Author's Note:

Hey guys! Airbendergal here!

Thank you so much for the support you have given to this story!

As of today, we have over 250 views for the whole story, and it's only been on FF for a week!

I'm glad you guys really enjoy it. Please keep those reviews coming, I look forward to it!

I bet I left you hanging in the last chapter, so here's the continuation.

Things are about to get really serious from now on.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6:

Daylight flooded into my eyes painfully. I moaned. I opened my eyes slowly; I could see some figures looming over me. People. Why were there people around me? Where was I? Was I dead?

"Lady Catalina! She is awake! Inform the others!"

I heard some voices, some footfalls. I realized I was on my bed back in Archades. The people who surrounded me were doctors and white mages. I could point out some of the people I knew. One of them was Doctor Phynix, the emperor's personal doctor. He dashed out of the room, carrying a weird mechanical device with him.

I tried to wiggle my toes, and then move my fingers. I was alive. I could not remember what happened to me. The last thing I remembered was the snout of a mastiff…and….the Alexander. It was all coming back to me, slowly. I stowed away in the Alexander at an attempt to return to my homeland. My escape plan had failed.

There were more footfalls, and the sound of trumpets. I tried to get out of bed. The people who surrounded me gasped and tried to push me back down into a lying position. I fell back, and an excruciating pain ran down my lower limbs. What was this? There was some sort of large gauze on my right leg. And then I remembered. The mastiff had scratched me.

The sound of trumpets grew louder. I saw a figure enter the room. It was Judge Zargabaath, and behind him, the Archadian emperor. I could see the emperor's face. It was filled with remorse.

"Grace from the gods," murmured the judge.

"M-my lord…" I trembled, as the emperor drew closer.

"Catalina," he replied in a monotonous tone. He crouched down by my bedside.

"We shall take our leave, my lord," whispered one of the medics. "If there is anything you need, then please summon us."

The emperor nodded, and the doctors left.

I managed to sit in bed. I could not walk yet. I could not even look at the emperor. I had committed a very shameful and egoistic act; looking at the emperor would not be right. I was very embarrassed to be in his presence. I looked away and shut my eyes.

"Are you aware of what you've done?" asked the emperor. His voice was filled with dismay, and it started to tremble. "W-why? Why have you done this?"

I did not answer.

"Look at me," the emperor ordered. And he took my hands, holding it close to him. I could feel his velvety gloves, and the warmth of his palms. "Look at me, Catalina."

I did not look.

"Catalina, my love, please…"

My eyes opened. And I looked into his blue eyes, which were deeper than the Naldoan sea. His eyes…they burnt with anger, sorrow, and regret. They became watery after some time. Was the emperor…weeping? Had I hurt him so greatly?

"Do you know what you've done?" he asked once more, and his hands trembled.

"I…do…" I replied, and looked away.

"You are foolish. You're a foolish, arrogant and naïve woman!" he exclaimed. His eyes widened and his nostrils flared. "Look at what you've done! You attempted to escape and stow away on the Alexander. You were almost slaughtered by a damned mastiff!"

The emperor's face became red and hot. His grip became tighter. The sheer power of his voice…it overwhelmed it. I did not expect a man like him to be so…impassioned. There came a point when he reminded me of my own father.

"Tell me," he continued. "Why did you escape? What made you even think of escaping?"

I kept quiet. I could feel tears building in my own eyes. I was getting harder to breathe now. The emperor came closer, closer than he ever was before. He was breathing over my neck.

"Answer me," he said in a soft voice. "Catalina, you have troubled me. I…I have been so worried..."

Then, I broke down into tears. I cried at my own helplessness. "Please, my lord, forgive me…"

I could not explain the events that had followed. One thing was for sure, though…I had found myself crying in the arms of Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. My head was pressed against his chest, and I gripped at his sleeves. My tears had stained his silken robe.

"I am sorry…Larsa…" And I cried until all my tears dried away.

I came to realize that Emperor Larsa was not a very bad man. At times he could be very stoic and austere, but it was only a façade. An emperor is deemed as a man with an iron fist, an all-powerful head and an influential individual. If Larsa had shown weakness, in any sort of way, to any sort of person, it would mean bad news for him. Any sign of emotional instability from an emperor could lead to the crumbling of his nation. This fact was very true. My father, too, always had to wear a mask of supremacy in front of his followers. The people of Rozarria favored Edelmiro XI very much, for he seemed capable of leading the empire to the summit of her primacy. Emperor Larsa, in truth, was a very kind and gentle man. He was very clumsy, though, at showing his real emotions. He would either force it out through a wave of heated comments, or remain straight-face and answer bluntly. I could forgive him, though. It was only second nature for an emperor to act this way.

For the next few days, I was forced to walk around with a walking stick. Emperor Larsa instructed me to accompany him for the time being. He said it would be easier to call for someone in case anything would happen to me. I practically spent half of a day with the emperor. He opened up interesting topics about Archadia. He told me about his empire's rich history and about Archadia's past relation with Rozarria. He knew some facts even I did not know of. Larsa told me about the simple beginnings of the empire: Archadia was once a poor city state, but managed to become an empire during the time of Raithwall. It was very interesting to listen to him. Sometimes he would stop talking, and he would ask me if I was feeling any better.

I now spoke his name more frequently. The name Larsa found a place in my tongue.

A letter came in that afternoon. It was from the Archadian Wine Association.

"Hmm…" said Emperor Larsa. "It seems that there will be a wine festival in the North Gardens next Tuesday. They are inviting us to join them. It seems news it getting around about your presence in the city, Catalina. People now know of the allying of Archadia and Rozarria. If word comes to the press, this would be a great opportunity to show yourself to the public."

I thought about it. If I made a good first impression to the people of Archadia, then I reckon the people will be assured of a stable alliance between the empires. I was afraid to show myself to the public, though, for I was a very uncharismatic person. I had not liked the idea of social gatherings one bit, and to be judged (or misjudged, for that matter) by the people of Archadia is a very crucial element in gaining a reputation.

"A public appearance," I said. "Well, I hope I do very well."

Emperor Larsa and I had lunch together by his patio. He told me it was his favorite place in the entire palace. It was a place for him to think and reflect about life, and his family. We dined on seared scallions with poached eggs. Larsa recalled his favorite moments with his brother and his father. He told me of his mother and two brothers, whom he vaguely remembered. When he talked about his family, I thought of my own. I wondered how my family was. My father and mother must have missed me dearly. Al-Cid and my other siblings were probably awaiting my return.

"Your family must be nice," I commented.

Larsa just smiled.

"Your Excellency!" exclaimed a voice from behind me. I looked back and saw it was Judge Zargabaath. He rushed into the patio, carrying a red envelope in his left hand. Something felt very wrong about this. The judge seemed to be gaping like a fish out of water. "Emperor Larsa!"

The emperor rose from his seat. "Judge Zargabaath."

"News from the Bureau of Intelligence," Zargabaath breathed. "The Jyllanders…they-they've ambushed the 9th squadron. The letter, sire."

"Give it," Larsa snapped. He grabbed the envelope from Zargabaath and took a good look at. There was a large red seal on the middle of the package. "The Scarlet Serpent. It's a seal only used in times of great emergency."

At once Emperor Larsa opened the envelope and scanned through the letter. His eyes widened. "The Jyllanders have ambushed the 9th squadron of the Archadian fleet. Apparently the Jyllanders have sunk at least two light cruisers, and the flagship of the ninth squadron, the heavy cruiser, Carbuncle, has been greatly damaged, and is currently being repaired in Goug. There are at least 50 casualties."

"What of Judge Gabranth?" I asked Zargabaath.

"Gabranth…" replied the judge. "As of now, we have no news of his status. But I am very confident that he is well and alive. Gabranth was on the Carbuncle, luckily, and he is probably in Goug as we speak."

The emperor breathed a curse. "Blast. How could they foresee our act?"

I just shook my head in disbelief.

"If this slaughter continues, I shall be forced to take dire action," Larsa murmured. He looked at me. "Catalina, we must inform your father about this assault. There is only one diplomatic option left, then. I shall convene an International Council. That way, we shall be able to unravel the cause of these attacks."

An International Council was a massive gathering. All the heads of state of participating nations would unite under one roof, in one city, and discuss a matter that greatly affects their peoples. A gathering such as this would only occur once in a lifetime. I had never been to an International Council, and I doubt if my father had ever convened one. If Emperor Larsa were to assemble an International Council, it would be one of the greatest moves he had ever accomplished in his reign.

"Tell the senate immediately," Larsa instructed Zargabaath. "I will convene an International Council. All the heads of state of the empires of Rozarria and Archadia, and representatives from Jylland shall attend the council. Send out the Scarlet Serpents to all of the individuals I have addressed. We need them to be here in Archades by this Friday."

All the heads of Rozarria meant my father, Al-Cid, and my dearest Leosandro. I would finally get to see all my loved ones again. For some reason, though, I felt uncomfortable at the thought of my Leosandro, and his coming to Archades. Was it because…I was beginning to develop emotions for Emperor Larsa?