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 63

"N-n-no, you can't be serious," Relena protested.

"I assure you, I very much am," Heero snapped and then turned away from his wife to address the Captain again. "Take her to the dungeons NOW!"

"Yes, Sire." Wufei motioned for a couple of the guards to join him and quickly marched the now crying maid out of the Throne room.

Once the maid had been escorted away, Heero turned back to deal with the aftermath. Relena was sobbing in her chair, Duo was still on the floor in stunned shock, a trickle of blood running down the side of his cheek. The healer, his brother and Quatre were closing ranks around them whilst the remainder of the people in the room looked on in disbelief.

"Brother, would you be so kind as to escort the princess back to her chambers? I will have the healer stop by shortly to see to her. I will take Duo back to my chambers and have the healer check him there."

"Of course," Trowa replied. "We will meet to talk about this after," he added as he made to move towards the princess.

"Yes, we will," Heero replied grimly.

"Quatre, come with me," Trowa ordered. He knew that dealing with the princess whilst she was in this state would require a lot of patience. Having a calm, quiet nature himself, Trowa knew he would be able to take care of the princess until the healer got there, but he certainly wasn't going to do it alone. Quatre was also a gentle soul and would be a very valuable asset to assist him.

"Come, princess," Trowa said softly and extended a hand to assist the woman to rise.

Raising her watering eyes to her brother-in-law, Relena took hold of his offered hand and allowed him to assist her to her feet.

With Prince Trowa on one side and Quatre on the other, Relena was slowly led from the room and back to her chambers.

Once the princess was gone, Heero's attention returned to his slave who was being checked over and comforted by the healer. Noting there were still a few people waiting around whispering amongst themselves, the prince ordered a couple of the palace guards to remove everyone from the Throne room. He wasn't up to dealing with them right now. Oh, he knew that the gossip mill would soon be running rife, and frankly, he didn't care. He had more important issues to deal with.

Kneeling beside Duo, on the opposite side to where the healer was, Heero took in the sight of his slave. Duo was shaking and in shock but doing his best to comply with the healer. "How is he?" Heero asked.

"He's in shock and has a couple of nasty scrapes to his cheek. I haven't checked his chest yet," Sally replied. "I'd prefer to get him back to your chambers where it's quiet and treat him properly there."

"Of course." Heero turned to Duo. "Can you walk to my chambers, Duo?"

"Y-yes, master." With the assistance of his master, Duo rose to his feet. "I will be fine, master. I think the mistress is in more urgent need of the healer than I."

"Nonsense," Heero growled. "You are injured and will be treated first. The princess' ailments are purely emotional." And entirely all her own fault, he added silently.

The three left the Throne room and returned to Heero's chambers, the prince taking Duo through to the bed chamber and insisting the slave lie upon the bed for the healer to be able to treat him, despite Duo's protests that he was 'fine'.

Remaining beside the bed, Heero watched intently as Sally removed Duo's shirt and ran her skilled fingers over his chest, pushing gently from time to time and eliciting a few soft hisses of pain from the slave when she hit a particularly tender spot. Once the healer was satisfied with her examination of Duo's chest, she turned her attention to the scratches on his cheek. Having ordered Heero to fetch a bowl of water, she gently washed away the dried blood and carefully scrutinized the deep scratches.

"Well?" Heero demanded once Sally set the bowl aside and stood from her seat on the side of the bed.

"There is some bruising coming up on Duo's chest but I'm satisfied that nothing is broken or any other damage. I will prepare a salve for him to apply that will assist in easing the pain and draw the bruising out. The scratches on his cheek are mostly superficial, just a couple of deeper ones which will need to be watched in case infection sets in. Human nails are terrible for harboring germs that cause infection. I will make up an ointment for those too. I want you to apply it twice a day, Duo, morning and night. Keep a close watch on those scratches and if they start to become sore, itchy, red or inflamed, you let me know straight away. Understand?"

Duo nodded meekly. He was so fed up of being treated for injuries.

"I will make sure he does as you have requested, healer and I will keep a close eye on those scratches too." Heero looked a little better now he knew his slave was going to be alright.

"I would prefer Duo to lie down and rest for a couple of candle marks, Sire. He's suffered a nasty shock and if he can sleep a little it will help him to recover much quicker and better."

"Then Duo will stay here and rest." Heero gave his slave a look that clearly said Duo would do exactly that and not to bother even trying to protest.

With a huff, Duo gave in. "I will do exactly as you say, mistress healer, master."

"That's a good boy, Duo." Sally patted his arm. "Now, I suppose we should go and pay your wife a visit," she stated, looking at the prince.

"I suppose we should," Heero agreed.

"Sire?"

"Yes?"

"You haven't said anything about your own injury," Sally said slyly.

Heero frowned. "She only caught me a glancing blow to the upper arm. It's fine."

"I would feel better once I've checked it."

"Do you have to?" Heero all but whined.

Sally laughed. "Of course I do, now stop being such a baby and remove your shirt."

Lying on the bed, Duo watched the exchange between the pair and smiled to himself. Only the healer could get away with treating the Crown Prince like a naughty boy.

Taking a firm hold of the prince's arm, Sally poked and prodded around, eliciting a sharp hiss from Heero when she pressed a little too firmly against a tender spot.

"What's the verdict?" Heero asked as he pulled his shirt back on.

"Just some bruising, Sire. You can put a little of the salve I'll be making up for Duo's bruising on it," the healer replied.

"Fine," Heero huffed.

"Good, now I suggest we go and see how your wife is doing. She's had quite the shock herself and you will no doubt have a lot to sort out too."

"Yes, you're right there," Heero sighed. "I suppose the sooner I see my wife, the sooner I can get on with determining what is to happen with that maid of hers."

"Then let us not waste any further time, Sire."

"I will return shortly, Duo. Remain here and rest as the healer has instructed." Heero pressed a soft kiss to his slave's warm lips.

"As you wish, master," Duo replied, a little flushed from the unexpected kiss.

"Healer, if you are ready, let us get this over with so I can get on with more pressing things." The prince left the bed chamber, the healer beside him and headed for his wife's chambers.

# # #

Dorothy knew she was in deep trouble. She hadn't meant to hit the prince, she hadn't meant to lunge for that gutter snipe the way she did either, but her temper had gotten the better of her. She couldn't sit there and listen to the prince and his snide comments to her mistress any longer.

This was all the fault of that piece of garbage. If he'd just been sold off the prince would be happy with just the mistress and herself looking after him. Now, not only was her mistress extremely unhappy, but she was facing a very uncertain future. She managed to get her sobbing under control, pushing the tears and fear away, letting her anger come forth instead.

"Where are you taking me?!" she demanded as she was marched along several hallways and down some steps. The air was getting decidedly cooler too the deeper they went into the castle's lower reaches.

"To the dungeons," the Captain curtly replied.

"You can't lock me up there!"

"Yes, I can. The prince ordered it and I obey the prince," Wufei snapped.

They reached the dungeons where Wufei paused to speak with the guard in charge of the dungeons. The guard listened to the Captain, nodded and got up. They then proceeded along the dimly lit corridor and stopped outside a heavy door. The guard lifted a large key chain from his belt and unlocked the door.

Dorothy found herself shoved inside.

Before the maid could start on another rant, Wufei had one guard hold her whilst he undid the cord securing her wrists. "You will remain here until either the prince summons you or someone comes to speak with you." Turning quickly, the pair left, the solid door closing behind them and leaving Dorothy in semi darkness.

She looked around the small area, noting the small cot against the wall, a table with a pitcher of water and goblet upon it and a bucket in the corner. It was cold and damp, the thick stone of the castle ensuring it stayed that way.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Dorothy shuffled across to the small cot, picked up the blanket that sat upon it and draped it over her shoulders. With nothing to do but brood over her situation and what she had done, she curled up on the cot and stared at the opposite wall, the tears running afresh down her cheeks.

# # #

With Quatre's help, Trowa managed to get the princess back to the marital chambers. They sat her down in a chair and then looked to each other. Prince Trowa went into the bed chamber, closely followed by Quatre who had no intention of being left alone with the princess if he could help it!

"She really ought to be lying down and resting. She's had quite a few nasty shocks," the prince said thoughtfully.

"Permission to speak freely, master?"

"Permission granted."

"Excuse me for saying so, but master, there is no way in Hell I am going to assist the princess in getting ready for bed." Quatre shuddered at the thought.

"Don't look at me," Trowa replied, hands in the air in surrender. "There's no way I'm doing that either."

"I think we should wait for Prince Heero and the healer, master," Quatre suggested.

"Good point, Quatre. Relena is his wife, he can undress her and put her to bed."

The two stood in the bed chamber for a moment, clearly trying to decide what to do before Trowa shook his head and made a move back to the sitting area. "Quatre, see if you can make up some tea, I think the princess could do with some while we wait; I know I could do with a cup too, although I'd prefer mine to be laced with whiskey."

"As you wish, master," Quatre chuckled.

# # #

The healer knew better than to ask the prince what he intended to do about the princess' maid. She was all too familiar with the rules of the Kingdom and attacking a royal member was punishable by death. It was kind of ironic, she thought to herself, that Duo had been facing the sword for allegedly trying to rape the princess; now the maid was in the same situation. Personally she thought the maid deserved everything she got – and then some, but it wasn't her place to say and so she kept her thoughts to herself.

Soon enough they arrived at the marital chamber, Heero pausing before the door to take a deep breath and steel himself for what was surely to be a very unpleasant experience. Stepping into the sitting area, Heero could feel the tension in the air. He quickly looked around.

Prince Trowa was sat opposite the princess, a look of worry and uncertainty on his face. Quatre knelt at his side, head bowed so Heero was unable to determine the blonde slave's state of mind, but he could tell Quatre was also tense judging by his slightly rigid posture. The princess was sniffling in her chair. "Relena," Heero called quietly. "The healer is here to attend to you."

Sally stepped forward from behind the prince and took charge. She weighed up the situation with one glance and began to issue her orders. It was clear to her that none of the men had a clue when it came to dealing with a woman in shock. She did note a cup of half drunk tea beside the princess though and smiled to herself. "Your Highness," Sally said softly.

Hearing a voice calling to her, Relena pulled herself from her thoughts and looked up into the kind eyes of the healer. "What do you want?" she sniffled.

"The prince has asked that I check you over, Your Highness. You've suffered a nasty shock and I need to make sure that both you and the baby are okay."

"Shock? What do you expect me to be suffering when you know your attacker has got off Scott free and your maid is suffering in the dungeons?"

The healer flinched at the tone of voice and she looked to the prince.

"Relena, that is enough. Come through to the bed chamber and allow the healer to check you over. We will discuss your maid later," Heero ordered.

"When will Dorothy be back? I need someone to assist me and I won't have that animal of a slave of yours anywhere near me! I want Dorothy!" Relena snapped.

"That maid is in a serious amount of trouble and I have yet to address her situation. Until I do she will remain in the dungeons," Heero growled, barely keeping control of his temper. "I will arrange for another slave to assist and take care of you."

"I don't want anyone else. I want Dorothy!" Relena demanded.

Feeling his temper about to get the better of him, Heero grit his teeth as he replied. "You can't have her. You will accept whoever I choose to look after you. If you do not, you could find yourself enjoying the hospitality of the royal dungeon too."

"You wouldn't dare," Relena hissed.

"Try me," Heero shot back, his tone dangerous.

Fortunately, Relena still had enough common sense to know when to stop arguing. She decided to cut her losses for the moment and play along; at least until she figured out how she could get the charges against Dorothy dismissed and the maid released.

With a long suffering sigh, the princess got to her feet and shuffled across the sitting area to the bed chamber. The healer followed behind, putting out a hand to stop the prince from following.

"I think it would be best if I examined the princess alone," she said.

"As you wish," Heero replied, relieved in one way that he would be spared that much. "I will wait here with my brother. If you need any assistance, call for me."

"I will sire."

With the healer taking care of the princess, Heero sat in her vacated seat and let go a deep sigh.

"Are you alright, brother?" Prince Trowa asked. Both himself and Quatre had watched and listened to the verbal exchange, Trowa wincing when the princess challenged his brother. Trowa knew his brother had a temper on him, and whilst he didn't lose it often, when he did, everyone ducked for cover. He was relieved when the princess saw some sense and shut up.

"Not really," Heero replied. "What a mess this has all turned out to be."

"I agree."

"Has the princess said much?"

"Not a lot. She did carry on a bit over Duo getting off and then had a few words to say about that maid of hers. I know she's very concerned and upset that she attacked Duo and also hit you. She's really worried about what will happen to her."

"So she should be," Heero growled. "Maybe now she will understand exactly how I felt knowing Duo was going to be put to the sword."

The two brothers fell silent, each reliving the scene that had taken place in their minds.

With the males all out in the sitting area, Sally set to her task of checking the princess over. She was a little concerned about Relena's emotional state and the effect it could possibly have on the growing child. With roughly five weeks to go before the child was due, any shock to the mother at this stage could have serious consequences for the unborn baby.

Having completed her check of the princess, Sally could find nothing wrong with the growing child for which she was relieved. The princess however, was still in shock and suffering distress from the actions of her maid and subsequent 'arrest'.

"You need to eat something, Your Highness and then rest," Sally advised.

"I don't think I could eat anything at all; as for resting, how can I rest when my maid has a death sentence hanging over her head?" Relena stated.

"I know it isn't easy, but you need to think of the baby. You still need nourishment to feed the growing child and worrying over something isn't helping either."

Relena ran a hand over her swollen abdomen. "I understand what you're saying, but right now I'm more concerned for Dorothy," Relena snapped.

"And that is to be expected," Sally soothed. "But you won't be able to do anything for her if you don't look after yourself. I will speak with the prince and arrange for a temporary maid to look after you until all this is sorted out. Meanwhile I will have some food sent up for you and make you up a drink that will relax you."

"I don't want anything," Relena scowled. "I just want Dorothy."

Heaving a sigh, Sally moved to the small table and pitcher of water. She took some powders from her basket and mixed them up in a goblet with the water. Returning to the princess' bedside, she handed over the drink. "Drink that and it will help to settle your nerves."

Still scowling, Relena took the goblet and drank the contents. She knew if she didn't that the healer would find some way of getting her to drink the stuff anyway. "Happy now?" she said sarcastically as she handed the goblet back.

"Ecstatic," Sally replied in a dry tone. "I will be on my way now. If you have any concerns, just send for me."

"And how am I supposed to do that with my maid locked up in the dungeons?"

Deciding to ignore the princess, Sally grabbed her things and left the bed chamber, resisting the urge to chastise the princess over her behavior. Aside from giving her satisfaction, it would probably see her also gracing the dungeons. Stepping into the sitting room, both princes looked up, questions clearly in their eyes.

"The princess is fine physically. She's still suffering some shock and is very distressed over her maid's predicament. I have given her something to help her relax. She will need some food and also someone to take the place of her maid until you decide what is to happen to the current one."

"Thank you," Heero said. "I will speak with the cook and have food sent up immediately. I'll also request one of the parlor maids be assigned to the princess for the foreseeable future."

"As you wish, Sire." Sally replied. "Excuse me for being forward or speaking out of turn, but what do you plan to do about the maid?"

"Under the law the crime she committed is punishable by death and somehow I think it's fitting that should happen. After all those two put Duo through I'd say justice is going to be very sweet."

The words shocked Sally, Trowa and Quatre too. The prince wasn't a vindictive person by nature, but under the circumstances they couldn't really deny that he had every right to insist the punishment be carried out.

"However, whilst it is a completely open and shut case, it will be something I will need to discuss with my father before any decision is made."

"I completely understand, Prince Heero. Now, if you have no further need of me, I will return to my quarters."

"Thank you, healer, you may go."

Sally left, closing the door quietly behind her. Once she'd left, Heero turned to his brother. "Would you and Quatre mind waiting here whilst I go speak with the cook and arrange a replacement maid for the princess?"

"Not at all, brother," Trowa replied.

"Thank you." Heero stood and took his leave.

# # #

Cathy was assigned the task of taking care of the princess until the matter of Dorothy and her attacking the prince and his slave was sorted out. Although the girl was not at all happy with the assignment, she didn't voice her objections. None of the staff were fond of the princess and everyone heaved a sigh of relief when they escaped being picked. Cathy had a calm nature and a no nonsense attitude. She was hard working, firm but kind. Heero thought she could possibly do the princess some good.

"Who is that?" Relena demanded when Heero entered the bed chamber with the parlor maid behind him.

"This is Cathy. She has brought you some food and will be taking care of you for a while. I suggest you be civil towards her, she has done nothing to deserve your anger," Heero stated sharply.

"Fine," Relena huffed.

"I will return later," Heero said and quickly exited the bed chamber before Relena could start on him again. Back in the sitting room, he turned to his brother who was rising from his chair. " I am returning to my chambers to check on Duo, after that I will seek audience with father in regards to this matter of the maid. No doubt he has already heard something of what occurred on the rumor mill. As witnesses to the attack, would you and Quatre join me?"

"Of course, brother. I will freshen up a little first and come to your chambers shortly if that is acceptable?" Trowa replied.

"That will be fine, thank you."

"Then we will meet with you shortly." Trowa left, Quatre right behind him.

#

Heero made his way quickly along the hallway and back to his current chambers. It was blessedly quiet inside, something Heero desperately needed right now after all the traumas of earlier.

Keeping his footsteps light, he crossed the room to the bed chamber and smiled when he looked upon the slumbering form of Duo. His slave looked so sweet and innocent in sleep.

As if sensing someone watching him, Duo began to stir. Violet eyes blinked open and alighted on the prince in the doorway. He smiled. "Master?"

Crossing the room with a few strides, Heero lowered his head and kissed his slave. "Feeling better?" he asked.

"Much better, master," Duo replied with a shy smile.

"Good." Heero sat on the edge of the bed and fiddled with his hands.

"Master? Is everything okay?"

Sighing, the prince turned to his slave. "As okay as it can be I suppose," he replied. "My brother will be here shortly, we need to have an audience with my father in regards to what happened. Both you and Quatre will need to be present too."

"I understand, master." Duo began to slide from the bed, the prince moving so his slave could get up. "Do you wish for me to change into something more suitable for meeting with the King, master?"

"No, Duo. You are dressed well enough for a meeting with my father."

A soft knock to the door alerted them to the arrival of Prince Trowa, Duo scampering across the room to open the door for the prince.

"Are you ready, brother?" Prince Trowa asked.

"As ready as I'm ever going to be," Heero sighed. "Just when I thought things would finally start to settle down given Duo's being found innocent, that stupid maid had to go and do this."

"I take it you are still intending for her to meet the sword?" Trowa questioned with a raise of his eyebrow.

"Yes, I am," Heero growled. "That maid has caused more than enough heartache and damage around here. I'll be just as relieved when my heir is born and I can have the marriage annulled and send the princess back to Sanq – minus the child of course."

Kneeling on the floor behind his master, Duo shivered at the tone of voice his master used, his mind also ticking over as this was the first he'd heard of his master's plans to annul the marriage but keep his heir with him.

"You know Relena won't give the child up easily." Trowa warned.

"Yes, I am aware of that, we did discuss it a little while ago," Heero said. "Once that interfering bitch of a maid of hers is gone though, there won't be anyone to poison her mind and I don't think she will put up too much of a fight."

"I hope you're right, Heero, but somehow I think the princess might fight tooth and nail to keep the child with her, just to spite you for the loss of her maid."

Still kneeling on the floor, Duo suddenly had an idea. He tugged gently at his master's pants.

"Duo?" Heero questioned, looking down to his slave.

"Permission to speak freely master?"

"Duo, I don't think now is the time, I have a lot to discuss with my father and arrangements to make."

"But, master, I think I might have an idea that will help you in all of this."

tbc...