Princess of the Thieves
Chapter 8
The members of Tantalus clanked glasses together loudly, uttering a yell of excitement. They were in Ruby's theater celebrating Diane's 18th birthday a day earlier and also partying for the hell of it. The rest of the members for the play were around them as well. Jupiter had joined Tantalus with two other acting troupes to make Diane's 18th birthday one everyone would remember. He had written the script himself and was the lead bad guy. Coles animal taming was also a main part of the play, his dogs and his red chocobo being Jupiter's evil minions. Cole was the lead good guy and the twins acting as dual heroines. It took him most of the year to finish it and he was celebrating the final rehearsal.
"All hail King Mightus!" They cheered.
"And his steed, Serpus!" Jupiter added in as they drank.
"The chocobo? Really?" Chester giggled after his shot.
"Hey! Koko is being a good actor and a good sport! She has to wear all that armor. She deserves a toast." Cole defends proudly, his red chocobo warking to her name from the back of the room. She was walking around the room, getting used to the crowds since they wanted to showcase her after the play for her armor. She had to be able to stand people touching her from all angles.
The armor was a masterpiece from a Lindblum black smith that had a fancy for chocobos. When he had heard Koko was going to be in a play and found out her role he gave the Tantalus a present. He had fashioned a helmet for Koko that rested on her beak and went up to her frill with two sharp metal points passing her beak, making it look like she had fangs. Her throat was then plated in armor, leading to a large breast plate with the Tantalus symbol (which could be covered by a sheet with Mightus' symbol). A black leather saddle sat on her shoulders with gold etchings giving it a regal look. Her legs were then also plated, leading to her feet which had plates on her toes. Attached to the plates were eight inch long daggers. Cole had to train her to walk in them, since she had to lift her feet higher due to the daggers. All in all, the armor made Koko look as menacing as she was meant. The group liked to think she looked like a dragon.
Jupiter wasn't even dressed up as well as she was. He just wore a black jacket with a red feather trim along with a black shirt and pants. He was jealous of Koko's outfit but he would hate to have daggers on his hands. "She's been a good mount. I will be riding her to the stage from here."
"That will give our audience a thrill!" Autumn giggled happily from next to him. "They will faint seeing you so close!"
"They will faint seeing Koko. She looks down right terrifying." Cole smiled, Koko calling out once more.
"That tends to be annoying." Baku breathed. "Must they always make that racket when you say their name?"
"Sorry, I trained them to answer to roll call so when they are in a field I don't have to find them." Cole answered looking back at his pet. He found her covered in children of fellow actors. She was having fun with them, so he didn't worry. "Do we want any of the dogs with her after the show?"
"Maybe... Maybe Flower. She has an awesome outfit to."
"You're welcome!" Claire smiled from next to her sister. "Spent us forever making the ones for the dogs."
"You always know it's a thank you in advance." Jupiter sniped back.
"I hope Diane likes your play." Blank spoke up finally after taking a shot of whiskey. "I surely hope her taste in stories hasn't changed!"
Jupiter stared open mouthed at his father. Diane's name wasn't to be said yet, his mood instantly souring to a depression. He had sorely missed his friend and hoped they could get her back. Many asked why he wanted her back, but he couldn't answer, totally dumbfounded on his reason. Cole dismissed the questions quickly for him, knowing his friend was just in love and his pride was in the way of saying it for fear of being told he could never have her.
"I hope she does to." Jupiter leaned into the table. Playing with his drink, "This is all for her."
"Damn it, Blank! You broke him again!" Ruby ran over, noticing her son's sour mood.
"Apparently, he can sing?" Zidane read out loud from a flyer as the family settled into their seats. Diane glanced at him and straightened her back. Absentmindingly, she fidgeted in her sky blue dress while she glanced around the crowd. She had been looking forward to the play for over a month and had hyped herself up about seeing her best friends once more. The time with her mother was more tedious then she had thought, though she enjoyed being with her mother. She had missed her mother's attention since she was always in the throne room while everyone else was able to roam free.
She also couldn't stand her royal classes, all the proper lady stances, dances, speeches, and mannerisms. She eventually gave in to most of it, a little piece of herself dying from the sacrifice, but she now knew what her father gave up.
"He can sing now? Is he just grasping at straws? Bet it's as average as his acting!" Diamond, the older of her twin sisters, sighed.
"Anything is better than your singing!" Diane defended, ignoring the fact she couldn't utter a sound when she tried to sing. Her sisters though sounded like harpies and thought they were the best in the business.
"Oh! Says the girl you can't sing if her life depended on it!" Emerald added in a tone that Diane knew then they were making fun of her and trying to see her get upset over Jupiter.
"You're just jealous 'cause boys can sing better then both of you!" Zane laughed from next to Diane. Zane had taken after his mother and was able to sing, the two doing it often when either was upset. He also had a talent in white magic, but his weak body was unable to handle too much of its strain.
"Keep fighting down there and I will send you to your room!" Dagger suddenly bellowed from next to Zidane. The children arguing had been getting on her nerves as of late. The twins' having more of an effect on her due to their continued misbehavior around and in the castle. She also had noted that Diane was getting depressed and she was wracking her brain on how to keep her spirits up. She had sacrificed so much to stay on every ones good side during her last three years. She was hoping this play would make her happy.
"Yes, Momma!" They replied in unison.
"I swear it hurts them not to tease her." Dagger grumbled leaning back into her throne chair.
"They explode." Zidane answered her dryly. "Hey... Listen to this! Kinda sounds like something Diane would like."
"What?"
"All's seemingly peaceful in the kingdom of blah blah, the princess about to be married off to another noble but loves her dear knight, Colton. Wow, they aren't hiding whose playing him! In a desperate attempt to free herself from her situation she pleads with the courts magician for a way out. Giving her a potion, he knocks her unconscious unleashing the terms of a nefarious plot to overthrow the Kingdom."
"Oh! It does sound like something she would like! She probably hopes it's full of fighting."
"I do to."
"Someone is getting antsy!"
"I'm just excited as well!"
"Shh, you'll say something! If our plan goes well, we will both be out of here!"
"Plan?!" Zane asked turning around.
"Nothing, sweetie! Your father and I are just discussing something of importance." Dagger answered him sweetly.
Zidane chuckled, "And you were worried I was going to say something!"
Dagger smacked his arm, "Shut it!"
Surprisingly, the show went well and Diane found herself sitting on the edge of her seat. Jupiter acted so well, and his singing was loud and boisterous. She wondered when he found he was able to belt out songs like that. Cole also surprised her by being able to sing as well, singing mostly duets with Jupiter during intermissions. Bermecians were able to dance, but she had never heard any try to sing.
She also loved the show of dogs they had, her favorite part of the show being the dogs sitting out like the keys of a piano, Chester in the back actually playing the tune, the dogs mimicking his key strokes. In the background, the twins and two other girls danced with the chocobos, bowing, shaking tail feathers, and circling one another with the music.
And that red chocobos armor was to die for! Choco would look so terrifying in that armor! She had to have it for him, especially since Zane used him mostly as transportation and he was precious to her. Choco was already outfitted with a simple set of armor, but the proud gold chocobo refused to wear the leather and silver plated armor etched with the Kingdoms symbol. Zane once told her it was because it looked similar to the Knights of Pluto, his hate for the Knights coming from her father being a jerk and teaching him to attack them. Diane was also impressed on how they trained it to look like the chocobo knew what they were saying and knew what was to be performed wordlessly, like attacking soldiers that tried to ambush her rider.
In the end, Jupiter gave a speech to the crowd, wishing everyone a good evening. The actors also came out in mass carrying a banner rolled up and tied shut. Jupiter then turned to them, bowed and turned to look Diane in the eyes.
Diane's breath caught in her throat. His green eyes mesmerizing her as he announced, "And of course, the real reason why we are here, Ladies and gentlemen! This whole production was put together for a very special lady, Princess Diane! Her smile brings nothing but glee to her people and we've seen a lot of her followers go out if the way to please her! Many of our dances hail from this area and spent months training to make it perfect for her. So from all of us hoping for your happiness, Happy 18th birthday Princess Diane!"
With a loud wark from Koko, the group untied the banner and let it fall, the words 'Happy birthday, Princess Diane' written in cursive. Around the words, Diane knew Cole, with his innate talent, had painted the characters of the play around it. Under each picture had a message from the actor under it, adding a personal touch.
"Your highness! We could never think to buy you anything that would fit your status, so we give you something we knew you could take to your heart! We hope you enjoy our banner that our artist, Cole, has painted for you!"
"We wish you farewell this evening, fair maiden, and also have the best wishes for our audience! Good night and we hope to see you at our next feature!" Cole continued.
As the audience began to leave, Diane sat frozen in her chair. Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall. She had not expected anything more than the play itself. It moved her that they had made her something to remember the night and not just the memory. Her sisters made rude remarks as they rushed back to the dining area, where they had been called from to watch the play. Zane was scooped up by her father, the boy starting to question his sisters' tears. Zidane kissed his daughter before leaving her to cry.
"I do hope those are tears of joy?" Dagger inquired, approaching Diane's left.
Diane sniffed and shook her head, "A mix, Mother. I abandoned them for three years and yet they come back like it's only been a month, presenting me with something I can't hope not to want."
"You're relieved then? You've suppressed your natural tendencies for so long."
"It feels like I've found myself again. I just wish I could run down there."
"Jupiter has grown into a fine young man." Dagger pointed out suddenly. A silence then befell Diane, Dagger glancing at her to peek at her facial expression. She was surprised to find Diane looking longingly down on Jupiter's back, watching him help break down the stage, her tears increasing.
"I-" Diane choked at first, "It's like telling me how I've turned into a fine young maiden, Mother. It's just an observation."
"That's a very princess answer." Dagger frowned.
"That's what I am. A princess. Nothing more." Diane snapped suddenly. Wiping tears from her face, she turned away from her mother, "I will freshen up and then I will return to the party."
"I will meet you down there then."
Dagger watched Diane leave the balcony with a scowl. Diane had denied herself the feelings she had wanted to feel during her captivity. She was still happy seeing she still had feelings for Jupiter after so long. Maybe her plan would still work.
(The Next Day)
"Maybe it's from Diane?!" Autumn squealed happily as Jupiter received a letter from a Knight of Pluto. It was the break of dawn and everyone was disturbed by the pounding of the guard's fist on the wooden doors. Jupiter was chosen to answer it and kicked out of bed by Cole. Upon reaching the letter, he yelled up to the rest of them to come to the front.
"Don't they know anything about Cast parties?" Chester asked scratching his chin tiredly. "We shouldn't be up 'til sunset."
"A letter from the royal family, Fatty, is more important than our beauty sleep." Cole hissed at him.
"I'm not fat, I'm plump, rat jerk."
"Read it boy!" Baku bellowed as he entered the room, "You should have already have been reading it. I ain't up for your silence."
"Where's my father?" Jupiter asked as Marcus and Cinna finally came into the room after Baku.
"With your mother somewhere."
Jupiter's spine shivered, "I'm sure I don't want to know."
"Did you not-" Baku was cranky this morning.
"Dear Jupiter," He caught off Baku with a flip of his wrist. "On behalf of the royal family and Princess Diane, we thank you for your performance on the night of my eldest daughter's birthday. I am sorry for waking you up so early, but I would like to see you in person for a proper thank you at noon. Do not feel obligated to come. If you agree to come, a Knight of Pluto will come escort you around 11:30 A.M. Hope we see you, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros XVII."
"THE QUEEN!" Claire screamed when he finished. "We must find our finest clothing!"
"She's got pretty handwriting." Jupiter praised as the twins began to run around excitedly. "Are we going?"
"OHMYGODYES!" Claire and her sister screamed from the back. Jupiter ignored them and looked to Baku.
"What is he planning?" Baku whispered to himself. "Aw, why not! Get cleaned up you louts! We are going to the castle."
"Cool, we haven't been past the castles gates except to do the plays. It will feel weird." Cole began to root around his bags.
"Fang! Stop drinking the moat water." Cole demanded of his pet, tugging on his collar to gain his attention. The large black fang obeyed and sat back in the middle of the boat, panting in the midday sun. The group was all piled into one boat, the lone Alexandrian soldier struggling to get them across with all their weight.
Ruby held on to her son, her excitement for him going to the castle making her clingy. Blank sat on the other side of him, ignoring Ruby and watching the castle. "How long has it been?"
"Yeaaaarrrrrssss!" Cinna responded. "I hope they have lunch available."
"Yeah, like cake." Chester joined Cinna.
"You don't need more cake. You just had some." Baku scolded.
"I get hungry when I'm nervous."
"That's a surprise." Baku snorted.
Finally, they docked at the stone walkway at the entrance of the castle. Jupiter and his friends gaped at the structure in front of them. They had never been in a place so grand. They had dressed as best as a person in their stature could. Jupiter had the nicest outfit, a red suit while Cole wore a simple pair of Bermecian armor, to show he was a page, a person trying to be a dragoon. The twins wore matching dresses that they had made themselves, the Tantalus emblem embellishing the back of their skirts. Chester just really cleaned up, his laziness getting him as far as a nice shirt and pants. The rest of the Tantalus stayed in their original clothes, they had no one to impress here.
"She lives in such a grand place." Autumn gushed as she was helped off the boat.
"It looks calmer then Lindblum's castle." Cole observed sniffing the air. "Smells better to."
"Choco, no! We need to go to the garden, not the courtyard!" They heard a young boy yell angrily from the right.
"Choco? Isn't that Zidane's chocobo?" Blank turned to Baku.
"King Zidane has a chocobo?!" Cole asked looking franticly around.
"Did we never tell him?" Marcus cocked his head.
"Choco!" They heard again as a large golden chocobo ran into the courtyard, skidding to a stop in front of the group. Warking loudly, Choco spread his wings to make himself look bigger. Coles eyes widened as he realized what color Choco's feathers were. He couldn't believe Zidane had a golden chocobo! He was also so large, Choco making his chocobos look like babies compared to his height. He had been training his dark blue chocobo forever, trying to get him to change colors like they had so often before.
"Dude, he's gold." Jupiter whispered. "I forgot she always talked about him. Even came to Lindblum on him a few times when the ship was being serviced."
"He's gorgeous!" Cole breathed excitedly, his hand starting to reach out for Choco's beak.
"Choco! I said no!" Little Zane ran out from the bushes. He stopped next to the chocobo, panting heavily, a slight wheeze in chest. "We... need to be... in the gardens... Diane is waiting."
"Diane?" Jupiter repeated like he was slapped in the face.
The chocobo warked lightly at the boy in response and approached Cole. Zane began again to plead with the large bird. Cole froze, unsure what Choco wanted. He then remembered when Choco's beak caressed a satchel on his waist. It was filled with chopped up gysahl greens to reward Koko for a job well done. Choco had to have a nose of a god to scent it in one little bag.
"He wants my bag of treats." Cole pointed out, quickly untying the bag from his waist. Before he could get it open, Choco snapped the bottom of the bag open, the greens scattering across the cobblestone. Without hesitation, Choco began pecking the ground as fast as he could.
"Choco, you're such a fat bird. Always stalking the person with the treats." Zane sighed watching tiredly.
"It's fine Zane. How are you buddy?!" Cole dismissed looking at Zane. The little Zidane look-a-like wore his usual prince attire which contained his crown and blue and black silk outfit.
"You've grown! Still a little bit on the tiny side but..." Jupiter furthered, "Did you like the play? We thought of you to when we made it."
Zane smiled brightly then. Throwing his arms into the air, "It was awesome! So good! Diane was moved to tears at the end!"
"Oh, your sister." Jupiter glanced away. "Has your sister said anything?"
Zane shook his head, "She hasn't been herself lately. Mommy and Daddy talk about it often. We all know she loved that play, but didn't praise it at the party. She was very silent. She looked stressed."
"She must be trying to distance herself?" Claire wondered. "She's been brainwashed!"
"Mommy will tell you in your meeting with her." Zane informed them, grabbing Choco's reins as the chocobo finished the rest of the pieces on the ground. "Come Choco, let's go the garden like planned. Diane will be angry at us."
Choco warked at him again and straightened, nodding at Cole. Lifting his left foot, Zane used it as a step stool to get into the saddle on his back. With another wark, Choco took off to the left of the group, flying over a hedge of bushes and then a wall, disappearing from site.
"It's approaching noon guys! Move your bums!" Baku bellowed from the back.
Zidane yawned and stretched lazily in his chair as they entered the throne room, Dagger shooting him a glare. Noticing the piercing gaze, he fixed his crown and straightened up. The group approached them slowly, eyeing the soldiers lining the walls in nervousness.
"You have no fear of arrest here." Dagger chuckled. "It was a hectic morning. Many fights broke out at our hearings."
"I was pleased to get your letter this morning, Your Majesty." Jupiter bowed when he was a couple of feet in front of her. The others followed suit before relaxing.
"I'm sure you were up partying all night. That was quite a performance you put on last night. The King and I quite enjoyed it. As did Prince Zane." Dagger smiled gleefully at him.
"It was nothing, Your Majesty."
"When did you learn to sing?" Zidane questioned suddenly.
"You're still on that?" Dagger snapped. She swore he was thinking about it since he heard him sing the night before.
"I wanna know because he had no idea what singing was when Diane was with him."
"I always could sing, but until Diane left did I really start using it. Then Cole found his and I voices meld together really well and we really took off using it to gain audiences." Jupiter answered with a smirk.
"I did notice that! It's quite true." Dagger smiled. She then straightened her back further and regained a regal, serious face. "Other than to thank you for my daughters present, I have called you here for an important manner."
"Is it what Zane told us about Diane? That she wasn't behaving like herself?" Jupiter asked pointing to the doors.
Dagger relaxed with a sigh, "I'm going to kill him! That was secret!"
"He's nine what do you expect?" Zidane argued lowly beside her. He flinched as she glared at him. "Don't complain if you talk about everything in his presence."
Dagger turned back to Jupiter, "Yes, it is about Diane. Over the past year, we have noticed she stopped picking up her daggers and started behaving like a true noble. Not snobby, but she's starting to shun what she used to love. I don't know if it is a natural defense against the fear of losing it due to society's views of how we are supposed to act or something trivial. Remind her of the fun she used to have before the classes and you see an internal struggle on her face. She needs to be herself and the classes have taught her you must be this mask. I don't want to lose my daughter for a better princess; I want my daughter as herself and as a princess when needed. What I want is for you to have a date with her to see if you can break that wall that is preventing my real daughter from coming out."
"A date?" Jupiter stupidly smiled. After a silent minute, he shook his head to regain his composure, "Why me, Your Majesty?"
"You represent all that she used to do before this happened. Zane and I have tried to show her her old outfit and daggers, but she just zones out. Confronted with you, she will have no choice but to crack." Zidane explained. "Under all that pressure is a love she won't be able to resist. And if you succeed, we have a plan for you."
"Plan?"
"True love always breaks spells." Dagger chuckled. "If you succeed, we will allow you to take her hand in marriage."
Jupiter's jaw hit the floor. "Dude, you should do that. You've been pining after her for so long. You can't pass that up." Cole whispered into his ear.
"Wait, wait! He doesn't have a proper title for him to marry her." Blank stepped forward.
"We will knight him to gain this title." Zidane answered him simply. "My daughter is more important than society faux pas."
"A good ruler can't be a puppet to the people." Dagger sighed.
"You really think I can free her from herself?"
"Jupiter, what did you expect her to do when she saw you once more?" Dagger questioned.
"Hit me like usual. Challenge me to a duel the next day." Jupiter answered with a shrug.
"Bet you money that won't happen now." Zidane frowned.
"So will you?" Dagger cocked her head with a smile.
Jupiter glanced at his friends, then his father, and ending at his mother, "I guess I can try."
"Good! She's in her garden, watching Zane play. You can go out there right now. The others can stay around. Zidane is free to get off the throne for the rest of the day." Dagger beamed happily. "Lunch will also be served soon."
"Yes!" Zidane cheered.
Dagger ignored him, "Someone please take our friend here and take him to Diane. He will be joining her for lunch and dinner as well today. Treat him nicely."
An Alexandrian soldier silently walked up to him and saluted him. He nodded at the young woman and let himself be led by her out a side door. The group watched him in worry before looking at, a once again frowning, Dagger.
"Your highness, your mother has sent this boy to see you as an honored guest and wants me to tell you that he will be joining you from lunch to dinner." The Alexandrian soldier saluted the relaxing princess. Diane looked up at her in surprise noticing Jupiter at the entrance of the garden.
"Thank you. You are relieved." Diane dismissed standing up. "Jupiter, you may approach."
Jupiter waited for the soldier to disappear back into the castle before walking forward. He could see now why they were worried, her back was as straight as a rod and her face held a blank expression. Her hands were laced in front of her like a proper lady. She looked fantastic in the light yellow dress she wore, her hair down except two strands on the side of her face pulled back in a small ponytail. "Long time, no see, Princess." Jupiter tried to keep his voice from shaking. He was happy to see her, so happy he wanted to embrace her so hard.
"Yes, it has been a long time." Diane admitted as he finally stood in front of her.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine. It's been calm. I was just soaking up some rays."
"Ah, you're feeling stuffy?"
"Just cold."
Jupiter was taken a back from her response. "I- What's wrong Diane?"
Diane looked away, "I don't know what you mean...?"
Jupiter frowned. This wasn't the girl remembered. "Never mind. So your castle is awesome! I can't believe I've never been in here before."
"It's to be expected from your status."
"Ouch. I know I'm poor, but damn, don't point it out that way." Jupiter found himself getting angry at her. He saw her frown and pinched himself for the outburst. "I'm sorry. Let's go have lunch. We can discuss what you've been up to for the past three years."
Diane smiled up at him, "That sounds lovely."
The sun seemed to set soon after Jupiter and Diane had lunch. The two had gotten so caught up in each other's adventures, time flew by. Jupiter was happy to see she was still a good listener and still loved adventure stories. He also saw what her mother had been talking about seeing an internal struggle on her face when reminded of her past. During those times, a little bit of the true Diane would show, even if for just a split second. As they ate dinner, Diane looked to become stressed and became silent. He noticed she was avoiding his gaze, but glancing when she thought he wasn't looking.
After dinner, Jupiter walked arm in arm with Diane through her garden. She pointed all the flowers and named them, Jupiter quickly noticing they were either blue or red, some purple. The moon soon appeared over them as they walked, Diane leading them to a bench that was lighted by lanterns mounted on poles. The bench actually stood underneath a large terrace where her father was sitting and talking with the others. Diane didn't seem to notice.
Jupiter had seen enough, he was going to begin to push down her walls. "Diane, I think it's time we talked seriously."
Diane frowned and looked at him with a panicked face, "We just talked... Was it not serious enough?"
Jupiter shook his head, "No." He sat on the bench, pulling her down beside him. "Diane, I missed you."
"I missed you to Jupiter. I'm really happy you are here right now."
"Then why are you hiding?"
"Hiding?"
"You know what I mean! You're worrying everyone. It's like you don't want to try to be yourself."
"It's what they taught me."
"Your mother said she tried to tell you that you can be yourself, but to behave properly when the time calls for it. That's the point of the classes. Behind closed doors you can do anything!"
"It won't change anything. I can't return to the streets." Diane gulped. Jupiter saw the first hint of tears in her eyes. The true her was starting to break through.
"If your father still can, what's stopping you? I heard you even stopped training with your daggers."
"Why touch them when I can't wear the outfit they go with?"
"Diane? Where's the girl I love?" Jupiter demanded. "Where's the girl that didn't care what they thought? The one who loved her daggers 'cause it got her closer to her father? The girl who complained the most when she had to wear a dress? Where's this girl that I missed for three years?"
Diane began crying, her voice choked, "She had to go into hiding. She was tired of fighting!"
Jupiter suddenly felt bad for making her cry and wrapped his arms comfortingly around her. "You got overwhelmed, Diane. It's over now, you can relax. You can be yourself now."
"Jupiter, I tried. I tried so hard, but it made me weak! Last night was the first time I was able to feel what I used to, but then I felt sick afterwards. I missed it so much, it made my heart hurt." She sobbed then, burying her face into Jupiter's chest. "Jupiter, I don't want us to be separated again! I can't stand that we can't be together forever!"
"I know what you mean. When did we fall in love?"
"I don't know. Was it our letters back and forth?" Diane sobbed into his shirt. The two froze, Jupiter embracing Diane gently. He glanced around the darkening garden, trying to keep his mind preoccupied. He focused on a spot filled with shadows, a part of them starting to move suspiciously.
"Princess, sorry to interrupt, but it is getting too dark out here. May we ask you to return inside the castle?" Beatrix approached from the darkness.
Diane sniffed and looked at her, "Yeah, I must get to bed."
"Do you want me to return tomorrow?" Jupiter asked letting her go.
Wiping away her tears, she smiled up at him, "I would love that a lot Jupiter. I want to spend as much time as I can with you."
"Good night Diane." Jupiter stood, helping her up as well.
"Good night, Jupiter. I look forward to tomorrow." Diane smiled back. Hugging him again, she pecked him on the cheek. Jupiter stood shocked, the feeling of her lips lingering lightly on his cheek.
"Sorry for interrupting, Jupiter." Beatrix patted him on the shoulder, following Diane inside.
Jupiter smiled and started to walk away, "It's fine. I think I get to marry your Princess."
"You were with Jupiter a long time." Zidane entered his daughter's room after knocking to make sure she wasn't still indecent. He found her tucked in bed and cuddled to her stuffed moogle doll. Her face was red from crying off and on, but she looked less stressed to him.
"We had a lot to talk about." Diane yawned, sitting up.
"I saw you kiss him." Zidane sat at the edge of her bed. "Are you free of your self-imprisonment?"
"Was I that bad?"
"Honey, I didn't even know you anymore."
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Diane looked down. "Daddy, why can't I marry Jupiter?"
"In a way, you're stuck. No war going on, it's hard to be promoted like I was."
"Then my love for him can't be fulfilled."
"You might be surprised."
"What?"
"Nothing! I'm going out to the bar, want me to say hi to the rest of the guys for you?" He stood back up, Diane noticing he was in his thief outfit.
"Would you please Daddy?" Diane batted her eyes.
"Of course sweetie!" He kissed her forehead before leaving. "Your mother will be happy to see you back to your old self."
"Daddy?"
"Yeah, my sweet?"
"Screw the rules!"
"That's right Diane! Screw the rules!" Both laughed as Zidane left.
Diane smiled at her closed door. She then glanced across her room to her closet. Hanging on her closet door was her thief outfit, pulled out from the depths of her clothes to air out. On the knob of the door, hung her daggers in their protective sheaths. After her day with Jupiter, she felt a need to wear it. A need she was happy to feel. Also she felt restless like her body needed to run. She would have a surprise for Jupiter when he came tomorrow. Her daggers were thirsty for his blood and her lips aching for his desperate card to beat her at a duel.
She didn't even know how she would get to sleep.
