"I worry when you go," Maria stepped closer to Draco than was strictly appropriate, but she was so close to throwing herself into his arms, she couldn't help it.
"I know," Draco wrapped his arms around Maria and pulled her to his chest. "I always come back though."
They stood for a moment, Draco resting his cheek on Maria's golden hair. Maria's heart was racing with the impropriety of the move, but her heart felt like it was beating with enough force Draco would be able to feel it.
Cheeks flushing, Maria let go and stepped back, admiring his face in case something happened, and she never saw him again. He'd always come back to her, but she didn't want to invite bad luck.
"Tell me where you're going this time," she pressed. Draco took her hand and led her to a stone bench in the castle gardens where he held her hand in his lap as they sat.
"Your brother fears there are bandits on the southern border. I'm taking the army down to ease his mind. I doubt there will be any fighting."
"You always say there will not be fighting," Maria lamented. "And yet you always find at least one bandit camp to liberate of ill-gotten gains."
"I would not be much of a general if I did not actively protect our people," Draco pointed out before softening and putting his other hand over Maria's. "I also do not believe you would want a husband who would not go to the ends of the Earth to secure your safety and happiness."
Maria blushed, but still held Draco's light brown eyes with her frosty blue.
"When will you ask my brother for my hand? We chose each other years ago. I-" Draco lifted his hand off hers and gently pressed his fingertips onto her lips, silencing her.
"Maria, you deserve the world. I would not move you into a shabby home. I just need a little more wealth so you can enjoy the best of everything. One, maybe two, more forays. Then I will talk to the King. I swear." They paused for a moment, gazing at each other in silence.
"Draco," Maria hesitated. "Please be safe. I could not bear it if anything happened to you."
"My love, no one is better with a sword than I. I promise I will always return for you."
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The Dream Oath
FanfictionThe Dream Oath is a Final Fantasy 6 (American 3) fanfic story based on the opera scene in The World of Balance. Maria and Draco are in love, pledged to each other. Her kingdom gets conquered, Draco goes missing. Maria is forced to wed the conqueror...
