Marriage vs. Love

Never had there been such a brilliant wedding day as this one, when Sephiroth took Aeris' hand in his in front of the Court Hall, where the Lords and Ladies of the various kingdoms stood. Taking a deep breath, the prince announced his intentions to be a loving, kind, considerate spouse, caring for Aeris all his and nurturing their children. Holding hands, he looked into Aeris' eyes, which were radiant with joy, as she declared her intentions in a loud, clear voice, which earned a quiet scowl from Hojo.

"We have heard your promises, Sephiroth and Aeris." The Father said that resided over the wedding.

"And have witnessed them," said Captain Valentine.

With those words, the two kissed, and the spark that jumped from lip to lip seemed to encompass the prince's body, and his lady's as well, neither of them willingly to part. Choruses of cheers went up around the court and the couple parted.

Everyone filed out of the hall and into the courtyard and adjoining field where the dancing square was set up, with tables surrounding it. There were two tables set upon a platform to the left of the square and it was here the new couple sat with the King and Captain Valentine. Cloud and Zack remained nearby and helped with the serving of the food.

"Restless, love?" Aeris asked when she caught sight of Sephiroth's fingers drumming the rhythm to the minstrel's tune.

"Oh, no, just habit," he said.

"Will we dance later?" She asked.

"Of course. All night.."

"Well," she admitted with a slight grin. "Not all night." And she giggled at his expression.

Later that evening after a few dances with his new bride, he sat to the sidelines as Duke Reeve Oterel of Junon spun Aeris around the dancing square, to a lively tune. The prince couldn't help but smile lightly at the graceful way his beloved moved when she danced. So entranced was he with his wife's dancing that he didn't hear the person slip up behind him. He was totally caught off guard when he felt the bite of cold steel in his back, slipping between the shoulder blades and deep into his heart.

Turning away from one of the guards he was reassigning, Vincent frowned as he saw Sephiroth slump forward on the table. "Your highness?" He asked lightly as he touched the prince's back. Pulling his hand away he gasped at the blood on his gloved fingers. "Surround the area! No one leaves!!" He yelled at his guards.

Everyone froze and the minstrels stopped playing as Aeris turned to face the captain. "What's wrong..?" And she gasped as her eyes fell upon the prince's body.

"Find the one who did this!" The king growled. "This is an outrage, an act of war!!"

The guests shifted uncomfortably and whispered amongst themselves. "He's dead. Prince Sephiroth, is dead.." Zack whispered in shock to Cloud.

"We have to find the assassin." Cloud answered and he and Zack slipped from their post to the palace, the only direction the killer could of fled.

* * * * *

The entire Kingdom was in mourning over the loss of their beloved prince, and Lady Aeris neither ate nor slept, keeping to her room. The only ones who could get any sort of reaction or comment out of her were Vincent and Zack, with anyone else, she just kept quiet, as if they weren't even there.

Several days had passed and they were still no closer to finding the killer. "My Lady, you must get some rest." Zack pleaded again that morning. "Or at least have something to eat.."

"I can't, Zack." Aeris answered in a quiet voice that lacked its usual cheerfulness. "The mere thought of food makes me ill, and every time I close my eyes.. I see him there, slumped over the table." Tears formed in her eyes at those last words.

It was like this for several more days and Zack was becoming seriously worried about Aeris' state of health as well as her mind. Then, Captain Valentine – who also never rested, has a breakthrough and found the assassin. After several hours of interrogation it was found to have been an independent action, a jealous ex-lover of the prince, who was unhappy to see him wed another.

The assassin was put to death for high treason and the murder of the crown prince of Midgar and soon things began to get back into normal routine. Lay Aeris still kept to her chambers for several more weeks, but she began to eat again and tried to get some sleep, thought she often woke in the middle of the night from terrible nightmares.

All in all, everything settled down, and Princess Yuffie Kisaragi even found herself quite taken with Baron Reno Sasuki, and they were soon married as her father had wished.

To be continued..?

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Well, I finally got there. R/R and tell me what you think. ^_^