Squall actually felt anxious, he hadn't felt such an emotion in a long time. Strolling down the halls of Qin's citadel his heart raced and his mind wondered. Noriko, who was guiding him to Rinoa's quarters, had spoken very little since they met again. She halted at a door, that's design was similar to the ones of the banquet hall and gestured for him to enter. He drew back the curtain and stepped inside the unknown room. It was illuminated with a soft radiance of oil lamps that were dotted around the space and the faint smell of incense greeted him. Sat, perched on the low bed was a young woman of magnificent beauty. Yet this woman seemed familiar, Squall noticed there was something memorable about the clothing and painted face, when it dawned upon him, Rinoa had been the attractive dancer he'd been observing earlier! He had known she practiced dance but he'd never imagined she could have turned it into such an art form. Her head tilted slightly, as if straining her hearing and a smile formed on her face.
"Your footsteps have become lighter, but are still detectable." With the aid of her staff, she rose and turned to face him. He gazed at her in admiration; her form had transformed from the young girl's he recalled. She truly did look like an aristocratic woman. "Welcome back."
"I…Forgive me." He apologized suddenly suffering from a loss of words.
"What for?"
"Leaving you." He explained, his eye's wondering to the floor with shame.
"I do not care…" She said cheerfully and outstretched her hand, this captured his attention and he stepped forward to take it. Now that she was aware where his form was, Rinoa stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Squalls waist and laid her head on his shoulder. He was slightly taken back by her actions yet returned the affectionate gesture, content to have her small frame in his arms. "All that matters is that you've returned."
Rinoa didn't wish to pry into reasons why he had left, knowing that Squall wasn't the most open nor expressive person she decided to leave that subject for later discussion. Though she was pleased by his return, many other inhabitants of the citadel questioned his motives. Why would he, Qin's once finest fighter, abandon their empire and then return after five years of absence? It didn't make sense.
Squall was called before Emperor Jinn the following day. Jinn sat in main hall, were he spent most of his time surveying Qin's statistics and conjured up solutions to the many civil problems that had arisen in the past decade. Many oil lamps and candles that enlightened the dull hall surrounded his thrown. Squall entered the grand hall, clad in civilian clothing.
"Squall Leonhart. Now there's a face I never thought my eyes would never see again." Commented the emperor as Squall bowed lowly. "It was quite a shock to be told you've returned, many thought you were dead. So what I don't understand is why someone who was favored to be promoted as General would leave so soon and with very little notice?"
"It was a request from General Caraway himself, Emperor."
"That you flee our land instead of protect it?"
"He said in order for me to protect it to the standards he did I would have to endure Wushu training from the Wux monks."
The emperor frowned, his elderly face, wrinkling further.
"But Wushu training is time consuming, if General Caraway knew that why would he request you partake in it?"
"Because the outcome is more than adequate. Also very few people have what it takes to study it."
"Hmm. Very well, yet your absence has cost you your attempt at the position of General. The once commander Utsumi has taken Caraway's place and Commander Seifer shall take Utsumi's in time."
Squalls eyes flickered from the Emperor's in discontent, after a brief pause occurred before he quietly said,
"I understand."
Emperor Jinn had tented his fingers and peered in a thoughtful manner, planning on what to do with this youth.
"You are still soldier, at least you can still prove yourself."
"Yes. Thank you, Emperor."
Squall became a high ranked solider of the Qin army and effortlessly ploughed through training drills, and battle regimens, obtaining the attention of General Utsumi. This irritated the latest commander, who often scolded the promising solider for insignificant matters. However it wasn't just Squall's talent that Seifer envied, it was his relationship with Rinoa. The two had been friends since childhood and so their bond was strong, stronger than the friendship between her and Seifer. This jealousy soon became evident during combat training. Due to Squall outshining the other soldier's he was partnered with the Commander to train.
The blizzard that had raged on for countless weeks now had settled, it's only remains were the substantial layers of snow that coated most of the citadel's grounds. The sun could be seen hanging in the pale sky and even though it radiated a brilliant light it offered very little warmth. Clothed in thick cotton garments under their armor the two stood opposite, swords drawn. A smirk materialized on Seifer's face.
"You may have impressed Utsumi, but it'll take far more than fancy Wushu moves to amaze me." He informed in a mocking tone, tightening the grip on his sword that was aesthetically superior to Squall's plain blade. Squall didn't retort like Seifer had expected him to. This aggravated him and he initiated the combat. The two were of an equal match, or so it appeared, both knew that their opponent was merely warming up to commence far more deadly attacks. The snow was hard to shift in and many times the two would nearly slip or lose balance. Metallic 'clanks' of the two swords clashing rang throughout the citadel's grounds. After a few moments they stood in a stalemate, Squall's sword's tip placed inches away from Seifer's neck, while his sword was raised above Squall's head. It was obvious both could be distinguished if the actions were carried out further. "Not bad." Commented Seifer, that sarcastic grin revisiting his face. Squall merely returned the smile.
The two swiftly withdrew and stood in defensive stances. Momentarily, their swords collided again, yet with a greater deal of force than previously. The weather conditions began to shift back into its old ways as the pastel sky was draped with gray looming clouds that spilled white flakes of snow. The two opponents ignored this climate change and continued in their warfare. Seifer burst into a sequence of harsh attacks yet Squall managed to either defend against them or out maneuver them, this anger Seifer further. Time sped by, as they were withdrawn from their surroundings and it's elements and only focused on their personal battle; Seifer was determined to succeed while Squall wanted to put his years of training into use. By all means he was impressed by Seifer's level of combat, very few foe had seemed a worthy match for Squall yet Seifer was more than challenging. As Squall defended from one of Seifer's assaults, the Commander landed a contemptible blow to the soldier's abdominal region. Squall, who hadn't anticipated the attack, stumbled backwards and fell due to a mixture of pain and revelation. He began to rise, still recovering from the blow when Seifer raised his sword, it's blade managed to glint slightly in the gloom that had cloaked itself around them, he brought it down in a swift motion, upon the soldier's face. Pain erupted across his brow and along his nose as he glanced down at the snow that was speckled with a line of dark crimson. Seifer had struck him! Infuriated, Squall swept his sword upwards; it dragged along the snow-encrusted ground, causing the brilliant white substance to cast into the icy air. His sword brushed along Seifer's face, creating a slash along his nose and brow also. The two retreated and stood motionless, their swords still drawn. The commander slowly wiped his forefinger along the cut and gazed at the sticky red substance that coated his finger. They both were breathing heavily from the outbursts.
"I didn't think a commander was capable of cheap shots." Commented Squall, still recovering his breath.
"We were role playing. In that fight I wasn't a commander and you weren't a solider. It doesn't matter how much training you've had people will always fight dirty to gain the upper hand." Explained Seifer, his arrogant manner effortlessly showing through in his speech.
Squall flinched from the unexpected pain of the nurse applying ointment on his cut. It had a strong aroma of herbs and alcohol that made him feel nauseated.
"Someone like Seifer shouldn't be provoked." Commented the aged woman as she began placing small strips of bandages over his balm covered area.
"I didn't provoke him, we were training." Squall clarified, irritated that she thought he was the cause of this.
"Well the two of you should take it easy next time." She sighed "Now the ointment I've just put on shall hold the bandages in place. Leave these on for about a day or so."
Once his wound was dressed Squall left the doctor's wing and slowly strolled along the sheltered walkway that ran along the outside of one of the many citadel's gardens. The snow had yet again ceased in its downfall and the garden was coated in a blanket of white powder. A vivid shade of azure caught his eye's attention as it stood out clearly from the bland setting. Stood within the sanctuary of a diminutive pergola was the figure of a young woman. Squall strained his vision to see a recognizable hairpin in the girl's dark hair. He frowned, which resulted in him wincing in discomfort from a combination of the stinging ointment and the actual cut being disturbed by the shift of his facial features. Why was Rinoa stood outside in such bitter weather conditions and where was Noriko, she hardly ever left her mistress' side. He advanced towards the pergola, carefully trudging through the masses of snow, his footsteps creating a clear, crisp sound as the snow compacted beneath his boots. Yet despite the audible noise Rinoa, remain stationary.
"It's a bit cold to be stood out here without a overcoat." He said quietly, in order to grasp her attention as he stood within the small entrance.
"I needed to get some fresh air." She replied flatly, the tone didn't suite her.
Rinoa still remained motionless as her sightless eyes gazed ahead at the rest of the garden. She was reflecting on the event that had just taken place, in hope it was just a passing daydream yet the more she concentrated on it the more she realized it was reality.
Not much time had pasted since Squall and Seifer's scuffle before Rinoa had been summoned. She was sat in the room that was coupled with her sleeping quarters, drinking tea while Noriko read to her from a book filled with tales of heroes and heroines that battled evil and traveled the world. A soft tapping came from the door. Noriko paused in her dictation and went to answer it.
"Yes?" She asked a young female attendant
"Lady Rinoa has been summoned to the common room in the Almasy household, Miss."
"Now? But my Lady has just sat down."
"It is a request from the Emperor himself."
"I see. Very well, Lady Rinoa shall be there shortly." The two bowed at each other in unison before going their separate ways.
"It seems your requested in the Almasy household." Informed Noriko "We'd best make you look presentable!" The maid began brushing the silken black hair of her mistress with a thin ivory comb before tying it in a secure braid and placing a silver hairpin of an elaborate design in the midst of the braid. They left the warmth of the citadel and crossed the frozen gardens via a sheltered walkway. Though Rinoa had her staff, Noriko grasped her arm to support her in fear that the cobbled path was too slippery. They came to another branch of the gargantuan citadel, where many of the upper-class families dwelled. Noriko knocked loudly on the large wooden door. The same female attendant answered it.
"Welcome! Oh. I'm sorry Miss Noriko, but the Almasy's wish to talk to Lady Rinoa in private." A look of annoyance flickered across Noriko's attractive face before she nodded.
"Very well I'll wait here."
"Don't be silly Noriko, it's bitter out here! Return back to my quarters and I shall get one of the Almasy's attendants to bring me back." Said Rinoa light-heartedly.
"As you wish."
Rinoa entered the household and aided by the female attendant, was lead to the common room. She knelt in front of a low table, while she could hear the attendant busying herself making tea.
"Riona, Welcome!" came the proud voice of Shinji Almasy, Seifer's father.
"Lord and Lady Almasy" She addressed bowing her head "Thank you for inviting me."
"Well we do enjoy your company." Praised Lady Mai "However I'm afraid this isn't a social event. My husband and I wish to discuss something with you."
"Very well."
The attendant began poring the steaming brown liquid into the miniature, fine ceramic cups. Rinoa kindly thanked her after she had served her.
"Like I mentioned in earlier conversation with you, you're quite wise for a young woman and your life has been full of such hardships, so I think some good news is in order." Smiled Mai before continuing "I wish for you and my son to be wed."
Rinoa, who had been sipping her tea at the time Lady Mai had said this, nearly choked on the amber fluid. She quickly composed herself.
"Marriage?.. But how can such a thing be arranged if I have no guardians to speak of, Lady Mai?"
"Emperor Jinn has given us the blessing in place of your parents."
"I see…"
"I know your feelings towards arranged marriages are somewhat indecisive yet I'm sure once wed you'll see that it is a wonderful thing!" Enthused Lord Shinji.
"Our son is somewhat reckless, just recently today he was in a scuffle with that solider, Squall Leonhart and so he needs a wife of a mature and steady mind."
Rinoa's grip on the cup tightened, she was half absorbing what her future in-laws were saying while trying to process the though of marriage.
"My husband and I believe you would be a smart match and Seifer is incredibility fond of you."
"Yes, of course…" she agreed, a forged smile plastered on her face.
"We haven't arranged any dates yet but I imagine it shall be in a month or so."
Rinoa had sat listening to them ramble on about this marriage and how magnificent it shall be for all of them with a sinking heart. She didn't want this…
Squall sensed that Rinoa was discontent and decided to leave her be. It was better you worked these things out on your own than have someone else mixed up in the equation. He turned and began walking away.
"I heard you had a fight with Seifer today…" She remarked, hoping he'd stay and speak with her. His footsteps stopped and he turned.
"We were training and things got out of hand." He informed rather dismissively.
"Oh… I hope you're not injured."
"No, just a scratch, that's all." A brief silence commenced and the only audible sound was the whirl of the winter wind as it blew against the citadel's strong walls. "…Where is Noriko? It doesn't seem like her to leave you out here alone." Squall knew she and Rinoa were good friends, and like most friends they may have had a falling out, which could explain Rinoa's gloomy mood.
"She is back in my quarters, the Almasy's wished to speak with me privately, so I had to send her away." Rinoa explained her face seemed that of a mask, expressionless.
"I see… I'll leave you with your thoughts then." Squall again turned and began to trudge through the snow.
"I am to be wed to Seifer." Squall steps discontinued abruptly and he spun round. Her words had captured his attention with ease. He walked back to the pergola, slightly unsure if he had heard correctly.
"Wed?" he questioned. She nodded slightly. "Erm…Congratulations."
"Thank you." Her impassive face produced a weak smile.
"Come. I'll take you back to your quarters. I'm sure Seifer wouldn't want his bride to fall ill due to standing in the cold."
Her smile broadened and appeared more genuine. Rinoa outstretched her hand; he gently grasped admiring its delicate pale form and led her from the pergola.