As the Red Rose traveled south, Zidane and I made busy dressing for the last of the parties we were to attend this week. The other two had gone relatively smoothly and we'd made only brief appearances at each of the Lindblum parties.

Once this last event was over, we were on our way to The Black Mage Village to visit the mages and genomes. The thought of seeing Vivi again after so long warmed my heart but, secretly, I wondered how many of the mages had 'stopped' since I'd last been there. Even three years ago they were stopping at a rate that should have emptied the village within a few short months. And yet, I suppose more had been made, and more had been brought to the village since then. It was sad to me that this wonderfully innocent race was on a fast track to extinction. I wished there was something I could do to help them…

Beatrix tugged on my bodice strings, making me wheeze.

"I beg your pardon, Highness!" she blurt out suddenly, working frantically to loosen the gut trap Lindblum's fashionistas had the nerve to call 'undergarments.'

"Beatrix? Is something wrong?" She met my eyes via the long mirror before me.

"No, my queen. It is nothing."

I turned then and put my hands on her muscular shoulders. "Beatrix, when are you going to let me in? In all the time we've known each other, you've refused to let me see even the slightest weakness in you. Why is that?"

"I am the general of the Alexandrian military!" she boasted defensively. "It is unbecoming for me to show weakness before my queen."

"You're also my friend," I said calmly. "Are you not?"

"Of course, Majesty."

"Garnet," I insisted. "Or Dagger."

Beatrix sighed then and shook her head. "It is… a personal matter," she muttered quietly.

"You don't have to tell me," I said. "But I'd like it if you felt comfortable enough with me to share this matter."

"Very well," she conceded at last. "As you may already know, Captain Steiner and I have been… involved for some time now."

I smiled. "Yes. I think it's wonderful."

"It has been… very different from what I had imagined it to be. Adelbert… I mean, Captain Steiner has many qualities I never saw in him through all our years of competing for Queen Brahne's favor."

She was perspiring at this point, fidgeting with her fingers. I only continued to gaze understandingly at her – something I had much practice in.

"The truth is… He wants me to marry him."

I grinned widely. "What did you say?"

"I… have not yet given my answer."

"Beatrix… why not?"

"It's not proper for servants of Alexandria to wed one another. It's simply… unheard of."

My eyes narrowed at her. "Yet you say nothing of my affair with Zidane."

"I say nothing that might insult you, my queen. If I have offended…"

"No, you haven't. Speak plainly, Beatrix. What is in your heart? For I trust your judgment better than any other."

"Very well, then. Has Your Highness considered… relinquishing Alexandria's throne?"

I blinked. "Is that a question, or a suggestion?"

She bowed her head, obviously embarrassed. "Perhaps both, Majesty."

I stepped away from her then, and stopped in front of a round port hole that faced north – back toward Alexandria. Though I could not see my kingdom, I recognized the shape of the hills there.

"Beatrix… is such a thing possible?"

"I have heard tales, my queen. The regency of Lindblum has continued for many generations, since the royal family was murdered. There had been a search for any surviving members of the bloodline… but none were ever found."

"A regency, then? But this is different, Beatrix. I'm not in danger, and I haven't been killed. I would be abandoning Alexandria."

"With all due respect… Alexandria was never truly yours to rule in the first place. You do not have Alexandrian blood in your veins."

I bowed my head then. "That's true… Oh Beatrix, if the public ever knew…"

"They would accept you just the same," Beatrix said kindly. "I can assure you of that."

I let out a sigh. "Oh, Beatrix… this is all so confusing. But, we've left your problem behind. I think you should marry Steiner."

"My queen…"

"If that's what you want to do, then I think you should do it. I only wish I had that luxury…"

Beatrix nodded. "Thank you… Garnet. I see now that it was only your favor I needed to make this decision."

"Beatrix, as long as your personal life does not interfere with work, you're free to do as you will. You needn't ask my permission to marry, nor to have a family."

"A family? No… Steiner and I are beyond the age of parenthood. Alexandria is our only child. We nurse and protect it, and will continue to do so until death."

I smiled a little, but it bothered me how lightly Beatrix spoke of death. I knew she must have seen a lot of it in her time – more than I had, even when Kuja was destroying everything in sight.

"Thank you, General Beatrix."

Beatrix snapped her heels together and saluted. "Your Highness."

"Now help me finish getting dressed. Treno isn't far."

Zidane and I entered Treno's great hall and found ourselves cast into a sea of faces – some of which I recognized, and some I would have to pretend I recognized. Zidane looked handsome in the tailored suit and, although I was sure he was uncomfortable in it, he did not let on. He smiled confidently as he escorted me through the room, offering firm handshakes to lords and gentlemanly bows to ladies.

Although nobody would say it to our faces, I could sense the gossip already starting as we made the rounds of introduction. Zidane handled it with an air of nonchalance and I strived to do the same. We danced to two songs, then stepped outside for a breath of air. The sweet, smoky scent of pipe tobacco surrounded us as we walked through a crowd of refined aristocrats. They greeted us with merely a slight nod – all save one.

A younger man, not much older than I, stepped forward and presented himself with a bow.

"Good evening to you, Queen Garnet. And to you, Sir… erm, forgive me."

"Zidane," my escort offered cordially.

"Sir Zidane," the man said, smiling. "I am Lord Jerome Siticus." He took my hand and kissed it lightly while Zidane grit his teeth beside me.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lord Siticus," I said. "We were just about to enjoy a moment of quiet solitude before returning to the party."

"If you'll be so kind," he said, stopping us, "I have a proposition for you."

I tilted my head. "And what might that be?"

"Please," he replied. "Not now. Enjoy the party. But know that I have sent word to Alexandria requesting a formal audience with Your Highness. You will find it, I have no doubt, upon your return."

"Of course," I said warily. "But I am afraid I will not be returning to Alexandria for a week hence. My duties require my presence on the Outer Continent for the next few days."

"Yes, I understand. You'll find I am a patient man, Queen Garnet. I look forward to your favorable reply. Enjoy your evening." With that, he tipped his hat and was gone.

I stared after him briefly before turning to Zidane.

"I don't like the looks of that guy," Zidane whispered.

"I'm not sure what to make of him," I admitted. "I suppose we won't know more until I meet with him."

Zidane's eyes narrowed a bit. "I wonder what he wants…"

"Never mind that now," I said, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Let's just get through this party so we can have our vacation."

"Right. I just… Promise me you'll have Steiner and Beatrix with you when you meet him. I sense trouble."

I nodded. "I will. And I'll be careful. You needn't worry."

After a moment, we returned to the party. I did not see Lord Siticus again that night.

Zidane led me over to the hors d'oeuvre table for a quick snack and, while I waited, I picked up a bit of conversation that angered me.

"Do you recognize Queen Garnet's escort?"

"Why, yes. That young actor from Tantalus. I hear he's quite popular in Lindblum."

"What you have not heard may surprise you."

"Oh? Do tell."

"He is a commoner. A thief, in fact, until the young queen took a liking to him."

"My, I never would have guessed!"

"Oh, yes. You can be sure that get-up he's wearing was paid for by the queen herself. Frankly, I'm shocked she would be bold enough to appear in public with the likes of him."

I glanced sidelong at Zidane who wore a smile only I would recognize as forced. So, he'd heard it all. It was all I could do not to avenge him, but what could I say? What could I do? In the end, it was my fault. I'd asked him to come here, knowing the reaction it would get. I realized then how selfish I'd been to do so. It had been little more than an act of rebellion on my part – I had failed to consider Zidane's feelings. If only these people knew how much Zidane had done – how much he'd sacrificed – to save their pathetic little lives… They would be on their knees begging his forgiveness.

I reached out and clutched Zidane's arm firmly. "Let's go."

"Why? Aren't you having a good time?"

I stared at him a moment. He was trying so hard to be a part of my world, and I might as well have made him a public spectacle of ridicule for all I was doing in appreciation of his efforts.

"Zidane… we're leaving. Now."

He set his plate down then and followed me out of the hall. It wasn't until we'd made it halfway through Treno – our armed guards trailing us – that I stopped.

"Zidane," I said, turning to him. "I'm so sorry…"

The false smile fell away and he let his hurt show. "You warned me that might happen," he said. "I was prepared for it."

"You shouldn't have to be. These people don't know how much they owe you."

He shrugged. "It's not our place to change the world. We saved it. Even if only we know it, isn't that enough?"

"Is it enough for you?" I asked.

He nodded. "It really is."

"You amaze me, Zidane. Come on. Let's get out of this horrible place."

***Stay tuned for the next chapter. I update regularly. I hope this isn't too gradual for anybody. I get lost in the gooey romance sometimes and like to draw that out. I don't think I'm alone in this… ;) ***