A/N: Duo's reputation continues to evolve and honestly I don't think anyone really knows what it is anymore…

Chapter 9

Dear Heero…

"You have a letter from the provincial capital, Your Grace."

Heero looked up, almost perturbed. "Only one?"

The messenger nodded, shrinking back a little at the resulting glare and timidly passing the envelope to Trowa. The tall brunet glanced over the letter, dismissing the courier and handing the letter to Heero. "It's from Howard," he said.

"So that guy finally gave up the ridiculous farce?" Wufei snorted.

Heero wondered a bit at the disappointment he felt. Shoving back the confusing mesh of feelings into a little box, he opened Howard's letter to scan the contents but was stopped when another courier came to stand at the tent entrance.

"There's a package from the provincial capital for you, Your Grace," he said, holding a small box. "And there's also a letter for you, Master Chang."

Wufei frowned but stood to receive the two items. His frown morphed into a scowl at the name on the package, and he stiffly set it down on Heero's desk. "From the Duchess," he said in disgust.

Heero stared at the package. What?

"Who's the letter from?" Quatre asked, looking at the envelope Wufei held in interest.

"From my wife."

"Oh, that's rare. She's finally forgiven you?" Meilan had been furious when Wufei told her to stay behind for the expedition. He'd ended up buying a property in the capital where she could stay because she virulently refused to stay in the same place as Duo without any of them there to act as a buffer. Wufei had been complaining for weeks afterwards, and Meilan had refused to write him letters because of it.

"We'll see," Wufei muttered, opening his letter.

Heero resolutely turned his eyes away from the package and back down to Howard's letter. Nothing major about the financials for once, aside from some unexpected growth: Taketoyo and Sawara were doing particularly well, and apparently construction was now underway in Aoba-ku so that they could safely mine deeper into the iron cave deposits.

The following page filled him with dread – it was another incident report. Not only was there another portion written by Hilde, there was even a follow-up page from Commander Broden regarding a change to the training regimen.

"…the governor of Ishigaki was found guilty of human trafficking," Heero read aloud. Trowa and Quatre's heads whipped around to stare at him in shock. "He's been replaced, the mercenaries he hired have been executed, and he is currently being held in the provincial capital as the investigation is underway. The slave camps appear to be in both Armonia and Clark, so they're holding off on executing him for now in case they need more information."

It sounded like the situation was being handled well, but from Hilde's report on the actual operation, it apparently hadn't been that smooth in the beginning. Duo was involved – again?! – and essentially lead the sting operation to recover the slaves being held by the governor and expose his crimes. Hilde had been a little vague on exactly how Duo had done it but seemed to be bitterly recording the progression of Duo's injuries.

Commander Broden was no less vague but more than made up for it in earnestness; the training regimen had changed significantly, and they even added additional skills. And there was even an additional team simply labeled as "Duchess Guard," which Heero didn't understand because Duo only ever needed a full escort when he left the confines of the estate, which was rare for him. He didn't have a lot of love for the Yuy province after all.

Also, why did the Duchess Guard require so much intense training? Mikhail was the strongest knight they'd left behind to guard the duchy, and he was on every single rota for the Duchess Guard! Did Duo really require that much security?!

"Duo was injured again," he reported to the room aloud.

"How, by breathing?" Trowa muttered.

"…Hilde said it was related to uncovering the slave trade in Ishigaki, but I don't know why Duo was there too…" That was starting to feel like a common theme with these letters.

Setting aside Howard's report, Heero pulled the package closer. Duo wouldn't poison him, would he? Heero thought Duo may have considered it at some point, but he wouldn't poison him via a package he clearly labeled with his own name. Duo wasn't that stupid.

Almost reluctantly, Heero pulled off the wrapping to reveal a small wooden box. It wasn't plain, but nor was it overly decorative, with a simple stenciled painting on the lid. It was a good choice to send to someone on an expedition, so that the box could be discarded without worry or sentimental value.

In fact, it was too good a choice. Duo didn't like plain things – he enjoyed showing off his wealth so much that Heero had thought he wouldn't deign to use such plain wrapping. Maybe Duo didn't want to waste good money on him?

Opening the lid, Heero stared at the contents in surprise.

"Oh, more pressed flowers!" Quatre said from over his shoulder. "It's daisies this time?"

Heero glared back at him. Why didn't any of them understand privacy?

Picking out the handful of delicately pressed daisies, Heero laid them out on the table before looking back into the box. An envelope with his name rested on top of what looked to be different goodies underneath; Heero set aside the letter for now, heart pounding.

There was a small white pouch filled with dried fruit and nuts, a local delicacy of the provincial capital that was popular to send to the soldiers fighting on the frontlines. There was also a small, glass bottle of an amber liquid; Heero pulled off the cork and took a small whiff – a smoky wood smell hit his nose. He pushed the cork back in, setting both the bottle and pouch on the table and pulling out the last item in the box.

It was much lighter than either of the previous two items, wrapped in tissue paper and thin. Heero pulled open the wrapper, revealing the nicely-folded cloth lain inside with the Yuy house's Coat of Arms embroidered on it.

A handkerchief?

Heero unfolded it and held it up for a better look. In the corner of the House emblem, in small black stitching, were the letters 'DMY'.

Duo Maxwell-Yuy.

Quatre gasped behind him. "The Duchess-?!"

Trowa dropped the scroll he'd been holding as a guise to read over Wufei's shoulder, and Wufei had his eyes locked on the handkerchief in shock as well.

The shock was only natural. Handkerchiefs were common gifts between lovers, spouses in particular; the embroidery done reflected the heart of the maker. Those who wanted to express romantic intentions would embroider small flowers, those in already committed relationships would embroider larger flowers or even animals, meant to symbolize a wish or goal for the coupling.

Married couples of the nobility would embroider the Coat of Arms. It was a statement of both loyalty and devotion, essentially claiming they were under the same house and had the same wish. The very sentiment was stronger than a declaration of love.

Heero dropped the handkerchief back into the box, ears burning. He tore open Duo's letter, wanting some explanation for-

For any of it!

Dear Heero,

There's a human limit to training, right? I swear your knights had reached it months ago when Commander Broden decided it wasn't enough, but I just saw them trying to climb trees and running up the walls in full sets of armor. They've also decided to embrace acting lessons in case of future covert operations, and it's making me nervous because now I'm pretty sure tailing me to the town market is a training mission.

Oh, I've also mended my relationship with Lady Meilan. Her temper is very exciting, so I really enjoy having her at tea parties. Lady Angela said something about the scratch on my neck, and Meilan jumped in to ask if she wanted a matching one. I never knew you could threaten physical violence at tea parties, this will make things so much easier!

The duchy is doing well. I don't know if you've heard yet, but Taketoyo's started making prototype steamboats; they've been chugging along the coastline and they're experimenting with how much weight they can carry. Melissa went to see them on her vacation, she said they go terribly fast. I'm really excited to go try one but I don't think Hilde and Howard want me leaving the estate for now…

I included a new item sent from Sawara with this letter. It's a new liquor, called whiskey; the flavor is much stronger than beer! You have to drink it with more moderation but I like the burn of it. Let me know what you think when you try it.

I included some dried fruit and nuts, I heard they were your favorites. I wanted to send you some cakes too but I don't think they'd keep well during the journey, so I'll make sure to include them in your homecoming feast.

I've also finished some embroidery for you. It's not very big, and also not very good, but I'll work on it! Please accept this for now, and I'll give you an even better one on your return home.

Winter is almost here. I like the colors of fall, it's especially pretty here. I hope the leaves you see are as pretty as the ones back home, and that you keep warm.

Stay safe.

Yours sincerely,

Duo

"I don't understand," Heero groaned, head bowed over the letter. "What's going on with him?"

Quatre patted him consolingly on the back.

"That's what I'd like to know too," Wufei said.

Heero glanced over at him, but Wufei was glaring between the assortment of goods on Heero's desk and his own letter from Meilan. He stood and moved over to Heero, slamming Meilan's letter down in front of him.

Husband,

I've moved back into the estate.

The Duchess is very interesting now. I'm glad I stayed behind.

Fight stronger, think harder.

With Nataku's Blessing,

Meilan

"She complimented him?" Quatre marveled. To Meilan, "interesting" was the equivalent of being "awe-inspiring." She may as well have sworn loyalty to the Duchess and been granted a knighthood.

What the hell was Duo doing? And why didn't anyone's letters make sense anymore?!

"I think…" Heero started, sounding unsure, even to himself. "I should…write Duo back."

Maybe then he'll figure out just what's going on back home.

A/N: Yeesssssss…. Duo finally broke through Heero Shield Level One!

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