Chapter 12: Alphinaud's Worst Enemy or Greatest Ally?

"A-Alisaie?!" Alphinaud gasped, truly thinking that he was dreaming or something right now. He couldn't believe that his sister, his twin, was here?!

Alisaie spun around upon hearing her name and after getting catching him in her sights, her mouth fell open in shock. The two stared at each other as Claire and the guards around them were looking from one to the other, clearly wondering what they should do.

"You… weren't kidding when you said that you both look alike," Claire whispered to him as he just stared dumbly forward. But soon enough, Alisaie seemed to come out of her stunned disbelief and her shock melted away to be replaced with a look he was all too familiar with: anger.

Oh no…?

Alisaie then marched forward and grabbed him by the front of his coat and began to shake him as she yelled, "WHAT THE HELLS WERE YOU THINKING? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED SICK WE WERE WHEN WE READ THAT DAMN LETTER?!"

"Alisaie…!"

"WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? TELLING KRILE NOT TO SAY ANYTHING?!"

"Alisaie!"

"MONTHS! YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR MONTHS AND NOT SO MUCH AS A WORD FROM YOU! HOW COULD YOU EXPECT US…?"

"ALISAIE!"

But this time when Alisaie's name was spoken, it wasn't by him, another voice had called out and both twins immediately fell silent out of habit when they heard the command. Two figures were coming through the gates now, one of whom was Krile, panting hard and flushed in the face as if she had just been running, and the other was none other than his own father—with a face that was as rigid as if he had been carved out of wood.

"F-Father? Krile?!" he gasped at the sight of them and Krile's face melted into one of great relief.

"Oh, thank goodness we found you so quickly! I was afraid that it was going to be a lot harder than that!" Krile called as Fourchenault walked swiftly forward to look him up and down, as if trying to detect any signs of mistreatment or harm.

"Alphinaud," he said formally his face now set with a firm strictness that Alphinaud recognized as controlled anger, before father asked, "Are you alright?"

Alphinaud stared at the three of them, his mind completely slow on the uptake before he glanced at Krile and he understood. He cleared his throat before saying, "I guess you read my letter?"

"I'm sorry, Alphinaud," Krile said sadly. "I tried to tell them that we were handling things but…?"

"Full glad I am that she did tell us," father said firmly. "I am only infuriated that she didn't tell us much sooner! To think that all this was happening while she was insisting that we had nothing to worry about?! How could I not worry when my son hadn't returned home or even thought to write to his own family in these last few moons?"

"Father, had I the chance, I would have told you everything, but the fact is that telling you all the truth could have ended very badly," Alphinaud tried to explain, though he wasn't sure how he could explain this mess. He had daydreamed many times about running away back to Sharlayan and telling his family what happened and plead for their assistance, but never actually believing that it would happen this soon?!

He wasn't even sure how much he could tell them. He didn't wish to get G'raha and the others into trouble if word got to Vauthry that they were planning on breaking free from their chains binding them to the castle. If only Krile could have waited a little bit longer…?

"Alphinaud?" Claire said and he jumped, having almost forgotten that she was here. Upon hearing her speak, his father and sister both turned their attention towards her and Alphinaud watched how his father's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"It's alright," Alphinaud said as he spun around to explain things to her. "This is my father and my sister. I told you all about them, didn't I?"

She nodded at that and he smiled warmly, taking her hand, barely even noticing how Krile and his family was giving him a surprised look as he reassured her, "I'll have a quick word with them and we'll talk later. I'm sure that Vauthry will be hearing of this and…?"

His eyes flickered up to the canopy that could just barely be seen from here and Claire's eyes followed his own, knowing exactly what was on his mind as she nodded. She then went to calming down the other guards as Alphinaud quickly gestured to the others to follow him. Krile said that she would stay and explain the situation to the guards as well so Alphinaud was able to guide his father and sister across the courtyard and through the palace until they found a random room for them to talk.

He pushed them inside before quickly shutting the door for privacy before turning to face them and asked, "What's going on? Why are you here?"

"Is it a crime to visit my brother? Especially since I hear he's gotten married and we weren't invited to the wedding?" Alisaie demanded and he winced at that. Her nostrils flared at that before demanding, "As to your ridiculous question on why are we here?! Why do you think we're here?! We just found out that you're basically held prisoner and you thought that we wouldn't do anything?! What the hells?! Why did you feel the need to keep this quiet and tell Krile not to tell us anything?!"

"It all happened so fast that I just did what I thought was best," Alphinaud tried to reason.

"What you thought was best?!" Alisaie demanded before their father put a hand on her shoulder to stop her from going on a rant.

"Alisaie, that's enough!" father barked before turning back to his son and demanding to hear the whole story from the beginning. Alphinaud sighed and then told him everything that happened. He told him about how things in this kingdom were run, or rather how Vauthry ruled over the people here with an iron fist, as well as how he demanded that he marry one of the princess of these lands. Why he was so insistent on that was something he still didn't understand, but he did let them know how he didn't have any say in the matter. He then gestured towards the collar and explained that leaving was completely out of the question as well.

"You mean to tell me that you're that jerk's prisoner?!" Alisaie demanded, stamping her foot.

"Keep your voice down," he hissed, knowing that the last thing that he wanted was to bring Vauthry's anger down on his family. Even just being here could be dangerous for them and he had to think quickly in case the worst outcome happens. In other words, stop Vauthry from taking any anger out on his family should he be offended that they came to see him.

"Just tell me if it's true," Alisaie demanded, though her voice did drop to a softer tone. "Did you or did you not get married to a woman you don't even know?"

"Well…" Alphinaud said rather awkwardly, "Y-Yes… but…?"

"By the gods! I was really hoping that this was just some kind of sick joke? But you mean to tell me that it's all true?!" Alisaie gasped, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You went and got married to a woman that you don't even know?! I always thought that it would take a lot for you to get married, but leave it to you to have to walk down the aisle by threat of an international incident!"

"Alisaie," father chided her as she huffed and folded her arms.

"Again, this was not something that I planned," Alphinaud said. "I about passed out when I was told—or rather ordered—to get married. Believe me, I did refuse as politely as I could, but Vauthry had this decision made even before I arrived. And because of this—?" he gestured to his collar, "I couldn't refuse without threat to my life."

"But why you?" Alisaie demanded as his father's face was set like a statue. "Why is he so determined to hold you here?"

"I've been asking that ever since the wedding," he answered back helplessly. "Truthfully, I feel that Vauthry didn't care who was chosen as a representative from Sharlayan, he just seemed eager to marry Claire off to whoever was selected. Truthfully, I feel that this was more Ran'jit's decision than his."

He frowned, wondering how much he could risk telling his family before Alisaie raised her eyebrows and asked, "Claire? That's her name? What is she like? Please tell me she's not one of those stereotypical spoiled princess types?"

At the question, he started laughing, taking them both by surprise as he ran his hand through his hair, unable to take the irony of the question as he said, "She couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, she probably has already calmed down all those guards by now. They tend to listen to her so I'm not worried that she'll be in trouble with them."

"Wait… you mean to tell me that woman who was with you earlier… that was the princess?" she asked slowly.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"So that would make her to be your wife?" Alisaie asked again and he nodded, not liking where this was going.

"Damn… well, at least you got someone pretty," Alisaie muttered, sounding impressed against her will. "How the hell did you manage to marry a babe like that?!"

"Alisaie!" father groaned out in frustration once again. "We will have a talk about that language but that is not important. We are here to discuss matters with Lord Vauthry and try to solve this mess before it becomes worse than it is. We are here to ensure your brother returns home with us today."

"Father, you don't understand," Alphinaud said, already sensing danger. "Vauthry can't be reasoned with. He's…?"

But before he could continue, there was a knock at the door and they all looked up to see Claire appear.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said and he recognized the concern in her face at once. "I heard arguing and figured that you were here. But, I was told to fetch you all. Uncle has already heard that we have unexpected guests and…?"

"He's calling us up to speak with him?" he guessed and she nodded grimly.

This couldn't end well.

But his father took a step forward and demanded, "Then take us up there at once."

Alphinaud frowned at the harsh tone his father was using on Claire, but she took in in stride as she nodded and left the room with the rest of them following. Alphinaud followed after her, with his family behind him as he caught up.

"How bad does it look?" he asked in a whisper.

"I didn't see him myself, but Ran'jit heard the arguing and came out to see what was going on after you three left," she explained. "He then informed Vauthry… and from all accounts, he's not happy."

Alphinaud groaned, knowing that this couldn't end well all the while Alisaie looked on curiously. She then hurried her steps so that she was on Claire's other side and glanced at her up and down before asking rather bluntly, "So… you're my sister-in-law, huh? Not at all what I expected."

"Ah, y-yes, I suppose so," Claire answered back as she glanced at her with mild surprise. "You must be Alisaie. Alphinaud told me all about you."

"Really?" Alisaie asked with her eyebrows raised.

"Only good things," Claire reassured her.

"Now that is a surprise to hear," Alisaie commented with a shrug. "Trust me… I can tell you things about this guy that would make anyone burst a gut laughing."

"A-Alisaie!" Alphinaud cried out, his cheeks already turning red.

"Really?" Claire questioned with interest, "Please don't hold back on my account…?"

"Oh, let me start by telling you the very first thing he said when he first entered the Studium…?!" Alisaie began before Alphinaud cried out, "Don't you dare!"

"Enough! Both of you!" barked their father and they all fell silent at his command, knowing that no wasn't the time to be antagonizing him. The rest of the walk up to the Canopy was quiet, but with Alisaie now refrained from discussing embarrassing moments from their childhood, Alphinaud's mind was now running wild with how badly this could all end. At worse, his family could be imprisoned or even a war breaking out between Eulmore and Sharlayan. He didn't want to think that Vauthry would be angry enough to resort to such measures, but then again… this was Vauthry they were talking about?

He wanted to ask Claire what she thought, but he couldn't bring himself to speak out of fear for what she would say.

So instead, he did his best to focus upon breathing and hoping for the best outcome… which he wasn't entirely sure what that would be in this case. He didn't think that there was anything his father could say or do to get Vauthry to 'let him go' at this point. There was still something happening behind the scenes here that he didn't understand and he didn't think that his father would be enough to discover what secret plot that Vauthry was planning from just one meeting.

They soon made it up to the Canopy by way of the lift and he felt his own spirits sink when they were outside the large doors. They set foot into the extravagant room, something that Alphinaud had been trying to avoid for as long as possible. He hadn't been here since the day after the wedding where Vauthry had mocked him for his helplessness and his ears burned with embarrassment at the memory. He had secretly been hoping that he could avoid ever setting foot in this room again since that unpleasant incident.

And yet here they were once again—and his eyes flicked over the Ran'jit as he stood off to the side, glaring at them as they approached and Alphinaud heard his sister let out a surprised gasp next to him—most likely out of shock of seeing Vauthry in all his… glory.

Ran'jit then pointed off to the opposite side of the room, which Claire understood at once and went to stand before Ran'jit then gave Alphinaud and Alisaie a harsh look, silently telling them to follow suit. Alphinaud grabbed his sister by her arm and pulled her off to join Claire as she gave him an affronted look before father stepped forward.

"Yes? I must admit that I wasn't expecting to have guests today," Vauthry said as he was dabbing at his lip with a tablecloth-size napkin—seemingly having finished his lunch by the looks of things. Vauthry gave his father a quick glance up and down, and clearly unimpressed with what he said, he acknowledged, "Well, we are already entertain a guest from the Crystarium, what are a few more? Though I was not expecting representatives from Sharlayan to be here today. What is it that brings you all the way here?"

Alphinaud knew his father well enough to know the man was not someone who would be easily intimidated or taken advantage of, but he also knew that when you are up against someone who is completely uncompromising, anything could happen. There was no telling who would win today but he still willed his father to be careful when dealing with a man who was bad-tempered on a good day… and dangerous on a bad one.

His father didn't bow in greeting, but his tone was still polite and professional as he made the introductions.

"Lord Vauthry," he said. "I thank you for agreeing to see me so quickly. I am Fourchenault Leveilleur of Sharlayan. Though it shames me to admit it, I have only recently learned that my son has been wed to your niece for several months. I am here to have answers to the how and why this situation has happened."

"Ah, so you are family come to visit?" he asked, and Alphinaud didn't miss the way that Vauthry shot him a warning look.

"In a matter of speaking," his father answered back. "It's just that my son has been away from home for a long time, and naturally we were concerned. We were informed many times that his stay in these lands would be prolonged but we were never given a satisfactory answer to a promised date of his return. It then came to our attention a few days ago that he had gotten married and so we set out at once to see if what we heard was true."

His father then looked over at him and to Claire, who was at still standing beside him, and he watched how his father's eyes narrowed slightly.

"It would seem that it is not an exaggeration," he said.

"No, it is not," Vauthry confirmed. "You are correct in all aspects. I figured that someone like him would be the perfect candidate to marry my… wayward niece."

In other words, he seemed like the perfect candidate to act as her watcher and minder. Alphinaud kept his head down as he felt anger and shame boiling inside him.

"In that case, I must insist upon more answers," father stated at once with a firm tone. "Why were we never informed of this? Never once did your emissary mention anything about our selected applicant to be married? Especially without informing his own parents of this situation? Apparently, I have had a daughter-in-law for months now without my knowledge? Not only that, you have also ensuring that Alphinaud has not been able to write home since the wedding?"

"I would have thought that your people would have been thrilled to have received more than what they have asked for," Vauthry asked in a smug way that made Alphinaud's insides burn with anger. He would have given anything to be able to wipe that smirk off his face…?

"And we are, indeed, pleased with that fact, Lord Vauthry," his father went on, his voice oddly tight. "But the fact is that you have never said a word about the possibility of marriage? I am under the impression that you forced my son into this arrangement?"

"So what if I did?" Vauthry asked, waving his massive hand colonially at him. "I admit that I was uncertain to how things would work out, but Ran'jit has assured me that he found the best suitor in your city and that was enough for me. The boy was quite stubborn about it. It is so nice to see that he has settled down here. And it seems that it is working out since my niece has not be acting out nearly so rashly against me."

Alphinaud had to bite his tongue to stop himself from smirking. If he only knew…?

"The point is that this arrangement is working out well for all parties involved," Vauthry said with a finality to his tone, as if he would hear no more about it. "Unless you wish for me to go back on my side of the deal, why risk changing anything?"

"Regardless, Lord Vauthry, this was not something that was promised," father said firmly, not backing down. "The Forum was not made aware of any of this, and it goes against any ideas of trust between our cities. Had we been informed of this beforehand, we would have certainly taken things into consideration. Mayhaps have found another of our citizens who would be better suited to your niece to take her hand in marriage."

At that, Alphinaud felt a surge of irritation inside him at his father—talking about his wife like she was some prize Chocobo at the market like that? As if she wasn't in the room?!

He gritted his teeth, refusing to speak, but now growing more and more concerned as Vauthry's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"So what is it that you are here to request?" Vauthry asked, no longer playing along. "The two are were already wed before the presence of a priest. There is nothing you can do to change that. They are legally bound to each other and as such you have little to no say in the matter from the moment that they said their vows."

"But not if the wedding was made under false pretenses," father went on firmly, "You, yourself, even admitted that he had been forced to accept the proposal. This is all but kidnapping under the guise of diplomacy."

"I did give him a choice in the end, and he chose to marry her," he reasoned lightly and Alphinaud felt his hands shaking and curled them into fists. He then felt Claire's hand upon his own and he gripped it back tightly, drawing in some silent support. No one else noticed this, however, for they were absorbed in the battle between his father and Vauthry, wondering how this was going to end…?

Though Alphinaud knew that Vauthry wasn't going to back down and the more that the two talked the more irritated he seemed to grow. He was half wondering if he should take Claire and Alisaie out of the room with him when his father, having dropped all traces of the diplomat and snapped, "I am not asking for permission to take my son home with me. Sharlayan is his home and you had no right to hold him here. If he is too remained married for the present, then fine. But they shall remain married on paper only until we are able to work something out for them."

He heard Claire give a sharp intact of breath right next to him, and he internally groaned, knowing that his father must have stepped over some kind of line.

He dared to look up and Vauthry's face clearly showed how he disliked being ordered like this. His beady eyes then found Alphinaud's as he asked in a flamboyantly way, "My, you certainly have family who cares greatly for you, don't you… Alphinaud?"

But upon speaking his name, the collar activated and Alphinaud was instantly cut off from air. He gasped as his hands flew to his throat as the gold began to constrict tightly, closing off his windpipe as he clawed at the metal. He staggered about, struggling to draw in a single breath as his vision began to darken. He coughed and choked while his ears were ringing and he heard people crying out his name, rushing to his side, even feeling someone catch him before he hit the ground. He couldn't hear what was being said as he was rolled onto his back and was on the verge of passing out… but he did hear his father's voice sounding furious as heated words seemed to have been shared…?

And then he felt the metal release him and he took a big gasp of air, filling his lungs with relief before he began to cough and splutter. As he continued to wheeze, he heard Claire's voice softly whisper, "Calm down. Just breathe. Focus on just breathing. Once you're ready, we'll help you out."

He could only nod as he massaged his throat, his vision clearing and he looked up to see both Claire and Alisaie's anxious faces hovering anxiously. His eyes drifted across the room from where he laid, the ringing fading until the only sounds that could be heard now were his own wheezing gasps.

"Well, now we have reached an understanding," Vauthry's voice cut in, grating on Alphinaud's ears all the while as Claire helped him to sit up and he looked up, eyes streaming. His father was still standing where he was before, but his entire body was now stiff as a board as he glared with Vauthry with barely concealed loathing. His hands were curled up into fists, and he was actually shaking with anger—revealing just how furious the man was to have witnessed such a form of torture on his own son.

But when he spoke, it was in a surprisingly calm tone as he said, "There was no need for a demonstration like that."

"Oh? I find that actions speak louder than words," Vauthry answered back. "I just wanted to remind you of the situation that you are in. I would have thought you would be proud. Your son as served your nation admirably and sealed the agreement quickly. Not only that, he had married into royalty. I admit that my niece is far from wife material, but she isn't bad looking. Many would kill for the chances he had."

Alisaie spun about on her knees, her eyes filled with angry tears as she snarled, "You…!"

But before she could say anything that could get them into trouble, Claire's hand shot out and grabbed hold of her arm, causing Alisaie to glare back at her wildly before Claire whispered, "Trust me, he's not above doing it again."

She jerked her head down at Alphinaud, silently passing on her warning that Vauthry will likely hurt him again if she said anything. Thankfully, Alisaie realized what she was saying at once and she stopped. Her face was just full of self-hatred and her teeth were grinding together so loudly that one could hear them—but she remained silent.

"You three may be gone from my sights," Vauthry said imperiously to them, waving his hand as if shooing away flies. "Now that Master Fourchenault understands his place, we may speak more privately on the matter. Leave now."

As much as he hated the idea of leaving his father here to face off against that thing on his own, Alphinaud couldn't deny that he wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, and allowed himself to be helped up to his feet and taken out of the room.

He was still coughing as his throat felt like it was burning as he was brought to library, a place of safety and comfort for him—which he suspected was why Claire insisted on coming here despite the many rooms they passed. Claire sat him down in his usual armchair before disappearing to get some water for him.

As he continued to massage his throat, Alisaie just had the stoniest expression on her face, like she was torn between crying and screaming at this point. It wasn't until Claire returned with a goblet of water a few minutes later and passed it to him did she manage to find her tongue again.

"Is that what life has been like for you?" she demanded as he gulped down the water.

Alphinaud didn't answer at first as Claire rubbed his back and he continued to cough, still wheezing as his breathing returned to normal. Once he was able to speak again, he looked at her before asking in a raspy voice, "How do you stand it? With how often does he do that to you? But you never act like it bothers you for long?"

"I guess years of practice," she said sourly. "I like to think that I built up a tolerance for it. Though in my case, he only gives me a tiny taste of pain. He rarely uses it on me long enough to the point that I pass out. I guess he figures that it would be bad for my health if he goes that far all the time."

Alisaie stared at her and demanded, "He does that to you too?"

She nodded and pointed out the collar around her neck as she explained, "Me and my cousin Ryne have been stuck with these for some time. Whenever we step out of line, he likes to 'discipline' us using these."

"Discipline?!" Alisaie demanded in a rising voice. "That's torture! There is no way that anyone would stand for such a thing!"

"Unfortunately, the people have no say in the matter," Alphinaud explained to her.

"Not so long as his guard dog is working under him," Claire muttered darkly, before noticing her confused look and explained, "Ran'jit. He's the general of his army. And if you ask me, he is the real brains behind the things that happen around here."

"So… what? He's the power behind the throne?" Alisaie demanded.

"It would seem that way," Alphinaud confirmed, "Though what he's planning is anyone's guess."

Now that he thought about it, it did seem that Ran'jit had some kind of motivation for following Vauthry's orders the way that he was. Despite all the formalities though, he couldn't help but feel like it was Ran'jit who was pulling things here and there to ensure things work out in a certain order. Just what was that old man up to?

He took a sharp breath before he almost choked and swallowed another mouthful of water.

"Does it hurt?" Claire asked him and he tried to pass it off, but was wincing when he shook his head.

She sighed and told him to wait here while she would go and get something to better soothe his throat, and left the two of them alone so that they could continue to talk.

"Sorry," Alisaie muttered sadly and he looked up at her in confusion as she explained, "When I first heard that you stayed behind because you were offered a place in a king's court… I thought… well, I don't know… you were just doing that to show off. That you were probably milking it up for all that it was worth living in a palace and maybe even lording it over the people here. But if that was what it's like around here?"

"Believe me, I have not been lording over anyone," Alphinaud reassured her with a rueful smile on his face. "If anything, I'm probably the one being ordered about the most in this castle."

The two were silent for a time as he thought over more and more about what to say. He had been longing to see her for so long now that it had been almost painful to be away from her and his parents. The number of times he wanted to pick up a pen and write to them just to make sure that they knew that he was alive…?

But now that she was here in front of him, he wasn't really sure what to say. He could almost hear Claire's voice in his mind as she reminded him that he was too serious and needed to stop trying to overthink things.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry," he said at last. "Believe me, sister. That was the last thing that I wanted to happen. I wish that it didn't have to have turned out like this, and I truly regret that you had to find out that way but…?"

"That's enough!" she barked back, slamming her hands upon the table in front of them before adding, "You think that I'm upset with you over that? Well, yeah, you're right in that I'm bloody furious with you! But I'm upset that you felt that you had to do all this on your own! I mean, why didn't you let Krile give us that letter right away? Hells, why not let her tell everyone in Sharlayan what happened? I'm sure that there would have been no shortage of people who would be ready to support and help you out if they knew the truth?"

"I wish I could," he said softly, "But you weren't here when Vauthry threatened me. He promised that he would make everyone I know and loved back home pay the price for my defiance. I wish I could say that I had thought of a way out of it by that point… but in truth… I had nothing. I was utterly helpless before the threats that he bore against me."

She frowned though he noticed her lips trembled slightly when she asked, "Like how we were against him just now?"

He looked on sadly before only nodding with a grim acceptance and she sighed once more.

"Do you think that father would be able to talk him into letting you come home?" she asked worriedly and he wasn't sure how to answer.

"I doubt it," he confessed.

Silence again. Though this time it felt like they were on opposite sides of the ocean with how far things felt between them.

"We were trying to think of a way to get back to you without it all resulting in an international incident," he acknowledged.

"And…?" she asked and he shrugged at that. He truly wanted to tell her what they were planning, but he couldn't relax in this castle and let slip without someone overhearing. It wouldn't surprise him if Ran'jit had eyes and ears all over. The only place he could think of where they could talk privately would be up in the tower, but as he opened his mouth to tell her this he began to cough violently—just his luck he ran out of water.

"Here, I'll get some more for you," his sister said, her tone oddly soft as she snatched the goblet out of his hands. "I'll be right back."

"Wait—you don't know where…?" he rasped but she waved her hand at him in irritation.

"How hard can it be?" she asked stubbornly before walking out the door, leaving him alone. He sighed and leaned back in his chair, still rubbing his neck as best as he could from underneath the collar, wondering how they could pull this off. From going to being optimistic about G'raha's plans… he now was filled with worry and doubt. What was to happen if they couldn't get them off? Was he truly trapped with this thing on until the day that Vauthry dies? Just what is going on here? What is it that he wants? Or rather… what is it that Ran'jit wants? What does he stand to gain from all this madness?

He sat there, just enjoying the fact that he can breathe as he waited for someone to show up. Yet, after a while he realized that everyone was taking their time in coming back. He truly began to worry that Alisaie, at least, had gotten lost before she finally returned with the goblet of water.

"Damn it… how does anyone find anything around this place?" Alisaie grumbled in irritation as she passed the drink to him, which he took gratefully.

"Sorry, I should have told you how to come back here," Alphinaud apologized.

She sat back down next to her brother as he drank his water, as the coolness eased roughness in his throat.

"Alphinaud?" she asked curiously.

"Hmm?"

"Claire… how do you feel about her?" she asked curiously and at her question he almost ended up spitting out his mouthful of water and his hands fumbled with the glass for a moment.

"W-What?" he asked, taken aback, was it that obvious that he felt something for her…?

"How do you feel about her?" she repeated, surprised by his reaction. "I mean, you both have been married for a few months now? And from what I've heard, you two spend every day together… surely that was enough time to really get an idea to what she's like?"

"Oh, ah… well… she's…? Well, one can't spend a lot of time with someone without growing to worry about them," he began, and she couldn't believe how tongue-tied he was all of a sudden.

Alisaie had never seen him like this before—not since they were kids and Alphinaud was trying to think of a story to tell their parents when he had accidently broken an expensive vase but failing miserably until he had to admit defeat and confessed to what happened.

But here, he was even more at a loss to what he should say or how to voice was he was thinking. It was actually quite refreshing to see and she wondered just what sort of spell did this princess have over her brother to make him a gibbering mess? Surely there had to be something special about her if he was reduced to this…?

And a thought suddenly came to her mind.

"You… are worried about her or something? Is there something I should know?" she asked curiously and the red seemed to spread across his entire face.

"It's just that she never takes a breath and it's only under threat does she even take time to rest, or something… like that," he finished awkwardly.

"Really? What could a princess do that would keep her so busy?" Alisaie asked, now eager to find out more. There was no denying the sudden worry in her brother's face. He was such a bad liar she could see it written all over his face. Suddenly smirking at the possibilities of this, she had to ask him, "Did you two sleep together?"

This time he really did spit out his water.

"Alisaie!?" he wheezed as he coughed as she enjoyed the redness in his face.

"Is that a yes?"

"No!"

"So it's a no?!"

"Yes! No, wait… I mean…?!" he fumbled, not sure how to answer her without humiliating himself further as his sister just grinned evilly.

*The Next Day*

Alphinaud was pacing around the room, trying to master his sudden anger and somewhat panic as his father was preparing to leave. He knew that it was for the best, and he would feel much better knowing that his family would be away somewhere safe from all this corruption and dark planning by Vauthry's hands. But what his father said yesterday upset him more than anything else that he could have imagined…?

*Flashback*

After Alisaie finished teasing him, she thankfully changed the subject by informing him of some of the many changes that were happening in Sharlayan while he had been away. He was overjoyed to hear about some of the accomplishments that his old classmates and professors had done during his absence and he was asking many questions enthusiastically.

Suddenly his father came into the room and handed him a small bottle, telling him that it would help with the pain in his throat.

"Oh, it's alright," Alphinaud reassured him, "Claire said she would bring…?"

"She did. That's from her, I ran into her in the hall and she told me where you were as well as to pass this to you to help make you feel better," he answered stiffly.

"I see, thank you but… where is she?" he asked, looking around the room.

"You don't need to worry," his father cut him off. "I have already made plans to return to Sharlayan on the morrow. I had hoped that I could solve this matter without involving too many people, but it seems that I have no choice but to speak with the Forum on this matter. I will see what I can do to have this marriage dissolved as soon as possible and have you returned safely home. It will take a while to find the perfect grounds for it, but I will see it done."

Alphinaud's jaw fell open in shock at such a state and he tried to reason, "Dissolved? But father, I can't just leave her and Ryne here…?"

"I am not unaware of the princesses' plight. If what she says in true, she is as much a victim in this as you are. But I have already spoken with the princess on this fact and I have let her know that this will not be up for debate," he said firmly.

"And what did she say?" he asked quickly.

"She has already agreed, that is all that you need to know," he told him firmly as Alphinaud could only stare back with a dumbfounded look on his face.

*End of Flashback*

He hadn't wanted to believe it… but he didn't see Claire again at all that day save for at dinner where she chose to sit as far away from him as possible with Ryne and G'raha on either side of her while he saw with his father, Krile, and Alisaie. He had hoped for a chance to talk to her but she didn't even glance his way until the two of them were escorted up to the tower—which his father seemed outraged about and his sister more amused that he was being treated like a toddler who had a curfew—where she barely spoke to him. He had tried to say something, but she insisted that she had a headache and wasn't in the mood for talking.

He felt that he was treading upon dangerous ground and didn't dare think to question it. But by morning, she had already changed and was out the door before he was even awake. He had no idea what he had done to have earned her anger at him and he was afraid to find out.

"She has already agreed, that is all you need to know."

Did she already agree to have their marriage dissolved should it become available to them? Well, he supposed that made sense. Of course she wouldn't want to remain married to someone who would only hold her back. She was strong, graceful, intelligent, and beautiful… so of course she could find other suitors that would be better with her. With all that she had done and gone through, it was only right that she find someone to love and deserved her. There was no way around it.

He paused as he looked into the mirror, his reflection looking back with a pained expression, as if even his own reflection was taking this news hard. Now that he thought of it, he had no idea to what the two of them looked like when they stood together… what did people see when they were together? Did they think that they looked good? Or did it look more like… as father put it… a 'fabricated' union?

He never felt more self-conscious than he did at that moment. He ran his hand over his pointed ears, trying to really picture the image her here with his reflection but the harder that he tried to think about it, the harder it became. What was the matter with him right now?

A small cough behind him made him jump and he whipped around so fast that he nearly knocked the mirror off the wall as Alisaie was standing in the doorway, looking on with amusement.

"Sorry about interrupting your preening, but you didn't answer when I knocked?" she offered. "I wanted to ask if you were going to join me in seeing father off? Unless you rather remain here checking your face?"

"I'm fine," he grumbled in embarrassment. "But how long will you and Krile be staying?"

"Father is heading back to Sharlayan in less than a bell," she reminded him. "I'll be staying with Krile until after the ball is over. Just to keep an eye on things. You know?"

"R-Right," he sighed. "By the way, I never had a chance to ask, but how is mother doing?"

"She misses you, of course," she sighed with a shake of her head. "Let me tell you… you could have knocked father over with a feather when we read that letter from you. I thought that it was all some kind of sick, twisted joke! I mean… you? Getting married? I thought that I would never see the day. I guess I never will since I wasn't at the wedding."

"Right… again, I apologize for that, but if it makes you feel better, you can be at the next one," he pointed out and she looked over at him in surprise.

"Why? You gonna hold another wedding? Renewing your vows or some such?" she asked with a teasing tone. "Don't tell me that you're planning to do that just for my sake; though I think that mother would be thrilled at the thought you would do something like that for her."

"No, it's just that should we manage to get out of this, then we won't be married anymore," he informed her and she looked surprised again.

"Don't tell me that you're taking what father said seriously," she asked and he looked back at her in surprise.

"What do you mean? Father said…?" he began but she waved her hand at him.

"Did you talk to your wife about this?" she asked before blinking in surprise and added, "That sounds so strange to say. Your 'wife'?"

"Yeah, it was strange for me as well at first," he said, now wondering when it did stop being so awkward for him to use such a term. He really couldn't recall, but it was hitting him all at once that he had grown rather fond of using such a word to describe her and he smiled faintly at the thought. Something that his sister picked up on right away.

"You seem fond of her," Alisaie teased with a knowing grin.

"Well, I think of her as a good friend," he muttered awkwardly. "I have grown… fond of her presence around all the time. But… how she feels about me… well, I think that it's clear now."

"What are you talking about? Did she say anything strange to you?" Alisaie asked in surprise, and had he not been feeling so sorry for himself, then he may have noticed the slight trace of disappointment in his twin's tone as well.

"It's nothing," he sighed. "Father just said that she has agreed to a possible separation should the Forum be able to find one."

"Oh, so you are upset about that?" she asked with a shake of her head. "You mean how father all but ordered her to 'let you go' once he finds a way to dissolve this marriage?"

"Wait, what do you mean?" he asked, looking up alarmed.

"You mean he didn't tell you? It's nothing that important, just that I overheard them," she said and her eyes darkened slightly as if remembering something sad. "Her words were, and I quote, 'If Alphinaud agrees to it, then I shall not fight it'. But she did mention having grown very fond of you after getting to know each other as well."

"She did?" he asked, feeling a warmth flowing through him at the thought.

Alisaie smirked at that before taking on a more serious tone and explained everything that she happened to overhear yesterday.

*Flashback*

"Damn, how big is this place?" Alisaie hissed to herself as she walked about the halls. She knew she hadn't gone that far from the library and was able to ask a passing servant where she could refill the water for her brother. But now she was having a hard time trying to remember the way back. She loathed the thought of asking for help again and she began to walk about the halls, trying to remember where to go when she heard the sounds of what appeared to be arguing.

She tried to ignore it at first, at least until she realized that one of the voices belonged to her father and she hurried to see what was going on.

Father was just around the corner to another hallway and she was taken aback when she realized that he was speaking with her… Claire. Her new… sister-in-law. Or rather, they seemed to be arguing with one another.

"I told you, I don't know what uncle is thinking," Claire answered him firmly. "I wasn't aware that we were even going to be having guests from Sharlayan that day until the moment he arrived. And I certainly wasn't expecting to be married shortly afterwards. I wasn't even told that I would be wed until the day before. I did refuse…?"

"Not hard enough, clearly," father retorted angrily.

"Uncle threatened to imprison my younger cousin if I resisted," Claire retorted. "What would you have done? I had no more say in the matter than Alphinaud had."

"Surely there was something that could be done at the time though? At least, a way to postpone the wedding?!"

"Like I hadn't tried to do that very thing! You make it sound like I have power here," Claire answered back, folding her arms. "I do not. Nor will you find many around here who would directly confront Vauthry. Like I said, neither of us had a choice."

"And what is it that you hope for now?" he demanded and when she didn't answer, he hissed something under his breath. They were too far away for Alisaie to make out what they were saying even when she cautiously stuck her head out a little further around the corner to try and hear better, but whatever he said was enough to cause Claire's face to turn red and her eyes flashed dangerously.

"That is a vile accusation," she hissed as she put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "I understand that you are upset, so I will not speak anymore on the matter. But don't take your anger out on me for something I had no say in. If you don't believe me, ask your son."

Alisaie felt as if a wave of cold washed over her from the quiet outrage that was in Claire's voice and was now almost afraid to know what her father said to have caused such anger. But her father didn't seem at all embarrassed by this, in fact, he dug his heels in and didn't look the least bit apologetic.

"Surely you can understand my concerns?" he asked as her eyes narrowed.

"And I will keep defending my innocence on the matter," she responded back.

The two just glared at the other and it was a standoff, with Alisaie half expecting them to start throwing punches.

"Very well," he said finally, "I can see that speaking with you isn't going to change anything at all."

"It appears so," she answered back coldly.

"In that case, kindly remove yourself from our sights. My family and I must speak of the future and I rather not have you here to pass on any information to your uncle," he said.

"You could be plotting his murder and I wouldn't say a word," she answered back harshly. "You may think me of a monster if that pleases you, but in all honesty, I feel nothing for that overgrown boulder of fat. But if that is what you wish, so be it."

She then tossed a small bottle over to him, catching it in his hands as he looked at her suspiciously while she answered, "That there will help ease the pain in Alphinaud's throat. I went to go and retrieve it for him. He's in the library, just take the hallway all the way to the end and turn left, it will be the second door on the right."

Without saying another word, she turned and began to walk away with her head still high and Alisaie had to admire how level-headed she was. It wasn't often that her father lost his temper like that, and it was actually startling to see him like this, showing just how upset that he was through all this. But perhaps he realized that he was getting angry at the wrong person. For as he looked at the bottle, Alisaie could see some of his righteous anger fading slightly.

Before she was out of sight, he called out in a tight voice, "I thank you for helping my son. But, you must admit that this is not the most ideal of situations?"

"No," she agreed quietly.

"In that case, I hope that you do not object to this 'marriage' becoming dissolved once the matter with Vauthry is settled?" he asked in a more business tone.

Claire looked back at him, her face completely stoic, but Alisaie thought that she could have sensed a feeling of anger coming from her at the decision.

"I refuse," she retorted. Alisaie wasn't sure she was saying that just to infuriated her father but if she was, then it was certainly working for one could almost see steam coming out of his long ears.

"What did you say?" he demanded in a voice that was almost as cold as her own.

"I am tired of having others make decisions for me. I will stay out of your way while you are here to avoid confrontation. But don't think you can decide my future for me. Does your son not get a final decision on the matter?" she asked. "Or do you intend to make the decision for him like Vauthry? He's not as helpless are you are currently treating him."

"This marriage is a farce and you know it," he hissed at her, any remaining feelings of calm disappearing as the full reality of what was going on hit him at once. "I am not blind to your plight nor about this matrimony. But that is something that can be rectified once we return to Sharlayan. I shall return to speak with the Forum about our options. There are always loopholes and deals that can be made and I shall do all in my power to ensure that this marriage be dissolved at first opportunity."

Alisaie looked back to Claire, searching her face for any inkling of her feelings being displayed but found… nothing. For a brief moment, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but as quickly as they parted, they were brought back together in a stoic line. Alisaie had no idea what she was thinking or what she might have said. What was she about to say?

"If Alphinaud agrees to it, then I shall not fight it," she said at last.

She turned and began to walk away, but before she was out of sight, she paused and said, "Though I will not deny that I have grown very fond of him in the short time that he has been here. Rest assure that I would never bind him to me if he desires to be free. If he wishes to dissolve this marriage, then I shall not deny him that. Though I do hope that we can remain as friends."

She then walked off without another look back as Alisaie watched on, not sure what to say to that. It had been the first time she had ever seen someone other than mother stand up to her father in such a way. Like she didn't have a fear in the world!

*End of Flashback*

"And that's what happened," Alisaie said at last as she finished telling Alphinaud all that she overheard. "I just remember father standing there staring at that bottle after she left. I didn't want him to know that I was eavesdropping on him so I just found my way back to the library."

"And that's why she's been avoiding me since yesterday?" he asked hesitantly.

"More or less," she shrugged. "Anyway, I do think that she doesn't seem like a bad person. I just don't know her that well yet. But, anyone who can stand up to father like that can't be all bad, right?"

He stared at her as the feeling of warmth entered his heart at the thought. So she didn't come right out and say that she wanted for them to go their seperate ways? He had been caught in a moment of complete surprise for he had always just assumed that she stayed with him out of necessity. Simply out of obligation and to keep herself from becoming suspicious to the Warrior of Darkness's enemies. But to think that she had grown to care for him in return that she would refuse to separate when she was asked by his father…? Never once did he think that she would wish to remain at his side… in all honesty he didn't know how he could answer that. He never thought that he would prepare himself for such an outcome… and now… he was forced to confront his blossoming feelings.

What an idiot he was… just listening to what his father had said without speaking to her about the matter as well? Instead he leapt through the steps of analysis, refused to look at things from all sides, only to arrive at one conclusion that he thought was the only one that made sense. He had chosen to ignore the other possibilities… as Krile would say… he was leaping to conclusions without all the facts.

But rather than feel relief… he was now completely at a loss to how he should be feeling. If she had come out and said that she wanted them to separate then he felt that it would be easier to accept. At least he would know her true feelings for him. But though she refused the offer at first, that didn't mean that she wished for them to stay married. She could have refused on the grounds of his father's rudeness towards her…? Perhaps she felt that she was helping to protect him out of fear that they were being overheard…? Such things seemed possible to him as well.

It was easier thinking that she didn't care for him at all when he thought that she had accepted his father's orders. But now he found himself strangely disappointed for he was, once again, left fumbling for an answer to how she felt about him.

He needed to talk to her about this.

"If it means anything, I think I like her," Alisaie added with a shrug, interrupting his thoughts. "At least, I like her more than some of those girls that mother introduced you to back home. I swear, some of them were completely airhead bimbos… at least this one seems to have a good head on her shoulders. Of course, you would know her better than I would at this point."

"I… I thank you for telling me this," he said in a quiet tone. "I had been worried about why she suddenly doesn't want to talk to me. I fear that I must apologize to her on behalf of father. Do you know what it was that he said to have upset her so much?"

"I don't, I'm afraid. Though if I had to guess, it was certainly rude enough for her to want to avoid confronting him again," she shrugged. "I did notice she was hanging around that friend of hers from the Crystarium? That Miqo'te?"

Alisaie remembered the dinner from last night and how her brother kept looking at the two as they sat almost at the other end of the table. She was now very interested in this little development when she saw the annoyance on her brother's face. As far as she could see, Claire wasn't doing anything but listening to a friend, who was very energetic about something written in the book. But the fact that her brother seemed to be completely distracted by the two didn't escape her. She watched how his eyes lingered on Claire longer than necessary and how his hands clenched as he listened to father talking.

But at the mention of said Miqo'te she saw how a surge of anger flashed across his face. He was able to hide his sudden dislike, but not soon enough for Alisaie to miss it. She smirked at that, as if she had just been told the answer to a question that she already figured out a long time ago. She then asked, "What's wrong? Do you not like the guy or something?"

"It's not important," he lied to her. He had been so worried over everything that happened yesterday that he didn't even stop to think about the Exarch of the Crystarium and his sudden insecurities. Now he knew that his sister was just trying to be helpful, but he rather be caught dead than let the others suspect his growing feelings, especially when he barely knew what he felt himself.

"Is that it? I see, well, it is a bit of a shame," she sighed, turning to leave the room. "She was kind enough to introduce me to that red haired Miqo'te after dinner when you all but fled from the table. Forgive me, I had assumed you were interested to discover the nature of their relationship."

Alphinaud knew that she was taunting him and he tried to fight it. But he could only manage to go a few minutes of silence before he caved in and asked, hoping he didn't sound as desperate as he thought, "And what did she say?"

She paused there before turning back with a rather devilish grin on her face that made him internally groan. He was never going to hear the end of this, but he could not help but yearn for the answer even as he desperately tried to think of an excuse to his sudden interest.

"G'raha? That was his name right? He was so very energetic while we were meeting, you would think that we were friends from a long time ago that we hadn't seen with how happy he was to talk to me," she said happily. "But I suspect that wasn't what you really want to know."

She grinned a little wider upon her brother's silence and furious red blush that stretched from ear to ear.

"Relax," she laughed, "There doesn't seem to be any feelings beyond camaraderie. If anything, they remind me of a big sister and eager little brother following her around when I was talking to them. It was actually kinda fun to listen to them share some stories. Though I did think to ask how she felt about you?"

"And what did she say?" he asked eagerly, throwing all pretenses out the window as she grinned.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Father showed up at that moment and told her off for talking to me. She never had the chance to answer. If anything, I think that he's upset that she may be the dangerous succubus who lured his precious son away from 'the right path'. The sooner that you tell father that you two haven't slept together, the sooner he'll stop treating her like some kind of monster."

She then smirked and gave a friendly wave before leaving her very flustered brother behind.

(Oh Alisaie, I can't tell if you are the most helpful person alive, or just a tormentor. But still, it's adorable how easily she can see how her brother feels and is quickly coming around to the idea of the two of them being together. She just wants her brother to be happy. And Fourchenault… well, it's gonna be tricky for Claire to win over her father-in-law. As to what he said to her? You'll find out soon enough! Next chapter is the ball!)