April 2002

Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..


Chapter 17


Martin swirled the red liquid in his glass and nodded to the guests
assembled at the etiquette school dinner. Several notable persons were
seated around the table. Two other Dukes, two Barons and a Marquis along
with the teachers of the course and, of course, the one student. Darien
Chiba. Martin's gaze passed over the last man as if he weren't there. "It
is good of you to have come tonight. I am pleased to be having this dinner
in honor of our liege, the King."

Darien felt his throat close at the smooth words that came from this
monster's mouth. Martin had polish, charm and oozed confidence. Life a
noble had instilled in him that he was above the law; better than all but
the King. Martin spoke for several minutes about the King, himself and his
work in the city and around the world. He spoke of diplomatic endeavours,
several countries that could benefit from peace and his intentions of
setting them straight once he took the throne as the King. Darien felt
himself squeezing a napkin in his hand, his fingers going numb as he fought
to maintain control in front of the pompous man. He refused to do anything
to disgrace Selenity.

Martin finally sat as several servants brought in the first course.
Mindful of Martin's eyes on him as he grasped the first of his utensils,
he nodded to the man before taking a small bite. His lessons echoed
through his head as his teacher watched. He'd been a quick study, the meal
mannerisms being almost as easy to grasp as the proper way to approach a
lady when asking for a dance. He talked in low tones with his teacher and
the Marquis on his left as he tasted each dish.

A desert was being served Martin finally addressed him, "Mr. Chiba."

Darien finished answering his teacher's question before looking
politely at the man, his teeth gritted together. He didn't like Martin, he
would never like Martin. He would have liked nothing more than to put the
man behind bars for his crimes... or six feet under. Just to keep him on
his toes he swallowed his aggression and asked pleasantly, "May I be of
service, Duke of Elridge?"

Martin's gaze turned wary at his pleasant, deferential tone. He
narrowed his eyes and perused Darien's face carefully. He didn't trust
this man, didn't trust the man who was busy turning his betrothed against
him. "I understand you are enrolled in the University's medical program."

"That is correct."

"Is it true that you have several more years of study before
graduating?"

Darien smiled faintly, "That depends on if I take summer classes or
not. With summer classes I can be finished in 3 more semesters. That is
of course, with both of my majors and minors."

Martin gritted his teeth. This man was too smooth, too polite. He
didn't like it. "What are your plans after graduation?"

Darien finished chewing the bite he had put into his mouth before
answering, "The same as any medical student. I already have a job waiting
for me at the ER, that's Emergency Room, in the Hospital if I want it."

"I see."

The Marquis smiled, surprised, "Really? That's most commendable.
The ER is a very high stress environment."

Darien nodded, glancing at Martin, "I handle stress very well, in
fact, too well in some cases."

The Marquis shook his head, "Perhaps, Mr. Chiba, but to have an
opportunity like that waiting if you should want it is high praise indeed.
You must be an exceptional student."

"I managed to keep a very high average. I have always been able to
apply myself to my studies, fortunately that has carried through into my
university. I would be more than willing to introduce you to some of my
professors if you wish."

The Marquis nodded, "I would enjoy that. Do you have a job as
well?"

"Currently no. I used to be a model for men's Tuxedos. That was
before I became aware of the trust fund left to me by my parents. They
both died when I was very young. Currently I am simply living off the
interest of that fund. It has accumulated to a substantial amount while I
left it alone."

"Formidable. So you are an orphan?"

Darien nodded.

"The Duke of Elridge is also an orphan," the Marquis nodded to
Martin, "He lost his parents when he was but 16. Thankfully the
arrangements for his future had already been made and he was mostly
prepared to step into his father's shoes."

Darien glanced with surprise at Martin. This was news. It helped
explain why the man had turned out the way he was, at least parts of it.
He felt a kind of kinship with the man who'd lost his parents; not that it
stopped him from wanting to kill him, but he could sympathize. "You were
fortunate to have known your parents for that long, sir. I am sorry for
your loss."

Martin blinked. That was completely unexpected. "A most regrettable
loss, Mr. Chiba. Even more so when these men will no doubt tell you that
my younger brother was lost in the same crash."

The other men around the table nodded, the older of the two other
Duke's speaking for the first time, "The boy had such promise in him too.
He'd be 24 or 25 now. A real shame to loose one so young. What was his
name? Emmy something?"

Martin looked pained, "Gentlemen, please."

The Duke who'd spoken inclined his head, "My apologies, Martin, I
know it is a painful subject."

Darien listened avidly, filing the details away for the future.
Anything that pained Martin might come in handy for humiliating him later;
you never knew when something like that might come in handy.

The subject changed from Martin's parents to matters of state again
and the dinner continued for a few more hours until Martin finally stood
and excused himself. The other two Dukes and the Barons excused themselves
as well just as quickly. The Marquis turned to look at Darien,
scrutinizing him.

"If I may be so bold, Mr. Chiba, when did you lose your parents?"

"When I was five or six. I do not remember much of them, to be
honest."

The Marquis nodded and rose to his feet. "That was the same age as
Martin's younger brother when he died." his words were quiet as he nodded
and left.

Darien sat frozen in his chair. Martin's brother. It was
impossible. Martin wasn't a Chiba. He frowned. He hoped beyond hope he
wasn't related to Martin. Somewhere he was vaguely aware of responding to
his etiquette teacher's praise on his handling of the meal, his manners and
his speech. He accepted the offer to take a couple of days off to sleep
and somehow found his way to his car. Once there he put his head in his
hands and tried to get it to stop spinning.

One thought sprang to his mind amidst the chaos and confusion.
Selenity. She or her father would know about the circumstances surrounding
the death f Martin's parents. He had to know. He sat up straight and
turned the key in the ignition. He pulled out of the parking lot and
turned his car towards Selenity's home.


"I am sorry sir, but the Princess has already retired for the night.
If you come back Friday she will be able to speak with you."

"Dammit, Charles, this is important, I need to speak to her!"

"Darien, sir, I understand but it is late. Almost midnight by my
clock. Can this not wait?"

He rubbed his forehead. She was sleeping, he didn't want to wake
her up; he knew how hard her duties were on her. "Fine. Tell her to call
me when she gets the chance, will you?"

"Of course sir."

Darien pulled away from the gate intercom and headed back towards
his apartment building. The thoughts spinning around in his head wouldn't
go away but maybe sleep would lend some order to them.




*Darien's Dream*

*FLASH*

"Endymion!"

A small boy with black hair looked up to see a beautiful woman with
raven hair holding out her arms to him.

*FLASH*

A stern looking man threw the young boy up in the air, catching him
before putting him back on the ground. "Go play with your friends,
Endymion. Dad has work to do."

*FLASH*

Blood, smeared all over his hands and face, coating everything. The
limp, lifeless body of the beautiful woman contorted with pain. Broken
limbs and missing fingers dominated his view. A slow pan to the left
showed the stern looking man limply folded over a steering wheel. The face
was barely recognizable, covered in blood. Part of his head was missing
and blood flowed from the empty spot in his skull. Pain flashed through
him, bringing oblivion and unconsciousness...

*FLASH*

Drew was there. Sitting at his bed side, his eyes red and puffy
from crying. The black haired boy looked at him in confusion, wondering
what made him cry so. Drew opened his mouth to say something but nothing
came out. The boy suddenly felt dizzy, a bandage wrapped around his
forehead applying unwelcome pressure.


Darien woke in a cold sweat, throwing off the sheets and stumbling
through his bedroom to the balcony. He stepped outside, shaking so badly
he had trouble standing. He grasped the railing with both hands, his
knuckles turning white, as he sucked in a deep breath. The powerful
memory of his parent's death was close to the surface tonight. He knew
why. His speculations and the similarities between his youth and Martin's
were playing havoc with his mind. He breathed deeply, closing his eyes
briefly before looking up at the full moon. He needed to talk to Selenity,
needed her to deny the posibility that her betrothed and he could be
related. He was having trouble finding a rational reason, beyond his last
name, why it couldn't possibly be. He took another deep breath, feeling
something soft brush up against his leg.

Luna meowed, feeling her master's distress and wove between his
legs, offering comfort in the only way she knew how. Darien watched as she
jumped to the cement wall and nudged his hand, licking the back of it. He
couldn't smile, but he releasedhis grip on the bar and placed Luna in the
middled of them. He bowed his head, nuzzling her, and resting his forehead
against her belly. She purred, wrapping her paws around the top of his
head and licking his hair. He didn't move for a few moments, sorting
through his thoughts. He could do a few things. He could speak to
Andrew's parents and get a look at his adoption papers, which would be
simple enough. He could wait until Selenity's father returned and ask him
or he could go to Martin and ask. He grimaced. He really didn't want to
ask Martin anything.

Lastly, he could speak with Selenity and see what she knew about
Martin's past. He liked the last option more, but he didn't want to pain
her in any way. He sighed, lifting his head and gently nudging Luna's
belly. "What do you think I should do, baby? Do you think it might be
possible I am related to that animal?"

Luna continued to purr as he moved one hand to gently rub her belly,
lifting his gaze to the moon. "I don't know if it's a good idea to speak
to Selenity about this. What if I upset her? I don't even know if she can
help."

Luna licked his hand, meowing softly.

"I wish you could talk, baby girl, I bet you would have some really
good advice for me. I think I'll start with the folks. Maybe they can
tell me something." he bent his head and nuzzled her belly again before
scooping her up in his arms and walking back into his apartment. He
wouldn't be sleeping for the rest of the night, but at least he had good
company, coffee and somewhere to start his search.


Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to

Jademax@hotmail.com

Unless of course you'd like to write a review!

Thanks for reading!

Jade_Max