Wicked Game
by Sen
"The girl is still alive. A surprise."
"As I said. The family is well known for their strong children, and she will be no different."
"She will mature long before it does."
"No matter. She will be in a position of our choosing when it happens. We will guide her then."
"See that you do. We need not the issues that will come from unveiling ourselves."
Chapter 1
The pen scratched across paper, leaving an ink trail curled and curved into a signature. Over and over, countless papers for a signature. Relena sighed as she looked at the stack beside her. Was it her imagination, or did it seem to grow when she wasn't looking? Oh, what was she saying. That could actually be true, given how people seem to slip things in when she wasn't looking.
One could be forgiven in thinking this endless mound of paperwork was a diversion, she thought. Especially when it was. She wasn't exceptionally skilled in politics on the level of Queen of Earth, but her upbringing left her with the knowledge of when she was being treated as a figurehead and given busy work as a diversion. But she wouldn't allow it to continue. She was now in a position that people would listen to. Many people. Relena nodded to herself as her fingers drew out another signature. Her speeches would be listened to now by many. She could stop this war, stop tragedies like Sanc from happening again.
And no amount of paperwork would stop her from doing it.
Oh, but she was starting to feel... oh no. Relena put a hand to her head as she swayed in her seat. No, she hadn't taken anything that she hadn't had verified first. No drinks. No food. Romefeller couldn't have drugged her. Unless... Her mind spun as she tried to think of everything she had put into her body today. Had one thing slipped by? Water? A bite of food? She couldn't stay here. She had to get up, get into a place they couldn't find her if she passed out. Relena swallowed as she got up, knocking her chair over as she went. No, she had to be in a place she would be safe.
If only she had made that panic room...! Relena stumbled into the hall, her vision blurring. She wasn't going to get far, she knew it. But she had to try. Her feet shuffled as fast as they could down the hall, her hands trying to grip the wall for all its worth. She managed a few meters, maybe more, before collapsing.
No...
There was a voice. A maid? Yes, Relena realized. That was one of her maids. And just as she saw her face, her vision dimmed to nothing. Her hearing went last, horrified screams choked off taking her to unconsciousness.
"Hey. Hey, man. What's with the sudden alert? Our fun guard buddies coming to pound on us more?"
"No. I only... had a sense of something changing around us. An ill tide."
"... think Yuy's finally busting us out?"
"It would be about time."
"Mmnm." Relena snuggled into her sheets, trying to ignore the light. It was... light. And painful. Her head hurt for some reason, pounding against her skull like- wait. Wasn't there something she needed to do? Slowly, she opened her eyes.
It was her room, that was certain. And she was in her nightclothes... odd for this time of day. With wet hair, even odder. She usually dried her hair before going to bed. Why? Relena tried to remember what happened. She had been signing papers, and then... what?
"You're awake, my liege."
Relena sat up quickly, feeling nauseous as the headache intensified. The maid. Now she remembered. The maid had been there as she was passing out. "What happened? Was there an attack?"
"Oh, oh no!" The maid shook her head, black curls bouncing against her face. "You only passed out, my liege. Are you well?" She paused, then laughed a little. "A stupid question, isn't it. I apologize. It's just... the first time I've been able to speak to you like this, my lady. I had hoped to see you again, and..."
"See me again?" Relena tilted her head. Who was this woman?
The maid put a hand to her mouth. "Oh. Of course you wouldn't remember. You were but a wee thing, a small baby." She smiled warmly, walking closer to her as she pulled out a small box. "My lady, I've been searching for you."
"What..." Her head. It was pounding so much. The maid stopped, putting the box away.
"Oh, how could I be so cruel as to do this now. Please, my liege, rest. I will explain later." She started fussing over the girl, laying her back down and tucking her in. "My lady. I am so happy to see you well."
There was something. Something not right in her voice, her words. But the thoughts disappeared as sleep suddenly claimed her again, dragging Relena down into dreamless depths.