Title: Forever Heero
Summary: When a pic-pocket and a princess of society meet it could only be called chance. But when 12 years later they meet again, that is fate. 1xR Au
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
A/N: Well it took me long enough, but here it is. CHAPTER TWO. I was kind of distracted. This happens nearly a year before the last story!
Chapter Two: To Woo an Heiress!
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London-1851-Jean La Plume a year before chapter one
Relena twirled and watched as her pink dress moved with her.
"I love it Mother." Relena's mother smiled softly at her happy daughter. Relena had been so sad after her father had died, that Merriam Peacecraft was sure that Relena would never smile again. But now here her daughter was with the world's largest smile plastered on her dainty face.
"Well then you shall have it. It is not everyday that a young heiress comes out into society, now is it?" Merriam clapped her pale hands together twice and the owner of the dress shop appeared with in moments.
"Yes, Lady Merriam Peacecraft." The fat balding shop owner said in a thick French accent. He twirled a sweat soaked handkerchief between his meaty fingers. His need for the Lady's acceptance was obvious.
"Monsieur Andre, we would like to purchase this one with matching parasol, slippers, and gloves, and also the deep blue dress with all the necessary accessories." Merriam Peacecraft said with a regal motion of her hands. Relena clasped her hands together and attempted to hold her joy in. She was finally coming out into London's society. She turned and assessed her image in the full length mirror that was set into a wall. She was wearing a dress of pink satin that had a graceful flow of train in the back. The front was adorned with just enough white lace and pearls. The dress was elegant and regal. Fit for a princess.
She smiled once more. Somehow she had been named fifth in line for the English throne. Her mother was the daughter of the Earl of Sussex, and her father was the Duke of Lancaster. Her only sibling and older brother Milliardo was the fourth in line for the throne, though he had not royal expectations. Her future as a fine lady was set in stone.
Merriam Peacecraft spoke quite words with Monsieur Andre while the Monsieur André's assistant help Relena out of her gown and back into her own clothing. Once she was clad in her black satin day gown once more Relena took a stroll around the vast store. It was one of London's finest boutiques, Jean La Plume. It sold clothing for both Ladies and Gentlemen, and Relena had managed to wander towards the men's side.
She ran her fingers over the lace handkerchiefs and the cuffs on display. She had always liked a well dressed man. After gazing over the shop's selection of clothing she watched the men shopping. One was tall with long brown hair that had a natural curl to it. His eyes were hazel and he was speaking in a low voice to a blonde haired man. The suddenly both smiled and shook hands and the Brown haired one left. Relena moved her gaze from them to the rest of the men in the room. Most were ordinary except one. His bangs fell into his long face. He was very tall and he was smiling to himself while he watched her watch him. She smiled back. She had been caught, why act like she hadn't. It was at her second glance that she noticed his vibrant eyes. They were a shocking green that not many possessed. Nodding to her the tall man walked in a steady gate towards her.
"Hello miss, are you looking for anything in particular?" He asked while taking her hand and kissing the back of it all in one smooth movement.
"Lady Relena Peacecraft. That is my name, may I inquire after yours sir?" Now that Relena could see his face up close she could determine his age. He was around nineteen and one and twenty. He, unlike most in the store, had no wrinkles and all his teeth. She glanced around the store quickly scanning it for her mother. If she was caught talking to a young man alone whom she did not know she would be told off.
"Lady P-"
"It's Relena if you please. I hate titles. I only require them around my mother." The man smiled and the he gracefully bowed to her. Her smile brightened, for the first time in her life a man was paying her interest. No, she thought, not since Heero long ago.
"Lord Rowan Barton of Kent, but I am called Trowa. I also do not like titles." Relena's eyes widened. He was a son of the Duke of Kent, he was well known as one of the best sword fighters in London's training facility. She knew this via her older brother Milliardo. She immediately made her face show no shock and nodded.
"Trowa then. It is nice to speak with you; however I am afraid that my mother is looking for me. Good day," then as she noticed her mother approach her she added, "Lord Barton."
"Relena it is time to depart." Her mother said her only indication that she had even noticed Trowa was her curt nod to him. Relena also nodded to Trowa and then swept out of the boutique with her mother.
"Who as that young man, Relena? You know that you are not out in society yet, you can't simply introduce your self to young unmarried men." Relena's mother motioned for the footman to open the carriage door before she turned to a silent Relena with sharp eyes.
"I was merely speaking to him Mother. No harm done to him or me." Relena then endured the silent ride home.
London- 1851- The Offices of Yuy International
"Heero buddy! I got that old cur to sign the contract!" A very happy Duo said while he skipped into a darkened office. Duo waited for his eyes to adjust the unnatural darkness before he dropped the contract onto Heero's immaculate desk.
"hn." Was Heero's reply. Duo frowned and then brightened.
"There is a ball tonight and since you seem to be in a very bed mood I am going to force you to come. Besides there are a few new beauties coming out into society tonight.
"I don't have time."
"Come on Heero. I know you a little better than that. I know that if I don't force you then you will be in this office drinking brandy into the night. Have a little fun. Enjoy your earned wealth." Heero flinched at the word "earned" but Duo didn't seem to notice. Duo a former street urchin had certainly risen in society, much like Heero himself. Though Heero's corporation had not begun totally legally; he was now trying to not break laws, he was trying to have a legitimate business.
"Fine but I will leave if I feel like it."
"THAT'S THE SPIRTI BUDDY-BOY! Come on we have to go get ready now!" Duo ran to the door and watched as Heero slowly picked up his desk and locked the papers way before he followed Duo to the door. Heero stared back into his office for a moment and thought of the past before he closed and locked the door. The past was the past and no force on earth could make him think about it again.
….If only.
London- 1851-Lady Marquis's Ball Room
"Why Relena! How handsome you look tonight. I'm sure that no young man in this room would be able to resist you. I am so glad you are of age to come out into society! Have you met my son Charles yet?" Relena stared at the middle aged woman in fear. She hopped to god that this was not going to be the whole night. Old woman attacking her and no men asking her for a dance.
"I-uh." Relena quickly and desperately tried to think of something to say, anything. The older woman watched her with an almost sadistic glint in her eyes. Relena felt like running. She thought a silent prayer and was about to speak when someone else spoke for her.
"My lady would you dance?" Relena turned her startled blue eyes to a pair of vibrant green ones. Trowa.
"I would love to. If you'll excuse me Lady Ghent." The older woman nodded her consent and then rushed into the waiting crowd of middle aged woman, to dish out the gossip; it was about Relena no doubt.
"Trowa, you have no idea the amount of pain you have just saved me from." Relena sighed as he wrapped and arm about her person. The dancers around them were laughing and smiling. The dance pulled Trowa from Relena for a moment but he soon was back.
"It was my pleasure. Your look of blind panic was my reward. Were you really that scared of Lady Ghent, Relena?" Trowa asked with a smirk. Relena nodded breathlessly. "I have to admit, the prospect of dancing with you also prompted me to coming over here."
"Why Lord Barton! Should I take that as an advance?"
"Never M'lady." He paused before he continued in a sarcastic voice, "When did you learn to flirt? Are you not just out in society today?" Relena blushed at this. Just as she was about to reply she noticed her mother watching her like a hawk from across the ballroom. Relena then decided that silence was the best answer.
Across the ballroom Lady Ghent's mouth ran wild as she spoke about Relena's "fascinating" and "adorable" nativity. The older woman praised the young heiress before saying that Relena's dowry made her quite a catch. They spoke about her brother who was a fine businessman. They gossiped about how close to the crown Relena was. Every aspect of the girl's life was picked apart.
Welcome to London's High Society.
London- 1851- Outside Lady Marquis's Ball Room
"Could you stop scowling for once in your pathetic life? Be happy! That's H A P P P damn I had it a second ago." Heero Yuy rolled his eyes as Duo Maxwell attempted to spell the word happy out in the air. Why oh why had he agreed to this?
"If we are going to go to this social function then we should go in now." Heero stated. He then stared at the huge doorway that they were currently loitering by. In scripty letters the name Marquis was spelled out on the door. Heero sighed and watched as his carriage drove away. No escape now.
"Alright!" Dou said as he straightened the lapels of his black jacket. Heero tightened his necktie before harshly knocking at the door. A tall butler with a powdered white wig. The butler gave them a once over before ushering them into a lavish foyer.
The foyer was a peach color and had high ceilings that had gold gilded panels. London's high society, Heero thought dimly. Duo let out a low whistle and the butler took their cloaks before disappearing. The two men followed the sound of music into a big ball room filled with women with coiffed hair and silk dresses, and men with neckties and black jackets. Duo and Heero looked exactly like the rest of the men. No one could guess that these two young men had grown up in the slums. To these people they were merely men with enough money to be invited to a lavish ball.
Heero's icy eyes looked from face to face before he slipped into the shadows of the room. If he had to be here then he might as well not be seen. After a few minutes of watching people in a corner he noticed a man standing not to far from him, also hiding.
The young man had delicate features that made him seem almost feminine. He had black nearly violet hair that was held in a small ponytail down his back. The man's violet eyes scanned the crowd quickly before turning to clash with Heero's own Prussian blue eyes.
"Staring is rude, Mr. Yuy." The man stated before turning back to the crowd. Heero looked at this man more carefully now. Did he know this man? Surly not.
"Who are you?" Heero stated after confirming to himself that he had never seen this man before in his life.
"Herald Schibecker. I know you from your reputation. Demon Eyes they call you, and rightly so. The demon of the trading industry. I am a student of the University of London." Heero nodded and stored the information in his brain.
"They allow women in the University of London?" Heero asked. Herald gasped and then stiffened.
"I will keep your secret Miss Schibecker, but I will warn you, for keeping your secret I shall require a single service from you."
"What kind of service sir?"
"I shall tell you at a later date. It shall be nothing too obscene." With those words spoken Heero strode away, leaving a gasping Herald in his wake. Herald covered her mouth and sighed a dejected sigh. Caught. She would have to be more careful around men who observed too much. Well, she thought, they don't call him Demon Eyes for nothing.
Suddenly a girl dressed in a rich pink dress sailed over to Herald. Herald smiled at her long time friend.
"Lady Peacecraft." Relena's smile turned into a smirk when she was greeted by the handsome Herald. When she was close enough so that no one could hear her Relena whispered.
"Hello Hilde! It has been ages. I love what you've done with your hair." Hilde smirked and bow gracefully to Relena.
"May I have this dance M'lady? We can discuss what has happened in both our lives on the dance floor." Hilde said while she inwardly rejoiced at a chance to talk to another woman, "Without scandal." Hilde added quickly.
"I'd love to sir." Relena took Hilde's arm and Hilde led the blonde to the center of the room just as a dance started up. They both bowed and the dance began.
"How is university?" Relena asked happily, not noticing the gossiping old women watching her.
"It is everything I dreamed and more, but I don't think my mother will buy my lies about finishing school for much longer. Oh Relena what am I going to do? If she finds out that I am," Hilde lowered her voice, "posing as a man she would disown me. I don't see why women can't go to college! I mean look at you, you would be the perfect political leader. The next Prime Minister!"
"Shhh. You mustn't speak so loud Herald." Relena said with a mischievous glint in her ocean colored eyes. "People might think you were being revolutionary."
"What's' wrong with that? Don't you hate being confined to your fans and corsets? Being a mere object?" Hilde hissed to Relena.
"Of course, but some of us aren't as strong as you, Hil-Herald. Besides the man I marry won't think nor treat me as an object. I would not allow it."
"Well I dearly hope that you will find such a man and have him met your parent's standards."
"What about you Hilde? Do you plan to be alone your entire life? Will you keep your façade and marry a women that will keep your secret and will mean nothing to you, or are you going to find a man and give up your diploma? You can't win any way you look at it! I don't want to die alone Hilde. I saw my Aunt follow that path."
"I shall do what I must when the time comes. Till then I shall prove these egotistical men wrong." By now the dance was nearly over and both Relena and Hilde were red from all the talking and dancing.
"Take a turn in the garden with me Relena and we shall speak about you. Dancing and talking is to straining." Relena nodded and took Hilde's arm. They were near the doors to the garden when suddenly Relena saw a flash of Prussian blue. A very familiar blue. From a dear memory within Relena.
"Heero? Is that you?" Relena asked in an excited tone. The tall man in question turned around to face the voice. Time stood still as their eyes met in a clash of Prussian-blue and ocean-blue.
"Relena!" Heero breathed. This was their first meeting in the eleven years since they had first met. This was a work of fate.
"It is you!" Relena said happily. "It is very good to see you well Heero."
"Ah ha! I knew you knew someone other than me here! Why hello princess, do you remember me?" Duo asked in a very loud voice, drawing the attention of some people near them.
"Could I forget you Mr. Maxwell? This is my friend Herald Schibecker. He is currently a student at the University of London. Herald this is Mr. Duo Maxwell and Mr. Heero….."
"Yuy." Heero said while taking turns eyeing both women. He was shocked to see a person from his not so sparkling past. That little flaxen haired girl was now a grown angel.
"Well Herald, what do you know about the scrap metal industry?" Duo asked a blushing Hilde. Hilde could only stare at him for a moment before she abruptly excused herself.
"What was up with that guy?" Duo asked in confusion. Relena barely concealed a smile before a loud voice called to her.
"AHHH Relena my dear, come meet my Charles."
TBC
A/n: Well it took me nearly a year but here is chapter two. I put a lot of work into this so I hope you like it! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!