A/N:
Oh, would you look at that. A side chapter, or gaiden chapter as some people (including myself) call them. Hm... so what does this one entail? Welp, give it a read and find out! Like usual, sit back for some R&R, and most importantly... ENJOY! Word Count (1271)
A lone halberdier gazed up at the shining moon. The party was at rest, taking up residence in the chapel they saved earlier that day. Deep in thought was she, focused on these most troubling events which seemed to be following their party. She was soon snapped out of these reveries by the soft crunch of soil. Diana turned and saw none other than Kaiser, wearing his signature smirk of trouble.
"Y'know it's not safe for a lady to be alone at night." He spoke.
The halberdier merely scoffed at the comment, trying her best to ignore the would-be charmer.
"Look, I know you're worried about Iris. I mean, that girl is far from leader material in her current state…" He continued.
Such a comment started to shake the woman's adamant resolve.
"I know she's princess and all, and you'll probably tell me "hey, she's young", but sometimes I don't understand why you're so dedicated to the girl."
"I have my reasons." The woman curtly stated.
Kaiser crossed his arms, raising a brow in the process. "Those reasons being…?"
Diana let out a sigh, finally turning to face the man. "It's… a rather long story; and not one that I'm too fond of…"
"Oh?"
"I was just inducted to the Royal Guard-"
/
A young soldier stood guard as the ceremony carried on. A little girl had been born to the great queen and prince of this great realm. The country was elated with this news after having suffered through their harshest winter in ages. Celebrations were held all over the kingdom for their little princess. Though a guard could not celebrate with the rest, only carry on their own duties.
Thus, this young woman found herself falling asleep at her post. Oh, how professional. If her commander found her in this state, she would be lucky to walk out with even a duty in some small town watch. The woman was lucky. He didn't find her in such a state; however, one of her higher ups did indeed find her.
He stood there, hands behind his back as he observed. Hair, white as freshly fallen snow, cut short and kept tidy with a chinstrap beard to frame his noble features, caring, golden eyes drank in the sight before him now. "I knew guard duty was boring, but this?"
The familiar voice brought the woman to attention. As her eyes traveled up the golden threads, she knew exactly who had awoken her. "M-m-my lord! Your Highness, I-I…"
Instead of reprimand the young woman like she expected, the prince just laughed. "Please, no need to be so formal here." He stated, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Formalities are to be reserved for the court… and my wife. I swear, she takes her duties as scion to the Hero's blood too seriously." He sighed.
"Um…" The young soldier shuffled about nervously. When she was accepted to this position, she didn't realize how… informal her liege would be.
"Oh, but please, outside of them it's just Adrien. And you're one of our recent additions, yes?"
"Yes!" The woman quickly replied. "I'm, I'm Diana, sir. I mean… Adrien, my, my lord!"
The prince chuckled once more. "Relax, it's a time of celebration, you realize."
Diana smiled.
Several weeks passed, and I was starting to acclimate to my new position.
Young Diana continued on her patrol route. The days had grown quieter as people settled down from news of their princess' birth. Though, the markets had certainly seized the occasion. Speaking of the little one, the young guard's patrol took her right by the nursery. It was a tremendous honor. Though, that didn't mean Diana was able to see the infant or her or her older brother every day. No, but the queen and prince were regular sights, not that she could talk to them as that first encounter.
Everything seemed normal, until a small thought caught the young woman's attention that night. It was out of place. "Lady Aveline?" She called, receiving no response from within. "Maya?" Silence.
She moved to the door, trying to open it. Locked. Fear, for the infant princess. She rammed her body against this obstacle. Desperation, for her need to protect this life she was sworn to. She pounded against this door, all the while, shouting for someone, anyone to come and help. The idea soon shot into her head, use your lance, it screamed to her. So she did. Diana tried her damndest to reach the princess.
As the frame gave way, she parreled through, collapsing right over the intruder in the process. His face was much too difficult to focus on in this darkness, but it didn't matter. Fortunately, Diana recovered soon, grabbing her spear to keep the intruding man at bay. The fight for complete control raged on. The young guard stumbled back when the man kicked her back and gained an opportunity to draw a dagger from his belt.
Even with the breath knocked out of her, the soldier fought back. Yes, this man was quick, but knocking a footstool into his path gave Diana the chance to end this bout with a spear through his back. Pitiful.
She looked over to the crib. Thankfully, the child was unharmed, and still somehow sleeping. Amazing. Bells started to sound throughout the palace. This wasn't just a simple plot for the princess then. Then again, these political maneuvers never were.
Diana made sure to check the window once more. She closed it, making sure the thing was secure this time. She hurried back to the door, looking out to see if anyone in the vicinity was also in danger. Not far, she could hear the clash of metal, echoing down the halls. As much as she wanted to rush out and help, she couldn't abandon this child. Especially with the door broken. It was a worthwhile sacrifice.
It wasn't long until more unfriendly faces showed themselves, and she held them off. One by one they came, and she held that doorway. The battle was taking its toll and she couldn't hold out forever, but she had to. For the hero's bloodline. From Anri, to Marth, and Iris, the little infant in that room…
Hyah!
That voice…
"Iris!"
"Adrien!" Diana called out. "I can't do this alone!"
While her own battle carried on, she could hear the struggle just down that corridor, and the cries of a father, determined to rescue his infant daughter. Minutes felt like days, and when the two warriors finally came face to face, reality came crashing down. Adrenaline had kept the man going and before he could see his child's face one more time, he collapsed into the arms of a young woman sworn to his family.
"My lord…" The man's wounds were grave. It was a miracle he even made it this far. "M-My lord?"
"My… daughter…" He clutched the woman's collar. "Please t… tell me…"
"She's okay."
"G… Good." His grip loosened, and the prince allowed his arm to rest by his side. "P-please…" His breath shook. There wasn't much time left. "Protect… my daughter… My… Iris…"
\
"He died right in my arm."
Kaiser had gotten up from his little seat on the ground. "That's pretty heavy."
Diana's head nodded. "It was my first real taste of battle. At the reality of this world."
The hunter had taken a few cautious steps forward. "Do you… ever regret this path?"
The woman looked up to the sky. "Sometimes." Her steely look returned to replace all before. "But if I had taken another path, who knows what royal family would be left?"
A/N:
You know the direction I use slashes indicates a time skip. Either forward or back. Eh, just a little thing about how I format fanfics. So you'll know if you read my other stories (I have so many to work on... D: )
Like always, leave a review. Follow, favorite. All that fun stuff.
This is your lovely Squish wishing you all a splendid day! :D
6/9/16 Edit: (yeah, we're all so mature) I made a bit of a cultural mistake, seeing as how the husband of a ruling queen is called a prince in most cultures. You all probably wouldn't care, but I plan to turn this into a hack after I'm finished, so I give a bit of a damn about those details. I hope I caught every instance. I hate combing through stuff like that.
