Quick note: This one started off a bit slow... but it gets better by the end so it's worth reading. Enjoy!
Diary of the Rose of May
Note: I do not own this Squaresoft game or the characters. I've only written this for the pleasure of others who love Fanfics! It might not be funny or superexcellent, but it's my second fanfic and I'm trying. Anyway, just to let you know, It starts out like it's written in a diary then goes to a story mode kind of thing. So ya! Thank you and enjoy General Beatrix's POV!
Dear Diary,
It's been three days since the day I met Kuja. I feel like he's stalking me! He seems to be everywhere I go, at anytime! I'm starting to worry more about the Princess each day… I even miss Captain Steiner! Well… I at least miss bugging the hell out of him. Unlike the queen who is too busy planning to attack Burmecia then to care about them at all! That's right! Burmecia! A Kingdom that has caused no harm to us in the past nor have we to them, yet seems that all of a sudden they plan to invade us very soon. Or at least that's what our spies say… It all started the day after the little "dinner party"…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alexandria Castle, Main Hall…
Beatrix walked through the hallways of the castle, searching in for the Queen. She wasn't in her room when Beatrix arrived there that morning. Beatrix searched through every room in the castle. She couldn't have miss her… heck! No one could miss a fat elephant lady like that! Beatrix stood in the middle of the hall and began to think to herself.
"Where can she be? I hope nothing happened to her…" Beatrix thought aloud.
Suddenly Beatrix felt a cold chill up her spine. She began to feel paralyzed from the chill. Suddenly a pair of cold hands quickly, yet softly touched her shoulders. Beatrix let out a squeal of surprise and turned her head to the owner of the hands. It was Kuja, the man she had met yesterday.
"Good morning, Lady Rose." He said softly while rubbing Beatrix's shoulders.
Beatrix glared at him, "Never, EVER, do that AGAIN!" she shouted.
"Ha… And why should I? It makes an exciting entrance don't you think?" he smirked.
He slowly snaked his hands under her arms and started to feel up and down the sides of her body. Beatrix shivered at his touch.
"Don't touch me." She said sternly through clenched teeth.
"Aww, but it's so hard to resist, Lady Rose…" He cooed.
He folded his arms under her chest, lifting them slightly. He pulled her closer to him. He placed his face in her hair, smelling the sweet sent of her perfume. Kuja let out a purr of satisfaction as he pulled his face out of her hair and place his head on her shoulder.
"I missed you last night…" He whispered.
"How can you?! We're only acquaintances. And it's only been one night since we met!" she snapped.
"Mmm hmm… As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder." He cooed softly. "And I'm very, very fond of you…" He smiled and crested her neck with a kiss.
Beatrix began to struggle, "Stop it! You have no right to do that!"
"I know, my mind says no… but my heart says yes…" he hissed playfully in her ear kissing up and down her neck several times.
"LET GO!" Beatrix shouted as she struggled harder, finally escaping his grip. "Look, just tell me where the Queen is before I slay thee!"
Kuja gave her a playful smile and narrowed his eyes, "She's in the courtyard, admiring the rose bushes."
"Thank you. I shall take my leave." She said turning away from him.
"Till we meet again, My Darling." He bowed as he closely watched her hips sway as she walked away from him.
Beatrix walked through the halls out the front door to the courtyard. And there she was, Queen Brahne, admiring the roses just like he said. Beatrix began to feel a bit creeped out about Kuja, but she shook it off and approached the Queen. Brahne, hearing Beatrix's footsteps immediately turned to greet her.
"Good morning, General Beatrix." She sang.
"Hello, Your Majesty. I've been searching for you all morning."
"I'm sorry. I woke up early today to talk to Kuja." Brahne explained.
"I see…" Beatrix replied, sickened by that name.
"I have something to tell you General. It is of utmost importance!" Brahne put on a serious face.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Beatrix asked.
"Our spies have told me of something very upsetting."
"Spies? We don't have spies!"
"Kuja told me every royal kingdom needs spies! So I hired some from him."
"But… Your Majesty-"
"Let me finish, General!"
"Yes, Your Majesty… my apologizes…"
"Ahem! As I was saying, our spies have told me that the Burmecians are planning to attack us!"
"What!?"
"That's what I said."
"But why would they attack us, Your Majesty? We have done nothing to them, and nor have they to us! Why start a war now?"
"I'm not sure… But we must strike them before they strike us!"
"I agree, Your Majesty, but shouldn't we find out if this rumor is true or not?"
"Of course it's true! They are professionals! They never give rumors! They give me the utmost truth! Kuja sells the very best, you know." Brahne mused, wiping dew drops off the petals of a gentle red rose.
"But, Queen Brahne, I'm so sure on trusting him. He seems to know too much about our castle life already, plus I think he might back-stab us at any moment!"
"Beatrix! I'm surprised at you! Saying such things about someone you hit off with so well last night like that!"
"We did not hit it off! That what I've been trying to say! I think he's trying to get close to everyone to find out information and use it against us!"
"Enough! I will not hear such things! I trust him completely! Now I don't know what happened between you two, but I will not have you whining! Understood?"
"Sigh… Sorry, Your Majesty… I understand…"
"Good! Now tell your troops to train for up coming battle we're leaving for Gizamluke's Cavern in 3 days!" With that, Queen Brahne entered the castle leaving the General standing by the rose bushes.
"Your Majesty…" Beatrix sighed as she stroked the petals of a rose amongst the bush of roses.
Beatrix spent the rest of the day training the soldiers until dusk. The ladies returned to the barracks, exhausted and sweaty. Few of them left for patrol duty after taking a shower. Beatrix retired to the Castle lounge. Laying back in comfy chair, tried to clear her mind of all the happenings. But was interrupted by a familiar voice, one that she was not in the mood to here from.
"Good evening, my pet." Cooed a devilish voice.
Beatrix gripped the armrests of her chair tightly, "Good evening, Kuja."
"It's such a beautiful night, isn't it. I haven't seen you all day. I missed you dearly." He leaned over her, behind the chair. "Did you miss me as well?"
"Oh yeah, to pieces…" she said sarcastically, resting her head in her hands.
"Aww, is someone upset? Do they need some…" he paused and sat down on the right armrest of her chair, leaning his face close to hers, "Comfort?" He whispered in her ear.
"Touch me and you'll wish you'd never been born!" She hissed staring into the dark fireplace of the lounge.
"Is that a threat?" he smirked, "I love a good threat. It's such a… what is the phrase? Ah yes… 'Turn on'."
"Look! When I need your comfort, I'll ask for it! Got it?!"
"Ooo! Feisty tonight, aren't we? Come on, tell me what's the matter."
He leaned in closer, licked her earlobe and began to nibble lightly on it. Beatrix quickly reacted to this and slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. Kuja immediately stopped and arched his head back in reaction. Beatrix stared at him with a knitted brow, her hand ached from the collision of her hand and his face.
"I don't know what you want or what you're up to… Persuading the Queen to purchase 'weapons' and spies from you, gaining her trust, getting information on her where abouts every minute of the day… But I'm not falling for it! Not one bit! I know you're planning something…" Beatrix shouted at him in anger gripping the armrests again with all her might.
Suddenly, but slowly, Kuja pulled his head back forward. He had a wild look in his eyes. He swung his leg around on to the other armrest, kneeling over her. An evil smirk touched his lips. Beatrix gasped in fear of the look in his eyes and started to move back into her chair. Her eye trembled as he leaned in closer until his face was a few inches away from hers.
"You assume too much, Lady Rose. Can't you see, what's going on? You're jealous that the Queen favors me, and you feel uneasy with my seduction." Kuja whispered.
"S-s-s-seduction?" Beatrix stuttered, petrified by his gaze.
"I see you aren't used to being flirted with. Or do you just take it as an insult? …Well don't worry, because I mean it from the bottom of my heart that every word is true. Your grace, your beauty, your intelligence… all perfect in every way."
"…Kuja… I…"
"Hush… Let me show you how much, I feel about you…"
"How are you going to do tha-"
Beatrix stopped as Kuja leaned closer. Beatrix tried to back away in her chair, pressing her back against the chair. His mouth was so close to hers that she could feel his warm breath brushing her lips.
"You'll soon see…" He whispered in a seductive way.
He leaned in the rest of the way, his soft lips cresting hers. Beatrix, without thinking, closed her eye and returned his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Kuja chuckled lightly and pushed down on her mouth with the need of more. As he did this, Beatrix tightened her grip around his neck. He slowly parted her lips with his tongue, just as he did the night before. But this time was different. She let him. He pressed his tongue against hers. Their tongues wrestled in each other's mouths. Kuja rolled his tongue in her mouth, which made Beatrix fill with excitement letting out a soft moan. Soon after they pulled away from each other. Kuja smiled at her and she did the same.
"I never new you could do that, Kuja." Beatrix said between breaths.
"I was just going to say the same thing about you." Kuja chuckled lightly.
"I have to go." Beatrix said, looking at the time.
"I shall walk you to your quarters then."
"No, you don't have to, really."
"Then I guess I bid you farewell, until the morn, Lady Rose." He said kissing her hand as he helped her out of the chair.
"Good night." She said, exited the room with regret hanging over her head from the kiss.
The next day, Beatrix tried to avoid Kuja as much as possible. She spent the whole morning training soldiers for the up coming battle, which was tiring enough as it is! She found out as much as possible about resent happenings around the castle that was kept away from her. A chambermaid of the Queen told her that the Queen hired mages and other weapons from Kuja soon after the King's death, and a resent attack on the north gate she never heard of until now. It made Beatrix more suspicious of Kuja than ever! Beatrix was about to go to the Queen about these happenings being kept from her right away, but half way toward the Queen's room, the two jesters, Zorn and Thron stopped her. They looked awfully stressed and exhausted.
"G-G-General… We have returned." Zorn announced, short of breath.
"Returned we have, General." Said Thorn.
"Excellent! Have you rescued the Princess?" Beatrix asked with high hopes.
The twins looked at each other blankly, "Umm…" They trailed off at the same time.
"Well what is it?!" Beatrix's smile turned to an angered frown.
"We… failed."
"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!?" Beatrix's angered shout echoed through the halls of the castle.
"Th-that thief with them! He destroyed the first Waltz! And with the help of that mage, the Captain and even the Princess destroyed the second! And the third went completely mad after it was defeated and was destroyed in the south airship gate! And they have stolen an Alexandrian cargo ship, with many attack mages destroyed!"
As much as Beatrix hated those black mage golems, she was completely angered by the fact that they had failed to rescue the Princess, had a Cargo ship stolen, and were too late to stop them from heading to Lindbulm! Beatrix's face went completely red. The twins started to back away in fear.
"YOU IMBECILES! YOU KNOW VERY WELL I DO NOT TOLLORATE FAILURE! HOW DARE YOU LET THEM GET AWAY WITH STEALING NOT ONLY AND ALEXANDRIAN CARGO SHIP, BUT THE PRINCESS AS WELL! ONE MORE FAILURE LIKE THIS AND I SHALL BEHEAD YOU BOTH MYSELF!!!!! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!" Beatrix shouted at Zorn and Thorn, bringing them almost to tears.
"My, my, Lady Rose. Such demanding words." Kuja appeared out of the darkness of the hallway, then turned to Zorn and Thorn, "You heard the lady! Be gone!"
Zorn and Thorn nodded and ran off up the stairs in fear.
"I didn't need you to but in, Kuja." Beatrix said calmly.
"I know, but you look so cute when you're angry." He smiled.
"Kuja… I just want to say…"
"Ah, ah, ah, Lady Rose." He interrupted. "Before you say anything, I want to make a proposal."
"What kind of proposal?" Beatrix asked.
"You, me, tonight, dinner and a night stroll." Kuja cooed with a wink.
"Umm… I don't know…"
"Just show up amongst the roses at 8 tonight. I know you don't patrol tonight, so I thought it would be rather nice before we prepare to leave for war tomorrow." He kissed her on the cheek. "Now you run off to the Queen and I'll see you later, Darling."
He patted her on the butt, forcing her to move. Beatrix took that chance and ran up the stairs giving him a strange look as she left him standing there. As approached the Queen's room in the Chamber Hall she stopped in her tracks. 'How did he know I was going to see the Queen?' she thought at that moment. She shook it off like all other doubtful thoughts she had lately and opened the Queen's door. The Queen sat at her makeup table facing the door, as if she had been waiting for Beatrix.
"Good Afternoon, General." Brahne greeted.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty, I come to you with news of the failing of the Princess's rescue." Beatrix said with a sigh.
"Hmm, yes, Zorn and Thorn were just up here begging for forgiveness about that and told me everything."
"So what shall we do about it, Your Majesty?"
"I believe Garnet will return to Alexandria very soon, hearing news of this war against Burmecia." Brahne smiled.
"That, might be true. And of course Steiner will be escorting her."
"Yes… About him. He will be arrested immediately."
"Arrest Steiner?! But why?" Beatrix asked shocked.
"He was the one helping the thief and the mage defeat the Waltzes and helping them get the Princess to Lindbulm. He will be punished for that!"
"But shouldn't he have a fair trail? I mean, we do not know his side of the story!"
"What's with the sudden change of heart, General? First you complain about his bumbling way of training knights, now you're defending him on his behalf!"
Beatrix was shocked at these words, "Oh… I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I've just been overwhelmed from the training for the up coming battle."
"Ahh, I see. Yes, war is a stressful time. But anyway, tell your soldiers that if they see any sight of the Captain, he will be thrown in the dungeon!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Beatrix acknowledged as she saluted and left the room.
Beatrix closed the door behind her and began to ponder the situation. 'It seems the Queen doesn't care at all… She is completely consumed in the battle against Burmecia. How can she be so sure that the Princess will return? Could the Princess be that predictable? Am I that predictable?'
Beatrix walked down the halls telling every guard the Queen's orders.
Later that night, Beatrix walked into the courtyard. Although she didn't trust Kuja, she didn't want him to get suspicious of her. So she decided to join him on his proposal. She stood in front of the many rose bushes and waited. She stood there for a few minutes when suddenly, a great gust of wind brushed by her, causing her hair to wave a swirl in the hair then fell to her shoulders still in perfect condition. Beatrix looked to the sky to see a streak of silver cross the sky. The streak slowed down slowly taking form of a mighty dragon. Beatrix stared as she tried to make out the figure of the rider with a wide eye. She couldn't help but be amazed as the dragon suddenly eased its way to the ground beside her landed causing many buds to fall from the branches of the rose bushes. She stared up at the rider with a glassy eye. To her surprise, it was Kuja who sat up upon the Silver Dragon. He stretched his hand out to her. Without a thought, she took his hand and he pulled her on to the back of the mighty Dragon. He motioned her to sit in front of him and she did.
"I hope your ready. Don't worry, I won't let you fall." Kuja whispered in her ear as she sat in front of her.
He motioned the Dragon to take off. The mighty Silver Dragon began to flap its wings rapid as it took off into the air. Beatrix looked to the ground below, gazing at the tiny houses below… they must have been 1000 feet into the air! Beatrix looked back at Kuja.
"This is amazing!" she exclaimed.
"You haven't seen nothing yet. Are you ready for the thrilling part?" Kuja asked slyly.
"What thrilling par-"
Before she knew it Kuja pushed her off the dragon's back. She plummeted down through the air, passing the clouds with rapid speed. Her hair was swirling in her face as she watched the dragon grow smaller with very second. She suddenly turned around in the air till she was facing the ground below. She was too frightened to even scream! Suddenly, above her, the Dragon swooped down in a barrel roll toward the falling General. It turned upward underneath her, caught her before she hit the ground and flew back up into the air. Beatrix opened her eyes to find herself in the arms of Kuja who was smiling at her as if nothing happened.
"Wasn't that thrilling? A white knight riding on his white horse storms into the scene saving his falling Princess from utter peril." He announced poetically.
"You son of a…" Beatrix smiled as she cursed under her breath.
The night continued with a picnic dinner a top a cliff looking over Terno, another ride on the dragon to the Alexandrian beaches where they'd take their night stroll under the stars. Kuja had been asking questions of Beatrix's past, her adventures, and her life style all night long. But their conversations along the beach made Beatrix think… a lot!
"So… you're an orphan?" Kuja asked after hearing about her life all night.
"…Yes. I never knew my parents very well. I was very young when they died. People told me it was from a very harsh disease. I never found out what. They just found them both dead in the street with me laying beside them, crying. So I was raised in an orphanage right here in Alexandria. Without parent role models I decided to become a strong person. And the strongest people in Alexandria, every child knew, were the Alexandrian knights. So when I was 13 I joined the army. Just like the legendary the general that has her own statue in the middle of the Town Square. People told stories of her bravery… and I wanted to be the same."
"Ahhh. That explains the lack of the last name and your tomboyish ways." Kuja mused.
"Why, is there something wrong with that?"
"No, not at all! I find it fascinating." Kuja smiled.
Beatrix smiled back, "So what about your parents?"
Kuja stopped walking. Beatrix stopped as well and looked at him. He was no longer smiling. In fact, he looked rather angry! Beatrix blinked.
"Kuja? Is there something wrong?"
"No… nothing. I just… never had parents."
"Never had parents?! Kuja… that's sill-"
"But I have a father…" Kuja interrupted.
Beatrix remained silent as they began to walk again.
Kuja continued, "My 'Father' as you call it, is a power hungry mad man! All he cared about was having a powerful 'son' to do his bidding. No matter how hard I tried, I just wasn't powerful enough for him."
"I see." Beatrix finally said after a couple moments pause.
"…So that Captain gives you a pretty hard time, does he?" Kuja said quickly changing the subject.
"Yes. He is such a ninny! He just doesn't get that he will never beat me! But he continues this dance of competitive rivalry… It's rather silly! I just don't get that man!" Beatrix explained.
"Heh, I think he likes you." Kuja smiled.
"Surely you jest! That man has a heart for no one! He only uses it to act like a father second to the princess!"
"But, don't you act like a second mother to her too?"
Beatrix was the one to stop this time. She had never thought of that before.
"I think he uses his competitiveness and rivalry between you two to hide his true feelings for you." Kuja shrugged. "Of course, they're not as strong as mine, I believe."
Once the stroll was over, they flew home on the silver dragon and Beatrix managed to escape his kiss that night.
Early the next morning, Soldiers began to pack supplies into the grand airship, The Red Rose. Beatrix only saw Kuja when it was time to leave for Gizamlukes Cavern. He smiled at her, and she ignored him. She walked up the walkway to the Red Rose a few minutes before take off. As the ground started to shrink from below her as the airship took to the sky, she pulled out her diary to record the last few happens before she set off for battle…
Note: If I get some good reviews I'll start the fourth chapter! Yay! Start Writing! And it'll be better than this one! Promise!
Diary of the Rose of May
Note: I do not own this Squaresoft game or the characters. I've only written this for the pleasure of others who love Fanfics! It might not be funny or superexcellent, but it's my second fanfic and I'm trying. Anyway, just to let you know, It starts out like it's written in a diary then goes to a story mode kind of thing. So ya! Thank you and enjoy General Beatrix's POV!
Dear Diary,
It's been three days since the day I met Kuja. I feel like he's stalking me! He seems to be everywhere I go, at anytime! I'm starting to worry more about the Princess each day… I even miss Captain Steiner! Well… I at least miss bugging the hell out of him. Unlike the queen who is too busy planning to attack Burmecia then to care about them at all! That's right! Burmecia! A Kingdom that has caused no harm to us in the past nor have we to them, yet seems that all of a sudden they plan to invade us very soon. Or at least that's what our spies say… It all started the day after the little "dinner party"…
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Alexandria Castle, Main Hall…
Beatrix walked through the hallways of the castle, searching in for the Queen. She wasn't in her room when Beatrix arrived there that morning. Beatrix searched through every room in the castle. She couldn't have miss her… heck! No one could miss a fat elephant lady like that! Beatrix stood in the middle of the hall and began to think to herself.
"Where can she be? I hope nothing happened to her…" Beatrix thought aloud.
Suddenly Beatrix felt a cold chill up her spine. She began to feel paralyzed from the chill. Suddenly a pair of cold hands quickly, yet softly touched her shoulders. Beatrix let out a squeal of surprise and turned her head to the owner of the hands. It was Kuja, the man she had met yesterday.
"Good morning, Lady Rose." He said softly while rubbing Beatrix's shoulders.
Beatrix glared at him, "Never, EVER, do that AGAIN!" she shouted.
"Ha… And why should I? It makes an exciting entrance don't you think?" he smirked.
He slowly snaked his hands under her arms and started to feel up and down the sides of her body. Beatrix shivered at his touch.
"Don't touch me." She said sternly through clenched teeth.
"Aww, but it's so hard to resist, Lady Rose…" He cooed.
He folded his arms under her chest, lifting them slightly. He pulled her closer to him. He placed his face in her hair, smelling the sweet sent of her perfume. Kuja let out a purr of satisfaction as he pulled his face out of her hair and place his head on her shoulder.
"I missed you last night…" He whispered.
"How can you?! We're only acquaintances. And it's only been one night since we met!" she snapped.
"Mmm hmm… As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder." He cooed softly. "And I'm very, very fond of you…" He smiled and crested her neck with a kiss.
Beatrix began to struggle, "Stop it! You have no right to do that!"
"I know, my mind says no… but my heart says yes…" he hissed playfully in her ear kissing up and down her neck several times.
"LET GO!" Beatrix shouted as she struggled harder, finally escaping his grip. "Look, just tell me where the Queen is before I slay thee!"
Kuja gave her a playful smile and narrowed his eyes, "She's in the courtyard, admiring the rose bushes."
"Thank you. I shall take my leave." She said turning away from him.
"Till we meet again, My Darling." He bowed as he closely watched her hips sway as she walked away from him.
Beatrix walked through the halls out the front door to the courtyard. And there she was, Queen Brahne, admiring the roses just like he said. Beatrix began to feel a bit creeped out about Kuja, but she shook it off and approached the Queen. Brahne, hearing Beatrix's footsteps immediately turned to greet her.
"Good morning, General Beatrix." She sang.
"Hello, Your Majesty. I've been searching for you all morning."
"I'm sorry. I woke up early today to talk to Kuja." Brahne explained.
"I see…" Beatrix replied, sickened by that name.
"I have something to tell you General. It is of utmost importance!" Brahne put on a serious face.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Beatrix asked.
"Our spies have told me of something very upsetting."
"Spies? We don't have spies!"
"Kuja told me every royal kingdom needs spies! So I hired some from him."
"But… Your Majesty-"
"Let me finish, General!"
"Yes, Your Majesty… my apologizes…"
"Ahem! As I was saying, our spies have told me that the Burmecians are planning to attack us!"
"What!?"
"That's what I said."
"But why would they attack us, Your Majesty? We have done nothing to them, and nor have they to us! Why start a war now?"
"I'm not sure… But we must strike them before they strike us!"
"I agree, Your Majesty, but shouldn't we find out if this rumor is true or not?"
"Of course it's true! They are professionals! They never give rumors! They give me the utmost truth! Kuja sells the very best, you know." Brahne mused, wiping dew drops off the petals of a gentle red rose.
"But, Queen Brahne, I'm so sure on trusting him. He seems to know too much about our castle life already, plus I think he might back-stab us at any moment!"
"Beatrix! I'm surprised at you! Saying such things about someone you hit off with so well last night like that!"
"We did not hit it off! That what I've been trying to say! I think he's trying to get close to everyone to find out information and use it against us!"
"Enough! I will not hear such things! I trust him completely! Now I don't know what happened between you two, but I will not have you whining! Understood?"
"Sigh… Sorry, Your Majesty… I understand…"
"Good! Now tell your troops to train for up coming battle we're leaving for Gizamluke's Cavern in 3 days!" With that, Queen Brahne entered the castle leaving the General standing by the rose bushes.
"Your Majesty…" Beatrix sighed as she stroked the petals of a rose amongst the bush of roses.
Beatrix spent the rest of the day training the soldiers until dusk. The ladies returned to the barracks, exhausted and sweaty. Few of them left for patrol duty after taking a shower. Beatrix retired to the Castle lounge. Laying back in comfy chair, tried to clear her mind of all the happenings. But was interrupted by a familiar voice, one that she was not in the mood to here from.
"Good evening, my pet." Cooed a devilish voice.
Beatrix gripped the armrests of her chair tightly, "Good evening, Kuja."
"It's such a beautiful night, isn't it. I haven't seen you all day. I missed you dearly." He leaned over her, behind the chair. "Did you miss me as well?"
"Oh yeah, to pieces…" she said sarcastically, resting her head in her hands.
"Aww, is someone upset? Do they need some…" he paused and sat down on the right armrest of her chair, leaning his face close to hers, "Comfort?" He whispered in her ear.
"Touch me and you'll wish you'd never been born!" She hissed staring into the dark fireplace of the lounge.
"Is that a threat?" he smirked, "I love a good threat. It's such a… what is the phrase? Ah yes… 'Turn on'."
"Look! When I need your comfort, I'll ask for it! Got it?!"
"Ooo! Feisty tonight, aren't we? Come on, tell me what's the matter."
He leaned in closer, licked her earlobe and began to nibble lightly on it. Beatrix quickly reacted to this and slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. Kuja immediately stopped and arched his head back in reaction. Beatrix stared at him with a knitted brow, her hand ached from the collision of her hand and his face.
"I don't know what you want or what you're up to… Persuading the Queen to purchase 'weapons' and spies from you, gaining her trust, getting information on her where abouts every minute of the day… But I'm not falling for it! Not one bit! I know you're planning something…" Beatrix shouted at him in anger gripping the armrests again with all her might.
Suddenly, but slowly, Kuja pulled his head back forward. He had a wild look in his eyes. He swung his leg around on to the other armrest, kneeling over her. An evil smirk touched his lips. Beatrix gasped in fear of the look in his eyes and started to move back into her chair. Her eye trembled as he leaned in closer until his face was a few inches away from hers.
"You assume too much, Lady Rose. Can't you see, what's going on? You're jealous that the Queen favors me, and you feel uneasy with my seduction." Kuja whispered.
"S-s-s-seduction?" Beatrix stuttered, petrified by his gaze.
"I see you aren't used to being flirted with. Or do you just take it as an insult? …Well don't worry, because I mean it from the bottom of my heart that every word is true. Your grace, your beauty, your intelligence… all perfect in every way."
"…Kuja… I…"
"Hush… Let me show you how much, I feel about you…"
"How are you going to do tha-"
Beatrix stopped as Kuja leaned closer. Beatrix tried to back away in her chair, pressing her back against the chair. His mouth was so close to hers that she could feel his warm breath brushing her lips.
"You'll soon see…" He whispered in a seductive way.
He leaned in the rest of the way, his soft lips cresting hers. Beatrix, without thinking, closed her eye and returned his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Kuja chuckled lightly and pushed down on her mouth with the need of more. As he did this, Beatrix tightened her grip around his neck. He slowly parted her lips with his tongue, just as he did the night before. But this time was different. She let him. He pressed his tongue against hers. Their tongues wrestled in each other's mouths. Kuja rolled his tongue in her mouth, which made Beatrix fill with excitement letting out a soft moan. Soon after they pulled away from each other. Kuja smiled at her and she did the same.
"I never new you could do that, Kuja." Beatrix said between breaths.
"I was just going to say the same thing about you." Kuja chuckled lightly.
"I have to go." Beatrix said, looking at the time.
"I shall walk you to your quarters then."
"No, you don't have to, really."
"Then I guess I bid you farewell, until the morn, Lady Rose." He said kissing her hand as he helped her out of the chair.
"Good night." She said, exited the room with regret hanging over her head from the kiss.
The next day, Beatrix tried to avoid Kuja as much as possible. She spent the whole morning training soldiers for the up coming battle, which was tiring enough as it is! She found out as much as possible about resent happenings around the castle that was kept away from her. A chambermaid of the Queen told her that the Queen hired mages and other weapons from Kuja soon after the King's death, and a resent attack on the north gate she never heard of until now. It made Beatrix more suspicious of Kuja than ever! Beatrix was about to go to the Queen about these happenings being kept from her right away, but half way toward the Queen's room, the two jesters, Zorn and Thron stopped her. They looked awfully stressed and exhausted.
"G-G-General… We have returned." Zorn announced, short of breath.
"Returned we have, General." Said Thorn.
"Excellent! Have you rescued the Princess?" Beatrix asked with high hopes.
The twins looked at each other blankly, "Umm…" They trailed off at the same time.
"Well what is it?!" Beatrix's smile turned to an angered frown.
"We… failed."
"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!?" Beatrix's angered shout echoed through the halls of the castle.
"Th-that thief with them! He destroyed the first Waltz! And with the help of that mage, the Captain and even the Princess destroyed the second! And the third went completely mad after it was defeated and was destroyed in the south airship gate! And they have stolen an Alexandrian cargo ship, with many attack mages destroyed!"
As much as Beatrix hated those black mage golems, she was completely angered by the fact that they had failed to rescue the Princess, had a Cargo ship stolen, and were too late to stop them from heading to Lindbulm! Beatrix's face went completely red. The twins started to back away in fear.
"YOU IMBECILES! YOU KNOW VERY WELL I DO NOT TOLLORATE FAILURE! HOW DARE YOU LET THEM GET AWAY WITH STEALING NOT ONLY AND ALEXANDRIAN CARGO SHIP, BUT THE PRINCESS AS WELL! ONE MORE FAILURE LIKE THIS AND I SHALL BEHEAD YOU BOTH MYSELF!!!!! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!" Beatrix shouted at Zorn and Thorn, bringing them almost to tears.
"My, my, Lady Rose. Such demanding words." Kuja appeared out of the darkness of the hallway, then turned to Zorn and Thorn, "You heard the lady! Be gone!"
Zorn and Thorn nodded and ran off up the stairs in fear.
"I didn't need you to but in, Kuja." Beatrix said calmly.
"I know, but you look so cute when you're angry." He smiled.
"Kuja… I just want to say…"
"Ah, ah, ah, Lady Rose." He interrupted. "Before you say anything, I want to make a proposal."
"What kind of proposal?" Beatrix asked.
"You, me, tonight, dinner and a night stroll." Kuja cooed with a wink.
"Umm… I don't know…"
"Just show up amongst the roses at 8 tonight. I know you don't patrol tonight, so I thought it would be rather nice before we prepare to leave for war tomorrow." He kissed her on the cheek. "Now you run off to the Queen and I'll see you later, Darling."
He patted her on the butt, forcing her to move. Beatrix took that chance and ran up the stairs giving him a strange look as she left him standing there. As approached the Queen's room in the Chamber Hall she stopped in her tracks. 'How did he know I was going to see the Queen?' she thought at that moment. She shook it off like all other doubtful thoughts she had lately and opened the Queen's door. The Queen sat at her makeup table facing the door, as if she had been waiting for Beatrix.
"Good Afternoon, General." Brahne greeted.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty, I come to you with news of the failing of the Princess's rescue." Beatrix said with a sigh.
"Hmm, yes, Zorn and Thorn were just up here begging for forgiveness about that and told me everything."
"So what shall we do about it, Your Majesty?"
"I believe Garnet will return to Alexandria very soon, hearing news of this war against Burmecia." Brahne smiled.
"That, might be true. And of course Steiner will be escorting her."
"Yes… About him. He will be arrested immediately."
"Arrest Steiner?! But why?" Beatrix asked shocked.
"He was the one helping the thief and the mage defeat the Waltzes and helping them get the Princess to Lindbulm. He will be punished for that!"
"But shouldn't he have a fair trail? I mean, we do not know his side of the story!"
"What's with the sudden change of heart, General? First you complain about his bumbling way of training knights, now you're defending him on his behalf!"
Beatrix was shocked at these words, "Oh… I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I've just been overwhelmed from the training for the up coming battle."
"Ahh, I see. Yes, war is a stressful time. But anyway, tell your soldiers that if they see any sight of the Captain, he will be thrown in the dungeon!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Beatrix acknowledged as she saluted and left the room.
Beatrix closed the door behind her and began to ponder the situation. 'It seems the Queen doesn't care at all… She is completely consumed in the battle against Burmecia. How can she be so sure that the Princess will return? Could the Princess be that predictable? Am I that predictable?'
Beatrix walked down the halls telling every guard the Queen's orders.
Later that night, Beatrix walked into the courtyard. Although she didn't trust Kuja, she didn't want him to get suspicious of her. So she decided to join him on his proposal. She stood in front of the many rose bushes and waited. She stood there for a few minutes when suddenly, a great gust of wind brushed by her, causing her hair to wave a swirl in the hair then fell to her shoulders still in perfect condition. Beatrix looked to the sky to see a streak of silver cross the sky. The streak slowed down slowly taking form of a mighty dragon. Beatrix stared as she tried to make out the figure of the rider with a wide eye. She couldn't help but be amazed as the dragon suddenly eased its way to the ground beside her landed causing many buds to fall from the branches of the rose bushes. She stared up at the rider with a glassy eye. To her surprise, it was Kuja who sat up upon the Silver Dragon. He stretched his hand out to her. Without a thought, she took his hand and he pulled her on to the back of the mighty Dragon. He motioned her to sit in front of him and she did.
"I hope your ready. Don't worry, I won't let you fall." Kuja whispered in her ear as she sat in front of her.
He motioned the Dragon to take off. The mighty Silver Dragon began to flap its wings rapid as it took off into the air. Beatrix looked to the ground below, gazing at the tiny houses below… they must have been 1000 feet into the air! Beatrix looked back at Kuja.
"This is amazing!" she exclaimed.
"You haven't seen nothing yet. Are you ready for the thrilling part?" Kuja asked slyly.
"What thrilling par-"
Before she knew it Kuja pushed her off the dragon's back. She plummeted down through the air, passing the clouds with rapid speed. Her hair was swirling in her face as she watched the dragon grow smaller with very second. She suddenly turned around in the air till she was facing the ground below. She was too frightened to even scream! Suddenly, above her, the Dragon swooped down in a barrel roll toward the falling General. It turned upward underneath her, caught her before she hit the ground and flew back up into the air. Beatrix opened her eyes to find herself in the arms of Kuja who was smiling at her as if nothing happened.
"Wasn't that thrilling? A white knight riding on his white horse storms into the scene saving his falling Princess from utter peril." He announced poetically.
"You son of a…" Beatrix smiled as she cursed under her breath.
The night continued with a picnic dinner a top a cliff looking over Terno, another ride on the dragon to the Alexandrian beaches where they'd take their night stroll under the stars. Kuja had been asking questions of Beatrix's past, her adventures, and her life style all night long. But their conversations along the beach made Beatrix think… a lot!
"So… you're an orphan?" Kuja asked after hearing about her life all night.
"…Yes. I never knew my parents very well. I was very young when they died. People told me it was from a very harsh disease. I never found out what. They just found them both dead in the street with me laying beside them, crying. So I was raised in an orphanage right here in Alexandria. Without parent role models I decided to become a strong person. And the strongest people in Alexandria, every child knew, were the Alexandrian knights. So when I was 13 I joined the army. Just like the legendary the general that has her own statue in the middle of the Town Square. People told stories of her bravery… and I wanted to be the same."
"Ahhh. That explains the lack of the last name and your tomboyish ways." Kuja mused.
"Why, is there something wrong with that?"
"No, not at all! I find it fascinating." Kuja smiled.
Beatrix smiled back, "So what about your parents?"
Kuja stopped walking. Beatrix stopped as well and looked at him. He was no longer smiling. In fact, he looked rather angry! Beatrix blinked.
"Kuja? Is there something wrong?"
"No… nothing. I just… never had parents."
"Never had parents?! Kuja… that's sill-"
"But I have a father…" Kuja interrupted.
Beatrix remained silent as they began to walk again.
Kuja continued, "My 'Father' as you call it, is a power hungry mad man! All he cared about was having a powerful 'son' to do his bidding. No matter how hard I tried, I just wasn't powerful enough for him."
"I see." Beatrix finally said after a couple moments pause.
"…So that Captain gives you a pretty hard time, does he?" Kuja said quickly changing the subject.
"Yes. He is such a ninny! He just doesn't get that he will never beat me! But he continues this dance of competitive rivalry… It's rather silly! I just don't get that man!" Beatrix explained.
"Heh, I think he likes you." Kuja smiled.
"Surely you jest! That man has a heart for no one! He only uses it to act like a father second to the princess!"
"But, don't you act like a second mother to her too?"
Beatrix was the one to stop this time. She had never thought of that before.
"I think he uses his competitiveness and rivalry between you two to hide his true feelings for you." Kuja shrugged. "Of course, they're not as strong as mine, I believe."
Once the stroll was over, they flew home on the silver dragon and Beatrix managed to escape his kiss that night.
Early the next morning, Soldiers began to pack supplies into the grand airship, The Red Rose. Beatrix only saw Kuja when it was time to leave for Gizamlukes Cavern. He smiled at her, and she ignored him. She walked up the walkway to the Red Rose a few minutes before take off. As the ground started to shrink from below her as the airship took to the sky, she pulled out her diary to record the last few happens before she set off for battle…
Note: If I get some good reviews I'll start the fourth chapter! Yay! Start Writing! And it'll be better than this one! Promise!