Chapter Twenty-five

"Duo."

"Yeah Captain?"

"I'm going to my room now. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Okay. I'll see you at lunch." Heero nodded and walked away. Duo and Hilde watched him walk away saddened my the sight of their friend's pain.

As Heerowalked into the palace, the King approached him.

"Captain Yuy."

"Your Majesty," he said with a slight bow. "What can I do for you?"

The King tried to hide his smirk. "I'd like to talk to you privately in my chambers. Please follow me."

"As you wish." Heero began to get a little worried. 'What does he want to talk to me about? Is he going to throw my crew and me out of here and tell us to never come back? What if he says he doesn't want me near Relena and will throw me in prison if I go near her? What does he want from me?' These questions flew through his mind as he walked behind King Peacecraft.

When they arrived Relena's father offered him a seat. "Please sit." After Heero sat down and got comfortable, he continued. "I'm sure you are wondering why I asked tospeak withyou."

"Yes I am your Majesty."

"Well, my daughter told me that I shouldn't judge you before I actually got to know you, to try to talk to you. I don't have any objections. Do you?"

'This might be my lucky day. Maybe I can convince him to let me marry Relena.'

"No."

"Good. So tell me, why did you become apirate?"

"It was to get revenge for my family."

"You said was as in past tense,does that meanyou don't anymore?"

"Correct."

"What made you change your mind?"

Heero looked him in the eye with a steadfast gaze. "You're daughter, Relena. She made me see that life isn't just about revenge and making sure those people suffer like you did. She also made me see the beauty in the simplist things. If I may be so bold Your Majesty, you're very lucky to have such a beautiful and intelligent daughter."

"I'm very thankful for her. She reminds me so much of her mother," the King replied, a dreamy look coming to his face. He cleared his throat and regained his composure. "I've noticed something about you."

"What is that you Majesty?"

"You're not afraid to speak your mind. You're very bold and challenging. I like that. Not many people have the courage to do that."

"Well, uh, thank you sire," Heero said a bit baffled. They talked for awhile longer before Heero left.

Duo and Hilde took another stroll through the gardens. They were content just being together. All of a sudden, Duo grabbed Hilde's wrist and pulled her into a very secludedarea where no one could see or hear them.

"Duo? What are you doing? Is something wrong?"

Duo looked at her a little nervously. "Nothing's wrong. I just- I wanted to tell you…" he trailed off.

"Tell me what?" she asked curiously.

"Just-" He looked down and started shifting his feet, pink shading his cheeks.

"Out with it Duo!" Hilde shouted impatiently. He mumbled something, but she couldn't hear him. "What did you say Duo? I couldn't hear you."

He grabbed her left hand and pulled her closer to him. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, shortly followed by his right and whispered in her ear. "I love you." Hilde's eyes just about bugged out of her head. She lost the strength in her legs and collapsed against Duo. "Hilde are you alright?" he asked panicking as he held her form more securely against his own.

"I'm fine," she said regaining her balance and strength. "Did I just hear you right? Did you just tell me you loved me?" he nodded biting his bottom lip. 'Oh my gosh! He loves me back! Yay! Okay, don't cry. Don't cry. Oh forget it.'

"Hilde?" he asked uncertainly.

Hilde began to wipe away he tears. "I'm sorry Duo," his heart fell thinking she didn't love him back, "I didn't mean to cry all over you."

He smiled, glad that the sentencehadn't turned out like he thought it would. His heart began to beat very quickly and he felt butterfliesin his stomach. "It's okay. I don't mind."

Hilde wiped away more tears before she cupped Duo's face and brought it down to hers. When their lips met, a jolt of electricity passed between them. Their kiss became more and more passionate as the seconds passed. Once they pulled away for breath, Hilde breathed out, "I love you too Duo."

Duo's heart felt like it would burst any second now. His smile became huge and he squeezed her tighter. "Really?" he squealed.

"Really," she said as she began to giggle at his childness. He began laughing too as he picked her up and swung her around and around. "Duo!" she squealed.

"I'm not ever going to let you go again!" he said happily. He finally put her down and kissed her again. "I love you so much."

She smiled at him and replied, "I love you too." She kissed him on the nose before saying, "We need to get back before everyone wonders where we are." Duo agreed and they finished their walk in the garden hand in hand.