On My Honor

by Yamato795

A Regal musing fic that gives you a look at the game from how he saw it, and a better look at his past

3. Three

Title: On my Honor

Author: Yamato795

Pairing: Lots of mentions of RegalxAlicia, but no other ones planned at the moment…

Rating: Let's go PG-13 to be safe, since they do swear in the game, and the violence.

Status: Chapter 3 out of ? parts. Lots planned, but a number is not clear just yet.

Disclaimer: Don't own Tales of Symphonia. Please don't sue me.

Spoilers: A TON, mostly for Regal. I'd say this story is better suited for those who have beaten the game if you ask me. Read at your own risk of spoiling anything. Since it starts where Regal comes in, it should spoil quite a bit of the game after that, don't you think?

Summary: Take a look through Regal's eyes as well as a look into his past.

Author notes: I suppose the best thing I can mention at this point is that, while thinking up the idea for this story, I realized that there is not a lot of background actually given about Regal. That very well might be why he is not one of the more popular characters, but it also gave me some room to kinda play with his character. No, I'm not trying to entirely change the way he is in the game, I'm trying to show you why he is the way he is. I've actually come up with a pretty extensive background for him, thanks to Christie's help might I add, and it will mostly come through in the flashbacks. I hope that everyone enjoys this chapter, I know it took me a while to finish it, but I did have finals and such. College is supposed to come first, right? Oh, and flash backs are still in italics. I hope you enjoy! Thanks to Christie for all the support!

On my Honor

Chapter three

I expected the others to be wary of me know that they knew of my sins. I anticipated their hate, their disgust, and most of all, their rejection. But they did not send me away nor did they tell me to keep away from Presea. Even Genis, who had done everything in his power to keep me away from the pink haired girl, did not reinstate his wishes for me to keep my distance from her like when we reached Ozette. I was even more surprised when, on our way to the pier to board the EC, he fell in step next to me.

"…You've…killed a human being?" He questioned quietly with his eyes on the ground. I had never seen Genis so sullen, not even when Presea had told him that she did not require his protection.

"…That's correct." I told him after a deep breath. If any of them were to hate me for my crimes, to give me the harsh treatment I deserved, it would be this boy. I would not blame him for it, I knew I was a criminal and that I had blood on my hands, I would not deny it, and I would accept his loathing because it was just. Genis had every right to despise me, they all did.

"…" Before he turned his expression from mine I could see that he had squeezed his eyes shut tight, and I could only guess at how much repulsion he must feel in my presence.

"…I apologize." What else could I do? I had nearly deceived them, even though they had known I was a criminal when they met me, and for that I would lose their trust. I had selfishly tried to hide my sin only to have it exposed in the worst way. "I imagine it's not easy traveling with a criminal. I hope you can tolerate me for a short while. Just long enough for us to save Presea from the curse of her Exsphere."

I saw his fists clench before he whispered, "…I…I'm a murderer, too."

That I had not expected him to say. "…What?"

The shame the gripped his expression was enough to stir an ache up in my gut, making me almost wish I had never led them to the Toize Valley Mine. First I had caused Lloyd to remember his past mistakes, the fact that his journey had been far less than bloodless, and now it seemed I was causing more pain in Genis. "I've hurt countless people in order to protect myself."

"…" I did not know that if I told him our situations were not the same if it would alleviate any of his guilt. I did not think he even wanted my comfort, and I wanted to believe that perhaps he was doing this to help me.

"I don't know what it was you did…" Genis said softly, still unable to look at me directly, his head hung with his white bangs nearly hiding his eyes. For a moment I was quite stunned that it seemed as if he was trying to be kind to me, that he seemed to be reaching out to me. "But I won't tell you to leave just because you've killed people."

"…I see." He would never know what those words meant to me, especially coming from him.

"Because we're all the same." He murmured, probably to himself.

"Thank you." I replied still trying to meet his gaze.

Suddenly, he head snapped up, his guilt and somber disposition gone as if in that instant he remembered just who he was conversing with, quickly replaced by the hostility I had come to sadly expect from him. Visibly bristling, he shouted, almost defiantly, up at me, "But that doesn't mean I like you, understand!"

"I see." To be honest, I really didn't. Why had he gone out of his way to speak with me like this when it was obvious how much he disliked me? Was it that learning of my crime had reminded him of his own guilt? I regretted now that I had not told him that taking the lives of those that meant to take yours was more about defense and survival than murder. It was something completely different than taking the life of someone who was innocent, someone who had never done anything wrong.

Yet I lost my chance to soothe his pain because he ran ahead to continue walking to the pier with Raine. I could have chased after him, I could have caught up with him so that I could talk to him, but I doubted Genis would listen or that he would want comfort from me. Someday, he might come to understand on his own, in spite of whether or not I tried to explain away some of his guilt.

Even so I still regretted not going after him. Genis was far too young to carry the weight of a sin such as murder, and I hated to imagine a child suffering such as I did. The world was already cruel enough to those of his breed, and to add the burden of his guilt seemed to intensify his pain. At least I could take some degree of solace in the fact that I knew he was not alone, that he had his friends around him to make sure that his suffering did not consume him. I had not always been so fortunate.

The tension between my companions and I was still nearly tangible when we entered the village of Ozette for the second time. Not many of them had even acknowledged my presence on our short journey back, nor had any of them gone out of their way to speak to me again. I allowed them their time, for I was unsure of what they thought of having a murderer in their midst. After all, they had not shunned me for my crime, so I could do no less than to give them both time and space to adjust to the idea.

But other circumstances would not allow that time. As we passed the inn, a male voice carried over to my ears. "That's them! The wanted criminals!"

Up ahead, over by the armor shop, was not only the man who had spotted our party first, but two Papal Knights with their commander. They had to have been searching for us. Zelos groaned loudly at the fact the servants of the Pope had caught up to us. "Ah crap, not the Papal Knights again!"

The man that had spotted us allowed the knights to brush past him, watching how Lloyd, Sheena, and Zelos advanced first to meet them halfway. I glanced down at Genis, who seemed to tense visibly, and edge closer to Raine. He was obviously aware of the caste system of Tethe'alla if he was so anxious in the presence of these soldiers. The Papal Commander laughed at the sight of the red headed Chosen. "Well, well, if it isn't Master Zelos. I trust you are well."

As he said this, more of his men appeared from their hiding places behind buildings of the village, quickly surrounding our group. Even in their heavy armor they had managed the maneuver fast enough to box all of us in. I was beginning to think that if they had come in such numbers that perhaps they hadn't been searching for us, but expecting us. Had they identified Presea as a member of our party and decided to wait until we returned for her?

"Dammit!" Lloyd hissed clenching a fist, frustration written all over his features.

"Remember, capture Colette alive!" the Papal Commander shouted, waving for his men to advance. Sheena had jumped in front of Colette instinctively to keep one of the knights from reaching her, using her Pyre Seal to knock him back. Lloyd had, while deflecting the spear of the Papal Commander, also started making his way towards the blonde girl to keep her safe. Zelos had charged one of the other knights keeping them at bay with his swordsmanship, but both Genis and Raine hung back, powering up spells. Some of the knights saw this.

With a cry one of the knights charged at Genis, preparing to jar him from his spell casting, spear poised and ready. The boy had his eyes shut, he wouldn't have time to defend himself or finish his spell. I reacted without thinking, dashing over to deflect the oncoming blow with my Spin Kick, knocking the weapon from my enemy's hands. I had been about to combine that attack with my Rising Dragon, but the half-elven boy behind me cried out, "It's pancake time! Stalagmite!"

Before the knight could even reach the ground, stunned from the rocks that had emerged from the earth to throw him into the air, I lunged, throwing my left leg out for his head. "Swallow Kick!"

When the servant of the Pope finally did hit the dirt, he did not get back up. As I turned to dodge an attack from another of the Papal knights, I caught the look on Genis' face. He was stunned that I had defended him, whether it was because of the way he treated me, which was warranted at best, or because he knew me for a criminal, I cannot be certain. He may not have been aware I had even seen his expression, yet it was still quickly replaced by one of concentration as he powered up his next magical attack.

For all of the prestige of their name, and the history of their position, these Papal Knights did not live up to the stories of their predecessors. There had been a time when a Papal Knight would stand against anyone in battle, there was no foe they could not conquer, but these men were falling at the hands of children. They were easily overwhelmed by the determination of our group, as with Raine's healing and defensive magic we could continue on unhindered.

The Papal Commander was the last one standing, Lloyd having been matching him blow for blow until the young swordsman surprised him by unleashing a Beast technique, catapulting him backwards. I heard his pitiful moan even as I turned to examine the condition of my comrades. "Long live the Pope…"

Lloyd seemed to be doing the same, glancing over each of us for injuries that the Professor might have overlooked in the heat of battle. Once he seemed satisfied, he released a sigh of relief stretching his arms. "We managed to win."

"It's my fault again. I'm so sorry, everyone." Colette murmured her hands clasped in front of her and her gaze downcast. I had seen her apologetic nature before, as she seemed inclined to apologize for things that were well beyond her control, as if even the smallest thing that went wrong was her doing. Now everyone was observing the Chosen of Slyvarant, including the red headed swordsman who was shaking his head.

"Don't be silly." Zelos remarked with a grin waving his hand a bit dismissively at her, his gentle tone meant to reassure her. "They're after my life, too. The Professor and Genis are wanted because they're half-elves; Sheena is from Mizuho, now considered a village of traitors. And Regal is considered a traitor as well."

Although this information had to be far from comforting, considering all of her friends were wanted fugitives, Colette smiled. "…thanks."

In response, Lloyd returned her smile. "Stop thinking everything is your fault."

"I'm sorry, Lloyd." It had to be an automatic reply for her to have said it even after his admonishment, for Colette had to understand that the Papal Knights waiting for us here could not have been by any fault of hers. The Pope had been the one to order for her capture, Zelos had gotten caught up with them somehow, as had Sheena, and the travelers from Slyvarant were wanted for many other reasons. Or perhaps the young girl was used to blaming herself anyway, as she apologized constantly.

"You don't need to apologize for it…" the brunette swordsman began.

Colette suddenly collapsed to her knees, her arms hanging limp at her sides while her face was contorted with pain. It was so abrupt to witness her fall that I don't believe any of us could react before she gasped, "Ow!...Ugh!...Ow! Ow!"

She did not appear to be injured, and I do not know how she could have been with how closely both Sheena and the crimson wearing swordsman had guarded her form the Papal Knights, not to mention Raine's strong healing magic. The same confusion seemed to possess Lloyd, as well as panic, and he whirled to face his teacher, his voice strained as if he were vainly attempting to remain calm. "Colette! Professor! Colette's!..."

"She's running a fever." The half elven woman could not hide the concern in her voice either in spite of her more collected demeanor. "But what could be causing this much pain?"

"…Move…" A soft voice from behind Raine and Lloyd beckoned, and I was stunned to see Presea had at some point had approached our group. How had she known we were here? Could the fighting have alerted her to danger, brining her out of her home? There was no way to know for her face remained as expressionless as ever while her eyes, those eyes that haunted me even now, were dull and almost lifeless. "Please leave this…to…me."

Raine was also startled by her approach, turning slightly to see the small girl waiting for her assent. I could see the hesitation in the Professor, noticed her eyes move from the Chosen of Slyvarant back to the pink haired girl from Ozette. "Presea? A…all right."

Slowly Presea stepped forward towards Colette. I had no idea what she intended to do for the ill girl on her knees, as I had thought Raine and Zelos to be the only other healers than myself in the party. And how could the pink haired child know what sickness had overcome Colette when she had left the group before and she seemed oblivious to almost everything around her? Only a few steps from the ill Chosen, Presea whirled, her large battle ax moving with her and causing all of us to jump back. There was not enough time to react after that. She had performed the same move she had in the sewer, swinging her weapon to ward all of us off, and then before any of us could even move to stop her; she had taken the blunt end of her weapon delivering a blow to the back of Colette's head, knocking the blonde girl to the ground unconscious.

It was most likely because the rest of us were stunned that the same man that had been with Presea on her front porch the first time we had come to Ozette was able to approach Presea, his smile nearly wicked. I had the same uneasy feeling from him as I had the first time I had seen him, remembering his glee at how the small girl had returned to the small village. His voice was filled with the same, odd joy now. "Good work, Presea."

He then turned to the right, and I followed his gaze spotting off in the distance, flying towards Ozette were two large dragons. The beasts were moving quickly, while their master and Presea headed towards where they were going to land.

"Damn! Corrine!" Sheena exclaimed, causing the small creature she had summoned in the forest to appear once again in a small puff of smoke, doing another little flip before charging at the pink haired child. Corrine managed to knock Presea to the ground preventing her from boarding one of the dragons as her strange companion had. I was relieved that the ninja had managed to keep Presea on the ground, as it seemed the man who had been on Presea's porch the other day had to be using her to some end. There couldn't be enough of the real little girl inside of her puppet like exterior for her to have wanted to betray the same people who she had fought along side. She was not responsive enough for her to have made that decision on her own, and that lack of response could have led to her being manipulated.

The two dragons took to the air, one snatching Colette up in its claw as if she were nothing more than a rag doll, hovering over the ground just out of the canopy of the trees. The only rider shouted down haughtily, triumph lacing his tone, "I am Rodyle! The most cunning of the Desian Grand Cardinals! I hope you don't mind me taking the Chosen One. Hehehehehe!"

"Desian! Why are the Desians in Tethe'alla!" Lloyd demanded in confusion even as the beasts began to flap their wings harder, flying away. There was nothing the young swordsman could do to follow this Rodyle, or stop him from escaping with his friend. "Colette!"

Presea had not gotten up until after the dragons were out of sight, taking the Chosen of Slyvarant with them. I slowly approached her, checking her for injuries, needing to know that she was all right. Her expression was as blank as the last time I had laid eyes upon it, the child inside being controlled by the parasitic stone probably unaware of what had just happened. Or if the real Presea knew what was going on, there had been nothing she could do to change it. I stood as well, turning to the swordsman dressed in crimson. His deep brown eyes were still fixed east, the direction Rodyle had fled in, as if he could still see the man who had kidnapped Colette.

"Lloyd. Will you help Presea?" I had to get his attention. Now more than ever we needed to be able to talk to the real girl inside the doll that her Exsphere had turned her into, because she might be able to tell us where Rodyle was headed. Yet, deep down I knew that was not the only thing I wanted to be able to ask her with the hopes of getting an answer. My motives were both selfish and selfless. Not only did I want to help Presea, as well as Colette, I wanted to help myself. I wanted to find out why I saw the woman I loved when I gazed into those haunting, emotionless eyes.

He hesitated to even move his glare from the sky, heaving a heavy sigh when he finally turned back to where I stood next to the girl in question. "…Yeah."

Producing the inhibitor ore he'd worked on in the mine, he held it out, closing most of the gap between himself and the pink haired girl. "I've carved the charm. With this, she should return to her real self."

I was holding my breath although I didn't want or mean to. I had no reason to get my hopes up, to want her to be connected to Alicia, to expect Presea to come out from her shell and give me the answers I sought. The only thing that mattered was restoring her to her true self, freeing her from the infernal stone's grasp. The rational part of my mind wanted me to remember that, while the hopeful part of me wanted to believe that she could give me some sort of closure that I did not even deserve.

Once Lloyd had equipped the inhibitor ore that he'd fashioned into a form of Key Crest for her, Presea's blue eyes blinked several times. Then she gasped softly, as if she'd surfaced from being underwater with her lungs burning for air. "?..."

"Presea? Are you okay?" Genis inquired from behind her, worried.

She looked behind her, whirling on her heal as if she'd been startled, pausing only a moment before turning back to Lloyd. While her expression did not change, her tone held all of her confusion. "…what? What am I doing?"

It was barely there, a flicker in azure hues, something slight and gone an instant later probably because such things had not been expressed in a long period of time, but I spotted it instantly. Bewilderment, fear, and realization all tumbled together, an overwhelming wave that had to have her questioning everything. Did she know anything that had happened since the Exshpere had taken over? Could she remember any of us?

Glancing around, I saw another flicker in her emotionless eyes, something so tiny it would have been easy to miss as she gasped again. Presea was panicking, for whatever reason. Did she remember anything of the long time she'd been under the stone's influence, was that why she seemed to be searching for something, something she might not expect to be able to find? "Where's my daddy?"

The question was enough to destroy what remained of my tattered heart. I dreaded the truth; the chance that it could be what I prayed was not the case. There had been a body, a decaying corpse, in the bed in her home. She was looking now for her father.

Sweet Goddess, no…

Presea whirled again, dashing towards the large tree branch that would take her back onto the ground where her house had been built. I was quick to follow, as was Genis, and even Lloyd. I heard Zelos mutter something indignantly, and then three sets of fast footsteps behind us. I easily had longer strides so I managed to make it onto the porch before any of the others. They were not far behind as I dashed into the house, with the door being left thrown open, and towards the bedroom, ignoring the ever present scent of death. When I saw her, I instinctively slowed down, aware of the rest of the group doing the same behind me.

She stood at the head of the bed, motionless, quiet, even as I took a few steps to come up behind her. The ache my tattered heart suffered in that one moment was nearly enough to destroy me. When I had wanted to bring her out of herself, to free her from the parasitic effects of the Exsphere, I had not wanted to bring her out to this.

"I…" Her soft, usually monotone voice came out higher pitched, too many unused emotions flooding it all at once at the sight she now held before her. "What have I been doing? Ahhhhh!"

Her scream startled everyone behind me. I don't know why I was unaffected by it, but that surprise was what held them in place even as the pink haired child ran from the room, from the house, and from the remains of what had to have once been her father. I chased after her, I could do no less, as I hated that this was the reality the real Presea had surfaced to. She could not, and did not deserve this, not even if what that man had said about her before was true. If years had come and passed her by, only then to come crashing down upon her, then I couldn't let her be alone.

Her pain…I've known that pain…losing your family…

She'd only made it past the first few trees that grew behind her house, and for whatever reason she went no further. I expected to catch up with her and find her in tears, to find the girl that had been nothing more than a puppet when I first met her, broken down in sorrow. Yet even now, free, she did not relent to grief. She merely turned, practically startled by my approach, but her expression as even and collected as ever. It was only in her eyes, for the briefest of seconds, that I could see the agony, could see the sadness that had to be tearing away at her soul.

I had no idea if she even knew who I was, if she remembered any of us at all, and yet I came closer to her, kneeling down to be at her height. Perhaps I was not so much a stranger to her though, for she did not demand a reason as to why I had followed her, only measuring me with those eyes that seemed to now be able to pierce through me. She remained silent, her emotions only stirring in her gaze, never in her expression, and while I had come after the small girl it seemed that none of our companions had yet. The quiet ate away at me, slowly devouring my insides, chewing at my flesh with guilt and despair. What had this innocent girl done to deserve this? What cruel fate could bring her back out of her shell to this?

"Presea?" My voice brought her gaze, the gaze that I saw my beloved behind as well, back to mine. I'd meant to ask her more, to find a way to help comfort her, and yet I had managed no more than saying her name. Even if she did not know it now she needed someone there for her, someone who cared, to help her through this. It was devastating to lose one's family, and it was something that I sadly knew all too well.

"I…I want to go home." She whispered softly, the only hint of her agony buried deep in her blue hues, and it was only there for a split second before she would have appeared calm to the untrained eye. But the sound of her voice, no longer a monotone, no longer even, had come out choked, and if she had been anyone else at that moment, she probably would have had tears rolling down her cheeks. "This…this isn't home!"

Careful not to alarm her, as she finally seemed distraught, as she finally began to break down, overwhelmed by the grief that gripped her tightly; I raised my shackled arms over her head and pulled her close. Presea held onto my shoulders, tears never falling from her eyes, but I knew that deep inside there had to be a little girl crying.

Altamira's gates closed at night. It's not that they were guarded, or there was some sort of wall preventing anyone from escaping the resort town once the sun went down, no, there were just a few barricades that looked more like metal hurdles blocking the path. Why anyone bothered to even put them there, he didn't know. It really didn't matter. What was important was the fact that he had managed to slip past the barricades without being seen by anyone. He couldn't be recognized sneaking out of the city at night; it would be far too suspicious when he was so well known.

Just outside of Altamira was where he'd agreed to meet the other. With a brand new play opening in the Theater at this exact time, and the Casino having hired live entertainment for the evening to compete for business, almost all of the tourists staying at the resort were far from where this meeting was going to take place. Even so, he was nervous, glancing over his shoulder every other step or so. No one could see him out here! If he was recognized now the whole plan could be ruined before it could even be set into motion!

"Nice job of not looking conspicuous." A gruff voice greeted him, startling him from walking forwards and looking backwards. How had Vharley managed to sneak up in front of him like that, considering he was a pretty heavy set man? There was a smirk on that greasy face among the brown stubble that hadn't been shaved off, and he laughed at how he'd been able to startle the nervous wreck that had come to meet him. "Acting like that, you're sure to get caught."

"You were the one who insisted we meet, Vharley." He practically stammered, wrinkling his nose at the sight of the other man. "Heaven forbid you keep your end of our bargain without trying to drag me down with you!"

"Don't have a heart attack, old man." Vharley sneered with a mocking tone. Looking far off into the distance he could almost make out the glow of the Elemental Railway train's headlights shimmering over the water as it came from the Lezareno building. That made him laugh, a dark, cruel sound. "I'm not going to get caught, and no one will ever even suspect you were involved because it's going to look like an accident. In a few nights Duke Bryant, his lovely little wife, and their brat will be out of your hair for good and you'll humbly take control of Lezareno in the chaos that ensues."

"Thus able to give you complete access to the Exsphere mines." The older man barked out impatiently, again glaring over his shoulder as if expecting to find a crowd listening in on them. Taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead he shifted uncomfortably as if he were hot under the collar even in the cool night air. "You had just better be sure to do it at the time I've specified or the three of them will not be together on the railway."

"No worries, George." The Exshpere broker remarked. "Everything will go according to plan."

"…Thank you for assisting me with my daddy's burial." Presea turned back to where we had gathered behind her, having watched her inspect the freshly made grave a moment before. She had rested a large ax against the marker, her father's ax, and while we had laid her long gone parent to rest she had remained oddly quiet.

"Have you calmed down a little?" Raine asked her in concern. None of the others had disturbed the fact that I had gone off to comfort Presea when she had run out of the house, they had kept their distance and waited for the both of us to return in our own time. Even so their worry for the pink haired girl was obvious, and the half-elven woman was watching Presea with that careful, measuring gaze, searching out the grief that had been there before and caused the girl to run from the room.

Presea nodded, albeit solemnly. "I've…been a great burden on you all."

Her words served to put one of my questions at ease. To have thought herself a burden on any of us, Presea would have to remember something from when she was under the Exsphere's power. I wasn't the only one that realized this. Lloyd blinked in surprise. "You remember?"

The question made a small flicker of sadness creep across her gaze once again, the only sign that it probably hurt her to remember herself in that state. Had she fought against the power of the stone or had she drifted along in existence, barely conscious of what was going on around her and only now just grasping at pieces of it? "Yes…mostly…"

"Why did you have an Exsphere like that on you?" Genis inquired curiously.

"I received it from a person named Vharely." The small girl informed him.

Just hearing the name I bristled. So that damned Exsphere Broker, that slime, was connected to Presea as well? He had been the reason behind another innocent's suffering? Part of me was furious, bitter that I had not chased after Vharely when he ran from the Toize Valley Mine, but it was too late for those sorts of regrets. And it was not as if I had never guessed that Vharely could have something to do with Presea, as he had a hand in where almost all of the Exspheres in Tethe'alla went. I had just wanted to hope that I would be wrong. "I knew it…Vharely!"

"I wanted to help my sick daddy." Presea continued to explain, her eyes only glancing back at the new grave in her yard for a second. Her voice was once again soft, composed, nothing like the one she had used just beyond those trees a little bit ago. "I wanted to learn to wield an ax so that I could work in my daddy's place. So Vharely introduced me to Rodyle, and I was taken to the Research Academy in Sybak."

"The experiments on you were carried out by order of the Pope, right?" Zelos questioned suddenly, surprising me. It was not that I thought his inquiry out of line, for I knew that any sort of experimentation would have to be cleared by the Pope, but I had not expected for the red headed Chosen to be the one to make the connection first.

"Which means that Desian is in league with the Pope!" Lloyd exclaimed with a clenched fist.

As much as I was curious as to how Presea had come to have an Exsphere, I already had confirmation of my suspicions that Vharely was involved, and I was desperate to ask her the one question that had plagued me from the moment I had first laid eyes on her. I had to know if she had any connection to Alicia, if there was more than coincidence that made her appear so much like my lost love. As much as I had convinced myself I was ready to know, that I was ready for the truth, I did not think there was any way I possibly could be. If Presea was in some way tied to Alicia, that meant that I had done something irreparable to this small girl, and if she was not then her gaze haunted me with my own guilt instead of a reflection of my beloved. "Presea. Do you have an older sister?"

She shook her head, much to my dismay. "No."

My tattered heart gave a painful tug at my chest. So this girl was not who I had thought she could be. She was not tied to Alicia. She could not be. She did not have an older sister. I had tried to prepare myself for this possibility, I had done my best not to get my hopes up, and yet I was still disappointed. While I knew what it would have meant had Presea been Alicia's sister, part of me had still wanted them to be connected, for there to be a reason they looked eerily alike.

"Do you have any other family?" Perhaps Raine had thought I was concerned for the small girl's wellbeing now that her father had been laid to rest. I should have found it a relief that she did not find my question before strange.

"I have a younger sister. She left to go into service for a noble and that was the last I saw of her." Presea answered evenly, a faraway look in her gaze for only a moment. Her statement ran through my thoughts the instant after it had passed her lips, mixing with my hope. Presea had a sister, a younger sister, but she had a sister nonetheless. Could there still be a connection? "And my mommy died when I was a child."

The man that we had encountered during our first visit to Ozette had said that Presea had not aged in quite some time, so she was not the child she appeared to be. How many years she remained a prisoner to her Exsphere had not been revealed to me, but did it mean there was a chance that she could still be related to Alicia? They looked so much alike, the same color hair and the same shade of blue in their eyes. Presea had said her sister went into the service of a noble, which was how I had met Alicia. Both Presea as well as Alicia's mother had passed on while they were children, and they were both from Ozette. There had to be more that would explain this, more that would tell me if I was correct. Were Presea and Alicia family?

Or was I just getting my hopes up again when I had nothing to really hope for?

"When you were a child? Heh. You're still a child now." Zelos commented with a grin in Presea's direction. He either did not remember the encounter we had had with the man the last time we were in Ozette, or he merely meant in appearance she was still a child.

"Oh…yes, of course. That's right." Her response was somewhat disappointing. I had secretly hoped that being called a child would cause her to react differently, that she might be upset about being called something she was not, and perhaps reveal her true age.

"At any rate, we can't just leave you here in this village by yourself if you have no one to turn to." Sheena commented somewhat sympathetically, biting her lower lip. Her eyes trailed from the girl in question back up the large branch that led up to the rest of the village almost warily before then falling on the fresh grave that Presea stood in front of causing her concern to visibly grow.

"Yes, the people of this village seem to avoid her." Raine added with a small frown.

Presea's blue eyes dipped to the ground and she shifted for a moment on her feet almost nervously. The movements were so slight I couldn't help but wonder if I was the only one that noticed them, or if I was imagining her anxiousness. "I…uh…I'd like to go with all of you if that would be all right."

Lloyd blinked in surprise. "Huh? Why?"

Her usually stoic features were clouded by a bit of sadness as she glanced down at her feet. "…It's my fault that Colette was taken away. So please, let me help in her rescue."

So she did not intend to stay. And she wanted to right the wrongs she'd done indirectly while under the control of her Exsphere. I had had my chance to speak with her, and yet the answers I'd been given were not enough to know the truth of the matter, as well as satisfy my curiosity. There was still so much I wanted to know about this girl, and deep down I did not think I could surrender the companionship of the others yet either. They had been kinder to me than I deserved, they had not turned me away when they had discovered just what I was, and I felt compelled to repay them for it.

And Vharely was tied to this as well. The man I had vowed to bring to justice was working for the Pope, who seemed to be at odds with this group. If staying with them might help me achieve my goal of many years, then I needed to remain with them, and aid them in their quest. I took a step forward and turned to the rest of the group. I had no right to ask, and they had no reason to trust me. Yet I was compelled to try. What else could I do? "Please allow me to come along as well. It seems my fate is linked to your enemy."

"Of course you're welcome to join us! Help us save Colette." Lloyd insisted enthusiastically with a smile crossing his lips. How he could be so accepting, as to take in a man he knew to be a killer, I did not know, just as I did not understand the depths of his determination. He'd set out to save two worlds, an ambition that was admirable as well as idealistic. Perhaps I should not have been so surprised, as he seemed seek out the good in those around him, to find their strengths and add them to the party he'd already assembled.

"I will!" Presea agreed, her determination only flickering across her gaze for an instant.

"Thank you. I am in your debt. I shall not betray your trust." I told him earnestly hoping that he understood my gratitude. He, as well as the others, had no reason to trust me, and had no reason to accept me as part of their group, and yet Lloyd had not hesitated in his answer.

"Now, let's hurry and find Colette." Raine remarked to once again bring focus to the conversation. She hid it well, but I could see she was worried for Slyvarant's Chosen, which was perfectly understandable, for not only was the girl her student, but she had been ill when she had been taken by that Desian.

"All right, they headed east." Lloyd nodded, his eyes turning in the said direction as if he still expected the dragon carrying his friend to be within sight.

"…So you've lost the Chosen." A deep tenor commented from the end of the path that would lead to Altessa's house. Surprised at this new arrival, I glanced up to find a man dressed in a strange white tunic strewn with buckles approaching. Lloyd and the others turned a bit stunned to hear his voice, and I could see the young swordsman tense instantly as the man came closer.

"You again!" the brunette teen nearly growled out. "What have you done with Colette!"

Passively, the man regarded him, one hand rested on the scabbard on his hip as if it were waiting for the instant where his sword would need to be drawn. "Rodyle is ignoring our orders and acting on his own. I know nothing of it."

From the reactions of my companions, I could see this man was less than welcome among them. Lloyd was glaring at the oddly dressed intruder while Raine shook her head, remarking sarcastically, "Internal strife? How pathetic."

"Say what you will." His passive tone and stance seemed a bit challenged by her comment, but remained as he passed his eyes over all of us, almost surprised to find Presea and myself standing with them. Perhaps he had encountered my companions before, as he appeared to not have expected extra presences among them. "Either way, he will have no choice but to abandon the Chosen."

His cryptic response made Lloyd clench a fist in frustration. "What do you mean?"

"The Chosen is useless as she is now. You can let her be." I had to wonder if this man knew that Colette had been ill when she'd been taken, or if he had information on the situation that we did not. For whatever purpose that Rodyle character had kidnapped Colette for, it seemed this man assumed she would be of no use to anyone at the moment. That worried me. Was there something going on with that poor girl that even her friends did not know of?

"You've got to be kidding me! We're going to rescue Colette no matter what! And if you get in our way…" Lloyd rushed at the other man, drawing one of his swords as if to strike along with his threatening words.

But within the blink of an eye, the man dressed in white drew his own weapon, deflecting the strike, and replacing his sword in his scabbard. Turning his back to the younger swordsman, he crossed his arm over his chest almost with a sigh of frustration. "…Then I suggest you seek the Rheairds and head for the eastern skies. I'm sure the people of Mizuho have located the Rheairds by now."

With that, he left the way he came not once looking back. I could see the tension deflate from Lloyd's frame as he slowly put his own sword away. The anger he had turned towards that man made me wonder just what sort of connection the two shared, and if perhaps this was the traitor that Colette had spoken of. She had not told me much, but the animosity between the group and the man that had just departed had nearly been visible in the air.

"…What's that guy trying to do?" Lloyd wondered quietly.

Zelos sighed a little before his tone became as light as it usually was. "Ah, well, who cares? If he's useful, make use of him."

"I agree. Anyway, let's head back to Mizuho for now." Sheena added with a small nod. It was then that everyone seemed to turn to Presea together, the pink haired girl once again the center of their focus.

"Okay, then, just to make it official, welcome to the group, Presea!" Genis exclaimed enthusiastically with a wide grin on his young face. He seemed more than ecstatic to extend the hand of friendship to the girl, to make her feel welcome when she obviously felt guilty and like a burden to them all.

"Thank you." Presea mumbled softly, nearly flustered by the attention.

"My cute little Presea, I'll protect you, okay?" Zelos assured her in a smooth tone with a not entirely innocent grin. I had heard of the red headed Chosen's flirtatious ways, but perhaps I expected him to have some sort of limits such as to not turn his 'charms' on a child. Although I could not completely be sure if Presea was a child or not.

"Oh! Oh! I'll…I'll…" Genis stammered unable to finish.

"Come on, let's go!" the crimson wearing swordsman remarked from the back of the group, beckoning us up the branch that would take us back into the village.

And although I followed behind the rest of them, I knew that Genis did not. He remained behind, finally able to finish his sentence, albeit very quietly. "I'll protect you too…GRRR! Stupid, stupid Lloyd!"

Raine had thought it best that with how late in the day it was when we were set to venture out to Mizuho that we remain in Ozette for the night. Gaoracchia Forest was not a friendly place by any means, and even less so after dark, so she was wise in assuming it would be better to rest for the night and then continue on in the morning. She rented us rooms at the inn, even one for Presea to share with Sheena, as it seemed the pink haired girl did not want to spend the night in her own home again quite yet.

Zelos had argued with Genis on who would cook that evening, the red headed Chosen insisting that the young half elf take over for him or we would all end up with food poisoning. The Professor had pulled out a novel to read while this was going on, and the ninja seemed content to talk quietly with Presea. Lloyd was the only one that seemed detached from the group at the moment, and in my curiosity I was compelled to approach him.

"Lloyd, may I speak with you for a moment?" I sat down next to him on the bench outside the inn.

He seemed startled by my presence, although I wasn't quite sure if it was because he'd been previously distracted with his own thoughts, or if he had not expected me to go out of my way to talk to him. After a moment he offered me a small smile. "Sure. What's up, Regal?"

"I do not mean to pry, but, who was that man back there? The one who approached us at the grave…" I asked him gently as to not offend him. Perhaps I had no right to ask, even if it seemed the rest of my companions knew him, yet I knew that if I planned to remain in their company that I should have some knowledge of both their allies and their enemies to effectively be able to aid them.

"Oh…" Brown eyes were instantly downcast. "That was Kratos."

I could see that this was a sensitive topic, that I had to be pushing my boundaries with him, but I held the vague hope that perhaps if the teen had the chance to talk about this, even if it was with me, that it might help him somehow. "May I ask…how you know him?"

"That's sort of a long story." The swordsman murmured as he ran his fingers through his spiked brown hair.

"I have time, Lloyd." I assured him as I watched him sit up straight again and finally meet my gaze. From what I could tell his encounter with this Kratos character had him agitated, unnerved, and anxious, ready to spring from his seat, although any of that could have been attributed to the fact that one of his friends had just been kidnapped as well.

"When Colette started her journey of Regeneration, Kratos was with us, acting as a mercenary to protect her…acting as if he was our friend." Lloyd began with a small sigh. Then he clenched a fist. "But really he was sent by Cruxis to make sure Colette finished her journey, he deceived us, and he tried to kill all of us. I don't know what he's trying to do now, or if he's telling the truth about Rodyle, or if he was lying about knowing what that Desian wants with Colette! He's a traitor."

So Kratos was the one that betrayed them. He had deceived them all for Cruxis, from the very beginning. But then what could be his goal now? Lloyd was right, if he was a traitor and working for our enemy, then why had he appeared to us in Ozette and told us of his innocence in Colette's kidnapping? What had he to gain if we attained the Rheairds? "While his motives are not clear to us, Lloyd, it would seem that he knows more at the moment than we do, and he did not come to us today to deter us from our goal."

"No, he told us to go back to Mizuho because they must have found the Rheairds." The boy nodded in understanding before confusion then contorted his features. "But why? He's our enemy, right? Why would he want us to be able to find the Rheairds?"

"At the moment, Lloyd, I can't even begin to understand why he would do such a thing. Perhaps it is just best to follow Zelos' advice, and make use of Kratos for the time being. He instructed us to return to Mizuho, and in our current situation, that is the best option." I mused as I leaned back against the wall of the inn. "Maybe whether or not Kratos is still your enemy, Lloyd, does not matter if his advice aids us in rescuing Colette…"

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Lloyd sighed as he climbed to his feet and started to head for the door of the inn. Just as his hand reached out for the handle to let himself in, he turned so that he could lock gazes with me once again. "Hey, Regal?"

"Yes, Lloyd?" I raised one eyebrow in question at him.

"Thanks." A grin tugged at his lips.

"You're welcome." I gave him a slight nod in return. That seemed to satisfy him, as well as soothe some of the anxiousness that had been gripping his limbs, and he went back inside seeming that much lighter in his steps. I waited another moment or two before I followed.

Once we'd had our evening meal and cleaned up afterwards, most of my new companions headed for their rooms, exhausted from the day's activities. Sheena tried to coax Presea to come to bed as well, but it seemed the taciturn girl was not ready to turn in just yet, and soon enough we were the only two left in the inn's lobby. She sat in the chair she had occupied during dinner, and while her expression was mostly stoic, her azure eyes reflected a deep remorse.

I stood from the chair I'd been seated in for most of the evening and moved to the one next to her, watching her face carefully to see if she reacted badly to my continued presence near her. I had not gotten another chance to be alone with the girl since she had fled her home earlier, and I did not wish to cause her any pain. "What's wrong?"

"I wonder if Colette is all right." She commented softly, her gaze still fixated on her feet as she kicked them under the table as they did not reach the floor. The way she gripped the sides of her seat I could tell she was really struggling with this, the guilt that had set in once she had been restored to her true self.

"The only thing we can do is pray that she is safe." I knew my words were not entirely comforting, but it would do no good to lie to her and say that I was sure that the Chosen was all right. I had no idea of Rodyle's intentions for the poor child, and so I could not say for sure just what had become of the blonde girl. While I wish I could do more for Presea, all I could offer was that one suggestion, something she could do to ease her worry.

"I…swear I will rescue Colette." Presea murmured with determination growing behind her tone. "It was my fault that Rodyle took her away."

I was a bit startled by her statement. Surely she knew that the Desian had manipulated her in a vulnerable state, that what she had done under the power of her Exsphere was not entirely her fault. Yet I could understand how she could feel guilty about something like this, something that at the time had been beyond her control. I bit my lip slightly. "…Yes. We cannot change the past. We must do what we can do. Earnestly, and sincerely."

I could not save her…but I can keep you safe, Presea…

While I knew that there was most likely no connection at all between Alicia and Presea, there was still that glimmer of hope that perhaps there was, and the undeniable urge to keep this child that sat next to me safe. She wore the face of my lover, which could have been just a startling coincidence, and she was also a victim of the same stone that took my lover from me. That in itself was all the more reason to keep her safe, to stay with her.

"Yes…" Presea whispered with a small nod.

I will do what I can for you, Presea…earnestly and sincerely…

She had been working at the Bryant estate for four years, and yet she had never been to the Lezareno Company headquarters before the day Sanji handed her a large packaged lunch and sent her there. It was not that she didn't have time to explore Altamira; Alicia had made many trips to the beach and the amusement park on her days off, but had made it a point to steer clear of the large office building. That was the only place she knew if she visited she was sure to run into him. Regal Bryant, the handsome young Duke that not only did she serve, she had developed quite the crush on over the time she spent in his home.

How could she not with the way he had smiled at her the day that they met? How could she resist the way he spoke so softly to her? Or always asked how she was doing since he knew she was so far away from home? He seemed to go out of his way to make sure everyone that lived in the Bryant mansion was content with not only their job, but with their lives in general. It was as if the Duke wanted to make sure the people in his employment were happy, and Alicia had never heard of a noble doing that. Although, she'd never heard of a noble coming over to help a fallen servant gather up cleaning supplies said servant had dropped either. Her master was different. He was gentle, caring, and had a strange look in his eyes when he thought no one else was watching.

There were times when he seemed lonely.

And as much as she wanted to spend time with the Duke, to get to know him, to watch him move with the grace of an angel, she did not want to be alone when she did so. She felt so clumsy around him, so small, so insignificant. He had to notice how she stammered when she replied to anything he asked of her, how a light pink would tint her cheeks instantly the moment his eyes landed on her, and how she practically gaped at him if he ever graced her with another of his brilliant smiles like on that first day. She knew she had it bad, that it was wrong for her to feel this way about a man who was six years older than her, as well as of noble blood, but when she was anywhere near him her heart fluttered against her rib cage with anticipation. Anticipation of what, she wasn't quite sure.

But now she was going to his office. She had no choice. Sanji had assigned her the new task of delivering Master Regal's lunch, for now, or until the duty was passed to someone else. And Sanji had no idea when someone else would take over, as none of the other staff that manned the kitchen in the afternoon were available and it didn't appear that they would be for some time. So she was going to have to go up there, possibly while he was in the room, to give him his meal.

She'd never been so terrified in her life.

The receptionist that greeted her when she stepped off the Elemental Railway and headed for the elevator was really sweet, telling her that the President's office was on the third floor with a sincere smile. If Alicia's knees hadn't been shaking she might have returned the warm expression. As it was she was having trouble holding herself upright, clutching the packaged lunch in a vice-like grip so that in her anxiousness she would not fumble and drop it. That was the last thing she needed to have happen, have Master Regal see her drop something again.

Her ride in the lift seemed all too short, for soon the gates creaked open, leaving her exposed to the expansive office while she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. The girl's breath had been caught in her throat, until she finally realized she'd come into an empty office. The young President of Lezareno was not at his desk, or standing at one of the large book shelves, or pacing the floor. She should have been relieved that he was not present, then she couldn't make a fool of herself in front him, and yet there was a twinge of disappointment that lay underneath that relief.

Even if she had fallen on her face in front of the nobleman, she still would have gotten, for however brief a second, to see him. But he was not in his office and there was nothing she could do about it. Besides, there was always tomorrow, and the day after that, and as many days as it took for Sanji to find someone else to make these lunch deliveries. One day, even if it was the first, wouldn't make the difference. At least it shouldn't have.

Alicia took a deep breath, stepping out of the elevator to cross over to the large oak desk on much steadier legs than when she had first entered the lift. If her master wasn't there, she'd just have to drop off his meal with a note so that when he returned he would find it waiting for him. Maybe that was better. He would never have to know she'd even been in his office space if she left a note. It just seemed impersonal, but she had other jobs to do soon, and she had yet to take a break for her afternoon meal as well.

Finding a nice stationary and pen on the huge desk, she set to scribbling down a message to her employer, she failed to miss the sounds of the elevator leaving, and then returning before she could even place her note on top of the lunch she'd set down. It wasn't until the gates were opening again that she realized someone was coming.

"Oh, hello, Alicia." There he stood, that warm smile crossing his lips and lighting up his azure eyes, with a file in one hand while the other had been struggling to loosen his navy blue tie. She couldn't believe how the deep blue suit offset his slicked back blue locks, or the depth of his gaze that had her frozen in place. How could a simple suit make this man look even more handsome? He was walking towards her, and she could feel the flush that had already spread on her cheeks grow hotter, probably turning cheery. "How are you?"

"Hello, Master Regal." Why did that simple response sound more like a squeak to her ears? Why was she panicking? It wasn't as if he was interrogating her, he was just being polite because he'd caught her at his desk! "I'm…doing well thank you. I…I brought you your lunch."

His head tilted to the side curiously as he passed by her, he then moved to sit in the plush leather chair on the opposite side of the desk, eyeing the bundle and glancing at the note that had been placed on it only seconds before. For a moment, Alicia considered muttering a quick goodbye and then making a break for the elevator, but a small groan coming from the Duke as he shook his head almost fondly caused her to stop. There was a bit of amusement to his tone as he glanced back up to meet her gaze, not knowing how that made her feel both trapped and as if there was no one else in the world now, he asked, "Alicia, did Sanji prepare this?"

"Y-yes." Did he not like Sanji's cooking? If not she'd have to go all the way back to the mansion just to bring him another lunch made by a different chef. That meant she'd have to come back to see him again, to be caught in his azure hues that drew her in, that called to her. And the girl honestly did not think she was strong enough for that twice in one day.

"Hm." She would have given anything to know what he was thinking as he leaned back in his chair, again pulling at his tie as if he was slowly being strangled by the thing. The small span of silence did nothing but grate on her nerves, and there was still that desperate voice in the back of her head that said if she dashed over to the elevator he wouldn't be able to protest in time and she wouldn't have to be in the same room with him again until the same time tomorrow. Oh why had Sanji done this to her? Regal's next question shoved aside her anxiety, stunning her completely. "Have you eaten yet?"

She had no idea why he would ask her that, so she answered automatically. Automatically meaning she couldn't come up with anything but the utter truth. "No, Master Regal."

"Good. Sanji, for some reason, is under the impression that I eat twice as much as I actually do. I should have enough here for two if I know him at all, and I would hate to have half of it go to waste." Again that smile was directed at her, and if Alicia had thought that her heart knew how to flutter before she did not know what fluttering was because her heart had spread real wings this time that were beating rapidly in her chest. "Would you care to join me?"

It was a miracle she didn't faint at that instant. Regal Bryant, the man she had watched from afar since entering his household as nothing but a servant, was asking her to sit down and eat lunch with him? The rush of excitement that realization gave her would have her walking on air for weeks. Here she was, with her handsome master, alone on the third floor of his gigantic office building, and he had offered to share his lunch with her! Her, a little servant girl from Ozette! Even as her soul was singing in triumph, she realized that she couldn't stay. If she stayed he was sure to see right through her. "Uh…no…I shouldn't…"

"I won't force you, Alicia, and I am not trying to make you uncomfortable or get any of your superiors upset with you. I would be happy to explain your prolonged absence to anyone who questions where you've been. I'm only offering." The Duke insisted gently, seeing her hesitation, perhaps even her fear, and rushing to put her more at ease with the situation. He would never threaten her job, for he knew her father had grown ill when she came to work at the estate and most of her earnings were sent to support him and her sister back in Ozette. He could see the blush in her cheeks and the slight tremble in her shoulders. She wasn't afraid of him, was she? Or was she…shy? "Honestly I hate to eat alone, and well, I would appreciate the company."

"Master Regal…" The rest of her second protest died in her throat. How could she even consider turning down this invitation from her crush? So what if she made a fool of herself? She would still get to eat lunch, alone, with the man she secretly admired! Pushing aside the nervousness pooling in the pit of her stomach, she managed a small smile for him along with a nod. "Well, if you insist."

"And I do." He retorted with a bit of a laugh, getting up to grab a chair that had been across the room at a small table for her, gesturing for her to sit, and when she did, pushed it in for her like the gentleman he was so that they would both be seated at his desk.

After returning to his own seat, Regal began to unpack the lunch Sanji had made, and found something that made them both laugh.

Sanji, for whatever reason, had packed the lunch with two sets of silverware.

The trend of Alicia's lunch visits continued because every day Sanji would be the one to prepare the Duke's lunch, and every day she could not refuse Regal when he asked her to join him even if she'd wanted to. None of Alicia's superiors ever questioned where she was for an hour or two after she left to deliver the young master's lunch, and she suspected that it might have been because the Duke had already spoken to them. Within the first week she had become much more comfortable in the nobleman's presence, finding that he wasn't always so quiet if he was in the right company.

She also began to suspect Sanji had ulterior motives when sending her with their employer's lunch, but she wasn't about to argue with progress.

For what it was worth she had a chance every day to talk to Regal Bryant, the man she had been watching and thinking of for four years. She was able to be near him when she wasn't supposed to be doing chores or getting a lecture from that old man George that seemed to hound the Duke wherever he went. It wasn't as if they were dating, as if he'd confessed to secretly being in love with her, she figured that would always be a dream, but now he didn't seem so far away. He didn't seem as untouchable as before.

And now, when she was able to look at him when he thought no one was watching, he didn't seem so lonely either.

To be continued

End notes: Well, chapter three is now finished. I have to say, I liked how this one turned out. I had to play with the scene where Presea finds out about her father, and I used her most famous line from the game to do it. She's always saying "I want to go home" when you first get her in the party, and for some reason, I had to use that somehow. I also kinda came up with the whole 'how Regal and Alicia got together' thing, which I've stretched out into the coming chapters. I know there's some radio play out there that actually has a story of how they fell in love, but I have no access to such a thing, and I kinda like what I came up with. Plus I got to add Sanji, which I couldn't resist. (If anyone is wondering, Sanji is based off a character from One Piece, and awesome anime/manga, where Sanji is the chef of a pirate crew.) I will stop babbling now. I hope you all enjoyed. I will get cracking on chapter four post haste!