Chapter 2

Author's note: I had been thinking about this for a long while...

"You are lucky the Marquis has taken a liking to you, Cloud. There are not many that entertain him as you seem to have done," his mother said in a gossiping tone, tightening the corset as she did so. Cloud gasped from the restriction against his chest, holding tighter onto the pole in front of him when he was almost pulled back. He had been stripped down to his undergarments, his previous dress laid on the floor like the garb the Marquis had identified it as, the new dress his mother had picked laying on the bed, the dazzling rubies around the neck of it shining in the light of the fire. Cloud stayed quiet though, not interested in his mother's idle gossip.

"What have you done to entertain him, my dear child? Did you go before him on your knees?" His mother giggled as she tied the end of the strings, releasing him. Cloud could hear the sneer in her voice, but he refused to acknowledge it, walking to the other side of the bed as he prepared to get dressed for the ball once again.

"Answer me," his mother ordered sharply, twirling Cloud around so he faced her. Cloud did not wish too for he knew the words that would escape his lips would not be satisfactory for what she wanted him to say. But with the glare of punishment in her eyes, he had no choice.

He leveled his eyes with hers, his arousing fear giving way to smuggish anger.

"I called him by name, and we spoke of nothing but my ruined dress and how all he wished to do was remove it," Cloud snapped. His mother's eyes widened in shock as she covered her lips with a hand, Cloud tearing his arm from her loosening grip as his eyes narrowed in anger.

"Is that what you wanted to hear, mother?" Cloud said in an almost growling tone, his neck snapping to his side as the pulse of pain spread throughout his cheek.

Cloud panted, tears prickling his eyes as he turned his head back, raising a hand to touch his tender cheek. His mother's face was stoic as she twirled him around, grabbing the dress as she did so. They were both silent as she put it on him, covering the evidence of the man he was, his mother going to the front of him as she buttoned up the lace around his fragile neck.

"We will never speak of this again, you understand Cloud? I mean it," his mother ordered, Cloud not responding. He could feel the bruise on his face already starting to darken, the ticklish feeling as it did so running down his spine.

His mother finished the last button, sighing as she did so. She straightened out the area around his shoulders, fondness setting into her eyes. She looked up to Cloud, nearly level with him as she touched a hand to his cheek, rubbing it lightly with her thumb as a small smile touched her lips.

"I'm sorry, Cloud. I'm just so stressed out with this ball, and the bills that have been rolling in each day. I'm afraid I had not thought of the pain it would have caused you when I had hit you. Please, forgive me," she whispered, touching her lips to his own.

Cloud's eyes closed. Those words, so familiar in his mind had been spoken too many times for him to count. But they were never the truth. The pain she knew would silence him, the words she knew would soothe him.

But he wasn't five anymore.

He knew now the pain was never going to stop, and that her anger would never find its fill. It was a process, an endless process he knew would never change. It hadn't then, and it wouldn't now. He pulled away.

:::+:::

"Sephiroth my boy! Sit, please sit," the King ordered with a grin, pointing to the seat from across his own. Sephiroth nodded, giving the Queen his most dashing smirk before he sat, placing a napkin on his lap as a waiter placed his food in front of him. Sephiroth picked up his spoon, but did not scoop up the soup put before him, merely watching as the King gobbled down his own food greedily.

"Your ball is marvelous Sephiroth, it's said to be the best of the year," the King's wife Scarlet congratulated, sipping her soup. She seemed not to like it for she merely took a sip before replacing her spoon on the table. Sephiroth smirked but did not comment.

Scarlet leaned back in her chair, leveling Sephiroth with a lustful stare.

"I am curious though, is it true that you will be taking a wife? Or is that just a cover up for the things you are infamous for doing behind closed doors?" She asked in a rolling purr, Sephiroth's smirk stretching as he felt her foot slide up his calf. Sephiroth was no fool to seduction, and at most times he would gladly take the Queen to his bed under the King's red nostrils, but tonight he had his eyes upon a new prey.

"Well," Sephiroth started, moving his leg.

"I am afraid the rumors are true. I am at my peak and before I fall, I wish to take a wife. I already have a suitable candidate, my lady, who is exquisite." Scarlet frowned in displeasure.

She opened her mouth to speak but held her tongue when her husband bellowed his praise, Sephiroth smirking on her behalf. His days within her had been delightful compared to the other woman he had bed, but her scent was sour, tainted with the scent of many other things that tainted the purity she had once harbored. Pleasure was all she could give and all he would take. But as do the rays of the sun, the scent of purity seemed to warm the air, brightening the room and destroying all shadows that lingered with the night.

Sephiroth smiled.

Cloud felt terrified. He shook in his red heels, letting out a nervous breath as he neared the corner that led to the ballroom. For the first time in a long time he held his mothers hand for comfort, his mother seeming oblivious to his fear, but the soft squeeze she returned calmed him more than he was willing to admit. They turned into the ballroom, his dress flowing behind him, Cloud reigning in his remaining courage. He raised his chin in an act of smug defiance, his eyes narrowing as they dared any man or woman to challenge him.

He let go of his mother's hand as they entered the ballroom, Cloud nearly shuffling back when he felt multiple eyes fall on him.

'I will not be afraid,' He told himself, walking with the elegance of a feline through the crowd of people that seemed to part for him, ignoring the lustful eyes of men who tried to capture his attention with charming smiles.

'I will not run away.' Cloud let out a deep breath as he walked straight for the one man he hated, their eyes locking from across the room. The high hem of his dress seemed to suffocate him, the flowing red silk resembling his blood that would spill on the floor as he wished for nothing but his death.

The Marquis stood, a feral smirk set on his lips. Cloud nearly paused in his slow advancement but forced himself not too, his eyes challenging the Marquis in their silent battle.

'I will win.' Cloud narrowed his eyes, his upper lip rising slightly in a silent snarl, his eyes seeming to glow in the fury he harbored inside. The Marquis looking him over, the King having already stopped speaking, his eyes curious though lustful as they glided over Cloud's body. The Marquis advanced, the women around him parting, looking from him to Cloud with angered spite. Cloud paid no mind to them, his eyes set on the Marquis, his hand twitching at his side as the yearning to slap that smirk off that perfect face ran through him like arousal through his veins.

They seemed to circle each other, Cloud lashing out with his claws of venom that yearned to destroy, the Marquis seeming merely to be amused, mocking Cloud with his presence. Cloud took a deep breath, making the first move. Claws and teeth clashed.

"My lady," Sephiroth said smoothly, his natural charm seeping through. But to Cloud it was poison that threatened to scald him, fighting the urge to pull away as Sephiroth grabbed his hand gently, his calloused fingers rubbing his wrist lightly, raising the hand to his lips.

"Your Majesty," Cloud said in kind, nearly spitting the words onto the pristine tile, falling into a small courtesy. Cloud pulled his hand away when Sephiroth pulled away, folding his hands behind himself, forcing a seductive smile onto his lips, distracting the men surrounding them enough for them to falter in a step, their partners glaring in envy over their shoulders at him.

They had no idea how happy he would be to be in their shoes. Sephiroth straightened from his slightly bent over position, putting his arm on Cloud's lower back.

"Let us head to the table, the King is eager to meet you," Sephiroth told him, Cloud narrowing his eyes as his nostrils flared.

Who did he think he was?

He treated Cloud as if he were a lover, his hand though not straying from its place, tugging him closer, bringing him near flush against Sephiroth's body. Cloud wanted to growl in disgust, tugging against his restraints, but the hand merely tightened on the back of his dress, demanding he stay in his place.

"Let go of me! I'm not your courtesan or your bride!" Cloud hissed loud enough for Sephiroth to hear, but he went ignored, Sephiroth continuing his descent to the largest table in the room. Cloud fisted his hands at his sides. He had displayed his displeasure when they had first met, going as far as even insulting the man yet he acted as if nothing had happened.

Cloud felt disgust for the hand that was unwilling to let go as he quit his struggles, refusing to huff in the annoyance that seared his veins in streams of humiliation. He felt almost powerless, his body heating up involuntary, warming his face. He concentrated away from the man beside him, but the hand on his back, the warmth he felt radiate from it was nearly impossible to ignore.

Sephiroth wanted to smile when the smart witted woman beside him ceased her fruitless struggles, her back wrung tight, her voluminous blonde hair wrung into tight curls upon her head, baring her fragile neck to any man's wanton eyes. Beautiful she was, but so hard to withheld in any grasp. He could feel her humiliation waft off her in waves, but the lifeless light had returned to her eyes, concealing the anger he knew she hid inside.

'She hid her emotions well,' he thought, letting his eyes stray to the pulse he could see beneath her skin.

He wanted to run his tongue over that pulse, feel the slight raising of skin that rippled with the thrum of life. This train of thought brought him to want much more. Arousal coursed through his veins as he thought of running his tongue down her collarbone, taking her nipple into his mouth as he touched her in the most intimate ways, watching with pleasure as she-

"Sephiroth my boy!" The King bellowed, his cheeks rosy as he patted his brow with his handkerchief, having the decency to not let his eyes wander as he regarded Cloud with a thin smile. Cloud curtseyed, not going so low that his knees touched the floor, but low enough that he was acknowledging royalty properly, straightening up with an elegance beat into his bones over the years.

"My King," Cloud welcomed softly, not meeting his eyes as he concentrated his gaze to the tile beneath him. The King smiled to Sephiroth who gave him a curt nod. The King stood from his seat, unknowing to his wife who merely glared coldly at his prey, walking to Cloud with heavy footsteps. He reached for his hand which Cloud gave dutifully, placing his lips upon his skin. He pulled away quickly though, waiting till Cloud met his gaze before he grinned.

"So you are the fiancé of this charming man?" The King asked, Cloud's eyes widening in shock.

"Fia-!"

"Yes your Majesty," Sephiroth interrupted, pulling Cloud closer as if to hide him from the lecherous eyes of the King, Cloud gasping softly.

"This is my fiancé, Cloud Strife." Cloud's breath left him in a silent gasp. The King raised a brow, not realising the color that had drained Cloud's face as he regarded him once again.

"Cloud? What an unusual name for a woman," the King replied, touching a hand to Cloud's cheek, lust darkening his eyes.

"But for a woman such as beautiful as yourself, any name would suit," he justified. But as quick as it came, the lust fled from his eyes, only joy left behind as his hand fell back to his side. Cloud felt violated in more ways than one when he let his eyes fall again, only to catch a glimpse of the bulge in the pants of the King, a blush of humiliation burning his cheeks as he concentrated his gaze onto his slippers.

"I believe Cloud is a lovely name," the Queen spoke, saving Cloud from the men around him as she stood and walked to him, taking his hand.

"I'm sorry Sephiroth, but I am afraid I shall steal her from you, if only for a moment," she said in a sugary tone, Cloud exhaling in relief as Sephiroth's hand released him, not noticing the jealous eyes of the Queen that focused on him with an intensity never to be rivaled.

"You must be bored of the men constantly following you, aren't you darling?" the Queen asked, Cloud nodding his head with a small smile as they walked to a corner that was private, a couple chairs its only company.

"I never did like it. There is never any room to breathe when they are around," Cloud replied, the Queen patting his hand.

"It will only get worse darling, sadly that is something I know all too well," the Queen sympathized, Cloud sighing sadly.

"My lady, not to be rude but it seems like people have enough respect to keep their distance from you," Cloud replied, sitting down on a chair when they reached the corner, the Queen sitting down next to him, placing a hand on his knee.

"And I bet on my husband that once you are married to Sephiroth, the men will only swarm more," she said sadly, Cloud looking down to the ground with sadness. The Queen smiled with sinister intent, nearly giggling in excitement as her thoughts tumbled and jumped erratically. She calmed herself though, toning down her smile till it was one of sincere tenderness, grabbing Cloud's hand than lifting his chin, making him meet her eyes.

"I'm here though. If you ever need to talk to anyone, just tell me. You can call whenever you wish, and I promise I'll be there," she soothed, Cloud's sadness dissipating as gratefulness took its place, smiling. The Queen smiled to hide her grimace, tucking a curl behind his ear.

"Call me Scarlet because now we'll be like sisters, alright?" She told him softly, Cloud nodding his head with a smile that made her sick.

"And as sisters," she started, grabbing both of Cloud's hand, pulling him up as she rose to her feet.

"Let me congratulate you in your marriage." Cloud's eyes became solemn.

The Queen watched this curiously.

"What seems to be the matter?" She asked, Cloud giving her a sad smile.

"It's my mother's wishes not mine to ma—"

"I'm afraid we must retire," his mother interrupted as she walked up to them, smiling to the Queen, curtseying low in respect of her presence. The Queen smiled sweetly, letting go of Cloud's hands that dropped lifelessly to his sides as he backed up a step.

"And you may be?" The Queen asked as his mother straightened, his mother smiling sweetly.

"I am Cloud's mother your majesty," she started, looking to Cloud.

"And though we all would like to chat till the rise of the sun, me and my daughter live quite far and I would like to return home before the wolves begin to howl," she informed, the Queen raising a brow.

"Oh? Well then inform me, where do you wonderful ladies live? Gongaga is it?" His mother laughed softly, shaking her head, her curls brushing the apex of her shoulders.

"No your majesty, we live in Nibelheim, it's far on the northern hemisphere," his mother supplied, the Queen raising a hand to her lips as she gasped.

"Oh darling that is just too far to travel! Why travel all the way out here for this glorious party if you will hardly have time to stay?" The Queen questioned, his mother looking to Cloud with a smile.

"Why haven't you heard? My dear Cloud is getting married to Sephiroth and he had arranged this particular party for my beloved Cloud," his mother boasted, a glint of praise warming her eyes like the embers of a fire. The Queen smiled but it seemed forced, the area around her lips becoming white.

"Why then should you leave?" The Queen exclaimed, hugging her hands to her chest.

"Why not stay and enjoy what has been given. Food, wine, handsome men, there is not much more than that at these parties though it should all be cherished," the Queen turned to Cloud, putting a hand to his cheek,

"This is in your honor Cloud, enjoy it while you still can," the Queen whispered.

Cloud smiled softly, feeling for once in a long time a sense of belonging. But when the Queen removed her hand his eyes shifted to his mother, the feeling vanishing like a silent wind. As long as she was at his side, he would never belong.

"If you worry about your travels, you can always stay," the Marquis deep rich voice replied, the Queen stepping to his side, putting a hand to his chest.

"Yes, let my favored friend spoil you this one night," the Queen pressured, Cloud's mother frowning.

"But-"

"You can leave in the morning if you do wish so," the Queen interrupted, turning her eyes to his mother.

"I'm sure Sephiroth can supply whatever you may need," the Queen continued, determination set in her eyes.

His mother flinched at the use of the Marquis's first name, a pet peeve she had yet to overcome. Cloud wanted to smile as he thought back to how he had used the Marquis's first name so informally, but with the memory his cheek throbbed, the face paint he wore causing it to itch. His mother sighed in defeat, a smile stretching her lips.

"If you do insist," his mother replied hesitantly, sounding anything but the Noble woman she was bred to be. The Queen clapped her hands as if in the close of a chapter.

"Then it is decided then!" she exclaimed, her tone one of excitement. Cloud smiled at her easygoingness, his eyes traveling to the Marquis. He stared right back. Cloud looked away quickly, a frost bitten shiver running down his spine. This night had meant to be a night of dreams, but for him, with the eyes of a predator locked upon his neck, it only resembled that of a nightmare that would never cease to end.