Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing!
A/N: Hey guys! This is the long awaited chapter! Thanks to all those who read and review. And a special thanks goes out to Chaotic Rei for her diligent reviewing! Thanks all!
About halfway to Nibelheim, Yuffie was sincerely regretting her decision to take the ride on the big airship with the others. Reeve was there to hold her hair back as she threw up violently into the toilet of the bathroom in the room they had given her. Cloud Strife had stopped by and offered her some medicine a little over ten minutes ago, but it had not yet kicked in. The famous blonde was sympathetic to the ninja's weak stomach in the face of motion. Eventually the vomiting subsided, but still feeling sick and quite sorry for herself, she began to cry quietly. She had soiled her dress and she looked like a wreck. Reeve patted her back consolingly.
"Why don't you go and take a shower? Get all cleaned up, and I promise when you come out I will have chosen a new outfit for you that will make you even more stunning than this plain old dress. How does that sound?"
She peered back at him through puffy eyelids and messy hair and nodded her agreement.
Less than half an hour later she was out of the shower and beautifully arrayed in an even more flattering outfit than before. Reeve had chosen a soft, black tank top with butterflies on the hem, with a black silk skirt that went down to her knees and featured similar butterflies scattered on the bottom edges. He fixed her makeup to make her just as enchanting as before, and reclipped her hair with the same pins to give it a more glamorous look. She looked at herself in the mirror and turned around and hugged Reeve tightly. She could always count on him to do his best for her.
"Reeve...thank you so much. No matter how much I goof off or do wrong, you're always there to make it better. How can I ever repay you?"
Reeve smiled and patted the girl kindly on the head.
"Bag this Vincent guy and make us all proud. I know you can."
She smiled back warmly and nodded.
"We'll be landing in Nibelheim in five minutes, so everyone get their asses ready to get off my damn ship!" Cid's voice boomed over the intercom.
Yuffie took one deep breath in, looked at Reeve and nodded, determined to do whatever she could, because opportunities like this never happened.
When she stepped off the airship, she heard herself gasp. The town was enormous and decorated beautifully in crimson and raven banners, the nation's colors. There was loud, robust music and people everywhere. Dancers were putting on impromptu performances in the middle of the street, and vendors called their wares in loud voices. She smiled broadly as Reeve walked up beside her, having seen Nibelheim before, but still relishing the glory of this affair.
Yuffie was so busy looking this way and that at the sights to be seen that she did not see a tall, darkly-clad man step to her other side.
"Wonderful, isn't it? You're smiling quite beautifully, Yuffie."
She shivered and turned slowly to the man at her right, still holding the smile, though now rather stiffly.
"I'm quite pleased to meet your acquaintance Princess Kisaragi. Your father has spoken quite highly of your virtues."
Catching her hand in his, he raised it to his lips and kissed it gently.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself, I'm Crown Prince Vincent Valentine, leader of Nibelheim. You'll be staying with me for the weekend."
The girl still looked at him smiling, but not saying a word. He was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable, as if he had unwittingly done something to affront the girl to silence.
"Please forgive the princess," Reeve interjected, "She's been quite excited about coming here to meet you, and this scene, along with your regal presence must be quite overwhelming for her, Your Highness."
"Please, call me Vincent, Mr. Tuesti."
"Reeve would be quite sufficient as well, Vincent."
"Wow, Vinnie Valentine..." Yuffie finally managed to breathe a few words.
looked at her curiously, with a hint of amusement in his stare. She didn't catch her error at first, but turned a deep shade of crimson upon realizing that she had just addressed him using her pet name for him.
"I'm so, so sorry Crown Prince Valentine. I didn't mean to address you so informally. Sorry, sorry!"
He laughed, and it was rich with a smooth resonance to it.
"Now, Princess Kisaragi, no need to get so embarrassed. Vinnie is fine, if you so desire it. Though I would much rather you use Vincent, either is fine."
"Yes Prince...uuh...Vincent." She stammered, covering her face with her hands, more than thoroughly embarrassed.
Still chuckling a bit, he managed to restrain himself back into more of a serious demeanor.
"How rude of me to keep you both waiting here, listening to my idle banter. Forgive me, I am not being a very good host. Right over there is my buggy, I'll be escorting you back to the mansion where you will be staying with me for the weekend."
They both followed him over to an expensive-looking vehicle, which he got in to drive. Both of them thought that this was a little strange for royalty, but every sovereign had their idiosynchrases. It was a quiet ride back to the manor, as Vincent's demeanor had taken on a more taciturn air. He himself was feeling a little overwhelmed at his own boldness upon meeting the young princess. He was not used to laughing so openly, or being so lax about his title or anything of the sort. But there was something unnerving about the tiny girl in the dark outfit and pretty crystal clips in her hair. She held herself like a woman, but in her eyes shone the dignity and innocence of a child. It was something that he had not anticipated, and it opened him and frightened him.
Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he drove the buggy expertly back to his less-than humble abode, cozily placed in the original Nibelheim.