Guest 1/22/13 . chapter 7

I don't understand Louise desire to get the Spear back. She didn't have the guilty conscious of making a crack that allowed Fouquet to get into the vault in the first place. Nor was she or Ramza attacked by the golem so why did she volunteer again? Was it because she was there?
A: for the sake of her own ego honestly, she wanted to be recognized for doing something impressive
Also leads me to wonder how Fouquet managed to get in in the first place. How long was she pounding away at the heavily enchanted vault walls, without anyone noticing, for her to get in without Louise's help?
A: the wards are weaker than they were in canon; she only hit the wall the one time.

Kite 1/22/13 . chapter 7

Haven't finished this chapter but wanted to comment on one little thing. In fics like this, which crossover someone who basically led a band of troops I always hope that the troops are eventually pulled in, like conquista being side winded by the appearance of Ramza's entire unit as they fight their way to join him on the field... Just something I've always hoped to see and never have. Bothers me that people take commanders and leaders but never the soldiers who are loyal to them...
A: I'm going to incorporate a rather large portion of my main squad into this fic already, and to be honest, bringing in the entire unit or even a decent portion of it would give me more characters than I'm confident I can keep track of.

Chapter 8: Albion, the White Kingdom I

Inside the headmaster's office, Headmaster Osman listened to the group's account of what happened.

"Hmm… So Miss Longueville is Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt… Because she's such a beauty I did not think twice about hiring her as my secretary."

"How did you go about hiring her?" Mr. Colbert who was also present asked.

"In a tavern. I was a customer while she was a waitress there. Where I slowly caressed her from her hands down to her buttocks…"

"Then what happened?" Mr. Colbert asked again.

Headmaster Osman embarrassingly confessed, "Because she wasn't angry at all after what I did, I asked her whether she wanted to become my secretary or not."

"Why?" The bewildered Mr. Colbert continued asking.

"Anyways!" Headmaster Osman cried out using vigor unfitting for an old man.

Osman started coughing. And said sedately, "And she could use magic, too."

"Yeah, magic that could kill." Mr. Colbert mumbled to himself.

Headmaster Osman coughed again then told Mr. Colbert in a prudent manner, "Come to think of it, the reason that Fouquet allowed me to touch her all over the place, served me wine happily, and praised that I was handsome man, while I was in the tavern, was just to infiltrate the academy. All those praises were most probably just lies…"

Mr. Colbert upon hearing that immediately remembered that he was also bewitched by Fouquet once, and had revealed the weakness of the vault walls to her.

Mr. Colbert decided that he would take that secret with him to his grave.

"Yes. Beautiful women are deadly mages."

"I couldn't agree more with you, Colbert."

Ramza, Louise, Kirche, Guiche, Montmorency, and Tabitha stared blankly at the two.

"Ser, a woman's willingness to let you touch her buttocks is not something that should get you to hire her." Ramza scolded, feeling no need to hold back in correcting the Gandalf-cloned Dirty Old Man.

The embarrassed Osman cleared his throat and regained his solemn composure.

"A job well done for all of you, you have reclaimed the Spear of the Gods and captured Fouquet."

At this point Ramza attempted to give old Osman the Spear back but instead of allowing itself to be handed over Gungnir administered a heavy shock to the old man, blowing him back a good three feet.

"…" The entire room went silent at this point as Ramza once again tried handing off the Spear, this time to Mr. Colbert, only for it to repeat the blasting on him as well.

"It seems the Spear doesn't want to be gotten rid of." Old Osman observed, "Sir Ramza, would you be so kind as to hold onto the Spear for me?" The old man requested, seeing that the enchanted weapon wasn't going to accept any other keepers for awhile.

"… Certainly," Ramza agreed hesitantly.

Gently caressing each of the children's heads, Osman said, "I have requested the imperial court to confer upon you the title of Chevalier, I believe that we should have news of it soon. And since Tabitha already has the title of chevalier, I have requested that she be given the Elven Medallion."

The five student's faces brightened up upon hearing the news.

"Really?" Kirche said astoundingly.

"Yes. You have done more than enough to deserve this title. Haven't you?"

Louise gazed at Ramza who was staring at Gungnir was an expression of curiosity, surprised at the weapon's adamancy against being handed off.

"Headmaster Osman, Ramza… won't get anything?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so since Sir Beoulve is not a citizen of Tristain and has already expressed his refusal of the title."

"What?! But Sir Ramza, with your ability you deserve the title of Chevalier more than any of us!" Guiche protested to the contemplative Dark Knight. Smiling slightly at the playboy's concern Ramza just shakes his head.

"Guiche, if I accepted the rank of Chevalier it would mean a public ceremony, which is something I do not want to have any part of." Ramza explained.

"B-but, but-!" Guiche stammered, trying to protest as Ramza walked out the door, prompting the children to follow.

"Master Beoulve, please stop back in after the Ball will you?" Old Osman called out as the door closed.

*scene break*

Louise was lying on her bed. She was dreaming that she was back in her homeland, a three day ride away from the Tristain Academy, where she was born.

The young Louise in her dream was running around near the house, eventually hiding in the bushes of the labyrinth-like vegetation to hide from her pursuers.

"Louise, where are you? Come out now!" shouted her mother. In her dream, Louise was being reprimanded due to her poor results in magical studies. She was constantly being compared with her sisters, who had much better results than her.

Louise saw a pair of shoes that appeared below the bushes.

"Miss Louise really is hopeless at magic."

"I completely agree. Why can't she be like her two older sisters who are very good with magic?"

Louise, upon hearing those words, felt sad and dejected as she bit her lips. The servants have started looking for her in the vegetation. Louise tried her best to escape. She retreated to the place she called the "Secret Garden" – the central lake.

The Secret Garden was the only place where Louise felt at ease. It was tranquil, with no one else around. Flowers bloomed everywhere and birds gathered on the benches near the lake. And in the middle of the lake there was a small island on which a small house made of white marble rested.

Next to the island was a small boat originally used for leisure, but now derelict and forgotten. Her older sisters had grown up, and were busy studying magic. Her father, who had retired from his military duties, now spends his time mingling with the nobles nearby. Her father's only pastime was hunting wild game. Her mother's only interest was to teach her daughters and could not care less about anything else.

Therefore, besides Louise, no one ever came to the forgotten lake anymore; much less remembered that small boat. That is why whenever Louise was reprimanded she would come to this place.

In Louise's dream, the younger version of her jumped onto the boat and snuggled into a blanket that was prepared earlier.

As she hid inside her blanket, a noble clad in a cloak appeared from the mist-covered island.

The noble was about sixteen years old. In Louise's dream, she was only six years old; a ten year difference lay between them.

"Have you been crying, Louise?" His face could not be seen as it was covered by a large hat.

But Louise knew exactly who he was: he was the Viscount, the noble who had just inherited the lands around her homeland. Louise felt warm and fuzzy inside; the Viscount was the man of her dreams. They had often frequented banquets together and, furthermore, their fathers had already made an engagement.

"Is that you, Viscount-sama?"

The young Louise shyly poked her head up to see her beloved Viscount, only to be surprised as a blue tunic filled her vision, a warm embrace that made her feel as though nothing could go wrong accompanying it.

"Do not cry little Louise, everything will be fine." Ramza's voice echoed in Louise's ears, the warmth of his embrace causing her to wriggle in a little closer, unable to make herself desire an escape from the warm protectiveness of her familiar's hold and the comforting tune of his humming.

*scene break*

Ramza was in a slight bind. He had woken up in the middle of the night to the sound of Louise's whimpering, only to realize that the true reason he had woken up was because the petite girl had somehow gotten up from her bed and wriggled her way into his lap, despite the fact that his chair was on the other end of the room.

'And I thought Alma was bad…' Ramza thought with a sigh, remembering how when growing up his little sister had clung to him during their first two years in the castle, she had been so unused to her surroundings that if she wasn't literally clinging to his shirt she was off playing with Tietra, his brothers had been rather depressed by that.

Hearing Louise sniffle against him brought Ramza back to the present and with the knowledge that he was probably going to pay later Ramza gently hugged his tiny master, allowing himself to comfort her like the little girl she was.

"Do not cry little Louise, everything will be fine." He whispered in her ear, gently holding the small girl to his chest and humming a soft tune he had often used to calm down Alma when she was scared during their life in the slums.

*scene break*

It was early morning and Louise's classmates were treated to the unusual sight of a neon-red Louise and Ramza as the two of them walked into class and sat down, neither one making eye contact with the other.

"My my, did our little Louise finally succumb to her familiar's good looks?" Kirche teased the two of them, giggling behind her hand.

"W-what?! No, of course not!" Louise protested in outrage at her Germanian classmate.

"Kirche, I assure you and everyone else that I will never make a move to claim Louise's chastity." Ramza declared with an offended tone, earning himself some surprised looks from the people present.

At this point the teacher's door opened, and Professor Kaita appeared.

The students sat in their seats. Professor Kaita was the one who scolded Professor Chevreuse, who fell asleep on guard duty during the Fouquet incident, and was told by Osman 'You're pretty easy to anger'. Sporting long, jet black hair, and a pitch black cape, his every move gave an unfriendly, uncomfortable feel. Although he was quite young, his unfriendly manner and cold look earned him ill repute from the students.

"Let's start the class. As everyone knows, my runic name is 'gust', Kaita the Gust." He was enveloped with shocked stares, and satisfied by that, he continued. "Do you know what the most powerful element is, Zerbst?"

"Isn't that the 'Void' element?"

"I'm not asking for something of the legends. I want something realistic."

Kirche then confidently answered, "Then it has to be the fire element, Professor Kaita," along with her irresistible smile.

"Oh? Why do you think that?"

"Heat and passion can burn anything and everything, isn't that so?"

"I'm afraid that is not so." Kaita said as he pulled out his wand from his waist. "Let's give that a try. Attack me with your best fire elemental attack."

Kirche stood still in surprise. What is this teacher doing?

"What is it? I recall that you work best with fire elemental spells, am I right?" Kaita challenged.

"It won't be a simple scald." Kirche winked.

"No problem. Give me your best shot. Don't tell me the flaming red hair of the Zerbst family is there just for looks?"

Kirche's usual brisk smile disappeared. She retrieved her wand from her cleavage, her fiery, crimson long hair stood on their ends and crackled as if flames were erupting from them. She waved her wand, and from her extended right hand appeared a small fireball. As Kirche chanted her spell, the fireball expanded, resulting in a huge flaming sphere of a meter in diameter. The students ducked under their desks in panic. Her wrist turned and spiraled towards her chest, and released the fireball.

Kaita made no attempt to dodge the giant sphere of fire heading towards him. He raised his wand, and made sweeping waves as if swinging a sword. A raging gale suddenly began, and instantly scattered the huge fireball. It even knocked down Kirche, who was standing on the far other side of the room. "Everyone, I now tell you why the wind element is the strongest. It is quite easy. Wind can sweep up everything. Fire, water, and dirt alike cannot find footing when faced against strong enough winds." Kaita briskly announced. "Unfortunately, reality does not let me experiment this, but even Void would probably not stand. That is the wind element."

Kirche stood, displeased, and locked her arms. Kaita paid her no attention, and continued. "The unseen wind shall be the shield that protects everyone, and if needed, the lance that scatters enemies. And one more reason that wind is the most powerful is..." He raised his wand, "YOBIKISUTA DERU WIND..." as he chanted his spell.

However, at this very moment, the door to the classroom opened, and a nervous Colbert entered. He dressed strangely, a huge, golden wig over his head. In close examination, his suit had the most intricate borders and decorations. Why is he dressed like that? Everyone thought.

"Professor Colbert?" Kaita raised a brow.

"Ahhh! I'm sorry, please excuse the intrusion, Professor Kaita."

"Class is in session." Kaita tersely replied, staring at Colbert.

"Today's classes are henceforth canceled." Colbert sternly announced. Cheers emanated from the classroom. To stop them, Colbert waved with both arms, and continued. "I have something to tell everyone." Colbert exaggeratively tilted his head back, causing his wig to slide off to the ground. The tense mood Kaita built suddenly collapsed, as laughter enveloped the classroom.

Tabitha, who sat in front, pointed at his bald head and suddenly said, "Shiny."

The laughter grew more intense. Kirche laughed while rapping Tabitha's shoulder, "You can really talk when you speak up once in a while!"

Colbert blushed, and loudly yelled. "SILENCE! Only commoners laugh out loud! Nobles only covertly snicker with their heads down even if they find something funny! Otherwise, the royal court will question our school's educational results!" The classroom finally quieted to those words.

"All right. Everyone, today would be the most important day for Tristain Magical Academy. This is our great Founder Brimir's birthday, a very celebratory day." Colbert's face straightened, and he placed his arms behind his back.

"It is highly probable that His Majesty's daughter, the beautiful flower that we Tristainians can proudly boast to the rest of Halkeginia, Princess Henrietta, will, to our great fortune, pass by the Academy on her way back from visiting Germania."

Whispers and chatter filled the room.

"Therefore, we must not allow any slack. As this is very sudden news, we have begun preparations to receive her to the best of our abilities. Due to this, today's classes are hereby cancelled. All students, please put on your formal wear, and assemble at the main entrance." The students anxiously nodded in unison. Colbert severely nodded in return, and loudly announced, "This is an excellent opportunity to let Her Majesty the Princess know that everyone has matured as model nobles. Everyone must prepare to their best to let Her Majesty witness this fact! Dismissed!"

*scene break*

As they stood watching the princess enter the Academy gates Ramza found his attention focused on the knights guarding her, his fighter's instinct causing him to unconsciously assess each of them. The one that drew his attention the most was a rather cool-looking man riding some strange beast that Tabitha had told him was called a griffin.

'I want… to fight him.' Ramza thought to himself, not noticing the stares of the two women flanking him that were directed at the same target.

*scene break*

That night...

Ramza sat in his chair by the door, staring at nothing in particular as Louise relaxed in her bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking of Wardes.

Quite suddenly there was a knocking at the door that brought Ramza and Louise out of their respective trances. Standing up and holding Derflinger by the sheathe Ramza opened the door.

Standing there was a girl, covered entirely in a black veil.

She looked around, and then walked in, closing the door behind her.

"...you are?" A shocked Louise barely managed to voice.

The veiled girl made a 'shh' gesture with a finger on her mouth, and took out a staff from her black cape, lightly waving it while chanting a short spell. Glowing powder filled the room.

"A silencing spell?" Louise asked. The veiled girl nodded.

"There might be extra ears and eyes around."

After making sure the room had no magical ears and no peeping holes, she slowly removed her veil.

In front of them is really Princess Henrietta. Ramza felt rather taken aback, Louise was certainly cute, but he had a hard time seeing her as anything but a younger sibling, this woman on the other hand was full-figured and exceedingly beautiful.

Louise frantically went down on her knees, Ramza looked at her in confusion and just stood there, with no idea what was going on.

Henrietta coolly and gently spoke. "It has been a while, Vallière."

Princess Henrietta, who had just appeared in Louise's room, looked like she had been overcome with emotion, and hugged the kneeling girl.

"Oh, Louise, Louise, my dear Louise!"

"This won't do, Your Highness. Coming to a humble place like this..."

Louise said ceremoniously.

"Oh! Louise! Louise Françoise! Please stop acting so formally! You and I are friends! We are friends, are we not?"

"I am not worthy of such kind words. Your Highness."

Louise replied with a steely, strained voice. Ramza just smiled warmly, realizing that he was witnessing a mere social visit between two old friends.

"Stop that, please! Neither the Cardinal, my Mother, or those greedy court aristocrats who buzz around wearing friendly faces are here! Oh, don't I have any friends who will open up to me? If even Louise Françoise, my old friend whom I've missed dearly, acts so distant, I would just die!"

"Your Highness..."

Louise lifted her face.

"When we were little children, didn't we get together and chase butterflies at the palace courtyard? And got all muddy?"

With a shy face, Louise answered.

"...Yes, and La Porte-sama the chamberlain told us off for getting our clothes so dirty."

"Yes! That's right, Louise! We were arguing over those puffy cream cakes, and ended up having a real scuffle! Oh, whenever we fought, it was me who always lost. You would grab my hair, and I'd just start crying."

"Not at all, princess achieved victory on at least one occasion."

Louise said, looking sentimental.

"You remembered! Looking at the two of us, one could call that battle the Siege of Amiens!"

"That was when we were fighting over a dress in princess' bedroom, wasn't it?"

"Yes, in the middle of our 'Make-Believe Royal Court', we ended up fighting over who would play princess! And it was my blow to your stomach Louise Françoise, that successfully decided it."

"I'd fainted in the presence of princess."

After that, the two of them exchanged glances and broke out in laughter. Ramza, amazed, just kept watching them in that state. The princess may have looked like a lady, but she was actually a tomboy.

"That's more like it. Louise. Ah, I'm getting so nostalgic, tears are coming out."

"So how did you two meet exactly?" Ramza asked out of pure curiosity.

Louise closed her eyes in reminiscence before answering.

"I had the pleasure of serving as princess' playmate back when we were children."

After that, Louise turned back to Henrietta.

"But, I am deeply moved that princess would remember such things... I thought you'd already forgotten about me."

The princess gave a deep sigh and sat down on the bed.

"How could I forget? During those times, every day was fun. There was nothing at all to worry about."

There was a profound sadness in her voice.

"Princess?"

Louise looked worried as she peered into Henrietta's face.

"How I envy you. Freedom is such a wonderful thing, Louise Françoise."

"What are you saying? You're the royal princess, are you not?"

"A princess born in her kingdom is like a bird being raised in a cage. You go here and there on your master's every whim..."

Henrietta said, looking lonely as she gazed at the moon outside the window. She then held Louise's hands and gave a sweet smile before speaking.

"I... I'm getting married."

"...You have my congratulations."

Louise, who somehow felt the sadness in that tone, spoke in a subdued voice.

It was at that moment that Henrietta noticed Ramza, who had been up till this point standing off to the side, near Louise's bed.

"Oh, forgive me. Was I intruding?"

"Intruding? How would that be?"

"Well, isn't he your lover? Oh no! It seems I was so caught up reminiscing that I didn't realize my blunder!"

"Huh? Lover? Ramza?" Louise seemed genuinely confused by the prospect.

"Your Highness, I am Miss Valliere's familiar, and I am most assuredly not her lover." Ramza said with an icy tone, having been accused of that one too many times that day.

"Familiar?"

Henrietta looked at Ramza with a blank expression on her face.

"But he looks like a human..."

"I am a human, Princess."

"Ramza, you are being rude." Louise chastened her familiar.

"Oh yes," Ramza suddenly realized, dropping down on one knee and inclining his head.

"Greetings, I am Ramza Beoulve, third son of Knight Gallant Barbaneth Beoulve." Ramza greeted Henrietta with a very formal tone.

"Knight Gallant? I am not familiar with that title."

"It's nothing, just something used in my native country."

Louise looked elated at finding out some more information about Ramza's past while Henrietta gave off another sigh.

"Princess, what happened?"

"No, it's nothing. Forgive me, oh, I'm so ashamed of myself. It's not something I should tell you... but I am just so..."

"Please tell me. What troubles are they that cause princess, as cheerful as she is, to sigh like this?"

"...No, I cannot tell you. Please forget I said anything. Louise."

"I will not! Didn't we use to talk about everything? Princess was the one who had called me a friend. Won't you share your worries with your friend?"

After Louise spoke, Henrietta gave off a cheerful-looking smile.

"You've called me a friend, Louise Françoise. That makes me so happy."

Henrietta nodded her head in determination, and began to talk.

"You must not speak to anyone about what I am about to tell you now."

After that, she gave a quick glance in Ramza's direction.

"Should I step outside?"

Henrietta shook her head.

"A mage and her familiar are as one. I see no reason for you to leave."

And with a sad tone, Henrietta started talking.

"I am to marry the Emperor of Germania..."

"Germania, you say?!"

Louise, who hated Germania, spoke out in astonishment.

"That country of barbaric upstarts?!"

"Yes. But it can't be helped. It must be done to solidify our alliance."

Henrietta explained the political climate of Halkeginia to Louise.

There was an insurrection among the nobles of Albion, and it looked like the Royal Family would soon be overthrown. If the rebels won, then the next thing would be the invasion of Tristain. To defend against this, Tristain was looking to form an alliance with Germania. For the alliance's sake, it was decided that Princess Henrietta would be married into the Germanian Imperial Family...

"So that's why..."

Louise said with a depressed voice. It was clear from Henrietta's tone that she did not desire this wedding.

"It is alright. Louise, I have long since abandoned the notion of marrying the one whom I love."

"Princess..."

"Those two-faced Albion nobles do not want Tristain and Germania to become allies. Two arrows are easier to break when they are not tied together."

Henrietta murmured.

"...Therefore, they have been searching frantically for anything that would interfere with the marriage.

"And they've found something..."

Ramza didn't know anything about the alliance or Albion, but in any case, it seemed like it was something serious.

'Please do not let this turn out like the War of the Lions.' Ramza silently prayed.

"Then this is about that thing that could get in the way of princess' wedding?"

Louise asked, her face looking pale, and Henrietta gave a regretful nod.

"Oh, Founder Brimir... please save this unfortunate princess..."

Henrietta covered her face with her hands, and crumbled on the floor, Ramza felt mild annoyance at the gesture, something so grandiose was purely a waste of energy in his mind.

"Tell me, please! Princess! Just what is it that could interfere with the princess' wedding?"

Louise, like she had also been infected, rattled off with an agitated look. With both hands still on her face, Henrietta looked like she was in pain as she began muttering.

"...It is a letter that I had written some time ago."

"A letter?"

"Yes. If those Albion nobles get their hands on it... they would probably send it forward to the Germanian Imperial Family as soon as they could."

"What kind of letter could that be?"

"...That I cannot tell you. But if the Germanian Imperial Family were to read it... they would never forgive me. The marriage will fall through, and with it, the alliance with Tristain. Then Tristain would stand alone against the strength of Albion."

Louise gave a gasp and seized Henrietta's hands.

"Where would that letter be? The letter that would bring crisis to Tristain!"

Henrietta shook her head.

"It is not with us. The truth of the matter is, it is already in Albion."

"Albion! But then...! Is it already in the enemy's hands?"

"No... The one who holds the letter is not with the rebels of Albion. As the conflict between the rebels and his kinsmen unfolded, Prince Wales of the Royal Family..."

"The Prince Wales? The Prince Valiant?"

Henrietta bent back and laid down on the bed.

"Oh, it's a disaster! Sooner or later, Prince Wales will fall captive to the rebels! And when that happens, the letter will come to light! And everything would be ruined! Ruined! Without an alliance, Tristain would have to take on Albion by itself!"

Louise held her breath.

"Then, Princess, the favor that you're asking of me..."

"Impossible! It's impossible, Louise! How could I be so terrible? It's all confusing! When I think about it, I couldn't ask you to do such a dangerous thing as to go to Albion while this conflict between the nobles and the royalists is unfolding!"

"What are you saying? Be it the kettles of hell, or into the jaws of a dragon, if it's for princess' sake, I'll go anywhere! There is no way the third daughter of the House of la Vallière, Louise Françoise, could overlook such a crisis for princess and Tristain!"

Louise kneeled down and lowered her head reverently.

"Please leave this matter to me, the one who has captured Fouquet the [Crumbling Earth]."

Ramza for some reason had to fight down a chuckle at that statement, but was glad Louise hadn't put him in the spotlight.

"So you will help me? Louise Françoise! You are a dear friend!"

"Of course! Princess!"

Louise grasped Henrietta's hands, and as the former spoke heatedly, the latter gave in and started crying.

"Princess! I, Louise, forever friend of the Princess, will be your confidante! Have you forgotten my vow of eternal loyalty?"

"Ah, the loyalty. This loyalty and sincere friendship! I'm deeply moved. I will never forget through life your loyalty and friendship! Louise Françoise!"

Ramza just stared at the two of them, unsure of what to say.

'Were Delita and I ever this melodramatic?' He wondered mentally.

"Then shall we go to Albion, find the Crown Prince of Wales, and get the letter back, princess?"

"Yes, that is correct. I feel confident that you, the ones who have caught Fouquet the [Crumbling Earth], should be able to accomplish this difficult mission."

"As you wish. How urgent is this task?"

"I've heard that the nobles of Albion have managed to drive the royalists into a corner of the country. It will just be a matter of time before they are defeated."

Louise's face looked serious as she bowed to Henrietta.

"Then tomorrow, we shall depart."

Afterwards, Henrietta turned her gaze towards Ramza. Ramza's heart skipped a beat. Though Louise was also foolishly lovely and neat, Princess Henrietta was so beautiful that he almost gasped. Her millet-colored hair, trimmed right above her eyebrows, was swimming gracefully. Her blue eyes shone brilliantly like the southern seas.

White skin, on which floated a feeling of purity, a nose like a priceless and finely shaped sculpture...

(Worldly desires begone! Worldly desires begone!)

"Sir Ramza, please keep taking care of my most precious friend."

And then she gently held out her hand. Taking her hand in his from his kneeling position Ramza gently kissed the back of it and smiled brightly at the princess.

"I would do that even if my own brother ordered me otherwise." Ramza promised with that same warm smile.

At that time, the door slammed open and someone came flying in.

It was the blonde playboy, Guiche de Gramont, with an ever-present imitation rose in his hand.

"It is a bit late for training Guiche."

"Guiche! You! Were you eavesdropping? Did you hear our conversation just now?!"

"Your Highness! By all means, please appoint me, Guiche de Gramont, to this difficult mission."

"Oh? You?"

"No." Ramza said with finality as he tried to knock Guiche unconscious.

"Let me go with you!" Guiche begged as he collapsed onto his knees, his arms up to ward off Ramza's blows.

"Guiche, why do you want to go so badly?" Louise asked the playboy.

Guiche's face reddened.

"I wish to be of use to Her Highness..."

Ramza just stared at the poor boy, he was so blatantly smitten that Ramza could only sigh.

"I thought you were courting that girl, what was her name? Ah yes, Montmorency."

Guiche remained utterly silent on the matter.

"Gramont? Ah, of General Gramont?"

Henrietta fixed her eyes on Guiche's vacantly looking face.

"I am his son, Your Highness."

Guiche stood up and gave a reverent bow.

"Are you also saying that you wish to help me?"

"It would be an unexpected blessing for me if I were to become a part of that mission."

Henrietta smiled at Guiche's enthusiastic expression.

"Thank you. Your father is a great, brave noble, and it seems you have inherited his blood. Then, please. Would you help this unfortunate princess, Sir Guiche?"

"Her Highness has called my name! Her Highness! Tristain's lovely flower, has smiled her rosy smile at me!"

Guiche, having felt too much excitement, fell on his back in a faint.

"Are all Tristainians so melodramatic?" Ramza asked the two girls.

GAH! I'm a-LIVE! This chapter was frackin' murder to write, I don't know how people do it. Anyways, the little scene with Ramza and Louise just left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Also, I just realized with this chapter, about half of Ramza's action is just me putting in my own personal responses to certain situations, I'm not sure I like that…