As she was preparing for an uneventful weekend, a few knocks sounded at Valerie's door. It was early in the morning and she was in the middle of brewing some coffee. She dropped everything in her hands to check through the peephole with curious eyes. Who would visit her on a weekend like this, in such early hours? A grin grew on her face after seeing who was on the other side.

The door swung open to reveal the face of her new boyfriend. The Commander stood in the doorway with his hands held behind his back. Instead of his uniform, he was wearing a dress shirt and a pair of black pants. The ascot around his neck remained, as did the bow in his hair. She blinked twice to make sure it was him. Before he could say anything, she wasted no time ushering him in.

"Good morning~" She greeted melodramatically, going back into the kitchen. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Kane followed after with attentive eyes. "I'm off-duty today."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"I work enough that I can take as much time off as I please." He went ahead and sat down at her table. She brought over a couple of cups and handed one to him. He graciously accepted it as she took a seat next to him. One sip was enough to bring her to her senses.

"...So, what made you want to spend your time off showing up on my doorstep first thing in the morning?"

He drummed his fingers along the handle of his mug. "Do you like operas?"

'An interesting question.' She thought, and gave him a speculative look. "I don't think I have ever been to one...my mother talked about them a lot; I think my parents went to a few performances in their day."

"Florenza has an opera house in the heart of their city. It's part of their artistic performances here - they're having an exhibit and show this evening. His Majesty was invited, but he declined the invitation. He didn't want the seats wasted, so he gave the tickets to me."

He reached in his pocket and presented them on the table. She noticed there were two. These must have been for the King and Queen...why would they turn down such an opportunity? Then she remembered people of their esteem must be invited to these things all the time. Declining one invitation must mean nothing. But to her, it would be the opportunity of a lifetime-

"Would you like to go with me tonight?"

She looked between him and the tickets several times. "You want to go with me..?"

"Obviously. You would be my date." He swiped them from her hands. "It should be a great start to our relationship for me to take you somewhere you'd like. While I can, of course."

She smirked, wanting to test him. "And what makes you think I would like an opera..?"

"You appreciate the arts - and they will be there. A small exhibit before the show, followed by a performance. They highly encourage criticism, the wine is complimentary, and you'll get to observe everyone's behavior there."

"Sounds like you've had your share of these."

He took a drink and shifted his gaze. "I'm the third wheel for the King and Queen. His majesty doesn't really enjoy them and wants my company so we can talk. Queen Margherita has me around for protection when she goes alone."

She weighed her options. She had no plans for the day and was going to spend it cleaning. An opera date sounded exciting, and like he said, it was something she'd enjoy trying. She finished the rest of her drink before providing a final answer - given with an inviting smile on her lips.

"It sounds like a lovely date. I'll come."

"Perfect."

"But first-"

She stood and rushed into the other room. There were a few shuffling noises heard in her absence. Kane attempted to see where she went until she returned with a box in her hands. She set it down with a worrisome grin on her features, a wild look in her eyes as she revealed what was inside. He relaxed as chess pieces fell onto the table and the board slipped out with ease. She sat down and set their drinks aside.

"-We must play a game or two." She finished her sentence.

He gave her permission to prepare the board. His chest felt peculiar as he watched her move the pieces. He was getting more than he bargained for hoping she'd share his excitement with his favorite game. He licked his lips as he had to tear his gaze away from her face. Suddenly, everything made sense. It all clicked into place - why he was falling for this woman, and how he found her determination with defeating him in a game of pawns and knights so admirable.

When they began their chess game, he was almost tempted to let her win.


Kane made a comment during their third game. "You remind me of the Queen piece."

She lost the last couple of matches to his clever strategies, but things were picking up this time around. She was getting the hang of what he was doing and spinning a few surprise moves of her own. Valerie doubted she would win, but losing was becoming a more difficult feat for him. It took her a couple of turns to process what he said, looking at him doubtfully. Her eyes couldn't help glossing down to her queen piece sitting before her.

"How so?"

He moved his rook. "When I saw you among your peers. Standing tall from the rest; showing such determination I couldn't find in anyone else. It was obvious when you were in that training room, looking back on it."

"But the Queen? The most powerful piece on the board..?"

"Exactly. You even handle her well."

Her eyes kept darting over to the queen as she played her rounds. She didn't notice it until he said something. She had a difficult time finding any resemblance of herself to the queen - remembering what happened when he observed her, wondering how he would find any similarities with what she did to a significant figure in a game.

Her body felt itchy. "You remind me of the King. What was it we talked about...? That war is like a chess game?" He nodded. "-Without you, it would be impossible to fight, wouldn't it? You're just as important. Nothing would be won without you."

She tsked as she continued, "-But me? I'm far from the queen. It would be more realistic to say I am one of the pawns."

"Far from it. I've seen what you can do."

"You never got the chance to see my full potential. The time you observed me - my nose was broken, and I-"

"That wasn't the only time I've seen you." He interrupted. "Every time I went out there and watched the training - I was keeping an eye on you. I did it a lot after we spoke. I was more than impressed. So believe me when I say you would make an excellent Queen."

Her heart fluttered at the compliment. All this time she doubted Kane would've been there to watch her, but it turned out that he was! He kept an eye on her in particular, even though she spent so much time believing otherwise. Her fingers trailed over the head of her queen piece, and she lost her breath remembering his words.

"I need more training before I could ever be as powerful as her."

Kane looked at her with intent eyes as he captured her piece, then thoughtfully hummed.

"I will help you get there."


The evening started sooner than they expected. How time flew by while she was with him - Valerie and Kane could play so many games before they agreed they'd had enough for the day. But even in that time, countless of hours were spent in their intense chess matches. Seeing who could capture more pieces - who could prolong the last minutes of the game by playing tango with their king and queen. They didn't need to speak much during this time, allowing the movements of their pawns and bishops to do the talking for them.

The only change Kane made to his outfit was putting on a black and golden coat. He didn't button it, so his shirt remained exposed. Valerie changed into something more appropriate for where they were going - a formal dress, yellow and white in color, that came down to her ankles. She wore a pair of modest heels, giving her an extra inch to her height. She met with him at the door and smirked when she found his eyes crawling down her figure.

"You like what you see?" She winked.

He found her confidence attractive. "-As I always do." He motioned with his hand and she was at his side immediately. "Let's head out."

They hailed a cab to bring them to the opera house. The trip wasn't terribly long. She was sitting close to Kane until a large structure came into view. She pressed herself against the window to get a better look. It was illuminated by large lights that covered every inch of the place, with unicorn statues sitting proudly outside. She was entranced. When they stopped, she wasted no time throwing herself out of the car and looking at entrance in wonder. There were people standing outside with glasses of wine in their hands. They were wearing formal attire, the women in elegant dresses while the men respectively wore tuxes.

Such a scene looked out of her league. But the tickets in her date's pocket suggested otherwise.

The Commander caught up with her. He had no time to admire the view, as she pulled them both forward. They were treated to their own helping of wine and complimentary foods. Valerie was interested in the art exhibit taking place on the lower floor - canvases and paintings held carefully for display. She and Kane went around admiring and commenting on the pieces for what felt like hours. He found her criticisms insightful and enjoyed this part of their evening immensely. He shared a lot of her opinions, and at some point they agreed on what was the best and lacking pieces of this exhibition.

Valerie giggled as she dipped the rim of her glass and sipped the wine. Before, she'd believe this all to be far above her - but now she was indulging in alcohol and art at a show like she was some rich critic. The act felt amusing to her. For Kane, this was natural. And she blended in beautifully with him. No one even cast a second glance in their direction.

"The show should be starting soon," He informed her after awhile.

They discarded their glasses and headed up a grand staircase. She expected to follow everyone else until Kane pulled her to the side. They climbed a more private staircase to what seemed like another floor. The man waiting on top stopped to collect their tickets, then allowed them to pass. He brought her into one of the gallery boxes. This one had a perfect view of the stage and was separated from the others. Strangely, this one only had two seats. He guided her down into her chair, resting in his own afterwards.

"These are...special seats, I'm assuming?" She asked. He nodded and motioned to the other boxes filled with more people.

"These are the King and Queen's reserved seats. Guaranteed to have the perfect view."

She certainly agreed. They waited a few minutes until Kane suddenly remembered something and excused himself. He returned with something in his hand, which he kept hidden from her view until he was sitting beside her again. She curiously looked at what he presented, which was a golden Colombina mask with feathers protruding from one side. The stick it was held on was long and golden, small enough to fit in her hands perfectly.

"This is my gift to you." He explained. "I've been thinking of what mask would suit you best ever since we met. After getting to know you, I think I had the perfect idea."

"It's beautiful." She whispered, taking it from him and gliding her finger along one of the feathers. "You got this for me?"

"I made it." He corrected. "I had someone holding it until it was the perfect time to give it to you."

"The artistry is amazing. It even matches my dress..." She held the mask over her face and peered through the sockets. If held close enough, it barely obscured her vision. "How can I possibly thank you for this?"

"Don't worry about it."

Before she could reply, the lights dimmed and the voices hushed. The show was starting. As Valerie leaned forward to get a better view, a pair of opera glasses were brought into her hand. She looked at Kane and he simply motioned for her to use them. She held them over her mask and got a better view of the stage, where she saw the performers coming out in clear light. Once the music began, an excitement arose in her chest.

The show was wonderful. For Kane, it was the usual. But the highlight of his night was when her hand gripped his sometime during the performance. It was done without thought, but not once did her palm slip from his. He enjoyed the contact and focused more on her than he did with the entire opera. How beautiful she looked holding the mask he made for her...


Florenza became cold the longer the sky darkened, with occasional gusts of wind bringing a chill into the air. Kane offered Valerie his coat during their ride back. It kept her warm for the longest time. She returned it once they were in the confines of her own home. She kindled a fire right away and insisted for Kane to wait in the room for a few minutes.

She prepared a paper and pen in her bedroom. She began writing a letter to her mother. Emilia's reply made her dig her fingernails into her skin. She made note of how much time they were spending together and insisted that something would happen between her and the Commander. At the time, she refused to believe such a thought - only being on a first-name basis with Kane. She could only confirm her mother's suspicions now.

She cleared her throat and attempted to write her words steady. Should she even mention that it's him? Or would Emilia fill in the blanks for her? Her arm shook when the time came to reveal such a thing. In the end, she didn't name him as she wrote about being involved with a man. She allowed herself to gush about how well their dates went. At that point, she told her mother everything she wanted her to know, and securely tucked the letter away in her bedroom.


She returned to Kane in the other room, who was situated on the couch with his coat and shoes taken off. He was resting closely by the fire, moving his head once she came into the room. She slipped off her heels, coming to his side and resting right away. Even though the air started to warm, it was still a cold night. They eventually settled down by laying on the cushions, with her nestled at his side. He laid a hand on her back to keep her from falling and she closed her eyes.

The feeling was peaceful. And comfortable, for both of them.

She was the first to break their silence. "It is a shame you'll be leaving."

"I know."

She shifted uncomfortably. After a wonderful night, all that was left to think about was his impending departure. Would this be their last time together? She grieved the thought.

"With winter coming, things are going to get colder. Who will I have to keep me warm, then?" She laughed a little. His lack of a reply made her frown. "I can't imagine how much I'm going to miss you. It is a painful thought, the more I think about it."

He said nothing as the silence sank into the room. She rested her head on his chest after that, listening to the sound of his breathing and the cracks of the fire. She would cherish this moment as long as she could, if it was going to be the last for awhile. His hand rubbed along her back in thought, his fingertips carefully caressing the details of her dress. She made a noise in delight and nestled her head further in the crook of his neck.

"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?" She whispered. He swallowed the knot in his throat before being able to reply.

"I will have to, yes."

She made a disappointed grunt. He noticed his chest felt cold, his breathing restricted with how tight his stomach became. Every time he heard this tone from her - one of dejection and disappointment - he wanted to hold her. Even though they were situated so close to one another, resting by a warm fire in the middle of a cold night, his heart felt like ice. This pain was beginning to numb him. The realization struck all at once:

He's leaving tomorrow.

Despite how hard he tried to make this day last - taking no moment to indulge in his work, spending every second with Valerie as they played their chess games, bringing her to an expensive opera and its exhibit...to end their night together in each other's arms - none of that felt like it was enough.

"After all this time with you, I forgot what it's like to feel lonely." She continued to rub salt in the wound. "I'm not looking forward to that feeling again."

His fingers began to tremble. His grip loosened on the fabric of her dress. She didn't seem to notice his faltering composure as she hummed lightly into his shirt. His mind began to race, thinking of every option he had in this moment. This always happened whenever he panicked. Despite keeping his wits about him the entire day, he suddenly felt like he couldn't think straight.

"Maybe we can write each other letters while you're gone? It wouldn't be the same, but I prefer it more than-"

"-Come with me."

The words he'd been thinking of escaped his lips in an abrupt manner. They startled him, and it certainly got Valerie's attention. She perked up at his suggestion. He struggled to find the right words to clarify - he hadn't meant to say that, or even consider it at all. He wanted to keep the suggestion as nothing more than a thought, yet the spontaneous part of him allowed it to slip from his mouth...

"Come...with you?" She repeated.

Her eyes were beautiful as she gazed at him perplexingly - the browns mixing so well with the yellows and oranges reflected from the fire. She was gorgeous, even if he'd seen her plenty of times by now. How she looked back at that opera - wearing that breathtaking dress and the mask he made for her...He'd never felt so smitten. Her touch become soft when she gripped at his shirt.

'To hell with it', he thought.

He sat up and held the sides of her face, allowing himself to indulge in this seemingly-irresponsible decision. "Not hearing your voice, or seeing your beautiful face in person...it would all be torture to me." He slid his thumb across her cheek. "To only think of those things at night, and stray so far from you...I couldn't stand it."

She fluttered her eyes. She'd been praying to hear something like this - that he would want to stay here, or take her with him. Even though it sounded absurd in the moment, this was such a romantic gesture. She wasn't sure what to say at first. She'd been so absorbed with him leaving that she hadn't actually considered coming WITH him.

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

He looked at her strangely. He was the one inviting her to such an impulsive idea. He was confident this was what he wanted - why else would he blurt it out instead of thoughtfully keeping it away? Those words came from his heart - not from his usual logical way of thinking. Which was hard to overturn as it is.

"Of course I do. I want you by my side. I think I've made this clear."

"But to say this when you're leaving tomorrow? You're prepared - you've had this planned! Where does that leave me?"

"Valerie, I've spent a month here because I'm enamored with you. I've had no other reason to be here this long. I knew I'd return, but I'm nowhere near ready to leave as you think I am."

She bit her lip. How desperate those words sounded...At this point, it would feel wrong to say 'no'. Not that she wanted to, anyway. Her life was dull without Kane - she hadn't much else to do here. It was boring not having a thing to relate to with the upper classes. But how she felt back at their date - indulging in these things and becoming part of the crowd she didn't belong in...it was because of him. What could possibly hold her back from ditching everything and sailing away with the Supreme Commander?

She reached for his hands, looking meaningfully into his eyes. "Of course I'll come with you."

He smiled. That was always a sight she loved to see. He wasted no time giving her a passionate kiss on the lips - which traveled to her neck and exposed shoulder. She giggled when he hit the more sensitive areas, craning her neck to give him more room. She held a hand over his as he pecked her skin, fixing her gaze around the room.

"I suppose this means I'll have to start packing tonight..." She looked at him suddenly. "Wait, where would I be...staying, if I come with you?"

He ceased his movements and thought about this carefully. He soon told her, "You can stay at my place. My house is close to Cadiz - it wouldn't be a problem at all."

"Your place..? Does that mean, I'll be moving in with you..?"

Kane grinned before ducking his head. "If you wish not to return here, then you can. I have no plans to come back to Florenza - not if you'll be coming with me."

This was quite a thought. She held a finger to her chin. They took what they had earnestly the moment they agreed to it. She hadn't thought anything else of her relationship with Kane - what part of it would remain a one night stand? Moving in with him would get all these complications out of the way. Not to mention, she'd have a proper home after all this time. She was more than ready for that.

"I will gladly stay with you."

He appreciated this answer, wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her closer. He whispered a few words into her ear that would stay with her for a long time.

"Thank you, my Queen."

'Queen?' She mouthed the word. It felt...nice, slipping off of her tongue. Almost, natural. She did feel like a Queen today, after being spoiled with such luxury and even sitting in her majesty's seat! At this point, denying the similarities was starting to feel ridiculous.

'Queen'...