Chapter 4

The purple dance

The ball had already started and still, Rosa was nowhere to be seen. Cecil leant back in his chair, his official golden cloak draped around his shoulders and surveyed the colourful crowd dancing in Baron's great hall.

He had not seen his wife for nearly the whole day now, which was not really that unusual as the young King of Baron himself had been very busy and had also spent some time with his old friends - except for Kain, who had been amiss the whole morning.

"He sure wanted to explore his old home..." Cecil thought.

He suddenly spotted Edge and some young noble girls standing in one corner talking, though Edge looked rather nervous and did not seem to take much interest in the discussion.

"He sure is waiting for Rydia ... I wonder why she is so late ..." Cecil frowned.

"Everything alright, my dear?" a friendly voice asked. Rosa was standing beside him.

"Oh Rosa - I already wondered where you were ..."

"Oh - I had to help Kain to dress!" she motioned towards the far end of the room, where Kain was standing, wearing a sparkling uniform of red and gold and who was now wearing his thick hair openly.

"You sure did a great work - he really looks good ..."

Rosa giggled: "Oh by the way - your speech this morning was really good, as well!"

Cecil beamed happily. "You heard it? I missed you at my side... "

"Of course I did hear it!" Rosa gave him a surprised look. "I just thought you wouldn't need my help – and in fact you did just fine alone."

"I didn't mean it that way!" Cecil murmured, feeling a bit angry again - and was ashamed for that feeling just two seconds later. He decided to make Rosa a pleasure:

"Care to dance, Milady?!" He stood up and bowed before her.

"Sure!" Rosa happily clapped her hands together like a little girl. She smiled: "I thought you hated dancing!"

"I do!" Cecil laughed: "But dancing with you is only half as bad!"

She had to laugh, too and playfully pushed him a bit.

"I guess she really isn't upset any longer!" Cecil thought relieved as he led his wife to the dance floor.

"Isn't that Rydia?!" Rosa proclaimed suddenly and motioned towards the great front door of the hall.

Cecil immediately spotted the dainty emerald-haired girl in her green-silvery silk dress. "Would you wait just a moment? I just want to say hello to her!" he asked.

"Sure! You two haven't seen each other for a long time now and I know how deep your friendship has become!" Rosa repeated, smiling, and gave him a slight push.

Cecil had not expected any other reaction from his wife - they both had taken Rydia very much into their hearts. She nearly had become something like a little sister for Cecil and that not only because he still felt indebted towards her, but also because of her intelligent and friendly being. As Rydia caught sight of the young paladin a smile flashed across her normally rather sad looking face and she began to wave and shout wildly:

"Hey Cecil! Sorry I did come too late, but my journey took longer than expected!"

She gathered her green robes and started running towards him. Half - the way she ran into a pretty looking red-haired girl and sent both crashing to the ground. Cecil uttered a sound of worry and was besides the two in a second, helping them up. Rydia fell around his neck at once.

"Thanks Cecil!" she exclaimed happily and planted a kiss on his cheek, then faced the red-haired girl: "Sorry about that!"

"Don't worry! Diane is a tough one - with that family... Isn't it so?" Cecil laughed.

The red-haired girl smoothed her simple, but very elegant looking dress and uttered a natural laugh which suited her very well: "Don't let my father hear that, Cecil!"

"Diane?" Rydia look questioningly and gave Cecil a punch in the side, "Don't tell me that this is Edge's new girlfriend?" She nearly looked a bit nervous.

"No, no! I meant another family. Diane - this is Rydia of Mist, one of our dearest companions during the war, Rydia- this is Diane, the daughter of Cid ..." Cecil exclaimed, sounding as officially as he could.

Rydia smiled surprised: "You are Cid's daughter? Well, nice to meet you - and my sympathy..." She cheerfully offered her a hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Rydia ..." Diane laughed friendly: "Cecil and Cid have told me much about you - I am very proud to meet you in person, finally! Maybe we could have a talk sometime?" she asked a bit shyly.

"Sure!" Rydia exclaimed. "I would like to do this very much - let's say tomorrow after breakfast?"

"That sounds great!" Diane beamed happily. "See you later!" She made a curtsey and turned away.

"She seems to be a very nice person, Cecil ... Do you know her well?"

"I know her since we were kids, but I really do not know much about her - her mother died at an early age and she had to take care of the whole household - you know how chaotic Cid can be. She has always been rather quiet and shy but also very competent ... I think she is a great person. Maybe you will become friends?"

"Yes that could be possible," Rydia nodded. "But for now I have my friends right here!" She squeezed his hand affectionately.

"Where's Rosa?"

"I was wondering that myself - the last time I saw her she was standing right there..." Cecil surveyed the crowd.

"By the way - have you already said hello to Edge? He had asked for you every hour since his arrival - he is so lovesick that he did not even drink his normal whiskey and milk this morning ..." Cecil said accusingly, and tried to suppress laughter.

Rydia rolled her eyes. "Whiskey and milk - this man's just ... I don't know what - I can't think of an insult worse enough. Anyway - I better go talk to him before he molests some castle maids in his despair. I'll meet you again in a minute - try to find Rosa, will you? I 'd like to say hello to her, too!"

She straightened herself as if readying for battle and went off. Cecil returned to his seat on the other end of the hall, searching with his eyes for his wife. After a while he spotted her:

She was dancing - with Kain...

Cecil fell back in his seat, cupped his chin in his palm and watched his wife whirling through the room, her long golden hair fluttering, blue eyes sparkling, cheeks red of excitement, laughing quietly now and then. Kain, who was looking very impressive in his clothing, was laughing too, holding her tenderly. Cecil knew that, in contrast to him, Kain was a very good dancer. Even now he couldn't help but wonder in amazement how safe he was leading Rosa. As he continued to watch the two he suddenly realized for the first time that Rosa didn't wear one of her usual simple, but very elegant and noble looking white gowns - instead she wore a dazzling, very expensive and exciting looking red dress which was decorated with golden ornaments.

He wondered why he had never seen this before and had to frown. "Doesn't she like the dresses I order for her?"

Somehow her behaviour during the last days started to worry him...

"Since Kain has returned ..."

"Whew - what a buffoon!" Rydia fell with a loud sigh into the seat next to him. "You know Cecil - you could really teach Edge some manners of how to treat a lady ..." she said.

"Mmmh..." Cecil was still watching his dancing friends.

"Hey Cecil - you are not listening, are you?" Rydia pushed him into the side.

"Hmm - what are you looking at?" She surveyed the crowd on the dance floor.

"Them…" Cecil motioned towards his wife.

Rydia gave a gasp of surprise "Why - it is Kain ..." She suddenly seemed very serious. "I didn't know he had returned ..."

Cecil shortly informed her about the happenings during the past few days, but did not even stop once watching the two dance.

Rydia felt that her friend was worried somehow. "Mmm - I see. Must have been quite a surprise for you too. Oh!" She grabbed two glasses of wine from the tray of a servant and pushed one in Cecil's hand.

"You look pale - drink something - maybe it will cheer you up?"

She herself started to swallow the red liquid greedily.

"Thanks…" Cecil finally succeeded in tearing his gaze from the couple on the dance floor - he also had the feeling he needed a drink.

"You look concerned, too..." he said, watching Rydia staring dully at her glass.

The green haired caller blinked at him in surprise: " No – it's nothing. I just didn't think Kain would be able to cope up with his past so soon - I mean after what he has done ..."

Cecil wondered how much Rydia blamed Kain for the death of her mother - besides he had wanted to kill her back then in her destroyed village.

"Rosa seems to enjoy herself ..." Rydia stated and looked at Cecil.

"Yeah - I guess she prefers Kain as a dancer over me ..." He tried to sound amused.

Rydia giggled. "Oh - you sure have other qualities!" then got serious again as she saw that Cecil had not listened to her.

"Rosa must really be a strong person - I mean being able to treat Kain so nicely again after all he did to you both ..." She studied Cecil, waiting for his reaction.

"Yeah - she is great. Kain will soon feel completely at home again. Still ..." He paused and watched the pair again. "I hope she does not take too much on her..."

"Always the worrier!" Rydia smiled and stood up. "You need some cheering up! Come on, let's dance!" She started to pull on his shirt.

"Rydia!" Cecil laughed, but was looking a bit embarrassed: "You know I can't ..."

"Ah don't worry about that!" Rydia replied with a cheerful smile "I can dance - can I? I'll lead..." She cooked her head to one side and blinked at him. "Let's show everyone what real action means!"

"Alright!" Cecil laughed and rose as well. "Mmmh- but I'd like to know one thing before..."

"Yes, Cecil?" Rydia asked surprised.

"How do you like Rosa's dress?"

"Her WHAT?" Rydia changed quick glances between the red gown of the Queen of Baron and her friend, wondering if he wanted to tease her and then started to laugh:

"You really are strange today asking me such a stupid question! Come on - the music won't play forever!"

"No, really, how--!" Cecil protested, but had already been pushed on the dance floor.

Luckily, Rydia was a patient teacher and soon the paladin managed at least some half - way elegant dance steps.

"See! It isn't so difficult at all!" Rydia shouted, and laughed - she was no doubt enjoying dancing with the young paladin. Cecil smiled at her and then spotted Rosa and Kain whirling around not far away from them. His wife was totally absorbed in the dance and did not notice her husband.

"Rydia is right - she really is a strong person!" he thought. "I wonder how she was able to forget so soon..."