9
Relena's anger energy kept her going until she was home at Marquis Wayridge's. There she dropped her things from Vincent on the floor and covered her face with her hands. The maids and butlers assumed Vincent had broken up with her and shopping hadn't cured the hurt. They dared not disturb her.
Heero didn't get home until something to midnight. When the door opened, Trowah told him there was still take out in the fridge. Quatre hugged Heero like he was six and Heero was sixteen and said good night. Heero felt just a poke of appreciation, but his heart was broken in ten million tiny pieces. He just went to bed.
By the time the Marquis had returned home, Relena had spent most of her tears. He went to her room and sat at the end of her bed. She was at the other end, scrunched up and trembling.
"Relena…"
"Oh, grandfather!" she fell into his lap. He felt her tremble and whimper and knew why she cried so.
"A broken heart is a terrible thing to have," he said wisely, "I've had many."
He soothed her until she fell asleep in his lap.