Here is the second of the three-part "Cheria X Bailey" love story (yes, I expanded it to one more part because it was running rather long).

Hmm...lets see here:

*SPOILERS (just for safety measures)

*I bumped this story up to "T" instead of "K+" (again, just for safe measure)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the plot. The characters, the setting and all other elements belong to the creators of the Tales of Graces ƒ.

Now, let the story continue...

Part 2:

Cheria's POV (still):

The afternoon seemed to fly by, as it usually did during the days of gray, and night came it what seemed like no time at all. I wasn't fussed, as I eagerly awaited the return of Bailey. I sat in my house, the stone walls illuminating from the burning lanterns and candles aglow about the space. I got up and began to pace about my dining area, thoughts of the noontime events spiraling through my mind.

The hours had passed and in no more than an hour maximum, the clock would read midnight. I sat at the side of my well-kept bed, pondering the soldier's whereabouts. The man left no later than two that afternoon and now here we are, nine hours later and he still wasn't back yet.

Un-BELIEVABLE

My contemplation was broken upon hearing the sound of a Turtlez Transport making low roaring outside, followed by the sound of its rider cursing at it in his thick, native accent.

He's back!

I ran over to the vanity near my bedside and primped myself a bit. With a quick adjust of my two hair ribbons and quick brush of my long, cerise-colored locks, I was ready to go. I exited my home to a dimmed square before me. Crossing the rather narrow bridge, the hefty Transport was bound for its loading station. Looking behind it, the soldier was nowhere to be found. Worried, I ran from my front door to the Transport, which was disappearing down the darkened road to the manor.

"Whoaz!" cried the Turtlez, pulling the carriage to a halt upon seeing me figure pass by.

"You are the Turtlez...that went to Gralesyde this afternoon, right?" I asked, my face still stained with the worried expression.

"Yeahz! What of itz, little lady?"

"You were carrying a soldier by the name of Bailey. I was supposed to meet him tonight, but there has been no sign of him. Do you know where he is?"

"Bailey? Grey hairz, green eyez and armor body, rightz?"

"That's him! Where is he?"

"Guy took me on a detourz all over the place!"

"I don't understand..."

"He'z fine. Dropz him off at the portz not too long ago. He'll be backz soon."

"How long ago?"

"Lookz, dollface, it was like fifteen-twenty minutez ago, he'll be backz, he sayz!"

"Oh, alright. Thank you, Mr. Turtlez!"

"No problemz!"

With that said, the merchant was off. The air was cold, and clad in a miniskirt, I was given no mercy against the calm but chilly winds. I headed towards the bridge, somewhat illuminated by the dimming lamps in the vendors' shops and the shimmering, opaque crescent moon peeking through the parting clouds. Making my way to the center, I rested my arms along the stone railing and laid my tired head atop them. Before long, I can hear heavy footsteps behind me. I tried to the best of my abilities to keep from turning. The steps sounded so...different...from his. I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't him, so I stayed put, rocking my weary head back and forth over my now-chilling hands.

"C-Cheria?" I heard a voice say behind me.

I turned around, a stunning force piercing through my body, waking me from my fatigued status. A figure emerged from the darkness behind the item shops.

"Bailey?"

"Cheria..."

I crossed the bridge towards the illuminated merchant stations to the spot where the strapping solider was standing. The man was quite different on this fine evening. His face, eyes and hair stayed the same but now he was donning semi-formal garbs, similar to the informal attire the late lord wore while tending his garden. The air around him was fresh, smelling of sweet soap and masculine cologne—a scent I never before smelled on the likes of him. It was new. It was refreshing. It was...enticing. As I stopped before him, I noticed his bulging arms cached behind his back and his face flushed in deep crimson. What was he thinking?

"Cheria...I—"

"Bailey! Do you have any idea what time it is? I nearly collapsed on the bridge waiting for you...Un-BELIEVABLE!"

"I'm so sorry Cheria..."

"And what are you hiding behind your back?!"

Bailey released his arms from behind him to reveal a quaint bouquet of vibrant sopherias in bloom. The man held the flowers out to me with an innocent but bashful smile. I froze. Sopherias?! Why did it have to be sopherias?! That's the flower—that's the flower he gave me...

*Flashback*

"Hmph...Oh I was wondering... what's with that flower you're holding, Asbel? How lovely. So did you bring this flower back...for me?"

"Actually... I um...uh, yeah. Something like that."

"Oh, Asbel! Well, since you were kind enough to bring me a flower, I guess I can forgive you just this once. This is a sopheria, isn't it? They don't normally bloom this time of year. I guess the stories about that place are true."

"Yeah, the hill had flowers blooming all over the place."

"Aww..."

*End Flashback*

"Cheria? Cheria, are you alright?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, sure, I'm fine..."

"You kinda zoned out there...are these flowers the ones you like? Oh no, they are ugly, aren't they?!"

"Oh, Bailey. No, don't worry I—"

"That's why I was so late, I looking for these flowers everywhere. I was finally able to locate some in Barona and-and—"

The man seven years my senior went crimson. His awkwardness was rather, interesting, to me. He was such goof, trying so hard to please me. I inched closer to him and removed the lovely fuchsia blossoms from his grasp and pressed my soft lips delicately upon his cheek. Feeling the sopherias leave his hands, his bashful turmoil then ceased and was replaced with a cheesy smile.

"Cheria, it is freezing out here, are you sure you are okay?" he said, with a slight expression of concern.

I held the delicate flowers tight to me. My body was not phased from the low temperatures of the night.

"I'm actually not getting really cold, but—"

"—you should go back home then."

I turned to my domain, still brightly illuminating with a soft, warm glow of the wall candles.

"Follow me!" I said, beckoning the brooding solider.

I hastened to my home, the chills of the midnight air sweeping from one side to the next. I wrapped my arms around to somewhat shield myself, but my efforts left my body temperature unaltered. As I let out a small shiver, I felt Bailey's strong arms around me once again. No longer bearing his iron suit, his touch felt so warm...so affectionate...so different from his embrace at the manor earlier that day.

"Cheria, I can't stand seeing you this chilly," he said, with a deeply concerned tone of voice.

Before I knew it the guard had sweep me off feet and was now carrying me in a manner similar to how groom carries his newly-wedded wife.

"Bailey..." I spoke, only to be cut off.

"It's okay, Cheria," he said, with a gleaming, white smile.

Within the matter of a minute, the two of us were back in my humble home. The lights were much dimmer than when I left, giving me just enough light to see around me. I went to neatly-made bed, sitting ever-so-gently upon the surface to avoid ruining it. I looked over at the militiaman, who eyes wandered aimlessly about my small cottage.

"So, Bailey what did you want to talk about?" I remembered suddenly, catching the older man by surprise.

"Hmm?" he responded, a bit lost as he gazed at me.

"You told me that you wanted to talk to me when you returned tonight. What's going on?"

He walked over to the bed and stood before me, his eyes a bit nervous and his body a bit tense. I patted the empty part of the small bed, inviting him to join me, which he did.

"Cheria, I have to ask you something..."

I looked upon him with my shimmering coffee-brown eyes, completely out of view with his down-turned emeralds.

"Yes, Bailey?"

"Have you...have you ever been in love with someone that you shouldn't be in love with?"

The question was quite confusing; I turned my attention to my dressed feet, pondering what he meant.

"Well, I think I have..." I muttered in response, clapping my sides of my shoes together.

"Was it...Asbel?"

I turned to him abruptly, shocked that he mentioned his name again. A sharp pain pierced my chest.

"I was a rather foolish child...hopelessly pining after a boy that could never return my feelings."

"How do you know he couldn't?"

"Come on, Bailey, he's a knight-in-training and the son of a beloved lord. What could he possibly want with me? I'm the granddaughter of their butler. I'm nothing to him—"

Bailey stopped me right there and took hand that laid closest to him. With his other hand, he turned my saddened face to meet his own frowning spectacles.

"Don't ever say that again!" he demanded, his expression bearing much pain and sympathy for me.

"Bailey—"

"—NO, CHERIA! You are such a special woman. Everything about you is amazing! I love seeing your beautiful face every day. I love seeing how you care for Lhant's children. I love seeing how friendly and warm you are to everyone around you. You've gone through so much and you still have the power to fight and stay positive, even when all you want to do is cry your pain away. Don't even get me started on this morning; Cheria you...you are my angel."

I turned a deep red. The man was so genuine in his expression and in his words. I could help but smile.

"Bailey. You are making me so happy right now. Your words...they warm my shattered heart—my feelings. Bailey I—"

Before I could say another word, Bailey cupped my crimson face in his masculine hands and brought my lips to his. This was such a shock to me. The brave militiaman had fallen for me and I him. He broke the kiss and looked at me with enchanted eyes.

"I love you, Cheria. I've always loved you."

Those words made my heart flutter. Bailey loves me? Who would have thought? Never in my life did I think he of all people would love me. Lhant was a small town, consisting of very few civilians. Aside from Aidan and Ariel, I never saw anyone around my age about the town. My radiant heart flew from my chest and was then seized by this 25-year-old soldier.

It wasn't long before the lanterns in my house began to snuff out. One by one, I started to lose sight of the engaging being beside me. The man brought his lips to mine once again, just as the last lantern extinguished, leaving the abode in complete darkness.

"Good night, my darling," whispered Bailey as leaned me back so I was lying upon my pillow.

That night was a turning point for me. For once, I was...happy.

Side-Notes:

*The characters Aidan and Ariel are the names I gave to the two NPCs by the bridge who claim to be Asbel's friends.

(Expect a fanfiction featuring them in the future ^_^)

*For those who are fans of the game, the mispelling in Cheria's conversation with the Turtlez was derives from how the Turtlez talks in the actual game.

*Cheria's conversation with Asbel in the flashback derives directly from the game cutscene during the Childhood Arc (when Cheria is first introduced)