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


My apologies for the length if time between updates. RL, another rotten cold (it's winter here in Aussie) and working 12 days straight seriously cuts into one's writing time. Thaanks for your patience and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. *snugs you all*


"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Chapter 58

Once Prince Heero had left the chambers, Dorothy slumped on the floor, taking a few moments to gather herself together.

"Dorothy? Are you alright?" Relena asked from her position on the bed.

"Yes, mistress, I will be fine," Dorothy replied and managed to drag herself to her feet and walk to sit on the mattress beside her mistress.

"This is not sounding too good at all," Relena commented. "We will have to be extra vigilant when giving our statements at this stupid retrial."

"It might be to our advantage to practice what will need to be said," Dorothy agreed. "That way our statements will match up and no one can dismiss that."

"You're right, we will need to go over exactly what we need to say, we can't afford any mistakes. You will also need to be insistent when you tell them what you saw when you walked in the bed chamber too."

"Don't worry, mistress, I will make certain I will state exactly what I saw going on," Dorothy replied.

"I'd better practice my acting skills too," Relena sighed.

"Don't worry, you can be very convincing, mistress. No man I've ever met has been unsympathetic to a woman who is visibly distressed."

"Yes, we do have that advantage over them, don't we?"

Dorothy smiled. "Turn on the water works, add a bit of a quiver to the bottom lip and they will be falling over themselves to find that gutter rat guilty as charged."

"Very true." Relena fell silent for a moment before looking Dorothy in the eye. "I'm not sure I trust that husband of mine though."

"What do you mean by that?"

"He seems to be rather insistent that his slave will be found not guilty."

"Regardless of what he thinks, mistress, there is no denying the proof of what Captain Chang and I both saw. It still comes down to that slave's word against yours and what the Captain and I saw. No one would be able to question the facts once we tell them what happened."

"I suppose so. I'm also concerned about you."

Dorothy jerked upright. "What do you mean, mistress?"

"We need to be very careful, Dorothy. The prince was quite strong with his words earlier and whilst he didn't directly come out and accuse you of overstepping your boundaries, I could see he was thinking about it. You will need to be extra vigilant until this trial is over, I don't want you to be punished."

"Don't worry, mistress, I have no intention of being punished. I will be careful," Dorothy said with more conviction than she felt. She was well aware that the prince had caught her out, but wasn't sure why he had let it pass. She would be certain to watch her back though.

"I think some tea is in order, Dorothy, and whilst we enjoy that, we can work on our statements."

"Of course, mistress."

# # #

Walking back into his chambers, Heero couldn't help but smile at the sight that greeted him. Duo was busy stoking the fire, a couple of bottles sitting on the small table.

"Master, you're back," Duo said quietly, laying down the poker and turning to kneel.

"Yes, Duo, I am and I see you have visited the healer whilst I was gone."

"I did, master. The healer gave me the potion you asked for and treated my back whilst I was there," Duo replied and raised himself to his feet to assist in removing his master's cloak. Folding the garment, Duo placed it in the bed chamber and returned to make up the headache potion Sally had given him. Potion made, he offered it to his master.

"Thank you, Duo." Taking the goblet, Heero drank down the potion, hoping it would start to work quickly. "Duo?"

"Yes, master?" Duo returned with a goblet of wine, anticipating his master would most likely want something to take away the foul taste of the potion. He passed the wine over and knelt at his master's side.

"Thank you, I needed that," Heero said with a smile as he downed a large swallow of the wine. "Why is it that the healer's remedies always work but taste so bad?" Heero grimaced.

Duo couldn't help the small chuckle. "I have no idea, master."

Setting the wine to the side, Heero dropped a hand to caress the top of Duo's head. "I have informed the princess of the retrial day. As I anticipated, she wasn't all that happy about it." Duo thought that was a mild way to put it, most likely the princess was fuming mad. "My father will brief the elders on how he wishes things to be conducted and will then inform me of how the proceedings will go ahead. I will then let the princess know."

"Is there anything you wish for me to do, master?" Duo asked quietly.

"Not really," Heero sighed. "I'm pretty certain I have all the evidence I'm going to get and I have managed to sort it all out into some sort of order in which to present your defense clearly and logically." Heero paused for a moment. "Duo? I know you told me that the princess expected you to do chores for her whilst I was gone, but I haven't yet discussed in detail exactly what chores you were requested to do and what chores that maid did or rather, didn't do."

Duo swallowed, he really didn't want to go back over what he'd been forced to endure, but he didn't have a choice.

"I want the whole truth too, Duo. I promise you, no harm will come to you from telling that which I ask. If I am to defend you to the best of my abilities, I need to know exactly what was happening whilst I was gone."

"I understand, master." Taking a deep breath, Duo kept his eyes focused on the floor and told his master everything he'd been required to do for the mistress.

The more he heard, the angrier Prince Heero became. It would appear that his slave had been doing all the chores for the princess. "And what of the maid?" Heero asked when Duo had finished. "What did she do?"

"Ah, not much at all, master. She mainly dressed the princess, helped her to bathe, brushed her hair, that sort of thing," Duo replied.

"What was she doing whilst you were doing all the chores?" Heero asked, gritting his teeth to keep his anger from escaping.

"Um..." Duo wasn't sure if he should tell his master or not.

"Duo, do not be afraid to tell me, you will not be in any trouble for speaking the truth," Heero coaxed.

"She sat with the princess, master."

"Sat with her as in how you and Quatre sit with my brother and myself?"

"No, master," Duo whispered.

"Then what exactly do you mean?"

"She would sit in a chair, same as the mistress, they would talk or read, share meals and sometimes I would give them both a foot massage."

Duo's words were so quiet that for a moment Heero wasn't sure if he'd heard right or not. "You were made to wait on the princess' maid too?" He couldn't keep the shock from his voice.

"Yes, master." Duo cringed, waiting for a reprimand.

"Why that lazy, good for nothing, lying, conniving bitch," Heero seethed, his anger now ready to boil over. "I had my suspicions she was overstepping the boundaries, now I have confirmation of that. Well, her days are numbered," Heero promised himself. Turning to look at his slave, Heero suddenly realized Duo was trembling and cowering beside his chair and mentally berated himself for letting his anger get the better of him. "Come here, Duo."

Rising to his feet, Duo moved to stand in front of his master, unable to completely stop the trembling of his limbs. "Yes, master?"

Heero reached out and drew Duo towards him, pulling him into his lap and enfolding him in his arms. "I am so sorry, Duo. I have been a bad master to you."

Now those words had Duo questioning his own hearing! "No, master. You have been a very good master to me, the best," Duo whispered, quietly enjoying the warmth and strength of his master's arms around his slender form.

"No, I have not. If I had been a good master I wouldn't have let you go through all you have endured."

"It's not your fault, master. You did not know."

"No, I didn't, but I should have. I should have been able to see exactly what was going on in my own home, right under my nose and because I didn't, you have been abused, mistreated, worked harder than you should have and almost lost your life. I promised you that you wouldn't be beaten or flogged; so much for my promise."

"Master, please..." Duo was starting to get upset, he could feel the anger and self loathing coming from his prince and knowing he was the indirect cause of it all made him feel sad and upset for causing such distress to his kind master.

"I will make it up to you, Duo. Regardless of the fact that you are a slave, you still deserve to be treated with kindness."

"Master, you are good and kind to me, you're the best master a slave could ever hope for. Before I came here I thought all slaves were treated with beatings, hard work and poor food. Now I know there are kind masters out there, ones that care for their slaves. If you had not saved me that day upon the track, I would surely be dead now, and if I am still fated to lose my life to the sword, I will go to my maker knowing someone cared for me."

"Oh, Duo." Heero all but crushed his slave to him, only pausing at the last second as he remembered the still healing wounds on Duo's back. He buried his nose in the thick hair, pressed soft kisses against the creamy throat and simply let himself be lost in the feel and scent of his lovely slave.

# # #

Time passed quickly in the castle and before Heero knew it, the second sunrise had arrived and the elders from the Nataku Kingdom were due at any time.

King Treize had left Wufei to make the arrangements for the worship area and ordered rooms be prepared for their guests. Wufei had again been summoned to give the okay on the rooms, which he did easily. The rooms were elegant, clean and uncluttered, simple in furnishings, but with comfort. They would be perfect for the elders, the Captain had informed his king.

The Throne room had also undergone a slight transformation. The Thrones still stood in their usual places, but a long table now sat a short way in front of them with six chairs behind the table, several ink pots, quills and rolls of parchment. To the side of the main table sat a smaller table and chair, complete with parchment, several quills and an ink pot. Another two tables with chairs sat a little further away, these ones facing the long table and the Thrones; behind them were a few other chairs.

It had taken the King, the two princes and Captain Chang almost half a day to agree on the set up for the Throne room and upcoming retrial. Now all four were satisfied they had done the best they could and it would now be up to the elders to have the final say and change anything they wished changed.

Prince Heero had doggedly gone back over all his notes and statements and along with Prince Trowa's help, had managed to get them all into a form of order so he could clearly and concisely present it all to the elders and defend Duo as best he could.

There wasn't anything more he could do, it all rested in the hands of the elders.

The sounds of trumpets greeted the royals' ears, the king and his sons turning as one to look out the window.

"The elders have arrived," Wufei announced, peering over the shoulders of the two princes.

"Then let us go and greet them," King Treize stated. With a smile, he left the Throne room, his sons behind him, Captain Chang bringing up the rear.

In the courtyard, the six elders brought their horses to a halt, several stable boys coming forward to take charge of the steeds. King Treize walked down the steps of the castle entry to greet the arrivals.

"Welcome, elders of Nataku Kingdom to the Kingdom of Colonia," he greeted with a small bow.

One elder stepped forward, returning the bow. "Thank you, King Treize. It is our pleasure to be here. Our Emperor sends his greetings and blessings to you, your family and your kingdom."

"That is most kind of the Emperor. May I introduce to you my sons; Prince Heero, my eldest and heir to the throne."

Heero stepped forward and bowed to the assembled group. "Welcome to Colonia, elders."

"And my second born; Prince Trowa."

Trowa moved forward to bow. "It is an honor to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," the elder returned.

"I will have your belongings brought to your rooms. Captain Chang will show you to the rooms we have prepared for you and explain where the worship area has been set up for you to use. I trust that everything will meet with your approval, but if there is anything else you need or desire, please let us know. Once you have refreshed yourselves from your journey we will meet in the parlor for some refreshments and to talk. Captain Chang will escort you to the parlor when you are ready."

"Thank you, King Treize, that will be most acceptable." The elder bowed again and turned to Wufei.

"Welcome, elders. It is my honor and privilege to serve you. If you will follow me I will show you to your rooms. Turning, Wufei made his way back up the castle steps, the elders following along behind.

Several slaves appeared and took charge of the small amount of luggage from the pack horses whilst the king and the princes went back inside the castle to prepare for their meeting in the parlor.

# # #

The sun was beginning to make its descent in the sky by the time the king and the elders had finished their discussion. The king had explained about the charges, the way the original trial had been held, the arrival of Prince Heero to stop the execution and the doubts that had been raised as to the slave's guilt of committing the crime.

Queen Une was also present at the meeting and explained in detail her idea for the retrial, how to conduct it to best reach the truth and the reasons for asking the elders to preside over the retrial, take into account all evidence presented and make a completely unbiased decision as to the fate of the slave based on the evidence presented.

The elders had complimented Une on her idea and explored it in depth. Suggestions were offered, some accepted, some dismissed until they had a viable process by which to work. Prince Heero was satisfied with the way things would work, Queen Une delighted that the elders had embraced her idea and helped to refine it and the elders had to admit that if this idea all worked according to their outline, it could go on to be used for any trial in the future that wasn't cut and dried, that required a more in-depth investigation to get to the truth.

With there being nothing further to discuss, the elders followed Wufei to the worship area he had prepared so they could perform their evening ritual.

#

A banquet dinner had been arranged for the evening in honor of their guests and Noin had been busy in her kitchen getting everything ready in time. Duo had been informed of the banquet and that he would be expected to attend with his master, something he wasn't looking forward to once he knew the princess and her maid would also be in attendance. The one consolation he had was that Quatre would also be attending with his master.

Knowing of the unrest between her son and daughter-in-law, Queen Une was very diplomatic when arranging the seating. The Elders were all seated together on one table to the right of the royal table. On the table to the left of the royal table a few invited Dukes, Barons and their wives sat. The table at the bottom and facing the royal table had the court advisers and their wives seated. The King and Queen sat central on the royal table, Prince Heero to the king's right along with Prince Trowa. Princess Relena was seated to the Queen's left and alongside her, Captain Chang had been invited to sit.

Duo couldn't help his nervousness when he followed behind his master into the banquet room. Beside him, Quatre walked calmly, gently brushing his fingers against Duo's arm or hand in reassurance. Arriving at their places, the two slaves pulled the chairs out and waited for the arrival of the King and Queen.

Across from the two empty chairs, Duo could see the princess and her maid from the corner of his eye. He managed to keep his attention fixed on looking after his master and ignoring the pair as best he could. Quatre did sneak a couple of glances across and was amused to see both the princess and the maid looking a little uncomfortable.

The King and Queen arrived, greeted their guests and then sat, the rest of the guests followed suit. Pushing his master's chair in for him, Duo gratefully dropped to his knees on the cushion provided for him at the side of his master's chair.

The king welcomed everyone, introduced the elders and ordered the food to be served. Duo again found himself with his own bowl, something that was quite common at banquets and formal dinners. Although he was used to the protocol by now, he still missed his master feeding him. There was something calming and intimate about having his master feed him, it made Duo feel wanted, cared for and dare he say; loved?

Delicate fingers plucked the various morsels from the bowl, Duo concentrating on minding his manners and showing everyone just how well behaved and trained he was. He refused to look in the direction of the princess and her maid, completely ignoring the two. It wasn't hard to do either as there were several seats and people between himself and the maid.

Dorothy wasn't happy at all. She didn't like these gatherings that meant she had to sit on a cushion, eat from a bowl and be looked down upon. She bore the humiliation with dignity though, only for the sake of her mistress. From time to time she tried to send a glare or sneer at that gutter rat, but unfortunately for her, whenever she had a clear line of sight, that piece of garbage made certain to be looking the other way. It frustrated her to no end and she swore that the first chance she got she would make that sniveling excuse for a slave pay and pay dearly.

The conversation flowed amongst the royals and their guests. No one discussed the retrial on the 'morrow, preferring to talk about their respective kingdoms and comparing how things were done in Nataku as opposed to Colonia. Heero paid special attention; one could never have enough information on neighboring kingdoms and how they functioned. You never knew if or when you could learn something that would benefit your own kingdom. Whilst King Treize was a fair and just king, loved by his people, Prince Heero was determined to uphold all his father had worked for and more. He wanted to be a better king than his father, to have his kingdom grow and flourish, his people to live in peace and comfort with no one going hungry or struggling.

All admirable goals and ones the young prince would undoubtedly achieve, if he was sensible and listened to his advisers and subjects. It didn't hurt to have that little bit of extra information in regards to how other kingdoms worked and flourished though.

As the evening progressed, Relena became more and more annoyed. No one it seemed, was paying her very much attention and that was something the princess could not tolerate. She was used to being in the limelight at functions such as these. Back in her home kingdom of Sanq, banquets and balls were often held, Relena responsible for the majority of the arrangements and always playing the role of hostess to perfection.

Whilst she understood that the position of hostess belonged to Queen Une, it didn't mean she should be completely ignored either! Her husband was positioned on the other side of the king and had made no attempt whatsoever to speak with her at all this eve. Captain Chang, seated on her other side, had conversed politely from time to time, but his main focus was on the elders from his home kingdom.

A couple of the wives and some of the advisers had also exchanged light conversation, but none had remained to talk for very long. To Relena, it felt as if she was being snubbed – and she didn't like it. Glancing around the room she noted several conversations going on, everyone in the room appeared to be occupied in some way, but no one paid her any heed. Even that gutter snipe was getting more attention than she was!

Relena couldn't help but notice how her husband's hand would drop from time to time to caress the head of that foul slave, the way that creature leaned into the caress and looked up to the prince with nothing short of adoration in his eyes.

Jealousy flared in Relena's chest, a small growl of anger rose from her throat.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Queen Une asked when she heard a strange noise come from her daughter-in-law.

Relena's eyes narrowed and she turned on her acting skills. "It's nothing," she murmured, added a quiver to her bottom lip and ran a hand over her swollen abdomen.

"Are you sure?" the queen checked, running her eyes over the princess and noting the slightly flushed cheeks.

"Mistress?" Dorothy whispered, looking up to the princess. She'd heard the exchange and dragged her attention away from glaring holes into Duo's back to focus on what was going on with her mistress.

"I'll be fine, really. It's just the baby. I think the rich food and lack of space is making things a touch uncomfortable," Relena replied and added a wince for good measure.

"You're looking a little flushed. I can send for the healer?" Queen Une was a touch concerned for the princess, but unsure as to exactly what the problem was, especially as Relena wasn't very forthcoming with information.

"Shall I fetch you some water, mistress?" Dorothy asked, unsure if her mistress was genuinely ill or putting on an act.

"I think a little water would be nice," Relena murmured and then gave a soft gasp, leaning forward a little as if in pain.

By this stage, several others had noticed something was up with the princess and the conversations began to slow a little as people looked on curiously.

"What is it?" King Treize asked his wife.

"The princess isn't feeling very well," Une replied.

"Then I suggest we send for the healer," Treize replied.

Prince Heero turned to look at his father when the king addressed him, letting him know his wife wasn't feeling very well.

Heero scowled and glanced at his wife across the table. She didn't look ill to him. His mind clicked then, a recent conversation with his brother coming to mind, one that concerned a certain princess who liked to be the center of attention. The prince had been aware of his wife all evening, keeping a discreet eye on her and had noticed that she wasn't as involved in conversations as she usually was. In fact, not many people had gone out of their way to speak with her or pay her a whole lot of attention. Whilst he couldn't be absolutely certain, Heero would have bet his wife was putting on an act to gain that attention.

Well, two could play at that game.

"I will have her maid and a couple of other slaves assist the princess back to her chambers and send for the healer to attend to her there," Heero announced.

"I think that is a good idea, Heero," the queen agreed. "A gathering such as this isn't the best place to be when one isn't well."

Having overheard the conversation, Relena felt her anger building. This wasn't what was supposed to happen!

Noting the look on his wife's face confirmed Heero's suspicions. He smirked to himself as he tapped Duo gently on the shoulder. When violet eyes looked to him, he kept his voice low as he addressed his slave. "Duo, please go to the healer's chambers and ask her to check on the princess, she said she isn't feeling well. I will have her maid and a couple of other slaves assist her back to the marital chambers and the healer can treat her there. Once you have passed on my request I want you to return to my side, the maid and the healer will be able to take care of the princess."

"Yes, master." Duo gracefully rose and exited the room, his mind churning over. He was fully aware of what had been going on, and like his master, wondered if it was all just an act to draw the attention to herself. "Master, you can be quite sneaky," he muttered to himself as he skipped along the castle halls to pass on the message to the healer.

Once Duo had departed, Heero wasted no time in calling for a couple of slaves to assist in getting the princess back to the marital chambers. "Assist the princess back to her chambers, the maid will help you. See that she is comfortable and once the healer arrives to attend to her you may leave, unless the healer requires your assistance," Heero informed the two slaves. Turning to the maid, Heero narrowed his eyes a touch. "You will remain with your mistress and look after her. I will speak with the healer later." Heero motioned for the slaves to help Relena from her seat.

"Heero?" Relena protested. "Aren't you going to come with me?"

"I'm afraid that is out of the question. I have very important guests here and cannot leave yet. Don't worry, I have every faith in the healer and I will stop by later to find out what the situation is."

"I really think you should listen to your husband, my dear. The healer will look after you and keep us informed as to the state of your health,' Queen Une stated with a smile.

Knowing she had no choice, Relena left the banquet to return to her chambers. Having her plan backfire on her meant she was not a happy princess at all.

With the princess gone, Heero resumed his conversation with the elder he'd been speaking to before the upset, his mind a lot lighter than before.

tbc...