Disclaimer: Except for Ivanna, all characters and properties belong to Square-Enix. But I'm pretty sure you knew that already, right?

A/N: It took me forever to finish this, since I have almost no ideas due to writer's block, and coming up with better descriptions. So...this chapter is intentionally short. I'll try to make it better though, promise!

Chapter 2: Not All That Glitters Is...

Golden. Everything here at Lindblum Castle seemed golden. A gigantic castle in the middle of an enormous city. It was late afternoon, so the sunshine that poured in bathed the castle in gold. Things looked spectacular from the outside, but to Lady Hilda, everything was an abomination. The golden sunlight was just a mask. A cover-up for her not-so-beautiful royal life, and her marriage. She stormed into her separate quarters, which was a luxurious sky-blue room. This chamber matched the color of her eyes, but the dreadful sunlight covered this up, too. She no longer cared; her cloudy mind was of stark contrast to these walls anyway.

The trouble all started around yesterday. Cid said that he was going to test out the engine of his new airship, the Hilda Garde. The construction of the airship was complete, but he wanted to make sure that the engine was stable. Hilda was rather hesitant when he spoke of another test flight. She was sure he said the engine was at optimum performance, so no more testing was required. Something seemed amiss. Sure Cid was a skirt-chaser, but that was years ago. Hilda trusted him now. Their marraige was completely free of secrets. Or so she thought...

Hilda, reduced to an unwilling spectator to yesterday's events (in the guest bedroom, no less), forced the Regent to explain himself. Cid had met a lovely young woman in the pub. Not that he's had anything to drink, though he has been going there fairly recently. He seemed to know the young woman rather well. Apparently, whatever it was they were talking about was a secret...

Cid: "So tell me, Lillian, have you ever been on an airship cruise?"

Lillian, the young woman Cid was with, could hardly contain her excitement.

She always did say that a cruise on an airship would be the perfect date...

The guy was a little over the hill for her tastes, but she figured, 'What the heck?'

Lillian: "An airship cruise? You really mean it?"

Cid: "I really mean it. Lindblum is quite a sight from high above. I'll show you the airship docks today. The guards there will question you, so I'll just tell them you're another pilot candidate that I'm showing around. Have you ever seen the sunset above Lindblum?"

Lillian: "No, and I'm looking forward to it...especially what we could do after the sun sets...

She gave the Regent a seductive smile. "I'm sure that Hilda won't be back until late, anyway..." Cid thought to himself.

Hilda sat on her bed, comprised of blue and white sheets and a canopy. On her neck rested a beautiful golden chain emblazoned with red stones. At the end of the chain was a locket with an inscription: "Happy Anniverary, To My Beloved". Contained within the locket was a wedding picture. A glimpse of happier times. These were days long past, frozen in time. The likes of which would probably never return. Still deep in thought, Hilda started to unclasp the chain when there was a sudden lock on the door.

"Lady Hilda, are you alright? May I come in?" Ivanna stood outside of the door. She was handling a cart containing a small meal and some tea. "Yes Ivanna, you may," Hilda replied.

A/N: That's all, folks! Yes, I know it was disappointingly short. I was in a hurry to update this since it's been over a month, so I know it could be better. Anyway, please, please, PLEASE leave a review and let me know what you think! Chapter 3 will be much, much better, I promise!!!

Also does anyone have any ideas for a new title??? I'd really like to change it, so any ideas are greatly appreciated! Thanks!