Title: Word of the Day v. FFIV
Author: Garnet Eyes
Archived: fanfiction. net, livejournal. com
Last Updated: 11 Jul 2011
Summary: 13 November 2000 edition.
Rating: K+
Characters/Pairings: Cecil
Author Notes: expropriate, transitive verb;
1. To deprive of possession.
2. To transfer (the property of another) to oneself.
Disclaimers: Final Fantasy IV is owned by Square-Enix and I in no way, shape, or form profit off of my writing. This is simply for my own pleasure, and may at any time be removed and/or modified as I see fit.

...

It was a terrible blow, worse than a physical strike, when His Majesty had proclaimed Cecil unfit to lead the Red Wings. The bloodless prince had worked his hardest, had striven to be everything that His Majesty desired, and had done all that he could do to honor his benefactor. He'd never expected to officially lead multiple units of soldiers at his age, but he had felt pride that he had been given this opportunity to prove himself worthy. Cecil refused to disappoint his liege, the man who had taken him in even when the babe was obviously not royal, and had treated the child as one of his own.

Yet now, as he stood in shock and his best friend defended him, Cecil realized with growing agony that he had failed. He was not worthy of his title, and it had been taken from him. The young knight felt even worse when his guard's willingness to defend him resulted in the other man's temporary demotion as well. Perhaps Cecil was not worthy to lead, but Kain most certainly deserved his title, and the younger knight would do whatever it took to keep from dragging the dragoon down with him. Taking a ring to a village, no matter how treacherous the journey, meant nothing if it would restore Kain's honor, regardless of what it may or may not do in the dark knight's favor.