromell to the temple where she prays to the fayth and acquires Shiva. This version of the story assumes that the temple girl did not snoop through Yuna's belongings and that the party is still unaware of Seymour's crime.

Yuna emerged from the chamber of the fayth feeling faint, but stronger than her emergence from Djose temple. She stood on her two feet with no issue considering the bigger one at hand she had to face - a marriage proposal and a murder. She wasn't really sure what to expect. Seymour always seemed like a very calm and collected man; surely he wouldn't try to harm her once confronted. Now, he was staring at her at the foot of the shallow stairs beneath the chamber with his piercing violet eyes and usual smirk.

After descending the stairs, she gave a prayer of Yevon to her superior while trying to conceal her uneasiness. "Thank you for escorting me through the trial."

He gave a polite nod in return. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Yuna." Clearly reading her awkward body language, he continued. "It seems you wish to tell me something."

"Yes. I wanted to tell you that I... accept your marriage proposal," she replied shyly, face flushed with heat and color.

"Ah, that's wonderful to hear. The people of Spira would be most joyous of our union," he replied ambiguously. "You are indeed a wise woman." Seeing his now bride-to-be was nervous, he reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She flinched a bit at the murderer's touch, not sure if she should trust him or not.

"Of course, Your Grace... I wish nothing more than the happiness of the people. I have something I need to ask before going through with the ceremony. It's about your father..."

"What of it?" Seymour replied coldly. She was almost positive he knew exactly what she would say and would have formulated a reply. She was naive enough to isolate herself with a murderer but she had a surprisingly sharp wit for a woman of only seventeen.

"Lord Jyscal – he left a sphere at the Farplane... he said that you murdered him?" Much to Yuna's discomfort, Seymour did not reply and simply remained quiet. She continued to further explain herself. "I... I didn't tell any of my guardians about this. Personal feelings aside, Maester, I am willing to keep this quiet so long as you turn yourself in."

The blue haired Maester remained silent for another minute or so, all the while keeping his flawless composure. As someone who could easily manipulate a situation in his favor, his apparent calm exterior was clearly to suppress any suspicion the young summoner harbored against him.

"Is that all?" he said rather dismissive of the direness of the situation. "I turn myself in, and you would give me your hand in marriage?"

Confused by his calm demeanor, Yuna nodded to the question.

"Then, Lady Yuna, I promise to notify the High Court of Yevon of the matter of my father's death."

Yuna was a bit suspicious at the ease of the situation. She did not wish to make matters worse by further discussing the already delicate issue, so she once again bowed and played into his game of pleasantries. "Many thanks, Maester. If I may, I'd like to take my leave and tell my guardians of the news."

Seymour extended his well-manicured, long hand palm up in reassurance. "Please, Lady Yuna. No need for such formalities towards your future husband. Allow me to escort you." Yuna reluctantly grabbed ahold of it, half wondering if her plan was a good idea after all.

The group of guardians greeted the pair as they emerged from the trials and descended the stairs into the cold ambience of the temple hall. It seemed that everyone knew Yuna's answer before she even spoke. That is, everyone except Tidus.

"Everyone, I've decided to marry. Spira needs this… Spira needs hope," she managed to squeeze out. Wakka and Lulu nodded, already expecting to hear such an answer. Sir Auron stood silently while Rikku put a finger on her chin in thought.

"What?! Is this what you really want, Yuna?" blurted Tidus impulsively. "We have to defeat Sin! Is this really the time to be getting married?"

Yuna nodded in return. "I know that this is the right thing to do." She managed to force a bright smile at her usually cheerful friend. "Don't worry about me." Tidus simply shook his head in disbelief. He was clearly unable to empathize with the very traditional views of marriage in Spira, as in Zanarkand, things were far different.

"Worry not. Lady Yuna will be very well taken care of," Seymour assured the skeptical guardians. "All I ask is that she is left in my custody for the time being until the wedding."

Everyone looked at each other nervously. They had come so far protecting Yuna and it seemed a little uncomfortable to let her go with a stranger they themselves barely knew. Wakka shrugged and whispered 'Well, he's a Maester, ya?' to the party. Everyone's opinion of the Maesters of Yevon were soured after Operation Mi'ihen, but they knew convincing Yuna was near impossible once she had her mind set.

Seeing the tension within the hall was palpable, Yuna finally piped up to reassure her friends of the situation. "Please, everyone, I must do this. I know you are all worried and I appreciate it, but it's only for ten days."

"Will you still journey?" Finally Auron spoke up. The entire room filled with immediate silence.

"I will continue, Sir Auron. It may have to be put off for a little while... but I have dedicated myself to defeating Sin," she replied.

"Hmph. If Yuna's journey will continue, that is all that matters. I wish you the best," Auron said in his usual gravely tone. He placed a caring hand on Yuna's shoulder and strode out of the temple doors.

The rest of the guardians gathered around their young summoner companion and gave her their goodbyes. Tidus, however, ran after Auron who had already traveled a ways from the icy temple.

"Hey, aren't you gonna stop her, Auron?! This is it?" he questioned with passion in his voice.

"She's hiding something," Auron admitted his observation to the blitz player. "She is very easy to read and she's a lousy liar. I don't think the Maester would do anything to harm her, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't readily use her for something up his sleeve."

Tidus felt his stomach churn a bit. "I don't feel right just letting her go like this."

"Don't repeat to the others of what I just told you. Their views of those in power in Spira are different than ours," Auron warned. "We should keep an eye on Yuna, but play along for now and don't cause a ruckus."

Before Tidus could give a reply, an energetic Rikku shouted "Heeeey, wait for us, you guys!" and soon after they were met by the remaining four guardians. Since the wedding was so soon, the party decided to stay at the Macalania Travel Agency for the time being.

Shortly after the guardians were sent on their way, a transport was arranged for Yuna to be taken to Bevelle. Her 'fiance' had business to attend to in the Macalania temple, as he was high priest there, and promised to meet her at the Highbridge after he dealt with it. Uncertain if he would keep to his word about turning himself to justice, the summoner had little choice but to comply with his orders.

"Come this way, Lady Yuna," piped Tromell, Seymour's ancient lanky green-haired servant. He hoisted her up into the carriage and took a seat across from her, assigned by his master as her escort. It felt more like a babysitter.

Still, she was finally alone and was relieved to be able to collect her swirling thoughts and emotions. Why didn't Seymour have more of a reaction when she revealed her knowledge of his father's murder? His actions and expressions made him incredibly difficult to read. Would she be safe? She remembered Jyscal's words from the sphere. 'I do not fault him. The world has been cruel and unkind.' Though she didn't have a grasp of the entire situation, murder was still murder. Of course, his being a half breed especially in the public eye was no doubt seen as an atrocity in the prejudice ways of the past. He was eleven years her senior and a full decade had definitely improved the relationship between the conflicting races.

Then she remembered her feelings of immediate awe and adoration of the Maester, especially after the summoning of his incredible aeon in Luca. His mysterious aura was quite captivating to the young summoner. Looking deeper, they did have much in common: both were passionate summoners, had significant influence over who they met, half-breeds, and yet… their emotions and method of approach were on two different planes of existence. He was incredible in the art of masking his emotions, yet hers were always out in the open, no matter how hard she tried to conceal them.

Thinking more positively, she never imagined marriage after becoming a summoner and it gave her a curious feeling of happiness. Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing, especially since the clock of her mortality was ticking if she were to continue her journey as she had promised.

Yuna finally looked up, embarrassed, in the realization that Tromell had been staring at her the entire time.

"My lady, what a joyous day this is!" he exclaimed animatedly. "The people of Spira will rejoice once again!"

"Tromell… will Maester Seymour keep his promise and return to Bevelle as soon as he can?" asked Yuna, looking out of the window into the distance. She wanted to be as happy as he, but she couldn't help but wonder if this were all a farce.

"The Guado and human race will be further united!" he continued, not even regarding her question.

Yuna said nothing and continued looking outside of the window. They were almost through the glistening Macalania Woods and near the outskirts of Bevelle. As they approached the city, her eyes widened in awe. Everywhere as far as the eye could see was a vast red-structured metropolis surrounded by the bluest waters. It was just as majestic as she remembered, if not even more so. The chocobo-pulled vehicle made its way over the Highbridge and was permitted to enter the large gates which housed the Yevon Court.

The guado servant and summoner were escorted shortly after arriving by two heavily robed female acolytes into the courtyard.

"Is it true, Lady Yuna? Are you really going to marry Maester Seymour?" they asked excitedly in unison. It was a bit odd how fast the news traveled. It was almost as if the maester expected her to accept the proposal. Still, their smiling faces sent a warmth through Yuna and she remembered exactly why she consented in the first place.

"Yes, it is true," she replied, returning a smile to the young acolytes.

They both giggled, as young girls often do when discussing the lovelife of others. "The maester is really handsome," said one, while the other nudged and shushed her. Yuna gently laughed at their antics. He was handsome even by human standards, no doubt; he could even be described as pretty. Violet eyes, wild blue hair, and face veins were all exotic traits to someone with such a human-looking face. The guado were not a conventionally attractive race and Seymour did not seem to fit in with them.

"My name is Irma," introduced one, who had a very tan complexion and long black hair tied up into a tall ponytail. "And I'm Malia!" exclaimed the other with a lighter complexion and red hair, who previously admitted her attraction for the maester. "We're here to take care of you for the week!" They led Yuna to her quarters and Tromell carried her personal belongings, trailing behind with minor difficulty due to his old age. The accomodations were all too luxurious for the young summoner. The room was three times the size of any hut in Besaid, and it had one giant bay window in the center of it with a small balcony. The interior was filled with ornate furniture and one large canopy bed that could fit Yuna and all of her guardians. She gasped loudly at such luxury.

"M'lady, don't be so surprised!" reassured Irma in her raspy voice. "You are now to be a revered figurehead of Spira. Surely you deserve such a room." Even so, Yuna was a humble woman and did not find such an exquisite lifestyle necessary. A summoner was to fight for the Calm, not indulge in such extravagance while the lives of many were lost.

"Ah, yes. I am just not used to this," she replied apologetically, bowing. After all, the two girls were only following orders. Malia walked into the room soon after, carrying a ceremonial tray of green tea and a hot meal. She signaled for Tromell to leave by clearing her throat 'ahem!', but the guado didn't take the hint. "Please, if the lady could have some privacy?" she finally told him impatiently.

"My apologies!" replied an embarrassed Tromell and he promptly left. Malia shook her head.

Yuna grabbed a cup of herbal tea that was placed in the middle of the room on a long table with four comfy-looking zaisu. She felt very relaxed after finishing the earthy tea; it really was high quality like everything else in the current setting. Malia and Irma were putting away Yuna's belongings, but felt compelled to continue talking as they worked.

"I don't get the guado. They're so oblivious to everything." snorted Malia. Yuna shook her head at the prejudice statement, clearly disagreeing.

"I don't think of it that way. They're just different," she replied, defending the race she was to elope with. Although Malia wasn't entirely wrong, cultural differences sometimes needed a bit of empathy, and the good-natured Yuna was a very understanding person. "They have different customs than ours. I hope to learn as much as I can before the marriage." She didn't know much about the culture, but their connection with nature was something she really admired.

Irma and Malia scratched their heads. "Are you sure you're only a teenager?" they asked. The lady summoner seemed far beyond her years in many ways; almost like an old sage.

Yuna smiled, choosing to take it as a compliment. "Is there a library I can make use of?"

"Yes, M'lady!" exclaimed Irma. "It's enormous and full of information on any subject you can think of. Unfortunately it is closed at this hour." Outside, the sun was almost completely set and there was a beautiful pink and orange glow in the distance. The view from the bay window was breathtaking. Malia already lit a few wall sconces and candles on the ceiling chandelier as darkness already dispersed throughout the room.

"Well, we'll leave you alone for now since you're probably exhausted, M'lady. If you need anything, there should be a servant making the rounds in the hallway," informed Malia. The two girls gave a quick Yevon prayer and left. It was nice to finally be alone.

Yuna went right over to the massive canopied bed and laid down. Her small frame sunk into the luxurious bedding and she felt an enormous wave of comfort. Soon after she began to doze off into dreamland...

About an hour later, someone knocked on the door.

Half asleep, she got up and opened it, not at all surprised to see it was Tromell, her babysitter, once again.

"I am truly sorry for disturbing you at this hour, Lady Yuna. Lord Seymour has returned to Bevelle and requests your attendance in his chamber," he told Yuna apologetically, yet somewhat fearfully. Yuna could only assume what would happen to the elderly servant if she didn't comply with his orders, so she decided to follow without asking any questions.

After taking a long trail through the dark corridors, the summoner and guado finally reached their destination; large intricately carved wooden double doors with a fiery torch on each side. Of course a Maester was spared no expense in Bevelle. It felt surreal to be in such close proximity with individuals she held in the highest regard since childhood. And here she was, entangled in the personal life of a Maester. Life was becoming far more complicated than the young summoner ever expected.

The green-haired servant gave a chastened knock upon the broad door, and a minute later a barely audible 'You may enter' was heard. Tromell pushed in the heavy door with his enormous guado hands, making it seem much more miniscule than it actually was. Yuna followed him inside the room which was even more dimly lit than the hallway and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. Did Seymour really have to live like some sort of cliched villain?

The room was twice the size of Yuna's from what she saw. It seemed to be full of shelves crammed with scrolls, various ornate furniture, and even some exotic plants. The Maester was sitting behind a very long and sturdy wooden table, hands folded and head resting upon them. His face seemed to be more serious than usual and it looked much more dignified in the candlelight.

"You may leave, Tromell," he dismissed in his soft baritone voice. Tromell bowed and quickly left the room, more than likely relieved to be away from the forthcoming situation. "Lady Yuna, please have a seat."

There was a large backless sofa a few feet away from the wooden slab of a table. Yuna assumed that it was what he was hinting at and took a seat amidst a pile of tasseled pillows. The seating was not as comfortable as it looked by any means; it was almost as if the half-guado didn't want anyone staying for long. The summoner was on edge and she hoped that he did not sense it in the darkness. Taking a few deep breaths, Yuna tried to keep her composure as much as possible. Confidence would be her greatest ally in a battle of wits against Seymour.

Seymour finally spoke. "My apologies for arriving so late. I had some ...business to take care of in Macalania." He spoke calmly and softly, which was much different from his usual condescending demeanor. It put Yuna at ease, even if a little bit.

"It's fine," Yuna replied with a forced smile, "Why did you wish to see me at this hour?" she asked politely. It seemed a bit late for an audience with such an important political figure of Spira.

"I wanted you to know that I was sincere in what I said earlier," he replied, violet eyes shining in candlelight. He leaned forward a bit over the table, his broad hands stretching further towards Yuna. "I trust you will keep this matter silent?"

The answer to the question was fairly obvious, but for some reason he needed the summoner to reconfirm what was said earlier.

"Of course I will. I have not told any of my guardians. It's none of my business to tell," she replied truthfully. Seymour knew that she was more than a trustworthy person. Goodness emanated from the lady summoner. "I just want to know… why… did you do it?" Yuna asked with hesitation, almost too scared of the answer.

He remained silent for a few minutes, putting his elongated hand over his mouth in thought.

"Lady Yuna, you are wise for your age. Surely you can only imagine the hardships a half-breed such as I would face?" he said in a quiet tone of voice. Pinpointing Seymour's emotions was a hard task for Yuna. It was almost as if he purposefully kept people's nosy selves out of them.

Yuna gave an understanding nod. "I realize that you didn't have it easy... but was your father so terrible that you had to murder him?"

"No one knew my esteemed father as I did. Not having it easy would be an understatement. Judge me as you wish, but I believe we're far more alike than you'd care to admit, Yuna. We are both half-breeds after all."

Yuna eyes opened widely in complete shock. Though she was certain there were those who hadn't forgotten about her father's blasphemous consummation to an Al Bhed woman, she didn't suspect Seymour to know of it. "How do you kn…"

With a condescending smile returning to his face, he interrupted her mid-sentence. "I might be a half-breed myself, but my Guado sense of smell is keen as ever." Yuna blushed in embarrassment, realizing she had underestimated the heightened senses of the Guado.

"...Oh. Yes... However, I don't remember being too terribly discriminated against for it. I moved to Besaid at a young age and my father's pilgrimage seemed to make the people of Spira forget."

"Ah, I see. So you don't look like a half-breed and therefore are just in your lineage in Yevon's eyes," the Maester replied sarcastically.

Realizing Seymour would be sensitive about such a topic, Yuna attempted her best at explaining herself. "No, that's not what I meant at all! I'm so sorry," she bowed apologetically. "Clearly being half-Al Bhed is a worse offense in the eyes of Yevon. I am very fortunate that I am able to follow in my father's footsteps as a summoner."

"As am I for being appointed the first summoner as Maester. Our paths crossing was not a mere coincidence. Couldn't you feel it at first glance in Luca? Of course, you've proven yourself time and time again to be a well-versed summoner. Half-breeds or not, together we have the power to shape Spira. Of that I'm certain." he said with a beaming, almost arrogant confidence.

Such words put an automatic smile on Yuna's face whether she could help it or not. "I… admire your confidence, Maester. I hope to be as dedicated as you are someday," she admitted.

Seymour hoisted himself up from his throne-like chair and walked around the giant wood slab of a desk, hands behind his back in his usual professional manner. Yuna shifted very uncomfortably in her seat, fearing what the guado Maester would do next. Seconds later, he was before her, his tall frame looming over her in the darkness. He placed an elongated hand on the summoner's shoulder very gently, yet she recoiled at his touch.

"Don't be afraid, Yuna. Simply call me Seymour. We are well passed formalities," he assured her, his voice soft and velvety. Except she wasn't passed formalities. She was going to be married to virtually a complete stranger whom she knew nothing about sans the fact that he murdered the patriarch of Guadosalam. Even still, Yuna was not afraid. Clearly Seymour proposed for a reason. It would be ridiculous to do away with her, right?

"I'm not afraid," said Yuna in reply, "I'm just unsure if I trust you yet."

The Maester looked bit surprised as if he wasn't expecting such an answer, but quickly masked it with his usual smirk.

"...I see. Well, it seems like we're done here. We both know were we stand in this arrangement. I've detained you long enough." He then escorted the young summoner to the door. "Goodnight, Yuna."

The massive door to Seymour's chamber was immediately opened up by Tromell. Yuna assumed he was probably listening for a good portion of the discussion; she didn't doubt the guado possessed better hearing abilities.

"This way, M'Lady," he commanded as usual in a much quieter tone as to not disturb the echoing halls. Yuna followed eagerly, happy to be away from such an awkward situation. After walking down the winding halls, the two finally reached Yuna's room. Tromell stood in place for a moment and gave Yuna an odd stare. 'What is it this time?' she wondered silently to herself.

"Please, Lady Yuna. Do not be too quick to judge Lord Seymour," the servant finally spoke. Before she could reply, Tromell took off down the corridor as fast as his long guado legs would carry him. That one certainly had much more to him than met the eye. Then again, Seymour did as well. The guado suddenly seemed like a far more complex bunch than the people of Spira gave them credit for.

Finally stepping into her room, Yuna collapsed on the the massive bed and immediately sunk into the five layers of bedding. She was deep in thought and could not sleep. One thing was for certain; she missed her guardians and wished she could talk to Lulu or Rikku about the situation. Hiding things from her loved ones was not her intention, but she couldn't get them involved in this political mess. Soon the summoner fell into sleep mid-thought….