Chapter Thirty-Four
It was practically raining cherry blossoms in Alexandria on that bright, promising spring day. Not a cloud in the cerulean blue sky and the breeze smelled sweet with honeysuckles and vibrantly bursting tulip bulbs. Gold and blue flags waved from the posts surrounding the castle as a steady stream of people crossed the small river and dozens of others climbed a top roofs. Alexandria was alive with energy, constant buzzing chatter, and resounding hoots and hollers. The throne was at peace again and the spirit and unwavering devotion to Zidane was whole. They touted his name as they crossed in the buckling mandalas. Women threw rose and lily petals in their wake and several people were already dancing along to the brassy band buzzing from the edge of the water front courtyard. Gold and blue silk banners lined the hedges, along with numerous servers strutting about with champagnes, cheeses, and puff-filled pastries. It was a momentous day in Alexandria. The knighting of a hero and the splendid celebration of the tenth birthday of delightful and bubbly princess of Alexandria: none other than Princess Alexandra.
Zidane hated the suit he had to wear. It was pressed much too crisp and he felt like he could barely bend his elbows. He tugged at the stuffy white gloves on his hands as he began down the hall from his chambers to meet the others for the knighting ceremony. He tugged at the dinner jacket and pulled at the annoying lace bib tucked in with his shirt. Events like this made him feel like a jackass. He was wearing a suit that cost more than equity of the Tantalus hideout in Lindblum. As he rounded a corner, he ran directly into Beatrix, who seemed to be on the prowl for him. She sighed and crossed her arms as she looked at Zidane from head to toe.
"What? Something on my face?" Zidane asked, rubbing his cheek.
"There are some missing elements from your outfit," Beatrix clucked. "The cape? And the crown, for god's sake, Zidane."
"I don't want to wear them," Zidane protested, walking beside Beatrix now as they made their way closer to the foyer. "They're gaudy and flamboyant. They know I'm the King, we don't always have to announce it. I bleed the same blood as them."
"This is a very formal event," Beatrix told him. "Knighting someone is an important part of the legacy of the Alexandrian Throne. Every ruler whose ever touched the sacred sword to one's shoulders has always been wearing the crown."
"Oh, and what about the Alexandrian throne today is keeping in line with that legacy?" Zidane gave Beatrix a side-eye. "Look, I'm all for tradition, but sometimes, you just gotta do things your way, Beatrix."
"And the rest of us take the highway, hm?" She shot him a faint grin. Zidane paused abruptly. Beatrix took a few more steps before turning back to him with arched eyebrows. Zidane was unmoving as he gawked at a large painting on the wall. He had to walk past it everyday and without fail, he always stopped to look at it. It was a vibrant painting that stood out amongst the dark and aged paintings that had hung for nearly a century on the walls. Queen Garnet was at the center of the painting, her body drenched in gold silks with blue hemming. Her crown was situated delicately a top her thick onyx hair that fell over her shoulders as she was seated in her throne. In her lap, wrapped in green satins that shimmered with the artist's perfect brush strokes, was Princess Alexandra, only weeks old at this point. And standing on either side of Garnet were six year old Sarah and three year old Arabella. Their hands reached towards their mother, touching her legs and arms. All of their bold eyes stared at Zidane as he recounted the week the painting had been done. Garnet would be dead in only six months. "Zidane..." Beatrix reached for his arm. "Come on... the people are waiting."
It was going to be Zidane's first public appearance since the events unraveled. Nobody had seen the King since the reparations of the great fires that previous winter. Zidane watched Garnet intently, asking her to please watch him over, before finally, he allowed Beatrix's tugging to coerce him. He moved silently beside Beatrix, trying to get himself to straighten his shoulders and tilt his head up. Eventually, the duo came upon the balcony railing to peer down into the foyer. And he found five pairs of eyes gazing at him from the brightly lit room below. The castle doors were open and cherry blossoms fluttered across the sparkling marble floor, adhering to the thick red carpets. The room felt so alive with the blossoming planet, the air refreshing and free. Steiner grinned up towards the balcony and Beatrix couldn't help but smile back.
Sarah was looking utterly beautiful that day. Her thick blond hair had been swept into an intricate up-do with elaborate braiding and a bun that creased like a delicate rose a top her head. She wore a lacy silk blue dress with satin sleeves that accentuated her slender body. The Raven Claw pendant hung proudly from her neck, diamond earrings glinting in the spring sun. Beside her stood the man of honor, Sir Dante Bare. He wore a puffy gold and blue velvet vest with shimmering white sleeves and long dark pants that put emphasis on his height. His brown hair, usually shaggy, had been swept to the side and his pointy ears protruded from his head. Not far away stood the birthday girl whose blond hair had been furiously curled. The large locks beat against her little head, a sparky tiara miraculously holding true on top of the voluminous do. She wore an ivory white and gold dress with thin straps and a boisterous skirt that had the silhouettes of delicate flowers embroidered into it. She was nothing short of the beautiful little princess she was budding into. White wasn't a wise choice in Zidane's opinion, though. There'd be chocolates and punch on it before sunset.
On the far end of the beautiful and patiently awaiting crowd, however, stood the survivor of the journey: Princess Arabella. Her chin-length black hair had been cleaned and it glistened with the onyx sheen her own mother had. Two pearl clips were affixed on either side of her bangs and she wore a dark purple silky dress with long puffy and sparkling sleeves. Affixed around her neck was a linen sling and her right arm hung at her chest. Color had returned to her rosy cheeks and for the first time in awhile, she was genuinely smiling up at her father with her large, dark eyes. He gazed down towards her, a feeling of pride swelling his heart as the gentle breeze brushed her hair against her neck.
This was how it was supposed to be, Zidane told himself. This is what Dagger had intended.
The King made his approach to descend the stairs. Beatrix and Steiner stood at the base, drawing their units to order. The swords drew out in a wave on either sides of the foyer, saluting the King as he came to approach his daughter's and most honored guest. Together, Arabella and Sarah curtsied. Alex's curls beat against her head as she looked to them both before doing a klutzy bend at her knees. Dante came to a kneel as Zidane reached the bottom.
"Stand up, all of you," Zidane waved his hands. "We share this special day together."
"But I'm the guest of honor!" Alex declared, her tail waving excitedly behind her.
"We all yield that position to you, princess," Zidane nodded. "All I know is that today marks a new chapter for this family." He brought his arms out and enveloped his daughter's. "Things are going to change for the better. There's no more being frightened or frustrated. There's no changing what has happened."
"Oh, Daddy, I'll miss you when I leave next week," Sarah said, tilting her head. "I promise I'll write at every destination."
"And you'll return to me the Queen you always wanted to be," Zidane kissed her forehead. "Little Monkey, today's your day to be spoiled. Ten years old is quite the feat. I won't even ask if you brushed your teeth tomorrow morning." Alex giggled at the thought, already imagining the evening she'd have, like she was destined for something great as Sarah had encountered on her own birthday gala last year. "And Bella..." Zidane gently reached towards her, grazing her cheek. "I love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for everything you've done..." His daughter's wrapped their arms around him like a tangled spiderweb. His heart was thudding in his chest as he looked over their heads all pushed together to give him their warmest hug. He never could have imagined himself here. In some ways, his old life didn't feel so long ago, but in other ways, it seemed like another lifetime. But he would never change a thing about anything that it was today. Sarah. Arabella, and Alexandra had changed his life for the much better, Zidane knew. Ten years was far too short with Queen Garnet but with his daughters, he was growing to understand, that he really hadn't lost any time at all with her. Garnet shined inside of each child, despite who they took after. All three of them were an embodiment of her, their own phase of her, as if she were the moon. He wrapped his arms around the huddled group with the warmth of love. He could never see life another way without them. They each had a part of him and he would always be thankful to have these girl's. There was no life, Zidane was convinced, without Sarah, Arabella, and Alexandra.
...
The women of Alexandria fanned themselves beneath the mild Spring sun and gawked their heads to see towards the courtyard of the entrance of the Alexandrian Castle. Squad Beatrix and the Knights of Pluto surrounded each half of the spacious courtyard reserved strictly for Royalty use. Alex, Bella, and Sarah stood to one side of the circular stonework, Beatrix, Steiner, and Doctor Tot just opposite. Up front, Dante's family stood. His mother and sister's were starstruck by the whole ordeal. Dante's father seemed full of pride. In the center of the plaza with the gray stones arranged to portray a crystal stood Zidane and Dante, standing side by side. Zidane's heart hammered in his chest. He turned to Dante, pressing a hand to his shoulder. The young man promptly knelt and a hush came over the gathered crowd. Zidane brought his hand to the hilt of the sword attached at his hip. Countless leaders of Alexandria had held it. Legend had it, the sword was forged on the completion day of the Alexandrian Castle's construction. Now, it was beneath his palm, the rigid and fading tape work on the handle grinding against Zidane's skin.
"Today," Zidane's voice was steady and he squared his shoulders, focusing on the top of Dante's knelt head. "Alexandria recognizes a new hero in the sea of faces we have come to know and celebrate. It is my grandest honor to present you with this holy title, for you have, personally, saved my life countless times. The Royal Family would not be here today if not for you... Sir Dante Bare of Alexandria, I dub thee Lord Dante; stand up as a knight, in the name of this throne: Lord Dante Bare of Alexandros." He brought the sword to each shoulder before offering his hand to Dante. The young man grinned and accepted it, coming to stand beside the King. Zidane hoisted the sword into the air with the sun beating against the freshly polished steel and the delicate cherry blossoms flurrying around it. Hoots, hollers, trumpets, kazoos, and claps resounding in the courtyard. Flower petals were launched upwards and the drummer of the band ragged out a beat. But after a moment, Zidane raised his hand and stepped forward. The crowd hushed for a moment, some freezing in the swing of their dance moves. "There's another reason we're here, however, and I think someone may have a case for why it's more important than this. The tenth birthday of Princess Alexandra."
The youngest heir wasted no time scampering forward, her sandals beating against the cobblestone. They loved the attention and stood in front of her father on the stairs, twirling her skirt around and she was drenched in coos from the women. Zidane couldn't help but laugh, pressing a hand to her shoulder. "I think the band should strike up a tune. Free drinks, free food, let us celebrate the grand occasion Alexandria is experiencing today. The growth of a wonderful princess and recognizing of an amazing hero. Thank you for being here today."
The crowd wasted no time breaking back out into dance and song and throwing confetti and rose petals. Already glasses were clanking together and champagne was foaming onto the cobblestone. It lifted Zidane's heart to see. The people of Alexandria could be happy again after several tense months. Some people had even moved away, fearing of Alexandria's demolition yet again. But today, his people celebrated before him, they accepted him. Zidane realized he was simply smiling off into the distance and grabbed Dante by his shoulder, having to shout over the abundance of noise. "Why don't you dance with Sarah? Kick off the fun-filled adventure now, huh?"
Dante grinned and held his hand out to Sarah. She knew and was almost magnetically compelled towards him. They linked arms and Sarah blew her father a kiss as they went down the stairs to join in the drinks and hoots resounding across the river. Alex looked at her father. "Was the garden table placed where I wanted?"
"Yeah, the little secluded area on the water in the far east garden, why?" Zidane furrowed his brow.
"That's where I wrote for my friends to meet me!" Alex grinned. "On the invitation! We're going to duel and then I'm gonna make 'em all dance!" Before Zidane could even reply, she had taken off in her lightning speed fashion. Zidane was glad she wasn't a toddler anymore. Catching her before she took a spill down the staircase was the ultimate challenge of fatherhood. She was the only baby that could run as soon as she walked. And just like that, she was gone, tail trailing, to go have a card game in the garden.
Zidane turned now to spy Bella, still dawdling in the courtyard. He pursed his lips and put his hands in his pockets, strolling towards her. "Hey, how's your neck?" He asked. "Maybe we could find you a seat so you could take it off for a bit? Eiko said it was good to move it every now and then."
"No, it's fine," Bella said, gripping the sling. "There's just a lot of people down there and I feel like I hadn't seen a lot people for a long time. It's somewhat... unnerving."
"I know exactly what you mean," Zidane stood beside Bella and together they gazed down on the ruckus taking place on the waterfront. "It's the inertia of a journey ending. You don't think it ever will, but when it does, it hits you full force." He sighed, shuffling his feet. "Everybody's always part of something that they think will never end... but of course, like all things, it will... and it does. Nothing is forever, Bella... just remember that. Good or bad."
"You know what..." Bella looked to her father, arching her eyebrows. "We should dance, Daddy."
"You want to dance with me?"
"If nothing lasts forever, shouldn't we enjoy it while we have it?" Bella turned to him. "I think I can still dance with just one arm."
Zidane grinned, linking with her left arm. "Then let's dance, pumpkin."
...
The party continued on with energy even as the sun began to cast a beautiful sherbet sunset across the skies. Candles were lit on the tables and the chefs had brought out roasted chickens and seared pig. Bella and Zidane had spun around the dance floor for quite a while before they found themselves resting at a table nestled against the hedges. Across the courtyard, Beatrix stood just out of the torch light from the party. She gazed towards the river, watching as it grew darker with the waning day. Here she was again, like nothing had happened. It was nearly deja vu for her. Another party, just another day. Everyone was here. Everyone was happy. Was it really that simple? Was she over thinking it? In the past, she had almost been used to a foreign threat or tensity that lead to violence. It had been like daily life. Nearly twenty years of peace, tranquility, and prosperity in Alexandria had changed Beatrix. It scared her to think that anything like her past was now jarring to her. It scorned her perfectionist mindset to know she felt like she couldn't handle it.
"Beatrix, there you are," She looked over her shoulder to see none other than Steiner, emerging from the plaza. In his hand, he held two flute glasses bubbling with champagne. He offered one out to her. She was slow to take it into her hands. "I think there's a toast in order for both of us. For me, I'm going to drink to the fact we all came back. What about you?"
Beatrix was quiet as she watched the bubbles of champagne. Slowly, she cast her dark eyes towards him. She couldn't help but smile when she saw his face. He tried so hard to make her happy. She hoped he knew his efforts were seen. "I'll drink to our companionship... to our love, Steiner." He blushed, of course, but still his big grin plastered his face. Together, they gently chimed their glasses together and drank, watching the ripples across the river. "I don't want you to think I'm unhappy or that I'm compromising... because I'm not. I thought I should say that."
"I just want you to be happy," Steiner tilted his helmet back, spying the two moons destined to collide breaking over the rigid mountain range.
"What about you, Steiner?" Beatrix asked. "It's always about me, me, me. Are you happy? Is this what you want?"
"To be in Alexandria, at the castle, yes," Steiner nodded. "I can't imagine another life." He paused for a moment before drawing himself up straight and looking at Beatrix. "And... if we're going to have a child, I want it to be raised here."
Beatrix grinned. "That took you a lot of guts to say, I can tell." Steiner blushed furiously and Beatrix couldn't help but laugh. "So... you would want to have a child? Be honest."
"With you? Of course I want to," Steiner nodded. "Now that Alex is ten, I kind of miss the sound young children darting around the castle. It makes it feel so much more alive... authentic."
"Then... cheers to that," Beatrix lifted her glass. Steiner followed in suit.
Back through the throngs of people, Sarah came from the dance floor, some wisps of blond hair now framing her face. "Bella, let's dance!" Sarah's eyes were lit up in jubilation. "Just one dance with your big sister, what do you say?" Bella grinned and held her good arm out. Sarah wasted no time whisking her onto the fast paced dance floor. Bag pipes now echoed across the spacious courtyards. Alexandria would be doing no sleeping that night. Once the other dancer's noticed the princesses, they hoisted the duo into the center of the dance floor and everyone danced in fluttery circles around them. Zidane clapped along and for the first time in his life, he was not preoccupied with any other thoughts. He only focused on how happy his girl's were as they spun in silly circles.
I hope you're proud, Dagger... I hope this is what you expected of me.
"Zidane," Eiko appeared at his side and he nearly leapt from his seat. Eiko grinned, grabbing hold of his arm. "Come on, let's join the fun. You'll dance with a Lady like me, won't you?"
"Why not?" Zidane shrugged, rising from his stool. Together, they joined the outskirts of the jumping crowd, situating themselves on the waterfront by the stairs. Eiko wrapped her arms around Zidane's neck and they also began tilting in circles. "You know," Zidane glanced around them as they brushed past other couples. "There are plenty of suitors here who would probably be dying to dance with you. Why not give them a chance instead of dancing with an old king?"
"Bored of me already?" Eiko grinned, turning her head coyly at him. "I don't wish to dance with any of them. I want to dance with you."
"Your old man's not going to give you good grace for many more years," Zidane warned.
"None of them interest me," Eiko protested, her braid beating against her back with their movement. "I don't want any of them. It may be foolish to say and I don't care if it makes me one, but I love you, Zidane. Wholly, thoroughly..."
"Eiko," Zidane shook his head. "You know I love you in a different way."
"I know. Maybe I'm content with the friendly love we share."
"Look at all these people, though," Zidane replied. "You're telling me there's not a single person on this world who could ever kindle an interest within you? I'm convinced there's someone out there for everyone. It'd be a waste, Eiko, to spend your entire life pining over a heartsick person like myself. I had my shot at love. Give yourself an actual chance, alright?"
Eiko could only smile, glancing to the stars that now littered the sky. The couple slowly came to a stop from dancing. The Princess of Lindblum brought her hands up to cup his cheeks. "You have no idea who you're talking to," She whispered before she leaned forward, placing a soft but tender kiss on his lips. It didn't last long, only a few seconds, before she pulled away. "You are my hero, Zidane. You always will be. Never forget who you are... and never forget why you're here, alright?" She smiled and gestured towards the center of the crowd. Alex had joined her sister's and they basked in the center of attention with their pearly grins and miscalculated steps.
"Yeah..." Zidane smiled, putting his hands in his pockets. He simply observed his daughter's, watching the way they swung around each other, breaking into ferocious giggles. "It was the test of fatherhood... but it was worth it. Every single thing I've had to do leading up to this exact moment was worth it, Eiko." Zidane found himself compelled forward in the next moment, not even waiting to hear Eiko's response. As the crowd noticed him, they parted quickly. Beneath the candlelight, his daughter's stopped dancing to grin and welcome him into their space. Zidane smiled proudly at them in their shimmering gowns and bright eyes. The family came together in a tight young and Zidane placed a kiss to each of their heads. Clapping rang out and from the balustrades above, Beatrix and Steiner held their swords out towards the glossy moonlight in a respectable salute. Champagne corks popped and the women threw the last of their flower petal baskets into the air. Together, Zidane and his daughter's laughed, shielding themselves from the mist of champagne foam.
"Look!" Bella pointed upwards and the family gawked their heads back. "A shooting star!" It was bright as it twinkled across the sky. It disappeared behind the mountain range.
"Wow, so beautiful!" Sarah gasped.
Zidane only found himself grinning at the sky.
Thank you, Dagger.
The End