Here's the next chap!

"We are to wed soon Quistis", began Seifer. It had dawned me for sometime now, I would be ruling aside him over the Kingdom of Balamb. It was obviously a great honor, remembering how I was picked from my tiny hut and thrown into a beautiful structure such as this. But there was always the other side to glory, endless nights of work and so many decisions to be made and there was always the possibility of war.

"Yes, 'tis very soon", I replied "I shall visit your brother, alert him of my return". I turned on my heel and left, he was left standing, smiling. I made my way down the spiral staircase and down to Prince Squall's quarters. I tapped my hand gently on the door and waited for a reply.

"Quistis?" he asked as he opened the door. Squall took me in and sat me down on his bed and seated himself next to me.

"I was worried about you" said he "I was not sure if you would come back, until my brother went in search of you. I give him my gratitude-".

"Do you have any knowledge of the attack on Galbadia?", I asked cutting him off. I was curious to know the one responsible. Galbadia was deserving of the pain inflicted and the souls lost, but Balamb also lost many and I feared it would lead to a war among other kingdoms.

"It had been planned for a while, father commanded the army to leave on the very day he said itwould, nobody knew that you would be in Galbadia at the time. Nobody even knew you would have been chosen as he new queen! Those months of preparation and training meant everything to our forces and we countered Galbadia. You were more capable than you looked, Quistis. When I found out you knew of the attack and witnessed it, I had doubts of you making it out alive. I am sorry.." the prince bowed his head in respect, but I told him he needed not.

"It is alright, I shall carry my orders out as Queen of Balamb to my greatest abilities!" I stood and saluted by taking my right hand to my left shoulder. Prince Squall laughed and commended me on my efforts. I smiled and left the room, only to be in the presence of Prince Seifer once again.

"You forgot this", he said as he offered me my whip. I remembered unraveling it and leaving it on the ground in Galbadia...How was it that he had it?

"You dropped it on the ground, but I managed to gain hold of it just before we were transported back here", I took it from him and thanked him gratefully. A maid came down the hallway and stooped next to us.

"Princess, we must finish the last of the preparations, we need you to try on your wedding gown".

"Of course", I replied with a smile and walked away with her. Seifer looked up at the ceiling, *How beautiful shall she look, even more so than the minstrel Julia?*

************************************************************************ I was led into a room full of weavers and tailors, a sapphire gown of silk was brought to me. I marveled at its beauy and congratulated the many workers whom took the time to make it. I was dressed behind a wooden screen in the corner of the room. It fit surprisingly well and I stepped out to show everyone. The room applauded and I went back to change into my original outfit. Thanking everyone again, I left the room and headed back to my room and colapsed on the soft white sheets. So much happened in such little time, I wondered if casting stop on the world would help. No, I could never use magic for my own personal pleasure, I had to think of everyone and the consequences. I sighed and stretched out. I longed to see the world at peace and to my knowledge, King Vinzer was still alive which angered me. Prince Seifer entered at that moment.

"Why are you in here?", I asked.

"This is my room and yours now too", he replied.

"Oh, of course. Sorry".

"The coronation is on the day of the wedding, it is on the same night and it is done before the eyes of the kingdom. Be ready", coronation...... It would be a long day indeed...

************************************************************************ ~Three Days Later~

The cardinal stood atop the altar reading out the vows and pledges of marriage. Prince Seifer looked as handsome as ever in regal armor and cape, his sword swinging ever so slightly at his waist finished off the outfit.

"Under the eyes of the great sorceress Hyne shall the two be joined" continued the cardinal "Under the eyes of Hyne shall they rule a harmonious reign. The temple titles you-man and wife", Seifer dipped me and planted his lips upon mine, his tongue snaking its way around my mouth. The ecstasy was wonderful as I stood up to see the kingdom cheering and applauding.

King Cid stood up to announce the feast and the castle's inhabitants made their way to the great hall for a banquet. I had never seen so many people in one room at a time! The sight was truly extraordinary. Barrels of wine were poured and the table was covered in so many platters of food, it looked endless. The prince and I were seated at the head of the able and were offered the choicest dishes and were to be served straight after King Cid and Queen Edea. Minstrels and other muscians and performers sang and put on theatrical productions. The king stood up and tapped his fork on his goblet.

"I would like to propose a toast, to the heir and heiress to the hrone of Balamb- Prince Seifer and Princess Quistis!", King Cid raised his goblet, as did the rest of the table.

"To the new rulers", announced the king.

"To the new rulers!". Music began once again and Prince Seifer extended his hand.

"A dance my love?" he asked with a smirk. I accepted and followed him into the dance. He surprised me with his skill and graceful movements, he did not come even close to stepping on my feet as we waltzed around the hall. A loud slam was heard coming from the door and in came an out-of-breath messenger.

"What is the meaning of this?!" bellowed the king. Everything stopped, the room just froze.

"The king...of Galbadia....has been....murdered...", the man dropped his hands to his knees and wheezed. I ran over to him, with Seifer at my heels.

"Please, how was he?", I asked.

"More importantly, who is the new ruler of Galbadia?" added the prince.

"Poisoned wine....he had no children...", he stopped for a moment and cauht his breath. "Because he had no offspring, the new king is said to be the Galbadian General Caraway, his daughter now known as Princess Rinoa is the heir to the throne after his demise". Everyone was in shock. As for me, I was grateful, in a way. My wish had been granted, but what could the general bring to the world? King Cid dismissed the messenger and the day flowed on . We all tried not to let the recent discovery take us away from this joyful day, the night soon approached as the time of coronation drew near.



Almost finished! Just one, or maybe two more chapters to go! Yaaay!!! Reviews as always!