The Lady in Red Fur
Chapter 11
The morning after the coronation and party snow began to fall all around the kingdom. A thick layer of snow began to cover the ground. Inside a room in the castle, with a fire crackling in the fireplace, Aerith awoke smiling. The three moogles were curled up next to her, snoring gently. She gently poked at their pompoms, causing them to curl up or even giggle in their sleep. Cosmog rolled over on his back, arms sprawled out. Aerith could see a kupo nut clutched in his paw. She shook her head and laughed softly.
Mog awoke and rolled over to be closer to her. Aerith smiled even more as his little yellow pompom touched her. He snuggled into her and Aerith welcomed him into her embrace. He closed his eyes as he lay there.
"Good morning," he yawned.
"Morning," she whispered.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Yes, and you?"
Mog grinned, "Kupo nut soup always makes me feel better."
Suddenly, Cosmog sat straight up, his red pompom swinging wildly. "Did someone say kupo nut soup?"
A irritated Moglin called out, "Really, this early and you are thinking about soup?"
The female moogle sat up and began fixing her fur, smoothing it out. Aerith chuckled. Mog stretched out next to her before burrowing himself under blanket.
"Can we stay in bed today?" he asked.
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Cosmog said as he cracked open his kupo nut.
"That's being lazy," Moglin scolded.
Aerith laughed, "I like that plan. After last night I could sleep forever."
Aerith had been up late finishing the soup. Afterwards, she was chatting with her friends late into the night as they enjoyed the leftover soup. Her friends brought her much comfort after a fearful moment. Aerith was so grateful for them.
After eating his nut, Cosmog joined Aerith and Mog under the covers. Moglin looked at them frowning, her ear drooping.
"Room for one more," the three said holding the blanket open for her to join.
"Ugh, you too Aerith?" Moglin pouted. "And here I am trying to be responsible. We should be working!"
"I'm sure everyone in the palace is exhausted after last night." Aerith coaxed. "Come on, we can sleep in a little longer."
Moglin sighed before finally joining them under the covers. She nudged Cosmog over so she could have more room. The three closed their eyes and they soon drifted off to sleep.
Aerith wondered if Cloud was asleep right now. Was the King even allowed to sleep in? As a princess, Aerith only got away with it because her mother was the queen and she really was the one in charge. She even wondered if he was thinking about her, the real her and not the fur-clad lady. Would she ever be able to see him like that again? She had been bold enough to appear before him. Yet, considering what was a stake if she did, Aerith found herself saying no. She could not do it again. It was too dangerous even if she had only imagined King Weiss, the fear was real.
Aerith noticed the crown of holly she had worn last night. She carefully picked it up and hugged it to her. If anything, the memories with Cloud were enough. She sighed and leaned back on her pillow. Her eyes turned to look out the window as rush of snowflakes flew by her window.
One the other side of the castle, Cloud was in his study staring out his own window when he let out a long sad sigh. His eyes looked tired, dark circles under his them. He was still dressed in his formal attire, albeit the stiff collar was unbutton. Quietly, he watched the snowflakes swirl around in the air but his mind was far away. So much that he could not even hear the knock on the door. Even when it opened he did not even flinch.
"You cannot be serious," came Rufus's voice. "You haven't slept at all. Have you honestly been here all night?"
Rufus entered the room followed by two servants. Cloud continued to ignore him. Rufus looked back at the two servants and raised his hand to signal to them.
"Bring his highness and I some tea and a meal." he commanded before waving them off.
The servants bowed and exited the room. Rufus walked the length of the room and dropped himself in a chair opposite of the desk that Cloud would sit and do work.
"Your highness, please, you must eat and rest or you will become ill." Rufus coaxed.
"Do you ever wonder how you can know someone forever and yet not know her at all?" Cloud asked.
"Oh your talking about that lovely lady from last night?" Rufus drawled. "Please, I had the guards looking for her and there was no trace of her, again!"
"How can there be no trace of her? The snow was enough to inhibit anyone from coming and going easily." Cloud snapped, turning to his adviser.
Rufus's eyes widened. "Please, my king, I cannot explain it."
Cloud groaned. "There must be an explanation. A woman cannot just vanish into thin air, can she?"
The two servants returned with tea and some food for the king and his adviser. Rufus dismissed them after they placed a tray on the desk. The adviser poured himself some tea, as well as his king. He held the cup and saucer in his hands. He looked down at the swirling drink, the sweet aroma reaching his nose.
"Why are you so infatuated with this girl, anyway?" Rufus asked, sipping his tea. "She is beautiful but there are so many other beautiful women at the party."
"I told you already! It's as if I have known this girl for so long. I can talk to her with ease. It's as if she was made for me." Cloud's voice sounded dreamy, causing Rufus to smirk. The king glared at his adviser.
"As much as I would love to find this woman so you can marry her, we must be realistic. Now that you are king you must consider marrying and securing an allegiance."
Cloud slumped into his chair. He took his own teacup and stared at the liquid within. He was not surprised by the idea of taking a wife or marrying for allegiance. It was expected of him. Yet, his mind was solely on the beautiful woman who twice danced with him and twice left him. Those eyes like emerald's that showered him with warmth. The feel of her soft porcelain skin when he held her hand lingered. Her smile was contagious. Her voice gentle. Cloud was so lost in his thoughts of this mysterious woman that Rufus was becoming impatient.
"Your highness!" Rufus snapped.
Cloud looked up and without sipping his tea placed his cup down. He stood up once again.
"I'm sorry but I want to meet this girl. I want to see her again." Cloud said sadly.
Rufus frowned. "You don't even know her name."
"But I know her!" Cloud stubbornly said. "I don't know how to explain it but I do. No matter how many times I try to say it to make sense it does not."
"Please let's be practical for a moment," Rufus tried to reason. "Even if you do feel a strong connection with her she simply runs away from you. Trust me if I could I would love for her to marry you because trying to get you to even speak to another lady is impossible. The point, though, is that there are other kingdoms forming alliances. Yes, you and you uncle are clearly aligned and a strong force but..."
"Your still worried about the alliance between the Cetra and the Tsviets kingdoms?" Cloud said. "Aren't you the one who told me the princess was kidnapped or even killed?"
Rufus shuddered. "Unfortunately for the princess, it is a relief to us. The Tsviets are warmongers."
Rufus took his tea and drank it quickly as if to get a bitter taste of what he just said out of his mouth.
Cloud frowned. "You think the Tsviets are searching for her murderers?"
"Murderers, kidnappers, whatever... if they find out who do you think they will go to war with? The Queen of the Cetra is known to be peaceful but never underestimate a mother's anger when it comes to someone harming their child. If she aligns with them fully the Tsviets will gain more resources than we have and whatever kingdom they face will be crushed. What I am worried about is what will happen afterward."
"You think they will try and invade us?" Cloud questioned.
"I hope not but with what I know about the Tsviets Kingdom and it's leader... they will try."
Cloud rubbed his face in frustration. Rufus could clearly see the agitated look on his king's face.
"I'm your adviser," Rufus said. "I cannot sugarcoat this. While I do wish for your happiness, I have to be the practical one in this. We must make an alliance."
Cloud let out a defeated sigh before nodding his head. "I know, unfortunately, I know."
"Then..." Rufus said carefully.
"We'll have another gathering with ladies from the other kingdoms."
Rufus nodded. "Of course we'll have to wait until the cold months end. Unlike your coronation, there will be a much bigger turnout."
Cloud grinned sheepishly. "You know me too well."
Rufus smirked. "Of course I do. If I didn't I wouldn't be doing my job."
"Yeah, you may be doing your job but your guards... not so much," a voice purred.
The king and his adviser looked around the room until they spotted Cait Sith lounging on a windowsill. How he got there was beyond them but there he was.
"You again," Rufus said, annoyance etched in his voice. "What are you doing in the King's study."
"Oh just curious about something," He said, tail twitching.
"And that is?" Rufus snapped.
"Is that a kupo nut tree in the garden?" he asked.
Rufus looked at his king. Cloud shrugged at his adviser but nodded to the cat. Cait Sith rubbed his chin, pondering.
"Why would you plant one here or was it always there?" he questioned.
Cloud responded, "I had it planted here so that My Lady would be able to make me kupo nut soup. Also, she said that if I had one I would see a moogle."
Rufus looked at his king as if he was crazy.
"Moogles don't exist." Rufus said. "Your lady is clearly insane if she believes it."
Caith Sith laughed. "Well, I certainly never seen one but doesn't mean I don't believe in them."
Rufus gave him and look. Cloud shook his head. "Is that all you needed?" Cloud asked.
"Yes, for now I will be off." The cat yawned, stretching his legs before bounding from the room.
Once he was gone, Rufus look over at his king. "What an odd creature."
Cloud shrugged. "No more odd than anyone else in this palace."
XXX
Some months later, Aerith awoke to sunshine streaming into through her window. She blinked and sat up in her bed, Next to her, Cosmog and Moglin were curled up near on another. However, one of her friends was missing. Aerith slipped out of her bed and looked around the room but found no sign of her little friend. She wondered if he left the room for something. She peered out the window and saw that the blanket of snow was slowly melting away.
The winter months had become bitterly cold as Cloud had warned her. Aerith was grateful that she listened to his warning and the advice of her moogle friends. She was sure if she remained in the cabin she would have frozen or even starved to death. As she continued to look out the window for Mog, Moglin and Cosmog began to stir.
"Morning," Cosmog yawned.
"Oh, the sun is finally out," Moglin said rubbing one of her eyes. "Where is Mog?"
Cosmog and Moglin looked around the room. The chubbier moogle even looked under the cover to see if his friend had burrowed himself but to no avail.
"I don't know," Aerith said, "he wasn't here when I woke up."
"That moogle!" Moglin sniveled, "Always so inconsiderate. He runs off without ever telling us where he is going!"
Aerith shrugged. "I am sure he is doing something important."
"Like getting kupo nuts." Cosmog said. I bet he has a stash hidden somewhere."
Moglin rolled her eyes. "You mean YOU have a stash hiding somewhere. I would like to know where you keep all your kupo nuts!"
Suddenly, Moglin grabbed Cosmog by his pompom and began to feel his sides as if he were to have a hidden pocket in his fur. Cosmog began laughing hysterically. Aerith began to laugh as well when she saw something out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh!" she called out. "Mog is in the garden."
"What is he doing out there?" Moglin said, letting go of Cosmog to join Aerith at the window.
"I don't know..." Aerith said. "I hope he is okay. I'll go check on him."
Aerith grabbed her red coat and flung it over her before exiting the room. Moglin pressed her nose to the window to peer out. She could barely make out Mog's figure in the garden. Once outside, she traversed the garden to where she last spotted her moogle friend. Arriving at the spot, Aerith could see no sign of her friend. Aerith frowned.
"Now where did he go?" Aerith thought aloud.
She looked around and saw a pair of tiny footprints on the snowy ground. They did not belong to mog as they were too big and also it was a print of shoes, not a paws. Had she mistaken her friend being here for someone else? Suddenly, the sloshing sound of someone walking across wet snow alerted her of a presence.
"Mog?" she called out. "Are you here?"
"Excuse me?"
Aerith spun around and gasped. Before her was Cloud. She bowed her head.
"My Lady?" Cloud said softly. "Is something wrong?"
"Uh, no your majesty." Aerith said. She was sure her face was flushed. She was grateful he could not see her face.
"Are you looking for someone?" he asked. "I heard you call out..."
"No, yes... no..." Aerith fumbled with her words.
Cloud chuckled, "Well which is it? Yes or no?"
"I was looking for something to do... Yuffie is training now so I do not have much to do..." Aerith lied.
"Well, would you care to walk with me then?" he asked. "I could use the company."
"If your majesty wishes..."
"Must you be so formal with me, My Lady?" he asked. "I would think by now you would comfortable around me."
Aerith frowned as she stared at the ground. "It would be improper of me."
Cloud shook his head. "You are my savior. I think by now you would enjoy the benefits of that."
Cloud let out a laugh as he imagined this lady in fur living in the lap of luxury. Aerith's lips twitched into a smile. However, she did not join in the king's laughter. Seeing that she did not join in Cloud stopped, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"Join me for a stroll," he said holding out an arm.
Had Aerith been stripped of her guise and been her true self she would have taken in his arm. Instead she kept a small distance from him and the two strolled along.
"The spring months are coming," Cloud said. "Soon this garden will be full once again."
Aerith nodded. "It will be nice to see it blooming."
"Yes, it will be." Cloud agreed. "I look forward to it. More so than what is coming..."
"What does his highness mean?"
"Oh, sorry I did not mean to sound like I am complaining. Who am I to complain anyway, right?"
"Even those of privilege have a right to complain once in a while... if something is wrong you should talk about it."
Cloud sighed. "You seem like the only one I can talk to about my problems. Everyone else I think would not understand."
"Tell me, please."
Aerith enjoyed when the king confined in her. It made her feel close to him in this form. If could share his worries with her to alleviate any stress, it was worth it. She would also do whatever she could to help, albeit even a little.
"I am supposed to pick a bride."
The moment those words slipped from his mouth, Aerith felt a crushing blow to her chest. She felt her heart clench tightly. She bit down on her lip to keep herself from crying out.
"It is... unfortunate but as king I am expected to marry and have a heir." Cloud explained.
"W-when will you be choosing a bride?" Aerith tried her best to keep her voice from trembling as she spoke.
"Once spring sets in Rufus will announce yet another party for all the eligible ladies. I shouldn't complain as I do not know any of them yet but..."
Cloud drifted off as if something caught his attention. Aerith stared at the barren garden. She let out a sad sigh.
"Is something wrong, My Lady?" Cloud asked.
"Huh... oh... no." Aerith replied.
"You seem unlike yourself."
"Do I?"
"Yes, please tell me what is troubling you."
"It's... that is... I am..." Aerith stumbled and Cloud looked concerned. "I must go your majesty... I am late."
Aerith spun around intending to leave when she felt the king grasp her hand. Aerith cried out from his sudden touch, causing the king to remove his hand quickly. He looked at her with confusion and Aerith from under her hood felt hot tears at the brim. She turned away and made haste.
Aerith was on the other half the garden, nearing entry to the castle when she nearly collided with someone. She gasped and saw Mog before her.
"Mog," Aerith whispered.
"Why are you running away?" he asked. "The king wants to talk to you!"
Aerith shook her head. "I cannot... he is going to marry someone else. He is going to a choose a bride soon to be his queen."
"But... you love him." Mog said sadly. "You can marry him."
Aerith's heart clenched as she spoke out, "No, I am engaged to King Weiss... and if I am discovered... he will find me and take me away."
She pushed past the moogle and ran inside the castle, hurrying to her room. Tears poured down her face but she did not let out a cry or any other indication of distress. She should have known she could never be with Cloud, no matter how much she wanted to be. As long as she was engaged to Weiss she could never be with Cloud. It was too cruel of a fate. Soon she would see her beloved King married to another and she would only be a hermit to lives in the palace known as "red fur" by many. It would be too painful to become any closer to him.
Sure enough Aerith kept her distance from the king. She continued to work with Yuffie until her chores were done, would bump into Cait Sith for a small chat, and have playful banter with Reno and Rude. Yet, if the king ever came into her line of vision she would dart off in another direction to avoid talking to him.
Mog tried to coax Aerith into reconsidering talking to the king. However, she would not hear of it. She constantly mentioned that this was how things should be, end of discussion. Mog would speak with Moglin and Cosmog about it. They too also thought it was nonsensical. Aerith had feelings for Cloud and they could see the pain it caused her to have abandon such feelings.
One day, Aerith was washing bedding with Yuffie. The younger girl was complaining about cleaning since now the snow had completely melted, and it seemed the castle was stuffy and needed to be thoroughly cleaned.
"I hate winter, it seems the castle gets so dirty." Yuffie groaned. "I swear the bedding smells so awful!"
Aerith nodded.
"Everyone is so busy and I'm going to miss out on lessons today!" Yuffie continued.
Aerith nodded.
"I got really good over the winter, ya know?"
Aerith nodded again.
"Red, are you going to talk or are you going to scrub that same bed sheet until there is a hole in it?"
Aerith nodded.
Yuffie's cheeks puffed up as her eyebrows knitted together. She grabbed the sheet in her friend's hand and yanked it out of her grip. Startled, Aerith looked up at her.
"Are you okay under there Red?" Yuffie asked.
"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts."
Yuffie placed a hand on her head. "Red, you haven't been here all day or any other day. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really..." Aerith said.
Yuffie made a noise and then grabbed a basket of clean bedding. "Here take these upstairs and go outside and get fresh air. I think you need it."
Aerith nodded, "Sorry, I'll be back soon."
"Take your time and come back when your normal!" Yuffie said. "I feel like I am talking to a wall."
Aerith left the room with the basket in hand. As Yuffie suggested, Aerith went outside to take in the fresh air. She walked slowly, taking in the fresh air. As she walked she noticed the servants were rushing around, more so than normal. Aerith stopped and remembered there was another time they had rushed around like this. It was when...
"So you're still here." A voice boomed. "Not sick of my nephew yet?"
Aerith looked around until she spotted the familiar face of King Cid. He was dressed in a formal looking attire. On either side of him where his two bodyguards, Barret and Vincent.
"Your highness," Aerith said, her voice small. "I did not expect you to be here."
"No one did!" he laughed.
"The king finds it funny to see the servants rush around," Vincent explained, shaking his head in dismay.
"They act as if I am a king or something," Cid continued laughing.
"You are a king." Aerith said.
"No shit?" Cid replied. "I was supposed to arrive two days from now but why wait?"
"Your nephew will probably be running out here any moment?" Barret said.
Aerith bowed her head. "I should be going. I have much work to do."
Cid scoffed, "Sure you do. You are a guest here and you do cleaning. What the hell is the world coming to."
Aerith tried to move around him to leave when he grabbed hold of the basket.
"What too busy to talk to me?" snapped Cid.
"Uh no, not at all..." Aerith nervously replied.
"Uncle, please stop teasing her," Cloud voice called.
Aerith stiffened. She wanted to run but King Cid still firmly held the basket in his hand and Cloud's approach was swift. Once at his side Cloud gave his uncle a wry smile.
"Will you ever announce that you are coming?" he asked. "You put everyone in a panic."
"When I'm dead." he joked. "How's my nephew?"
"Fine, just fine."
Aerith could hear a hint of distress in Cloud's voice. He was not fine. Aerith wondered what was wrong.
"How are you and your guards?" Cloud asked.
"They're fine right?" Cid asked looking back at them.
"Fine," the said in union.
Cid laughed. "See? We are all fine!"
Cloud joined in on the laugh but it was a sad sounding one. It did not take a second for Cid to notice his nephew's unease.
"Spill it kid, what's wrong with you?" Cid demanded.
Cloud sighed. "You know why. I'm going to be choosing a bride soon."
"Oh so that's why I was invited to his party? To make sure you choose a good one?" Cid asked, letting go of Aerith's basket.
"I trust your judgment."
Aerith felt her heart clench. Without so much as a word she slipped away. She quickly carried the basket to the upstairs rooms where the servants were setting rooms for guests. Aerith could not even mutter a word to them but simply dropped off the basket and left. She did not even return to finish helping Yuffie, instead she was wandering back to her room.
"My Lady!"
Aerith turned her head to see Cloud approaching her. She stopped and waited for him.
"You left in such a hurry," he said. "My uncle wanted you to have lunch with him."
Aerith looked down.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. "You have not been yourself for a long time."
"I wish to rest, that is all." she responded, her voice small.
"Have I offended you in some way?" Cloud asked, worried. "If I have then I am..."
"No!" came her haste reply. "You have never done anything wrong... I..."
Aerith tightened her hands into fists. She wanted desperately to say the words in her heart. To reveal herself to him, to be with him.
"My Lady?"
Cloud reached over to touch her arm but Aerith pulled away before she could. She looked away.
"Forgive me, I wish to rest now."
Cloud frowned, "Very well. I shall inform my uncle."
With that, Cloud left. Aerith turned to watch him go. If he could see her face at this very moment he would have seen the heartbreaking look in her eyes.