The Guardian

Chapter 2

"Frederick, would you please show Miss Relena to her room," Mr. Yuy asked of his butler as he met up with them in the entrance way.

"Yes sir," Frederick replied as he bowed curtly. "This way Miss."

Relena followed the elderly gentlemen up the grand staircase. "Oh and Frederick, after you get Miss Relena settled in, please send Heero down to the study, I need to speak with him," Mr. Yuy spoke loudly from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yes sir," Frederick answered and continued up the stairs with Relena following close behind.

Relena took in the familiar surroundings as she ascended the stairs, it had been years since she had last seen the place but little, if anything, has changed. The walls were still adorned with fine paintings and lush tapestries and the halls between displayed Mr. Yuy's extravagant collection of old English artifacts. As Frederick led Relena down one of the corridors to her room, Frederick spotted Heero just as he was about to go in to his room. "Master Heero, your father would like to speak to you down in the study."

Heero turned his head to his butler and nodded. "Here is your room Miss Relena," Frederick told the young girl at his side.

"Thank you Frederick, I can take it from here," Relena softly replied.

"As you wish," Frederick answered as he bowed his head and turned on his heel and walked back down the hall.

Relena walked inside her room and slowly closed the door behind her. When she saw where she would be staying, she became quite pleased. The centerpiece of her room was a beautiful, four-poster mahogany bed with royal blue bedding with gold trim. Her bathroom was to the left of the bed and on the wall opposite of the bed, a large stone fireplace. Her wardrobe laid against the wall by the large French doors that led out to a small verandah outside. A matching mahogany vanity stood on the right side of her bed with a white marble surface and a large, ornate mirror. The tapestries were as lush as her bed sheets as both sides fell in loose veils on to the floor. "What a beautiful room," she remarked to herself as she walked over to the glass doors.

Relena peered out the window and caught a glimpse of the garden below. She couldn't see it in its entirety but the view she had was still glorious. "I think I will have to revisit the grounds later, the garden looks absolutely splendid," her voice mellowing as she paused to run her fingers over the cold glass. A slight smile formed on her features as her fingers stilled upon the glass. "I shall not mourn any more."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Heero announced as he opened the double doors into the study.

"Yes, take a seat my boy," Mr. Yuy said as he pointed to the large chair beside him.

Heero took a seat in the chair and averted his attention to his father. "I'm hosting another party next week, since the last one was postponed for obvious reasons."

"Yes, I know," Heero answered

"I would like you to be Relena's escort for the night," his father told him and Heero was quick to respond.

"Is it really necessary father?"

"Relena is going through a difficult time right now and I think this will aid in raising her spirits."

"You know I hate parties father," Heero pleaded.

"Please Heero, do this for my sake and for hers."

Heero's eyes softened slightly and he answered, "All right father, but only because you asked."

"Thank you son, and one more thing Heero. Please show a little more respect towards Miss Relena, she has just lost both of her parents."

Heero nodded and got up from his seat and left the study.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Relena unpacked her belongings and put them all in their proper place. After she situated herself, she pulled out her bonnet and shawl and put them on. She then took one last look out the window before leaving her room. As she was leaving her bedroom, Heero was making his way back down the corridor to his room. "Hello Heero," Relena said politely as he passed her.

"Good day," Heero responded flatly and continued on his way.

Relena knew she wasn't going to get anymore out of him at that moment so she continued on her way. As she reached the top of the stairs, she bumped into Frederick. "Frederick, if anyone inquires about me, I will be out in the garden."

Frederick bowed. "As you wish Miss Relena."

Down the hall, Heero had paused to hear their exchange of words. When everything was said and done, Relena descended the stairs and Heero entered his chambers. The moment Relena reached the bottom of the staircase, Mr. Yuy passed by. He caught a glimpse of her and his eyes went wide and he waved his finger in the air. In a cheerful manner he spoke, "Oh Relena, I have some news that concerns you."

Relena paused and replied, "Yes sir?"

"Tomorrow evening I will be hosting another party, a ball of sorts."

"How pleasant," she answered but her voice seemed to lack the same enthusiasm that her words implied.

Seeing that she was not pleased, Mr. Yuy spoke up. "Why dear, is something the matter? I thought that this might cheer you up a bit."

"Oh sir, I'm grateful for the kind gesture. But you see, I don't have an escort," she answered in her coy tone of voice.

"Is that the problem eh? I don't think you have to worry about that my dear," Mr. Yuy told her with a grin.

With a puzzled look on her face, Relena questioned his words. "I don't quite understand."

"My dear, I have asked Heero to be your escort."

Relena's eyes enlarged with disbelief. Before she could probe any more, Mr. Yuy spoke up once again. "The seamstresses will come to your quarters later to get your measurements for your gown. Good day Relena."

Relena, still at a lost for words, curtsied and watched Mr. Yuy's retreating form go back down the hallway. After her briefing, Relena continued outside towards the garden. She still was a little unfamiliar with the place so it took her a few wrong turns and dead ends to find her way out to the garden. When she did arrive at her destination, she was completely elated. The intoxicating aroma of roses attacked her senses leaving her in a dumbfounded state as she eyed the mass of color before her. Mr. Yuy had an extensive selection of all types of roses, ones of all sizes and color. The sound of running water took her to the cupid fountain resting amid the multitude of petals and thorns. With each and every step, Relena inhaled nothing but sweetness as her body moved to the ledge of the fountain where she in turn took a seat.

She dipped her finger tips in the rippling water and felt the cool blue liquid. Her fingers ran in lazy circles over the water's surface as she tilted her gaze into the water. After seeing her reflection, she smiled gently and stood up. The charming pink roses across from her caught her attention as she meandered slowly towards them. With careful hands, she plucked the rose from its stem and held it gently in her palm. The rose's natural beauty drew her in as she ran her fingers over the pale pink petals admiring every feature they possessed. 'So beautiful,' she thought.

Relena took the rose over towards the fountain and took a seat on the outer rim. Delicately, she laid the rose in the water and watched as the ripples escaped beneath the pink petals. Relena looked up momentarily from the water at the house. She managed to find her bedroom window and scanned the rest of the facade to encase it in her memory for later use. A little ways down from her own window, she noticed a figure leaning up against the railing of another small verandah. 'Heero?' was her first thought.

As if feeling someone's gaze upon them, the figure turned around. Relena's suspicions were correct as Heero looked back down at the garden and found her eyes. Before a second could pass, Heero retreated back into his quarters and Relena was left in wonder. 'Heero.'

"Pardon me Miss Relena, but it is time for your fitting," Frederick chimed.

Relena quickly turned her head and apologized. "Sorry Frederick, I must have been daydreaming."

"No need to worry madam. Now if you'd please follow me," Frederick answered politely.

Relena nodded and accompanied the elderly gentleman back to the estate. When they returned, a group of seamstresses awaited Relena in the main hall along with Mr. Yuy. "Enjoy the roses my dear?" Mr. Yuy asked her as she took off her bonnet and shawl and handed them over to Frederick.

"They are just as lovely and divine as I remember them," she responded.

"Splendid. Now just go with these ladies and they will get right to work in making you a dress fit for tomorrow night's soiree."

She smiled and said, "You are too kind."

Mr. Yuy just smiled as the group of women escorted Relena out of the room. As soon as Relena and the others were out of sight, Mr. Yuy looked over at his butler and said, "She sure has grown eh Frederick?"

"Yes sir, a delightful young girl."

"And just as beautiful as her mother," Mr. Yuy answered with a sigh as he put his hands behind his back.

"Is something the matter sir?" Frederick asked with concern as he observed Mr. Yuy's mannerisms.

"It's so nice having her back again Frederick. It's been years since these walls have echoed with the sound of children's laughter. Ever since Heero's mom passed away, the laughter has ceased to exist and these old ears have missed it so. It's a pity she had to come here under such circumstances but it is my hope that she will bring some laughter back to this house."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Relena followed the three ladies down the hall to the sewing room. They entered the room and one of the ladies said, "Miss, please go stand on the stool over there."

Relena saw the stool the lady was addressing and stepped up on it. The three ladies went over to her and began taking her measurements. "My, what a petite figure," one of the ladies chimed as she measure Relena's waist.

Relena blushed slightly with embarrassment at that comment as the three women did their work. "That will be all Miss, we got what we need. Now run along, Mr. Yuy gave us very little time to make the dress so we need all the time we can get," they told Relena as she got off the stool.

"Thank you," Relena answered coyly with a nod. She then went on her way down the hall. She headed back to her room to rest for a bit, it had been a long and eventful day for her. Relena laid down on the bed and turned her head towards the ceiling. 'They have all been so kind to me here. Maybe I can get through this afterall,' she concluded as she shut her eyes.