After many days of rain and thunderstorms, the day was finally sunny. Birds chirped, the air was fresh, and the sun shined brightly. Good weather was something that Vanille was thankful for, since grey was the color that she was used to seeing here. It was early in the day and Vanille had a basket in hand as she stepped barefoot in the grass traveling behind the mansion to a small stable. Vanille had only recently discovered that there was a stable here. It seems like Vanille was finding new areas to explore with each passing day here at the Estate.

"Odin!" Vanille called out merrily.

Odin, a strong white horse neighed in response. Vanille giggled and skipped right over to him. She brought out some carrots for Odin and fed him one by one. Everyday so far, no matter rain or shine, Vanille had visited him. It had once again started with Vanille trailing after Snow the cat. She found out that Snow usually hangs around Odin and is fed with him here as well. Secretly, Vanille was hoping to see her master come by and ride Odin. Maybe even offering her a ride... She blushed at that thought.

It would be like time time they first met. Vanille petted Odin as the scene played in her head.

It has been a week now. Time doesn't seem to flow in the right speed in this house. Vanille only saw glimpse and glances of her master every so often, but never alone in the room with her. It is better that way, isn't it? Vanille thought, but was unsure how to answer that.

When Odin finished, Vanille packed her basket and went back into the mansion. Usually the halls were quiet, but on this day though, all the maids seem to be busy talking away in hushed voices. From their whispers, Vanille picked out the two repeating words "King" and "Ball."

-xiii-

"Oh the King's Ball?"

"Mmmhmm." Vanille nodded as she listened to Lebreau explain.

"Hmmm... this is the third I believe. Since the war ended, the King puts on a fancy smancy ball every year to celebrate his victory. Oh Vanille, I hear its absolutely wonderful the palace in Eden city. Can you imagine what the dancing, the glamor..." Lebreau's eyes sparkled. "And... the food must be like?" Lebreau smiled and swooned dreamingly. "Can you just imagine the kinds of delicacies made by the royal chef?"

"N-no?"

Suddenly Lebreau had fire in her eyes. She raised her spatula in her hand and shook it. "It can't be more delicious then my food though! My Duck Shepherd's Pie is to die for! And don't get me started in my scrumptious upside down carrot cake!"

Vanille blinked. "Of... course." Vanille laughed nervously.

Food was one thing, but the dancing? Can Lightning dance? Vanille thought. Just thinking about Lightning all dressed up and dancing made Vanille's heart go wild. But... Lightning was probably the type that didn't.

"Man!" Lebreau's voice interrupted Vanille's thoughts. "I would kill to have my food grace the King's tongue." Lebreau sighed.

"So... why don't you? You could request to go with the master."

Lebreau sighed again. "Every time the master leaves for the palace, the master only brings her most trusted maids."

"Elmyra?"

Lebreau nodded and said in disgust. "And... Brahne."

-xiii-

"Bwahahhahahaha!" Brahne laughed while fanning herself. Vanille had returned to the maid's quarters to find Brahne gloating to the others while packing her bag.

The maid's all eyed her in envy. "Oh... just someday maybe the master will bring you too!" Brahne laughed. "Bwahahahahaha!"

Brahne had the most annoying laugh, thought Vanille.

Hilda whispered to Vanille. "The master hasn't even made the announcement to bring her and she's already-"

"Oh Hilda. Jealous are we?" Hilda rolled her eyes as Brahne marched over. "Everybody knows that the master only brings her most trusted maids to Eden with her." Brahne eyed Vanille. "So don't think you two have a chance, I've been with the master the longest next to Elmyra." She fanned herself as she laughed wickedly.

At her laughing, Elmyra came into the room. Her face was unreadable and her brows furrowed. Everybody other than Brahne focused on the head maid as Elmyra turned to look at Vanille. "Vanille?"

Vanille shot a confused look at Elmyra. "Yes, Elmyra?"

"The master wants to see you." Everybody's eyes are on Vanille as Vanille's eyes widen in shock. Brahne smiled wickedly thinking that Vanille must be in trouble.

-xiii-

Elmyra and Vanille walked into the study while Lightning sat at the desk looking over some papers. Vanille nervously adjusted her skirt and and her apron. This must be about Vanille entering her sister's room, Vanille thought. She thought she had gotten away with it, but the master finally remembered. She was finally going to be fired! Vanille bit her lip and stared at the floor. "Master." They chimed together.

Lightning turned her attention at the both of them. "Vanille, is that right?"

Vanille nodded. She blushed hearing her master say her name once again. Elmyra tugged at Vanille's skirt. Realizing her mistake there, Vanille quickly answered. "Yes, Master."

"Good." A pause. "Elmyra, Vanille, you two will be accompanying me to Eden." Vanille looked up in shock, then quickly shot her head back down. "We will be leaving tomorrow morning, so I expect you two to be packed and ready."

"Yes, Master."

"That will be all." Lightning dismissed them and looked back to her papers.

-xiii-

Two carriages are lined up in front of the white stone staircase. The chocobos kwehed as they picked at the bit of grass that shot out from in between the stone road. The sun just barely rose and the air was still chilling. Dressed in uniform coats on top of their dresses, Elmyra and Vanille stood next to the carriage, ready to board.

Elmyra was first to enter. Vanille followed suit, she grasped the handle of the carriage and stepped up, but cried out as she almost slips. A strong hand caught hers and brought her up to the carriage. When she turned to see who her helper was, she was surprised to see her Master's pale blue eyes. Her eyes held on to her own in a soft gaze. Was this... only a side that she could see? Vanille thought. Her thoughts were interrupted by the closing of the carriage door, Vanille peeked out the window to see Lightning leaving to speak to the driver.

"Dear Fang,

Just a month ago, I was but a poor girl with nothing. And now, I'm off to see Eden city and the King's palace."

Vanille could see through the window that Brahne was flustered. Her usual pale blue face turned red then purple. Vanille could only giggle as Brahne threw her fan down to stomp on it. Hilda and the other maids were on the side laughing. Apparently Brahne had threatened to quit, but when the master made no attempts to stop her, Brahne decided all of a sudden that she was needed at the Estate to "take care" of things when the master wasn't around.

"What kind of people are in Eden? What kind of clothes do they wear? And... since Lebreau mentioned the food... I wonder what kinda food they have there. And... I wonder what the King looks like. Would I even get to see him?"

Vanille leaned back into the carriage seat as she thought of her master in the first carriage ahead of them.

"Fang... So much has happened in such a short time. I don't even know how to begin to tell you. I... I met somebody here in the Estate. I think... I think I might have a crush on them. Fang... I don't know what to do. My heart beats fast when I look into their eyes. I feel butterflies at the pit of my stomach. It feels absolutely wonderful, but scary at the same time..."

Vanille held a hand at her heart as she looked out of the window like the first time she sat in the carriage.

"This person makes me feel things I've never felt before. Is it wrong to feel this way? Have... you ever felt this way about anybody?

Fang... What should I do?"

Once again thank you everybody for your reviews.

And a double thank you to mooncanvas for this awesome pic.

yosane-DOT-deviantart-DOT-com/art/FFXIII-AU-Ficpic-Vanille-at-the-Orphanage-321880026

Love it, especially vaan using the spoon like a sword.

Anyways answering some questions. Yes. Lightning should be a lady. But she is sort of a special case. Her label as Lord is more of a sign of respect for her and her family. And especially being that she's one of the few women soldiers at the time. Also she is the heir in her family. And being called Lord is just in general, cooler.

Read and Review and Junk.