The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.

A/N: I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.

21st Century

Christopher Reed was not the man to despair of anything, much less the sort who expected a divine solution to his problems. Perhaps because many years ago he had come to the conclusion that he had been abandoned by God, or because experience had taught him that every minute he stopped was one less of life when he was faced with an army of rabid and heavily armed soldiers, especially when some of the soldiers in question were on horseback and he was not.

Several escape routes had passed through his head, more for safety than for any desire to escape – again -, because if there was one thing everyone knew about him was that he never ran away from a good fight since his return to the court. Even when the opponent had a twenty to one advantage. And then everyone knew that the harder the battle, the better the reward, at least that was what he and many others thought of it. For this reason, he regarded with calm and naturalness the desertion of the leader of the troop.
He finished loading his fire gun and positioned himself to aim at the head of a soldier who was in front of the others.

"Hold the position!"

He noticed from the corner of his eye a strange movement at his side.

"Firm!" He shouted once more for the troop to hear him

As he turned his eyes forward and saw the army of soldiers even closer, he was sure that before he gave the order to shoot, many other soldiers would follow the example of the old knight of another province and run to hide in some hole in the ruins behind them. He knew exactly who would be the first to do it. He did not have to wait long to see a fire gun fly and see a soldier running off in the direction the old knight had taken, so at least ten other men were chasing after him. But there was no time to pay attention to the cowards, especially since the rabid soldiers had chosen that moment to start firing.

"Fire!" He still managed to scream before throwing himself to the ground to deflect an almost accurate shot

Shots and daggers flew in all directions. Those who had previously remained in position were now running to save their lives. The moment of "every man for himself" had arrived in record time. The blood and the bodies of the front men stained the earth. The angry soldiers passed through them as devastating and ruthless as a cloud of locusts destroying a plantation. If Christopher thought that God was not with him, he had every reason to be sure that Devil was with the bloody foes.
He threw the rifle that was accompanied by a detachable bayonet in the chest of a soldier, but as he imagined, he did not get the reaction he wanted since the strange soldier seemed to feel no pain or to be immobilized by wounds.

"Shit!" He drew a flintlock and shot the same immortal soldier as he tried to run backwards

He had not gone very far, trying to reload the gun, when he tripped over a body. The fall caused the weapon to fly from his hands. He looked around expecting to see some enemy ready to kill him. Christopher Reed would never be accused of lying down and waiting for death.

At that moment, Christopher heard a low, high-pitched sound, like a groan. He turned quickly and saw a dead man feeding on another dead body.

"What the fuck?"

He jumped up and ran as fast as he could in the direction of a large statue. He knew he was being pursued, he could feel the ground tremble with the rush of angry soldiers and heard the ominous sound of the tongues of the enemies snarling like a macabre salute to death.

When he finally reached the statue, he was weak. He threw his body against the stones of the image in the vain hope of making a secret passage appear, or who knows, the ground opening and swallowing the enemies. But the only thing that happened was to be surrounded by twenty creatures under the sight of rifles with bayonets and scythes. He decided to use the last seconds of life to exchange a few words with the Lord. The moment he closed his eyes he heard the sound of the rifles being cocked, knowing he would not have much time, he chose to make a request, "Sorry to bother the Lord, I know you must be very busy since you obviously are not here. I know, and the Lord knows too, that I do not believe you exist, but if you're feeling willing to prove otherwise the moment is this ... I think it's just ... hum ... Amen"

He heard a distant ringing of bells.

.

.

.

To be continued

(*)

Chris woke up in panic. Sweating. Another crazy dream. A dream? It felt so real! His body felt numb and painful at the same time as if he had been on field. That dream's field.
The room half-lit by the light coming in through the half-open curtains.

"Chris?"

Chris turned his face to the open door of his bedroom to see Eliza standing looking at him

"Liz…"

"Are you okay?" she asked in concern

"Yeah…"

"Would you like some water?"

He nodded in acceptance as he sat, still disoriented. He checked the alarm clock. 9:30AM. He wasn't used waking up so "late". Not even in his off days.

It didn't take long for Eliza return with a glass of water.

"Bad dream?"

He nodded

"What was it about?"

"I was in the battlefield… but the place was so rustic. The weaponry… I had no idea how to battle those people that acted like a zombie-sort-of or maybe a Ganado…" as he explained, Eliza made a face that she didn't know what he meant with the technical terms, "Creatures I usually meet at my current work…"

"Well, it's your usual routine. Probably just memories of your own work…"

"Yeah, I agree… But I felt cornered. Without options… like I said, it was a rustic scenario. No proper handguns, rifles, or submachine guns… like those old fire weapons in the 16-18's centuries. In the dream, I had never faced such creatures and I felt so limited that all I could do was run"

"Maybe you need a vacation"

He grinned, "Vacation?"

"Yes, everybody need a vacation. Including you!"

"I do take some time off! It's not like I work nonstop!"

"Really? When was the last time you went on a trip or took over 10 days off? I'm here for a quite a while and since the time my mother worked for you, I don't remember her telling me you were in a vacation trip"

He laughed, "I guess you're right. Cath and Zack would enjoy some quality time in family"

She smiled back, "Yes. That's a great idea. You deserve it and if you allow me to say this, but I can see the change in you since she came to your life"

"Is that visible?"

"Yeah!"

"We had an instant chemistry."

"Love at first sight?"

"I don't know if I call it love… I believe love comes with time and dedication, but passion or attraction does happen at first sight"

"So you fell in love with her at first sight?"

He grinned, "Yeah, I did… I tried to keep the distance and fought the urge to ask her out, but it was inevitable…"

"And now you're about to move in together and become a family… maybe you'll have your own children!"

He giggled, "Children…" he let out a sigh, "Something I never really dreamed of…I don't think it suits me"

"I beg to disagree. From all I've witnessed, you're a good stepfather."

He laughed, "My sister says I'm bossy"

"Maybe you were when younger, but I don't see you bossy now. You're more mature and protective like a family man. You'd be a great father"

He cleared his throat, "I'm fine in just being a stepfather! But I appreciate your honesty and seeing something I don't"

18th Century

Castle of Bohma, Royal Bedchambers

"Christopher…"

"Charles"

"Thank you for coming so quickly"

"I came as soon I received your message"

The sovereign nodded grateful, "You always proving you're worth my full trust…and worth a kingdom…"

"What can I do for your majesty?"

The man pointed to the bedside table, "That paper…take it, read and then sign" he spoke in between sobs

Christopher's heart raced, his hands shaking. He re-read it a few times. He could not believe it.

"You know I don't have surviving offspring and the remaining relatives of my family are not that trustable…"

"But your majesty…"

"The Privy Council approved this law as I managed to convince them it was for the best of Bohma and now Edonia…"

Christopher was speechless. Motionless.

"We can make a test, as I have no condition to rule my kingdoms and as soon my near end comes, you shall be proclaimed the new head of the state and king of Bohma-Edonia and Pierce the head of government"

"Your majesty… I…"

"You deserve it, Christopher. It's all your merit. Bohma's infantry have never been so strong and the prosperity of Baveen and Arthena in your administration proved that Bohma-Edonia will be the most powerful and the best country of Europe… all you have to do is to sign to validate you as the future sovereign…"

"Charles… I…"

"Christopher. It's an order and my last wish!" the man spoke firm

Christopher let out a sigh and bowed the man.

As soon Christopher left the king's chambers, he went to visit Elizabeth. He liked her advises and he did feel like venting with someone. He told her the news and she was surprised but excited. She knew her sister would be thrilled when she learned the news, after all, she had fought hard for her recognition.

"I know you want to go back to Edonia, but I'd like to ask you a favor."

"Say it"

"Could you go with me to the convent to help me with the delivery of this donation?"

"Where is it?"

"It's the only one here in the area. In Green Hills Province... it's fast! Just give to make the delivery and then we'll leave"

"Why do not you send through a messenger?"

"Because I want to make sure the money will be delivered. It already happened that it was not ... Oh and at this time of year they have a cool festival to raise more money."

"Alright..." he spoke defeated

Convent of Bohma

"Good morning Mother." Elizabeth greeted the mother who welcomed them.

"Good morning, Elizabeth. Glad to see you back. "

The blonde smiled, "This is my brother-in-law, Christopher Reed, the sovereign of..."

Christopher shook his head for the blonde to stop introducing him "Here I am just a man without titles"

"Christopher Reed..." the mother repeated, whispering, "Of course your majesty..." the mother disguised her astonishment, "How can I help you?"

"I came to make my donation. I had some problems and I was late. I beg your forgiveness."

"Oh darling, it's okay. I understand" the mother turned to the man," And what about your majesty? What did bring you to our simple convent?" she asked politely

"Since I'm here. I'll make a donation too. And please, don't treat me like majesty. I'm just an ordinary man here"

"I beg your pardon. It's the power of habit. Let's go to my office to complete the donation process."

As they walked into the small chamber beside the chapel, Elizabeth broke the silence while Christopher looked around.

"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask... what happened to the other mother?"

The woman was somewhat reluctant, but she did not escape the reply, "A scandal!"

"A scandal?" the blonde replied

"Yes. Of corruption... But all evil comes to a good... and gradually we recover"

"What happened?" Christopher asked.

Unable to separate Christopher from the image of sovereign, the mother was forced to tell the story, after all, he was an authority and deserved honesty. But before the mother could begin to tell the story, she noticed that Christopher was distracted by one of the portraits on the wall.

"What about this painting? Did you receive as a donation? "He asked as he noted the name Angely Reed

The mother exhaled a long sigh. Had the fate given an unexpected turn by bringing that man to this place? Was he the same man, the same Christopher Reed whom she had heard the name several times many years ago?

"No donation... But the story behind the novice who designed it many years ago is closely linked to the corruption scandal..."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

The mother closed the door for privacy and sat down at the desk.

"Sit down, please. It's a long story..."

"You don't have to tell us mother..." Elizabeth said

"But he wants to know... I can see the crave in his eyes for the truth and the disturbance in his spirit..."

Elizabeth looked to the side and noticed the silent consent of her brother-in-law. The mystery of Angely Reed that always tormented him. It was no different from when he had asked her if she knew Maddy's art teacher, the court's current official painter. Divided into his present obligations, Christopher still had a past, a part of his past that still corrupted him. Elizabeth had no doubt that Christopher had learned to love her sister after so many years together, but she had realized that in the absence of his wife his corruption used to become visible at times. In moments like this.

And she would be witnessing the unveiling of that mystery.

He looked at the painting again. The painting of a lake... the lake he had never forgotten. The most beautiful and happy phase of his youth. When there was still some purity and hope left in a better tomorrow. In a sweet and warm tomorrow. A tomorrow by the side of the young redhead he had loved. The shy girl with a light smile and a delicate soul. The young painter who had invaded his soul in the softest velvet. The girl he loved the most pure and subtle love, quite angelic. Angelical like her name, Angelique.

"You know who painted, do not you?" The mother's distant voice brought him back to reality.

He sighed, "I don't know if it's the same person..."

"But your heart knows. Your spirit recognizes... as it happened to me when for a second I had the doubt that you are not the same Christopher Reed whom I have heard so much about... but my intuition had no doubts... "

He turned to her.

The vortex of time seemed to embrace them. The wheel of time began to spin.

"I only met an Angely Reed. Angelique..."

"Angelique Reed Stafford. The young redhead painter" the mother completed as if reading his thoughts

"Yes. My first wife"

"She told me her story... we were friends at the time she lived here. The only friend she had."

"She was shy to social interactions..."

"Yes, and she was also very injured."

"Injured?"

"Yes. Her father and stepmother had beaten her when they found her after running away with her husband... as he had not returned to save her from punishment."

"I was found by the royal guards, but I sent a doctor to help her, because she was sick"

"Sick?"

"Yes. She was feeling sick for a few days, which delayed us to go to a more distant place to start over and not be found by her family"

The mother swallowed. He had realized that Christopher did not know the truth, and now doubts tormented him. Should she tell him about Angelique's condition?

"Through the doctor, I asked her to meet me at court, but..." he looked down

The mother had felt a sorrow in her chest as she saw the sad face of the man before her, and she seemed finally to know the sad end of her friend, when even after so many years since the escape, there was still a hope that Angelique had managed to reach her destination. To find her beloved husband and father of the child she carried in her womb.

"She didn't go to court..." the woman said with a sad tone

He nodded in confirmation

She sighed heavily, "We had a similar story of abandonment by the family, just because we gave ourselves to the love of our lives... and that love has multiplied."

Christopher looked at her, "Has it multiplied?"

She nodded, "Yes...at that time, the novices who arrived pregnant were not allowed to stay with their children. The children were put up for adoption. Angelique discovered that she was pregnant sometime after arriving at the convent... I do not know how she survived the wounds and the horrible bruises all over her body, nor how she had not lost the child... something that had not happened to me. I lost my child and my freedom, the love of my life... then seeing that innocent girl and her pure heart, so stunned and destroyed inside and out it hurt in my soul! The others fulfilled the order of the old mother in not give support to her, to keep her isolated because she was a great sinner. We did not know the real reason, only many years later we finally learned the truth. The old mother had received a large payment from her family to have even have her eliminated..."

"What?" Christopher frowned

"That's what you heard. The family had ordered her death when they were informed of her pregnancy"

Disgusted, Christopher squeezed his hands

"And would the Mother really kill her?" Elizabeth asked, feeling emotional

The mother shrugged, "Not directly, but her actions meant that she did, but Angelique was very strong. The hope of finding Christopher and the child she carried in her womb changed her. She knew that if she stayed here, she would lose the child, but she was firm and would not give the child at all. I realized that she was different and I knew that she would be able to escape from this prison. Because at the time, it was how we felt. Fangs! So I helped her in the best I could without anyone noticing. She waited for her body to recover stronger and observed the convent routine. The day she ran away, I covered her up. I pretended that I knew nothing and prayed that she would find her happiness. I managed to mislead the others so that it would give her time to flee through the forest. She was on foot and full of guts, and then a strange, sudden mist clouded the search for her. I understood as if it was God helping and interceding for her. As they did not believe she could survive because of her condition, the searches were closed..." she looked down holding her tears," And until today I wanted to believe that she had managed to find you... but when you said that she was the first wife, I soon felt a pain in the chest and now you confirmed she never got to court..." she broke into tears

Christopher was stunned by the revelations. Apparently, Angelique had borne his son. All this time he had never stopped to think that, her illness could be pregnancy, even after witnessing so many pregnancies of Katarina. How could he let such detail go unnoticed? But if Angelique had managed to escape from the convent but had never made it to court, there must be some reason. Even more because he had suspicions of the current court painter. Then another thought crossed his mind, Angelique was pregnant with another man's child!

"George..." he gritted his teeth.

"What?" Asked the mother.

"Has Angelique ever mentioned someone named George?"

"No. Never. She only talked about you. Christopher"

It could be a lie, after all, they were close friends. But it did not cost anything to ask, he thought.

"So she said that the son was Christopher's?" Elizabeth asked in curiosity

"Yes. The only man she had ever allowed to touch her was her husband. Why? Do you doubt the son was not yours?" the Mother turned to Christopher who remained silent, "Why the distrust? She only spoke well of you. You were the reason for her to endure the hell she lived. You were her strength. Your love was the reason for her existence. Why do you doubt?"

"I have my reasons..." he said grimly.

"You have? Or have you never really loved her?" the woman in the mother spoke

"I don't owe you this explanation."

"Of course not. But it is visible that there is something in you that torments you. Is this doubt about your son's paternity, or the weight of his conscience that you left her?"

"I didn't leave her!"

"It doesn't seem."

"It doesn't seem?"

"No. As you had the freedom to look for her and find her, but you did no. She was left in her own luck"

"You don't know what you're saying and you cannot judge me! You are a nun and should avoid judging people"

"It's true and for this I beg your pardon. But before I'm a nun, I'm a person. A human. I'm not perfect, but I admit that I have made my judgment wrong on you based on what my friend was saying about how wonderful you were, how good you were, that you loved her etc, but you did not even know she was pregnant..."

"I went after her! Her family told me she was dead! It was the worst day of my life! You do not know the pain I have carried all these years, the emptiness that Angelique's ghost haunted me! Everything brings me to Angelique! All! And that does not allow me to be happy with my wife and mother of my children! A good wife who is not perfect, but someone who never left me!"

"Angelique never left you"

"Yes she did! She's still alive and she's running away from me! Her son's father is a guy called George. And this guy, George Talbot, is her husband! Just like me, she deceived you, mother! I also thought she was honest, transparent, delicate, innocent..."

"Calm down Christopher..." Elizabeth touched his forearm

"Did she tell you that?" The mother asked stupefied

"No, but I saw it! Everyone on the court knows it! I know her son, Oliver. He's even my daughter's best friend…"

The mother frowned. Her intuition told her something was not right. It did not make sense what that man was talking about. Angelique was good and innocent. She would not have lied to everyone after all she did when she had arrived at the convent. She could not believe the man's angry words. It even seemed that he was jealous of the many mocking way by mentioning George's name.

"We'd better go..." Elizabeth commented uncomfortably with heavy atmosphere

Christopher sighed deeply and agreed with his sister-in-law. Once again, he apologized to the mother.

It seemed that Angelique, the angel who was once the reason of fluctuations and good feelings, was now the reason of torments and frustration.

Had his beautiful love have been corrupted?

Castle of Bohma

Annoyed, Christopher walked with heavy steps to his chambers. Maybe he shouldn't have gone to the convent. The conquered peace was disrupted. He was out of himself. He had discussed with a nun and didn't exchange a word with his sister-in-law in their way back to the castle.

The thoughts of Angelique always perturbed him.

He felt betrayed.

He believed a lie.

He loved an illusion.

Blame the youth.

He enters the chambers, grabbed the whiskey bottle and headed to the balcony to refresh his mind. His view was to a large garden that had a bush labyrinth where children could play.

1,2,3 sips directly in the bottle. 4,5,6 and then half the bottle was emptied. He didn't care if his stomach was going to hurt. His heart was already hurt. One more pain wouldn't make a difference.

Emptied the bottle.

He took another one.

1,2,3…the alcohol making its effect. His vision turning blurry.

It was afternoon. A cloudy afternoon.

Christopher was so entertained in his own misery that he didn't notice someone had entered his chambers.

Countless sips. The alcohol showing him a ghost down at the garden. Looking up.

The ghost wearing a white long dress. Like all ghosts, right?

The ghost was paralyzed. The long braded fire hair in contrast with the green of the grass around.

"Angelique… leave me alone… give me peace… I need it back… go back to your tomb and let me live…" he whispered in between sips.

He felt someone taking his grip. The ghost was still there, watching.

He turned to the side to see who there was. The woman smiled. He still kept the serious demeanor.

The ghost was watching. The ghost that had betrayed him. made a fool of him. had taken his illusion, his sweet dreams.

He wanted the ghost to go away.

He wanted her to feel the pain of betrayal like he did. Like she made him feel.

Without much reluctance, the woman leaned closer and kissed him.

He felt worse than he had imagined.

The kiss was kind, but not electrifying. He was used to better kisses.

He felt horrible. In order to hurt the ghost, he was hurtying everyone else. He was betraying his wife Katarina. The woman that brought him so high in every sector of his life. The woman that had never cheated on him with another man even having all the reasons to do it so. Katarina wasn't perfect, she did lie about Madeline, but in the end, it wasn't that bad of a lie now. He loved Maddy.

Oh damn, he was hurting his children! His once dreamed family – although he dreamt of a family with Angelique. Yet, he did have a family now. He loved them. He was a proud father. A proud husband.

Why did he have to screw it all up with Cathlyn? They didn't belong to each other. He was going to hurt her too… for allowing her to kiss him to scare the ghost away.

He felt the worst of men and broke the kiss. Broke the chain of betrayals.

The ghost was gone.

Was that a ghost, right?

"What the hell are you doing?" he spoke leaving her side hurriedly.

"I…" she couldn't say a word as she followed him

"Don't ever do that again!" he shouted reaching the corridors. The echo of his voice spreading through the hallways

"I love you Christopher!"

"Don't ever say that!"

"But it's the truth!"

"A truth I don't want! I love my wife!"

"Yes, Angelique!"

"Shut up! That woman is dead! My only wife is Katarina Reed O'Gregon! The mother of my children, my life partner and your majesty! You shall respect her! She doesn't deserve this and I'm strictly committed to her!" he yelled

"You don't love her…"

"I do love her!" he yelled out, "And from today on, you are forbidden to come near me or my family. You owe respect and obedience to us; otherwise, I'll expel you from court!"

Angelique couldn't stop shaking. Her body was finally capable to move after being seen by Christopher from the balcony. She thought he had already left the castle.

No he didn't! He stayed…

He stayed to fall in the arms of that woman! His lover. The rumors were true about them. They did have an affair.

The eternal seconds looking at each other twinkled something in her. So she ran back inside the castle. Away from his vision as he delighted himself with Lady Cathlyn.

How could he?

She smirked at herself.

"Don't be naïve Angelique! He did that to you, remember? He took his beloved wife to your bed! To your land! To your home! Men are what they are, a bunch of unfaithful! Even he having such a stunning and influent wife at his side! He's just a jerk and a bastard that used you. And uses her to gain power!"

She hated herself right now! She gave him all and the best of her to him. She saved that moron's life! She faced hell for him! And for what? He doesn't even care!

Why should her care so much?

She was making her way to the art gallery to set all the paintings Katarina had ordered so they could be delivered.

She was on her way when she heard loud screams through the hallways near the main stairs.

Christopher was yelling at his lover.

Angelique remained in silence listening to them. He claimed he loved Katarina.

Did he? She thought.

"Maybe he has a sick way of love…" she thought giving her unrequested mental opinion on the subject

She heard every word he said. That day she learned something new from him. She didn't know he drank that much.

"Strictly committed" he said. Somehow that made her laugh. Strictly committed but having other love affairs didn't seem to logical to her. That reminded her of those same words he used to tell her. That he only had her. He only loved her, blablabla.

She was so young. And stupid! For had ever believing it.

She was blind.

Now she couldn't believe him… and somehow pitied Katarina.

Everybody knew Katarina's immense love for him. She never hid that from anyone. She even showed their affections in public, proudly. They kissed in public. They walked holding hands in public. They hugged in public… habits that weren't so usual that time.

Public affection. She didn't doubt that. She remembered very well the time he wanted and did kiss her knowing her family was around. He was shameless.

She still remembered his kisses. How electrifying they were.

Some say that he and Katarina could even make love in public if they wanted to…

Making love…

Ah, she still remembered it! Secretly she remembered it. Safe in a secret box in her deepest memories. She didn't have that much of experience in quantity of men as she had had only two men in her life.

And shamefully she still remembered how good his love making was. She avoided comparisons. She enjoyed both men's style in bed.

But Christopher had something a keen… something different that she didn't have time to discover.

Something possibly Katarina knew and probably Cathlyn did too, as both women had some obsession with him.

"What am I thinking?!" she shook her head and slapped her face

The couple continued arguing and their voices seemed closer. She didn't want to pay attention anymore. It was too uncomfortable to witness the crap of a man Oliver's father was.

She hid behind a big statue near the stairs.

She wished she had met George first. He certainly was the right man for her. He was kind, gentle and patient with her. They had a lot in common even in their personalities.

Something she and Christopher had a loud difference. Yet, she had seen a softer side in him…

Almost soft as George…

The softness was gone when she witnessed Christopher giving his final ultimatum to Cathlyn as if he was the last authority.

As if, he was a king.

Thank you Pin and Rockalmond for the reviews!

So, does Christopher really believes he was seeing a ghost or could he be aware that it was indeed Angelique? humm, let's wait and see! :D

And Angelique? What's really going on with her? xD

Stay tuned!