The Corruption

This is a Brahne/Beatrix fic, but not the wat your thinking. It was supposed to be about when Brahne was young & beautiful, but then it sort of turned into a Beatrix fic. So there will be two intertwining storylines. I've used slightly old-fashioned language on purpose because that's how I imagine they talk in an old FFIX world. If I get enough reviews I'll continue it. Just warning you that there will be some yuri for Beatrix later on, and probably NC-17 yuri, so be aware. Please R & R!!! I live for reviews.

"Your Majesty you must be still or I'll never get your hair done in time!" cried the maid in distress as a young and beautiful Queen Brahne danced around the room in excitement.

"But I'm so excited Beatrix!" she cried, her hair floating in fine silky waves round her shoulders. "Don't you think it's a brilliant idea?"

Beatrix thought it was a wonderful idea, except she was not allowed to be part of it. She trapped the Queen in a corner and advanced upon her with a hairbrush.

"This is my future," she thought dismally as she deftly arranged Brahne's hair in a mass on top of her head so that the ends fell down in a golden curtain. The Queen's eager chatter passed over her head and she merely nodded and agreed in the right places, thinking about her own future.

'I'm just going to be a worthless maid for the rest of my life. Just whiling away time here and not doing anything useful!' she thought angrily.

At last Brahne was ready. She wore a simple flowing blue dress with a flared skirt, and an emerald necklace that brought out the colour of her eyes. And of course her diamond wedding ring sparkled on her finger. The great oak door with a ruby studded handle creaked open and the figure of King Peytor came into the light.

"Good morning all," he said jovially and the whole room seemed brighter. King Peytor seemed to bring an air of merriment where ever he went. Brahne and Beatrix both smiled.

"You may leave us Beatrix and go dress yourself," Brahne told her young maid. Beatrix left through the little side door that led to her own room, and the King and Queen were left alone. The King strode across to Brahne.

"Today's the day my darling," he said, and kissed her tenderly. She sighed in pleasure and rested her head on his strong chest. She loved him so much. They made a pretty picture, standing there together. They seemed to have a perfect life; their kingdom of Alexandria was happy and prosperous, they had each other, the people loved and respected them, and recently their adopted daughter Garnet had made their happiness complete. Their own daughter had died when she was only three years old, but then Garnet had drifted into Alexandria Harbour in an abandoned boat. No one knew where she had come from or who her parents were, so she had been taken to the castle. Brahne had fallen in love with her immediately and the little three year old had charmed the whole of the Court. The King had had the mysterious horn on her head cut off for fear that she would be teased, and most people had forgotten that it ever existed. And now Alexandria was about to make it's mark on history.

They was another knock at the door. Peytor bade them to enter.

"The trumpets are sounding your Majesty," a sevant informed them. The King and Queen prepared to leave and Brahne called Beatrix to her.

"Why you look lovely Beatrix!" she exclaimed on seeing the young woman. Beatrix blushed. Praise from the Queen was a great thing indeed. The King said nothing but merely bestowed a smile on her, making her blush even more. She was wearing a cream dress that sparkled in the sunlight and made her vivid face shine. She knew she looked attractive but she somehow didn't feel quite comfortable. Instead she felt awkward, the stiff fabric itched and the delicate shoes pinched her feet. But now wasn't the time to complain, she followed the King and Queen down the many carpeted hallways and eventually out into the daylight. The sun shone down upon them, perfect for such a historic day People cheered as the King and Queen made their way to the Royal Box, Brahne's hand was kissed many times, as was Beatrix's, but she was busy concentrating on not tripping over. Princess Garnet was already in the Box and she ran forward to greet her father. He swung her up on his shoulder and carried her the rest of the way, despite her maid's violent protests that her young charge's dress would be crumpled.

Everyone took their places and stood solemnly, they were all proud to be playing a part that day. All the people of Alexandria were there, from the poorest of paupers to the richest or merchants. A vast carpet of eager faces, looking toward their king. King Peytor stepped forward.

"Friends," he began "We are here today to celebrate the start of something very special. Something that will make Alexandria renowned & respected throughout Gaia, and set us above all other nations. This is a true action of liberty & equality, and a start of a glorious future. Alexandria, I give you, your new army!"

The drawbridge was lowered, and he army marched out, dressed in brilliant uniforms, and armour that sparkled in the sunlight. They were truly, a new army.

Because they were all women.

Rows & rows of women, all determined to do the best they could for their country. They still had the stiffness & toughness of the army, but this was interspersed with feminine curves that armour couldn't possibly hide, and a flowing grace that made them wonderful to look on. The General of the army; a woman who had been an excellent weapons trader in Alexandria for some time, marched proudly up to King Peytor, and equally proudly, he took her hand and kissed it. Then they turned to face the people. The crowds cheered, and a band struck up with an old classic of theirs that was composed many ages ago; 'Rufus's Welcoming March'. People danced and sang long into the night. When they were tired the court jesters; Zorn & Thorn, entertained them with tricks & sketches.

Only two people were not celebrating. One was little Princess Garnet, she was very tired and half asleep already. The other was Beatrix. As soon as darkness had fallen she had slipped off to the steeple, where she could be by herself. She pushed the door slowly open and entered the dark church.

"Are you okay, kupo?" asked a voice suddenly. Beatrux jumped, then she saw it was only Kupo the moogle.

"Anything the matter, kupo?"

"..No, " she replied with difficulty. "I'm fine. Why aren't you celebrating with everyone else?"

"I followed you here, kupo. Saw you go off by yourself, kupopo."

"Well you needn't worry, I just need to be alone."

"Kupo," and the moogle flew off back towards the crowd, narrowly missing a firework that someone had set off.

Beatrix climbed to the top of the ladder, cursing softly as her dress caught on a nail. Her foot slipped suddenly and fell back down the ladder. She took off the other one and threw it down viciously. Barefoot, she reached the top & sat on the roof. Bitter tears pricked at her eyelids but she blinked them back. Alexandrian soldiers didn't cry.

But that was just it! She wasn't a soldier! It was what she had dreamt of all her life and now her dreams were shattered! And all because of that man. She refused to acknowledge him as her father now. "Not a proper job for a lady" he said."Unsuitable" he said. Well dammit, it was what nearly every other Alexandrian female was doing! There was nothing she wanted more than to be marching bravely off to war, to fight for the honour of her country. Dressed in armour and not pretty dresses!

But this was how it had turned out, doomed to be a lady's maid forever. She knew she should be grateful to serve the Queen, and she was. She just wanted to serve her as a soldier instead. And Beatrix laid down her head on her curled up knees, and cried.

*

"I think you should be going to bed now darling." Garnet looked sleepily up at her father. He picked her up and carried her to the castle. She was too drowsy to protest.

"Did you enjoy that?" he asked her, smiling.

"It was wonderful. Do you think I could be a soldier one day?" she asked excitedly.

He laughed. " I don't think your mother would approve of that," he replied.

"Doesn't she approve of Beatrix then?"

He stopped and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Beatrix wants to join. I heard her arguing with her father."

"You shouldn't have been listening," he told her severely.

"He was in the library, talking to Dr. Tot! I needed a book & I heard him yelling very loudly, about dignity and lady-like things."

"Well lets have no more talk of this tonight," he answered as they reached her room. A maid appeared and bore Garnet off for her bath. Later, when she was in bed, her father came to kiss her goodnight.

"Will Mother make Beatrix's father let her join the army?" she asked. "Is there something he doesn't like about Beatrix and that why he won't let her? Is there something horrible about her?"

"Beatrix is a fine woman, and you remember that. I don't think your Mother wants to lose her," he told her, secretly alarmed at the dirction her thoughts were taking. "You must slep now." He kissed her and tucked her in. Garnet closed her eyes and burrowed deep down into the covers.

"Sleep Princess. Enjoy the sweet innocence of childhood while you can," said a quiet voice.

It was only as she was drifting off to sleep, that she realized that the voice had not been her father's.