Chapter One: A "Perfect" Life

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that are portrayed in this story. They all belong to Final Fantasy. I do own my own original characters however. If you haven't seen them in the game, I own them.

Emperor Gramis looked through his papers. There was so much work to be done. He really should listen to his youngest son, Larsa, and hire a secretary or something. He could almost swear that paperwork would be the death of him.

"Father, you called me?" His third eldest son, Vayne stood in the doorway, his face expressionless. Gramis summoned him in with a flick of his index finger.

"Ah, son, come and sit down. I have important matters to discuss with you". Vayne did a brilliant job of hiding his annoyance. All his father ever did with him was "discuss important matters". He couldn't remember the last time he and his father had had a fun conversation. All that was saved just for Larsa.

"Yes father?" Vayne took a seat in the easy chair opposite his father. He watched his father's face. Years of paperwork and not much else didn't seem to be doing him good. His eyes were an array of wrinkles, as were his cheeks. Vayne self-consciously touched his flawless face. He vowed never to end up like his father.

"Vayne, I am aware that you have not been married yet". Vayne rolled his eyes at his father's comment. He rarely talked about anything else with him.

"Yes father, I am aware of that as well". Gramis sighed a little.

"So, what are we going to do about that, son? You need to find a wife before you are thirty, at least".

"But father, I am only twenty-two. I still have enough time to get married". Gramis smacked his forehead angrily. Vayne remained cool, barely regarding his father's anger.

"Son, I am going to find you a wife before your twenty-third birthday, do you hear?" Vayne rolled his eyes. He had heard all right.

"Yes father, I did hear you. But where are you going to find a wife for me? Is there anyone in Rabanastre that I would be well-suited to?" Gramis stopped a bit before answering his son's question.

"I didn't say I would find you the perfect wife, I just said that I would find you a wife worthy of producing valid heirs for the Solidor throne".

"Father must you always think about heirs?" Vayne asked agitatedly. "Do you not care about my welfare also?" Gramis exhaled heavily.

"Of course I care about your welfare, my son. But the Solidor throne must also be in my thoughts. So, starting from today, I will try and find you a wife".

"But father!"

"No, Vayne. You will not stop me now".

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Ashe sat at her window-seat, looking out at the palace gardens below. They were empty accept for some servants who were sweeping away the autumn leaves. Ashe sighed. It was so boring being a princess. She couldn't go out and play with other people her age because her father was afraid that something would happen to her. Ashe had always tried to tell him otherwise but he refused to budge. Only her most trusted friends were allowed to visit her in the castle and even then, they had to be "Important". Ashe lived the life of a prisoner. She knew that her father doted on her but she just wished that he could be a little less protective.

"Lady Ashelia, your bath is ready" one of her maids-in-waiting called from behind her closed bedroom door. Ashe was confused. Why was she having a bath now? It was late afternoon and she normally had her bath in the evening. Ashe rushed to the door and opened it quickly. The maid smiled at her, looking a little flustered. She bowed respectfully at Ashe.

"How many times have I told you not to do that?" Ashe snapped. "For Gods sake, treat me like a normal person!"

Her maid nodded quickly, feeling slightly frightened. Ashe wasn't usually one to snap. Ashe's face softened when she saw her maid's terrified expression. "S-Sorry" she forced a smile on her face.

"Don't worry" her maid replied. They made their way to Ashe's bathroom and her maid handing her her bath things. "Oh, by the way, you have a visitor in an hour. Your father says it is important".

Ashe groaned inwardly. Every visitor she had was "important". Her father wouldn't let them see her if they weren't. "Who is it this time?" she asked. The maid pulled a face as she tried to think what she had been told.

"Your father said that it was the Lord Consul or something" she shrugged. Ashe's eyes widened. The Consul? What would he want with her? Ashe had never met him before but she had heard a lot of rumors about him.

"The Lord Consul? Why would my father wish for me to see him?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty, but he told me to tell you to have bathe and dress nicely. You shall have supper with him". Ashe rolled her eyes. Great! She would have to have supper with a total stranger who probably only thought and talked about politics. Ashe hated him already.

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"So, what do you know about my daughter, Ashelia?" Ashe heard her father's voice drone through the palace hallways. Ashe rolled her eyes. Did her father always have to begin conversations like that? It was a wonder he didn't get bored. Ashe reached the dining hall and peeped around the door. She could see her father sitting in a chair at the table. A man with long wavy hair and a handsome face, who she assumed was the Consul, sat next to him. Ashe decided to make her entrance.

"Good evening father, Lord Consul" she curtsied politely. Gods how she sometimes despised being polite!

Both men stood up. Her father smiled at her and nodded. The Consul smiled also before bowing down to Ashe. "I am very pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you".

"Ah! Well I've heard a lot about you as well!" Ashe fake-enthused. The Consul's smile faded a little.

"All good words, I hope?" he asked her. Ashe gave a little laugh.

"Well, I've heard a lot. That is all you shall know!" They both chuckled. Maybe he isn't so bad, after all. Ashe realised that her father looked a little frustrated. He began to speak when they had finished giggling.

"So, shall we all take a seat, then?" he asked.

Ashe made her way over to the table and sat down; being careful not to trip in the heels she had been forced to wear. The Consul sat next to her and her father sat at his usual place; the head of the table.

"Servants! Bring forth the buffet!" The King called.

Almost immediately, a few servants rushed in, pushing a large serving trolley. It was piled high with different foods, desserts and beverages.

"Ah, it looks simply splendid!" The Consul simpered. The King beamed at the compliment.

"Yes it is. And feel free to eat as much as you like!" The Consul nodded graciously. Ashe smiled a little. He may not have wanted to come here, same as her, but he sure knew his manners!

Her father looked at her and did a double-take, as if he had just seen her for the first time."Y-You look simply beautiful, sugarplum" he grinned at her. "The maids have really made you look wonderful. You should dress like this more often!"

Ashe blushed slightly. Did he always have to be this embarrassing? "Thank you, father".

"So, Consul, what do you think of the new Prime Minister? Do you think he is dealing with this land well?" Great. Politics. She would just have to eat her food in silence as usual then. Well she couldn't say she expected anything more.

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An hour and a half had passed. To Ashe, it had seemed like a lifetime. She had long since tuned out of whatever her father and the Consul were currently conversing about. She had finished dinner over half an hour ago and since then, she had been dreaming about her greatest ambition. If she hadn't been born a princess, she would have definitely been a sky pirate. How fun it would be to soar across the skies being in charge and most importantly, being free. That was Ashelia's greatest dream. To be free.

"What about you Lady Ashelia? If I may call you that" she heard the Consul say. Ashe blinked at him. What on Earth was he talking about?

"S-Sorry, I wasn't focusing. Forgive me, Lord Consul" she told him with an apologetic smile. The Consul smiled back at her, flicking his jet black hair over his shoulder like a waterfall.

"Do not worry, Lady Ashelia. What I said was do you believe that there is someone in this world for everyone?" he repeated. "Oh, and forget the formalities. Call me Vayne. I prefer that so much more". Ashe smiled. So they had something in common, then.

"Why of course" she told him. "I do believe that there is someone for everyone. But, it doesn't mean you will find them, however". Vayne nodded. Ashe could see that her father was itching to say something.

"Father, is there something you wish to add?" she frowned slightly. Her father smiled at her before looking towards Vayne.

"Ashelia, you are coming to the age where you will need to find a husband" he told her. Ashe remained silent, listening to what he had to say next. "And I and my good friend, Emperor Gramis believe that you and The Lord Consul, sorry, Vayne, would make a fine couple. You are both of important heritage after all and-" He was cut short by Ashe glaring at him.

"So father, you only invited Vayne here so that you could propose marriage between us?" she asked angrily.

Her father avoided her stare and instead focused on the decoration of the grand, oak table. "Now sugarplum, I didn-"

Ashe stood up, much to the surprise of Vayne and her father. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to talk. "Father, you do not let me interact with people my own age, you keep me locked up in this castle all day and now you try and marry me off to someone I have just met?" The King reeled back as his daughter screamed at him.

"Now, Ashelia sweetheart, calm down!" This seemed to only make his daughter even angrier.

"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I AM SICK OF LIVING IN THIS HELLHOLE! WHY CAN'T I HAVE A NORMAL LIFE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE MY AGE?" And with that said, she ran out of the dining hall. She kept on running, not caring where she went, as long as she was well away from this. Her sobs echoed through the palace corridors as the young princess tried desperately to escape from her "perfect" princess life.

So what do you think? This is my first story so don't be too judgemental. And remember, R&R!