A/N: Due to my good mood, positive responses, and a potentially good narrative in my mind, I decided to continue this story. I'll rename it 'Nightingale' and I will offer a small summary so people will know what to expect... sort of. Usual pairing (same pairings as Black Brigade for those familiar).

Summary:

The light chimes. That gentle melody that floats through the still air. It is the sound of the music box left by her mother. Little did she know of its origin. One night, Estellise Sidos Heurassein finds herself in a very strange castle. She is told to follow the strange creature named "The Nightingale" to not only save this dark place, but to find her way home. However, after meeting Yuri "Black Jack" Lowell, will she want to return home?

CH. 2: Night of Fate

That light tune

That enchanted melody

To her heart, it is the only remedy

The country of Zaphias is a bright and peaceful place. There is no war, no famine, no hate, and its rulers are just. There is truly nothing out of the ordinary in this country, save for the abundance of smiles and happiness. This why she only showed such a face of longing in the secrecy of her room.

With her lips forming a gentle pout, eyes cast longingly to the blue sky, she sits at her window. Her elegant dress falls perfectly down her small frame, gently complimenting her emerald eyes. These eyes that usually sparkle with life are now filled with a mixture of confusion and sickness. She could not say why, or who for that matter, but she felt sick because of that strange man in her dreams. She had given him a name by now, though she dare not utter it out loud.

She feared the frailty of her situation. She told no one of her vivd dreams, of the shadowed man who kissed her so heatedly. Her thin fingers gently ran over her rosy lips, still feeling the slightest tingle of the kiss.

Such a thing should frighten her. Such a strange dream should make her cry out for her father to do something, call someone to help. However, she did not feel fear. Instead, she felt thrilled by the strangeness of it all. Simply thinking of this shaded figure made her heart race. Was it love? She could not say for sure. Did she want it to be love? She feared what that would mean. She is a noble and a noblewoman at that. Venturing into dreams for unknown love was not her place. Her place was to be pampered until finding a fitting man to marry. Her "lover" was to be another noble, someone with wealth and status.

Knock Knock

A soft rap on her white door brought her mind from the clouds and back into her room. "Lady Estellise, your father waits for your presence at the table." The soft voice of one the maids spoke through the door.

"I'll be down shortly!" Estellise replied through the door. She glanced to the sky once more. "Why do I feel... sad and happy at the same time?" She left this paradox to the wind, now focusing on her waiting father. She quickly combed her short, pink hair and started out of her room. Greeting the servants along the way, Estelle found herself in the dining hall of her family's manor. "Good morning father."

"Ah, there you are Estellise. Come, have a seat and we will have some breakfast." Her father smiled kindly at her. His hair was white, having prematurely lost its vibrant pigmentation. Though she asked on occasion, he would not answer what the color of his hair was in his younger years. He'd always answer in some funny way. He's goofy like that.

Estellise elegantly walked towards his side and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Are you going to see the Royal Council today?" She obediently took a seat near him, wanting to cherish the time she had to be close to him. Her emerald eyes glanced towards the beautiful portrait on the wall behind him.

Placing his hand on her smaller one, her father smiled gently, "Yes, I'll need to speak with His Highness about the current state of the country's economy. We're fine now, but we'll need to make choices for the future."

"How is Ioder doing?" Estellise aimed to make light conversation as the servants placed her breakfast before her and her father.

"Now Estellise, he is the king now. Please address him with respect." Her father lightly scolded, only half serious.

Estellise smiled as she began eating her plate of eggs and toast, "Ioder will always be my beloved cousin father. I still remember when we used to play in the wheat fields in the countryside."

"A pleasant memory indeed." Her father allowed a moment for memories, eating his own meal quietly. After a few moments of reflection, he gently placed his fork down and sipped at his fresh cup of tea. Estelle instantly knew this pattern to mean that his next words were of great importance. "Estellise, on the subject of Ioder." He placed his hand on hers again, "I believe it is time for us to consider a husband for you."

She tried to hide it, but her body still stiffened ever so slightly. No response left her lips, though her gentle smile lowered a little. Her natural glow of happiness was replaced by a false shroud of pleasantry that hid the inner sorrow now creeping through her.

"I know I promised not to decide it for you, but please allow me to help you find a good man." Lord Heurassein started, trying not to disturb Estelle too much. He knew the subject was touchy, especially for his only daughter.

"How?" Her simple question sounded, if not a tad hurt, a little curious.

Her father patted her hand, "I invited a noble's son to join us for dinner in three nights."

"Hm, that sounds... nice." Estellise felt her eyes grow hot and sting at their root. She knew her now distant speech hurt her father, but she couldn't help it. The very idea of a life without true love and warmth frightened her more than the greatest nightmare.

Her father was indeed unsettled by her tone. "Estellise-" He attempted to reach out to her, to reason with her, but he was interrupted.

"Excuse me Lord Heurassein, but the carriage is here to escort you to the palace." One of their butlers bowed humbly.

Her father looked to the servant and then to his uncomfortable daughter. "We'll talk more later," He leaned towards her and placed a loving kiss on her cheek, "please give it some thought." His words sounded genuine, that much Estellise could hear. With a nobleman's posture, Lord Heurassein stood up from the table and started out, "I should be back tonight, please don't feel obligated to wait for my return. We'll talk in the morning."

Ah the night. Her thoughts were suddenly lost in her dreams once more as she heard the large doors of the dining room close. Her eyes grew distant, her mind dwelling on the man she sees in her dreams. Was he her salvation, the man she was destined to love? It seemed like something in the storybooks, something of fantasy.

The rest of the day was spent the same way Estellise spent most of her days. In the early hours she would go and speak with the servants. They are all interesting people, some having moved from every corner of the country. It always thrilled her to hear their stories, or to even listen to their slightly different accents and mannerisms. Even the gruff chef in the kitchen, famous for being a former sailor and mean as a hungry dog, amused her.

By mid-day, Estellise would find herself in the gardens. Unknown to her father, she'd help Belle, an older maid, do the laundry and speak with her about her family that lives far away. In the waning hours of the day, Estelle would go to the study and read an interesting book. Any book satisfied her, even the simple ones.

After reading through a good four chapters of the interesting tale of Harold Potfield, Estellise started to settle in for the night. She ate a quick dinner, knowing her father would be late because of his meeting with the Royal Council. He was a busy man, and she loved him for his determination to help the welfare of their nation. It didn't mean she doesn't miss him often, but she was always an understanding girl.

"Goodnight Lady Estellise, I pray your dreams be pleasant tonight." One of the servants wished her a good night, bowing humbly. The other servants said similar well wishes as she made her way to her room once more.

Finally in the sanctity of her room once more, Estellise let out a long sigh. Living such a life, as well off as it is, somehow didn't fit her. She longed for the adventures in her books, friends like those in the epic tales of bravery, and a destiny that would give her fulfillment. However, such a longing for a noblewoman like her was not but a dream, a fantasy.

"Mother," The word escaped her lips without another thought. Her mother always gave her hope for true happiness. Her father and mother were lovers since childhood, destined for marriage since they knew what love was.

Out of sheer habit, Estellise walked over to her dresser and gently ran her hands along the simple music box that once belonged to her mother. It was elegantly decorated, yet still small enough to fit in one hand. The top had the loveliest image of a small white bird, a nightingale. Carefully, Estellise turned the small key, winding the music box. The moment her fingers left the key, a quiet song began to play.

She savored the tune, closing her eyes and let her mind drift. It always brought her peace, this gentle melody. Then, just as she felt her lips tug upwards in a smile... the music stopped. Her eyes opened, and she looked down to the music box. It far too early for it to need winding again, so why did it stop?

"Trrchee, trr, trr, trrchee!" A sudden sound came from behind Estellise. She jumped, and turned around at the sudden noise. Her expression of shock soon changed to wonder when she saw the source of the sweet sound. "Trrchee!" A small nightingale, enveloped in a white light, sat comfortably on her windowsill. It flapped its wings quickly before singing once more.

Estellise carefully approached the small bird, hands held out. "Aw, are you lost?" She sweetly cooed, making sure to gently hold the bird when it hopped onto her hand. "How did you get in here?" Her eyes wandered to her closed window. How did this beautiful bird get in her room?

"Cheep, cheep, trrchee!" Suddenly, the nightingale spread its wings and hopped out of her hands. In a rush of light, the bird grew large, enveloping Estellise in its wings.

Crying out in surprise, Estellise hid her eyes from the intense light. The bird's song continued to resound in her ears, mixed with the gentle melody of her mother's music box. She felt a sudden rush of wind surround her, as if she was falling from a high place. All the while, she heard a faint voice whisper in her ear.

Finally, I have found you.