Note: That last chapter was a reminiscing in the past in Quistis' eyes, now it's Seifer's turn! I hope you enjoy this one! I know some of you were expecting Squall to be the King, believe me I wanted him to the be the King too, but he did not fit in the story. Irvine fit the story more. Sorry folks! Anyway, here is Seifer's POV!
Chapter 3 - The Knight
I had loved her since I first laid eyes on her. No, it was not when we were sixteen. It was way back when she first touched me in the arm that sent me shivering down my spine. Of course, I was only ten and I did not know the meaning of the word, 'Love.' But as I began to ponder the word in my thoughts and even risking asking my father for advice, I began to understand. I have never felt alive in my heart. I wanted to see her again.
And thus, I did see her again. I was surprised at how she looked. We had not seen each other for six years and when I saw her the morning she arrived, I felt anger inside, knowing that my own best friend, the future King of Galbadia was to take her hand in marriage. I hated the Royal decree in marriage!
I watched my Prince kiss her hand, wishing in my heart that it was I to kiss it. Brushing the thought away from my mind, I walked up to them and greeted them with a pun, not intended to sound too funny. I wanted him to see how angry I was, but I knew I could not do that to my Prince and my best friend.
"Your Highness I think you are filling her with blushes," I spoke, taking away the scorn in my voice. I watched her turn her head. Oh how beautiful she looked, with her sun shining her golden hair, making her look radiant. She had changed a lot through the years, I noticed. My mind kept replaying back to the time I met her. She was just a little girl with long blond hair, longer than what she had now, with freckles, barely visible on her face. He felt bad then when Irvine teased her when they were children, but that was Irvine. He enjoyed the life of teasing people, but Irvine was a man now, a man loving the company of women. That thought made him feel odd. Irvine was a ladies' man for a Prince, which reminds him of King Alron, Irvine's deceased father. He was a man who loved women as well. Maybe he even slept with some of the Queen's handmaiden. No, he did not want to think of the Prince that way.
I walked to them and I notice her looking at me. I wanted her to look at me that way. My heart soared when her blue eyes scanned me up and down, examining me as I looked then and as I look now. I could tell by the way she looked that she was surprised of how I had become.
"Hello, Your Higness. Tis wonderful to see you again." I bowed towards her, a gesture of greeting towards her.
"Tis wonderful to see you too, Seifer," she replied. I looked up and smiled, nodding my head on her reply.
****************
That night, we had our dinner together as adults. I felt out of place somehow, knowing I was not part of this soon-to-be 'Royal' family. I missed my father terribly. He was the reason that I became a Knight. He trained with me, made me the best swordsman in the land and cared for me like a father should.
I put the fork down on the plate, sighing in content. Suddenly, I had lost my appetite.
"Sir Seifer, is something the matter?" I looked up and noticed everyone staring at me. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile on my face. I nodded in response.
"I am fine, Your Highness," I replied to Queen Amnaru.
Amnaru eyes me suspiciously. "Are you certain of that? You seem blue in the face."
I suddenly felt myself blush. They kept their eyes focused on me. Why could not they keep eating and not worry too much about me? I was a Knight for Heaven's sake! I am not allowed to feel sick or blue in the face. I shook my head and nodded slightly.
"I am fine, Your Highness. Do not worry too much about me." I forked a small meat from my plate and lifted it inside my mouth, chewing it to taste its juicy core. The two Queens gave me one last glance, before turning each other to finish their conversation.
I paused. Suddenly, the meat lost its taste. I did not want to look obvious. I glanced at the Princess and the Prince, who were too busy talking amongst each other. I watched the Princess smile. Her smile kept melting my heart, wishing it was I who made her smile. Wishing it was I who kissed her hand or the one who took her hand and led her somewhere beautiful.
****************
That night, the Princess retired in her quarters, opposite of Queen Marna. I decided to go for a short walk around the castle, scanning for any monsters that might have made its way inside. When I found none, I went to the front entrance and leaned against the tree where I first began to speak with the Princess. I never sleep at night, but tonight, I felt I needed to somehow. I was prepared to close my eyes to sleep, when I heard a noise inside the horse stables. Alarmed, I unsheathed my sword and carefully walked towards the stables. I could see shadows moving inside, yet I was not certain what or who it was.
As I was close enough, I noticed someone's back facing me. The thief was holding the horse's reigns and placing the saddle on the horse's back. Quickly, I moved towards him and wrapped an arm around him, the sharp end of the sword closely linked to his throat. I must have surprised the intruder greatly for I noticed him gasp under his breath.
"Thief! You dare steal Queen Marna's Royal horse?!" I whispered in his ear. I noticed he was wearing a hood over his head, yet I did not care then who he was as long as I had him. I did not see, however, the sword in his hand. I was prepared to defend myself from that weapon, when something hard hit me straight across my stomach. It served me right for removing my armor. I backed away, clutching at the pain inflicted upon me and stared up at the intruder in surprise.
The thief turned around, finally revealing himself to me. He had his own sword pointed towards me, ready to strike me with his weapon. To my surprise, he was not a man. He was a woman. And I was even more surprised when I noticed that it was the Princess herself. When she noticed it was I who had captured her, her face softened quicker than she replaced her sword in its sheath.
"Princess? What in heaven's name-?" I could not speak, for I was flabberghasted by her handling with the sword. She would not have hesitated to strike me at that moment and if I made one mistake, she would have cut me across the stomach.
She did not speak, instead she took it upon herself to jump on the horse's back and stare back at me with her ocean eyes before she finally told me her reasoning of being out in the stables in the middle of the night. She gave me a smile that made me wonder of her tactics. "Sir Seifer, if you intend to stop me, then I will not hesitate to fight against you. However, if you do not wish to stop me, then I suggest you back away now and let me be."
Despite the coldness of her voice, I did not move from where I stood. I stared up at her with a look of defiance. I shook my head slowly, knowing it was my duty to protect her from danger. "I am sorry, Your Highness, I am afraid I shall not let you pass."
"You stubborn-!" I could see the anger on her face as she jumped down from the horse and let her sword out from her side. I could not understand what made her feel she wanted to go out at night without anyone's consent. "Very well, if you wish to stop me, then you have no choice but to fight me. En garde!" She placed a hand behind her back and placed one foot in front of the other, then positioned herself in a fighting stance, much like fencing men do in their spare time. I was surprised at her desperation to leave the palace and was surprised even more with her knowledge to fight. I guess I have no choice.
"I, the stubborn one, Princess?" I spoke, with certain mockery in my voice. It seems she wanted to be treated a commoner all along and only I could see the truth to her reasons. I shook my head in disbelief. I straightened my back and placed a hand behind my back, then gripped tightly on my sword. Lifting up the sword to my eye level, I pointed it towards the direction of the readied Princess. "If you wish to fight me, then I say you make the first move."
"I? I did not ask for this! You, you stubborn Knight, wished to fight me!" Quistis replied, with a whisper, as to make sure no one would hear. She charged at me with full speed, arms raised over her head and the sword ready to strike me down. I easily dodged that attack, making no attempt to strike back at her. I did not wish to hurt her. She was being foolish herself. I could not understand why this woman was in my mind day and night. I turned to see her fall on her knees, as if the battle had already won, yet, she did not give up. She stood up and ran at me once again, her sword brandished high above her head. She brought down the sharp end of the sword towards me, only to feel my own sword against her stomach. She paused halfway, her arms raised high and stared down at the weapon pointed directly to her stomach. She stared back at me and gave me a puzzled look.
"There are certain things a sword man shall not do when charging towards the enemy. Never open yourself up to the enemy when you are attacking." I put my sword down and stared at her, waiting for her reply.
She did not.
"Princess, why do you wish to leave? Are you not happy here?"
The Princess did not answer. She put her arms down, replaced her sword back in its sheath and leaned down on the soft hay behind her. The stable was much too small for only two people, so her feet almost touched mine as she sat. The door too was much too small for I blocked every gap of it, enabling anyone to get through.
"Princess, I wish nothing more of your happiness. Do you not trust me anymore? It is I, Seifer, the boy you met all those years ago." I sat down beside her and forced a smile on my face. "Have you lost your trust to me?"
Quistis shook her head. She stared back at me with her ocean blue eyes. "I have not lost my trust in you, Seifer..." She paused and turned away from me. "And I do not wish to leave forever from this place. I only wish to see the world the last time before I am chained forever in this castle."
I knew her answer. She was not happy after all. I wanted to say more, but she spoke before I had the chance to.
"I am envious of you, Sir Seifer. You are free to leave the castle as much as you like, while I... I am forbidden to do so. I am forbidden to see the outside world, step on the green grass and feel the water from the rain pouring down my face."
I shook my head. Why speak such words? "You are mistaken. I am a Knight, Princess. I have my duties as one to stay in the castle and protect the Kingdom of Galbadia. I do not leave the castle. You speak of the townspeople. Yes, they are free to roam the lands as they wish, but they envy you."
She looked at me, curiously. "Why would they envy me?"
"You have all the wealth and the power to control the Kingdom of Balamb and soon, you will have the wealth and power of Galbadia as well. The townspeople struggle in life. They have to work hard to provide for their family. Some die of famine and some die of thirst. Some live a life as peasants, working day and night to protect their crops for food. They only wish nothing but to be in the castle and become of Royal birth."
Quistis stared at me, I could tell from the corner of my eye. I stared out into the opposite window, staring blankly at me from behind her, where the moon glared at me with its bright light. "I was lucky, Princess. I was lucky enough to be pulled away from that struggle in life. I worked hard, day and night to become a Knight like my father. My father and I were pulled from that famine and the thirst. When my mother died, we did not know what to do. My father was too young then. He was only eighteen when I was born and he had no skills in sword fighting. He worked hard, no sleep and no play. The only way to get away from the struggle was for him to become a Knight, where he could get paid a reasonable price so he could provide food for both of us. His determination turned him into a Knight and he became the most trusted Knight ever since. Now, I want to follow in his footsteps."
"You speak of truth, Sir Seifer," Quistis spoke, as I turned to look at her. "Yes, you struggled in life. Common folks struggle in life, yet there is one thing that they have that I do not have."
I looked at her, waiting for her answer.
"Happiness. They have happiness...." She did not speak after that, as she stood up and frowned. "I best go to bed, then. I have no choice. I will return to my quarters and rest." She walked towards the door, which I was blocking with my body and looked at me. "I assure you, Seifer that I will stay. For tomorrow night... tomorrow night will be the end of my freedom."
I moved away from the door, as she walked out of the stables. I did not understand what she meant about 'happiness' or the 'end of her freedom.' Happiness? Common people do not have happiness if they have weary hands from work and wake up in the morning, only to hear their children crying for food. Is that what she defines happiness? What does she mean 'the end of her freedom?' She has freedom, of course. She is neither chained nor bound in prison.
Shaking my thoughts away from my mind, I watched her open the castle door and enter her room, which was close to the ground so the other guards could watch over her. Her forlorn face could be visible, even from far away. I watched her form disappear from behind the curtain and that is when I knew she had gone back to bed.
****************
~Present~
"I will make you happy, my Queen," I whispered in her ear. To me, she was the one who made me happy. I have never felt this way before. I watch her every day and every night, my heart breaking into pieces, knowing I could not have her. I have betrayed my King, my friend, my saviour. There is no turning back from this sin. I loved her. I loved her too much to let her go. I will never let her go.
GoodGurl: GRRR!!! Stupid computer of mine, wouldn't let me inside Fanfiction for the longest time. Hey! This is Seifer's POV! I hope you like! Please r/r! Thanx!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 3 - The Knight
I had loved her since I first laid eyes on her. No, it was not when we were sixteen. It was way back when she first touched me in the arm that sent me shivering down my spine. Of course, I was only ten and I did not know the meaning of the word, 'Love.' But as I began to ponder the word in my thoughts and even risking asking my father for advice, I began to understand. I have never felt alive in my heart. I wanted to see her again.
And thus, I did see her again. I was surprised at how she looked. We had not seen each other for six years and when I saw her the morning she arrived, I felt anger inside, knowing that my own best friend, the future King of Galbadia was to take her hand in marriage. I hated the Royal decree in marriage!
I watched my Prince kiss her hand, wishing in my heart that it was I to kiss it. Brushing the thought away from my mind, I walked up to them and greeted them with a pun, not intended to sound too funny. I wanted him to see how angry I was, but I knew I could not do that to my Prince and my best friend.
"Your Highness I think you are filling her with blushes," I spoke, taking away the scorn in my voice. I watched her turn her head. Oh how beautiful she looked, with her sun shining her golden hair, making her look radiant. She had changed a lot through the years, I noticed. My mind kept replaying back to the time I met her. She was just a little girl with long blond hair, longer than what she had now, with freckles, barely visible on her face. He felt bad then when Irvine teased her when they were children, but that was Irvine. He enjoyed the life of teasing people, but Irvine was a man now, a man loving the company of women. That thought made him feel odd. Irvine was a ladies' man for a Prince, which reminds him of King Alron, Irvine's deceased father. He was a man who loved women as well. Maybe he even slept with some of the Queen's handmaiden. No, he did not want to think of the Prince that way.
I walked to them and I notice her looking at me. I wanted her to look at me that way. My heart soared when her blue eyes scanned me up and down, examining me as I looked then and as I look now. I could tell by the way she looked that she was surprised of how I had become.
"Hello, Your Higness. Tis wonderful to see you again." I bowed towards her, a gesture of greeting towards her.
"Tis wonderful to see you too, Seifer," she replied. I looked up and smiled, nodding my head on her reply.
****************
That night, we had our dinner together as adults. I felt out of place somehow, knowing I was not part of this soon-to-be 'Royal' family. I missed my father terribly. He was the reason that I became a Knight. He trained with me, made me the best swordsman in the land and cared for me like a father should.
I put the fork down on the plate, sighing in content. Suddenly, I had lost my appetite.
"Sir Seifer, is something the matter?" I looked up and noticed everyone staring at me. I cleared my throat, forcing a smile on my face. I nodded in response.
"I am fine, Your Highness," I replied to Queen Amnaru.
Amnaru eyes me suspiciously. "Are you certain of that? You seem blue in the face."
I suddenly felt myself blush. They kept their eyes focused on me. Why could not they keep eating and not worry too much about me? I was a Knight for Heaven's sake! I am not allowed to feel sick or blue in the face. I shook my head and nodded slightly.
"I am fine, Your Highness. Do not worry too much about me." I forked a small meat from my plate and lifted it inside my mouth, chewing it to taste its juicy core. The two Queens gave me one last glance, before turning each other to finish their conversation.
I paused. Suddenly, the meat lost its taste. I did not want to look obvious. I glanced at the Princess and the Prince, who were too busy talking amongst each other. I watched the Princess smile. Her smile kept melting my heart, wishing it was I who made her smile. Wishing it was I who kissed her hand or the one who took her hand and led her somewhere beautiful.
****************
That night, the Princess retired in her quarters, opposite of Queen Marna. I decided to go for a short walk around the castle, scanning for any monsters that might have made its way inside. When I found none, I went to the front entrance and leaned against the tree where I first began to speak with the Princess. I never sleep at night, but tonight, I felt I needed to somehow. I was prepared to close my eyes to sleep, when I heard a noise inside the horse stables. Alarmed, I unsheathed my sword and carefully walked towards the stables. I could see shadows moving inside, yet I was not certain what or who it was.
As I was close enough, I noticed someone's back facing me. The thief was holding the horse's reigns and placing the saddle on the horse's back. Quickly, I moved towards him and wrapped an arm around him, the sharp end of the sword closely linked to his throat. I must have surprised the intruder greatly for I noticed him gasp under his breath.
"Thief! You dare steal Queen Marna's Royal horse?!" I whispered in his ear. I noticed he was wearing a hood over his head, yet I did not care then who he was as long as I had him. I did not see, however, the sword in his hand. I was prepared to defend myself from that weapon, when something hard hit me straight across my stomach. It served me right for removing my armor. I backed away, clutching at the pain inflicted upon me and stared up at the intruder in surprise.
The thief turned around, finally revealing himself to me. He had his own sword pointed towards me, ready to strike me with his weapon. To my surprise, he was not a man. He was a woman. And I was even more surprised when I noticed that it was the Princess herself. When she noticed it was I who had captured her, her face softened quicker than she replaced her sword in its sheath.
"Princess? What in heaven's name-?" I could not speak, for I was flabberghasted by her handling with the sword. She would not have hesitated to strike me at that moment and if I made one mistake, she would have cut me across the stomach.
She did not speak, instead she took it upon herself to jump on the horse's back and stare back at me with her ocean eyes before she finally told me her reasoning of being out in the stables in the middle of the night. She gave me a smile that made me wonder of her tactics. "Sir Seifer, if you intend to stop me, then I will not hesitate to fight against you. However, if you do not wish to stop me, then I suggest you back away now and let me be."
Despite the coldness of her voice, I did not move from where I stood. I stared up at her with a look of defiance. I shook my head slowly, knowing it was my duty to protect her from danger. "I am sorry, Your Highness, I am afraid I shall not let you pass."
"You stubborn-!" I could see the anger on her face as she jumped down from the horse and let her sword out from her side. I could not understand what made her feel she wanted to go out at night without anyone's consent. "Very well, if you wish to stop me, then you have no choice but to fight me. En garde!" She placed a hand behind her back and placed one foot in front of the other, then positioned herself in a fighting stance, much like fencing men do in their spare time. I was surprised at her desperation to leave the palace and was surprised even more with her knowledge to fight. I guess I have no choice.
"I, the stubborn one, Princess?" I spoke, with certain mockery in my voice. It seems she wanted to be treated a commoner all along and only I could see the truth to her reasons. I shook my head in disbelief. I straightened my back and placed a hand behind my back, then gripped tightly on my sword. Lifting up the sword to my eye level, I pointed it towards the direction of the readied Princess. "If you wish to fight me, then I say you make the first move."
"I? I did not ask for this! You, you stubborn Knight, wished to fight me!" Quistis replied, with a whisper, as to make sure no one would hear. She charged at me with full speed, arms raised over her head and the sword ready to strike me down. I easily dodged that attack, making no attempt to strike back at her. I did not wish to hurt her. She was being foolish herself. I could not understand why this woman was in my mind day and night. I turned to see her fall on her knees, as if the battle had already won, yet, she did not give up. She stood up and ran at me once again, her sword brandished high above her head. She brought down the sharp end of the sword towards me, only to feel my own sword against her stomach. She paused halfway, her arms raised high and stared down at the weapon pointed directly to her stomach. She stared back at me and gave me a puzzled look.
"There are certain things a sword man shall not do when charging towards the enemy. Never open yourself up to the enemy when you are attacking." I put my sword down and stared at her, waiting for her reply.
She did not.
"Princess, why do you wish to leave? Are you not happy here?"
The Princess did not answer. She put her arms down, replaced her sword back in its sheath and leaned down on the soft hay behind her. The stable was much too small for only two people, so her feet almost touched mine as she sat. The door too was much too small for I blocked every gap of it, enabling anyone to get through.
"Princess, I wish nothing more of your happiness. Do you not trust me anymore? It is I, Seifer, the boy you met all those years ago." I sat down beside her and forced a smile on my face. "Have you lost your trust to me?"
Quistis shook her head. She stared back at me with her ocean blue eyes. "I have not lost my trust in you, Seifer..." She paused and turned away from me. "And I do not wish to leave forever from this place. I only wish to see the world the last time before I am chained forever in this castle."
I knew her answer. She was not happy after all. I wanted to say more, but she spoke before I had the chance to.
"I am envious of you, Sir Seifer. You are free to leave the castle as much as you like, while I... I am forbidden to do so. I am forbidden to see the outside world, step on the green grass and feel the water from the rain pouring down my face."
I shook my head. Why speak such words? "You are mistaken. I am a Knight, Princess. I have my duties as one to stay in the castle and protect the Kingdom of Galbadia. I do not leave the castle. You speak of the townspeople. Yes, they are free to roam the lands as they wish, but they envy you."
She looked at me, curiously. "Why would they envy me?"
"You have all the wealth and the power to control the Kingdom of Balamb and soon, you will have the wealth and power of Galbadia as well. The townspeople struggle in life. They have to work hard to provide for their family. Some die of famine and some die of thirst. Some live a life as peasants, working day and night to protect their crops for food. They only wish nothing but to be in the castle and become of Royal birth."
Quistis stared at me, I could tell from the corner of my eye. I stared out into the opposite window, staring blankly at me from behind her, where the moon glared at me with its bright light. "I was lucky, Princess. I was lucky enough to be pulled away from that struggle in life. I worked hard, day and night to become a Knight like my father. My father and I were pulled from that famine and the thirst. When my mother died, we did not know what to do. My father was too young then. He was only eighteen when I was born and he had no skills in sword fighting. He worked hard, no sleep and no play. The only way to get away from the struggle was for him to become a Knight, where he could get paid a reasonable price so he could provide food for both of us. His determination turned him into a Knight and he became the most trusted Knight ever since. Now, I want to follow in his footsteps."
"You speak of truth, Sir Seifer," Quistis spoke, as I turned to look at her. "Yes, you struggled in life. Common folks struggle in life, yet there is one thing that they have that I do not have."
I looked at her, waiting for her answer.
"Happiness. They have happiness...." She did not speak after that, as she stood up and frowned. "I best go to bed, then. I have no choice. I will return to my quarters and rest." She walked towards the door, which I was blocking with my body and looked at me. "I assure you, Seifer that I will stay. For tomorrow night... tomorrow night will be the end of my freedom."
I moved away from the door, as she walked out of the stables. I did not understand what she meant about 'happiness' or the 'end of her freedom.' Happiness? Common people do not have happiness if they have weary hands from work and wake up in the morning, only to hear their children crying for food. Is that what she defines happiness? What does she mean 'the end of her freedom?' She has freedom, of course. She is neither chained nor bound in prison.
Shaking my thoughts away from my mind, I watched her open the castle door and enter her room, which was close to the ground so the other guards could watch over her. Her forlorn face could be visible, even from far away. I watched her form disappear from behind the curtain and that is when I knew she had gone back to bed.
****************
~Present~
"I will make you happy, my Queen," I whispered in her ear. To me, she was the one who made me happy. I have never felt this way before. I watch her every day and every night, my heart breaking into pieces, knowing I could not have her. I have betrayed my King, my friend, my saviour. There is no turning back from this sin. I loved her. I loved her too much to let her go. I will never let her go.
GoodGurl: GRRR!!! Stupid computer of mine, wouldn't let me inside Fanfiction for the longest time. Hey! This is Seifer's POV! I hope you like! Please r/r! Thanx!!!!!!!!!