... This story has become something that really strays from the real story... Really strays away...

Onmy3dsandproud: XD I really happy you follow the story. And... it's either your terrible luck or it's just me who is too simple to write a story... :)

Note: In this chapter, I imagine his hair/bangs down. Not like in the game. (guess yourself who) :)

Please proceed to the last! Enjoy!

When Something Isn't as You Expected

~ The Promised Day ~

"Master Gailardia, congratulation for your birthday today," said Pere.

"Thank you, Pere," the man said as he wore his white shirt along with his yellow vest.

"Time sure is fast, don't you think? Now you are twenty. Your coming-of-age ceremony will be held this afternoon," Pere said again.

Gailardia thought for a while, "Yeah. Time sure is fast."

"Alright. I think you might want to be free this morning until the ceremony. Just don't forget about it."

Gailardia nodded and Pere walked outside his room. So now he had free time, but what he wanted to do? He looked outside the window to the blue sky. He saw the fonbelts and still could not forget about that day six years ago. "Time passes too quickly…" he mumbled, "It's already six years and he still hasn't come back…"

.:+:.

Six years… it was so long yet so short. That day after Luke and all the Aggregate Sentience went home to the fonbelts, Gailardia, Jade and the three scientists went outside the white room to the town square. The citizens of Daath were there, guarded by the Oracle Knights. After a while, Fon Master Ion appeared and eased the citizens. Soon after, the citizens began to walk to their homes, leaving Ion and Arietta with Gailardia and the others. Ion took a glance, but he then ignored their presence and walked to the cathedral with a smile on his face.

Gailardia didn't bother about Ion. That time he wanted to go home. They sailed with the Tartarus once again and disembarked at Grand Chokmah Port. They walked to Gailardia's manor and met with General Frings and his men. Jade told him everything had ended and now was time to part. Jade and Aslan would go back to the castle. Khuraku, Enist and Qion were to meet his majesty and received the punishment they deserved. With that, Gailardia bid them goodbye and opened the gate to his manor.

Soon, he was welcomed by his maids and servants and of course Pere. They looked worried, few of the maids cried, knowing that their master was safe and sound. Most of them asked about Luke's whereabout, but Gailardia just smiled and told them he needed rest. Pere followed him to his room. "Gailardia, are you wounded?" he asked, pointing at his shirt. "Oh, this. It's yes earlier, but now it's not," he replied. Gailardia changed his clothes and threw himself to the bed, "Pere, I really need to rest. Please leave."

Without questioning, Pere left the room, leaving the young master to rest… or rather trying to rest as he heard sobbing from the room.

Ever since that day, everything went normally. No one asked about Luke again because they knew the master didn't want it. As for the scientists… they kind of lose their freedom. They were to serve in Grand Chokmah under Jade's command. Peony thought that ones who knew about fomicry shouldn't be roaming around. They could slip their mouth and talk about the fomicry outside. Well, the punishment was not that heavy but Gailardia didn't care. They had admitted their mistakes before Luke was gone.

Sighing, he also remembered about the Fon Master. Ion said he would die at the age of twelve. However, in this six year time, there was no news about the Fon Master. If the Fon Master died, it would be announced throughout the world, right? Or maybe the Score was proven to be wrong again? Just like the Score Luke had.

He shook his head to clear his mind and stood up. 'I'll get some fresh air,' he thought.

In the afternoon, they held a ceremony in the manor's garden. There were Peony and Jade and Aslan. After the ceremony, there was simple party then the day ended.

.:+:.

The next day, he was called by the Emperor. Gailardia wore his usual attire and went to the castle. He went to the audience room. Peony was sitting on his throne, on the right was Sesemann and beside Sesemann was Jade. It had been years since he were last called like this. Everything seemed so tense.

"Relax, Gailardia. Don't be so stiff," Peony said as if he could read Gailardia's mind.

"Okay.."

"Now, I thought that you don't know why you are here, right?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Sesemann, would you please explain for him?" Peony ordered.

"Alright, Your Majesty," he replied then turned to face Gailardia. "As you know, two nations in Auldrant had been in war for years. And with Daath's help, these two nations begin to help each other. However, we cannot depend on Daath forever and we have decided to do something else to bind the two nations together."

"And what it has to do with me?" Gailardia carefully asked.

"You are now twenty, Gailardia. You are a count of this country and thus I choose you to be the one. Sesemann, told him about the letter," Peony said again.

Clearing his throat, Sesemann took a letter and read it aloud.

"To His Highness, Emperor Peony Upala Malkuth IX

Kimlasca has reached its decision in reply of His Highness's request, which consists of a request for treaty and a marriage across two nations. Our nobility accept the request and we invite Emperor Peony and his chosen one to a ball held in Kimlasca next month.

Regards,

King Ingobert VI"

After all the reading, Gailardia just stood there, silent. "Pardon?" was all he said.

"Simply, I want you to marry one of the nobility daughters in Kimlasca in order to tighten the peace between two nations."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I need to refuse that," Gailardia said.

"Why?"

"Well, because I'm not ready for such things…" he uttered.

"Well, actually not just you but other counts also. But I recommend you to be the first choice. Just come with me next month and see by yourself how Kimlasca is and see if you are interested in any of the women. I'm not forcing you of course, so feel free to state your opinion to me after that," Peony said.

With that, Gailardia agreed to go to Kimlasca with him. After that, he was dismissed and went home to his manor. Pere welcomed him and asked what the Emperor told him. "I've ever thought of that. But I think it's too early for you now," said Pere.

"Right? I don't know what's in Emperor Peony's mind. I'm going next month though."

.:+:.

A month flew quickly. Gailardia packed his things and went to Kimlasca along with Emperor Peony, Jade and a few Counts. Well, not to mention he was the youngest of all counts. On the way, the only friend of Gailardia was Jade for they had known each other for six years by now.

Two days later they arrived at the capital of Kimlasca, Baticul, where the royalty lived. This was the first time Gailardia went to Kimlasca and everything was so amazing in his eyes. The capital was like a tower instead of a city. It was built up to the top and it had elevator to bring people to the next floor. When they arrived, they were welcomed by some soldiers and were escorted until the top of the capital. The top floor was made only for royalty and nobility they said. Gailardia looked around him and found a castle, where the king was, then on its left was a manor and on the right were other manors.

Gailardia sighed and followed the others as they were guided to guest rooms in the castle. The castle itself was pretty much like the one Peony had in Grand Chokmah. Nothing so special other than the high staircases. The guests were given rooms for each. After that, they were given a tour around the castle. Gailardia walked beside Peony the whole time since Peony wanted him to. After a bit tour, they were to have an audience with King Ingobert. The door was opened by the guards, revealing the king. They walked in and knelt with one knee to respect the king.

"Please stand up Emperor Peony and Counts of Malkuth," said the king.

They obeyed it and stood, waiting for another talking.

"I welcome you all in Kimlasca. I, King Ingobert VI, am glad to have you all here. Tomorrow night, the ball will be held to congratulate my daughter's engagement to a viscount. However, I do hope you will enjoy yourselves as well and be at ease," he said.

Peony bowed and said, "Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty. I, Peony Upala Malkuth IX, will not disappoint you. Also, I congratulate you for your daughter's engagement."

The king thanked Peony and told them to enjoy the time they had until tomorrow night. With that, The Malkuth group went outside the castle and each of them had their own plans. Peony had something to do and he needed Jade to be with him. That's why Gailardia was left alone. 'If it's going to be like this, I'll ask Pere to come with me,' he thought.

He looked at his surroundings. Everything was unfamiliar with him. He sighed and descended the stairs. He turned his head to the left, the manors were really different from his. Then he turned to the right to see the only manor. He didn't know why it was separated from others. Maybe it was special. He glanced at the gate of the manor and his eyes widened. 'That's?!'

There in front of the gate, stood a man with a long hair of red. The man's back was facing Gailardia so he didn't know how his face was. That man was talking with a soldier. He was wearing a long red coat with golden strips. Gailardia's mind quickly recalled a kid with the same hair, even though the kid's was short but it held the same red. Before Gailardia could think of any action, his body unconsciously ran toward the man. When he got closer to the man, he reached out his hand as if he was scared of losing him. Gailardia grabbed the man's arm, making the man turned his body as he called aloud, "Luke!"

The man faced Gailardia in full confusion and suspiciousness. Gailardia slowly released his arm from his grab and he was still facing the man. There was silence until the man asked, "Who are you?" Gailardia was shocked when he heard that. He then scanned the man briefly. He had what Luke had, red hair and green eyes. The man, now fully facing Gailardia, asked again, "Excuse me, who are you?"

That made Gailardia stopped scanning him. "Ah.." he started, "Sorry, I… I mistook you for someone else. I thought you're my friend…" he said with sad face," Again, I'm so sorry." Gailardia bowed and left without answering the man's question. The man was a bit angry for being ignored and didn't even have time to explain. He watched as Gailardia left, using one of the elevators to go down. "Hey," the man called the soldier beside him. "Yes, sir?"

"I've never seen that blond man before. Is he new here?" he asked.

"I think he is from Malkuth, sir. His Majesty had invited the Emperor of Malkuth and some of his counts to attend the ball tomorrow night," the soldier replied.

"Oh.."

Soon after the explanation, someone called from the manor, "Oi, Asch!"

The man, who was now known as Asch, turned to face another man who called him. That other man had the same face as Asch, red hair and green eyes, but one was different. The other man's hair was short.

"What is it?" Asch asked in an annoyed tone.

"Father and mother called you. They want to show you some attires you're going to wear tomorrow," he said.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute. You just go there now. I'll catch up," Asch said.

The other man smiled at him and began to walk to the manor's door when Asch called him, "Oh, wait a sec, dreck!"

"Stop calling me 'dreck'! I'm your twin and I have a name!" he said.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I want to ask you something."

"What?"

"Do you know a certain blond guy? He's from Malkuth. He mistook me for you earlier."

"Huh? No, I don't know that guy. You know I've been confined my whole life in the manor, right? And you said he's from Malkuth, there's no way I can go there to meet this guy," he said.

Asch was quiet for a while then said, "Yeah, right, since six years ago, huh? Now that you mention it, there's no way an idiot like you can meet that guy."

The man wanted to let what in his mind to Asch but he stopped and walked inside the manor. Not long after, Asch came inside.

.:+:.

That night, Gailardia couldn't sleep well as he was reminded of the long haired man before. "he really looked like Luke…" he whispered. "I promised to wait for him… until his seventh fonon is stable… but when?" he said again. Holding back tears to pouring out, he let a big long sigh from his mouth and became calm again. He then slept, waiting for tomorrow night.

.:+:.

The day had come. Everyone in the castle was very busy preparing the ball. Food, drinks, costumes even musicians. It was afternoon now. Gailardia had to ready himself as well. He had decided what to wear tonight. A white shirt, a light blue tux and also a matching light blue pants. He didn't want to be too complicated, that's why he wore something so simple but still elegant in some ways.

He waited until a maid called him. He went outside the room, following the maid to the ball room which was already crowded. The maid left him and he was trying to find his companions, Peony and Jade. While searching, he also looked at his surroundings. There was no man in his age there. Both Malkuth's and Kimlasca's counts were averagely thirty and above. Also one thing he noticed was that most of them wore black tux or dark color tux, while he was wearing such bright color.

Knocking that out of his mind, he finally found Jade, who was leaning to the wall. He was wearing… his uniform. Well, that was more awkward than his. He made his way out from the crowd to Jade and stood in front of him. Jade noticed his presence and greet him. "Good evening, Gailardia. You looked amazing tonight."

"Thanks, but, coming from you… it feels strange…" Gailardia said.

Jade just smiled and again he noticed that Gailardia was analyzing him, "Have something to ask?"

"Yeah. Why are you still wearing your uniform? It's a ball, not a war practice," he said.

"The ball is for royalty and nobility. I'm just a soldier, what can you say?"

Gailardia didn't reply again. He knew that he would lose from this colonel after so many years. He went to grab two glasses of wine and returned to where Jade was. Gailardia offered the drink and was gladly accepted by Jade. Gailardia then leaned against the wall as he sipped his drink.

"Have you find something interesting yet?" Jade suddenly asked.

"No."

"There are so many women in the ball and no one attract you yet?"

"No."

"Well, what a shame. They really want you to pick one of them already. I heard you are the first option."

With that, Gailardia stopped his drink and glared at Jade. "Honestly, you're still young to choose a girl here. But I think they prefer someone older than them though," Jade said with a smiled on his face.

He was joking. Gailardia knew that. Jade's jokes were annoying and people had to understand him well so that they didn't have to debate with him and lost.

Suddenly, the music started and made everyone silent. Gailardia looked at the throne and saw the King, a girl with short blond hair in blue dress on his right then he also saw the man he saw earlier, the one with red hair who he mistook for Luke. Behind the man were three people. 'Are they his parents? Well maybe… and I think I saw one more but he was covered by his mother there. I can't see him,' Gailardia thought.

The king greeted his guests then announced the reason why he held the ball. It was because his daughter, Princess Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear was engaged to the man on her side, Asch. Everyone cheered and clapped for the moment. Out of the blue, Jade started to speak.

"Gailardia, do you know who they are? The red haired men?"

"No. Why do you ask?" he asked back.

"Aren't you so isolated in your manor, count Gardios?" he teased, "They are Kimlasca's Viscounts. Not to mention they are also the king's nephews."

"So that's why the princess is engaged to him," he said, then he paused, "Wait. They?"

"Yes, they…" he politely pointed at the long haired man and the short haired man behind him. Gailardia gasped at the scene when he saw the other one. He really looked the same as… what was his name again? Asch. What made Gailardia more surprise was that his short hair resembled Luke so much. Jade looked at Gailardia with amusement, finding his gasp funny. Jade slowly brought his hand in front of Gailardia's face and waved it, "Gailardia?"

Gailardia snapped out from his mind, but he still had that shock. "Sorry, I'm day dreaming," he said. "Are you?" Jade asked in his tone. Gailardia stared at Jade with annoyance; then he saw from the tip of his eye that the said short haired man was going down from where he was and went outside. Gailardia thought that it would be the best chance he had to ask him. "Sorry, Colonel, I have something urgent to do!" with that, Gailardia went outside and chased the man.

Jade, meanwhile, was chuckling softly.

.:+:.

Gailardia panted as he ran after the man. He looked right and left to find him. Then he found the man was walking to the balcony above. Gailardia looked around to find the stairs leading to the corridor above. He went to the corner and found them. He ascended the stairs carefully and began to slowly walk behind the man. He kept a distance of course. He stepped as quietly as he could as he scanned the man.

From behind the man had short hair and he looked just like Luke. He was wearing a clothing of blue that had two tails hanging from behind (a.k.a. Viscount Costume). He wore something similar to his twin, Asch. The man walked to more quite place. He then approached a giant window and opened it, revealing a balcony. That man leaned his hands on the railing and looked up at the sky, even though it was just black now. Gailardia spontaneusly hid beside the big window, but he also didn't know why he hid. Looking around it was just the two of them. He heard some mumblings but he couldn't hear what exactly the mumblings about.

Gailardia sighed then he stepped to the front of the opened big window and greeted, "Good evening, sir."

The man turned his face to Gailardia, a bit startled, since he thought he was the only one there. To Gailardia's surprise, not only that man's face looked the same as Luke's but also the fact that there were tears on his eyes. Noticing, Gailardia's shock face, that man quickly whipped his head to the other direction and wiped his tears.

"Hey, are you alright?" Gailardia asked.

The man then turned his face slightly, "I'm sorry, but, yes, I'm fine."

Gailardia wanted to ask more but was cut, "Oh, by the way, may I ask who are you and why you're here? You see, I haven't seen you in Kimlasca."

"My apologize, sir. I'm Gailardia Galan Gardios from Malkuth. And I'm here because I saw you were all alone, you might want some company, I thought," he said.

Gailardia gazed at his eyes, which were staring at him, "Excuse me?"

That snapped the man out of his thought, "Oh, sorry. I just thought your name's familiar to me. So you're from Malkuth?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, my name-"

The man's introduction was cut by sudden cheering from the ball room. It was so loud that they could hear it. "Oh, that must be the main event. I lose it but whatever…" he said. Silence came again and now Gailardia started the conversation again, "Uh.. So what are you doing out here? Don't you suppose to be in the ball with your family?"

"Nah, I just don't like that kind of party. Besides, it's held for Asch, not for me..."

Gailardia felt sadness in his voice but he didn't say anything, so that man continued, "And also... I want to reminisce..."

"What?"

"I'm reminiscing something or rather... someone, although I barely can remember him," he said.

"Why can't you remember him?" Gailardia asked. Deep in his heart, he really hoped that this man was the Luke he waited for so long. But for now, he didn't want to mistake someone for Luke again like last time.

"Well, you see… I kind of having amnesia…"

"I'm sorry to hear that…"

"It's alright. It has been for six years now. So I have almost remembered everything," he said.

"Six years ago?"

"Yes," he said, turning his face to Gailardia then he returned to see the black sky again, "Six years ago, I came back to my manor and I had amnesia. They said I was kidnapped and when they found me, I didn't know anything, but somehow, I can speak a few words. So in these six years I've also been confined in my manor, to prevent any kidnapping again."

"What a story…" Gailardia said.

"Right? Can you even think of being confined in the manor for six years? Maybe until my coming of age. It's so ridiculous I want to run away from this place," he said that with a smile.

Gailardia also smiled. The situation seemed comfortable for both. "What about you? You're a count, right? How's your life in Malkuth?" he asked. Gailardia thought for a while, then he walked and leaned to the railing next to the man, "Hmm… my life is different from other count, I guess. I lost my family when I was five. Fortunately, the Emperor saved me and my servant. Ever since, I work to raise my family name."

Somehow, he was kind of shocked but he dropped it and said, "So you've been through a lot…"

"Yeah, something like that, but Emperor Peony always helps me."

"Good for you then…" he said. He faced Gailardia and stared at him. "You know? You resemble the man I want to remember so much. Also, I began to think about him again because of Asch, saying that there's blonde guy looked for me yesterday."

Hearing that, Gailardia couldn't stand it anymore. He must be the Luke he was waiting, but he couldn't just say something like that, it would make him confused. So instead of saying it bluntly, Gailardia started with a statement, "I promise I'll come back to you…" he said in small voice but still audible.

"Huh?" the man questioned. In his mind something started to run again. Like connecting cut wires.

"I promise… I'll wait for you… Luke…" Gailardia continued.

"How… how do you know my name? I haven't said it yet…" He started. His brain seemed to know those words. It was long ago… but when? He dug over his memories, it was so vague, it's hard to remember.

"Then.. it's a deal…"

After hearing what Gailardia said, finally the pieces of his memories were put into the right place one by one, and he finally figures his vague memories, of parting with Gailardia.

Gailardia waited any response from him. He was staring blankly at Gailardia. Not long, tears came from his eyes, falling on his cheeks. Gailardia looked worriedly at him until the man replied with a small smile, "At last… I meet you again… Gai…"

In an instant, Gailardia hugged him, "I've waited… for you, Luke…"

"I-I'm sorry… You keep your promise… and I forget about it… I'm sorry…" Luke said, hugging back.

"It's okay… it's okay… You didn't forget about it… You keep it in your heart… that's why you still remember me… even though it's vague."

Gailardia couldn't hold his tears anymore. He cried on Luke's shoulder. His released everything he kept while he waited. Luke felt it, all of Gailardia's feelings for him. Luke hugged tighter and patted Gailardia's head.

"Thank you for waiting for me, Gai… for these six years…"

*Author's Note*: Oh my! I've finally reached this far! I don't expect this… Really! In the beginning, I want this to be an epilogue… but as I write more and more, I think it's a bit too much for an epilogue. So the next one is the epilogue, I don't know it will be long or short. Please read until the end~

And also, thank you for reading this stories so faithfully. I know it's not that good and somehow it's boring and difficult to understand but I'm happy I can make it this far. It's all thanks to you!

Thanks for the reviews! Thanks for the Fave! Thanks for the following! And Thanks for reading!

To be continued~ in the next chapter~

Sorry if the letter sounds strange... and again in this, Asch's hair's down. I found it nicer than being up like in the game. And I can't describe his costume so I just tell you right away :D