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Chapter 2
In the afternoon, Garnet went back to work and Zidane went onto the streets. Ever since he returned to Alexandria, he loved going into Ruby's theatre.
Ruby dragged him into playing a minor role, and without him knowing she randomly decided the date of the play.
Undoubtedly, It was really boring for Zidane to do nothing. Therefore he approved. When Garnet heard him talking about it she merely answered "Sounds like fun." and nothing else. Simple yet plain.
"I thought she would protest..."
Zidane murmured. He had become famous after that "touching reunion" on stage. So Zidane thought that Garnet might be worried if anything hazardous would happen when he was acting.
"What in tarnation are ya talkin' about?"
Ruby examined his expression.
"Well....Dagger isn't paying much attention to me lately."
"Hmmm, really?"
Ruby seemed surprised.
"I feel like she's not interested in anything I'm doing."
"Are ya payin' attention' to anything the Queen is doin'?"
"Heh?"
Zidane's expression was complicated.
"So it's not only her."
"Ah..i get it."
"You men are so selfish."
Ruby, rolling up the script, tapped on the blonde head and yelled everyone in the theatre into rehearsing.
While mumbling "I'm thinking a lot too.", Zidane paced back into the castle.
Eating with the theatre members in the "Booth of stars" while sipping on alcohol became a part of Zidane's daily routine.
Garnet was gnawing on the late dinner when he finally reached the castle.
"Welcome back , Zidane. Dinner?"
"I already ate."
"Okay."
Garnet beamed.
"You should eat here sometimes. Ruby might get tired."
"She's cooking for other people anyways, it's okay."
"Maybe I should thank her by a present."
Why should Garnet be thanking Ruby for cooking for Zidane? When he contemplated about it, it was an peculiar action. It's like she was that......like...his...wife.
"What's wrong, Zidane? Your face is red."
"Wha?"
Zidane's head snapped up.
"Do you have a fever?"
Garnet furrowed her eyebrows.
"Huh? No No it's not like that."
Zidane shook his head.
"Um! I'll go..to my room now..!"
"Zidane?"
Garnet tilted her head at his hasty exit.
Yes, Zidane was thinking an awful a lot too. Especially recently.
The things he was considering....well, there were a lot of stupid stuff.
If you think about it closely, Zidane and Garnet were currently "living under the same roof". Although there were many other people in the castle.
Anyways, if he desired to, he could see her anytime. Whether it was in the morning, noon or night.
Zidane was happy enough to dance around when the other people allowed him to live here. Living with Garnet was like a dream. He could almost call it a miracle because even Steiner said yes.
And after half a year, It was not sole joy anymore.
Zidane was thinking a lot.
"Dr.Tot? Can I talk to you?"
In the library, Zidane called out. But Tot did not even move an inch, he was still reading the book.
"Dr.Tot!"
Tot finally looked up.
"Oh! Mr.Zidane! Fancy to see you here. It might snow tomorrow."
"..........I need to talk to you."
Zidane gruffly mumbled an explanation. Library and Zidane did not have a close bond, perhaps.
"Oh, what is it then?"
"Um, y'know how Alexandria has all kinds of traditions?"
Tot narrowed his eyes under the speticles and stared at Zidane.
"Yes, this is an old country."
"So um, i'm just giving an example, are there any traditions when it comes to marriage?"
"Ho~"
Tot's orbs became interested.
"Would you like to know?"
"Yeah."
Zidane nodded. His eyes were sombre.
"First, the tradition before marriage...I think you already know that."
"I heard."
And he protected that tradition. Protecting it was an extremely difficult task for him. However when Steiner used the most terrifying threat, he protected the rules sincerely.
Steiner said "If you break this rule, the Queen would never be able to marry again." Apparently in Alexandria, you cannot hold any ceremony for a woman who lost her virginity. She would not receive God's blessings.
Because it was so ridiculous and out of date, Zidane protested when he first heard it. He told Steiner that he could not promise that..well, yelled. Nonetheless, Steiner answered with the never being able to marry speech.
"I think you know, but it is a job for the royalty to protect to holy traditions."
Zidane nodded, perplexed.
"So first, if you wish to marry a royalty."
Tot coughed formally.
"You need a parental consent, from the father. You have to ask for the father's permission before asking the bride herself."
"Huh?"
Zidane's expression turned fretful immediately.
"W-what if the father is dead?"
Though Tot chuckled, Zidane was so deadly serious he did not even notice that.
"Then you need to ask the closet male relative. Preferably an elder."
"Closest male relative..."
"For Queen Garnet, it would be Regent Cid."
"Oh."
Zidane was nodding in realization until a thought hit him.
His expression was contorted between embarassment and streghlessness.
"So you noticed..?"
"You finally decided to marry her, correct?"
"Um, er....yeah."
Zidane scratched the back of his head.
"I never told Dagger though."
"No need to worry, Queen Garnet will say yes in no time."
"I really hope so..."
Zidane, scratching his head, grinned shyly.
"Okay, let's continue."
Tot began to talk after a thoughtful beam.
"Although this time it is for Regent Cid to decide, but it cannot be done so easily."
"....Why?"
"It is also a rule."
Zidane's face was anxious.
"The future groom and the parent, has to have a duel."
"A...A duel?!?"
"Yes, if the groom wins, the marriage is approved. If the parent wins, no deal."
"Why!!!!"
Zidane hollered in frustration.
"Because it is a chivarous country. Maybe men were learning to joust since wee is for this."
Although it is an old tale. Tot whispered in amusement.
"When the groom wins, he would have the permission to ask the bride. And then in detail.."
"It's okay I get the picture."
Zidane stopped Tot from talking furthermore.
"Everyone will know when i go to see Regent Cid anyways....and then they will just assume that there will be some sort of "ceremony" right?"
"Well, yes."
Zidane sighed heavily. He hated complicated things. But he wanted to marry Garnet.
"I wish for your happiness."
Tot descended his head in a hint of joke. Zidane's face was tormented.
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