Marriage vs. Love
Walking through the town, Vincent Valentine - Captain of the Palace guard of Midgar and personal bodyguard to Prince Sephiroth and Princess Aeris, came up to the main tavern. Dressed in clothing that he classed as 'beneath' him, and had mentioned so to Elena more than once when she had informed him what he'd have to wear, he stepped through the door and chose an empty table to one side of the crowded tavern.
"Can I getja anythin'?" A saucy young blonde girl soon asked him.
Vincent raised an eyebrow at her, looking her over slowly; she wore a high-cut skirt and a very low-cut top, defiantly leaving nothing to the imagination. "Just a pint of ale, my dear." He said quietly.
"Right you are." She giggled and winked at him as she minced her way back to the bar.
Vincent grimaced to himself and silently worked his gaze through the patrons for the one Governor Elena Tehlatt had described to him as the possible conspirator. 178 cm in height, short whitish/grey hair, aged approximately 32 in years... That didn't leave him much of anything to go on, as most of the males around these parts fitted similar descriptions, but luckily he knew the man's name, Cid Highwind, he shouldn't be too hard to find then. He sighed inwardly as he noticed the waitress coming back.
Placing his mug down on the table, the girl winked. "You jus' call me if ya need anythin', k handsome.." she giggled and wriggled her hips suggestively before heading back to the bar.
Taking a mouthful of his ale, Vincent shuddered inwardly.. he'd never really been one for any type of encounter, except on the battlefield.
* * * * *
Stretching out in the sun, Aeris lay one her stomach on the window seat of Elena's drawing room. She smiled and sighed contentedly as she closed her eyes again, resting her head back down on her folded arms.
Sephiroth glanced up from the manuscript he was reading. "Something wrong, my love?"
Aeris shook her head and glanced over at him. "It's just so.. peaceful, here. I like it." She smiled at him. "What are you reading?"
"Nothing important." The prince said lightly, placing the manuscript to one side and standing up to walk over to her. "I've been thinking.."
"Oh dear," she gasped in mock horror. "Are you in pain?"
Sephiroth sighed. "Very funny. As I was saying, I've been thinking, perhaps.. when we return to the palace, we should hold a ball. What do you think?"
Aeris sat up and eyed him thoughtfully for a moment. 'Ok, who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
"I don't know why I even bother.." He stated, in mock frustration, turning and pretending he was going to leave.
Aeris giggled lightly and grabbed his wrist. "It's a wonderful idea, my lord."
Sephiroth smiled and bent down, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Glad you think so."
"Who shall we invite?"
Sephiroth brushed a lock of silver hair from his eyes, frowning in thought. "Those who attended our wedding I would think, and any other lord or lady that we might think of as well."
Aeris nodded, squeezing his hand lightly. "Do not frown, Sephiroth. It does not suit you." She giggled slightly. "It is a beautiful day, my lord. Can we not go outside for a walk?"
Sephiroth shook his head. "You know that is not wise, my dear. Without Captain Valentine with us.. we are not safe, even in a small town as this."
"Certainly you'd be able to defend us from attack?"
Nodding slightly, the prince smirked. "Of course, but I'd rather Vincent was with us."
"I guess you would know best." Aeris sighed, looking out the window again.
"Do not be sad, Aeris." Elena said, stepping into the drawing room. "Vincent had sent for two of his guards to come look out for you and prince Sephiroth, while he is busy."
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "And just who does he consider capable of this position?"
Elena stepped to the side as a blonde and his raven-haired companion stepped into the room. Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, but remained quiet.
Aeris smiled warmly. "Zack, Cloud.. it's nice to see you again."
"It is great to see you in good health, m'lady." Zack said with a grin and bowed deeply. "And you as well, your highness." He added, smiling at Sephiroth.
The prince frowned slightly, noticing, not for the first time, Zack's over-friendliness toward Aeris, and he turned to face Elena. "Do you have any idea how long Captain Valentine might be in this.. investigation?"
Elena shook her head. "No, sire. I'm afraid I don't."
Aeris turned to face Sephiroth again. "Sephiroth, now that Zack and Cloud are here, can we now go for a walk?"
Shaking his head, the silver-haired prince sat down in a chair. "I do not feel like it, Aeris."
"But.." Aeris sighed lightly, sinking to her seat slowly.
"With both Cloud and myself here, it should be ok, majesties." Zack spoke up. "I can go with Lady Aeris while Cloud remains here."
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at the raven-haired boy, but nodded ever so slightly. "Very well."
Aeris jumped to her feet and bowed her head at Sephiroth, slightly. "Thank you, husband." Then she and Zack left the room, talking about where they should go.
Sephiroth quietly watched them leaving, making a mental note to keep an eye on that guard.
* * * * *
Vincent was about to give up for the night, when he noticed a man enter the tavern that fitted the description.
Cigarette hanging out of his mouth, Cid stalked over to the bar, grumbling to himself.
"Hey again, darlin'." The same saucy blonde that served Vincent said to him.
"Just get me goddamn drink, wench" Cid grumbled and stubbed out his smoke, quickly lightly another.
Vincent watched all this quietly, deciding on the best method for approaching the man. He didn't want to alert the possible conspirator to who he was too early in the game. So deep in his plans was he that he didn't noticed the waitress had returned to his table.
"Hey handsome.. need a refill. You've been sittin' on that drink all night."
Vincent looked up at her quietly shaking his head. "But, you might be able to help me with something."
The girl grinned. "Anythin' for you, darlin'."
The captain inwardly shuddered and gestured towards Cid. "Who is that man?"
The blonde glanced toward the bar. "Cid Highwind, he owns and maintains control of the market."
Vincent raised a raven eyebrow slightly. "Really now, that is interesting, indeed."
"You dun talk like a local." She said thoughtfully, looking him over. "Come ta think of it.. I ain't see you in 'ere before.."
"I'm from out of town, just.. passing through." Vincent answered lightly, keeping his eyes on the smoker at the bar.
The girl glanced back towards Cid, calling out. "Hey, Highwind.. you got guy 'ere who wants ta meet ya!"
Vincent winced at her call and looked back down at the table, growling to himself as Cid stood up and strode over to them, sliding himself into a seat opposite Vincent.
"Cid, this 'ere is.."
"Vincent.." He filled in lightly when the girl paused, holding out his hand, which Cid shook firmly.
"He's from outta town.." The girl said with a giggle and a wink at Vincent.
"Yeah, that's enough, Sheena.. leave us!" Cid growled at her.
Vincent sighed inwardly, glad that the girl who was obviously called Sheena, had left. "I hear you are a very influential man in this town." Vincent said looked back to Cid.
Cid took a deep drag of his cigarette and leant back in his seat, looking Vincent over thoughtfully. "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not. What's it ta you?"
Vincent smirked, this guy was obviously no fool, and he admired that. "I am simply looking for a.. business partner, shall we say."
Cid leant forward on the table, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Really now, and jus' what business are ya involved in?"
Vincent smirked. "What kind of business do you need?"
Cid chuckled quietly. "I see.. this might turn out well, for the both of us."
Perfect, Vincent thought as he took a mouthful of his ale, this is going well, but he's clever.. I'll have to be extra careful around him.
* * * * *
Aeris lay in the middle of a field of wild flowers, eyes closed against the warm sun as she sighed contentedly. "I've not done this since.. well since I married Sephiroth."
Zack looked down at her from where he sat beside her. "Do you miss it, m'lady?"
"Miss what?" She asked, opening one eye to look up at her guard.
"May I speak frankly, m'lady?"
"Of course, Zack.. go ahead."
The raven-haired boy sighed and looked back towards the direction of the town. "I was only wondering if you miss your freedom, like you had when you sold your flowers in the market."
Aeris sat up. "I don't know.. I've never really thought about it, but.. yes, I guess I do sometimes."
"I hate seeing you like this, Aeris." He said quietly.
Aeris blinked. "Zack?"
Turning back to face her, he took her hand lightly in both of his. "I hate seeing you stuck in the palace all day, it's not good for a free spirit like yours."
Aeris blinked again, looking down at his hands. "Zack.. I'm married to Prince Sephiroth." She said lightly, pulling her hand back gently.
"I know.." He turned away again. "But I.." He looked back at her, looking into her eyes. "I love you, Aeris."
She gasped, both of her hands going to her mouth. "Zack.." She shook her head slightly. "Zack, no.. you can't."
"But I do.." He said, taking her hand again lightly. "Aeris, please."
"I think you forget yourself, Zack." She said, standing up quickly. "I am married to Sephiroth, crown prince of Midgar. I am a princess now, his wife. What you state.. it could be classed as treason."
"Do you love him?"
"W..what?"
"I asked, do you love him?" He asked again, looking up at her.
"I.." She nodded slowly. "Of course I love him, I wouldn't of married him if I didn't."
"Very well, m'lady.." He said, standing and facing away from her.
"Zack.. please don't let this upset you." She said, touching his shoulder lightly.
Jerking away he shook his head. "I am not upset, m'lady. I just don't wish you believing that I cannot do my job without my feelings getting in the way." Turning his faced her again. "I still love you lady Aeris, and I think I always shall."
Aeris sighed, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Zack. I promise I won't tell anyone about this."
Zack smiled faintly and bowed his head. "Thank you, m'lady."
* * * * *
To be continued..?
Hmm, I wonder what's going to happen..
Please R/R.