Thief of Hearts

Chapter Five by: Lady Pax

Regular disclaimers apply

~+~

"Weeeell," said Aveli as she relaxed on the futon in the bedroom she was staying in, in Treize's castle, "I think ole King K. should be thinking about when to let me go for good behavior right about now…" She laughed, swinging her legs as she lied on her back, reclined by two pillows against the wall. She admired her new boots. So pretty, and so shiny. ^_^

Aveli was just in the middle of a squeaky-boot symphony, when Treize entered the room.

"Hey! You're supposed to knock, dim-witted toad!" she exclaimed, standing up and putting her hands on her hips. "I could've been changing for Christ's sakes!"

Treize smiled slightly at that, but said placidly, "Well you weren't; and that's all that matters. But my very good friend Quatre Raberba Winner – you may have heard of him – is coming for a visit, and will be here in approximately one hour. I know you already took a shower this morning, but I know that the maids would have given you a good enough washing as you would if you had done it yourself. So you will take another one."

Aveli was about to protest, about to say that there was no stinkin' way she was getting in the tub at this hour, AGAIN, when Treize added as an afterthought:

"You're clothes smell, funny, too – I'm sure it's contaminated your skin as well. You can wear your new clothes, but they'll be washed and most-likely sprayed with Lysol, as will you."

"You're acting like some sort of parental figure or something," said Aveli, throwing her arms up in 'insanity'.

"And you," Treize said, pointing at her, "are acting like a juvenile delinquent."

"Well it obviously never bothered you much before, Great King Treize," she said sarcastically, "or else you would've gotten much better guards and policemen down their in the town to catch me!" She stood taller, arms crossed over her chest and chin out defiantly.

"Oh Hilde …" Treize called. One of the three maids Aveli had already met earlier came scuttling in.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Hilde asked, bowing her head slightly. Aveli rolled her eyes.

"Why don't you just add 'how may I ease your life, oh great one?" she spat disgustedly.

"You cut in before I could get to that!" Hilde said, and Treize looked at her in surprise. Aveli looked wide-eyed. "Just kidding," Hilde said, winking. "But anyway, Your Highness, what do you need…" As a joke she added, "Oh great one?"

"Don't you start too," said Treize, annoyed. "But I just need you to escort Miss Marlece here to one of the bathrooms so she may bathe before Mr. Winner arrives." Treize turned, and walked out of the room.

"Bastard," Aveli snarled as Hilde motioned for her to follow her.

"Oh, he's not that bad," Hilde said. "Once you get to know him better."

"I doubt it…" Aveli murmured, and entered the bathroom Hilde pointed her to.

~+~

About fifteen minutes later, after Aveli had figured out all the dials and knobs and temperatures and which shampoos and soaps to use in the bathtub, said girl was submerged to her chin in the water. All her body but her knees and lower collar-bone and up were under the steaming-hot water.

Aveli lay her head against the silver-white tiled wall of the bathroom, and took a long breath. How long had it been since she had taken a bath – not counting earlier that day? She couldn't remember. She sighed, and stretched beneath the water before deciding it was time to lather up and make herself 'clean'. She took a wash cloth, some soap, and lathered her body and rinsed. It was right about then she realized that the bathroom was getting drafty.

She turned to the door, rose-scented soap-bar in her hand, when she saw that the door was open – Treize standing there, messing with the tie of his white bathrobe.

"…Uhh…" Aveli said softly, but he didn't hear. Treize stepped farther in the bathroom, and Aveli could see he held a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a comb in his hand.

It was then she realized that he was planning on taking a bath in there. And that she was naked beneath the wall of water, and one could see a fair amount of cleavage. She sank under the water, but there wasn't enough to cover herself up 'decently'.

Aveli felt a blush stain her cheekbones as Treize turned after closing the door, his ice-blue gaze meeting her chocolate-brown one. They stood there, staring at each other foolishly, until Aveli spoke up. "Unless you're going to hop in the water with me, Treize-dear," she said sarcastically, "you'd best get out before something gets hurt or broken."

Treize mumbled a fast apology before turning and walking out.

~+~

A few minutes later, not risking the chance again, Aveli dried off and dressed in her new clothes. She stepped out into Hilde's laughing face. Her eyes narrowed. "You planned all of that, didn't you? That's Treize bathroom – isn't it?" she hissed.

"PRICELESS…" was all Hilde could say between snickers.

Aveli's scowl turned into a sadistic smile that made Hilde wonder. "It's a good thing a maid like you can't afford anything fancy or expensive, Hilde," she said in a scornful voice. "Or else you'd pay for this little incident with those said items." She paused when she saw the infuriated look forming on Hilde's face when she began to get the insult. "But this way, you'll pay me back in a much better and more fun way!" She patted Hilde's back as she walked to her room. "Be a sport, little girl."

~+~

And thas'it! Crappy, yes…but…*sigh* I couldn't think of anything else! And incase you couldn't tell already…I HATE HILDE!! DIE DIE DIE! Hee! *grin* 

Chapter Six by: Death's Daughter !