Broken Wings - Chapter Thirty
Aralyn was wary when she awoke to find Vincent staring at her. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she wriggled into a sitting position and stretched her arms in front of her. "Why am I here?" she asked as she saw that she was laid in Marlene's bed.
"Your sickness acted up," Vincent said. "You don't remember?"
"Oh," she said softly. "Then it wasn't a dream…"
"No. And there's another…complication that needs dealing with."
Aralyn tilted her head to the side, clearly confused.
"We were about to lose you, but Verian stepped in. He gave you some kind of herb, and it broke your fever and allowed you to sleep. You…and all of us…are indebted to him."
"I take it he asked for something in return," she said. "And I take it you don't like it much."
"I don't like it at all," he clarified, his eyes darkening. "But it is comparatively little payment for what he's done."
"All right, speak on."
"He wants to tell you of what he perceives to be your past before Shinra. I gave him five minutes, and I will be present so he doesn't try anything."
Aralyn laid back against the pillow, sighing. "Do I want to hear this?"
"I can't say."
"Well, it's been agreed. Can he come now? I don't want to wait and anticipate all this."
"Fair enough. I'll go get him."
Vincent left, returning after only a minute with the young man in tow. Verian smiled at her, taking the liberty of helping himself to a chair at her bedside. "Good to see you up!" he said, taking her hand.
Aralyn pulled away, folding her hands neatly in her lap instead, making sure that her wedding ring was clearly visible. Verian's smile faded, but he did not protest.
"You've wasted ten seconds," Vincent warned. "And don't think I'm not counting."
"He doesn't know how to take things lightly, does he?" Verian frowned. "Well, whatever."
"Begin," Aralyn commanded gently.
"You were born on the first day of spring in the village of Altair, which is far from here. Your mother's name was Nadia, and she was a mage who specialized in the healing arts. Your father was Bryan, and he was very high up in the government. You were very anticipated, because your father was a strong ruler, and there were many who would have his bloodline continue to rule. He was very fair and compassionate…the people loved him very much.
"Then, when you were only hours old, my province invaded Altair without warning. They were a people of peace, and stood no chance against Bafisk's army. There were few casualties, as the leaders saw the danger and quickly surrendered to protect the lives that might have been taken. The transition was peaceful, and the government leaders were allowed to live within the city. Still, you and your mother were required to stay within the walls of the capital building, while your father was under close guard at all hours. The new powers feared that the people would revolt because your parents were so dearly loved. They didn't, for the sake of you and your mother.
"Your name was Gloria Dawn, which was unusual because generally a girl child was only given one name until marriage."
Verian paused here, seeming hesitant at this part. "And then my father came to live in Altair as an embassy from Bafisk. I was three at the time.
"My father introduced me to your mother then, and while I don't remember the details, she seemed to take a great interest in me. She was nervous. She had a handkerchief that was always in her hands, solely for the sake of releasing her energy by fidgeting with it. I soon found out why. To ensure the peace of our provinces and to further unite them…"
He stopped abruptly, clearly trying to gauge how she would take this. Vincent cleared his throat, reminding him that his time was ebbing away.
"You and I…were betrothed."
Aralyn stared at him, eyes wide and clearly disbelieving.
"I know that's not how things are done here, and it seems strange to you, but it's true. Within months, we were promised to each other. You were too small to know…your mother had to hold you because you couldn't even walk yet."
Aralyn looked away, so Verian couldn't see how she reacted to this. He continued. "And then your mother left with you when you were six and I was nine. I take it you made it to the Midgar border, but then your mother disappeared. I suspect it was fiends. Hojo found you then…and you grew up in Shinra, ignorant of all this."
He waited for some kind of sign from Aralyn. It came quickly. "So you expect me to marry you on the basis of a past I can't recall?"
"No…I…well, yes…to put it bluntly."
Vincent interjected. "You have one minute, but if Aralyn is tired of your lies, I will remove you immediately."
"Maybe not lies," Aralyn ventured. "But maybe not the truth."
Verian paled. "You doubt me?"
"What are you hiding?" she asked again. "I take it you are unmarried, and you've been waiting for me for all these years, correct? Why me? What makes me different from another princess or whatever you call them where you come from?"
Verian didn't answer, the tense silence confirming that there was something he was withholding.
"You and I were promised to each other. We are bound."
"Your laws hold no value here," Aralyn insisted. "Even if I choose to believe you…I will not agree to this."
"You don't have a choice…!" Verian burst out, but quickly checking his anger. "You aren't Aralyn…you never were! You are Gloria Dawn, firstborn daughter of Nadia the Sage and Bryan the Emperor, and as such are bound by the same laws that bind me."
Vincent didn't wait any longer. His face dark and furious, he quite literally threw Verian out the door, shutting and locking it behind him.
"Think about it, Gloria," Verian pleaded before his footsteps faded.
"I shouldn't have agreed to that," Vincent said darkly, his anger not pointed at her. "Forgive me, Aralyn."
Aralyn was infinitely grateful that he didn't call her Gloria Dawn. Somehow, it felt soothing to know that Vincent didn't view her as such.
"Do you believe it?" Aralyn asked.
"It is not my place to say. All that matters is what you believe."
"I've always wanted to know about my past," Aralyn said musingly. "But if I knew it was like this, I might have directed my wishes elsewhere."
"Verian picked a wonderful way to propose," Vincent hissed, his anger not yet abated.
"Vincent, could I have a moment to myself?"
Vincent nodded, stopping for a moment and bending down to pick something up that had been left by the door. "Verian left this." He set it on her bedside table and then left, gently closing the door behind him.
Aralyn cautiously opened the box. Inside was a heart shaped locket made of gold and carved with vines. Tiny flowers of rubies and sapphires bloomed from the vine, surrounded by emerald leaflets. Inside were two pictures, both in sepia ink, and looking as if they had been half burned at some point. One was a man, tall and regal, dressed in fine military gear with badges for countless acts of bravery. In his hand was a sword, long and thin, with gems inlaid in the hilt.
The other was a woman with long, wavy hair in a plain, flowing white gown. She clutched a wrapped bundle in her arms, and bright baby eyes peered through the folds. She smiled as she looked at her child, and one of her fingers was extended for the infant to grasp with her tiny hands.
This was your mother's locket. She loved you very much…and our betrothal was not done out of anything but concern for your future. Think about what I have said. I will wait and find you when Vincent is not around. –Verian
Aralyn closed the locket and tossed the note to the side of the bed after tearing it into pieces. Still fingering the locket, she lay back down and closed her eyes, not meaning to sleep but eventually succumbing to her exhaustion.
A/N: Now you know why Verian is stalking Aralyn, or at least a small portion of it. I took the names of the villages from FFI&II (the only one I own) as I am not familiar with the geography of Gaia (that's what they call the planet, right?). Anyway, I did stay within the series, at least. Yay. Thank you for your support, and if I could, I'd send you all cookies.