Chapter Two: A New Life

"How long had it been?" Selene thought sitting on the flowery silk covers of her bed. It had only been a week since she had been introduced to her new home in the Cinq Kingdom, yet sorrow and weariness had made it seem much longer. Her family, her home, it was all becoming a blur to the young girl. She had been born as a fatherless child, and she had never gotten to know her mother, and she was sure that this was not the kind of life led by a normal child. Lately, she found that all she yearned for was to be normal, to lead a happy life that was not devastated by war. Deep in heart, though, she knew that her hoping was useless, and she might as well acclimate to this unfamiliar lifestyle. The Peacecraft family had treated her ever so kindly, but pity had to be the last thing she wanted. Milliardo, or rather Milli as she would call him, since she always stated that the former name had too many syllables and that she liked the latter better, had shown her all throughout the palace, to make her feel at home. The family had allowed her the privacy of her bedchambers when she requested it, though they hardly ever took their eyes off the seemingly mature three year old.

"She seems to be beginning to enjoy her stay here," King Peacecraft stated to his wife referring to their young guest.

"I hoped she would," Queen Peacecraft smiled warmly, "I asked Samira to give her ice skating lessons when the girl is ready."

"Ice skating?!?" the King seemed rather confused, "don't you think you are pushing it a bit my dear?"

"Ah, but the winter is truly beautiful, and I do recall I was at around her age when I began," Queen Peacecraft defended her idea.

"I do suppose that it would take her mind off all that has been going on for the poor child," King Peacecraft answered persuaded by his wife.

"All is good then, I shall tell Samira to acquaint herself with Selene and ask her when she would like to begin," Queen Peacecraft said as she walked out of the throne room and into the communications room to speak to the Ice Skating instructress.

Milliardo walked slowly from his morning classes towards his home. The school he attended was one of great prestige, which taught the children of the royal family as well as the nobles. It was only a few minutes walk from his home, so Milliardo usually walked unless it snowed or rained. But today, mother nature displayed for him a show of great beauty, the conifers were sprinkled white and icicles shined when the sunlight hit them like diamonds. The snow crunched under his athletic legs as he made his journey home. He felt a soft thud against his back, and looked back to see who had thrown the snowball at him. There was no one in sight, but he knew better as to turn back around. He searched around until he found his friend; Treize crouched behind a bush, armed with another snowball.

"What's your hurry Milliardo?" he asked rather casually putting the snowball down. Treize may have been five years older then him, but they were still friends.

"I was going to see what Selene was up to," Milliardo answered.

Treize looked confused, "who?"

"Oh yes," he sighed, "You don't know her, she is the daughter of the former Heero Yuy, her mother just died and she is staying with us."

Treize nodded in understanding, "Poor girl, I know what it means to lose a mother, but I still at least have my father."

"Would you like to come and meet her?" Milliardo asked. "Sure," Treize sighed, and the two boys began to walk towards the Peacecraft Palace once more.

"There's tension within the Alliance."

"Of course there is, what did you expect, people are beginning to suspect that they are becoming too militaristic."

"So we just continue what we are doing?"

"Yes, we have to set up a stable place for this young girl, and a secret moon colony would be the perfect place."

"I agree, the Alliance will have a hard time finding us here."

"Pretty soon they'll have to make their move, and I have a feeling the pacifist nations will feel it first."