Part 4: I'm Yours And Yours Only...
Inside Kiros' cell, Seifer was telling him about the wedding.
"Thursday, sir?" Riros asked widening his eyes with surprise. "The time is very short."
"My father Caraway wants it that way," Seifer answered shrugging. "I would never do anything to slow his haste."
Kiros took his chin.
"You say you don't know the lady's mind," he said frowning. "That's a course I don'y like."
"She keeps weeping for Raijin's death. So I didn't really talked of love. There's no place for love in a house of tears. Now her father thinks it's dangerous that she gives her sorrow too much sway. With his great wisdom, he hasted our marriage to stop the flow of her tears. The sadness keeping her in loneliness will dissolve itself in society. Now you know the reasons of this haste."
Kiros turned his back on Seifer.
"But I know too well why it should be slowed," he said to himself.
Then footsteps brought him to turn around where he noticed Rinoa walking towards him through the door left opened.
"Look sir, here comes the lady."
She entered the cell. Seeing her, Seifer's face was lightened up by a rare and warm smile of joy. He bowed in front of her, his arm on his stomach.
"Glad to see you, my lady and my wife!"
Rinoa looked at him with some traces of disgust.
"Maybe, sir; when I may be a wife."
"You can and you must my love. Thursday."
"What must be will be."
"That's a certain thing," Kiros said.
"Have you come to make a confession to the priest?" Seifer asked her.
"To answer to that would be to confess to you," she answered.
"Don't hide to him that you love me," Seifer told her with an assured tone.
Rinoa turned to Kiros with a blank face.
"I confess to you that I love him."
"So will you, I'm sure, that you love me."
"If I do, it will be of bigger price; being spoke of behind your back, that to your face."
Seifer walked towards her. He placed a gentle hand on her cheek and looked at her with some kind of sadness.
"Poor soul, how tears have changed your face."
"They won a small victory; it was bad enough befor their spill."
"Those words are harder on your face than your tears."
"It's not that hard, it's true. I tell this truth to my face."
"Your face is mine and you slandered it."
"Maybe, since it's not mine," she finished turning to Kiros. "Do you have a moment, holy father or should I come back this evening?"
"I have all my time, thoughtful child," Kiros answered before turning to Seifer. "My lord, we need time alone."
"Hyne keeps me from disturbing devotion! Rinoa, early thursday, I'll come get you out of bed. Until then, farewell and keep this holy kiss."
He gently kissed her lips then left after a last smile at his bride-to-be.
With tears shining in her eyes, Rinoa turned to Kiros once Seifer was out of sight.
"Shut the door, then come cry with me. There's no hope anymore, no cure, no help."
Kiros closed the door and turned to her.
"I already know your grief, Rinoa. And I'm anxious. I know that thursday without delay, you'll be married to this man."
"Don't tell me you know that without telling me how to prevent it! If you can't find any remedy in your wisdom but call my resolution wise, I'll end everything with this knife!"
She picked up a dagger from her back under her blue gown and held it close to her chest. She was frowning with tears of despair shining in the corner of her eyes.
"Hyne joine my heart to Squall's and you joined our hands. This hand here that you sealed to Squall's, will seal a new contract before my heart, faithful, turns traitorous giving itself to someone else! This will end them both. With your experience, give me some advices and quickly! Or else, look! I'll take take this bloody knife as a way between my distress and I. It will seal my fate if your knowledge can't help me! Answer me! I long to die if you don't give me any remedy!"
She raised the knife like she would stab herself as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Stop, daughter! I see some kind of hope, but it's as desperate as what we want to prevent. If you have the will to kill yourself rather than marry sir Almasy, it's possible you'll dare to face a thing like death to push away this shame. If you have this courage, I'll give you a remedy."
Rinoa brought away the knife, hope replacing despair.
"Rather than marry Seifer, tell me to jump off Balamb Garden, or wander around the D-district prison, tell me to crawl with Anacondaurs; tie me up surrounded by roaring Ruby Dragons, send me into a freshly dug grave and hide me with a dead man in his shroud. Order me to do things that made me tremble just to say them and I'll do it without fear or hesitation to remain the unstained wife of my sweet love."
"Then listen: go back home and look calm. Say you'll marry Almasy. Tomorrow wednesday. Tomorrow night, make sure that you sleep alone, that your nurse doesn't sleep in your room. Once in bed, take this vial and swallow it's content."
He showed her a small crystal bottle containing a clear liquid.
"Right after you'll feel cold in your veins, your pulse will stop beating. No heat or breath will show that you live. Roses of your lips and cheeks will fade. Your eyes will be closed. Every part of your body will be stiff and cold as death. You will be like this 42 hours and then you'll awaken from sweet slumber. Next morning, when your fiancé comes to get you out of bedm he'll find you dead. Then, dressed with your best clothes, you'll be carried in an uncovered bier to the same vault where all the Caraways rest. But before you wake up, Squall will be aware of our plans with my letters and will come. Him and I will wait for your awakening and this same night, Squall will take you to Trabia. Then you'll be saved from shame if nothing makes your courage fail when the time comes."
"Give me that!" she said carefully taking the bottle. "Nothing will fail me!"
She looked at it like it was her only hope. And it was.
"Here, go! Be strong and brave in your resolution. I'll send a priest to Trabia with a message for your husband."
"Love, give me strength," Rinoa said holding the bottle to her heart. "This strength will save me. Farewell, priest."
"Good luck."
Rinoa left the cell, hiding the bottle in her gown.
In the main hall of Caraway's mansion, the general, his wife, Edea and some soldiers were getting everything ready.
Caraway held a piece of paper to one of the soldiers.
"You'll invite everyone with their names on this paper."
"Yes, sir!" the soldier said saluting before leaving.
"You!" Caraway called pointing another soldier. "Get me twenty good cooks!"
"I'm on my way!"
He left.
"We shall be much unfournished this time," he said. "Is my daughter gone to priest Kiros?"
"Yes, sir," Edea answered.
"Maybe he will have a good influence on her."
The door was opened and Rinoa entered, closing it behind her.
"Look how happy she looks back from church!"
"Well, stubborn girl, where have you been?"
Rinoa stood in front of her father.
"Ar someone's who taught me to repent the sin of disobedience towards you. Holy Kiros told me to ask for your forgiveness."
She bowed and kept her head down.
"I beg you forgive me! From now on, I'll let you lead me all the way."
"Go get Almasy, he must be told of this. I want this union done by tomorrow morning."
"I met the yuong Seifer Almasy at Kiros'. I showed him my love without going too far."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. Things are just as they should... I must see him. Go get him, I said! He's wise, this priest and we're indebted to him."
Rinoa turned to Edea.
"Edea, would you come with me to my closet? You'll help me sort the proper ornaments that would be used for tomorrow."
"No, no, not until thursday," Julia interfered shaking her head. "We still have time."
"Go with her, Edea," Caraway said before turning to Julia. "We'll go to church tomorrow."
"We'll be short with preparations: it's already close to night."
"Eh, I'll just have to move and everything will be fine, I guarantee it. Go join Rinoa and help her get ready. I won't sleep tonight. Leave me alone, I'll play housewife for once. Well, they're all gone so I'll go see sir Almasy myself to warn him for tomorrow. My heart feels incredibly light since Rinoa changed her heart."
"Come back soon, then," Julia said kissing her husband.
"I'll be quick."
He left the mansion in a hurry and Julia climbed up the stairs.
On the second floor, Rinoa entered her room, Eea just behind her. The walked to the closet and examined the dresser. Rinoa took out a long sleeveless dress.
"That's the one, but Edea, could you leave me alone tonight, please? I need to pray to ask heaven to smile on my existence full of trouble and sins."
Julia knocked then entered with a smile.
"Are you still busy? Do you need my help?"
"No, thanks, mother. We already got everything necesaary for tomorrow's ceremony. Allow me to stay alone and let my nurse stay with you tonight. I'm sure you have plenty of things to do considering the present circumstances."
"Sure. Good night, then," Julia said kissing Rinoa's forehead. Go to bed and rest, you'll need it."
"Good night," Edea said.
Both women left and closed the door behind them. Rinoa changed her clothes right away.
"Farewell, she whispered. "Only Hyne knows when we'll meet again."
She shivered. There was a faint fear running into her veins. For a moment, she was tempted to call Edea but she remembered it was her part, she had to do it alone.
She took the vial Kiros gave her and looked at it. For a moment, she feared it wouldn't work and that she'll be forced to marry Seifer. Just in case, she placed a knife on the table by her bed. Then she feared the vial's content would be poison and that she would really die. She shook her head. No, Kiros was a holy man, he would never do it.
Another fear found it's way in her mind.
"What if I wake up before Squall comes?" she asked herself placing her hands over her mouth. "That would be awful! With no pure air, I'd suffocate before he arrives! What if I live inside this monument where my ancestors lay along with Raijin, still fresh? I would go insane! Then I'd play with my ancestors' bones and get Raijin out of shroud: take a bone and dash out my brains!"
She tried to focus on something in front of her, like there was something, but there was nothing.
"Isn't it Raijin's ghost seeking out Squall who pierced his body with the tip of his gunblade? Stop, Raijin, no!"
She brought the vial to her lips.
"Squall, I'm coming! I drink to you!"
She swallowed the content. Then she widened her eyes, feeling coldness run in her veins. She staggered to her bed where she fell with a last sigh.
The day was showing up inthe horizon. Julia handed a bunch of keys to Edea in a hall.
"Take these keys and go get more spices."
"They call for dates and quinces in the pastry."
Caraway came along.
"Come on everyone, up! It's three o'clock!"
He turned to Julia.
"Watch the meats, good angel and don't forget anything."
"You should go to bed, sir," Edea advised. "You'll get sick for staying up all night."
"Not at all. I stayed up all night before for less reasons and I was never sick."
"You hunted mice in your time," Julia said in an amused tone. "But I'll make sure you don't do this again."
"Julia went in another room with Edea."
"Jealousy, jealousy..."
Some servants passed, carrying spits, logs and basket. Caraway stopped the first one.
"What's all this?"
"For the cook, but I don't really know what it is."
"Make haste, make haste!"
The servant left. Then Caraway turned to a second one.
"Bring dryer logs. Call Pier, he'll show you where to find some."
"I've got enough head, sir to find logs without troubling Pier."
And he left behind the other servant.
"Well said! I make you head of logs. Well the day's here. Almasy will be here soon with music, like he promised me."
Speaking of the devil, some music instruments were heard on the outside.
"Here he comes. Edea, Julia! Come
on, Edea!"
Edea came to him.
"Yes, sir?"
"Go wake Rinoa up and get her dressed. I'll talk with Seifer. Hurry, hurry! Her fiancé's already here, hurry, I say!"
"Yes, master!"
Edea climbed the stairs and Caraway went to the door.
The door to Rinoa's room was knocked then opened and Edea entered.
"Come on, young lady," she said. "She must be still asleep, I'm sure of it."
She smiled lovingly and walked towards the bed.
"Dear angel, you must have slept enough for a whole week now since Seifer will probably keep you from sleeping tomorrow night."
She looked at Rinoa's pale face and bent over.
"She sleeps well, but I must wake her up. If Seifer finds her here alseep, he'll be the one to wake her up."
Edea went to the window and moved the shade. The sun's light entered the room and lightened Rinoa's body on the bed. Edea shook her head.
"Already dressed up but still in bed? Come on, Rinoa."
When she looked closer, she noticed her face was not just pale but lifeless like the rest of her body. She froze and widened her eyes with horror.
"No... no! Help! Help! My lady's dead! I wish I was never born!"
She started walking around then came back to the bed and kneele by its side, looking at Rinoa again, hoping she was mistaken and that she would get up.
"My lord, my lady!" she called.
Alerted by the calling, Julia quickly arrived.
"What's all those noises?"
"This is a cursed day!"
"What's wrong?"
Getting up, tears in her eyes, Edea showed gestured towards the bed.
"Look, look! Oh, heavy day!"
Julia's eyes filled with horror as she caught sight of the event occuring. She hurried to the bed and fell on her knees beside it, unable to believe the obvious truth.
"Dear Hyne! Not my child, my life! Revive, open your eyes or I'll die with you! Help, help! Please call for help!" she screamed with desperate sobs.
Caraway arrived apparently ignoring the desperate calls.
"Bring Rinoa, quick! Her husband's here."
Her face in her hands, Edea was crying.
"She's dead, she's dead! Dear Hyne, why?"
Caraway seemed shocked as he turned to the bed to recieve answer to his silent question. Julia was holding Rinoa tight, rocking her like a baby in hope that she would be revived.
"She's dead, she's dead, she's dead!" she kept repeating.
"No," Caraway said slowly getting closer. "It's over... she's cold, her blood stopped in her veins and her body's stiff. Death came on her..."
"Cursed day!" Edea said.
"Saddest moment!" Julia added.
Caraway kept silent like death, which took his daughter away from him, claimed his tongue to keep any words in.
The door gave way to Kiros and Seifer.
"Is the bride ready to go to church?" Kiros asked.
"Ready to go, yes but to never return," Caraway answered with a painful voice.
He turned to Seifer, despair in his eyes.
"Son, death paid a visit to your fiancé last night. Look," he said pointing at her.
Seifer walked to the bed, shocked. It couldn't be...
"How I longed to see her, but not like this!"
"Cursed day!" Julia exclaimed. "My only child who brought me joy and comfort! Death took her away from me!"
"This day's cursed, I'm sure!" Edea
said. "Never a day was so dark!"
"Killed, dead," Seifer said.
"Why, my love? My life...no, not my life, mu love in death."
"Why did you do this, Hyne?" Caraway asked outloud looking at the ceiling. "Why take my child, no my soul? She's dead and so are my joys!"
"Silence!" Kiros interfered swinging his arm out. "Don't you have any shame? You couldn't keep her to you and that's sad, but now Hyne claimed her. You couldn't keep her from death forever. Can't you see she's well now, why cry?" Dry your tears and take her to church."
"Our celebration's preparations become funerals'. Everything changes."
"Leave, sir," Kiros said showing the door. "You too, miss and you as well, sir Almasy. Get ready to escort the lady to her grave. I don't know what kind of curse Hyne placed on you but don't anger her anymore not respecting her will."
An arm around Julia, still crying, Caraway brought her out. Shocked and desperate, Seifer followed with Kiros."
"Why," Edea whispered. "Rinoa, why die? Because I told you to marry Seifer? Was it despair that killed you? If I knew your love was so strong, I would have encouraged you to run away, but..."
She lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I never wished but the best for you... Since Squall was exiled, you would never have been free anywhere. But with Seifer... you would have been respected, rich... I was wrong, please forgive me!"
She fell on her knees by the bed and rested her head on it.
"Why? Hyne why take someone so young? Why didn't you take me instead? Were you jealous?"
But as usual, Hyne remained silent.
Note: Part 4 done! Only one more to go so don't give up! It will be as long I think. Rinoa 'died' here. All an act to reunite her with Squall... But what if Squall never gets the letter and thinks she IS dead? Look for the next and final part to find out!