Author's Note: FYI, this story revolves around Larsa, a minor character from the video game Final Fantasy XII and a fictional character I made. If you've never heard of the game or whatever, GREAT! Because frankly, this story will be alot easier to enjoy without the bias one forms when they are familiar with a work and its characters. And if you do know what FFXII is, then continue reading. I can't guarrentee anything, but I know it will be good.

As a forewarning, this isn't a PeneloxLarsa Pairing(there are pairings though). And the chapters will probably shift back and forth from first pov to omniscient third pov. Please do give this a chance, even if you're a faithful shipper. I feel like this story will have a lot of substance, from a critical standing hopefully.

Enjoy, subscribe, favorite, whatever. I like to feel important even though my grammar is unforgivable and my AP classes unwaivering.

-Gyabo (Sapphire S. Ear)

*Italics are thoughts;

My name is Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. Last descendent of the House Solidor, emperor of the mighty Archadia. Or so I was named with the fall of the Bahumet a month ago. However at this moment, I feel no emperor's might in my words, as I looked upon the face of my heart, as she tried to prove me otherwise, she was not mines to love.

A compass was slammed down impatiently, "No Larsa, we can not go about this. You are my dear friend, and I hold you close to my heart. But only as a sister can and nothing more. I am sorry Larsa, but I must digress, you are still quite young, this love you've confessed of is nothing of the sort. So please put it from you mind"

"But Penelo, I promise you this is no lie, this is real, I've known it since the first day I laid eyes on you, Penelo I lov—"

"No, Larsa" said Penelo, a determined demeanor drawn on her face, "We are 5 years apart, and not only that, you're the young emperor of Archades, such foolish things should not crawl out of your mouth."

I looked at her, on the verge of tears. Here I was pouring out my soul to her, just so she can crush it with her polite rejection.

"Besides, from the looks of things I'm probably the only girl you've ever come to known. Of course you would mistake our friendship for something more."

I felt like I was an open book. Oh the humiliation, I could not bear it. She was absolutely right in that she was the first and one of the few girls I've became acquainted with. But how would she understand, I was only 13, and half my days were caught between politics and books. She could never understand…

"On top of that, you've just barely came out of primary school. Do you really believe love can be found early on?"

She was right, in all her counterpoints. I was a hopeless "man" by now, but a piece of my pride would not let me back down. I don't even know why my mouth bother opening up, it was a lost game and I swear someone must've "confused" me.

"Penelo, please, I can give you everything, and in 2 years I'll be a debuted as a gentlemen, and then I can officially court and—"

Penelo let out a deep sigh of frustration and pity, which silenced me effectively, "Larsa, look. I know this is hard. But you have a kingdom to change, alliances to be rebuild, and a whole life to live before you ever think of this stuff. The people need you. Damages need to be repaired. Just be the kind and helpful boy you've always been. And maybe when you're old enough someone will come along. I take that back, not maybe, certainly" and with that she turned to leave, but not until she flashed me a most apologetic face one would give a dying man who sees the light.

"Oh, and just so you know, I came to say goodbye, since me and Vaan are packing for the Jagd's. I'm in love with the sky, and I'm in love with Vaan. I thought you would've noticed."

And with that the door clicked shut. I sat back down in my chair, and put my head in my hands, allowing a few tears to slip past their doors. "What a fool I have been"

This was supposed to be my fencing hour; I had left practiced just so I can see Penelo. I had recited my confession in my head for over 4 weeks. I had planned every articulation and promise I would make to her. Of course, I managed to overlook one thing: rejection.

"Kind and helpful boy" Was that all I will ever be? Vayne was right, I was not ready for the real world, I was weak and lame and always at someone else's heel. Ironic I should succeed him as king.

What am I thinking?! Vayne was a deceptive man, he killed Father and our other three brothers, whom I can not draw out. He was drunk with power, I shall not think like him. Lest I shall become like him.

I will continue to be kind and helpful, llistening and patient. Ivalice does not need a militarist rule, they need a diplomatic one. However I shall not bother with love again.

If I had known it would be this draining and unsuccessful, I wouldn't even bother. How naïve was I? Penelo was right, I was not in love, she has never made any "romantic passes" to me, for hell, I don't even know what a "pass" is to look like. Stupid, to think I was in love, and made a fool in my own grounds.

I shall not love any more, Archades needs an emperor not another hopeless romantic poesy.

"What is that?" On the corner of my desk was a small glimmering chained clasp. I got up and pulled it closer, a compass? Penelo's.

The compass was antique, simple but alluring. With ancient carvings that can be identified as strictly Galtean. Possibly another finding of hers on her pirating games. I opened it and instantly a rusty and quite dim holograph of Ivalice appeared in the air. Words revolving it…

"The sky is the limit, no bounty shall ever claim it" Suddenly, my recent promise to never love again weakened. "no bounty" … no promises can ever claim love. Love is like the sky, limitless and uncontrollable.

"Maybe, I can try to love again, can't I Penelo?" I closed the compass and tucked it away in a top drawer of my desk,

"Just not now. Just not now."