Chapter 1 - Betrayal and Comfort
Laying in the steamy paradise in a forest on the outskirts of the Tristain Academy of Magic was the legendary warrior known as the Gandalfr; His sword Derflinger layed on the side of a rock along with the rest of his clothes.
"Ahhh… this is just like back home…" Saito said aloud relaxing in the spring he recently found. To say that today was a good day would be wrong, this was the only thing that was good that has happened. "Why does her father have to always get in the way of our relationship, then again what relation is there left." He said looking at his left hand surprised that the runes were still there.
Heading back from a midnight walk around the area, Saito headed back to the academy. Arriving at the school he noticed that the place was crawling with security that looked like marshal law had hit the school during the middle of the night. Not taking any chances Saito climbed the outer walls of the school to avoid detection from the royal mages.
"Why is there such a presence of royal mages, none of them have the symbol the queen has so who could they be?" Saito muttered under his breath as he jumped into a bush and made his way to the inner wall where Louise's room could be climbed too. "Geez, the person who got the guards must be worried for some reason." He muttered as he climbed up the interior wall of the magical school. Reaching the window that he was thrown out of a couple of times by Louise, he could hear voices talking in the room.
"But father, what about Sai-"Louise began but was interrupted by one of the few people in the world who hated the young swordsman.
"You will not bring up that commoners name in my presence, do you understand?" The Duke of the Valliere family said silencing his daughter. "Anyway, the potion you are holding will nullify your contract with that kid and as your father I demand that you drink it." He ordered he which made Saito want to break in to save the day but Derflinger had different ideas.
"Partner, don't enter into the situation, see if she drinks it. If she does then she doesn't love you." He said which worried the swordsmen.
"What about my powers, won't I lose them if the contract is broken?"
"No, the powers of Gandalfr are flowing through your veins, the runes are to show who you are."
"Alright…" Saito said hoping the worst doesn't happen….. She drinks the potion which broke the kids heart. With a broken heart in hand, he climbed down and avoided the trouble which he knew was meant to take care of him after the contract was broken.
Lowering his hand, he sank into the spring looking to forget the events of the evening but no matter how low he went the pain that was caused is too great to forget.
"Partner, what do you plan to do now that you are a free man?" Derflinger asked, without a plan he was going to die.
"Hmm…. Henrietta would probably be the best choice to go to, she knows Louise very well and she can help me with dealing with her father." He said to his most trusted comrade which was a sword.
"That would be smart considering your options." Derflinger agreed with his master.
"Ya, but for know I might as well enjoy this while I can." Saito commented to his sword as he relaxed under the two moons that watched over him.
The Queen of Tristain was having a rather pleasant day so far, there was very few papers to sign, no conflicts and just a rather calm day, however her day was about to become much more different.
"Queen Henrietta, there is a situation that has transpired at the Magic Academy." Agnes, Henrietta's most trusted guard and captain of the musketeer squadron.
"What happened?"
"Osmond stated that Duke Valliere forcefully entered the academy for two reasons. The first was to break Louise's contract with Saito. However it is rumored that the second reason was to kill Saito but he has not been seen or found since the entry." The report changed her mood at once. Not only could it cause a power struggle for the possession of Gandalfr between the countries since Saito's allegiance was to Louise sole, without the contract he could go any number of ways. But more important was that he was being hunted by one of the most powerful families in the country which she was particular related too.
"Agnes, send of a messenger to the Duke of Valliere to come to the capital and discuss the events he has set into motion... And also have it state he is to come alone." She added the last part as Agnes dashed out of the throne room leaving the Queen in a situation she didn't like.
"Wait… partner we are in Tarbes correct?" Derflinger asked his owner.
"Ya, why do you- oh ya the Zero!" Saito came to realization. "Thanks Derf." He thanked his sword who was happy for the gratitude. Unlike his previous owners Saito treated him like a living person and it showed in the blade itself. Polished to near perfection, no rusty, everything you would see in a well keep sword. Making his way to the hanger that Siesta showed him a while ago, he removed the tarp covering the airplane from his home country. Placing his sword in the back seat, he jumped into the cockpit and hit the ignition. Moving down the runway, they two set off to the capital city of Tristiana in style.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Valliere has arrived which his youngest daughter." A royal guard said which confused the Queen.
"I thought the message said to come alone." Henrietta asked Agnes who shook her head.
"The Duke said since his youngest daughter is related to her majesty that she should be able to come." The guard spoke for the Duke which annoyed the Queen, he was using past events to gain leverage in the situation at hand.
"Very well, bring the two in please."
"Of course my Queen." The guard said leaving to get the royalist.
"Your Majesty, he is going to use her to get what he wants." Agnes whispered as Henrietta nodded.
"I know." She said as the doors opened the show two people walking down the alleyway to the throne. The female of the two got on her knee in respect, however the male did not.
"Good morning your highness, what can I do for you this fine morning?" The man asked already knowing the reason he was here.
"I would like to know why you forcefully entered the Magical Academy of Tristain without authorization from either myself or the headmaster. " The Queen asked getting straight to the problem.
"With all do respect, my daughter was kidnapped by her worthless familiar and needed a better one to prove she truly is a void mage." He replied dodging the question.
"So you decided on your own to remove the legendary Gandalfr from Lousie's contract. You could have set into motion events that could endanger not only yourselves but the entire country, possible the world. The only thing preventing him from leaving her was his unquestionable loyalty to your daughter. Isn't that right Louise?" The Queen asked her long time friend who she was very disappointed in for not saying no. Seconds later a royal guard came running into the throne room which the meeting was being held.
"Your majesty, there is urgent news you must hear at once!" The guard said sweating in his full plate armor.
"What is it?"
Saito Chevalier de Hiraga has made his way into the castle and has asked an audience with you. I told him that you had one with the Valliere family but he then said he wanted one immedatly." The guard said catching his breath. Henrietta's face brightened hearing that the man she was worrying about was safe. The Duke's look was of anger while his daughter's was of worry.
"Let him in at once, we have many things to discuss." She told the guard who bowed and made his way to the door and closed it.
"Your majesty, he is nothing but a commoner, how could you allow an audience with it while we have one going on.
"Because, now I can hear the story from his side and make my verdict. Also if you attack him in any way I will strip you of your status and land immediately. " She replied shutting the duke up. Moments later the doors that lead to the throne room opened up revealing a single figure. He wore his chevalier cape telling those around him he held high status despite he dressed like a commoner, his trusty sword was attached by his scabbard on his back and the runes on his left hand were as visible as they were when they were burned onto him. Walking down the aisle toward the throne the Queen herself got out and walked towards him. Stopping inches away from each other she didn't see the cheerful side of him that she was so used to seeing. "Saito… how are you feeling?" She asked worried that the event hit him hard.
Trying to smile but failing to fool Henrietta with it he said "A little hunger but great otherwise."
"I see, Saito, will you tell me your side of the story?" She accidentally said not wanting to push him into it believing he was hit hardest with this event.
Dropping the act he began "Where do I begin… I was out for a midnight walk because I couldn't sleep. I returned to the school and it was packed which his guards. I climbed up the walls and overheard the conversation."
"Did Louise drink the potion willingly?"
"Basically…" He said still crushed that she chose nobility over him.
"All right, please proceed."
"After I left the academy I went to Tarbes and went to get into my airplane, much to the thankful reminder of Derf here, and now I'm here." Despite that he shorted the story for everyone's sake; Henrietta had enough reason to charge the Valliere family with dishonoring the sacred tradition between master and familiar.
"Louise…" Henrietta said her friend's name that was standing while trying to control herself. "You and your father have broken one of the most sacred laws that even the Founder himself created. Not only that but I believe that your father had intentions of murdering your ex-familiar, so… as much as it pains me to say this you are no longer my sister." Henrietta said turning her back to her closest friend with a tear forming down her right eye. Saito was the only one who saw it because he next to her. "Duke Valliere, you are charged not only with forceful entry of a government building but attempted murder. You are to relinquish your right to your land and title to the kingdom immediately." Henrietta said not turning to face the Duke, anger swiftly entered his veins.
"I won't let you ruin everything that my family has worked so hard for!" He shouted shooting a bolt of electricity at the Queen from his hand. Saito, acting on sheer will alone say it coming and pushed her out-of-the-way taking the full impact of the spell. Do to the power of the spell he slammed into the wall as a cloud of dust formed. Agnes drew her pistol but was zapped like the Gandalfr as well. The only one standing was a shock Queen looking at the wall the man she loved was possessed to be, however all that was there was dust and brick. Fear hit her majesty, she didn't have her wand on her and she couldn't cast spells accurately without it. "I will rule this country, but to do that you must-"
"Die…" a voice said piercing the Duke's back with his sword while going through to his front. Blood poured out of his mouth as he looking down at the blade. It was his.
"How 'cough' are you still alive" he struggled to speak as the sword thrusted deeper into him.
"Because I won't die to the likes of you, not now not ever." The legendary swordsmen spoke pulling the sword out in one feel pull. The body of one of the most powerful men in the country fell onto the floor of the throne room. Louise was the first to rush to her dead father's side. Terror filled her looking at her once protector as if she was next. Ripping a piece of cloth from the dead man's clothes, Saito cleaned the rich iron blood from his sword which made Derflinger happy not having the taste of blood on him anymore and put it back in his sheath on his back.
"Guards, escort Louise out of the throne room please, she doesn't need to see this." Henrietta said as guards filled the room. The little girl could do nothing at the strength of the guards but protest which did nothing. Once she was removed a second pair of guards removed the body that laid on the floor. Saito meanwhile walked up to Agnes to help the captain to her feet.
"Thanks." She thanked the younger man while didn't say anything. She couldn't blame him considering what he had just done to protect the Queen.
"Walking up to the Queen Saito asked "Are you alright Henrietta?"
"Yes, thanks to you Saito… tell me, what do you plan on doing now that you are a free man?"
"I'm not free; as long as the rest of Louise's family is alive I'll probably be hunted until one of us dies." Saito said knowing the murder of the Duke of the Valliere family will not go without consequence. "But if I somehow can, maybe try to find a way where royalty and common people can live as equals, not one using the other for gain, just like back home." He said turning to his friend with a smile he was missing since her got here. This made her heart flutter. "Of course most nobles with see me as a radical and want me dead so I don't see that going well."
"Not everyone will." She said holding his hand which surprised the man next to her.
"Henrietta, what are you-" He was stopped with a finger from her by the other hand.
"Saito, if you and I were to marry, we could change with country, possibly this world for the better." She said asking for his hand which was rare coming from the opposite sex.
"I don't want the power of being King, nor do I want to use you to transform this world to my liking without you agreeing with it."
"You don't have to worry about any of that, power corrupts but you are different, you use that power for the people instead of against them. I trust you completely.
"Are you sure, I am a commoner." Saito asked one final time to see if she had any doubt in her mind.
"Yes, as long as I am with you I can be myself." She said convincing the black-haired boy.
"Alright, you forced me into a corner I guess, I'll marry you and become what I hate…" Saito said with a half-smile half-grin.
"You will get used to it over time, I'm sure." She said as the two looked out into the sunset which marked the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one for the two lovers.
Author's Notes – This has changed so much from my original idea. Do to that this could turn from being a simple one shot to another story. I could continue this or I could stop here, whatever you guys want. Still, four fanfics in and I am finally posting one of my favorite anime. Asides from other boring crap you guys most likely don't want to hear, let me know if you want it continued and I will start writing up rough chapter plots for it, remember it one takes one to start a subject. Cheers. (Oh great the Welsh said of me is kicking in….)
7/27/13 - Do to nearly getting an update on this story about either someone following, favoriting, or asking me to continue it every day, I have decided (against my better sanity) to continue this story. However, I will not upload some chapters until I finish my current projects so ya... at least there will be a decently long fanfic with these two for one, aside from Henrietta's victory which I really liked.