*Author's Note*: Hey! This is chapter #5. Once again, I'm sorry it's really short. I'm working on finding a way to cut chapters so they're longer. This isn't my best chapter. It's kind of during a lull in the action and I was having problems with writter's block. So, sorry about the whole chapter, but it's significant to the storyline, or I would have cut it out. Anyway, enjoy.
CHAPTER 5
The new ballroom was already filling as Une hurried down the staircase.
/Damn! I'm late. Grandfather's going to kill me./
With a swishing of silk skirts, she rushed towards the entrance hall. She had been reading a book and lost track of time. And it was definitely not very seemly for a young lady to appear late for her own party.
As she rounded the corner into the entrance hall, she slid slightly on the slick wood floor. To her dismay everyone turned and stared.
"Une, this is Duke Treize Khushrenade." She heard her grandfather say, but she was too embarrassed to look up. "Come now, child, he is eager to be aquatinted with you."
"Good evening, Duke."
He smiled and accepted her hand, bringing it to his lips. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Une. I have had the honor of meeting few ladies as beautiful as you."
"Why, thank you! My, what marvelous manners you have." She flushed at the compliment. And smiled up at the young duke, noticing out of the corner of her eye a taller man behind him. Une shivered under the glare of the duke's companion. "Where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself to your companion-"
Treize gave a dismissive gesture. "Just my serving man, he accompanies me everywhere, lest I need his assistance. Sadly, he has been mute since birth.....If his presence disturbs you, I shall send him away."
Une shook her head. "That's not necessary." But quickly, she lead him away, escaping the icy gaze of the blonde.
*****
Smiling and nodding, Treize made his way through the crowd. His target, Une. The girl had captured him from the moment he had met her. She was exactly what he needed. He could sense her curiosity, her hate of the provincial life and the rebellion within. Besides, she was gorgeous, bright, and spirited.
/And there is already a rivalry. Good./ He laughed inwardly. Zechs had done a poor job of concealing his emotions. /Strange, how Zechs is so much my opposite. Of all the things I have taught him, he could never control his emotions. I excel at that./ He shook his head and continued forward. She would be easily swayed.
And Zechs.....Well, that was a problem that could be easily taken care of later. How blindly loyal the blonde was. It rather reminded Treize of a dog, trusting and faithful to his master, almost to a fault.
/The boy has much to learn about life. Or, more appropriately, death..../ He mused.
CHAPTER 5
The new ballroom was already filling as Une hurried down the staircase.
/Damn! I'm late. Grandfather's going to kill me./
With a swishing of silk skirts, she rushed towards the entrance hall. She had been reading a book and lost track of time. And it was definitely not very seemly for a young lady to appear late for her own party.
As she rounded the corner into the entrance hall, she slid slightly on the slick wood floor. To her dismay everyone turned and stared.
"Une, this is Duke Treize Khushrenade." She heard her grandfather say, but she was too embarrassed to look up. "Come now, child, he is eager to be aquatinted with you."
"Good evening, Duke."
He smiled and accepted her hand, bringing it to his lips. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Une. I have had the honor of meeting few ladies as beautiful as you."
"Why, thank you! My, what marvelous manners you have." She flushed at the compliment. And smiled up at the young duke, noticing out of the corner of her eye a taller man behind him. Une shivered under the glare of the duke's companion. "Where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself to your companion-"
Treize gave a dismissive gesture. "Just my serving man, he accompanies me everywhere, lest I need his assistance. Sadly, he has been mute since birth.....If his presence disturbs you, I shall send him away."
Une shook her head. "That's not necessary." But quickly, she lead him away, escaping the icy gaze of the blonde.
*****
Smiling and nodding, Treize made his way through the crowd. His target, Une. The girl had captured him from the moment he had met her. She was exactly what he needed. He could sense her curiosity, her hate of the provincial life and the rebellion within. Besides, she was gorgeous, bright, and spirited.
/And there is already a rivalry. Good./ He laughed inwardly. Zechs had done a poor job of concealing his emotions. /Strange, how Zechs is so much my opposite. Of all the things I have taught him, he could never control his emotions. I excel at that./ He shook his head and continued forward. She would be easily swayed.
And Zechs.....Well, that was a problem that could be easily taken care of later. How blindly loyal the blonde was. It rather reminded Treize of a dog, trusting and faithful to his master, almost to a fault.
/The boy has much to learn about life. Or, more appropriately, death..../ He mused.