Part 2
After this morning's events with my father, I decided to
stay as far away from the palace as I possibly could. I stole myself into a grove of chestnut trees on the east side of
the gardens. The canopy allowed a small
amount of light to reach the dirt floor as I trace through the well-worn
path. It always amazed to walk through
the silent giants. Also how enormous
these patient lives could become. Mayle
had explained to me one day how a tiny seed grew into these great trees that
loom over our heads. After time and a
bit of luck even the smallest of seed could grow up majestic and strong.
I reach a clearing amid the dense trees. I always come to this spot when I want to be
alone. Only minimal light reaches the
clearing giving it an eerie, almost forbidden effect. After scurrying up a fallen tree, I snap off a straight branch
and head back down to the ground. Wielding the branch like a sword I imitate the fighters from the old
television programs that I watch when no one is paying attention. I face off against my invisible opponent,
blocking every attack and advancing quickly.
"Nice parry." The
shock from the intruding voice causes my body to go ridged and I drop the
branch. "Your father would rupture his
spleen if he knew what you were doing."
"You won't tell him, will you Mayle?"
"I don't think I could ever do that to you Master
Milliardo." She delicately takes a seat
on the ground, careful so as not to dirty her uniform, and then gently pats the
ground next to her. I take her
invitation and set myself down at her side. "You know your father is a really wonderful man. He's done so much for everyone here. I'm sure that you'll grow up to be a strong
leader just like him."
I ponder her words for a moment before responding, "What is
father doing?"
"Why he's creating peace young master."
"But the man this morning said we're going to be attacked!"
"It's none of my business what was said this morning. We can only have faith that your father
knows what he is doing."
We sit in silence as endless minutes tick by. Although it should have been, the void of
talking was not awkward. Mayle and I
always had a connection ever since I could remember. I only see father during our daily breakfast meetings. And now ever since Relena was born, my
mother has been so entranced by the girl I never see her anymore. Mayle is the only who will stay with
me. With her soft blue eyes and flowing
bronze hair, she always has a sort of peace that surrounds just her. Her half smiles meant only for me always
spark a giggle to escape my lips. We
had our secrets too. She was sure to
always keep from my father my actions that would surely warrant a severe
punishment, like my pretend sword fighting today.
I also knew about some of Mayle's past, of which she never
told anyone. She was a refugee from a
space colony before the military took control, back when she was only
thirteen. She lost her entire family
during that time, her parents we're killed attempting to flee and her older
brother was captured while trying to get to the shuttle that only she had managed
to board. When she came here she was desperate, with no money and no friends;
she had nothing. My father gave her a
job here in the palace and a reason for her to continue to living.
Mayle was designated my caregiver because of her sweet
disposition and knowledge of space. She
would tell me stories about outer space at bedtime, but after hearing the
wondrous tales I could never fall asleep. She knew the legends of most every constellation and would tell me of
the long ago cultures that discovered each one. Even at the age of nineteen she is one of the most knowledgeable
persons that I know
She was the one who created my need to know every aspect of
outer space. She planted the seed
inside of me that would grow until it devoured me whole.
"What are you thinking about child?"
"Just how wonderful it is to have you."
"That's so kind of you to say. Now come over here and give old Mayle a hug!" She scoops me up into a warm embrace.
"You're not old Mayle!"
"Once again you're being too kind!" With that statement she plants a kiss on my
cheek. I quickly try to wipe it away
while spouting off nonsense about germs. She wrestles me to the ground; tickling my sides till my face is red and
I can't stop laughing. She finally
stops after a few minutes of my pleading. It was then when we heard the first of the mobile suits flying overhead.
~~~
The pain, it's the only thing I can feel right now. Not only the pain in my body, but in my
heart. I had let them all down. I didn't become the strong leader that I was
supposed to become; instead I'm out on the battlefield taking orders from my
superiors. My hands have become so
saturated with blood that I can see the vile red liquid coating every
surface. It spreads from my hands, up
my arms and consumes my entire being. I
wince as a new lance of pain stabs through my abdomen.
"Get him back under now! I can't do surgery if he's awake! Pay attention to the patient and not the nurse!"
As suddenly as I woke up I slip back into the oblivion that is my subconscious.