CHAPTER FIFTEEN-DEVISED PLAN

A/N: Sorry for the oh-so-late update! I was actually planning to remove this story but I prayed and asked for a sign that I should continue this. The sign I've been waiting for came recently. Thanks for your reviews!

Rikku stared at Paine's engagement ring for a long time before she spoke. "Wow! This is sure a very beautiful engagement ring! I hope I could receive a ring as beautiful as that!"

Gippal, who was sitting beside the Thief placed his arm around her shoulder and said "Don't worry, Cid's girl I'll give you an engagement ring, even better than that."

Rikku rolled her eyes and shoved off Gippal's arm in her shoulder. "Never mind. I don't receive gifts from a jerk."

Everyone laughed. They were in a fast-food shop in Macalania because Paine and Baralai announced their engagement to their close friends.

"When are you planning to marry then?" asked Yuna

"As soon as possible. Possibly in two months time." replied Baralai

"Actually, when he told me that, I was shocked. Two months preparation isn't enough." said Paine, left hand on Baralai's right hand.

Yuna smiled at them. "I'm sure Baralai will find a way to hasten the preparation." Baralai blushed at that particular remark.

Paine looked at her wristwatch. "Sorry guys but we have to go."

Rikku showed a wicked smile. "Hmmm…I smell another date!"

The couple laughed before they left. When they were out of the establishment, Baralai placed his right hand on his fiancée's waist and slowly pulled her closer to him.

"What of Jeanne?" Paine asked although she hated the idea of talking about Baralai's ex-girlfriend.

"I don't know. And speaking of her, I wanted to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Her father, the late Maester Mika, wanted me to marry his daughter. Her parents were the ones who chose me as Jeanne's future husband."

"Huh?"

They sat down at the bench near the crystal clear lake before Baralai spoke again. "I was Maester Mika's protégé before I joined the Crimson Squad and through him, I met Jeanne. I liked her because she's beautiful, she's demure and nice and fortunately, she liked me too. That's how it all began."

"And then?"

"When her parents noticed that we're close and that we had a mutual understanding, they thought we were compatible, they talked to my father, who was still alive at that time, and arranged my marriage with Jeanne. My father agreed to that deal." He looked at Paine before he continued. She was still interested, he thought so he continued telling her the story. "Mika told me about it and I was overjoyed because the Maester himself chose me to be his sole daughter's fiancé but because we're still young at that time, he asked me not to tell it to Jeanne just yet and instead focus on my training to become a monk. And one day, I found out that Jeanne entered the Yevon Convent."

"Yevon Convent?"

"A community of Yevonite Nuns and trainees." He answered promptly. "When I found out that she entered, I was hurt and I got really mad because she decided to be a servant of Yevon and Spira. From what I've heard, nuns are mostly single and old maids because they were too busy dedicating their lives in their jobs. I felt betrayed at that time because Jeanne chose to serve Spira instead of living a normal life together with me. I talked to Maester Mika one day and asked to forget about the arrangement."

"What happened? Did he give you what you asked?"

"He didn't answer. But before I spoke to him, I already decided that whether he says yes or no, I will quit being a protégé of his. He let me quit and so the rest is history."

"You joined Crimson Squad, right?"

Baralai caressed his fiancée's cheek and smiled "…and I met you."

Paine smiled but her face quickly went back to a serious one. "Be honest with me…do you still love Jeanne despite what happened?"

The New Yevon praetor didn't answer. Instead, he drew his face closer to Paine's and kissed her lips. Paine opened her mouth to let Baralai's tongue in. It was another passionate kiss they shared. Baralai slowly pushed away from her. "Is that enough proof that I don't love her anymore?"

Paine smiled. "Yes…" the warrior then caressed her tummy. "And this child…is another proof that we love each other."

"Yes, my dear." Her mother replied. "Mika chose Baralai to be your fiancé because he'd seen that he can be a good husband to you."

"Now I know." Jeanne muttered. "Now I know why he's mad at me. He thought I entered the Convent at my own will. He thought that I don't love him anymore."

Margaret held her daughter's shoulder. "Don't worry, honey. Once Baralai finds out that his former trainer, the late Grand Maester Mika, hasn't forgotten the arrangement, he'll go back to you and marry you because that young praetor owes a lot to him and he can't refuse. I'm sure of that, Jeanne. Don't lose hope."

The newly-appointed nun hugged her mother. "Thanks, mom!"

"Thank your father, Jeanne. If he didn't have Baralai for protégé, maybe he will not arrange this marriage. Rest now, honey. And tomorrow, I'll tell you my plans on your upcoming wedding. And Jeanne, since you're not needed on the Convent tomorrow, visit your father in the Farplane. I'm sure he's very eager to see you after four years."

Jeanne showed a weak smile. "Yeah…I'll try."

"Why the long face? Are you still mad at him?"

"Not exactly, Mom. I…I'm not ready to see him in the place of the dead people."

"I understand, my dear. I felt the same way too back then."

Jeanne didn't respond anymore. She headed to her room and locked the door so that she could have privacy. She lied down on her bed and a wicked smile can be seen on her beautiful face. Poor Paine…she didn't know that I am engaged with Baralai. I can't wait to see her disgusted look that she'll give to him on our engagement party. It just means that Baralai and I are actually meant for each other and not Baralai and her.

The following day…

The YRP had their usual meeting in the cabin. They were discussing about Paine's marriage plans. Rikku and Yuna sat opposing Paine, who was having a snack.

"I need your help, Rikku, Yuna." Paine said as she takes as sip of her mango smoothie. "I'm sure that bitch disguising as a nun will do everything so that she could marry Baralai. I may sound corny but I love him and I can't afford to lose him."

"I can't believe that Dr. P would actually say such things…" Rikku whispered to her cousin who was sitting beside her. Yuna elbowed her in her side. "Seriously, that Jeanne is sure not dedicated to her solemn vow. A nun was supposed to serve people NOT to think about getting married."

"Rikku's right. After all, why did she enter the Yevon Convent if she does nothing but think of your future husband, who was her ex-fiancé?"

"According to Baralai, she was forced by Mika to enter the Convent. Obviously…" Paine said sarcastically. The two girls quit talking for a while to let the warrior finish eating her snack. After eating, Paine noticed that Rikku was writing something on a piece of paper.

"What is that, Rikku?"

Rikku quickly hid the paper. "Huh? Well, since you told me that you've got problems dealing with Baralai's ex, I tried to devise a plan to shoo her away. I don't know if it this will be effective though…"

"May I see that?"

"NO!" Rikku quickly yelled in disagreement. "I…I mean you can see this later…"

"Please, Rikku show it to us. I might think of an even better idea." Paine replied calmly.

Rikku looked at Yuna. As if knowing the reason why, Yuna nodded. Rikku gave the paper to the warrior. Paine slowly read Rikku's scribbles. A smile was formed on her lips.

"An engagement party?" Baralai asked

"Uh-huh!" Rikku replied cheerfully. "You said that that nun's mother still hasn't forgotten about your marriage arrangement with Jeanne."

"Yeah because it was stated in Maester Mika's last will and testament that I should marry his daughter once she returns from the Convent. And I can't say no because Mistress Margaret has the original, handwritten copy of the testament signed by Mika himself four years ago."

"But are you sure that it was really Mika who wrote that?" asked Nooj

"What do you mean, Noojster?" asked Gippal. "That wife of Mika can't be lying. She even showed her the testament a while ago, right?"

"Gippal, don't be a fool. First, we are not really sure! I know that the family's lawyer is the one who keeps the original testament. Second, it might be written that Baralai must marry Jeanne but are we really sure it was really part of Mika's testaments?"

"He's got a point." Yuna replied calmly. "There is a possibility that Mika's wife manipulated the testament. Nothing's impossible now! Maybe that Margaret has the talent to imitate someone's handwriting and wrote a testament and added that Baralai must marry that nun and claimed that it was Mika who wrote it…and signed it."

"So, Baralai…do you know who is the lawyer of Mika? He might be of big help to us." asked Rikku.

"I think his name was Demetrius. He was Maester Mika's personal lawyer."

"Do you know where to find him?" asked Yuna

"He has an office in Kilika. I don't know if he's still there though. I lost touch on him after I quitted being Maester Mika's protégé. But it won't hurt if we'll all go in Kilika to see him. Who knows, he might be still there."

Yuna putted her hands in her hips and smiled. "Ok then, let's go to Kilika and look for this Attorney Demetrius!"

"I'm with you, Yunie!" Rikku replied and danced happily. "By the way, where's Paine?"

Yuna answered. "She's doing her part."

Jeanne was reading the Prayer Book when their phone rang. Their maid volunteered to answer the phone but she shook her head and asked the maid to continue doing her job. Jeanne stood up and very hopeful that it was her 'boyfriend' who called her. "Hello? Jeanne here!"

"Lucky me…you're the one who answered!" the caller on the other line said.

The voice was familiar to her. She tried to remember who she was and was stunned. "You?"

"Yes…it's me…Paine."

"Why? Did you call to brag to me that it was you that Baralai chose and not me? If you think you've won, sorry but it's not the end of the game. My father, the Grand Maester Mika, arranged my marriage with Baralai and soon I'll be her wife NOT YOU!"

"Actually…I called you to let you know that I called off the engagement. I know you really love each other and since I don't want to see my beloved Baralai suffering, I set him free and he told me that he'll propose to you." Paine replied.

Jeanne's eyes brightened "Is this true?"

"Yes…and he's happy that your back. I'm sorry about what happened last time. He was just surprised to see you again."

Jeanne didn't answer anymore. She hanged up the call and jumped for joy , much to the surprise of the maids.

TBC…

Master Thief/Shizuku06/heavenlystrike