Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Gundam 00 characters or anything related to it.
A/N: I set this before Marina met Setsuna. It's one of my little fantasies, hehe. Also I tried my best, and thank you for reading. I may a few more chapters depending on how much time I have, which is why I wrote this "first chapter" how I did.
Her Princess
As time in the palace trotted itself along by, Shirin began to find her eyes affixed on the Princess more often than not. In the mornings she found herself locked on Marina as she ate, observing the perfect etiquette and the way she took little bites of her breakfast. While Marina met with the other influential figures of Azadistan and foreign diplomats, Shirin's mind was usually awe with the Princess' attire. It always fit her perfectly, highlighting her figure, her complexion, or her dark silken hair.
It was not something that happened over night. Shirin had not the slightest clue how it even began. Perhaps it was like seed that slowly sprouted from steady nourishment, blooming into a sweet, pleasant lily. It confused the auburn-haired woman. Why? She was the the Princess' advisor. It was natural for her to be around Marina for most of the time. It was her job to teach the girl about the political scenarios and outcomes, to guide her in the right way to Azadistan's revitalization. The feeling ate at her. It was trying to convince her that it would be alright to reveal her emotions. Shirin despised it. She was falling in love with such a idealistic and naive girl. There was no way she could ever let that happen. She was a direct subordinate to the Princess and a relationship like that would not be acceptable.
As a result of her repressed emotions, when Shirin spoke to the Princess her words sounded more like knives trying to cut something away. Shirin's bite was becoming more vicious as she fought her inner desires. It was her way to protect herself, to keep her distance. Scolding the Princess, telling her to "Sit straight," "Remember what you learned," and "Princesses don't do that!" was a constant reminder to herself that she was the advisor to the First Princess of Azadistan. A boundary that would not be overstepped.
When the nights came Shirin became more conscious of her own thoughts. They were becoming more and more lewd. Her only option was to sate herself with her own fingers, to keep herself from getting out of hand. In her heart she could feel that one day she would lash out at the Princess. Shirin was already running out of ideas to stop her own will.
---
"Marina, have you been keeping up with your studies? Azadistan does not need a Princess who knows nothing of diplomacy." Shirin's hands are folded in front of her as she stands idly watching over the girl's shoulder.
"Yes, Shirin I've been trying to keep up. We must do all we can to get Azadistan out of this crisis."
"What do you consider our current options to be, Marina?" A few minutes of silence passed before Shirin became agitated. It was a discussion they had many times, there was no reason for Marina to be delayed for so long. "Marina! Your answer?"
"One of our options is to seek aid from the AEU. They can help Azadistan's energy problems with their solar generators," Marina turned her head to speak to Shirin eye to eye, but in response Shirin looked away and down at the ground as she listened. "And we could also ask for help in devising a plan that will get our economy back to acceptable stan-- Shirin."
"Huh? That was a good answer, why are you stopping?"
"Shirin you've been acting very strange lately. You don't care to make eye contact anymore and you seem very distant now. Is anything wrong?" Marina looked at her with worried eyes, wondering what was bothering her advisor.
Shirin was flustered. What did she notice? Shirin would have loved to be lost in Marina's gaze, but she bit her own tongue to stop thinking about it.
"There's nothing at all, Princess. Now let us continue with our discussion."
The Princess rose from her chair and placed a soft hand on Shirin's shoulder.
"Shir-"
"Don't touch me!" Shirin slapped the hand away from her shoulder and stepped away quickly. Of all the times the Princess had to notice something was wrong, she picked this moment. This moment when they were alone. This moment when she was already over her head in infatuation. This moment! Why!? Shirin dropped to her knees, her eyes wet with guilt and conviction. The walls she tried so hard to put up came crashing down in an instant. Surely she would be ran out of the palace.
Marina was silent in the few moments. She was surprised to Shirin's reaction, not knowing what she could do to help. She knelt down in front of Shirin and embraced her, holding her close to her chest and began to pat her auburn hair gently. Marina enjoyed tending to children and some how in this case she decided this was the way that she would comfort Shirin. The older woman continued to sob in her arms.
"Princess Marina, I... I love you. But there's no way that I can... You are the Princess..." Shirin gave her confession and tightened her grip around the Marina's back, hoping that she wouldn't let go. The advisor continued to speak, confessing her actions, why she loved her Princess, and complemented on her beauty.
Marina was still silent. This Shirin she was holding was not the Shirin that she had known day in and day out. It was not the seemingly cold Shirin, who thought only of teaching and snapping at the Princess. Her body held more warmth now, and her honesty was showing through the veil she hid behind before.
"Shirin, even if I am the princess, I love you as well. I need you by my side. You are my most important person." Marina lifted Shirin up, to look her in the eyes. Her face was stained with tears. Her glasses fell off and were a few centimeters away. Marina saw an angel in front of her, someone that would help her and someone she had also grown to love. She gave a heartwarming smile.
"Will you stay with me Shirin?"
"Y-Yes, my Princess. I will always be at your side."
