Disclaimer: Oops, I forgot to do this for chapter 1. Anyway I don't own Gundam Wing.
Author's Notes: Thanks for reviewing. I must warn you that since this is AU, everyone is going to be slightly/totally OOC. Also, I like to use a lot of dialogue. It's how I write. Oh, one more thing. Sylvia isn't going to be a good guy or gal in this story. She's going to be Relena's rival in some way. I bet you can guess what. Well, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it. Please review and suggestions are welcome.
Chapter 2
The party and auction were at the Noventa estate. From what Zechs had gathered from his sources, Noventa was an incredibly wealthy and powerful man. No match to Zechs, of course. The drive was not long because soon the estate loomed in the distance. Zechs was slightly amazed at the acreage of the place. Noventa sure did know how to flaunt his wealth. Zechs was quite the opposite. When he had decided to move to New Port, he had found a three story Victorian mansion in the countryside that was only a half-hour drive from the city. The land surrounding it was minimal. He had a garden designed to resemble the one that the Sank Kingdom had. Relena had loved that garden. Anyway, the limo pulled into the long driveway, and before Zechs knew it, the car had arrived at the door, and standing in the front was Marshall Noventa. Zechs glanced at his sister and smiled a tad. She was cool, calm and collected as always.
The car stopped, and an attendant came around to open the door. Zechs stepped out and helped Noin out. Suddenly flashes of light went off around them. There were reporters and camera crews surrounding them. Zechs frowned slightly at the sight. He was not happy with this. He held out his hand to stop Relena from exiting the limo. With a nod of his head, men in black suits came out of nowhere and formed a chain that held back the reporters. Finally, Relena was able to come out. She did not appear to be worried about the paparazzi. Together the three of them walked up to the front door.
Marshall Noventa smiled warmly and extended his hand to Zechs as they came up the steps. He prayed silently that this night will turn out well. "Ah, Mr. Marquise, it's a great pleasure to finally to be able to meet you. Welcome to my home. I'm very glad that you were able to come."
Zechs glanced at the hand before shaking it. "It's nice to be here, Noventa, but I must say that I am disappointed." His impassive expression was pasted across his face.
"Disappointed?" Noventa swallowed visibly. He knew it was not wise to displease Zechs Marquise. "How so?"
Zechs didn't reply. Instead he turned and gestured at the two women next to him. "This is my colleague, Lucrezia Noin and my ward, Relena Dorlian." Noin smiled at the elderly man while Relena simply nodded barely.
Noventa smiled but not forgetting to notice that Zechs had not answer his question. This could be bad. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please come in. I'll introduce you to my daughter, Sylvia." He stepped out the way to let them enter and followed them.
The room that they entered was enormous and lavishly decorated. Light danced across the marble floors, bouncing off the chandeliers. Music was playing softly, and guests were chatting and gossiping. In the back of the room there were display cases filled with the items to be auctioned. Relena noticed that a small group of girls about her age coming toward them. They were all decked out in the latest fashion gowns. Now remember that Relena doesn't have friends her own age since she never actually went to school. Of course Relena had no prospect of making any friends. They were irrelevant in her eyes. The girls stopped at Noventa's side, and Relena noticed the girl with long blond hair similar to her own that was closest to Noventa seemed to be the leader of the group. Noin glanced over at Relena and saw her regarding the girls in front of them with a cool eye. She smiled; understanding that Relena wasn't about to make friends with them.
"This is my daughter, Sylvia," Noventa said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"My dear, I'll like you to meet Mr. Zechs Marquise, Lucrezia Noin, and Relena Dorlian." He gestured at them respectively.
"It's nice to meet you," Sylvia said, smiling and giving a small curtsy. Something in her eyes flicked as she looked at Relena.
"Sylvia, why don't you and your friends show Relena around? That is if you don't mind, Mr. Marquise. There are some things I would like to discuss with you," Noventa explained. He tried to look as sincere as he could.
"Very well." Zechs turned to Relena. "I'll send Noin to return with you when it's time for the auction. Stay out of trouble, Relena." It was a little inside message between the two of them. Zechs always said it whenever she goes off by herself. It meant for her to stay as inconspicuous as possible. Relena had a knack of drawing attention from unwanted admirers. Zechs didn't like admirers around her. It was that protective streak in him.
"Always, brother," Relena replied, putting a little stress on the last word. She deliberately did that of course. Zechs nodded in response and walked off with Noventa and Noin.
As they walked, Noventa couldn't help but wonder why she said that. Didn't Zechs say she was his ward? So why call him brother? Noin noticed the puzzled expression on his face and smiled. "Those two like to do that," she explained.
"I practically raised her. She likes to think of me as her brother, and I don't mind thinking of her as a sister," Zechs replied. He picked up two glasses of champagne as a waiter with a tray full of it walked by and handed one to Noin. He took a sip and turned the conversation, successfully ending the discussion on Relena.
On the other side of the room, Relena was about to be acquainted with some annoying girls in her perspective. She remained silent as Sylvia introduced her friends. Each of them had the exact same dress as Sylvia but in different colors. Relena wasn't big on the latest fashion, but in her eyes those weren't exactly tasteful. They were long with a flowing skirt and puffy sleeves and a big bow on the back. Four of them were bombarding Relena with questions.
"So Relena how do you like New Port so far?" the girl named Stephanie asked. She had on the red version of the dress. Her brown hair was pulled back with a clip.
"Where did you come from?" asked another girl called Melissa with the green dress. She had short black hair and vibrant blue eyes.
"Who was that woman with Zechs Marquise?" questioned a girl named Amy with curly light brown hair and black dress.
"What's it like to live with him?" inquired Michelle. She had dark blond hair and the blue dress.
"Girls, girls. Allow Relena a chance to answer at least," Sylvia interrupted. She smiled sweetly at Relena with her hands on her hips. She had on the white form of the dress. Her long blond was left free to hang against her back.
Relena didn't say anything. Instead she merely looked at the girls. Her eyes remained expressionless like always. She noticed the display cases in the back and with a cool voice, she said, "Excuse me." She didn't show it, but Relena couldn't stand being with those girls for some reason. She brushed past them, leaving them in shock.
Stephanie gaped at Relena as she moved away. The others had similar expressions. They couldn't believe that Relena just walked away from them. They considered themselves at the top of the social class, and anyone who offended them lost any social power they had. In other words they were snobs. Of course they would never admit that.
"Well, that was rude," Amy declared, crossing her arms. "I can't believe she just blew us off. Who does she think she is?"
"Now girls, I'm sure that she was just overwhelmed. I'm mean she just moved here, and we overran her with questions," Sylvia said. She picked up her skirt and started to walk over to Relena. The others followed wide mouthed.
"Are you defending someone who hasn't been checked out, Sylvia?" Stephanie accused. "Well, that would be a first."
Sylvia scowled at her tall friend and explained, "I meant that we're probably going to need her. Someone like her would greatly complement our group, and it's up to us to show her around. We don't want her to fall into someone else's clutches, now do we?" She saw Relena standing next to the glass display cases and started to move to her.
"What's so special about her?" asked Michelle. She stayed back with the rest of the girls. "Besides the fact that she lives with Zechs Marquise?"
Relena noticed the girls standing several feet away from her. She sighed inwardly. She wasn't in the mood to talk to bantering girls or answer any questions. The girl named Sylvia came sauntering up next to her. Relena ignored her and continued to assess the items in the display. She had no time for meaningless talk. Obviously Sylvia had other ideas.
Sylvia cleared her throat quietly. Relena didn't turn around. She cleared her throat again. No response. She started to get annoyed. She didn't like to be ignored especially by people who obviously didn't know their place. "Excuse me, Miss Dorlian?" Relena finally turned to look at her.
"May I help you with something, Miss Noventa?" Relena questioned coolly. Her cold eyes pierced into the other girl's eyes.
Sylvia blinked slightly flustered but quickly regained her superior air. She wasn't about to let some new girl push her around. She pasted on a fake smile and said, "Forgive my friends. They can be quite a bother sometime." She motioned the others to come nearer. "I'm sure you don't mind answering a few questions, right? You're probably used to it."
Suddenly some of Zechs' advice came into Relena's mind. 'Answer only the questions pertinent to the present time.' Relena thought carefully before nodding faintly. It wouldn't hurt to answer some questions she supposed.
"Great!" exclaimed Sylvia, clasping her hands together. "So where are you from?"
"I moved here from Geneva," was the simple response. Relena continued without them asking. "I cannot give an accurate opinion on a place that I have lived in for only a day. The woman is a colleague of my guardian, and I find living with him quite comfortable. Are there any other questions?"
Silence followed Relena's quick reply, and then the five shook their heads simultaneously. Then Sylvia spoke up. "Well, that was quick. You know, I think we're going to be great friends. We can show..."
"I have no intention of befriending you," Relena interrupted evenly. Her blue eyes maintained its chilliness.
"Excuse me?" Sylvia said. Did she hear wrong? Relena didn't want to be friends with them? That couldn't be possible.
"I have no intention of befriending you or your friends," repeated Relena slowly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Noin coming toward them.
Sylvia laughed aloud. It was a hesitant laugh. "You're joking, right?"
"I never joke," replied the chilly voice. Relena felt a gloved hand on her shoulder and turned around. Noin was standing with a small smile on her face.
"It's time for the auction, Relena. We mustn't keep Zechs waiting," Noin said. She looped her arm through Relena's, and together they walked away from an outraged Sylvia.
Sylvia glared at Relena who strolled away as if nothing happened. She couldn't believe it! Someone rejected her. No one has ever dared to reject her. She was Sylvia Noventa, the most popular girl in school and in society.
"Can you believe that girl? Really who does she think she is?" Amy said to no one in particular.
"She had better not be coming to our school," declared Stephanie. "Or else there's going to be trouble." Suddenly there was an announcement that the auction was starting. All five of the girls started to walk toward the theater where the auction was being held.
People were whispering as they found their tables. The auctioneer was setting up the stage for the first items. In one of the darker corners, Relena and Noin seated themselves with Zechs. He had requested a more secluded spot for them. Zechs noticed the small smile on Noin as they sat down. He leaned in and whispered to Noin, "What happened?"
Noin leaned in as well. "It seems that Relena has made some enemies with those girls," she whispered back and leaned back in her chair.
Zechs looked over at his sister. She was looking at the stage where the first items up for bid were placed. She seemed to be searching for something. Zechs smirked. Relena had found something she wanted. "Anything catch your interest, little soror?" (soror means sister in Latin)
Relena looked back at her brother and said, "I wouldn't mind adding another doll to my collection." She turned her attention back to the stage as the auctioneer began the bidding. She heard a husky laugh behind and smiled faintly to herself. Relena may seem very cold to people, but she does have emotions; she just doesn't like to show them. As Zechs taught her, it was easier to stay detached from things.
The items up for bid went by quickly, and soon the auctioneer pulled out the last item, a porcelain doll that caught several people's attention including Sylvia. She smiled as the auctioneer described it and whispered something to her father. Noventa nodded and handed her a paddle. She giggled and waited for the auctioneer to finish the description. This didn't go by unnoticed by Relena.
"All right, people. What can I get for this seventeenth century doll crafted ever so delicately by the famous John Lane?" the auctioneer declared loudly. "How about we start at $10,000? Do I hear a $10,000?"
A paddle went up, and the bidding began. It continued for about ten minutes until it was down to Sylvia and a bald gentleman. Relena watched and listened closely to their bids. They bested each other by $5000 each time. Soon whispers commenced as the bid went up to $450,000. The doll was obviously a wanted object.
"I thought you wanted the doll," Noin whispered to Relena who hadn't made a bid yet.
"Limit, brother?" Relena asked softly.
"Your choice, Relena. Your choice," replied Zechs with a little smile. He leaned back and waited for the fireworks to begin.
"All right, do we have $500,000?" the auctioneer nearly shouted.
Sylvia lifted up her paddle and grinned smugly at the bald man who finally shook his head and gave up. She smiled triumphantly.
"All right, do we have a higher bid?" asked the auctioneer. Silence. "$500K going once, $500K going twice..."
"One million," interrupted a clear but quiet feminine voice from a corner.
Collective gasps sprang up, and heads turned to look at who made the outrageous bid. The auctioneer's mouth dropped opened. There was no one who was going to outbid that. Sylvia with fury in her eyes turned around to look for whoever made that bid. Whoever it was, she was dead. Her eyes rested upon Relena and flared up even more. Relena saw the astonished gazes on her but stayed composed of course. She also saw the enraged look from Sylvia and almost smiled. Almost.
"Bravo, Relena," Zechs said with a small wicked smile. "Excellent strategy. I'm proud of you." He pushed back his chair and got up. Offering his arm to Noin who promptly took it, he looked back at Relena. "Let's collect your prize." Relena stood up and followed the couple out.
The auctioneer finally found his voice and stuttered, "The auction is officially over. Thank you and enjoy the party." He slowly left the stage, scratching his head. He couldn't believe such a bid for a John Lane doll. They weren't that good.
Conversations started up again as people began to pour into the ballroom. Music soon filled the room as people began to dance. A man walked up to Zechs with the doll in a glass case. Zechs wrote out the check and directed the man to deliver it to his house. He turned and looked at Relena who remained poised even though people were glancing her. They couldn't believe that he had let her spend one million dollars on a doll.
"How about we stay until a little after midnight and then leave?" Noin suggested after staying quiet for most of the time.
"An excellent idea, my dear," replied Zechs. Then the orchestra began to play a waltz. "May I have this dance?" He held out his hand, and Noin placed her in his with a sweet smile. Together they walked out to the dance floor.
Relena couldn't help but grin to herself. When Zechs had first introduced her to Noin, Relena didn't exactly like her right off the bat. Now she saw that those two complement each other completely.
True to his words, Zechs excused themselves from the party a little after midnight. He had enough of socializing that would last him for some time. He bid farewell and good night to the guests and Noventa and got into the limo. Inside it, he let out a deep breath.
"That went well, wouldn't you say Noin?"
"Quite well," she replied, snuggling up next to him. She looked at Relena, expectantly.
Relena looked at them both and sighed softly. "It was an 'enjoyable evening.'"
Laughter filled the limo as it took them back home.
Author's Notes: Thanks for reviewing. I must warn you that since this is AU, everyone is going to be slightly/totally OOC. Also, I like to use a lot of dialogue. It's how I write. Oh, one more thing. Sylvia isn't going to be a good guy or gal in this story. She's going to be Relena's rival in some way. I bet you can guess what. Well, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it. Please review and suggestions are welcome.
Chapter 2
The party and auction were at the Noventa estate. From what Zechs had gathered from his sources, Noventa was an incredibly wealthy and powerful man. No match to Zechs, of course. The drive was not long because soon the estate loomed in the distance. Zechs was slightly amazed at the acreage of the place. Noventa sure did know how to flaunt his wealth. Zechs was quite the opposite. When he had decided to move to New Port, he had found a three story Victorian mansion in the countryside that was only a half-hour drive from the city. The land surrounding it was minimal. He had a garden designed to resemble the one that the Sank Kingdom had. Relena had loved that garden. Anyway, the limo pulled into the long driveway, and before Zechs knew it, the car had arrived at the door, and standing in the front was Marshall Noventa. Zechs glanced at his sister and smiled a tad. She was cool, calm and collected as always.
The car stopped, and an attendant came around to open the door. Zechs stepped out and helped Noin out. Suddenly flashes of light went off around them. There were reporters and camera crews surrounding them. Zechs frowned slightly at the sight. He was not happy with this. He held out his hand to stop Relena from exiting the limo. With a nod of his head, men in black suits came out of nowhere and formed a chain that held back the reporters. Finally, Relena was able to come out. She did not appear to be worried about the paparazzi. Together the three of them walked up to the front door.
Marshall Noventa smiled warmly and extended his hand to Zechs as they came up the steps. He prayed silently that this night will turn out well. "Ah, Mr. Marquise, it's a great pleasure to finally to be able to meet you. Welcome to my home. I'm very glad that you were able to come."
Zechs glanced at the hand before shaking it. "It's nice to be here, Noventa, but I must say that I am disappointed." His impassive expression was pasted across his face.
"Disappointed?" Noventa swallowed visibly. He knew it was not wise to displease Zechs Marquise. "How so?"
Zechs didn't reply. Instead he turned and gestured at the two women next to him. "This is my colleague, Lucrezia Noin and my ward, Relena Dorlian." Noin smiled at the elderly man while Relena simply nodded barely.
Noventa smiled but not forgetting to notice that Zechs had not answer his question. This could be bad. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please come in. I'll introduce you to my daughter, Sylvia." He stepped out the way to let them enter and followed them.
The room that they entered was enormous and lavishly decorated. Light danced across the marble floors, bouncing off the chandeliers. Music was playing softly, and guests were chatting and gossiping. In the back of the room there were display cases filled with the items to be auctioned. Relena noticed that a small group of girls about her age coming toward them. They were all decked out in the latest fashion gowns. Now remember that Relena doesn't have friends her own age since she never actually went to school. Of course Relena had no prospect of making any friends. They were irrelevant in her eyes. The girls stopped at Noventa's side, and Relena noticed the girl with long blond hair similar to her own that was closest to Noventa seemed to be the leader of the group. Noin glanced over at Relena and saw her regarding the girls in front of them with a cool eye. She smiled; understanding that Relena wasn't about to make friends with them.
"This is my daughter, Sylvia," Noventa said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"My dear, I'll like you to meet Mr. Zechs Marquise, Lucrezia Noin, and Relena Dorlian." He gestured at them respectively.
"It's nice to meet you," Sylvia said, smiling and giving a small curtsy. Something in her eyes flicked as she looked at Relena.
"Sylvia, why don't you and your friends show Relena around? That is if you don't mind, Mr. Marquise. There are some things I would like to discuss with you," Noventa explained. He tried to look as sincere as he could.
"Very well." Zechs turned to Relena. "I'll send Noin to return with you when it's time for the auction. Stay out of trouble, Relena." It was a little inside message between the two of them. Zechs always said it whenever she goes off by herself. It meant for her to stay as inconspicuous as possible. Relena had a knack of drawing attention from unwanted admirers. Zechs didn't like admirers around her. It was that protective streak in him.
"Always, brother," Relena replied, putting a little stress on the last word. She deliberately did that of course. Zechs nodded in response and walked off with Noventa and Noin.
As they walked, Noventa couldn't help but wonder why she said that. Didn't Zechs say she was his ward? So why call him brother? Noin noticed the puzzled expression on his face and smiled. "Those two like to do that," she explained.
"I practically raised her. She likes to think of me as her brother, and I don't mind thinking of her as a sister," Zechs replied. He picked up two glasses of champagne as a waiter with a tray full of it walked by and handed one to Noin. He took a sip and turned the conversation, successfully ending the discussion on Relena.
On the other side of the room, Relena was about to be acquainted with some annoying girls in her perspective. She remained silent as Sylvia introduced her friends. Each of them had the exact same dress as Sylvia but in different colors. Relena wasn't big on the latest fashion, but in her eyes those weren't exactly tasteful. They were long with a flowing skirt and puffy sleeves and a big bow on the back. Four of them were bombarding Relena with questions.
"So Relena how do you like New Port so far?" the girl named Stephanie asked. She had on the red version of the dress. Her brown hair was pulled back with a clip.
"Where did you come from?" asked another girl called Melissa with the green dress. She had short black hair and vibrant blue eyes.
"Who was that woman with Zechs Marquise?" questioned a girl named Amy with curly light brown hair and black dress.
"What's it like to live with him?" inquired Michelle. She had dark blond hair and the blue dress.
"Girls, girls. Allow Relena a chance to answer at least," Sylvia interrupted. She smiled sweetly at Relena with her hands on her hips. She had on the white form of the dress. Her long blond was left free to hang against her back.
Relena didn't say anything. Instead she merely looked at the girls. Her eyes remained expressionless like always. She noticed the display cases in the back and with a cool voice, she said, "Excuse me." She didn't show it, but Relena couldn't stand being with those girls for some reason. She brushed past them, leaving them in shock.
Stephanie gaped at Relena as she moved away. The others had similar expressions. They couldn't believe that Relena just walked away from them. They considered themselves at the top of the social class, and anyone who offended them lost any social power they had. In other words they were snobs. Of course they would never admit that.
"Well, that was rude," Amy declared, crossing her arms. "I can't believe she just blew us off. Who does she think she is?"
"Now girls, I'm sure that she was just overwhelmed. I'm mean she just moved here, and we overran her with questions," Sylvia said. She picked up her skirt and started to walk over to Relena. The others followed wide mouthed.
"Are you defending someone who hasn't been checked out, Sylvia?" Stephanie accused. "Well, that would be a first."
Sylvia scowled at her tall friend and explained, "I meant that we're probably going to need her. Someone like her would greatly complement our group, and it's up to us to show her around. We don't want her to fall into someone else's clutches, now do we?" She saw Relena standing next to the glass display cases and started to move to her.
"What's so special about her?" asked Michelle. She stayed back with the rest of the girls. "Besides the fact that she lives with Zechs Marquise?"
Relena noticed the girls standing several feet away from her. She sighed inwardly. She wasn't in the mood to talk to bantering girls or answer any questions. The girl named Sylvia came sauntering up next to her. Relena ignored her and continued to assess the items in the display. She had no time for meaningless talk. Obviously Sylvia had other ideas.
Sylvia cleared her throat quietly. Relena didn't turn around. She cleared her throat again. No response. She started to get annoyed. She didn't like to be ignored especially by people who obviously didn't know their place. "Excuse me, Miss Dorlian?" Relena finally turned to look at her.
"May I help you with something, Miss Noventa?" Relena questioned coolly. Her cold eyes pierced into the other girl's eyes.
Sylvia blinked slightly flustered but quickly regained her superior air. She wasn't about to let some new girl push her around. She pasted on a fake smile and said, "Forgive my friends. They can be quite a bother sometime." She motioned the others to come nearer. "I'm sure you don't mind answering a few questions, right? You're probably used to it."
Suddenly some of Zechs' advice came into Relena's mind. 'Answer only the questions pertinent to the present time.' Relena thought carefully before nodding faintly. It wouldn't hurt to answer some questions she supposed.
"Great!" exclaimed Sylvia, clasping her hands together. "So where are you from?"
"I moved here from Geneva," was the simple response. Relena continued without them asking. "I cannot give an accurate opinion on a place that I have lived in for only a day. The woman is a colleague of my guardian, and I find living with him quite comfortable. Are there any other questions?"
Silence followed Relena's quick reply, and then the five shook their heads simultaneously. Then Sylvia spoke up. "Well, that was quick. You know, I think we're going to be great friends. We can show..."
"I have no intention of befriending you," Relena interrupted evenly. Her blue eyes maintained its chilliness.
"Excuse me?" Sylvia said. Did she hear wrong? Relena didn't want to be friends with them? That couldn't be possible.
"I have no intention of befriending you or your friends," repeated Relena slowly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Noin coming toward them.
Sylvia laughed aloud. It was a hesitant laugh. "You're joking, right?"
"I never joke," replied the chilly voice. Relena felt a gloved hand on her shoulder and turned around. Noin was standing with a small smile on her face.
"It's time for the auction, Relena. We mustn't keep Zechs waiting," Noin said. She looped her arm through Relena's, and together they walked away from an outraged Sylvia.
Sylvia glared at Relena who strolled away as if nothing happened. She couldn't believe it! Someone rejected her. No one has ever dared to reject her. She was Sylvia Noventa, the most popular girl in school and in society.
"Can you believe that girl? Really who does she think she is?" Amy said to no one in particular.
"She had better not be coming to our school," declared Stephanie. "Or else there's going to be trouble." Suddenly there was an announcement that the auction was starting. All five of the girls started to walk toward the theater where the auction was being held.
People were whispering as they found their tables. The auctioneer was setting up the stage for the first items. In one of the darker corners, Relena and Noin seated themselves with Zechs. He had requested a more secluded spot for them. Zechs noticed the small smile on Noin as they sat down. He leaned in and whispered to Noin, "What happened?"
Noin leaned in as well. "It seems that Relena has made some enemies with those girls," she whispered back and leaned back in her chair.
Zechs looked over at his sister. She was looking at the stage where the first items up for bid were placed. She seemed to be searching for something. Zechs smirked. Relena had found something she wanted. "Anything catch your interest, little soror?" (soror means sister in Latin)
Relena looked back at her brother and said, "I wouldn't mind adding another doll to my collection." She turned her attention back to the stage as the auctioneer began the bidding. She heard a husky laugh behind and smiled faintly to herself. Relena may seem very cold to people, but she does have emotions; she just doesn't like to show them. As Zechs taught her, it was easier to stay detached from things.
The items up for bid went by quickly, and soon the auctioneer pulled out the last item, a porcelain doll that caught several people's attention including Sylvia. She smiled as the auctioneer described it and whispered something to her father. Noventa nodded and handed her a paddle. She giggled and waited for the auctioneer to finish the description. This didn't go by unnoticed by Relena.
"All right, people. What can I get for this seventeenth century doll crafted ever so delicately by the famous John Lane?" the auctioneer declared loudly. "How about we start at $10,000? Do I hear a $10,000?"
A paddle went up, and the bidding began. It continued for about ten minutes until it was down to Sylvia and a bald gentleman. Relena watched and listened closely to their bids. They bested each other by $5000 each time. Soon whispers commenced as the bid went up to $450,000. The doll was obviously a wanted object.
"I thought you wanted the doll," Noin whispered to Relena who hadn't made a bid yet.
"Limit, brother?" Relena asked softly.
"Your choice, Relena. Your choice," replied Zechs with a little smile. He leaned back and waited for the fireworks to begin.
"All right, do we have $500,000?" the auctioneer nearly shouted.
Sylvia lifted up her paddle and grinned smugly at the bald man who finally shook his head and gave up. She smiled triumphantly.
"All right, do we have a higher bid?" asked the auctioneer. Silence. "$500K going once, $500K going twice..."
"One million," interrupted a clear but quiet feminine voice from a corner.
Collective gasps sprang up, and heads turned to look at who made the outrageous bid. The auctioneer's mouth dropped opened. There was no one who was going to outbid that. Sylvia with fury in her eyes turned around to look for whoever made that bid. Whoever it was, she was dead. Her eyes rested upon Relena and flared up even more. Relena saw the astonished gazes on her but stayed composed of course. She also saw the enraged look from Sylvia and almost smiled. Almost.
"Bravo, Relena," Zechs said with a small wicked smile. "Excellent strategy. I'm proud of you." He pushed back his chair and got up. Offering his arm to Noin who promptly took it, he looked back at Relena. "Let's collect your prize." Relena stood up and followed the couple out.
The auctioneer finally found his voice and stuttered, "The auction is officially over. Thank you and enjoy the party." He slowly left the stage, scratching his head. He couldn't believe such a bid for a John Lane doll. They weren't that good.
Conversations started up again as people began to pour into the ballroom. Music soon filled the room as people began to dance. A man walked up to Zechs with the doll in a glass case. Zechs wrote out the check and directed the man to deliver it to his house. He turned and looked at Relena who remained poised even though people were glancing her. They couldn't believe that he had let her spend one million dollars on a doll.
"How about we stay until a little after midnight and then leave?" Noin suggested after staying quiet for most of the time.
"An excellent idea, my dear," replied Zechs. Then the orchestra began to play a waltz. "May I have this dance?" He held out his hand, and Noin placed her in his with a sweet smile. Together they walked out to the dance floor.
Relena couldn't help but grin to herself. When Zechs had first introduced her to Noin, Relena didn't exactly like her right off the bat. Now she saw that those two complement each other completely.
True to his words, Zechs excused themselves from the party a little after midnight. He had enough of socializing that would last him for some time. He bid farewell and good night to the guests and Noventa and got into the limo. Inside it, he let out a deep breath.
"That went well, wouldn't you say Noin?"
"Quite well," she replied, snuggling up next to him. She looked at Relena, expectantly.
Relena looked at them both and sighed softly. "It was an 'enjoyable evening.'"
Laughter filled the limo as it took them back home.