Disclaimer: I do not own G Gundam or any of its characters.

A.N.: Thank you thank you thank you thank you to my wonderful, loyal reviewers!!! This chappie's dedicated to Mandy, for being such an awesome friend to me.

Remember August 7, 2004. Next chapter!

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THESE FOOLISH GAMES: Chapter 18

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One week and four days. It had been one week and three days since she had spoken to Rain. Almost a fortnight had elapsed since that painful conversation. The only time they saw each other was when she was acting as her handmaiden and helping her dress. Other than that, she had avoided her company by having meals in her own room or even skipping them all together, hiding from anyone that brought up bad memories.

She missed things being the way they were, so easy and carefree between them. They were, after all, the best of companions. But in spite of this longing for their relationship to return to normal, she did not attempt to mend it. The pain she struggled with was her own, not Rain's. And part of this pain stemmed from Rain. She wasn't pointing fingers, it was simply a fact. Even though it was only a small part, it hurt too much to talk about having to return, or the fact that they had made a mistake in switching identities. Besides, if they began to talk about it, it would only lead to the inevitable discussion of the primary source of her suffering.

Unsolicited tears eagerly leapt to her eyes, and she turned away from the balcony view in an attempt to shake them and the thought of him away. However, like a warlock's curse, it remained haunting her both day and night.

She closed the delicate glass and pewter balcony doors on the violet sunset outside, clicking the latch shut, then slid the dark velvet shades into place to block out what remained of daylight from her room. Crossing the room, she stood staring at the back another door, this one wooden and solid. It wasn't the one that connected her to the hall. No, it was the one that joined her room to Rain's.

She lifted a hand, fingers hovering mere inches from the cool silver doorknob. Maybe...she could talk...It might just make things a little easier if she could have her best friend back. Didn't she always feel better when she talked to Rain? Her wisdom somehow made her feel more sure of herself. Like when she was upset over her father not permitting her to go to a feast for when the King of Shalie came to visit. And they had had their differences before. If she went in there, she could make things return to normal!

Her hand moved, fingertips just barely brushing the metal as they fell to her side. She sunk down to the floor. Who was she kidding? Things were so different when you were ten and living in a protected castle only worrying about what brooch to wear to supper. And her quandary with Sir George was not to be compared to with the juvenile memory of when she was forbidden to attend a banquet.

There, she had acknowledged the situation. That had to be a step in the right direction, didn't it?

Tiny saline droplets marked her satin dressing gown. It seemed she would be skipping supper again.

........

Domon stretched his hands over his head and released a yawn of boredom at his slowly progressing game of chess. It was George's turn to move, and he seemed intent on considering every single possible strategy before making his move. That was pretty much how the entire game had gone. His eyes would flicker over the pieces, pausing intermittently as he thought. Occasionally a finger would twitch as he provided a visual movement for whatever pattern he saw. He would mouth silently to himself, running a tongue over his parted lips in anticipation.

Actually, Domon noted with a furrowed brow, George had seemed rather uptight recently. Why hadn't he noticed his best friend had been behaving so peculiarly?

Ah, yes. That was right. A certain Mersenian Princess had been occupying his thoughts. On the night he had asked her to accompany him for stargazing, he had noticed that he was rather taken with Princess Marie- Louise. She was unexpectedly genuine and gracious, always behaving in a manner that was never threatening, yet at the same time, she was no sycophant. Her charm was contagious and she somehow understood Domon better than even George did at times. They simply...clicked. Like it was magic.

Magic. Those eyes that shame the clear azure sky.

Unwittingly, he had sighed those last words as he rested his chin upon his palm. Chibodee, who had just walked into the room and plopped into a seat nearby, sent him a glance that spoke of curiosity mixed with a bit of worry for his sanity. However, Domon was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he did not notice. In fact, he did not break the small grin and far-off gaze until the clattering of George's Queen and his proud announcement woke him.

"Checkmate."

"Hm? What?" Domon stared at the board rather stupidly, not even seeing the fact that he had lost for a couple seconds. "Check—Wait! Wha—What?? Checkmate?!" His smile and dazed expression changed to a dropped jaw and shock. "But, but how?!"

George simply smirked. "My Queen wins. I just get along better with the ladies."

Domon folded his arms in defeat, and let out a dubious sort of snort/laugh. "Oh really? Well, I don't remember meeting your wife."

George's visage altered drastically. "Erm...Well, uh, actually...I've been meaning to speak to you about something."

Chibodee's curiosity was piqued along with Domon's, and he sat up from his leisurely position, now more attentive.

"What is it?" Domon's brows were drawn together once again. George appeared to be struggling with how to express what he wanted to Domon. Surely it couldn't be anything too serious, or else he would already have known, right?

"You see, I was courting a lady-in-waiting rather informally."

There was absolute silence in the room as Domon and Chibodee stared at George. If Domon had looked shocked before when he lost the game, it was nothing compared to his expression now. And Chibodee's look was similar to Domon's, only intensified six-fold.

"And, actually things got pretty serious. This is where things get complicated even more. S-so, I began to think about marriage."

"You mean you already asked her parents?!" Chibodee finally exclaimed, bursting with a need to know.

"She doesn't have any living family, and neither do I. I simply proposed to her. A little over a week ago..."

"Well, and what happened?" Chibodee was quite impatient for the outcome. George's nervous attitude made him even antsier.

"She accepted. Lady Rain and I are going to be married."

"WHAT?!?!" Domon and Chibodee shouted simultaneously.

"I mean, no offense, George," Domon said rather hastily as he attempted to get his bearings. "It's just that all of this is such a huge shock to me. I had no idea. "But it's just great! You have my full blessing!" He stood up and embraced George with a manly clap on the back. "Boy, you must be so excited. Who would have thought you'd be married the first out of all of us, huh? You've got some land, I know, that you can settle down on. If you need more, I'm sure father could arrange it. Wow! Isn't this wonderful, Chibodee?"

Chibodee's usually animated face had turned drastically serious, something very out of character for the jokester. "I'm sorry, George, but I cannot give you my blessing."

Domon frowned at this. What was wrong with Chibodee? "What? Why on Earth not?"

"She is not to be trusted. Nor the Mersenian Princess." I

nsulted, Domon growled at his bluntness. "How dare you—"

Chibodee waved off Domon's threatening appearance. "I'm telling you, something strange is going on between the two. I wasn't really aware of anything until recently when I overheard some of the Queen's handmaidens commenting about their behaviors in the corridors."

"And you're going to believe a bunch of stupid gossiping girls like that?"

"Haven't you ever noticed things about them? They act as though they were sisters, and the Princess is always watching out for Lady Rain. More than necessary, really, especially seeing as how she's a handmaiden. And look at their hands! Marie-Louise always wears gloves. Now why is that? Summer is upon us, and she wears gloves to all functions. The handmaidens comment that she has rough hands that no princess would ever have! Hands that have seen hard work and labor. And Lady Rain's are just the opposite: soft, delicate. Hands that haven't worked for an hour of her life.

"And there's more than just that. But look," his toned calmed down, "I'm just worried about you two. I don't want you to get hurt, all right? I'm still not going to give you my blessing, but do whatever you think is right. I just wanted you to know that something's going on, and I don't want you to rush into this."

With that, he turned on the heel of his brown leather boots and exited. Domon and George remained frozen where they were.

"You don't think that...maybe..." George spoke tentatively.

"I don't know, George. I don't know."

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Rain rested against the balcony in her room. She had just returned from supper, and once again, Marie-Louise had not been seen. She was worried about her very much. It wasn't as though she expected her news that they would be returning to Mersenia well, but she had never imagined something to this degree. She was fairly certain that her emotional outburst that evening as she ran from the room was tied in somehow to a certain red- haired knight that had captured her fancy. But just how much did she care for him?

Did she really let her feelings carry her away? Did she get so wrapped up in the charade that she forgot who she was? If so, this was not looking to good.

Several times she wanted to talk, but she was afraid that Marie-Louise would not be ready. It was important to give her time, but when would it be enough?

She walked over to their adjoining door, and paused, listening for sounds of Marie-Louise's occupation. Instead, she heard a knock on Marie-Louise's door, and the creaking noise as the true Princess opened it. Muffled voices were heard, one Marie-Louise's, and the other a man's, but who's she could not distinguish. Their conversation was rather short, consisting of the male dominating the conversation or perhaps lecture. The door slammed closed once again, and she listened for a while to the silence.

Her hand gripped the doorknob and turned, pulling open the barrier that divided them. Stepping into the darkened room hesitantly, she called Marie- Louise's name.

A sniffle replied. Then the sound of choking tears. She panicked at the sound and rushed forward, no longer hesitant. Marie-Louise covered her face with her hands, sobs shaking her tiny frame.

"Marie-Louise, who was that? What's going on? Please, talk to me!! It's been so long, and I know you're in pain. I just don't know how to help if I don't know what's happening."

Marie-Louise looked up into her concerned eyes, and threw her arms around her. She buried her face into her friend's shoulder.

"I just don't know what to do anymore, Rain! I'm so confused. I hurt so much inside, I don't know if I can bear it! You were right from the beginning, this whole thing is a mistake!"

Rain made calming noises, and the pair sat down upon the bed. "There, now. How about you start by telling me who was at the door, and we'll take it from there, hm?"

Marie-Louise nodded, and breathed deeply as she prepared to tell all. "The man at the door was Prince Chibodee..."

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TBC