Chapter 7: They Meet Again

Natalie awoke the next morning with the cheerful sun beaming at her through her balcony windows. She had forgotten to draw the curtains last night, and had fallen asleep under the covers of her bed. The book she had been reading lay forgotten beside her, and she sat up. Last night was a tiring one indeed. After the press conference, she immediately retired to her quarters and after a warm shower, had dressed in her night gown and went up to bed with a book. What had become of their royal guest, she didn't know? He was most likely shown up to his room by the highly regarded butler, and he to must have settled in for the night.

She was about to get out of bed when there was a gentle tap on her door. After saying the usual 'come in', the maid entered carrying her breakfast as usual. She bowed respectfully after having set her breakfast in bed, and Natalie gave her a pleasant smile, and the maid had left the room.

After the usual morning preparations and shower, she dressed in one of her knee-level black dresses with long sleeves that were cuffed at the hems, and she put on her black boots. Surprisingly though, Josie wasn't around to give her the usual morning announcement of activities and appointments she had on today. Hopefully, she'd get the day off, but knowing her job as a princess, it was highly unlikely and extremely lucky if she ever had a chance.

Natalie walked briskly through the palace corridors and halls, servants greeting her as she passed them and as they did their regal duties. It was perfectly obvious where she was headed: the palace gardens. It was her most favorite place out of all the rooms and facilities in the grand estate. There was fresh air, and some flowers still blossomed in the summer, and it was very quiet there. Normally, she would've gone out to the stables and rode a chocobo, but she wasn't in the mood.

vVvVv

Kadaj awoke this morning to a splitting headache. He wasn't drunk last night, and he didn't have a case of jet lag either, so frankly, he had no idea what caused the sudden bodily malfunction. He hoped it would disappear. He had a job to do today and a meeting with his highness at lunch. Blinking to clear his fuzzy vision, the prince blankly stared up at the canopy over his head. There were patterns etched in the dark woodwork. How he noticed this nonsense, he didn't know.

Of course, it had to be at this moment that his phone suddenly rang. Groaning, he blindly fumbled around the bed-side table without warranting the furniture a glance until he located his phone. Pressing, the 'talk' button, he held the device up to his ear, and yawned, recognizing the caller ID as Yazoo's—probably calling to check on him again.

"Good morning, brother..."

Kadaj rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

Yazoo sounded annoyed when he replied. "You ought to have decent manners with you. I'm calling to check."

Kadaj rolled over onto his side, and growled, his silver hair sheeting into his face, but he didn't care. "I'm fine!" He whined. "I just woke up, and was about to get out of bed to ring the bell for my breakfast when you called." Well, it was partly true.

Yazoo was silent for a while. "I apologize, brother. But really, I received a message via electronic mail from Sephiroth this morning."

Kadaj rolled his eyes and sighed. Oh Yazoo...always one for formal terms. Electronic mail was such an old term. Email pretty much meant the same, didn't it?

"And?" He huffed, getting impatient over Yazoo's lagging.

"And ever so politely gave me direct orders to know how you're doing."

"If you really want to know, I have a business meeting with Natalie's father at lunch. Hopefully, we'll discuss matters there. I'll update you tonight on my tab." Kadaj placated, wanting to hang up.

"Alright then. I trust that you shall have a productive day, brother. My regards to your hosts."

And just like that, the line went dead. Kadaj's mouth twisted into an adorable expression of disagreement before lowering his phone onto the bed, sitting himself upright, and reached promptly for his shirt that he had thrown to the floor last night. He was putting it on when there was a knock on the grand doors to his guestroom. And once again, the usual morning routine for our dear blue-bloods continued. Breakfast in bed as always. After that was done, Kadaj had wandered into the shower room and maximized his hygiene before putting on his semi-formal attire, and decided to go for a walk to clear his head. His headache wasn't completely gone yet, after all. Damn, he needed a pain killer.

vVvVv

Natalie sat alone in the gazebo again, pondering, gloved hands folded neatly across her lap. Any other day, any other situation, she might have found herself wandering about the well-trimmed grass, and picking flowers—such as most princesses in fairytales do. Speaking of which, it had always made her feel awkward, reading children's' books that involved princesses and princes living in faraway kingdoms, basking in riches and glory, and have no care in the world. Where the story always had a happy ending and the villain defeated, but that wasn't her case.

Because being a real-life royalty meant huge responsibility. Real-life royalty meant governing the kingdom the best way you could and learning all you can from your teachers. It wasn't a bed of roses, sure she had anything a girl could ask for, but everything came with a price. And her well-to-do life cost her freedom she yearned for so much.

Natalie sighed amidst these deep thoughts and didn't really notice the prince strolling about her 'territory'. Kadaj saw her first of course, but pointedly refused to address her, since...he'd done enough of the addressing during her party and last night's event. But he still couldn't stop staring. She looked beautiful as ever, even with her back turned to him. The early morning sun shone down on the garden, the golden strands of her hair reflecting the sun's splendor. Kadaj shook his head, clearing his dreamy thoughts. Gaia, what was he thinking? More importantly, where the hell did that come from?

She didn't know but sensing another life form's presence, she whirled around and spotted the lonely silver-haired prince. Never one to react so indignantly, she smiled in greeting to him. Kadaj smirked slightly, and walked to her place.

"Should the lady mind if I join her?" He asked curtly.

Natalie felt unsure about this, but complied nonetheless, and nodded once. "She would like that very much..."

Kadaj sat on the mini bench opposite her, and for almost a long time, they just stared at each other blankly, searching for the words. It was too damn awkward, and Kadaj wanted to change that, but Natalie spoke first.

"I was informed that my lord Sephiroth had sent his dutiful brother to our humble kingdom as an ambassador," she remarked.

He scowled slightly, annoyed at the cloud of formal talk. "Yes indeed. There are certain business matters to be discussed between his majesty, King Frederick, and me."

Natalie nodded in understanding. "If you don't mind my asking, my lord. How long have you been living?"

It was an honestly curious question. Well, judging from Kadaj's appearance, and his obscene reputation as a player, she had a vague idea of the monarch's age, but she wanted to make sure.

He smiled. "Seventeen years, my lady..."

She resisted the urge to gasp, let alone flutter her eyelids in a shocked manner. She had to remind herself that even though he was a teenager like her—and most probably close to Zack or Cloud's age—he was still a prince and not one of her close friends that she could readily use the language of the masses on.

"Why, quite young and only a few years older than myself," she smiled, alighting a hand on her chest and bowing good-naturedly.

"So I've been told," he murmured in a distant voice.

"So...I should like to be more acquainted with my guest since I really didn't have the opportunity at the party. Tell me about yourself, good sir." She grinned, a very childish expression on her face.

"As you wish... What should her majesty like to know?"

Screw formal talk! "How's it like living in a household with siblings? What are your plans in life? What do you plan to do after college?"

He chuckled. She was so refreshing, but it was really fun to tease, so... "I beg your pardon, my lady? You have quite the swift tongue and a very curious upbringing," he remarked, smugly folding his arms across his chest.

She pursed her lips, wanting to smack her forehead for letting her mouth take over. Why did she just have to 'screw the formal talk'?

"I apologize, my lord. I never meant to... startle you," she muttered, head bowed, and afraid to meet his mesmerizing eyes.

Kadaj's lips curled into a crafty smile. She was courteous, self-aware, confident, and there was a teeny smudge of teenage hormones. He shouldn't talk since they were practically on the same level.

"No worries, princess. I don't really mind. I... much prefer the ordinary way of talking rather than the aristocratic type." He smiled at her when she dared to look at his face. "So, should I answer your first question?"

"Yes, please..."

"Alright. Living with siblings is...a bit interesting, if you share a good bond. Your question's pretty wise, if I say so myself, since...your engagement to my eldest brother is ordained and certain. You should probably start getting friendly with your future brother-in-law."

Natalie blushed. "Perhaps I should."

"I don't really know about Sephiroth's...future plans, but if he's going to take you home to Nyx after the wedding, be forewarned that you're going to live in a nuthouse. Or should I say, a nut-palace." He smirked.

"How do you mean?" Natalie frowned slightly, fidgeting with her black gloves.

He shook his head. "You'll know soon enough. Siblings can be...disturbing, but purely awesome most of the time, especially if you're of the same sex, but like I said, that package comes with a price of easily getting pissed off especially if you're the youngest, and I'm talking from experience," he declared, leaning back on the bench, and setting his left ankle on top of his right knee.

"Do you get privacy?" She inquire, curiosity shining in her dark blue eyes.

"Of course... And to answer your second question, I plan to live a quiet life, probably continue with my 'art', and that's pretty much what I'll do after college. Maybe I'll organize a charity or something..." He smiled to himself at the thought. "What about you?"

"Um... It's actually pretty taboo, but I think it's only fair, but I'm swearing you to secrecy. Promise me you won't divulge this secret of mine." She paused, and Kadaj nodded for her to continue. "I... I've... I've never been outside the palace walls."

That wasn't surprising, but still... what the what?! "Why?" He asked, running a hand across his hair.

"I can't go until I'm eighteen..." she mumbled, staring at her hands again.

"For real?" He asked, his eyes could've been bugging out.

She nodded mutely. "That's why I wanna ask... Is it...really that dangerous out there?"

He rolled his eyes. "Hardly. Partly, yes cuz it's a jungle out there, but I promise that it's the best place to go for a little strolling."

"Jungle?" She asked, head tilted at a cute angle.

"Yup... Gangs, street thugs, robbers, kidnappers, rapists, killers, drug lords... You're actually well protected here."

He stared at her as she visibly blanched at the description he'd given her.

"S-Savages?" She stuttered naively.

Kadaj laughed, but stopped when she gave him a dry look. "I'm sorry, princess. I didn't mean to scare you with such a description but it's true. Although, I left out the good ones. Exactly why it's a jungle. You meet different people everyday. Some rich, some poor, some suicidal, some bubbly. Different cultures, diverse personalities."

"I hope to see it soon." She remarked.

"Why wait when you can do it now?" He exclaimed.

She shook her head. "I can't disobey my parents, and how do you expect me to sneak out when I'm heavily guarded most of the time."

Kadaj just laughed again. "Trust me; I have ways, but... maybe you're not yet ready," he stood up. "But... please be so good as to tell me when you are. I'll personally take you there myself. Anyways, I gotta run, princess. Things to do."

"Of course," she nodded, staying in her seat. "What shall I call you, my lord?"

Kadaj paused, frowned slightly. "Just 'Kadaj' is fine..."

She nodded politely. "Wish granted. Have a good day, sir. I hope you'll find it accomplished."

He was already on the second step on the gazebo before he turned to look at her over his shoulder, a smoldering smile adorning his impish face.

"I guess I'll see you around, princess."

He turned back around, and started walking in the opposite direction and she stared after him, the things he told her, rushing endlessly inside her head. Would she really be brave enough to venture outside of the palace walls before she was eighteen? She was willing to wait, but three years are so long. She could only take so much confinement. She looked at the vast greenness of the garden grounds where Kadaj had disappeared from, and she remained in her seat, still seriously contemplating Kadaj's suggestion.

Could she defy palace tradition at all?

A/N: Could she? :)