"Your Majesty? I'm just coming to check up on you-" an old man in rusty armor knocked before entering the Queen of Alexandria's private chamber. Steiner was his name and he was the Captain of the Knights of Pluto. Alongside him was the General of Alexandria's army Beatrix. Both veterans of service to their queen the two were going to make one last report to her before turning in for the night.

But when they made their way in, they noticed something was off. The Queen was gone!

Immediately Steiner went into panic mode. "The hell?! Where is she!?" He was hopping mad and looking in every nook and cranny as if she'd be hiding from them.

Beatrix, however, proved to be the calmer head of the two. "Calm down, Steiner." She went over to the Queen's personal chair. Something had caught her eye and she went to investigate. A piece of paper was on the cushion and she picked it up. Steiner noticed her action and joined her.

"What is it? A ransom note?! I'll summon the Knights!"

The General raised her hand to stop him, "That won't be necessary."

"Why not?! The Queen could be in danger!"

She handed him the paper, "Read this, and calm down for heaven's sake."

Taking the paper into his gloved hand Steiner read it out loud.

'Dear Alexandria, I have taken your Queen on a date, and promise to bring her back as soon as she is satisfied.

Signed, Zidane Tribal

Post-script, we won't be far so do not worry. Also I will make sure he behaves.

Signed, Garnet til Alexandros XVII, Queen of Alexandria'

That signature at the end, in such eloquent handwriting, could only belong to the Queen and thus Beatrix wasn't worried.

Steiner, however, was livid. "The least that monkey could do is tell us he was going to pull this stunt!"

While he was mad, Beatrix couldn't help but smile. She hoped the Queen was enjoying herself.

Turns out the two escapees had fled to a place closer than anyone could have expected. The Sword of Alexander was a place located above the Queen's living quarters in a section of the castle that was off limits to only a select few. It was, according to legend, where the eidolon Alexander laid his sword down to protect the citizens of what would ultimately become the kingdom of Alexandria. There was a wide circular area with a clear view of the red moon high in the sky as well as the rest of the stars.

And it was here that Zidane had laid bare his plans for his Queen. Thanks to his pals in Tantalus he had brought a white metal table and chairs as well as candles, and even a full course meal for them to enjoy.

To be perfectly honest, Garnet had been impressed. The only thing missing was being dressed appropriately. She was in her night dress when Zidane had picked her up for this unexpected date. He had literally carried her out of her chamber and up the castle walls. Such a romantic thing to do she could forgive him for being rather handsy the whole way up.

But the dinner part had been taken care of within the first few minutes. They talked while they ate but within minutes of finishing Garnet had found herself wanting to do something she had never thought she had wanted to do.

She had asked Zidane to dance with her, and obviously he didn't turn her down.

That's the way they had been for the last few minutes, dancing slowly back and forth under the pale red moon light.

Thankfully the night was warm because even with a robe on she had to be cool. Zidane had been so caught up in pleasing her that he forgot to consider her state of dress.

"So, you liking this so far, Dagger?"

Resting her head against his shoulder the Queen nodded, "I do, thanks. You really went out of your way to impress me this time."

"It's what I do, and only for you." Having his hands on her back Zidane chuckled, "I wonder how Rusty is taking our little elope?"

"Elope usually pertains to a secret marriage. I thought this was a date?"

"Hey, a guy can dream right? And who wouldn't want to marry a Queen?"

"A thief and a queen...sounds like something out of a fairy tale."

"But we're living it."

Raising her head Garnet questioned him, "You mean the marriage part?"

"Yeah. Don't you remember we were married once?"

Then she remembered. "Oh. That was only in Conde Petie, it became void when we left the place."

Rolling his eyes Zidane gave up, "Still counts."

"In your dreams it might."

"I can live with that."

Garnet had to add as she relaxed into Zidane, bringing her hand to his cheek while she peered up into his eyes with a loving look. "And I can live like this forever."

As much as Zidane knew he could, he wanted to make it even better. He caressed Garnet's jet black hair with his hand before bringing up to the back of her head. "By the way, at that ceremony with the dwarves, we forgot something."

Curious the Queen arched an eyebrow, "And that would be?"

"This."

Holding her steady Zidane leaned in and kissed her. She had expected something like that and relaxed into it.

It was often that Zidane would kiss his beloved Queen, but this time it was like he was savoring every moment of it with her. Rightfully so, as her duties to her country were top priority, but even the public knew of their feelings for each other though they didn't know his name. It was an accepted thing int he kingdom.

Zidane pulled back, but Garnet found herself wanting more.

"There, now it's official."

She rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Still thinking about that wedding?"

Shrugging his shoulders Zidane nodded once. "We never sealed the deal, remember?"

"I remember you falling flat on your face."

"Not my best moment."

She giggled. "I love you."

And she did, with all her heart.

Zidane knew it and returned her affection. "And I love you, my sweet Dagger."

Caught up in the emotion she felt swelling up in her chest Garnet kissed him again, and this one went on longer than the last.