Author's Note: Due to being busy with my job as well as writing oneshots, I haven't really been working on my Final Fantasy XII story. However, I can promise any readers that I would finish it no matter what. After all, it is a story that I have grown very fond of. I have actually been writing the next chapter.

The following update is actually a bit of an AU, a deviation from the main plot, working with an idea that I suddenly had, an idea that I think would be quite interesting. I always intended for Messallina to start of as Vayne's sister-in-law, and then end up marrying him. However, one day, I suddenly had the thought of: What if she ended up marrying Doctor Cid? I can see this resulting in a strange yet interesting situation and relationship due to Cid's friendship with Vayne. In fact, this could be why they ended up being together.

The news of the marriage did not surprise her in anyway. Instead, she merely nodded and curtseyed to her father-in-law, telling him that she must begin the preparation for the marriage. In regard to what she feels, she merely says that this is what it would be.

The wrath was from his sons. If one of them was not so indifferent while the other was not so young, Gramis was sure that this would be much more problematic.

"Father, why?" the six years old Larsa immediately said, while the twenty-one years old Vayne did not feel any obligation to help due to feeling that this was a stupid decision. "Why does Messallina have to leave us? Why does she have to remarry?"

"Your mother wanted Messallina to remarry." Gramis lied.

"Was that what mother said? How noble." Vayne said, the sarcasm toned down due to the presence of the youngest member of the family. "But I am not sure that this is what she has in mind. For our sister-in-law to remarry to a man old enough to be her father, as well as a man who has only spoke to her a few times and has little interest in remarrying."

"Yes, if Mother did want Messallina to remarry, then why can't we wait for her to find someone?"

"Doctor Cidolfus would be a good husband to her." Gramis said. "She would also be good to him."

The younger son was the one that cared more, but he was still only six. Therefore, a father was able to put him at ease.

The elder son was much different and Gramis knew that there was little point in trying to be a father. The other saw him as the emperor and that was it.

Since that day five years ago.

"Leaving aside the fact that Mother did not want Messallina to remarry, why Cid?" Vayne commented. "There are too many others that you could pick. No, who is the one that you pick? Is it Cid or is it Messalina?"

"I do not trust this man who you seem to be very fond of." Gramis admitted honestly. "And I do think that Larsa is too fond of Messallina."

"A clever move, your Excellency." Vayne said as he pushed his chair back, indicating his decision of leaving. "Not only are you eliminating a possible danger, you are using that as a way to reduce future danger."

It was not hard to find his sister-in-law, but to be alone and unsuspected was an extremely difficult achievement. In the end, it was the library again, the same library that had been the setting of their numerous dangerous conversations.

She stood by the window, where he once watched how she and his brother unveiled the real nature of their marriage.

"Don't worry, I won't do Doctor Cidolfus any harm." Messallina said softly. "And Larsa would still be able to see me now and then."

He should be assured, his precious brother and the closest he had to a friend.

"What about me?" this was clenched out, words he did not expect to say.

"What about you?" She asked simply.

He decided to not say anything due to not being in complete control. Therefore, he sat some space away.

"Will you miss me?" she asked, turning to face him. Not to mention that the only light was the moon, her face was still partially covered by her veil.

"Not enough to do anything." He said honestly. "But this means that I will miss you."

"You will still see me now and then." Messallina reminded him. "Besides, it is not as if we talk that much and it might even be better to stop this act of hating each other."

"Maybe. My brother never deserved you." He said without any hesitation. "Cid…Cid is one who I would call friend if I am not who I am, but I am not sure if he deserves you either."

"To everyone, I am the undeserving one. Plain, normal intelligence and little capability."

"You would have…" the words were foolish, but he still desired to say them, "Be a good wife for me."

She was surprised, but laughter then appeared.

"You definitely could do better, Lord Vayne." She finally said and she walked to him. "If you do not have this love for Larsa, then you would probably be standing at a much higher place already."

"What I wish is for one that could accept and help me, in addition to one that I could confide in. you are the only one who is able to fill all these criteria." Upon this, he stretched out his hand, which she did take. "However, I do not want you enough as to do something."

"As you have said already. It is only regret, but regret is enough for me."

"Not just regret, but also a made desire."

"Why?" She asked as she pulled the heavy veil off, letting him see her real face again.

"Because I desire it. I desire it enough to let emotion speak for me."

She answered by kissing him.

The wedding was a very quick and private affair. However, it was not free from drama completely, as the groom's son objected to the marriage. It was not so much that the marriage would take place, but that the man accepted it without any struggle.

The reaction to the second marriage could be a reflection of the first marriage, especially when the son was already questioning his father's emotions.

"Is it really good to just let him go like this?" Messallina asked.

"It is better this way, Lady Messallina." he said simply.

"You are a good father." She said. "And it is not just my own father that I am comparing you to."

"A good father, Lady Messallina, is not just one that does not hurt his children," he said grimly, but she knew that he understood her well enough.

They were alone, having returned from the ceremony that only had a few witnesses. Since this was a very private wedding, there was no point in having a feast. Therefore, the new couple were left to their own privacy.

This was naturally a new environment for the bride, but the same could be said for the groom as well. It was such a long time since he was last here, that this might very well be a strange environment instead of his own house.

"Lady Messallina," he began, only to have her interrupt him: "Do not call me 'lady', I am your wife now."

"I doubt that you wanted to marry me." He pointed out. "However, to resist this is problematic for both of us. I think we can work out an arrangement."

"I will not betray you." She assured him. "I would even aid you if you wish. I am capable enough and I am well educated. I wish to do this as I wish to be able to do something."

"Well…"

"You do not need to answer now." She assured him. "However, please think about it."

Later on, she would tell him more, but not now.

"I am usually at my lab but I might be here now and then." He began once more. "However, I will sleep in a different room."

"No, don't do that." She said instead. "If you do that…it will be too obvious. It is more useful if people do think that we are married. If you want to sleep with me…I will not object."

"Messallina, there is no need for you to – " he began, but was interrupted.

"Do not feel sorry for me, Doctor Cidolfus. What you will do to me cannot be worse then what has been done already. Marrying you is probably a liberation."

"What do you mean?"

"My husband hated me. If he really loved me, would he have forced me to bear his mistress' child as my own son? No…would he even sleep with another woman in the first place?"

"What of Lord Vayne then?" after all, the reason she hated Vayne so vehemently suddenly seemed to be rather shaky.

"Can I trust you?" she asked instead before she nodded. "Yes, I think I can. After all, the only one that you would confide in this would be Lord Vayne. Very well, I'll be honest. If I could choose to be anyone's wife, then it would be Lord Vayne's."

This time, he was completely startled.

In the end, the rest of the wedding day was passed with him reading while she explored her new home, preparing herself for the return of the few servants. They did end up sleeping in the same room and the same bed with him feeling rather awkward at this arrangement. After all, there was no research to distract him.

"Are you sure that you don't want to sleep with me?" his wife asked. "I really don't mind and I don't think you are that old either."

He was too glad to return to his lab. However, he could not help but to think of the advantage that having an assistant would bring.

"Returning to work on the very day after your wedding? You are probably the only one that would do this." Vayne commented, putting the piles of books on the floor so that he could sit down. "What is it, Cid?"

"How well do you know of your sister-in-law and her marriage?" Cid finally said.

"How much has she told you?" Vayne said instead. He then stared at the other, deciding to find out the answer himself.

"I see, so she decided to reveal all her cards. Rather uncharacteristic of her."

"She told the truth then, but what of you?"

"I cannot answer yet. That is probably a good enough answer." Vayne said. "However, I can assure you that you can trust Messallina. She is also very capable. I hope her second husband would notice what the first husband completely failed to realise.

Messallina did end up helping her second husband, and Cid could understand what Vayne meant. Not only was the young woman rather well educated, she was not one to challenge them, although she would point out certain issues that she did not agree with.

In time, he grew affectionate towards her. A bit like a daughter-in-law that helped in the family business. He realised this when she continued to remain here despite his so called madness.

Yet she continued to remain here, to sort his notes and record his ideas. When he asked her why she was doing this, she would shrug and say that this was the life she chose. He did not think that this was due to Vayne alone, but also a sense of resignation.

"Maybe it is for you as well." She said one day, on one of the rare occasions where they were in the same bed again. "I am quite fond of you."

Though they have slept in the same bed, they have yet to sleep together and he was sure that this would be something that they would never do. Despite what she told him on their wedding night, he felt that he was much too old and tired. Not only has he lost any physical desire towards women a very long time ago, even the memories of doing such a thing was fading.

He was sure that the young woman has slept with the one that she truly wanted to be married to, and he was also certain that the two of them were smart enough to not be discovered.

Vayne never answered the question, but his actions were very clear. His interactions with Messallina in the privacy of the lab showed that he held her in great esteem.

No, it was beyond that.

"Why her?" Cid finally asked after Messallina went away to get something.

"A pawn that I can make into a queen or strings that I can use for the puppets?" the younger man said this with a smile before he shook his head. "No, things have changed. It is not that. I think…in addition to all that, there is the fact that she knows the complete truth and does not blame me. No, she is even on my side."

If it had been Vayne that Messallina married, then things might be very different. Perhaps, Cid thought as he looked at the determined young man, Vayne could have some happiness.

As he himself did long ago.

The war changed little for him, as the lab was already very busy. However, Messallina quickly assured him that this was a very important change.

"I would have thought that even you would have heard about it." she commented even as she began to tidy the recent notes. "Vayne is going to get married to the captive princess in order to strengthen the claim on that little empire."

"And what do you feel about this?"

"I feel sorry for him- the screaming assured her that the princess does not understand at all. He will have a marriage even worse then my first one and that is saying something. However…it is for Archadia and Larsa's sake."

She was a very rational woman, as well as one who has undergone enough trials to know what the best way to behave was. However, she was comfortable enough with him to let him see a slight regret at how things would change.

"I know that this would happen." She said with a sigh. "That he would one day marry another. After all, I am destined to be his sister-in-law."

When Vayne came, she was nothing but very understanding and even sympathetic. Even though Vayne did not say anything, the unguarded expression in his eyes was enough.

Once more, very briefly, he would allow irrationality to dominate due to his emotions.

"But you just have to finish the ceremony." Messallina pointed out. "That would be enough."

"Going through the ceremony is not going to be easy." Upon this, he chuckled, "There is nothing wrong with being proud but that princess is a bit too proud for one of her status."

"What do you expect of a princess from the kingdom?" Messallina said. "They had their chance long ago. They could have had brought their safety just by kneeing to either Archadia or Rozarria a few times."

"Well, they are the chosen of the Gods." Cid added. "But to go to Dalmasca would be very interesting, to study all their sources."

"When will we set off then? I will begin the preparation." Messallina said before she actually gives Vayne a kiss on the lips. The display of the understanding between the trio. "I think it might be a well before we meet again. I can only say this: I wish you well."

He caught hold of her hand and raised it to his lips. "It is what must be. We were never meant to be choosing who we want to marry. However, I have no intention to just stop."

"I would tell you to be careful if it wasn't for the fact that I know you would be." she then turned to kiss her husband, but this was limited to the checks. "I am fond of you and I now am grateful that you are so understanding."

Initially, it was probably more for Vayne, but he realised that it was now also for his wife. He now understood why Vayne would talk to her, as she was a good person to talk to. He truly wouldn't mind such a daughter-in-law although he doubts that his son would want this type of wife.

The marriage between Vayne and Ashe was also a triumph for House Solidor. Despite the reluctance of the senators, they had to agree that Vayne was the only suitable candidate.

However, Vayne could not deny that this was a very difficult prize. In the end, the princess' consent was only obtained due to some very carefully placed threats. The look of hatred she gave was actually quite impressive as the priest actually paused instead of continuing the necessary words.

There were naturally a lot of witnesses to how reluctant the princess was, but they still saw her nod.

Messallina was there, beside Doctor Cid. After she married Doctor Cid, she actually stopped putting make up despite the absence of her veil. But then, this was because she was no longer in court.

However, the wedding was clearly a very special occasion. As he watched how regal and dignified she carried herself, he was sure that she would be a very worthy empress. What she lacked, she made up in other factors.

Normally, there should be a dance along with a feast, but this was clearly out of the question. Therefore, the groom was to lead the bride away while the others feasted.

"Why this expression, Princess? In return, your kingdom is now safe."

"As Archadian slaves?" She spat out, not caring for the volume of her voice.

"How did you make this conclusion?" he laughed out. "I assure you that there are no such plans."

The words she spat out were clearly not an agreement.

"Now, Lady Ashelia, here is your room. Since you abhor my presence so much, there is little point for me to remain here. Do not try to escape though, not only is this place well guarded, we are regarded as married."

"You…you are just going to leave?" she examined in shock. After all, she expected a much worse wedding night.

"As I said, we are already married, and who is to believe that I didn't overpower you to get what I want?" he said bluntly. "However, I do prefer to avoid such unpleasantness."

Then he locked the door. It was, he decided, certainly a very unconventional wedding night. Despite how much Messallina and his elder brother ended up hating each other, they did still managed to sleep with each other.

However, he did not like the idea of doing such a troublesome thing- he was sure that it would end up with the princess trying to kill him. Nor did he actually want to sleep with her.

After all these years, Messallina was still the only women he could fall asleep with.

He knew that his new bride would be doing all that she could to escape and then lead a revolt. Therefore, he had to make sure that he use this time well. After all, this was merely one of the first steps.

The others would seek to take her away so he would make sure that the loss of Ashe would not affect him by that time, as he would have arranged all his pieces. However, there would always be unexpected things in life, and that was why one single plan, however detailed it could be, would never be enough.

Ashe loathed her new fate, but she was not so foolish as to believe that she could continue to be stubborn, as that would mean that she would be shut in a prison, unable to do anything.

At least one guard would always be following her, but she could go out. After all, it was better to have the princess showing some form of acceptance.

She has talked to Gramis although Larsa was someone that she could only see. Her second husband made visits to her room and while he would stay long enough to make the intention of the visit possible, he never actually did this act.

Upon this, she could not help but to wonder whether he was incompetent.

Overtime, servants would talk to her and she learnt that he was often at the lab and seemed to be very good friends with the head of the facility there. Incidentally, the other was crazy, which make this relationship most abnormal.

"Who is that woman?" she commented to the guard- a judge who clearly despised Vayne.

Vayne was talking to a woman and the surprising thing was that it was actually a very long conversation. The woman was dressed fairly richly and seemed to be from a very good family. However, that was all that Ashe could tell. The other did not seem pretty, but there was something about her that made her different.

"That is Lady Messalilna Bunansa, the wife of Doctor Bunansa." Drace informed her. "She was once the wife of Lord Tudur Solidor, the eldest son of Lord Gramis."

"So she was Vayne's sister-in-law." Ashe concluded. "Is that why they are talking for such a long time?"

"It seems so." The other would say no more, but it was clear that she had more on her mind.

"Is not Doctor Bunansa much older then Messallina?" Ashe continued.

"She once said that the Doctor was actually her father's classmate." Drace said. "Lady Messallina still was and is a friend of mine. She is someone you could trust, Lady Ashelia, should you need help from Lord Vayne."

Despite disliking those from Archadia, Ashe has realised that it might be necessary to find some allies. Therefore, she decided to walk to Messallina once Vayne was gone.

"Lady Ashelia." Messallina said with a curtsy. "To what do I own this honour?"

"I wish to talk to you as I heard that your first husband was Lord Gramis' eldest son."

"That is too long ago." Messallina said. "I am now free from House Solidor. The only time that I talk to Lord Vayne is when he comes to see my husband. Nor am I involved in any of the politics either. My only concern is to help my husband and make sure that Lord Larsa is still well."

If Ashe and Drace had any hope, then her reply was clearly very disappointing.

"Why do you just give up?" Drace said angrily. "Didn't we once decide to do all that we can for Lord Larsa?"

"I am too tired." She said simply. Her performance was very convincing, because it was not an act.

Opening the door of his bedroom in the house that he used less, Cid saw that his wife was there. She was lying on the bed, but not only were her eyes wide open, they even seemed to be red.

"I can't sleep." She said simply as she sat up. "I am glad to see you though, as I need to talk to you."

It was probably a good idea to talk to him here as she would not be interrupting his work, which tended to make his mood soured at times. After all, when he was researching, all that he could see was the conclusion that he was trying to find.

"I am pregnant." She said bluntly. "With Vayne's child. I don't know what I should do."

"Vayne's child?" he could only repeat this. "Yes, what should we do indeed?"

"You do not have to do anything as it is my mess, although I would be very grateful if you decide to help me." She was upset, yet she continued to be rather calm and dignified, not the behaviour of one who would try to manipulate someone.

"What is it that you want me to do?" he said. This was not a promise, but merely an indication for her to speak.

"I do not know yet. What I do know is that I do not want Vayne to find out, as I am a bit frightened at what he might do." At this, she sighed deeply. "He does not believe that there could be a second miracle. However, I believe that this child could be what he ought to be."

"Should I say that the child is mine?" he offered. "I could do this for you."

"That isn't actually the hard bit. The hardest bit is hiding this from Vayne. The child could very well look like him."

"But perhaps Vayne would not mind if the child is his as long as it would not threaten Larsa." He pointed out before he admitted the following: "Messallina, I doubt that I can manage to lie successfully to Vayne."

"That is true." She admitted with a laugh. "Perhaps you are right in the other aspect too. I do also believe that it is often family that has an effect and perhaps you will help to strengthen my argument. After all, all of your sons have freedom, and while it might not be a happy ever after, but to have freedom like that is not an easy thing."

"I will say that he is my child, but Vayne will know the truth." Cid confirmed, and she nodded at this.

The visit was very easy to arrange, Cid let it slip that she was ill and somehow Vayne decided to go, since the two men had that strange relationship. Therefore, this curtsey was necessary.

Vayne found Messallina sitting by the window instead of the bed which the two of them has shared. Only her profile was visible, but he could tell that she was not very well. There seemed to be a tiredness and weariness.

"Cid said that you need to see me." He began.

Messallina had thought about how to tell him, but she realised that any rehearsals were pointless.

"I am pregnant with your child." She said. "I know that you are the father as you are the one that I have slept with. I have been eating the herbs, but it seems that this child is determined to exist."

"What do you plan to do?" he asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed so that he was right next to her.

"I will give birth to this child and I will raise the child as Cid's son. That way, they would not threaten your plans. However, the most important reason is because this would be the best way to protect this child."

"I did say that Larsa is a miracle." He admitted as he leant forward to place his hand on her still flat abdomen. Unlike others, she did not flinch. "I am a bit jealous, but that is all."

"And that is enough." She said. "Will you at least name the child? This child who would be free from House Solidor, unlike your brother, who would rise above it."

"You understand me too well." He began, but was interrupted. "No, I was afraid of telling you as I am afraid of you killing the child."

"I think you know me a bit too well." He said as he kissed her. "I cannot change my path. All I can say is this: if only things are different…"

"A foolish compensation. Are you a fool for saying it then?" was her words.

As he walked back to one of another visit to his wife, he suddenly thought of what it would be like if he was given the chance of having the child. His own child with her.

Was this not what his foolish brother did?

Emotions did not come easily, so he merely entertained with this as a what if. However, he could not help but to think about how having this child might be good instead of bad.

Well, to Messallina certainly.

Being a fool was bad, but he found himself thinking about it. It was not as if he would do it, but he was merely thinking about it.

To the rest of the world, this was the second child, the first having died tragically. Therefore, Messallina should not be inexperienced. However, the second pregnancy seemed more difficult. This was then attributed to the fact that she was much older then she had been.

Due to Larsa, Vayne was often there. He would usually be talking to Doctor Cid while Larsa chatted with Messallina. However, Cid could tell who the young man was really listening to.

"The ironic thing is that the child really will be related to Larsa." Vayne commented.

Cid was very occupied with his research, but he would actually make sure that he returned now and then to make sure that both his wife and the child would be fine. The child that would be his and he was not averse to the idea, although it would be more like a grandchild.

It was also because her condition was not that good.

"I am not that old." Messallina pointed out, her hand on the abdomen that was now considerably big. "My mother-in-law was a decade more then my current age when she gave birth to Laras.

Was this another reminder of Larsa being a child of miracle?

Vayne was probably right when he said that miracle would only happen once.

It was not a matter of saving the child or the mother, as neither could be saved.

"He looked like you." Messallina commented with a weak smile. She was lying on her bed, waiting for death. The blood that was cleaned up was merely a slight deception. "He had the eyes that you ought to have."

"What do you want me to say?" he said instead. "Tell me and I will say it."

"But that won't be you." She reasoned with a slight smile. "What I have is good enough. I would like to have more, but only if they would be real."

He did not know what he should say, and she did not tell him what he should say either. Therefore, he could only hold onto her hand, almost clutching it.

"I was thinking…isn't this similar to what happened with your brother? If our child is alive, would you do what he did?"

"No." he said very bluntly. "Because I know that this would not be good for our child. However, I cannot deny that the thought would enter my head. But Messallina, your comparison is not good, because my brother and I are in a very different situation."

"That is probably right. I think the only one he truly cared for is his other brother. Isn't that similar then? Larsa is your miracle…"

"Do you truly mean what you say?" his voice was a bit harsher then usual due to the implication of her words.

"You care for me, but not in the same way as Larsa. Larsa is the one you will truly do everything for. You will be upset with my death but if you needed someone to die between us, then it would be me." She said simply.

"Is the world one or the other?" he pointed out. "I will miss you."

"I never said that you wouldn't." her voice was getting considerable softer now and the hand in his hold was getting colder. "I know that you will miss me. I don't think I have much that I regret leaving behind, but I am very worried about you. Vayne…remember this one thing: no matter what you choose to do, I would accept it and I would never hate you."

The promise then would still be kept. Yet she would no longer be there to remind him.

He did not know how long he sat there until he felt the hand of another on his shoulder. Upon this, he realised that Cid has entered.

"This is better for her- she has been tired for too long." The elder man said. "Everything she did was for the simple sake of doing it due to there being no alternative."

"Yes." He was going to stand up, but he felt the other increasing the pressure on his hold, so that he was forced to remain seated. Perhaps not force, but he decided to comply.

"If anyone can see you like this, they would suspect that there was something much more then tolerance between you two." Cid said bluntly. "You might not realise this, but you look sad."

Sad? Him? Vayne Carudas Solidor who killed his own brothers? The man whom almost all said was emotionless and heartless?

Sad? Yes, he was sad.

Because Messallina was gone. It was as simple as that. It was not just the lost of what happened, but the lose of what could have been…what might have happened.

This regret made his heart hurt.

Author's Note: I guess the story did end up being a bit AU, since Vayne married Ashe. I think the reason that I did this is because there was going to be a scene where Ashe saw Messallina and Vayne together, although that idea had to be scraped. Anyway, I am continuing with the main story, and I can only say- please review, it will really motivate me.

It is important to keep in mind that in the canon version of my story , Messallina has very little interaction with Doctor Cid, other then the time when she was 'pregnant'.