Chapter 14: The house of La Vallière


About a week had passed since the battle of Tarbes took place. And since then Albion had been silent. So far, there have been no further incidents as Albion had chosen to recover rather than start another battle. Given that two of their members were here longer and their leader was in custody, it was starting to be peaceful.

But Henrietta knew that this small era of peace would come to an end soon. Especially since both sides suffered a lot of casualties.

If Sora had not arrived when he did, Albion forces would have decimated Tristan. The counsel asked the princess if she knew anything about this mystery rider that helped turn the tide of battle. But Henrietta only acted ignorant saying she didn't know who that person was.

For if they knew about Sora they would have either viewed him as maybe a threat even if he did help push back Albion's forces.

Sooner or later Albion will come back and they need to be ready. And so it was decided by not only the counsel but the queen as well that Henrietta should take the throne.

Meanwhile in a carriage that was passing through the woods the said keyblade hero was sitting next to Siesta as he was trying to process all of what just happened this morning.

Flashback.

Since the first battle things settled down over at the academy. The students had returned for now and everyone was doing their own thing.

Kirche hadn't changed much at all, still her same flirty self. As she was the lively one of the group with her always getting under Louise's skin as she was, she was evermore clingy to her beloved brown haired Swordsman.

Tabitha was her quiet self as usual, reading her book in solitude.

Siesta after a couple days of washelping the villagers of Tarbes repair some of the damage that had happened. After that her vacation was soon cut short when her father decided that she should return back to the academy, he also said that they can take care of the rest. She was reluctant at first but agreed to his request. Her brothers also asked if she could bring Sora again sometime.

Speaking of Sora right now he decided to sleep in for a little while Louise had also done the same since today happened to be a day off from school.

Ever since that fight Louise's attitude had changed a bit. She rarely yelled at Sora anymore, and her whips were a thing of the past. She was still a bit haughty about a lot of things, but that was just who she was, a prideful Noble of Tristan… as well as mage of the Void.

"Hmmm~ Cook Berry pie." She said, dreaming peacefully about eating cooked berry pie.

"...Cats…Black cats, everywhere." And Sora oddly enough was dreaming about black cats.

Both were dreaming without a care until those dreams but a sudden and abrupt awakening when the door busted open. This caused them to both wake up.

"Eh!? What?"

"Is it the end of the world!?"

They both turned over to the door that was open wide and standing in front of them was a woman with long blonde hair and glasses. She had a bit of an intimidating aura that caused Sora to be a bit afraid, yet for some reason this woman looked a little like Louise. Their eyes were the same color and their faces looked almost alike despite their hair being different colors.

Louise stammered climbing out of bed "Ah! E-Eléonore!" She said scared.

"Who?" Sora also got up and asked.

"Well now, to see my baby sister awake on her own is quite a surprise." That last statement had Sora surprised

"Sister!?" Sora was shocked. This lady was Louise's sister!

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Louise asked, trying not to upset her.

"Isn't it obvious Louise? Get yourself ready, you're going home." Her statement had her rather surprised.

Outside Siesta returned to the academy and was currently hanging laundry, as she soon heard Louise the next thing she saw was Eléanor dragging Louise as Sora was also being dragged.

'What's going on?' The maid wondered as Eléanor came up to her.

"You. Come with me." Without so much as an explanation the blonde haired woman began dragging Siesta along with her sister.

Flashback end.

Sora's eyes turned into black dots. "I still can't believe this." Sora turned to Siesta.

"Sorry you got dragged along."

The maid shook her head "No it's fine." She replied. "A journey with you is exciting, isn't it." She then clung to his arm. Sora could feel her chest pressed up against his arm as he looked away blushing.

"Um, Siesta… could you."

She pressed herself onto more. This carriage is pretty small so he wasn't sure why she was even this close.

"What. Do you not want to be next to me?" She asked him

Sora shook his head "No. It's just kinda cramped."

Sora said to her as she didn't budge an inch. This was starting to get a little uncomfortable. To the carriage that was ahead of them the window was open and Louise was not pleased to see this.

"...You Dog!"

Boooooooom*

Louise shouted as the carriage blew up but Sora Siesta were both unharm as they had erected a barrier to protect them as the maid was holding onto the keyblade wielders as if her life depended on it. The whole of Sora and Siesta carriage was blown away by Louise with her void magic "Explosion." The only thing that remained were the seats.

The barrier quickly dropped. While Sora was glad that she discovered her abilities, he could tell this was about to be getting old quick.

"Will you two get away from each other!" She shouted. Louise was then pulled back into the carriage as she had a worried expression on her face.

"Louise. Pay attention! I'm not through talking to you!" Elénor said to her sister.

"But! M-my familiar and that maid were-!" She said to her older sister.

"I don't care!" Eléonore began pulling on Louise's cheeks harshly. "You are a proud daughter of the La Vallière family! So you are expected to act like that, do you understand!"

"Yes, I understand!" Louise cried.

She let go of Louise's face "I swear, you've always been like this, and now you deliberately go to the front lines in this war? As a Vallière need not partake in these actions. That's why you should return home and practice your bridal training."

Louise didn't utter a word. But Eléonore and the rest of the members of her family already knew about Wardes and now they want to try and force her into another marriage, she doesn't want to get married with everything that is happening at the moment, the princess will need her powers again, her and Sora's. But she couldn't tell her sister, she couldn't tell her family that she has the power of the void; they had already seen her as a failure, and even if she did tell them they wouldn't believe her anyway.


(Night)

The ride to Louise's home took a long time. It was night already. As they were crossing a drop bridge Louise home was in their sight. Siesta couldn't believe it, this was Louise home!? It's huge.

The carriages came to a stop, Sora and Siesta grabbed their suitcase and proceeded to walk inside the mansion. Inside they were greeted by a row of servants.

The servants greeted Louise and Eléonore respectfully. "Sora. I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed." Siesta said.

"Honestly this is nothing." Sora replied calmly

Siesta was surprised that he wasn't even a bit overwhelmed like she was, but then again he does travel from world to world on a normal basis, so he likely saw mansions and castles that were bigger than this. The butlers and maids bowed their heads and offered to carry their luggage, one butler offered to keep hold of the sword on Sora's back but declined saying that they didn't have to do it.

As they all entered the mansion further in, someone else came down the flight of stairs to greet them. A young woman who had a bit more of a resemblance to Louise.

"Welcome home, Louise!"

"Cattleya!" Louise rushed into her arms hugging her.

'I'm guessing she's another one of Louise's sisters.' Sora though as this woman resemblance Louise a lot more.

"It's been forever!" Louise exclaimed "How have you been doing?"

"I've been the same. Nothing has changed much." Cattleya said to Louise who looked worried.

"Cattleya…"

"I promise. It's nothing I am not already used to." She said reassuring her sister "But enough about me, look at how much you've grown. You're quite beautiful, Louise."

Louise smiled at her kind words. Sora watched the interaction between the sisters, Cattleya maybe sister with Eléonore and Louise but she had a more calming nature, almost motherly to say the least. Cattleya soon felt the gaze of the brown haired boy.

"Now who might this be?" She asked. "It's nice to meet you, I can assume that you must be Louise's lover."

Sora was caught off guard with that comment, her lover?

"Uh, no wait…"

"He's my familiar, we're not like that at all!" Louise corrected.

"Sorry! I tend to make conclusions about things like this, so pay no mind to me!"

"Cattleya. Where's mother?" The eldest Vallière sister asked. The middle sister said to her that she was getting ready for supper.

"Alright then. Louise, clean yourself up and get ready for dinner." She said to her youngest sister who nodded at her response.

Louise called Siesta and Sora as they both followed Louise upstairs. They bowed their heads slightly and went upstairs, as they were going up Cattleya began tiling her head a bit. For some reason there was something different about that boy, aside from his unique clothing there was this strange air of unfamiliarity.

Siesta turned her head down and saw Cattleya staring at them but gave a trusting smile to them. Unsure what that was about she decided not to pay attention to it.


(Louise room)

Sora and Siesta brought Louise's suitcases to her room. Upon opening the door they could see her room was quite big.

After they were done organizing her clothes Louise had begun to change her clothes and prepared for dinner, Sora was waiting outside Louise's room until she was finished. As he waited he heard the sound on a small bark. He looked over and saw a pup standing over the corner.

Sora made his way to the animal and began to rub the top of its head. He wondered how it got in the mansion?

"Hey little guy. How'd you get in here?" He picked up the dog just as Cattleya came walking beyond the corner, surprising the keyblade hero.

"There you are. I was beginning to worry." She said to Sora as the puppy was out of his hands. The dog ran up the Cattleya leg as she bent down petting it on top of its head.

"Thank you for finding him. I opened my door and he just ran out." She stood up "Thank you again."

Sora waved it off "It wasn't any trouble." Louise opened the door and saw Sora and her sister chatting. She had an annoyed expression on her face as they were getting along. But then again this was Sora she was talking about but at the same time he had that maid, her cousin and Kirche all falling head over heels in love with him so she thought he might be trying to swoon her sister.

She walked over and pinched his ear this caused Sora to yelp in pain as he pried off her pinch.

"What was that for?!"

"You animal. Trying to bewitch my sister to have no sense of restraint don't you?" She said to him.

"What? No. This dog came out of nowhere and-."

"Excuses." She said without a hint of serenity in her voice Sora put his hand to his face, shaking his head lightly with a sigh, just what she was bothered about this time.

Cattleya watched the interaction between them, and the older sister could tell that she might have been a little jealous. She could also see that Sora might be a little unaware of Louise and her feelings. She smiled and talked to her sister. She said that the puppy in her arms escaped from her room and Sora happened to come across it.

Louise stared at the pup and believed her sister.

"Oh…" She said with an awkward smile she forgot that Cattleya has a love for animals "...I see."

"It's alright Louise, this was a misunderstanding. I'll join you and the rest just let me put him back." She put down her dog and the two began to walk but after two steps she turned back to the teens.

"Actually, would you both be interested in coming to my room?"

They both were a little slack jawed "Is it alright with you?" Sora said to Louise. Louise didn't see the harm in a small visit and Eléonore hadn't appeared either so dinner is still being, so a quick visit wouldn't be bad. Having no reason to decline Louise agreed and they all made their way to Cattleya's room.


(Cattleya rooms)

They all stood in front of her door as she opened it. The dog that was following them immediately ran through the door and Sora could see a lot of animals, a few more dogs and some cats, even two birds. Sora was excited as she soon rushed over and began showing affection to the animal at his feet and a cat decided to jump and climb on him as it perched onto his shoulder

"Meow." He lightly rubbed its chin as it purred.

"Are all these guys yours?" Sora asked the older Vallière sister.

"Cattleya has a deep love for animals."

"Most recently, I recently picked up a thrush." Cattleya said in a happy voice.

"Show us! Show us!" Louise and Sora said as they both had child-like excitement in their voices. She pointed to the cage that the songbird was in.

"Oh wow."

"It's beautiful."

Cattleya smiled as she explained how she came across it "I found it a while ago, it said 'Cattleya my wing, my wing hurts so much!'"

She said to the two of them as they heard the sad story of the songbird. They could even see the bandage wrapped around its wing.

"Oh, the poor guy…" Louise said as she turned to her sister. But then remembered a spell that Sora could perform on the bird.

"Sora, think you could help?" Asked Louise.

Sora soon caught on, as he raised his hand and casted his healing spell on the thrush as it had a green glow around its body.

"That should do it." He said as Cattleya had a surprised look.

"What was that light?" She asked.

Louise explained "Truth be told, Sora can actually use magic."

Cattleya was mildly shocked to hear that, but as she got a closer inspection of Sora he did not seem to be a noble not with those clothes. But instead her shocked expression turned into a wonderful one.

"That's amazing." She said, clapping her hands together in excitement. "I had no idea."

"And if you're wondering, I've never been a noble or anything. I just know how to use magic." Sora said to Cattleya as she was about to ask what that means but her questions were put aside when she and the two teens heard the sound of knocking at the door. It was Siesta and Eléonore standing side by side.

Cattleya greeted her eldest sister and asked if their mother had returned. Eléonore replied to her that she just came back and that dinner was ready. The younger sister nodded at their eldest sister as the all left Cattleya's room and proceeded to the dinner hall, Siesta ask what they were doing in their, Sora replied to her saying that Cattleya's room was like a pet shop with all these animals inside he also said you should come and see it to.

They all made it to the dining room which was ridiculously large Sora and Siesta stood behind Louise as they both were feeling a bit hungry watching them eat, Sora turned to the person who was sitting in front of the table this woman was most definitely Louise's mom. But as they were eating this awkward silence hung in the air which made Louise uncomfortable as well as Sora.

"U-Um, Mother-."

"Mother! Tell Louise to end this foolishness once and for all!" Eléonore cut off Louise as she slammed her hand on the dinner table.

"What so foolish about this!" Louise said.

"You, having the idea of going off to fight in a war! Where in the world did you get such a idiotic thought! It's best that you leave this sort of thing to the men."

"We're at a stand still after the last incursion, soon Albion will retaliate, and I'm choosing to fight because the princess herself asked for my power!" Louise stood her ground yelling at her sister.

A smile dawned on Eléonore "Really? The princess asked for your power… what could a zero like you accomplish anyway?"

Eléonore sassed which made her youngest sister back down, oblivious she couldn't tell.

"That's…" She trailed off to the side.

Eléonore still had her triumphant smirk "I knew it. Mother, don't you think that it might be better for Louise to settle down and get married rather than risk her life in a needless conflict?"

"Marriage!?" Louise said "You surely heard about Wardes, and you still want me to get married!"

Eléonore sigh "Yes what the Viscount did was unforgivable, but that was then, father isn't getting any younger so having a daughter of the Vallière setting down and bringing forth an heir would put him at ease!"

"But why me!?" Said Louise "If we're talking about getting married, shouldn't that fall to you, being the eldest sister! What about your engagement to count Burgundy?" Eléonore immediately shot up from the table slamming her right hand on the table, Louise suddenly felt murderous intent as she gazed at her sister who had a very fearful expression that had Louise sweating. The servant all gave a deep sigh. Siesta then quickly and quietly grabbed Sora's hand as she was also afraid.

"My engagement was canceled! Can-celed!" She yelled at her younger sister

"C-Canceled? Why?" Louise asked.

"I don't know? He said something about reaching the limit…Not sure why though."

Sora gave a dry laugh as he likely knew the reason why, it's oblivious that Eléonore probably was a little 'intense' then Louise so this Burgundy guy most likely didn't have the patience to handle her.

"Eléonore. Louise. Now is not the time for this we're supposed to be having dinner."

"Right mother. Forgive my rudeness." Eléonore said composing herself as she sat down as did Louise.

"And as for Louise's request. We'll discuss it when your father returns. Am I clear?" The duchess said to her two daughters who silently nodded. The family continued to eat


After dinner ended Sora parted ways with Louise and the workers of the mansion escorted Sora to his room. It was…a tad bigger than the room in his own home back on the Island he lived in. He never knew her family was this important but the way she and her family interacted with each other, Sora was pretty sympathetic, and all that talk about her getting married, it should have been oblivious that she didn't want to tie the knot.

'Wish there was something I could do.'

As Sora kept thinking about this, Sora heard the sound of knocking on his door. He got out of bed and opened the door.

"Siesta?" He said as she appeared in front of him in her pajamas.


(Cattleya's room)

Having been frustrated as per usual with her family Louise wanted to talk with her sister and mother but at the same time she oughtn't bother with that. And with her father returning she definitely felt like there would be no point trying to reason with her family. Cattleya offered her baby sister a chance to sleep with her in her room like when she was younger. Louise gratefully accepted her offer, and the sisters were enjoying their girls time together.

"I'm happy to see you've been doing so well." Cattleya said to Louise brushing her hair.

"Thanks." Louise said with a deflated voice.

"What's the matter?" Asked Cattleya

"I just never understood why she always treats me like this."

"She just worries about you, that's why she's so hard on you all the time." Cattleya responded

"Oh I'm sure." Louise said not believing her sister.

"It's the truth, the same could be said about me." Cattleya placed the brush on the dresser and put her hands on Louise's shoulders.

"Cattleya…"


(Sora's room)

Back in Sora's room he and Siesta sat on the bed and began talking to each other. On the way here she got lost trying to find Sora's room, but this mansion is sorta maze-like. Sora understood easily what she was talking about, like his time navigating the castle in Radiant Garden back when it was past known as Hollow Bastion.

"So what's up?" Sora asked.

"Nothing really, I was starting to feel uncomfortable in my room." Siesta said. As Sora might understand what she was talking about, having a big room like this could make anyone feel small.

"I get it." Sora said

"But that's not all." Siesta had something else on her mind "I-I wanted to say thank you."

"For what?" Sora asked

"For saving my village. If not for you, Tarbes would've been an aftermath of battle."

Siesta said to Sora who waved it off saying to her that it was nothing, but Siesta didn't take it as 'nothing', She was grateful to Sora for what he did, had it not been for him saving her village everyone there might have been caught up in the all out assault. But none of that happened Sora came and saved everyone who was there, even if it did cost him his way home.

"Come on, it really is nothing to worry about."

Siesta smiled. "There you go again, being modest. But that part of you is what I like so much about you. Time and time again, you put yourself on the line to protect the people around you. You're the very definition of heroic, brave and honest." She said to him, placing her hand onto her chest.

"I know I might not have a chance against Miss Vallière, but I won't give up." She unbuttoned the top of her pajamas and pounced on Sora was startled by this. What was she talking about 'no chance against Louise' but more importantly what was this odd smell that was coming off of her.

"Hey, Sora…"

"Yes!"

Next thing he knew Siesta pulled out a bottle of wine out of nowhere.

"How about we-hick– have a toast." She said as he soon realized that she was drunk.

"What the-!" He snatched the bottom from her. "Alcohol!? When and where did you-?"

"I—hick—took it from the table after everyone left, come on let's drink." She said joyfully inebriated

"That's stealing, plus we're minors!" She said to the drunk who pouted.

"Boo~. Don't be a killjoy." Siesta whined as she took the bottle back and forced the liquor down

"Come on. Drink." Sora pushed her back and was coughing and trying to get some air back in his lungs. Siesta then was drinking from the bottle as she pulled it out of her mouth and shook it only to find it empty. Siesta shook Sora a bit as she was not moving at all, soon after he fell back on the bed and was snoring with his face bright red.


(Cattleya room)

"Hey, sister." Louise said

"What's the matter Louise?" Asked Cattleya.

"What do you think…About Wardes I mean?"

Cattleya answered honestly "I still have trouble believing that he did those horrible things. He was such a kind person, so hearing about him being a traitor was quite the shock. I bet it was even more of a shock for you, since you loved him."

Louise huffed no longer having any feelings for Wardes. "It was just a crush."

"You've grown so much, Louise." Cattleya felt her breath hitch as she soon began coughing horribly. The younger sister jumped up and comforted her sister. After a few more coughs she soon began to slow down and her breathing became normal after a few deep breaths.

"Cattleya…" Louise said with worry.

"I'm okay, Louise." She said as she took a deep exhale. "Sorry… I can't say that I've gotten better but it's not worse either." Louise knew that her sister has never had good health, times she would worry about her.

Next Cattleya gently grabbed Louise and pulled her in a hug. Cattleya then began to stroke her head, calming her nerves. "Don't worry so much. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

Louise could feel herself starting to calm down a bit. "Um, Cattleya?"

"Yes."

"Do you…think I'll ever get big like you…" Louise said. Cattleya knew she was talking about her breasts. Cattleya then grabbed onto Louise's chest and lightly played with them.

"Kya!" Louise squeaks.

"Don't worry. I promise you'll bloom someday." She said smiling at her sister who also smiled back.

'Cattleya, thank you. You've always been there for me when I am down.' It's all so funny, these past two months so many interesting things have happened and a lot of memories have been made both good and bad and it all began with the summoning ritual.

All she hoped for was to get one working spell and to show off about summoning a strong familiar but instead she summoned a peasant boy who seemed to be completely abnormal, from his clothes to his hair, not only that but he could also use magic, something that should be impossible unless you were a noble.

But it happened and one thing after another happened soon following the day he appeared. To say the moment we're very 'eventful' to say the least but also exciting, and it was also because of Sora that things in her life finally started to change, she started to make friends, and she finally found her own power.

'But now, I wonder if I can really help Henrietta, even with this power can I really…no I will use my powers to protect her and everyone else, but more than that I want to use my void magic to keep you safe, just as you've been doing for me.'

"What were you thinking about, Louise?"

"What?!"

Cattleya chuckled "Was it that boy with the pointy hair?"

"No, I'm not in love with him! He's only my familiar!" Cattleya laughed at that slip up she made.

"Goodness, I didn't say anything about who you love." Cattleya amused herself at her sister's blunder as her face was vivid red.

"Um, I…"

"Don't worry so much." Cattleya got out of bed and walked to her door, opening it wide. "Go where your heart wants…"


(Tristain- Play Akujo)

In an abandoned room within the castle of Tristain, Cromwell found himself sitting in what looked like a small prison. He was contemplating everything that happened that day. He couldn't believe that he lost nor that Xigbar was a traitor to him and all of his forces were annihilated all because of a void user.

As the noble was lost in his own world he heard the sound of knocking on the metal door.

"A late night meal, huh? Well the coronation of princess Henrietta is in two days so hopefully even a captive man can enjoy a good meal."

But on the other side of the door all he heard was a familiar laugh from an even more familiar person.

"I'm pretty sure you can't request the good stuff unless you're on death row. But I could be wrong."

He bolted out from his bed and made his way to the door, his blood began to boil over

"Xigbar! You bastard!"

"Wow, Cromwell from the big shot who declared war, to a little jailbird. Quite the fall."

"This happened to me because of you! You knocked me out and stole the ring from me!"

"Hate to break it to you but that wasn't me. I guess you can call the guy who knocked you out, he's a subordinate of mine."

"Subordinate?" Cromwell repeated

"That's right, but more importantly I'm here with a guest." He took a step back and Cromwell's blood turned cold when he saw her.

"Sheffield…" He stared at the dark haired woman out of fear.

"I see you failed to deliver your promise to us. Though I knew your failure was imminent, that's why I had Xigbar's companion take the ring of Andvari from you."

"W-Wait!" Cromwell panicked "P-Please, give me another chance. My army, the heartless, they were all annihilated by a powerful light!"

"I know, and I also know about the power that was used by that girl as well. That was the void, was it not?"

"That's right, this is not my fault!"

"But you still failed." Sheffield said to him as he felt dread.

However, Xigbar stopped her from doing anything. "Now hold it Sheffield, curly here still has some uses." He said to her asking why he is useless as he is now but even the most useless of people do share their purpose. He began to whisper in her ear and what he said got her attention.

"Really?"

"Really. It would be better than just offing him here and now." A dark corridor opened wide as she took her leave but stopped before entering completely.

"Alright, do what you please." She said with a dark smirk as she entered the portal and disappeared.

"What are you going to do to me!?" Cromwell said in fear. Xigbar snapped his fingers and three neo shadows appeared in a cell, Cromwell huddled against the wall as they slowly walked to him.

The heartless leaped at him as his scream echoed throughout the corridor "No, no ... .Nooooooo!"


(La Vallière mansion)

Meanwhile Louise was quietly sneaking around her home on her way to Sora's room. 'I'm just going to check up on him, that's all. It's not like I…' she paused for a brief moment as she was face to face with the door that was Sora's room. She kept telling herself that she was only going to check up on him, it's not like she was going to see if he was still awake or anything else like that. It was a master's job to care for their familiar's that all.

Louise knocked on the door wondering if he was going to reply back. She slowly opened as she found Sora fast asleep but not only that but Siesta lying next to him still wide awake this caused her to nearly fall back.

"Lady Vallière. What a pleasant surprise." Siesta said.

"W-Wh-Why are you here!?" Louise practically screamed at her.

"I came over to have some fun!" She said excitedly as she began to cling to Sora "Now if you don't mind, can we get back to our alone time."

Louise shook in anger as she took Sora back from the dark haired girl but soon it became a game of tug of war with Sora. "Will you let go, you stupid maid? Sora is my familiar!"

"No way! I will never give up on my feelings! Besides I don't see how someone like could even be attractive anyway!"

Louise let go causing Siesta to fall down with Sora landing on top of her. "What are you-!?"

"You're quick to anger, possessive and jealous, traits not many guys like in a girl. Plus you don't even have any breasts either, a washboard like you couldn't ever satisfy a man!" Louise felt the sting of that comment as she looked at Siesta's chest as a sense of pride appeared on her face as Louise looked at her own chest and began to shutter. She ran out of the room and back to Cattleya's room.

Cattleya began to cradle Louise who was crying for most of the night.

(Morning)

"Ah! What happened!?" Siesta and Sora woke up. Sora was still groggy from last night. Siesta had no recollection of what happened however Sora still remembered. And she frantically waving her arms for she was embarrassed.

"Yeah, you were drunk." Sora said, holding his head. "And you made me drink too."

"But I don't remember anything!" She cried out as she got up from the bed. She covered her face with both of her hands and she exited the room in shame. Sora just flopped back on the bed trying to fall back asleep.


Meanwhile Louise was having breakfast with her family as one of the butlers greeted the women "Duchess Karin. I have come to tell you that Duke Sandorion has arrived."

"Thank you, that'll be all." The duchess said as the servant took a bow leaving the women and low and behold the Duke of La Vallière had arrived.

"Hello father." Eléonore was the first to greet their father and was soon followed by her other sisters.

"Your return is rather late, did something happen?" Karin asked.

"Yes, you could say that." Sandorian said "I know that we're currently in a ceasefire, but I'm against this. Even more if this country does decide to wage war."

"Father, if I may. Why are you so against war?"

Louise asked her father as he gave a heavy sigh "All war does is bring pain and death, but if we do go on order of Henrietta it will be nothing more than conquering. That being said, I will not allow one of my own daughter's to participate in this!"

"What!?" Louise stood up.

"I heard that you went to battle. Care to explain this?"

"I…I did that to help her highness! Out of my own reasons I went to give Henrietta my full support, not only that. She will be needing my power again!"

"Your power?" He said with skepticism.

"That's right! I know how you and mother would always compare my ability with my sisters, I know I had no aptitude for magic in the past! But all of that has changed. I can't tell you all that's happened! But I promise you that I'm not the same Louise I used to be!" Louise continued her declaration to her father.

"Her highness will need me again!"

Louise's father looked deep in his daughter's eyes and saw something in her has changed. There definitely was something different but he just wasn't sure of what it was. The rest of her family looked as if they didn't know how to react.

"So, you say Lady Henrietta will have a need for you in the future? Then tell me, which one of the pillars are you attuned with?"

'I can't tell them the truth… I can't tell them that I have the power of void…'

"It's Fire." Louise lied to her father in hope he would believe it.

"...Fire? So you have the same power as your grandfather. No wonder you're willing to rush headlong and die." He placed his hand on his face and lightly shook his head.

"Father…"

"And you said that Henrietta will be in need of your powers." Louise nodded "I suppose that it's quite an honorable thing to ask for however, I simply can not abide by this."

"What—Father!"

"I simply can't allow my daughter to participate in conflict, Louise you are here by under house arrest. During that time I want you to find a suitable partner."

"Wait! You can't-!?"

"I can and I will!" Sandorian turned around to one of the butlers "Make sure Louise does not leave, understand?"

"Sir!"

"Meanwhile I should give a report to our soon to be queen." Louise tried to plea with her father one more time but her words fell on deaf ears. Her father had already left, leaving the girls to themselves.

"You see, Louise." Karin said to her youngest daughter "Louise, your father isn't as young as he used to be. So you shouldn't worry him so much."

"But, mother…"

"Both of them are right." Louise was cut off by Eléonore "I would be best for all of us if you settle down."

"But… I don't… I am not ready to get married." Cattleya stood up from the table.

"Mother, Eléonore. Don't you think that you're troubling Louise with all this talk of marriage?"

Karin gazed from the middle child to the youngest and asked a question "Louise. Is there anyone you're currently infatuated with?"

"No, no, no! I don't have anyone like that!" Both Eléonore and Karin gazed at Louise; her expression said otherwise.

"So there is someone."

"I'm telling you there isn't!"

Karin began listing the possibility of who it might be "Tell us."

"Knowing this girl, it's likely someone of a lower status. A baron or another Viscount perhaps. Don't tell me he is as low as a chevalier."

'He's a commoner! A commoner from another world!'

Karin sighs "This is all because I failed to properly raise this child."

"I keep telling you, I'm not-!"

"Enough!" Eléonore said in her more demanding tone of voice. Louise used all her courage to talk to her father. Having her be disheartened Louise took off running from her family.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Eléonore shouted at her but Louise kept running.


(Sora's room)

Sora was tossing and turning before his eyes slowly began to open up and she was no longer tired. He stretched out his arms and let out a loud yawn. He needed that extra power nap after that little escapade that happened with Siesta, he still couldn't believe that she made him drink that bottle of liquor. He wondered if anything happened well, most likely not, but he had this feeling someone else was in the room with them at the time.

"I feel so much better." Sora said

[Well glad you are, though I can't believe you're a lightweight] Derf amuses with laughs his partner was so powerful but wine was a serious weakness to him.

"Come on, it wasn't that funny."

[On the contrary it was. Ha! Especially having the two fighting over you.]

"What?" Sora asked.

[Oh right, well to make a long story short-] *Knock Knock* The sentinel sword was cut off by an abrupt knocking at the door. Sora opened the door and saw Cattleya standing in front of him.

"Uh, Cattleya, right?" Sora remembered from yesterday. The middle child smiled as she asked if it would be alright for her to come in Sora didn't see any trouble in it so he welcomed her into his room. The two of them sat on the bed, Sora got a closer look at her. The aura she gave off was gentle and kind, with a mature nature that only she possessed, it was a little hard to believe that she and Louise are related.

Cattleya smiled at him with a light chuckle "You're probably thinking how Louise is so different from me, right?"

'Did she just read my mind?'

"Tell me, what's your name, young man."

"Sora."

"Sora. That's quite an exotic name, isn't it?" Soon after asking his name Cattleya got a little up close to him and began examining him.

"Sora, you're not from Halkeginia are you? It's obvious that you're a commoner. However there's something about you, something that makes you different from the average man?" Sora flinched when she said that, this the third time they met, there's no way she could tell he was from another world.

"Uh, I… don't know what you're talking about." Sora could only play stupid, this sister of Louise is really sharp.

(Play-Koi no Yokan)

Cattleya continued to stare at him before shifting back to her usual personality. "Ok, you don't have to say anything. There is a reason why I came here though, I heard that her highness Henrietta has recognized a power that my sister has, I'm sure you had some part in this as well, didn't you?"

"Sorry, but what happened back then, that was all her."

"Humble I see. I'm sure you did something, you just can't talk about it, right?" Cattleya said as Sora started to sweat a little, nothing got past her.

"But the reason I'm here is to tell you that the idea of Louise going to fight was unacceptable, so our father decided that she should find a husband." Sora shivered, her last fiance turned out to be evil, now they're deciding that she should marry someone else despite what happened!

"They can't do that!" Sora said to Cattleya

"So you don't want her to get married, do you?" Cattleya asked

"Well, no. If she ever does get married it should be on her own term. Having to be with someone if there are no feelings, can't be called love."

Sora responded to Cattleya's words, she started to see the reason she started to see how her little sister had started to develop feelings for this boy. Cattleya started to smile at him.

"I see. Tell me Sora, do you know what is required to be an aristocrat?"

"Magic?" Cattleya shook her head as Sora was confused, that's what he had been hearing from everyone.

"Magic is one thing. But what makes someone a true noble is protecting what is important to you."

'Protecting?'

"You see, our family is one of four important lineages that have existed for a long time. Our land was given to us by the former king long ago. And I believe that you are the only one who can protect her, you are her knight after all."

Sora rubbed the back of his head, not sure where that was coming from. And this 'knight' thing is she talking about him.

"That girl is hiding in a boat in the courtyard, whenever something upset her, she would go there and hide."

"A small boat? Okay." Sora agreed as he knew where this was going.

Cattleya held Sora's face with her hands "May the founder protect you both." Cattleya kissed Sora's forehead as she got off the bed and looked at Sora one final time.

"I leave my sister in your care."

Louise was crying in a small boat on the lake in the courtyard. It's just the same as when she was a little girl, she curled up with a blanket over her. She continued to cry as she heard the sound of footsteps in the soil, how did someone find her? This spot was a secret. She covered herself completely as she heard the footsteps coming closer and closer, the blanket was pulled off of her and it was not anyone in her family but rather someone else.

"...There you are." Louise jolted up and when she heard a voice, a voice she recognized almost immediately.

"Sora?" Louise asked "How did you…?"

"Cattleya, she told me where I'd find you." He offered his hand "Come on, we're leaving."

"I…I can't, my family." Louise was timid, "I can't tell my family about any of this, that I'm a void mage. It doesn't matter what I do, no one believes in me."

Louise showed a different side to herself, is this how she is when it involves her family.

Sora jumped into the boat and knelt down and began talking to Louise. "I think you're forgetting that there are people who believe in you Louise. Henrietta is one of them, and our friends from the academy, and don't forget me. So come on, stand up."

"Don't lie!" She shouted "What do you mean you believe in me!"

"I'm not lying. You think I would?"

"I mean-!"

"Listen." Sora stopped Louise from speaking "I got the gist of your situation."

Sora summoned his keyblade and pushed the boat that was docked, they now we're drifting on the water.

"I can also guess that you probably don't have the best relationship with your family either."

Louise sighs, taking off the blanket. "That's a mild understatement. Don't misunderstand, I do love my family, I just hate how they would treat me. I was considered the black sheep all because of my repeated failure of magic. Back then, mother and father would compare my abilities to my sisters. And I hate how I could never measure up to either of them, you can't imagine how frustrating it was."

"Yeah…"

"For generations, the La Vallière family has produced exceptional and talented mages in the past and my older sisters are not so different. I still remember the feeling I had when I first used my magic, no words could describe how it felt. But it's not like that matters, they all are against me aiding her majesty…so now…"

"They want you to get married instead." Sora finished as Louise nodded. "So how come you sisters can't get married instead?"

"You already know what happened to Eléonore's fiance. As for Cattleya, she's… she's always had poor health when I was younger, that's the main reason why she can't get married. If she did she would have to give birth to an heir but because of her weak body…" Louise didn't even want to finish that sentence, but Sora knew where this was going.

"So it now falls to me to find a responsible suitor for my family, but I can't, no I don't want to get married yet! But it's not like I can tell anyone about me having the power of void, they'd never believe me, I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Sora gazed over the lake that they were as she wondered what he could say to make her feel better.

"Well… what is it that you want Louise?" He asked, getting her attention. "You don't want to get married, right?"

"That right?"

"Well this might be a selfish thing to say but, you really shouldn't, you don't have to listen to them."

"But…"

"Look. I know that this is your family but just because they are your family, that doesn't mean you have to keep listening to them. I've seen what you can do, don't forget I was right beside you when we were fighting Wardes, tell me what was going on in her mind that day?"

Louise pondered about that herself, she thought about Albion forces, honestly she didn't want to let the princess down or anyone, she made so many memories with everyone she didn't want to lose it.

"There was so much I was thinking about, but all I knew was that I didn't want to lose anything."

"Right. I know that you have some complications but, you don't really need your family's approval on anything. Like when you decide to fight with Henrietta, no one stopped you then because you were listening to the voice in your heart, it was telling you what you should do rather than listening to what others said to you. You've grown a lot, Louise, you've changed a little too."

Louise began to twirl her pink hair "I don't think I've changed, I still feel like I'm being weighed down."

"Well isn't that why I'm here, to help you deal with that weight." He said as she locked eyes with him. "And don't forget, there are people who do believe in you, And never forget I'll always believe in you."

Louise felt her heart race and her face began to flush. She stood up wanting to say something but the boat soon became beached, she lost her balance falling towards Sora who caught her. "Be careful." He said still holding her as he soon let go she was now sitting next to him.

(Stop playing -Koi no Yokan)

Her face was still red as she looked at Sora with a subtle glare. "You really mean what you said."

"Well, I'm telling the truth here." He placed his hand on her shoulder "I've got your back."

Louise huffed "Well it's only natural for a familiar to stay loyal to their master. I don't detect a hint of deception in your voice, so I'll believe you."

'Or you could have just listened to me from the start?'

"S-So in order to show you that I mean what I say. I-I shall give you a reward."

"Thanks, but I'm okay." Sora said to the pink haired girl.

"That won't do! It's necessary for a master to reward her servant!" Sora rubbed the back of his head as he wasn't sure how to reply back.

"Okay, what did you have in mind?" He asked, her entire face became beat red. As she thought about what to do, but then the words Siesta her saying just because she has no breasts doesn't mean she doesn't have charm as a woman Louise shook her head feeling her confidence return she placed her hands on Sora's shoulders and lifted her hips she stared deep into his eyes and without giving him a single word kissed him on his lips.

Sora's eyes wide, this had been the third time that she kissed, he still wanted to share a kiss with Kairi someday but all he could do is ask himself 'Why does this keep happening?' Louise pulled off his lips.

"That being your reward." She whispered.

"Okay." Sora said in a slight high pitch voice, she placed her hand on his cheek. Louise then pushed him down, straddling his hips she leaned close to him

Louise plunged in for another kiss. Sora could feel her tongue against his, losing all sense of reason he gave in to her wiles closing his eyes and he brought his hand to her face, their flesh dancing in rhythm with each other, everything else felt like it was disappearing. After a few minutes the two pulled away catching their breaths. Sora got up and supported himself with his arm. They looked at one another with both their faces with a small shade of red on their faces.

Louise and Sora looked forward and yelped and saw they were in front of an audience. Eléonore stood in place stiff as a board, Karin had turned pale and was ready to faint so this girl isn't in love with a chevalier but a plebeian, of all things! And finally her father who stood there in anger. And all the employees from the mansion had gathered as well.

Louise broke out in a cold sweat, "Uh, Father, I, um…"

Her father cleared his throat "I want this boy decapitated. As for Louise, see to it that she is restrained in the castle." Sandorian said to the servants, they all held weapons.

(Play-Louise)

Everyone readied their weapons all pointed at Sora [Never a dull moment.] Sora drew Derflinger from the sheath.

"Get on my back." Sora said to Louise as she immediately climbed onto his back.

"Gather!" Sora used his magnet spell and summoned two orbs, the servants held onto their weapons as tight as they could but it was useless. They all flew out of their hands and towards the strange orbs that hovered in the air, this response caused Sora to leap from the boat and quickly dash away.

"What was that?" A butler said

"Is he an elf or something?" A maid said.

"What are you imbeciles doing standing around, go after them!" The duke shouted at his employees.

Sora continued to run farther away, the duke pulled out his cane but Sora was far from range. Sora made his way to the entrance with the drawbridge being raised by a golem. Everyone was on their tail but that didn't stop Sora he ran up the side of the drawbridge and when he made it to the top he jumped. The keyblade wielder started to slide down the other side landing on the ground.

Louise got off of Sora and ran with him up ahead. They saw Siesta standing next to a carriage, waving at them.

"Siesta…"

"Lady Cattleya instructed me to wait up ahead."

"I have Louise, your sister is a really good thinker." Sora said. Louise didn't hear what he said as she was looking back, she simply smiled as she couldn't thank her sister enough for what she did.

"Thank you, Cattleya." She said opening the carriage door

"Come on, what are you two doing standing around, let's go!" She said to them as she looked at each other and nodded.

"Yes ma'am!" They said in unison as close the door Sora jumped up in the coachman's seat with Siesta sitting next to him.

"Alright then, giddy up!" Sora snapped the reins and the horses began galloping away.

Meanwhile Cattleya watched her sister leave the land, turned around and to the cage where the thrush was perched, she opened her window and then the cage, letting the bird fly freely in the sky.


(Tristain- sunset)

The group of Sora, Louise and Siesta continued their trip back to the academy, all the while Sora was having a tough time, dealing with what happened on the boat, he just gave in to his own desires. He still longs to be with Kairi, for the two of them to be as one but his emotions, his feelings, they were all melting away. But when they pulled away the second time for just a split second, Sora could have sworn he saw Kairi in her place.

He ruffled up his own head violently trying to think of a reason why he felt so jumbled, or why he just gave in like that.

"Hey look, I can see the school." Louise said, which made Sora jump out of his seat.

"What's wrong?" She asked Sora who replied that it was nothing. She was about to ask again but was interrupted by the maid.

"Miss Vallière, I'm so sorry for last night. I was drunk, and I'm sure that I was a little rude, I'm sorry." Siesta explained as well as apologized for her rudeness last night. Louise could believe she was drunk, well to be honest she could tell something was off, there was also the smell of fermented wine.

"Fine. Just keep yourself together, Alright." Louise said with a more composed voice.

[Hey, what my partner. Let's not forget you forced him to drink too.] The sword brought this up.

"Oh right." She turned to Sora "I'm sorry Sora."

"It's okay." He said to her as Louise gazed at him, of course he would be upset about it. But also because of this she got to prove that she is as charming and as beautiful as any other girl, and that she wouldn't stop until she made her way into his heart.

"Sora, you're so kind." She said leaning against him. Siesta slowly began to unbutton the top of her uniform exposing her chest to Sora.

"Why are you-?" Sora stopped as he got a peek before turning away.

"Ah geez, come on, Sora. It's alright if you have a look." She said, grabbing his arm and holding it in between her cleavage.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing!" Louise said in anger.

"It can't be helped, all men usually prefer large." Siesta wore a smile, that said she was victorious, Louise snapped and pulled her back, the girls started to fight each other Sora looked back seeing the two of them wrestling and pulling each other's hair.

"...Hey, you think we should…?"

[No.] Delf said as he knew trying to break up a cat fight, was never the smartest move. Sora focused his attention back on the road leaving the girls alone.

End.