A/N: Short, little chapter... but I've been DYING to write it since.. forever. This will be the last update for a while, Final Fantasy X HD will be taking up my time for a good while. I think this is a nice halfway point though, yeah? ;D
Chapter 7: Broken Gemini
Amara burst through the front doors of the castle. The sudden commotion startled one of the servants cleaning the floor nearby. The princess' focus was only on one thing, her father. She stormed down the hallways leading to her father's office. She was ready to face him, after everything he had put her through she had had enough. Sending men to capture Michelle was no excuse for him at this point.
"Father." She threw the doors open with fire in her eyes.
"Amara?" The king was sitting at his desk working on something when she interrupted him. "I've told you before to not interrupt me while I'm in here."
"I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm tired of everything." Amara took a deep breath to steady her nerves.
"You went to see her again didn't you?" The king slowly closed a book he had open and turned his full attention on to his daughter.
"Let's skip that argument and you can explain something else to me." The next sentence danced in her mind for a moment as she prepared herself for his reply.
The king's brows furrowed and his green eyes pierced right into Amara. His face had turned slightly red as his temper began to rise. "What is that?" He tried to keep his voice calm.
"Tell me why you have sent a hired group of mercenaries to kidnap Michelle! At first I believed it was a random act. But after last night!" Amara scoffed and muttered something under her breath. "You have been the one sending them after her! Why?"
He remained silent while Amara raised her voice. "I see." He tapped his fingers together on his lap, deep in thought. "And how do you know it was me in particular? Did they tell you?" One of his eyebrows lifted in synch with his last sentence.
"While we tried to escape we overheard them get into an argument. They mentioned you would have their heads if they couldn't catch her."
The king scratched his chin, something clearly on his mind. "Me?"
"The king would have their heads." Amara repeated.
A small, almost unnoticeable sigh escaped from her father. He shook his head furiously and stood. "This is not any of your concern! Leave!" He commanded and pointed to the door behind the princess. "Do not tell this to anyone. That's an order." His eyes narrowed at her. "Now be off." The finger he had pointed toward the door never shifted.
Amara clucked her tongue in her mouth, annoyed. She knew better than to press the issue with her father once he gave her a direct order. "Yes, sir." She turned and left the room without another peep.
She made way straight to her room, angry. When she entered nothing held back the furry that had been slowly building inside of her. She was desperate to get away from this life.
She threw her sword across the room and overturned some of the furniture. With the last of her anger she ripped the portrait of her father from her wall and threw it into her closet. Then she went and settled onto her bed, trying to refocus herself. She closed her eyes and remembered a few happy memories then picked up a picture she had on her nightstand.
It was a simple painting that had been painted on her and her brother's 18th birthday. The twins stood side by side smiling. "I wish I could talk to you right now." She spoke to the painting. "But I know you are busy somewhere else."
Michelle had spent the rest of the day with Martyn. He would be leaving in two days to officially join the military. She inquired about him and Alice, to which he was happy to talk about. He promised Alice he would runaway with her but he had to break the news about joining the army. It broke Alice's heart when she heard the news but they had devised a plan on how to get her out of the castle. Alice would be turning eighteen during the time he would be off in training. Right after training he would be allowed a week home then he will be sent off. This would be the time he would help her escape. The entire idea intrigued Michelle and she was even a bit envious. She knew she would never be with the man she had fallen in love with, but it made her happy Martyn would have the chance.
The next day Martyn escorted her to the town. He had a small bit of knowledge on how to wield a sword and thought himself to be a better warrior than he really was. Luckily, they had made it to the town without problems. The entire market and town had been redecorated for the festival. The royal family's crest hung around the streets. Gold and navy blue streamers spanned the town as well. Several areas had been cleared of snow for activities. The streets had been filled with people from all over the kingdom.
"Same as every time." Martyn huffed, irritated he would be leaving soon.
"Don't forget about the marriage I told you about." She reminded him of the conversation they had shared after the prince dropped the bombshell on her.
"Yeah. I just wish it would have worked in your favor though." Martyn sighed, knowing how well Michelle kept her grief hidden.
"I believe everything happens for a reason."
"Like some divine's grand plan?" Martyn teased.
"You know what I mean. There's a reason things happen the way they do."
"Uh huh." Martyn crossed his arms and shook his head. "Well, look on the bright side. I doubt the king's men will try to take you with this many people around." He motioned to the people all around them.
"Yeah..." Michelle had been sidetracked by the arrival of none other than the prince. He had been escorted with a few royal guards dressed in their finest armor. To her surprise, the prince had noticed her in the crowd. No doubt from her hair rare hair color. He smiled in her direction with a wink. A girl next to her, believed the notion was intended for her instead, nearly fainted.
Martyn nudged Michelle in the side, snickering at the girl next to her that was now fanning her face. Michelle forgot the pain in heart for a moment and joined Martyn with a snicker as well.
The prince reached a podium and made a brief speech. Thanking the people for their continued support in the war and all the other nonsense his father had no doubt made him say.
"Where do you think Amara is?" Martyn whispered.
"I'm pretty sure she hates these kind of things."
"How do you know that?"
"When I went to the ball, Amar told me his sister hated parties and gatherings. She pretty much lets him handle those things." Michelle whispered back.
"What girl doesn't like a good party?" Martyn was surprised.
"You hardly know her." Michelle laughed.
"And I suppose you do?" His eyebrow perked.
"Better than you. And she really isn't as bad as I thought she was at first. Something bothers her, I can tell. But she's a bit secretive."
"Secrets, just like the prince."
"They're royalty, they have to keep secrets." The two had completely ignored the speech the prince was making at this time. The crowd had suddenly erupted into applause, which caught their attention. They turned their attention to the prince.
"With the union of our kingdoms the war will be over." Amar announced, Michelle and Martyn had caught the final bit of the speech. The prince had finally announced the wedding that would end the war. They cheered even louder, this was the news they had been waiting for for over twenty years. Some of the people even had tears in their eyes.
"Thank you and have fun." The prince smiled and slowly left the podium.
This would be the festival everyone would remember. With the fear of losing their sons to the war nearly gone, everyone seemed happy, for once; everyone but two people - Michelle and Amar. The kingdom would never know of the sacrifices the prince made for their safety and happiness.
Much to her surprise, the prince made his way to Michelle. She was baffled as to why he had approached her. She wondered if he had come to say goodbye for good.
"Michelle." Her name rolled off his tongue. "I'm glad you made it here safely."
"Uhm, yeah." She blushed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Martyn escorted me." She turned to her friend.
Martyn instantly tried to hide behind her, afraid the prince would remember him from the time he had been caught sneaking around the castle. "Ye-yeah!" He squeaked from behind her.
"I'm sure he can scare off anyone with an attitude like that." The prince joked.
"I-I know how to wield a sword!" Martyn shot back, trying to restore his confidence.
"Anyone can wield a sword, using one is different." Amar laughed under his breath.
"Your highness." Someone interrupted the three. "Your attention is needed over here." Upon further inspection, the person seemed to act as an adviser of some sort.
"Thank you." The prince nodded to the man that had interrupted them. "I have to attend to something. I was just relieved you made it here safe." He parted from Michelle and Martyn and followed the other man. In a way, it did feel like a final goodbye.
"He really is nice." Martyn said the instant the prince was gone. "And they really are opposites!"
"Yeah, well, let's find something to do. I think I'm supposed to perform soon. So, I'll go prepare." She wanted to keep her mind off of everything again.
More and more people continued to gather from all over the kingdom as the day progressed. The celebration only grew larger and larger with each passing hour. The people were also extremely generous in their tips for Michelle on this day and her popularity only went up. She had definitely made her mark in this kingdom with her beautiful music.
Martyn tried to remain close to her, just in case someone did try to capture her again. She only insisted he enjoy his last day but he shook his head and remained by her side. When night fell the party continued. The prince and his guards had returned to the castle and Michelle and Martyn were ready to go home as well.
Martyn kept his sword ready the entire walk back home. He was prepared for anything. Every little noise made him jump. He even threatened a few falling branches thinking they were people hiding in the forest. It helped keep Michelle's spirits up watching him make a fool of himself. She knew it wouldn't fool anyone though and shook her head. Then she heard a familiar sound high above, the flutter of wings. She smiled, she knew the prince was acting as her guardian angel as he used to do, flying above them on his royal steed.
"W-what's that noise?" Martyn pointed his shaking sword to the dark sky.
Michelle giggled, knowing exactly what it was. "Amar."
"How do you know?" He strained his eyes but saw nothing.
"He always makes sure I get home safely when I play in the tavern. After the other day, I'm sure he's worried."
"Yeah." Martyn gasped. "It's kind of romantic, uh well, if there wasn't the fact that he was going to marry someone else. I mean. Well... you know."
"Don't worry."
"We're almost home!" Martyn pointed.
"I'm going to take my time if you want to run ahead. I'm safe with him up there." She assured her best friend.
With a quick glance to the sky Martyn nodded and picked up his pace. Michelle slowed her pace as well, hoping the prince might land and talk to her, but she knew he wouldn't.
Her home was merely fifty yards away when it happened. The men that had been seeking her ambushed her suddenly. She hardly had time to scream by the time they had picked her up. But tonight, they would find themselves unlucky yet again. In a quick instant the prince had swooped onto the ground with his trusty horse and engaged in combat.
Amar's skill with a rapier was far more impressive than the thugs that had been sent to capture Michelle. One by one they escaped into the woods, each wounded. The entire situation played out too quickly for Michelle to realize what exactly happened. She had been dropped onto the soft snow when the prince fought off the man that had picked her up. Even the prince's horse, Ziarre, had engaged the men. When the final man crawled from sight she turned her attention onto the prince and his horse.
"Curse my father." The prince had been holding onto his steed to keep his footing. Michelle wondered if the man had been hurt. Her suspicions came true when Amar collapsed into the snow. The attacker had sliced directly into the back of his leather armor.
"Prince Amar!" Michelle wasted no time to come to his aid. A small bit of red had began to stain snow beneath him..
"I-I'm fine. I need to get home." He struggled to stand but found himself back on the ground.
"You'll bleed out by the time you get to the castle. Come in my house and let me at least bandage your wound." She pleaded with the wounded man.
"I can't." He shook his head and sighed from the pain on his back.
"Come on." She continued to urge him.
The prince looked into the sky as though pleading to some unknown force. A single tear streaked down his cheek. "Alright." He closed his eyes with a strange look of regret.
Michelle helped the prince to her small home, the prince stumbled several times, but steadied himself on Michelle's shoulder. They startled her grandmother as they entered.
"What happened?" The older woman was sitting in the living room with a book in her hands.
"He was wounded." Michelle sat the prince down in a chair at the kitchen table. He faced the back of the chair, resting his arms and chin on the top of the chair. Her grandmother had began to gather a few medical supplies while Michelle began to tend to him.
"You need to remove your armor." She reached for the straps that clasped it shut.
"Work around it." He insisted.
"I can't get to the wound, it's beneath the leather. It needs to be removed."
"No." He shook his head furiously.
"Don't be such a big baby." She tugged on the straps of the armor once more.
"Here's some supplies. I can help if you need me to." Her grandmother had made her way back to the kitchen with an armful of medical supplies.
The prince turned to Michelle and his gaze settled onto her. His dark green eyes seemed to make a plea all in their own. A message that he did not want the older woman in the room. Michelle perfectly read what he was trying to say and asked for her grandmother to allow her to tend to him - alone. The elderly woman exited the kitchen without question.
When she reached to undo the leather armor, he stopped her for a moment. "Wait." He placed a trembling hand onto hers. "You have to make a promise. I trust you, but you have to make me a promise." He held his hand tightly onto hers.
"Whatever you need." She kept a stern gaze while she spoke. He nodded with the understanding and removed his hand. Michelle struggled with removing the armor but finally managed, dropping it to the floor. But when she went to remove the blood stained tunic she was stopped once more by the prince.
"You can't tell anyone." Tears had formed in his eyes. "The fate of my kingdom is at stake." For the first time she had known him, he was nervous. Either from shock or nerves, his body had began to shake lightly.
"I won't tell anyone you were hurt. I promise."
The prince swallowed hard, something was bothering him beyond his wound. "You can't mention this night to anyone." He further insisted.
"I won't. Now let me work."
Amar slowly turned to rest his arms onto the top of the chair again. She helped to move the back of his shirt over his head. He held the shirt tightly to his chest. Beneath the shirt on his back was something else, a band was wrapped around his upper torso and under his shoulder blades... or her shoulder blades.
"Amara?" Michelle questioned the slim figure sitting on the chair. "Is that you, Amara?" She was stunned.
The person she had believed was the prince turned back to face her. "My brother..." Amara choked on her words. "He's not here."
"What do you mean not by 'not here'?" Michelle questioned the princess further, completely confused.
"I'm tired of lying to you, it hurts too much." The princess wiped a tear off her cheek and sniffled. "Amar died two years ago."
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Well, hopefully I did well in hiding this reveal. What's in store for Michelle and Amara? We shall see... (after I've had my FFX fill... teehee)
