Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list iota. This is AU. Theme 7: Fool's Gold.

She Will Be Loved

Seifer fidgeted on the pier where the Fool's Gold was docked, uncomfortable in his full court regalia. They were welcoming a diplomatic delegation from Balamb, and the young knight was hoping that he knew someone among them. Last year he had been a part of the Galbadian delegation to Balamb, and he remembered very well the Countess of Centra. Quistis Trepe had been assigned to be his companion for the duration of his stay there, and he had grown very fond of the lady. He also hadn't like her treatment by the court. However, things were delicate enough between the two nations that Seifer hadn't been able to offer her a haven at the court in Galbadia at the time.

If she had come with this delegation though, he probably could get her asylum by appealing to Queen Regent Edea. That was if he could convince her. Quistis could be very stubborn when she wanted to. A trumpet announced the disembarking of the diplomatic delegation, and Seifer snapped to attention. As the delegation filed down the gangplank, a blond woman dressed all in grey gave him a sad smile. Seifer fought to urge to frown.

He didn't have a chance to get Quistis alone until after they had reached the palace. The delegation wouldn't be formally presented in court until the next morning, and having grown up in the palace, it was easy enough for Seifer to sneak into her room. He found Quistis curled up in the window seat.

"One would almost think that you weren't happy to be here, Countess."

Her head shot up. "Seifer! What in the world are you doing here? You'll get us both in trouble."

Seifer just smirked. "I'm better at sneaking than that. No one will know I was here."

She sighed but let him draw her into a hug. Quistis sank into the embrace, resting her head against his chest with a sigh.

"It's good to see you again, Seifer. Even if you are going to get me into trouble."

"Don't worry so much." He turned serious. "You don't have to go back with them, Quistis. Edea will grant you asylum. If you want, we can arrange that tonight."

Quistis pulled away. "I can't, Seifer. I'm sorry. I would love to stay here, but you see, I'm one of the treaty offerings. I don't have a choice."

She bit her lip, looking like she wanted to cry. Seifer didn't blame her. Quistis truly didn't have a choice. An orphan with no living relatives, she was a ward of the crown. She was a minor noble, of no great importance. And until she reached her majority next year, she literally had no choice in her life. That had been made clear to him during his visit to Balamb. Quistis had been assigned as his companion, and when he had found her in his bed his first night there, she had explained just exactly what that meant. Seifer had been furious about the fact that he had been expected to take advantage of her, but they had worked out a solution between the two of them that would keep Quistis out of trouble and satisfy Seifer's sense of honor. Fear of punishment and her own sense of obligation to the people who had provided for her since childhood kept her chained.

He bit back a curse. Poor Quisty. She deserved so much better.

"I'm sorry, Seifer."

"It's your fault." He kissed her forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He left her deciding to see if Sir Leonhart was up for some sparring. If Seifer was going to behave tomorrow, he needed to work some of his anger off. What they were doing to Quistis infuriated him. She deserved so much better.

The next morning Seifer took his place on the dais, himself and Sir Leonhart flanking Queen Regent Edea and Princess Rinoa. The Balamb delegation was presented, and then the speeches began. Seifer didn't really pay attention to the words. Oh, he was hearing them, and thanks to an eidetic memory, he'd remember what was said. But it wasn't until they started talking about the treaty conditions that he started paying attention.

"…and as a first step in create piece, we offer an alliance. The hand of the Countess of Centra in marriage for Sir Squall Leonhart of Esther."

It took every ounce of control Seifer had not to curse. They had just condemned Quistis to be the most hated woman at court. Given the state of relations with Balamb, they would have to consider the offer. The problem was everyone in Galbadia knew that Sir Leonhart was practically betrothed to Princess Rinoa. To offer someone else's hand in marriage to him was an insult to the princess, and she was well beloved by her people. Even though Quistis personally did not want this, she was going to suffer for it. She would find no friends here now. Quistis met his eyes, and Seifer could see her guilt and unhappiness. He bit back a sigh. Someone was going to need to protect her.

The next two weeks were not pleasant. Seifer did his best too keep Quistis from the worst of it, but she was not often in his company. He worried about her. Quistis had become a virtual ghost when not attending court functions. He wasn't sure where she was disappearing to, but he hoped it brought her some peace. No one in Galbadia's court was happy about Quistis' presence, but Rinoa's ladies in waiting were simply vicious. Rinoa herself was coolly polite to Quistis, but she didn't like her, and she didn't like the fact that Seifer was defending her.

The princess cornered him on a stairway one afternoon.

"I hear you've been defending the Countess of Centra's honor lately."

Seifer sighed. "What do you want, Rinoa?"

"Why are you defending some one who wants to take Squall away from me?"

Rinoa was practically his sister, but he was in love with Quistis. And she didn't know anything about the situation, so he tried to keep his temper.

"She doesn't want Squall, Rinoa. She doesn't have a choice in this. Quistis has never been given a choice about her future, and she deserves better than to be shunned and disparaged for other people's decisions."

Rinoa looked taken aback at his vehemence. "You're serious. You really don't think she wants Squall?"

"Not everybody thinks he hangs the moon, Princess."

Their conversation didn't help things much, but Seifer noticed that Rinoa and her closest friends had started looking at Quistis in a different light. They weren't exactly friendly with her, but they weren't hurtful either. Unfortunately, their consideration didn't affect the rest of the court. When Seifer sought out his countess a week later, that was clear.

He found her down by the cliffs below the palace, hip deep in the surf. It was a grey, blustery day, and the ocean was rougher than Seifer liked. He waded in after her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Quisty?" Seifer demanded grabbing her shoulders.

She turned to face her, tears in her blue eyes.

"Seifer, I..." She buried her head in his shoulder. "Please just let me go. It's best for everyone."

"Are you insane? I'm not going to let you do this to yourself."

"I won't let them use me any more, but when I do that, I don't won't have much of a life when they're through with me. This will be easier."

The little idiot. He kissed her. Quistis tried to escape, but Seifer had her trapped in his arms, and the only thing she could do was give in to what she wanted for a change. Using her distraction, he dragged her out of the water and wrapped his cloak around her shoulders. This was going to end now. With her hand firmly clasped in his own, he started back to the palace.

He led them through the servants' entrance. They didn't need to attract more attention than they had to. Seifer wasn't going to let anyone stop this.

"Did you bring that green dress you wore to the high feast when I visited Balamb?"

Quistis nodded mutely.

"Good. Go dry off and change into it. I'm coming to get you in twenty minutes."

"Why?"

She looked adorable with the utterly confused look on her face. Seifer couldn't help himself and stole another kiss.

"Because I love you, and I won't let them hurt you any more. I'd be a pretty poor knight if I did." He squeezed her hand.

She blinked at him. "Seifer, I, you know I…"

He knew what she was trying to say. "I know you love me, Quisty. Go change."

Once she was out of sight, Seifer headed up to his room to change into his formal uniform. They were going to do this properly. He caught sight of the princess in the halls and grabbed her sleeve.

"Rinoa, get Squall and Matron and meet me in the chapel."

"What? Why, Seifer?" She frowned at him. "Court starts in an hour, and I need to prepare."

"Now, Princess. This is going to come up at court."

Amazingly, she listened to him with out arguing. Seifer managed to change quickly before going to retrieve Quistis. He smirked when he saw her. There was a reason that he had asked about the green dress. Not only did she look beautiful in it, but it matched his colors as a knight. He reached for her hand, twining their fingers together. Quistis smiled hesitantly at him.

"Come on. We've got some place to be."

Thankfully, Edea, Rinoa, and Squall were all waiting for them in the chapel. As witnesses went, they would be the best choice. Both Squall and Rinoa looked a little annoyed, but Seifer didn't care. They'd both appreciate the results. The Queen Regent simply raised an eyebrow at him.

"What are you up to Seifer?"

"Quistis and I are getting married. We need credible witnesses." Seifer tugged Quistis closer. "Matron, this is Countess Quistis Serian Trepe of Centra. Quisty, this is my foster mother. I know you've met before, but you needed a proper introduction."

Edea frowned. "Serian? You're Idalia's daughter?"

Quistis looked startled. "Yes. You knew my mother?"

"Yes." Edea smiled. "Don't worry. They won't have a leg to stand on when I'm done with them. Now, let's get you two married."

The ceremony was blessedly brief without all of the regular pomp that came with a formal wedding. Before he knew it, Seifer was married to the only lady he'd ever been in love with. Now they just had to deal with court. Seifer tucked his wife hand into the crook of his arm. Matron wasn't going to let anyone separate them, especially when his suspicions about Quistis' background had panned out. Matron had been told her best friend's child had died with her mother. If she had lived, she was supposed to be put under Edea's care. The delegation from Balamb would have trouble objecting to the marriage because of that since technically, Edea was Quistis' guardian even if none of them had known it.

With a smirk, Seifer kissed his wife again as they took up their places for the beginning of court. Quistis smiled back and squeezed his hand. It was a good beginning.