Heero-Ella
Chapter Seven: Duo POV:
The day at the water park had been priceless. I had gotten one more kiss from him before I had let him out of the limo.
"You will let me know if Une and her daughters of freakish hell get on your case, won't you?" I asked softly. Heero flushed softly. It was very becoming of him to see.
"If I can't tell you directly, then I'll tell Trowa and he'll tell you." I smirked, kissing him once more.
"Good. See that you do. I'll see you at the ball. It's a date." I watched him head into the house and I knew I was floating. Trowa was with Quatre, both having decided to go to Trowa's home tonight.
"Wufei, can you have things arraigned for me to see my father tonight?" He looked at me, an odd expression on his face.
"I suppose so, my prince. What's the occasion?" I smirked.
"You'll find out, Wufei. I promise." He looked at me funny and I knew why. I had used his first name without turning it into a nickname.
"All right." Raising the partition, he made a call. I sat back and kept a dreamy smile on my lips, eager to tell my father the news.
I entered my father's private lounge, knowing he was relaxing during his hours away from the throne. I really couldn't blame him, seeing as I would soon be doing the same thing. Once I was king, there would be no going out and having fun. Yet there was a reason why I was ascending to the throne so early. For, you see, my father was ill. He wasn't dying, oh no, far from it. Yet he was sick. He just didn't show it to anyone. Only a select few ever got to see him at his worst.
"Father, may I speak informally?" I asked as I neared him in his dark blue velvet chair. His private lounge was just like my own formal lounge, only in dark blue, gray, and lavender. It was a far sight better to be in the mine, which had red in it. Just thinking of it makes me sick to my stomach sometimes. My father looked up from the book he was reading, a smile on his lips.
"Of course. When I am here, I am not king. I am simply your father." I grinned. Perhaps there was some of the old man in me after all. I used to think I took after my mother. Now I see there was much of him in me as well. Mother died when I was very young. Father always liked to tell me about her when I was growing up. He said it was important to remember our past, for it influenced our present. I have always believed that myself.
"Of course, I keep forgetting that because we rarely get to see each other like this. You've been really busy lately." Treize laughed, a deep rumble of sound. I found myself smiling as well.
"What was so important that you couldn't wait until we were together tomorrow in conference?" he asked, his voice as calm and collected as it usually was. Even being as informal as we were being, he still sounded like the king he was. I would never be as good as him and I knew it.
"I have found love, father. I have fond the one I want to spend the rest of my life with and have rule by my side," I said softly. It was true. In this short amount of time, I had fallen in love with Heero. He's my world now. After our date, I couldn't help but find myself longing for the day we could next be together. Knowing that I might not be able to see him again till my ball saddened me and made my heart heavy. Only when I was with him was I truly as happy as I pretended to be.
"So soon? Does this mean I can make an engagement announcement instead of calling all girls to come and get it?" I laughed. I couldn't help it. My father was being silly. I loved moments like this the most.
"Father! That isn't something I'd want to hear said about myself. I am not some meal."
"Perhaps not. Yet would you not agree that every woman in our land has not thought of you as a fine meal to be had every once in a while?" I sighed. He was right, damn it. I hated it when he was right.
"Yes, father, you are correct. Yet I have something to tell you about the one I have choose." He looked at me worriedly a moment.
"What is it?" he asked. "Is it the fact that the one you love is not of noble birth?"
"No. My love comes from the home of Lord Odin Lowe, father. Though this isn't the same as mother and you. My love is a noble by birth." Treize's eyes narrowed suddenly, his mind proving still as sharp as ever. I knew I would have never been able to pull one over on my father.
"Odin Lowe. That name is familiar. Did he not marry a woman named Lady Une?" I nodded. "Then it is one of her daughter's then. Which one? Relena or Hilde?" Once again I was taken by surprise by my father's expansive knowledge. How he ever managed to remember everyone in this kingdom I will never know.
"It is neither of them, father. It is Odin's brother's child. The one he had to take in when they died." I watched my father think it over. His eyes suddenly flashed wide open. He knew. He knew exactly whom I spoke of.
"Heero Yuy is not a suitable choice," he said suddenly. My heart hammered in my chest. If I couldn't have him, I wasn't going to give in. I would leave the thrown to my cousin. Although he was a rather annoying fellow with an already too big head, I would do it. I wasn't about to be told who I could and could not be with. Especially when it meant my life; my future.
"He's who I love, father. Are you telling me that I can not choose who I would love?" He was silent. I knew he was seriously thinking things over.
"You are correct, my son, you should be allowed to choose who you love. Yet you cannot choose a man. There will be no heir if you do!" My father was upset. I could hear it in his voice. It was obvious he wasn't expecting this turn of events.
"Does this mean you at least believe your son is gay?" I asked, knowing we would have to cover this part as well, if I was to be truthful with him. He flinched a little at my words. Obviously I had reached a sore spot with him. I hadn't wanted to make him upset, but there was no choice. I was already in love; there was no changing that.
"Yes," he said finally, his voice not above a whisper. "But be that as it may, I can not allow you to toss your life away. Not now. Not when it is necessary for you to produce an heir." I sighed and shook my head.
"I will not give him up. He's already lost so much. I shall not be another thing he shall have to give up on! I refuse!" I cried, tears falling from my eyes. I knew I couldn't stop them. I wasn't about to. I needed this. I would give up my crown, my credit cards, and my hair for him. I could not lose him. "I shall turn the kingdom over to G then. I know he's old and tired, but at least he would follow what you ask of him." My father stood swiftly and took me into his arms before I knew what hit me. It had been a long time since I had been held like this. I loved it and I had missed it.
"I think he means it, my king," a deep voice said from the shadows. I looked up from my father's chest to see Zechs, Heero's boss and my father's dearest friend. I sniffed, knowing I was making a fool of myself. I couldn't help it. I really couldn't bear to part with Heero.
"Do you mean it, my son? Is he worth so much to you that you would let the crown be worn by G?" I sniffed. I knew I was still crying, but something about my father's tone made me look up at him. He was looking seriously at Zechs, not me. Something was going on that I didn't know about. Oh well, I'd have Wufei find out about it later.
"He is, father. I may have only known him a few days, but I do love him. I do know this. I would die inside, without him by my side." My father watched me for a few moments and then looked toward Zechs. I don't know what he saw, but it obviously calmed him some. He hugged me close once more before letting me go.
"Then have my blessing on one condition, my son," he said. I blinked, surprise in my eyes and attitude I was certain.
"What condition?" I asked, worried.
"You will have to find a way to have a child. Either by way adoption or a surrogate, I could care less. Perhaps even have people believe he is a woman for a while. At least until things calm down." I suddenly felt as if I had been given the whole world in those few words. I grinned brightly and hugged my father. He smiled and returned it, then waved Zechs and I off. "Now go, both of you. I have need of my rest. Zechs, seeing as you agree with my decision, that smile says it all, work things out with my son about helping Heero make it to this ball looking as a woman. Of course, if he loves Duo, he will do anything to be with him." Zechs bowed, as did I.
"Of course, my king," Zechs said with a grin. I smirked as well.
"Of course, father," I replied, bowing once again. I then left, Zechs right behind me. My lips were in a permanent smile I knew it. Once we were on our way toward my rooms I couldn't help but turn and look at Zechs. "Do you think Heero will go along with this?" Zechs smiled softly.
"If he has come to care for you as much as you care for him, he'd do anything. Even pose as a woman." I froze and Zechs noticed it. His smile fell slightly. "What's wrong?"
"I haven't told him I love him. We've only had one date. We met yesterday and went to the water park today. I kind of kidnapped him from Une. Yet she was working him so hard just for being late last night. I couldn't help but get on her bad side, I'm certain." Zechs sighed and placed a hand around my shoulders. He was one of the few people who treated me as a real person when I wasn't in front of others. I always enjoyed being near him.
"Let me tell you something about Lady Une that very few people know," Zechs began. My curiosity peeked I looked at in intently.
"Do tell," I said, a bright look in my eyes.
"Lady Une was in love with your father and for a while he cared for her. When he met your mother, everything changed. His love for Une was small compared to his love for Helen. When Helen became pregnant with you, he left Une entirely and married your mother. Une never forgave him. If you are as polite as your father when addressing her, she'll recognize the similarities and possibly hate you all the more for it." My eyes were wide. My father and Lady Une!? That just wasn't possible. . .was it?
"Seriously? Une and my dad were an item?" Zechs laughed, nodding.
"This was back when law dictated that royalty could not marry below their station. Helen was the daughter of a prince; therefore she was close enough in rank to marry your father. Une had no royal status at all, thus she couldn't ever hope to marry Treize. Once your father became King, he got rid of that rule. He wanted whoever came after him to be able to marry for love. Sure, the law states that only those of noble blood may marry a prince, but there is also an added clause that the Prince or Princess can choose whom they wish to marry. No restrictions."
"I didn't know that one. I thought noble's were the lowest we could allow."
"Many believe that," he said. "But it isn't so. Now, go rest. I'll handle Heero. For now, dream of seeming him at the ball. He works tomorrow, seeing as I had to call him in. So I shall mention some of this in a carefully worded manner. Perhaps you could even come into the store and tell him yourself of your plans, seeing as your father has given you permission." I suddenly jumped away from him and grinned slyly.
"I'll do just that. I have to see the jeweler for a special ring any way. Make certain he can have lunch off."
"Done." That said from him I rushed off to bed, my plans running through my head.