AN: I am not sure how old Marie Louise was at the time of the series so I just guessed for this fic. I made her about eighteen and George being twenty three. If anyone who knows how old Marie Louise really is I would be much obliged if they would contact me in some way. Thanx! Hope you enjoy! ^_^ By the way this is my first fan fic and I have seen most of the series except the beginning, missed that. One of theses days I will see them though. Just gotta find the time. Ok well enough of this boring stuff and on with the story.....

Just A Child

Chapter 1: Still a Child

Marie Louise sat on her bed and looked at the ceiling, it had been two years since the defeat of the Dark Gundam, but for her it seemed nothing had changed. She still wore the same pink dress and kept her hair in the same high bun.

She sighed and walked to her vanity, she saw the image of a young women peering back at her. All of her childish features were gone, but even though she no longer looked like a child, she still felt like one. Not only that but everyone treated her like a child too. Even George de Sand the man who had captured her heart still thought of her as nothing but a mere child.

Perhaps her father and friends were right perhaps she was still a child at heart, but how could she help it, all her life she had been sheltered from the real world. Never allowed past the palace grounds. With the exception of the gundam fights, and her mishap with the fake kidnapping. Looking back on that day she realized how foolish she had been.

Perhaps she had progressed some from that day. If only she could somehow mature even more than perhaps George would love her they way she loved him. She was trying to find how she would do this when her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Miss Marie Louise are you ready yet?" asked her maid.

"Huh?" she replied.

Her maid came in "Good heavens child! " There was that word child again! thought Marie. "you're not even dressed! And Dinner will be in a couple hours! Guests are already arriving."

"Is George here?" asked Marie.

"George who?"

"George de Sand! Who else?"

"Oh that man, No he isn't."

"That man? He is more than that he is a knight! He fights for France! How can you just call him that man?"

"I don't know what you see in him. He is much too old for you."

"Maybe..."

"Maybe? He is five years older! He could be your brother."

"Do you think that is how he thinks of me?" asked Marie as she got out one of her slips and went about dressing.

"Well, I don't know, I never talk to him."

"Oh."

"There now! Don't you look nice?"

Marie looked at her self in a long mirror she had on a deep blue dress that was much like her pink one. The dress did look very good on her, and it covered her completely, but for some reason it made her look like a child, which she had not before.

"Can't I wear something else?"

"Well why on earth would you want to?"

"I don't know...." said Marie.

"Oh hush now just go downstairs and have fun everyone is waiting I am sure!"

And with that her maid bustled out of her room leaving Marie to her own thoughts. Taking one more glance at her reflection in the mirror Marie sadly left her room and descended down to the dinning hall.

When she arrived it was already filling with guest. She smiled and curtsied as she passed people. Her eyes scanned the room for one person. But he was nowhere to be found. She had not seen the gundam fighter in so long, she had hoped he would be here. She sighed and sadly turned to join everyone at the large table. She looked up and there standing in the doorway was none other than George de Sand wearing his normal elegant outfit. His violet eyes shimmered, and from where Marie stood she though he could not look any handsomer. She ran to greet him, as he casually walked over to her.

"George!" she said.

"Miss Marie Louise how do you do?" he asked bowing. He took her small hand into his and kissed it.

"I am fine! How are you?" she began to ask, but to her disappointment a servant came up to them.

"Excuse me Monsieur and Mademoiselle but the banquet is ready to begin. "

George smiled at Marie and offered her his arm and they walked in together. However she had to sit at the opposite end of the table, during the whole thing. She sat the entire time listening to a bunch of men talk about politics. None of which made any sense to her and the little that she did understand she could care less about. She knew that this is not the attitude a princess should have, but still she could not help to think like this. It was easy to see that she was bored out of her mind. She would glance every once and a while down the table at George who would give her a reassuring smile and continue with his conversation.

Finally after dinner was over everyone filed into the large ballroom to mingle and talk about the same things they talked about over dinner. Marie just wandered around and smiled, a lot like a doll, just there for decoration. As she reached a red velvet couch she sat quietly down next to someone she did not even know, and who didn't even really pay attention to her. She was invisible, just like a child, as she sat there she felt tears well up in her eyes. 'Great just what I need to cry in front of all these people.' thought Marie. Getting up , Marie silently moved out of the room and into the open air. Here she let the tears flow freely down her face where no one could see. But someone had seen and was out there with her.

George had been watching Marie from where he stood, he knew something was bothering her. She had seemed so depressed at dinner. Then when he saw her run out to the balcony he excused himself and went after her. He saw her standing there her hands clutching the balcony, he was not sure but he thought her heard soft sobs coming from her. Walking up to her he placed a hand gently on her shoulder causing her to start. Marie turned wiping the tears from her eyes only to come face to face with George.

"Miss Marie? What is wrong?" he asked , his voice soft and gentle.

"I-" she started but decided but thought twice. "Nothing." she replied.

"Nothing can not make people cry, something must be wrong. You are not your usual cheerful self."

Marie turned away from George as she looked out into the darkness. "George?" she asked her voice barley above a whisper.

"Yes?"

"Do you- Do you think of me as a child?"

"A child?"

"Yes, do you believe that I am still a child."

George was silent for a moment before he answered. "No, I believe that you are still young but that you are learning quickly and maturing into a beautiful young lady."

"But you do not think me to be a young women yet."

"Why do you ask?"

"I Just think-"

"Monsieur De Sand" said a man in a black tuxedo, he shook George's hand vigorously. George most apparently did not recognize this man. Marie turned to face the man.

"May I borrow you for a second?" asked the man.

"Actually." said George rather irritated "I was talking to Miss Marie."

It was then that the gentleman realized there was another person out on the balcony. "Ah yes princess, so sorry I did not see you there."

"It's quite all right." said Marie politely hiding her face. "I am very tired anyway, I should be getting to bed."

"Miss Marie?" said George looking at her with concern.

"It's ok George I am fine. Thank you for your time." she said then excusing herself she left the room and climbed the stairs to bed. Tears were still streaming down her face. So it was true she was still just a child.

AN: Ok well there you go! First Chap what do ya think? I am sorry I know it is sorta boring right now, but it will pick up with the next chapter I promise! ^_^ So anyways I hope to update soon. I hope you all liked it. Flames welcome. Please let me know what you think. ttyl!