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
Thanks to everyone who left a review on the last chapter of this. I apologize for not replying individually to you all. I gather that FFnet was having some issues as I uploaded the chapter but for some reason it didn't appear for a couple of days. Then I didn't get any notification of any of the reviews until a couple of days ago. I hope whatever issues they were having are sorted out now and things are back to normal.
Enjoy!
"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"
Chapter 54
"I have to commend you on your investigation, Heero," Queen Une stated once Heero had finished reciting what he'd learned to his parents.
"Thank you, mother," Heero responded.
"A very thorough job, Heero," the king said. "Given the evidence you have we can certainly call for a retrial. This time though I think we should do things a little differently."
"What do you mean by that, father?" Heero questioned, curious to know what his father had in mind. Usually trials were held and depending on the severity of the charges themselves either the King oversaw the trial and made the final decision, or one of the appointed Lords in the kingdom did.
"Technically speaking, even with all the evidence you have, this could still be seen as the word of a slave against that of a royal. What I am suggesting is to make this a fair trial for both the princess and your slave, instead of myself or a Lord presiding, we have a group of about six people make the decision."
"I'm not sure I follow your line of thinking, father."
The Queen gave a snort. "Oh Treize, you're not doing a very good job of explaining things," she accused.
The king looked a little sheepish. "No, I'm not. Maybe you should explain it, my dear. After all, you were the one who came up with the idea."
"Thank you." The queen turned to look Heero in the eye. "My proposal is that we select about six people, independent people that have no interest, stand not to benefit in any way from this to sit in on the trial. Their job will be to listen to the evidence you provide, hear what you, Duo and the princess have to say in relation to the matter and then make a totally unbiased decision in regard to the charges." Une sat back and let her words sink in.
Heero's brows knitted together as he thought about his mother's idea. He looked across to Trowa who was also deep in thought. It did sound like a very good option, one that would give Duo a fair and just chance of clearing his name. "What do you think, brother?"
Trowa had also been thinking long and hard on their mother's words and he had to agree, her idea bore merit. "I think it could be a very good thing. The Lords, regardless of how fair they feel they might be, will always swing more to the royal side and I don't think they would give an honest result. This way does sound much fairer for all and would give Duo a fighting chance. When selecting the people to make the final decision we would need to make sure to select people that have no vested interest, know either the princess or Duo, or stand to gain anything whatever the outcome."
"That could be the only stumbling block in an otherwise excellent idea," Heero mused.
"Might I suggest that the people selected to make the final decision come from a neighboring kingdom, or a neutral sector of Colonia? The people there would have no reason to favor one over the other." Queen Une said.
"That is a good idea," King Treize mused. "You know, I think that maybe we approach the Captain of the guard and ask if we could use some of his people to form this committee and be the ones to make the final decision. The clans from where Wufei hails are fair and just, they believe in hearing both sides of the story and making an informed decision from there. They won't stand to gain anything from the outcome and justice will be served."
"Actually, I think that is an excellent idea, father. Wufei's people would be ideal," Heero said.
"I agree," Trowa stated. "Wufei's clansmen have always been held in the highest esteem by all kingdoms."
"Then I will send for the Captain and put our proposal to him." Treize stood and moved to the door where he called for one of the guards to fetch Captain Chang.
Whilst the princes and their parents waited for the Captain to arrive, they occupied themselves with discussing the idea a little more. After a short while there came a knock at the door and Captain Chang entered the sitting room.
"You sent for me, Your Highness?" Wufei said with a bow when he entered the chambers.
"Yes, Captain, I did. Please, take a seat." Once the Captain was seated, King Treize – assisted by the Queen – explained the idea of having a group of roughly six people decide the outcome of the retrial and who they thought would be the most reputable and honest people to make up that group.
Wufei was both stunned and flattered that his King would deem his people trustworthy enough to take on such a task. It shouldn't have surprised him though, the people of the Nataku Kingdom were renowned for their sense of justice, honor and fair play.
"My King, I am honored that you would ask such a thing of my people and whilst I cannot speak for them, I can certainly approach the clan elders with your request."
"That is all we can ask, Captain, that they consider it and answer the request as soon as possible."
"How soon do you wish to hold the retrial, sire?"
"The sooner the better, I think," the king replied.
Wufei thought for a moment. "Sire, I can send word of your request immediately to the clan elders. If they agree, I'm sure they could be here within three sunrises."
"Thank you, Captain. I will have the royal scribe write out the request with a basic explanation of what would be required. The full explanation will be given once they arrive; providing they agree that is."
"Of course, sire. I will make preparations to leave as soon as the parchment is ready."
"Good. Take a couple of guards with you. I will send the parchment to you at the barracks."
Standing, Wufei gave the royals a low bow. "I will make haste, sire." With those words, Wufei left to prepare for the journey ahead.
With the departure of the Captain, Heero decided to take his own leave. He'd been away from Duo for long enough and while he knew Quatre would be keeping Duo safe, Heero still didn't trust his wife or that maid of hers not to try anything, especially knowing what he did about the pair after his investigations so far.
"Before you go, my son, there is something I wish to ask," Queen Une said.
"What is it, mother?" Heero responded, curious as to what his mother wanted to know.
"You have been investigating these charges quite thoroughly and I commend you on that. However, I have noted one important thing is missing."
Heero frowned and thought deeply. He couldn't think of anything he'd overlooked. "What is that, mother?"
"Have you spoken with the princess in regards to her statement and what happened?"
A scowl appeared on Heero's face. "No, I have not. I wasn't intending to speak with her on this subject until the retrial."
"Have you seen or spoken to her at all since your return?"
"No."
"Heero, regardless of what you may be feeling, she is still your wife and carrying your child – the heir I might add. Don't you think you should at least check on her to see that she is alright?"
The scowl continued to remain on Heero's face, reminding the Queen of when her son was a little boy and being made to do something he really didn't want to do.
"I suppose I should," Heero grudgingly agreed.
"Your wife may not be on the list of your most favorite people right now, but she is still your wife and does deserve some consideration from you. Whilst you may not wish to speak to her in regards to the altercation, you owe her the courtesy of knowing there will be a retrial and roughly when that retrial will be held. I also think you should speak to her about her statement too."
The prince really didn't want to speak with Relena about the accusations, he'd much rather spring it on her at the retrial. He was pretty certain she was lying. Given everything he'd discovered since starting this proper investigation the evidence all pointed in that direction.
"I will return to my chambers and partake of dinner. Once I have eaten, I will speak with the princess, check on her state of health and inform her of the intended retrial and when we hope to have it. As for her statement and what happened, I really don't think it would be in either her's or my best interests to discuss that right now."
Une could see the glint in her son's eye and had a fair idea that the entire confrontation would probably end up in a screaming match. "Fair enough. All I ask is that you speak with her and try to keep a civil tongue in your mouth."
"I will do my best, mother. We will leave you now, dinner will be awaiting us both."
Having bid their parents good eve, the two brothers left to return to Heero's chambers and their respective slaves, allowing the royal scribe to enter the chambers as they departed.
With the departure of their sons, Une left her husband to deal with the scribe, opting to return to her needlework.
The scribe made quick work of the king's request and brief explanation to the Nataku Kingdom's clan elders, putting enough information on parchment without being too involved. Having read over the document and happy enough with it, Treize rolled it up and applied the royal seal. Slipping the parchment into a leather cylinder, he handed it over to a palace guard with strict instructions to take it directly to Captain Chang.
The guard departed for the barracks, the scribe was dismissed and the king returned to his chambers to contemplate the fiasco that would undoubtedly soon be upon them.
# # #
Having returned from the kitchens with their trays of dinner, the two slaves sat once more before the fire. Duo placed more wood on it, pushing the logs around until he was satisfied. The earlier encounter in the hall with the maid had left him a little raw and shaken.
He also had the dilemma of telling his master of the encounter or keeping it to himself.
Watching Duo's face and eyes carefully, Quatre could see the conflict going on inside the other slave's head and had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking. "Duo?" When the other slave turned to look at him, Quatre gave a soft smile and continued. "Don't let that maid get to you, your master will not allow any further harm to come to you."
"I know what you're saying, Quatre, but she really scares me. What happens if my master sends me on an errand and I run into her or the princess again?"
"That's a good question," Quatre replied thoughtfully.
"I know the master is hoping to have a retrial and I appreciate that. If I am still found guilty then my master will have no choice but to allow the inevitable to happen."
"It won't come to that, Duo," Quatre replied fiercely. "I know Prince Heero will have more than enough evidence to have the guilty verdict overturned."
"And if he does, what then?"
"Huh? What do you mean, what then? You will be cleared of all charges and return to your usual place, looking after your master."
Duo gave a smile of his own, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, that will most likely happen, but that's not quite what I meant." Seeing the puzzled look on Quatre's face, he continued. "If the verdict is overturned and I return to serve my master, what's to say this won't happen again? The princess and that maid will still be here and free to do whatever they want to me. Just because I'm cleared doesn't mean the torment will stop, if anything, it will probably get a whole lot worse." The last few words were spoken so softly that Quatre barely heard them.
"I never thought of that," he admitted honestly. "You do have a good point there. I dare say it would be a lot harder though for the princess or the maid to do anything to you, the prince knows about their vile acts towards you and I'm sure he would be warning them both to leave you alone and keep a closer eye on you."
"But he can't be there all the time," Duo said softly.
"Then we will have to make sure that I'm with you when your master can't be."
"I still can't see them stopping. Like earlier, when we went to the kitchens. That maid managed to find us," Duo shrugged.
"We need to tell your master about that too," Quatre replied.
"And even if he knows, there isn't much he can do about it," Duo pointed out.
"Don't underestimate your master, Duo. I know he will come up with something to stop this. I'm sure he will be keeping a close eye on you and when he's not there, I will be or my master will watch over you."
"You make it all sound so simple, but it won't make much difference. I just know that the princess won't stop until she's gotten rid of me one way or another." Duo lowered his eyes, his heart lay heavy in his chest knowing that either way, he would still suffer.
"We will find a way, Duo. I promise you that," Quatre vowed quietly.
Before they could talk further, the door to the chambers opened and both princes stepped in. Both slaves scrambled from their sitting position to their knees.
Noting the slaves by the fire and the trays on the table, Prince Heero strode into the sitting area and moved to his desk to place the rolls of parchment on it. Duo immediately followed him across to take his cloak and fold the garment up.
"Your dinner is ready, master," he said before taking the cloak through to the bed chamber.
Moving towards the fire, Heero sat in his usual chair, his brother sitting in the other one once Quatre had removed his cloak. Both slaves picked up their respective trays and placed them on the smaller tables to the side of each of the chairs before kneeling at their master's feet.
Silence stretched through the chambers as both princes began to eat and feed their respective slaves. Each prince had a lot on their mind and so did both slaves. Neither slave wanted to bring up the confrontation with the maid earlier, but both knew something had to be said.
Heero was distracted with the thought of having to speak with his wife once dinner was over. He wasn't scared to face the woman, not at all, he just knew she would start complaining and badgering him as soon as he stepped into the room and that was something Heero hated with a passion. He knew his mother was right, he should check on her, if only to make sure she was well; but it didn't mean he had to like the idea.
Trowa was musing over much the same thing, wondering exactly how his brother would be handling the visit to his wife. He couldn't blame his brother's reluctance to speak with the princess and sincerely hoped it wouldn't dissolve into a trading of heated words. Picking up a piece of meat from the tray and feeding it to Quatre, Trowa's attention turned to the two slaves. They had both been rather quiet and subdued. He studied first Quatre and then Duo, noting the preoccupied air about them both.
"Quatre?" Trowa said, breaking the silence and causing not just Quatre to look in his direction, but his brother and Duo too.
"Yes, master?"
"Is there something wrong?"
Quatre lowered his eyes and that gesture immediately had Trowa on alert. "Has something happened whilst we were having audience with our father?" Trowa prodded.
Quatre sneaked a look at Duo, the other slave looking miserable and decided he really should speak up.
Heero had also picked up on Duo's subdued air and looked properly at his slave. He noted the miserable expression on the face, the slump to the shoulders and general air of depression. "Duo? What has happened?"
"Sire," Quatre said and waited.
Both princes turned to the blonde. "What is it, Quatre? Tell us what happened," Trowa insisted.
"On our way to the kitchens to fetch dinner, we ran into the princess' maid. A few words were said, not very nice ones and it upset Duo quite a bit," Quatre said softly.
Heero's turned to Duo. "Is this true?"
"Yes, master." Duo kept his head lowered.
"What did she say?" Heero demanded, eyes narrowing in anger. He noted Duo flinch away and mentally berated himself. He reached out a hand and gently ran it over the top of Duo's head. "I apologize, Duo. It's not you I am angry at."
Leaning into the soft caress, Duo relaxed a touch and spoke quietly. "She wasn't very nice at all. I don't recall the exact words, but she implied that the mistress was angry with me and that I will be in a lot of trouble when she catches up with me."
"She did say that Duo should watch his back, that his days were numbered and she was looking forward to making him suffer," Quatre added. He figured the prince did need to know the extent of Duo's suffering at the hands of not just the princess, but the maid too who seemed to be far worse than the princess; in Quatre's opinion anyway.
"Did she now," Heero growled.
"Brother, it would appear to me that the maid is more of a threat to Duo than the princess," Trowa mused.
Thinking on his brother's words for a moment, Heero was inclined to agree. "Given what we have discovered so far, I would agree with you on that. However, I don't think the maid is entirely responsible, the princess would have put her up to a lot of this."
"I'm not saying the princess is innocent, not at all. I'd say she's guilty alright, but she's very smart too."
"How so?" Heero raised an eyebrow.
"She has her maid do a lot of her dirty work for her."
Still kneeling on the floor, Quatre and Duo listened intently to the exchange between their masters. Duo began to feel a little better, seemed what Quatre had said was true; his master wasn't stupid at all. Given Prince Trowa's calm, quiet nature and people skills, it would appear he'd hit the nail on the head – and now he'd calmed a little, his master could also see the logic.
Heero gave a loud sigh as his mind ticked over.
"What is it?" Trowa enquired.
"All this," Heero waved an arm in the air, "It is all happening behind my back and pretty much comes down to the word of one person against another."
"And when that is the word of a slave over a royal it's doubly hard to prove innocence on the slave's behalf."
"Exactly! I know we have irrefutable evidence from the Captain and the healer, but that isn't enough. The statements of Duo, Quatre and the other staff that have overheard conversations unfortunately are circumstantial and again, the word of a slave against a higher positioned person."
"I still think we have more than enough to have the guilty verdict overturned," Trowa comforted.
"Yes, I understand that, but what we really need is something more concrete. I just wish either you or I had overheard one of these conversations," Heero said with a scowl.
A glint appeared in Trowa's eye. "Then maybe we should do something about that."
Heero's head jerked up. "I don't follow. What are you thinking?"
"Maybe it's time that one of us did overhear a conversation between the princess and her maid."
"And just how do you propose we do that?"
Trowa rubbed his chin. "Let me think on that and I will let you know more as soon as I have something figured out."
"Just remember, we don't have a lot of time, brother. The retrial should be held in about four sunrises."
"Don't worry, I will have something well before then."
"I hope so." Heero ran a hand through his bangs. "I suppose I'd better do as mother requested and pay my wife a visit."
"Yes, you should," Trowa replied absently, his mind wandering over this new challenge.
"I will go now." Heero rose from his chair, Trowa mimicking the movement.
"I will see you in the morn, brother. Good luck with your wife," Trowa said. "Quatre, come."
Quatre rose and with a smile to Duo, followed his master from the chambers. With the departure of the pair, Duo found himself alone with his master and hoping he wouldn't have to accompany his master to the marital chambers.
"Duo, the meeting with my father went well and the retrial should happen in about four sunrise's time. My mother proposed something a little different for the retrial, something that will give me a much better chance at proving your innocence and having these accusations dismissed. Captain Chang is seeing to the arrangements and we should know soon enough if this proposal will go ahead."
"Thank you, master." Duo knew better than to ask what this new idea was, he was sure he would find out soon enough.
"I will go and speak with my wife, Duo. I think it would be best if you did not come with me, she's bound to be annoyed and upset enough without having anything further to set her off." Duo heaved a grateful sigh. "Whilst I am gone I want you to clean up here and take the trays back to the kitchens. Once you have done that, prepare a bath for me. I will bathe upon my return. I will also stop by and arrange for the healer to come once I have bathed."
"Yes, master."
"Stand up, Duo." Doing as he was bade, Duo found himself pulled into his master's warm arms, a hand gently stroking over his abused back. "Don't worry, Duo. I have no intentions of letting you go." With the soft words said, Heero claimed his slave's lips in a passionate kiss, one that left Duo weak at the knees. "Mine," Heero whispered, "Mine. No one takes what is mine from me without a fight." A second kiss was bestowed before the prince released his slave and left the chambers to speak with the princess.
# # #
Sitting by the fire in the marital chambers Relena was feeling depressed, uncomfortable and completely fed up. The growing baby was causing her some discomfort – her back ached, her legs ached and her stomach felt stretched much too far. Added to that, the baby had been quite active too, pushing and kicking and generally abusing her insides. She would be more than relieved when the child was born. She was also annoyed that her husband hadn't returned to the chambers either.
They were married, his place was with her in their marital bed and not with that gutter snipe of a slave. Heero hadn't even come by to see if she was alright! She knew she would need to be careful with everything she said or did around her husband, but dammit; she was the victim here – not that whore.
Across from her mistress, Dorothy sat in the other chair, quietly reading – or so it appeared. Every now and then she cast an eye in her mistress' direction, knowing the princess wasn't happy. There wasn't a whole lot she could do about it though.
A knock at the door followed by the door opening had Dorothy scrambling out of the chair, across the small space to her mistress' chair and onto her knees. The book was tossed carelessly to the side table. She'd only just made it to her place when the prince stepped into the room.
Looking up to see who had entered the chambers without being given permission to do so and ready to give them a verbal lashing for taking such liberties, Relena's mouth opened, only to freeze when she realized it was her husband. She scowled.
"Relena," Heero greeted stiffly and walked across the room to sit in the vacated chair, a frown on his face when he felt the warmth in the chair that indicated it had recently been occupied. His eyes narrowed in the direction of the maid but he didn't have proof to accuse her of anything.
"I was wondering when you were going to return to our chambers," Relena said, managing to keep her voice steady.
"I have been busy," Heero replied.
"Busy with that slave I bet. I don't understand why you need to spend time with that...that slave, especially after what he tried to do," Relena spat. "In case you'd forgotten, I'm your wife, Heero, I'm carrying your child and that slave of yours tried to RAPE ME! I'm the victim here, I'm the one who had to try and fight that piece of scum off and you can't even be bothered to see if I'm alright! No, you come riding in, stop the course of justice from taking place and disappear to be with that piece of dirt!" Relena was slowly working herself into hysterics, but she was in full rant mode and nothing was going to stop her until she'd had her say. "You have no idea what I've been through, what I've suffered at the hands of that excuse for a human being. If Captain Chang and Dorothy hadn't come in when they did I hate to think what could have happened. But do you care? No, you take the side of that slave and haven't even got the decency to see if I'm all right or ask me what happened." A sob broke forth, Relena finally finishing her rant and lowering her head into her hands.
"Mistress, don't fret or upset yourself," Dorothy soothed as she shifted from her position on the floor to place a calming arm around the princess' shoulders. She chanced a look at the prince, her face a cold mask and eyes angry.
"You're selfish, Heero, you don't give a damn about me or your heir at all!" Relena sobbed out.
"Have you quite finished?" Heero asked calmly. All he got by way of reply was a glare and more sobbing from his wife.
"I have been busy trying to find out what happened," Heero began again, keeping his tone neutral and determined not to give anything away. "I have spoken with several people to try and understand exactly what went on. I came to get your side of the story and to let you know there is to be a retrial."
"Retrial!? RETRIAL!?" Relena shouted. "Why do we need a retrial? That slave was found guilty and as such was sentenced to the sword. There is no need to have it all dragged out again for the same end result."
"The trial was not held properly. My slave deserves the chance to defend himself and he didn't get that chance. My father has decreed there will be a retrial and it will be held in roughly four sunrises. The retrial will be done slightly differently too. My father has requested that a group of people from outside the kingdom hear the charges, listen to the evidence and make an unbiased decision. Whatever that decision is, I will abide by it and so will you."
"Strangers?! You expect me to recount that horror I went through to total strangers?" Relena hissed.
"They will be well respected elders from the Nataku Kingdom, known for their honesty, integrity and justice," Heero informed.
"And when did you decide all of this?" Relena demanded.
"My father decreed it will be so this evening," Heero replied. He was getting weary of the topic already and wanted nothing more than to escape his wife's presence.
"Have you no compassion, do you not care how much this will humiliate me? I won't stand for it, Heero, I WONT!" Relena dissolved into another round of sobbing.
Standing up, Heero decided he'd had enough. "That is what is to happen and I suggest you get used to the idea. It's clear you are not in a proper frame of mind for me to speak to you about the attack and what happened right now so I will take my leave of you. I will send the healer to check on you shortly."
"You're going again? Your place is here with me!" Relena snapped.
"I will return once you have calmed down." Not wanting to hear anything more, Heero quickly spun on his heel and left the marital chambers. Let his wife stew on his words for a while.
tbc...
