Disclaimer : I don't own GS/GSD or any of the characters. I love Asucaga too much to make them fall apart.

I really want to thank Char01 and CagalliHibikiYulaAthha-Zala for being a great support for continuing this fic, you two supplying me a lot of art for this fic and I can't thank you enough. Thank you so much for those who leave a review, it really boosts my will to write. I hope everyone can enjoy this fic and care to give a review. Thank you and once again enjoy!

Chapter 8 : Blessing Along the Curse

Since Kira and Cagalli were missing, being the most powerful family after the Athhas, The Allster automatically gained the throne. It was an immediate choice by the law. George Allster gave the rebellions his promise, he would lift the fog forever and replace it with gates and guards. He will also grant all of the rebels had asked for. It was an easy decision, since the rebels were created by himself in the first place. The remaining people in the eastern who weren't involved in the revolts or even some of the rebels, didn't know the mastermind behind the revolts. They just knew that their king was killed by the rebels. They didn't know it was The Allster, The Seiran and Raww's doing, so they believed in George Allster instantly. George decided to ban entry for foreigners for some time, he reasoned, the government needed to stabilize the kingdom first. Any foreigners who want to go out from the east will be arranged by the government, they will have to register their application request within a week, and they will be allowed to leave.

"Hold the emergency meeting, invite dukes of all regions. We need some alteration to the kingdom's law." George said to the palace's secretary, Newmann, George looked so disconcerting, he worned out because of everything that happened. However, after the secretary left the room, his worried look turned immediately to a very bright smile, he realized that he was one step closer to his goal. He already gained the throne, now he only had to conquer the other countries on the land. He had a plan, but to execute it, he had to hold the magical power first. He had to find the princess and kill the prince.

After receiving Uzumi's order, Kisaka went to the west as soon as possible, Uzumi gave him the power to lift up the fog before he went. On the west, he couldn't find any trace of Kira. Instead of finding him, a man with a long turquoise hair and red eyes approached him when he sat alone in the restaurant bar. The man suddenly took a seat beside him and gave him an envelope on the table. After that he took a sip from his glass and just went away.

Kisaka took the envelope and put it in his robe pocket immediately after the man left. He got out of the restaurant and looked for a secluded area. When he found a deserted alley, he took out the envelope, he looked at the back of the envelope, there was a green seal in the form of two crows crossing each other embedded in the envelope's lid. It was the Southern Imperial Seal, Kisaka recognized. He opened the seal and he read the letter inside of it, then he knew that the prince had never arrived in the west and there was something happening in the east while he was gone. Uzumi was dead. His feet suddenly felt weak. He felt that he was going to fall from his position at any second. It was a devastating news for him, he couldn't believe it at first so he reread the letter several times, then reality hit him hard, he had to believe it. He knew he should not believe in a letter that was sent by a stranger, but he was doubtless, he was sure it was from the south. He knew this better than anyone.

No time to grieve, he had to make a quick decision. He believed King Halsten had a reason to send this letter to him. For now he had to regain his composure and think about what he would do next. There are only two possibilities about what his next movement and coming back to the east was not one of the choices. He knew that the princess would probably still be here in the west, but Uzumi said that finding Kira was more important. So, after a small upheaval on his head, he decided to go to the south at once.

"And that is what has happened in the east, at least those are what the South had disclosed to us." The tanned blonde man closed his report.

"So, revolts in the East, huh? I guess Athha got weakened as the years passed, I thought they had magic power or something." The silver haired man commented with a smirk.

"It was just a rumor. Strange, all of the heirs were missing too." Holding his chin the western King, Patrick Zala, thought deeply. "What do you think Athrun?" The King asked his son who seemed to be bothered at the fact of eastern change of throne. Athrun was a bit startled at the question, he was really drowned in his thoughts. He tried to calm himself before he answered. "It is a little strange, but aside all of everything that happened, the most important thing we have to do is to prepare for any changes, your Majesty."

"You got a point." The King answered briefly, and continued. "Since the east may change its conservative way, why don't we offer our hands to them. Build a new diplomatic relation with them."

"Are you sure, Father?" Furrowing his eyebrows, Athrun considered offering hands to the east new reign won't be a good idea. At least for now.

"Why not? Eastern was prosperous, it could be a benefit for us. Don't you think?" The King answered again.

Sensing Athrun hesitancy, Duke Elsman tried to help. "I guess we have to hold any cooperation with the Eastern, your Majesty. I'm sure for now the Eastern is not stable yet."

"Then give me a list of what we have to prepare, I will look into it this week. I guess that's the end of this meeting." The King stood from his seat but before he turned to the exit, he remembered something he had to say. "Athrun, your mother wants to talk with you. She is waiting in her chamber."

"I understand father. I will see her right after this." Athrun bowed down to his father as the King left the room. Athrun turned his gaze to the other men in the room. He asked for the two to give him a list of possible threats to the Kingdom and give him the report immediately. The two just sighed but acceded the order. After that he left the room toward his mother's chamber.

Everything happened too fast, the princess' scheme, the rebels and then the king's death.After all of that, Miriallia didn't know why she had a hunch that she couldn't trust the Allster. It might be because the Haww family was always considered to be the most loyal servant to Athha. Their loyalty to the Athha was more deep than it seems. Then of course she also remembered a few days ago when she accidentally heard Fllay Allster talk to her father in the meeting room.

"Father, how about the Seiran? Can we get rid of them too?"

"Lower your voice!"

"But father, I hate Yuuna, that idiot kept on making advances on me." the girl's voice sounds so annoyed.

"For now let them be. We can get rid of them later."

"But father!"

"Fllay Allster! Did you or did you not hear me clearly? Our most immediate problem now is to find the princess! Do you understand?"

"Yes father."

"Something is not right." She mumbled to herself and she ran quickly after she heard all of that. After thinking for two days straight, she decided and encouraged herself to find Stellar Loussier. After Stellar got caught exchanging place with the princess, Kira who listened to her reasonings, released her right away. Kira believed that it was all her sister's idea, so Stellar must be innocent.

After Stellar was released Miri immediately asked for Stellar's address in case she needed to reach the princess. So, now she was standing in front of Stellar's house, ready to ask Stellar a favor. She knocked on the door, no one answered. She knocked again and a girl with a pair of ruby eyes welcomed her on the door.

"Miriallia Haww?!" She was surprised to see Princess' servant in front of her house.

"Stellar, I need to ask a favor."

"Come immediately!"

Stellar grabbed Miri's hand and pulled her inside the house, afraid that someone would see her there. After the rebellions, the easterners preferred to stay at home, afraid of any brutals invasion of the rebels.

"So, you will go home?" after they both sit on Stellar's humble sofa.

"Yes, I think this is for the best, what a pity, East used to be very peaceful." she held her pitiful look outside the window. The east capital was not as crowded as the east, it was a serene city that could make anyone feel safe living there. Nevertheless, the city street calmness was now changed to emit an eerie feeling, the city was now quiet but it was not the peaceful place like it used to be.

"I know." Miri looked at her sadly, she understood what Stellar meant, but then she continued, "Because of that, I need to ask a favor."

"What can I do for you?"

Miri told Stellar her worriness, she asked Stellar to tell the princess what was going on in the west, she couldn't go to the west by herself because it would be suspicious and she planned to hide herself in the Kaguya region. She also told her that she couldn't trust the Allster since what she had heard. Hearing this, Stellar agreed, it was an easy favor, since she was also going home. After several brief talks, Miri decided to go back to the castle to plan for her escape. Unfortunately for Miri, she didn't realize that someone had been tailing her all along.

After her meeting with Athrun, the next day Cagalli woke up early to look into the previous budget report, studying it properly. After an hour or so, she already grasped the report's concept and she decided to get out from her room to have breakfast. She observed the kitchen, it was noiseless unlike the other day. So, she peeked through the kitchen door, no one was there. 'Weird, am I too early for breakfast?'

"Cagalli!"

She jumped in surprised, didn't see someone was coming behind her. It was Nicol who called her. She asked him why there was no one in the kitchen to prepare the breakfast. Nicol said that Athrun was out, so the chef wouldn't prepare early for breakfast, she had to wait for another hour. She sighed in disappointment but accepted it anyway.

"He is out again?" Cagalli pried.

"Yeah, he is rarely here actually."

"Why? I mean why doesn't he live in the palace?" She didn't understand why Athrun had to live here if he always worked in the palace.

"Hmm, our prince is a bit unique, sometimes I can't understand him at all." Nicol made a wondering face when he answered that. He thought the prince was quite special, he was an intelligent man and had a nice personality, but he seemed to be somewhat reserved at some point.

"Okay then, guess I will go back to my room." Cagalli ceased her curiosity, after all maybe she didn't need to know that much.

After she went back to her room, she remembered that tomorrow is her first weekend after she started working, it means her day off. She really wanted to explore the market. Nicol said the Kitezh Capital market was full of delicious delicacies that she had to try. She really couldn't wait for tomorrow. After she got back in her room, she sat on the chair behind the work table, she started to write down her plan for today. Firstly, she would make a draft for the report and then asked Nicol, who is responsible for every task in this household. Then she would make a rough budget planning for the household. Since it wouldn't take a long time to plan a budget, she would help Nicol for any other task that she could handle. She was so happy at her job and the fact that tomorrow would be her day off from work really boosted her mood.

Looking through the blurred windows in his room, Kira was on the verge of crying. Remembering what he had heard these past days, he still can't believe it, but he was forced to believe it, because he knew, deep down it was the truth.

Brak!

"Nonsense! Are you joking right now?!" Kira slammed the dining table in front of him.

"Prince Kira, do you think I would joke with something like this?" The man gave Kira his solemn look.

Actually Kira knew he wouldn't be joking with his words. Kira knew this man so much, then he had to believe what he just heard. King of the South, Halsten Frigard, was the man of his word. He is also the greatest ally for the east, especially the Athha.

"If only I can joke right now, I'd rather choose to be joking." he continued.

Kira knew the certitude of the information, but he tried to deny it. How can he believe such things happened just in a flash. His father was dead and Halsten suspected it was connected to Allster, Seiran and even Raww Le Creuset. Just how he had to believe it at once. He felt weak, he felt guilty of what he had done, for leaving his father behind. He fell in deep silence, and no one dared to disrupt him in his dwell. Until a servant entered the dining room so suddenly.

"Pardon me, your Majesty, but Prince Kira has a guest." He said that while still bowing to the King.

"Is it Kisaka?" The King asked with his light green orbs widened in surprise.

"I believe so, your majesty."

"Very well, let him in." The silver haired king ordered his servant.When Kisaka entered the room, Kira was still deep in his thought. He didn't bother listening to other people. He even didn't realize that Kisaka had entered the room.

"Prince Kira." Kisaka tried to call him, but he still didn't budge. Halsten got up from his seat, walked to Kira and held his shoulder.

"I know, this is quite a lot to take in one day, but you have to be strong. I'll leave you two alone." With that Halsten got out of the room leaving Kisaka and Kira alone.

Kisaka may not be his relative by blood, but he was maybe the closest one for Kira to be called an uncle. Kisaka walked over to Kira, he took a seat beside him. He sighed, he knew, maybe Kira already knew about the news. He reached for Kira's shoulder and gripped it. It was hard for Kisaka too, but he had to be strong, he had to be strong. Slowly he let go of his grip and he handed Kira the important letter from his father.

"Kira, your father gave this to me. He asked me to give it to you and guard it with my life." Kira looked at Kisaka, confused at his words.

"He asked me to give this to you, before-,"he paused for a second, then he continued,"he said he had a bad hunch."

Looking at the envelope in front of him, he decided to take it and put it on his robe. He will read it later, for now his mind was still clouded from the recent news.

He walked toward the drawer beside his bed, took out the letter and opened it. He took a seat on the bed and then he read it.

My dear child Kira,

I have to write this letter, considering the revolts and I'm afraid if I couldn't get a hold of you in time and you won't know the truth forever. You must be wondering why I had to make your sister marry so early and I picked Seiran. I know, you might loathe me for that, but I have no choice. Our blood, or Athha's blood was blessed with magic, as you know, the eastern prosperity was created by a pact within our blood. However, it came with a price. Every female born of the Athha family had to suffer a curse. If they have not consummated a marriage before the age of 27, they would die. I already tried and asked so many great wizards around the world for the cure, but they have no answers, unless we dispel all the magic within our blood and I can't do that because it was a matter for our nation. One important thing Kira, any man who consummated a marriage with her will be given our magical power too. That is why I picked the Seiran too, because after all these years I have ruled, they always support me.

I plan to tell you this after her marriage, but now it seems hard and I just want to prepare for the worst. I know, you will hate me for this, but if you see clearly, I really love you and your sister dearly. I hope you are safe and I hope we can meet soon.

Uzumi

He couldn't hold his tears anymore. The sorrow crept into his heart when he read the last sentence. His rashness killed his father. He should've stayed. He should have protected his father. He felt so stupid, that was the first time he defied his father order, yet the consequences was severe. For today, he decided to cry his heart out, because tomorrow there would be no grieve, as he would plan to do anything to get revenge on his father.

Finally, it was Cagalli's day off, yesterday her blonde hair was starting to reveal its core, so she dyed her hair back to black with the remaining paste she made before she came into the mansion. She planned to go to the market to buy a popular biscuit Nicol had recommended her to have. The biscuit was made from a potato starch and Nicol told her that it was very delicious. As she walked toward the market, she found the market was so crowded today. It was her second time in the market and she still felt awe at the sight.

She looked to her right, there is a line of shops which sell any kind of fabrics, the colour and the variant was so amazing, sometimes she felt the east was entirely located in a different world. She looked to her left, there are a bunch of shops which sell shoes and clothes. The diversity of the choices mesmerized her, if she was not broke, maybe she would buy one or two pairs of new boots. Fascinated by the market's view, she didn't watch her steps carefully and she accidentally bumped into a long haired blonde man. Affected by the bump, she fell backwards on her back, while the man was still standing tall in front of her.

"I'm so sorry, I really didn't watch my steps." She knew it was her fault.

"It's alright, please watch your step Miss." The long haired blonde man said to her while stretching out his hand to help her. She took in his hand to help her to stand.

"Let's go." The man talked to his two friends behind him. The two nodded and the three men left her as soon as she stood up. She realized she was stopping abruptly in the middle of the crowd, remembering her intention, she quickly started walking to the cookie place.

As Nicol had said, the cookie shop was packed with customers, it was a really popular shop compared to the other culinary shop around it. It was so full with people and it is hard to notice any slight movement of a person behind you. In the crowd, she caught a glimpse of someone so familiar to her. 'Isn't that Athrun?', he was wearing his commoner clothes and his black cloak. She might have missed him if she didn't recognize the clothes he was wearing. He didn't see her, he looked concerned about something. She turned her gaze, curious of what he looked at. Her eyes widened in surprise when she caught a glimpse of a boy who appeared to do a scheme. The boy's left hand dived into a man's pocket who stood beside him, while the boy pretended to wait to buy the biscuit. 'Thief! What should I do?', Cagalli contemplating on what to do next, the boy had succeeded in his hunt, carefully he took steps distancing himself from the crowd.

Saw the boy fading from the crowd, she set to follow him and came back for the biscuit later. She decided to capture the boy and gave the victim back his money, she followed the boy in a stealth mode. It was in a corner of a secluded alleyway, she thought she would ambush him there. However, she was late, someone already blocked the boy's path. She immediately hid herself behind a tree nearest to her.

"What do you think you are doing, young boy?" The man smiled at the boy.

"I-I- What are you talking about?" the boy stuttered.

"I saw you at the biscuit shop, dont you think you have something that isn't yours?"

"What-what are you-?

The man snatched the boy's right hand and twisted it to the boy's back.

"I will call the Peelers [1, if you don't want to admit your wrongdoings."

"Please don't!" The boy pleaded with the man. "I really need it, it's for my mother. She is really sick and I can't afford any medication. Please, sir."

"Where is your father?"

"He was dead a long time ago, I only lived with my mother." The man's emerald orbs looked at the boy with a pity. He reached into his pocket and gave the boy a small piece of paper and a pen quill.

"Can you write?"

The boy shook her head.

"Tell me your address then." The boy gave him an address and the man wrote it down carefully on the paper.

"I'm sorry kid, but I still have to bring you to 'the Peelers', however, they won't punish you severely, I promised. Repenting for your wrong doings is necessary, even if you are in need, taking someone's belongings is never a righteous act." The boy cried muffled a sorry but he nodded away. The man held the boy's hand and came to the nearest Peelers. Cagalli is still following and hiding behind them. After the Peelers took the boy away. She came out from her hiding place.

"I never thought you would do that." She came out to reveal herself. Athrun didn't say anything as he was too surprised to see her there. "I saw it, all of it. Is it a hobby of yours? Disguising? Is that why you have a mansion outside the palace? " she continued.

"Ah, is it your first day off? I'm surprised to see you here actually." Athrun said, not answering her question.

"I just want to buy some potato biscuits, Nicol said it was a popular delicacy here in the west."

"Hmm." The hoodie he was wearing quite hiding his expression. So Cagalli couldn't tell what he was thinking. Before she could figure him out. "Let's go." The man said while grabbing her hand and dragged her from her position.

"Whe-where are we going?" The sudden touch made her blush, she didn't know why Athrun had the tendencies to grab her hand, in the east it was considered to be unethical and rude because she is a princess, but since she had no status at all here in the west, Cagalli decided to let it go.

They walked towards an alleyway, it was quite a slump area. Athrun took out the small paper on his robe with his other hand. He still didn't let go of her hand. After a few minutes walking, they stopped in front of a small house with wrecked bricks. She didn't know if she could call it a house, because it was too broken, she couldn't even understand how a person lives in a house like this. There were several holes on the walls, so you could see a bit inside the house. The roof looked fragile because it was only made of stacks of hay, she was sure that if it was raining, the water could get through the house immediately.

"Your grace?" Cagalli was really confused.

Athrun let go of her hand and then he knocked on the house door. Truthfully, he didn't even have to knock, since the house was not locked, the door was already slightly opened. No one answered him, he decided to open the door by himself. The pungent odor of the house wafted through Cagalli and Athrun's nose. The small house looked like it was neglected for a very long time, stuff was scattered everywhere. It was clear that no one had cleaned the house for months. As they walked into the house, they heard a subtle cough coming from the only room in the house. Athrun rushed toward the sound. In the room they saw someone was bedridden, the woman was probably in her 40's but she looked older than that. Her face was so pale, she was definitely sick. Removing his hoodie, Athrun kneeled down beside the bed.

"Do you want to eat something ma'am?" Athrun asked the middle aged woman. The woman looked at Athrun in confusion.

"Where is my boy?" she asked back weakly.

"He was-" Athrun seemed couldn't find any right answer.

"He said that he will be gone for a while ma'am. He will come back after a few days" Cagalli cut him off. Athrun looked at Cagalli, feeling a bit grateful. After a small talk with the woman, he got up from his position.

"You stay here for a while. I'll be back in a few minutes." Athrun said to Cagalli before he exited the room. She just nodded. She didn't know why Athrun brought her here, but she assumed that this woman was the thief boy's mother. She kneeled down beside the woman, and checked her temperature. The woman's temperature was normal, but she was so pale, 'Maybe she lacks food and clean air?' Cagalli stood up and walked outside the room, she was looking for a glass of water. She found a jug of water on the broken table outside the room. Unfortunately, the water is so dirty, she couldn't imagine giving the water to the sick woman. She decided to come back to the room and talk to the woman instead. She was certain that Athrun would bring something edible for the woman.

Cagalli asked the woman what happened. The woman hesitated a bit, but she told her anyway. The woman told her, she was already sick from a long time ago even before her husband's death. The husband was a humble merchant, when he was still alive, he could provide simple meals for her and her son. He also could afford her medication, though it was a tight budget for them, but still they can manage. One night, her husband was mugged and stabbed to death by the muggers, it was since then their lives started to be a series of unfortunate events. Her illness got worse, she couldn't work. At first, his son got a chance to work in some labor job, but he got fired because he was still a minor. She already told her boy to leave her, but he didn't want to. She knew that she was just a burden for her boy. Hearing this Cagalli felt so troubled. Cagalli never thought in this very grand western kingdom, someone this poor would be neglected.

"How about the government? The government will be able to help you. I'm sure." Cagalli tried to reason, maybe she didn't ask for help.

"It was not easy, too many applications and bureaucratic matters to handle. My boy can't write or read."

"I'll help you. I can read and write, I will help you." Cagalli said to the woman, it was not a big deal for her, filling an application. The woman really needs help.

"No need to." A voice of a man broke their conversation. She looked at the man, Athrun had come back. He came into the room and kneeled beside her.

"Ma'am, I already brought someone from the social welfare here. He will help you with anything. You can ask his help for anything." Athrun explained.

"Ho-how?" The woman stuttered. Another man with short brown hair came in his tight uniform.

"Your grace?" He asked for Athrun's attention.

"This is the woman, you have to take care of her and her son. If I heard something like this again happened, I'll make sure to strip you from your position immediately."

"Yes your grace."

"And look into this neighborhood, there might be some other families who really need help just like her. Give the reports to me next week, do you understand?"

"Please forgive me your grace, I understand your grace."

Athrun turned his gaze to the woman once again and gave her a wan smile "No need to worry, it will be okay for you now, ma'am."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much your grace." The woman said in tears, she didn't believe her luck, all these years she had suffered with her son, now came a saviour to save her from her miserable life.

"I'll take my leave." Athrun once again grabbed Cagalli's hand who seemed to have struck her mind for a while. She couldn't digest everything that just happened in front of her. It was not Athrun that she knew. The Athrun she knew always liked to joke and smirk a lot. This serious side of him was new for her. Well, she had a glimpse of it before, but today she saw everything in full scale. This side of Athrun made her feel a bit of amazement and she felt a bit warm inside her.

"Hail to the crown prince." The man shouted to the air as he bowed.

The woman who laid in the bed seemed surprised at the identity revelation of her saviour, but she regained herself back and shouted with the man "Hail to the crown prince." It's like she was given temporary strength to shout before she came back to her frail state.

"What?" The navy blue haired man asked the companion who walked beside him.

"What?" The blonde looked at the man confusedly.

"You have been staring at me for about five minutes now." She blushed in embarrassment, she didn't realize he was aware of her stare.

"Nothing, it's just-"

"What?"

"You're different."

He raised his brow. "Care to elaborate Miss Cagalli?"

"Well, before that, can you let go of my hand, your grace?" she said with a bit of fake high voice.

"Stop calling me that." He let go of her hand.

"You are my master. It is just appropriate." She answered him lightly.

"Please, if only there are two of us, just call me Athrun." He pleaded with his eyes looking into her. She looked away, because she felt so embarrassed of the gaze.

"Hhhhh, alright, Athrun. Please, stop looking at me like that." She shot at him.

"See? It's easier to call me by my name." He gave her his usual smirk. She shook her head, she didn't believe this Athrun was the same Athrun who did his duty earlier.

"Why did you do that? You haven't answered me yet since the boy left." Cagalli asked him again. Both of them were walking side to side, Cagalli assumed they headed back to the market looking at the path they were taking. Instead of answering her, he stopped for a bit and asked her something that caught her off guard.

"What do you think of a marriage, Miss Cagalli?"

[1] The Peelers is Police Officer in medieval Era

This chapter is exhausting, I hope you still enjoy it.