In my opinion, not a very fun chapter for me. Its too...straight-forward story-like. Luckily, this ismostlya chapterfor understanding future plots.Hopefully, other chapters starring Veigue will have more action and such in it.

As I mentioned before, this story will be moving to the Symphonia side right after this arc ends. I'll be putting up warnings at the top in bold and such:

AFTER THIS ARC ENDS, THE STORY WILL BE MOVED TO THE SYMPHONIA BOARD.

This is all.


The glittering stage illuminated as beams of bright, piercing light shone upon it. The transparent curtains folded back as star-like lights glittered upon the audience. A woman with long, golden locks of hair came onto the stage wearing a silky, slinky dress. The train of her dress dragged along the stage throwing glitter into the air as it did so.

The cries of fan boys filled the air as Claire walked to the middle of the stage. They cheered louder and louder as she approached them, instantly silencing when she began to speak.

Right at the very front was Veigue, staring at Claire as if she was an angel that descended from heaven to speak with the people. He didn't cheer like the others, he merely stared at her.

"Claire…" He whispered as he cast his eyes downward.

To the others, it was just fandom. But, to him, it was much more than that. He was in love with Claire right to the point he would sacrifice himself to save her. What everyone didn't know was that Claire loved him too.

Back before his life was changed forever, his life was perfect.


Before Claire became a big hit, she was merely a bar singer. Veigue worked odd jobs far before he even joined the Magnus Freelancing Corporation. This night, he was a busboy cleaning up tables.

Deep down, Veigue always had an inferiority complex to the rest of his family. His brothers had all made it into the rich life with world-changing discoveries and accomplishments. Veigue hadn't accomplished any of that. He was a mere freelancer that did the oddest jobs just to make ends meet.

He was in a slump. It was a slump he could never get out of. It wasn't like he wasn't capable or anything. He was just unmotivated and uninspired. This day, however, changed everything.

He rushed to get all the tables cleaned so he could sit down and listen to Claire sing. Her voice was like a heavenly chorus that was the one source of light for Veigue's tedious and tough life.

As soon as Claire left, Veigue began putting up stools and cleaning cups at the bar. Mary, the bar owner there, approached him with a smirk, "Have you fallen for Claire?"

With a cold tone, Veigue replied, "Yes. I have."

"Veigue, I've seen you work here for a while." Mary added, "I've never seen your eyes light up like that. Claire seems like she'll be 'good for your health'." Taking out a napkin from the drawer, she scribbled down a few bars, "Here are the bars she visits in order. There aren't anymore and she usually doesn't switch them around. If she does change and you need to find her again, come to me and I'll help you!" Mary chuckled and walked towards the door, "Seeing you light up when she sang was priceless! I'll leave you to close up, alright?" After the small exchange of goodbyes, Mary departed.

Claire traveled from bar to bar to sing every night. Veigue began following Claire around with busboy jobs. He began developing stalker like tendencies without being aware of it. It wasn't long before Claire began noticing him. On their breaks, the two would often chat about small things in the bar or the current events outside. Just these small moments made Veigue extremely happy.

The two began developing feelings for one another. He learned that Claire's family was deeply caught in political issues so she was left to fend for herself for a while. Veigue told her the truth and Claire accepted it. Claire often left before Veigue since Veigue often had to stay behind to clean up the bar.

On one dark, rainy day, Claire was walking back home. A man ambushed her. He was soaked in rain and the dim light of the streetlamp made his face appear nearly demonic. Besides Veigue, there was another man. There was another stalker that was obsessed with her. He confessed his love to her but Claire rejected it, saying she was already in love.

In a rage, the man attacked her.

It was destiny that day. A shadow came from the rain and tackled the man down. That day, Claire had forgotten her wallet back at the bar so Veigue rushed out the bar to return it to her. At that moment, Veigue saw the attacker and knocked him down, protecting Claire.

It happened suddenly and without fanfare. The two were soaked in rain and recovering from the sudden terror of the attacker. At that moment, throwing everything aside, the two held each other and kissed. In the pouring rain of night, the two shared their first kiss. Everything changed that day.

Wherever Claire sang, her bodyguard, part-time busboy, would follow. Veigue soon pulled some strings with his cousin Senel, who was a champion martial artist, and hooked Claire up with a gig to sing the anthem before the martial arts tournament.

That was when Claire's career skyrocketed. She was invited everywhere to sing and she soon became a national celebrity. Always by her side was her faithful bodyguard Veigue. No matter where she went, he always came along. If the two couldn't be there together, they wouldn't be there at all. To protect her career, Veigue couldn't outwardly say that he was dating Claire. It was some rule of stardom that Veigue willingly accepted to ensure Claire's success. Secretly, the two were always together.

The further Claire's career got, the more secretive they had to get. Veigue merely became a shadow to Claire. However, deep down, the two were happy as long as they were together. In those moments of pure privacy, which were hard to get with the paparazzi swarming you, they shared their moments together.

The further this got, the less time they could spend together. Even though the two were unhappy with it, the two separated temporarily so Claire could work on other matters. During this time, Veigue would return to Mary's bar and the two would talk.

"Are you living the big life now?" Mary chuckled as she cleaned a glass, "And to think, you used to be just a freelancer!"

Veigue chuckled and drank from his glass. His expression was still as cold as it was before but somehow, it reflected peace in himself, "People change," He placed his glass down and walked behind the counter. He picked up a wash cloth and began cleaning the glasses left over, "I'll make it up to you sometime."

Mary laughed and continued cleaning the glasses, "Hook me up with a higher wage job! That's what I want."

After putting away the clean, dry glasses, Veigue threw on his coat, "Mary…" He started.

"I know. Don't tell anyone about you and Claire. It must remain a secret to ensure success in her career. What a mouthful to say,"

Veigue nodded to her, his own gesture of gratitude. He then stepped out of the bar.

Claire's fame continued to expand and soon, she was an international celebrity. The time between her and Veigue began to dwindle. Their secrecy was so well kept that he was a mere shadow to Claire. No one knew about him as if he didn't exist. Veigue didn't mind at all. As long as Claire was happy, it was alright.

While Claire was invited to a celebrity dinner with several others, Veigue once again went back to Mary's bar to wait.

Before he got there, there were two other individuals standing by the bar each holding a drink. Woodrow and Jade sat in the far corner of the bar sipping cosmopolitans.

"We have all the technology you need. We just need subjects." Jade whispered as he took a sip of his drink, "Do you have anyone prepared? The scientists we have are all willing to try this out."

Woodrow shook his head, "No. They have importance to us. I know the perfect subject for this. He's a disgrace to the Lungberg name. He's useless."

"Your own relative…?" Jade muttered in surprise, "He's family."

"A black sheep," Woodrow replied calmly, "He tarnishes the Lungberg family name. And, because he's family, I can personally claim as his brother that he willingly submitted to this."

"Always thinking, aren't you?" Jade joked dryly, "Your choice is your choice. I provide the technology, you provide the sustenance."

Woodrow chuckled and leaned back on his chair, "I'm sure Veigue won't resist. He knows his own life is worthless. Ah, there he is."

Walking towards the bar, Veigue once again took off his coat and bought a drink.

Woodrow and Jade quickly made their exit so they wouldn't be noticed by Veigue.

"Claire's a star, thanks to you." Mary said with a chuckle.

"No, thanks to you," Veigue replied, "I owe you."

"I was just helping out a friend." Mary replied as she held out her hand for a handshake, "We are friends, right?"

Veigue shook her hand, "Naturally."


The concert soon ended and people began flushing out. Veigue stood there in the dissolving crowds staring at the empty stage. As soon as most of the people left, Veigue climbed onto the stage and snuck into the back where the stage crew and Claire rested.

Hiding behind curtains and stage lights, Veigue spied at the stage crew as they cleaned up the set. Down near the rooms was Claire, packed up, dressed in a plain coat, and ready to go. While she smiled on the outside when people congratulated her performance, deep down, Veigue could sense the unhappiness in her heart. A melancholic look was always in her eyes.

"Miss Bennett," A kind, female voice murmured, "The limo is here."

"Mm, alright," Claire replied calmly as she walked towards the door with several other bodyguards.

As the bodyguards began to flush out, a certain female bodyguard looked towards the stage lights, spotting Veigue at once. Taking off her sunglasses and pushing her reddish-orange hair out of her face, she approached the man.

"Veigue...!" Mary shouted in surprise.


Veigue stories have a more romantic, inner strugglish kinda theme to them. That's what made this less interesting to read than the other ones where jokes or action took over. In the next arc, I'll try my best to give Veigue more love.