Author's Note: Sorry about the wait, onto chapter two!

Summary: Beatrix continues her recollection, deepening the scandle.

Rating: Hasn't changed

The Affiar

Chapter Two: A Second Look

By: Mazzie May


Garnet huffed. "Misplace his faith", ha! her mind spat. Garnet was a reasonable girl, and she's always been understanding. Look at the trek she took with Zidane, after all; that was filled with so much total nonsense that she constantly considered hanging herself. But she endured to the end and now she had a whole kingdom to show for it.

But this… this was total rubbish. She even dared to call it Bullshit, and she hardly ever dared used vulgar common words anymore (she hated it from day one, and giggled like a mad woman when she returned to court with proper phrasing). She was so happy to be back at the castle, surrounded by structure and the sureness that all was right, and well, and nothing could make her return to the insanity of the outer world again.

The castle is safe.

The castle is crisp.

The castle is clean.

So, what is this? What the hell is this? Her wonderful safe haven was being destroyed – no, it already was destroyed; this had been going on for a long time. Termites. Like termites, they ate away the underside and now I'm falling through the floor.

She ran a hand through her hair, inhaling a deep breath, holding her head high, chin out, back straight. A very diplomatic way for a member of power to express their rage. Without moving her head she looked down at her father's journal. The man she had worshiped and respect and loved unconditionally in life and in death was doing this to her.

Why? She continued to look down at the book, wishing that words would appear and give her the answers she sought. If this whole thing started back when Beatrix first came to the castle… that was before Mother changed. Back when we were happy. Daddy, why…

Beatrix watched Garnet's face and felt an intense amount of pity. Her features were controlled, if not slightly strained, but the bewildered anger that had taken hold of her eyes showed true. Beatrix knew very well that Garnet had no liking for mistresses and secret lovers. That was the main reason the King left Beatrix to begin with; he didn't want to upset Garnet.

But that was a good while after their relationship began. She looked down at the old journal, the royal insignia worn and faded. She remembered it when it was still gold and new, that first time she saw it in the –

- castle library, tucked into a nice space on the castle's right side. A connecting corridor from the castle's east wing was the only way to enter it. Three stories high it stood, its walls giant shelves lined from corner to corner with books. Staircases and ladders littered the gold and marble floor, cherry wood railings wrapping around in bizarre spirals heading upward. Enormous clear windows broke in between books in each wall on every floor, purple and gold velvet curtains dangling around them. White waxed candles sat in gold wall fixtures and in polished table holders. A truly glorious place.

But this particular evening, as Beatrix strolled along the rows of master manuscript, the candles were lit and burning quietly. The place was empty, completely normal for this time of night, save for her and her King. She'd worked very hard over the last year, and was now captain of his personal guard.

He was seated comfortably behind his grand desk, reading one book while scribbling away in another. She smiled as his brow creased in concentration. He always worked so hard for his people. Unlike his wife… She frowned, turning away from her charge. Her Queen was acting so bizarrely, ever since she found that book. She'd lock herself away deep beneath the castle taking her trusted knight, Adelbert Steiner, with her. Whatever it was the Queen was experimenting with, it was affecting her greatly; her long dark hair was rapidly becoming a lighter, scraggly mop and her once fair skin was blotchy, almost green. She was quickly gaining weight as well. She certainly wasn't the prize she used to be.

Beatrix sighed, running a long gloved finger down the binding of an old book about knights. Steiner… He was a good man, Adelbert. Always taking himself way too seriously, though. He was tall and strong, good with a sword, handsome, too. Of course he was the Queen's personal guard. But every so often, when the Queen demanded his presence in the castle's bowels, he came back just a little bit different than before. His eyes were becoming darker, and his coordination was off a bit, and was it just her or was he getting a bit shorter?

Beatrix was no fool to see that whatever dangers the Queen was playing with was putting both her and her knight at risk. It was shame, really. Everyone knew that Adelbert was fond of the young princess and even though those feelings weren't romantic, Beatrix was sure that the Captain would soon love the women Garnet would become. And the little princess seemed infatuated with him, so Beatrix wished them the best in the future. But at the rate things were going, the Queen's game could kill them both before Garnet reached her ninth year of breath.

Another sigh. The Queen had never been the kindest of people, but she was becoming a serious witch. And Beatrix could hardly stand the way she treated the King. The king was a wonderful, generous, caring, sincere, honest-

"Beatrix?" She spun about and half jogged out of the aisle back to the first floor open space. "Are you still here?"

"Yes, M'king." She weaved through the many tables to get to him. He'd moved from his desk to standing in front of one of large windows, gazing out at the stars. She came up behind him and to his right, her usual position. She could see in the mirror that was the window he was smiling softly, sadly. "Something troubling you, Sire?"

"I fear I must be honest with you, Beatrix." She tilted her head quizzically, her blonde pony tail of curls swishing a bit. "I've noticed something. You did a very good job of hiding it, I must admit. I was rather taken aback when I came upon it, myself."

She narrowed her eyes in question, not sure what he meant, but very sure she didn't like where he was going. "What is it you think you've discovered, Sire?"

"Your feelings for your king." Oh, shit. She knew she didn't like where this was going.Beatrix tensed; this was the sort of thing that caused good knights to meet the nooses. The king was a kind man, but if he disapproved that badly… well, her life was over.

She had to be careful here, not just for her life, though. If she lost her knighthood and was banished from the castle, she'd rather take the execution than live with that shame. Than life without him. "…Sire, I –"

"I used to wonder, when you first came here. I'd catch you staring, you know?" He flicked his eyes to her reflection. "You got better at turning away before I caught your eyes, and I'd even begun to believe that whatever crush you'd had had died away." She was holding her breath. This was not good. "But when my Queen insulted me just a few days ago, I saw something spark beneath your eyes that gave this old man hope." Another soft smile.

Wait, what? What was going on here? Hope? For what? "Sire, I… I'm afraid I'm not following." She reached up and touched her pony-tail, a nervous habit of her childhood that hadn't returned until now.

"You never planed on telling me how you felt. And that's just as equally unfair!" He turned his bright eyes to her. "I used to think that Brahne would be the way she was and I'd grow used to it. I used to think that even if she didn't show it, she still loved me. And I still believe that." He let out a small sigh and looked up at the decorated ceiling. "But spending the last year with your company, in this library, out in the gardens, playing with my daughter, visits into the city, and beyond reminded me just how nice it was to care for someone, and have someone care for you in return."

Beatrix's jaw had dropped long before he finished his small speech. Oh, this was not happening. It wasn't, it wasn't – and he took her hand in his and continued smiling looking down at it. "That book I always carry?" The one he'd been writing in earlier. "Is filled with you."

Beatrix coughed. This was too much. She'd been perfectly content with watching him love his tyrantess of a wife, as long as she could just be near. She never even considered him returning her feelings, because she never planned on telling him. Her brain had completely shut down, and all she could manage was a weak "Oh."

He looked at her closely. "My knight, would you give me permission to address you by your birth name?" She thought she might faint. But, Beatrix was only her last name.

"Angelika, Sire. And yes…" She placed her other hand over his. "You may call me by it."

"I was hoping you wouldn't leave the castle for a long time, Angelika."

"…I'll stay as long as I may serve, M'king."

"Jarius, please. And…" he touched her hair, smiling, "Forever would be appropriate, I think."

Beatrix felt a foolish girl's blush spread across her face as she finished recalling the tale. Steiner had long since turned away and Garnet was just sad. Because she understood her father's feelings. She would always love her mother, but she'd been so hard to deal with at times. Garnet had wanted to escape, too. It seems they both did, in their separate ways.

But… what was that part about she and Steiner…?

Author's Note: So sorry that took so long. Go sidetracked again. Anyway, now that I have my BETA situation all figured out, I'm on a more loyal writting schedule. This chapter was fun to write. I know Garnet seems slightly OOC, but there were points in the game that made me feel like she really missed castle life. Next chapter, a knight's vow.

R&R Please!