Author's Notes: Thank you to my first reviewers. =) I didn't expect good reviews from my first fan fiction. I'll continue this until people stop reading. I warn you though. This is going to be a long one if I continue. Well, on with the story.
Chapter 1
Ten years have passed. Milliardo and Relena Peacecraft had gone into hiding after the collapse of the Sank Kingdom. In order to protect themselves, they had to change their names. Milliardo took up the name of Zechs Marquise that soon became synonymous with the word--power. Relena changed her last name to Dorlian after a trusted advisor to her father, Prime Minister Dorlian. The Alliance wiped out most of the Sank Kingdom's council while a few actually joined the Alliance. Milliardo felt betrayed by those who allied themselves with the enemy. The Alliance didn't stop looking for the Peacecraft children because they were determined to wipe out every living relationship to the Peacecrafts. As long as they lived, they posed a threat to the Alliance's power.
Milliardo or rather Zechs was able to keep himself and Relena hidden away from the Alliance. He was able to start a company in international marketing. He was young and inexperienced, but as a child prodigy, it was no problem. Zechs quickly rose to power and prestige. People questioned his methods of obtaining such a place in life at such a young age, but it didn't matter. Soon people began to fear him because he had the power to destroy anyone who opposed him. Ironically, the Alliance also feared him, so to stay on his good side, they didn't try to go against him. In fact, they would often look toward Zechs for almost all matters in business. Zechs was clever. He didn't let his hatred toward the Alliance blind him. He had only two objectives: to destroy the Alliance and reclaim the Sank Kingdom, his home. For ten years, he was able to penetrate the Alliance from the inside, and soon it would be time to put his plan into action.
Relena stayed with her brother. They became even closer as they waited for their time to act. The public knew Relena as Zechs' ward and nothing more. It was the perfect cover. No one would suspect a prodigy being raised up by another one. Still, they had to be careful. So as Zechs grew more powerful and wealthier, Relena was kept away from the public as much as possible. They couldn't risk exposure. Relena received the best tutors that money had to offer. She grew up, as she would have if she had lived in the Sank Kingdom. The difference is that her attitude changed. Gone was the happy carefree attitude and in its place a more stoic personality. Relena learned to control her emotions, and to those who meet her, she almost seems cold to them. They say she takes after Zechs who is renown for his impassive expression when dealing with business matters. They also say that they look enough alike that they could be brother and sister. Little did they how right they were.
Anyway Zechs and Relena have moved to New Port City, a metropolitan city on the northeast coast of North America. Apparently, his arrival caused quite a stir in the business community. To welcome Zechs, a prominent figure in New Port, Marshall Noventa decided to host a party for Zechs, which brings us to the present day.
Relena leaned against her balcony railing, watching the sun set in the horizon. A gentle winter breeze whispered through her honey blond hair. She sighed and glanced back at her room. Only several hours ago servants were moving about unpacking her belongings and setting up her room. She hated moving, and Zechs knew that but no. He had to move. Geneva was getting too dull he said. She couldn't deny that but that didn't mean it was necessary to move. She walked back inside when a knock sounded at her door.
"Come in," she said softly, sitting down on her bed.
The door opened, and the butler, Pagan, walked in. Pagan had been with them since the fall of the Sank Kingdom. For some reason or another, Zechs trusted the old British gentleman. Pagan was extremely loyal to them and proved himself enough to be one of the few who knew Zechs' and Relena's secret.
"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Relena, but your brother wishes to speak with you," Pagan stated.
"Thank you, Pagan," she replied coolly. Pagan bowed a bit and excused himself. Relena got up and went over to her dresser. She ran a brush through her hair and glanced at herself in the mirror before exiting her room. Her brother had taught her that she must always look respectable whenever possible. She quietly went down the stairs to Zechs' office. Relena gave a soft knock and opened the door.
Inside the exquisitely furnished office were her brother and his fiancée, Lucrezia Noin. The world didn't know that Zechs was engaged. People still believe him to be the most eligible bachelor around. Relena understood why he kept it a secret. They were after all very private people.
"Ah, Relena. Have a sit," Zechs said from his place next to the large paned window. Relena sat down next to Noin on a plush couch. "Something interesting has come in the mail, and I'll like you to read it."
Noin handed her a small gold-colored envelope with a distinguished seal on it. Relena's brow wrinkled slightly in confusion. She opened it and pulled out a white card. It read:
To Zechs Marquise and company,
On behalf of all of New Port, I wish you a warm welcome to our fair city. We were thrilled to hear you have decided to settle in New Port. I took it upon myself to host a party with you as the guest of honor, of course. I and many others would be delighted it you could possible come. The party is tonight at nine at my estate. I am deeply sorry for the short notice, but I was not sure of your arrival time. If you can find time, please do not hesitate to call my office. It will be a most enjoyable evening, I promise. I decided to host an auction before the party, and there are many fine pieces up for sale. So, please if you can, do join my family and I.
Marshall Noventa of Noventa/Williams Enterprises
"A party? Well, brother," Relena finally said. "Will you be joining them for an 'enjoyable evening'?"
Zechs shook his head in mock disapproval. "Now, Relena, there is no need for sarcasm." He walked around his large mahogany desk and leaned back against it. "I thought perhaps you would enjoy a night out."
If Relena had not been who she is, she wouldn't have been able to keep the surprise from reaching her eyes. Instead, her eyes remained emotionless. "I thought you didn't approve when I go out in public, and this seems quite public to me." Not even a hint of surprise was in her tone. Cool and articulate as always.
"Your brother and I thought that since you're going to start school soon, it would be nice for you to go out before you become too busy to even leave your room," Noin explained. She took the card from Relena's hand and glanced at it. "We thought you might enjoy yourself. There's going to be an auction." Noin placed a little emphasis on the word auction. She knew that Relena loved auctions. It gave her chance to acquire things on her own even if it is Zechs' money.
Relena didn't reply right away. Zechs could almost hear the gears in her head grinding around. He loved watching his sister contemplate situations. He smirked when she looked up and nodded. That was all that was needed. She had agreed.
"I think you will like it, Relena. It's been a while since your last auction," he declared, nonchalantly. He remembered the last one they were at. Relena had set her eyes on a porcelain doll from the seventeenth century. Unfortunately, so did another man. It had become a battle, and Relena was not about to back down. In the end, she won after the man gave up when the bid was over $500,000 for the doll. The money didn't matter to Zechs. He was proud that she didn't back down.
"It's almost six. Why don't you go upstairs and get ready? I'll be up to help you if you need it," Noin smiled. Relena nodded again and quietly left the room. Noin looked over at Zechs who seemed to be brooding over something. "What are you thinking about, Zechs Marquise?" She got up and strode up to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Zechs pulled her against him and inhaled her lilac perfume. He loved that smell. It has haunted him ever since the first time it invaded his senses. He dropped a kiss on the top her blue-black hair. Noin sighed and snuggled deeper in his arms. She loved the way his arms felt around her ever since she had accidentally fell into them five years ago.
"Well?"
"Nothing much. I'm just not very comfortable about letting Relena go to school. She's been tutored all her life. She might not like it," Zechs explained. They walked out of his office and up the stairs to their room.
Noin kept her arm wrapped around his waist while pondering over his words. It was true that Relena received most of her education through tutors, but it shouldn't be a problem. Zechs had told her that at a young age Relena had been proclaimed to be a prodigy just like him. She smiled at the thought. It must run in the family since King Stefan was one as well. Noin gave Zechs a smile and said, "Don't worry. I'm sure Relena will do just fine. She's very flexible when it comes down to her learning."
Zechs sighed. He pushed opened the door to their room and walked in. "I know that, but I'm still worried. It's a risk for us. You never know where the Alliance is hiding." Zechs had the Alliance pretty much under control, but there have been times where their covers were nearly exposed. Because of this Zechs has bodyguards constantly, and these guards weren't just anyone. They were specially trained to protect Zechs and especially Relena. She didn't particularly like it, but the guards had their uses sometimes.
Noin understood Zechs' doubt. The Alliance had gotten more cunning lately. They seemed desperate to find Zechs and Relena. She simply gave him a kiss and a reassuring smile. Zechs smiled back and pulled her into his arms, catching her lips with his.
It was eight, and Relena was sitting down in front of her vanity, brushing her hair. A dress was laid out on her bed when she had come out of the shower. She glanced at it and frowned slightly. Her brother was not going to approve of it. There was a soft tap at her door, and Noin came in. She was already dressed in a long black gown that exposed her left shoulder.
"Are you almost ready, Relena?" Noin asked as she strode behind the girl. She gazed at the dress on the bed and smiled. "I like your selection for tonight. Do you want me to put up your hair?"
Relena nodded and handed her the brush. Noin swept up Relena's long hair swiftly without messing up and left a few wisps to curl around her heart shaped face. She held the hair down with a few pins. "There we go. Now how about your face? Do you need anything?"
Relena shook her head. "No," was the simply response. Noin smiled and let herself out of the room. Relena stared at herself in the mirror for a few moments before getting up and slipping on the light blue dress. The dress was long enough to reach her ankles, and the sleeves slipped off her shoulders a little. She applied a light blush to her cheeks and a faint lip-gloss over her rosy lips. Relena didn't like to wear makeup, and her brother didn't approve of her wearing it. He said that it attracted unwanted attention to her. She smiled faintly. Zechs was extremely protective of her. She grabbed the white wrap on her bed and draped it across her shoulders. Picking up her small white handbag, Relena went downstairs where her brother and Noin were waiting.
Downstairs Zechs was fixing the tie on his tuxedo. Relena had to admit her brother looked as dashing as ever. A limousine was waiting for them outside. All three of got in, and off they went to have an "enjoyable evening."
Chapter 1
Ten years have passed. Milliardo and Relena Peacecraft had gone into hiding after the collapse of the Sank Kingdom. In order to protect themselves, they had to change their names. Milliardo took up the name of Zechs Marquise that soon became synonymous with the word--power. Relena changed her last name to Dorlian after a trusted advisor to her father, Prime Minister Dorlian. The Alliance wiped out most of the Sank Kingdom's council while a few actually joined the Alliance. Milliardo felt betrayed by those who allied themselves with the enemy. The Alliance didn't stop looking for the Peacecraft children because they were determined to wipe out every living relationship to the Peacecrafts. As long as they lived, they posed a threat to the Alliance's power.
Milliardo or rather Zechs was able to keep himself and Relena hidden away from the Alliance. He was able to start a company in international marketing. He was young and inexperienced, but as a child prodigy, it was no problem. Zechs quickly rose to power and prestige. People questioned his methods of obtaining such a place in life at such a young age, but it didn't matter. Soon people began to fear him because he had the power to destroy anyone who opposed him. Ironically, the Alliance also feared him, so to stay on his good side, they didn't try to go against him. In fact, they would often look toward Zechs for almost all matters in business. Zechs was clever. He didn't let his hatred toward the Alliance blind him. He had only two objectives: to destroy the Alliance and reclaim the Sank Kingdom, his home. For ten years, he was able to penetrate the Alliance from the inside, and soon it would be time to put his plan into action.
Relena stayed with her brother. They became even closer as they waited for their time to act. The public knew Relena as Zechs' ward and nothing more. It was the perfect cover. No one would suspect a prodigy being raised up by another one. Still, they had to be careful. So as Zechs grew more powerful and wealthier, Relena was kept away from the public as much as possible. They couldn't risk exposure. Relena received the best tutors that money had to offer. She grew up, as she would have if she had lived in the Sank Kingdom. The difference is that her attitude changed. Gone was the happy carefree attitude and in its place a more stoic personality. Relena learned to control her emotions, and to those who meet her, she almost seems cold to them. They say she takes after Zechs who is renown for his impassive expression when dealing with business matters. They also say that they look enough alike that they could be brother and sister. Little did they how right they were.
Anyway Zechs and Relena have moved to New Port City, a metropolitan city on the northeast coast of North America. Apparently, his arrival caused quite a stir in the business community. To welcome Zechs, a prominent figure in New Port, Marshall Noventa decided to host a party for Zechs, which brings us to the present day.
Relena leaned against her balcony railing, watching the sun set in the horizon. A gentle winter breeze whispered through her honey blond hair. She sighed and glanced back at her room. Only several hours ago servants were moving about unpacking her belongings and setting up her room. She hated moving, and Zechs knew that but no. He had to move. Geneva was getting too dull he said. She couldn't deny that but that didn't mean it was necessary to move. She walked back inside when a knock sounded at her door.
"Come in," she said softly, sitting down on her bed.
The door opened, and the butler, Pagan, walked in. Pagan had been with them since the fall of the Sank Kingdom. For some reason or another, Zechs trusted the old British gentleman. Pagan was extremely loyal to them and proved himself enough to be one of the few who knew Zechs' and Relena's secret.
"Sorry to disturb you, Miss Relena, but your brother wishes to speak with you," Pagan stated.
"Thank you, Pagan," she replied coolly. Pagan bowed a bit and excused himself. Relena got up and went over to her dresser. She ran a brush through her hair and glanced at herself in the mirror before exiting her room. Her brother had taught her that she must always look respectable whenever possible. She quietly went down the stairs to Zechs' office. Relena gave a soft knock and opened the door.
Inside the exquisitely furnished office were her brother and his fiancée, Lucrezia Noin. The world didn't know that Zechs was engaged. People still believe him to be the most eligible bachelor around. Relena understood why he kept it a secret. They were after all very private people.
"Ah, Relena. Have a sit," Zechs said from his place next to the large paned window. Relena sat down next to Noin on a plush couch. "Something interesting has come in the mail, and I'll like you to read it."
Noin handed her a small gold-colored envelope with a distinguished seal on it. Relena's brow wrinkled slightly in confusion. She opened it and pulled out a white card. It read:
To Zechs Marquise and company,
On behalf of all of New Port, I wish you a warm welcome to our fair city. We were thrilled to hear you have decided to settle in New Port. I took it upon myself to host a party with you as the guest of honor, of course. I and many others would be delighted it you could possible come. The party is tonight at nine at my estate. I am deeply sorry for the short notice, but I was not sure of your arrival time. If you can find time, please do not hesitate to call my office. It will be a most enjoyable evening, I promise. I decided to host an auction before the party, and there are many fine pieces up for sale. So, please if you can, do join my family and I.
Marshall Noventa of Noventa/Williams Enterprises
"A party? Well, brother," Relena finally said. "Will you be joining them for an 'enjoyable evening'?"
Zechs shook his head in mock disapproval. "Now, Relena, there is no need for sarcasm." He walked around his large mahogany desk and leaned back against it. "I thought perhaps you would enjoy a night out."
If Relena had not been who she is, she wouldn't have been able to keep the surprise from reaching her eyes. Instead, her eyes remained emotionless. "I thought you didn't approve when I go out in public, and this seems quite public to me." Not even a hint of surprise was in her tone. Cool and articulate as always.
"Your brother and I thought that since you're going to start school soon, it would be nice for you to go out before you become too busy to even leave your room," Noin explained. She took the card from Relena's hand and glanced at it. "We thought you might enjoy yourself. There's going to be an auction." Noin placed a little emphasis on the word auction. She knew that Relena loved auctions. It gave her chance to acquire things on her own even if it is Zechs' money.
Relena didn't reply right away. Zechs could almost hear the gears in her head grinding around. He loved watching his sister contemplate situations. He smirked when she looked up and nodded. That was all that was needed. She had agreed.
"I think you will like it, Relena. It's been a while since your last auction," he declared, nonchalantly. He remembered the last one they were at. Relena had set her eyes on a porcelain doll from the seventeenth century. Unfortunately, so did another man. It had become a battle, and Relena was not about to back down. In the end, she won after the man gave up when the bid was over $500,000 for the doll. The money didn't matter to Zechs. He was proud that she didn't back down.
"It's almost six. Why don't you go upstairs and get ready? I'll be up to help you if you need it," Noin smiled. Relena nodded again and quietly left the room. Noin looked over at Zechs who seemed to be brooding over something. "What are you thinking about, Zechs Marquise?" She got up and strode up to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Zechs pulled her against him and inhaled her lilac perfume. He loved that smell. It has haunted him ever since the first time it invaded his senses. He dropped a kiss on the top her blue-black hair. Noin sighed and snuggled deeper in his arms. She loved the way his arms felt around her ever since she had accidentally fell into them five years ago.
"Well?"
"Nothing much. I'm just not very comfortable about letting Relena go to school. She's been tutored all her life. She might not like it," Zechs explained. They walked out of his office and up the stairs to their room.
Noin kept her arm wrapped around his waist while pondering over his words. It was true that Relena received most of her education through tutors, but it shouldn't be a problem. Zechs had told her that at a young age Relena had been proclaimed to be a prodigy just like him. She smiled at the thought. It must run in the family since King Stefan was one as well. Noin gave Zechs a smile and said, "Don't worry. I'm sure Relena will do just fine. She's very flexible when it comes down to her learning."
Zechs sighed. He pushed opened the door to their room and walked in. "I know that, but I'm still worried. It's a risk for us. You never know where the Alliance is hiding." Zechs had the Alliance pretty much under control, but there have been times where their covers were nearly exposed. Because of this Zechs has bodyguards constantly, and these guards weren't just anyone. They were specially trained to protect Zechs and especially Relena. She didn't particularly like it, but the guards had their uses sometimes.
Noin understood Zechs' doubt. The Alliance had gotten more cunning lately. They seemed desperate to find Zechs and Relena. She simply gave him a kiss and a reassuring smile. Zechs smiled back and pulled her into his arms, catching her lips with his.
It was eight, and Relena was sitting down in front of her vanity, brushing her hair. A dress was laid out on her bed when she had come out of the shower. She glanced at it and frowned slightly. Her brother was not going to approve of it. There was a soft tap at her door, and Noin came in. She was already dressed in a long black gown that exposed her left shoulder.
"Are you almost ready, Relena?" Noin asked as she strode behind the girl. She gazed at the dress on the bed and smiled. "I like your selection for tonight. Do you want me to put up your hair?"
Relena nodded and handed her the brush. Noin swept up Relena's long hair swiftly without messing up and left a few wisps to curl around her heart shaped face. She held the hair down with a few pins. "There we go. Now how about your face? Do you need anything?"
Relena shook her head. "No," was the simply response. Noin smiled and let herself out of the room. Relena stared at herself in the mirror for a few moments before getting up and slipping on the light blue dress. The dress was long enough to reach her ankles, and the sleeves slipped off her shoulders a little. She applied a light blush to her cheeks and a faint lip-gloss over her rosy lips. Relena didn't like to wear makeup, and her brother didn't approve of her wearing it. He said that it attracted unwanted attention to her. She smiled faintly. Zechs was extremely protective of her. She grabbed the white wrap on her bed and draped it across her shoulders. Picking up her small white handbag, Relena went downstairs where her brother and Noin were waiting.
Downstairs Zechs was fixing the tie on his tuxedo. Relena had to admit her brother looked as dashing as ever. A limousine was waiting for them outside. All three of got in, and off they went to have an "enjoyable evening."