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 57
"How could she?" Heero hissed, allowing his brother to lead him through the castle halls and back to his chambers.
"Even I didn't think they could be that cruel," Trowa agreed.
The anger continued to boil away inside Heero. He couldn't believe that his wife, who appeared to be charming, pretty and kind on the outside to the royal subjects, could be so cruel and vindictive to a poor slave. "Once this trial is over I intend to have the marriage annulled," Heero suddenly announced, causing Trowa to stumble in his walk.
"Pardon?" he asked, unsure if he'd heard correctly.
"Regardless of what the outcome of the trial is, I no longer wish to be wed to someone so evil and nasty," Heero stated. "The people of Colonia deserve better, they deserve to have a King and Queen that will rule them with fairness, honesty and integrity. The princess shows none of those qualities and I won't subject the people to her kind of rule."
Trowa looked at his brother through new eyes. "What do you plan to do, exactly?"
"As I said, I will have the marriage annulled. Once the heir to the throne is born I will have the priests come in and annul the marriage."
"But what of the heir?"
"What do you mean?"
"Every woman that I know of is fiercely protective of their children. I cannot see the princess relinquishing her child so easily," Trowa stated.
"Going on what I have learned of my wife since being wed, I'd be very surprised if she's even interested in the child," Heero snapped. "She only appears to care about herself. In any case, the child will be my heir and will remain here, with me, regardless of what the princess wants."
Deciding it would be better to keep his thoughts on that to himself for now, Trowa continued to walk towards his brother's chambers. He had a strong feeling that Relena wasn't interested in becoming a mother and raising the heir, that in fact, she would rather leave that to the nannies. But he also felt that once Relena knew of her husband's plans to annul the marriage and retain the heir, she would do everything in her power to prevent it from happening.
"I will discuss that further with Father once the retrial is finished with," Heero stated.
"All I can say is, good luck," Trowa muttered.
Reaching the chambers, Heero opened the door and walked inside. His eyes darted around, looking for his slave. A soft noise from the bed chamber alerted him to where Duo was. He followed the sounds to the bed chamber, his face a mask of concern.
Inside the bed chamber, Duo had just finished folding the prince's clothes and with Quatre's assistance, was putting them away. Hearing the footsteps approach, both slaves dropped to their knees.
"Duo, are you alright?" Heero asked, walking to where his slave knelt.
"Yes, master. A little shaken but I'm okay," Duo responded.
Reaching forth, Heero pulled his slave to his feet and held him close. "I am so sorry for making you endure that and so proud of you for going through with it. Thank you." He pressed a kiss to Duo's head.
"You heard everything, master?" Duo asked, enjoying the safety and warmth of his master's arms.
"Yes, I did and so did my brother," Heero replied, his tone grim. Releasing Duo he sat heavily on the bed and ran a hand through his hair. "That would have to have been one of the vilest and hardest things I've ever had to listen to."
"I have to agree. It wasn't easy to listen to at all," Trowa said, backing his brother up. "I can quite understand why you didn't say anything before, Duo, or you, Quatre."
"We did want to," Quatre said quietly in both his and Duo's defense. "But as Duo has said before and you also know yourself, master, no one will believe a slave over royalty. It's just the way things are."
Knowing his slave spoke the truth, Trowa lowered his head in acknowledgment. "Brother, what do you plan to do about what we overheard? Are you going to confront the princess and that maid now, or wait until later?"
Heero mulled the words over. "I think I will wait. Once the retrial starts I will have the statements of the healer as my main evidence along with her medical reports. Combine that with the information we have regarding overheard conversations and Relena will have a hard time refuting it all. I know she will try to deny the conversations and think it will be a case of her word against those of slaves and staff, but that is when I will spring on her the conversation we both just overheard. As for that maid of hers..."
Prince Trowa and the two slaves looked at the heir. Heero gave an evil grin.
"As you so aptly have said before, Duo; who will believe a slave over royalty? If the princess wishes to play with fire then she should also expect to get burnt."
Both Quatre and Duo's eyes widened at that, the realization hitting them both at the same time.
Green eyes sparked. "Heero, you can be so devious at times."
"Why thank you, brother."
# # #
The sun was not long into the sky when Wufei and his guards cleared the forest and entered the open plains surrounding the castle. He smiled as he rode towards the gates, knowing his king would be pleased with the result of his short trip.
Easing the horses back a bit, Wufei and his guards cantered steadily towards the castle, the guards on duty spotting them so that when they rode into the castle courtyard, the stable hands were ready to take their horses from them.
Dismissing the guards, Wufei took the saddlebag containing the parchment and made his way inside the castle. A slave was dispatched to let the king know of the Captain's return, the slave returning not long after to inform Wufei that the king would have audience with him immediately in the Throne room.
Heading for the Throne room, Wufei did his best to try and scrub the dust and dirt from his travels from his face – to no avail. Only a good bath would remove the grime, but that would have to wait until he'd spoken with the king.
"Captain Chang, welcome back. I trust your journey was without peril and the news you bring will be to our liking?" King Treize greeted.
"Sire," Wufei replied, bowing low. "The journey was uneventful and the clan elders and Emperor quite interested in your request." Wufei pulled the rolled leather cylinder from his saddlebag. "The Emperor sends his greetings along with his reply." Wufei handed over the cylinder.
The king took the offered cylinder, opened the top and withdrew the parchment from within. Unfurling it, he quickly read the words inscribed, a smile gracing his lips as he did so. "That is wonderful news. The six elders should be here in two sunrises."
"I did explain as best I could the nature of the trial and the reasons for requesting an independent group of people to make the final decision. The Emperor was most pleased and humbled that you sought to ask for the help of the elders in this case. I also informed them that the procedure you wish to implement will be explained in detail once the elders arrive."
"Excellent, Wufei." Treize rubbed his hands together. "I will have rooms prepared at once for their arrival and speak with the advisers in regards to how this retrial will be conducted." The king paused for a moment. "Captain, is there anything at all that you can think of that would make the elders' stay here more comfortable? By that I mean any special type of food? Are there any rituals they need to perform or things along those lines?"
Smiling, Wufei replied, "They are men of simple tastes and simple living. All they will require is an area they can use at sunrise and sunset to perform our sacred ritual and worship of our goddess."
"Of course. I am not familiar with what that would entail so I will leave that arrangement to you, Captain."
"I will see to it at once, Your Highness. I am certain that the area I use for the ritual and worship will be more than adequate for the elders too."
"I will summon my sons and set the retrial to start in four sunrises. That way the elders will have time to rest and recover from their journey and be informed of what will be required."
"As you wish, Sire."
"Thank you, Captain. You are free to return to the barracks and rest from your trip. I will speak with you again later."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Wufei gave another bow and left the Throne Room aiming for the barracks. The first thing he'd need to do would be bathe, then a hot meal and some sleep. The checking and freshening up of the worship area could wait for now.
# # #
King Treize looked to his sons and tried to gauge their reactions to the news he'd just imparted.
"That is excellent news, father," Heero said with a smile.
"I trust you have completed your necessary investigations into the allegations?"
"Yes, father, I have. I only need to put it all together. Now that I know the Elders will be coming I can begin to do that and have a well prepared defense for Duo."
"The retrial will be held in the Throne room. It will be large enough to accommodate those people that need to be there and small enough that everyone will be able to speak and hear without having to raise voices." King Treize looked to his son. "You will advise your wife of the place, day and time of the retrial?"
Scowling at the thought, Heero nodded anyway. "Of course. Will that be all, father?"
"There is one more thing I think we need to discuss," the King replied.
"What would that be, father?" Heero was pretty sure they'd covered everything already.
"What will happen at the conclusion of this retrial?" Seeing Heero's sharp look, the king continued. "By that I mean, if Duo is found guilty you know he will be sentenced to the sword."
"Yes, father, I know that and should Duo be found guilty I will accept the fate he is given. However, if he is cleared of all accusations I fully intend to have him continue to serve as my personal slave." Heero avoided eye contact with his father, but it didn't fool the king.
"What is it you're not saying, Heero?"
Heero was at war with himself. Did he let his father know of his plans to have the marriage annulled once the heir was born? Or should he keep that to himself for now?
Trowa nudged his brother. Heero scowled back. Trowa gave a warning look. Heero sighed and gave in.
"Regardless of what happens at the trial, once all is said and done I wish to have a priest come in and annul the marriage. I will wait until the heir is born and then I intend to keep my heir here and raise him or her for their future role." Heero shut up and waited to see what his father would say.
"I see. And what of the princess?"
"What do you mean? Once the marriage is annulled there will be no reason for her to remain here in Colonia, she can go back to Sanq."
"Aren't you forgetting that as the mother of your child she may not want to leave the babe here?"
"I have thought about that and it's my opinion that once the heir is born, the princess will most likely hand over all care of the child to the royal nanny. She hasn't shown any interest in raising the child at all, she seems far more interested in getting her figure back and returning to the center of attention," Heero said with a sneer.
"But you can't be sure of that," Treize replied.
"No, I can't."
"If I may say something?" Trowa spoke when he had the chance. Both the king and his brother turned to look at him. "I suggest we wait and see what happens at the retrial. Depending on the outcome, there will be options. If Duo is found guilty, then we will have to look at what can be done to retain the child here in Colonia. If Duo is found not guilty then Heero will have firmer ground to argue that the child would be better off here, with him than with its mother who would have been proven, at the retrial, to be a vindictive and spiteful person."
"I see what you mean," the king said, a thoughtful look on his face. "That is a very good idea, Trowa. Heero, we will wait until the retrial is over and done with, then, depending on the outcome, we will go from there."
Heero looked a little surprised. "You have no objection to my having the marriage annulled?" He'd expected his father to protest the idea and was prepared to stand up for himself.
"In all honesty, Heero? No, I have no objection. Your mother and I were discussing the princess just a couple of sunrises ago and I fear we may have made the wrong choice when selecting the princess as your bride. Having made my observations, I have serious doubts as to how supportive to you she will be when you ascend the throne, not to mention the people."
"Thank you, father, that means a lot to me," Heero said softly.
"Good luck to you and Duo in the retrial."
"Thank you."
With there being nothing more to discuss, the brothers left their father to return to their own chambers.
# ## #
Quatre and Duo were sitting on the floor by the fire when the princes returned. Immediately they scrambled to their knees, heads bowed and waited for instructions.
"Duo, please fetch me a goblet of wine," Heero ordered and slumped into his chair. "Brother? Would you care to join me in a drink?"
"Thank you, that would be welcomed." Trowa didn't have to say anything more, Quatre rising from his place and joining Duo at the side cabinet where the wine skins were.
As they poured their respective goblets, they glanced at each other from the corner of their eyes. Both slaves knew their masters had been summoned by the king and it was to do with the retrial, but exactly what it was, neither had a clue. Duo couldn't help the small knot of fear in his stomach when his master had returned and sunk into his chair. The prince didn't look all that happy.
Goblets full, they returned to their respective masters and handed over the wine, sinking to their knees immediately after.
Sipping his wine, Heero mulled over his thoughts. He knew he had to go and speak with his wife, let her know of the retrial in four sunrises and how it would be handled – and that was something he really wasn't looking forward to, especially with the overheard conversation still buzzing in his mind. He sighed and drained the goblet, placing it on the small table to the side.
"You have to do it sooner or later," Trowa said, knowing full well what his brother was brooding over.
"I wish I didn't have to do it at all," Heero all but whined.
"Don't worry, what's the worst that can happen?"
"I'll go deaf?"
Trowa snorted.
"I'll probably be yelled at, cursed and complained to - loudly." Heero winced at the thought of what his eardrums were about to go through.
"It could be worse," Trowa remarked with a small curve of his lips.
"Worse? What could possibly be worse than having her yelling at me?"
"She could throw something at you," Trowa teased.
"Good point," Heero conceded. "Guess I should be prepared to duck then too."
Listening to the conversation going on over their heads, Duo and Quatre were getting more and more confused.
"I think you should tell Duo first," Trowa said, his sharp eyes picking up on the eye exchange between the two slaves.
"Shit! Of course I should." Heero sat up in his chair. "Duo? Look at me." Violet eyes raised themselves slowly to look into deep blue. "My father has received word from the Nataku Kingdom and they are prepared to honor his request for six of the elders to come here and preside over the retrial. They are completely independent people that know nothing of you or the princess and stand to gain nothing from the outcome of the retrial. They will listen to all the evidence I have gathered in your defense, listen to Princess Relena's recollection of that eve and make a fair and just decision based on the information. The retrial will be held in four sunrises in the Throne Room after breakfast."
The knot of fear in Duo's gut intensified and he couldn't help the tensing of his shoulders. A gentle hand dropped to caress the top of his head.
"Do not worry, Duo. I do not intend to lose you. The evidence should be more than enough to see you found not guilty," Heero reassured.
"But what if I am?" Duo blurted out before he could stop himself. "Master, I am sorry, I had no right to speak." Duo curled slightly in on himself, waiting for the reprimand.
"No, you did not have permission to speak. Under the circumstances though, I am prepared to overlook this little indiscretion. You know what you did wrong, make sure it doesn't happen again, Duo," Heero chastised gently.
"Thank you, master. I will be more careful in future."
"I guess I should go and get this over with," Heero sighed.
Seeing the tension in his brother, Trowa could sympathize. "Would you like for me to accompany you?"
"As much as I would like that, I don't think it would be for the best. The princess would probably berate you too. No, I will go alone, but thank you," Heero replied glumly.
"Good luck," Trowa said as he rose to his feet and gave his brother's shoulder a squeeze. "I will be in the records office for a while. I have quite a bit of catching up to do on the work side. Come find me or send Duo for me if you need company after speaking with the princess."
"Thanks. I'll see what happens." Heero gave his brother a smile. He really needed to be working too, there was quite a lot for him to catch up on as well given how he'd been absent for a few days and then investigating the allegations against Duo. Right now though he couldn't have concentrated on work if his life depended on it. No, it could all wait until after the retrial.
Duo closed the door after Prince Trowa and Quatre departed, returning to kneel at his master's feet once more. "Master?"
Heero glanced down to see sad, violet eyes looking at him. "Yes, Duo?"
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
The earnest look on that face, the willingness to please caused Heero's heart to clench in his chest. Duo was sweet, honest, hardworking, kind, gentle, shy and eager to please – everything his wife was not. The traits Duo had were exactly what he'd hoped Relena would have and that would have made her an ideal Queen. Unfortunately she was spiteful, mean, nasty, self centered and manipulative. He could see it all clearly now...
With that realization, came another.
He didn't love Relena, didn't care much for her at all, really.
He loved Duo though.
Smiling down at his faithful slave, Heero caressed the soft hair. "No, there's nothing you can do for me right now, Duo. I will go and speak with the princess and when I return I will most likely have need of a goblet of wine and some of the healer's headache potions I think."
Duo couldn't help the smile of his own at his master's words. "I can have both waiting for you, master."
"Thank you, Duo." Heero sighed dramatically and hauled himself to his feet. "I guess I should get this over with."
"I will be waiting for you, master."
Those words gave Heero more warmth and courage than Duo would ever know. Pulling Duo to his feet, the prince kissed his slave long and deep before releasing him and leaving the chambers to confront his wife whilst he still had the courage to do so.
# # #
Pausing at the door to the marital chambers, Heero took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and wished he'd brought something to stuff his ears with. Jaw set, he opened the door and walked into the sitting room area.
The room was empty.
That took Heero by surprise and he faltered for a moment. He'd fully expected his wife to be sitting by the fire. Sounds from the bed chamber alerted him to where his wife was though and with a determined purpose to his stride, he walked inside.
Relena was lying on the bed, that maid of hers, sitting in a chair to the side. Blue eyes narrowed and turned icy as they bore into the maid.
"How dare you enter - " Relena's tirade was cut off when she realized exactly who was standing in the doorway. "Oh, it's you," she sneered.
Dorothy looked up as she spotted the shadow appear in the doorway, her blood running cold when she noted the prince standing there. The cold look he gave her could have frozen the very desert itself and she was quick to vacate the seat and kneel on the floor.
Dismissing the maid for the moment, Heero turned his eyes back to his wife. "I have come to inform you that the retrial will be held in four sunrises. There are six elders from the Nataku kingdom coming to oversee the retrial and make an unbiased decision based on the information and evidence gathered. The retrial will take place in the Throne room after breakfast on the fourth sunrise. Both you and your - " Heero fixed his piercing gaze to the maid and added a sneer to his face, "- slave, are requested to be present."
The word 'slave' and accompanying sneer saw Dorothy seething, but there wasn't anything she could do about it.
"I still don't see why there has to be a retrial at all," Relena snapped. "It was clear to Captain Chang and my maid exactly what was going on. They saw it with their own eyes! If it wasn't bad enough that I had to endure that vile creature trying to rape me, and then suffering the degradation of giving statements, having to recount the horrors of what I had to endure and the humiliation of having to sit through a trial and listen to it all be recounted, now you wish to humiliate me further and in front of complete strangers no less! This is not how you treat your wife, Heero! This is not something the future queen should have to go through. Anyone would think you cared more for that slave than your own wife!" Relena's voice had been steadily rising in volume as she worked herself up into a complete rant.
"Regardless of what you might think or say, every person, whether they be royal, noble, peasant or slave deserves the decency of a proper trial. Duo's trial was not held fairly and he should have the chance to put forth a defense and have his side of the story told and listened to. You will also have that chance," Heero stated, already feeling the headache tugging at his mind.
"He had the opportunity to say his piece, the Captain took his statement as well. He was the one that touched me! He was the one that tried to rape me! Disobedient, uncouth slaves that cannot follow orders and obey simple protocol deserve everything they get," Relena spat.
Heero raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly in Dorothy's direction. "Duo does follow orders and obey protocol, unlike some other slaves I could mention."
Dorothy's blood ran cold.
"Is that all?" Relena snapped, not wanting to get any deeper into this matter, especially if it was going to target Dorothy.
"Yes. That is all. I will speak with you again prior to the retrial." Turning on his heel, Heero made his escape, silently pleased with himself that he hadn't lost his temper. He was also feeling buoyed at having put that maid on notice too. It hadn't slipped his notice how pale the woman had gone when he let her know without words that he was wise to her and the liberties she was taking.
Striding back to his chambers, Heero was feeling more and more confident that Duo would be found not guilty.
tbc...
