A/N: I didn't forget about this story. I've just been trying to get Softly wrapped up. Anyways here's the chapter I kept saying I would write. Thanks again to Elder Master for the beta.

(Obsidian Palace: Guest quarters)

The twilight passed rather quickly. Sunlight rose to cast a shadow on the castle of dark stone. The beams of gold pushed their way into the room of the one guest who remained the night before.

The Lady Fate lay spread out in her bed. Golden strands that threatened to rival the sun had been cast about all over the bed during the night. The slender straps of Fate's nightgown held firm to the edges of her shoulders. The crème color of Fate's neck and shoulders were all that betrayed the safety of modest cover, her remaining form stayed covered by the sheets and in a shroud of modesty. The title of simple town maiden did not fit Fate here. No, that title was far too plain. Though what remained hidden was for a person yet unseen. Perhaps she would find the person of her dreams and longing here? That was only for time to tell.

As the sun awoke Fate, she began to stir in a way that would bring calm to any discourse around her. A lover would find it satisfying; a friend would find it comforting. As crimson eyes once again became exposed to the world of the living, Fate stretched once more before realization reminded her of her current status.

As Fate pushed the sheets off of her, toned legs exposed themselves as her feet gently touched the floor. The floor was carpeted and welcomed Fate's feet warmly. This was different then the normal hardwood that greeted Fate when she woke in her family home. As Fate pushed off the bed, her nightgown had fallen slowly. Though it had been just for a few seconds, the small of her back greeted the world. It was for naught however, as Fate quickly remedied it by pulling the rumpled garment over her rear as she stood.

"I do not know where to go now or what I should do." Fate said as she noticed a rather nice, but conservative dress laid out for her on the vanity. By Fate's estimation this was likely daywear for the higher class. The dress did make Fate's normal clothing look 'frockish' as it were.

Fate proceeded to push comparisons out of her mind. The day was new and there were questions to be asked. To be honest, she was in no rush to go home. Even though Lady Hayate had taken it upon herself to "relieve" her brother, Fate did still feel the pangs of responsibility pulling at the edges of her mind as they threatened to consume more then that.

For the time being however, the situation was better put aside for more pressing issues. The thought subsided as a light gurgling sound came from Fate's abdomen. It had been close to a day since she had last consumed anything. That had only been a few slices of cheese and a partial loaf of bread.

"Well I am hungry. And I have things I want to ask Lady Hayate…" Fate halted the latter half of that thought, as it had been her own curiosity that had made a fool of her the night before. The memories of the previous night had come back to Fate, as did her dream.

"… I must also find out more about Lady Nanoha." Fate's reaction as she recited Nanoha's name made her insides quiver. Last night had been the first time she had ever met Nanoha, at least that she remembered. But it was what had happened in Fate's dream that made the effect even stronger. Pushing the musings out once more, Fate began to dress in the clothing that was left for her.

(Obsidian Palace: Hayate's apartment)

"She returned to her room after claiming to have been lost." Signum reported as she stood at her master's bedside.

"Do you doubt her claim, Signum?" Hayate asked as Shamal wiped down her forehead and neck.

"She … had been with Lady Nanoha." Signum hesitated in the last part unsure of imparting it. The momentary glint from Hayate's eyes seemed to plunge an invisible stake deeper into Signum's heart, as she was not sure about Hayate's plans. Seeing her get excited or hopeful seemed to only make Signum think of the negatives.

"I know you do not like the way things have been planned. But I have faith in them, Signum. I have to believe in something or this affliction will take what is left of me. Please endure for a bit longer." Hayate said with a smile as Shamal rose what appeared to be some sort of tonic to Hayate's lips.

"But you have already endured so much! How much longer must we play this silly game? Waiting for something that might not happen? How foolish!" Signum snapped finally letting her thoughts known. Yet the smile never waned from Hayate's face, except when she swallowed the medicine, promptly retching after having consumed it.

"I hate that wretched brew. In any case …" Hayate looked dead into Signum's face as her own took on a firm expression.

"Though that outburst was probably necessary, I apparently need to remind you that I have made my decision, all other things be damned." Hayate said as she placed her weight on shaky arm and leaned to the side, as it was obvious from her shaking that it was no small task.

"I am well aware of the implications, and of how easy it would be to do other things. But I have my word Signum; it was what I had before meeting you and is still my bond as is your own to me." Hayate said as Shamal helped her lay back.

"I apologize. It is not my place to say such things. I embarrass myself as a servant and a knight…" Signum trailed off. Hayate knew that it was difficult for Signum to express most of her feelings, let alone remorse.

"You are forgiven; now go attend to 'that' affair. We can afford to have no interruptions; time is running out for all of us. See to it that Lady Fate holds no more obligations." Hayate ordered. "I lied to Lady Fate last night so that she would not leave. When things are righted, she will understand."

"Understood, I will take care of that man." Signum said with a bow and then promptly left the room.

"I do hope she doesn't scare him too bad." Hayate said with a giggle.

"If she uses the item I prepared there shall be no more problems" Shamal said as she began to unbutton Hayate's shirt.

"Do we have to do this now? I want to rest so I can at the very least attend dinner tonight." Hayate protested.

"We can do it later. Though it will be rushed." Shamal replied as she pulled a bowl over with warm water in it.

"Oh alright!" Hayate conceded as she allowed her shirt to be removed. "For the record, I do not appreciate being wiped down like a buffet*."

"Noted." Shamal said as she wrung out the cloth that had been submerged in the bowl.

(Obsidian Palace: Dining hall)

Fate had managed to find her way out of her room and back to the main foyer. After realizing who it was in the picture, she made her way down the hall in between the stair cases. Long chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, as she made her way down the hall. The first few sets of doors were closed. Fate was not comfortable enough to explore, so she kept on down the hall until she found a door that was open.

As Fate approached the small dining hall, she could hear voices talking.

"Thanks to you, we have to spend more time in training. I told you not to talk to Lady Fate, Vivio. Now Lady Vita is making us train harder because "If we have time to talk then we should focus on our studies"." Einhart complained.

"I do not see what the big deal is. Lady Fate seemed nice, mama thinks so too." Vivio said proudly.

"Were you up disturbing your mother again? You know that she is supposed to rest as much as possible." Einhart replied as she speared a sausage with her fork.

"I wonder why they do not tell Lady Suburu that. She is forever at mama's side. Lady Teana gets jealous and then it's a toil for all of us." Vivio said as she took a drink of some substance that Fate could not tell what it was.

"Lady Suburu is indebted to your mother, Vivio. Because, she saved her, that means a lot to some people. As for Lady Teana getting jealous, that is not very hard to do. She is very possessive of Lady Suburu." Einhart said as she noticed movement from the doorway. Fate had been spotted.

"Who is there?" Einhart asked as the door opened and Fate revealed herself. "I do not know how things are in the village, but it is still rude to eavesdrop."

"Einhart! That is no way to treat someone who is older then you! I apologize!" Vivio said as she rose and bowed.

"It's alright, Vivio is it?" Fate said as she entered the room. Vivio waved a butler in from the doorway, spoke something in his ear and then sent him off.

"You remembered my name?" Vivio asked sounding genuinely excited.

"She heard me calling you by it, of course she remembers." Einhart snipped as she was clearly not pleased with Fate's presence and how she had introduced herself.

"Stop being mean, Einhart! You will not be welcome in my apartment if you continue. I will be mad at you." Vivio said as she turned her head in a tsundere-like expression. Einhart apparently got the message and began to stare down at her food.

"I did not mean to cause all this trouble. I will leave. Excuse me." Fate said feeling the embarrassment of her interaction with Hayate returning to the surface.

"Einhart is just being cold; it takes her a little while to warm up to people." Vivio said as she gestured to the chair across from her.

"Thank you." Fate said as she accepted the invitation and sat down.

"I heard you met mama last night." Vivio said as she returned to her breakfast.

"Vivio!" A voice boomed across the room only to reveal someone red, short and angry.

"She found us; I told you we should have eaten later." Einhart said. Fate's memory of the woman approaching was not a good one, as she had clearly infuriated her the night before.

"Vivio, Einhart, why are you not in the garden? I told you two this morning that we would be training until the later quarter of the day." Vita said as she approached. However her gaze averted from Fate and instead focused on her tardy pupils.

""We are sorry."" Both Vivio and Einhart recited. They had both learned that excuses did not work with Vita. As the two excused themselves from the table, Vita turned around to leave.

"Lady Vita." Fate called out as Vita stopped.

"Yes, what is it?" Vita asked with her back still to Fate.

"I apologize for last night." Fate said.

"If you want to apologize to someone, apologize to Lady Hayate. It was her you insulted with your question, not me. Good day." Vita said as she walked out of the room leaving Fate with few answers.

* - For those who do not know the meaning of buffet I used, It's a table that has drawers. It's also called a 'side table' by some.