Blissful Ignorance

<i>Part 5</i>

We had not spoken much since then; we exchanged the occasional nod now and then every time our eyes met across the room. It was not that uncomfortable as one might think, and I've come to realize over the last few hours that Prince Yuy is indeed, a gentleman. Perhaps a little too arrogant, or adamant about his ways, but a thing I cannot question about him, is his gentlemanly behavior.

Apparently, during the time we had danced, Lord Falkner and my Father had gotten into a heated argument; at the same time as Hilde and Sir Maxwell, (was his name as my father had disclosed earlier tonight) had danced, and then disappeared, I believe, into the vast gardens.

There was something about my Father's posture that I did not like. Something was probably troubling him, and as I tried to get near, yet still maintain their privacy, I noticed his frown, and slight slumping of his shoulders... something that over the years I've come to translate as defeat.

A cold grip seized my heart.


~Heero~

I've met quite a number of ladies during my trips across the lands of west and north. Quite a few of them of questionable reputations, slips of girls with a smart mouth, and a strong body; gentle, and quiet, some others, sharp and arrogant. And yet, none of them have had the fiery personality, and strong will of Princess Relena. And of course, who could omit, or ever forget the voluptuousness of her young curves, or the strong, yet delicate tone of her voice... A mistress of contrasts.

There is something definitely upsetting about her. She is unnerving, and fearless, and has no qualms of letting anyone know. Perhaps showing her a bitter reality is something of obvious importance-- perhaps, she's aware of the reality. She asked. She wouldn't have mentioned it, had she not known the consequences of the decisions that are to be made in a matter of hours, a day at most. Decisions that will, without doubt, alter our existence.

Could I really marry this girl? How many times have our eyes met across the ballroom, the endless temptation to invite her for another piece biting my insides. Could I really sacrifice myself to help this woman and her kingdom, these things I don't have anything to do with? Could I really sacrifice my army in a fight I have nothing to lose? Or gain?

I believe-- no, I am certain this girl has a great responsibility in her hands. The future of her people in her hands. Lord Kushrenada lures near the Kingdom's borders, word has come that his army has gathered around the frontier, waiting for the signal to invade... Invade a kingdom without army, a kingdom whose ruler is an ill man, and whose power lies in the hands of a child.

Granted, a child with the body and eyes of a temptress...

I could not help myself from keeping my eyes from following the retreating figures of my lazy bodyguard, and, who I believe is Princess Relena's maiden.

Perhaps dancing another piece with the girl would only prove frustrating; perhaps my lazy bodyguard will be luckier than me tonight. Had I spoken to the dreaded man, his words would have rounded: <i>enjoy your last days of freedom... A virgin possesses the delicacy of a butterfly, and the shyness of a tortured cat.</i> Although, if I'm truthful, my respects to the lady, Princess Relena has the strength of a tigress, and the boldness of the most experienced whore in the land. I can still see her dressed in that outrageous outfit, and I can surely still imagine the swaying of her curves, and the passion in her eyes. Yes, definitely a woman. Should I dare question the veracity of her virginity? I better not step there, or the throng of people among us would not be barrier enough to keep me from reaching her.

And yet... I can still hear her voice questioning the outcome of the decisions that are still to be made; strong and firm. What will I do, then, if the time comes and I have to marry the woman? Would she follow through? It is that, or submitting to Kushrenada's demands. And I firmly doubt the girl would do that.

It is a matter of time. If the decision comes to marriage, and Lord Kushrenada will inevitably invade, the Princess and I should provide the kingdom with an heir... It's the only way to secure Sanq. I do wonder, actually, who will be the one to tell the Princess of these news. And there's really no other option, at least one where we get to keep Sanq from falling into the hands of greedy Lords...

An heir to the kingdoms of Sanq and Kquest.

I will have to wait a few days, until the letter I sent reaches the Kingdom of Luruah. Pride is treacherous during times of war, and if I'm not mistaken, Kushrenada's army has a couple of hundreds, maybe thousands of men at its disposal. Kquest's army is not large enough, and Sanq's not strong enough. I am certain Lord Barton will get and answer my request to my satisfaction.

I just hope he gets it on time.


<i>To be continued...</i>

Ooh.... He-he-he... He admits some of it!!! *cackles* Just you wait, Yuy...

Can't wait to see more!!

Heero can be so ridiculous at times. He knows he wants to provide her with an heir.

I hope they get together soon, because you can already tell they're starting to shrug off "first impressions" and, consequently, respect wach other (and they're definitely ATTRACTED to each other, as well).

They'll have a beautiful little heir, with Heero's eyes and Relena's hair... or Relena's eyes and Heero's hair... or...

Whoa, I think I'm getting ahead of myself here.

LOVE IT!!!! Must have more soon (this will be a good story to read as a stress reliever for when college starts up again next week). :-?

You guys work very well together, and you're bringing along to story so nicely.

I think he's afraid she won't marry him.

HA HA! Heero is afraid she'll refuse him. And he wants to bed her something awful.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Finally! Andrea, I love you!!! hehehehe

*Cracks up* Nice . . . You can totally tell what's going on in Heero's mind. ^_^

Of course, this means it's -my- turn, doesn't it? *Glances about* Oh dear . . .

yes...it's caliborn's turn...then I'm next...gulp...!

What do you mean by 'Finally'?! Huh, Mel??? *sigh* I love you too...*shakes head* And, yes, Cali, I'll be waiting for your part, and then yours, Mel!!!

Mwahahaha...!!!

<i>Unexpected Arrangements
Chapter III
Part 1</i>


I thanked the servant for showing me my quarters, not waiting for her to hold open the door for me and instead entering by myself. Disreguarding the extensive and luxurious sitting room with warming flames blazing in the fireplace, I made straight for the bedroom, surprisingly weary. I felt as if I'd had an entire day of training with the sword, and in Kquest, that was no mean feat.

The door shut behind me with a soft thud, the rich oak done in magnificent carvings that I paid no heed to. It was dark, quiet, and peaceful in the room, which was exactly what I required at the moment so as to put my muddled thoughts and emotions in order.

Off went my coat. Unbuckling the belt that held my sword and knife, I set it in an empty chair, heading to the cold, empty bed. I took off my boots quickly, destracted, noting absently that at least the mattress was relatively soft.

The bedroom was almost as extravagant as my own, back home. Lush, soft carpet that my feet sunk into, high, curved ceilings, a four-poster bed that took up only part of the room, and an enormous window that no doubt lead to a balconey just outside. The curtains, huge, towering folds of red velvet, were closed, letting only the most stubborn rays of moonlight filter through.

In all truth, I wanted to be anywhere by here.

I wanted to be back home where I had some semblence of control over my surroundings; I wanted my own bed, my own life, my own court and my own friends. I hated this place, this dying excuse for a country with a bewitching, sharp-tongued slip of a girl put on an offering plate that wasn't even truly meant for me. I didn't want to get involved with some forsaken war I could care less about; I didn't want to be used as nothing more than a pawn in my father's schemes; and most certainly I did NOT want to marry the princess.

Did I have no say? Did what I wanted have no bearing on these events? I reclined against the bedspread, lacing my fingers behind my head, closing my eyes. This place . . . it was too confusing. Too many twists and turns. Kquest was so much simpler. There, you could at least hit a man offending you and only recieve a nickname for it.

A damned nickname.

Where in Hell had <i>she</i> heard about that, anyway? Was that stupid, child nickname known all the way around the world? Was it going to follow me forever? Was my reputation forever soiled because I happened to be a <i>little</i> defensive?

Damn them all.

I was just beginning to toy with the idea of running away for a few years and letting the whole mess sort itself out when I heard a knock at my door. I snorted, turning on my side. Whoever it was could see me in the morning.

The knock, however, grew insistant, as if mocking me. Then I heard a soft, yet commanding, "Your Highness, I must speak with you."

Muttering an oath, I flipped over again and stood up, rubbing my hand across my brow. I knew that sneering, irritatingly commanding voice anywhere.

Walking to the door and swinging it open with as much force as the heavy, exquisite oak would allow, I greeted Lord Falkner with: "Do the words <i>'do not disturb'</i> mean anything to you?"

He ignored my jab, of course, entering with a small lantern, flooding my room with unwanted light. I very nearly grit my teeth, but at the last moment simply shut the door and turned to face him. The Wild Boy could hold his temper when needed, and quite well at that. I hardly deserved the nickname anymore.

Truly.

He turned to face me, lifting one brow in amusement. "I've talked with the King tonight."

"I saw."

"Your father will be . . .very pleased . . . with the results."

There were two chairs in the room, both on either side of the large window. I sat in one, and since my sword occupied the other, that left Lord Falkner either to stand or to take the bed.

He remained standing, eyeing me in slight annoyance, but continued shortly. "The King, at first, still seemed against the ideas of uniting our kingdoms. He's very worried about his daughter being happy. But I've made him realize that he has no other choice. No other kingdom but Kquest has extended such a strong hand to Sanq, now that it is in dire need. No other has dared step into its civil war. His Majesty, Lord Peacecraft of Sanq, had finally agreed to our terms. So long as the princess is happy and accepts, he will agree."

The whole speech had sickened me. Much as I might hate this country, the obvious manipulation of people disgusted me even more. Though, it was his last words that struck a barbed arrow into my chest, digging deeper until I could hardly breathe. I faced him fully, though, not turning my head away.

"And if <i>I</i> disagree?" I asked softly, tone deceptively mild.

Lord Falkner took steps toward me, his eyes locked with mine in a battle of wills. He placed both hands on either armrest, trying to shadow me. "You," he said softly, tone not at all deceptive, "will <i>not</i> disagree." His tone held promise of dire threat, but if he thought to make me recoil, he got the opposite effect. My back straightened as if being held in place by a metal rod, my deep blue eyes going stormy, still locked with his. I did grit my teeth together, this time, though Falkner stopped any retort. "You will oblige your father in this. You <i>will</i> do as commanded, Highness, unless you wish to be stripped of all your titles and landholdings and then sent to one of the Tribal Islands off the east coast in exile."

<i>That</i> drew my breath short. My eyes widened before I could help it, and I did draw back slightly, unconsciously. Satisfied that he had gotten his message across, Falkner straightened, dusting himself off slightly as thought trying to rid himself of some filth. I was in too much a state of shock to reply. The man looked too satisfied for it to be a lie. He continued quite smugly. "You will romance Lady Relena, Highness. You will bring her flowers. You will write her poems. You will seduce her if you have to, but you <i>will</i> get the girl to fall in love with you and accept. Is that clear?"

Numb and hardly able to stop myself, I swallowed, and, refering to his threat, I demanded, "How? <i>When?</i> You don't have the power to--"

"No, I dont. But his Majesty, your father, most certainly does, Highness." Falkner cleared his throat, calmly. "You see, he's quite finished trying to put up with you. He's finally decided to heed our advisings in how to deal with such an uppety heir." Falkner withdrew, then, heading for the door, grabbing his lantern on the way. He glanced back at me. "I wish it be that your mother was still alive, and that you'd had any other siblings." He opened the door. "Good night, your Highness." He shut the door behind him, and a very good thing, for I had stood, nearly shaking in anger, at his last comment. How dare he . . how <i>dare</i> he mention her! He had no right! I had taken a step forward, almost wanting to strangle him. I wondered now if I would've stopped myself in time.

God, but I hated the man!

<i>To be continued . . . </i>

(OOC: *Beams* Your turn, Melrose! Sorry you didn't get more of a break! I hope I left you a bit to work with, though . . . )

He continued quite smugly. "You will romance Lady Relena, Highness. You will bring her flowers. You will write her poems. You will seduce her if you have to, but you will get the girl to fall in love with you and accept. Is that clear?"

Hahahaha...!! You go, Lord Falkner!!! I want more!! *frown* Let's write more!! Melrose, Melrose, Melrose!!!

Excellent part, Cali!! :razz: