Author's note: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters. This is set before Relena's birth. Both Zechs and Noin are about four years old. Some of these chapters have been posted before as part of This Kiss.


The Prince and His Contessa

The garden was warm and sunny. Flowers were in bloom every where, filling the area with a heady fragrance. A fountain cheerfully burbled, and at first glance it was the epitome of a peaceful spring day, perfect for lovers. Stephan Peacecraft knew better. This garden was about to become one of the most important battlefields in his son's life. His son would meet his future wife today, and if all went well, the children would take to one another. That had been the reason behind arranging the marriage so early.

His friend and supporter, Leopold Noin, had a daughter the same age as his son. Politically, it was a good match. Both Noin and his wife were believers in the ideals of total pacifism, and the family was closely related to the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Noin himself was the Duca of Florence while his wife had passed on the title of Contessa of Livorno to her daughter when the child had been born. Add to that the fact that the girl's maternal grandmother was a minor Sanc noble, and it couldn't have been a smarter match.

However, there was still that matter of the children themselves. Stephan knew that children could be most unpredictable. Hopefully, enough time spent together would form some sort of bond between the two if they didn't take to each other right away. Milliardo was a stubborn child, and while he wasn't anti-social exactly, he had very few friends among the children his age and no close friends what so ever.

The king watched as his wife and Donnatella Noin led the children into the garden. They were a contrast in looks. The two children shared pale skin, but that was all. Like his father, Milliardo showed his Northern heritage in fine, platinum blond locks and icy eyes. Most of the time his hair was an unruly mop, but for today's meeting it had been neatly combed. The little contessa, on the other hand, was a dark little beauty. Shoulder length raven hair was pulled back from her face with barrettes, and the girl's eyes were an unusual shade of dark violet.

"May I present his Royal Highness Crown Prince Milliardo Emrys Stephan Zechs Peacecraft of the Sanc Kingdom?" Katrina Peacecraft made the introduction. "Prince Milliardo, this is Contessa Lucrezia Alessa Fiammetta Illeana Noin of Livorno."

The two children warily sized each other up. Lucrezia tipped her head to the side. "Zechs?"

His son considered her. "Noin."

He held out his hand to her. "Did you know there's a fairy that lives in the lilac bushes?"

Her fingers curled around his and a smile kissed her lips. "Really?"

Stephan watched as the two disappeared into the garden and turned to his friend. "Well, Leopold, I think we've done it."

The dark haired man laughed. "Oh, my friend, but think of the trouble we had just set ourselves up for. If you though your son's antics were a hassle, just think what potential for trouble they have together."

That was not something that had occurred to him before. Milliardo was very prone to causing mischief without a willing partner. Stephan grimaced. He might just have unleashed a monster upon the staff.

"Now what is that frown about?"

Katrina and Donnatella had climbed the steps to join them on the veranda that overlooked the garden. The two children could still be clearly seen from here, though they probably couldn't see the adults watching them.

"Leopold just reminded me that we have two set two four year olds loose on the staff without any warning."

Donnatella laughed. "Have you ever considered the mischief was due to the lack of a playmate? They'll be fine. I think their first meeting went extremely well."

The sound of laughter rang out from the garden, and all four adults smiled. It wasn't a bad beginning.