Few things in life pleased Marquis Halim Ondore IV more than a classic novel or a good debate with his advisors. Oftimes, he'd disagree with something that he, under normal circumstances, might have said himself, just to instigate an epic debate that would more often than not cause one of the level headed Rebe to storm from the room, frustrated at his leader's difficultness. This would bring the Marquis temporary amusement, but he would always lapse back into boredom later, wondering vaguely of what the other side was doing.

Years after the Marquis' death, his more private journals would be discovered locked away in his chambers, musty from years of neglect. Curious historians would read of the other side and theorize, the most commonly accepted theory coming to be that this other side Ondore so often spoke of was an imaginative escape for the man who never seemed to take vacations. Quiet Rebe would reveal nothing of Ondore's private life, and it was only Lady Ashe, Queen of Dalmasca, who knew the truth of Ondore's life beyond the public eye.

The other side was not, in fact, an escape for his imagination, or even a world he dreamed up in all his immense boredom. It was a real place he was frightened to refer to by name, lest reporters swarm and overwhelm the people living there. They had been far to kind to the Marquis all these years to warrant that, and, knowing that he was a documenter and would have all of his writings looked upon so seriously, was very careful in his wording.

On this particular day, he was more melancholy while thinking of his secret life than normal. Out there, he had the potential to be truly happy, and yet it wasn't quite enough to cause him to resign from the throne. He cursed this miniscule need for power, but as he thought about it, wondered if it truly was a lust for power, or if it was something else. If he were to resign, he would have to produce an explanation to the people. What if something was deduced and he was caught in a lie? Would he be thrown in prison? Would they track him down and interrogate him? It surely wasn't a lust for power, because Bhujerba was only a city-state, and would likely never grow past that.

He retired to his chambers midday to be alone, and commanded that he be left alone unless there was something dire that needed his attention. When an envelope was slipped under the door, he seized it with a mild annoyance and ripped it open. It was from none other than the Queen of Dalmasca, Ashelia.

His annoyance faded immediately as he read the letter to himself, a warm feeling spreading through his chest at the girl's words.

My Dearest Uncle Halim,

How long has it been since last we met? I miss you terribly and wish that I could have come to deliver this message in person, but it has become a burden to leave the castle unless the circumstances are extreme.

I know that you are asking a thousand questions of me in your mind, and the answer to the most prominent is no, I have not yet found a suitor, nor do I plan to. I do, however, visit my husband's tomb every day and remind him that I am still his, and I will see him again someday, and I will not be tied to another man when that day should come.

I must confess that this is not a letter written at my leisure to check up on you. A confused note came to me just the other day from someone who did not know how to reach you directly. They wonder where you are, where you have been, and if you have plans to return home.

Perhaps you could plan a trip to Rabanastre soon?

With much love,

Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca

XOXO

He folded the letter and placed it in a pocket within his overcoat and strode from the room. His attendants, waiting outside, hurried to keep up with him. "I plan to travel to Dalmasca on the morrow," he said loftily. "Have the airship prepared before sunrise, as I will be leaving when light first breaks."

He blatantly ignored the attendants' inquiries as to why exactly he was going to Dalmasca and chose to leave them baffled. He grumpily told himself that they should know these things by now, that he and the Queen were friends. Finally, they gave in and asked him where in Dalmasca he wished to land and he told them Rabanastre. "I will be visiting Lady Ashe," he said sternly. "And I will hear no arguments on the matter."