Disclaimer: I don't own the G'boys, I just borrow them from time to time to play with and return them a whole lot happier, ne? Written for pleasure not profit.
Rating: NC 17
Warnings: Sap, angst, bondage, slavery, Yaoi, Lemon, lime, het, violence, dark, fluff, AU, OOC.
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 1xR, 2xR
Betaed by Karina *snugs*
Summary: Heero is the eldest son of the King of Colonia. His 21st birthday is approaching and as tradition dictates his betrothed is soon to arrive. However he is also bound by tradition to select his own personal slave. The events that unfold lead him down a path that not only tests his sanity but his humanity and love as well.
Author's Note: This fic was started back in 2004 and has languished on my hard drive ever since, only sporadically being added to when I have the time (and the muse the inclination) . Updates will be far between, but rest assured, it will be finished. Feed back is most welcome as are honest critiques. Flames will be dealt with as I deal with all flames – with sarcasm.
Commenced July 2004 – published January 2008
"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"
Chapter 53
"Enter," Sally called to whomever was knocking at her door. The door opened a touch and a blonde head appeared around the jam, the rest of the slave following and dropping to his knees. "Ah, Quatre. What can I do for you?"
"Mistress Healer, Prince Heero requests your presence in his chambers as soon as is convenient. He also asked if you could bring along your medical reports for the princess and Duo from when you checked them both after the... the alleged altercation," Quatre said.
"Of course. Please let the prince know I will be there in due course. I will just need to find those reports and I'll be on my way."
"Thank you, Mistress Healer." Quatre stood and left the healer's chambers.
Sally quickly located the medical records she'd made of her treatments and placed them in her basket. Having slipped on her cloak, she picked up the basket and left her chambers.
#
Duo opened the door to admit the healer into Prince Heero's chambers, following quickly behind and once again taking up residence at his master's feet.
Sally smiled to herself, noting how reluctant Duo was to leave Heero's side – it also appeared that the prince was equally as reluctant to have the slave out of his sight for long either, judging by the way his hand immediately dropped to caress the head of the slave. "Sire," she greeted.
"Thank you for coming," Heero replied. "Please, be seated."
Quatre had brought another chair across to sit by the fire, Sally removing her cloak and passing it to a waiting Quatre before taking her seat.
"Did you bring your medical reports of your findings with you?" Heero asked.
"Yes, sire, I have them right here."
"May I look at them please?"
"Of course." Sally reached into her basket and withdrew the parchments, passing them over to the prince.
"Duo, would you please fetch the healer some refreshment? It will take me a moment to read through these." Heero unraveled the parchments and passed one over to his brother to read whilst he began on the other.
"Yes, master. Mistress Healer, what can I fetch for you?" Duo asked.
"Just some water will be fine, thank you, Duo."
Raising himself from the floor, Duo moved across the room and poured a goblet of water, returning moments later and passing it to the healer.
"Thank you, Duo."
Task complete, Duo quickly knelt back at his master's feet.
Silence reigned over the room for a short while whilst both princes read the reports, swapping over once they were done with their first one. Heero's brow furrowed from time to time, Trowa's also, and the heir to the throne made several notes. Finally they were done with their reading and Heero turned to the healer.
"Firstly, thank you again for tending to Duo and the princess."
"It was my pleasure, sire."
"I have some questions for you in regards to your findings."
"I will do my best to answer them for you, sire." Sally sat up straighter and placed the now empty goblet on a small side table.
Reaching for the other parchments of the testimonies, Heero placed them on his lap, opened them and met the healer's eye. "In the princess' statement, she said that Duo had forced himself upon her, that he had pushed her to the bed. She also stated that she had tried to fight him off, had tried to bite him when he put his hand over her mouth."
"I believe that is what she told Captain Chang, Your Highness."
"If that was the case, and remember, I have no proper understanding of the medical side of things so correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't there be some form of evidence of a struggle? Physical evidence that is?" Heero questioned.
"In my experience as a healer, whenever I have treated people that have been involved in a physical altercation there has always been some form of evidence of that altercation."
"Could you elaborate a little?" Trowa asked.
"Certainly, sire." Sally switched her attention between the two brothers as she explained. "The type and severity of the physical evidence depends on the altercation itself. By that I mean if two soldiers had met in a battle one would expect quite severe wounds, bleeding, bruising, even limbs missing. If it were a simple fist fight then there would be evidence such as bruising, cuts and minor injuries. Someone pushing another away or trying to restrain another would leave behind some form of bruising too."
"I have noted in your report that there is nothing mentioned in regards to bruising on the princess. Could you explain that a little more for me?" Heero requested.
"When I examined the princess I did pay particular attention to looking for any form of bruising, especially around the shoulders, arms and wrists. I did not find any areas of damaged skin to back up a claim of being in an altercation."
"So there was no evidence that Duo had pushed, grabbed, restrained or struck the princess?"
"The princess' clothing was torn, but that was the only sign of violence of any kind. There were no marks at all on the princess' skin," Sally said honestly.
"And what of Duo? The princess said she had tried to fight him off, bite him. Surely there should be some type of mark, bruising or the like if that is the case?" Heero looked up from the Captain's notes.
"I would expect to find some evidence of a fight on Duo, but again, I found nothing other than a couple of old bruises, but they were on his legs," Sally stated.
"How can you tell if the bruises are fresh or old?" Trowa queried.
"In my experience, a fresh bruise tends to be a sort of blueish purple in color. An older bruise tends to darken as time passes and then fade, sometimes there is some yellowing there too. In Duo's case, the bruises on his legs were already beginning to fade which meant they had to be at least a couple of days old. When I asked Duo about those bruises he told me he'd knocked himself against the furniture. Given the placement of the bruising, the fading of it and the size, it matched up with what he'd said and I saw no reason to question him further."
"Was there any sign of an altercation between Duo and the princess?" Heero asked, blue eyes watching the healer closely.
"There was no physical evidence at all that I could find to back up the claim of Duo having forced the princess to the bed. The only evidence I could see was that the princess' dress was torn and also Duo's pants."
"Would you swear to the crown that there was no physical evidence on either person that indicated a violent struggle of any kind had taken place?"
"I would swear to it, my prince."
"And what of emotional or mental distress?" Trowa asked. "I am purely speculating here, but if a woman were to be raped, or an attempted rape on her, I would imagine there should be some form of mental trauma?"
Sally's eyes gleamed a little. "Funny you should mention that, sire," she said quietly. Immediately Heero's ears picked up on the soft words and he took a quick glance over the reports he still had.
"Did the princess show any sign of mental distress?" Heero asked, leaning forward in his chair to keep a very close eye on the healer.
Now that was a difficult question to answer, Sally thought. "When I first checked the princess she did appear to be quite upset when I asked her to explain exactly what had happened and didn't want to talk about it. That maid of hers was also quite pushy, repeatedly asking if it was necessary. I did find it a little odd that the maid would insert herself constantly into the conversation, almost smothering the princess at times- or that's how it appeared to me. But to get back to the princess; as I said, she was quite upset at first and reluctantly told me what had happened, when I asked further questions, mainly to clarify a point so I knew exactly what to look for when performing the physical exam, she got quite angry and very short with me. I do realize that people react in different ways when suffering a trauma of some kind, but it has been my experience that women who have been raped or an attempted rape generally appear very scared, frightened and bewildered. The princess didn't appear to be any of those."
"That is quite interesting," Heero mused, his mind replaying the dark haired kitchen maid's confession the previous eve.
"But Duo on the other hand..."
"Yes, how was Duo's mental and emotional state when you went to check on him?" Trowa pushed.
"When I stepped into the dungeon to examine Duo, he was a complete mess. He was in shock, shaking, scared and there was a look of terror in his eyes. He found it difficult to relate what had happened and yet he did his best to talk to me. It did have me questioning exactly who was the attacker and who was the victim here-"
"What did you say?" Heero interrupted.
"That Duo was scared-"
"No, the last bit," Heero clarified and looked to his brother who nodded in reply. Trowa had also picked up on that statement.
"I was questioning who was the victim and who was the attacker?"
"Yes, that." Heero's mind ticked over for a moment. "Why would you say that?" he asked, looking for clarification of what his thoughts were telling him.
"Sire, I am no healer of the mind and the mind is a very complex thing, however..." Sally paused for a second, "However, Duo's reaction appeared to be that of a victim, the way I would have expected the princess to react given the accusations. Duo was definitely terrified, it was clear in his eyes and his body language. Anyone that got too close and he would flinch away, try to make himself as small as possible. Sire, that is a classic reaction of someone who has experienced violence against themselves."
"But couldn't that be put down to Duo's past? He was sorely abused before he came here," Trowa prodded. If they were to clear Duo's name, they needed all the evidence they could get.
"One might say that, sire, but take a look back. Duo has been here almost a full, seasonal cycle. At first he was very skittish around people, but after a while he began to settle down and fit into his role here. When I have had to treat him in the recent past, he's never flinched away from me, nor has he shown any sign of being uncomfortable or scared in anyone else's presence that I am aware of. The person I spoke with and treated in that dungeon was not the Duo I know. This Duo was one that was suddenly very frightened, cowered if you so much as raised your hand to scratch an itch. That is a clear indication of abuse or how a victim reacts after a traumatic event."
"Thank you, healer." Heero sat back in his chair a satisfied smile playing across his face.
"Your Highness, will you require anything further?" Sally said, feeling a little nervous at the sight of the smile on the prince's face.
"No, thank you. What you have told me along with your medical statement will be more than enough," Heero replied. "I would ask that you not speak of this to anyone and that you avail yourself for the retrial should your presence be necessary."
"Of course, my prince. If I am no longer required, I best be on my way." Sally stood and curtsied before taking back her cloak, following Quatre to the door and leaving the prince's chambers.
"What do you think, brother?" Heero asked, looking deep into Trowa's emerald eyes.
"I think we have more than enough evidence to demand a retrial." Trowa gave one of his rare smiles.
"So do I, brother. So do I." Heero's eyes positively gleamed. "I think it is time we return to meet with father and set up this retrial."
"What of the princess?" Trowa asked.
Heero raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Aren't you going to question her in regards to her statement and the evidence you have collected? You did say earlier that you will probably need to speak with her and her maid before approaching father."
Heero's look turned almost evil. "No. I have decided I would prefer to question my wife at the retrial."
"As you wish." Trowa replied, his mind already having a good idea of what his brother was planning.
Heero knew in his own mind that if he refrained from speaking with her and her maid now, the princess and that maid would be at a complete disadvantage at the retrial – but wasn't that what she'd done to Duo?
Sometimes revenge was a dish best served cold.
# # #
"Are you alright, mistress?' Dorothy asked, entering the bed chamber and opening the heavy drapes.
"I suppose so," Relena replied, working her way to a reclining position in the bed.
Dorothy moved across the chambers and assisted her mistress to sit up in the bed. Fluffing the pillows she settled them behind the princess to support her. "I have a breakfast tray in the sitting area," she announced.
"I don't think I could eat anything right now, Dorothy," Relena replied, picking at the bedclothes.
"Rubbish," Dorothy stated. "You need to keep your strength up and that baby needs nourishment too."
"I really don't think I could eat anything, my stomach isn't feeling too good."
Dorothy looked at her mistress and noted the worry lines etched into her face. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she took the princess' hand into her own. "Don't worry, mistress, everything will work out just fine."
"I hope so, Dorothy, but I have a bad feeling about this, the prince is going to be a bit harder to convince I think than the king or the rest of the castle staff." Relena paused. "Has my husband returned to the chambers at all?"
"No, not as yet, mistress. I haven't seen him at all."
"He's probably off with that piece of trash," Relena sneered.
"That was my thought too, mistress. He doesn't deserve you, treating you like this," Dorothy agreed.
"No, he doesn't, problem is, getting him to see that."
"I'm wondering what he is going to do now," Dorothy mused.
"I'm not sure," Relena replied. "He did prevent that slave from losing his head and said something about finding out what had happened; however, the snipe was found guilty so I'd say we're going to have to be patient for a little while, it's just going to take a little longer before that creature is once more facing the sword."
"What do we do in the meantime, mistress?"
"There isn't a whole lot we can do, Dorothy. We gave our statements to the Captain, he also walked in on the attack and saw it with his own eyes so he can't refute that. I think that as long as we stick to our story, refuse to be swayed in any way, the prince will have no choice but to abide by the guilty verdict and then that slave will finally meet his deserving end."
"I'm certain you can do it too, mistress."
"I suppose I'd better keep practicing those acting skills then," Relena said with a small smile.
"You are very convincing, mistress," Dorothy encouraged.
"Thank you, Dorothy."
# # #
"Duo?"
The slave looked up from where he was stoking the fire."Master?" he replied, placing the poker by the hearth and turning his bowed head in the direction of the prince.
"My brother and I are going to seek audience with my father in regards to the retrial. Whilst we are gone you may take a bath and fetch dinner from the kitchens for us." Heero paused and turned to his brother. "You will join me for dinner this eve?"
"Of course," Trowa replied.
"Good." Heero turned back to his waiting slave. "I want you and Quatre to stay together at all times. There are bound to be other slaves and staff in the castle who will be curious as to what is going on. You are not to speak of what is happening to anyone at all. Is that understood?"
"Yes, master," Duo whispered. He really wasn't looking forward to seeing any of the other staff or slaves at all, unknowing of what their reaction to him would be. He was grateful his master had forbidden him to speak of this, it gave him the perfect 'out'.
"Quatre, you are to remain with Duo at all times, do not let him out of your sight. We do not want him to be abused in any way by anyone. Should anyone ask what is going on, you are to tell them that you are not permitted to speak of this. If they are that curious, they can come and ask myself or the heir," Trowa stated, knowing full well that none of the castle inhabitants would dare to approach either Heero or himself for information.
"As you wish, master." Quatre gave Duo a warm smile. He'd make sure to keep Duo safe.
"Good. Brother, if you are ready?" Trowa moved towards the door, Quatre and Duo mirroring his actions.
"One moment." Heero picked up the rolls of parchment and tucked them into his tunic. "Let us be off." Striding across the room, Heero paused at the door and reached for Duo, pulling the slave from his kneeling position to standing. He enveloped the slave gently in his strong arms. "Remain safe," he whispered into Duo's ear before reaching for the slave's lips and sealing them with his own in a torrid kiss.
When the kiss broke, Duo was left panting and starry eyed. "I will do my best, master," he replied shyly.
"That is all I can ask," Heero whispered back and placed another, although this time, tender, kiss to Duo's mouth.
# # #
"Ah, Heero, my son. What have you learned?" the king asked when Heero and Trowa stepped inside the small office.
"Father," Heero greeted. "I have learned quite a lot," he said, "I wish to discuss it with you as I feel there is more than enough in my findings to have that retrial and prove Duo's innocence."
Noting the number of rolls of parchment Heero was removing from his tunic, the king made a decision. "Let us go through to the sitting room, we will be more comfortable there."
Nodding, the two princes followed their father through another office door and into the king's private sitting area.
"Mother," Heero greeted, a little taken aback at the sight of his mother sitting beside the fire.
"My sons," Queen Une said with a smile, rose and accepted the hugs offered to her. "I trust it is alright with you both if I sit in on this? I have my own reasons why I wish to do so and will explain later."
"Of course, mother," Heero agreed.
"Thank you. Please, be seated." Queen Une retook her own seat.
The two princes and their father all took seats, Heero sitting the parchments in his lap.
"Okay, Heero. You have our full attention, tell us what you have learned." Treize sat back, folded his hands across his lap and looked expectantly at his eldest son.
Reaching for the parchment he'd scribbled his notes down on, Heero began to inform his father and mother of his investigations and doubts as to Duo's guilt.
# # #
Having taken a bath and feeling much better for it, Quatre and Duo decided enough time had passed that their masters would be returning soon and decided to go to the kitchens to fetch dinner. They walked side by side through the castle hallways, talking softly between themselves. Occasionally they would come across another castle slave or staff and despite Duo's misgivings about how people would react to him after the accusations and nearly losing his head, he was pleasantly surprised.
No one spoke harshly to him, most didn't speak at all, just offered up a smile and hurried on about their duties. Those that did speak simply said they were happy he was still alive. The young slave was quite shocked by all this, it was the last thing he'd expected.
As they drew closer to the kitchens they came across one person that Duo really had no wish to see ever again.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in."
"Ignore her, Duo," Quatre whispered and tugged on his fellow slave's arm.
Dorothy sat the tray she'd been carrying down on a small side table and put her hands on her hips, blocking the hallway. "You still scared of me, little mouse?" she sneered. "You should be. My mistress is very displeased with you and if my mistress is unhappy then I'm unhappy."
Duo began to tremble and kept his eyes lowered. Quatre did his best to move in front of his fellow slave and block the nasty maid.
"You think you're safe? Think this is all over with now that your master has ridden in and saved your scrawny neck? I suggest you think again, you piece of trash. By the time my mistress has finished with you, you'll be begging for the sword to end your miserable existence."
Duo's trembling began to worsen, the cold hand of fear rising steadily in his chest.
"Leave us alone," Quatre snapped, pulling Duo closer to him.
Ignoring the blonde, Dorothy moved. "You're nothing," Dorothy snarled and stepped closer. "You're nothing but a cheap, low down piece of filth." Dorothy raised her hand, Duo cowered, but she didn't strike him. She poked him hard in the chest. "Watch your back, gutter rat, your days are numbered." With a look of pure hatred, Dorothy turned to pick up the tray. As she began to walk off, she hissed, "I'm looking forward to making you suffer."
Once the maid was gone, Duo all but collapsed into Quatre's arms. "It's okay, Duo," Quatre soothed. "There's nothing she can do to you."
"You say that but you can't be sure," Duo managed to whisper out.
"Your master is holding a retrial and I just know you will be cleared of any wrongdoing. The princess and that maid won't be able to touch you."
"We don't know that for sure, Quatre."
The blonde sighed. "No, we don't, but I fully intend to do what your master asked of me." Seeing the frown on Duo's face, he continued. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. When you're not with your master or mine, then I will be with you. There is no way possible that the princess or her maid will be able to do anything to you, Duo, not when I'm there."
Those words gave Duo a small measure of comfort. He could tell that the blonde was sincere and fully believed him when he said he wouldn't leave Duo alone. "Thank you," he murmured.
"You're most welcome, Duo. Now, think you're up to facing the kitchen staff?"
Duo smiled. "Yes, I think so."
"Great." Grabbing Duo's hand, Quatre continued ahead to the kitchens.
Arriving at the kitchens a few moments later, Quatre led the way inside, Duo right behind him and doing his best to hide his nervousness.
At first no one seemed to realize they were there, carrying on and ignoring the pair. Then Quatre spoke.
"Miss Noin, we have come to collect our masters' dinners if they are ready."
The cook turned around and spotting Duo behind the blonde, she gave a cry of delight. Dropping her spoon back into whatever it was she was stirring at the time, she shot across the kitchen almost bowling Quatre over in her haste and enveloped Duo in her arms.
"Duo! You poor thing. I am so happy to see you and so glad your master got back here in time," the cook said as she hugged the thin slave.
Squashed against the cook's ample chest, Duo at first felt panic rise and then pushed it away. The cook seemed genuinely pleased to see him. He hugged back. "I'm happy to see you too, Miss Noin."
Releasing the slave, Noin held him at arm's length. "You need fattening up, my boy. Go sit over there and I'll give you something while you wait for your master's tray."
Still uncertain of himself, Duo moved to sit where Noin had indicated. Quatre followed with an amused smile on his face. Suddenly the pair were surrounded by other kitchen slaves and staff, all just as happy as Noin had been to see Duo again – and they let him know it too.
Duo hadn't realized just how many friends he'd made since coming to the castle. Everyone wanted to hug him and pass on their thoughts and best wishes. One or two did ask about the charges and what was happening, but Quatre ran interference, advising that they were not allowed to talk about the charges or what Prince Heero was doing about them.
A bowl with some sweet pastries landed on the table in front of Duo and he blinked.
"Eat up, Duo." Noin smiled and bustled back to her preparation of the princes' trays.
Eyes roamed over the selection and Duo picked one out, offering the bowl to Quatre once he'd made his choice. Quatre took a pastry and bit into it, chewing slowly and enjoying the treat.
Biting into his own pastry, Duo closed his eyes in bliss. The tastes danced over his tongue and he realized with a jerk that he'd not enjoyed a sweet treat in quite some time.
By the time the pastries were all gone, the trays were ready. Picking them up, both slaves thanked the cook and took their leave. Their masters should be back by now and although he was dreading it, Duo was also keen to learn what had transpired during the meeting between his master and the king and what his fate would be now.
tbc...
