The Lady in Red Fur

Chapter 7

"No, this dress will not do either!" Aerith snapped.

Around her, servants, tailors, and dress makers alike looks confused and saddened at their princess. They had showed her dress after dress for her to choose for the wedding. Each one was met with rejection. Many of the servants would assumed the princess would have been happy with any number of the dresses especially the ones with flower patterns embroidered into it. However, she looked disgusted to the point she threw the gowns to the floor.

"Your highness," Elmyra said softly. "You haven't even tried on a single dress yet. Maybe you will find one that you will like if you try them on."

Aerith glared at Elmyra which, startled the nursemaid. She had never see her princess give her such a sharp look before.

"Absolutely not!" she said stamping her foot. "This is my wedding day and I will have it the way I want!"

Elmyra tried to calm the princess but it only seemed to irritate her more. However, the door to the room opened and in came Queen Ifalna. She had come to see how the arrangements were going. She especially wanted to see her daughter in her wedding dress. Yet, the scene she was expecting was not the scene she saw.

"Is there a problem here?" Ifalna called out gently.

"Yes!" Aerith snapped, surprising her even mother. "These dresses are horrible. I'm expected to look extravagant and all I have our peasant work?"

Ifalna looked confused. The dresses before her were beautifully made. She looked at Elmyra who had shrugged her shoulders unsure what has gotten into the princess.

"Aerith maybe you can try one..." Ifalna began but was interrupted.

"I don't want to try them on!" she said once again. "I want something more suitable."

"Aerith these are the finest..."

Aerith cut off her mother once again. "I want something better! You think for a wedding such as this that I am going to wear these rags? Also, how am I supposed to wear one dress the entire day? Am I supposed to look like a pauper? Can we not afford more?"

Ifalna looked confused. "I-I'm sure we could afford another..."

"I want two more!"

"Aerith!" Ifalna gasped. "What is going on? You are not acting like yourself."

Aerith looked at with much fury. "It is MY wedding and I will have it go the way I wish for it to go. If you cannot find someone who can make me a suitable wedding dresses then I will not get married!"

"Aerith stop this at once you are acting like a child!" Ifalna said, her face reddening.

Normally, Aerith would back down but today was not one of those days. "No! If I have to have an arranged marriage than I can at least have the wedding of my dreams!"

With that Aerith, stormed out of the room ignoring any protest for her to stay. Ifalna looked strained as she watched her daughter disappear through the doors. Elmyra appeared at her side.

"Your Majesty are you okay?" asked the nursemaid.

"I should have known things would not go smoothly." the queen sighed.

Aerith made her way to her room and once inside she locked the door. She looked around her empty room and noticed the window open. A gentle breeze whipped around her and she smiled.

"It's just me." she said.

The moogles flew through the window. They smiled at her as they landed on the floor of her room. Each one had a tiny satchel with them. Next, Red XIII slid out from under the bed with ease, carrying in his mouth a large red pelt. The moogles took their place around the pelt, opening their satchels and dispensing the items within.

"How is it coming along?" Aerith asked.

"Slow but steady," Mog said.

Aerith knelt to the ground and watched their work.

"How did things go at the dress fitting," Moglin smirked. "Good I hope."

Aerith made a face. "I felt so bad for saying such things. I sounded like I had lost my mind but I think I got my point across."

Red XIII spoke, "Any amount of delay will buy us time."

Aerith nodded. "I cannot marry that man. If my mother and her advisers won't see reason then this is my only option."

Aerith's face looked grave. She stared at the pelt but her mind was elsewhere. Her mind was on the events the previous evening. After King Weiss had struck Red XIII, The moogles and her frantically worked to patch him up. Realizing the stables would not be a safe place anymore, Aerith moved the beast to her room. Surprisingly, the cat like creature was able to nimbly slip past the guards without so much as a sound, despite his injuries.

Once there Aerith gave the beast her bed to sleep on, even though he refused it saying he prefer to be sleeping near her fireplace and the rug there would be comfortable enough. After all he was used to sleeping outside and using hard surfaces as his bed.

Once comfortable, Aerith begged for his forgiveness. She took the blame for his injuries however, the red beast would hear none of it. She was and never would be to blame. He comforted the girl and she affectionately rubbed his paw. Normally, the beast would hate such things but when it came to the princess, it was fine.

Yet, soon after Red XIII asked if the princess truly intended to marry the king. Aerith lamented to him and the moogles about it. She did not in any way wish to marry King Weiss but any protest fell on deaf ears to her mother and advisers. They were bent on her marrying to secure the allegiance. The princess had to wonder if they were all too blind to see what a mistake it would be.

"If I marry him he will bring nothing but ruin to this kingdom." Aerith said. "I cannot allow it to happen but what am I to do?"

"I have a suggestion," Red XIII said. "However it requires you to be the bravest you will ever have to be."

Without hesitating Aerith agreed. Then Red XIII gave the moogles instructions and all three were gone for a time that night. When they returned they had brought with them a pelt of red like the color of fire. It was large and looked exactly like the fur of Red XIII. The pelt had once been his father who died not so long ago. Red XIII kept it as a remembrance to his father but found that it would now serve a better purpose.

Next, Red XIII once again instructed the moogles to search out the beasts of the land and ask them each for a specific item. Mog was tasked with finding a tonberry who were known to carry the finest silk threads. Moglin was tasked with finding moombas ask ask for several of their sharp strong quills. Cosmog needed to search out the cauctuars and see if he could receive several of their needles. Finally, the last item the three together gathered were soft feathers of the chocobos. Once the items were collected they returned to the princess's room.

There Red XIII explained his plan. Together they would create with the items a coat for the princess to conceal herself in and go into hiding. While Aerith was skeptical of the details, Red XIII assured her it would be better option than simply marrying King Weiss and being an object to him and like she said, letting her kingdom go to ruin.

For only a few days did the moogles work. Aerith wanted to help but she had no idea how to sew and attempting to learn would only slow the progress down. Instead, she helped where she could, giving the moogles what they needed and even picking kupo nuts for them so they could work. They would work through the night and early morning before resting during the daylight. Their progress was slow because despite being good at doing things, the moogles never had to make a coat for a human before.

Mog, Moglin, and Cosmog knew how to stitch things together. Not that they were experts but the idea was the same. Mog, as Aerith always noticed, had a brilliant mind. Somehow he always astounded her by what he could do when he put his mind to it. He designed the coat. Moglin and Cosmog were stitching the coat and taking their orders from Mog seriously.

"I'm sure sooner or later someone will be calling for me for that outburst," Aerith said suddenly, "Let's just hope I can buy us more time."

"I'm sure you will,"Red XIII said. "That king of theirs is an arrogant piece of..."

"Language please," Moglin said. "You are in the presence of ladies."

"I only see one," Cosmog said.

Moglin glared and shoved him over to which the other moogle looked confused by.

Rd XIII continued, "If you taunt him, he will oblige. Believing that he cannot do what you ask will hurt his pride and he will prove you wrong."

Aerith hugged her knees to her chest. "I hope so."

The beast affectionately placed a paw on her knee. Aerith looked at Red XIII and smiled.

"I am right," he added.

Aerith watched as her friends stitched together the fur. Mog was working on a sleeve. He scratched his head. It was a trait Aerith noticed he did when he was trying to figure something out. He floated over to Aerith and held out the unfinished sleeve.

"Please hold out your arm," he asked politely.

Aerith did was she was told and Mog wrapped the sleeve around her. It draped over her, hanging loose over her hand. He looked around and tried to reach several pins lying on the ground with his foot. Aerith laughed and handed him a pin.

"Uh, thanks," he blushed.

He began to pin the sleeve together when there was a knock at the door. In haste, the moogles dragged their project beneath the bed while also hiding underneath it too. Red XIII did the same, slinking his way beneath the princess's bed. Standing up, Aerith smoothed out her dress and called out to whomever was on the other side of the door.

"Yes?"

"Your highness," called out the familiar voice of Angeal. "The queen requires your presence."

"I bet she does," Aerith muttered.

The princess unlocked her door and came face to face with the bodyguard. He did not look at her, keeping his eyes averted. Aerith felt her heart drop. The words from the other night proved to be hurtful and she felt terrible still for saying them.

"Angeal..." she called.

"The queen awaits, M'lady." he said, holding out his arm.

"Angeal," she called again. "I want to apologize..."

"Please, my princess," he pleaded. "You never have to apologize to a guard like me."

Aerith ignored him, "What I said was out of haste and it was hurtful. I had no right to say such..."

He cut her off again, "My princess, please, your mother wishes to speak to you now."

He dismissed her. Aerith frowned and then closed the door to her room. She then turned away and headed down the hall in a brisk pace. She could hear Angeal's heavy footsteps behind her. She wanted to but dared not to look back at him. His dismissal meant he was upset still and Aerith did not want to provoke a scene.

With everything happening to her, Aerith missed Cissnei even more so. Even when she had been angry or upset, Cissnei was understanding and their friendship would only grow stronger. Her and Angeal were not. He was her mother's bodyguard. She wondered if they had a close friendship like the one Cissnei and her had.

At the door to her mother's office. The princess stood. She knew once Angeal would catch up her would knock on the door and open it for her. However, she quickly knocked three times before he could reach the door himself. She could hear her mother call for her to enter. Aerith reached for the handle just as Angeal did and their hands collided.

"Forgive me," he whispered.

Aerith looked away, "For what?"

"I..." he sighed before dropping what he was going to say.

He opened the door and Aerith entered. Aerith was greeted with her mother at her desk, the advisers on one side of the room and King Weiss, his brother, and their guards on another. Angeal entered behind Aerith and gave a curt bow to the queen before taking a position at the door. Aerith looked back knowing very well that he was asked to stand their so she could not leave. They intended to settle this hear and now. Aerith steeled herself. She knew very well she would have to win.

"Good day Princess," Lazard said calmly.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of all your company?" Aerith said, her voice dipping with sarcasm.

"Aerith," Ifalna said sharply.

Aerith eyed her mother as cold as she could. It killed the princess to have to act so rude to the woman she loved and loved her unconditionally in return. She took a deep breath.

"We heard of the incident earlier," Lazard continued.

"Oh, I'm sure you did," Aerith said dryly.

Lazard cleared his throat, obviously not used to the princess's new behavior.

Palmer intervened, "The dresses brought to you were the best in the kingdom, all of fine quality."

"That is what you call fine quality?" the princess snapped. "I guess I am supposed to be dressed in rags at my own wedding."

Palmer swallowed hard. "Princess, please understand that..."

"No, for that last time," Aerith seethed, "This is MY wedding. I will have it the way I want or it will not happen at all!"

She turned to leave but Angeal blocked her path.

"Aerith!" snapped Ifalna. "Your behavior is unsuitable..."

"And who are you to talk about my behavior on a subject that involves me!" Aerith asked turning to her mother. "You are not the one getting married and if you think for once second I will stand here and allow you to speak to the future queen of this kingdom in such a way then..."

Suddenly, there was a laugh. All eyes turned to King Weiss.

"She is passionate, Queen Ifalna," Weiss said with a chuckle.

Aerith refrained from rolling her eyes.

"A dress bothers her so much, perhaps she is just a child." Nero jabbed.

"And no one asked you to speak!" Aerith snapped. "If none of you can solve my problem then you waste your time and mine."

"How dare you speak to me in such a manner!" Nero looked appalled.

"Why not you use your brilliant mind and find a solution or are you as well worthless as everyone else here?" However, when she said she did not looked at Nero, she was glancing over at King Weiss.

Suddenly, Weiss moved toward her eyeing her carefully. "Please, princess, you think I cannot fix your pathetic problem."

Aerith tilted her chin up. "Then produce the dresses I need."

Weiss smirked, "Whatever my princess wishes."

"Then I need a dress for the procession, one of sparkling emeralds. Then one for the wedding feast that shimmers or rubies."

Heidegger interjected himself into the conversation. "Such dresses are impossible and above all expensive..."

Weiss held up his hand to silence him before nodding to Aerith to continue.

"And the last dress?" Weiss asked amused.

"For the ceremony, I want a dress that glitters like the stars themselves, covered in diamonds."

The advisers began an uproar.

"That is impractical!" Palmer stated. "Such items for dresses is madness."

"Princess, the cost of those dresses alone could feed armies." Lazard tried to coax her.

"Where would one find enough of these gems to even produce a garment that you want?" Heidegger asked. "My Queen, please, your daughter is being beyond impractical."

However, Weiss once again held up his hand silencing the room. He took the princess's hands and with a swift kiss on the back of each he smiled at her.

"Whatever my future bride wants, she will get." he said.

"King Weiss the princess must truly be jesting," Buganhagan said. "Of course she would not want these dresses."

"Do not worry yourselves. My kingdom has its own riches, its own tailors, and if your kingdom cannot produce something my bride wishes than I shall." He said with no hint of worry. "However, it will take time but as a trade off my dear princess, the very next day I complete these garments for you, you must marry me."

Aerith looked up at King Weiss and with a smile said before looking at her mother, "At least someone here can listen to me."

King Weiss let go of her hands and Aerith gave a small curtsy. She then took her leave of the advisers, her mother, and the Tsviets. Angeal followed her out the door.

"King Weiss," Ifalna called to him. "Please, my daughter is being unreasonable. Do not concern yourself with this trivial matter."

King Weiss scoffed. "The princess is only asking for trivial things, as you say, and I shall indulge it."

He left the room with his party in tow. Once outside the hall he looked over at his brother who was furious. "Because... once she and I are wed, the only thing she will know is how to warm my bed."

Behind him Rosso and Azul were chuckling but Nero was not amused.

Back in the office, Ifalna had a hand to her head. The advisers were still muttering among themselves. However, Ifalna called out to them.

"Please, leave me." she asked.

The advisers began to pile out one by one but the queen called out. "Reeve, Buganhagan please stay."

"Yes, my queen," they said in union. Once the other advisers were gone the door was shut.

"Is something wrong?" Reeve asked.

"Are you ill?" the older adviser asked.

"As queen, I have made so many difficult choices, but marrying my daughter off to someone has been the most difficult," she sighed weakly.

"It is an unfortunate duty," Buganhagan said.

"But what of my other duty?" asked Ifalna.

"Other duty?" Reeve asked.

Ifalna sighed and ignored his question. "Please summon Angeal to me."

XXX

Aerith found it strange to be in a palace once again. Perhaps because now she was not the princess. From the moment she came through the doors the servants, guards, lord and ladies or court all gave her strange looks. She was sure they were disgusted by her. She very well looked like some wild animal in her fur of red. Cloud, however, ordered everyone to treat her with the utmost respect. Aerith asked for no special treatment but Cloud would not have it.

Aerith was allowed to select a room for herself. She chose one on the far end of the castle that overlooked the gardens and from a distance the main gate. She picked the room because it was secluded. The view was nicer and more pleasant than looking out the window that faced the city. It was more cheerful. The garden was full of flowers and only a single large tree sat in the garden, a willow tree. The others were tiny, baby trees.

Next, the prince gave her free rein to move about anywhere within the castle and that if she were to need anything the servants would attend to her needs. Aerith declined. She had grown used to doing things for herself and she liked it.

The servants did not like the idea of serving a creature. While Cloud always addressed Aerith as "My Lady," the servants would not nor the guards. She was simply known as "Fur" or "Red" or even "Creature." It should have made Aerith sad but she liked it. If people did not want to be near her then the less likelihood she would be discovered.

However, on one particular day Aerith found that after being allowed to stay here, she needed to find a way to make herself useful. After all, she could not stay here forever and expected to be pampered, even though no servant would want to. She wondered what kind of work she could do around the palace to be able to help out.

That proved more difficult than she thought. Not because she could not do the work, no she was able. The problem was no one wanted her help. The fur made the cooks in the kitchen turn her away instantly. Other servants did not like the idea of her around because she was too odd and scary. It frustrated Aerith because all she wanted to do was help.

She bumped into Reno and Rude who already heard from the gossipers that she wanted to help.

"Oh you can make yourself useful," Reno said as she passed. "Lay down in front of the fire and be the rug."

He laughed and Rude merely shook his head at him.

"What do you think she is good for other than being a walking rug?" Reno asked.

"Reno!" Rude said, his voice stern, "The prince wants her to be treated with respect."

"Right, right, sorry there Furs!"

However, the apology did not feel like one. Fed up, Aerith began to head back to her room. On her way, she wondered what she could do for the rest of the day when she came across a girl muttering to herself. The girl's back was to her as she was crouched over on the floor, trying to carry a large basket full of clothes.

"Are you okay?" Aerith asked.

"I'm fine thanks for- AH!" the girl cried out.

Aerith jumped from the shout and the girl dropped her basket of linens all over the floor.

"You scared me!" the girl cried.

"I'm sorry," Aerith apologized.

"It's fine," the girl said bending down to pick up the linens.

Aerith knelt down to help her. She handed them to her and the girl smiled.

"Thanks, my name is Yuffie, and you are?"

"No name," Aerith said.

"Oh yeah, that's right. Everyone just calls you furs or red or..."

"Creature?" Aerith finished.

Yuffie looked away before muttering, "Uh... yeah."

"I'm used to it." Aerith insisted.

Yuffie stood up with the basket. "Well thanks for helping. I'll see you around."

"Wait!"

Yuffie stopped.

"Can I help you?" Aerith asked. "I know this may sound silly but I am looking for some way to help around here and I would really be grateful if you allow me to help."

Yuffie thought for a moment. Aerith could see she was contemplating the idea of allowing her to help. Her face showed it. Finally Yuffie came to a decision.

"Well, it would make my job easier... okay!" Yuffie said. "I have a lot of laundry to do! Follow me."

Yuffie and Aerith worked together doing the laundry and Aerith found the girl pleasant to be around. Yuffie was energetic and talkative. She had nothing to hide. She even said that when she was older she would hope to become part of the king's guards. However, she was too young to join now but she practiced everyday.

"The prince has several women on the kings guard." Yuffie said as she folded the laundry. "One of the strongest is this girl Tifa. I swear she could knock out even the biggest of guys."

Yuffie let out a laugh as she thought about it. Aerith smiled.

"Oh and then there is Elena," Yuffie continued. "She looks really tiny but everyone underestimates her. Both of them are my inspiration. They're not just strong ya' know? They are smart and pretty albeit a bit tomboyish but hey, not everyone can be a girly girl am I right?"

"They sound like good people." She sighed, suddenly remembering her own personal bodyguard Cissnei. She wondered how she was. Had she recovered from her injuries? Aerith frowned realizing she never did see the girl before her departure.

"Hey, Red!" Yuffie called out. "You okay under there?"

Aerith snapped from her daze. "Forgive me. My mind drifted."

"Hey guess what! We're done with the laundry." Yuffie said piling the last linen on top of a pile. "Thanks for your help you made my job a heck of a lot easier!"

Aerith smiled. "Anytime, you need help just ask. It's far better than sitting in my room being bored."

Yuffie grinned. "Great come help me tomorrow same time! Besides with all your help I have extra time to train today."

"Alright, I'll see you here tomorrow then." Aerith said.

"You're okay, Red! I like you even if you are a bit weird." The younger girl smiled.

Aerith laughed at Yuffie's comment. "I'll like you too Yuffie."

Bidding the younger girl farewell, Aerith felt happier than she had been in a while. She had something to look forward to tomorrow. Aerith went through the halls and eventually found herself in her room. It was now late afternoon as she opened the window of her room. She let out a familiar call and soon enough Mog, Moglin, and Cosmog entered the room.

"Afternoon," the three called out.

"Hello," Aerith said as she pulled off her hood. "How was your day?"

"Oh it was terrible!" Cosmog lamented. "We had to go so far to get kupo nuts. Why doesn't this castle have a tree in it's garden?"

Moglin nudged Cosmog hard with her elbow. He cringed, rubbing his side soon after.

Mog gave and awkward laugh. "It's not that big of a deal really. We did find some other good food to eat, right?"

"Y-yeah!" Cosmog said "Good food, great food! No need for k-k-k..."

He wanted to cry out for the loss of kupo nuts. Aerith gathered him into her arms and gave him a big hug.

"I know, we can go travel to the woods and get some. I'm free for the rest of the day..." Aerith laughed. She never had much to do.

She explained to the moogles of her new friend with Yuffie as she fished out an old basket. The moogles were happy that at least someone in the palace was talking to her, other than the prince. The prince was kind to her but he had his royal duties so if Aerith saw him it was usually in passing. He would ask her how she was and if people were treating her well and other simple things. Then he would be rushed away by his adviser Rufus.

Aerith never felt upset by it. After all, her mother was the same, always busy with one thing or another. Aerith expected had she been queen after mother, the governing of her kingdom that is if she had not been in that forced engagement with King Weiss. Aerith pushed the thought of him out of her mind. She had not seen the king and she hoped to keep it that way.

"I'll meet you outside the palace walls," Aerith said.

"Okay, we'll be waiting." Mog said.

"Let's collect a lot of nuts then!" Cosmog said.

The three moogles flew out the window. Aerith again, draped the hood over and made her way throught the palace. By now the guards knew of her presence. They did not inquire why she was leaving. After all, Cloud gave her freedom to come and go as she pleased and if anyone were to give her trouble, they would answer to him.

She left the palace, passing by the main entrance which had beautiful landscaping. Many neatly trimmed flower beds and stylized hedges. Aerith stopped for a brief moment noticing a small path going through the gardens. She wondered what else the gardens held. Without even thinking, she headed down the path.

As she traveled, Aerith found the deeper she went in the more beautiful the garden looked. The flowers were exotic to her. In her kingdom the most abundant flowers were the yellow and white lilies that seemed to grow everywhere. However, here in Midgar she was surprised to find so many flowers, considering how industrialized it was.

Upon first entering Midgar, the place looked much more modern than her own kingdom. However, the lack of trees, flowers, and other foliage was prominent. It made the kingdom look rather bleak despite its magnificence. However, the palace, despite being a massive spectacle, had a garden that Aerith was surprised to see.

"Oh wow," Aerith gasped as she came to a row of red rose bushes.

She had rarely seen roses before and these seemed rather lovely. They were thick and in full bloom. She then hurried down the path, spotting a large willow tree in a center of a large grassy knoll, dotted with tiny flowers or different colors. She walked up the knoll toward the tree admiring everything around her when she heard a noise.

Startled, the fur clad girl turned around to see she was not alone. Laying against the tree in its shade, was a man. Not just any man, it was the prince! He was laying cross-legged, his arms loosely at his sides. His head was leaning back against the trunk of the tree, his eyes closed. On closer exception, Aerith realized the prince of sleeping.

At first, Aerith wondered if she should leave but then thought if she should wake him. His posture was particularly poor and it would be a terrible thing to wake up to. She moved closer to nudge him but instead the prince shifted and his eyes fluttered open.

"OH!" Aerith cried in surprise.

"What... huh?" The prince gasped, surprised as well.

The prince sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, what are you doing here?" he asked, yawning slightly.

"I was admiring your gardens." she said. "It seems so odd to see flowers here considering when I entered Midgar there was no flowers to be seen."

Cloud smiled, "It is odd isn't it? This garden hasn't always been here either. My mother was the one who had this garden made."

Aerith tilted her head. "Your mother...?"

Cloud nodded and said, "Yes, my mother wasn't from Midgar. She was the Princess of Nibelheim. Her brother, my uncle, is the current king there."

Aerith thought momentarily. She knew about Nibelheim, but only a little bit. The king was King Cid Highwind. She remembered vaguely her mother speaking of him being very... eccentric. Other than that she did not know much.

"My mother," Cloud continued, "became engaged to the crown prince of this city in her youth. My mother loved Nibelheim and was upset when she would have to come to Midgar to spend time with my father. If you haven't noticed already this place can be very bleak. My father could not stand how unhappy she was so before her next visit he had this entire garden made for her as a gift. My mother could not stop smiling from it, or so she told me."

Aerith smiled, feeling her heart swell. What a lovely story it was.

"My mother loved this garden and would take me out here almost everyday. When she was here I could tell how happy she was. How about your family?"

Aerith blinked. "My family?"

"Well, My Lady, it would only be polite. I shared something about me. Therefore it is your turn."

Aerith nodded, "Yes, it would be impolite of me. Well..."

Aerith took a moment to think about what she should tell him without revealing too much.

"Alright... when I was a child my father used to dance, even though he hated it. My mother loved dancing and the only way he could get my mother's attention is by dancing with her because everyone loved my mother and wanted to be in her good graces. Therefore, my father would dance with her so no one else could."

Cloud listened intently at her.

"When I was little my father would always dance first with me because he he did not want anyone taking me away. I think all fathers are afraid of someone stealing their daughters away!"

Aerith let out a laugh and Cloud joined in.

"Seemed we had very romantic parents." Cloud said.

"Had?" Aerith asked.

"My mother and father have passed." Cloud said a hint of sadness in his voice. "My mother died after contracting a sickness. I was a young boy then. My father just recently died. The doctors say his heart was bad."

"I'm sorry your highness." Aerith apologized.

"For what?" Cloud asked. "It was not your fault."

"I know but... I didn't mean to make you speak of such sad things."

Cloud smiled, "It actually makes me feel better to talk to someone about things. Everyone else usually tries to change the topic."

"Well, not talking about something can be more frustrating."

"Exactly!"

Aerith pondered something. If Cloud's parents were both dead then why was he prince and not king?

"Excuse me, your highness, but how come you are not king?"

"Oh, that is because I am not old enough to be king. By next week I will be. There is going to be a grand celebration for it too. Then sometime after that will be the coronation."

"You don't seemed too thrilled," Aerith said, noticing the hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Cloud grinned, "Rufus is making my birthday a big spectacle. He has been planning this thing for over month. I think he is more interested in mingling with the ladies than actually celebrating my birthday."

"Don't you want to celebrate your birthday?" Aerith asked.

"I would prefer a small more intimate party. However, Rufus says I cannot overlook people or they might think I have snubbed them."

Aerith remembered hearing that. You had to be so careful dealing with royals and high class or else it could be all out war for something as not being invited to a party. It seemed very petty to her.

"I actually came out here to get away from Rufus."

"Does he bother you that much?" Aerith asked.

"He is a good man just in small doses. Although, I am sure he will be running out here any minute looking for me."

Cloud sighed and leaned back into the tree. He looked over at the lady clad in red fur and finally saw she was holding a basket under her arm.

"Are you going somewhere, My Lady?" the prince questioned.

Aerith blinked and placed her hand to her head. She had forgotten her friends were waiting for her.

"I should be on my way I want to go collect some kupo nuts."

"But its dangerous alone in the forest." Cloud said.

Aerith frowned. "I know but..."

How could she tell the prince she promised a couple of moogles that she would gather kupo nuts for them? Yet, the sound of someone calling out for the prince interrupted them. It was a man with blond hair that was swept back. He was dressed in a white suit and looked very refined.

"Prince Cloud," he called. "I should have known you would be out here!"

The man looked at the prince and then he noticed Aerith.

"Oh, and this is...?"

"She is the one who saved me, Rufus." Cloud said.

"Oh, yes, forgive me Lady Fur." Rufus said. "However, please forgive me but I must talk to his highness."

Aerith nodded. Cloud sighed and got up from the ground. He followed Rufus and Aerith watched them go. She could vaguely hear some of their conversation.

"Your party is in a week and we must finish discussing the plans," Rufus said. "I sent out an invitation to your uncle."

"Yes, yes but I need you to do me a favor..."

Then they were too far for Aerith to hear. She frowned wishing she could talk more to Prince Cloud. He still seemed very enjoyable to talk to. He was not like other royals she had mingled with at fancy parties. She liked that about him. Realizing her friends were waiting her, yet again, she hurried outside the walls of the palace. However, the day had become too late to go searching for kupo nuts. Aerith apologized to her friends, explaining what had happen. Despite Cosmog's dramatic cry they were okay and decided to go the next day.

The next morning, Aerith awoke to the sound of knocking on her window. She blinked and saw the moogles floating outside. The sun had not even come up yet. She wondered if something was wrong as she undid the latch to let them in.

"Aerith!" they squealed in excitement.

"Look what we found!"

Aerith looked down and found that all three of them were carrying kupo nuts. So much that they threatened to spill out from their grasps.

"Where did you find these?" she asked as they dropped the nuts all along her bed.

"A tree!" Cosmog said with delight.

"She means where is the tree," Moglin groaned. "Please, grow a brain in there!"

Cosmog cracked open a nut and crunched loudly. "STILL can't hear you I'm eating!"

Mog laughed, his yellow pompom flying backwards. He then took the woman in red fur by the hand and led her to the window. He pointed out to the far end of the garden and there stood a tree that Aerith swore had not been there.

"Was that... always there?" Aerith asked, hesitantly. Had it actually been there she would have been embarrass not to have seen it.

"No, it was put there last night." Moglin said.

A shocked looked appeared on the girl's face. Had the prince placed this tree in his garden for her sake? He had too. Why else would a kupo nut tree appear out of no where? Aerith felt her heart flutter. She leaned against the windowsill and stared at the tree. The smile spreading across her face would not go away.