Dedication - Kain Highwind x Reader (FFIV)

I. A reunion after so long

The wind lifted up your (H/L) (H/C) hair, which led to you using one hand to gently push it down again, in order to prevent it from blocking your sight. You were currently crossing the bridge to Baron Castle in the middle of the day, feeling excitement rush through your body. Originally, you lived in Kaipo, near the water, but today you had ventured to Baron for a unique occasion. One you surely did not intend to miss.

Your head slowly tilted up towards the sky, as you took in the brightness of its blue hue while taking a deep breath, coming to a halt with your feet. You wanted to be as composed as possible when entering Baron Castle today. They had been through extremely rough times, as a large war against pretty much the rest of the world had taken place only a little while before. As Kaipo was an independent town, you had barely been able to witness any changes. However, even if that would've been the case: There would have been no way that you would have been able to participate in any fights. You were nothing but a simple shopkeeper after all. But you were contented with your average life. At least for the most part. Having a stable income wasn't a bad thing after all.

Moving your head down again, your (E/C) eyes focused on the large gate in front of you. Traveling all the way here was a nice change and you had enjoyed the journey for sure but the next part of the story was what turned out to be the most interesting part. Tomorrow would be the day of Rosa's wedding with Cecil. The white mage had been your best friend for a while now. Even though you lived far apart, you often sent each other letters to keep up with the other one's life. Sometimes, yet not that often due to complicated circumstances such as the distance or your responsibilities, you would go meet each other, which of course was better than only written conversations.

Especially since you hadn't seen Rosa in such a long time, you felt incredibly elated to be able to visit her now. Softly moving another strand of your (H/C) hair out of your face, you took one step forward, followed by another. You felt your heart mildly beating inside of your chest, causing your cheeks to faintly redden. With your brown suitcase in one hand, you arrived in front of the guards of Baron Castle, slightly bowing your upper body.

"Good day to you. I have come here on behalf of the wedding of your future king and queen tomorrow." You announced, your voice as steady as always. Despite having a mellow personality, you also were confident, having always taken responsibility for every choice in your life, thus having grown a lot.

The two soldiers in front of you merely nodded, expectantly staring at you. Immediately knowing what they wanted, you set your suitcase down on the wooden ground and reached for the small belt on your dress, to which a tiny bag was attached. Pulling out a piece of paper, you handed it over, only for one guard to abruptly tear it out of your hand and skeptically scan it. After a few seconds, he bluntly returned it to you. Still thanking him, you closed the bag on your belt and then lifted your traveling suitcase off the bridge. Meanwhile, the gigantic gates opened, causing you to slightly shudder. Baron truly was something else. The whole city was much larger than your home town and quite impressive with its architecture.

Quietly, you passed the guards and entered the castle, never able to stop being astonished by seeing it, even though you had been here a few times already. In the past you had visited it in order to see Rosa but over the course of time, another reason was added to your list of wanting to come here. Feeling bashful at the thought, you put one hand on your cheek, feeling the cold skin of your palm against the warm one of your face. There was a certain someone you also looked forward to meeting again today and tomorrow.

"(Y/N)!"

As you recognized someone familiar calling your name from afar, you raised your head, spotting the person on a balcony over the inner yard you were currently standing in. A smile grew on your face, as you replied in a similarly loud voice, "Rosa, it's nice to be back!"