Brother, I trust that you are well and in vigorous health. Do not think that this letter I have written forgives you for your past sins but rather, it is a warning of imminent foreboding.
I have received word from a trusted councillor that Emperor Vayne Solidor is plotting on a dark scheme that will put the fate of Dalmasca into misery.
He wishes to conquer the country you serve and commence of Plantation of Archadians to replace Dalmascan citizens. Lo, this is a plot of most evil and wickedness for your people.
I pray that you take these little but honest words solemnly and that you may advise your King to extend a hand of friendship to Archades before it is too late. I will be there to assist you in your immediate decision.
Beware lest you do not heed my warning that Vayne is a man who grows stronger from others' sorrow. Choose your decision wisely, Brother.
Judge Magister Gabranth.
Basch hesitated as King Raminas read the letter a third time. A drop of sweat glistened on the King's temple as the afternoon sunlight fell upon them.
They have been in the discussion room for hours, thinking of how to respond to Gabranth's letter. No one else was in the room but ancient artefacts of the olden times.
Raminas rubbed his wrinkly forehead and suggested that Gabranth's words were a lie. Basch gazed away from the marbled floor and straight at the King, forgetting his dignity for a moment.
"Your Highness, though I haven't met my brother in five years since our combat, I trust that he would never lie to me. He is a man who takes pride in his modesty," he exclaimed. Raminas quirked a brow, his lips curved into a sardonic smile.
Basch rubbed his eyes and apologised for his sudden retaliation. His temples throbbed from staying in the warm room for over an hour and, with no food or water.
"You are forgiven, Sir Basch but we must come to a decision. Dalmasca is a neutral country, if we join this war against Caelum, we will fall into hell alongside Archades. Our part in the war will be futile but it's no other choice. I can't let Dalmasca suffer so I will form an alliance with Archades," Raminas uttered. He crouched deeper into his throne and thrummed his fingers on the arm-rest.
Basch bit his bottom lip. Being a Royal Advisor was a tough job, especially if the King was stubborn and weak. He ran his fingers through his blonde hair and made a quick mental note to wash it later.
"May I ask you, Your Highness, how you will form an alliance?" he asked quietly. He already knew what the king will say.
"I will give my daughter to them."
Fear gripped his heart for Basch cannot imagine the Princess of Dalmasca surviving one day with Vayne Solidor. Vayne was ten years her elder. He had married before but, his wife died mysteriously. The issue was hushed in Archades and ignored within a week of her death.
"Preposterous, you're Majesty! Princess Ashelia is a strong minded young woman. Vayne will disdain her if she speaks out of turn. It is too dangerous for her to move to Archades!" he cried out, falling down on his knees, his hands joined together.
Raminas stood up, his face reddened with fury as he ordered the knight not to interfere with marital decisions. Basch stared at him imploringly.
The stubborn King dismissed him.
"Leave my sight, Basch."
Basch gave a heavy sigh and lumbered to the exit. There was no point in arguing with Raminas. If only there was another prince who would take Lady Ashe...
Basch jolted to a halt in his tracks as a thought crossed his mind. He walked back to Raminas with an excited expression.
Raminas flared his nostrils.
"What is the matter with you today, general? You spoke with great impertinence and when I dismissed you, you came back?" he inquired. His blue irises burned with smouldering ire, melting like ice in their sockets.
"You're Highness, what if we give our Princess to a prince of Caelum instead?" Basch interrupted. He didn't care that Raminas was exploding with anger. What mattered now was Lady Ashe's future.
"Basch that is the most..." Raminas paused, his pupils dilated.
"You are a genius!"
The King grinned widely and clapped his hand over the knight's back. Basch grimaced, rubbing a hand over the sore area. He returned a weak smile.
"I'll dispatch a messenger now to tell King Victoire that I desire a wedding between Dalmasca and Caelum. Princess Ashelia shall marry Prince Rozin, the second son in line to the throne. A great wedding it shall be."
"Allow me to read it," Victoire commanded. He sat on his throne in the dark room. A large chandelier provided the only light above them.
His dark hair glinted in the artificial light.
The young Dalmascan messenger, Tomaj, handed the King of Caelum the papyrus letter with trembling limbs.
A man with similar facial features to Victoire stood at the base of his throne, fumbling with the tight bow of his black suit.
Victoire looked down at Tomaj after reading the letter, his violet eyes gleaming with disdain.
"A marriage alliance with Dalmasca? This is a historical issue, no countries of Goddess Etro ever accepted a marriage with the countries of the Occuria," he remarked. Tomaj jumped involuntarily, cowering away from the King's throne.
"I-in return, you're Majesty, the King Raminas o-offers you the opportunity to save Prince Rozin from the curse of Somnus," the messenger stammered.
Victoire leaned into his chair, rubbing the beard on his chin. He glanced at the man beside him.
"Alexander, that is a good proposal, no?" he said quietly. Alexander shook his head.
"Still Victoire, Rozin is not the one in line to the throne. He's only eighteen. There is little chance that he will get affected by the curse like Noctis is," Alexander answered grimly.
The man sneered at Tomaj, whose legs shook vigorously.
"Prince Noctis is already engaged to Princess Stella of Tenebrae. I'm afraid I'll have to decline Dalmasca's offer but...My Noctis is experiencing the signs of the curse at twenty one years of age..." Victoire stared into the distant, deep in thought.
He glanced back at Tomaj after what seemed like eternity.
"I have made a decision. Prince Noctis shall marry your Dalmascan Princess instead."
Penelo fixed her blonde hair into two pigtails. She straightened her smooth leather outfit, held her backpack over her shoulder and strolled her way out of Migelo's shop.
People on the street greeted her with respect. Penelo's lips curved into a satisfied smile. She was the Princess' Maid of Honour, a privilege woman older than her could dream of. It wasn't often that a street orphan was chosen by the Princess herself to serve her.
"Penelo!"
The young girl of sixteen turned her gaze at a boy running towards her. His tanned skin was coated in perspiration due to the humid Dalmascan weather.
"Not now Vaan, I'm almost late. I can't afford to waste a second," Penelo replied. She attempted to step aside but the boy held her arm, causing tingles up her spine.
"Could you bring me back some left over dinner from the palace?" Vaan pleaded, his large doll-like eyes shining with malice. Penelo sighed in frustration.
This wasn't the first time she had asked for large morsels of royal food. Servants at the palace believed she ate too much. It was humiliation for her.
"Again? The people there think I'm a cow," she retorted. Vaan held her hand in his and begged her. His angelic face straining and she slowly succumbed to his request.
Vaan thanked her, rubbed her hair jovially and ran to look for other trouble. Penelo touched the strands of her that were now out of place, her thoughts drifted to another reverie, her face heated and red.
The walk to the palace wasn't long for Rabanastre wasn't entirely huge. Penelo made her way through the maze of corridors until she found her way outside the Princess' chamber.
She held her breath and pulled out a nicely wrapped present from her sack. It was the Princess' nineteenth birthday and Penelo had taken great care in choosing a fitting gift for the Lady Ashe.
The street girl held the polished doorknob but hesitated when she heard voices from within the room. One voice in particular was a familiar male.
Penelo's heart sank. She surveyed her surroundings to make sure no one was around and knocked on the door. There came a few shuffling and then a click of a lock.
The door opened ajar and she faced a young woman with ethereal beauty. Lady Ashe was perfect in height, not tall and not petite – more so, somewhere in between. She had a straight, snub nose and large icy blue eyes that beheld arrogance but Penelo could see the kindness hidden in those depths.
"Penelo! I've been waiting for you, come," the Princess held the younger girl's wrist and took her inside. Penelo was enthralled with the beautiful white Dalmascan gowns the Princess wore.
Her smile faded when she saw the familiar man in his early twenties, dressed in a vest with intricate gold-plated designs and leather trousers. He wore many earrings and jewellery alike. The tall man smirked and received her with a French kiss.
"If it isn't my little doll, Penelo. How do you do?" he greeted. Penelo restrained a smile.
"Hi Balthier," she answered. Balthier was a Sky Pirate with a massive bounty on his head. He met Ashe two years ago and since then, she had been seduced by him. Penelo was uncomfortable that she was glued in the middle, forever to keep their frivolous affair as a secret. She shook her thoughts aside and handed Ashe her birthday present.
"My dearest friend, what is the need of this? You're help everyday is more than enough," Ashe said, taking Penelo into an embrace. Penelo draped her arms around the older woman, restricting the tears from falling.
Sometimes, she felt as if the Princess was her older sister.
"Shall we see what this is?" Balthier interrupted, taking the present from Ashe and un-wrapping it. Penelo's stomach churned into a knot. Why did he have to open the paper? The present was a personal matter and it was for Ashe's eyes only.
Balthier revealed a set of sparkling tear-drop shaped earrings. He uttered how beautiful they looked. Ashe smiled and fingered the earrings, mentioning words of thanks to the street-girl.
She placed the earrings with "Balthier's present". Penelo's heart sank even further, ready to explode. Balthier had given her a golden necklace embellished with sapphires and long, dangling golden earrings.
Maybe Ashe will never fully appreciate the love behind her simple gift and maybe only one girl would know the meaning behind a gift of simple earrings.
"Sister..." she whispered quietly, tears flooding her mind.