Though the Heavens Fall
Chapter Six
By: DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed: Destiny. They belong to their respective creators, owners, licensees.
The further she went inland, the more she missed the ocean she had lived beside for most of her life. She leaned out the window, her elbow on the sill as she gazed over the rolling hills around them. The carriage trotted along with nothing but the sound of the wooden wheels and the horses' footsteps.
Beside her, Auel leaned back against the cushioned carriage seats, glancing from Stellar's half-distracted, half-thoughtful face, to Sting's pensive one across from them. After a week or so of travel, it seemed as though Stellar had grown tired of their attempts to get her remember and so, their conversations had dwindled into a tired silence.
The two young nobles had hoped that the change in scenery would trigger something in Stellar's memory, so they said nothing when they saw her gaze out the window and survey the passing countryside. Nothing had come from it, so far, except early on, when they first crossed the border into Federation territory and Stellar was aghast at the sight of the troops stationed at the border.
Her maroon eyes were wide with concern and panic. Sting had been quick to assure her that they were merely stationed at the border as a precaution, but were not advancing. Despite his words, Stellar wasn't comforted. She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as they paraded through the lines of military tents, weapons, and soldiers.
She hadn't said anything, but she was secretly relieved to see that Orb's soldiers, along with a good handful of Aisha's Chartreuse Haumea Elite, along the border region. At least she knew that if something did happen, Orb and her daughters would be prepared to give their all for their country.
Stellar released a heavy breath and clasped the cloth of her maroon colored pants. She would be ready, as well.
"What are you thinking about?" Auel asked beside her suddenly. The young blonde beside him perked up and straightened in her seat. She looked over at him, silently wondering if she had missed something he had said earlier.
"The border region," she replied solemnly as she sat up. "Stellar is concerned. For both sides," she added.
Sting leaned forward and gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry, Stellar. Like we told you earlier, it is only a precaution."
"Perhaps only for the time being…" she wanted to reply. Her eyes shifted back out the window. "The soldiers did not want to be there."
"Orb's or ours?" Auel asked curiously.
She bit her cheek to keep from correcting him. To her, 'Orb's' was 'hers'. "Both, but Stellar heard what the Federation soldiers were saying," she told them. Her eyes narrowed. "Why is the Federation putting so much in the military, but not into its towns and villages?"
The two nobles glanced at each other, unsure exactly how to answer. They had already passed numerous towns and villages that dotted the road to the capital. The further they were from the capital, the more dilapidated and seemingly abandoned they were.
"After the war with Plants, there was a drought and many people abandoned the border regions for work closer to the interior," Sting explained.
"Is it like that everywhere here?"
"No, just the border areas with Plants and Orb," Auel was quick to reply. "With tensions rising, people are hesitant to return, despite the fertile soil."
"Then do not station soldiers there," Stellar answered, as if it were obviously. "If the people do not see soldiers preparing for a war, the people will be comforted with a semblance of stability and will want to re-settle."
"Ah…" Sting said as he glanced at Auel. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Stellar. You see, Orb controls the region where the water going to the southern valleys and much of the water is diverted to their agricultural region. If people re-settle, they will need the water to irrigate their crops."
"Then request assistance from Orb," Stellar replied. "There is no need to invade. Orb does not want a war and Orb will help to avoid one."
They didn't want to tell her that it was too late for simply asking Orb for help. The Federation was under stress from it's allied countries who had aided in the earlier war. The country was in debt and unable to pay what it owed the countries who had assisted them during the Plants War. They felt that their only solution was to claim some of Orb's wealth and distribute it amongst their neighboring countries to assure that the Federation itself wasn't torn apart and divided amongst them.
"Like Sting was saying, the situation is not that simple," Auel told her. "It is…a difficult matter for us to explain and not our place to explain it. It would be best for you to ask your brother later on."
Stellar nearly slipped once more; about to ask them what exactly Kira would know about the Federation's circumstances. Her eyes lowered. She would have to get used to that the longer she was in the Federation. There, her brother was a king, not a scholar. He was blond, not brunette. He had a younger sister, but not a twin.
She went silent once more and looked out the window. They would reach the capital city soon. It was the place where all the important decisions of the country would be made and for a moment, Stellar wondered what was happening back in Orb's capital of Onogoro.
Her eyes closed as she took a deep breath. What was Cagalli doing? Did she lock herself up in her office and pour through various documents to try to find a way to bring her back? Was she angry at her for leaving? Stellar even entertained the thought that perhaps Cagalli was proud of her.
After all, rather than hide behind them and insist on selfishly staying in Orb, she had taken it upon herself to act as a de-facto ambassador to the neighboring country. No matter what the nobles who escorted her thought, Stellar felt her mission was clear; to stop a war between the Alliance and Orb. Meeting her 'brother' and visiting her 'homeland' to regain her memories of her childhood came second.
"We're nearing the gates," Sting said suddenly. Stellar looked across from her. Sting was looking outside the window from his seat and scooted to the side. He motioned one hand to call her over. Gingerly, Stellar stood up in the moving carriage and took a seat next to the green-haired man. He directed her attention out the window. "You can see the gates to the city from here."
Stellar peered out the window and squinted. A long gray stone wall surrounded the lower boundaries of the city over-looking the river. At the top of the hill the village was built around was a towering citadel of a castle. Various buildings spread out from its base to the outer parts of the wall before the surrounding farmlands took over.
"Does it look familiar?" Auel asked earnestly.
The blonde woman squinted. She wanted to say it seemed familiar, but wasn't sure if it was familiar because she had seen it before or if the idea of a castle on a hill was common.
"Stellar isn't sure…" she admitted quietly.
"That's better than a no," Sting offered. Stellar merely nodded and kept her eyes fixed out the window.
"The Loussier family owned nearly half of the surrounding farmlands," Sting told her as they traveled along an elevated road that cut through the many fields. "Your mother, Lady Loussier, was the last remaining member of the family and after your ship was found washed ashore with no survivors, your brother had taken it upon himself to make sure they were kept running."
Stellar found her head nodding thoughtlessly. Half of the surrounding farmlands? Her mother? Now that she thought about it, the entire trip, they had been trying to get her to remember her memories, especially concerning themselves and the king, but they had said nothing about her mother.
She sat up straight and looked over at the other two. "Stellar hasn't heard anything about Stellar's mother," she pointed out. "What was Stellar's mother like?"
For a moment, Auel and Sting looked surprised. It was quickly replaced with hope. It was the first time that Stellar asked about anyone in her past and they jumped at the chance.
"Lady Loussier was a beautiful woman," Sting told her without any hesitation. "She was lovely and kind and many court members adored her. They thought that after the queen mother passed away, your father would marry Lady Loussier. She was always very close to him and his current Highness adored her."
Stellar wrinkled her nose. "Why did the former king and Lady Loussier not get married?"
"No one really knows," Sting admitted. "Although, people suspect that it was because she was the last Loussier and wanted someone to continue the line."
"My mother once said that the former king wanted to recognize you and take you into his family, but Lady Loussier was insistent on making you a Loussier," Auel added. "She always brought you everywhere with her."
"That was part o the reason why many thought you had passed on when the ship overturned," Sting told her solemnly. "They found Lady Loussier's body along with others, but couldn't find you. They thought that you might have been lost at sea and drowned."
The young woman beside him bit her lower lip and nodded. Despite hearing about how they thought she was dead, it did bring her some comfort to be told that her mother was on the good side of the other nobles. Perhaps they would not treat her horribly. At the same time, she didn't want them to forget that she had spent a good portion of her life in Orb and was living as an Orb Citizen.
She may have been a Loussier, perhaps even an Azrael, but she was definitely an Athha and a Haumea Elite. She looked back down at her clothes as if to remind herself what she was.
The carriage came to a stop and Stellar lifted her head.
"They're checking for identification," Auel told her as she looked out the window. She hadn't even realized they had made their way through the city and had already arrived at the main gates of the castle itself.
The small parade of carriages had been stopped as soldiers surrounded them; their head checking the identification of the carriages.
"Lord Sting Oakley, Lord Auel Neider II, and Lady Stellar Loussier VI," Sting said beside her. Stellar snapped her head to her right. The window as open and its curtains pushed aside as Sting showed two pieces of identification to a guard that was standing outside. "His Highness is expecting us."
The guard glanced into the carriage and met her wide-eyed gaze. He lowered his head and gave her a small bow. "Thank you, Lord Oakley," he said, allowing the other man to lower his hand. "Welcome home, my lady."
She shifted awkwardly in her seat. She wasn't used to being called 'my lady'. Those she had been around who believed her to be part of the Federation's noble family had always addressed her simply as "Stellar". At the Zala Estate, if she wasn't "Stellar" to those familiar to her, she bared the "Young Mistress" honorific, as Mayu did.
"Thank you," Sting gave the guard a small nod of his head and allowed the curtains to fall back into place.
Auel leaned back against his seat and smiled at Stellar. "It looks like the entire country is waiting for you," he told her cheerfully.
Stellar offered him a weak smile. She wasn't comfortable with that notion.
The carriage jerked into movement once more and Stellar looked back out her window as they moved up the stone path that head to the castle.
Gray stone slabs made up the face of the old dwelling; a stark contrast to the smooth white alabaster of the Onogoro Palace. The sprawling gardens were mostly made up of grass, shrubs, and thick trees. There weren't really any flowers.
They came to a stop in front of the staircase that led up to the castle's front doors. Guards lined the area in a neat order. Whether it was for show or actually for security, Stellar was unsure. The door to the carriage was held open and Sting and Auel exited first.
She knew that the carriages in front of and behind theirs also had passengers disembarking, but was sure that everyone was waiting for her. She remained rooted in her seat and took a deep breath.
"Stellar," Sting called out encouragingly. "It's time."
She released her breath and stood up. She held on to the side of the carriage as she stepped down. She could sense everyone's eyes on her as she looked around curiously, trying to find something to look at other than meet someone's curious gaze.
"Come, Stellar," Auel said as he waved for her to join them. She found her arm on Sting's as he escorted her up the stairs. "His Highness is waiting for you."
Stellar nodded her head and looked straight ahead of her. She held her head high and straightened her posture, almost automatically. She was a Haumea Elite and refused to represent her sisters and country with her head lowered, as if ashamed.
They walked up the steps and entered the castle's foyer. Before they could get any further, Lord Djibril, who had ascended before them, stopped them and motioned to two servants.
"Stellar, you will go with the servants to change in preparation for your meeting with His Highness, King Murata," he told her calmly.
She jerked her head back. "Change?" she asked, confused. What was wrong with what she was wearing? Her suit was clean and nicely pressed. "Why does Stellar have to change?"
Around her, they exchanged glances. The servants suddenly looked unsure and Sting looked uncomfortable.
"Well, it is…inappropriate to greet the king dressed as you are," Djibril stated. "We would like you to dress in something more fitting of your position."
Her eyes narrowed. Her position? She was wearing something fitting of her position. "Stellar will go dressed as Stellar is," she said seriously.
"Stellar," Sting said quietly beside her. "You should wear something befitting of a princess."
"Stellar is not a princess," she replied curtly. "Stellar is a Haumea Elite and dressed like one. Stellar will greet King Murata like this."
Djibril frowned, unsure how the king would take seeing his beloved estranged little sister dressed as one of Orb's elite warrior women. "It's fine, isn't it?" Auel asked suddenly. "She can dress in a gown after her coronation. Right now, it is a bit rude to hold her back from seeing her brother, especially after how long he has waited for her."
Silently, Stellar thanked the blue-haired young man, though wondered if he was just impatient. Djibril looked hesitant, but nodded. "That is true," he acknowledged. "There is plenty of time later for ball gowns and dresses. It is important to bring her into the court."
"The court?" Stellar repeated quietly as they began walking again.
"The royal court has probably come to see you," Sting whispered back. He gave her hand a small, comforting pat. "It is fine, Stellar. Nothing to worry about."
She gave him a nod and put on a determined look no her face. One person or one city, it didn't matter. She had come too far to shy away. They reached a set of double doors and Lord Djibril spoke to the guard standing by the frame. The man in the uniform nodded and stepped through the threshold.
Stellar steeled herself. "Lady Stellar Loussier, daughter of late Lady Stella Loussier V."
That was her cue. She didn't stop to mull over her mother's full name. Without any hesitation, head held high, and a look of confidence on her face, Stellar stepped into the throne room.
Immediately, the room that had held their breaths began to hum with whispers and subdued conversations. They all seemed to be judging the young woman as she walked into the room. Sting had left her side to allow her to walk down the velvet lined pathway leading towards the throne by herself.
At the other end, a man draped in white slowly rose from his seat. His short blond hair framed his pale face. His eyes widened as Stellar approached in silence.
The young woman reached the front of the throne and bowed to him.
"Good day, Your Highness," she said as she gave home a formal bow. "My name is Stellar Loussier Athha. I have come from Orb."
She heard his clothes rustle as he stepped down from the elevated level of his throne. "Stand," he commanded in a gentle voice. Stellar did as she was told and stood up straight. The older man circled her slowly, his eyes surveying her carefully. He stepped in front of her and looked at her face. The same eyes, the same hair. "Smile for me," he told her.
She looked confused for a moment. She didn't feel like smiling. She shoved her inhibitions back and closed her eyes.
"Come on Stellar," she could hear Cagalli's voice urging. "Give your big sister a smile."
Her eyes opened a warm, wide smile reached her face.
The man who had been looking at her so critically drew his head back. His eyes were widened once more. He seemed to be thinking for a moment before a soft smile graced his face. His shoulders relaxed and his eyes softened.
For a second, Stellar's smile faltered. It was not Cagalli's face or even Kira's that filled her mind. It was that of a boy nearly ten years her senior giving her that same warm, encouraging smile.
"Stellar," he said softly.
"Stellar? Stellar, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Do you want your big brother to beat him up?" he had asked when he found her curled up in the garden, her eyes filled with tears after some noble's son teased and subsequently pushed her into one of the fountains. "Tell me who did this! I won't let them get away!"
She remembered looking up at him with trembling lips and feeling comforted just knowing that he was there.
Her eyes crinkled up as she raised her hands to her head. Her head hurt.
"Stellar?" His face, just moments earlier filled with joy, suddenly looked concerned. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Stellar, are you alright?"
She closed her eyes tightly as she stumbled back. She felt someone beside her, holding her up as her legs wobbled. Auel and Sting were at her sides. "Stellar?" Sting's voice called out worriedly.
"Do you need to sit?" Auel asked.
She blinked as her head pulsated. "What's wrong?" Murata asked. "Auel! Sting! Have her take a seat!" he said as he motioned for them to put her on his throne.
Before the two nobles could carry her up the steps and to the elaborate chair, Stellar shook her head and pushed them away from her. She rubbed her temples as she lifted her head and looked back at the King of the Federation.
He was familiar. No, more than simply familiar. She knew him. Perhaps not as well as Cagalli or Kira, but she knew him. For a moment, a feeling overcame the nervousness; she was scared.
Her eyes looked at him, half-afraid and half-unsure.
"Mura?"
"It's just faster this way," Athrun assured the pink-haired monarch as they walked through the halls of the palace. He had come to the capital after he completed his tours of the bases to drop off his reports at the Red Knights headquarters, which was connected to the palace.
By sheer luck, Lacus had just gotten out of a meeting and was heading to lunch in the inner sanctums when she ran into the casually dressed knight. A wide smile graced her face as she greeted him.
"You could have had them sent from your home," Lacus pointed out.
Athrun's cheeks reddened slightly. If he had gone home rather than gone straight to the palace, he would've lost a day's travel time to Orb. And he was not willing to lose even a second. "The headquarters is on my way, Lacus. This was clearly the most practical route."
The queen giggled and nodded. "I'm sure it is," she assured him. "I'm sure you can't wait to be back in the presence of your lovely wife."
"Ah…" Athrun smiled intently as he looked out at the hall they were walking down. "I've never been more home sick in my life, Lacus. Truly, the last few days have seemingly dragged on and on."
"Why Athrun, I never knew you considered Orb your home now," she told him warmly. "Although in recent months it seems that you have taken up residence there far more than you have at your family's estate."
"Well, you know what they say," Athrun chuckled. "Home is where the heart is. I'm sure at this point everyone in Orb knows where mine is."
Lacus laughed and nodded. "I am sure everyone is happy for you both, even if they were hesitant in the beginning."
Athrun nodded. Slowly, his smile faded and he looked at the woman beside him. "Speaking of those hesitant…" he said carefully. "When are you planning to come to Orb. Isn't there someone there you'd like to see?"
Lacus' pleasant smile wakened at the thought of a gentle smile and purple eyes. She could feel her heart quicken at the thought before sinking into despair. "I'm afraid with the position I am in, such a thing is not as simple as yours," she admitted softly.
The blue-haired knight gave her a small, sad smile and took her hand. "Perhaps," he told her gently. "But I do not believe it is as difficult as you make it out to be."
She tilted her head to the side curiously. "Athrun…Kira is an Orb citizen and I…" she trailed off, her eyes looking away sadly.
"You?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What are you, Lacus?" he continued.
"Sir Hahnenfuss," a voice said from the end of the hall. The two turned their heads back towards the entrance they were heading towards. Guards were saluting the red-clad figure approaching them.
Athrun released Lacus' hand and stood up straight. "Shiho?" he asked with a frown.
"I thought she was in Orb…" Lacus murmured.
"As did I," Athrun nodded in agreement. "Shiho," he greeted as he raised a hand to get her attention.
The brown-haired woman turned her attention towards them and gave her sovereign a bow before turning to Athrun and giving him a respectful bow of her head. "Your Majesty, my lord. Good day."
"Good day, Shiho," Lacus beamed.
"Shiho," Athrun said sternly. "What are you doing here? I was told you were on leave in Orb."
"Yes, I was there to work on my dual citizenship," Shiho reported dutifully as she stopped before them. "With Captain Athha and Captain Haww's help, I was able to have it completed swiftly. I even had time to look over the property I inherited."
"That's good to hear," Lacus said. She looked at her, a bit confused. "But why are you here? I thought Yzak was in Orb. Shouldn't you be there?"
Her figure tensed and Athrun narrowed his eyes. "Sir Elsman is there to assist him, my queen. I have been sent back."
"Who sent you back?" Athrun asked in a low voice. He already knew.
Shiho didn't like where the conversation was going, but answered. "Lord Joule, Lord Zala."
His jaw locked. Green eyes narrowed. He drew his head back. "What is that idiot thinking?" he hissed in a low voice. He took a deep breath and turned to Lacus. "I should take my leave now, Lacus."
"Of course, Athrun," the ruler said as she reached forward to gather him in a hug. "Have a safe trip, my friend. My regards to the family there."
"Thank you, I shall tell them," Athrun said as he returned the hug and released her. He turned to Shiho and met her eyes. "Please be patient, Shiho. I will set him straight."
The female knight's eyes widened. Athrun turned around and began walking purposefully towards the front entrance. Shiho couldn't control herself. She turned around and took a step forward, her hand extending.
"Wait, Lord Zala," she called out after the blue-haired knight. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "It's fine," she assured him. "It is best that I am here to oversee his orders."
"Is it really?" Athrun asked with a frown. "Is that what he told you?"
Her heart tightened. "Yes," she replied as confidently as she could. "Lord Zala, I understand full well my position as a Red Knight and as Lord Joule's secretary. I agree that returning to Plants is a wise decision and in the best interest of the knights."
Irritated eyes bore into hers and Shiho felt her confidence waver. She hadn't seen those eyes in quite some time. They were the cold, stern eyes of Captain Athrun Zala, the widowed Red Knight, before he met and fell in love with Captain Cagalli Yula Athha. They were his war eyes and being at the receiving end was unnerving.
"What about for you as simply Shiho Hahnenfuss?" he asked, straight to the point.
"Athrun…" Lacus said in a low voice as she glanced from one knight to the other worriedly. Shiho had frozen in her place, her mind momentarily going black, unable to fathom what he was asking or rather, unable to give him a valid answer.
"For us, whose lives are woven so deeply into our duties and responsibilities, it is often difficult to make a personal decision for ourselves knowing that what we decide to do or say will affect so many other lives," Athrun told them. "But we should not use our duties and positions as an excuse. That is not what they are there for."
Lacus stared at him. Clearly, his words were not only meant for Shiho. She looked at the brown-haired woman beside her. An excuse…?
Athrun gave them a curt nod of his head. "I will speak to him," he assured them before he turned around and continued walking.
Shiho blinked as his words settled in. She shook her head and took another step forward. "Lord Zala!" she called out once more. "Please see to Captain Athha first!" she said, unable to understand why she had even wanted to tell him. He was bound to go to her first, anyway.
The blue-haired man looked over his shoulder, a wide smile at the sound of his wife's name. "There is no other I would see before her," he assured them.
Shiho opened her mouth to elaborate, but Athrun had already stepped through the doors of the castle. Her shoulders dropped back a bit as she narrowed her eyes. A warm hand rested on her shoulder and she quickly tensed.
"Shiho," Lacus said softly behind her. The knight turned around and met the concerned face of the Plants Queen. "Is there something the matter with Cagalli?"
The knight took a step back and collected herself. "It…is not a matter of Cagalli herself, my queen…"
Dearka lifted his hand and gave the Elite standing guard at the front gates of the Azure Seray a wave and thanked her for her Seray's hospitality. As his and Yzak's horses trotted out on to the main road that lead back to the city, the golden-haired man narrowed his eyes and looked over at the silver-haired man beside him.
Yzak sat upon his horse proudly, a stern look still present on his face as his lips set into a tight line. Dearka rolled his eyes.
"What was that?" he asked in a low voice as he looked forward.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Yzak asked coldly without looking over.
Dearka snapped his head to the side and scowled. "You know what!" he exclaimed. "Forty-five minutes of silence! Silence, Yzak! You didn't speak to her for forty-five minutes straight!"
"Are you deaf?" Yzak frowned, still refusing to meet the other man's irritated glare. "We held a small conversation."
Dearka stared at him as if he was lost his mind. "I doubt that complimenting the tea and the cakes without even making eye contact constitute for a conversation."
"You're reading too much into this," Yzak replied calmly. He glanced over and raised an eyebrow. "And what were you doing looming over us, anyway? Weren't you supposed to stalk Captain Haww?"
Dearka jerked his head back, somewhat insulted. "First of all, Mir had a joint training session with the Rouge Seray, so she wasn't at the estate. Second, don't try to change the subject."
"I'm just stating a fact," Yzak answered. "Normally, you don't stand so close, watching my every move like a hawk."
"It is just that you have finally actually narrowed your choices to one Azure Haumea Elite and one Chartreuse Haumea Elite and you don't even talk to them when you meet with them," Dearka lamented. "Have you no social skills at all? Have I been correct this entire time?"
Yzak shot him a glare. "It is fine, Dearka," he hissed in a low voice.
The blond rolled his eyes once more. "Yes, because there is clearly no communication in marriage."
The silver-haired man merely ignored him and quickened the speed of his horse. "This is not your problem, Dearka."
The other knight sped up as well. "Honestly, Yzak, you have to put in some effort into your courtship," he stated. "And to be clear, it is my business. It is my job to watch over you and take note of your progression during your meetings with prospective brides."
Yzak scowled. "Who exactly assigned you such a task? Shiho? Athrun?"
Dearka looked at him curiously. "Your mother," he stated simply.
Beside him, Yzak felt his irritation fizzle. He had forgotten about her and suddenly felt foolish for even suggesting that Shiho of all people had ordered Dearka to keep an eye on him. They were the same rank; she couldn't order the other secretary so easily. He grimaced inwardly. Dearka wasn't so naïve as to ignore his slip.
The secretary opened his mouth and Yzak quickly cut him off. "Keep your opinions to yourself if you wish to make it back to the palace in one piece."
His mouth snapped closed and let out a heavy sigh. They entered the city and cut through in silence. After showing their identification at the gates to the palace, they were allowed inside.
As they slid off their saddles and handed the reins of their horses to awaiting stable hands a voice called from the front of the doors. "Well? How did it go?" the earnest voice of Ezalia Joule asked.
She stood to the side as her son trudged up the steps and gave her a small bow. "It went fine, mother."
"Fine? Only fine?" the noblewoman frowned.
"Can it wait?" Yzak sighed as he walked past her. "I still have some work to do and I spent the entire day with the volunteer Elites."
"Yzak!" Ezalia called out, only to be ignored by a son who made a beeline to the stairs. She frowned and shook her head before turning to her son's male secretary. "Dearka, I want your full report!" she told him as she waved her hand to have him follow her.
"Unfortunately, my lady, there is not much to report," Dearka admitted.
The silver-haired woman frowned more-so. That was not what she wanted to hear. "He did go and visit his two prospects today, didn't he?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes.
Dearka nodded his head. "Yes, my lady. He went to visit Corporal Labatt, a cousin of Mayura Labatt, in the Azure Seray and Lance Corporal Todaka, grand niece of General Tokada of Orb's military in the Chartreuse Seray."
"Hmm…" Ezalia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. At least her son actually made it to his meetings with the girls. "The Labatt girl…the brunette, right?"
"Yes, Lady Joule," Dearka confirmed. "The other has purple hair. And of the two Chartreuse Elites, Tokada has brown hair."
Ezalia nodded once more. "They are nice girls," she mused. She looked at Dearka. "How did lunch and tea go?"
"Ah…" Dearka hesitated. "Rather silently, my lady," he reported. Ezalia raised an eyebrow and Dearka continued. "After he arrived and the proper greetings were exchanged, the meals lapsed into silence for their duration."
"Silence?" the woman spat out.
"Well, they did talk about the food, my lady. Your son seems to have really enjoyed those crab cakes," Dearka offered.
"And…?" Ezalia asked hopefully. "Was there nothing else exchanged?"
"Not really, my lady, though he remained a gentleman throughout both meetings." Ezalia let out a heavy breath and nodded her head. "I see…" she murmured. She lifted her and dismissed Dearka. "Thank you for your report, Dearka. You are dismissed."
"Yes, my lady." Dearka stopped and quickly gave the woman a bow before turning around and heading towards his room.
The silver-haired councilor and noblewoman shook her head tiredly as she headed towards one of the open doors that lead to a balcony. She walked through the set of double doors, welcoming the cool, late afternoon breeze through her short hair as she walked towards the railing.
"Lady Joule," a voice said behind her. The woman glanced over her shoulder and gave Lady Amalfi and Lady Durandal a nod of her head.
"Good afternoon," she said pleasantly. The two seemed to be having a small snack on the balcony. "Lovely weather, is it not?"
"Yes, we simply had to have tea out here this afternoon," Lady Amalfi smiled. "Has your son returned from his visits yet, Lady Joule? Nicol arrived a few minutes ago himself."
"Oh, yes, Yzak just returned," the silver-haired woman replied regally. "I told him not to push himself, but he insisted on seeing both women today. He still can't choose between them."
"He seems to be having better luck than my Rey," Lady Durandal sighed tiredly. "Your son is at least visiting women. Rey has been spending much of his time with Shinn since he arrived with his sister and Captain Athha. The two have been gallivanting around the city and exploring the surrounding areas on horseback."
Ezalia smiled, somewhat amused. "His choices are becoming more and more limited with each passing day. I am trying to encourage Yzak to choose between the Labatt girl and the Todaka girl."
"The brunettes from the Azure and Chartreuse Seray?" Lady Amalfi asked, intrigued. She chuckled. "It seems that he has an interest in the dark-haired beauties."
Ezalia furrowed her eyebrows. Now that they mentioned it, that was true. She let out a small chuckle and lifted a hand to her chest. "Now I'm a bit insulted. I thought he would go for a fair-haired woman, just like his father."
"I was speaking to Advisor Simmons earlier today and she was telling me that men seem to a have a trend when it comes to the women they are attracted to," Lady Durandal piped. "It seems that their ideals are shaped by the women they are close to and around most often."
"That does make sense," Lady Amalfi agreed with a nod of her head.
Ezalia pursed her lips and leaned back against the stone railing. There was one other woman who had spent more time with her son in the last few years than even she had. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked back towards the ocean. The one her son had spent much time with had long brown hair, fair skin, and calm, disciplined demeanor.
Their physical appearance might have matched with Yzak's ideals, but the volunteers could never be able to carry themselves the way her son's female secretary could.
"Now that I think about it," she murmured under her breath. "I do believe it does…"
"I don't believe it," Rey said as he shook his head. He bounced along on his horse beside Shinn as they rode up the path to the cliff, away from the town. "She actually let you ride it?"
Shinn sat up proudly on the horse with a golden colored hide. "Are you jealous?" Shinn smirked. "Cagalli said that Akatsuki needed some exercise."
Rey shook his head as he looked over at the black-haired young man beside him. "That is a Haumea Elite's war horse. You're a Red Knight. I just never thought I'd see the day when you'd be riding one of their war horses."
"Akatsuki is a great horse," Shinn said. "But have you seen Gaia?"
"Have I?" Rey choked out. "I've never seen such a huge horse!" he exclaimed. "And to think that someone as tiny as Stellar would be her rider…I was surprised she was even able to climb on so easily."
Shinn nodded in agreement. "I think that after having such a magnificent horse like Gaia, Stellar wouldn't want another. I wasn't surprised when Captain Haww said that Stellar brought Gaia with her to the Federation."
"So she did…," Rey murmured. He took a deep breath and gripped the reins of his horse. "Shinn…what do you think about it?"
"Thank about what?" the red-eyed heir asked.
"About Stellar going to the Federation," Rey clarified. "I was there when she told her brother and they were arguing about it. I'm not sure what to think."
Shinn lowered his eyes. "I would rather she stay in Orb," he said just loud enough for Rey to hear over the sound of the waves. "Here in Orb, she's happy." Rey nodded. Shinn inhaled and released a heavy breath. "At the same time…I wouldn't want to deny her past and that is something she may be able to regain by returning to the Federation."
Rey looked over at his friend. "Do you think she will return?"
"Of course," Shinn replied without a moment of hesitation. He turned and met Rey's gaze proudly. "Stellar will return. She has to. In fact, I wouldn't put it past her to run away if they tried to stop her," Shinn added. "She is Cagalli's sister, after all."
"That's good to hear…"
A look of relief washed over the blond heir's face followed by a look of fondness. Shinn tilted his head to the side, questioningly, but quickly shook off the look. Rey had spent some time with Stellar before he, Cagalli and Mayu arrived and he assumed that Rey and Stellar had become friends of some sort.
Shinn looked back at the path ahead of them. "There is nothing to worry about. Stellar is still a Haumea Elite. We cannot underestimate her resolve. She will return," he repeated. "Orb is her home…" he added softly.
"You sound very confident," Rey smiled as he looked over at the other young man.
Shinn nodded. His eyes glazed over as he looked out at the water to their side. "When she returns, we'll all go back to the island," he said softly. "And we'll spend a day at the water's edge once more…"
Rey nodded thoughtfully as he followed Shinn's gaze before turning back to him. As he looked at the red-eyed man's expression, his warm smile began to fade. That look was not unfamiliar to him and upon discovering it on Shinn's face, his heart began to twist.
Rey quickly lowered his eyes. "Shinn," he began seriously. He couldn't seem to stop himself. "I may have found my bride."
"Really?" The black-haired youth perked up in his seat. A wide smile graced his face as he looked back at his friend. "I'm happy for you," he beamed, making Rey tighten his grip on the reins. "Who is the lucky Elite?"
Rey could feel his blood pounding in his ears. What was he doing? Why was he telling Shinn this? "She's not a volunteer."
Shinn let out a chuckle and shook his head. "That doesn't matter," he said. "Not to me anyway."
"Would you really support me?" Rey asked hopefully. Shinn nodded. Did Rey really think that he wouldn't? They were friends, after all.
"Yes, of course, I would, Rey," Shinn assured him. "I'm sure whoever you choose-"
"It's Stellar."
A deafening silence slipped between them as Shinn's supportive look turned into one of concern and disbelief. Surely, Rey wasn't saying what he thought he was. "I'm sorry…" Shinn said as he shook his head slightly. "Can…can you repeat that? I think I misheard."
Rey took a deep breath. "I said that I like Stellar. Stellar Athha."
Shinn was suddenly at a loss of what to do. "Oh…" he said in a low voice. What else could he say?
Rey looked at Shinn beseechingly. "I spent some time with her here," Rey told Shinn. A small, thoughtful smile reached his face. "And she's very pleasant to be around. The more I think about her, the more..." Rey trailed off, trying to find the words. Shinn continued to stare at him blankly. "The more I think she would be a suitable bride."
"A suitable…" Shinn murmured. His eyes narrowed. "Rey, how!?" he choked out. "Stellar is as complicated a choice as one could get!"
For a moment, Rey looked hurt and Shinn was torn between irritation and guilt. Why did Rey look hurt? He was the one… Shinn tore his eyes away from Rey. He was the one who what?
"It's still okay, isn't it?" Rey asked. "I know that she has particular issues right now, but I really like Stellar. I can't help but think about her with I'm with the others and…"
"No," Shinn said as he shook his head. "I understand, Rey." There was something special about the blonde Elite that had captured his attention. He was foolish to think that no one else had been captured as well.
"Is that…alright?" Rey asked once more. Shinn lifted his head and met Rey's gaze. The blonde's eyes squinted. "Are you alright with this?"
No, he was not. "Yes," he lied. "Why wouldn't I be?" His chest was hurting. He offered Rey a smile. "Stellar is an excellent choice."
"I know," Rey beamed proudly. They began down the hill, back towards the main road. "I can't wait until she returns. I hope everything goes well. I'd like to ask her out and spend some more time with her…do you think she'll accept?"
Shinn kept an encouraging look on his face as he nodded. At the appropriate moments, let out mumbles of agreement and made approving motions with his head. All of Rey's ramblings, however, were lost to him.
"Do you think she'll like me?" Rey continued on.
Shinn nodded his head. "Of course," he answered automatically. They reached the main road and Shinn pulled his reins in the direction of the Azure Seray. "I should get going. We're expecting Athrun to arrive soon and I want to be there when he comes in."
Rey nodded understandingly. "I should return, as well," he agreed. Before he turned and headed in the opposite direction, he looked back at his companion. "Shinn," he called out. The black-haired knight looked over his shoulder. Rey smiled. "Thank you for supporting my decision."
His heart twisted and Shinn gave Rey a small nod of his head. He watched as Rey gently kicked the side of his horse and galloped off towards the city in the distance. Shinn gripped the reins in his hands and turned back towards the direction of the Seray, a feeling of anxiety welling up inside of him.
As he trotted along, he couldn't help but feel frustrated, but was unsure why exactly. It wasn't as if he had any claim to Stellar. They were friends…family at the most. There really was no reason for him to be against Rey's decision, was there?
His eyes lowered as he mulled over what had just happened. He hadn't even realized he had arrived at the front of the Seray estate until he felt the reins being unwound from his hands. His head snapped up and met Lt. Caldwell's eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked, half-amused, half concerned. "You look distracted."
"Ah…sorry," Shinn said as he shook his head. He quickly unwrapped the reins from his hand and handed them to her. "I was just thinking…" his voice trailed off as he saw the familiar horse already being led into the stables further down the path. "Athrun…" he murmured. His eyes widened as he turned towards the Elite. "Has Athrun arrived?"
The woman nodded and gave him a smile. "Just a few minutes before you-"
"Thank you!" Shinn yelled his appreciation as he practically jumped off his Akatsuki and darted towards the house. The Elite chuckled as she watched him scramble up the stairs.
He burst through the doors and into the foyer, his eyes darting around for any sign of the blue-haired nobleman. He paused before the stairs, wondering whether Athrun had gone up the stairs or towards the dining hall.
He felt someone tug at his shirt sleeve and looked to the side. He hadn't even noticed Mayu standing there. "Shinn…"
"Mayu, how was the academy?" he smiled as he patted her head. "Ah, and do you know which way Athrun went?"
"Shinn," Mayu began hesitantly. Her eyes flickered up the stairs. "I think you should give them some time alone?"
Shinn tilted his head to the side. He followed her gaze up the stairs and shook his head. "I'm just going to go greet him," he assured her. He pulled his shirt sleeve away from her and headed up the stairs. "I won't be long."
Mayu bit her lower lip, but allowed her brother to go up the stairs. Shinn made his way to the third floor living quarters and towards Cagalli's room. As he approached, he could see the door was held open part way and he lifted his hand to knock.
He stopped just before he hit the wooden door.
Athrun was on sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed, his legs on either side of a red and brown clad woman he had gathered in his arms. Her fingers were digging into his shirt as she buried her face in his shoulder. Muffled sobs filled the room as she shook in his embrace. "She's gone…" Shinn could make out. "What if they take her…?"
She was talking about Stellar. Shinn's eyes widened. It had been days since they arrived and Cagalli hadn't shown any sign of emotional distress. In fact, she had gone through her days as if everything were fine and that Stellar was on a mission for the Azure Seray. Shinn assumed that she was confident that Stellar would return.
Suddenly, Athrun had arrived and Cagalli broke down and Shinn couldn't help but be surprised. Had she been holding it in that entire time?
Beside her, Athrun's arms were trying to envelope Cagalli desperately against him. His eyes were shielded by his bangs as he hunched forward and pressed his head against hers. His own shoulders were trembling. He was whispering something in her ear, but Shinn couldn't make it out.
Shinn lowered his hand and turned his head away from the sight. Greeting Athrun could wait. As quietly as he could, he stepped back and moved away from the door to give them their privacy. He walked down the hall, his own concern about Rey's choice in bride forgotten as he entered his room.
With Cagalli in tears over Stellar's departure, he suddenly wasn't as confident that Stellar would return from the Federation. Shinn stopped in front of his window and leaned against the window sill as he watched the sun set over the water in the distance. He was sure that Stellar would want to return to Orb. He was even sure that she would come back no matter what.
What struck him was Cagalli's comment. "What if they take her?" He didn't think it meant stop Stellar from returning. Perhaps, what she was worried about was losing her sister permanently.
He suddenly wondered if Stellar would return to Orb as an Orb citizen or as a Federation princess. He let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes. Things were complicated once more.
Her face in the mirror was the same one that looked back at her so many times before. The same one she thought bared a striking resemblance to Cagalli, even though they were not related by blood. However, after her days in the castle and being bombarded with remnants of her past, she realized that the face in the mirror bared an even more striking resemblance to Lady Loussier, whose portrait she had spent hours staring at.
Stellar no longer had a doubt in her mind that she was related, by blood, to the King of the Atlantic Federation. Even though her childhood memories were hazy, they had still resurfaced and with them her own affirmations that she was King Murata's little sister.
The delight on his face when she called my 'Mura', the name she called him when she was a child, was nothing short of pure elation. He had wasted no time in showering her with things she would've had if she had never left. A large room in the castle, a large bed, a closet full of gowns and other fine wears. There was jewelry for her, land for her, he had even given her a horse.
While she appreciated all of that and was pleased that she had been welcomed so warmly into the royal court as a whole, she found herself disappointed that she was not able to accomplish her main goal: peace between her land of birth and the land where her life now belonged to.
The figure in the mirror looked down at the elaborate pink and white dress, the gown that the servants had selected for her to wear to dinner that evening with her brother. Stellar thought it was a bit much for a dinner, even if her brother was the king. Still, they did not give her much option.
The court there was not as relaxed as the one in Orb. The nobles were somewhat more foreboding and stern than the ones she had met in Plants. It was a different experience all together, but she had taken it as well as she could.
She had gone along with Sting and Auel on tours of the city and boat cruises down the river the castle overlooked. They had gone through every place they had ever played as children and spent a few days exploring the castle alone.
Stellar frowned. She had the distinct feeling they were trying to distract her.
"My lady," a muffled voice said from the door. Stellar turned around, her dress rustling as she stood up. "Dinner is served."
The young blonde took a deep breath and walked towards the door. She opened it and gave the servant a small bow before following her out into the hallway. As she walked around the gilded corridors with the faces of long gone ancestors looked down at her from their unmoving portraits.
She suddenly missed the warm halls of the Athha Estate and the portrait gallery that ended with her. She wondered if Cagalli would have a painting of Athrun, Shinn, and Mayu added, as they were now considered family. Cagalli had a portrait of the Kira, Stellar, and herself in the gallery as well.
Her musings ended as they reached the dining hall. The servant stepped back and one of the guards announced her entrance. Stellar took a deep breath and stepped into the dining hall.
She stopped two steps in. She had expected the dinner to be simply her and King Murata and a table of food for just the two of them. Instead, she found him standing proudly before her with the hall lined with the Federation's nobility. Her heart began to race.
"Mura…" she began carefully. "Why is everyone here?" she asked, confused.
"To celebrate," Murata told her proudly. "I apologize for not taking time to see to you for the last few days, my sister," he told her fondly. "I was preoccupied preparing all of this," he said as he raised his arms.
Stellar could feel the dread growing in the pit of her stomach. "All of this…?" she asked. What is all of this?
"Tonight, we celebrate your coronation!" Murata told her. Stellar couldn't stop her eyes from widening. "Tonight, we welcome home our princess."
A.N. – I was thinking of trying to alternate the chapters to focus on Y/S and S/S with more emphasis on Y/S throughout the story. Thank you to those who took my little poll. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you all very much for your patience and for reading!