A partner's illness, a vicious foe, a sinister plot and a cursed stone. It's up for the leading man and his new recruit who may not be what it seems.

Set in post-game two years later between FFXII and Revenant Wings.

Disclaimer – This story is my idea. Characters are my OC. All Final Fantasy XII characters/plot/places belong to SquareEnix.

Authors note – At last, the final chapter! And I'm pleased to understand and enjoy this fic: its loosely based on the Ridolfi plot (named for it's Italian nobleman and conspirator Roberto di Ridolfi) who planning to overthrown Queen Elizabeth I.

It's a fluff this time (and not too raunchy) for the Queen's decoy...and we'll find the real Liam what's been up to.

Thank you for the reviews/favorites for my fic.

Thank you! DarkBelieverAnge (on chapters 1 and 2), Spaceroses (on chapter 5–this is for you), RavingPanties (my niece for helping Balthier's teasing on Cestmir *chapter1*), and Cloud Strife (Benjamin, the editor and pro)– all for beta/grammar/proofreading.

And this for katmillia and deadlybeauty32 (livejournal users), tashachan28, Ashe83, Tora Glory, Refi-Lewise, sapereaude13 (I'm your #1 fan...he-he-heh), Izzy-Lawlet and the beloved Balthier/Ashe Fan Community LiveJournal fans and staff. WHEW!

Epilogue

A Handmaiden's Tale and Happy Endings

Following the news of Lord Raed's suspicious death and his plot being uncovered, Marquis Ondore was entirely shocked at the news of his niece's threats. He finally understood the situation and decided to negotiate with Judge Gabranth, who told related the whole conversation what happened. Gabranth completed all the list of Raed's conspirators, were who confessed and were arrested for overthrowing or assassinating the Queen to replacing in order to ensure Raed as successor: its his blood related and descendant motive was his lineage as one of Raithwall's estranged relatives.

Thanks to Emperor Larsa's secret intelligence network at Archades, as Gabranth was direct privately sending Queen Ashelia's information about a plot against her life and Dalmasca itself; and meanwhile, the real Queen was unknowingly errand without telling her uncle about her whereabouts. Ashe herself also sends Basch a private warning by Liam, the pageboy, who secretly learned of the Rivalen plot against her. Meanwhile at Archades, Judge Zargabaath learned the details of the conspiracy to take the Queen of Dalmasca's life and notified to Captain Iaon Arthgallo of the Order of Knights to arrest the plotters.

First, members of the Court (who was Raed's messenger) was arrested for sending illegal letters and pre-signing contracts on behalf of the Queen, and revealed the existence of the plot. Then there was Lady Dacian, a wealthy noblewoman and leader of the anti-Dalmascan faction, and a mole who was arrested as promptly confessed and implicated Medr by Raed. And then, it's was the Queen's minister himself who was forcing her to allow in marry for political cause, who happen to be as the chief conspirator and omitted to mention the involvement of Lord Raed. He was resigned immediately by the order of the Court and was later arrested.

Druas, formerly known as Judge Magister Kadryath, resigned himself to the fact that his final days had come instead attempting to escape before his execution immediately after the trial. And Cestmir, his partner and accomplice still remains in prison for the rest of his life.

And so, the Rivalen plot was officially over. And Queen Ashelia will satisfy with the satisfaction and relief of knowing that her beloved Dalmasca is finally safe again. It was up to her to spend all her time with sky pirate Balthier while on their yearning adventures across the skies in search of the Cache of Glabados at Bevernia.

Concurrently, shortly after Raed's death and his co-conspirators were in Captain Arthgallo's custody, Lyssa P'Eryirhe, handmaiden to Queen Ashelia and the decoy Queen has finally took a long retire to the bedchamber alone in an evening with a stranger in bed next to her. After the exhaustion setting up of uncovering the trap against her lady's enemies and with her quick fighting skills, she almost attacked from one of Raed's hired killers as masquerading as servants until an Imperial judge magister from Gabranth's army came to her aid.

Lyssa feigned her illness to her colleagues and Basch as she need to spent time here at the Queen's chambers for a while as her milady was still on a holiday with a sky pirate speaking, and; she has had her own personal affairs alone with the judge who saved her as it happened to be her former flame.

All was quiet and peaceful within the chamber; she was with him as he wrapped his bare arms around her. He pulled her close with a kiss on her forehead and stroking the skin of her upper arm. She sighed blissfully and cuddled him with her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder.

'This is ridiculous.' he chuckled softly.

'What is it?'

He raised his eyebrows. 'Making love here in the Queen's bedroom while she is away.'

Lyssa, freed from the silvery blonde of her wig reveals as a soft auburn. She reminds him that, hours ago, after he saved her from attack and he had carried her silently her to the chambers without being spotted by the guards. They had suddenly stood faced each other as the judge recognized her because of her attitude and her real voice. Without warning, they ended up as they threw their arms around each other with a passionate and furious kisses. Clothes and armour were scattered around the floor as they desperately and frantically made love. She remembered the whole thing at this time, as she felt utterly tranced.

'Don't you worry, Cade. Milady is out of town for while.' she replied.

'For how long exactly?'

'A few more days.' she answered.

'I don't know.'

She smiles with a kiss to his lips. 'It's alright.'

'And what will if your fellow handmaidens find out us while we're on the Queen's bed?'

'I said don't worry. I just locked the door already while you're asleep...and pretend I was ill.'

He scoffed. 'Lyssa, you're wicked!'

'It's my plan.' she giggled sweetly.

They lay with each other for the moment as Lyssa gazed at him. 'Thank you for saving me.' she said softly.

'You're welcome.'

'And what in Ivalice are you doing here exactly?'

He swallowed nervously. 'Gabranth told me of his concerns over your safety, and so he ordered me to look after you. Gods, I didn't know were your lady's decoy.'

'I'm sorry, I should have told you this earlier.' she frowned slightly. 'And I had almost forgotten about you.'

He smiled lightly. 'Hey, it's fine. And you're looking beautiful when you dressed like that.' he added. 'I didn't know it was you, Lys.'

'I'm doing this for my old friend.'

'And where is she now?'

'She's safe...somewhere safe with an old friend. And she'll return quietly before she and the Court will opening proceed with the trial.'

'Oh, I understand.' He nodded as he spoke.

Her sad eyes met his. 'Under these circumstances, you must promise me not to tell anyone where Ashe is.'

He scoffed impishly. 'I promise, my love.' He sighed peacefully, stroking her cheeks with tears. 'I can't believe we're together again at last.'

'Nor I.' She laughed sadly and hugged him tighter. 'I love you.'

'And I love you, too.'

They took a deep passionate kiss and afterwards, eyes just stared each other for a moment. Cade took his a deep breath woefully. 'So, what are you going to do, Lyssa.' he asked. 'Do you have any plans now instead of being bored around here?'

'I'm going to her lake retreat for a weekend and Ashe is waiting to meet us there on behalf.'

'With me?'

'Of course you're coming with me, you idiot.' retorted Lyssa, then later with a soft whisper to his lips uttered. 'As long as we spend some time together... and I have you forever, your honour.'

'As you wish, Your Majesty.' his voice became hoarse as he spoke against her skin.

What's this worth, I wonder, Lyssa thought wisely. She needed him that he ungrudgingly to watch over her. The Queen will be gratifies to spend that time with her along with the two men accompanying them on a weekend before they returned to Rabanastre for the trial.

Her eyes went innocently boring into him as she kissing him again with a soft moan, hot and fervent with hunger. She was on top of him as their naked bodies pressed together. Then, slowly, as they kissed as Cade stroked her bare back with his hand and while picking at the blanket behind her. He slid it slowly to cover from her back to the top of her head and hid from each other as they continued their ardent behaviour with shrieks of laughter with their ardent manners this time.

Loar Continent: The Bisga Greenlands

The mid afternoon weather was calm and tranquil—a welcome change from since the dark times at Jadewood. The light winds blowing the beautifully unspoiled cliff tops with such beautifully unspoiled a mile away skimmed to the bright open fields on the horizon. Tall trees were blotting out the sun and the air was heavy with moisture from hidden pools and lush greenery.

Liam walked slowly as he watched gazed around the countryside. He remembered this place where he had spent his picturesque memories youth with his loving parents and their dairy farm where he was born, a measuring four hundred acres. There, he helped his father gathering herding the cows to the milking parlour while his mother made her own memories prompted Liam's ambition to raise this farm for himself where he grew up eventually taking over from his father.

His memories faded away into ashes as he saw his parents were locked inside their milking parlour on fire. Screaming and praying their Gods before their cries dies away as Medr and his men were entertained with watching the flames.

Today he came back without turning away as he could see the remains of his burned home, which was now surrounded with tubs of daffodils and crocuses.

He stepped closer to the front of the remnants of the building where he last seen his parents alive and stood here there as he held a bouquet of Galbana lilies on in his hand. He bent down as he placed it on the ground. His head bowed, with his tears streamed down on his face. He had to cry as much as he could, and thus he compose himself beside in the face of his pain. He want to live for himself—to move on. He was told by his father to fight on and protect him. He told him to survive and capable become as a man. Then he did; he was grown up already.

Liam stood on his knees as he wiped away his tears from his face and looked up to the fluffy clouds of the blue sky. He admired the sight and found it emotionally refreshing with his eyes closed; he smiled to himself. He took his breath as he can feel the world surround protect him from his anger and grief. His nightmare was finally over.

Raed is gone. And is his law, and with his rule of his territory also gone. It was over. Freedom at last.

'Are you okay, lad?' the voice of a female called behind him.

He turned to Elza; the buxomly sky pirate and one of Reddas's former crew stood watching him. He smiled firmly at her and gave a small nod of his head.

'I'm fine, ma'am.' Liam replied respectfully as he walked to her.

'It's so peaceful.' she said with arms crossed. 'Don't you think?'

His head turn around as he took in the countryside once again. 'Yes, it was.' he said slowly. 'And so much many memories around here.'

'You missed them?'

He nodded slightly.

Elza sighed breathlessly and then said sadly. 'I too lost someone long ago.'

'Oh?' his eyes showed inquisitiveness.

'Lord Reddas gave hope to my friends and me. I don't want to complain about everything after he gave his life to save Ivalice. He's in peace now, Liam.' She exhaled in a calm way. 'Rikken, Raz and I...we're started on our own. It's more exciting without a leader.'

'I understand, ma'am.' he nodded again.

'And just call me Elza, Liam.'

Nervously, Liam scratched behind his head. 'Miss Elza,' he corrected, and chuckled slightly. 'And thank you very much for flying me along here.'

'It's an honour.' she chuckled as she waved her hand. 'I'm doing this for a living, as like Kytes told me to.'

'I'm grateful for to him.' responded Liam.

'Queen Ashelia sent a her best regards to you.'

'She did?'

'Uh-huh.' The female sky pirate smiled kindly with a nod. Her head turned around from the lush grasslands and to the stream. 'She wanted to say thank you for saving Dalmasca. And you have done everything in your heart to save her as well. You should be pleased, Liam.'

'Yes.' he sniffed. 'And she'll be happy again.'

He wanted to see Ashe's real smile again. He had done his commendable soul best to lift the Queen's heart and soul, he saved this to save her from disheartenment and suffering. He wanted to see her smile and to see her true happiness with a dashing sky pirate in her arms with loving and passionate embrace, longing each other as they roamed in freedom across the sky to find something more valuable.

They stood in for a moment at the Jadewood grasslands as they watched to the blue sky of the summer afternoon.

And they'll be happy for now, he added to himself.

Fin

Need some rest...and Happy New Year! KUPO!