The best of times are when I'm
alone with you.
Some rain, some shine.
We'll make this a
world for two--
"The Best of Times"—Styx
A Time of Peace. A Time of War.
Chapter III
That evening, Zidane and his friends wined and dined. After the party was over, Zidane and his friends retired to their individual quarters. Zidane's room was next to Garnet's chamber. Personally, he would have preferred Garnet's room, but royal politics would never allow such a thing. After he finished his last sip of wine, Zidane stepped onto his room's balcony and stared at the two moons.
"It's weird, but as I stare at those two moons, I can't help but think about that time when I was thirteen years old. That was when I wanted to find out who I was—who my parents were. And all I had to go on was the blue light that I could faintly remember…The light that happened to be the light of Terra. Of course I couldn't find it, and I came back home to Tantalus; and Baku beat the living shit out of me…But when I came home, I realized that I was home. Now…I've come to see Alexandria as my home as well…"
Zidane's thoughts were abruptly ended when two soft hands wrapped around his waist. "What's this? A thief caught off his guard?"
Zidane turned to see Garnet smiled. He smiled back at her. "Me? Never!"
Garnet chuckled. "There's no reason to lie, Zidane. I heard you gasp when I caught you."
Zidane continued to smile. "I can see that you learned a few techniques during our travels together."
Garnet kept her smile. "Please, sit down beside me."
Zidane did as Garnet requested. "So Dagger, tell me what has happened to you since we separated that day on the airship?"
"…It was hard, because I wanted you to be by my side…"
"Well, I'm here now."
"Yes, you're here now, and that gives me comfort…But there's another problem that I've to deal with."
"What's that?"
Garnet sighed. "Let me ask you, Zidane…Did you notice anything odd when you asked Freya about the reconstruction of Burmecia?"
"…No…why?"
Garnet breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good…I didn't want too many questions about that today."
"…What do you mean, Dagger?"
"Do you remember the destruction of Burmecia, Clerya, and Lindblum caused by my mother?"
"Of course, I witnessed it."
"Alexandria's being held responsible."
"It wasn't your fault though, Dagger."
"I know that…But that doesn't matter."
"Why doesn't it matter?"
"Because people don't understand what happened."
"Then why don't you tell them?"
"Because it wouldn't make any difference…Look…all these people know is what they saw. They saw Alexandria attack their cities. Yes, obviously, I wasn't involved, but that doesn't matter. I was part of the royal family then, and now I'm queen.
Then, of course, you could say, 'Well, it's Kuja's fault,' but that still doesn't matter. Most of the citizens know nothing about Kuja, and even those that do still say—and rightfully so—that it was my mother that attacked those nations…That's why…I have to say that besides your homecoming, Zidane, I was so happy at the cheers that I received when I leapt into your arms from Alexandria's citizens."
"Why would they be mad at you, Dagger? Surely they know that you didn't cause the destruction to Alexandria."
"They do, but that's not the problem."
"Then what is?"
"I've had to increase taxes on them."
"Oh, Dagger…"
"I know, and I didn't like doing it either…But I didn't have a choice."
"What do you mean?"
"The people of Burmecia and Clerya deserve money from us. Uncle Cid hasn't asked for money on Lindblum itself, but a lot of the families—particularly in the Industrial District—have. I mean, countless lives were ruined. Many couples lost their spouses. Children lost their parents."
"Your words're reminding me about that Burmecian soldier, Dan, and his family that sought refuge in Clerya. Dan was killed by the black mages. His wife lost her breadwinner, and his children lost their father…At the same time, I wonder if any of them survived. Brahne unleashed Odin onto the city."
"Unfortunately," continued Garnet, "we don't have enough money in the treasury to pay for all the retributions. So we had to tax the citizens. The citizens, however, are angry over the tax. They rejected the actions of my mother—once they learned what she had done—and now they feel they're paying the burden for it."
Zidane stood up. "Well, in a sense they are, Dagger…No one likes to pay taxes, especially over something they'd no control over…But I want to help you through this. I'm a commoner, after all; and I can relate to them."
Garnet stood beside him, and kissed him. "Thank you, Zidane."
Zidane returned the kiss. "You're welcome…You're having a meeting with Freya tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"I'd like to be there as well."
