Eye of the Beholder

Chapter 3: Insomnia

That night seemed like an eternity to Relena. After she had gently convinced Hilde that little girls need their beauty sleep, she herself had laid down and closed her eyes. That's it – closed her eyes. No rest came to her as she just stared at the canopy of her bed. Relena's eyes were like two big sapphire orbs in the moonlight, searching the darkness for something. Hours passed and the moon just rose higher into the sky. The repeated sound of the waves crashing upon the rocky coast did nothing to lull her to sleep.

"Dammit!" she hissed quietly, grabbing a fistful of the sheets. "I know I'm not an insomniac!!"

She sat up and huffed. If she couldn't fall asleep, then she would just have to pass the time another way. Relena climbed out of bed and slipped on her slippers. She opened the wooden door and wandered down the almost pitch black corridors, tracing the wall with her hands. The usual short staircase seemed like a labyrinth that took hours to find an exit to. She got out and found herself in a large den, small embers still crackling in the fireplace.

"So, they're asleep…" she thought to herself.

Relena made her way out of the den and found herself in a dining room. Candles were lined on the side and on the long table. She took in the site of the ornate tablecloth and chairs before moving onto the next room: the kitchen. It was large and very old fashioned. The windows laid open, letting the bright light of the moon stream in. Pots hung from a thin metal rod on the ceiling over the sink. Relena moved over to the window and rested her arms on the pane. She look outside and saw a yard.

"Eh? They have a garden?" she whispered. Laying her head onto her arms, she breathed deeply and began counting the bright stars embedded in the sky.

"Oi…" Duo yawned, stretching. "Damn stomach."


It was the middle of the night, and his stomach had begun growling, waking him up and calling for food. He stumbled down the halls, half asleep and looking for the kitchen. Duo walked in through the door and spotted a girl staring at the sky. He observed her quietly for a few moments, his violet eyes large and glowing. Careful not to scare her, her tip toed over to the fruit bowl at the counter and gently picked up an apple.

"Oh, did I wake you up?" Relena blurted out, spotting the braided man turning back.

Duo froze and turned around. He laughed nervously and spoke. "Not at all. I got hungry, that's all." Duo held up the apple.

"Oh…" Relena nodded. "My name's Relena. Relena Darlian. I don't believe we've met."

"Nope. The name's Duo Maxwell." He held his hand out and she placed it in his. Like a proper gentleman should, he kissed it politely.

Why…why is my heart beating so fast…she thought.  He was handsome. Yes, very handsome. She felt herself blushing furiously and thanked God quietly for making it nighttime.

"I didn't know there was a garden outside," she said, trying to change the subject.

"It used to be a garden. Now, it's just dead plants and weed," Duo responded, biting into the apple.

"Really?" she trailed on. "That's sad…you should never leave a garden unattended."

"Why's that?" Duo asked, chewing slowly.

"Well…uh…" Relena thought, "Aren't they supposed to be a place of peace and happiness? And since it's dead, it looks sad and ghastly."


"Oh, I see. Maybe we could fix the place up sometime," Duo suggested.

"I'd like that…" Relena agreed.

"Great!" Duo finished his apple and threw it out. "Well, it's late. I'll see you in the morning. Good night."

He left Relena alone after that. She sighed and leaned against the counter. It wasn't right of her to have feelings for a person so soon…and to have them towards to men. Heero and Duo…She mentally smacked herself and went back to bed. All this confusion with feelings and hormones bothered her. Tomorrow would come and nothing would change…she hoped.

Morning came as promised with the glorious sun shining through the cerulean sky. The ocean was calm today, tiny waves washing against the coast. Seagulls dotted the heavens, crying, singing, both. Relena woke up to feel something weighing down the blankets. Wearily, she opened her eyes and adjusted to the bright light. After the whiteness had subdued, Relena looked up to find a little girl staring down at her,

"Geez!!" she screamed, jumping up.

Hilde giggled. "Good morning, Relena!" She leaned forward and hugged her.

"Er…good morning, Hilde. Do you know what time it is??"

"It's time for breakfast!!" she chimed. "C'mon! Quatre's cookin' up something special today!!"

"Quatre?" she repeated quietly. "Okay…just let me wash up…"

"Later! Let's go eat breakfast!" Hilde pulled on her dress.

"Okay, okay…" Relena agreed, running her fingers through her hair.

She little girl had a lot of strength for someone her size. She practically dragged Relena down the stairs. During the day, the halls were a lot different. They were warm and glowing, not as dark and eerie than it was at night.

"Good morning, everyone!" Hilde squealed as she entered the dining hall. Four men were seated at the table, talking quietly. Hilde let go of Relena's hand and jumped onto Heero's lap. Heero gave a weak smile and got up.

"Please, sit," he gestured.

She nodded and saw an empty seat next to the Chinese man. Being the gentleman that he was, Duo got up and pulled the chair out. "Madame," he joked.

"Thank you, Duo."

"How did you know his name?" Heero asked curiously.

"Erm…" Duo began, eyeing Relena.

"We kinda met in the kitchen last night. I couldn't sleep and Duo got hungry so…" Relena stuttered.


"Yea…what she said!" Duo agreed.

"Uh…I don't believe we've met," Relena said quickly, changing the subject. She looked towards the Chinese man and the man with strange bangs. "My name's Relena Darlian."

"Chang Wufei," the Asian said.

"Trowa Barton. It's a pleasure," the other spoke.

"And I'm Quatre Raberba Winner. Pleased to meet you," a cheery voice spoke from behind. She glanced up at the kind blonde boy and smiled.

"Quatre, man! Where's the food?" Duo whined.

"It's ready to eat. Would you mind helping me bringing it in?" Quatre asked him.

"Anything for the food," Duo responded, rushing into the kitched.

"Fool," Wufei muttered, "What kind of man thinks with his stomach?"

Relena stifled a chuckle and looked around. Trowa was twirling his butter knife while Wufei seemed to be in a state of meditation. Heero, on the other hand, was staring at her, with his cobalt eyes. She looked back at him. Heero quickly jerked his head in another direction, making it even more conspicuous.

"Breakfast is served!" Duo announced, throwing plates down into everyone's spots. Quatre gently placed them down.

"Thank you. It smells wonderful, Quatre." Relena commented, inhaling deeply. Quatre grinned and sat down next to Trowa.

Relena looked down at her eggs and ham, and her stack of pancakes. She cut her food into small pieces, and ate slowly. It was good manners, after all. Breakfast was quiet, as there was nothing to discuss. Relena felt full after half her breakfast and pushed her plate aside.

"It was very good, Quatre. I'm just a little full right now." Relena, apologized.

"It's alright. I'm glad you liked it."

Hilde, who had gotten a small serving, was finished and watching everyone else eat. Duo, who was on his second serving, was enjoying the pancakes thoroughly, pouring gallons of syrup onto them. Heero was truly disgusted at that. He ate everything plain, just like Wufei. Trowa had a moderate amount of salt on his eggs and syrup on his pancakes, just like Quatre.

"Relena, can I have your food??" Duo asked, polishing off his serving.

"Duo!" Quatre hissed.


"It's okay. Sure…if you're okay with having food half eaten…" Relena spoke.


"We're all family. Bring 'er here!" Duo called. Relena shoved the food over and watched him eat. He certainly lacked table manners but he did it in a cute way. She felt herself blush and turned away. Breakfast ended and she retreated back to her room, with Quatre and Hilde trailing behind."

"You're going to want to wash up," Quatre began in her room. "There are clothes in the chest by the bed and you can wash up over here."

"Thank you. May I ask what I am to do today? Wash…clean…cook…?"

Quatre laughed. "Don't worry about that. You can do as you please. Just don't leave the castle grounds." There was a hint of deadliness in his eyes. One wrong move and she'd be dead.

"Okay," Relena managed to say.

"Hilde, let's leave her to get cleaned up," Quatre said to the little girl.

"Okay!" They left her in her chambers to do her bidding.

Relena searched through the chest, looking at the clothes. There were dresses, but how? The entire house was roaming with men…She shrugged that thought off and dug deeper into the chest. Surprisingly, there was an old shirt and breeches laying there. She smiled and changed into them. The attire was big on her, the breeches threatening to fall off. She found a belt and tightened it around herself, keeping the pants up. Perfect. Now she was dressed and ready.

Ready for what, you ask? Ready for renovation, of course.

Okay – nothing juicy in this chapter. It's coming, thought! Please read, review.