Seaside Laboratory
The shuttle hadn't even stopped before Noin jumped from her seat and stomped to the door to wait impatiently for it to be opened. The young lieutenant who hurried to open it tried desperately to hide his smile, but Miliardo saw it and almost laughed. He dared not. Noin would likely seize the young man's gun and fire at him. Before hurling herself out, she stopped, turned to look at him, and her eyes told him exactly where she wanted him to go. Then she was gone in a flurry of gauzy, colorful veils. The garment had been given to her by one of the Maganauc's women. Unfortunately Noin didn't appreciate being dressed as if she had stepped out of Arabian nights. Miliardo thought it was quite amusing.
Benton apparently did too, because he was chuckling as he stepped onto the shuttle. "Was that Commander Noin or did you buy some harem slave?"
"That idea has some merit, Benton. Unfortunately, that was Noin." He left his seat. "Do you have any more information about the gundams? Have they been able to contact us?"
"Not yet. But they are clever young men. I am quite sure they will find a way." Benton led him from the shuttle into the hanger below Seaside. Noin was standing with Sally Po from whom she had borrowed a jacket to cover her flimsy excuse for a top. When she saw Miliardo, she quickly turned away.
"Trouble in paradise, your Excellency?" asked Benton.
"You enjoy prying into my private life," observed Miliardo. He crossed to the elevator with his aide following close behind. "Is the conference set up tomorrow with the Dover staff?"
"Will Commander Noin be joining you?"
Miliardo sighed as the elevator opened and they stepped in. "I suppose she will. She is the commander of my forces." Although after a week of living with her he could not imagine a person less suited for the task.
"You realize there will be scandal," pointed out Benton. "Noin is supposed to be dead."
"She couldn't remain dead forever. I knew scandal could not be avoided when she stepped out of the grave. Make sure that her name is not tied with Roxy's." The two couldn't be less alike he had discovered. "Make up something to deliver to the press tonight before she appears in public. I don't care what you say."
"I could make up some story about your rescuing her from a harem," suggested the aide with a smile.
Miliardo looked at him. "Do it, and I am sure Noin will put a bullet in you."
Benton laughed. "I did notice she was not too pleased."
That was a mild way to put it. Miliardo didn't think they spoke more than a dozen words to each other the last two days of their confinement in the desert. When the shuttle landed to take them back, she had sent him out with the task of finding her clothing, and she was not grateful for what he returned with. Then again, he probably could have accepted the jeans and tee shirt the woman had offered at first. Miliardo now laughed aloud when he remembered the expression on her face when he told her there was nothing else available beyond that belly-dancing costume.
Benton led him to a suite that had been prepared for him. He slyly informed him that Noin was across the hall. Miliardo would be better off if she were across the country.
"Where is my sister? Is she safe?"
"She is at the palace, and yes she is. Nelson apparently thought it was to his advantage to leave her in control."
As he was changing, Benton briefed him again on the attack in space. Miliardo couldn't blame Sally Po for the debacle. She had no choice but to follow orders and he knew he would find that she had filed an objection. Unfortunately, it was too late to act. The gundams were gone; the pilots were prisoners. He still had the Epyon and the Valkyrie, and as they spoke the Dover base was turning out mobile dolls and Taurus suits.
Finishing, Benton rubbed his hands together. "Well, your Excellency, was your little vacation worth the trouble it caused?"
Miliardo stared at him for a moment, then said. "Well worth it, Benton. I got to see just exactly what kind of woman Lucrezia Noin is."
"That doesn't sound encouraging," commented his aide.
"Let me just say, I was quite surprised. Not pleasantly."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Benton started toward the door. "I have other calls to make, your Excellency."
Miliardo didn't care to discuss personal issues with anyone, but now he started speaking without knowing why. "You have no notion how slovenly she is."
"I have never given it much thought."
"I shudder to think what a mess that place would have been had she actually brought a suitcase of clothing. As it was, anything she touched was ultimately dropped on the floor or misplaced."
"It must have been difficult."
Miliardo wasn't listening to him as he paced now, running his fingers through his hair. "She made no attempt to pick up after herself, and when I did, she accused me of being a neat freak."
Benton bit his lip, but Miliardo knew he was smiling.
"Well, I suppose I could have given her a little slack." Benton started to leave, and Miliardo spoke again. "But I don't think I can ever sit down at a table with her again."
Benton turned back from the door.
"For one thing, she doesn't know how to properly hold a spoon. My God, Benton, she held it like a shovel! If that weren't bad enough, she used it like a shovel!" Miliardo shuddered as he imagined her eating soup. "She held her fork in the wrong hand! And she used the wrong fork! What kind of person uses a dessert fork for salad?"
"Shocking!"
Miliardo frowned. Maybe he shouldn't have set the full compliment of forks on the table. But Noin should have known how to use them! He was used to a more genteel life. Where did she grow up? A barn? "Did you know she talks with food in her mouth?"
"I have never had the occasion to notice such a thing."
"She reached across the table without asking to have things passed to her."
"Your Excellency, correct me if I am wrong, but were not the two of you the only ones there?"
"Benton, just bear with me!" he said through gritted teeth. Miliardo was on a roll. He wasn't going to let his usually snoopy aide stop him now. "She absolutely refused to help clean up. I don't think she knows how! How can I live with that?"
"I would think the five dozen servants employed at the palace could help solve that problem."
Miliardo frowned. He hadn't thought of that. "I suppose you are right."
"There are a few more arrangements I need to make for the conference…"
"She did brush her teeth after meals," he commented. "But she walked around with that toothbrush handing out of her mouth. And she didn't care where she spit out the paste. As I was doing the dishes she had the nerve to spit it in the kitchen sink. And she had no qualms about talking with that damn toothbrush in her mouth."
Benton rolled his eyes.
"When I wanted her to talk, she sat stone silent. When I wanted to read or sleep, she suddenly had something to say. She wouldn't shut the hell up when I was reading. She accused me of ignoring her. Ha! She is impossible to ignore! She was in my face constantly, except when I wanted her to be. Then she ignored me! But she didn't see it that way. No! She accused me of pestering her!"
"Your Excellency, this isn't going somewhere intimate is it?"
Miliardo grimaced. "Sorry, Benton. I didn't realize what I was saying."
"Quite all right. Now, if you will excuse me…" His hand was reaching out for the panel to open the door.
"I have never seen such a lazy human being in my life!"
Benton pressed buttons.
"And selfish."
The door was sliding open.
"And slovenly."
Benton stepped out.
Miliardo took a step to the door. "Tell Noin I will see her later. If she needs me, I will be here resting." Was that yearning in his voice? He couldn't possibly miss her already!
Yet when Benton shut the door after one last grin that told him he had given away his feelings yet again, he turned back to the huge bed and wished Noin were waiting in the middle. That charming smile of hers had a way of making him forget just how annoying she was.
Oh well, he might get some sleep for once without her limbs jabbing and poking him.
**********
"Come in!" Noin walked out of her bathroom rubbing her wet hair and found Colonel Benton staring at the clothing that was scattered around the room. After removing that ridiculous garment Miliardo had forced her to wear, she had a little trouble deciding what to put on. None of the dresses suited her mood, and her casual clothing didn't seem appropriate. Her uniform was laid out over the bed.
"I am sorry to disturb you, commander, but his Excellency wanted me to tell you ..."
"What? Tell me to pick up after myself?" Noin kicked a bright pink scarf in the air. "Look at that Benton!" She caught it and shook it in her fist. "What kind of outfit is this?"
Benton pursed his lips together to keep from smiling.
Men! They were all on the same side!
"Commander, the prince asked me to…"
"Benton, you could have warned me what kind of man he is!" She kicked the clothing out of her way as she paced.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean."
"Oh yes you do! He is arrogant, self-centered and conceited! What made him think I would want to spend a week in the middle of nowhere without a stitch of clothing with him?"
"I can't imagine." Benton raised a brow. "No clothing?"
Noin felt her cheeks burning. What was she doing telling Benton such a thing? "I suppose in other circumstances, it could have been romantic. Leave it to him to do something so out of character at an inconvenient time."
Benton sighed. "There are still arrangements to be made for the Dover meeting."
"I suppose he is in there taking a shower yet. My God, Benton, he showers for forty-five minutes! I made the mistake of taking a shower after him and was treated to freezing water! I suppose it takes him forty-five minutes to wash his hair!"
The young man rolled his eyes.
Noin smiled. "I knew you would understand how aggravating that could be. He seemed to think I was being unreasonable. If that weren't bad enough, he spends the next hour with his grooming. Don't get me started on his shaving! I didn't realize his razor was a delicate instrument of surgery only to be handled by a professional! I made the mistake of using it once on my legs! Once! It will never happen again, I assure you! I thought we were under attack by his bellowing when he found a few dark hairs in it!"
Benton rubbed his cheeks between his fingers. "I hadn't heard anything about that, but the day is young."
"What do you mean by that?" Noin frowned. If she didn't know Miliardo better she would wonder if he had been complaining to Benton. Miliardo would never do that! She shrugged. "Living with him was worse than living with my mother. Constant nagging about cleaning up! What was there to clean? There were enough dishes to last the week. But he insisted on doing them after every meal. I have never washed a dish in my life! I have no intention of beginning now!"
Benton chuckled.
Noin burst into laughter. "You cannot imagine the sight of Miliardo Peacecraft slaving over a kitchen sink! I would have found it funnier if he hadn't been grumbling under his breath. All that after sitting at a table with him. I will never do it again! One week across from him is enough!"
"I am sure it couldn't have been all bad," suggested the aide.
She snatched up her uniform. "Turn around, Benton." When he did, she began to dress. "Where would I start? The forks! Benton, have you ever sat at a table with four forks? I thought he was joking! He actually expected me to use each fork! You should have seen the look on his face when I picked up food with my fingers!"
She saw Benton's shoulders shaking. He was probably laughing, but she didn't care.
"Oh my God, Benton, he chewed each mouthful of food exactly ten times! And if he chewed one more or less than ten, he would choke on his food when he swallowed! After three mouthfuls of food, he would take a drink, then dab at his mouth with a napkin. Then he would start the whole damn process over. I thought I was going to lose my mind watching him!"
"Dreadful!"
She had finished dressing except for her jacket and boots. "Benton, he snorts when he laughs!"
"I don't think I have ever heard him outright laugh."
"Well, he sounds like a pig!"
"I wouldn't recommend making him laugh then."
Noin chuckled. "At least not in public." She sat down to pull on a boot. "Actually, I am surprised he even spoke to me at all, he was so intensely interested in his book! He preferred that stupid book to anything I had to say."
"I doubt that."
She pulled on the other boot. "And when I found an old newspaper to read, he accused me of ignoring him! What's worse is that I began the crossword puzzle and while I was napping, he finished the damn thing!"
"Very annoying."
"You have no idea what I have had to endure!"
"I have some," he commented.
Noin sighed as she finished the last button. For some reason she felt very uncomfortable with all these clothes on. "All right, colonel, you can turn around."
"I have to finish arranging the meeting. And there are press releases to be prepared."
She smiled. "I am back from the dead?"
"I believe he is going to let you live, at least for now."
"It is going to be an ugly scandal."
"His instructions are to leave Roxy Rivera's name out of it."
Noin felt relief. She could never regain the respect of her subordinates if they knew she had been that bimbo Roxy Rivera. "So what are you going to tell the press?"
"Most of the truth."
"I suppose I should let you go. What did you want in the first place?"
Benton smiled as he opened the door. "His Excellency wanted me to tell you he would see you later, that if you need him, he is resting."
"What would I need him for?" Noin followed him into the hall.
Benton looked at her, then motioned to the door across.
She took a deep breath. "I think I will rest too." After returning his salute, she watched him go, then crossed to the door he had indicated.
Lifting her hand to buzz, she was surprised when the door opened.
Miliardo filled the opening.
"Lucrezia!" He reached out.
She jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Miliardo, I missed you!"
He slipped his arms around her and stepped back into his room. Noin started kissing him as he carried her to the bed. She laughed when he swore about all the buttons on her jacket, and when he finally pushed it off, the telecom buzzed.
Miliardo sat up.
Noin pulled him back down. "Leave it!"
As he kissed her again, the telecom continued to buzz. Reluctantly he pushed himself away from her, and although she reached out for him, he left the bed with several words that he was somewhat surprised she knew, let alone used.
"What is it?" he snapped, running his hand through his hair.
Noin propped on an elbow. She could see Sally Po.
"I have some rather startling news. Trynity Stryfe landed on a shuttle from Colony L3. She called here quite hysterical, crying something about her father being alive and held captive."
"Interesting." Noin thought his tone was rather callous.
"I sent a car to pick her up. She should be here in about twenty minutes."
"We will be down in a few moments." He closed the transmission and turned to look at Noin.
"So Miss Stryfe has returned! How will you explain the absence of her fellow wards?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I am sure she will accept any story." Crossing his arms, he looked at her. "Have you had any unguarded conversations that might have been overheard?"
Noin frowned. "Why do you ask?"
He didn't answer at first, then he said, "Benton is preparing to resurrect you."
"He told me. Are you afraid someone already knows beside those here who are completely loyal?"
"Is there any way Nelson could have discovered that you are alive?" He turned back to the telecom and began to review outgoing calls from Seaside.
She came up behind him. "I didn't call anyone."
"What is this?" She saw a call to the Space Defense post.
"I don't know. Do you think there was a spy here?"
He pressed the button and they heard Duo's voice, but saw a handsome young man responding.
"That is Lars Nelson," she told him. They listened for a moment, then Noin heard herself speaking.
"Duo, what are you doing? You just fried Dr. J's desk!"
Miliardo turned to look at her.
She looked back at the screen. "I…I didn't know he was making a call!"
"We can assume Nelson knows." He took her hands. "I will protect you myself, Lucrezia."
"Do you expect the Shadowhawk?"
"Definitely."
"We should go down to meet Trynity Stryfe. She might know something."
"I doubt she will tell us anything useful."
Noin went with him and they joined Sally Po in the courtyard. When the limousine arrived, Trynity jumped from the car and threw herself sobbing into Sally's arms. Noin was touched by the girl's fears and knew she would feel no differently if she had just discovered her father was not dead. Noin wondered if Dr. Stryfe were actually in danger or whether he was a participant in the Coalition rebellion. For Trynity's sake she hoped Dr. Stryfe was not a willing partner in their crimes.
Sally hugged her close, patted her back and finally was able to calm her. Then the red-haired girl threw herself at Miliardo when she was composed enough to see him. "Your Excellency, you have to help my father! He is in danger!"
Although it was silly to think so, Noin thought the young woman was pushing herself rather close to Miliardo. He even caught her arms to move her back.
"Come inside, Miss Stryfe, and tell us everything you have learned."
Trynity turned her head to see Noin, and there was shocked surprise. "Commander Noin! I…I thought…I thought you were dead!"
Miliardo chuckled. "Seems a great many people are rising from the grave these days."
Noin glared at him over Trynity's head as they turned to enter the lab. How could he make light of her shock and distress? Sally exchanged a surprised look with Noin as they followed them in. They settled in the salon where they were served tea, and Trinity explained all that had happened. She had tried to go back to the scientific station at L10 but didn't get any further than L3 where she happened to stumble across information about her father. After investigating, she discovered the truth and returned to the Cinq Kingdom as soon as she could.
"I am so sorry I ran away, but…but those boys were cruel to me!"
Sally was sitting beside her and squeezed her hands. "I have spoken to them."
Tears filled her eyes. "Please don't tell them! Don't tell them I am back! I couldn't face them just yet!"
"They aren't here," remarked Miliardo.
"Where are they?" she asked, looking from him to Sally Po.
"They are on a camping trip with their sweethearts," said Miliardo with a half-smile. "I doubt they will be back until school is ready to resume."
"Oh!" Trynity didn't question any further.
Noin raised her brows at Miliardo. That was a sorry excuse for their absence! Sweethearts? Who in their right mind would believe such crap? If Trynity were thinking clearly she would realize it was an outright lie. He was being heartless and she imagined it was because he was certain her father was behind the Shadowhawk. Trynity shouldn't be blamed for Ivan Stryfe's actions.
"What can you do to help my father?" asked Trynity, reaching for Miliardo again. Noin noticed that Trynity Stryfe wasn't dressed as primly as she usually was. Was that sweater cut quite a bit lower and a bit tighter than her usual button shirts or baggy sweatshirts? Where were her glasses?
Miliardo held her hands at arm's distance. "What have you discovered?"
She leaned toward him, and tears rolled down her cheeks. "My father was coming to the Cinq Kingdom to share his work with scientists. His shuttle was attack by a group calling itself the Consortium…"
"Coalition," Noin corrected her. She caught Miliardo smirking.
Trynity looked at her. "You have heard of them?"
Sally cleared her throat. "We have had some trouble with the Coalition."
Trynity looked back at Miliardo. Noin did not like how close she had shoved herself or that Miliardo had a view down her sweater. Her lips pursed tightly as she noted that seventeen year old Miss Stryfe was packing more female wiles than she did. If he dared to look…
"I am afraid they are making my father do things! He doesn't believe in war! He is a pacifist!"
Miliardo patted her hands and moved them into Sally's. "Miss Stryfe needs some rest. We can talk more tomorrow."
After Sally had escorted the girl from the room, Noin looked at Miliardo. "What was that all about?"
He smiled and pulled her onto his lap. "A little acting, my dear."
She slipped an arm around his neck. "I don't follow you, Miliardo."
"Then you are going to have to wait until the curtain raises. Now, let's go to your room. I think we had some unfinished business."
Noin laughed as he lifted her. "Put me down!"
"Not until we get to your room."
She thought of the mess on the floor. "No! Your room!"
Miliardo was chuckling as they entered the hall. "I promise I won't say anything about what I imagine you have already done to your room."
Noin was picturing him picking up and folding her clothing before they got around to doing what he was planning. Before she could protest further, the front door opened to Benton who seemed startled to find them in the entry headed for the elevator. He was pushed aside, and they were facing Vice Minister Une.
"Vice Minister Une is here to see you," Benton announced lamely.
Lady Une stared with shock at the two of them. Noin felt rather silly in his arms, but she quite enjoyed first the surprise, then the jealous anger in the other woman's eyes. "Noin!" She looked at Miliardo. "Prince Miliardo, you have some explaining to do!"
He took Noin's hand in his after he let her slide to standing on the floor. "I am sorry the secrecy was necessary. Benton will be able to explain the circumstances to you. But we have urgent business to take care of, Cinq Kingdom business." He turned and strode to the elevator, dragging Noin with him.
"Just a minute!" The door slid open and Miliardo pulled Noin in with him. It shut just as Lady Une reached the elevator. "Zechs Merquise!" They heard her shout. "I demand an explanation now!"
Miliardo pulled Noin against him. "Now, where we?"
**********
Although he hadn't planned to fall asleep, Miliardo must have dozed off because the next thing he knew he felt pain on his mouth and his lower lip was throbbing. He reached up to drag Noin's hand from his face and shoved it back at the sleeping woman. His lip was bleeding. He could taste the blood in his mouth. He reached back to turn on the light, then turned to shake her, intending to wake her up before she slugged him again.
"Noin, for God's sake, can't you be still!" His heart seemed to stop and he found it difficult to breathe as he focused on the shadows. There was a gun at the temple of the sleeping woman, and he found himself looking into the startled gaze of Trynity Stryfe.
"You don't really want to do that," he said when he found his voice. He wasn't sure what she was capable of. Nobody knew the real Trynity Stryfe.
She didn't tremble or seem in any way reluctant. "You should have stayed sleeping."
"I think the noise might have awakened me."
"I wasn't expecting you to be here."
They stared at each other for a moment, then he asked, "Are they safe?"
Trynity didn't blink. She knew exactly whom he was talking about. "For the moment."
"How long is that moment going to stretch?"
"Until they agree to fight for the Coalition. Duo already has."
Miliardo raised a brow. "I am sure his reward is different than the others."
"Shut up!" So the girl was sensitive about Duo Maxwell. At least that young man would remain safe.
"What are you going to do now?" He raised a brow. "Are you going to shoot me too?"
"That isn't my mission."
Noin was stirring. "Miliardo, what…" She didn't realize they weren't alone. She saw the blood on his swelling lip. "Did I do that? Let me kiss it and make it all better."
Trynity reached out to grab Noin's shoulder and shove her back.
Noin turned to see the gun, then gasped and pulled the sheet up to cover herself better. "What are you doing?"
The young woman holding the gun made a sound of disgust. "That should be fairly obvious."
Noin's hand slid across the bed to find Miliardo's and he squeezed it to reassure her.
"The curtain has risen," he told her, then looked at Trynity. "I believe we are at an impasse."
"Quite so," agreed Trynity. Seeing her now, Miliardo could not believe she was ever overlooked as a suspect in the search for the Shadowhawk. She was every bit as cold-blooded as the young men he was attempting to reform. What else could he expect from the pilot of a gundam?
"Why are you doing this?" asked Noin. She was trying not to sound frightened, but Miliardo heard the quiver in her voice.
"I have my orders."
"From Nelson?" Miliardo knew the answer already.
"Who else? He told me Commander Noin was a hindrance to his plans."
"You don't sound like you believe it," commented Miliardo.
Trynity half smiled. "He is more transparent than he thinks. Commander Noin must have offended him. He despises her probably more than he hates you."
"You are working for such a man?" Noin was angry. "If he were a real man he would be here blowing my brains out himself instead of sending an soulless machine!"
Miliardo saw a flicker of something in the girl's eyes. She wasn't as unfeeling as Noin seemed to think. Although she did very well hiding it, Miliardo knew this task was sickening her. "You cannot escape, Miss Stryfe."
"Lieutenant Stryfe," she corrected him.
"Lieutenant in a traitor's army," scoffed Noin.
Miliardo hoped Noin's mouth didn't get her killed before he could talk Trynity out of her mission. "If you are a Lieutenant, then surely you can see how wrong it is to commit this murder."
"What difference does one more death make?"
"How would Duo feel about this?"
"He has killed his share of people in his gundam," she snapped. "He was planning to kill me!"
"In battle," said Miliardo, "not sneaking into someone's bedroom in the night with a gun while they are sleeping." She shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to be here; she hated what she was being forced to do. "Put down the gun, Trynity. Somehow we will work this out."
"I can't! We can't! My father is back there! Duo is back there! If I don't do this, he will kill them all!" She reached out and seized Noin's arm. "Let's go." She shoved the gun up against her head as she dragged her from the bed.
"Don't move, your Excellency, or I will cover you with her blood here and now. At least I will do you the courtesy of executing her elsewhere."
"I don't have any clothes!" complained Noin. "I hate these sheets!" She dragged it off the bed with her.
There was no reasoning with Trynity Stryfe. In her position, he would probably do the same. He quickly pulled on his pants and turned so see Trynity dragging Noin toward the window.
Noin looked back at him, her eyes pleading. He couldn't do anything to help her.
Suddenly Trynity lost her footing, and Miliardo realized she had stumbled on Noin's boots that she had just tossed haphazardly on the floor when she had undressed. The gun slipped, and Noin turned to seize Trynity's wrist. They struggled, and Miliardo lunged forward to help her. Trynity fought like a trapped wild animal, but between the two of them, they pinned her on the floor. Somehow they managed to tie her hands behind her back.
Miliardo pulled her up by her shoulders and shoved her in a chair by the open window she must have crawled in. She was panting and trembling.
"They are all going to die!" she gasped. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. This time they were genuine. "He will kill the pilots. He will kill Lars." She sobbed. "He will kill my father and Duo."
Noin came to Miliardo's side wearing his shirt. "Nelson must be crazed."
"Doubtless." He wanted to take her in his arms to reassure himself that she was safe. How many times did the woman need her life to be saved? He turned back to Trynity. "We can help you."
"You can't!" she whispered, shaking her head.
The buzzer for the door sounded. Miliardo and Noin turned towards it. It was just enough time for Trynity to jump up from the chair, throw herself at them to knock them off balance, then dive for the open window.
Miliardo tripped over the chair she had tilted over in her escape and looked out the window expecting to see her lying unconscious below. But she was gone. The buzzer was still sounding.
Noin stomped to the door and it slid open to reveal Vice-Minister Une.
She started to speak. "I want to know what is going on…"
"Noin!"
His warning was too late. She balled her hand into a fist and socked the other woman so hard she stumbled out, hit the wall and sagged to the floor.
Miliardo sighed. "How am I going to explain that?"
Noin rubbed her knuckles. "Just tell her she got knocked out in the assassin's escape."
If Lady Une did not believe it the following morning when she was told the story of the assassin knocking her out in a daring escape, she did not show it. Miliardo suspected she was attempting to salvage her pride after Noin had so effectively handled her. She had greeted Noin with cool politeness. Noin ignored her over the breakfast table.
He smiled as she hummed contentedly while buttering an English muffin. Miliardo frowned as he noted that she ignored the butter knife on the plate with the butter, preferring the knife at her place setting provided for cutting her food. She stirred sugar and cream into her coffee with her fork.
Noin looked at him as she raised the cup from the saucer still on the table.
He picked up his saucer, then raised his cup. The woman needed a lesson in eating politely!
She smiled and put the rim of her own to her lips.
Miliardo set down his coffee with a clatter. "Damn it, Lucrezia, don't slurp!"
Benton walked in as Miliardo saw her mischievous little smile, and he couldn't stop himself. He burst into laughter.
Benton's eyes widened, then looked at Noin. "I see what you mean."
Lady Une threw down her napkin and walked out in a huff.
Noin looked at Benton. "Is there any new information about Trynity Stryfe."
"Unfortunately it seems that she already made plans to leave on an early morning shuttle. By the time we alerted the authorities, she was off the surface already. The shuttle she took reported a rendezvous with a Cinq Kingdom outpost transport. I am sure she is already half-way to the Coalition base."
Miliardo stopped laughing. "If the conference is ready, we should proceed. Miss Stryfe needs our help now!"
"Miliardo! That little snake tried to kill me."
He looked at her. "Lucrezia, she had no choice."
"She would have done it!" pouted Noin, then she sighed. "I suppose we have to do something to at least stop that madman. You can't sleep with one eye open forever."
"Why not?" He chuckled. "It might keep me from getting a black eye."
"Well, you needn't bother staying awake. Your snoring keeps me from getting any sleep at all. I might as well watch out for myself."
Benton cleared his throat.
Miliardo reached out to take her hand. "Let's go plan a battle, my little harem girl, and we'll continue our own another time."
"Harem girl!" She was mumbling as they walked out. "I will make you pay for that!"
Benton chuckled as he followed them.