Okay, this chapter is going to be fairly short for a kind of transitive effect. Sooo…yeah.
Disclaimer: Ooh, now I own a chibi Milliardo pin! But not Gundam Wing.
Milliardo was a lunge away from victory when Pagan called for him, his firm voice echoing through the large practice hall. Taking full advantage of his distraction, Anna quickly moved to the side and thrust her rapier toward him, sticking him in the chest.
“I win,” she said, stepping back. Her face remained emotionless and she turned to face the butler, who had hurried to join them in the middle of the room. Milliardo cringed; Pagan didn’t look happy.
“Your father wants to see you and Anna in his study immediately.”
Anna raised her eyebrows in surprise. The poor man looked as if he’d rushed the whole way from the King’s study, which was clear on the other side of the palace. Milliardo didn’t question, instead dropping his sword and rushing out of the room. Anna followed at a slower pace. She entered the room to find the King seated at his desk with the Queen by his side. Milliardo was seated across from the desk, looking incensed. Next to Katarina, almost hidden behind her, was Isabelle. Anna grimaced as Ethan beckoned her to sit. The triumphant look on Isabelle’s face was assurance that this was not going to be pleasant.
The King clasped his hands together over his desk and sighed tiredly. “Milliardo, where were you last night?” Milliardo paled significantly and Anna turned to him with shock written all over her face.
“I was in the woods,” he said through clenched teeth. He was glaring at Isabelle, who made it quite clear she was responsible for this interrogation.
“Doing what?” Ethan’s tone was adamant. He wanted the truth, and all of it.
“I was talking with a friend.”
“Uh huh,” shot Isabelle from behind Katarina’s skirt.
“You were spying on me?!” Milliardo shouted, half out of his seat in rage.
“Sit down!” the King bellowed. “I want to know exactly what you were doing with that woman.”
“I told you, we were just talking,” he managed to utter. The only thing he wanted right now was to jump out of his seat and strangle the little wretch.
“Uh huh,” repeated Isabelle.
“We didn’t do anything!” Milliardo exclaimed.
“That’s enough from both of you!” The King slammed a fist down on his desk, causing Isabelle to jump. He looked at his son resolutely. “I am sorely disappointed. Isabelle will be punished for sneaking out of the castle to follow you. But I trusted you Milliardo, and you let me down. I want to know her name, now.”
“Why?” he demanded. “She didn’t do anything. I was the one who sought her out.”
The King went red with fury. “What happens to her now is none of your concern, Milliardo. Her name!”
“No.”
The Queen gasped. Anna bit her lower lip as she watched the King for his reaction. She sighed with relief when his face returned to its normal shade of tan and he sighed. “I need a word with my son alone, please.” At his words, Katarina escorted Anna and Isabelle out of the room, closing the door behind her. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Ethan said, his voice deadly quiet.
In his twenty years of life, Milliardo had never once had to stand up to his father. He’d never had a reason to, and now he found himself struggling at having to argue with the King. “I don’t see why I have to tell you her name if she’s completely innocent,” he said calmly.
“I’m not going to argue with you, Milliardo,” Ethan began. “But you are not leaving the palace grounds at all without an official entourage. Your mother wanted me to be harder on you about being gone so often, but I told her you could be trusted.” He paused a moment, leaning back in his chair as he collected his thoughts. “I told her that house arrest was a little drastic. I guess I was wrong. But if that’s the only thing that will keep you out of trouble, then so be it. Good night, son.”
Milliardo left his fathers study and charged down the hall, intent of slamming Isabelle’s head into the first available wall. In his anger, he didn’t hear the voice calling his name.
“Hey, Milliardo!” the voice called out again before finally catching up with the Prince. Duo fell in step with him, out of breath and panting. “What, are you deaf now?” he asked.
“No, Duo. But I’d rather be left alone right now.”
Duo stopped. He watched as Milliardo continued down the hall and then paused. The Prince turned to face his friend and sighed. “Come on, Duo, I need a favor from you.”
“I see, so the boy is only good for doing His Highness favors, eh?” Duo chirped. He wasn’t really catching the mood, but Milliardo let him ramble until they reached the Prince’s rooms. “So, what exactly am I doing?”
Milliardo went to his escritoire and began writing. “You’re going to be my delivery boy. I’ve been… ‘grounded’, so I need you to deliver this letter. I’d do it myself regardless of my punishment, but I have the distinct feeling that I’m not going to be given a minute of time to myself anymore.”
Duo waited a few moments while Milliardo wrote before asking, “What exactly did you do to get so busted?”
“You’ll know when you see her,” he said, handing Duo the letter. The younger boy’s eyes widened.
“I see.”
“Thank you, Duo.”
Once he was gone, Milliardo sank onto his bed, burying his head in his hands. He knew it had to happen. He’d have to say goodbye to Lucrezia eventually. But he didn’t know it would hurt so much.
* * *
Lord Duo Maxwell strolled down the main street of the Royal Square, looking for the shop Milliardo had described. It was easy enough to spot, and Duo ducked in. It was fairly busy inside, so he looked around a bit, noting objects of interest. He saw why news of the establishment was spreading. They had a wide array of foreign goods that would appeal to anyone.
“Can I help you?” asked a kind voice from behind him. Duo whirled to see a blonde boy around his own age.
“Uh, yeah. My name’s Duo, I’m looking for Lucrezia Hayden?” Duo said, referring to the letter for the name. The boy peered at the letter curiously. “I’m supposed to hand deliver this to her,” he finished.
The boy smiled. “Of course,” he agreed. He led Duo to the front of the store where a young woman was collecting money from a short little man. “Lu, this gentleman, Duo, has something for you.” Lucrezia turned to face them and her eyes widened in surprise.
“Hey, it’s you!” Duo and Lucrezia exclaimed simultaneously. Quatre looked from one to the other, confusion marring his dainty features.
“You two know each other?” he asked.
Lucrezia let out a little laugh. “Well, kind of,” she explained. “I guess I was a little rude to him when we met.”
Duo snorted affably. “A little? Well, then. If you insist.” He certainly could see why Milliardo had fallen for her. Aside from being beautiful, she had a melodious laugh and big, expressive deep violet eyes. “So, you’re what’s got the Prince so preoccupied.” He thrust the letter toward her. “Here, this is from him. I don’t know what it says, so I’ll just wait ‘till you’re done with it. I’m sure you’ll want to shoot the messenger.”
Suddenly afraid at what he had just implied, Lucrezia tore open the letter.
My Dearest Lucrezia,
I’m
sorry that I could not tell you all of this in person. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten some sense knocked
into me and I’ve realized that all I’ve been doing is setting us up for much
unnecessary and undue pain. You cannot
possibly know how much I care for you and wish that I could see you again. But life has different plans for us, and
mine is to rule in my fathers place when bequeaths his crown to me. I truly hope
that you find happiness and love, for you deserve it all. Please believe me when I tell you that I
wish, more than anything, to rid myself of my birthright if only to be with
you.
Before she realized what was happening, Duo was ushering her upstairs. He sat her on her bed and knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
She looked down at him. “I…guess,” she whispered. She wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling. Maybe she was feeling nothing…but she didn’t really think it was possible to feel nothing at all…
Duo didn’t look convinced. “I thought you were going to pass out. You went completely white,” he told her softly.
“No, I’m sure I’m fine, Duo. Thank you for…bringing me his message.”
“Look, I’m coming back tomorrow to make sure you’re okay, got it?” he said insistently. Her acknowledgement was barely audible.
When Duo had gone, Lucrezia stared at the letter in her trembling hands once more. Then she crumpled it up and flung it across the room. She collapsed on her bed in tears, finally realizing that she wasn’t feeling nothing, she was feeling the emptiness of love lost. After a few minutes of crying freely, she made herself stop. She looked over at the letter, changed her mind and got up to retrieve it. The paper was crinkled even though she tried to smooth it out, but she still folded it neatly and stashed it in a hidden drawer in her night table. Rolling her eyes at her sentimentality, Lucrezia went to her mirror, hoping she didn’t look as pale as Duo had said. She hastily straightened her hair out and gave her cheeks a couple of quick pinches. Then she went back down to help Quatre. The last thing she did before she headed down the stairs was force the image of her prince from her mind.
~~~
Author’s Notes/Comments/Rants: Well, the Prince had to get caught sometime. Find out what happens in the next chapter, coming to you after I finish cramming for Pysch. I really don’t like that class (especially Freud, he scares me…) Comments and constructive criticism appreciated!