The Guardian
Chapter 1
The air hung heavy as dark gray clouds formed in the sky above. The sky became dark and the shadows loomed over the English countryside just as the sun disappeared behind the growing clouds. The hefty sound of horse's hoofs hitting the dirt could be heard in the background along with the slight jingle of bells from the harness. Mr. and Mrs. Dorilan were on their way to a social gathering at the Yuy estate. "Looks we are going to get caught in a storm dear," Mrs. Dorilan told her husband as she peered outside through the carriage window.
"A nasty one at that. Driver, please hurry, we don't want to get stuck in the downpour," Mr. Dorilan said loudly over the pattering hoofs.
"Aye sir," the driver replied as he cracked the reins and the horses trotted along at a faster pace.
Thunder boomed through the sky as flashes of lightning cascaded through the darkened skies. The once heavy air began to pick up in to well felt gusts, strong enough to sway the carriage slightly from side to side. Mrs. Dorilan took a hold of her husband's arm as more thunder pounded through the black sky, shaking the ground beneath them. "We're almost there dear, just a few more miles," Mr. Dorilan reassured his wife.
At that moment, the sky suddenly burst open and sheets of heavy rain fell to the ground. The dirt road soon became flooded and the road quickly turned in to mud. The wheels of the carriage were losing traction as they grazed along the slick muddy road. As they rode along, the ride became rougher as what seemed like small puddles turned out to be deep potholes. Lighting crashed around them in endless streams scaring the horses to the point where they were running wildly, the carriage slipping and sliding behind. Mrs. Dorilan clutched her husband tightly and buried her head on his shoulder.
Ahead of them, was an old stone-bridge that ran across a small river engulfed by a small ravine. Just as they were about to cross, a flash of lighting struck a tree in beside them, the tree immediately catching on fire. The two horses reared, the driver losing all control. "Whoa boy!" he cried as he tried to bring the horses under control.
The lightning had spooked the animal beyond control and fear flashed in the horses' eyes as he dashed across the bridge as fast as he could. "Whoa boy!" the driver yelled again but it was no use. The rain had made the stone on the bridge slippery and half way across, the wheels on the carriage lost traction and skidded out of control. The sound of screams fell silent upon the loud thunderclaps echoing in the sky as the carriage plummeted down to the ravine below.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Poor dear, who is she going to stay with?" a young lady with auburn hair and a black bonnet whispered to the blonde-hair woman next to her.
"I heard she's staying at the Yuy estate," the blonde replied in a hushed voice as they both stared at the young girl sitting in the front row clad in all black.
"My, is that them sitting behind her?"
"Why yes, handsome bunch of men wouldn't you say?"
"I agree with you on that one. Heard the son is rather anti-social."
"Who cares when you are as handsome as he and with a nice lot of money."
The ladies then went silent as the pallbearers made their way down the aisle of the church with caskets in hand. A young girl of about 16 followed the procession, her head hung low as tears ran silently down her face. Following her close behind were the Yuys. The girls eyed the two men, especially the blonde, whose eyes were locked on the younger of the two. Catherine noticed this behavior and the look in the blonde's eyes was enough to send chills down her spine. She looked like a hungry predator about to attack its prey. The older of the two gentlemen, was Mr. Yuy, whose silvery hair and piercing blue eyes gave him a rather handsome and distinguished appeal. The younger of the two was Mr. Yuy's son Heero, who is identical to his father, omitting the gray hair for a chocolate mop instead. Both were dressed head to toe in black suits and coats. As soon as they passed the young ladies, one finally spoke up, "My, what a lucky young lady Miss Dorilan is."
"Miss Dorothy, how can you say something like that?"
The blonde, blue-eyed vixen smirked and replied, "Why my dear Catherine, she's staying with one of most eligible bachelors in all of England. Not to mention he has a rather large sum of money. I would say she's rather lucky."
"I'm sure that's the last thing on her mind," Catherine answered with a frown.
"Not mine," Dorothy whispered with a devilish grin on her face. Before Catherine could say more, Dorothy had disappeared in to the crowd.
"Catherine dear," a woman called.
"Oh Hilde, thank goodness. That Dorothy, she scares me with that talk of hers. From the looks of it, and if I'm not mistaken, she has her eyes set on the Yuy boy. With the way she eyed him, it was enough to give me the chills."
"Well, we had better keep close watch on her, never know what that she-devil might do next," Hilde replied as her and Catherine walked outside of the church.
As the two ladies went outside, they paused on the top of the stone stairway just as Miss Dorilan was getting in to the carriage along with the two Yuy men. Hilde caught glimpse of Dorothy standing in the shadows, her ice blue eyes casting their stare at the carriage in front of the church. Hilde nudged Catherine in the ribs and Catherine turned around and saw Dorothy as well. "That woman is up to no good," Catherine leaned in and whispered to Hilde.
Just then, a handsome young man stood beside Hilde and said with amusement, "Well well, what are you two ladies gawking at?"
Hilde spun around in surprise and put her finger to the man's lips. "Hush Duo."
Duo saw Dorothy and then took a second glance at the carriage. From the small window on the carriage door, Duo caught sight of Heero and they exchanged glances. The carriage then rode off to the Yuy estate. Hilde noticed this exchange of looks and tugged on her husband's shirtsleeve. "Duo, what do you know about the Yuy's relationship with the deceased Dorilan's?" Hilde inquired as Catherine turned to him as well.
"From what I understand, Mr. Yuy and Mr. Dorilan became acquainted through many political events that they both attended. It was not too long after that that they became close confidants. Apparently, in the Dorilan's will, they said that if anything should happen to them, that their daughter Relena would go to the care of Mr. Yuy himself until she is of age and is able to receive her inheritance."
"Why do you think Dorothy is interested in all of this?" Catherine asked as she glanced at Dorothy from the corner of her eye.
"The Yuy boy also happens to be one of the most eligible bachelors in England, with a nice inheritance to add to that," Trowa chimed in as he stood by Catherine.
"That hussy, she's probably after his money," Catherine hissed.
"Like every woman in England," Duo concluded.
"Come ladies, stop gossiping, and lets not fuss over this now," Trowa said as Catherine took his offered arm.
"Shall we?" Duo said as he too offered his arm to Hilde.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Relena sat sullenly beside the carriage window as the carriage rode off down the bumpy dirt road. "Relena dear?" Mr. Yuy spoke up softly.
Relena lifted her head and stared in to a pair of soft and carrying eyes, the ones of Mr. Yuy. "My condolences, your father was a dear friend of mine."
"Thank you sir," she replied in a quiet tone of voice.
"Please, I'll have none of that," Mr. Yuy responded.
Both Heero and Relena looked curiously at the older gentlemen. "Please, call me father," he said.
"You're too kind," Relena answered with a timid but grateful smile.
"I promised your father that I would take care of you if anything should happen, I always keep my word. Heero?"
"Yes father?" Heero spoke up for the first time.
"I ask that you be Miss. Relena's guardian."
Relena looked over in Heero's direction and saw a displeasing look on his face. "Really father, I don't have time to baby-sit," he replied rudely.
"I need someone to look after her when I am unable to. Please Heero, don't be difficult," Mr. Yuy pleaded calmly with his son.
"No need for that sir. I don't want to burden you more than I already have," Relena intervened.
"It's father child. You are putting no burden on any of us, just excuse my son, he is just being an ass," Mr. Yuy said as he gave his son a cold stare.
That stifled a giggle from Relena and a deathly glance from Heero, Mr. Yuy just smiled. "That's the little girl I remember."
Relena smiled shyly and she felt a little better already. The rest of the ride was pretty much silent as the three awaited their destination point. Relena felt the carriage slow down and she stuck her head out the window. Before them was a giant wrought-iron gate with the letter Y adorning the top. A young man opened the gate for the carriage and they proceeded in, it had been awhile since Relena had been there. Her eyes were pleased with what she saw, the Yuy estate was just as beautiful as the last time she had been there.
She was soon confronted by a large gothic style stone mansion with a forest of trees in the background. The front was adorned with a stone staircase with two stone lions perched on each side. Relena just smiled in delight and with a mousy voice said, "I forgot how beautiful your place really is."
Heero grunted and Mr. Yuy smiled at the girl's comment. "Why thank you dear, you're so polite, I think my son could learn some manners from you, eh boy?"
Heero just gave his dad a look and was pleased when the carriage finally pulled up at the front door. Without wasting another moment, Heero got out of the carriage and began his ascent on the stairs. Mr. Yuy then got out and gave his hand to help Relena out. "I apologize for my son's charming personality. He's been this way ever since his mother died a few years ago," Mr. Yuy told her solemnly.
Relena looked up at Heero who was waiting patiently at the door. "He should be fortunate to have a father like you, I don't have that luxury anymore."
"I just wish he was a wise as you were dear," Mr. Yuy replied as he led Relena by the arm to the front door.
Despite Heero's despiteful behavior towards her, Relena gave him a friendly smile, Heero just turned away. 'Why Heero? Why are you acting this way? We used to play together as children, you didn't seem to mind me then. Now all you show is resentment towards me, I'm sorry you feel that way, I'm hurting too you know,' Relena thought to herself as she gave him one last look before walking in the door. She then looked up at Mr. Yuy and he looked back at her, giving her a warm smile in return. Relena took one last look at Heero as he made his way up the giant mahogany stair-case. 'If only you knew how lucky you are Heero.'
