A/N: Not mine...

...

Garnet hesitantly opened her eyes at the first gleam of the sun. A month had passed since she had discovered the strange man with her mother. She remembered all of that day up until she went to retire to her rooms. Doctor Tot had told her she merely passed out due to stress and that it was natural to forget what one was doing right before. She wanted to believe him, but her mind was continually focused on what she last remembered: the man.

With the day that her mother so eagerly awaited now come, Garnet could feel dread clench at her heart. Something was going to happen, and she did not want to be a part of it. She knew that she would need help. The princess needed to see her uncle Cid. He would know what to do.

"Princess? May I come in?" The voice behind the door was soft, but strong.

After voicing her consent, Garnet hesitantly smiled up at the most decorated warrior of her kingdom; General Beatrix. The woman was beautiful, and that is where most men had fallen into folly. While she was a beauty, she wielded the sword with a deadly grace that none yet could hope to compare to. It was strange, how her eyepatch of iron did not detract from her looks. Instead, it added to them.

"Beatrix, you are up early." Garnet straightened her nightgown as she stood from bed. "Is there something you needed?"

The General shook her head and the action sent her curls bouncing. "Nothing, my lady. I am here on behalf of your mother."

Garnet tried not to look nervous at this news. "Does she need me?" Her voice was less than a whisper.

"No, not at this moment. She merely asked me to play the part of your hand maiden for the remainder of the day."

"Isn't that a downgrade from General? What is wrong with my normal ladies?" The princess stepped over to the other woman and smiled warmly. The two were as close to being friends as one could be in their situation.

"I do not know, but I am here to help you dress."

Garnet sighed internally as Beatrix led her away to bathe. Once the water was drawn, she settled into it. Her muscles started to relax and she let her mind wander. Her thoughts were full of suspicions and fears, though she had one gleam of hope. She could leave. She could escape. Unknown to anyone, she had been practicing for this very purpose. Nightly, she would sneak out of her rooms and practice her route.

"—a theater ship will come after dinner. The play is your favorite, highness; I Want To Be Your Canary."

"Hmmm…" Garnet muttered, only half listening. "And where are the actors from?"

Beatrix looked thoughtful for a moment. "Lindblum, I think. Your mother only wanted the best for your birthday, and we know they have the best there. Regent Cid hand-picked them himself."

The princess stopped listening completely after she proclaimed their place of origin. Lindblum… It was perfect! That was her destination all along! If she could sneak aboard that theater ship, it would be a free ride.

As she mulled over her plan, Beatrix helped her out of the water and into clothes. She did not mind at all the princess's silence. Often Garnet would pause mid-conversation to think. As the general watched, she knew that what she was now pondering was deep and important. Once she had set Garnet's hair, she backed out of the room. The princess would need a moment to gather her thoughts. Surely Queen Brahne would not begrudge her daughter some time to herself before the celebrations began.