A True Knight
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8. The people at Squaresoft do. Man, I'm in the wrong
business.
Last chapter: Squall and Rinoa were alone and finally got to discuss what was to happen to
them in this place. They made a plan to keep themselves alive and unnoticed
by the King and Queen. The only person who knows of their true identitys is
Olivia but she won't tell anyone because of her love for Squall. Olivia's story
was revealed and she was inducted into the Royal House in her true position
as Lady Olivia. Squall in turn was inducted into the Knighthood to help aid the
King in his wars. Considering how Squall first met the Royal Knights he may
have a few problems along the way, but not without the help of his friend
Olivia.
Chapter 5: The Knighthood
" Are you sure about this Olivia? Maybe I should ask the King to take back this position.
If I have to train under Bradley we may have some problems," I said. Olivia only chuckled thoughtfully
as we made our was through the courtyard. She was dressed in a beautiful blue dress that was fit for a
lady and now that she is one she no longer had to wear the rags of the stables. I told her she could stay
behind but she insisted that she come along. She had said something about how she won't forget where
she came from and she wanted to keep me company. We didn't discuss what happened the night before
in the bedroom. We just decided to pretend it never happened.
Halfway across the training field, a knight was coming to greet us. As he got closer we discovered
it was Bradley. We had to struggle to remain polite. Considering how we met the first time I didn't exactly
like him. Now that the circumstances were different he had to show us both some respect. " Lady Olivia," he
said with a curt bow. She nodded in approval trying to keep a scowl off of her features. " Good day to you
Sir Bradley. You really didn't have to meet us like this," she said. He smiled warmly. " On the contrary. It
would be only polite if I met a Lady this way," he retorted. She nodded again not offering a reply then Bradley
turned his attention to me. " Hello Squall or should I say 'captain'," he said. My eyes widened in shock at his
words. " What? I don't understand. How can I be captain when I just got here?," I inquired. Bradley turned
his on his heel and motioned for us to follow him.
We walked past the dozens of soldiers who were doing training excersizes. They nodded to Olivia
bowing politely and murmered praises but when their eyes fell on me all I saw was glares. I swallowed hard.
" Not exactly popular am I?," I mused aloud. " Not really," Bradley replied but didn't turn around. When
we made it to his tent he gestured for us to sit. We did so immediately so we could hear the explaination
behind this turn of events. " The King sent down orders this morning for you to be treated with the utmost
respect of this kingdom because you were our new captain. Of course I went to his excellency to get him
to explain but all he said was that you were better than us in many ways and more ways to be discovered. You
are the key to us winning the war and we are to be glad that you got here," he explained. I nodded slowly taking
it all in. I didn't like the fact that more people would be depending on me to help them out. I didn't like it
during the Sorceress War.
" But why me? Surely you are better suited for the job," I said. He laughed. " Now you praise me.
Seriously, after the King told me that information I began to believe it. You beat me with such ease and finesse
yesterday. It didn't even seem like you were trying," he said. I nodded again. He was right, I wasn't really
trying but he did put up a good fight. " I suppose, but I find it a bit strange that he would trust a stranger so
easily," I said. He nodded. " I did too, but the King is very trusting and if he does find out that the person wasn't
what they seemed they don't last too much longer. All I hope to do is offer my apologies for my behavior the
other day. I can admit to you that we were a bit drunk because the soldiers held a celebration for me. They thought
I was going to be promoted to captain," he explained. " Oh, no wonder they didn't like me," I said with a smile
now forming.
Now that I had talked to him and learned that he was intoxicated he wasn't so bad. I could tolerate him.
Hell, he's a lot better than Seifer ever was, but the fact still remained that he and his men abused Olivia on
several occasions during her stay here. I glanced over at Olivia who was staring outside at the men training. She
didn't seem disturbed about being here. She felt me staring at her so she turned to me. She smiled as her brown
eyes shimmered brightly then she looked back outside. " I will try to get them to understand Captain," Bradley
said breaking me out of my thoughts. " It's fine if they don't. I really don't care. If I have a job to do I'll do it
regardless of what other people think of me. I've lived most of my life hated by others and admired by many. A
few soldiers won't make a difference as long as the job gets done," I said. He silenced at my change in tone. Even
Olivia turned away from the window to see why my mood had changed.
I stood, dusting off the outfit the king had given to me. " Now, I will need proper attire and afterwards
you can show me to my tent is that understood?," I said. " Yes sir," Bradley said. He stood as well motioning for
me to follow him again. I offered Olivia my arm and she took it with a bright smile. " I like this new attitude. Who
taught you to command like that?," she asked. I smirked. " No one. I had to learn because I was forced into the
role early at Garden," I replied. She nodded then we went after Bradley. Things were going to change around
here, I just hope the 14th century was ready.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Being a Princess is a bit boring. All you do is sit around and get pampered all day by the maids and
prasied my the Lords you meet around the castle. It was fun for the first five hours but then after that it got
tedious. Maven noticed my mood so she addressed it. " Is something wrong Princess?," she asked. " No it's
nothing. Don't we do anything fun around here?," I asked. " Fun? Well, you could look at the clouds," she said.
I sighed in distress falling back on my pillows. I heard her chuckle softly but she went back to sewing up one
of my dresses. As I laid there staring at the ceiling someone knocked at the door. " Come in," I said. I heard
Maven gasp and shuffle to stand up. I sat up from my pillows and saw my mother standing before me.
I blushed a bit and stood up to greet her. She stood there silently in her beautiful green gown that
fell to the floor. She wore bits of gold around her neck and gold ribbons were tied in her lustrious black hair.
She also had gold streaks to frame her face as I did. She smiled at me when she noticed the state I was in. " Are
you okay darling? You look a bit distressed," she said. I blushed more. " No mother, I was just a little bored," I
said. She nodded. " I figured that. You never could keep yourself busy for too long. I came in to see if you
would like to see Sir Squall," she said. My face lit up at the sound of his name. I still longed to hold him at
night in this drafty palace needing his warmth.
" I would love to. Does father mind?," I asked. " Of couse he will, but what he doesn't know won't
kill him will it?," she asked. I smiled and was tempted to hug her but I thought better of myself. " Shall we
go?," I said. " Of course," she replied. We left the room with Maven in tow and went down to the training
yard. We had our own platform so we could sit and watch what was going on. I saw Squall on a horse yelling
at a soldier for not doing something properly. " Mother, do you know what his rank is?," I inquired. " I do
believe it's captain. This is his platoon now," she said. My eyes widened in surprise. He just got here and
already his in command again. That's not surprising. They must have noticed his leadership skills just by
looking at him.
I was still staring at Squall when I heard mother whisper something to Maven. She nodded then left
the platform. I shrugged it off and continued to look around. My eyes fell on Olivia, who was also watching Squall.
I know she still has feelings for him and I felt sorry for her because Squall would never reciprocate them. My
thoughts were interrupted when I heard a horse galloping over to us. I looked up and saw Squall with Maven
behind him clutching his waist tightly. Her eyes were shut and her face was pressed into his back. Squall was
laughing as he galloped faster to the podium where we sat. He pulled on the reins to bring the horse to a slow trot.
When he reached us he grabbed Maven from behind him sitting her on his lap momentarily. I felt jealousy spring
up but by being a princess I had to control it.
" It's over," he said to her. She opened her eyes and blushed a deep crimson when she noticed she
was in his arms. " So it is," she said softly. He chuckled again. " It wasn't that bad was it?," he inquired. " Not
really. I'm just not used to riding a horse that fast," she replied just as softly as before. He nodded then took her
by her waist and put her on the platform. I was dazzled by his strenth. I had no idea he was that strong but I suppose
he had to be to carry me from FH to The Great Salt Lake. When he was sure Maven was safe he turned his
attention to Mother. " Your Majesty, to what to do I owe this honor? I sure the King doesn't want his lovely Queen
down here," he said smoothly.
I felt my heart leap and my desire swoon. I never knew he could be so eloquent and sexy when he
needed to be. Then I thought about it. He told me once that SeeDs were prepared for anything and if shameless
flattery was what the client needed so be it. " My husband does not know that I have come here today. I hope
we can keep that between us," she said. He took her hand and kissed it lightly. " Of course my Queen," he said.
Then he turned his attention to me. His blue eyes locked on to mine and I could see what his heart was saying. No
words were needed. " And she brought the beautiful Princess down as well. I suppose that's two rewards for me
today," he said with his lips curving into a smile.
How beautiful his lips looked now. So enticing, so delectable. I wished I could kiss him but then I
knew I would disgrace myself. " How are you Lord Squall? I came down to see how you were considering you
got here only yesterday," I said. " I am fine dear Princess. I may have just gotten here but it seems as though
I've been here forever and by seeing your lovely face makes the transition easier," he said. I knew I was blushing
now even though this was an act. He is very good at speaking so I wonder why he never wanted to before. " I'm
glad for that," I replied. He nodded then turned back towards the Queen. " I do not mean to cut the conversation
short but I must go back to training these soldier before his Excellency see me slacking off," he said. Mother
dismissed him with a wave of her hand and Squall was off with his long brown hair flowing behind him.
I sighed wistfully as I watched him gallop off. " Come now Lydia, it's time for lunch," mother said. I
nodded sadly then stood when she stood. She smiled sweetly at me. " Don't worry darling. You shall see him
again. Why don't you just tell your father you wish to marry him," she said. I gasped in surprise at her words.
" But do you not think he will say it's too soon?," I inquired. " I see your point, but do not take too long. I do
believe Olivia has something for him as well," she said. I frowned a bit. " I know," I said. She said nothing of
my last comment so we went back to the castle in silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was well past sunset when Olivia and I went back inside the castle. I was tired and sweaty due to all
of the work I was doing earlier. I have no idea what the previous captain was doing with those men but it was
apparent he didn't do much. They were in bad shape and it was obvious that if they didn't shape up they would be
in some shit when the war heated up. I wasn't exactly looking forward to fighting again and since such primitive
weapons were being used made me all the less eager. I longed for the weight of my gunblade on my hip. I was a
bit upset that I didn't wear it to the ball that night. On another note, I still had some magic left and if push came
to shove none of my men would die if it was just a flesh wound.
After I was done assessing this situation for the thousandth time today I turned my attention to Olivia.
She has been quiet the whole day and I know that isn't like her. I couldn't help but think it was pertaining to what
happened last night even though she assured me it wasn't. " Livi," I called. She directed her attention to me when
I called her. Her brown eyes were hiding something that I couldn't detect. If Quistis was here she could probably
figure it out. As soon as I thought that I began to think about my friends. Were they worried about us? How long
have we been gone? Is the world in panic? Does Laguna and Caraway care that their only children have vanished
without a trace? I shook my head a little. I really didn't have time to ponder those thoughts. My worries now is
staying alive long enough to get back.
" Yes Squall?," Olivia inquired. I directed my attention back to her forgetting that I had called her. " I
want to know if you're okay," I said. She smiled at me. " I'm fine M'lord. What has caused you to worry so?," she
asked. " Nothing really. You've been so quiet today and I suppose I'm not used to it," I said. She chuckled. " I'm
sorry my lack of speech has caused you to worry. I'm trying to adjust to my role as a lady. I'm not used to people
who used to kick me around being polite now that I can kick their sorry asses around," she mused. I smiled back
now. " I can understand. It was a difficult adjustment when I first began to lead Garden. My superiors who didn't
give a fuck about what I thought when I was student were suddenly looking to me for guidance. In truth it scared
me to death," I admitted.
She smirked at my confession. " You could have fooled me today. I think those soldiers are in better
shape now than they have been in years. I know that they have some type of respect for you now," she said. I
felt my cheeks burn signaling that I was blushing. " Thanks. It took some practice for me to get this way," I said
proudly. She smirked again. " Did it take years to perfect your mastery of women?," she inquired. I was taken
back by her question. She noted the shock on my face and laughed softly. " Surely you do not think I did not
see you by the podium with the Queen and Princess. Even though Lydia is your companion I could tell by her
facial expression she never saw that side of you. The suave side, the seductive side. She probably never knew
you could bring her to her knees with a few well spoken words," she said.
I stood in silence as I listened to her speak. She was right, I never displayed this side of myself to
anyone but somehow it felt natural. As I looked at Olivia now she had an unnatural sparkle in her eyes. She has
desires of her own and little did she know she could have the same effect on men as I do on women. " Will you
not answer me Sir Squall?," she inquired. " I'm not sure Livi. This place makes it come out of me. Makes it
feel so natural. Where I'm from I already have this personna. The calm, cool, collected Commander who speaks
and seduces when necessary not on impulse. Here I can be someone else," I said. She nodded in understanding.
" But I see it kills you. You seduce because you can not get to the one whom you desire. You continue to stay
faithful to her when any woman in this castle including dear Queen Tavela would give themselves to you on a
whim. As you very well know, this time is full of scandals and betrayls. It's just how things are," she explained.
I nodded to her in understanding as well. " Enough of this M'lady. I do so hate drawn out discussions.
They make me ill because both party's are making the same point but only in different perspectives," I said. She
smiled as she linked her arm with mine. " I do agree , M'lord," she said. I smiled back at her and we continued
our journey down the long corridor.
TBC..................
End chapter 5. Told you there would be more Squall and Rinoa romance. Now that I have all aspects of the story
drawn out it's time to start some shit! I hope you guys check in next time 'cause who knows what will happen. As
always read and review so I can know people are still interested. A lot of people say that I Rock, but on the contrary,
the reviewers rock because without you guys how would I know whether I rocked or not? Love ya! ~LS~