What's In a Name

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam SEED/Gundam SEED Destiny.

This is an AU request fic…set in the 1800's/19th century-ish lifestyle with a few inventions and luxuries added in for "fantasy" purposes with some use of modern language just because XD.

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…Introduction…

The world for decades had been plunged into war. War by definition was a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties of a nation whether the warfare was done by land or sea. The main two forces that were always in the turmoil of war were the two largest continents, one was nicknamed the Federation of Nations and the other was the continent of Plants. They fought over the island nations of Orb for their territory. The upper classes filled with Duke and Duchesses only saw Orb as property and ways to expand their riches, both sides saw the benefits of having Orb under their rule. It would only be after some time that any traces of the actual royal families in any of these three power counties would fizzle like a dying camp fire. The last royal family that was noted in their current history was that of the royal house of Athha of the nation of Orb. Orb with their military forces were able to push off both warring nations from their territory and eventually the last royal family of the Plants saw no use in the island nation and made a treaty with the country. The Plants also had their own inner civil uprising to deal with and no longer saw the benefits of trying to overtake Orb.

The Federation of Nations was not so kind even with their own civil uprisings; they did not give kindly into defeat and would not accept defeat. They mercilessly attacked the nation of Orb, their objective to be rid of the last remaining royal family of the world. The Plants demeaning this a cruel act with the ruling class of the current government of Plants, their small council voted to send aid and to honor the treaty made between the Plants and Orb but aid would come too late. The kingdom had fallen into ruins and in penance for the late arrival, Plants open their doors for the surviving citizens of Orb to enter their nation. Among the citizens were the King and his two children disguising themselves as commoners. The idea of monarchy may have fallen with the ruins of the palace and with Orb however the king refused for his children to see death just because they had royal lineage. His children were only twelve and had seen nothing but the horrors of war along with the fall of their home so early in their lives.

They would live as simple common folk in the nation of Plants. The once proud king of Orb always wanted his children to understand they were privileged would often venture into the cities and towns that were around the palace and the other islands. He wanted them to know the people they were governing and would rule over. He always believed just because you were born with power does not mean you lived above the citizens you were in charge of. He wanted them to learn to live with the people, dress like the people, and talk with the people. They were accustomed to wearing clothes that weren't the finest thread and neither of them minded since their family was still intact. They would live like that in harmony for four years until shortly of their sixteenth birthday the children would have to face horror once again. At that point Prince Kira Yamato Athha and Princess Cagalli Yula Athha realized they would never be safe as those that still oppose the idea of monarchy would forever chase them. They quickly made haste after the age of sixteen to become nothing more than mere travelers of the nation that took in their people.

Cagalli after the death of her father and horrors that were inflicted to her body had gone mute and cold. No matter how much Kira had tried he could not get his sister to speak nor to show signs of any emotion. He just let his sister be and slowly coaxed her in trying to be herself, she was his only family left and he would be damned if he let her go. He remembered the night of his father's murder all too well. He was asked to run an errand into town for his father where he got distracted by a girl trying to offer her services to him. He was sixteen at the time and she was using all of her charm to win him over. He had fallen for it and when she told him she was aware of who he was he knew his family was in danger. He would never forgive himself when he returned to the home he and his father had built for their family of three. Kira was quick to action and took up a sword to kill the men that took his father's life and at the time felt like they took his sister's soul.

They were in December City on their travels and were looking around the market while walking beside their horses. The city was beautifully designed much like all the other cities in Plants but their towns were such as lovely sight and had a more homely feeling than the hustle and bustle of the city. They found their way to small restaurant that smelt delicious from the oustide. The siblings looked at each and Kira started seeing the sings of his sister returning after two years. Her facial expressions were starting to come back and she was less statue-like. They nodded in their silent understanding and tied their horses' reins to the wooden post outside with another horse that was already there.

"Bar keep, you mean to tell me there are no others around here that can read and write at the upper class level," a frustrated blonde male asked the male behind the bar. Kira and Cagalli looked over with some interest but Kira quickly ordered them some food and drink.

"Look, La Flagga, I don't know what the duke is up to in needing more help around his damn estate but the fact he wants all his help in that place being able to read and write is beyond ridiculous," the older man quirked his brow.

The man referred to as La Flagga sighed, "Well with the stupid war going on in Orb we've sent a lot of our good and able boys to the front lines. So the duke is in need of a little more help around the estate."

"Tch, if you ask me…that young duke has grown cold ever since his father's death. May the late duke's soul rest in peace," the older man said making a cross over his face and shoulders. "Now, granted that young duke still is gracious as his family has always been to our city for generations but it's a little demanding around these parts to find someone who can read and write at the level that he's asking for."

La Flagga grabbed his hat, placed it on his head, and sighed, "There has to be some new blood around here."

The man pointed at the table Cagalli and Kira were sitting at, "Why not ask them. Their clothes don't look like from around here."

"Yeah, you're right," La Flagga was extremely interested as he walked over to the table. "Hey, kids…mind if I join you?"

The twins blinked and Kira simply smiled, "Of course, I've noticed the place is quite crowded."

"How very kind of you," the man sat down. "The name is Mu La Flagga and you are?"

"I'm Kyle," Kira said with a nod and looked over at Cagalli. "This is my sister, Catherine."

"No family name," Mu asked curiously but a smile never leaving his lips.

"It's not that we don't have a family name but we've chosen to leave it behind," Kira answered.

"Ah, so you're one of those types, your parents have a bad reputation or something," Mu asked as he removed his hat and placed it on the table.

"Not quite like that," Kira said with a small smile of his own. "However, it's better if we don't associate with our family name."

"Well, then Kyle, it's a pleasure to meet you and your lovely sister Catherine," Mu said and then leaned over on the table and glanced at their clothes. The old man he was talking to was right; the clothes they were wearing were not that of the average citizen of December City much less the Plants. They both wore similar traveling outfits, their shirts had white sleeves but Kira's had a blue shirt and Cagalli a dark green. The fact that Cagalli wore pants intrigued Mu, it wasn't often you found a woman breaking the rules of society, granted there were plenty of women that would wear pants but rarely. She could've been easily mistaken for a male if not for her well-endowed bosom and her long blonde braid that fell over her left shoulder. "You two aren't from around here, are you?"

"No sir, we're not. We are just travelers," Kira responded as the bar maid handed them their food. The woman instantly recognized Mu and placed her hand on her hip.

"Well if it isn't Mu La Flagga, what brings you to the city," the woman asked brightly. "It's not often you are away from the Duke."

"The duke is out on a business trip and has asked me to look for a couple more hands to help out at the estate," Mu said with a charming smile.

"How is the young duke fairing since his father's passing," the woman had a sincere look on her face. The twins began to wonder about this duke they were hearing about. Kira was vaguely aware of the remaining noble families remaining in Plants help govern the nation. Each of the major cities has a noble family overseeing the city and the neighboring towns.

"He is coping, the young duke does not have any other family left," Mu said with a heavy sigh. "Unless you count the lot of us that are living in the estate and working there."

"I'm sure the young duke will be his charming self in no time," the woman said gleefully. "Many of the young girls simply gasp at the sight of him."

Mu chuckled, "The young duke never seems to be short on admirers."

"No sir, well…I'll leave you to your company…and don't be a stranger La Flagga…"

Mu waved as the woman left the table and looked back at the twins, "So…I'm sure you overhead earlier me and bar keep guy and now with the bar maid talking about needing help around the estate."

"Yes sir, but what does it have to do with us," Kira asked looking at the older man confused.

"Judging by your clothes, you guys are not some average commoners…meaning you two have had some education yes," Mu said looking at Cagalli who gave him a blank expression. "Uh, anyway…can you both read and write?"

"Yes sir," Kira nodded.

"Great, then you wouldn't mind helping a guy out!" Mu said patting Kira on the back and Kira began to choke on his food. Cagalli gave him a worried expression and quickly came around the table to hand him some water. "Anyway, the young duke is going to be gone for a while and I could really use an extra pair of hands…I'm the butler for the young duke for December City."

"I'm not sure…"

"If you two have been travelling which from the looks on your faces and the subtle on your face for a long time, why not finally settle down. The young duke is quite a kid but you guys look around his age, it might be nice to have someone he could talk to other than us old folks," Mu said rubbing the back of his head.

Kira looked over at Cagalli and sighed. They had been traveling for two years with no home; they were given horses by some kind stranger to help them in their travel because the older couple took pity on them. Cagalli had also been growing thin due to them not able to always finding food. They had gone from riches to rags in matter of hours but maybe just maybe being in one spot where Cagalli could be around people could get her to speak again. Kira then turned to Mu who apparently wasn't going to take no for an answer anyway. "Alright, let us finish our meal and we will do as you ask."

"GREAT!" Mu patted Kira on the back and was ecstatic that he found new help.

After their meal they all mounted their horses after Kira and Cagalli put on their riding cloaks as the evening air had become quite cool. Mu watched the pair carefully; Cagalli was no ordinary woman as she did not ride side saddle as most women in this time would. Then again most women didn't ride horses and the fact she did with such confidence made him quite curious. Her silence however worried him; Kira informed Mu it was due to a tragic event that caused her to be silent and their father's death. Mu felt sorry for the girl but at least she had some facial expressions now that slowly started developing the past few months. Kira even then told him they weren't the same that his sister was a fiery person and very passionate…this was all that was left. Since they had no family or a home, all they had was each other.

Most of the ride was Kira and Mu talking as if old friends or comrades even reuniting after a long time apart. Cagalli just listened and watched the two men chatter on and on. She took in her surroundings; she had become accustomed to the colder climate due to their years in Plants and it was currently fall. Orb being the island nation it was, it was quite tropical…didn't have a cold day as far as her memory could tell her. The four seasons was something completely new to her when they first escaped the destruction of her homeland. She didn't mind the winter; the snow was something she was always amazed by, a fascinating season. Winter had become the season she was most curious about the past six years but she hadn't voiced it. Winter would fall on them soon enough…as the leaves around them had already turned into the autumn colors and falling from the tree branches.

The conversation between the two men had stopped once they had reached the estate. It looked just like a small palace, "A beauty isn't it? Come on, kids, I'll show you where you can rest your horses." Mu motioned for the twins to follow after him.

They followed as they were told and saw through the dim lighting, the age of inventions were upon them and electricity was the new thing at least among the nobles at first however it would eventually spread beyond that to the cities and towns, there was a path that went by the east wing of the estate to where a large stable stood right behind it. They could also see a very elegant carriage also parked next to the stables. Mu dismounted first and watched as the siblings dismounted their houses effortlessly. Mu didn't want to read too much into it, but since the moment he met the two of them he couldn't help but feel something was amiss about the two young adults. He shook it off as a man approached them.

"You're back and with new guests," a man with short blue hair asked.

"Newmann!" Mu said excitedly, "I bring us our young lords' new help!" Mu then pointed at Kira, "This is Kyle and his lovely sister Catherine."

"Kyle, Catherine," the man nodded. "I am Arnold Newmann but everyone just calls me Newmann."

"Hello Mister Newmann," Kira said with a nod. He then shook the man's hand. Cagalli also shook his hand but did not say a word.

"Newmann here takes care of the horses and is also the man driver for our young duke," Mu said patting Newmann on the shoulder. "His partner in crime is Chandra…he's probably inside figuring out new roads the noble families voted on. You'll meet him later."

Mu motioned for them to follow as Kira and Cagalli grabbed their traveling bags. Nemann assured them their horses were in good hands. Mu opened the door for the twins to walk into and Mu quickly whisked in front of them. "This is the east wing; the bottom floor is all the staff quarters. I'll show you to your rooms in a minute you need to meet everyone else. The second floor of the east wing is all guest quarters and you can get upstairs from the stair case we just walked by or the main stair well in the main foyer." The twins continued to follow Mu as he toured them around, "This is the kitchen as you can see it's here in the east wing with us. Yo, Andy!" Some clatter was heard as a man came out with a scar of his left eye wiping something away on his apron. "This is Andy Waltfeld our main cook and his assistant would be his wife…whom which I do not see."

"Who are the kids, La Flagga," Andy asked looking at the blonde male.

"Kyle and Catherine, they are our new help," Mu said cheerfully.

"And you managed to not scare them away," Andy asked chuckling. "You kids hungry?"

"No sir, we just ate actually but thank you," Kira answered and Cagalli nodded.

"Alright suit yourself," Andy said disappearing back into the kitchen.

Mu shook his head, "You'll meet Aisha tomorrow; she's probably making sure everyone in the estate has eaten." Mu motioned them to follow once again and they were in the main foyer. There the floor was marble and a beautiful chandelier hung above them. The twins took in their surroundings and the beautiful French doors were made of the finest woods. The two of them might not be living in their palace anymore but they know good craftsmanship when they saw it. Mu pointed to another set of beautiful French doors, "That's the north wing. The north wing leads you to the grand ballroom and the terrace that looks over the gardens, every now and then the duke will hold a formal ball of sorts with his fellow noblemen." He pointed to a side door, "If you don't want to go through the ballroom that door leads you straight outside to the gardens." Mu then turned to the stair case that was just off to the side of the doors that lead to the ballroom, "That is the main stair case. If you follow them straight it leads you to the library if you go right it leads you to the guest chambers of the east wing and if you go left is the young duke's personal wing which consists of his study, personal library, and his chambers." Mu turned once more and pointed down the long dark hallway, "That's the lower west wing. The west wing has the sitting room, several different studies, a meeting room and the dining hall." He then turned to face the two, "Kyle you will be helping me with my butler duties and you, Catherine, will be in charge of being the duke's secretary. I will test both of your reading and writing skills tomorrow after I introduce to everyone else. I will also explain your duties in detail tomorrow! Now let me show you to your rooms!"

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As promised the twins met the remainder of the staff that worked in the young duke's estate. They met Aisha Waltfeld, Andy's wife, she helped out in the kitchen but on days when there was no company she would help Mu's wife. Murrue La Flagga was the head maid and housekeeper…really the only maid of the estate. Miriallia Haww was the main tailor and seamstress; she would also help with the house hold chores alongside of Murrue. They met Newmann's partner in working in the stables, Dalida Lolaha Chandra. Chandra was also the navigator and map keeper for the young duke. They finally met the grounds keeper and gardener Kojiro Murdoch, he just waved at them with a large grin since he was busy attending to his duties. Mu had asked Miriallia to make some new clothes for the twins…more like uniforms to wear while they were working and living in the estate. Kira was to wear a similar outfit to that of Mu's and Cagalli would be given, Heaven forbid a dress…however Kira as her brother was able to convince his sister to agree to a long length skirt and shirt combo. The only way you could tell she was displeased with the deadly glare she was giving everyone at the mention of a dress. Miriallia was stunned and Kira had to play mediator and peace keeper.

Kira was wearing a pair of black pants, black shoes, a white button up dress shirt, a black vest and a reasonable length black neck tie. Mu however rolled up his sleeves and Kira kept them at their usual length. This would be his uniform while he worked in the estate of the young duke. Mu tested Kira's reading and writing skills first and was quite impressed. He didn't bother in testing Cagalli's after seeing how well Kira could write and read and since they were twins after all. Cagalli who was wearing a similar shirt to what she was wearing upon her arrival to the estate only difference was the neckline. The shirt was indeed more feminine with a scooping neck but covered her enough to still be decent, the most of the shirt was black and her sleeves were white with a small ruffle cuff at her wrists. She wore a long ankle length black skirt and black shoes. The whole uniform for the staff was that of black and white.

Mu had shown Cagalli the library she would be working in and showed her all the unorganized documents scattered around the library. She was instructed to get them all organized and such. If there were any documents that needed to be rewritten or restored she was to do so. Her job would also be to prepare documents for meetings for when the other dukes arrived at the estate for their monthly meetings. Cagalli nodded in response to show she understood her tasks. He then informed her as the duke's secretary she would have to take notes during meetings about what occurred during them and she also just nodded at the instruction. Mu patted her head and left her to work. It would remain like that for a week.

"It's a shame really," Murrue said having tea with her husband in the kitchen with Aisha and Andy. "She is a lovely girl and doesn't speak a word."

"Kyle said something traumatic happened to her," Mu said taking a sip of his tea as well. "If it was something that terrible I really can't blame her for clamming up."

"Even so, can she do her job while not speaking," Andy asked drinking his newly created coffee.

Aisha sighed, "It's only been a week since they came here but at least we know she understands what we are telling her. She got that whole library reorganized in a couple of days…"

"Yeah tell me about it and she had all the documents in order by not only the year but down to the month and day," Mu shook his head. "The two of them seem close though; Kyle also seems to be extra careful and protective with her."

"I'm just glad to see they are eating properly," Murrue said looking at Aisha who gave her the same look in return. "They were so thin when they first arrived and now they both look healthy."

"To be eighteen and suffered so much already," Aisha said sipping her tea. "They are only what five years the young duke?"

"Isn't he due back soon," Andy asked looking over at the calendar hanging in his kitchen. "He's been gone longer than usual for a business trip."

"He should return either tonight or tomorrow," Mu said casually. "The young lord knows how to defend himself. I wouldn't worry too much."

"I only worry since he lost his father only a few months ago," Andy said and sighed before changing the subject. "I wonder if the conflict over Orb will ever end…it's bad enough the last remaining royal family was obliterated."

"We were all there," Mu reminded him. "We were part of that fleet that was sent to help them and we didn't make it in time six years ago."

"Yes, but at least we did what we could for the citizens that survived that horrible massacre," Murrue said sadly.

"That's why I was glad when the late duchess offered me this job," Andy said with a smile. "To get away from the battlefield, I can honestly say I don't miss it."

"Mister La Flagga," a voice called.

"Oh Miriallia," Mu said with a charming smile. "What is it?"

"The young duke has just arrived," Miriallia answered.

"Well speak of the devil. Oh, well let me go greet him!" Mu said setting down his tea and walking out of the kitchen. The others just shook their heads and figured it was time to return to work. The women quickly went back to their cleaning duties. Andy went about preparing dinner now that the young duke had arrived home. Mu went into the main foyer walking casually like he always did. "My lord, how fared your trip?"

The tall midnight blue haired male with green emerald eyes turned to look at his trusted butler. He nodded his head and began taking off his riding cloak and his autumn coat. Mu held out his arm as his duke placed it over his arm. He then took off his gloves and handed them to Mu. "It fared well, however it took longer than expected."

"I'm sure you were able to win over the company, my lord," Mu said and the duke nodded his head. "In your absence my lord, I was able to find some more hands to help out here in the estate."

"Is that so," the duke asked as they began walking towards the main library as Mu was leading him. When the duke entered he was surprised to see his library in order. "It appears you found me a new secretary."

"Yes," Mu said with a large smile. "Also I was able to find another butler to help with my duties as well, my lord."

"I see," the duke nodded. The duke went over to the different piles of documents and was clearly impressed. They were chronological in order, in perfect order. They were even stacked in the different piles of what the contents of the documents were. However he stopped when he saw movement on the far end of the library. He made his way over to where he saw a hint of golden blonde hair. Mu just smirked and quickly passed the duke and made his way over to the blonde working behind another pile of papers.

"My lord," Cagalli turned to look up to see Mu smiling down at her. She stood up as Mu motioned her to do so and the young duke curtly nodded his head. "May I introduce you to your new Secretary, Miss Catherine." Mu then looked over to the young duke, "Catherine this is the lord of this estate and your employer, Duke Athrun Zala."

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Here is just a teaser! XD Teehee! Don't worry I am not going to stop writing Living with the Enemy…new chapter should be out tomorrow for that story.