A True Knight
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 8. All I own are my original characters and the
plotline. Don't bother to sue because I have no money. I do have some pocket
lint if you want that though.
Last Chapter: Rinoa and Squall finally meet again and they share a dance. The story of
Olivia was introduced but will be further defined in this chapter. Squall is to
be sent into the knighthood and Olivia will become apart of the Royal House
after years of torment in the stables.
Chapter 4: The Dinner (part 2)
After Olivia and I were through talking in the bedroom we went back down to the ballroom.
A look of relief appeared on the King's face when we came back over to him. He embraced Olivia
warmly and she in return did the same. When they seperated he spoke again. " It is now time for dinner.
Will everyone please reassemble in the dining hall," he announced. All of the guests in the room took
their partners and went into the other room. The King held out an arm for Olivia and Queen Tavela. They
accepted the gesture by linking their arms through his and heading to the dining hall. Rinoa waited behind
for me and the King had no objections.
I went over to her and we stared at each other for a while. This was the first time we were alone
and now we could both drop the acts. She hugged me tightly and I could tell by how her body shifted she
was crying. I hugged her back just as tightly and ran my fingers through her hair like I always do to soothe
her. After another moment she stopped crying and looked back into my eyes with her own chocolate brown
pools. She missed me and she didn't even have to say the words so I could know but she did anyway. " Squall
where were you? I was so worried. I thought you had gotten lost somewhere," she said. I smiled at her gently
stroking her flushed cheek.
" I was worried about you too. I have no idea how we got here and no idea how we're supposed to
get back. Olivia told me that the King was getting suspicious of me. That means I have to watch my step from
now on and Rinoa you can't be so careless either. With your attitude and your powers," I explained. She nodded
in understanding. " So what do we do now?," she asked. I sighed a little. " We have to keep this act up until I
figure out a way home," I said. She nodded again. " But Squall, there is another problem. My father told me
that I am to marry within a years time. If push comes to shove we may have to get married," she said. As she
said the words she was attempting to hold back a smile. She was failing miserably. I knew she didn't mind the
prospect of us getting married and I didn't either. It would just be and added plus of this trip and we would get
the most beautiful wedding that Royalty could buy.
" That's not necessarily a bad thing," I said. She smiled now. " You mean you wouldn't mind? Even
after you said all of those things about making our jobs more difficult if we did marry?," she inquired. " Right
now our jobs are staying alive and if getting married is the key then so be it, but don't think I'd marry you just
because I had to. I would marry you anyway I just thought it would be better that we didn't in case something
happened to me and you wanted to move on without a lot of stress," I said. She smiled again and kissed me
deeply. " How thoughtful. Come on, we have to get to the dinner," she said. I nodded offering her my arm. She
placed her arm through it and we went into the room.
When we got inside there were two empty chairs. One beside Olivia, which was probably for me, and
one beside the Queen, which was for Rinoa. I didn't notice this before but the Queen looks a lot like Julia the
pianist that Laguna had a thing for. The question is, why would her image be this far back in time? We took our
respective seats but didn't break eye-contact. Rinoa was more beautiful to me now than ever. Probably because
I couldn't express how much I need her here. I was interrupted from my thoughts when Olivia nudged me in my
side. I looked over at her and she had a very amused look on her face. " I know you are smitten with her my
sweet Squall, but you musn't stare at her. It is rude and you are but a commoner right now. To look at her with
the lustful intent that you do now could get your eyes gorged out," she warned.
I swallowed hard and heeded her warning. All of the other tables were engrossed in talk while we
sat silent until the King spoke up. " Now Squall, you asked me a question about Olivia in the courtyard. Something
about if she was my cousin why did I treat her so. Now would be the proper time to address that concern. For you
see, my first wife, Queen Caroline, didn't like my sweet cousin. Olivia is my cousin because my brother married
a common woman. His wife was beautiful and was a sweet woman but Caroline just couldn't accept the fact that Olivia
was not of Royal blood. Considering that Olivia was my brother's wifes' only family I accepted her. I had even
grown to love the little vixen, but Caroline still wouldn't let it go. But sadly, my brother's wife fell ill and died. Then
the child had no one and since Olivia had no living family either Caroline thought it was a fine time to get rid of
her," he said.
I looked over to Olivia who had her head bowed staring at the table. I had no idea and now it was like
she's an orphan. " But why did Queen Caroline seem so threatened by her?," I asked. The King shook his head
sadly. " I do not know, but she told me to kill her or she would. To protect my dear Olivia, I had planned it so that
it would look like she was going to the chopping block but in reality it was a dummy. I told some of my trusted
servants to take her to the stables and care for her. Make her a stable hand so she could live on unnoticed. I loved
Caroline dearly and did not like decieving her, but I owed my brother to keep this little one alive in memory of his
sweet wife. A few months back, Caroline decieved me and slept with another man. Everyone found out so she
had to be killed," he explained. I quirked an eyebrow.
" But if Queen Caroline was killed a few months ago, how did Princess Lydia come about?," I inquired.
He laughed wholeheartedly. " That's quite simple lad, Tavela was my mistress. All Kings have at least one, but I
loved Tavela so and my patience for Caroline was wearing thin. I was almost grateful she had been found out. Then,
I married Tavela and my dear Lydia has the life that she deserves. In the spotlight. I had always cared for them
even with my marriage," he said. I tried hard to hid the little hint of disgust from my features. I wanted to ask how
come women got killed when they betrayed a man but the man got no punishment? Then I remembered that's how
things in this time worked.
The King took my silence as a sign to continue. " I hope to rectify all that's happened to my dear Olivia
tonight. I can not take back how my soldier treated her but hopefully she will take my sincerests apologies," he
said. Olivia looked up at that statement. She smiled at the King. " I have told you earlier cousin, your aplogies
are not needed. I am just grateful you gave me the chance to live this long to recieve this praise," she said. The
King nodded in approval and raised his cup full of wine. " A toast, to the newest member of the Royal House and
the Royal Knighthood," he said. The hall errupted in a million 'here-heres' before everyone drank from their cups.
I stole a glance at Rinoa who was smiling at me. I smiled back then drank the tart liquid. Maybe this knight thing
wouldn't be too bad.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After dinner, Maven thought that it would be best if I went to bed. 'Early to bed, early to rise' is her
motto. Reluctantly, I said good-bye to Squall. I knew I would miss his warm arms around me this night and I could
also look forward to a few more nights such as this. Sleeping in a huge bed with no one to share it with was not
what I was expecting.
Maven worked in silence as she untied my gown from the evening. I don't like silence so I decided to
talk to her. " Why are you so quiet Maven? Usually you have a lot to say," I said. " As a servant we are not allowed
to speak unless spoken to," she retorted. I nodded thoughtfully to that. " Well, from now on you have my permission
to speak as you please to me in closed quarters," I said. " Are you serious M'lady?," she asked. " Very. Now you
seem a little cross at me Mav. Why is that?," I inquired. She was silent for a moment choosing her words carefully.
" I saw you in the hall with Lord Squall. You kissed him M'lady. A princess lips are to never touch a mans until
marriage. Thank goodness no one else was around," she said.
She was through untieing my dress so it fell to the floor. I stepped out of it and she picked it up carrying
it to the closet. " I'm sorry Maven, it won't happen again. I just felt so drawn to him," I said. What I said isn't a lie
technically. " The only thing that concerns me is how many Pages did you kiss before him?," she asked. I chuckled
a bit. " None. Just him. I think I love him," I said. Now that was a lie. I already know I love him. No one can tell
me differently. " So soon? You only just met him," she said. " Come on Mav. You know you would like it if I
married him. Or maybe you'd like to marry him yourself," I mused. Her face turned a heated pink. " M'lady,
someone like him was not meant for the likes of me. I am nothing but a servant not worthy of love," she said
bringing out a light blue nightgown.
" That's not true Mav. Everyone deserves love no matter how small or their social status. That might
be the case with Lady Olivia," I said. Maven began helping me put on my nightgown. " What on Earth do you
mean?," she asked. " Don't you remember how upset she got when Lord Squall and I danced? She loves him
because she was the first one to show her some type of love back. Where he's from there are no such things as
social classes. Love is love whether it comes from a rich person or a poor person," I said. She sighed wistfully.
" Perhaps you are right M'lady. Lord Squall has a lot to teach us all then," she said. After I was done getting
dressed I sat back down at my vanity so Maven could take out my curls.
As I sat there getting pampered I began to think about Lady Olivia's relationship with Squall. I am a
bit worried about them. Squall can be too loving at times. " Is it true what Father said about Olivia?," I asked.
" Every word of it princess. It's so sad. She is such a nice girl. I happened to be at the stable when the knights
raped her the first time. I tried to help her but they held me back and threatened to do the same to me. I was but
a child then and we used to play together a lot. All I could do while they tortured her was cry. My tears did nothing
to save her but I couldn't think of anything else to do. After that night I never went back," she said. I frowned at
Maven and she saw this immediatly. " Is there something wrong Princess?," she asked.
I calmed down again before I spoke. " You never went back? You should have. That might have been
when she needed you the most. She was probably scared," I scolded. She lowered her head a bit. " I know and I
have regretted that moment since but even so, she still treats me like a friend and I feel even worse because she
does," she said. My anger softened at her words. I noticed that she began crying. I stood up and hugged her. She
was a little bit shocked by the gesture but after a while she went with it. When her sobs stopped she went back to
helping me dress for bed. When she was done she left the room without another word. I sighed then crawled on my
kingsized bed. It was covered with blue silk sheets. At least the real princess and I have similar tastes. I crawled
under the covers and attempted to fall into an uneasy sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" I know you enjoyed yourself Squall," Olivia said as she slipped out of her ballroom gown. Usually I
would have left but she insisted I stay so we could talk. I suppose she was used to men seeing her naked so I
was no different. " I did," I replied trying to keep my eyes off of her delicious curves. No wonder she drove the
men insane. She was built like a Goddess. I shook my head. No, that was just my body talking. When I held
Rinoa tonight I wanted her so badly and I'm sure she knew. I just prayed I didn't do anything stupid during my
stay here.
When Olivia was through dressing she turned back to me. " What do you think?," she asked. She
wore a satin red nightgown that showed off her every curve and asset generously. " Beautiful," I said. She
smiled blushing a bit. " Thanks. I'll have my room by tomorrow so don't fret," she said climbing into bed beside
me. I felt my body heat up as my desire began to try and overthrow sensible judgement. " So, I take the bed
and you take the floor right?," she asked. I nodded unable to speak. I was afraid if I did the lust in my voice
would arouse suspicion but it turns out my lack of speech did that.
" What's the matter Squall? I don't remember you being so quiet before," she said. I swallowed
hard attempting to surpress the urges I had. " It's nothing. I just feel strange that's all," I said. It was honest
enough. Not necessarily a lie, but she seemed to buy it anyway. " That's understandable. After all, you are
in a strange land in, a strange time living dangerously. If you were to get caught who knows what will happen.
But it must be an adventure though. You even get to travel with your lover," she said. " But what's the point
if I can't see her, talk to her, touch her," I said without thinking. Olivia became silent and I noticed this. Then
remembering I was talking about Rinoa I was quick to apologize. " I'm sorry Livi. I didn't mean to say that," I
said.
She chuckled bitterly. " Yes you did, but at least now I know what troubles you so," she said. I lowered
my head a bit in shame. I feel so weak to let my passions govern me. I felt Olivia's hand on my cheek gliding my
head up to meet her gaze. " It's nothing to be ashamed about Squall. Ruling with you passions is the best way
to live a good life," she soothed. Her voice was so soft, so lulling, so enticing. I raised my hand allowing my
fingers to caress her cheek. She accepted the gesture by closing her eyes and sighing deeply. Her face was still
dressed in makeup and the glossy red that was on her lips were beckoning me to taste them and I did without
meaning to. She accepted this as well by meeting my passion with a firey passion all her own.
My lips consumed her. Biting, nibbling, teasing her soft tender flesh. Soft moans escaped through parted
lips but I soon silenced her with my own mouth covering hers. Every aspect of my body was aware of her. I wanted
her so badly. Her soft thighs pressed against my waist. I could indulge in her sweet scent forever. She moaned my
name over and over but then I remembered another that I had in such a position. My dear, sweet Rinoa. Reluctantly
I pulled myself away from Olivia. I had expected a look of confusion on her features when I stopped but I found
none. Only a look of understanding and disapointment was there. We said nothing as I hopped off the bed and laid
down on the floor. She tossed me one of the bedspreads then turned off the light and we slept without another
word spoken that night.
TBC...........
End chapter 4. Don't hate me Rinoa lovers. Trust me I'm one too, but you can't really expect for Squall to be
cooped up in a bedroom with a beautiful woman and he won't do anything. Come on that's against all rules of nature.
Don't fret, more Squall and Rinoa romance will happen soon so keep checking for it. Remember to read and always
review. ~LS~