Disclaimers: GS/GSD and the chacracters does not belong to me.

Special Thanks to Kandida and Rubenz! XD

Secret Love

Chapter 2: The Maiden

------In the Forest

iIt's been hours since they have stopped Cagalli felt very tired.

"Excuse me…Sir Athrun, do u think we could stop and res-" she has been cut of by Athrun

"No. We have to reach the kingdom, before nightfall." Athrun replied her coldly.

"I am sorry I asked then…" Cagalli said lowering her head down.

Then Ssuddenly….An Arrow flew pass her and got Athrun's arm,

"Damn! The Bandits!" Athrun drew his sword. "Stay Back!" As his galloped his horse to the bandits' clan behind them. He fought so bravely that Cagalli can't take his eyes off him, and then suddenly a bandit came from the back of Athrun,

'Behind you!' Cagalli shouted to Athrun.

But it was too late the bandit manage to stab his back but Athrun didn't care he slashed him furiously. After that, most of the bandits retreated. Athrun then fell down on the ground panting. Cagalli quickly got off her horse and ran to Athrun. She bends down beside Athrun and looks at his wound at his arm and his back and asked,

"Are you ok Sir Athrun?" Cagalli said as she tried to remove the dagger on his back but Athrun pushed her hands away.

"I do not need anyone's concern!" Athrun shouted at her. She was stunned, but she didn't care, she quickly pulled the dagger out from his back, making him groan in pain.

"What the hell you do that for!" Athrun looked at her furiously, but she ignored him, and took some of the herb from her bag and placed it on his back and arm.

"Let me put this herbs on your wounds, it will make it stop bleeding." Cagalli said calmly as she tried to put the herb at his wounds,

'I do not need your aid! I will go back to the castle and get it done!" Athrun said coldly, but Cagalli insisted and placed the herbs on his wounds.

"That will stop the bleeding…You need to rest now." Cagalli said softly ignoring eye contact with him. He felt himself shivering when her soft finger tips touched his back and arm.

"You don't have to aid me, I can do it myself. Thank you anyway." Athrun said as he looked at her eyes…. 'Those are one of the most beautiful pair of eyes I have ever seen.' Athrun thought.

"Let's get going." Athrun said as he stood up and saddled his horse. Seeing Cagalli nod, they both wenthen on with their journey to the castle.

------At the Kingdom

Cagalli and Athrun finally reached the kingdom, they were greeted by a lot of villagers, Cagalli just smiled waved at them, as she followed Athrun back to the ORB Palace to meet the King and Queen.

As she walked thru the streets on ORB she saw a lot of things that she rarely see, since war have been erupting in a lot of countries, she was shocked to see so many children running free, people walking pass shops, shopping and talking with their family and friends with smiles and laugher that she never seen in years, after her family got brutally killed in the previous war. As she scanned the streets, then she saw a old lady trying to buy some food from a bread merchant, she didn't have much gold, so she offered all she got, but the merchant just took the money and pushed the weak old lady away, making the poor old lady fall, many people were laughing at the poor old lady. Cagalli couldn't resist it, she stopped her horse and walked to them crowd, As Athrun saw what he did, he also stopped, he came down and followed her wondering what is she doing, then she spoke up bravely,

"Don't laugh at her, it's not funny." Cagalli when to the old women's side and helped her up, then she looked at the merchant and said, "Give her the bread, she already paid for it, and why did u push this poor old lady? Your one un-mannered man."

"Heh. Look lil lady, this is practically none of your business, so just get lost!" He said loudly glaring at her with his angered eyes. Athrun just stood there and looked at her wondering what her next move is.

'Just give the money back if u do not wish to sell it to her" Cagalli still answered him bravely, then he got really ticked off by her and he raised his hand and when he was about to slap her, he felt a hand grabbing his,

"Keep your dirty hands of this Maiden. If you don't respect her, respect the goddess that protected our country, and give back the old lady's gold, I will paid for the bread." Athrun spoke coldly. The merchant was afraid of Athrun, then he just quickly gave the gold back to the old lady, Athrun paid for the bread and gave the old lady the bread, and then everybody went back to their place minding their own business. The old lady thanked Cagalli and Athrun then walked away.

"You're pretty brave to actually answer him like that." Athrun speak suddenly, 'I am really shocked by your actions."

"Does this happen everyday?" Cagalli asked him looking at his emerald orbs,

"Not really, but that's lif-"

"No it's not life, somebody has to speak up." Cagalli said as she looked at Athrun.

'God, I love her eyes….' Athrun though

"Well even somebody speak up do you think they'll listen?"

"He did listen to you."

"Just forget it, it's done now, I have to get you to the castle now. And please follow my orders!" Athrun spatted coldly at her, as he saddled his horse, "Let's go."

Cagalli just kept quiet and saddled her horse once again and continue to the castle.

---------At the Castle

"This is the king's chamber, please remember to bow at him." Athrun said to Cagalli, while she just nodded, then Athrun pushed the door open,

"Your Highness, the maiden has arrived."

"Your Grace, I am here to serve your goddess for the ceremony." Cagalli said as she bowed gracefully. While Prince Shinn scanned her from head to toe,

'She is so much more beautiful compared to the maiden that performed last year….'

"Very well, Patrick and Athrun, thank you for your job well done" King Gilbert said with a proud smile, "Now my dear, you did better get ready for the ceremony tomorrow, and Athrun why don't you show her around the castle?" King Glibert asked Athrun while looking at his son Shinn that's looking at Cagalli without blinking his eyes.

"I will your highness." Athrun bowed then he led Cagalli around the Glamorous and Glorious castle of ORB.

Author Notes: This chappie ish quite fluffy thought. Still not reallie good but i am trying!