Disclaimer:
All Gundam Wing characters belong to Sotsu Agency Sunrise and Bandai. I do own this little
fanfic though.
President Zechs was looking at the stock reports when his secretary knocked on the door. Wanting a break from the tedious paper works, the tall blond man admitted the person whom the faithful secretary introduced. He put down the files and glanced at the dark-haired individual.
"I need to talk to you, sir." Noin started the conversation.
"About?" Zechs signalled her to have a seat, noticing the folder in her hand.
"The happiness of a young lady." Noin presented the folder to him. "Sally Po."
Not having read the candidate files before, he flipped through the files quickly. "What about her? You want her to win? She is not really my type, you know."
"She isn't?" Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Then is it possible that Sally be excluded from the candidate list?"
Zechs cocked an eyebrow. "So you don't want her to win. Is there something wrong with Sally?"
"Wufei told me that you are forced to choose your wife through this bridal conference, but you don't really want to do this." Noin said. "Well, it's the same situation with Sally. Her father entered her for the conference, but she doesn't want to be forced into marriage."
"Hm..." He was silent for a few seconds. "Why are you so concerned about her? Do you like her?"
"Huh?" Noin was dumbfounded for a moment. "Eh, I like her as a friend, but that's not why I'm doing this. I had been in the same position, so I know what she has to go through. I'm sure you understand the bitter feeling, too."
The Prince didn't reply immediately. He tapped his slender fingers on the desktop, considering her words. After what seemed like ages to Noin, the handsome 27-year-old finally spoke up. "Very well, I will talk to Sally Po about this personally."
"Thank you!" Noin was visibly happy to hear that. She bowed and left the office.
The four women were asked to stay in their rooms for interviews in the afternoon. The identity and time of their interviewers were kept from them, so they had to prepare themselves for whatever surprises that might jump upon them. Sally settled herself comfortably on the bed, reading the afternoon away, not caring if the interviewer came or not. There was a knock on the door, then it opened to reveal a person in a large hooded-cape.
Sally stared at the person for a moment. "I didn't know the interviewers need to disguise themselves." She put the book down. "Have a seat."
The person removed the cape and sat down quietly. Sally tossed him a glance and was amazed by his good looks. With her arms folded before her chest, Sally spoke up. "Let's get this over with, shall we?"
The handsome man with long, smooth blond hair nodded. "Sally Po, why are you here?"
"Me?" She seemed amused by the question. "I am here because my father wants me to. Having been a soldier and serving royal families all his life, he wishes for more connections with the royalties. If I win the conference, which I do not wish to, he'll get what he wants."
The interviewer smiled slightly at her frankness. "Looks like you do want to bail out from the conference. So Noin was right."
"Noin?" Sally looked at the man intently. "What about him? Did he say something?"
"He asked me to exclude you from the candidate list." The man replied.
"Well?" She sat up straight. "Am I? I can make some insulting comments if that's required."
He chuckled. "No, that won't be necessary. I'll just tell the judges to leave you out when they do the scorings."
"Really? That's it? I'm free?" Sally couldn't believe her ears at first, then she frowned. "But do you have that much influence on the judges?"
"Of course." The man smiled. "The judges are my sisters and mentor."
"Heh?" Sally gazed at the man before her intently. "So you are... the Prince?"
"You don't seem impressed." Prince Miliardo was still smiling.
"Should I?" Sally cocked one eyebrow. "I am not a Prince-chasing girl, you know."
"That's why it bothers you so much to be forced into this."
"Exactly." She nodded. "What about you? Are you in this because of parental pressure as well? I know most royal children are."
"Yeah." Miliardo sighed. "I am the heir of the kingdom and my wife will be the Queen, so it's important that the right woman be chosen. I don't really look at women and don't have a girlfriend, that's why my father decides to do it for me."
"Is there no way for you to get out?"
"Not really. Normal men are bound to marry someday in their lives, and I happen to fit in the category."
"Oh yeah?" Sally's eyes lit up suddenly. "What if you are not a normal man?"
"What do you mean?" The Prince looked at her quizzically.
"Let's say you prefer guys over girls...?" Sally grinned menacingly.
"That won't work." He shook his head. "The people around me are pretty much long- timers. If I am not normal, it would have shown a long time ago."
"Hmm. Then you'll just have to stick to the winner of the conference." She sighed.
Miliardo shrugged and stood up. He put his cape back on, ready to leave. "It was nice talking to you, Sally Po."
"My pleasure, Your Highness." Sally smiled.
The Prince closed the door and walked toward the entrance, prepared to leave the lodge. He was to be present at the conference two days later so there was no need for him to stay yet. Sally's words were still on his mind when the front door opened and two people rushed in, almost bumping into him.
"Oops, I'm sorry." The first person apologized quickly before even looking up, his hair and clothing were all wet with water dripping down. The second person was no better.
"Wufei? Noin?" The Prince called out in surprise when he recognized them.
"Zechs?" The two were equally surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Later, you better dry yourselves first." Zechs pointed at the drenched pair.
"Stay here, I'll go get some towels." Wufei addressed Noin before leaving for his room.
Zechs looked at the raven-haired bodyguard standing there with 'his' face red from the running and the embarrassment, and the moisture made 'his' dark blue eyes even more glimmering. He stood staring at Noin with eyes wide, finding himself attracted to 'him'. 'Oh, Noin looks so beautiful and amazing like that...'
Wufei returned and broke his reverie. The two guards dried themselves quickly before turning to the Prince. "So what brings you here?" Wufei asked.
"I came here to talk to Miss Sally." Zechs replied and was glad to see the smile on Noin's face. He was going to say more but froze suddenly. "That's it!" He cried out.
"What's it?" Wufei frowned at the strange reaction his friend was displaying.
"Go get changed into something dry, I'll meet you at Miss Sally's room. Both of you." Zechs announced hastily and left, leaving Wufei and Noin dumbfounded.
"Why did you tell us to come here?" Wufei asked annoyedly, obviously not comfortable being in a woman's room. "This better be important."
Sally was sitting cross-legged on the bed, Zechs was sitting in the chair, and the two guards were leaning against the wall. All eyes were set on the handsome Prince.
"As you all know, I am thrusted into marrying someone I know close to nothing about by my father the King." Zechs started. "However, if it is known, at least to the candidates, that I am more interested in men than in women..."
"You are pretending to be gay?" Wufei stared at him. "But everyone knows you're not."
"That's because the 'man of my dream' hasn't showed up yet."
"And now he has?" Wufei said sarcastically, then it hit him. "Wait, you don't mean..."
"I mean just that." Zechs smiled charmingly. He walked toward the two standing guards and stood before Noin. "Noin, I need to ask you a big favour."
Noin was all puzzled by their verbal exchanges at first, but even she realized what he meant by now. "Er... I don't think that's a good idea, Zechs."
"You are the only one that can help me now, Noin. Please." Zechs begged, noticing how his heart pounded when he heard Noin said his name.
"You'll be ruining a person's reputation, Zechs!" Wufei looked stern.
Sally joined in. "Wufei is right. You should consider someone closer to you. It's not logical to have a crush this sudden."
What's the matter? Why was everyone against his idea? Zechs' brows locked at their reactions. "If it's sudden, then I can say I misunderstood my feelings toward him and he will be clean." He turned to Noin again. "Please? You said yourself that you understand the bitter feelings of having your marriage planned out for you. Won't you help me, Noin?"
After several minutes of silence, Noin said in a low voice. "How long will the favour last?"
"Noin!" Wufei and Sally looked at her with great concern.
"It's ok. It really bothers me to see someone in this kind of pain because I've experienced it too." Noin looked at her friends. She looked back at the Prince. "I'll agree to help you if you play by my rules."
"That won't be a problem." Zechs was overjoyed. "What are your rules?"
"We are only doing this to deceive the bride candidates, which means act only when they are present." She said. "Since you're trying to show your preference, it's going to be a one- sided thing. I am not initiating anything." Noin continued after Zechs agreed. "No hugging or kissing of any kind. You like my type, but I'm straight, and you're not in love, get that?"
"It won't be easy deceiving the girls with all the rules." Zechs sighed. "Can I stay by you and hold your hand at least?"
"...Ok." Noin agreed reluctantly.
"Thank you." Zechs released his held breath. He glanced at the clock on the wall and cried. "I'll be late for my meeting! Sorry, but I have to go now." He said apologetically and left hurriedly.
After the Prince departed, Sally, Noin, and Wufei relaxed. Sally let Noin sat on the bed and patted her hand. "Are you sure about this, Noin?" From what she had gathered for the past two days, if the Prince was to be attracted to someone other than the candidates, Sylvia would react very strongly against Noin. Who knew what she'd do?
"You don't have to worry, I will protect Noin." Wufei stated. He was more concerned about her honour. She was, after all, a Princess, and it was man's job to defend a woman's honour and reputation. He would interfere if Zechs stepped out of bound.
"Thank you." It was all Noin could say. She, too, wasn't sure what it'd lead to, but she knew she was surrounded by friends who cared about her.
Early next morning, the lodge was blessed by the arrival of the gracious Prince Miliardo Peacecraft. Hilde and Relena were surprised by his early visit, but were nevertheless happy to see him looking good. They knew he disliked the whole idea of the bridal conference. The four candidates were thrilled to see the Prince at last, but except for Sylvia, the other three were just content to finally learn what he looked like. According to the interviewers, only Sylvia wanted to enter the conference at her own will.
Seeing that the Prince was tall, handsome, graceful and all, Sylvia was eager to impress him with her manners and 'air of nobleness'. Everyone cocked their eyebrows when they saw her talking politely and sweetly. The centre of all the commotions only took in all the reactions and smiled to himself inwardly.
"I thought you are not coming until the day after." Duo commented first.
"There is someone I'd like to get to know more about." The Prince answered with a tone that left most people in the room puzzled.
"Wouldn't your appearance attracts the Romefeller people to strike, Zechs?" Wufei asked, pretending to be a dutiful guard that he was supposed to be.
Zechs shook his head slightly. "I want to get this whole thing over with as soon as possible. If they are going to make a move, it wouldn't really matter when I come."
"You didn't bring any guard." Heero pointed out quietly.
Zechs laughed a little. "They are not going to try to touch me, not after countless failures in the past few months. Besides, if I really want a guard, I can just pick one from the security team." He stole a quick glance at the silent Noin.
Wufei noticed his look. "Suit yourself, as long as you don't get in my and Noin's way."
