Though the Heavens Fall
Chapter Eight
By: DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed: Destiny. They belong to their respective creators, owners, licensees.
The cool evening breeze swept through her hair, pushing it out of her face as they stood on the balcony that jutted out over the water. The warm light coming from the restaurant doors behind them gave her a soft golden halo and Athrun found that the love struck smile on his face was not going to leave any time soon.
"Mmm…it's perfect," Cagalli sighed, contentedly. She leaned forward and craned her neck towards the breeze, smiling as her hair was swept over her shoulders. "Nice and cool after a long, hot day."
His arms slipped around her shoulders easily as his body pressed against her back. He moved his head against the side of hers and pressed a small kiss on her temple. "You spent today in bed," he smirked against her hair. "It's the day of rest, remember?"
She let out a small, snort. "I only stayed in bed until noon," she reminded him. "You make it sound like I spent the entire day doing nothing."
One hand slipped to the curve of her hip and gently traced small circles over the swell. The corners of his lips curled up into a satisfied smirk. "I wouldn't say that you did nothing…I think you did quite a lot. At least it felt like it."
Her cheeks flooded with color as she stiffened in front of him. Her amber eyes widened as she bit her lip in embarrassment. "Athrun!" she hissed. Her eyes darted to the side, as if to make sure they were still alone on the balcony. "We're in public!"
"No one else is out here," he assured her teasingly as his hands rose up the sides of her body. They had chosen to go to a nice seaside restaurant for that night's family dinner and Athrun was pleased to see that his wife had chosen to, surprisingly, wear a dress.
It was a simple knee length red dress with thin straps that went over her bare shoulders. Its skirt billowed in the breeze just over her knees. Her hair had been tied back with a red ribbon and Athrun had nearly swallowed his tongue when she emerged from the Seray to climb into the carriage with them.
He thought she was beautiful when her face was covered with dirt and had grass sticking from her disheveled hair. He thought she was gorgeous when her skin was glistening with sweat and mud from a day of training. He had almost forgotten how breath-taking she was when she was in a simple dress.
Athrun had gawked at her so openly, Cagalli had given him an odd look and asked if he was feeling well. After he managed to shake himself from his stupor, he escorted his wife into the carriage with the rest of their family to pick up Kira. He had been unable to compliment her properly.
"You're doing it again," Cagalli's eyes crinkled up as she looked at him, questioningly. She had turned herself in his embrace and faced him. Her hands were pressed against his chest. She pulled herself half a step from his arms and gave him a critical look. "Athrun, if there is something odd about what I'm wearing or the way my hair is done tonight, I'd appreciate it if you just told me rather than stare at me as if I've grown a second head."
"What?" Athrun jerked his head back. She thought she looked odd? He let out a chuckle and shook her head. "Is that what you think?"
"Well, why else would you be staring at me?" she asked incredulously.
His smile grew wider. His hands rested on her slim waist and pulled her closer to him. When their bodies gently collided he brought his face down, hovering just above hers so he could almost see his reflection in her eyes.
"You look beautiful," he whispered intently. "And if I could, I could stay here with you in my arms forever."
Her heart was racing. She could feel her entire body heating up and she was sure that at her skin matched the red of her dress. She tried to break their eye contact to no avail. She found her eyes locked on to his soft green ones and silently cursed him for knowing exactly what to say and when.
"We…" When had her voice gotten so quiet? And soft? "We…uh…we can't…"
She looked so soft and innocent when she was embarrassed, Athrun thought almost gleefully. Unable to help himself, he leaned down and let his lips graze her forehead. "Yes, we can…" he encouraged.
Cagalli managed to tear her eyes away from his face. "We have guests, Athrun," she reminded him weakly.
"They can wait…the food hasn't even arrived yet," he murmured against her ear as his lips continued their trek down the side of hers and towards the uncovered skin of her neck.
Cagalli shivered she felt his lips caress her. Her fingers clawed into the fabric of his shirt. "Athrun…" she growled pathetically. Was she tilting her head back? Why was she tilting her head back? That would only encourage him! "If we don't get back, Yzak will surely cause a scene."
"Let him. All the more reason for us to stay outside," Athrun purred. She nearly jumped out of her skin as his teeth nipped at her neck. "Besides, he needs let out some frustration after he stupidly sent Shiho back."
Despite herself, Cagalli giggled. The Lord Joule-Sir Hahnenfuss topic was the number one subject of gossip at the Serays. Everything from bets to elaborate plans were being made. Cagalli herself sincerely wished them the best.
She pulled her head back to meet his face and smiled at him. "We should still return to everyone."
Athrun opened his mouth to argue when an abrupt and somewhat nervous cough caught their attention. They simultaneously turned their heads towards the open doors. Shinn stood to the side, looking somewhat embarrassed to be there as he kept his eyes away from the couple.
"Sorry to intrude," he began carefully. "But it would nice if you two returned. Yzak hasn't said a word since you left and is glaring at the bread."
Across from him, Athrun let out a heavy sigh and lowered his arms from around his wife. "Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to leave Yzak at the same dinner table as the man who gave him his scar."
Cagalli looked back at her husband and raised an eyebrow. "Scar?"
"It's a long story." He reached down and gathered her hand in his, gently leading her forward. Shinn turned around and headed into the restaurant first. They wove their way through the dimly lit room, around tables and chairs, to finally arrive at their corner table.
Sitting closest to the corner was Yzak. His arms were crossed over his neatly pressed black suit as sharp blue eyes glared holes into the table in front of them. Across from him, Kira was giving a strained smile to Mayu as she desperately tried to keep him occupied by talking about her classes at the music academy.
"Sorry for the wait," Cagalli smiled as she reached them. "How's the bread?"
"Still warm," Mayu piped as Shinn took his seat between her and Yzak. Cagalli sat beside Kira with Athrun on her other side, by Yzak.
As Athrun settled on his seat, Yzak shot him an irritated glare. "I would think that you would have more manners than to leave your guests, Zala," he hissed in a low voice.
The blue-haired man beside him sent him a displeased frown in return. "Need I remind you that I invited you to this dinner and that you are in the presence of my family?" Athrun asked with a hint of a warning. "Kindly contain yourself, Yzak."
The white-haired man narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. As annoyed as he was for everything that was happening, he had no right to take it out on Athrun or his family. After all, he had chosen to take up the other nobleman on dinner. He had forgotten that Kira would also be in attendance, but that didn't stop him from joining them rather than turning around and leaving when he saw the brown-haired man at the table when he arrived.
Two waiters moved towards them; appetizers on their trays, as they silently placed the various small dishes in front of the restaurant's patrons. As Yzak reached for his glass of wine, Cagalli spoke up.
"It's a shame Lady Joule was unable to join us," she mused as she squeezed some lemon over the calamari she was sharing with her brother. "I was hoping to have a meal with her while we were both in Orb."
"I apologize on her behalf, Captain Attha," Yzak replied cordially. "I'm afraid my mother had to return to Plants for the time being."
"It must have to do with Lacus' pending visit," Athrun nodded. He reached across his wife's plate and stabbed a piece of fried squid for himself. Neither twin protested.
"She said it had to do with supreme council related work," Yzak replied. He held up his hand as Cagalli offered him some of the calamari. "No, thank you, I still have plenty of these," he assured her politely as he motioned one hand to the tomato with cheese in front of him.
As Shinn swallowed one of his crab cakes, he glanced around the table curiously. "Does anyone know where Dearka is? I thought he was invited, too."
A small, irritated snort left Yzak. "I'd like to know as well," he grumbled. "When I saw him today to inquire about dinner, he wasn't even paying attention. It looked as if he had stuck gold."
Cagalli lowered her fork and chuckled. "I'm sure in his point of view, he had something even better," she smiled. "He's accompanying Miriallia for dinner."
Beside her, Kira's head shot up, surprised. "Why did Miriallia agree to that?"
"It wasn't so much an agreement…" Cagalli trailed off. "Dearka had volunteered himself to be a sparring buddy to Miriallia yesterday; however, he clearly didn't have his heart into it."
"Typical Elsman…" Yzak grumbled. The waiters swept in once more, this time bringing them the entrees.
"Actually, we did manage to get him to take it seriously," Cagalli assured him. "Even if it was just for a bit. I told him that Miriallia would accompany him to dinner tonight if he managed to bring her down."
Yzak looked thoughtful for a moment. "That shouldn't be too hard for him," he stated. "He is still a Red Knight."
"Ah," Athrun countered as he began on his main course. "It might've been a challenge since he's been in love with her since they first met. He must've held himself back."
The white-haired man gave him a smug look. "Love certainly didn't hold you back when you were sparring with Captain Attha and gave her that bruise on her neck."
As Cagalli nodded affirmatively, the blue-haired man grimaced. He had forgotten all about that moment. On the other side of his wife, Kira had stopped eating and turned his head towards Athrun. A frightening look was on his face. "When was this?" he asked in a clipped voice.
"It was a long time ago," the green-eyed knight assured him hurriedly. "I didn't even realize the depth of my love for your sister at the time!" Between them, Cagalli blushed.
"Regardless," Yzak insisted. "Hesitation should have no place in training. It's hardly training for the real thing if one does not take it seriously."
"I'm sure he was just being cautious," Cagalli countered. She smiled knowingly as she looked at Yzak. "You're cautious when you're sparring with Shiho, aren't you?"
It had been said so casually, that Yzak didn't even realize what she was asking until it was too late.
"Of course, I am-" He froze; his hand still looming over his plate as his eyes enlarged. Beside him, Athrun smirked and Cagalli bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. His hand tightened around his fork as he lowered his eyes back to his food. "That is to say that I do not want to injure my only competent secretary!"
"Yes, clearly," Athrun grinned. Yzak shot him one last glare before focusing his attention on his food. He began to shovel the food into his mouth in as quick and as dignified a manner as he could before reaching for his wine once more.
"On more important topics," Yzak said as he straightened himself in his seat. "I had actually accepted this dinner to speak to Captain Attha."
"Honestly, Yzak," Cagalli sighed tiredly as she gave him an exasperated look. "This is not a formal meal. You are free to call me Cagalli, as everyone else."
He hid his grimace. He wasn't entirely comfortable calling her so informally. Secretly, he had been annoyed when others had referred to her simply as Cagalli instead of by her formal title. It was probably his upbringing. "Right," he nodded, without addressing her by her name. "I wanted to know if you knew anything about two of the volunteers."
"Oh, here we go…" Athrun rolled his eyes and shook his head. Yzak easily ignored him and tried to maintain his conversation with the Seray captain.
"Corporal Labatt of the Azure Seray and Lance Corporal Takada of the Chartreuse Seray," Yzak continued. "I understand that they are not part of your Seray, Cap…er…Cagalli…however, I was hoping to get some insight from you."
The blonde woman nodded her head solemnly. She placed her fork down and lifted her hand to rub her chin as she leaned back against her chair. "They are both excellent choices with strong military backgrounds," she told him truthfully. "Labatt has a lot of promise. I'm sure within the next five years, she will head the Azure Seray's design and methods section."
"And what of Takada?" Yzak asked.
"She's a very talented artist and from what Aisha has told me, her melee scores are rather high. She is related to one of our generals, so she was raised in a very disciplined household," Cagalli answered. She looked at him curiously. "Why do you ask?" Shouldn't he have tried to get to know them himself?
"I've narrowed my choices to those two and I am trying to decide who would be a better match," he replied. The Seray Captain and her Red Knight husband glanced at each other briefly. Yzak could see the silent exchange and frowned. "Are there problems with my choices?"
Athrun turned to him with a slight frown. He opened his mouth, ready to state his opinion on the matter of Yzak's marriage once more, when Cagalli's hand slipped over his and gave him a silencing squeeze. His immediately turned to look at her, confused. Calm, amber eyes told him to calm himself.
"If you must know," she said as she turned to Yzak. She avoided his question, but assumed she he knew she was with her husband on the matter. "Corporal Labatt will fit your work schedule better as she is more than capable of working on her own, doing research. This would fit in nicely considering the provisions of the marriage.
"I see…" Yzak nodded, only half-seriously taking her words into consideration.
"However, if you want a partner in life, Corporal Labatt will be unable to balance you. You may want to take Lance Corporal Takada into consideration," Cagalil concluded.
Yzak gave her a small, dismissing wave of his hand. "No, someone who would be able to fit my schedule will more than suffice. It will work out for the best since we will only be in each other's presence for a month out of the year." He gave Cagalli a curt nod of his head. "Thank you for your opinion. I will make a point to see her a few more times this upcoming week."
Cagalli gave him a small hopeful smile before turning back to her food. Before she could bring another fork full to her lips, Athrun squeezed her knee. She turned towards him and met the questioning look on his face. Why had she told Yzak that? That would only encourage him.
She placed her fork down and gently patted his hand to comfort him. She knew what she was doing.
Lacus happily hummed to herself as she flittered around her bedroom, trying to decide on the best gown for the event in Orb. Kira would be there, she had no doubt, and she was determined to wear something that would knock him off his feet and into her awaiting arms.
Thinking about the scenario made her blush and giggle sheepishly. Perhaps that was an exaggeration, but she did want to look her best for Kira. His letters had been few and far between and she couldn't exactly beg for him to look at her.
She lifted a white dress up to her body and studied herself in the mirror. It was perfect for the formal event, but thin and wispy enough for her to stand wearing it in the tropical climate. At the same it, it left her shoulders bare and the slight lavender trims would match perfectly with Kira's formal Orb uniform.
"Matching!?" She buried her face in the dress, suddenly embarrassed. There she was, the Queen of Plants, and she was parading around her room like a lovesick school girl, lost in day dreams.
She looked back at the dress in the mirror. She'd need matching shoes.
"Your Highness?" A quiet knock came from her door and she quickly tossed the dress on to her sprawling bed. "Your Highness, I am sorry to bother you, but you have a guest."
"Just a minute!" she called. She quickly straightened her clothes and brushed back her hair before rushing towards the door. She grabbed the handle and held it open, appearing regal and proud as she beamed a warm smile at the guard. "Yes?"
The guard bowed his head. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Highness, but Lady Joule has arrived and would like to greet you."
"Lady Joule?" Her eyebrows furrowed. That was odd. Wasn't Ezalia supposed to be in Orb at that moment? She gave the guard a small nod of his head. "Very well. I will see her."
She gracefully slipped out of her door and followed the guard towards her throne room. As she stepped through one of the side doors, she found the white-haired woman standing before the throne, slowly pacing. At the sound of approaching footsteps, the noblewoman straightened up and turned her attention to the arriving monarch.
"My Queen," she greeted as she lifted the sides of her skirt and gave the pink-haired woman a bow. "Good evening to you. I have just arrived."
"Good evening to you, as well, Lady Joule," Lacus nodded. She looked at the older woman curiously. "Although, I am a bit confused. Are you not supposed to be in Orb at this moment? I was not expecting you to return until after your son announced his engagement, at the earliest."
"Yes, that was originally the plan," Ezalia replied. "However, some things came up and I felt it necessary to return. I am actually on my way back to the Joule Estate and wanted to inform you that should you need me, I will be available by messenger."
Lacus gave her another nod. "Understood, Lady Joule. Do you plan on returning to Orb?"
"Yes," Ezalia assured her. She gave a small smile. "I would not dream of missing my son's engagement. I will return as soon as my business here has been taken care of."
"Are you leaving for the estate already?" Lacus asked.
"Yes, my queen."
The pink-haired woman frowned. "My lady, did you rush here?"
"Pardon?" Ezalia asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lacus took a step forward. "When did you leave Orb?" she asked.
"Er…two nights ago, my queen," Ezalia replied dutifully. Lacus frowned once more.
"Then I suggest that you stay here the night to rest. I will have the horses to your carriage cared for tonight," Lacus told her. Ezalia shook her head elegantly.
"I am afraid I must decline, my queen. It is most gracious of you, but I feel I should return to the estate as soon as I can," the older woman replied.
"It can wait until morning," Lacus insisted. "Sir Hahnenfuss is still in the capital. I believe she is in the Red Knights Courtyard doing paper work for her captain. She will be able to escort you back."
Ezalia's eyes narrowed. She gave the monarch a questioning look. "How long has Sir Hahnenfuss been here, my queen?"
"She arrived a few days earlier," Lacus sighed. "I could've sworn Yzak had completed all his necessary tasks as a Red Knight before he left."
The white-haired noblewoman felt her head nod. "I understand," she murmured. She gave Lacus a confident smile. "Very well, my queen, I will accept tonight's invitation. I will speak to my driver and have him rest the horses for the night. Thank you for your hospitality."
"There is no need," Lacus assured her. Ezalia gave Lacus a final bow before turning around and leaving the throne room.
As she exited the elaborate hall, the noblewoman turned not towards the main doors where she had entered from, but towards a corridor that lead to a large training courtyard for Plants' elite soldiers.
While lower ranked personnel stayed in barracks outside the courtyard, higher ranked personnel had their own private quarters surrounding it. On the third floor room of her private quarters, just next door to her captain's, Shiho lay on her back on her bed. She held a book of strategies and war formations above her, but her eyes could hardly focus on the text.
There was nothing for her to do.
She knew what her order was, but upon arriving and going through the work that Yzak and Dearka had done before they left, she realized that there was nothing left for her to do. Even simply over seeing the tasks given were not necessary. Shiho knew that sooner or later, she had to return to the Joule Estate and await any orders from her commanding officer, however the prospect of returning to the sprawling house and being surrounded by everything that was Yzak made her almost uncomfortable.
At the Red Knights Courtyard, it was only a wall that separated her from Yzak's private quarters, but at least she was not surrounded by him. She was not be bombarded by things that reminded her of him; he was out of her mind and with him out of her mind, so were the thoughts of another woman; a faceless apparition that he would marry and…
Her hands were shaking and her knuckles were white. Her eyes widened, having surprised herself. She didn't even realize she was clenching her book. Gritting her teeth, Shiho took a few deep breaths to calm herself. She was just bored, that was all. Her mind had too much time to wander and had stumbled on such trivial matters as Yzak's future wife.
Not that she was jealous or anything. Jealousy was not befitting of her and she had no business feeling such impractical things for her captain. What did it matter that she had been secretly envious of Dearka for his unabashed show of affection to Captain Haww? So what if her heart bubbled with a bit of jealousy when she saw how earnest Athrun had been to return to Cagalli?
She shook her head and rolled over on her bed. She reached forward and placed her book on the nightstand to her right and closed her eyes. Her bed at the courtyard was not as soft or as large as the one back at the estate. It lacked the fine linens and the subtle scent of Yzak's shampoo after she found him sleeping on it, so at peace.
Her eyes shot open. She did not like where this train of thought was going. Before she could close her eyes and try to escape into sleep once more, a knock sounded at the door. The brown-haired knight turned towards it and sat up.
"Just a moment," she called out as she slid her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. "I'll be right there."
She ran her hand through her hair, hoping it didn't look like the rat's nest she thought it did after she had spent hours rolling on her bed, unable to get her mind off of her blue-eyed captain. Her hand reached forward and unlocked the door before opening it.
A familiar shade of blue met her eyes immediately, only they belonged to a different face. She stood up straight at once and gave the woman standing outside her door a bow of her head. She kept her head lowered as the woman greeted her.
"Sir Hahnenfuss," Ezalia began. "Good evening."
"Good evening to you, my lady," Shiho replied, her head still lowered. "Forgive my unkempt appearance. I was not expecting you."
"Nor did I expect you to be here at the courtyard when I arrived," Ezalia frowned. Shiho tentatively raised her head.
"I was looking over Captain Joule's orders, my lady," Shiho reported dutifully. "Welcome back to Plants."
Ezalia nodded, her eyes slowly taking in Shiho's appearance. Them younger woman's brown hair was all over her face, no longer neatly tied as it usually was. She was not wearing her uniform coat, only a loosened blouse and her dark red pants. She didn't look like the typical Shiho Ezalia was used to.
For a moment, the noblewoman turned her eyes away. There was something off about the Red Knight.
"Thank you, Sir Hahnenfuss," she replied curtly. "I was told that you were here by Queen Lacus. I've just arrived and will be resting here tonight. In the morning, you will escort me back to the estate."
The brunette gave the noblewoman a respectful bow. "Yes, my lady. I will be ready to leave by dawn."
"Excellent," Ezalia paused. "Am I correct to assume that it is Yzak's carriage you rode in?
"Yes, my lady."
"Bring it with you to back to the estate," Ezalia instructed.
"I will have it prepared, my lady."
The white-haired woman glanced around once more before looking back at the soldier. "Sir Hahnenfuss," she began. "This is an odd question, but where do you see yourself in ten years?"
The duty-filled soldier stood up to attention and fixed her eyes on the noblewoman. "As a Red Knight under my captain, my lady," she replied confidently.
Ezalia merely nodded her head. "I see…" she murmured. She gave Shiho a curt nod. "I will not keep you. Have a good night's rest, Sir Hahnenfuss."
"To you as well, my lady."
The elegant older woman turned around and began to walk towards the stairs. Behind her, Shiho's door closed. Blue eyes softened as she looked down at the hall ahead of her. All Shiho had ever known was to be a Red Knight, but she was a smart girl. There were other choices.
After all, when a knight became a hindrance, what was their purpose?
"Are they…are they flirting with His Majesty?" Lord Djibril winced, as if mortally wounded, as he craned his neck out the window. His old hands gripped the window sill of the carriage tightly as he looked on in horror. "Do they know no boundaries!?"
Across from him, Auel smirked and Sting stifled a small laugh. Their Royal Entourage had been making their way through the Federation's southern lands without much excitement until they neared the Orb border. The first carriage that was supposed to carry the royal brother and sister was currently empty as both siblings, instigated by the ever excitable Stellar, had opted to cross the Orb border on horseback.
Djibril had vehemently disallowed it. Murata was the king, he insisted. It was not befitting for the Federation's monarch to cross a border on simply a horse. Djibril said he would feel much safer knowing that both Murata and Stellar were safe within the confines of the carriage.
Unfortunately for him, he had been overruled. Stellar had only stayed in the carriage until they neared the border, then had them bring out her monster of a horse, Gaia, for her to ride. Murata had been worried, but she assured him that it would be fine.
"Stellar's sisters are guarding the border, so the Elite will want to see Stellar!" she had insisted. She had been so confident and so excited to return to Orb, that Murata had not only acquiesced, but he had joined her.
Try as he might, Djibril's pleas for at least the king to remain in the carriage fell on deaf ears. The only thing he could do was make sure that the guards that escorted him flanked them at all sides.
"This is unheard of!" the Federation nobleman exclaimed. "He is the king!"
"And he seems to be enjoying himself," Sting said, amused as he looked out the window. Seated on his horse beside his sister, Murata was casually leaning forward, speaking to two of the Haumea Elite who were stationed at the border crossing station. A pleased smile was on his face as gave them a wink. He was clearly flattered with the attention.
"Do not say such things!" Djibril hissed as he looked at them, pale-faced.
Stellar laughed and began to bid her sisters farewell. Several Elites shouted good-bye to and her 'handsome brother' as the entourage headed into the country.
Her excited looking brother looked at her brightly. "Are your sisters all this friendly?" he chuckled.
Stellar laughed once more and nodded. "Yes! The Haumea Elite are very friendly. You will like all of them," she insisted.
"How far are we from the capital?" Murata asked. He had been rather surprised when they reached the station and several women called out informally to Stellar. His sister had dismounted for a moment to embrace particular Elites before happily introducing them to him. He almost beamed with pride when she introduced him as her brother. The flattering greetings that came afterwards were also a welcomed surprise.
"At least a day and a half," Stellar explained. "Everyone will have to go straight to the palace to greet Queen Murrue and the advisors first."
"Will I be staying there?" Murata asked.
Stellar nodded. "Stellar has everything planned out!" she began, unable to stop smiling. Murata chuckled at her uncontained excitement. "Stellar must take Mura on a tour of Onogoro and then later, head out to each of the Serays. Stellar and Mura will spend some time at the Rouge Seray and the Azure Seray and have Cagalli prepare the cruiser."
"The…cruiser?" Murata asked. Stellar nodded.
"The cruiser is the family yacht!" she told him. He jerked his head back, somewhat surprised.
"I see…" he trailed off. "I'm looking forward to it, Stellar." How wealthy was the Attha family?
"Then Stellar will take Mura to the Attha Estate," Stellar continued.
He tilted his head to the side and gave her a questioning look. "How long will it take to get there?" he asked, imagining the Attha Estate to be out in the countryside somewhere. He made a mental note to take Stellar to their family's summer house when they returned.
"Not long," Stellar replied. "Just a few minutes on the cruiser."
Cruiser? "On the boat…?"
"Yes," Stellar nodded. "The estate is on the family island."
They had a family island!? No wonder Stellar had not been particular awestruck by the Federation castle. Murata looked back at the road ahead of them. "I see..." he trailed off in a quiet voice.
Stellar looked at him worriedly. "Is Mura nervous?" she asked quietly. "Everyone is really nice," she assured him.
The blond haired man offered her a weak smile. "Just a bit…" He admitted. "Will I be meeting your…er…Master Attha?"
Her face saddened and she turned away. "Papa passed away already," she said in a quiet voice.
"Oh…" Murata couldn't help but feel saddened by her answer, as well. Only it wasn't simply because her adopted father had died, but because she spoke 'papa' so lovingly that Murata couldn't help but be jealous of the family that took her in.
"It is okay," Stellar assured him with a smile. "Kira's parents are still here and Auntie and Uncle will like Mura."
He looked at her, confused once more. "I thought Kira and Cagalli were twins…?" he asked.
Stellar grimaced. She had forgotten to explain the situation. She began to go into detail on how the twins had been separated at birth, but found each other again during the war. "But Cagalli and Kira are very close," Stellar assured him. "Both will be pleased to meet Mura."
"I guess we shall go through this one step at a time," he smiled weaked. "First we greet the Queen."
"And the visiting guests," Stellar added. "Queen Murrue will want Mura and the others to have a meal with the other dignitaries."
"Other dignitaries?" Murata asked.
"The Plants families that are visiting," Stellar told him. "The ones involved in the marriage agreements. Hasn't Mura heard?"
The blond-haired man vaguely recalled being told by Djibril that Plants and Orb had entered into an agreement to have members of the Plants noble families marry Haumea Elites like Stellar. His eyes widened. Like…Stellar?
He turned to his sister, looking almost frantic. "Can they pick anyone from the Elite? Have you been chosen!?"
"What? No!" Stellar laughed and shook her head. "Only volunteers marry and Stellar is not a volunteer," she chuckled and looked ahead of her. "Kira had the same reaction when Cagalli told Kira about it."
Murata's brows furrowed. "But…didn't you say Cagalli was married?"
"Yes! But Cagalli and Athrun are different," Stellar said. Her eyes lit up. "That reminds Stellar. Mura will also have to meet Stellar's brother-in-law. Lord Athrun Zala, Captain of the Red Knights!" She leaned closer to her brother. "Athrun and Cagalli had a very romantic courtship," she informed him cheekily.
"I…I see…" So not only was his sister adopted by one of Orb's most powerful families, she was also related by marriage to one of the most influential noble families in Plants. As she chattered on about Athrun's heir, Shinn, and Shinn's sister, Mayu, it was clear to him that she felt rather close to the Plants nobility as well.
Behind them, Djibril watched as Murata's shoulders lowered in a heavy sigh. He leaned back against his seat, his lips drawn tightly together.
"Her highness seems very open to the notion of marriage with a Red Knight," Djibril frowned. "I don't like this."
"It is not a problem," Sting assured him. "After all, Stellar herself said that she must be a volunteer."
"I don't want to take any chances," Djibril insisted. "When we arrive, make sure that none of the prospective bachelors do not come near Princess Stellar. Is that understood?"
The two young men across from him let out heavy sighs. They nodded solemnly. "Yes, Lord Djibril," they chorused almost lethargically.
"This is a serious matter!" Djibril hissed. "Need I remind you that of the only two remaining members of the Royal House, only one of them is capable of having children?"
"I still think it's pointless," Dearka snorted as he crouched down behind the large glass windows of Miriallia's office on the first floor of the Azure Seray. His eyes were fixed on the white-haired man having tea with a Haumea Elite outside in the Seray's gardens. "Everyone knows he doesn't have his heart into it."
Beside him, Miriallia was standing up straight, her arms crossed over her shoulders and nodded in agreement. "I know, Dearka, but this is his decision, not ours," she told him sternly. She looked down at the man beside her, who was now squinting at his commanding officer. She let out a heavy breath. "Really, Dearka? Is it necessary for you to hide? You know that he knows we're observing him! We don't have to hide like stalkers!"
He puffed up his cheeks and looked at her critically. "Says you."
A yelp escaped her lips as his leg swept beneath hers and knocked her legs out from underneath her. She tumbled back, barely having time to brace herself before she found herself caught in Dearka's arms with his face hovering just above hers. She sent him an icy glare.
"What the hell is wrong-!" Before she had a chance to finish, his lips had crashed down against hers.
Dearka's arms tightened around her as she wiggled against him, making him smile. Their date the other night, he was sure, had moved their relationship one step further, if only with telling her how he felt. Her reaction was less then favorable, but she still willingly saw him when he and Yzak arrived. Still, part of him wished that his dinner with Miriallia had gone better.
He had been elated when he arrived at the Azure Seray on horseback to pick her up. His efforts to get a carriage for the night had gotten him no where and he had resorted to picking her up on his horse. To his joy and embarrassment, Miriallia had honored their date in a short blue dress.
The result was that she had to sit side saddle the entire time and was clearly not pleased. He had tried to make small talk, only to have her reply with short, clipped remarks about work at the Seray. He found himself listening intently and nodding when the remark called for it.
They arrived at a fancy restaurant that overlooked the water. Mwu had suggested it and Dearka had to hand it to him. The man had impeccable taste. Apparently, so did Athrun and Cagalli.
The couple, their family, and Yzak, surprisingly, were seated in the corner and Dearka had to bribe the maitre d' into seatting them far away, so Miriallia wouldn't see Cagalli and attempt to wander away from their date. If she had seen the other captain, she did not let Dearka know and allowed herself to be led to their secluded table on one of the balconies.
Then, it had been Dearka's turn to vent. His rant went on about Yzak and how he was making the biggest mistake of his life by letting Shiho go. Miriallia had agreed, informing him that the entire Seray knew and understood that the only reason Corporal Labatt was going along with Yzak was because she was honor bound when she volunteered.
Labatt was not looking forward to getting married and Miriallia said that deep down, she was fairly certain that the Azure Elite didn't think it would even reach that point.
"Luckily for her, Lord Joule's personality apparently makes it easier for her to distance herself emotionally," Miriallia had told him.
Dearka nodded in agreement. "He's not exactly the most romantic person in the world." Now, they were hiding in her study, observing Yzak's latest attempt to convince himself that he was doing his duty.
"He needs to man up," Dearka frowned as he leaned against the side of the window with Miriallia still seated on his legs. "The longer he continues this ridiculous façade, the more it'll hurt him and Shiho."
Warm hands closed over his and he felt a heavy head rest against his shoulder. Miriallia's eyes were focused on the couple in the distance as she wove her pale fingers through his tan ones. "I know and we will all do what we can, but ultimately, this is Shiho and Yzak's decision. We cannot order them to be together."
The blond man looked down at the woman against him. His arms wrapped around her shoulders as he nuzzled her head. "He just doesn't know how amazing it feels to be with someone he cares about," he whispered.
The Azure captain felt her cheeks heat up as she shifted against him. "And…I assume you do?"
He smiled against her. "Isn't that what I said last night?" He pulled his head away from her and waited for her to meet his eyes. "At this moment and any in which I am with you, everything I have ever been through to get to this point has been worth it."
If she was a weaker woman, she would've melted in his arms, she was sure. Instead, she raised her hand and cupped the side of his face lovingly. He had told her that the night they went out, when she had him bring her to the beach to walk off their filling meal. They walked barefoot across the clean, warm sand with his hand holding hers in peaceful silence until he spoke those words.
She had begun to cry and, worried, Dearka brought her back. He stayed with her as long as he could, holding her and assuring her over and over that he meant what he said. She couldn't even begin to reply. She had fallen asleep. She hadn't seen him for a few days afterwards and she had assumed he was trying to give her space.
"Dearka…" she sighed after he repeated his fated words.
"I mean it when I tell you I love you," he told her. He turned his face towards her palm and pressed his lips against her. "But I won't force you to say the same. I can wait forever for you."
She smiled slightly and played with his hair. "You are…admittedly…very special to me, Dearka," she told him truthfully. She watched his eyes lit up at her words. "But…" His eyes immediately dimmed. "But my life belongs to the Seray and yours belong to the Red Knights."
She thought he would counter with Athrun and Cagalli's situation. She thought he would counter with the situation of most of the other bachelors and their future spouses. Instead, he shook his head.
"No," he whispered as his hand rose and grasped hers gently, stopping her fingers from tugging at his hair gingerly. "My life belongs to you."
If he had asked her to marry him at that moment, she wasn't entirely sure she would have denied him. She shook her head. "Dearka…" she pulled her hand away, but he wouldn't let her go.
"It belonged to you the moment we met," he insisted. "I'm a Red Knight, Miriallia. One of the highest calibers…you must've known that it I wouldn't allow myself to be captured so easily."
She shook her head once more. "Dearka, you wanted to speak to Queen Murrue-"
"I wanted to spend more time with you," he cut her off. She opened her mouth to speak, but he continued. "There will be a point where Yzak will grow up and out of the maddeningly frustrating man he is right now and when that happens, he won't need to me balance his extreme. When that time comes, I'll come to you," he told her sincerely. "Only you can balance mine."
Her eyes began to water. Confessions of love were not her strong point, especially when she wasn't sure about how she felt about her confessor.
"Dearka," she whispered, a pained expression on her face. Her voice was as steady as she could make it. "I still love Toelle…"
For a moment, he felt as if he had stabbed in the heart. His body had frozen beneath her and his face had paled. He looked down at her sad face, hoping that she didn't mean that she didn't love him. After all, hadn't she told him that he was special? That had to mean something, didn't it?
They were so silent, it was almost deafening. He swallowed the bile that had risen as he stared blankly in front of him. "Do you…" he began shakily. "Do you feel even remotely close to what I feel for you?" It was almost a plea. "Even a little?"
Miriallia tore her eyes away from him and shook her head. "No," she told him quietly. He was sure he had died. "I don't feel a little," she told him. "I feel a lot…so much that's frightening…"
His head snapped around to look at her. "Miriallia…"
"Toelle was my first love, Dearka. He was everything to me and he was taken from me…" She looked at Dearka. "I can never forget him."
His heart twisted. "Do you hate me?" he asked, almost horrified at the idea. "Because I'm from Plants? Because Plants took him away from you?"
"No…" she shook her head. Her hand squeezed his. "But there will always be another man in my heart, Dearka. I don't know if you can accept that."
His lips pulled into a wry smile. Was that all? He let out a small chuckle as he looked at her intently. "I knew there was and always would be another man in your heart when we first met," he told her truthfully. "I could see it in your eyes and I still fell in love with you. Knowing that you still feel something for Toelle doesn't scare me, Miriallia. I don't look at your love like a jar of water, contained and only having so much space within. I don't think of that part of you that still loves him as a space I can never occupy. I look at your love like an ocean…" He smiled. "Big and wide…with everything you love mixed inside, together, peacefully." His arms tightened around her body as his eyes met hers. "If you let me, I'll happily drown."
She let out a small, muffled laugh as her arms rose and wrapped around his neck. "You are too charming for your own good," she choked out as buried her face in his shoulder.
"I try," Dearka chuckled. "I am envious of Yzak, though. The door is wide open for him to marry and Elite here and now."
Against him, he felt her cling on just a little tighter. "I wouldn't say that. Would you so easily marry a woman you barely met?"
He leaned back against the window frame and stroked her hair. "Everyone marries someone that once 'barely met', Miriallia. It's just that when they do get married, they will have ended up knowing each other for some time."
"Make sure the horses are rested and well fed," Ezalia said as she tugged off her gloves on her way up the steps of the estate house. She gave a curt nod to the servants who held the doors open for her as Shiho trailed behind her.
"My lady," the brown-haired knight followed the white-haired woman deeper into the house. "Was there anything else I can do for you before I retire for the night?"
The older woman seemed to slow down her actions until she came to a stop in the hallway. She looked down at the white gloves in her hands and took a deep breath. "Actually," she began as she turned around to face the knight. "There is. May I speak to you for a moment in my study, Sir Hahnenfuss? Privately."
Shiho gave an accepting bow of her head and waited for the noblewoman to turn around and continue down the hall before she followed. The brunette was almost positive that Lady Joule was going to excuse her for the night, but then again, the older woman had been acting strangely around her since she arrived at Shiho's quarters the night before.
It was almost as if Lady Ezalia Joule was hesitant and holding herself back from something. That in itself was odd, considering she was a very proud and outspoken woman. It was rare that she held her tongue for anyone.
The sound of their shoes against the cold stone floors of the house echoed in the empty halls as they walked in silence to a book lined room. Ezalia opened the door and let herself in, motioning for Shiho to follow. Obediently, the other woman nodded and closed the door behind her.
The noblewoman's study was once her husband's and she had take over it after she passed. It was lined with texts and records, accented only by a few small portraits here and there. One was clearly of her and her husband, another was solely of her late husband, and the last was of a little white-haired boy, looking much too solemn for his age.
Ezalia stood in front of her desk and turned around to face the other woman.
"Tell me, Sir Hahnenfuss, how do you feel about a solider that becomes a hindrance to his fellow men?" Ezalia asked.
"The soldier should be let go," Shiho replied easily. "A hindrance to his teammates could mean life or death for them and he should understand that if he is unable to keep up, he will only weaken his team."
"Good," Ezalia nodded as she paced the floor before Shiho. "I am pleased you understand that much."
Slowly, Shiho's eyes began to narrow. A feeling of dread settled in her stomach and began to fill her. That question was something very odd to ask and Ezalia Joule was not one to ask pointless questions. She was leading towards something.
The white-haired woman stopped a few paces from the knight and lifted her head to meet the placid blue eyes of her son's portrait. For a moment, her face softened, becoming nostalgic at the sight of his youth.
She abruptly turned around. "It has come to my attention that my son, Yzak, cannot bring himself to find a wife."
Her words were sudden and Shiho felt her blood freeze. "He may still be deciding…" she trailed off weakly. She needn't defend her captain from his mother, especially concerning his choice of wife.
Ezalia's gaze settled on Shiho. "He will be making a decision between two very deserving young women."
Part of the knight wanted to release a relieved breath, but at the same time, the knowledge that he had already narrowed his choices down was unsettling. "As expected of him."
The older woman's eyes narrowed critically. "While lovely in their own right, I cannot help but notice that the two Haumea Elite that Yzak has chosen bare a rather…striking resemblance to you." Shiho had not been expecting that. Her eyes went wide for just a moment as her thoughts began to race. "They the same color hair and carry themselves in the same proud manner that you do."
"He...he would want someone dedicated to their job…" She didn't even know what she was saying any more. There was only one thing that the resemblance of his choices meant and she wasn't sure if she wanted to acknowledge it.
Ezalia turned away from the younger woman. She spoke directly. "After hearing my son speak so candidly with Athrun and Dearka before I left, it has become very clear to me that his unresolved feelings for you are clouding his judgment."
Unresolved feelings? Her heart quickened against her wishes as Shiho lifted her head. She shook it adamantly. "I'm afraid you are mistaken, my lady. Lord Joule has no unresolved feelings for me." Even as she said it, she wasn't so sure. "He has made it clear that I am his secretary and that he sees me as nothing more than a comrade in arms. The feeling," she added instantly. "Is mutual. I feel nothing more than admiration and respect to my captain."
The older woman stared at Shiho with softened features. It was as if she knew more than she let on.
"Shiho." Her name was called out informally and the younger woman fought the urge to let her emotions get control of her. Ezalia looked at Shiho with sad, pitying eyes. "Shiho, you are more to my son than any wife will ever be."
She could feel tears stinging at her eyes and willed herself not to cry. "I…" Shiho began, quickly closing her mouth when she realized all she could do was whimper pathetically at Lady Joule's statement. Everything was suddenly wrong with the situation.
"As long as you are at his side as a Red Knight, Yzak will never be able to fulfill his duty to his country."
"No!" Shiho took a step back and shook her head in disbelief. "Lord Joule is a very disciplined and duty-bound man, my lady. He will decide on a wife and-"
"And when he does, how do you think it will make him feel to know that he married a woman when the one he really wants is also living with him?" Ezalia asked.
Shiho's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that I am a distraction to Lord Joule?"
Ezalia turned her head away from Shiho. "You understand the provisions of the marriage. Though it is in name only and for political reasons, the House of Joule still needs an heir," she stressed. Her eyes flickered to Shiho's pale face. "He will not be able to even touch another woman so long as the woman he loves haunts him."
She didn't know whether to be elated at the news or to try to quell the horrid, sinking feeling already tearing at her heart. Shiho swallowed the lump in her throat. "My lady…what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Silently she prayed against what she knew was coming.
The noblewoman faced the knight.
"You are a bright woman, Shiho," Ezalia praised her gently. "You have promising prospects, both here in Plants and in Orb. I have no doubt that you will be able to move on with your life and situate yourself in a promising career."
A promising career? Shiho nearly choked. She already had a promising career! She was the secretary to one of the Captains of the Red Knights! Her chest tightened. Surely, Lady Joule was not saying what she thought.
"Sir Hahnenfuss," Ezalia's face hardened. "I wish for you to resign your post and leave the Red Knights. This is a formal order from a noble and a council member."
It wasn't as if she had any real reason to, but Shiho could still feel her heart breaking.
A.N. – Sorry it took so long, everyone. Work has been very busy and it will only be getting worse. Thank you very much for your patience. I somehow hurt my left shoulder pretty bad, so there may be more typos and errors than usual due to the distracting pain. If something doesn't make sense, it's from the pain killers. My apologies!