Filling In The Blanks

Disclaimer: I don't own FFIX or any of its characters.

A/N: This chapter is a big guy! Be ready for it! Small shout out for myself for the quick update too ;)

Chapter 110: The Alexandros Line

"My," he laughed, his cheeks rising and his eyes squinting, "don't you look dashing, brother."

"Hey now," he replied, straightening the sash around his shoulder for the umpteenth time. He was nervous, and his little brother could tell. "This is just as much a party for you as it is for me, Cid."

Cid rolled his eyes, "Yes, but no one cares about the charming and underestimated younger brother of soon-to-be-King Conry Alexandros!"

The older of the two, Conry, snorted and rolled his eyes, stepping away from the long mirror. "You have over inflated ideas of what to expect tonight, Cid."

"Why?" he asked, almost innocently. But nothing was innocent about the twenty year old; Conry didn't like the way he blinked up at him with jest in his eyes.

"While it is yet another party for the two heirs to two different thrones to find a love interest and potential queen, tonight is more just another social event for Mother and Father to see people they have not seen in a long time. Besides, I still will not be king for many years."

"Well," Cid chuckled, running a hand through his thick, brown hair, "I suppose you're right about that."

His older brother sighed and straightened his back like determination had just set in. "But that does not mean we cannot have fun. Let us go find some ladies, Cid!"

"If you insist, Almost-King Conry!"

Their optimistic views of the party lasted the entire way down the hall, until they stepped into the spotlight. Immediately, they were announced and girls – some much younger and some much older than the two boys nearly shoved to get near them. One might think the ladies would want to reign in the crazy desire of wanting to meet and marry a prince to look more respectable and appealing, but all that mattered to these women was getting close to the duo.

Cid was cut out for this sort of lifestyle. He loved the attention he received from his peers – especially the females, and he rather enjoyed being the center of interest. While he never much liked being part of these forced-meeting parties, he reaped the rewards well. Conry had always been a bit jealous how easily Cid seemed to bounce from person to person, growing attached but never suffering heartache or rejection.

The older of the two was much more refined. He was nervous and would fumble for the right words around women, but when it came to leading a country, he had no problem at all. Grand speeches and battle rallies were in his blood, and he seemed to enjoy delving into his career. It was only Cid, two years younger than he, who helped him come out of that as he grew older – to stop taking everything so seriously and stopping to take a peek at the little things in life as well.

He was twenty-two and under heavy pressure to find a wife. While no one insisted he get married immediately, his parents, King Reks and Queen Quintessa hoped that he would follow in the footsteps of his father and court his lady for a respectable length before asking for her hand, officially, in marriage.

That did absolutely nothing to quell his nerves.

"Here, Conry!" he turned to see his little brother coming towards him, waving two glasses of deep red wine in his hands. Cid was a far heavier drinker than he, and he suspected it was because he spent much of his time in Lindblum. Since the younger of the two was set in line to inherit the south-western kingdom, he dwelled there often, getting to know the people, the city, and the very atmosphere he would soon be a part of. The city itself was less uptight – more performers verses onlookers, and a city to chase dreams more than to watch them grow. Conry never thought anything had worked out quite so perfectly – each boy was assigned to the kingdom they were most similar to, and it was a total accident.

And while he had, many times, chastised his baby brother for his alcohol habits, he greedily accepted the glass of wine, drinking it like it was the only thing that had hydrated his body for several days.

Cid grinned up at him. "Conry, my dear brother, you mustn't worry so much. This is supposed to be fun, remember?"

Though he couldn't remember why he thought finding a wife in such a stuffy party would be fun anyways.

Before he could answer, a woman waltzed up to him, her feet squeezed into tiny, pink heels and her voluptuous waist and large shoulders took up most of his line of vision. Her hair was braided into a bun on the top of her head, pulled back crisply and unfortunately showing a deep line of makeup at her hairline. Her face was caked with the stuff, false lashes and heavy, colored eyeshadow ringed both eyes and reminded the brothers of a cross between a raccoon and a clown.

"Prince Conry! You must meet my daughter! Her name is Angeline! She is just heavenly!" he almost rolled his eyes as the hideous play off of her name, but he knew that would be rude and his parents would scold him for not playing nice.

"Where might she be?" he inquired, trying to think fast for a way out of it. "I was just having a word with my brother –"

"There!" she nearly gasped and dragged him away. Cid watched him go with a delighted expression.

Conry stumbled over his own feet as this lady bowled through the crowd, bashing into dancing couples and spilling more than a few drinks in her haste to make it to the other side of the room. He thought he had passed his parents and caught the glimpse of an amused but pitying look from his father, but he wasn't entirely sure. The room was spinning.

"Angeline!" she shrieked, and the girl nearly dropped her crystal glass at the shrill sound.

She turned hastily, tucking her light hair behind her ear. Conry blinked in surprise; he saw the fair, pointed ears of the elves, the tip tinkering with a small red earring.

"Hello!" she fumbled, thrusting out a hand to shake his, and then thinking better of it, and lightly touching his shoulders to give him a peck on the cheek. "Conry! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

"Um," he started, unsure of what to say. This girl was beautiful – a bit awkward – but not so overbearing as the others.

He was wondering how exactly her and this woman were related.

"Hi," he said lamely, any confidence he had deflating in a millisecond.

She let out a nearly soundless giggle though, and the big woman leaned forward, her feet creaking in those tiny heels like she was going to topple over, before she said, "I'll leave you two alone."

Angeline was wonderful. They talked, slowly regaining some sort of comfortableness with words for a few minutes, introducing themselves and speaking about where they were from. Angeline seemed to be shockingly familiar with Alexandria though she was from Daguerro.

"How is the snow?" he asked without really meaning to. "I've never seen snow; I hear it's lovely."

She nodded, "Better than the humidity here. It makes summers that much more gorgeous."

He smiled; he would love to visit her there simply because she seemed like she would be an awfully good tour guide.

So they continued to talk, and then they shared a dance, and Conry was torn away (finally) from the hectic pace of these parties and given one night where he might have been mildly interested in someone. She was sweet, and smiled at all the right times, and he knew it was someone his mother and father would be proud of.

They were sharing their second dance – something slower, so they had a chance for conversation in the middle of it. Her light eyes flickered around the ballroom, an unreadable but vaguely delighted expression spread over her long features.

"When we get married, I have so much I would love for you to let me do to the décor in here."

He really hadn't meant to, but he stepped completely away from her in shock. "What did you say?"

Her nose crinkled at him and her eyebrows knitted together. "What? You like the décor?"

"No… about – about marriage. We've only just met!"

"Yes," she nodded like she wasn't understanding what the problem was. "But this is the longest you've ever talked to someone without going and hiding away behind your brother. It's the furthest anyone has ever gotten with you. We all think you hate everyone else, so I just figured…" she trailed, not even trying to conceal the conceitedness of her own voice.

He took in one long breath and let it out before his heart began to hammer and panic began building his breath quicker and quicker. He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, unsure how to reply without being daftly rude. She stared at him expectantly, one eyebrow raised like she was still honestly confused.

"Excuse me," he said suddenly and jerked past her. He fled the dancefloor. In fact, he fled the entire party altogether. Cid barely had a chance to dodge after him, but got stopped right before the doors by another inquiring girl.

Conry stumbled down the hall, flying down the stairs and past the guards. They meant to say something to him, but he sprinted away, knowing that no one could stop him if he didn't give them enough time to speak.

Usually, he and Cid would flee through the well-lit tunnels of the underground passages to the river. The water glowed beautifully at night, and no sound but the crickets could reach them in the softness of midnight. But tonight was different – they would know exactly where to look for him.

He continued to run until he was in Alexandria itself, thoughts rushing through his head. The girl and her mother suddenly seemed insanely alike. She knew so much about Alexandria because she was being prepped to be the only girl who seemed to have anything in common with Conry. His heart constricted. People thought he hated them because he couldn't stand being bombarded at these parties? Did people have a secret consensus that he just happened not to hear about? Worry crept up in him; he couldn't already having people displeased in the way he presented himself.

"Excuse me!"

He skid to a stop, his shoes making a sort of satisfying scrape against the cobblestone. He turned, his eyes meeting a woman's.

They were dark brown, belonging to a fair face that was framed by very dark brown hair – black in the lighting. She was petite, but carrying a rather plump satchel on her back. She was currently gesturing angrily at the ground.

"What is it?" he asked her, not unkindly.

She blinked like she was taken aback. "This little girl's doll…" She puckered her lips like she was trying hard to stay polite. "I know she dropped it, but the least you could do is not step on it."

His lighter eyes flickered to the ground where they met a doll, its little limbs contorted on the ground, and dirtied with a dusty shoe.

"Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed, surprising both of them. He finally saw the little girl, hiding behind this mystery woman, with tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry! I didn't even see it there…" he trailed, taking the time to turn around and bend to pick it up. But he stayed kneeling, waiting for the girl to come and claim her possession. "Do you forgive me?" he asked as he tried to dust the little toy off.

She came out hesitantly, but recognition finally flitted into her eyes and she moved forward with bravery. "Thank you, sir." Her smile fingers wrapped around the worn cloth.

"She's very beautiful," he said with a gentle smile. "She must take after you."

The little girl actually let out a giggle. "Thank you, sir."

"Did you make her dress?" she nodded. "Well… I'm sorry I got it dirty –" he fished around in his pocket, praying he had put some sort of coin in there. Ah! He found what he was looking for, "- take this, and maybe you can make her a new one, and then take her out for a fancy dinner."

Her eyes shimmered in the darkness, gaping at the gold coin between his fingers. "Are you sure? Mummy said I shouldn't take money unless they're really sure."

His smile grew, "I request that you take it."

She took that very gingerly too. "Thank you, sir."

"You don't have to call me that. Just Conry would be okay, too."

She nodded, and then, courageously, threw herself into his arms for a hug. "Thank you, Conry."

He nodded into her shoulder, that familiar pleasure of helping the children of his very own city filling his anxious muscles. "Absolutely."

And then, without another sound, she skipped away, the brightest smile on her face.

Conry stood, having nearly forgotten why he was outside on a night like this in the first place.

"I have to say, I did not expect this situation to end so admirably."

He jumped. He forgot she was there too. "I really hadn't any idea that I stepped on her doll. Thank you for stopping me."

She nodded slowly, seeming like she wasn't sure if she believed his façade or not. Finally, her eyes softened. "Anyone running so fast must have been trying to get away from something." She reached out a hand, and must of thought of something because she dropped it soon after. "Are you alright?"

He stared at the woman a little shamelessly. His face, he knew, wore a ridiculous expression as his eyes flickered over her attire. She was carrying a thick satchel and was wrapped in a white rope with red triangle patterns lining the hems. Underneath, it appeared she had on dusty leather traveling pants and he could see the collar of a sky blue blouse. Around her neck hung a large gem – garnet perhaps? Or maybe it was just the lighting outside.

She looked tired – like she'd traveled too long a distance - but incredibly kind. He sighed. "Everything is well enough. There's always a bright side, right?"

"Oh? And what is yours?" she challenged.

He shrugged, "I just gave a girl dinner for a week, and I've met someone kinder than I have in a long time," he nodded to her, eyes restricted.

She seemed to look startled at that as she glanced around. "Perhaps I need to find a different city if I am the kindest you have seen."

He laughed and shook his head. "The city is beautiful – the people are wonderful. It's the type of people I seem to find myself dealing with that is the real catch."

"Sounds stressful," she smiled, her eyes crinkling slightly.

Something about her appearance finally clicked and he recognized the worn travel cloak. He pointed at it, trying to be casual while his heart leapt with excitement. "That robe… is it yours?"

Her hand immediately went to the hem of it, like she forgot it was there. "Yes."

"You are…" he knew his expression gave him away. "A white mage?"

She laughed knowingly. "You would be awfully surprised how many times I get asked that a day. Many job offers all at one time."

"Wow!" he gave her a bow that sent her blushing. "I have never met a white mage! A pleasure! What is your name, if I may ask?"

"Victoria," she answered simply before gesturing to him. He watched her dig the toe of her boot into the cobblestone like she was expecting it to drill a hole in the road. "And yours?"

"Conry," he nearly groaned at her. He knew that this was the part of the conversation where she would recognize him and begin the swarm.

But she stayed surprisingly neutral. All she did was nod her head in thought. "An interesting name; is it in the family?"

He nodded, "You could say that."

"I've always liked the way names from the Mist Continent seem to roll off the tongue. Quite unlike the names in Conde Petie – the only other place I had met people from for most of my life," she informed, since she knew that he probably understood immediately where she was from. White mages only came from one place in all of Gaia.

He nearly laughed. Did she really not know? He wondered then how long she had been in Alexandria, or if this was her first night here. He yearned to hear of her travels, and wonder openly if she knew different types of magic as well. Conry wanted to know what had brought her here and startlingly enough – what could make her stay longer.

He suddenly realized he wanted to get to know her all at once.

The first woman he had ever met who hadn't known who he was from the start.

But he only sucked in a deep breath to reply, realizing that she was still waiting for him to say something back to her. "How long are you here for?"

She shrugged, "I've only just arrived."

A ridiculous grin found itself to his face. He was sure it was a little daunting and probably very silly, but he couldn't help himself. Something about the night had lifted from his shoulders. "Tomorrow when the sun touches the tip of that statue –" he pointed at the one behind them, marking the middle of the Noble's Square, "- will you meet me here? I would love to show you the city."

She looked at him for a moment, but didn't have to give it much thought. "Sure, Conry. I will meet you here."

"R-really?" he stammered, surprised.

She nodded looking entirely sure of herself. "What's life if not for a little adventure? I wouldn't have gotten this far if I hadn't said yes to a few things."

He laughed – the sound bubbling out of him even though he hadn't meant it to. "Okay. Tomorrow then."

She gave a little wave and then turned, not ever bothering to look back because, it seemed to him by the way she walked away, she had already planned her entire rest of the evening. It appeared to him that she was not going to spend time dwelling on what had happened – tonight and perhaps, if he could be bold – through all of her travels as well.


It had been two weeks, and Conry still hadn't told Victoria who he really was. Somehow, strangely enough, through all of the tours of the city and restaurants and coffee shops, she hadn't discovered who he was either.

And like he hadn't told this new girl who he was, he certainly hadn't told his parents – or his brother – where he was sneaking off to during the day, not coming back until dusk when they would just about be ready to set off the alarms.

And Cid, quite frankly, had had enough.

"You!" he called informally down the hall.

Conry stopped, one leg still frozen in the air, midstep, before he scurried off down the hall, hoping to lose his brother. But Cid was pesky, and Cid was fast, and when he wanted information, he got it.

He was yanking his older brother back by the collar of his shirt in seconds, rearing him around and nearly throwing him against the wall in a mildly suspicious, mildly gleeful way. "Where have you been?!" he demanded before narrowing his eyes, "And why have you been so goddamn cheery?"

"Language," Conry scolded though it was mostly just to get the subject off of him.

"Sorry we can't all speak as delightfully as you do, Conry. Now don't change the subject! Talk!"

"What do you mean where have I been? You see me every day!"

"And I also see Mother and Father go into an insistent panic, even though you leave and come home at the same exact time. I'm the one who has to deal with the wreckage you leave here, so I deserve to know why you're gone!"

Conry sighed. He really hadn't been fair to Cid, and he really ought to have known why his older brother was being so bad.

"Okay… Come on!" he dragged him into the office they were next to and dragged him around a column of bookcases. "You can't tell."

"Are we a couple of gossiping women now?!"

Conry let out a frustrated squawk and stared at him with impatient anxiety. "Why would I tell? You're much more uptight than I am, dear brother."

Conry sighed, hating for the first time how sarcastic Cid was. Usually it wasn't directed at him.

"I met a girl."

"WHAT?!"

"Shhhh!" he hissed, anger in his voice. "You can't tell them!"

"Who is she? What is she like? Tell me everything!" he scrunched up his face into a tight expression. "By the Heavens, now I sound like a fucking girl! Tell me!"

"Her name is Victoria. She's a white mage from Madain Sari, but she left two years ago because she wanted to see the rest of the world. She's your age, and she's kind and funny. You should see her, Cid, the way she interacts with the people in the town. She's only been here two weeks and she knows more people than I do! Than you and I do combined! And we've lived here our whole lives!" he began breathing quickly in excitement, and his voice rose higher with each detail he tried to emphasis. "She's strong, so strong. I can tell just by looking at her, you know? She's got this gentle fire that I know if provoked, she might be the most stunning power I have ever seen. And I – I –"

"You like her," Cid said simply, his voice surprisingly quiet.

"What?!"

He let on a smile – one of his gentle smiles, reserved only for his family. Cid put a firm hand on his brother's shoulder, a genuine gesture. "Why don't you tell Mother and Father? You know they'd be pleased –"

"She's not anything like the girls they try to set me up with."

"But they'll love her. I already do, and I haven't even met her yet. Will I get to meet her, Conry?"

He thought about it for a moment. Was Victoria a fleeting idea? Or was the essence of her meeting his brother – the closest person to him in his life – a rather enticing little detail that he hadn't thought of.

Conry let on a smile. "Of course."

"Delightful," he nodded, and Conry noticed that he hadn't even noticed he'd used such a bouncy word. "I'll wait for you to tell our parents, but if you don't do it soon, I might have to start dropping obvious hints. You have to tell them, because then they'll stop making you go to those ridiculous parties."

Conry sighed, "I know you're right," he said. But the way Cid was talking made him think more about telling Victoria who he really was and how it wasn't fair that she had been so honest when his answers had been vague and unfulfilling.

The next time he saw her he would tell her for sure.

And that time came sooner than he thought it would. For that night, on his usual walk down the canal in the more residential part of the city he saw her. She was sitting by the water on a small dock, dipping her feet in. She wore a navy dress that seemed to match the color of her hair in the purple haze that was beginning to take over the sky. Her arms were bare and the skin fair, despite all of the harsh sun the Outer Continent always brought in.

It's like she was there waiting for him, because almost immediately she looked up, her eyes soft and caring, and she smiled.

Conry would look back on that moment for many years and suspect that is when he really started falling in love with Victoria.

"Hello," she greeted as he sat silently next to her. The dock creaked underneath him, but he didn't mind as he started to unbuckle his boots. Something about her made him want to be free and do the things she did.

"Hi," he responded with his usual lameness, though all of the awkward had gone away.

There was silence, almost like she knew he was working up to say something.

"I thought you'd be walking tonight," she finally said, "so I thought I would wait here and see if I could find you or not."

"Why?"

"Your company is…" she thought about it with an interesting look on her face for a moment as she laced her fingers in front of her. They were long and slender, like the hands of a musician. "Enjoyable."

He let out a laugh, though he didn't poke his usual humor back at her. That had her staring at him expectantly; now she knew something was up.

He had promised himself he would do this, no matter how strangely set up the universe seemed to put it tonight. They hadn't even been sitting down for more than five minutes, and she was already giving off the feeling that she knew what he would say. And he was nervous.

"I have to tell you something before we keep… seeing each other."

She raised both eyebrows at the way he phrased it, but didn't mention it. Instead she spoke, "I've noticed that. What is it, Conry?"

He stared at her, taking in the features of her face like it might be the last, cheesy time he ever saw her. Finally, frustrated with the melting feeling of his heart, he blurted it out. "I haven't been one hundred percent honest with you. While everything I've said is completely true, I've left out the daringly important detail that I am a prince. Not just any prince, but heir to the throne of Alexandria."

Her eyebrows knitted together in thought and she leaned forward on the palms of her hands, watching her toes brush the surface of the water, sending ripples out in the lake. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was afraid you wouldn't like me," he admitted surprisingly well.

That's when her head jerked up to him, but her eyes were unreadable. "So you thought not telling me would be better?"

"I…" but he deflated.

They sat for a few uncomfortable moments. Victoria continued to swing her bare toes, flicking some droplets over the water, creating a sort of visual symphony.

"I already knew."

"What?!"

She let out a small laugh and looked at him, that easygoing expression returning to her features. "I've known since I met you."

"And you didn't say anything?"

She shrugged, "You seemed content without talking about it, so I didn't want to ruin whatever comfort that gave you."

"I…" he appreciated that more than he thought he ever would. "How?"

"When we met, you were wearing some very formal clothing…" she cleared her throat, "Lindblum was my first stop after I left Madain Sari, you know. And the young prince there, and many of the nobles wear much of the same things."

Conry broke into a strange grin. Cid had, in some bewildering way, been the one to tell her that he was a prince after all.

"You also wore the insignia of Alexandros on your sash," she tapped just above her heart. "That's how I knew you were not just a noble."

"You're sharper than I thought."

She smiled, "That's the idea."

"I want to show you the castle," he suggested hastily. "And I want you to meet my brother."

Without even batting an eyelash, Victoria nodded. "I think I would like that."

"Just another adventure," he said.

And then she stared out over the water, watching the way the orange colors of the fading sky danced in the ripples across the lake, and how the wind seemed to blow the brightness of the day away, replacing it with the maroon-purple color of the sky that would eventually fade into midnight.

For the first time he saw longing in her eyes, and he realized that maybe even though he didn't know her reasoning behind leaving her village, she was so willing to take leaps of faith and say yes to every opportunity, because perhaps she was lonely.

Maybe just as lonely as Conry felt when he watched Cid's airships fly up into the sky, knowing that that trip to Lindblum was one step closer to him never calling Alexandria home again. He thought briefly of who she might have left at home, and his heart suddenly went out to her. He wondered why she was so calm, why she was so willing to trust someone she hadn't known for long when her travels had worn her down over the past couple of years…

But then he thought maybe she was missing a happiness from home that she found in the way Conry hadn't focused on his heritage, just like she wished people wouldn't focus on hers either.


"Are you nervous?"

She stared at the other woman in the mirror. She had to admit that she hadn't expected this newcomer to speak. Erin, the captain of the Rose Brigade had announced that she would be heading the security for this event, so one of her top sergeants would take over for her.

Victoria, ever patient, smiled and waved the older woman away, insisting she do what she felt best and deciding already that they weren't really in any danger at all.

But when she met the new girl, her hair tangled around her face like it annoyed her and her posture so tight it made even Victoria sit up straighter, she could see the nerves twisting in the girl, and the slight shake of her hand when she extended it for a handshake.

"I suppose," she began pleasantly, turning her attention back to her hair in the mirror, "in some ways I am. But I have known the people of Alexandria for a long time, so it helps my nerves."

The girl was baffled, blinking at her with bewildered chestnut eyes. "That is the only thing that sets off your nerves? The people?"

Victoria laughed, "What do you mean?"

"You are marrying a soon-to-be king."

Another mild chuckle escaped her mouth. Victoria had always felt calm in Alexandria – something about the city calling to her, and accepting her in willingly. "You mean nervous about Conry?"

"Yes," she nodded promptly.

"Not really," she decided honestly, brushing back a few more strands of her dark hair. "I've known Conry a long time, and he has always been one of the gentlest souls I have ever met. I could not ask to spend the rest of my life with someone better than that."

A question seemed to appear on the girl's face, as she opened her mouth to ask it. But Victoria noticed the way hesitation filled her eyes and she slowly shut it, allowing her posture to droop just a little.

"Beatrix," Victoria said finally, "why did you become a knight?"

She looked a little flustered at the question. She was still so, so young. But a threat, though no one was really sure exactly what it was yet, loomed ever nearer in the future, and there was a need for strong people like her.

"My mother was a knight," she answered quietly. "I always liked the idea of protecting the people I love."

Victoria smiled, deciding quite promptly that she liked this girl. Maybe she would request her presence in assisting the soon-to-be royal's preparation for events more often.

"I think that's a wonderful reason," she began before turning. She didn't tell the girl what she was doing, but she came towards Beatrix with a brush and extended her hand. Immediately, the brunette bowed and Victoria almost rolled her eyes. "Please, child. Do not be so formal with me. I am hardly someone to be ceremonial with."

"You're marrying the heir to the throne of the city I swore to protect," she reminded the older woman.

Victoria pursed her lips as she brushed Beatrix's hair away from her face, feeling the soft strands between her fingers. "Your hair… is it always like this?" it was strangely kinked at the ends and unnatural looking, sticking in all directions and tickling Beatrix's chin annoyingly.

She shook her head slowly, "It curls at the bottom… very large curls. When I…" she choked off, but then continued. "When I first joined the guard, a few of the male recruits I was with said that Alexandria could never take me seriously if I worried about my looks so much."

It was then that Victoria realized what the woman was wearing. Her armor was nearly a full suit, clunky and uncomfortable right down to boots that didn't fit her. Every part of it was heavy and hard and not very mobile.

"I think that beauty is one of the most powerful weapons in this world, Beatrix," Victoria told her seriously. "And I think that you should utilize that power." She tugged gently on a curl and watched it try to spring back into its usual position, but it got stuck awkwardly in its kink. "Feel empowerment in being a woman who has risen through the ranks of this guard, and has become a top sergeant in the only all-female brigade in the entire kingdom. There is a reason they hold you in such close regard to the castle, and a reason you were chosen above all else to take this honorable position today." She let on a small smile. "You should never let anyone tell you that you are too good for something, so you will be bad. Excel in every area that makes you happy."

She gestured to the armor, "And that… do not let anyone tell you that you have to wear a suit of uncomfortable metal to save the world." She waltzed to the closet, throwing it open and digging out a pair of worn traveling pants that were faded and patched in a couple of areas. She showed them to Beatrix, who was staring slack-mouthed back at the woman. "I certainly didn't use anything as ridiculous as that when I traveled."

"M'lady…"

She ushered Beatrix to the mirror and sat her down in the chair, letting her own hair fall over her shoulder as she leaned. She had pinned it half up in a very loose manner, deciding that she wanted to look as natural as possible – just the way she had met Conry. So she had a bit of extra time to get ready.

"For now…" she mumbled, pulling Beatrix's hair away from her face. She felt the younger girl gasp mildly, and knew that what she was doing was mildly inappropriate. She shouldn't be spending her time playing dress up with a knight, but she knew she couldn't let this poor girl walk away with expectations sitting on her shoulders that didn't need to be there… if Victoria was going to help rule this kingdom, she might as well start now.

It wasn't the best hairstyle in the world, but it was convenient and easy to do. She piled all of her brown hair on her head in a messy bun, securing it with a couple of ties. Victoria did her best to make it look like a natural style; she felt silly doing this, but something about the way the girl's eyes looked brighter already told her that if you gave people a little bit more optimism, no matter how goofy it sounded, it could do wonders.

"There. Now I can see your face."

Beatrix blinked at herself in the mirror, stunned. She hadn't felt so exposed, without her hair nearly wrapped around her face, in a long time. Her long lashes brushed her cheeks when she blinked, her updo giving a graceful contour to the lines of her face. Large, brown eyes blinked back at her, young and vulnerable.

Victoria sighed and turned to the side, looking at the gown still sitting on the mannequin in the corner. "Well… I think it is time to do what you've come to do, dear." She gestured to the large dress. "Let us figure out that wedding gown."


He watched her with the same amount of interest he had always shown in her. Just the very way she moved was different than others he had met, and he hadn't quite gotten over that, even after all the years he had known her.

What he loved the most about Victoria was her way with people. She wasn't from Alexandria and more than that – almost nobody knew where she came from because of the precautions his parents had put on her heritage long ago, before they had passed away. White magic was a growing threat, and they didn't want Victoria – or the Queen of Alexandria – to be a target. But the lack of information didn't stop people from adoring her.

She was a very influential person. She spent half of her week in the town, still learning ever-more about the citizens, nobles and lower-class alike. She threw parties that not just royals were invited to, and while Conry spent time in military meetings or allegiant standings with Cid, or Fali, the King of Bermecia, or people who had traveled even further than that, she spent her time painting, helping the aids around the castle, or taking part in frowned-upon contests amongst the guards like races, drinking contests, or sword fights.

Conry found light around her no matter the time of day, the cultural ideas of the creative arts she approved of – all of the playacting she loved to support, or that she actually taught a weekly painting class for a few months in the town until the council began advising her against being so exposed with the looming international threats – gave him all the more reason to be proud she was his Queen.

Today he sat on the bed, slowly buttoning down his shirt, exhausted from his day as his eyes followed the paint brush that trailed across the page. The light of the sunset across the river shot through their room in rippling highlights, giving her dark hair a sort of glow.

She suddenly gave a gasp and dropped her paint brush, the tip flicking off of her smock and splattering the floor.

Conry was up in a second, rushing towards her and catching her arm. "Are you alright?"

Victoria laughed and looked up at him with dazzling brown eyes, all happiness – no pain. Despite being the Queen of a nation that had impending war in its future, she had the carefree characteristic that Conry was always drawn to. "She's quite active today," she commented instead of answering, though that really answered for itself anyways.

He gave a small smile and stepped away from her before bending down and pressing a hand to her overgrown belly. "How is our baby today?"

"Daughter," she corrected in mild exasperation. "It's going to be a girl."

"I do not care what you say, Victoria, palm readers are not always right. Nor are tea-leaf readers or mind readers or baby-gender readers!"

"I'm telling you," she insisted, "it's Lilith in there."

He made a face, "Are we going to have that argument again?"

"I think the name is elegant. And your mother approved of it."

"My mother would have approved of your daughter if she was named double-u! So really, we need not try to impress her with names. Not that she has any sort of a say anymore," Victoria shot him a strange expression. It was the same face of confusion and curiosity she always wore when he made light of his parents' deaths. They were great rulers and wonderful people – just old; their time was well spent and he saw nothing wrong with the natural way of their deaths.

"Double-u… wouldn't that be such a name?" Victoria laughed, bending to pick up the paint brush. (a/n: it's just W guys, but I just wanted to make it clear.)

Conry shot back to her, holding her arm as he bent at an awkward angle to get it before she did. He picked it back up and smiled dashingly at her, replacing it between her delicate fingers. "At least it's unique. My family is a long line of Cid's and Nadia's and bleh." She giggled at his informalities, "Why not something interesting?"

"Like what?" she nearly snorted, pushing her paint brush back to the canvas like it had never fallen. She squinted her dark eyes against the sun and shifted uncomfortably on her feet. He ignored her – he had learned months ago that offering her any extra comforts in her pregnancy would only make her yell at him.

"I like… Garnet."

"Garnet? Like the stone?"

He nodded, "It has a little pizazz to it, but could still be a name. Do you understand?"

"I do certainly understand, and under no circumstance am I naming my child Garnet after a rock."

"It's a stone – a precious one at that. And isn't she our precious, little gem?"

"Do not turn this around," she warned vaguely, though the threat was dry; a smile was spread wide over her face. "Garnet can be her middle name."

"I think Garnet is beautiful – as a first name."

"You just aren't going to win this one, Conry," she sighed, like it truly distressed her.

He grinned in response.

"Someday," he insisted to her.

Just then, there was a sudden wrapping on the door – it was a violent, disruptive sound.

Conry grumbled before sulking over to the door, not interesting in dealing with more politics for the day. He threw open the door, clearly displeased.

"My King!" the man gasped and nearly dropped to the floor. "I am sorry for bothering you –"

"What is it, Adelbert?" he fumbled for his words, trying to be professional, "I mean… Lieutenant Steiner?"

"The North Gate calls for aid. There are dark forces there – strange black mages with hidden faces and piercing eyes, and creatures of the mist! They seek immediate assistance!"

Conry nodded, determination suddenly taking over his entire demeanor. "Rally your troops at once, Steiner. Where is your captain?"

"At the stables, sir, getting his horse. He insisted I come tell you what was going on before he rode out."

"Go tell him to wait just a moment, Lieutenant Steiner, for I will be riding out with you! We need to make it known that no man is too good to fight for his family – or his people. I will meet you at the gates – bring my horse to me!"

"Yes sir!" he stamped in place, his clunky armor crunching together as he stood erect and saluted stiffy, before puffing off down the hall. Conry could hear him the entire way.

He turned back to Victoria, and caught a glimpse of her near-finished painting. It was of a gorgeous fountain, the white stone something like marble, but it had a certain off color to it which told him it was something different – Victoria was too good to mess something like that up. It was surrounded by an unreal, blue sky, puffed with clouds and halted by red canyons of the finest desert stone.

She had stopped to listen to the conversation, a patiently smooth expression on her face. But her eyes smoldered with worry for their people – and for the troops who were extending a sword to assist.

"I'll be back soon… Within a week – I want to stabilize them too, if the damage is great."

She nodded, "Of course. Do what you can," she encouraged, knowing very well that she had married a king and this was the consequence.

He swept her up into his arms then, pressed his face into her hair and smelling the sweet scent about her. He did this every time he left her, so that he could take her memory – the strongest part of her, her scent – with him into battle, and propel him home faster. She hugged him back just as fiercely, digging her fingertips into the silk of his shirt.

"I love you," he told her earnestly – insistently, like she still didn't believe it.

"I love you more," she responded, tilting her head to lean on his. They stood like that for several moments before she pulled back. "Go – they are waiting… you have my blessing."

He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling with age that he hadn't hit yet, and a softness in their green color that she had fallen in love with. His face still lit up like a child – like she'd always seen it when he was pleased. But before he left, he bent down one last time and kissed her belly over her apron (she didn't tell him, but he got paint on his face when he did that).

"See you soon, Garnet til Alexandros XVII. Wait to be born until I come home – do not be so anxious. And know, as always, that Papa loves you dearly."

Victoria smiled, though she rolled her eyes at his name choice and squeezed his hand one more time. "I love you," she said again.

He let out a vague laugh, pecking her cheek and proceeding to get paint on her face too as he moved towards the door. "I love you too, Victoria."

The Princess was born three days later after thirteen hours of screaming, sweat, and yelling on Victoria's part. The maids could do nothing to quell her growing frustrations and overwhelming sadness that her husband had missed the birth of their child, though she wouldn't dare voice this as a complaint. She knew that there were people who needed him more than she at the moment – she was strong.

A letter had been sent when she officially went into labor. The messenger made haste when he left the castle, and she secretly hoped that Conry would quicken his pace home. Hell – she hoped they were even on their way home in the first place.

Nine hours into her labor, a reply from the king came, and she nearly laughed in rejoice. Surely he would have something to say to cheer her up.

Victoria plucked it from the hands of a maiden who had just cleared her throat to speak and swiftly read it herself, despite the midwife insisting that she needed to focus on the fact that she was in the middle of labor. Her dark eyes skimmed the page and she exhaled deeply, falling back on the bed until someone brought her water in fear of her passing out.

I am overjoyed at this news!

When she started to push and she was informed that the baby was crowning, she threw every curse word in the book at Conry, hoping that it would release some of her pain.

Our baby is headstrong already, like her mother, and listens to no orders.

Of course, it didn't.

Unfortunately, meeting her will have to wait. As long as you are safe, Victoria, I am needed here. These people are wounded and their houses burned to the ground. I weep for them as they offer me everything that they have, hoping to impress me though I am not there as their king but as a soldier to help them stay alive.

Conry was such a good person. She hated and loved him for it. He was kind to a fault, and it annoyed every inch of her body as she let out a frustrated scream. Nobody paid her any mind except the younger girls on the outskirts of the room, holding pales of ice, blankets, medical supplies and anything else she might need while paling at the sight in front of them. They flinched at the next scream.

Give me two more days, and then I will be home. Though I do hope someone sends word about the delivery. I want to be informed immediately – I want to know how beautiful she is before I meet her. I have waited a long nine months, and I can wait a little longer.

But all of the hurt went away. She never really believed anyone when they said all of the pain after delivering a baby went away when she or he was placed in your arms, but she did now. She felt the small weight of the child – a girl, just like she knew it would be.

Though I do give my sincerest apologies to you, Victoria. I know this cannot be easy on you, but you know as well as I that you have never needed me for one substantial moment of your life to lean on, except perhaps our wedding, considering it wouldn't have been happening without me there.

The baby cried, but gently. Her voice was already beautiful – high pitched and wonderful, and everything Victoria dreamed of when she thought of this moment. She glanced up, tearing her gaze painstakingly away from her newborn child for just a moment because she was going to call out to Conry. But then stopped and remembered she had to be patient. More time with the baby for her then; she could handle that.

Enough of my lame humor and jokes. Stay safe, and good luck with the rest of the birth in case it has not happened yet. But your duties will give me the best prize I have won in my life, after you, of course.

"What will you name her?" the midwife asked gently. But Victoria's open mouth fell flat of an answer; she had no idea what her and Conry had decided on, and the man had already missed his daughter's birth – she wasn't actually going to rob him of the real naming process either.

With all of my love,

"Can we wait to name her? I want Conry to be here…"

"Of course, M'lady," she answered kindly.

Conry.

Another letter went out to him after that – one handwritten by Victoria herself.

Conry,

You will be excited to know that we are indeed new parents of a baby girl. Let the kingdom rejoice because I was right again, and you simply have no place telling me that palm readers and tea-leaf readers and mind readers and baby-gender readers are no longer always correct. They have been correct in every aspect of our life together thus far.

Even though you may not deserve it, I am waiting on the naming process until you return. I feel like you would be mad at me if you were introduced to Lilith officially without being here, but I ensure you, I will still win this fight.

All jest aside, stay safe, and come home soon. Your daughter is finally ready to meet you.

With all of my love,

Victoria.

It felt like ages as her maids helped her bathe, and bathed her new daughter as well. Victoria hardly listened to anything anyone had to say. She stared at her daughter lovingly – talked to her softly, and even sang to her once already, as they wrapped her in blankets made of the finest silks and Victoria presented her daughter – who didn't understand yet, but would someday – with the quilt she had made her when she first found out about her pregnancy.

A reply came hours after that, and she was delighted it was so quick.

Tearing into the letter, she had to smile as she read her husband's words back in her own mind, able to imagine him hunched over in a chair as the men outside chattered, his forehead creased and his foot tapping lightly against the ground as he wrote it.

Victoria,

I am pleased that you've found the time in your busy schedule to get back to me.

Ho! Happy day! I will let you have this one, my dear sweet, for the palm readers haven't been wrong in all of our life together, and I certainly think they have yet to disappoint you. Maybe on the next child, I will be proven right?

I cannot wait to meet our daughter, and in all of my happiness and weariness to come home, I grant you permission to name her Lilith, all the same. You have won, my love, for though I adore the name Garnet, I simply adore the idea of a child more. And if naming her Lilith like my mother would have loved makes you happy, then I want nothing different for her.

See you soon.

I love you.

Conry.

She couldn't believe it.

The biggest grin stretched over her face and she actually cheered. The maidens didn't say anything, but she knew they whispered worriedly over her health after this baby. She was certainly on a rollercoaster today.

Victoria had been too excited to sleep, waiting and watching for her husband outside the balcony, never a few steps away from her new baby. Soon-to-be Lilith (for Victoria still did not want to officially name her without Conry there), snoozed comfortably in her crib. People were shocked – why wasn't the Queen exhausted and tired? She smiled as she clung to the pendant around her neck; her heritage had made her proud, secretly, once again.

A few hours later, a knock wrapped on her door, slowly and carefully.

She rushed to it delightedly, unable to contain her hope that it was Conry, ready to sweep her up into his arms. But how odd – he had said he would be another two days or so, hadn't he? The events of the last day and a half swirled around her like she wasn't a part of the physical world anymore.

When the door creaked open, she found a familiar face on the other side, but not the one she was hoping for.

There stood Adelbert Steiner – Conry's favorite new lieutenant. His eyes were swollen and pink, and he wrung his hands nervously in front of him.

"M'lady," he hiccupped like he could hardly control himself.

His eyes slid over to the crib, and tears finally sprung into his eyes.

"Steiner!" she nearly gasped, her stomach clenching. Something was wrong. "Whatever is it, dear? Why are you home so soon?"

"T-there was an ambush, M'lady…"

She didn't say anything, just waited for him to continue in half-dazed alarm.

"They came very literally from nowhere, like they just teleported to our location. It was like the attacks were a decoy to get our best troops out to aid the town… One appeared literally on top of the King…"

His words slowed down, and his lips were barely moving. Her hold on the door was tight, and somewhere in the back of her subconscious mind, the baby had started to cry.

He was explaining her husband's death to her.

Conry.

He was dead.

Her attention suddenly snapped to, alarming the knight who was in the middle of his story, unable to go about gently telling the Queen that she was now a widow. She turned, her crimson robes following her like a shadow as she went to the crib. The baby was thrashing, like she knew exactly what Adelbert had come to tell them.

"Garnet," she whispered, feeling the name roll off of her tongue. "It's okay, Garnet, my love… Mommy is here… It's alright. Everything will be alright."


"Peek-a-boo!"

Garnet giggled, reaching forward with her tiny hands in hopes to touch the woman's face, or perhaps snag a lock of her lush, chestnut hair.

Beatrix hid behind her face once more, an uncontainable smile taking over her lips as the baby huffed in confusion. "Peek-a-boo!" she gasped and quickly took her hands away from her face. Garnet laughed again.

"Beatrix," she glanced up to see Steiner coming toward her. She couldn't help but notice how much like his brother he looked, and her heart ached suddenly and spontaneously for the missing Nathaniel. "She is ready for you. For both of us."

"Weren't you just…" she was about to ask him about his whereabouts, for he was supposed to be part of a high-stakes training session for most of the day, but decided against it. Adelbert's meddling into royal affairs was obnoxious enough; she didn't need to know the details.

When Beatrix stood, Garnet fell forward on her hands and knees, reaching one pale and chubby hand out for her leg. She smiled lovingly. She knew that Steiner was staring holes into her, probably thinking that Lieutenant Beatrix hadn't ever shown more love to any living creature before. And without thinking more on the subject, she swept up the princess and walked with Steiner into the royal office.

It hadn't changed much since Conry occupied it. It was a little less organized and there was a painting of a place she'd never seen before hanging up by the bookshelf, but otherwise Victoria had kept it largely the same.

"Hel-lo!" she sang out, reaching for her daughter. Beatrix smiled as she transferred the baby from her arms to the Queen's. "How are you today, Garnet?" she asked, her voice still that mask of silly-happy.

Garnet stared at her with matching brown eyes, blinking softly, and almost intelligently at her mother before she sighed and collapsed happily into the woman's shoulder. Despite there being an audience, Victoria could not contain her smile.

"Beatrix, Steiner… Thank you for coming in to speak with me today."

Both of them nodded and stood stiffly, like they were waiting on orders.

"As you know, the last few months have been… hectic," and they really had been. With this strange, unknown threat coming ever closer, and a man named Kuja finally spotted on the map as the start of all of these problems, there had hardly been any time for Victoria to grieve. She had been out of commission – locked away with her and the child for only three days before she threw open the doors, baby in one arm, and began commanding the entire kingdom like she had been doing it all her life. Nobody questioned her, everyone knew that Conry would entrust the kingdom to no one else.

"And that's why it has taken me so long to do this…" she tried her best to look serious, but inklings of a smile flickered on her pale face. "Adelbert Steiner, you have been promoted."

Beatrix noticed the way that he nearly fell over even though he wasn't moving at all. Sometimes his ridiculous actions in all of that armor were quite humorous.

"M'lady?!"

She nodded, "While you both know it was a quick move to dub the rest of your peers official knights, I had to take a little more time to think about who I wanted to promote. It's essential that these new knights with less experience do not lose their lives because of that, and I want them following people who, though young, know what they're doing."

And they were young – ridiculously young. Beatrix felt like she flew through the training to become a knight (which she sort of had. She was the youngest, after all, to become one, ever in the history of Alexandria. Steiner was just a year or two behind her). However, her chance to prove herself had come quickly, even before she was a knight. She was sent away on raids and missions and recon and escort missions all the time – and she'd become very familiar with Steiner's face, for he had gone on many of those same missions. Nathaniel had not been kind when reminding her of this, nearly every time she saw him.

"Captain Aaron Fletching of the Pluto Knights was a brave man. A little rough around the edges," she smiled, "but very brave, humble and put in extra effort to make sure his men came home to their families alive. Unfortunately, that ambush at the North Gate was unfair and unexpected. We did not know our enemies could do this, thus I do not think it was a lack of skill or character that led any who passed away that day to their death."

Beatrix turned towards Steiner, utterly shocked that she was comparing the great Aaron Fletching to Steiner. Comical, irritating, know-it-all, overzealous Adelbert.

"I believe that you will not fail me as new Captain of the Pluto Knights, Steiner. You are quick to learn, and the men, no matter how naive, already listen to the things you say. I think it will be a great fit."

"T-thank you, M'lady!" he dropped down into a bow. Beatrix just watched him from the side, refraining from shaking her head.

"With the new responsibility as Captain, I have an assignment for you."

"Already?" he gasped, though nothing could mask the excitement in his voice.

"Adelbert Steiner I shall have you swear under oath. You are now the official protector of Princess Garnet. While you shall have your own duties, your top priority is to keep her safe at all costs, should some terrible treachery come along in the actual city of Alexandria. It will be a lot of responsibility, and at times it may feel like babysitting. I know this wasn't your ideal promotion –"

"What an honor!" he finally blubbered, fumbling to bow again. "I am truly astonished, my Queen, that you think me ready for such a deed! I cannot believe my luck!"

This time, Beatrix did roll her eyes. He was such a suck up.

Victoria let out a little chuckle. She looked – finally, after all the years of knowing her – like she was finally aging, and Beatrix could see the sadness still weighing down on her chest as she breathed. Her eyes didn't light up like they used to, except in the direct presence of Garnet.

"The official ceremony will be held tomorrow. Thank you for your enthusiasm, Adelbert, Conry would be proud of you."

He nodded largely, and then stood erect one more time to let the queen focus on Beatrix.

"Beatrix," she started with a smile. "You have been growing in the ranks quicker than I have ever seen. And, my how you have changed from the young, timid girl who was sent to me to help with my wedding dress."

Beatrix actually blushed. She didn't think about times like that, even though Victoria's words were true. She really had changed. Gone was the unsure, quiet girl who honed her skills in silence and purposefully tried to dull down her beauty for the sake of fitting in. And in her place stood a proud young woman, dressed in armored pants, a leather corset and a sleeveless, armored jacket that swept the floor when she walked with purpose. Her large curls grew long, and she found herself flicking them over her shoulder with sass every time she was annoyed or showing her superiority. She had gained attention from everyone (including, she might add, those boys who had teased her for her looks in the first place). Her eyes were fierce and determined, holding all of her past in her irises without letting it affect her future.

"I do believe you knew this was coming, Beatrix," she said, "but I think a promotion is in order for you as well."

She blinked. That was unexpected, though she had often fantasized of a big promotion to finally match her skillset.

"How does General sound?" she inquired lightly, though the weight of her words were heavy. "And simultaneous Captain of the Rose Brigade?"

Beatrix nearly crumbled where she stood. She was already captain of the brigade. She figured though, if a promotion did arise, she would have to give up her pride in leading all of these strong, independent woman whom she called her family. But General?Along with Captain? She could hardly breathe, she didn't know what to say.

"It…" she faltered. "It would be… the greatest thing, Your Majesty."

"Yes?" she asked, though she was just as excited for Beatrix as Beatrix was for herself. "I see no finer applicant. You already assist me in anything I need, and are already very influential throughout the entire army. I see no reason not to make you leader of it. The Rose Brigade makes up a very large portion of it, and to have you at its head would give me a great honor."

"It would give me a great honor, M'lady!" she told her fervently. "Thank you!"

Victoria nodded graciously. "However, with this promotion comes the entitlement that you will still continue your duties as Captain, which means that you are still my right hand – my protector under every circumstance."

"Of course," she smiled, trying not to let too much of her excitement show. Now who was being obnoxious?

"Both of you will be recognized in your new positions tomorrow. So rest well tonight." Both of them nodded. "But there is something you must know, since you will ever be close to the royal family of Alexandria, and I fear that I may have passed on a trait that will never quite go away."

"What's that, M'lady?" Steiner asked curiously.

"It's time you know where I come from… What powers I hold," her eyes slid to Garnet, who sat happily playing with a doll on the floor, "and what I most likely passed on to my daughter."


She awoke with a start. It was silent as she sat up in bed, feeling a dread around her.

And then the entire castle rumbled.

Pictures on the wall directly in front of her fell from their hooks and clattered to the floor, and though she watched it happen, she jumped. Shoving the blankets off of her, she hurried to the balcony where she threw open the doors and peered outside, careful not to get too close to the ledge.

That's when she heard all of the chaos.

People were screaming. Every direction she looked there were citizens of all ranks and classes fleeing, stumbling and falling in the streets.

And fire.

So much fire.

The entire city burned in flashes. The dull roar was silent from her high place, but she knew below that the explosions and sparks of flame were loud – ringing in everyone's ears.

The time had come. The impending attack on Alexandria was finally here.

She, Fali and Cid had tried to help the rest of the world as much as they could. When Terra was attacked – the first major hit by Kuja - they sent boats to get the newly orphaned children out, and cleanup crews to help salvage the cities.

They sent supplies to Daguerreo and Madain Sari. Fali mourned his brethren in Daguerreo as Victoria had openly wept for weeks upon the slaughter of her home place – the slaughter of her people. She hadn't any idea who was left, but sent a healthy batch of supplies in case anyone was, though she knew she herself could never return there.

And now the three rulers of the Mist Continent consolidated, wondering and waiting who would be the first to be attacked.

Victoria didn't know, but the attack on Lindblum had started at dusk, just as the city was turning in for the night, and the attack on Bermecia just a few hours later. Alexandria was the last of the three to be hit.

It would be morning in just a few hours, but that time span seemed to stretch on forever as she watched her beloved city – Conry's beloved city, burn.

"Queen Victoria!" Beatrix yelled, bursting into the room.

She hustled back inside to meet the woman. The brunette was lined with soot and one of her arms had blood running down it. Victoria quickly met her and cast a cure spell. "Save your strength," the younger woman advised quietly before shaking her head. "We must get Garnet. We must flee – they are almost through the gates – it won't be long until they've breached the castle."

Victoria's breath was sharp. So that was it. She had slept through this destruction and now her kingdom did not even have a chance. "Let us make haste," she said instead, passing the woman and racing into the hall.

There were no people. Victoria knew not where her hand maids were then, or the guards that were supposed to patrol the halls. Whether they had fled in panic or raced to protect the castle gate she did not know, nor would she blame them either way.

"Steiner!" Beatrix cried out, racing up to him and nearly collapsing in his arms. It was then that Victoria noticed the tears running down her cheeks – her city was falling.

"I was on my way to Garnet," he said strongly, though Victoria could sense the pain in his own self.

She nodded, "That's where we were going too. Come!" She led the way, not far down the hall, to Garnet's room. Steiner was the only person they had seen in the long corridors, eerily dark on this night.

She threw open the door to her daughter's room and flickered on the lantern by the door. The four year old girl sat up slowly, dazed. Beatrix and Steiner grabbed some of her favorite things – toys and clothes, and a couple of heirlooms that had already been put in Garnet's room.

Victoria swept the quilt off of the bed and stuffed it in the bag as well. Taking a deep breath, she swept the pendant off of her neck and placed it gently in the bag as well.

"Mommy what's going on?"

"Hush, little one," she spoke gently as she picked up her daughter. "We must go. There are bad people trying to get into our home."

"Oh," she said simply, and didn't ask again. Victoria was proud of her daughter; the little girl shook in fear but said nothing – questioned nothing about her mother and two favorite knights' judgements. Though she was sure Garnet knew.

They flew through the corridors as the girl clung drowsily to her mother's neck. Beatrix and Steiner had their swords drawn, and when they came to the double staircase descending to the grand foyer, that's where they saw everyone. There was a gaping hole in the castle wall where a cannon had hit, and many hand maidens lay dead on the ground, bunches of blankets and supplies piled on top of them. They had been helping citizens, and a few looked to be on their way up the stairs to the Queen.

"Oh no," she whispered lightly, horror filling her voice.

"Come," Beatrix said bravely, stepping over bodies without really looking at them. Guards flew by outside of the hole in the wall, shouting commands to each other. Steiner recognized their voices – most were Pluto Knights.

He felt a tug – he should have been there, fighting with them – protecting the kingdom with them. But then he remembered Victoria saying how much responsibility being Garnet's protector would be, and knew now that it wasn't so much the physical task, but the mentality that he would have to leave his brethren in arms behind.

They found their way to the Grey Chambers quickly. It wasn't used as a dungeon anymore, but there were passageways that led to cells. One thing that was so handy about these chambers was their opening by the river – something everyone thought didn't connect to the rest of the castle.

Candlelight flickered ominously on the walls, casting long shadows at their feet as they ran through the halls. Steiner was the only one out of them who made any noise, and Beatrix had shifted Garnet's backpack onto her shoulders. She didn't say anything, but she noticed that Steiner had a small satchel of his own; the man must have known that wherever they were going, he would follow.

An entire troop of feet began galloping above them, and Victoria's head shot up. She stared for a moment as they stood in silence. "They've breached the castle. We must hurry. Come!"

They continued on again, and rounded a corner to see the light of the fires illuminating the city once more. As they leaked out onto the stone just before the water, Victoria pointed to the river. "There is a raft. You must go." She glanced down at her daughter and saw in the light of the fire the tears that were finally streaming down her face. "Don't cry my love, this will be over soon." She set her down on the ground and noticed how one of her knights had slipped shoes onto her feet. It was a practical thing to put on the Princess before they fled, and she was thankful the others thought of it.

She glanced up at Steiner, pain in her face. "Take Garnet," she said gently.

Steiner never had much experience with children, but with Garnet he was a natural. When she realized that she would be with Steiner, she reached for him and he swung her up into his arms.

"Keep her secret, and keep her safe. Protect her as you would protect me. Like you always have."

He nodded, his feet stomping loudly as he did so and then saluted.

She couldn't help herself. She fell forward and gripped the two of them tightly. Placing a chaste kiss on Garnet's forehead, she then turned to Beatrix. "You are of high skill. I know it was not part of the plan, but I want you to go with them."

"But –" Beatrix shot forward, having been fully prepared to protect the Queen and die being the general of the army – just like she was expected when she was promoted.

"Please. I want what is best for my daughter. You two are the best chances of her survival. I need you to protect her."

Tears fell from Beatrix's eyes and Victoria was reminded of the scared girl who had been introduced to her the day of her wedding. She recalled telling Conry how much she liked the brunette, and he had flippantly told her to promote the girl then.

But Victoria had smiled and said not yet. But now, she saw it in Beatrix's demeanor. She was ready to take on this challenge.

"Find Cid if you can. He will help you. I know you both know the quickest way to Lindblum. Keep Garnet secret, if you can." She murmured, just as the guards spilled out.

"There they are!" one yelled, and all swords were drawn.

"Go!" Victoria hissed, and the others stumbled to the raft and got on. Steiner tried not to look back as he grabbed an ore and pushed them off.

The life left Victoria then. She knew there was no hope. She knew that she would die in this place, probably upon these steps. She just prayed that her daughter was far enough away so she didn't watch it happen.

One more glance over her shoulder told her that Beatrix was hugging the girl tightly to her chest, making sure her head was covered as they road silently away. However she heard one more wail from her child on the wind.

She cast out a fire spell to keep the men at bay, unsure where her sudden energy was coming from.

Though you have cast us aside in fear, Victoria, we have seen your people – our people fall. We will help protect you against Kuja, if we can.

She nearly cried out. Who was that? She looked around, wondering if anyone else had heard.

Make haste to the highest peaks of your castle, Victoria. We will help you there.

Though she knew not where the voice was coming from, she let a wave of energy wash over her, and she threw up a powerful defensive spell and burst through the fire in front of her. The guards stumbled back, surprised, as she sprinted past them.

She hadn't any idea what she would find in her castle, and now, with only her magic to help her, she prayed it wasn't too bad.

How ironic, that she was ending her life surrounded by the very energy she had been frightened of her entire life. At that moment, a pang of guilt and longing shot out for her mother – for Serena. She missed the woman, and wished that maybe she hadn't left so hastily in her youth, though she did not regret the life she had made for herself even a little bit.

Luckily, inside the Grey Corridors were secret passageways, as she had thought about earlier, that nobody knew about but her, Cid and Conry, passed down from generation to generation, starting with the very builders of this ancient castle. She found the torch – one a different color than all the rest, and yanked on it, feeling almost silly as she slipped into the gap in the wall and closed the door. It was cliché but it was working as she blindly made her way up the wooden steps she was feeling with her feet.

When Conry had first invited her to visit his home and meet his brother, the three of them, while Reks and Quintessa had been hosting another party, snuck down to the corridors and checked out every secret passage that Conry was told about, just a week prior. They wanted to see what it was all about, and Victoria was now blessing their decision.

She broke out into the light again to more destruction than the last time she had looked. She tried to avert her eyes as she found the center of the tallest peak, wondering what to do next.

Rise to your true power, High Summoner Victoria. For you have not made the voyage, but it runs deep in your blood.

'Who are you?' She demanded, but was unable to keep the fear out of her voice.

I am a mere eidolon in this world. I am unhappy watching good humans die by this fake Dark Lord. He disgusts me, and so I am helping you, who have cast us away.

'I'm sorry.' She seemed to sob to herself; she wasn't sure why, but she was shaking.

I am Alexander. Now reach inside of yourself and summon me – save what you can of your people, though I cannot promise your life will be spared.

'I am ready for redemption, Alexander. I only pray that you keep watch over this castle for when my daughter returns. She has my blood. That is the only other thing I ask of you today.'

There was no answer, but a great power rose up and ripped from her body. She wasn't used to such a vast power – having only summoned a few times in her entire life. A high-pitched scream tore from her throat painfully, and tears streamed hotly down her face.

A grand light came overhead then, and wings sprouted from the crystals built into the city walls.

Your presence here has brought me. For I was assigned to watch over you, as an eidolon is assigned to watch over all summoners who choose to leave.

The rumble was deafening. Victoria fell to her knees, hardly even hearing him explain himself as he lived through her power, though she knew she couldn't hold it for long. These great wings exploded into the sky, and for a moment, she thought she heard the city go still.

"Flee while you can, my people!" the words flowed from her mouth and echoed around her – she was sure the entire city could hear, though she wasn't sure how she gained the strength. "I will protect you as Queen of Alexandria for as long as I can. But you must go now – stay secret, stay safe."

She wasn't sure if her words would touch anyone – if there was anyone left to touch. But she felt the dark powers of the enemy probing against her own, testing its strength.

Hold true, High Summoner, for you are giving your people time.

The world in front of her, illuminated by the purest, whitest light she had seen in all her life, began to blotch with darkness. Conry's face lifted in her thoughts, and the face of her daughter.

She couldn't wait to tell the late king all about the child he had never met.

And then she felt the pain. Darkness was trying to strip her of her power and she called out to no one. Struggling to keep up the stronghold around her kingdom for a few more moments, she stood on her feet, her robes blowing out behind her.

The world seemed to blur together. She couldn't remember if what she was going through was real, or if this was her dream – her dream that would pass her into the afterlife. Pain and happiness seemed to become one and her vision swam. She wished she could see more of what was going on – she wished she could see this great eidolon, if he was truly there, save her people.

The magic she had turned her back on was now the last thing she clung to as her world went black.

What Victoria hadn't realized as her power drained from her in keeping Alexander in the physical world, was that she had brought upon Alexandria a great protector. For Alexander had followed her, and seeing her true spirit though she had abandoned the summoner's way of life, decided to oblige to her plea. He would wait to protect this city once again.

She didn't see the people she saved as they jumped into the river – ducked through holes in the walls – anything to get away from the black mages, the soldiers, and the power that was trying to kill them.

Nobody would know but them, but she saved a lot of people with a power they hadn't even realized she possessed.


A/N: Holy hell that was long. I apologize for such a long chapter, but I just had way too much fun doing this! That last flashback, I know, was a little rickety towards the end, but I really wanted to display that Victoria hadn't any idea if she was making a difference, or if what was happening was even real. I hope that was displayed well enough on my part.

Anyways… we finally got Dagger's past. I hope you liked it, even though it was really sad to write. Let me know what you all think! If you were going to write one gigantor review, this would be the chapter to do it ;) Love you all!

-zesty-