Rinoa sat on edge of the window seat, the ledge adorned with pillows to offer her comfort. The room that had been given to her was decorated with an array of glittering items, of such that she had been taken aback for a moment when she'd stepped through. It had been a long time since she had seen such great amounts of wealth on display.
Though she knew she was Queen and that she had a great deal of wealth on her own, it still didn't quite click in her senses that this was going to be her new normal. So many years at a nunnery had left her with respect for those who worked for a living. She had done plenty of chores around the convent, but most of the harder work had still been a task for others.
The hardest part of this, was perhaps knowing that there were so few to whom she would be able to talk openly. She counted herself extremely lucky that her ladies in waiting were two of her own friends, girls whom she had played with and of her own country. It might make the coming years of politics that much more bearable.
Selphie sat behind her, twisting a few strands of hair to place small beads within them as Quistis began the task of helping her select the gown she'd wear for dinner. Selphie said something that just missed her attention and she turned slightly to look at her friend.
"What was that?" she asked curiously. A smile played on the brunette's lips as she finished the last strand and placed her hands in her lap eagerly.
"I was saying that the prince sure seems to have changed. Definitely a lot more handsome than you used to describe."
Quistis gave a small snort at Selphie's comment, as if the thought was ludicrous. Rinoa smiled at her friend's reaction though she did feel inclined to agree with Selphie. He was rather handsome. She hoped that they would have a chance to get reacquainted sometime soon.
"Well, I suppose so. He's also grown very tall. I would guess almost a foot taller than I!" Not that she minded. In fact, his height actually made him more attractive in her opinion. She hadn't had any experience in the matters, but she had daydreamed and the thought of a man taller than her stooping to kiss her made a shiver of pleasure tingle her spine.
"Yes, well taller than you or not, there are other things to worry about. Such as, how you wish to look at your first dinner back in Centran court." Quistis replied, gesturing to the three gowns laid before her. One was a deep red accented in black while another was a deep forest green with lace adornments. That last one caught her eye as the light ivory color was just off white enough to differentiate from a wedding of chastity gown. It was accented with gold along the collar and sleeves, the top a square cut bodice with light lacing and the gown a slick but slightly flared towards the end. Not enough to be cumbersome, but enough to still seem formal.
"I like that one." She said, one hand gesturing towards the gown. Selphie made a sound of approval while Quistis moved to put away the other gowns.
"You know…" Her blonde lady began, turning after the gowns were settled. "We still have quite some time until dinner. Don't you think, that if you're to be lady of this estate then you should make sure you're acquainted with it?"
Rinoa looked at her friend with a large smile as she stood, Selphie already jumping to her feet beside her. The brunette seemed filled with excitement and clapped her hands together in joy.
"Ohhh! Quisty's right! More than the Prince must have changed since we were last here. We should explore!"
Quistis' mouth twitched into a small smile that eventually blossomed into a laugh when Selphie grabbed her hands and bounced her in a circle. Rinoa, too, couldn't help but laugh. Her friends excitement was contagious but she also held a certain amount of curiosity for what had changed over the years.
"Alright, yes. An exploration it is then! We meet back her before dinner bell to prepare." Rinoa declared, reaching and grasping each of their hands in one of her own. Bright smiles were on each of their faces before they left her rooms to discover the castle. It didn't take much to get away on her own, just slight assurances that she should be safe within the castle walls, and then she was free to explore on her own as he ladies went make their own discoveries.
Rinoa's first exploration of the castle led her to the stairway that ascended to the playroom and housing that she had once used as a child. Trailing her hand along the railing she could almost hear the laughter from her memories. It made her smile and, in a spur of the moment decision, she grasped her skirts and lifted them enough to jog slightly up the last few stairs and into the childrens room.
The appearance there was of polar comparison to her memories. When she thought of this room from her childhood she saw sunlight through the windows and the bright colors of toys and blankets. Now, the room was left in a smoewhat disaray, darkness filling the chamber as curtains were drawn shut. Some toys were still scattered about the floor, but they looked as though they hadn't been touched in some time.
There was even some dust upon the floor as though no one had sent servants to sweep in a long while. It made her curious as she walked about the room, one hand lingering on a wall when she stopped next the window. How many times had she tried to entice a sword fight from the boys of the castle? Or tried to boss around Seifer only to end with an arguement about who would be a better leader? Or even her escapades to convince her future husband to show her the hidden entrances of the castle?
A light from the doorway caught her eye. When everything else seemed so dreary it stuck out like a sore thumb. Her eyes narrowed as she moved towards it and she tucked a stand of her dark hair behind her ear. there was a perceptible noise coming from the room, a methodical sound and the clink of metal. Stepping forward she placed a hand on the door and pushed it open, surprised to find her betrothed stnadin there at a table that seemed filled with different blades and assorments.
"Seifer?" she questioned, stepping further into the room. He looked up at her in surprise, his cyan colored eyes seeming more green in the firelight of the room. She wondered if this was supposed to be some sort of secret and wished she hadn't intruded. Yet, at the same time she hoped he would invite her to stay.
"What are you doing here?" He barked, his tone harsh and defensive.
His response made her feel slightly defensive herself. She had done no wrong. "I'm sure you remember that these used to be my rooms, when we were younger."
"Not anymore." Came his quick, but off hand reply. There was a slight sting to his words as she began to feel as though she should leave. However, she was stubborn and intrigued. What was the prince doing all alone in these empty rooms when he could be anywhere else in the castle?
Not one to usually stay quiet she took a step forward and set one hand gingerly on the table. "Are these yours?" She asked, looking away from his gaze and down to the swords. She could now see that yes, there were some completed swords on the table, but there was also an asortment of parts and unused metals. She touched the edge of one of the blades, the look of the handle reminding her of a book she'd once read as she identified it with one of the rarer gunblades.
"Yeah." He responded, his voice causing her to look up at him. He wasn't watching her anymore, but the weapon upon the table. He had a small smirk on his face that she couldn't quite interpret. Pride maybe?
"I've made most of these myself. I've been designing and trying out new techniques for a few years."
She studied him then, curiosity abounding at his comment. "You made them? Future king of Centra and you're making your own weaponry?" She questioned, her tone light but not insulting. She didn't look down on him for it, but actually felt elated that he had a passion outside of just ruling their countries.
"Yes, well. I'm not overly talented, but I thought it'd be good to learn how to do something on my own. My father insists it is a futile interest as it isn't like anyone will be buying blades made by a king, but I like the process and I'm getting better."
She took a step around to the other side of the table and smiled at him. "I've learned a few other talents myself. I can milk a goat! And mend clothing!" She sounded excited, her voice firm before she realized how silly it was to seem happy about that and bit her lip before explaining further. "I mean, because of all my time at the Convent, you know."
Her stumbling for an explanation brought a smile to his face as well before he crossed his arms, his stare causing her cheeks to flush further. "I know." Was all he said in response. And of course he did. Everyone knew about her having been sent into hiding.
He let his arms fall and let his rest on the hilt of one of the blades, the design unique and the handle reminiscent of one of those newly designed pistols, while the blade itself widened out at the base only to slim in sharply to form the whole of the blade. "This one is my best so far." He told her, his voice holding what seemed to be affection for the inanimate object.
Though Rinoa didn't know much about swords in reality, having never learned despite protests, she could recognize the hard work he must have put into it. It seemed sturdy and well made. She wondered if th design was his own or based off anothers and, if it was his own, how he had come up with such a thing. "It's beautiful."
"Well, I don't know if that's how I would have described it." His response brought a blush to her cheeks as he laughed. She supposed he was right, that most weapons don't get called beautiful. They were weapons of destruction after all.
"Ah, well... I should be going. I must get ready for dinner soon." She said with a small curtsy. She knew heading back now would still give her a few moments of reprieve for herself before she must actually get ready. Though she was tempted to stay, she felt awkward around the prince and decided maybe some time of her own would bring her back to herself.
He gave a slight bow to her in response, humor lurking in his gaze and a sly smirk on his lips. "As you wish."
As she hurried away she couldn't keep the smile off her face and the feeling of butterflies in her stomach were still fluttering when she reached the bottom of the stairs.
The wind was sharp, but with much less sting to it than the winds in Timber. Rinoa sat on the grass, just near the edge of the ocean and looked at different pebbles and rocks that she found along the shore. Beside her sat her canine companion. The short shepherd dog was a mix of brown, black and white and she had been with Rinoa since one of the farms near the Covenant had offered the puppies to them. They both sat in companionable silence while Rinoa gathered the items she liked and placed those she did not back along the ground.
As the young queen was reaching for another item, this one a small quartz that seemed to shine in the light, her dogs ears perked up and her head turned to the forest. She let out a sharp bark, followed by a low growl. Rinoa looked up, puzzled and made a sound for her to hush. But Angelo did not and instead leapt to her feet, barking loudly. She watched her dog, her fur on end as she looked at something off in the forest. The expanse of greenery seemed filled with shadows and she wondered if maybe she's seen a rabbit or some such.
Her pet let out another loud bark before dashing towards whatever she had seen. "Angelo! Back, girl. Come here!" She yelled towards her companion, standing quickly and dropping many of the stones she had collected. She began walking after her pet, calling for here with every step. Brows were scrunched downwards in a scowl as she moved ever closer to the forest, her dog slipping inside the shadows. She was nearing the treeline when suddenly a hand on her arm stopped her.
"You can't go in there." A cool voice said. She looked up a the owner of the arm to find a set of piercing blue eyes watching her. She jerked her arm from his grasp and waved a hand at the tree lines in frustration.
"I most certainly can. My dog went in there and I intend to retrieve her." She said sternly. She took another step forward only to have her arm grabbed once more.
"The woods are dangerous and filled with heretics. You can't go in there."
She crossed her arms and turned to him, brown eyes fierce. "So I'm just supposed to leave her?" her tone was accusing, as if she would be leaving something much more than a pet run astray. To her, Angelo was so much more.
He gave a sharp sigh and looked to the trees, brown strands of his hair falling in his face. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and she stood a little straighter, determined to stand her ground. Her took a deep breath and gave a small nod, as if he'd come to some sort of decision and grabbed her arm once more, this time pulling her with him as he took stride toward the castle.
Shocked she stumbled the first few steps before grabbing her dress away from her feet and digging in her heels. "What do you think you are doing!" She demanded, jerking back but unable to get her arm free.
He looked at her then, his gaze cold and so unlike his brothers. Where Seifer seemed like the sun and radiated obvious power, Squall was far different in that he seemed like the budding storm. Quiet and deceiving upon the shoreline before it struck hard and decimated the lands with its sudden ferocity. Perhaps that was why he had gotten his name.
"I'll go and find your dog. It's getting dark and you should go back to the castle. It's not safe out this far." He said, releasing her.
She was stunned for a moment at his offer. "But you said it was full of heretics. Won't you be in danger?" He rolled his eyes at her and reached to pull her forward again. She shifted and began walking on her own, refusing to be dragged back to the castle like a child.
He crossed his arms in response and followed her for a few feet. "I'm in the woods often, hunting for game. I know the trails and which ones to avoid. I'll be fine. You would not."
She turned sharply and opened her mouth for a retort, but stopped when she saw his expression. It wasn't quite a smile, but the slight turning of his lips gave her the feeling he was holding back a laugh. She closed her mouth and gave a small sigh of her own and let her hands clasp in front of her. "Alright. It does make sense. I'll go back, but promise you'll be careful."
He dropped his arms and looked to the forest, his expression changing to something she couldn't quite determine. "Of course, your majesty."
Unsure what else she could say she nodded and turned to go back to the castle. She glanced back once to see Squall entering the treeline, before he vanished from her sight.
Sorry for a shorter chapter after such a long wait. I've had a lot going on and I wanted to make sure this bit got up. I wanted to add more to it, but well... I couldn't get the writing juices flowing. Hopefully the next update will be much better than this.
