When they walked out of the Sephiroth, everyone was silent. The fight with Van had been draining, and as Guy watched Tear stare blankly at the snow cliffs, he realised how many of them had had some form of relationship with Van.

Luke had been trying to find who he was. Stopping…no, killing Van…was supposed to solve his problems. Instead, it seemed to have the converse effect. Tear, of course, had mixed feelings regarding the death of her brother. Anise had worked with him in the Oracle Knights. Natalia had seen him since her youth, since Van had been visiting the manor for years.

Only Jade hadn't interacted with Van personally, but he looked thoughtful all the same. He noticed Guy looking at him, and pushed up his glasses. "Something the matter, Guy?"

The rest of the party was apparently too depressed and shocked with the recent events that no one reacted to Jade's sudden words. Guy slowed his steps, letting himself fall in step beside Jade. "Well…I was just thinking about Van. When we were younger, ya know."

"Ah, yes. You two were friends since young." Jade smiled briefly, then shook his head. "Knowing you, you aren't silly enough to suggest that we hadn't killed him or anything."

"No, of course not. It's just that—" Guy paused, then shut his mouth. He realised that he was about the monologue about his past, and it was hardly necessary. Everyone was tired, and it's not like anyone needed to know about young Gailardia's life. Guy didn't need to tell anyone. He smiled. "Never mind. But anyway, you look like you're pretty bothered too. That's pretty rare."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "I do? Well, I was just thinking about all the paperwork I have to prepare for His Majesty now. And the worst part is that he probably won't even read it." He folded his arms. "That, and all the trouble we have to deal with now that we're living in the Qliphoth."

"Yeah…" Guy grinned, thinking of Jade swamped with all the paperwork while Peony hovered behind him whining about his life.

"And what are you looking so happy about? His Majesty will probably rope you in for administrative work too." Jade's glasses glinted in the sunlight. Guy winced at the thought. Perhaps he really should return to Kimlasca.

Noelle dropped Jade and Guy outside Grand Chokmah after their stop at Daath. Anise had left with Ion, promising to write, and reassuring Guy that should he change his mind about not wanting to marry her, he could direct a letter to the Cathedral. He promised to consider it.

As he stepped out of the Albiore behind Jade, Luke gripped his shoulder. "Guy, I'm really sorry about…well, everything. And I'm…"

"Hey, I said not to worry about it, didn't I?" Guy smiled, grasping Luke on the arm in return.

"Yeah…but to think a noble like you had to work as a servant…" Luke pursed his lips, then grinned. "Well, now you're going to get your stuff and everything back. You're a noble now…well, always had been, really."

Guy tilted his head, then pulled Luke into a hug. "I'm going to miss you too, you little idiot."

"Mm." Luke buried his face in Guy's shoulder, like he was a child. "Me too."

When Noelle finally flew off, Jade looked at Guy. "Do you really want to stay in Malkuth? It is your original home, but it seems you already have some bond with the Fabre Household."

"No," he said firmly. "Honestly, everytime I saw Duke Fabre, I…" Guy clenched his fists, then shook his head. "I am Luke's friend, but that's all I have in my heart for Kimlasca. Well, and Natalia, of course. Besides, the girls in Malkuth are prettier and they seem to respect personal space!"

Jade laughed. "Well, we'll see about that."

They went to Grand Chokmah, and Guy felt like skipping slightly. Van was gone, and he now had a proper place to call home. He loved Malkuth for its calm atmosphere, and while they didn't invest in fon machine research as much as Kimlasca did, there were still things to admire. Perhaps they had other works of art like the Tartarus around.

At the palace, Jade delivered his report to Peony. Guy filled in for certain parts where Jade requested for him to ("Guy, if you would please?" "I thought this was your report to the Emperor?!" "Oh, I'm afraid that in my old age I might have forgotten some things…"). Jade ended with a brief description of their battle, and it was then that Guy realised that that had only been the day before. Peony nodded.

"I'll have to send a few guards to patrol the area and conduct further investigations. Good work, Jade. And you too, Gailardia." He stood up and stretched his arms in a rather un-majestic manner. Sesemann frowned disapprovingly.

"Your Majesty, there is still the issue of House Gardios' assets?" Jade added, giving a sideway glance at Guy. Guy gave a small smile in thanks. He honestly wasn't sure how he was supposed to ask for his things, since the last time he'd been officially part of House Gardios was fourteen years ago.

"Right. Well, I'm free now, and pretty bored. I'll bring you to get the paperwork done, and then we can go see your new crib!" Peony walked down the steps, and Sesemann couldn't help but sigh heavily.

"Your Majesty, we do not use terms like 'crib' to describe somebody's mansion. Especially that of a noble's."

"Well, Gailardia here doesn't mind. Do you, Gailardia?" Peony swung an arm around Guy's shoulders, and Guy tried to hold in his grin as the adviser sighed again in exasperation.

Jade had left when Peony and Guy were done at the clerk's office. Jade had given some excuse about his old age and aching back, before disappearing in the general direction of the military headquarters. Guy glanced at the fading light in the sky. He was surprised Jade had spent that long waiting with him.

"Your Majesty, it is getting rather late. I think I can locate the mansion myself…" Guy felt bad about having the Emperor of Malkuth as his personal guide.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Besides, how could I have you getting lost tomorrow before the dinner with the House of Lords? Then I'll have to give some lame excuse about my newest noble being a incapacitated from something as mild as battle injuries. Speaking of which I'll get the physician to pop by after I'm done." Peony strode on, and Guy had no choice but to follow him. The guards they passed saluted as they passed, and some people bowed respectfully. Guy felt extremely awkward, knowing of course that they were bowing to Peony. He'd been a servant for much too long, he supposed.

Peony glanced at Guy, and laughed. "Well, soon they'll be bowing to you too. Get used to it. Although I know I haven't."

"Haha…they can't possibly tell I'm a noble."

"Oh, of course they will. I'll get Jade to help you buy some new clothes. We can't have you running around Grand Chokmah with that get-up."

Guy felt a tad insulted. He was fond of that outfit, mostly because it was comfortable and had served him well. Besides, he looked good in it. Or so the maids at the fon Fabre's had said. He quashed the feeling of nostalgia rising in his chest. "Jade would know about fashion?" he said quickly.

"Well, he knows about enough to get by, although he has the excuse of wearing his military outfit all the time. House Curtiss is one of our oldest families, and Jade has had the sense of listening to them and becoming a noble worthy of the name."

That was true, Jade was a noble. Guy found that difficult to wrap his mind around. Peony suddenly stopped before a gate, and Guy looked up and around. They'd walked behind the palace, and then to a road where there were a lot of small side roads leading to gates in the distance. They were mansions, he realised. Each mansion probably needed a lot of space, so they needed to be spaced out even farther.

And the mansion of House Gardios was right at the end of a road, secluded from the main street. Peony misinterpreted the look on Guy's face. "Oh, don't worry about the distance. We could get you a land buggy to take you to the main street if you don't like walking…"

"No, it's fine, really. I was a servant, I think I can deal with some walking." Guy smiled to reassure the Emperor. He pushed away his thoughts of how lonely it would be, in a distant land made all the more prominent with his mansion's proximity from the main streets.

"Well, make yourself at home. I had the placed spruced up before your arrival, although it's not completely done yet. There's a cook and a servant inside, so you're pretty much settled for today. We're in the process of finding the other servants assigned to House Gardios, who were probably reassigned to other Houses temporarily. Don't worry, though. Malkuth owes your family for the events of Hod."

Guy's stomach churned at that reminder, but he forced a smile and bade the Emperor a good evening. He pushed open the gleaming white gates. There was a short path to the main door from there, and two large patches of green lawn on either side. The mansion itself was in the centre of a lawn that circled it, unlike that of House Fabre's which had the garden inside. He supposed it was for the best—the insects would stay out. The building was two storeys high, with large square windows all firmly shut. He could see blue curtains on the inside. Shutting the gate, he walked down the path. His boots tapped against the perfect marble path, and when he reached the door it opened. A man in a suit greeted him, introducing himself as Cyril, the son of the butler who once served the Gardios family. He was informed that dinner would be ready in about half an hour, and His Majesty had sent a physician down to inspect him after dinner would that be alright sir. And with that Guy dismissed Cyril, yes sir I'll call you down later sir.

As Cyril left, his soft footsteps echoing in the empty hall, Guy looked around. He vaguely remembered coming here with his parents when he was young. Mary had sat in an old antique style chair beside the window over there, under a huge portrait of an elder Gardios. The portrait was gone, and he could see the large discoloured rectangle on the wall where it had once hung, starring gloomily at the child Gailardia when he scuttled about the house. Guy walked up the faded carpeted steps, running a hand along the smooth marble bannister. It wasn't dusty at all, and the brass borders had been polished. Much of the furniture had been removed, but he knew they would all be back by the next day. There were so many rooms on the top floor. He turned a corner, and looked out of the window. He had a beautiful view of the ocean from there, and of the water barrier that surrounded the capital. He put a hand to the silk curtains. They felt clean and newly washed.

Guy leaned against the window and pressed his forehead against the glass. He hadn't felt this lonely in years.

Peony had been thoughtful. The cook was male, and there weren't any maids around yet. Cyril served Guy a delicately roasted rappig loin with sautéed onions and an exotic amango sauce on a porcelain platter with gold trimming- which was honestly a very nice change from cheap inn stews and Natalia's poisonous cooking ("What on Auldrant did you put in this sandwich?!"). The chef—whose name was Neil – was pleased with Guy's compliments, and inquired to his preferences in dishes. Guy was about to say he liked beef stew before he realised that was actually Luke's favourite. He wracked his brains for such a long while that Neil apologised for asking such a question. Guy shook his head and laughed, replying at last that he would be glad to eat anything Neil could concoct. That answer reassured the chef, and he retreated to the kitchen.

Guy leaned back in the high backed chair. Sitting at the head of the long mahogany table he looked about the dining room. He decided he ought to get a few plants, perhaps. Brighten up the room. He had seen a small fountain that worked on a mechanism involving some small fon machine in a shop which he could just picture sitting in that corner. He hoped it wouldn't gather dust. It would be a pain to clean, he knew that for sure.

Cyril interrupted Guy's thoughts as he cleared the plate. "Sir, the physician has arrived. He's in the main hall."

"R-right. Thanks, Cyril." He moved to stand up, and Cyril pulled his chair back for him. Guy moved out awkwardly, banging his knee against the solid wood table leg. "Really, it's no issue. I can handle it…"

"It is of no matter, sir." Cyril bowed and left the dining room. Guy blinked, then went out the other way to the main hall. He saw the physician in the main hall, looking out of the window. The physician turned at the sound of Guy's boots against the stone floor.

"And you are…?"

"I'm Gu—uh, Gailardia. You must be the doctor."

The physician seemed almost surprised, and Guy realised that he hadn't changed since he'd arrived. He'd moped around and lay on his bed until Cyril rang him down.

"Well, alright. Where shall we begin the examination?"

"Ah, right."

Guy turned and looked in the mirror. Cyril had brought him some bedclothes, but even they felt too nice to be worn. He pinched the smooth fabric between his fingers. It seemed to be made of some kind of silk. He sighed, running a hand through his damp washed blond hair. It would take some time before he could adjust.

There came a knock at the door, and Guy went to open it. Cyril stood there, looking pristine as always in his suit. It had to be a butler thing—Guy couldn't remember a time Ramdas didn't look perfectly groomed. "Sir, Colonel Jade Curtiss is here."

Guy nearly choked. "Jade's here? Where is he?"

"I showed him to the living room. He's waiting for you."

"R-right. Do I look okay?" He blurted out. Then he realised that sounded strange, and stuttered. "I mean, is this like, normal gear to meet a guest around here?"

Cyril blinked. "I would suppose that the Colonel should have expected as much, seeing as it is rather late at night already."

"Okay." He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, then followed Cyril out. He walked down the stairs, and Cyril opened the door to the living room for Guy before he left to …do whatever it was butlers did. Jade sat by the fireplace in a black shirt and pants, nursing a glass of wine.

"Hey Jade, thought you'd be asleep already, being all tired and all." Guy had to repress the urge to run over and hug Jade. It felt like it had been forever since he'd been with his friends.

"Well, we old people don't sleep too well at night. That, and His Majesty sent me over in place of the usual female attendants for company. Seems he thinks I'm more your type."

Guy laughed at that. "I assure you, Colonel, that I'd prefer the girls any day. As long as they don't come too near."

"I doubt they would, considering that outfit you're wearing," he replied with a small smirk. Guy winced. He decided not to trust Cyril's judgment with clothes again.

"But then, I'm used to seeing you in a much worse state, when we've been travelling for days without a decent inn," continued Jade smoothly. Guy sat beside him in the sofa, laughing again.

"Heh. Speaking of which, Emperor Peony wanted you to be my fashion advisor."

"Did he now?" Jade sighed. "That's right, I had forgotten. Tomorrow is your official inauguration into the House of Lords. And you haven't a thing to wear."

"Yeah." Guy pressed his lips tightly thinking of what he'd have to deal with the next day. "Will you be there?"

"Hmm? Ah, yes. I'll be representing House Curtiss. Despite me having been adopted into the family I'm the only male heir available at this time."

"Oh. Great, that's a relief."

Jade turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "I can't blame you for that. All the attention will be on you, the lost son of Malkuth returned. At least I don't have to worry about you tripping over some lady's skirt, or spilling wine on your own shirt."

"As opposed to Luke, maybe?" Guy laughed at the memory of Luke's first formal event, where he'd managed to knock over three tall standing tables and broken the ice sculpture in the punch….but then, he'd only been three years old then, hadn't he? He sobered up at that. Jade looked at him with mild concern.

"It's uncommon for you to look this serious, Gailardia." He stood up and walked to the corner table, pouring out another glass of wine. Guy looked up at his slender silhouette in the fire light.

"I guess I'm just feeling….out-of-place." He sighed, leaning back into the couch. "I haven't been in Malkuth as ….as a member of House Gardios for more than a decade. For once, I'm treated like I'm ….somebody. Not just a servant, or someone who's supposed to be in the background. Not seen and heard, just there to be used. I see Cyril, and Neil, and I think I'm totally not worthy to be greeted or served or whatever." He closed his eyes. "I wanted revenge for my family, but now that I've claimed my right to House Gardios back, I realise…maybe this isn't what I want."

He opened his eyes again, and Jade was standing before him, holding out a crystal goblet of wine. Guy accepted it, and Jade sat back down next to him. "I'm sorry, but this is the best that Malkuth can do as…compensation. To restore your family's name, instead of writing it away as part of a history that should never have happened."

"Yeah….family. My identity as a citizen of Malkuth. It's all too new. It's supposed to be my home, but I'm feeling more like a stranger here. This house is too big for just one guy."

"Was that a pun?" Jade downed the rest of his own wine, setting the goblet gently on the side table. "Guy, you need to relax. You're just feeling a little homesick. Even if you hated Duke Fabre, that manor was your home. But now you have a new one." He smiled warmly, and Guy wondered if that was the fire light playing tricks with his eyes. "You also have the Emperor who's probably willing to entertain any requests you have, other than perhaps roasting any of his rappigs, and you have me. And, because I had anticipated that this would happen, I'll be staying over here for tonight and we can eat cookies with milk and tell scary ghost stories together until dawn breaks."

"Wait, what?" Guy nearly spluttered.

"Well, alright, we can hold off the milk and cookies. But since Tear isn't here I thought I could finally impress someone with my wide repertoire of horror stories."

Guy stared at Jade, then threw back his head and laughed. "You're unbelievable!" Then he shook his head, and looked down at his knees. "Thank you, Jade. You have no idea how happy this makes me, really."

"Don't mention it. Now," Jade's glasses glinted in the light. "Have you heard the one about the woman who dwells in Mt. Roneal?"