Yeah, I realize that I keep spelling Cinq with an ‘S’…which is weirding me out because I’m usually such a freak about spellings. Hmm, maybe because I finished the first chapter at like, 2am… Oh well, I’m quite sure that the official spelling is Cinq. Besides, it looks cooler.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing. I am making $0.00 profit off this.
Summer turned to autumn slowly. Lucrezia barely noticed until she spent a whole night shivering despite the fact she had a large fire burning. The next day, she went into the city to find a boarding house. She had more than enough saved. A merchant family had agreed to buy her wood figures to sell at their market. She only had to make a trip there once a week to bring her merchandise and occasionally help them out. The three had become fast friends; the couple had taken to Lucrezia, as she had to them.
It seemed hard to believe that she had made a life for herself already. Granted, it was only just enough money for the essentials, but with her savings, Lucrezia saw it as the first step. This was her first step toward becoming more than her mother.
During the noon hour, the marketplace was considerably less crowded than the afternoon hours. Lucrezia strolled through the stalls, planning to pay a visit to Wufei and Sally, though she silently prayed Wufei was in a good mood. She couldn’t figure how Sally had married the man. He was rude, overbearing, and chauvinistic. But he did love his wife. There were precious few times that he had shown it, but it was there.
The Dragon Market was near empty when she stepped in. She was glad; for it was almost always packed with customers wanting the latest exotic foreign goods the place specialized in. Sally Po stood behind the display counter, showing a woman their incense variety. Lucrezia waited patiently until the woman had left before greeting Sally.
“Good afternoon, Sally,” she said. “I see you’re getting a break today.” She gestured to the three customers in the store.
Sally rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you should have seen it about an hour ago. You remember those little jade figurines we had shipped in last week? Well, they are all gone.” Lucrezia’s eyebrows shot up. “Wufei’s practically dancing in the back. He’s dying to order more.” Sally shook her head thoughtfully.
“I’m glad to hear it, Sally. I love this place,” she said with a smile. “Oh, guess what,” she added excitedly.
Sally leaned on the display case in anticipation. “What, and don’t make me guess. You know I hate that,” she warned, waggling a teasing finger at Lucrezia.
“Well, I finally saved enough for a room somewhere decent. I can finally get out of that shack.” She grinned.
The news reminded Sally of something she had been meaning to talk to her friend about. “That’s great, Lu! I’m happy and all that great stuff, but I just you just reminded me…Wufei and I want you to take the spare room in the back. He wants you to work here permanently.” The grin on Sally’s face was contagious. “Sort of like a business partner type thing.”
“Really?” she asked breathlessly. When Sally nodded enthusiastically, Lucrezia ran behind the counter and bear hugged her. Just then, Wufei stepped in, raising an eyebrow at the two.
“I take it that’s a yes, Lucrezia?” Wufei added, a hint of a smile playing on his usually stoic face. “If you’re going to stay here, you’re going to have to work,” he said forcefully. “I will not tolerate indolence and idleness.” Sally began giggling as Wufei began spouting a list of do’s and don’ts. Clenching his fists, he slowly turned around, fixing his wife with a Death Glare. “What the hell is wrong with you, woman?” he demanded. Her laughter only grew, until she was doubled over, clinging to the display case for support.
“I’m sorry, love,” she managed, clearing her throat and trying to keep a straight face. “It’s just… oh, leave her alone.” Thoroughly amused, Sally went to the front of the store to assist a customer.
Wufei crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “Someday I will put her in her place.” Rolling her eyes, Lucrezia took a seat on a stool, a smirk on her face. The man must have repeated the same threat at least once a day; he had yet to carry it out.
Business started picking up and Wufei insisted she start right away. Then he disappeared to the back with Sally, a gleam in his eyes that made Sally blush as they hurried off. Lucrezia rolled her eyes. The last time they had done that, they had been so loud the customers had heard, casting odd glances toward the back and then at Lucrezia. She had no good cover for them; she could only shrug, embarrassed.
Thankfully, the store began filling up again and the noise of the customers was enough to drown out any of Wufei and Sally’s love cries. Lucrezia sighed in relief and began milling around the store, aiding patrons with whatever she could. It seemed everyone wanted the little jade figurines, and Lucrezia had to tell everyone who asked that there simply were no more. She hadn’t thought to prepare for disgruntled customers.
“What do you mean!” yelled a short, hefty man. He waved his arms about, wafting his unpleasant body odor and alcohol breath about. Very soon, people began leaving, the stench too overpowering. “Damn it, I come all the way over here and I expect some damn service!” he cried, spittle flying everywhere. Lucrezia tried to reason with him, explaining the obvious. The drunk, however, kept interrupting and flapping his arms like a madman.
“Look, I’m not going to tell you again, old man!” she shouted, when he swung his hand and knocked over a vase. Wufei was going to have a fit. “Get your drunken ass out of here!” she demanded, shoving him toward the door. She barely ducked his flying fist as he stumbled out of the door. Apparently, someone had alerted the city guards; the drunk was promptly hauled away.
Gasping for air, Lucrezia sat down hard on the floor, her hand at her chest. She was trembling, not so much out of fear as frustration at the idiocy of the drunk. It was certainly an interesting experience for her first day. There were footsteps behind her and then someone kneeling beside her.
“Are you hurt?” asked an oddly familiar voice. Lucrezia turned and found herself face to face with Prince Milliardo. He was dressed as a commoner, wearing a cloak to hide his hair and most of his face. Hurriedly, she scrambled up, instantly wary of him. He straightened and crossed his arms, smiling at her approvingly. “You did well,” he remarked.
Lucrezia lifted her head up, meeting his gaze squarely. “Is there something I can help you with?” She gave no indication of having met him before.
The Prince uncrossed his arms and sauntered over to her. “Well, actually yes.” He gave the store a look over and sighed. “I’ve never been here and I’m looking for a gift.” He smiled disarmingly. “Think you can help me out?”
Still not trusting him for a moment, Prince or not, Lucrezia resumed her position behind the counter. From there, two feet of glass kept her a safe distance from him. “What kind of gift are you looking for?” she asked, forgetting ever having met him before; this was strictly business.
He appeared interested in the tiny porcelain trees inside the glass case. “It’s for my sister. She’s turning fifteen. I wanted to get her something different,” he chuckled softly, watching her intently. “This place is certainly different. An exotic flavor to it, no?” he said, his voice low. Her reaction was fairly predictable; she backed away, a slight flush on her cheeks.
“I would, um, recommend some jewelry, perhaps? There’s a beautiful opal necklace –” she stopped short at Prince shaking his head. “No jewelry?” she asked.
“Something unique,” he stressed the last word. “I want her to pass out.”
Taking a deep breath and trying desperately to ignore his charm, Lucrezia wracked her brains, thinking of the shop’s inventory. Then she thought of the perfect gift. “Come with me,” she said, beckoning for him to follow her. She led him the small garden in the back, a small affair with countless varieties of vibrantly colorful flora. In the far corner, there were three clay pots, each holding what appeared to be tiny trees. “These,” she began, cradling a pot in her hands, “are very rare here. They are miniature trees; it’s a very rewarding hobby.”
She held it out to Milliardo, who took in, peering at it skeptically. “What do you do with them?” he asked, poking at the branches. It was absolutely marvelous, a tiny tree. Relena would love it.
Lucrezia took a seat on the ground, taking the tree back from the Prince. “Well, you have to buy special pruning scissors. Just keep it fed, in the sun, and looking like a tree.”
He nodded. “Uh, huh,” he snatched the pot away from Lucrezia and stood. “Okay, I’ll take it, plus the scissors.” Grinning down at her, he proffered a hand to her. Still hesitant, she took it.
The total cost was definitely more than Milliardo had planned for. “I’m sure your mistaken, Lucrezia; that can’t be the price.” She was slightly surprised that he remembered her name, but she was more annoyed that the Cinq Prince should complain about spending money.
“I’m sure it won’t be a large blow to your budget, Highness,” she stated sarcastically.
Milliardo regarded Lucrezia as if she knew nothing. “It’s a miniscule tree, my dear. I could cut a clipping off a bush and it’d be the same thing.” He frowned at the woman in front of him, who stood cocking a bemused eyebrow at him.
“Are you trying to haggle?” she inquired. He nodded in exasperation. She grinned, “Nope, that’s the price, all sales are final. Don’t like it, go somewhere else.” She seized the tree from him. Now she was having fun; seeing His Highness looking bewildered was pure joy.
He narrowed his eyes playfully at the smug look she shot him. “All right then, lady. I see there’s no sweet talking you,” he joked, producing a money pouch. She smiled and laughed. “Damn, I paid all that for a few sticks and leaves…” he shook his head with mock regret. Glad he was able to coax a laugh out of her, he went on, encouraged. “You know, I’m sorry about that time by the river. I didn’t mean to spy on you,” he said, his tone serious.
Her eyes widened; she had completely forgotten about that. Wait…she forgot? How could she have? This Milliardo, Prince though he was, was not getting off that easily. Abruptly, she schooled her features back into hostility mode. She finished packing up his purchase and cleared her throat. “Well, it was certainly a pleasure,” she said, though her voice sounded like it had been quite the opposite.
Milliardo frowned. “Look, can we just start all over again?” He was being sincere now. There was a part of his mind that couldn’t stand be have her upset at him. Though he was the Crown Prince and shouldn’t care what a commoner thought of him…there was something about her that made him care. That she was gorgeous, he had already admitted the first time he saw her. Now, he found himself staring into her deep violet eyes and longing to have her pressed against him again. Of course, that could never happen, he knew, but still…
Meanwhile, Lucrezia stood, fiddling with a little child’s doll left on the counter, pretending she hadn’t heard him. “Did you hear me?” the Prince asked softly. Gently, he took the doll out of her hands and placed a soft hand on her cheek, forcing her to look at him.
The ice blue eyes were silently pleading with her. Their eyes remained locked for an agonizingly long moment before Lucrezia heard footsteps in the back. She backed away, breaking her gaze.
“So this is what you call work?” Wufei asked, sauntering out with a really satisfied look on his face. Behind him was Sally, a wide grin plastered to her face.
Before Lucrezia could muster a response, Milliardo interjected, ‘Thank you so much for your help. I’m sure my sister will love her gift.” He smiled affectionately. “I’ll be sure to stop by again.”
To that, Wufei could say nothing. Casting a dubious glance at the door, Wufei grumbled something under his breath and went to rearrange his precious display of mahogany lacquered keepsake boxes. They were his handmade pride and joy. Once he had gone, Sally cleared her throat expectantly. “So…who was that?” she asked eagerly. “He was absolutely dazzling!” She clasped her hands together dramatically.
“He was nobody,” she said faintly. Closing her eyes, she still saw his image clearly. “Just trying to be suave.”
“Trying?” she exclaimed. “I’d say he was succeeding.”
Lucrezia gave her a pained look. “Aren’t you married?”
Sally crossed her arms and scowled. “That doesn’t mean I can’t admire anyone else,” she said defensively.
There was no way Lucrezia was going to add the fact that he was the Prince of Cinq. She tactfully left that little fact out when Sally began grilling her for details on him.
After finishing the traumatizing session of Twenty Questions, Lucrezia was finally able to leave the shop for a while. Outside, the sun was beginning to sink over the horizon, resulting in the fast drop in temperature. She walked briskly to her cabin for what would be the last time. Though, she didn’t own much, there were a few possessions she wanted to take. There was also the sizable amount of money she had buried under a thorny old bush.
A refreshing bath and two bowls of soup later, Lucrezia climbed into bed. Her room was as far from Wufei and Sally’s as it could get and she only prayed they didn’t keep her up. Thankfully, sleep took her quickly and she dreamt of a handsome prince with shining blue eyes.
* * *
The Princess Relena celebrated her birthday with more flair and extravagance than last year. Milliardo hadn’t thought it was possible. On the upside, she had adored his gift and couldn’t stop raving about it. Apparently, these kinds of exotic hobbies were popular among her age group. He didn’t doubt for a second that the tree would be dead within two months.
A day later, Relena had come to her bolder brother’s rooms, holding her tree and whining. Half the tree was gone. “Mil-li-ar-do-o, it’s dying,” she wailed, crumpling into one of the armchairs in his sitting room, where he was reading. “Why are the leaves falling off? I think you need to get a refund, dear brother,” she pouted.
The Prince chuckled. “Relena, are you doing everything I told you? Water, sunlight, pruning?” he said, not looking up from his book as he spoke.
She rolled her eyes. “How should I know? Dorothy’s been taking care of it. I should just get rid of her then, if she’s not going to do her job right.”
“Now, Relena, the Catalonias have been with our family for many generations. I’m sure Father wouldn’t approve of you dismissing Dorothy because she didn’t properly look after your tree.”
Sighing, Relena set the tree on the floor and crossed her legs daintily. “I guess you’re right. What would I ever do without you, Mill’?” she asked. He smiled at her affectionately. “…Milliardo?”
“Yes, Relena?” Her tone was serious, and he could tell she’d come for more than just the tree. He put down the book and gave her his full attention.
Suddenly, she clammed up. Wringing her hands, she took a deep breath and let it out. “Father wants me to marry.”
The King had not informed Milliardo about anything regarding Relena marrying. He frowned slightly. “Go on,” he gestured encouragingly.
“Well,” she continued, her voice shaking. “He wants me to marry Lord Duo. And…” she started to cry. “And I don’t love him,” she sobbed into her hands. “It isn’t fair!”
“Come here, little one,” Milliardo held his arms out and Relena ran into them, setting herself him his lap and crying in into his shoulder. He let her cry herself out before he asked her to explain what exactly had happened.
“You’re not forced to marry. Only me, why…?” she asked, not reproachfully, but with the innocence of a sixteen year old child who didn’t quite understand the ways of the world yet.
“Relena, Duo’s a good man and you’re not going to marry him for two or three more years…but, it’s not that, is it?” Milliardo knew his sister well; she had confided in him since she was four years old and confessed to him that she had stolen a pen from their father’s study.
The Princess took a moment to relax before she spoke. “It’s…Heero.” And she wrapped her arms around her brother’s neck, waiting for his reaction.
So his little sister was in love with the youngest Yuy boy. He could see now why Relena was so devastated. It was far better political strategy to pair the Princess with the oldest son of the Maxwell family, who boasted more land and economical prosperity than the Yuys. Poor Relena had no say in the matter and though she might be reasonably happy with Duo, Milliardo had seen many a proud and noble woman ruined by arranged marriages. They either ended heartbroken forever or in dangerous affairs. The former was the result more often than not, for affairs only led to social disgrace. It was true; most women lived out their lives never truly knowing happiness. And now his sister would become one of them. He wasn’t going to try to make Relena see why this was best for the Kingdom or perhaps even for her in the long run; he only held her, stoking her hair until she fell asleep in his arms.
* * *
Days passed and Lucrezia quickly settled into a comfortable routine. The Dragon Market was busier than ever and Wufei and Sally took on another assistant to help. He was a soft-spoken, easy going young man by the name of Quatre Winner.
Endlessly polite and graceful, everyone took to him right away. He even seemed to calm Wufei down. The boy was absolutely delightful company, and Lucrezia suspected that there was something more than friendship going on between Quatre and his best friend and roommate, Trowa. The two often looked at each other as a pair of lovers would. Lucrezia found it somewhat unsettling, but tried to push any thoughts of Quatre’s personal life out of her mind. There were more important things to think about. She still hadn’t forgotten the promise for retribution she made to herself. Already it seemed like forever ago since she had been alone.
There had been so much to do that Lucrezia had barely been able to think about the Prince. When she lay in bed that night, her thoughts finally wandered to the young royal. He had said he would be coming back. Had he meant it? No, how could the second most important man in all Cinq have any time for a simple, albeit prosperous, merchant.
Wufei had announced he was opening a second Dragon Market in the Royal Square. To sell in the Royal Square…he and Sally were well on their way to becoming recognized and respected merchants. Not to mention the fact that the Royal Square was practically at the Cinq Palace’s front door…where the Prince lived.
Lucrezia sincerely wished she had never met Milliardo. It was doing nothing but sending her brain in frustrating circles. He was doing nothing but having his fun with her, she just knew it. Groaning, she turned onto her stomach, burying her head into her pillow, forcing him out of her head. She had a life mission to carry out; she didn’t have time for foolish fantasies.
* * *
King Peacecraft was in his study when his only son rapped quietly on the door. “Good evening, Father, I was wondering if I might have a word with you?”
Looking up from his paperwork, he nodded. “Of course, son. Please take a seat, I wanted to discuss with you the matter of trade with the—,”
“No, Father, I said I needed a word with you,” Milliardo interrupted quietly. The King stopped short. The boy was not being rude, he knew it must be something serious. “You didn’t tell me you’ve arranged for Relena’s marriage.”
The King coughed. “It was just settled last night, actually. I hadn’t gotten around to telling you yet, son. If this is because she’s too young, I realize. They won’t be married until she turns eighteen. Now, the two get along well and Duo’s a fine boy. I see no problem with the match.” He eyed his son carefully. “Do you see a problem?” he asked intensely.
Milliardo, who had been staring at his hands, snapped his head up at his father’s tone of voice. This was something the old man was not going to negotiate on. Not even close. It was kind of a far-fetched idea to hope that the King would think about letting Relena be happy and marry Heero. There was simply too much politics for that. “Relena’s in love with Heero Yuy,” he said.
Laughter erupted from the King’s belly. “Look Milliardo, don’t start. I know you want to see your sister happy, but…you know. I don’t even have to explain it to you,” he said adamantly. “It’s…that’s just the way it is, you know that. I wish Relena could be happy, too. But…” He shrugged tiredly.
“I know you’re right, Father,” he conceded. “I understand that you have no choice, but I just thought I’d let you know…” He stood and began to walk out.
“Just a moment, Milliardo,” the King beckoned him back, eyeing him critically. “There also the subject of your marriage to worry about. You can’t delay much longer, though I know very well that you would put it off as long as you possibly could.” The two men laughed. The King knew all too well about the Prince’s disdain of the silly, vapid court ladies. “I know how you feel, but there’s always that one girl that is the exception,” he continued. “Now your mother, she was one hell of an exception. Her father, the late Duke of Eurasia, almost had her throw into a convent. She had a sharp wit and a brain about her. That,” he emphasized by pounding his desk with a large palm, “is what you have to find. I know it’s hard, but…such is the way of the Peacecrafts.” He chuckled ruefully.
The Prince was only sinking farther into his chair. He hadn’t given the matter an inkling of a thought. “Father,” he began. “I still have time enough. Unless you’re planning to die on us this week, I’ve got time. But now, I’ll retire for the evening. Rest assured, I have taken all your words seriously and will… think them over. Good night.” His father only grunted good-naturedly as his only son left. He was right, for once.
*
Marriage…Milliardo thought that the most disturbing aspect of ruling a kingdom. How much of the world’s nobility ended up happy in marriage? There were times, too many times, that he wished himself an average citizen. How he would love to live in one of the sprawling woodland villas that many of the minor lords owned. Peace and quiet…what he wouldn’t give for it. He was only too aware of his birthright. His curse.
~~~
Author’s Notes/Comments/Rants: Yay, it’s Chapter 2! I kept going…whoa…I’m the type to start something and never finish it…sad, no? But if I get enough feedback for this, I’m definitely going to keep going. Anyway, so…I keep getting into these insane writing moods at like, 1am. That’s bad…I never get enough sleep…Oh, well…stay tuned for Chapter 3!
