A Knight to Remember

A Knight to Remember

Chapter 1

It was three years since the end of the Gaea War. Allen Schezar was in Asturia, paying his respects to Millerna and her new husband, Dryden. Allen had been away in Freid during the wedding, so this was his first chance to see Millerna after the ceremony.

"Congratulations, Princess," Allen bowed low, kissing her hand. "My apologies for being unable to attend your wedding."

From the back of the room, Gaddes watched as his commander showered the princess with formalities. If he cared for me, a fraction of what he cares for her, Gaddes thought bitterly, I would be the happiest man alive. But Allen did not know how Gaddes felt about him, and he doubted that even if he did would he reciprocate such feelings. Allen was a man of honor, and such emotions were hardly honorable. Besides, Gaddes thought sourly, Allen would rather waste his affections on that royal bitch, Millerna.

"Allen! We've missed you!"

"Sorry, your highness, but Dryden sent me to Freid, and I was unable to return before your wedding."

Millerna scowled at Dryden. She hadn't wanted to marry him and now he was purposely trying to keep her and Allen apart.

"Dryden!"

"He needed to take care of some things. I thought he would be back in time," the former merchant replied, thoughtfully stroking his stubble.

In reality, Dryden knew that Allen wouldn't be back in time, and that's why he had sent him to Freid. He knew of Millerna's feelings for Allen, and he didn't want her to leave him for the blonde knight at the altar. Even though technically, Dryden and Millerna had already been married, they had a renewal of vows once he returned, and Dryden had sent Allen away to keep Millerna from changing her mind.

"So, Allen, have you told Chid about your relation to him, yet?" Millerna asked.

"No," Allen replied.

"Why not? You were in Freid. You had the opportunity."

"Forgive me if I don't feel the need to ruin Chid's life by telling him that everything that he's ever known was a lie."

"Allen! You're his father!"

"But he doesn't know that. And I doubt he would appreciate it if he did. Now excuse me, I'm going to go see my sister. Come along, Gaddes."

"Yessir boss!"

And with that the two men left the throne room.

When they were gone, Dryden turned to Millerna. "Do you still love him, Millerna?"

"Dryden…"

"Do you?"

"What good would it do me even if I did?! He doesn't seem to want me anymore."

"I'm not going to waste my breath by asking if you love me. I already know you don't. Though I don't know why. I'm handsome, smart, wealthy, and I try to be a good husband."

"I'm…sorry, Dryden."

"Bah! Go to him then! If he wants you, then take him as your lover!"

He then stalked out, leaving her alone.

Allen was in the gardens of the palace when he found his sister.

"Celena!" Allen called.

She looked up from the flower she was studying. "Allen!" she cried, running to him.

"Are you well?"
"Yes. How was Freid?"

"Uneventful," he replied, understanding what she was really asking.

"You didn't tell him?"
"What would I tell him? Any words I could say to him on that subject would only bring him pain. Maybe someday, when he's older, I'll tell him."

"The longer you wait, the longer he'll hate you after he finds out."

"Please, Celena. Allow me to do this in my own way. I already got a lecture from Millerna today."

"Yes. And we all know how much fun that can be," Gaddes cut in.

"Gaddes!" Celena cried, hugging him.

Gaddes smiled. "Hello, dear Celena. I trust it wasn't too terrible being cooped up here in the palace?"

"No, it wasn't. But why such formality, Gaddes?"

Gaddes grinned. "I think I've been hanging around our boss too long," he said, nudging Allen.

"Heaven forbid any of you show any hint of civility," Allen retorted.

"Boss, can you honestly envision Pyle trying to be civil?"
Allen laughed. "We couldn't pay Pyle to be civil!"

"I know. Pity too. I would like to see that."

"Allen," Celena began, "Are you going away again soon?"

"I'm going to Fanelia in a few weeks, I think. But I'll take you with me if you like."

"I doubt Van will want me in Fanelia," Celena said, biting her lip.

"What happened then…wasn't your fault," Allen said, pulling her into a brotherly hug.

Gaddes, sensing big emotional matters would be taking place in several moments, turned to go so he wouldn't be obtrusive.

"Gaddes!" Celena called after him.

Gaddes turned.

"Will you join me for dinner tonight?"

"Sure," Gaddes said, forcing a grin.

He knew of Celena's infatuation for him. Now if only he could draw such feelings from her brother…

Dinner was boring. Gaddes had spent the whole thing wishing that Allen hadn't decided to leave him and Celena alone. Celena was a pretty girl. She was nice, and caring as well. If Gaddes was interested in girls, he might even marry her. But Gaddes wanted Allen, not Celena. But he was still civil to her, regardless.

After dinner, Gaddes left Celena and decided to go stargazing on the room. Gaddes hated being indoors. It was too confining. When he got up to the roof, he saw Allen and Millerna. Apparently she has just gotten up there before Gaddes. So, Gaddes did what any normal person in his situation would do. He stayed to listen.

"Princess, you can't ask of me something I have no power to give."

"But Allen, I love you!"

"But I don't love you, Princess. And even if I did, I wouldn't risk war with Asturia by running away with you!"

"You wouldn't have to run away with me! Dryden said I could take you as my lover!"

For a split second the world froze around Gaddes. Even though Allen had told Millerna that he didn't love her, after all his history with the Asturian princesses, Gaddes was afraid that Allen would accept her offer.

"I don't love you, Millerna."

"Why?" she asked, pressing her lips to his, almost as if she was trying to force him to love her.

Stupid bitch, Gaddes thought, Now you've destroyed any chance you might have had with him. But even so, I really must thank you. Now you've opened up a window of opportunity for me.

Allen shoved Millerna off him.

"Princess, control yourself!"

"But Allen…"

"No, Millerna. Even if you love me, it's wrong for you to force yourself on me."

"Allen…I tried to be Marlene for you…" Millerna said as she ran off.

"She tried to be Marlene…which is something that I never asked for," Allen said with a sigh.

"Anything to get what she wants, eh boss?"

Allen turned to see Gaddes standing there.

"Gaddes!"

"I just caught the tail end of that. She's pushy, isn't she?"
"You have no idea."

"Maybe not, but I can guess."

Allen sighed. "That trip to Fanelia is looking better with each passing moment."

"Yeah, I know. It'll be good for you, boss. You've seemed a bit depressed lately."

"I'm fine, Gaddes. So, how was dinner?"
"While I appreciate the efforts boss, and I really do, I have to ask: can you please stop trying to set me up with your sister?"

"Set you up? Gaddes, you're practically head over heels with her. And she adores you!"

Gaddes laughed. "While I don't doubt that Celena adores me, I'm far from being in love with her, boss."

"But you're always kind to her, you always come with me when I come to see her, and you always help me pick out things for her."

"Yes, boss, I come to see her with you. I help pick out things with you," Gaddes said, becoming increasingly frustrated.

"What are you getting at Gaddes?" Allen asked, completely uncomprehending.

"I don't want your sister, Allen. I want you."

There it was, out in the open. Gaddes realized what he had said the moment the words left his mouth. But it was too late to take them back. Now all Gaddes could do was wait and see how Allen would react.

Allen just stared at Gaddes. He hadn't even suspected that Gaddes felt this way, and the two of them had been working together for so long. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words.

Gaddes, not surprised by Allen's silence, just walked off, cursing his own stupidity, and mourning for a love that he thought could never truly be.