The Lady in Red Fur
Chapter 6
Princess Aerith had awoken before the sun had even risen. She quickly changed into a simple attire before sneaking herself from the palace, this time to the stables. There in the far corner in one of the stalls she found her three moogle friends and the red beast known as Red XIII. All three of them were on alert when they heard her enter the stable. All of them were unsure whether or not they should call out to the other in case someone else was present.
"How are you this morning?" Aerith asked.
"Better rested," the beast grunted.
"I shall try and get a meal for you," she said gently, before turning to her friends, "And you as well."
"It is much appreciated," Red XIII said, "But I must ask why you feel so compelled to take care of me."
Aerith smiled. "My grandmother made a proclamation that your species is to be protected."
"Ah, so it is out of duty then," he sighed.
Aerith shook her head. "I am a princess and it is my duty, yes, but even if it was not a law, I would do anything to protect the innocent of my kingdom."
She looked at the moogles and playfully tickled their tummies. They giggled and swooped around her, playing a game with her. Red XIII found her kind and brave as well as beautiful and charming. Something about this young princess made the beast feel at ease and even though he knew her for such a short time, protective of her.
"Now I understand why my father was adamant that we protect your kingdom after your grandmother's kindness."
The princess looked at him, puzzled.
"Your grandmother the one with scent like yours, offered us protection and peace. You would do the same instead of hunt us for our fur. My father promised to protect this land as you protect us."
Aerith smiled. "My mother always says, as royalty our duty is to our kingdom and all who inhabit it. This kingdom is an abundance of natural resources that is why there is tension between other kingdoms. Many want to take what we have long preserved..."
Aerith's eyes darkened. Red XIII inclined his head.
"That is why my mother must secure an allegiance with another kingdom for protection... if not then..."
"So that is why those vile ones are here. The ones who carry the scent of blood and battle."
It did not take Aerith or the moogles a second to know who he was talking about. The Tsviets were definitely a battle hardened kingdom. However, it unnerved her to hear that blood and battle were the scents that Red XIII would describe of them.
The sound of the stable doors opening disturbed her thoughts. Aerith stood and quickly exited the stall and neared her chocobo that was quietly standing. Entering the stable was the stable boy carrying a sack of food for the chocobos. Once he noticed the princess was in his midst he dropped the sack and went into a low bow.
"F-forgive me princess I did not see you." he sputtered. "I-I... please... forgive me."
Aerith patted the beak of her bird and it gave a chirp. She looked at the boy, who really was about her age and smiled.
"Um... Wedge isn't it?" she guessed.
"Oh, no it's Biggs my princess." he corrected. "Wedge is the trainer for the chocobos."
Aerith winced, she had forgotten his name. "Sorry, my mistake and please rise."
Biggs stood up. "Is there a reason you are here this early my princess?"
"Oh, uh..." Aerith quickly thought of a lie. "I wanted to go riding today and wanted to see if my bird was well, how is she?"
"Quite well," he insisted. "If you wish to go riding I shall have her saddled for her when you wish."
Aerith was not planning to go riding. Also, she was sure her mother would not allow it after she had just started getting over her fever.
"You know what, perhaps another day I am still feeling a bit unwell." Aerith said.
"Should I call for the physician?" Biggs asked.
"No!" She said immediately before saying in a softer voice, "No that is not needed. Instead if you do not mind may I feed my chocobo today. Being inside has made me restless."
"Um..." Biggs was going to protest but the moment Aerith smiled he was at a lost for words. He picked up the sack of food and opened it up. Aerith took a handful of the greens and held it up to her chocobo who ate it quickly. She remained there feeding the bird and keeping an eye on Biggs so that he would not wander to the back of the stables. When he was finished with his work, he bid the princess farewell as she was slowly feeding her bird. She did it purposely so that he would leave before her.
Once she finished feeding her chocobo she returned to the back of the stables. She bid her friends and Red XIII farewell, promising to see them later with food as soon as she could. She quickly went back up to her room in the castle just in time to change before there was a knock on her door.
"Come in," Aerith called out as she adjusted a tiara on her head.
The door opened and Angeal appeared in the door frame. He bowed respectfully but did not enter further. Aerith smiled at him.
"Good morning," she called.
"Breakfast has been served." Angeal spoke. "Your mother hopes you will be able to join her and her guests."
Aerith grimaced. She knew who the guests were and she did not want to go. Yet, she was sure pretending to be sick would eventually not work. She took a long breath and nodded.
Angeal moved from the door frame and allowed his princess to pass him. Once in the hall she shut her door and followed a step behind her.
"Are you feeling better, my lady?" he asked.
Aerith shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose..."
"If you are unwell you can remain in your room... unless you prefer to eat in the stables."
Aerith looked over her shoulder at Angeal.
"Are you spying on me?" the princess questioned hotly.
Angeal shook his head. "My duty is to guard you. I must know of your whereabouts at all times. What you do during that time is your business."
Aerith glared at him. Angeal held his hands up in defense. "I fibbed to your mother that you were not ready to come for breakfast. That in itself could get me executed, my lady."
Had her mother been a cruel queen, yes, Angeal could be executed for lying. However, Queen Ifalna would never do such a thing. Aerith wondered if the guard was trying to make her feel bad. If he was, then it worked.
Aerith sighed. "Why not just tell my mother I am sneaking around?"
"Your business, my lady, and I just wanted to inform you of your options."
Aerith looked at him. Angeal knew she did not want to go and see King Weiss or the others. Despite his ideas, Aerith could not prolong it forever. Besides, if she made brief appearances to appease them she could at least fake being sick to avoid anymore outings.
"Thank you..." Aerith said but she trailed off.
Angeal looked back at her. He understood, somehow. Perhaps because she reminded him so much of her mother. Not just by look but by personality as well. Both were kind but strong. Angeal would know, he spent most of his life in his queen's servitude.
When they two arrived at the doors to the dining hall Angeal moved to open the doors for his princess. Aerith took a deep breath and steeled herself, plastering a smile on her face that she hoped did not look fake. Once the bodyguard pushed the doors open he stepped to the side and allowed her entry. The princess stepped forward and all eyes fell on her.
Queen Ifalna smiled warmly at her daughter and said, "Aerith are you feeling better?"
"Yes..." Aerith replied. She could feel a pair of eyes on her and it made her shiver. She looked over at King Weiss briefly before adding, "at least for a little bit, I'm afraid I still feel a bit weak."
Aerith took her seat near her mother. Ifalna motioned for a servant and in an instant food was brought before the young girl. She began to eat when she heard Weiss speak to her.
"I'm glad you are feeling well princess." Aerith wondered if he was sincere. If he was not than he was a good liar.
"So am I," Prince Nero added. Aerith detected the hint of sarcasm in his voice but chose to ignore it.
"I was deeply worried." King Weiss continued.
"Thank you for your concern," Aerith said.
"After all, we need to begin plans for the wedding."
Aerith felt her body go numb. The utensil in her hand dropped with a loud clank onto her plate. Ifalna looked at her daughter with concern noticing her face whitening.
"Aerith are you all right?" Ifalna asked.
Aerith needed an excuse for her sudden actions. "Sorry, perhaps I need more rest than I thought."
"Do you wish to be excused?" Her mother questioned but before Aerith could reply she was already summoning Angeal.
Aerith held up her hand. "No, I am all right."
Ifalna frowned but Aerith gave her a smile before picking up her eating utensil and continued eating her food, ignoring Weiss's comment all together. However, it would be the topic of the morning as the advisers were welcomed to breakfast this morning.
"We do need to make plans for the wedding," Lazard said, leaning back in his chair. "However, a formal announcement is needed as well as a date, above all."
"Yes," agreed Hollander. "If there a specific date you were thinking of King Weiss?"
"Tomorrow," he said in a no nonsense voice.
A collective gasp echoed around the table and Aerith nearly wanted to faint at those words. Could that even happen? Would her mother even allow it?
"Now, King Weiss no preparations have been made," said Hollander.
"Now the king my be joking," Bugenhagen said.
Weiss arched an eyebrow. "Do I looked like I am trying to amuse you?"
The advisers seemed flabbergasted. They could not believe King Weiss was being serious.
Ifalna interjected herself into the conversation. "Now, your highness, a wedding to unite are kingdoms cannot be a simple affair."
"Money is something we must consider," Palmer added who was siting next to Hollander. "How much will this wedding cost? Also we must invite guests. We cannot snub anyone or else they could see it as an act against them. You know how these things are."
"Also," said Reeve at the far end of the table. "I'm sure our princess would like to have the wedding of her dreams. After all this is a day a woman dreams of if I am not mistaken."
Aerith finally spoke. "It is something I have thought of." Then she added mentally to herself, and I thought I would marry someone I love at my wedding.
Yet, her words fell on deaf ears. No one seemed to acknowledge it.
"I do not wish to wait forever." Weiss stated firmly. "I have my own kingdom to run and to spend, what, a year on a wedding is ludicrous."
"My brother is not one to spend time on trivial things," Nero spoke up. "If you wish to unite our kingdoms then you might want to consider having the wedding as soon as possible."
"Then let us compromise," Lazard said. "How about within a few months?"
Weiss glared at him. "Next week."
There was no room for arguing for the king stood up from the table, most of meal was left uneaten. Ifalna looked worrisome as he rose and left the table. Nero rose right after and left. Rosso and Azul who were waiting off to the side joined their king and prince at the doors to the hall.
"I suggest you decide what is better for your country," Weiss said, his voice stern. "A grand party or an allegiance. I'm sure you already know of many who would love to leave your home nothing but a pile of rubble and you with your heads on a pike. Accept, you princess."
Weiss looked directly at Ifalna even though he was addressing Aerith.
"You would more likely be taken as a prize for the conquering nation, beaten, deflowered, and if they are merciful they will kill you instead of torturing you and subjecting you to utter humiliation."
With that he left the room with his brother and guards. Ifalna felt her hands trembling. As soon as he was gone the table became a uproar.
"How dare he speak to us in such a way," Palmer snapped.
Heidegger who had been quiet yelled loudly, "This is madness! To say such things are grounds for dismissal of the palace!"
"He intends to bully us!" Lazard snapped. "He may be king of his country but this is our kingdom and he has no right!"
Buganhagen slammed his fist on his table, "I agree with Lazard."
Hollander nodded, "I second that!"
Reeve was the only one remaining quiet of the advisers. He looked over at Queen Ifalna who was trying her best to control her shaking hand. Aerith on the other hand was looking down at her plate. Her hair shielded her face so he could not see her reaction to all this. When Ifalna finally gathered herself she called over the voices in the room.
"Silence!"
The room became silent, all eyes on hers.
"King Weiss..." she swallowed hard before continuing, "is right."
The look of shock appeared on her advisers faces. Aerith bolted from her seat. Voices called after her but she did not stop. Angeal followed at her, knowing very well Ifalna would not be able to at the moment..
"Our kingdom is in danger." Ifalna said. "No matter how much we try and pretend to be strong it will not last long. Without this alliance we are vulnerable. As Queen of this land I have a duty to protect my people. We shall talk to King Weiss and make the formal announcement and begin preparations for the wedding."
Aerith ran through the halls but she did not go to her room. She wanted to see her friends hiding in the stables. Yet, she found her tears blinding her and soon found herself collapsed against a pillar in an empty hall. Angeal discovered her rubbing her eyes with her hands.
"My Princess..." Angeal said.
"Go away!" she demanded.
"It is my duty to watch over you." he reasoned.
"I don't care!" she snapped. "I want to be left alone so do as I say!"
She pushed Angeal away with all her strength but the man barely budged. He looked at her with the same compassion before she fell ill. When he did not move Aerith tried again to push him but he gently took her wrists.
"Please, my princess, calm down."
"Unhand me!" she yelled. "I am your princess and you will listen to me! Soon I will be a queen and I won't need you anymore! You'll probably be relieved of your duty by my future husband as will everyone in this castle no doubt!"
Angeal let her go and Aerith seemed stunned that he listened to her. There was a hurt in his eyes but was soon replaced by the steely ones she had grown used to. He took a step back and bowed.
"As you command."
With that, Angeal left her. Aerith felt a twinge of pain in her. She almost ran after him with the intent of apologizing. Angeal's whole life was his duty and to lash out in such a way was hurtful. Aerith felt terrible but instead of going to talk to him she ran to the stables to where the only people who would listen to her. The people who were not even people but moogles.
XXX
"Prince Cloud do you think this is a wise idea?" A raven-haired man asked.
"It's fine Zack." Cloud said, brushing off his worry.
"You do know what Rufus will say when he finds out your outing was a fiend hunt, right?" Zack asked.
"If I listen to Rufus for everything I might as well never leave the palace." Cloud exasperated. "He will keep me on a leash, mind you a short one, and have every minute of my day planned out.
"Oh, you mean he already doesn't?" a red-hair man laughed.
Prince Cloud laughed and turned around on his chocobo to view his guards. An entourage of all men followed him. Cloud was not above having women as his guards for he did have some, it was just they were all like mother hens at times. Much like his head adviser Rufus was. All good people but just sometimes so suffocating that it drove the prince nuts.
The four men were his most loyal guards. Zack the raven-haired man was muscular with his hair long and thick spikes. He was the head bodyguard and the one that would usually follow Cloud around. Cloud had been friends with Zack in their youth even before Zack volunteered to become his bodyguard. He did so because it always seemed that Zack would come to his rescue.
The red-haired man was Reno. He was a more slender man with tone features. He was very nimble but laid-back. His uniform always seemed in disorder versus his other guards who always looked neat and presentable. Cloud liked Reno's attitude and although he could be serious he liked that he was more fun. Him and Zack were the most talkative of his group.
The other two guards were a bald man named Rude who was Reno's best friend. He rarely talked and Cloud wondered if it was because he was shy. He was a strong man capable of besting many people in hand to hand combat. The last man also had dark raven-hair but his was slicked back into a neat pony-tail. He was probably the most calm and reasonable man as well as the most efficient in his job. His name was Tseng. If there was a job that needed to be done and fast, he was the best option. Despite his very slim frame, Tseng was deceptively strong and even more clever. Cloud was glad that these four men were his loyal guards.
"You know," Reno said. "Does Rufus pick out your clothes too? Is he going to start cutting your food for you too into small pieces so you don't choke? Is he going to-"
"Reno," Zack interrupted. "You know if Rufus did all that I think our prince would lose his mind."
"Oh he is getting close to it," Cloud said. "Ever since he became head adviser he has been watching over me like hawk. I needed to get out of there before I did lose my mind."
Zack and Reno laughed.
"We need to get back on track," Tseng said. "Unfortunately, my prince, you have a busy afternoon schedule."
Cloud sighed, "I know, I know."
"Oh lay off Tseng! He's the prince. Not like his meetings are going to start without him." Reno said.
Tseng glared at Reno. "Prince he may be but King he will become and despite his title he must remain responsible."
Zack and Reno looked at Tseng. Tseng ignored the looks and looked straight at Cloud. The prince smiled a weak smile.
"One quick fiend and we'll go back." The prince insisted.
"Should you be hunting fiends anyway?" Tseng asked.
"Someone has to protect his people from monsters." Cloud said. "Might as well be me."
"You mean before you get fat and sit on a throne all day?" Reno joked. Everyone laughed.
As the group walked Cloud turned back around to look at his guards. "This is how I'll stay in shape. Just don't tell R-r... ah!"
Suddenly, Cloud found himself thrown forward off his chocobo and was now dangling from the edge of a cliff. The guards all surrounded the cliff to look down and see that he was holding onto a piece of stone protruding from the cliff side.
"Your highness!" Tseng called out. "Are you all right?"
Cloud looked up at him. "With all things considered, no, I am not all right!" he snapped. "Help me up!"
"Rude," Tseng ordered. "Get the rope."
"Yes sir," Rude said.
Reno leaned over to look at the prince. "So, just hanging around down there?"
"You know once I get up there Reno, I'm going to throw you off and you can see how good it is to just hang around!"
"Oh, don't be so mad you should have been paying attention." Reno said.
Tseng grabbed Reno by the collar. "Shut up and help Rude!"
Reno grinned and ran over to Rude who was trying a loop into the rope. Zack looked over at his prince trying not to look worried.
"We'll get you out of there in just a second," he called out. "Nothing to worry about."
"Oh sure, I'll just hang here and admire the view before plunging to my death."
"Sarcasm is not needed here." Zack said with a frown.
"Just hurry with that rope!"
Soon Rude and Reno returned with the rope and they began to lower it to their prince. Cloud looked relieved as it neared him. He reached up with his right hand to grabbed the rope when a loud crackling sound echoed around him.
"What was that?" Rude asked.
The next thing that happened felt like slow motion. The rock Cloud was holding onto broke and the prince was falling down the cliff side. His guards shouted for him but Cloud could only hear the air whistling in his ears as he plunged down landing into a raging river.
"And I don't remember anything after that." Cloud said to Aerith as she took his now empty bowl of kupo nut soup. "Not one of my most graceful moments as a prince."
The prince had eaten three bowls of the soup. Aerith did not know if he actually liked it or because he was really hungry. Regardless, she was glad her meager soup pleased him.
"Your guards will be on their way to find then?" Aerith questioned.
"Oh they will find me. If not Rufus will kill them." It was a joke and Cloud laughed. Aerith smiled. The people Cloud surrounded himself with seems like kind and caring people.
"I told you so now it's your turn," Cloud said. "How did you come to be here, My Lady?"
"I'm a hermit," she said. "I was looking for a place to live after my last home became unsuitable. I walked for such a long time until I came to this cabin. It was abandoned when I found it."
"How long have you lived here?"
"Only a few months."
Cloud assumed that she lived here for several years. The cabin looked well furnished and cozy. However, a dreadful thought entered the prince's mind.
"So, you don't know about the winters here in Midgar?"
Aerith turned to him. She peered from under her hood and shook her head.
"The winters here are obscenely cold. Sometimes the snow can reach feet and food will become scarce unless you live in the city."
Aerith frowned. "I supposed I should stock up for the winter."
Cloud frowned as well. "I know it is just you here but how much can you store? You would need a lot of firewood to keep you warm."
"My cloak can keep me warm," Aerith said. "I am not afraid of a little winter."
"I'm not trying to frighten you. I am trying to warn you." Cloud insisted. "This cabin was probably abandoned because the former residents realized it was too dangerous to live here through the winter."
"Well then are you suggesting I leave my home? It took me a long time to find a place to live and I have no money to purchase one."
"Forgive me My Lady," Cloud bowed his head. "If it is money you need I can give you..."
"NO!" Aerith said rather loudly, startling the prince. "Sorry, your highness, but I cannot take your money."
"It would repay for saving my life."
Aerith shook her head. "No, absolutely not. Money is nothing compared to someone's life and to take it would be wrong. I did not save you because I wanted money I did it because it was the right thing to do!"
Cloud smiled and carefully stood up. He approached Aerith who bowed her head so he could not glimpse under her hood. Cloud placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Aerith winced.
"Then will you consider coming to live at my palace?"
Aerith gasped and backed away. "W-what?"
"I must repay you for saving my life and already I found one way I can. Please, consider this option before you deny it."
Aerith was ready to outright refuse. If she lived in the castle, if she was around royalty again, would it be possible for King Weiss to find her? Without a doubt he would. She was sure he was looking for her, her mother as well. If they caught wind of her being at Midgar they would come instantly and drag her back home. However, before she could refuse the sound of something knocking on the roof of her house caught their attention.
"What was that?" Cloud asked.
Aerith knew what it was but she lied, "Some birds pecking... I'll be right back please sit."
Aerith hurried outside toward the back of the house. There she found the Moogles waiting for her. She looked up at them and whispered loudly, "What are you doing!"
Mog floated down. "We needed to talk to you."
"Right now?"
Mog nodded as Moglin and Cosmog joined him.
"Aerith, if Prince Cloud is right about winter here..." Mog trailed off.
"What he means is you best be going with him than trying to tough it out." Moglin said. "We may have furry bodies but even we would freeze if he certain that the winters here are harsh."
"And if it snows a lot we won't even be able to find food." Cosmog added, a look of horror on his face.
Aerith seethed, "Are you crazy? If I go to the palace I'm going to be found by someone!"
Mog looked skeptical. "By who? No one is going to look and think... Oh maybe this hermit who is covered in fur is a princess. Seriously, people are more likely going to be afraid of you then to think you are princess!"
Aerith frowned.
"Aerith," Mog said gently taking her hand. "We want to protect you and think about it. If you do go to the palace would King Weiss really look for you there? Also, by now he probably has searched countless of kingdoms to find you and if your not there..."
Aerith sighed. She did not want to try and survive a harsh winter and she could not ask her friends to do the same. A warm palace would very well do much better.
"Alright," she said. "I guess it would be a much..."
Suddenly the sound of squawking birds alerted her. The moogles flew away quickly and Aerith moved from around her cabin to see a group of four men riding chocobos toward her home. She carefully walked around to the front when the four men stopped.
"Hey you!" called a red-haired man. "What the heck are you?"
"Reno!" the other three men snapped.
"Excuse me... uh..." A man with spiky black haired said. "Have you seen a man with blonde hair and carrying an insignia like this?"
He held up a badge that looked like a wolf.
Aerith blinked. "Oh! It is you" she gasped.
"That thing is a girl?" Reno said.
A look of shock was actually present on three of their faces. The one with slicked back black hair was not shocked. If he was he hid it well.
"You know of us?" the other man with black hair asked.
"Of course she does," Cloud said exiting the cabin. "I told her about you."
"Your highness!" the group chorused.
One by one they jumped off their mounts and rushed to their prince. The look of relief appeared on each of their faces as they saw their prince was alive and well.
"We thought the worst..." Tseng began but Zack grabbed Cloud into a bear hug.
"Don't ever scare me like that again!" Zack shouted.
"I think you gave us all gray hairs." Reno said.
Rude grunted.
"Okay everyone but Rude unless he grows out his beard then I'm sure they'll be a gray hair or two there."
"Reno, shut up." Rude said with a sigh.
Cloud smiled at his guards. "Well I wouldn't be alive it it wasn't for, My Lady."
"My Lady?" they group echoed.
Cloud held out his hand toward Aerith. Aerith bowed her head. Under her hood her face turned bright red.
"You mean furs over there is really a girl..." Reno trailed off.
"She is my rescuer and I intend to repay her kindness." Cloud snapped.
"Okay so what's her name?" Zack asked.
Aerith responded. "No name, everyone just calls me..."
"I call her My Lady and you all will offer the same respect." Cloud ordered.
Aerith held up hands. "Its okay, I do not need to be addressed so formally."
Cloud shook his head. "Regardless, we will be taking My Lady with us to the castle."
"What?" Zack asked. "We're taking it with us?"
Cloud glared at him. "What of it Zack?"
Zack did not reply and back off. Cloud looked over at Tseng who simply nodded his head to his prince. Cloud then looked over at Aerith.
"Please, come to my castle." he coaxed. "It is the least I can do to repay you."
The look in Cloud's eyes were pleading. Aerith could tell the prince was truly being kind. He was grateful for her and for the first time in a long time Aerith felt relaxed around a royal that was not her mother. She bowed her head to the prince.
"If his highness insists than I shall gladly go as long as I am not a burden."
Cloud smiled. "It's settled then. Take whatever you need and we shall set out immediately."
Aerith nodded. "I shall only be a moment."
She left the five men to enter her cabin. Reno leaned over to Rude and whispered, "At least she's polite."
XXX
After dinner, Princess Aerith pretended to go to her room but instead she sneaked off to the kitchen. None of the cooks were present but she did find leftovers sitting on the table ready to be cleaned up. She gathered what she could in her basket. Once she could fit no more in her basket she left the kitchen to go out to the stables. She slipped past the patrolling guards with ease. When she reached the stable doors she stopped for a brief moment and looked up to see several of the rooms brightly lit.
A feeling of unease washed over her but she saw nothing and no one around. Disregarding her feeling, she entered the stable and closed the door behind her. The two chocbos within squawked and Aerith gently patted them on the beak. She moved toward the back, quietly calling out to her friends.
The moogles emerged and greeted Aerith happily. Red XIII lifted his head as Aerith entered the stall. She sat down on the fresh hay and opened up the basket of food to her friends. She gave Red XIII a bigger portion of food than the others. He needed it to get his full strength back.
"How are you feeling?" She asked gently stroking his head.
"Better with each passing hour." he said.
Aerith smiled. "I am so glad."
Red XIII ate his food quickly, not realizing how hungry he really was. The moogles ate quickly as well. They would later leave to gather kupo nuts in the cover of darkness but for now they were content with the food before them.
"Are you feeling better though?" Red XIII inquired. Earlier she had cried out to her friends about the wedding being moved to next week and as far as she knew, it would happen.
"I don't know what to do..." Aerith cried. "I'm going to be married and..."
Suddenly, the sound of the stable doors creaked open. The moogles burrowed themselves under the hay. Red XIII let out a low growl as he back himself in the corner. Aerith motioned with hand for him to calm down. Knowing her luck, it was probably Angeal coming to look for her since she was not where she should have been. Aerith got up and left the stall, closing it behind her. The two Chocobos seemed uneasy and were squawking loudly.
Aerith peered around the stalls and saw no one. She blinked. She was confused. Was it simply the wind that caused the door to creak open? She saw it swinging gently with the breeze. The princess move toward the door to close it. When she pushed the door close she realized someone else was in here with her and before she could respond a hand snatch out and grabbed her.
Aerith cried out as she saw Prince Nero towering over her. Even with his slim frame, the prince was strong and it shocked the girl as he held her in a tight grip.
"U-unhand me!" the princess cried out. "How dare you touch me!"
Prince Nero let her go and she stumbled into one of the wooden stalls. Aerith winced in pain as she hit.
"What a curious evening," Nero spoke in a peculiar tone. "I was so bored, watching your pathetic guards patrol when I noticed a single figure slipping past them like a thief. Oh, should I alert the guards or investigate the matter on my own? Since your guards are as stupid I decided to solve this mystery myself and who do I find why the princess herself is sneaking around."
Aerith swallowed hard and backed away from him. Nero moved like a cat stalking its prey. His eyes glared into her and Aerith felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Now here is a question," Nero continued. "Why would the princess be sneaking around this late at night and into a stable no less?"
Aerith bit the inside of her cheek. She was unsure what to answer. She had to keep him away from the stall where her friends were. If he discovered Red XIII he was sure he would attack. Especially, since his weapon was holstered at his side.
"It is my palace and I can come and go where I want and when I please!" she stated firmly.
"Oh indeed you are," Nero replied, "but then why sneak around? What are you hiding?"
Suddenly, he grabbed the princess by the face. Aerith whimpered and found herself pinned between the stall and the prince.
"Are you meeting with someone here?" he snapped. "Playing games behind my brother's back?"
"I would do no such thing!" the princess spat. "Unhand me!"
Nero let her go and when he did he did not expect what happened next. A loud slap echoed through the stables. Prince Nero's eyes widened as she felt a stinging sensation on his face. Aerith had enough of the prince. Enough of his insults and accusations that it felt good when she slapped him. However, when he recovered from the shock he rounded on her and was prepared to grab her again. His hand reached out toward her when another hand shot out and grabbed Nero's own hand.
To the shock of both Aerith and Nero, King Weiss was before them. Weiss looked at his brother with a death glare. Then in one quick motion he twisted his brother's arm around and slammed him into the wall.
"Nero," his voice was cold. "I warned you about touching my princess."
"She was out here sneaking about!" Nero snapped. "Obviously meeting some man just like a common whore!"
"Enough!" Weiss said. "Return to your room. NOW!"
Aerith watched as Nero reluctantly walked off. However, the glare in his eyes did not leave until he was gone out the door. The princess would have sighed with relief but now she was alone with King Weiss. She felt even more uneasy than she did with Nero. The chocobos were dead silent, hiding now within their stalls while before they had been squawking uncontrollably at Nero.
Weiss looked at Aerith and the princess felt more fear than she did with Nero. While she could see Nero's anger towards her she could not see anything within Weiss's eyes. He moved toward her and took her face firmly with his hands.
"My brother has a certain way with people don't you agree?" he asked, amused. "However, he is right what is my princess doing out here alone?"
"Whatever I want," Aerith said. "I can come and go as I please."
Aerith regretted that answer because the next thing she knew she felt his hands tighten and she saw the coldness in his eyes grow.
"Now princess," he said his voice as cold as his eyes, "we will be married soon and it best you learn one thing."
The next thing Aerith knew she was lifted off the ground as if she weight nothing at all and found herself eye level with the king.
"I am your king and the first thing anyone in my kingdom will know is obedience. When I ask you a question you will answer."
Aerith gasped when suddenly his lips pressed to hers. His hands possessively touched her in intimate places and Aerith was instantly repulsed. She tried to turn away but she was unable. When he let go of the kiss he dropped her carelessly and Aerith landed in a heap. She looked up at Weiss feeling like she wanted to vomit. How dare he do this to her, touch her body and even kiss her without consent.
"Now princess," he said, "why are you sneaking around or do I have to punish you further?"
Aerith quivered. She did not want to answer. A mask of fury appeared on the Weiss's face. He was not happy that his bride would not answer. He reached down to grab hold of her again when a loud growl erupted through the stable.
Red XIII pounced and came between the king and the princess. His red fur was on end, teeth and claws bared ready to attack. King Weiss back away for a moment in shock. Aerith cried out wanting Red XIII to run but instead the beast lunged at the king. Weiss moved with such speed and then unsheathed his own weapon to attack the beast slashing him in the side.
"No!" Aerith cried. "Stop! Please!"
Red XIII fell to the ground in pain, fresh blood spilling from his wound. Aerith leaped to the beast's side covering his body with her own. She looked up at the king in fear, begging him to stop. Red XIII breathed heavily, pain etching its way onto his face.
King Weiss smirked and sheathed his weapon back at his side. He looked down at the princess and said in a no nonsense voice, "Let this be a warning for you princess. Next time you don't answer me it will be a lot worse than just a kiss. Although, you'll know that on our wedding day."
With that the king took his leave. Once he was gone the moogles emerged from their hiding spot. Each one looking sadly at the predicament. Aerith hugged Red XIII to her and begged the moogles to bandage him up. All the while she cried into his fur knowing very well if she married King Weiss it would spell trouble not only for her but her entire kingdom as well.