Familiar Of Zero: Saving Grace
I do not own Familiar Of Zero
Hello again to everyone reading my story, and thank you to the people that have left me reviews.
I have been averaging about 2 weeks between chapters, but I saw that this chapter was getting a little big, so I decided to release this part early and make it a chapter of it's own. I hope you enjoy the early release.
What will you do now that you are free? I don't know. I guess I will see what the wind blows my way.
*Action*
"Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
{Saito's other Inner Voice}
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Chapter Four
A Visit With The Queen
Saito starts to come to. His body aches and his eyes are heavy as he slowly opens them.
"Ughhhh."
As he tries to sit up someone walks over, sits on the bed, and helps him.
"Good afternoon Saito", Siesta says comfortingly while she smiles at him.
He was happy to hear her voice.
As he sits up, not only does he not recognize the bedding, but he realizes he is not in his blue tunic anymore.
'Oh my god!'
He quickly looks himself over.
Siesta sees him doing this and giggles slightly.
"Saito, you had to be changed." Siesta says between giggles.
"But… But…"
"No buts. You were a mess."
Saito was still wearing his jeans, but he had on a white, long sleeve period looking shirt.
It finally came back to him what had happened this morning.
He looks at his hand.
"They're gone." Tabitha's voice came from the side.
He looks over.
She was sitting quietly over at her desk.
"Is this your room?"
She nods.
"Hey partner! I thought we almost lost you."
"Derflinger? But how? I thought I would have lost you after the runes were gone."
"I am a magical sword, and you awoke me. I am here for the Gandalfr, and you were originally summoned as the Gandalfr. That is all that matters to me. I will be with you until the next one comes around."
"Thanks Derf."
"I am sorry you had to go through that bro. I didn't realize that the bond was having that effect on you. I had never been with anyone who had the relationship like you did with Louise. So I just didn't know."
"It's ok Derf. I am glad you are still here with me."
*Knock, knock, knock*
Siesta opens the door after receiving a nod from Tabitha. Kirche is standing in the doorway. She had stepped back out for a while Saito was out.
"I thought I heard voices." Kirche says as she walks through the door.
She walks over and gives Saito a hug.
"I didn't mean for Louise to treat you like that just because of me hugging you. I just get soo happy when I am around you. But I almost thought about changing my name when I saw Tabitha this morning defending you from Louise. I had never seen her get that fired up for anybody before."
She gives a sly, seductive look to Tabitha. Indicating to Tabitha that she knew she had a thing for Saito.
Tabitha looks away and blushes.
"Really? Wow!" He scratches the back of his head.
"Oh. And don't worry. Siesta and I didn't see too much when we brought you in here."
Saito gets red.
Siesta and Kirche giggle.
Siesta stops giggling to ask her question.
"So what exactly happened? I feel so left out. I was busy doing my duties when I heard you scream all of a sudden, and when I came over, you were on the ground with everyone around you."
Saito's stomach grumbles. He just realized that he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon.
"I guess you can answer the question after you eat. Here is some food." Siesta says as she grabs a plate of food.
She puts a plate of food on the table next to where Tabitha is sitting.
He looks to Tabitha questioningly. He isn't used to this kind of treatment.
"Is this really ok?"
She smiles and nods.
"You need to eat. You shouldn't go hungry." Tabitha adds.
"Thank you Tabitha."
He explains everything he recalls between bites. Siesta was in complete shock. She couldn't believe everything that happened. She is grateful though. She was grateful that Saito was no longer attached to Louise.
Kirche was also surprised about how he had gotten rid of the bond, and how he took a stance to Louise. Kirche had talked to Tabitha about Saito, and how she didn't feel that what Louise was doing was right. She didn't think that Tabitha would do everything that she did.
'I guess since she did help him (and she seems to be attracted to him), that I will not get in their way. I like Saito, but Tabitha is also my best friend here. ' Kirche thinks to herself.
She gives Saito another hug.
"I am so glad you are ok Saito."
"Thanks Kirche, and thank you for taking care of me."
Just before leaving, Kirche whispers in Tabitha's ear.
"Go get him tiger."
Tabitha blushes again.
"I must be going for now. I'll see you later." Kirche waves off everyone as she heads for the door.
Siesta waves her off.
Moments later you hear another knock at the door.
"Too many visitors" was all that Tabitha said as she gave another nod to Siesta.
Siesta opens the door to see Agnes and Henrietta.
She gives a bow to the queen.
"Henrietta?" Saito says in a slightly surprised tone.
She gives a smile over to Saito, and a nod to Tabitha. She was kind of shocked to see Saito in a new shirt. They walk in. Agnes closes the door behind them.
"Are you feeling better?"
'I wish I could go over and give him a huge hug, but I can't break my character too much in front of the others. I hate this." Henrietta thinks to herself.
He scratches the back of his head.
"Yeah. I just ache a little."
"I am glad to see that you are doing better, and that shirt looks nice on you." Henrietta adds.
"Thanks." He blushes a little.
"If it is ok with you and Tabitha, I would like you to assist her. She has been confined to this room and forbidden to use magic for the next five days because of her actions toward Louise this morning. Even her meals are to be eaten here. I figured you would be the best choice to help her out considering what she did for you. "
She looks over to Tabitha, who gives a nod and a smile.
Saito looks over to Tabitha in shock.
"You got into trouble for helping me?"
"I knew what I was getting into."
"But Tabitha, I wouldn't want you getting into so much trouble just for my sake."
"Saito, she took it all gracefully, and I think that both she and I can agree that it was worth it." Henrietta states to Saito.
Tabitha looks over to Henrietta with an inquisitive eye.
'Does she have an interest in Saito too? She did have Colbert look for that spell. Saito has a lot of people that like him.'
"Is that really all that the Valliere's settled for?" Saito asks them.
"Well, let's just say that I advised them how it would be in their best interest if they didn't push the issue too far." The queen gives a smile while she says this.
"Wow! You really did that?"
Agnes was also happy about this.
'I am glad those Valliere nobles didn't draw this out. It would have made all of our efforts bitter sweet.'
Siesta was just listening in shock. She couldn't believe everything she has heard today.
Henrietta had more thoughts of her own.
'I wish I could have gotten to Saito before she did. Did she figure out what I was planning? Maybe this could be a good thing though. It could put us on a more equal ground, knowing that we were both trying to help him out. Maybe, by helping her with the Valliere family, she will be more willing to hear me out.'
"So, would you be ok if Saito helped out during your confinement?" Henrietta asks Tabitha.
Tabitha smiles, and nods.
"Yes".
"Saito. I am not asking you to be her servant, but would you be willing to assist her?"
"I can't think of a better way to show my gratitude. Helping her is the least I could do."
"This means that he will be coming to see you a little more often for Tabitha's meals Siesta."
She gives a sly look at Siesta, whom gives a rapid nod as she gives both Henrietta and Agnes a smile.
"Very well. You may go now Siesta and get back to your duties."
She starts to gather the trays from lunch.
"If he has nowhere else to go, may he stay here?"
Tabitha says this kind of sheepishly while she turns her head away with a mild blush.
Siesta pauses for a brief moment.
'Oh no! I loose Louise as a rival just to get another. It's just not fair!'
Henrietta stares at Tabitha for a moment.
'I would love to just have him with me, but this might be better for now considering he is going to be helping her.'
"That would be fine with me as long as if it is fine with him until further arrangements are made. He has some big decisions to make now that he isn't Louise's familiar."
He nods with agreement.
"I guess you are right, but do you really want me staying here with you Tabitha? Wouldn't I be intruding in on your space?"
She shakes her head.
"It's ok with me, and you are safe here."
"Saito. Would you mind coming for a walk with me. We have some things to discuss, and I do believe that you owe Agnes some training time too."
She looks to Tabitha.
"I will make sure he is back in time for dinner."
She nods.
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Along their walk Henrietta and Saito converse with each other while Agnes stays within a short distance away as escort. Henrietta keeps some distance too since they are out in the open. Their conversation is kept at a tone where it is still just personal. This is one of those times where she despises her position.
'I am definitely going to have to change this. I want to be with Saito.'
"So Saito, what will you do now that you are free?"
"I don't know. I guess I will see what the wind blows my way."
He looks up and over in Tabitha's general direction and smiles.
"Would you consider training with Agnes?"
"Well right now that is the only thing I am good at other than washing clothes."
"Well washing clothes would certainly not do. I don't want you staying in the position you're in. You have done so much for everyone around you. I don't like to see you looked down upon. You deserve better than that Saito."
"I don't know about all of that. I just try to protect the people I care about."
"I DO know. You are a hero and people don't realize that because everyone can't see past their social class."
They make their way to a more private room so they could really talk, but this was not before a certain pink haired girl noticed their trek outside.
'I am going to have to have a talk with the queen.'
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Agnes stands guard outside while Henrietta and Saito continue their conversation.
Henrietta and Saito end up on a very royal looking couch and since they are actually alone, Henrietta positions herself a little closer to Saito. Saito notices her attitude change from when they were out in the open.
"So I have to ask bluntly. Did you have Colbert look up that spell with me in mind?"
'That was very blunt.'
"Yes I did."
"Why?"
"Agnes had informed me of information concerning you and Louise. I became really worried about you. I love Louise because she is my childhood friend, but the way she treated you upset me greatly. I couldn't stand it any longer."
This came as a pretty big shock to him.
Henrietta places a hand gently on his.
"You were not alone Saito. People suffered while you suffered. You have a lot more people than you know of that care about you. I think it is quite obvious that Tabitha must have been one of those people too. Whether we knew it or not, we were all working together for you Saito."
Saito doesn't cry, but he starts to tear up.
"I thought I was alone. I thought I had to deal with it all by myself. Thank you Henrietta."
They embrace in a hug for a moment.
"That brings me to my next topic. I want to help you out even more Saito. I just can't do too much at a time without being noticed. Right now, as much as I hate to say it, you are just a mere commoner. I want you in a position where you are not looked down upon, but I can't do it alone. That is why I was wondering if you would want to train with Agnes. You could become a knight, a Chevalier."
"That is a pretty tall order to try to fill."
"I know it probably sounds selfish. I want to protect you. Plus. . . It would mean I could be. . . closer. . . to you."
'I guess there is no turning back now. Saito is the only man other than Wales that I have had any feelings for. He is the only man that is close to me that I can trust and be comfortable around. I would like to see where things could lead with him.'
"I like you Saito, I would like to get to know you even more, and I would like to be able to go on a date with you."
"You really would?"
"Yes. I would."
'I guess I should have almost expected this coming. The other night felt like something more than just an act to throw off the guards. She must have felt that too. What about Tabitha and Siesta though? I would still like to find out more about Agnes too. I can't deny the fact that I have some feelings/interests for them.'
Henrietta could tell he was thinking, and she realizes that he must be thinking of the other women. It hurts, but she understands how he could have feelings for the others.
"Henrietta, I. . . "
She cuts him off with a finger to his lips, and she shakes her head.
"I merely wanted to let you know how I feel, and I am not expecting anything more than a date right now Saito. A lot has happened and I know that you have to sort it all out."
He nods.
Now, I believe that you have some business with Agnes. Just don't get too wrapped up with her that you forget about Tabitha."
"Right. Thank you again Henrietta. I owe you a date."
They smile at each other and embrace in another hug before he exits.
Saito and Agnes head for the training area after she gives a couple of the musketeers some explicit orders.
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A knock is heard on Henrietta's door.
"Yes?"
"Miss Louise De La Valliere is here to see you your majesty."
"Let her in."
The musketeer let's Louise in and shuts the door.
Louise looks annoyed. But she gives a bow to the queen out of respect.
"What's wrong? What can I do for you Louise?"
"Why were you with Saito?
'So that's why she is here.'
"Yes. I was talking with Saito."
"Why? Do you have feelings for him?"
She said this in an interrogative tone.
Louise must still not be over the fact that he is no longer hers.
"I suggest you watch your tone Louise. I am the queen and I am allowed to talk to whomever I want to. Saito is no longer your familiar and he is not your property. So my business with him is none of your concern, but I will tell that we were simply discussing his. . . options. He has a lot to figure out."
"Why would you talk with him? I thought we were childhood friends."
'So she wants to pull that card out on me.'
"Louise. We ARE childhood friends, and I love you very much for that. I trust you very dearly and hold our friendship very close. You mean the world to me."
She gives Louise a compassionate hug, releases, and then takes a step back with her hands on Louise's shoulders.
"But, I will not change what I said in Osmond's office though. I did not approve of the way you were treating Saito. He has not only saved you multiple times, but he has also saved Siesta, Agnes, me, and this country through his actions. He is a hero to the country. He might have been your familiar, but he was a human being and not some dog."
Tabitha's words came back to haunt Louise as she heard Henrietta speak and Louise starts to tear up.
"Had you not treated him the way you did, then things might have been very different between you two."
"Excuse me your majesty."
Louise exits into the hallway and starts crying. She utters Saito's name as she heads back to her room.
Henrietta reflects on their conversation.
'I really hated being like that towards Louise, but telling her bluntly like that might be the only way to get through to her.'
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A/N: And another chapter is done. Thank you so much for reading my story.
I wanted to expand on Henrietta and her relationship with Saito. I also wanted to start showing some interaction between Henrietta and Tabitha because of their interest in Saito. So I figured that this chapter was a good place for that.
I also threw a little bit of a play on words with something Saito says while he was walking and talking with Henrietta.
V1.1