Zidane felt ridiculous. His outfit wasn't the bulky robes that Reginald had assured him that most kings were accustomed to wearing, but just the feeling of the silky material against his skin felt odd. Looking at his reflection he decided it could have been a lot worse. He wore a dark slate suit that was elegant in its material while staying bold with its simplicity. The seamstress had felt sure that even though most nobles likely wouldn't notice him as a king, they wouldn't question his stature. A "fancy" sword hung loosely at his side. He hoped he wouldn't have to test its durability.
"We have arrived." The soldier controlling the small boat stated.
"Thank you." Zidane replied simply. With the large oak doors of the castle just a stone's throw away, he realized just how nervous he was to finally walk in. For once, there would be no question as to whether he would be allowed in; he guessed that was something, but would she recognize him? If so, how badly would she hate him for not coming sooner? Or would she hate him simply for the man he had become? It had taken a long time, but he no longer looked at himself in shame. For once he almost felt proud of who he was and of some of the things he had done. Would she feel the same?
"Well well, we have come a long way haven't we?" A voice he had hoped to forget commented merrily.
"Burtrard." Zidane answered in distaste.
The man in question walked toward him in a velvet green robe with arms outstretched invitingly. "Is that the way to greet an old friend?" He laughed.
"You're no friend of mine." Zidane replied through gritted teeth and tried his best to ignore him as he headed toward the doors.
"Now don't be so bitter. What are friends if not individuals with mutual interests?" Burtrard followed him.
"And what interests would those be?"
"Keeping the queen of this kingdom alive, for starters."
This time, Zidane did stop and turned toward him fully. "Since when did you care about anything but money?"
Burtrard laughed, his smile never faltering. "I suppose you have me there, but like last time I believe we both have something the other wants."
"Such as?"
"Walk with me." Burtrard invited, motioning for him to follow as he walked along the edge of the water.
Zidane decided it was probably better to humor the man and grudgingly joined him.
"There are many prying ears around." Burtrard commented after a short while. "Though I suppose here is as private of a place as we will likely find."
"This better not be a waste of time. What is it that I'd want to know?" Zidane growled.
"All in good time Zidane, or do you prefer "Your Highness"?" He smirked knowingly.
Zidane did not reply.
"While I am glad that you spared my life last time; this time I require a bit more of a… spendable payment for secrets such of this."
As much as he hated to say it, and hated making a deal with the man, he had to know what secret he was holding. "What's your price?"
"That is rather complicated." Burtrard mused. "You see, I know all about the new kingdom of Mélamar and that you have become its king. I also know that Reginald not only attends Alexandria's council, but yours as well, no doubt doubling as your spy amongst the council. I even know all about the assassin that killed the queen's maid."
"…"
"Normally I find large amounts of Gil line the pockets nicely for this kind of information, but I hunger for something more."
"Get on with it." Zidane replied, losing his patience. The feast would likely be over before he got to his point.
"My position in Treno is not what it used to be, your efforts of stopping my assassin no matter how trivial it may have been, did not go unnoticed. So, I want onboard."
"Huh?" Zidane answered, confused. "Onboard?"
"Yes. I want a seat on your council as well with the title of treasurer. With it, a guarantee that if your kingdom were ever to wage war against Treno, my land and resources will go untouched. Furthermore, if you are successful in your proposal to her majesty, then my position will remain as it is. Do we have a deal?" He finished no longer smiling.
"So you can steal all of the kingdom's money?" Zidane countered.
"Says the thief to the viscount." Burtrard countered.
"Touche." Zidane conceded.
"No. Despite what you may believe, my intentions are mostly noble. I will take no more for myself that what I am duly owed. If you do not find my information worth our deal, I will even allow renegotiation of our agreement. What say you? I would hurry and decide if I were you, time is of the essence I'm afraid."
Zidane thought it over for a moment and decided that if Burtrard did try anything after he honored their agreement, then he could always be dealt with then. "Alright. You have a deal. Tell me."
Burtrard nodded. "The assassins are here at the feast already."
Zidane scoffed. "Tell me something I didn't already know. Of course, they're gonna be there to try to finish the- Wait." He stopped, taking a step closer as realization dawned on him. "Assassins? More than one?"
"Most certainly. Unless of course you wouldn't count the Alexandrian Council as more than one?"
He stared at Burtrard for a for a moment, attempting to decipher whether it had been a joke, but he seemed serious. "If the council wanted her dead, Reginald would have-"
'Your naivety astounds me, your highness." He would have glared, but Burtrard continued. "The council knows that Reginald is a mole. The only reason he still lives is that his death would rouse your suspicion. As for the fool Sibert that does still hold loyalty to the crown, he is likely already laying in a gutter somewhere. No one has seen him the last few days. Either way, rest assured that unless you intervene, Garnet will be dead before the night's end."
"How do you know this is true?" Zidane asked but could already feel his pulse quickening and knew that it must be.
"A client of mine was approached by one of the councilmen seeking an untraceable poison, one which is not easily concocted mind you, demanding that it be delivered this morning. Fortunately for you, I had the foresight to instruct him to instead deliver a mix of sleeping weed that appears similar in appearance to the poison, as I was quite certain I would find you here and you would listen to reason. Now, although I have already taken care of the poison, it will be up to you to deal with the mercenary that could be disguised as almost anyone and of course the problem of the council itself… Might I suggest using the devil grass that was meant for her majesty during the final toast before the dance commences? I am told you kept it as a reminder of sorts." Burtrard chuckled. "What you do is entirely up to you, old friend. However, if you are to take my information as you should, then I suggest you hurry and join the party. One way or another, things are about to get interesting I believe."
Heart racing, Zidane turned and began to hurry back toward the castle but stopped after a few steps. "I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but unless you're lying to me… thank you Burtrard."
"Keeping your word will be more than thanks enough; I look forward to when we next meet."
As Zidane approached the guards that barred the door, he reached into his jacket and held out the invitation that Reginald had given him. "Welcome to Alexandria. Her Majesty extends her sincerest greetings to you." He nodded in acceptance and the guards pushed open the door allowing him entrance.
He had expected there to be quite a few nobles, but as he entered the grand room, he realized he hadn't prepared himself for so many. Judging by the line of tables and vast amounts of food coming from the kitchen, there had to be at least hundred different nobles if not double that! He tried his best not to let his nerves get to him as he found his way toward a seat at the back table of the room. How in the hell was he supposed to find an assassin in a crowd of so many? Not to mention it wouldn't be long before the council realized their poison hadn't worked. He would have screamed in frustration if it would have done any good. There wasn't time to think things out, when the moment arose, he would just have to be ready to act, consequences be damned.
Looking up, he saw Garnet for the first time since his departure. Even sitting atop her royal seat on the other side of the room with her face partly obscured by her mask, there was no denying her beauty. She was watching the guests thoughtfully and for a moment he was sure that she was looking straight at him.
….
All the guests seemed to be enjoying the feast and despite her earlier reservations about eating, Garnet had soon found that her plate was empty as well. Quina truly was an amazing chef. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a blond-haired man enter the room and walk toward a seat that had been left empty in the back. Watching him for a moment, she noticed that he was dressed differently than most of the nobles she had seen so far but decided it was a nice change from the lavish robes that seemed almost feminine by comparison. A small part of her wondered if it were possible that he was the assassin that Beatrix had warned her about?
Thinking of her friend and trusted general, she looked again to see if Beatrix had returned, but she still saw no sign of her. What was taking her so long?
"Is everything well, your Majesty?" Lenard, a member of her council, inquired walking towards her.
She turned toward him a little quicker than she had planned but answered calmly. "Of course. I just noticed that Beatrix has not yet returned, is everything ok?"
"No worries, the regent of Lindblum was not feeling well so we thought it best if she escorted him back to his airship. She should be returning any moment now. Is there anything else that I can do for you?"
"That will be all." She replied, assuring herself that she needed to stop worrying. Lenard returned to his seat with the rest of the council, and she turned her attention back to the guests. The man she had noticed before was chatting with one of the waiters about something. Why did he look so familiar? After a while of waiting for the last of the guests to finish eating and letting her imagination wander, she began to feel dazed. She hadn't slept well in quite some time, maybe it was finally getting to her? She forced her vision to focus, making a silent promise that she would at least try to rest once this was over.
A loud high-pitched pinging caught her attention along with most of the guests after a few seconds. Groggily, she looked toward the table to her right where the council was seated. Braxton, who held one of the higher seats, had stood and was carefully tapping his wine glass with a metal utensil. She noticed with discomfort that the others on the council, except for the two that seemed to be missing were glaring at her angrily but seemingly trying to hide it. She would have worried, probably should have, but gods she felt exhausted.
…
"Ladies and Gentlemen! I have an important announcement!" Braxton exclaimed loudly although the tone in his voice didn't radiate cheerfulness.
That's strange, Zidane thought, Reginald had said that Garnet would be the one to announce the start of the dance. "While I am certain that many of you will be greatly disappointed; due to a change in plans the dance will no longer be happening."
There was mass of disappointed murmurs amongst the nobles, but no one interrupted. "Due to her majesty not feeling well.." He walked over to Garnet who looked barely conscious. Zidane hoped again that Burtrard had been telling the truth. "Plans had to be changed."
Many in the crowd voiced agreement, while others voiced their concern for the queen. Braxton held up a piece of parchment and continued. "As you all well know, with every queen there comes a time when they must be wed. Normally each of her suitors gathered here tonight would submit their proposal to the queen one by one. But tonight, as per this royal decree signed by the queen herself, the new king will be decided by the laws of old!"
"And what laws are those!?" A young extravagantly dressed man stood up abruptly. Zidane guessed he didn't like the news.
"Why, a royal duel to the death of course." Braxton smiled. "You may challenge any other suitor you desire; the winner will marry her Royal Majesty Garnet Til Alexandros XVII."
"What?" Garnet asked drunkenly, looking up at Braxton as he draped his arm over her shoulders.
"Relax your majesty, I was just informing the guests of the things we went over earlier. Shall we begin?"
"Oh... Of course." She replied dazedly.
"As a master swordsman myself, I will be partaking in the duels as well. Who shall be first?" He finished with a daring grin.
"You simply must joking!" A snobby woman proclaimed in disgust. "Surely you cannot expect my dear Winifred to participate in such shenanigans! He is a high ranking noble with prime lands near Treno for Odin's sake!"
"Of course not." Braxton replied with mock remorse. "I expect him to leave and give up any hope he had of claiming the title of king."
"I believe this evening was a complete waste anyway!" Winfred countered. "I have no desire to be ruler of a kingdom that is so barbaric!" He then turned to the woman and pulled her arm as he headed towards the door. "Come mother! Let us depart at once! My father will hear of this!"
Zidane shook his head. So, the council's plan was for Braxton to marry her? He was sure that Garnet had signed no such paper, though she was hardly in the condition to voice any objections now. Something bothered him though, if that was the whole plan, then why the assassin or the request for poison? Maybe Burtrard had been wrong? As much as he wanted that to be true, he doubted it.
A man in a white suit and flowing cape walked toward the center of the room and stopped, facing Braxton. "If zis is how it must be, zen I will be your first opponent. However, I will of course require a weapon as I did know zat I was to bring my own."
Braxton nodded to one of the other council members, and moments later a rack of various weapons was wheeled into the room. "Have your pick, Javier."
As Javier chose his weapon, movement in the corner of the room caught Zidane's attention. A noble had handed a dagger to one of the guards as they headed back to their post near Garnet! "Damn it!" He breathed as he quickly stood and made his way around the edge of the room keeping an eye on the guard and the two men that had begun to exchange blows while trying not to attract too much attention. From the outset, he could tell that Javier was faster than Braxton but something about the man's confidence made him wonder if he was moving slower intentionally.
Time slowed as fixated his attention fully on the guard. It was obvious they were waiting for an opening to use the blade, but he has no intention of letting it happen. He still didn't know exactly how he'd stop them, but he wouldn't have time to think it over.
There was a sudden gasp from the crowd as Braxton moved unexpectedly swift and stabbed his sword through Javier's chest. This was it! He locked eyes with the assassin guard and neither hesitated. No longer caring if anyone saw him, he drew his own blade and shoved people out of his way rushing to close the distance to Garnet as the guard did the same.
Screams filled the room as he leapt toward her, slamming into the guard that had made it a fraction of a second sooner. Pain shot through him as he felt the knife that had been meant for the woman he loved piece his side. Blocking out the pain, he lunged his own dagger into the guard's neck sending blood spraying across Garnet's dress. In that moment, he saw clarity and recognition in her eyes as she took in him and the bloody knife he held. "Zidane… Why?..." She muttered before drifting into unconsciousness.
"He's trying to kill the Queen!" Many screamed as he stood and turned toward Braxton. "I know what you've done and what you plan to do. All of it ends today!" Zidane yelled over the crowd as he lifted his sword breathing heavily.
"And who in hell are you?" Braxton replied angrily.
"My name is Zidane Tribal. To some of you I am a hero; To most of you I am a thief and a killer, but to the kingdom of Mélamar I am its king!"
Braxton lunged at him, but despite the small dagger still lodged in his side, he managed to parry the blow. The room span as he again pushed himself past his breaking point forcing his blade to keep up with the deranged frenzy of attacks bombarding him. Blow after blow he blocked them with everything he had, thoughts of his own safety or whether he could win never occurring to him. Instead, his mind flashed with images of Garnet and what they would do to her if he didn't stop him. A wave of energy washed over him as he tranced for the first time since they had battled Necron. For the first time that evening a look of fear filled Braxton's features, and he took a step.
"That is impossible! Trance is just a myth!" He exclaimed. Faster than he had thought possible, Zidane knocked the blade from his hand and knocked him to the floor with a thud. He then stood over him and brought the tip of his blade to Braxton's throat. The man visibly paled and knew he was about to die.
"Give me a reason to kill you." Zidane stated coldly.
"Please…. Don't!" The man choked pleadingly.
Not moving his sword, he looked up at the rest of the council who had cowered in the corner. "I won't kill any of you here… but know this. If any of you or even someone I think you may have hired tries to hurt Dagger, Queen Garnet, again I will hunt you all down and when I'm done with you…"
"That- That won't be necessary!" Braxton stumbled; all traces of his previous confidence gone.
Zidane said nothing more, but after a moment of utter silence filling the room, he stabbed the blade into the oak floor inches from Braxton's head. He turned and carefully lifted Garnet from the throne and began carrying her down the hallway. Knowing their fear of one man even tranced wouldn't last, it didn't surprise him when he heard shouting for the guards to apprehend him. He didn't care. His emotions were too intense. But, as he finally reached her royal chamber, his trance died.
He carefully laid Garnet down on the soft bed, taking a brief moment to admire her under the light of the moon that shimmered past the open curtains. He had of course thought she was beautiful from the first time they had met, but somehow, she had become even more breathtaking since he'd last seen her. Her soft pale skin almost radiated against the sharp contrast of her raven hair. For a moment, before the effects had taken their hold, he had seen the recognition in her eyes. The look of shock and betrayal was something that he had never wanted to see. Even if things had ended differently, would she have ever forgiven him for the things he knew they would accuse him of? He supposed it didn't matter now; It was finished. He had done what he'd had to, though he wondered if he should have killed the councilmen for her while he had a chance?
The sound of metal-clad boots hammered down the stone hallway toward the room, but he made no effort to flee. Not taking his eyes from her, he pulled the blood drenched blade from his side and dropped it to the floor. Not caring that he was barely able to stand. How had it come to this? As the stomping grew ever nearer and shouts of "The assassin was carrying her toward the royal chamber!" joined them, he reached down and gently rubbed her cheek barely noticing the smear of blood he left behind.
"I'm sorry.." He whispered softly. "I never wanted it to be like this. I played it over and over in my head a thousand times, but I never imagined it would go like this… I just wanted to see you so that I could finally tell you that I love you…" The sudden loud banging against the door finally caught his attention. His time was up. If they captured him now, his threats would be for nothing. Finally willing himself to look down at her blood-soaked dress, and the puddle that was slowly forming on the floor, he knew the damage had already been done; he had lost too much blood; There would be no coming back from this. Slowly, he made his way to the balcony and with the last of his strength climbed on the top of the railing. He looked down at the frigid water that surely meant a frozen grave. At least it would be less painful than the castle dungeon, he mused. "Why can't the right thing ever be easy?"
The door burst, and soldiers began pouring into the room. Without another look back, He closed his eyes and leant forward feeling a strange sense of exhilaration as the wind rushed past him and he plummeted downward, weightless until the sharp pain of icy water turned everything black.