Royal Palace
"How do I look, Benton?"
The lieutenant grinned. "Sir, I told you five minutes ago."
Miliardo started pacing then stopped to look at the clock, then at Benton again. "Is it too early to leave?"
"I believe so. Another ten minutes should be sufficient."
He was being a fool, Miliardo knew it, but the anticipation was unbearable. That morning he had awakened with a splitting headache lying in a strange bed. He didn't realize where he was until he stumbled out of the bedroom and saw Noin still dressed sleeping on a chair, her head back with a viewing visor on her head. Miliardo hadn't thought she was the type to waste time on virtual games. Despite his rumbling gut and the spears attacking behind his eyes, he smiled and gently took the visor from her head.
Noin had instantly awakened and snatched the visor from him with lightening reflexes. Hence the tattoo, he thought with a laugh. Noin had taken care of him that morning. Noin always took care of him. Miliardo wanted to take care of her forever. Tonight was the night. Tonight there was magic in the air. He felt it.
Relena had left five minutes ago to pick up Heero Yuy for the Stardust Ball. She had warned him to behave. This was a ceremonial duty, yet his sister didn't trust him. Miliardo wasn't about to replay yesterday's debacle in the restaurant. Tonight he had something else in mind. A dance in the moonlight, a kiss, and a tender declaration. He reached into his pocket to withdraw a small royal blue velvet covered box. Benton inched closer as Miliardo opened it.
The lieutenant stared open-mouthed at the brilliance of the ring. Two lightening bolts fashion of diamonds crossed. "Is it engraved?" asked Benton.
Miliardo chuckled. "You can't engrave gundanium alloy."
Benton laughed. "She will love it!"
Before Miliardo could put the box away, the door to the salon swung open. "Vice-Minister Lady Une," announced the servant.
The box slipped from his fingers, and both he and Benton bent to retrieve it, colliding as they did.
Miliardo felt like a fool on his knees as Lady Une walked in wearing formal attire, a fur thrown over her shoulder. He and Benton exchanged surprised looks, then Miliardo straightened. Benton shot up after him and shoved the ring in his hand.
Smoothing his white suit, Miliardo stepped forward. "Vice-Minister, this is an unexpected pleasure."
A handshake was not enough for her. She shoved her hand under his nose and he had no choice but to brush his lips against her cool flesh. "Geneva is so close by, Miliardo, that I could not resist a visit. I did not want you to have to escort your own sister to the Stardust Ball. A strong, handsome prince like you should have a woman at his side."
Miliardo tried to release her hand, but she curled her fingers around his and moved closer. "I was about to leave," he said lamely, unable to come up with anything else.
Lady Une smiled. "Then I arrived at the perfect moment. We can take my car." She curled her arm around his and Miliardo was forced to accompany her. He threw one desperate look over his shoulder at Benton.
Benton clicked his heels together and saluted.
So much for a magical night.
**********
The doorbell rang.
Noin stopped by a full-length mirror to check her appearance for the umpteenth time. The sparkling dark red floor-length gown fit perfectly. It shimmered over her as she moved, but for once she didn't look like that indecent slut Roxie Rivera.
The doorbell rang again.
She ignored it as she double-checked the makeup she used sparingly tonight. Roxie was an amusing persona, she thought, but as she fingered the Peacecraft rubies, she knew she would never embarrass Miliardo when wearing them. The only imperfection to the ensemble was the bleached hair that was arranged atop her head tonight. The rubies would look much better with her own black hair. She would be glad to rid herself of the hair extensions and wigs. But until the Shadowhawk was destroyed, she had no choice. Gundam pilots were notorious for single-mindedly completing their missions. Devoid of fragile emotions, the pilots had only their mission. Noin preferred that the Shadowhawk did not accomplish that one particular mission.
Now the doorbell was ringing insistently, so she went to the door, smiling about Miliardo's impatience. She was surprised to find Benton waiting in the hallway. Noin looked past him, half-expecting to see her prince skulking indecisively as usual. But the corridor was empty. Although it was strangely inconsiderate, Noin decided he was waiting in the car.
"Well," she commented aloud, "I shouldn't have expected any different, not after yesterday." She smiled and pulled Benton into her apartment. "At least I can get your opinion."
"Miss…Rivera?"
Noin snatched up her handbag lying on a side table and pushed aside makeup, a silk handkerchief and a handgun. Then she pulled out a small, royal blue covered box. "I am going to be shockingly bold tonight, lieutenant."
Benton raised a brow. "Miss Rivera, when are you not shockingly bold?"
Laughing softly, she snapped open the box and watched his reaction. Benton did not disappoint her. His eyes widened and he looked at her face. She smiled and lifted the ring, two lightening bolts of diamonds that crossed.
"I tried to have it engraved," she told Benton as she turned the ring to catch the light.
"You can't engrave gundanium," he remarked.
Noin looked at him. "How did you know?"
"Lucky guess!"
"The royal jeweler fashion it from my design. So I know it is the right size. The jeweler seemed amused by my request."
"I can't imagine why," chuckled Benton, and when she looked at him, he was grinning like a fool. "It's not everyday a lowlife like yourself commissions a ring for the ruling prince."
Noin laughed and pushed the ring in its resting-place, returning it to her bag. "I suppose your are right! But tonight we will not be seeing the lowlife Roxie Rivera. Lucrezia Noin is going to ask Miliardo Peacecraft to marry her."
Silence met her announcement.
She looked at Benton and he seemed anxious. "What is the matter?"
"You may wish to do it another time," advised the lieutenant.
Noin laughed and spun, hugging herself. "It's a magical night, Benton! I feel it here." She pressed her gloved hands to her chest. "How can he not feel it too?"
Benton did not share her enthusiasm.
Her euphoria faded. "What is wrong, lieutenant?"
"I'm sorry, commander…" He caught himself, "Miss Rivera. You will not be able to accompany the prince tonight."
"You are joking!" Noin laughed, but stopped abruptly when she saw the seriousness of his expression. "You aren't!" She felt crushed and couldn't keep the tears from spilling over her lashes. Benton quickly offered his handkerchief, and she dabbed them away.
"Is it because of the publicity?" The newspapers had been scathing in criticism of Miliardo Peacecraft that day for his ignoble behavior at the restaurant the previous afternoon. But Miliardo had read the paper over her breakfast table while drinking strong coffee and nursing a hangover. He had made no comment then. The moment he left her apartment, however, reporters and photographers had besieged him. The picture of him on the afternoon news report had been less than flattering. And it had been flashed next to old footage of Zechs Merquise.
"He would be with you, if he could," stated Benton earnestly.
Noin started to draw off the long, dark red gloves. "Well, I suppose its another night alone then." She glanced at Benton, noticing that he was formally dressed. "Don't let me keep you from your duties, lieutenant."
He straightened his jacket sleeves. "I am not on duty this evening, Miss Rivera." Benton held out his arm to her. "I believe the prince would want you to attend the ball. He is expecting to see you there."
She raised a brow. Noin had assumed Miliardo would hide in the palace again. "But…"
"His Excellency is escorting Vice-Minister Lady Une this evening."
"Lady Une!" Was that her shrieking like a jealous hag?
Benton cringed. "She suddenly appeared."
"Like the Shadowhawk!" Noin was frowning. "And the Lightening Count couldn't make evasive maneuvers?" Suddenly she burst into laughter as she imagined Miliardo Peacecraft confronted with the World and Space Alliance's resident shark. How she would have loved to see the look on his face!
She smiled at Benton. "I would be delighted to accompany you, lieutenant."
He saluted her and clicked his heels. "I am at your service."
**********
"…And progress has been made rebuilding the west side of the city."
Lady Une sighed and sat back against the plush seat of her limousine. "The Cinq Kingdom has come a long way under your leadership."
Her assessing gaze made Miliardo's flesh crawl. Another man might find her attractive, but he knew that beneath her beauty beat the heart of a calculating snake.
She crossed her legs and her dress fell open to expose her shapely leg to her thigh. Her lips curved into a smile. "You have been very busy, Zechs Merquise."
How much did she really know? Miliardo didn't betray his concern. "The Cinq Kingdom has been devastated by wars. There is much to be done."
"Do not neglect your duties to the World and Space Alliance," she scolded softly, then tossed back her hair. His eyes were drawn to the diamond necklace dripping down her neck, and consequently to her plunging neckline.
He wondered how Noin was reacting to her change in escorts.
"Miliardo, why don't you open the champagne."
To get to the bottle resting in a silver bucket on the floor, he would have to reach across Lady Une. He gauged the distance between himself and the bottle, the angle of approach and the length of time there would be physical contact. By the light of anticipation, he saw in her eyes that she was doing the same. It would take a clever man to overcome her. Zechs Merquise could do it. He was the Lightening Count.
With a sigh, he reached for the bottle, but Lady Une chose that moment to shift her legs, knocking him in the chest, and he fell forward, his face coming to a stop in her bosom. Lady Une took a deep breath, but Miliardo seized the neck of the champagne bottle and sprang back. That battle was his!
Lady Une smiled. Miliardo righted himself and murmured an apology, then turned his eyes to the champagne bottle. What was Noin doing? Was she with Benton in his own car?
That thought made him pause. He had a bottle of champagne in his car too. What kind of games was Roxie Rivera playing with Lieutenant Benton at this exact moment?
"I'll get the glasses," volunteered Lady Une. They were on the other side of Miliardo, but he wasn't thinking about what physical contortions they would be going through for her to get them.
Benton was a handsome young man, he thought as he worked at the cork. Noin had trained him at Lake Victoria. She had trained many men who adored her. Benton was no different, was he?
Lady Une brushed against him as she lifted the delicate glasses.
He smiled faintly at her as he continued to struggle with the cork.
How did Noin look wearing those rubies? The bill for her gown had been enormous, but at least the designer was reputable. How did she react when Benton gave her the news? Was she angry? Would she be looking for revenge? Would she be upset and need comfort? Would Benton comfort her?
Lady Une was smiling patiently as she held out the glasses.
Miliardo frowned. Benton was comforting Noin. Benton was admiring her in her lovely, expensive designer gown. Benton was seeing his jewels around her neck. Benton…Benton had seen Noin wearing nothing but the jewels!
"Miliardo?" prompted Lady Une.
He looked at the bottle. Damn! If Noin didn't show up at the ball, if Benton didn't show his face…
The cork popped and champagne spilled over his hand. Lady Une gasped, then laughed as she quickly dabbed at the champagne with a handkerchief from her handbag. She managed to contain the spill to his cuff. She was so close he could feel her warm breath against his neck.
Noin and Benton! Miliardo glared past Lady Une's head. He should have known! No wonder Noin had wanted Benton to know she was not dead! Or did he know all along? Had he been meeting her secretly?
Lady Une put her hands on his chest and ran her fingers under the lapels of his jacket.
He glanced down at her.
She pushed herself upwards.
What a stupid thought! Benton was always standing in his shadow! Miliardo even doubted the young man slept.
Quickly he turned to take a glass from where she had placed them on the seat beside him. "Some champagne, Lady Une?"
Sighing, she righted herself and sat back with a glass in her hand. She was watching him pour the champagne through half-closed eyes. Miliardo was extremely annoyed to be sitting here fighting off this piranha while Noin and Benton were…were…
"You can stop pouring anytime," remarked Lady Une with amusement.
He was spilling champagne over the rim of the glass. Smiling lamely, he took a sip from the glass, then handed it to her to hold as he poured another. When he finished, they exchanged glasses and her fingers brushed over his unnecessarily.
Was Noin having a drink with Benton?
Lady Une raised her glass. "To us and a new beginning to an old alliance."
New beginning? Old alliance? Is that what was going on with Benton and Noin? Was Noin tapping her glass to Benton's now? Was she looking at him over the rim of that glass as she took a drink? Did Benton take the glass out of her hand to set aside? Was Noin reaching out for him?
The sound of breaking glass and Lady Une's gasp snapped him out of his fantasy. There was broken glass on his lap, a stem in his hand.
"My, aren't you nervous!" laughed Vice-Minister Une, but she was eyeing the glass in his lap with glee. Before he could react, she was gathering the pieces, quite liberally touching him. Then she was attacking him with her handkerchief.
Before she could make a full assault, the limousine rolled to a stop. Reports and photographers converged on the car.
Lady Une smiled at him. "This publicity will be good for you, Zechs Merquise."
The bright flashes hurt his eyes as he stepped from the limousine. He held out his hand and Lady Une took it. She stepped out gracefully and moved close to Miliardo, tossing her fur over her shoulder. To all their questions about their relationship, she had no comment. One hapless reporter dared to ask Miliardo's intentions toward Roxie Rivera, and his glare stunned him silent. Miliardo was uncomfortable with Lady Une pressed close to him. Where was Noin?
Lady Une was in the middle of a discourse on the objectives of the Geneva Conference when another limousine arrived, this one bearing the flags of the Cinq Kingdom's royal family. Miliardo watched as Benton stepped out and held out his hand. He saw her shapely leg first, and when the rest of her emerged, he completely forgot about the woman who seemed to be growing out the side of his body. Miliardo couldn't breathe.
As she stepped from the car, photographers engulfed Noin. She was in no mood to be Roxie Rivera tonight, and she realized too late that it was to her disadvantage. She appeared every bit the dying flame of Prince Miliardo as Lady Une stood blazing brightly at his side. Damn! She was a blood-sucking leech!
Benton held out his arm and Noin took it, ignoring the reporters who were demanding to know what she would do. What did they think she would do? Noin could put up with the speculations of the reports as she approached the other couple. She could even stand the smug smirk on Lady Une's face as she and Benton drew level with them. But she couldn't take the sight of lipstick on the pristine white collar of Miliardo's shirt.
Benton leaned close to whisper. "Please don't draw your gun!"
Laughing softly, she thought how pleasant it would be to aim her gun straight at Lady's Une's cold heart. Then she noticed the color come to Miliardo's face as he looked from her to Benton. Well! This was a change! Miliardo Peacecraft was jealous! If she wanted to spite him, she would make the most of it by hanging on Benton like Lady Une, but the warmth of the Peacecraft rubies around her neck reminded her of her original mission. Lady Une could pretend all she wanted. Miliardo Peacecraft was hers.
So squaring her shoulders, she moved past Benton, and when she came to Miliardo, she turned to give him a warm smile. He caught his breath and she could feel him staring after her as she entered the ballroom alone. She hoped he was thinking of her tattoo.
Benton caught up to her, but he didn't try to take her arm. They were not a couple, and she wanted Miliardo to know it. He stayed slightly behind her. "Well done, princess."
Noin smiled. There was still a little magic in the air.