A/N: And welcome to chapter two! So soon, too. This is some kind of record for me haha. Let's hope this writing streak lasts as long as possible! This chapter is a good deal longer than the other two. Almost twice as much, actually, so buckle up, kids! There's still a bit of setting up and character introductions, but I think after this we'll finally get into the meaty stuff. Enjoy!


Chapter Two

Darlian sat at the one of the grand tables in Romefeller castle's main ballroom where countless people were bustling about around him. In spite of the lavish decorations, he found the atmosphere quite stifling. Most of the guests were military officers who stood with their dress uniforms in stark contrast to the extravagantly dressed lords and ladies. Some were dancing, visiting the banquet table, socializing, or just passing the evening over glass after glass of wine like he was.

At the far end of the hall, upon a stage was the royal table where King Dekim sat along with the crown Prince, Minister Darlian, and other high-ranking officials. Commanding General Heero Yuy was also present, standing guard behind the king and his son, watching the festivities with a blank expression. The other generals had also been seated at the table, but they all were up and socializing with other guests.

The most important table was also the most uninteresting, Darlian noted dryly.

"Minister Darlian."

Darlian looked up with surprise to see an older man towering over him in full military dress. His uniform was pearly white with golden adornments, denoting that he held a very high rank within his service.

"Field Marshal Noventa!" Darlian rose to greet his old friend, "Good to see you, old friend. How have you been?"

Noventa laughed and returned the amiable greeting before taking a seat beside the minister, "I've been well. Not too fond of the festivities tonight, hm?"

"You know I don't have much taste for these sort of functions," Darlian said, "But my post as Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs stipulate I at least make an effort to make myself look somewhat agreeable."

"Indeed," Noventa nodded, "I've never been too fond of these elaborate parties either."

"I had no idea you were already returned to the capital. I thought you were to spend another week handling situations with the Aquarius colonies in the south?"

Noventa made a disapproving face, "Yes that was the plan. But things changed following the rebellion in Mars. General Yuy and the others arrived early in a surprise ambush, so the rebel leaders were dispatched of quicker than we had anticipated."

Darlian's eyes widened in shock, "I thought-?"

"There were no negotiations or peace talks that the rebel leaders were promised," Noventa knew what the man wanted to ask and answered him preemptively, "It, as you can imagine, caused a panicked reaction among those left. I was called from my business in Aquarius to clean up and do damage control. Afterward, Prince Treize had me return with the convoy to the capital. It was a mess, Darlian."

He frowned. The ministers had not yet held their debriefing meeting on the Mars situation and only knew the broad, general details. All they had been told were that the rebels were uncooperative and dispatched successfully.

"What's the meaning of all that?" Darlian lowered his tone, "We promised the rebel leaders a week of negotiation talks, and if they continued to resist then that is when we would agree to use military force, not immediately without giving them a chance to speak!"

"Rebels do not deserve a chance to speak," Noventa whispered sadly, "Those were direct orders from King Dekim himself."

Darlian's countenance was one of ambivalence, but internally he was seething. He knew better than to show his emotions at a conspicuous gathering, especially when he didn't know who would be listening in on their conversation. He was a schooled public official, so he knew how to suppress his reactions well.

"I see," he said.

Noventa nodded.

Unspoken details lingered in the air, but he knew they had to be saved for another time and another place.

Field Marshal Noventa was once an officer associated with the Sanc Kingdom. He was spared during the coup, as he had been sent away to handle a situation in another nation. At first Noventa refused to surrender, but King Dekim had his son and wife murdered as punishment for his disobedience. Dekim then threatened his only granddaughter, Sylvia, plus many more if he did not bend his knee to the new king.

Noventa then had no choice but to surrender.

The strategic prowess that he had once used to enforce peace for Sanc was now used to wreak conquest and destruction for Romefeller and their military faction, Oz.

Following the coup, Romefeller also absorbed the Sanc Kingdom's international territories, including a number of colonies in distant lands. These were the Mars, Aquarius, Libra, and other colonies. It pained him to visit these areas where the residents once viewed him with respect and admiration but now saw him as a traitor.

Darlian sensed his friend's growing discomfort and cleared his throat.

"I see your granddaughter is having a grand old time," he said, snapping the marshal from his thoughts.

He pointed to a young girl laughing and dancing on the main floor of the ballroom. She was a pleasant-looking young woman with golden locks and olive-colored eyes. She wore a bright, frilly pink dress that bounced with every lively step.

"How old is she now?"

Noventa smiled as he watched his only grandchild laugh and gossip with some other young ladies and officers, "Yes, she certainly enjoys these functions much more than me, and rightly so. She is a healthy young woman after all. She will be twenty-three this year."

"Twenty-three? It's really been that long?"

Noventa nodded and sighed wearily, "I've been attempting to get her to marry soon, you know, but she won't have any of the men I recommend. I'm getting on in years and I'd like to see her safely settled before I'm gone."

Darlian smirked and took a sip of wine, "Has she shown interest in anyone in particular?"

At this, Noventa's face fell into an incorrigible grimace. He was suddenly very reluctant to answer.

"Well…" the marshal began after a pause, "She does have her eyes set on one such man. Over the past year she's found herself quite enamored with the inhospitable charms of a certain General Heero Yuy."

Darlian nearly choked on his drink and struggled to fight off a coughing fit. What? Sylvia? The sweet, proper young Sylvia who he and Relena usually spent the winter holidays with… that Sylvia? Interested in the terrible General Yuy? What on earth?

"Really?" Darlian regarded the man with shocked bemusement, "No disrespect intended, Noventa, but I'm truly surprised the fiendish Heero Yuy could charm any young lady."

"I share your sentiments," Noventa frowned deeper and took another swig of wine, "I had thought her wanting to pine after the prince like all other young girls. But General Yuy? I've never seen that man care for anything other than his sword. How could I arrange for my only granddaughter to marry a man who probably has as much regard for her as a sack of flour?"

Darlian wanted to laugh but knew better than to mock Noventa's paternal pains. He too began to worry about Relena's future… It was customary for noblewomen to marry before they were twenty, as it was a way for them to secure protection and a family after her own parents passed. The laws of primogeniture in Romefeller did not allow ladies to inherit land or titles. This did not mean that they were not able to have incomes or positions of power, however, but their ability to retain their assets required a male successor.

In fact, one of the highest ranking officials within the castle was a Lady Une, who was Prince Treize's most trusted assistant. Darlian did not know much about her, other than she was a fearsome woman educated in all sorts of military arts and public policies. Like many others at the table, she was a cold, callous individual, but had no respect for honor or chivalry.

But unfortunately, any riches or power a woman accrued could not be passed down the female line, so if she had no husband or sons then afterward all her possessions would officially be controlled by the state. Thus, in Romefeller, it was necessary for a woman to marry.

"What of your daughter, Relena?" Noventa inquired, "She will be what, twenty this year?"

"Yes, in a few months."

"Have you also give any thoughts for any potential matches for her?"

It was Darlian's turn to frown, "No, actually. We haven't discussed it much."

He lied. He had been anguishing over how to handle the business of her marriage ever since Lady Mareen passed. He could not bear to give her to anyone who was not absolutely worthy of a Peacecraft princess.

The fact that all Romefeller citizens were taught to hate Sanc ideals greatly complicated matters. What would happen if he revealed Relena's true lineage and she wished to reclaim her birthright? She needed someone strong and powerful, someone who could protect and support her especially with the risk that the crown may one day seek his head.

Unfortunately, no such man existed in Romefeller, as far as he knew.

... Well.

That wasn't entirely true.

There was one man who probably had the strength to protect her… The very same man they had just been discussing. But he was also a cold-blooded brute whose loyalty to the crown was unwavering. Darlian felt disgusted with himself for even thinking that. General Heero Yuy would never be fit to marry Relena. Over his dead body!

If he did not marry her to someone in Romefeller, though, it would raise suspicions. Why would a high ranking official not marry his daughter within the kingdom, and instead try to unite her with another nation? Especially when that official once used to be a citizen of Sanc... and his daughter bore the same name as the late princess...

"Oh?" Noventa raised a brow, "I would have thought a man like you would have discussed it extensively and made sure she chose a perfect partner."

"There's not many men in Romefeller who I'd call a perfect partner for her." Darlian's tone no longer held any hints of playfulness.

"What strict standards you have," the old marshal said. But he did take note of how serious his friend considered this topic.

"Anyways, enough about such things. Will you be returning to Aquarius soon?"

Noventa put down his wine and stood from the table.

"Darlian," he sad, "It's a bit stuffy in this room, don't you think? Perhaps a bit of fresh air will do us some good."

The minister understood the underlying meaning in his friend's words and nodded before following the marshal towards the gardens.


King Dekim Barton perused the scene before him with beady, black eyes. Soldiers and nobles alike were growing fat and jolly off the food and wine his banquet tables offered, and as the night wore on they became more and more rambunctious.

Humans were such simple creatures, he remarked. Simply provide them with the basics – food, drink, and shelter – and most of them were content to live their lives that way. But, as it goes, no matter how sumptuous the party there would always be the one guest who complains about something. Those troublemakers he had removed by his guards before they could make a ruckus. Who did they think they were, attempting to criticize the kingdom's generosity?

They were no better than those dirty colony rebels. Such a stubborn, headstrong lot they were. He blamed the Sanc for their ineffective, passive policies that allowed the colonies to develop the ridiculous notions they had. He would have much rather have Oz run them down and be done with the business, but as it were the colonies were rich with certain precious resources. So he needed to keep them around as vital generators of wealth for the kingdom.

Something had to be done about their insolence, however. Perhaps he would have Marshal Noventa increase his armed presence in those regions to show the colonies who truly wielded power.

Out the corner of his eye, he saw the field marshal conversing quietly with Minister Darlian.

"Une," he motioned to a woman seated beside Prince Treize, "Minister Darlian and Marshal Noventa seem to be heavily discussing a topic of sensitive nature, don't you think? I wonder if you'd like to take a stroll about the room and report back if you hear anything noteworthy."

Lady Une rose and did as she was told.

"Yes, sire."

King Dekim nodded his approval. While he afforded Darlian and Noventa much power, his trust in them was quite limited. Both were originally citizens of the Sanc Kingdom, after all. But they were skilled individuals who were more valuable to him alive than dead.

Twenty years ago, Minister Darlian was a newly elected senator who was young and impressionable, but well-liked among the citizens. Dekim needed someone who was beloved by the Sanc's remaining citizens to persuade them to join Romefeller, so he was spared. Marshal Noventa was a chief strategist who would be able to help the kingdom control Sanc's territories, so he too was spared although it did take a bit of convincing to get him to join at first.

But Dekim was a wary man. It paid to be, too. Romefeller was now the most expansive and powerful kingdom in all the lands. He planned to keep it that way for a long while.

A little while later, he saw Lady Une heading back towards the table from the gardens.

"How was your stroll?" Dekim asked.

"Pleasant," Une said, "A couple birds sang interesting songs tonight."

"I'd love to hear about it," Dekim smirked.

He turned and beckoned to the general standing guard, "Heero, you've done a fine job. Why don't you join your generals on the floor and enjoy the rest of the evening?"

Without a word, Heero bowed and took his leave.

"Now, Une, what interesting things did you hear tonight?"


Scanning the ballroom floor, Heero Yuy found Duo Maxwell at a table bored out of his mind. Beside him sat Quatre Winner, conversing with a woman he recognized as Duchess Dorothy Catalonia.

She was the great-granddaughter of Duke Dermail, who founded Romefeller and ruled the realm as its first king. Unfortunately, the Dermail rule ended when his sons sired only daughters. Thus, in accordance with the primogeniture laws that Duke Dermail himself had placed, Dorothy's mother was unable to inherit the throne and the crown was passed onto Dekim Barton and his only surviving son, Treize Khusherenada.

Duchess Dorothy Catalonia was still afforded much influence in society, though, due to her family lineage. She was also betrothed to general Quatre Raberba Winner, heir to the ancient and noble Winner family.

As if sensing his thoughts, Dorothy looked up and met the eyes of the intimidating general. Unperturbed by his intense gaze, she smiled and waved him over.

"Heero! Finally, you were such a pitiful sight standing up there so bored and all. Come join us, Quatre and I are having a riveting dispute about economic policies. Perhaps you can referee?"

"Ugh, spare me!" Duo groaned and laid his head on the table.

Dorothy rolled her icy-grey eyes, "Don't blame us for your lack of education, general Maxwell."

Duo stuck his tongue out at her.

At that moment, generals Wufei Chang and Trowa Barton returned to the table as well.

Though he shared the same surname as the king, Trowa Barton held no claim to the throne. He was actually the reluctantly adopted grandson of Dekim Barton. Dekim's son, the original Trowa Barton and older brother to Treize Khushrenada, found and adopted the young, amnesiac boy during a military excursion. He named him after himself, despite King Dekim's protests, but Trowa felt a strong connection to the boy. Shortly thereafter, however, the original Trowa was killed in action and the boy was then taken under protection of the crown.

Dekim wanted little to do with the orphan, who he saw as an outsider, and instead enlisted him in Oz hoping he would be killed in battle. Trowa defied his expectations, though, and grew to be a strong warrior. But in spite of the impressive performance, King Dekim refused to have anything to do the young man.

Wufei Chang was a member of the powerful Long clan in the eastern regions. He initially was slated to become a government official and was married at 14 to the daughter of an elder clan member, as was customary there. But growing unrest in the region led to a bloody revolt during which his entire clan was killed, including his young wife. Then, a broken boy with nothing left to lose, he joined Oz.

"Why don't we all just get out of here already?" Duo whined, "These dinners are always so lame. The city's probably way more exciting right now."

"The evening just started," Quatre tried to pacify his friend, "Perhaps it will pick up."

Duo yawned, "Not a chance. We've been to these countless times and it's always the same."

"You find the society of rowdy, uncouth commoners more appealing, do you?" Dorothy smirked.

"Enough complaining, Maxwell," Wufei said, "Do you remember what happened last time you went into the city? You're a high-ranking Oz general, should start acting like one."

"Trowa! Heero! Back me up here, guys!"

"…"

As usual, both general Barton and General Yuy declined to comment. Duo sighed. He knew better than to count on them to have opinions. Before Duo could try to persuade his friends any further, a feminine voice piped up in the conversation.

"General Yuy!"

Heero turned around to see a woman he recognized as Field Marshal Noventa's granddaughter. She looked flustered, nervous.

"I'm so sorry," Sylvia said, twisted a handkerchief, "I did not mean to interrupt your conversations." She curtsied towards the generals and Duchess Catalonia.

"Miss Noventa," they bowed in greeting. Heero said nothing and continued to observe her.

"G-General," Sylvia muttered quietly, "If… If you're not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honor of dancing the next with me?"

At this, Duo's eyebrows rose so far up he was afraid they would fall off his forehead. A nice-looking girl was asking Heero to dance? Seriously? Oh, thank heaven, finally! An opportunity for the taciturn general to have some social interaction, and maybe learn to loosen up for once. The boy could be saved after all! But they couldn't dance here, it was far too boring.

Before Heero could respond to the girl, Duo leapt up and slung an arm around his friend's shoulders.

"Actually!" he beamed, "We were just talking about heading into the city and seeing what festivities the people are up to tonight! It's a bit drab and stifling here, quite unamusing for a young lady such as yourself, don't you think?"

"Duo, we never-"

Sylvia's eyes lit up, "Really? I'd love to accompany you all, if that's alright!"

Heero shot Duo a menacing scowl but the cheery general paid him no heed. He could also feel the disapproving glares of Dorothy, Wufei, and Trowa. Quatre too gave him a disappointed look.

"Of course, Lady Noventa! Let's sneak out the back before your grandpa catches us, yeah?" he winked.

Sylvia clasped her hands together gleefully. The rest of the group begrudgingly had to oblige since nobody wanted to tell the happy noblewoman otherwise. As they set out, Duo called behind him.

"Oh, and Heero, since Miss Noventa paid special attentions to you earlier, don't you think it fitting you should accompany her?"

Heero grit his teeth and made a mental note to increase Duo's training regimen tripe-fold tomorrow. He knew that once Sylvia expressed excitement, they could not tell her otherwise for fear of seeming disingenuous. Duo was always trying to meddle and get him to "be more social". Why that man took such a great interest in Heero's social interactions was beyond him, but it was much more annoying than helpful if that's what he thought.

These things did not interest Heero. He had no time for trivial matters.

He had learned early on that forming unneeded relationships were a hindrance to one's character. The more attachments his soldiers had, the weaker they were when threatened.

In the back of his mind, he saw a young girl giggling and holding a puppy.

"General Yuy? Are you alright?"

Heero blinked and saw Sylvia regarding him with curious, olive-green eyes. He shrugged off her concern and nodded.

"Well, let's get going!" Duo grinned, "Don't want it to get too late or else we'll miss the festivities!"

Sylvia blushed heavily as the stoic general offered her his arm. She couldn't believe it! Finally, a chance to get closer to the brave, heroic General Yuy. What should she say? Oh, she hardly knew what to talk about!

They walked in silence for a while. Duo, Wufei, and Trowa were up ahead conversing about martial-related matters, she knew not what. Quatre and Dorothy followed behind discussing something about economic or state policies.

Sylvia was so concentrated with her thoughts she hadn't realized they were already at the stables.

"Miss Noventa, can you ride?" Trowa held a horse towards the young noblewoman.

"Ah, thank you general, I-"

"Well we don't want to take too many horses now," Duo interrupted, "Heero, why don't you let Sylvia ride with you?"

Heero only scowled harder at Duo's mischevious grin. Make that a quadrupled intensity training regimen tomorrow.


Relena giggled as she watched Natalie dance about the hall with who seemed to be her fifth or sixth partner of the night. The city was exceptionally lively tonight and the inns and taverns were alive with chatter and laughter. She was glad for it, too, since she was having much more fun than she initially thought. Earlier she had joined in the amusement, but after so many dances she was absolutely exhausted. How Natalie had enough energy to keep going was beyond her! The countless glasses of wine Natalie had her drink also were making the young Darlian girl feel quite worn and out of sorts.

Her usually ivory skin was flushed a healthy, rosy color and her body felt far too warm in the crowded room. Some fresh air would probably do her some good.

"Natalie," Relena stumbled over to her friend, "I'm going to go outside for a bit. I think I've had a bit much to drink tonight."

"Are you sure?" the girl paused to catch her breath, "Do you need me to go with you?"

"No, you have fun," Relena shook her head, "I'll just be right outside, OK?"

"Be careful, you hear me? If I don't see you back inside in 15 minutes I'll send for the royal guard!"

Relena laughed and nodded. After managing to inch her way through the crush of people, she exited the hall and was immediately greeted by a rush of cool, fresh air. The evening sky was perfectly clear. The moon and stars cast a lovely shimmery, silver light upon the capital.

She closed her eyes and sighed. The chilly air felt wonderful against her skin and she could feel her senses begin to sober up.

Relena decided to take a brief turn about the road and enjoy the scenery. Though many people were participating in the festivities tonight, only a handful were outside roaming the streets. The majority were already inside dancing and drinking to their heart's content. But Relena didn't mind the solitude. It was actually quite comforting that there was not much around to distract her. Besides, she didn't go into town much, so being able to appreciate moments like these were rare to her.

Not too far ahead, she saw a girl around her age walking in the middle of the street. She wore a red beret that Relena thought was rather cute and seemed to be heavily engrossed in reading a letter of some sort.

Suddenly, she heard the heavy pounding of hooves galloping down the road.

Relena gasped as a horse sped passed her at such speed. My goodness! Where was that man going in such a hurry? She looked up just in time to see him hurtling towards the unsuspecting girl.

"Watch it!" the rider snarled over his shoulder, not paying attention to what was in front of him.

"Look out!" Relena screamed.

She watched as the girl leapt out of the way just a second too late and one of the horse's hooves collided with her leg, kicking the girl against a nearby building. The rider paused momentarily in fear but then fled quickly from the scene when he realized the girl was still alive. Several who witnessed the scene shouted at him to stop.

Relena's eyes widened as she rushed over to help the girl.

"Are you alright?" she knelt down beside her and began assessing the girl's condition. The girl groaned and winced as Relena helped prop her upright against the building.

"I'm OK, I think," the girl said and tried to push her away.

Relena looked down and noticed a deep scratch on her leg, "You're bleeding!"

"Just leave it," she protested.

But Relena ignored her and began shredding ribbons from her dress. With swift motions, she wrapped the girl's leg with the makeshift bandages, taking care not to make them too tight but still enough to apply the needed pressure. Afterwards, she held her hand over it to help stop the bleeding.

The girl looked at her with wide, navy colored eyes. This stranger looked like a noblewoman, yet she was willingly ripping up her gown to help her?

"Thank you," the girl whispered humbly, "What's your name?"

"Relena," she responded with a warm smile, "Relena Darlian."

"Thank you, Miss Darlian," the girl said, "My name's Hilde. Hilde Schbeiker."

"It's nice to meet you, Hilde," Relena could tell from her accent she was not a native of the capital.

It was now that she was able to get a good look at her. Hilde was a pretty girl with dark blue hair that was cropped short except for some bangs that framed her face. Her eyes matched the color of her hair. She was dressed rather plainly, denoting her rank as a commoner.

"How do you feel? Does anywhere else hurt?"

Hilde surveyed her limbs and shook her head, "No, I think I dodged the brunt of the force."

"That's good to hear," Relena sighed with relief, "Oh, I believe you dropped this."

She held up the letter Hilde had been reading. Hilde's eyes widened and she grabbed the paper with such quickness that Relena was taken aback.

"Sorry," Hilde muttered, "It's just… this letter is very important to me, is all."

"It's alright."

Hilde was grateful she did not press any further. As Relena gingerly peeled back the bandages to check if the bleeding had stopped, Hilde studied the young woman intently. There was something about her appearance… she couldn't quite put her finger on it, though. Something about that complexion and those bright, blue-green eyes… She could have sworn she recognized her from a portrait or something before.

"You know," Hilde began, "You look really familiar… Have we met before…?"

Before Relena could answer, a man dressed in formal military attire rushed towards them. A group of his companions followed suit. Relena froze as she realized who they were. Hilde's demeanor immediately bristled and grew hostile.

Oh no.

What were they doing here?


Heero and his party arrived in the city without much incident. Duo directed them to a local inn that he claimed had the best music, drinks, and liveliest ballrooms. Apparently it was also the most crowded, too. As they dismounted their horses, he felt the atmosphere quiet around them. The people outside huddled closer together and whispered.

"Is that General Yuy? Who are those with him?"

"You fool, those are his 4 generals!"

"Don't be silly, what would they be doing here? It can't possibly be them."

"No, that's General Barton, I'm sure of it!"

Heero's eyebrow twitched. This was another reason he hated coming into the city. It always drew too much attention.

"Please excuse us," Quatre smiled nervously, "We're just here to enjoy the evening with the townsfolk."

"Nothing to see here," Dorothy flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Carry on, you all!"

The crowds knew better than to defy her orders and resumed their conversations. As they entered the inn's main ballroom, Heero found their situations considerably the same as when they were at the castle. Wufei and Trowa both leaned uninterestedly against a wall with glasses of wine to drown out the humdrum of the evening. Quatre and Dorothy danced a bit before retiring to a table. Duo on the other hand was having quite an enjoyable evening, laughing and drinking with the local townsfolk, which helped ease their tensions from being in the presence of such important figures.

Heero had humored Sylvia with a dance, but the young woman soon felt uncomfortable by the rowdy nature of the assembly, so they also stood to the sidelines and observed the affair play out. Heero sipped idly at a glass of wine while Sylvia chatted about something he knew not what, but responded with polite grunts every now and then.

Then, a scream and a crash was heard outside.

"What was that?!"

Before anyone else could respond, all 5 officers were already outside. Years of military training had conditioned them to have extremely responsive reflexes.

Duo was first onto the scene. Instinctively, he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. He saw two women crouched on the side of the road, one with an obviously injured leg. Judging by her expression it was not a serious wound, but still bad enough to draw blood. A man on horseback was quickly galloping in the opposite direction.

"HEY! Get back here!" Duo shouted at him.

He cursed as the perpetrator was already too far down the road to hear his shouts.

Damn. He turned his attentions back to the two women and jogged over to see if he could help.

"Miss, are you alright?" Duo panted and examined the injured girl, "I saw you get hit. Do you need any…?"

The general trailed off as he took in Hilde's appearance. Suddenly, he found his words caught in his throat. Her fierce, navy blue eyes stared back at him with such determined ferocity. That boldness… he didn't know why, but he felt something stir within him.

The rest of Duo's companions arrived, and Relena froze as she realized who they were. generals Trowa Barton, Quatre Winner, and Wufei Chang. And of course, Romefeller's perfect soldier, General Heero Yuy. Two other women arrived also, one with long, platinum blonde hair who Relena did not recognize her. The other… was that Sylvia Noventa?

Hilde growled and slapped the general's outstretched hand aside.

"You'd be mindful to respect an Oz general," Dorothy warned, "He was only trying to offer you assistance."

Hilde huffed sarcastically, "My apologies. I'll give him a response more fitting for someone of his rank."

Duo yelped and managed to leap out of the way as she spat at him. Heero's eyes narrowed and the other generals tensed.

"You-!" Wufei moved forward.

"No!"

Relena stepped between him and Hilde. Internally, she berated herself. What was she thinking, challenging someone like general Chang? He was in the right to reprimand Hilde. Disrespecting a high-ranking official was a punishable offense by Romefeller law. But for some reason, Relena felt the urge to defend her. Did Hilde have some history with the general? Why was she so hostile?

"Step aside, woman!" Wufei grabbed her by the arm and Relena winced.

"HEY!" Hilde yelled, "Let her go!"

Sylvia Noventa suddenly gasped in surprise.

"Relena…?"

"You know her?" Trowa asked.

Sylvia nodded, "She is Vice-Minister Darlian's daughter, Relena."

"I wasn't aware he had a daughter," Quatre murmured.

Dorothy was also surprised. She did know of Minister Darlian's daughter. She had met her a few times when Minister Darlian brought her to the castle as a young girl, but even though she had not seen the girl in over 10 years she did not expect her to look the way she did. She didn't look anything like Minister Darlian or the late Lady Mareen.

"Are you certain?" Trowa asked her again.

Sylvia nodded emphatically.

Wufei released her arm.

"My apologies, Lady Darlian," he bowed, "But this woman insulted one of our rank."

"I understand," Relena breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed her arm. She was mildly frightened at how powerful his grip was, "My friend is still stressed from the accident. You must excuse her, please."

For the second time that night, Hilde was shocked at the young lady's behavior. She was sticking her neck out for her against 5 of the highest ranking, most ferocious officials in all the land? Why?

Relena shivered and felt it quite hard to breathe. She became very acutely aware of a certain general watching her intently. The rumors were right. Heero Yuy really could intimidate a person with just one look. Suddenly her legs felt weak as she looked back into that fearsome gaze. She hoped he could not see how her body shook. Was this fear? It didn't feel like it, though… it was something different. Something powerful that she didn't understand.

Heero studied Minister Darlian's daughter. He could see that the navy haired girl had a strong will – she wasn't so affected by her injuries as Relena implied. He had seen enough men and woman suffering to tell when someone truly was in pain. So then what was her motive in protecting the girl?

Duo moved to stand by her side, "It's fine, Wufei. I think Miss Darlian is right. I also intruded when neither of them asked me to, so let her go."

The general frowned at his colleague, but if Maxwell wanted to acquit her then so be it.

Duo flashed Hilde a grin but she only scowled in return. Hilde quickly gathered her things together and ran off down the road before mouthing a quiet thank you to Relena.

As soon as she was gone, Duo turned to bow at Relena.

"Sorry for inconveniencing your evening, Lady Darlian," he said, "Is there anything we can do for you right now? Escort you back to your carriage or wherever you were before?"

"RELENA!"

Natalie came running down the road, face full of distress, "Oh, thank heaven! There you are! What happened to you? Why is your dress all torn up? We were looking all over… for…"

She stopped when she realized whose presence she was in. Natalie flushed a crimson red, paralyzed both with awe and fear.

"F-Forgive me," she said, bowing deeply, "I did not mean to interrupt."

"Your friend?" Heero said.

Natalie was too afraid to respond but Relena nodded.

Satisfied, the general turned to leave, signaling to his comrades that their business was done here. Only Quatre and Duo bid their goodbye to the girls.

As soon as they were out of sight, Relena collapsed to her knees.

"What… What on earth happened?!" Natalie exclaimed.

"I… I honestly have no idea."

The only thing Relena could focus on was the memory of a pair of piercing, Prussian blue eyes.