Unexpected Arrangements ~ Chapter V, Part 2

[Caliborn]

<i>Part 3</i>

I believe I very nearly gave a vivid impression of a tomato.

To tell the truth, I really hadn't wanted to meet them at all. I seemed to be my father's last resort-- his last punch, so to speak, since Treize had quelled nearly our whole army. If I were to marry the prince of a powerful foreign nation, for example . . . well, I was a playing peice that had yet to be put to use. I know father loved me and didn't think of it that way, exactly, but it <i>was</i> his last resort. Certainly, though, an alliance by marriage with Kquest was out of the question. The thought of me, marrying anyone of those savage, bellicose people . . . it was laughable, to say the least. Suitors had been springing up everywhere from different countries -- I hated them, thinking to swagger in and scoop up what was left of my country. We were not fallen yet, and certainly not weakened past the point of signing our freedom away in some one-sided treaty from a border-land! I hoped, therefore, that Kquest's embassy would not turn out to be the same as others that had come. Perhaps they meant to actually help us instead of gobbling up the last scraps of Sanq like other rats had.

Not that I was an ice queen who refused to marry, period, mind you. I could be quite . . . playful. I loved to play -- to tease the commonmen of the streets with my dancing, to entice them, if you will, and then strut away, leaving them behind. It gave me a sense of power, of adventure-- a wonderful feeling that helped me ignore the current state of affairs. Upon seeing the man that had watched me in that bordello for the first time, I had assumed him much more than a commoner, of course: a young Lord, perhaps, out looking for a bit of fun. And why not give him a true glimpse of it? I had danced for him, yes, to attract his attention. He had seemed so solemn and impenatrable. But I had made his eyes follow me; I had given him a craving for me, a yearning, if only for a moment.

And in turn I had received a wild rush of . . . something. Freedom, perhaps, or a semblence of control over another. I had walked away intending to never see him again. And now, here he was, standing just before me. I wish my cheeks would stop flaming!

Prince Yuy stood there in regal, sophisticated glory-- at least from the neck down. There was not a trace of sluge or dirt despite his walk through one of the dirtiest streets in our land, and he looked to have just come straight from the tailor's. Flanked on both sides by a tough-looking, sword-bearing guardians, Prince Yuy's attire was all whites and blues with a small splash of red at his collar-- a freshly cut flower pressed into a pocket. His cape, also impossibly clean, was the deepest of blues, though I only caught a flash of it as he calmly removed the article at his throat and handed it to a nearby servant. Above his collar, though, he was different. His eyes were like the calm before a storm; dangerous and enticing, colored in a blue to match his cloak. His hair, though it apparently had been given some sense of structure, seemed wild and untamed-- like his eyes.

I suddenly, strangely, wanted to giggle, remembering a rumor of a nickname that they might have called him in his land. His eyes, if not his clothes, showed he might just live up to it.

Our eyes had caught for barely a moment, but he seemed the master of his own emotions, unlike me, whose cheeks were much more rosey than normal, and had quickly schooled his face and turned away. His party had indeed had just arrived-- the great doors of the entrance hall were just now being shut.

I noticed that he didn't remove his sword. I frowned at that. The Kquest people were truly warlike-- not even removing weapons in the face of foreign royalty!

Barely a second had passed for all this to go by in my mind. Hilde was just stepping up from behind me, her eyes widened, her mouth parted in readyment for a gasp-- when I laid my hand upon her elbow, quieting her. She turned to me, eyes wide as saucers. So. She recognized him as well. Surprisingly, her own shock and unease was helping me to quell my own. By calming her, shaking my head slightly and percing my lips in a firm way, tightening my grip, I was inadvertantly calming myself as well.

"Hello, Relena." My father greeted me warmly, a strong grip on a staff, a thing he required when standing up or walking for long periods of time. I smiled as best I could, collecting myself to go to his side and kiss him gently on the cheek.

"Hello, father." Then I calmly turned to face the party that had collected in our hall, looking as if I had never met a one of them before-- which was, for the most part, true.

"Relena, this is Lord Falkner, the overseer of the Emmisary Congregation from Kquest." My father said formally, nodding towards an older man who stood just to the right of one of Prince Yuy's personal guard.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. The Prince had not been put in charge? That was surprising, to say the least.

Lord Falkner stepped forward and I curtsied to him, and, as was Sanq's custom, Lord Falkner began to introduce some of the various members of Kquest's Congregation. First, he introduced the prince, and I was quiet proud of the way I stepped forward and curtsied calmly without further flushing. Heero calmly and respectfully returned with a bow, his demeanor giving away nothing.

Would he keep quiet? Would he keep my secret? I was terrified that the answer might be no. I had no idea what kind of person this Yuy was-- and I think I didn't want to find out. He had a closed-off air about himself, like a fortress wall that had been built up over time: cold, unyeilding and defensive.

Lord Falkner went on with his introductions and I and my father and others of our court responded accordingly. Soon, my father would have the honor of introducing the higher members of the Court of Sanq as we sat down for the Welcoming Feast.

(OOC: Long, I know . . . *Sweatdrop* But it was mostly descriptions, so I hope this is okay. *Bows and sneeks away*)

[Kaili Charmer]

WHat? are you saying long is bad??? NO NO NO!! Quite the contrary, I like longer chapters! hehehe...great piece, keep it coming you all! It's getting too funny... :razz:

[Morrighan]

OMG, I agree with Kaili!! This IS getting so fun to read... Will he tell? Hmm...that is the question....

Can't wait to see more soon, gals!!

[freelight01]

Love longer chapters and love this story/series (whatever you want to call it) - so keep them COMMING!!!!!!!!

[melrose_stormhaven]

hehe...I'm next...hmm...what to put...what to put...

[Andrea]

Mwahahahahaa..!!! *rubs hands together/evil glint* Then it's MY turn!!!!!! Mwahahahahaa..!!!

[AngelOfDeath]

C'mon Relena.... go bargain with Heero.... preferably at night..... preferably in his bedroom..... and promise him anything not to give away your secret!

And then Heero will go "Hn."

Bah.

Ohoho. With a nickname like his, he should just capitalize on his reputation.

[Andrea]

Hahahahaa..!! Oh, AoD!! Hahaha..!! You have too much imagination for your own good!!

[melrose_stormhaven]

*smiles at AOD's suggestion*
Hmmmm.....
but it's a bit too early for that, ne? I'll post this week, as soon as my write my beloved article for my Journalism 109 (Writing for popular audiences) class...

[Caliborn]

I'm so happy! The play is over! *Falls over with a happy sigh of relief* . . . Now I only have finals and homelife to deal with. *Sweatdrop* Yay . . .

Melrose, take your time and don't worry! This is . . . a busy time of year. ^_^