UnShaekable (FFXII)

XLII) Getting a Move On

"You didn't tell me you had this stuff stashed back here," I practically cry, snatching up an entire cantaloupe as Reddas chuckles, scratching the back of his shining bald head.

"I told you I had some fresh produce from the local farms around Balfonheim," he reminds me, watching as I clutch the melon to my chest protectively, glaring daggers at Vaan's hungry eyes. I tug the knife in my boot from its sheathe and stab my way into the fruit, eagerly chowing down the second its cut in half. Vaan huffs, taking the other half and offering to split it with Fran and Penelo.

"You'd think we're starving her," Balthier comments smugly, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow as he watches me slice a piece of cantaloupe out of its shell and plop it into my mouth with a dramatic moan. Ashe returns the expression, struggling with a grimace.

"Quite sloppy for a princess, don't you think?" she comments. I spit a white seed out at her, rolling my eyes when she flinches and accidentally elbows Balthier's stomach. Reddas laughs heartily and sits atop an iron-buckled barrel, crossing his burly arms.

"She's just like her mother, I'll tell you that much."

"You knew her?" I ask, swallowing my mouthful of melon with a frown. "I can't say I'm surprised; everyone seems to know far more about my life than I do." Balthier sighs, rolling his eyes and leaning against the edge of the table in the center of the dining cabin. I scowl at him. "What?"

"You're right. Everyone seems to know innumerable details about your life—and yet somehow, no one—at least in Dalmasca—recognized you. I simply cannot understand it."

"She hid," Fran replies simply, raising the end of my long braid over my head.

"Give me that," I huff, snatching my hair away and turning back to Reddas. "How did you know her?"

"I knew of her," the pirate corrects, turning his eyes to the ceiling. "I was a mere training soldier in Archades when she first arrived. There was a case rising high in the ranks of the courts because of a merchant—a woman, actually, from Nalbina who was traveling Ivalice and rumored to have been scamming people with false treasures and trinkets. She certainly was a free spirit." He sighs, flashing a smile. "The case climbed all the way up to the Senate. The emperor, your father, was curious—naturally—and decided to meet with the woman himself. He wanted to understand how she'd successfully conned so many of his people."

"A good escape plan!" Vaan calls with a mouth full of fruit. I cringe at the saliva-diluted juice dribbling from his chin and turn back to Reddas. The pirate shakes his head, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"He knew the answer the minute he laid his eyes on her. It was her beauty—it had a gripping effect that left its viewers enchanted until she snapped her fingers and left them wallowing in their own self-pity at the mere thought of losing to her pretty face. I remember having quite the favor for her, myself, and I was only a boy! Emperor Gramis took quite a liking to her and had her held in the palace. She was nothing the people of Archades had ever seen before. Slender and strong, golden skin, honey brown eyes... she was a gorgeous creature, to be sure."

"I think he still has it for her," Vaan laughs and Reddas shakes his head, though his ears color just a touch.

"No, no. Nonsense. Anyway, this woman was quite the fighter and wouldn't fall for the Emperor without a good reason. But she was an incredibly intelligent woman, sharp as a whistle; her plan came quickly and easily. Once she had it set, she went through the motions, warming the Emperor's sheets when his wife was away and all that. She was held back by one small impediment for nearly a year. Lo and behold, after a mere year of living in the palace, she gave birth to her Ladyship Shera Castean Solidor."