Disclaimer:
All Gundam Wing characters belong to Sotsu Agency Sunrise and Bandai. I do own this little fanfic though.

On the day of the conference, Wufei led his team to the airport to pick up the four candidates. Sylvia Noventa, granddaughter of the head of the Nova Enterprise, was the first to come out from the jet. She had her hair done neatly with a red bow and wore a very fancy dress, and she had an arrogant look on her face. The second young woman was Catherine Bloom, the daughter of the founder of Crown Entertainment. She dressed normally and smiled at everyone. The third was Dorothy Catalonia, granddaughter of the leader of the Romefeller Foundation. As a rival to Pacific Enterprise, Duke Dermail of the Romefeller Foundation did not enter Dorothy as a candidate for Prince Miliardo. Her cousin Treize Khushrenada, a good friend of Zechs', did. She wore a simple dress and had her long blond hair cascading down her back freely. The last to come out was Sally Po, stepdaughter of a General. She dressed rather casually and did not smile. She was forced to enter the conference by her stepfather.

Wufei glared at them with gritting teeth. He signalled Noin to follow him to greet the young women. "We are here to pick you up on behalf of Prince Miliardo."

"Why, thank you." Dorothy was the first to spoke, the other three expressed their thank- yous accordingly. They were then escorted to the limo that awaited them.

As soon as all four women and the two escorts, Wufei and Noin, had entered the limousine, the driver steered the limo toward the accommodation arranged for them. Wufei sat on the same side as Noin, not feeling like to get too close to the women. At least Noin was a 'man' and did not wear any make-up or perfume. The ladies introduced themselves to each other, and the two bodyguards did the same. Wufei was too disgusted to pay any close attention to them, but Noin noticed that Sylvia seemed to regard the other three as enemies and obstacles to her winning the position of Princess and future Queen of the kingdom.

Sylvia remained silent most of the way, merely observing the others and trying to find any weak points. Dorothy was polite all the way. She had heard many wonderful tales about the Prince from her cousin Treize, but she had never seen the man in person so she was not going to judge yet. Catherine chatted freely as if she had known them for a long time, even though only Noin, Dorothy, and occasionally, Sally responded to her. Sally did not seem very pleased. Her eyebrows were locked with thoughts of escaping from the conference, but since she had never been to this part of the world, she'd be totally lost on her own.

The limo arrived at the lodge with its occupants bearing different thoughts on their minds. Pargen was standing in front of the lodge to welcome them. "Welcome, young ladies. You will be staying here for the next week or so. Please make yourselves at home here and call me when you need anything."

While waiters came to take the girls' luggage to their rooms, Pargen took them on a tour of the lodge. Noin took the opportunity and dragged Wufei aside.

"I can just image the next ten days of my life. It's gonna be like living in Inferno." Wufei complained as soon as no one was within hearing range.

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about Dorothy. Romefeller surely isn't going to harm her in any way." Noin commented. "Better keep an eye on Sally though."

Wufei tossed her a questioning glance. Noin answered in a lower tone. "She doesn't look very happy about being here. I think she is forced to come and might want to break away if she can." She paused for a second before continuing. "Not that I don't sympathize her, but with the Romefeller people around, it'd be dangerous for her to be out there alone."

"You do have a good point there." Wufei agreed. "I'll keep watch outside tonight. You stay inside the building."

They confirmed the day's schedule before the group returned, then they stayed with their assigned wards faithfully for the rest of the day. Things were going smoothly until the evening meal. A certain elderly waiter kept messing up the drinks the ladies ordered during lunch, and he was doing it again during dinner. Dorothy and Sally took whatever drink he gave them without any word. Catherine noticed the error but said it was ok. Sylvia demanded that the drink she desired be served and that she would not tolerate mistakes from servants. That's when she broke out during dinner.

"How many time do I have to tell you that I want Chateau, not Marnier!" Sylvia screamed at the old man. "If you can't even serve a upper class lady right, how can you serve His High- ness?"

The old man trembled slightly and stammered. "Eh... I... I am sorry, ma'am."

Sylvia was going to demonstrate her superiority further but Noin stepped between her and the old man. "That's enough, Miss Sylvia! You should show some respect for your elders."

The young woman narrowed her eyes and snapped. "If you want to talk about showing respect, YOU should respect ME as your lady and stay out of my way! Servants are not to offend their superiors like this!"

Sylvia tried to slap Noin but was parried in mid-air. She glared at Noin and proceeded to slap her with her other hand, but it was seized by someone else from behind.

Wufei stood behind her with cold eyes and talked in a dangerous tone. "A man is not to be abused thus by a woman, especially when he is in the right and his actions just! Noin is too soft to you. I would not tolerate such injustice!"

By this time, Sylvia was trembling like a scared bunny. She opened her mouth but was unable to say anything. The faithful Pargen came to the scene to resolve the tension. "Noin, why don't you take Wufei to his room? I will take care of things here."

Wufei glanced at the old butler and allowed himself be taken away by Noin. By the time Noin closed the door of Wufei's room behind her, he was calming down. He sat cross-legged on the bed and motioned Noin to take the chair. "I have a different view of you now, Noin. You have a sense of justice."

Since Pargen had instructed them to stay away for a while to calm down, they talked in Wufei's room for a good two hours before coming out to do their duty of guarding. They had more understanding of each other and became relatively close friends.

* * * * * * * * *

In the dead of the night, one of the rooms yielded a shadowy figure into the hallway. The figure stealthily crept through the darkness and proceeded toward the main entrance of the lodge. However, a sudden brightness illuminated the lobby and blinded the shadow.

"Going somewhere, Miss Sally?" A low, soft voice said right behind her.

Sally quickly turned around to see Noin. "I.. I couldn't sleep so I thought I would take a walk outside."

"With a duffle bag?" Noin gave her a sarcastic look. "I know what you're thinking, but you can't just leave like this. It's dangerous."

"I can take care of myself." Sally retorted. "If you know what I'm thinking, then you should know why I am doing this." She paused a moment and added bitterly. "Of course, you wouldn't understand how it feels to be forced into marriage."

Noin fell silent for a brief second, then she spoke. "Actually, I know exactly how you feel. I've been there as well, but I ran away before it could go any further." She stepped aside. "I guess I don't have the right to stop you myself, but Wufei is outside. He won't let you pass."

"It wouldn't hurt trying." Sally smiled and slipped pass Noin. "Thanks, Noin."

Wufei saw the light and knew that Noin had caught Sally. What he did not expect was that Noin let her passed, so he was surprised to see her. "What are you doing here, woman?"

"Wufei." Sally was not put off by the annoyed tone. "I was hoping to get out of here."

He glared at her. "If you do that, I'll have to follow you around to ensure your safety. That would be trouble for both me and Noin."

Sally sighed. "I knew you wouldn't let me off that easily." She sat down beside the standing man. "Let me enjoy one night of freedom out here at least."

"Suit yourself." Wufei snorted. "What did you do to Noin? Why did he let you pass?"

Sally glanced around before answering. "Because she's been in the same situation before and understands how disturbing it is."

"You mean 'he'." Wufei stressed.

"You know it's a 'she'." She looked up at him. "I am a doctor, and I know a woman when I see one. I only played along because everyone else seems to think of her as a man."

Noin watched the two through a window and a small smile crept up her face. She settled herself on the couch in the lobby, mentally going over the schedule for the next day.

* * * * * * * * *

Wufei had returned the sleeping Sally back to her room at four a.m. At nine in the morning, a breakfast consisted of French toasts and milk tea was served. Sylvia was unusually quiet and polite at the table, not daring to speak too loud or make any objections with memory of the threat of Wufei the day before still fresh on her mind. Silently though, she was planning to get back at Wufei and Noin for humiliating her. She would get them after she became the bride of Prince Miliardo.

The doorbell of the lodge rang when they had finished breakfast. Everyone went to the lobby to greet the quests, since they were two of the judges for the conference. The large door opened wide to introduce four people: Princess Relena and Hilde Peacecraft, and their escorts Heero Yuy and Duo Acrezia Eclair.

"Princess Relena, Princess Hilde." Pargen and the security team bowed while the ladies curtseyed to the royal guests.

"Please, formality is not needed here." Relena said.

"Hey, Wufei! Haven't seen you in a while!" The braided 23-year-old called out with a grin on his handsome face. The three of them, Duo, Wufei, and Heero, had known each other since high school. They were close buddies.

"That's because you decided to chase after the Princess, Duo." Wufei snorted, but his eyes were laughing.

"Aw, you can't be jealous of my sweet and lovely girl." Duo teased, noticing the person standing beside the Chinese. "Noin!" His voice was filled with surprise.

"You know Noin?" Wufei quickly spoke up. "HE is currently working with me as security."

Duo picked up the hint. "Didn't you notice that we have the same last name? Obviously we are both from the Luce Kingdom. I knew him before I met you and Heero."

Wufei nodded and did not say more about the subject. The Princesses were led to their rooms and the two escorts dutifully followed. It wasn't until two hours later that Wufei was able to get Duo and Noin somewhere where they could talk.

"So what's between you?" Wufei started, with arms folded before his chest.

"I told you, we are pals!" Duo exclaimed, glancing at Noin nervously.

Wufei looked annoyed and Noin replied. "We are cousins."

"Hm, that's the answer I'm looking for." Wufei glared at Duo. "Even a woman has more sense than you do."

"Hey, how am I supposed to know that you know that much about Noin?" Duo pouted.

"Wait a second." Wufei frowned at a sudden realization. "If you two are related, then that means Noin is royalty too?"

Noin hit herself on the head inwardly and hesitantly nodded. "Well... yes. My real name is Lucrezia Noin Eclair."

"Lucre..." Wufei repeated the name, then it hit him. "Then you are Princess of Luce!"

"Yes, but I only take on that position when I am inside the Palace of Luce." Noin admitted. "Being the heir, I don't get to run away to other country to be with the love of my life, not that I have found mine." She cast a look at Duo.

"Hey, I got your point! Don't look at me like that." Duo protested. "Anyway, my lips are sealed about this." He covered his mouth with his long braid. "So are Hilde's."

The two glared at Duo, who looked back innocently. "I showed her the family portraits before, so she knows who you are. But she won't say anything unless I do so first."

"What are you doing here anyway?" Duo ventured when the two had softened their glares. "Running away from another arrangement?"

Noin nodded with slouched shoulders, then warned him. "Don't you dare go telling this to my parents."

Duo held up his hands in the air. "I won't, as usual."

"Good, now everything is settled." Wufei said. "Noin, what are you planning to do this afternoon? Pargen is giving us four hours of free time."

"I'm going to the head office. There is something I need to talk to Zechs about."

The Chinese nodded knowingly. "Ok, I'll see you tonight then." The three departed and went on their separate ways.