This took a little longer than I planned. my mp3 player has been taken by my step daughter and she's lost it, leaving my with nothing to listen to and feeling agitated. On the plus side a nice long chapter for you to read!
Chapter Six: Honour
Fran sat on her bed, her bags already packed. She had handed Madam Luvlé her resignation, the life in a bordello was not the life for her. She had taken the advice that Ulrich had given her and she had booked a flight to the Landis capital that left in a few hours.
"We're going to miss you, Fran," the Madam sighed, stroking her long white hair.
"I had fun," she looked up, "But I need to move on, my feet are itchy."
"It's a shame," Luvlé lamented, "You are very popular among the Gentry and the Magistrate, they will all miss you."
She smiled sadly, "And I them," she new this to be a lie, but in a small way it was not, "This life is not for me; I don't know which life would be for me."
"If you ever need anything, you are more than welcome," the woman gave Fran a warm hug, "I will miss you the most I think." She checked her watch, "You still have a few hours; how would you like one last drink?"
"That would be lovely," truth be told, Fran had been depressed since she read about Ulrich's marriage in the Archadian Times, for a man she met once a month ago, the thought of him caused her to flush and her heart to race. She had cried herself to sleep every night.
"Good," the madam smiled. They both left for the parlour and enjoyed a cocktail.
Before they knew it, Fran had only a half hour until her flight left; Madam Luvlé offered her a lift in the resident vehicle to allow Fran a swift of the city.
At the Aerodrome, Fran boarded the airship and retreated to her room for a silent flight of contemplation.
The Delegates all were at the Aerodrome, each leaving for their individual flights. Malger and the Marquis of Bhujerba retreated to the Marquis's private yacht. Judge Magisters Ek and Gabranth, with their daughter Elizar accompanied Valdar and her new husband.
"I never thought I would see the day," Gabranth smiled, "I thought of you as a career girl." He gave his daughter a hug, "Don't be a stranger."
Elizar, still bitter that her sister succeeded where she failed, did not wish Valdar any happiness and refused to give her a smile. "Cheer up Elli," Valdar grinned, "I'll keep an eye out for another Landian hero for you." Elizar turned away, coldly, refusing to look at her twin.
"Maybe you'll meet a nice Judge," Ulrich suggested to her, pulling his wife closer with a warm smile, "Possibly a Magister?" All up, the Magistrate has twenty-four Judge Magisters at any one time with the lucky few who work in the Palace, Ulrich's hint not alluding to anyone in particular. The Archadian spinster gave Ulrich a puzzled look.
Ek remained imperturbable, guarding her emotions; "Remember that you are welcome back to the magistrate at any time." It was not that she did not love her daughter; her feelings were quite the opposite. She had never experienced separation from her children; the imminent distance from Valdar scared her more than anything else.
"I will visit often," Valdar assured her family. Her eyes drifted to her husband, "As often as I can manage to be away from Ulrich that is." She gave her family one last embrace before walking by the Senator's side to their Honeymoon Suite room on the cruiser back to Landis.
On the Cruiser, Ulrich carried Valdar into their Suite and laid her delicately on the bed; "Well, Mrs Ulrich Fon Ronsenburg, are you excited to see your new home?"
His new wife beamed happily up at him, "I am home where ever you are, my sweet love."
Ulrich leaned down and kissed her warmly; entwining his finger in her golden hair, he pulled her closer into their kiss. Valdar's arms locked around his neck as his free arm cradled her back. "I am a slave to you," he whispered to her, "I only wish to please you my love."
"Choose your words carefully, Ulrich," she giggled, "I might take you literally." Her expression gave away her sarcasm and Ulrich laughed.
"Oh you're in trouble now!" he began to tickle her. She screamed as his fingers found every sensitive spot on her body, she writhed around giggling hysterically.
"Stop, stop, stop," she begged as her laughing stole her breath, "Please stop!"
Ulrich complied, his grin still threatening more, "I'll stop for now, but expect more soon."
Valdar propped herself up on her elbows, "Are you ticklish, Ulrich?" she asked, still breathless from her own torturous caresses.
"I am," he blushed slightly, "but you're going to have to find it yourself."
She crawled over to him, "I know what that means," She uttered in his ear, "a delicate place just on your body, hidden from view," her mischievous smirk infectious.
The cruiser began to pull out of the Aerodrome, the motion unnoticed by the newly weds as they continued to acquaint themselves with each other with amorous intentions.
Ulrich took great delight in taking over; their wedding night had been her night, her desires, but tonight it was his turn. He knew enough to make her squirm, but she was an experienced Archadian Gentry and his self-confidence in giving her pleasure was low. His fears of inadequacy were completely unfounded as Valdar relished in his random attentions, as they were not formulated in any way.
"Ulrich," she gasped, "Don't ever change!"
Her words encouraging his efforts, "I may want to try new things eventually," he said as he kissed her.
She shot him a curious look, "Well … alright, you may try new things eventually."
Malger and Halim had settled in the Marquis's private airship, their thoughts focused on their families. "I wander how little Amalia is going?" the Marquis sighed, holding a picture of his daughter, "She is so much like her mother, thankfully."
They chuckled sadly, "We haven't been the best behaved representatives," Malger confessed, "I must make it up to Shoshannah and my wonderful children, including our latest addition."
Halim kicked his feet up on the table, "I think I will abstain from madhu until I return to my lovely wife's side."
"Agreed," he patted his friend on the shoulder, "I will also purchase a sizable box of candied fruits for my apple blossom." The two men sighed, "I feel like a cad."
"Me too."
Ulrich carried in the breakfast tray, Valdar still slept, hugging a pillow and curled up like a cat. He placed the tray by the bed and sat by her side. Her eyes fluttered open to see her husband with her breakfast waiting for her to rise. She smiled happily and reached for a piece of toast, "this is a pleasant surprise," she took a bite.
"Did you sleep well?"
Valdar stretched sleepily, "divinely," she rested her hand on his knee, "how about you?"
"Best night yet," he kissed her cheek, "oh you asked how I slept!"
She playfully hit him, "What have I done to you?"
Ulrich pulled her to a sitting position, "I don't know, but I like it," they erupted into frolicsome wrestling and giggles. The hours flew by and before they knew it, they were docking in Landis.
Günter quickly pulled his shirt on, Ulrich's flight was coming in at noon and that was in ten minutes, why did he stay out so late? He quickly brushed his hair and ran down stairs and out the front door.
The housekeeper locked the door behind him.
Günter raced down the street towards the Aerodrome, the town clock read noon exactly. He still had a few minutes as the passengers always take their time leaving the airship.
Fran had already slung her bag over her shoulder and made her way to the gangway, she knew Ulrich was on the flight and did not wish to see him with his new wife; she could not bare it. As the doors of the aircraft opened, she swiftly made her way out of the aerodrome and into the busy streets of the Republic's Capital.
"Excuse me," she asked the first Valkyrie she saw, "I'm looking for the Valkyrie Institute, could you please direct me?"
The tall athletic woman nodded politely, "It's down that road there," she pointed towards the north, "don't worry you can't miss it, the massive bronze statue of Queen Elfreda stands out the front."
Fran did not know who this Queen was, but wondered how many places have huge bronze statues in front of them. "Thank you," the Viera walked casually up the road she was directed. It was not to long before she found the Institute. The large marble building with a shiny bronze statue of a beautiful warrior woman out the front and without waiting around, Fran entered the foyer.
An elderly woman sat at a desk with a quill scratching at some parchment, "Excuse me, is this where you come to enrol?" Fran asked courteously.
The woman placed her quill on the desk, "Yes it is, my dear, do you know which course you wish to study?"
"Yes, I wish to study everything," the woman stared blankly up at Fran. "I learn quickly and focus on my task until it is complete."
"Alrighty," she retrieved some paper work from a draw, "fill in these forms and return them to me within a week, classes start in the spring."
Fran filled in the forms and returned them in less than an hour, "I'll see you in four months."
Ulrich enlisted the help of the pursers to carry his wife's luggage; she had everything she could ever want to start a new life, luckily, she did not have much and was limited to three suitcases.
The purser left. Valdar waited for Ulrich to take her hand and make their way out into the City.
The aerodrome was packed with people wanting to see Senator Ulrich Fon Ronsenburg's new wife; the peace pact was all but forgotten by the populous.
Valdar boldly waved to the people while drawing her strength from Ulrich. "I think they like you," his words barely making a sound above the crowds' cheers.
"I did not realise you were this popular," she called back, still waving to the people excitedly.
"I think their here for you," he beamed at her, "They've seen me before." He spotted Günter making his way through the excited crowd, the young man looked worried and red in the face. The reporters from the local newspapers who struggled to reach the Senator and his new bride knocking the teen over. Ulrich reach for him and pulled him through the wall of journalists.
"Thank you, sir," he said as his focus returned to normal, "I was afraid I would be late." He looked back at the crowd still cheering, "Wow, didn't expect that!"
He looked back at his wife, who was now shaking hands with the children in front of the masses, "There were a lot of unexpected things this past month."
Günter smiled, "Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the papers!" He grabbed his new mistress's luggage and escaped out the side to take it to the town house.
Ulrich managed to retrieve his wife and they too, made their way to the Senator's town house.
Ulrich had settled into married life quite well, within a week the happy couple went about as though they had been happily married for years, with the exception of his first day back t the senate.
The standing ovation Ulrich received from his fellow senators and those in the strangers' gallery could be heard beyond the walls of the building. The only one silent was the Chancellor.
"Will the member for Ronsenburg please get back to the reason why he attended the Archadian conference," Adlersflügel complained, "Yes his spontaneous marriage is the talk of the country, but that is his private life and has no diplomatic influence on the situation."
"Thank you, Chancellor," Ulrich bowed, "Indeed, we must return to business." He waited for the Senate to return to its usual silent state, "I am pleased to say the Archadians wish for universal peace," another cheer exploded throughout the Senate, again it took several minutes for it to return to normal. "We have entered into a peace pact along with other nations ..."
"What of Rozzaria?" The Chancellor demanded, clearly displeased.
"Our former enemy were not represented at this time," Ulrich explained to several jeers from the opposition, "I believe that sometime in the future, when tensions between the Empires have eased, the Rozzarians will be invited to sign the pact; ensuring the first world peace Ivalice has ever seen." He received a mixture of taunts and praises.
As Ulrich returned to his seat for the first time in nearly an hour, the Chancellor stood for his retort. "I find it convenient that the member of Ronsenburg took an Archadian bride a day before signing the treaty," his tone sarcastic and bitter, "Would our beloved Hero have made the same choice if he did not take an Archadian for a bride?"
Ulrich shot to his feet, "Aye, I would have," he fired back, "For the benefit of the Republic, Chancellor."
"You did not debate it in the Senate," Adlersflügel argued, "In the democratic way!"
"Are you telling me," Ulrich attested, "that you would have snubbed the Emperor's hospitality and risked an international incident just to debate whether Landis should enter into a peace treaty with Archades?"
The Chancellor blushed at the remark, he had lost the debate now, "I would have done what is right for Landis," he said quietly, his voice all but drowned by more sneers.
"As I did," Senator Ronsenburg returned to his seat triumphantly, knowing his point had been made.
News of Ulrich's marriage had not made it to the Ronsenburg estate, Ingra went about her daily routine of care for her ailing mother. Each day she got worse, she would cough up blood and wail in pain. This particular day, everything would change, Ingra received a letter from Ulrich, "Took your sweet time didn't you?" she thought aloud as she tore the envelope open and read it fast.
Dearest Ingra,
I have much to tell you, I do not know where to begin. I have a new employee; his name is Günter Falk, a sweet boy from the village on the other side of the dark forest, I'd like to think I rescued him from his monstrous mother, I sympathised with him. He is to accompany me to the capital whenever I need to go.
I have also just returned from Archadia on an official diplomatic mission of peace, sound important doesn't it? I have successfully secured peace for Landis for the foreseeable future, at least I hope so, the Chancellor did not seem pleased. Nor did he seem pleased with my other piece of news, and I advise that you be sitting down for this, I married a Judge while I was there in Archades. Her name is Valdar Gabranth (Well it was, now it is Valdar Fon Ronsenburg) I know I had built your hopes before I left and for that, I am truly sorry. I do hope my peace offering will bring a smile to you face.
I will return for the winter hiatus and I promise to dance with you at the Hiberna Festival, if you wish to do so.
With love,
Ulrich
Ingra chuckled, "No hard feelings my brother," she folded the letter into her pocket, "But you can tell your mother; why should I suffer for your decision?" she wandered into the cottage to tell her mother the news.
Mama Prudence dozed lightly as her daughter entered, "Ingra? Is that you?" she asked weakly.
"Yes mama," she sat by her side, "It's me." She waited for her mother to open her eyes, "I've heard from Ulrich."
Mama Prudence smiled, "What trouble has his lordship got himself into now?"
"He's done a great duty to both his family and the country," Ingra explained cheerfully, "He's found peace for Landis and he's married an Archadian Judge."
The older woman cocked her eyebrow, "Well I'm not telling his mother, I may be dying but I don't have a death wish." She began to cough; worse than she had before, "Ingra," she choked, her eyes wide with panic "Get your father!"
Her daughter obeyed, racing to her father who was cutting firewood by the back door, "Papa, you must come quick!" Ingra cried before the two of them hurried upstairs to the ill woman.
"I think this is it," Prudence continued to cough hard, blood spraying from her lips. She reached for her husband and daughter's hands, "I love the both of you, more than anything in the world," she stopped coughing; leaning back on her pillows, she drifted away.
Ingra sat with her father at their kitchen table, the undertaker prepared Prudence for burial in the parlour. They sipped at their tea, not really in the mood to talk, Ingra's Father broke the silence, "Now your mother is gone, I think it's safe for me to tell you," he said unexpectedly.
"What do you mean," Ingra queried, placing her mug on the table.
"The truth," he stiffened slightly, "I've been lying to you."
"What are you talking about?" Ingra was short with him; she did not mean to be, but the loss of her mother that morning had ruined her good mood to say the least.
"A few years ago," he began, "before you were born, your mother and I were having trouble." Ingra felt a sickly feeling in her stomach. "We wanted a child."
"Don't continue," she begged, "Please."
"You mother never knew that I knew," he continued.
"Well she told me and I don't care, you're my dad and that's how it's always been."
"You don't understand, I asked Old Basch, to do what I could not," he paused, watching his daughter, "if your mother found out, she would have killed me."
"I think you underestimated mama," Ingra wept, "She told me, but she believed you didn't know!"
"How do you think it would have looked to her?"
"I thought you would have respected mama enough to discuss it with her!" their voices rose as the argument progressed.
"Old Basch was my best friend; he and I competed for your mother when we were younger."
"So naturally, you would get your best friend to conceive a child with your wife, why not a few more? I would have liked a little sister to play with." Ingra stood up suddenly, forcing the chair across the kitchen floor, "you know, for a married couple who loved each other, you both couldn't share the events that brought about my existence." She left the kitchen.
That night, they laid Prudence to rest in the town's cemetery, Ingra remained silent through the service, and her face was a mask of serenity. She was not happy with the events of the day, she felt relief that her mother was no longer in pain, she was angry at her father's deception and she was sad that Ulrich did not know that the woman who raised him had passed on.
At the conclusion of the wake, her father retired for the night after a failed attempt to talk with her; Ingra packed a satchel with several changes of clothes and her toiletries and quietly stowed out of the hose. Her feet carefully fell on the litter of leaves that covered the path to the Chocobo pens; she only hoped that the Chocobos would stay quiet.
Ingra opened the pen, the flock slept with the exception of one blue hen, she had seen Ingra at the gate and she approached.
"Hay girl," Ingra whispered, "feel like a trip?" the large bird danced around. Ingra walked the Chocobo, whose name was Flora, to the stables to be saddled. As soon as Flora was ready, Ingra began her journey to the Capital, through the dark forest.
A couple of days later, Ingra arrived in the Capital; it was her first time visiting her country's heart and soul. She knew the Senate stood in the centre of the city, but apart from that, she knew nothing of the layout. "This is a stupid idea," Ingra grumbled, looking down several identical streets, "face it girl, your lost!" she berated herself as she felt the hopelessness of her situation set in. Flora squawked impatiently as the traffic of people bustled past.
"Do I know you?" Ingra froze, "Miss?" she slowly turned her head towards the location of the voice, "Are you lost?"
She jumped off Flora, "Yes, I am lost," she grumbled, feeling embarrassed, "It's my first time to the capital."
"Mine too," the young man responded, "but I've been here for a few months now with my new boss."
"I'm here to find someone," Ingra announced, "a Senator, I have some news for him. I work for him."
"I work for a Senator too," the brunette proclaimed cheerfully, "Senator Fon Ronsenburg."
"That's who I'm looking for!" Ingra's jaw dropped, "Do you know where I can find him?"
"I'll take you to the townhouse," he took the Chocobo's reigns and began to walk with Ingra, "I'm Günter Falk, by the way."
"Ingra Brandt," she smiled, "I'm lucky to have bumped into a fellow employee."
The two walked for what felt like an hour when they eventually arrived at the townhouse. Günter took Flora to the City stables down the road and Ingra knocked on the door.
Valdar answered the door, her few weeks of marriage hadn't had any impact on her choice of clothing, wearing a sharp Archadian business suit, which she referred to as 'casual wear'. "May I help you?" she asked Ingra politely.
"I'm here to see my boss, Ulrich," Ingra replied to the woman before her.
"Come in," Valdar welcomed her with a smile, "he's still at the Senate and won't be back for some time."
"So you're my new mistress," Ingra commented as they settled in the parlour, "I wish I could have been there for your wedding."
Valdar blushed, "I didn't want to make a fuss. But I hear my mother-in-law is not the most agreeable of people."
"Crossing fingers she won't be coherent when you finally make it back to the estate," Ingra chuckled, "No one's been game enough to tell her about you yet."
The young Archadian woman laughed nervously, "I would hate to cause a rift between mother and son."
"Relax, that rift was there long before he met you."
The front door opened, "Just me, Lady Fon Ronsenburg," Günter called, "I have those items you asked for." The young man placed several small packages down on the table next to the settee.
"Thank you Günter," she picked them up and inspected them, "these will do nicely."
The girls chatted quietly as Günter made them beverages and retrieved a platter of Archadian baked sweets.
Ulrich arrived home, looking tired and miserable. He had walked alone from the Senate in the pouring rain and arctic winds; his bones ached from the cold. "Valdar, My love," he called as he opened the door, "come here and give your husband a kiss, my beautiful goddess." His smooth words stalled as he saw Ingra and Günter sitting with his wife in the Parlour. "Ingra, what are you doing here?"
Ingra had not said a word as to why she had travelled to the Capital, "I have news for you, good and bad."
Ulrich's face dropped with the inevitable news he was expecting.
"Mama passed away two days ago," she said solemnly, "the consumption finally took her," Ulrich pulled her in for a hug, leaving Valdar and Günter standing uncomfortably to witness the scene. He felt the pain of his surrogate mother's death; what hurt him more was the feeling of Ingra's sobs into his chest. It was the first time she openly cried for her mother, the grief enveloping her previously calm demeanour. Ulrich waited for her to calm down before he offered any words of solace, as her breathing returned to normal she finally looked up to him. "I have something else to tell you, Ulrich."
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
"Well," Ingra began, "At first I took it as very bad, but with you now married …"
"Ingra slow down," his words calming her, "I know we parted in awkward circumstances, but …"
"I'm you sister," she cut him off, "Mama told me before she died." Ulrich stared blankly at her, the information catching him off guard. "Your father is also mine."
Günter and Valdar had left the two in private and continued their conversation in the small courtyard out the back of the townhouse. They did not hear a thing from the others inside. "They seem pretty close," Günter commented.
"Yeah, Ulrich told me they grew up together," Valdar informed him, "I also know they almost got too close for employee and employer."
"So there is nothing to worry about between employees are there?" his words loosely hiding a fascination for the blond beauty.
"I believe it's encouraged," she quipped mockingly, "You like her don't you." The Lady of the house smirking as Günter's face turned away from her. "Oh that is so sweet, rescuing her from embarrassment in a busy street."
"I just wanted to do the right thing," he said truthfully, "I would have helped anyone in distress."
Valdar, still grinning, patted him on the shoulder, "Come on we should check on the 'old friends' they both probably need a big hug."
The new found siblings had calmed down, Ulrich couldn't speak from the revelation … until now. "I kissed you," he blurted out, causing Ingra to laugh.
"I'm over that," she chuckled, "That Günter is nice, where did you find him?"
"Over me already?"
"Yeah, you're too old," she giggled, "That and I prefer brunettes."
Ingra remained in the Capital until the Hiberna celebrations where the four friends began a relaxed journey back to the estate. Antja and Flora trotted happily with their riders on their backs. Valdar felt the cold worse than the others, but was glad it took her mind off her travel sickness; perhaps not, "I'm gonna be sick!" Valdar leaped of Antja, rushing for a shrub on the roadside.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Ulrich asked suspiciously, as he joined his wife, holding her hair back.
"I'm fine," she grumbled between bouts of vomit, "Just motion sickness or something I ate."
"Did you eat that candied ginger I gave you?" Ingra asked.
"Couldn't stomach it," Valdar wiped her mouth of the sputum left behind.
"But it will settle your stomach," Ingra argued, "That is why I offered it to you."
Ulrich helped his wife back up on Antja, who remained still until Ulrich joined his bride. "In truth, I don't like ginger," Valdar admitted sheepishly.
"You could have told me!" Ingra berated her jovially.
"I'll be alright; there's not far to go now," she spoke to Ulrich more than the others, "is there?"
The Senator smiled warmly at his nauseous wife, "We should be home by nightfall."
"Um, Ulrich," Ingra started, feeling ashamed, "Your mother doesn't know your married."
"You didn't tell her?" he asked, feeling the anger rush through him.
"Hay, I value my life," she defended herself, "you're the Hero, fight your own battles!"
The snow had been falling in Ronsenburg for the past few weeks; the road was an icy mud track but the village and the estate looked almost magical with the snowdrifts and the snowmen built by the children. Valdar's eyes drank in the picturesque twilight scene, never before had she seen snow in person before and the sight mesmerised her. "It's beautiful," she whispered, the chill no longer affecting her.
"Welcome home, Valdar," Ulrich kissed her, "Should I carry you across the threshold?"
Valdar laughed, "Why don't you inform your mother that you are no longer on the market."
"She'll be in her favourite room," he informed her, "The portrait gallery on the second floor." They approached the manor house in silence. Ingra, with Günter in tow, took the birds to the stables as Ulrich guided his wife to the main entrance. He lifted her into his arms, their smiles to each other, stirring energy for more intimate alone time.
"Let's just go straight to your room, Ulrich," she breathed heavily as he opened the door.
"Ulrich!" his mother screeched from upstairs, "You're late!"
"And with good reason, mother," he yelled in response.
The elderly woman stomped down stairs, "Who is this harlot?" she demanded hotly.
Valdar lowered out of Ulrich's arms, "I'm his Wife," she answered venomously, challenging the woman.
The challenge was answered, "An Archadian harlot?" she spat in Ulrich's face, "Do you seek to destroy your bloodline?" she slapped his face; "You insult your ancestors and disgrace your name."
"Well you bitter old Bitch," Valdar stood between mother and son, "This Archadian harlot is carrying you grandchild!" Ulrich's face dropped, his mouth hanging open with shock. Valdar turned away from the senior Mrs. Fon Ronsenburg, "Yes Ulrich, I'm pregnant."
The Senator began to smile, and then returned to shock, then worry, fear, pride and back to happy, "You're with child?" he finally said, still stunned.
"I was going to tell you tonight," she explained, ignoring the nasty old woman behind her, "as your Hiberna gift."
"Mother," he called as she walked solemnly back up the stairs, "you can shove your opinion of my love where the sun refuses to shine. I made my choice and I've never been happier."
"You are a cheeky girl, Amalia Devika Ondore," the Marquis chuckled as his daughter giggled hysterically, clinging to the edge of the coffee table, "Get back here," his playful pursuit responded with an outburst of laughter from the eight month old baby.
She let go of the table, falling onto her bottom, "Da-da," she grumbled reaching for him impatiently, her fingers making grabbing movements until Halim the third lifted his little girl into his arms.
"Did you hurt your bum did you?" he asked her, pouting babyishly; the child began to giggle again. He placed her back on the floor.
Amalia reached for the table again, was standing once more, and walked assisted around the table.
"Esha, just look at our little girl," the Marquis said to his wife as she entered the room.
"Don't forget you have six sons also," she chided, "All who wish time with their father."
"Halim is more interested in girls," he began, "Jagdish is obsessing over his Magick, Baqi is too argumentative, Khalid won't remove his nose from his books, Mirza … I don't know what he's doing and Pran prefers your company. Out of all our children, the only one who is openly happy to be with me is Amalia."
Amalia stood unassisted next to the coffee table, "Da, da, da, da, da," she gurgled. The baby girl's parents looked to her speechless; she tentatively moved one foot in front of the other. She squealed excitedly, "Da, Da!"
"Esha," Halim asked dumfounded, "Did I just see what I thought I just saw?"
"Yes," she giggled, "our daughter just took her first steps … and called for you."
Laiard received the invitation to the Palace a day before the Solis feast, she was not happy with the blatant disregard for her schedule. The Emperor had done this before, to keep her from the court. He shunned her like she were a leper, she knew that her ambitions to become first wife would be an up hill battle, so tonight she pulled out all the stops for Ab-El, wearing and elegant yet revealing slip-dress and painfully high stilettos, she will be in agony the next morning but it will be worth it in the end.
She gracefully stepped into the car waiting for her and drove off to the Palace.
The crystalline structure that is the Imperial Palace of Rozzaria glowed in the evening light. The steady stream of guests arrived in succession at the grand entrance; the flamboyantly dressed Palace guard welcomed the notable visitors from around the Empire and those of the Imperial family. All up over three thousand guests filled the largest ballroom in Ivalice.
Laiard did not marvel at the grand cavernous room, her mind was on other things. She gave off handed greetings to the multitude of acquaintances in attendance and glided over to Ab-El, who was already surrounded by many beautiful women.
"I believe we have another contender," the Crowned Prince chuckled, "I'm sorry, I appear to be out of arms."
"Your Grace," Laiard bowed, "you should not waste your time with such easy women," she looked up to the busty blond on his right arm, "You might catch something."
The blond flashed red, "Watch it Laiard, once I'm first wife, you had better behave yourself if you wish to join the ranks in the council of brides."
"Ladies," the prince pulled out of the women's arms, "I will not have my girls fighting like my nightly entertainment, for all to see. Wait until later and we can have a great time together, tonight." It was clear that the Crowned Prince was interested in one thing, not that the others minded, Laiard was disgusted with his attitude for choosing his future wives, yes she wanted power, but she cared for Rozzaria also and the prospect of those obviously less intelligent and ambitious women made her skin crawl.
"My apologies, your grace," Laiard bowed again, "but it appears that you are not interested in the welfare of our illustrious Empire, I will leave you with your entertainment." She strolled off towards the other side of the hall, in search of alcohol, leaving the gold digging courtesans well away from her. "Rozzaria will suffer with Ab-El on the throne," she grumbled aloud.
"I couldn't agree more," a smooth charming man answered her.
"Prince Matías," she greeted him, "I'm honoured."
He smirked, "Avoiding the heir apparent?"
"He is so shallow; he does not care for Rozzaria at all."
The prince handed her a glass of sparkling white wine, "he is quite fortunate that our older brother perished in the war."
"Fortunate for him," she agreed, "Not for Rozzaria."
"We can only hope and prey that the Emperor with change his mind," the prince said with a sly grin.
"You know something don't you!" Laiard exclaimed excitedly, "What have you heard?"
"My lips are sealed," he motioned zipping his lips shut and throwing away the key, "care to dance?"
Solis celebrations wore on, Matías kept looking at the clock, and it neared ten. "Why do you keep looking at the clock?" Laiard asked, flirting openly with the handsome man.
"Waiting for the main event to begin," he mused, looking back to his dance partner, "Isn't it nice not to wait in line for an agreeable partner?"
"Yes," she admitted, "this night has turned out differently to what I had expected."
"Forget about Ab-El, let him have those hussies and you focus on someone more deserving." Before Laiard could respond, the fanfare sounded, announcing the Emperor. "Let the fun begin," Matías sniggered. Laiard looked at him curiously.
"Honoured guests," the Emperor called out to the room, "Greetings this warm Solis night." The panegyrical applause arose and faded. "And such a warm welcome too; however, tonight comes with a serious note. Archadia is assembling its allies once more, most notable being Landis and as such I have had to do a lot of thinking as to the future of Rozzaria. Ab-El, I am sorry, but if this was any other time, I would be fine with you succeeding me. Matías, you are a strong, intelligent and charismatic man and I believe you will do me proud as my heir."
The room gasped, the women surrounding Ab-El moved away, migrating towards Matías. His hand waved them away, "I'm shocked," he feigned surprise, "I had no idea."
"Yes you did," Laiard accused, "you were waiting for that announcement." He tapped his nose knowingly. "Did you orchestrate this fortunate turn of events?"
"My Lady," he kissed her hand, "My only concern is the welfare of Rozzaria."
Just so everyone knows, I have followed the model of our planet for Ivalice, giving the south summer while the north freezes with winter; hence the different celebrations.
The little scene with the Marquis and his family was written on my daughter's third birthday, feeling nostalgic (minus the boys it was what I went through with my little girl, ignored because I was not daddy.)