Her eyes fluttered open what seemed a short while later. After giving a quiet yawn and scratching the side of her head, she stretched and looked around. Her mind didn't register her surroundings, but somehow that didn't frighten her. She blinked and sat up, wiggling her toes against the cool temperature. The window across her was the culprit, a small rug keeping most of the draft out.
The bed she sat on was moderate and small, enough to hold her small frame. It resided in a corner, a chest and dresser adorning the rest of the room. It was sparse, but comfy. In fact, she might even call it quaint, given the feminine touches.
She gave a smile and pushed the covers from her legs. Memory rushed back and she knew she was in Chastity's room. She knew from being in here, and the fact that Chastity wasn't much for female things. She had too much fun playing with HER as a doll. The smile widened as she stood and stretched, feeling more refreshed from a short nap on an actual bed, than an entire night of deep sleep in the black forest.
The door slowly peeked open as she looked at Chastity's things, taking them in. Seeing and observing seemed to be big traits of hers recently. If she was to live here, memories needed to be unearthed in order for her to regain the comfort she used to know.
"Mistress?" Chastity's head poked through the opening, her soft voice leading the way. Chastity gave a smile. "Your bath is ready. I was just coming to wake you."
"I beat you to it Chastity." She joked, grinning. They chuckled as she followed the handmaid into her room.
Memories rushed as she stared at the large, adorned room. Rugs covered windows to keep out wind, light pastel covers giving the stone room a livelier touch. Her bed rested against one corner, the comforters neatly covering the mattress. Her chest and tall dresser rested across from the bed, the light oak gleaming from the surrounding candles. A floor-length mirror gave off her reflection, showing how shocked she was to see her room. But it was natural after not seeing the room you spent your entire life sleeping in.
She swallowed and gave a teary smile. "It's just as I remember it."
"Now mistress," Lara gently chided, slowly taking her arm, "let's not think of those things. Why don't you let us do our job and make you look even more beautiful than you already are."
Even though Lara and the other three were her lifelong friends and knew her body, the thought of being touched like that was incomprehensible. Even the simple, hauntingly familiar way her maid's arm wrapped around hers reminded her of the guards who gripped it savage strength.
She tensed and stood ramrod straight, the known obey command forced onto her reared up. She felt like a slave, even in the presence of her friends. She knew it wasn't intentional, but it scared them by the worried looks in their eyes.
As soon as Lara uncomfortably let go, she immediately relaxed. Her back turned when Lara let go, ashamed she couldn't control the anxiety within her. Why hadn't she been able to get over this? Her body never reacted this way with HIRO.
'But,' Her mind mused, 'you always felt safe with Hiro by your side. He DID rescue you, you know.'
"I'm sorry." She whispered, feeling guilty. She knew she couldn't help it, but was embarrassed just the same. "I - I just can't...it's too soon just yet to-"
"We understand princess." Dianna softly cut in. She stopped and timidly laid a hand over a shoulder. Much to her relief, Relena didn't move away. "What WOULD you like us to do?"
Pressing her lips together to quell a smile, she thought. What DID she want them to do for her? Back at Dorothy's home, she was able to stand her hair being brushed and braided. She could let them do that...pick out a dress, since they knew her entire wardrobe better than SHE did.
She turned back, clasping hands with Chastity. With a teary, thankful smile, she locked eyes. "Be my friends." She answered. The four smiled, tears lining their eyes. "But, pick something for me to wear, fix my hair if you like. It's a little much for me to be touched right now. I have these bad memories that-"
"No need to explain yourself mistress." Vanessa solemnly cut in. She held up a hand, holding off her Princess's rambles. "We'll do as you command us." She gave a smile and waited.
Her mouth clamped shut over the growing need to make herself understood. She should've known better than to think she should clarify her behavior to those that knew her better than she knew herself. Well...ALMOST better than she knew herself. The past few months changed her and it would be a new person they would have to get used to. "Then...if you would let me bathe in private and occupy yourself in the meantime, I'd appreciate it." She gently smiled. "I'll call you when I'm done."
Dianna nodded. A small, mischievous smile appeared. "May I ask a question of you mistress?" With a small nod, she was encouraged to go on. "Was that dashing young man the one who saved you?"
"Oh yes! Do tell us of him Princess!" Chastity pleaded, hands clasped under her chin.
She smiled, glad to be on a topic she didn't mind discussing. With a quiet giggle, a hand waved off the flutter of female gushing. "I'll tell you when you come back after my bath." She promised. She grinned, thinking of the things she could tell. "I'll tell you all about my adventure with the dashing knight." She gave a quick wink. "Who is also a Prince I may add."
"Oh how exciting!" Lara gushed. Her face showed anticipation. "You must tell us EVERY detail."
"When you come back." She repeated, waving a hand to quiet their talk. "Now, off with you four and let me be in peace." She mused, shooing them from the room. They nodded and almost rushed out the door.
~*~*~
After she was dried, dressed, and hair fixed, she watched the candle flicker in the wax with a bored interest. She told the four napping around her as many details as she could remember, up to the night when she was rescued. She recounted the more romantic tales, knowing her maids would love those the most.
She talked until Vanessa started nodding off, joined by Chastity. After that, the others joined, leaving her to watch as they slept. She really didn't mind, since it gave her time to reflect and situate her friends within her mind again.
With a small smile, she looked to her maids resting next to her bed. They all looked very peaceful and it gave her a serene feeling. One hand smoothed out Lara's unbound hair in motherly appreciation.
It was VERY good to have her friends back, though they were her servants. She never considered them as such, since they were around her age. The eldest was eighteen, but married to one of her father's stablemen. The only one not married yet was Vanessa, but that was because she was three years her junior. She longed to see over her maid's weddings, to support her as she was faithfully supported for so many years.
A quiet knock halted her thoughts. She dumbly stared at the door for a second, not knowing who was visiting her at such a time. It was past sundown and she knew it would be time to send her maids to their rooms soon.
Slowly moving Chastity's arm off her leg, she shifted to the edge as stealthily as possible before quickly going to the door. Everyone at Sanc normally went to bed at sundown or a little after to be ready to greet the next morning. She knew she'd be the exception, since she traveled as far into the night as safety would allow to reach her homeland that much faster. If she ever regained the same sleeping habits as everyone else, it would take a while.
Almost timidly peeking around the door, eyes blinked in surprise to find a freshly bathed and dressed Hiro Yuy, dressed in an odd arrangement of clothes. She stood there, hands on the knob as he bowed with one arm behind him, the other extending to her to take. "Princess." He softly greeted, tone gentle. His eyes were the same kindness she saw in the forest, a small smile on his face. "You seem surprised to see me."
"I-" She blinked again, trying to regain her wits. This newest Hiro seemed different somehow, his stance and shoulders set differently than during their time in the forest and the castle. Her eyes looked to his clothing, flittering over his body. Where he once wore the armor she was so familiar with, now was enrobed in multi-layered, colorful silk. It loosely covered from ankle to wrist, stitched dragon designs. "You look so DIFFERENT."
"It's my native clothing." He answered, lips quirking a little more. He met her eyes, finding them appreciative. He was secretly glad, wondering how she'd take his hakama and haori. In was mildly surprising after such a long time in tight leather garments to wear baggy, utterly comfortable Japanese clothing again. "I brought a fair amount with me when I initially traveled here."
She smiled, looking at the fabric again. On impulse, a hand gripped a wide sleeve and brought it nearer her face to inspect. "This's so beautiful." She murmured, caught in her actions to notice what she was doing.
He wasn't. With a tender, wry smile, his palm turned and cupped her face, startling her. Fingers still clutching the garment, she smiled and looked him in the eye. "Do you remember why I came by?" He queried, mirth in his eyes.
She grinned. "Of COURSE I do." She playfully chided. "We were going to walk through the rose gardens on the north side of the inner walls."
His brow rose. He wanted to talk with her and couldn't find a better place than that. "Then if you don't mind..." An arm extended for her to take, playfully asking to be her escort.
Teeth bit her lip to halt a giggle at the way they were acting. They were far too old to be playing around as they were. But it was still fun.
"Oh!" Her head whirled inside her room, hoping the sudden, quiet administration didn't wake everyone up. They were trying to be quiet, and she forgot about her maids, amusingly draped over the ends of her bed. With a grin, she widened the door. "What do you think I should do about THEM?" She joked, eyes shining.
His brows curiously rose as he looked over her head, a side of his mouth twitching. "They should be okay. What happened, anyway?"
She grinned and walked to her chest, rummaging for a shawl to battle the cool night. "I recanted accounts of my trip." She vaguely answered.
His brow quirked again. "Oh?" Blue left her maids to watch as the wool shawl moved around her arms. "Might I inquire exactly WHAT you said?"
Feeling mischievous, she stopped in front of him and laid her hands on his chest. With an evil grin, her lips stopped inches from his. "I was just telling them about this."
Her lips pressed against his, her tongue recklessly stroking his lower lip. He complied with a hungry response, arms encircling her back and crushing her to his chest. Their tongues touched and swirled, body heat rising as emotions coursed through them again. It was ecstasy, it was utter bliss... Her eyes popped open, staring at his lids. ...It was arousing!
She could feel him, though the thought didn't embarrass her as it did in the past. She felt justified knowing that a simple kiss could turn them to mush. She knew SHE felt that way. Feeling him against her body set off reactions within, ones she fought to succumb to. It was a good idea he had such a strong hold, or she feared she'd fall at a heap in front of him!
He pulled away, breathing as heavy as she was. "We need to stop this."
"Agreed." She breathed back. Their foreheads touched in a silent moment, tightly holding each other. After a minute, she pulled back and gave a serene smile. "Shall we?" He nodded and extended his arm. She took it and the two quietly left the room, silently shutting the door behind them.
Maybe two minutes after silence returned to the chamber, a pair of hazel eyes popped open. "Did anyone beside me think that was utterly ADORABLE?"
"They're going to make SUCH a cute King and Queen someday!"
The youngest gave a happy sigh. "And I thought IMAGINING the kiss she told us about was romantic!"
The four giggled.
"I just hope they're married QUICKLY. It doesn't look like they have much restraint left." That brought another round of quiet, stifled laughter. After the jesting, each maid returned to her room, their minds replaying the kiss they snuck a peek on after being woken up by the initial knock.
~*~*~
They roamed the gardens, arms still entwined. She didn't need light to see by, having been around the flowers since she was a child. She knew every row and bush. Even in her absence, nothing was changed. Things still grew as always, save for the frost and night that closed up the buds. It was so peaceful outside. She grew accustomed to being out in nature during their travel, unable to find a better partner to be with. She watched the puffs of steam from her breath, the chill nipping her nose.
"It's so calm out here." She mused, looking around.
"I agree. Your family has outdone themselves with the garden this year." He looked at the roses and carnations, feeling their acceptance in this land.
She looked at him. "When were you at Sanc last?"
"I often came here with my uncle when he visited your father years ago. I was young, though I rarely saw you." They stopped in front of a bench and he halted. "Relena...I need to talk with you about the wedding."
She quickly looked at him, thinking about a dozen things, all of them bad. Did he not want to marry her now? Was it something she did? Something she said? Did he want to get married later after he was King? "Okay..."
He pulled her to the bench and clasped their hands, staring at them. "I spoke with your father earlier, just after you departed upstairs. He asked me a few questions, though none we came to an agreement on."
She was utterly confused. What did that have to do with the wedding? Was he even TALKING about that? Her eyes narrowed. "On our marriage?" She quietly asked, daring to speak. His low voice hypnotized her, as it always seemed to do and she found herself more willing to listen than speak.
He nodded, slowly grinding his jaw in apprehension. How did he want to put this? He could see her alarm on the topic and hoped he didn't just screw up the beginning - as he feared.
"Your father questioned what I wanted to do as far as the wedding was concerned detail-wise. I had no clue. He wondered where we were staying and suggested I speak with my father." He brought their hands up, holding them near his mouth. "Princess, I've given it a lot of thought when I was in my room. I will become King one day and want you by my side when that happens."
Her eyes teared over, a smile tilting her mouth. How could someone of such complex emotions be so utterly romantic when he seemingly never HAD been? Her lips pressed together, though her smile still shone through. She focused on his eyes, on the curious anxiety he showed.
His tongue quickly licked his lips. Why did he feel like - no matter what he said - he would screw this up somehow? He noticed her tears and prayed what he said wasn't making her cry anything but tears of joy. That's all he ever wanted to see from her.
It astounded him at this newest thought. How did she come to be so important to him? When did his priorities change so much that he'd give up his rank if she asked - do ANYTHING she asked? He knew the answer, and it was because he loved her, though he was too scared to say it and see what she'd say.
"Your father wondered where we would live; if I would stay here until I became King, or if you went with me as is custom for your people. I do not know what my father has in store when I marry, and I will send word for his answer. I will do so in the morning and pray that word is swift to him." He was rambling, but couldn't help it. He felt he could take his sword to a dozen pig guards his adrenaline was rushing so fast.
"What is it you want to know Hiro?" She knew everything he did when it came to rambling, and wondered what he wanted to ask her that made him so nervous. She couldn't think of a thing. Her hand left his and cupped a cheek, fingers slowly caressing his skin. "What are you so afraid to ask me?"
He was touched by her gesture and voice. It soothed him a little to know that she supported him, though she had no clue what he was asking. He didn't know if he COULD ask her this, not after she just arrived. To take her away for probably the rest of her life could be unfathomable to her. He feared her answer, especially if she didn't want to go. He wanted to show her all of Japan, of the realm he would rule over someday. He prayed to every god he knew to help persuade her. His eyes dropped between them, unable to look at her if she denied him.
"I was wondering...when we are married-" He harshly swallowed. "Would you live with me in Japan? You would have to leave your home again. I know it is wrong of me to ask this so soon after you arrived. I wouldn't think less of you if you wanted to stay here."
Her eyes watered as she became torn. To leave home, possibly for the rest of her life? Maybe never even see her parents die or her brother marry? Millardo was too preoccupied with the idea of fighting and crusades to take a wife right now. She wanted to be here when he chose one, to see whom he deemed fit to be with him and rule Sanc.
Teeth nibbled her lip. What COULD she say? She lived a good life here, came to know a lot of people. She was old enough to make decisions for herself, in the right areas. Both Hiro and her father were letting her give her opinion on this, and it was important she make the right one. Normally, Princesses weren't given the chance to speak when it came to marriage, but her father made an exception.
To stay home, or at least in England, or leave and go so far away south to Japan and rule with Hiro.
She looked into his eyes. The decision was clear in her mind as she stared into uncertain blue - there were no more questions to ask. Her jaw clenched, throat clogging with the intense feelings she felt. There was nothing stronger than love and they had it. If she could, she'd will it to every living thing in the world. Her fingers brushed over his skin.
"I'd follow you...to the end of the WORLD Hiro." She brokenly whispered, tears slowly falling. "If only it meant that we could be together as we are now."
The first signs of tears clogged his vision. She had no idea how much hope he held in her saying something like that. He gave a shaky smile, trying to collect himself. They stared at each other for what seemed so long before he scooted across and hungrily kissed her. He couldn't express how thankful and happy he was to hear her say that. To know she'd follow him anywhere... It warmed his heart, expanding with love he had for her.
He silently gave thanks to the gods for their intervention. After feeling what he did in the past month, he didn't know if he could live the old life he once led. To fight and kill without purpose, anyone to come home to and love, he might as well never come back home at all.
He slowly pulled away, extremely reluctant to break their kiss. It wasn't one of passion as their previous ones were, but full of promise and plans. "I was HOPING you would say that." He whispered. "I don't want you to EVER leave my side Relena."
She swallowed, utterly touched by his words. They rocked her, along with the rare tears she saw flash in the night. She cupped his face and wiped the tracks away with her thumbs, hoping to never see him cry. If she could help it, she'd sacrifice every last item in her life to follow him if it'd make him happy. He deserved it after a life of solitude and lack of love in his kingdom.
She didn't doubt that King Yuy loved his son, but not as her father openly loved her and Millardo. His people loved on ways of respect and loyalty than real emotion. She was blessed with loving and understanding parents, wishing that Hiro was given such a rarity. It was up to her now, to give him as much love as she could. She knew that wouldn't be so hard since she loved him more and more each passing day.
Even if she wasn't given a choice, she would've still gone with great pleasure. It would've saddened her to leave her adored kingdom and family, but knew her maids would go with and continue to serve her. Her things would be moved to Japan if need be. She would leave behind her heritage and background, but could take the memories with, to keep within her. She would always have a home in England, as long as someone would accept her.
But she wouldn't be able to stay when Millardo ruled and took a wife. Succession for the throne would come to play and it might possibly rip the family apart. Though she was younger than Millardo by years, it was possible that Hiro could rule England with her as Queen because they married first. As long as she left this land just after their marriage, England would be safe for Millardo to rule.
In the long run, the choice was never hers to make in the first place, even if she WAS asked. She didn't mind - Her brother was a kind person. He would have a firm hand when his time for the throne came...she just KNEW it.
