Chapter 4- Alone

All space seemed to disperse as the man edged towards me. He had been so completely beautiful before his first step in my direction. But my love of looking at him and his ability to swallow my mind vanished as he closed in around me.

Perhaps the feeling of closeness was just because of my obsession with him, because when I glanced at our feet he was far enough away that my arms would almost be able to stretch out completely when reaching for him, but when I looked up at his face it felt as if he were holding me into place against the wall with his body. The thought was daunting, that such a phantasmic being of pure aesthetic brilliance would exert himself for my attention was bewildering and his presence so close was nothing but imperious.

I felt that irritating itch of blush return to my cheeks again...this seemed to be a constant with the Maester. It irritated me more that someone could have such an effect on me when I had only met them these few seconds ago.

He stood silently for many moments, my eyes were only attached to his for the very first until it became unbearable to glace into his soul any longer. It was so pure and glorious for me to look at very long without some though unbecoming for someone with my ignorance. So I found my head dropping nervously, examining his attire as I awaited his musical voice to rein the atmosphere once more.

It didn't come.

My eyes stopped wandering, too scared that he would pick up the movement. I held my breath; to concerned he might hear the hastening of my heart beat in his presence. I could feel his sky eyes observing every inch of my being, each particle of my skin burning intensely, itching as I detected his eyes trailing over me.

I jumped back suddenly, when his fingertips gently pressed themselves against my chin, attempting to lift my eyes to his. I had missed the movement of his arm, too concerned with his attention. The cool nature of his skin caused my skin to prickle, even after I had escaped the clutch of his long fingers. I saw his lips move partially, uttering unheard words to my ears full of my heart's pounding. I sputtered, trying to catch my breath before the air fell from my lips. But I had no chance to prepare myself before his hands inched towards me again, and no escape. My back was firmly pressed against the wall now, the space between us obviously as far as it would get with my input.

"You should relax, My Lady. I mean you no harm; I am just overwhelmed by your presence. You are far more beautiful in person, Yuna..."

He released a charming smile, his lips curling in a delicate manner. My muscles relaxed instantly then, as though he had cast a spell on me and just said the magical word to release the curse and I was free to feel the joys of normal life again. And as though the release of my stiffness was cue, his bellowed to his knee's, snatching my hand from my side. My insides remelted, having just recovered from the effects of his voice as I now gazed into his eyes from a different perspective, he seemed so much more vulnerable when he wasn't a skyscraper. I waited for the words to pierce the air, the words every girl dreams of in far different circumstances than these.

"Yuna, I am so delighted that I have found such a person as you; none would make as sweet a bride as you. Will you take my hand in marriage and join me as Maester of Bevelle and all of Spira?"

Of all the scenarios that had flashed through my mind as the maid's footsteps had thinned, this had been classed as one of lesser distress. But now that it was here, and he was waiting eagerly for my response, it held so much pressure I was completely lost in the moment. I knew the answer, honestly he hadn't even a need to ask, I had known what to say a week ago. But now, my mouth and my blood seemed to freeze. My insides her icicles...incredibly cold.

I probably should have taken that as a sign to struggle out an answer, but after a few attempts I became aware of how many times he had been waiting on me in the last however long it had been. His face didn't even alter as I stood above him struggling to say even 'yes'. How could anyone be so patient? Was he really concerned with making this a pleasant and traditional experience for me as he appeared to be doing? Or was the flattery I was receiving just for the short term so that he could retain his destined position as Maester?

A short cough shook me from my thoughts, my body shaking slightly as I jumped to look around at the returned maid behind me. Seymour's grip on my hand tightened a little as I risked removing it, the heat suddenly glowing where his skin met mine, a feeling I had not noticed as I ran through my thoughts. That stupid heat in my face pulsating more and more as I realised my position. He chuckled an alluring laugh as though my reaction was cute and I hid my face momentarily with my other hand as I prepared an answer.

"I...I would be nothing but honoured to marry you, on behalf of my people." My voice seemed so weak in comparison to his but he did not allow me the chance to reflect on it, his voice radiating in the room in response to my words.

"Hopefully that will change."

"Sorry?" I faltered, his words striking me as strange considering the stipulations.

"Well, I only mean that hopefully I can convince you, in the short time we have before the day we are joined for eternity, that you would be happy marrying me because it is what you want, not just because it is the right thing to do for your people."

I smiled.

I herd my father's voice echo through the arch that separated those in the dining room and me and the maid in the kitchen. The clutter of the cutlery and china in the sink as the maid scrubbed aggressively at the just used items managed only to hide a few of the words they muttered.

"He seems very sure of himself don't you think?"

"Well he is about to become Maester, you should know that feeling of pride should you not?" I herd my stepmother giggle. Her face was clear in my mind, that seductively innocent grin, almost childlike if it weren't that her eyes were so cold. They were auburn in colour, the polar opposite to those of my fathers, and especially to the last of my mother our family held, the one vibrant green eye I was thankful to possess.

"Yuna seems happy though, don't you think dear? I told you that worrying would be a waist of precious time."

I ignored the true meaning to that sentence as my father replied.

"I know she seems happy, I just can't help but be concerned...she has no idea what she is getting into, I don't understand why she is so determined to do this, and so quickly?"

"She wants to be like you..."

It was so funny how that woman noticed so much about me...scary even. I felt strange warmth when she recalled true facts about me, especially when they were the important things such as this was...but it wasn't a warm I liked. She obviously had ulterior motives for recalling such things, she only mentioned my mind when it meant she got something out of the situation...I knew for certain what she had to gain with my departure.

Father had fallen silent, I was sure he was recognising for probably the thousandth time in the last few days the truth in that sentence. His silent was well timed, the sound of the door opening as the Maester re-entered the room. I awaited the liquid voice and the phantasmic sensation that came with it.

My knees threatened to drop me.

"Sorry for that delay, and I am excessively sorry that I must cut this event short but duty calls. You are most hospitable, and please accept my many thanks for a lovely evening."

I hurried to the doorway, taking a peak out into the royal looking dining room laced with golden walls and furniture trimmed in gold leaf. Maester Seymour was just resounding from a graceful bow, his eyes, I had determined instinctively, found me. Yet apparently the glace was subtle, being undetected by both my father and stepmother.

"I shall be in contact in the next few days to discuss all preparations, please don't be shy!"

"Never! I shall deliberate with my daughter over the next few days. Thankyou for your time this afternoon."

Papa removed himself from his seat, dipping his head in respects as he began to escort the Maester out. I felt my heartbeat jump, realising these would be the very last glances of my element of lust for at least a few weeks. So I followed them, twisting my way through the corresponding rooms they took towards the front door. I could hear them conversing, sharing further rehearsed lines of humility. And the doorways leading forwards were all behind me now. The room holding only a door to the left and a window before me. I raced towards it, the soft wood itching my fingers as I leaned towards the glass to get a better look.

"Well, Lord Braska, Goodbye until the near future."

The door closed quietly, Maester Seymour turned from its body, his robes hiding his footsteps as though he were gliding down the front steps. His head twisted to the right, but stoped at the bush of red roses that wound their way over the handrails a few feet in front of my window. He seemed to sigh; his hand dancing for only a second away from him, his face portrayed the shape of a glowing happiness that was beginning to escape his minds clutches. A serene expression.

He was slowly shrinking, the pathway left to cover before he reached his transport becoming smaller and smaller. I couldn't watch anymore, my limbs growing impatient and desperate. Aching because they wanted to move so much.

I pushed my hands on the black glass that night had swallowed, forcing it from its sockets. It groaned a little as I heaved it up above my head. I swung my legs around, their muscles tightening a little as the cool air engulfed them. But the stress was released as I ducked the rest of my body under the wooden frame.

I didn't think much from then on, my feet seemed to know exactly what they were doing. I ran, my arm outstretching before me as I neared him. And the material of his robes was much softer than I could have guessed by looking at it. Like gripping the ocean if that were possible.

"Wait!"

He stepped around without even glancing at me in shock, as though I had been standing there the entire time. His grin was wider now that I stood before him, but also more blissful. He raised his hand between us, twisting something through his fingers. I tore my eyes from his, feeling a little depressed as I did, only to have heat wash through me.

"A red rose for my beloved...A symbol of my adoration for you. Its beauty will never wilt in our minds and our hearts"

I took it from him gently, his words slowly twisting their way through the maze of my insides. A released a small laugh though, as I looked back up at him.

"I saw you pick it from our garden, so I think that might be the symbol of my adoration of which you have so simplistically stolen..."

"Very well," He ducked his head in amusement as he softly touched his fingers to my cheek, "Then, the next time I see you, I shall adorn you with the very extent of my own love, does that sound fair? Until next time we meet, my dearest Yuna."

His heat left me silent and stuck to the very spot we had spoken as he vanished most ghost-like, into the fog of the night. When the sound of his hover had finally and certainly faded I made my way back to the refines of my room to theorise the events of the next time he and I would meet.

That was the first night I forgot to wish my father goodnight.

Author's Notes:

Herroooo again!

No comments for last chapter!  But on a positive note, I had the urge to finish this chapter and ignored the school work I needed to do to complete this! YAY!

My sister pointed out the fact that I don't have a disclaimer, a statement to which I laughed profusely! I always wondered why people were putting disclaimers of their fan fics....I mean, isn't the point of a fan fic that you use someone else's characters?

Well, I shall work on the next chapter over the weekend; I want Tidus to come in soon, even though his character in the game is super annoying! Hehe, Seymour seems way to nice in this story I know, but I have plans for him! –Evil laugh-

Well Tah-tah for now!

Love Gingy 3