In the next few days, Ashe was going to have her coronation. She was happy to final reclaim her kingdom, but she felt as if she was becoming more distant from her friends. She continued to wonder about Balthier and Fran, wondering whether they were alive from the Bahumut incident or not. She also wondered how Vaan was doing if he would still understand her as she understood him about their loved ones death. Or maybe he forgot about her and moved on to Penelo………

Somebody in the Palace had made an announcement to her. She looked up.

"Lady Ashe, Al-Cid of Rozzaria has come to see you." Called the palace news giver.

"That is fine, let him forward." She demanded. One year ago, she had met Al-Cid at Mt. Bur Omisace. Like Larsa said, he was not a friend, but not an enemy. She had somewhat found that true. He approached her with two of his good-looking maids following.

"Lady Ashe, I am honored to see you." He spoke in his Spanish accent. He flipped his hair, and pulled his shades off. He knelt down and lifted her hand, and kissed it. Obviously, this Mexican was the romantic type.

"It is nice to see you again." She exaggerated her greeting. "What brings you to Dalmasca?" She folded her arms.

Al-Cid stood up, pulling his navy blue sleeves of his Mexican shirt to neaten it. "Lady Ashe, I hear your coronation is in a few days. I, Al-Cid of Rozzaria, would like to accompany you."

"Thank you, but there is no need for that." She answered. "My problems have already been resolved since the end of the war."

He had an unsatisfied look on his face. He stood up, and put both of his hands on her shoulders. "No, that is not what I mean. Even though your spouse and love has been deceased, I would like to be your new partner."

"What?!" She asked open mouthed. At that moment, images of Rasler and Vaan immediately flashed to her head.

"I repeat, Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca, I Al-Cid, would like to ask to be your King." He said, knelt down and holding her hand.

Ashe jerked her hand away, and brought it to her mouth with a silent gasp. "I-I don't know what to say."

"Take your time princess, I'll be patient. I'll be waiting for you." He made an attempt to take her hand to give it another peck, but she drew it away from him. He stood up, and put back on his sunglasses. Ashe could see her stunned reflection on the dark lenses. He turned around, with each of his maids following, side by side. Ashe just stood there, like a rock.

Later that night, Ashe stood outside on her balcony and looked up at the stars, and down at Dalmasca. "What should I do?" She seemed to ask the land and the sky. This was a time were she needed advice or words of wisdom from her friends, especially from Fran, or Vaan. Both of their words comforted her.

Fran was someone who spoke with affinity and fervor. Her words helped comforted her. Fran also was a big help on the team. She knew where many of the locations they were supposed to visit were and knew directions.

On the other hand, Vaan sometimes acted callow and said things he that made people annoyed, but personally to Ashe, he was sweet. She actually enjoyed his company, and was glad they met, even if it occurred by chance. They got to talk about there loved ones, though she though she would never be the type for him, because he had Penelo. She usually saw them walk together on theirs journeys, and joked with each other.

She started to wonder if she and Vaan could be like that. She sneaking away from the palace for a day, without abdicating her power. Then Vaan would be waiting for her under the balcony. The next thing they would do is run to his airship, and then, she would sit on his lap, with him holding her hands showing her how to fly it. Then they would land in the Phon Coast, where the beach is. They would race each other to the waters, then they would splash each other. She would accidentally fall over, in the water. Vaan would pick her up, and put her on his lap, then she would touch his cheek, then…

"Dammit! What am I thinking?!" Ashe thought. "I don't like Vaan like that. Besides, Rasler is the only one for me." She was being adamant to herself. She pounded a fist on the rail of the balcony. "But the thing is, I don't know if I should remarry to Al-Cid, for I barely know him." She wished she were seeing the illusion of Rasler again, even if the Occuria created it. It would comfort her a little more. She was bemused, and wanted some answers.

"I am just going to wait for the day of the ceromony." She decided. "Then I will probably find my answers."

review time :D