Chapter 2:

The funeral was a quiet one and remarkably modest given the fact that the country's war general and heroin had died. Many people chattered under their breaths and gave their condolences to a cousin that was left of what little family Beatrix had however, she hardly knew her. The one who was really feeling the loss of her was standing by her picture that had been placed beside the coffin. Steiner had a lot of unsaid feelings that were never addressed, yet everyone knew that he felt the pain of her death more than anyone else. A woman passed by him and placed her hand on his shoulder, she said she was devastated to hear of her passing and that she was sorry for his loss, though a scoff could be heard from all the citizens Alexandria. The word "passing" is for those that die peacefully in their sleep, Beatrix died in every single way but that. It was reported after a post mortem examination, that she died from no real trauma to the outside of her body. The only assumption was poison; someone had slipped a very potent substance into her food. Not long after she came back to her room from dinner, she got sick and died with in moments.

Garnet sighed as she sat and watched Steiner's inner lament over the wooden coffin. "Nothing could be worse than this," she thought. Beatrix was the last female influence she had and now she was gone. There was no more help, no more back up from her great general; she had to deal with her problems on her own now. "This is just too much." Her eyes became hot and misty, she felt like such a failure of a queen. Her childhood guardian died, leaving her to guide one of the largest nations on the planet and yet she still craved the warm embraces from her mother just like a child. Something soft suddenly touched her bare shoulder jolting her slightly from her thoughts. Many wouldn't have noticed a slight touch like that, but it was a little fact Garnet knew about Zidane that he would often use his tail almost like another hand at times. When they were in rough situations he would every so often "accidentally" brush his tail against her back or her hand, sometimes for fun, sometimes for comfort. She never told him she knew about it for fear he would stop doing it. Perhaps this was a good sign, she thought. She was afraid Zidane wouldn't show up to the ceremony, they hadn't spoken for a month since their last encounter when he returned. She was afraid something had happened between them that she wasn't aware of.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," He greeted her. Garnet's face looked a little bit irritated at the formality.

"Why call me that, Zidane? Please just call me Dagger like you used to."

"Ah, alright then, Dagger. I'm sorry to have to see you again under these circumstances. This must be very hard for you." There was silence, Zidane looked the girl up and down the only thing he could sense from her was a feeling of pure hopelessness. It was a type of sadness that crying couldn't even help. She opened her mouth as if to say something but even a sigh had a hard time standing under the gravity of the situation. Zidane was upset at himself for creating such a stiff atmosphere; he knew what was expected of him when he was invited to things. People wanted a person like him around to help them find the reality of life within a stiff world of aristocracy and proper etiquette. However, at that time he just couldn't bring himself to be that person.

Over by Beatrix's coffin Paulus placed a hand on Steiner's back in a comforting gesture. Steiner looked over at him with a hardened look on his face, his hand gripped tightly around the hilt of Beatrix's sword.

"I know these are trying times for you Sir Steiner," Paulus said as he placed his other hand on the top of the coffin, "that is why the council thinks that it would be best for you to go on leave until further notice." Steiner turned to get a clearer view knocking Paulus's hand from his back. He had a hard time swallowing what was being said. Alexandria was his life; he wouldn't leave his position even for a minute. "I'm afraid I can't do that." He said boldly.

"I'm sorry Sir Steiner, but this isn't your choice. The council and the queen herself believe that it is time you take a rest. Alexandria doesn't need someone in your frazzled state defending her shores; you'd be doing us all a favor by stepping down." Steiner gave the old man a confused glare but his sights were then set on Garnet who was sitting somberly in the distance. "If this is what the princess wishes," Steiner replied "then I will not doubt her judgment." Paulus cracked a crooked smile and patted the other man's hands resting on the butt of the sword saying "You're a good man, Steiner." He then walked off into the castle after swatting at some of the courtyard's rose bushes on his way in.

The ceremony had ended for the day. Garnet had returned to her room for the night, the sun was setting and she began to prepare herself for bed. She spotted a racket of hers lying in the corner; she smiled a bit as she thought about how fun her adventures with everyone were. She would admit that some moments were a little too real for her. But running around the world saving lives and changing history was something she would never forget, she only wished that her days could be as fun as they were before. Now her life was riddled with paper work, conferences, and proposals on new policies, she was starting to think that her life was on a decline.

"Dagger," A voice came from behind her. She suddenly wrapped her arms around her stomach and backed up against her wall defensively. "It's me." The voice spoke again, this time it was followed by Zidane quietly entering the room and closing the door behind him.

"Zidane," Dagger said breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"

Zidane mocked sadness and tucked a blonde piece of hair behind is ear, "What you aren't happy to see me?"

Garnet's face lit up, "No, of course not!"

"I needed to see you again, earlier I know I didn't seem myself. And you didn't seem to be yourself earlier." The young queen appeared to be taken by surprise by his last statement; she slowly sat down on her bed, her auburn hair hiding her profile like a silk curtain.

"Dagger?" Zidane said softly though he received no response. Garnet's white gloved hand further concealed her face from him and a soft muffled sob could be heard through the fabric. He rushed across the room and kneeled at her feet; he delicately moved his fingers through her hair and moved it away from her face whispering "What's wrong? What's wrong?" she only looked him and shook her head.

"I am no queen. I can't do this. She's dead. Beatrix is dead - she was murdered! And I - I don't know what to do. I feel so…lost." More tears began to fall and the pain Garnet expressed was too much for Zidane to bear. Watching her defenses crumble felt like someone had stuck a knife into his chest and twisted it. There were so many problems occurring for him, he had the amazing luck of having them all pile up at once. By no means was he being selfish, he knew that Garnet had problems that towered his and he added hers to his own list. However it was at that moment as he watched Garnet's trembling figure, he had found a way to shorten his list. Zidane stood up and yanked Garnet by the wrist to a standing position. She looked at him in an alarmed confusion, but whatever thought she was starting to have was soon obliterated by a kiss that felt so powerful it could have ended her world and she wouldn't have cared a bit. For that moment in time the only thing that mattered to her was the silky feeling of Zidane's hair on her cheeks and the soft warm breeze from his breathing.

"Zidane, why?" She whispered between breaths, gently pressing her forehead against his.

"Because I wanted to." He responded with the same hushed tone. Garnet moved her head to his shoulder and just wrapped her arms around him. Her tears were beginning to soak the back of his shirt. She opened her mouth for a moment but hesitated before speaking. "Sleep with me tonight." She whispered into his ear, he pushed her away gently. He turned his back on her and looked out at the moon that had just risen from its bed behind Gaia. He folded his arms around his waist and let out a deep sigh.

"This isn't what you want right now," Zidane told her, regardless of how his inner most lecherous thoughts seemed to center around this moment for the entire time he knew her. He thought if things were meant to be then more opportunities would arise. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you made a mistake like that based on a few terrible days. Things will get better I promise."

Garnet sat back down on her bed. She managed to force a smile that was the closest to genuine it had been in days. Her mascara had managed to draw black lines down her cheeks but her beauty seemed to shine through more than ever. It could only have been hope radiating from her then. "You are far too noble to be a thief." She said with a smile.

"I try." Zidane responded with his typical boyish smile.

"Could you at least just stay here tonight? Or at least till I fall asleep?" Garnet asked as she leaned back onto her bed, Zidane nodded and proceeded to sit on the side of it. He leaned over to her side and kissed her forehead whispering "Good night."

To be continued.