Chapter 12
Relena could not help the blush that heated her cheeks as she sat at the breakfast table. She barely slept! An otherworldly giddiness ensured that she laid awake all night thinking of him and of their rather unexpected interaction! He kissed her! What did it mean? What would it mean? Would it change anything? Never had she imagined he would actually kiss her! She snuck a glance at him but he was engaged in conversation with her Godfather.
"Relena…" he moved closer, his hand now cupping her cheek. Her skin lit on fire at the simple, yet intimate contact. "I can't promise you that I won't die." He leaned forward and she felt her breath hitch in her throat. "I have to protect you."
"Heero…" he locked his eyes with hers. She felt her heart racing; fluttering in her chest.
"But I will promise to try as hard as I can to make it out of this alive. That is all I can do." Before another word was said, he closed the distance between them and brushed his lips against hers in her first kiss. Her body lit on fire from head to toe, her heart slipped and every nerve came alive! She knew… she loved him.
"Miss Relena," Dorothy broke through the memory. "Are you alright? Your cheeks are positively crimson!" Relena started and stared at her friend, the blush deepening.
"I'm fine, Dorothy. I think it-it may be a bit h-hot in here. That's all." The older girl eyed her knowingly. Relena looked down at her food and stirred it absentmindedly.
"What happened last night?"
"You know what happened… I… I received my powers."
"No… there's something different about you…" without thinking, her eyes flicked to Heero. Dorothy gasped and Relena looked up at her. "You and the soldier!" Dorothy smiled and Relena felt panic rise in her chest.
"Keep it down! Please!" Dorothy smiled.
"Oh, he can't hear us from over there! And besides, I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me." She smiled. "Now, what happened?" With a blush, Relena relayed to Dorothy all that transpired. Dorothy listened, quietly until she was finished.
"So what now, Miss Relena?" Dorothy stroked a brow. "Are you going to tell him how you feel? Or do you think he will tell you first?" Relena shook her head.
"I don't know what will happen." Relena glanced over at Heero again. "And Heero is not exactly the type to say what he's feeling but…" his eyes met hers and she saw a change in those deep Prussian orbs as they softened only for her. "But whatever happens, I know he will be by my side, and for now, that is enough."
"Well, now, my dear." Her Godfather walked up to her. "I'm sorry I was unable to come over to see you sooner." He leaned on his cane. "But it appears the boys discovered that we have visitors on the horizon."
"Visitors?" Relena stood up.
"Is it possible my grandfather's troops caught us with us?" J shook his head.
"No, it's nothing so serious. There are only two individuals and they have raised the white flag." Relena was hardly an expert in wartime policy, but she knew, from her readings, that a white flag meant truce, surrender, or peace. "Your new royal guard wish to discuss our options with you."
"With me?"
"Naturally." Her Godfather smiled. "You are not only the princess, but the Sugarplum Fairy. You are now officially the leader." Relena shifted uncomfortably. She never wanted to be a leader. Heero and the others were more than capable of making informed decisions about such things and yet she knew he was right. If she was to help lead her kingdom to freedom, then it was time she stepped up.
"Very well, Godfather."
"Excellent." He turned away. "Follow me to the war room. We can discuss everything there." Relena nodded and she and Dorothy followed her Godfather down the winding halls to the underground where the suits waited for their owners. The conference table was lit up. It was hardwood from what she could tell and had a depiction of the entire kingdom. It was the first time she had looked upon a layout of her lands. Sanq Kingdom was at the middle of the five. Each land's border seemed to join into a giant pentagon. It was an impressive layout. And she was to be its ruler…
"Relena." Heero gently touched her shoulder. It was the first time he'd spoken to her since their kiss. She turned to look at him and offered him a small smile.
"I was just… looking at the kingdom."
"Your kingdom." She nodded.
"So many people will be counting on me. So much rides on my shoulders." He nodded, his eyes meeting hers.
"That's true." The corners of his lips turned up into a small smile. "But you won't be alone." She knew the truth of his words.
"Heero-" she reached for his hand but found herself interrupted as the others drew closer to the table. Dorothy offered her a knowing smile. Relena blushed.
"Trowa was keeping watch on the Northern wall when he saw two figures approaching. He will explain." Her Godfather stated before sitting down. Trowa stood, face serious, his one visible eye meeting hers. She had to admit, each of her guards were quite handsome in their human forms. She smiled in spite of everything. They could live normal lives once the war was over.
"The two figures I saw wore Romefeller uniforms, high-ranking. The woman had short hair. Her companion a superior officer, long blond hair and a silver mask. I can conclude with some certainty that he is none other than the Lightning Count, Zechs Merquise." Relena heard a few sharp intakes of breath. She had never heard of the man but clearly he had a reputation. "They stand about two miles out waving a white flag."
"Did you go out to meet them?" Trowa nodded.
"They would like to speak to the princess but they refused to be specific about the subject matter. I did not turn them away, but I did tell them I could not admit them without consulting with you, your highness."
"Out of the question!" Heero stated flatly. "It's too dangerous."
"I'm with Heero on this one. It could be trap." Duo added. Quatre shook his head.
"I don't think so. I don't feel any ill intent from them."
"There is no honor in the abuse of the white flag, but there is dishonor in ignoring it." Wufei spoke. "I say we give them a chance."
"Dorothy, you know the army. Can they be trusted?" Trowa asked. The older blonde woman stood up and confidently stroked a brow.
"Zechs Merquise is an honorable soldier. He has always put chivalry and equal footing for his opponent as top priority. If he wishes to meet, then I say he is sincere in his request."
Relena considered each opinion carefully. She looked to her Godfather, but he seemed to offer no help. She closed her eyes and gave herself a moment to think. To allow them in was to put everyone and everything at risk, but to deny them? What if they needed help? What if they were defecting or seeking refuge? Could she, in good conscience, turn them away? Taking a deep breath, she looked at them, mind made up.
"I will meet with them." She stated. All eyes stared at her, but the darkening of Heero's Prussian blue did not escape her notice.
"Don't do it, princess." Duo pled.
"You can't allow them to get that close." Heeto stated. "I won't allow it." That irked her. One kiss, whatever his reason behind it, did not give him leave to order her around or counter her decisions. She frowned at him.
"I will meet with the count and his companion. That is final." Heero's lips thin, mouth drawn at the corners. Trowa bowed, hand over his heart.
"As you say." He rose, turned, and left the room. Heero walked to her, pulled her aside, and locked eyes with her.
"I don't agree with this decision."
"Thankfully, you don't have to." She returned his stern tone and steely gaze.
"Relena, they could be here to kill you."
"I am well aware of that, Heero, however, I have a duty to my people to explore every Avenue to defeat Duke Dermail and take back this kingdom. If what they have to say could prove beneficial then I need to hear them out." He reached out, and grabbed her arm gently.
"Relena. Please." He was not begging. He was asking. Straightforward and simple. She shook her head.
"I will meet with them as I said. I have to try and be reasonable even in times like these." She saw the concern in his eyes; emotions he dared not speak. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Besides, I know whatever happens, I'll be safe with you by my side." His eyes lightened slightly with her words of trust. He nodded and pulled his hand from her as she released it.
"They will stay far enough away that I can intervene." She saw no harm in that. Keeping her distance and erring on the side of caution would be best.
"Agreed." He locked eyes with her and she realized they were alone again. Her mind brought her back to their kiss… Part of her wanted to ask him about it, but she knew this was not the time. She had an impromptu meeting to attend and the sooner she arrived in the throne room, the easier it would before her friends to take their respective, protective positions.
She smiled at him, reached out and brushed her hand against his before beginning to make her way there. She felt him following behind her though she heard no footsteps. 'For a man who spent years as a block of wood, he is light on his feet.'
They reached the throne room and, for the first time, she felt the weight of her new position hit her. The room was massive. The walls were draped by evenly-spaced tapestries with the symbol of each land in vibrant colors. The purple marbled hall had pillars leading up to a domed ceiling with a mural painted of all manner of sweet treats and toys. A long, plum-colored rug ran up the center of the room leading to the throne which was at the very back of the room set up on a three-stepped platform of the same marble. The wooden throne had intricate carvings that echoed that of the mural on the ceiling with a plush, plum-colored, velvet seat. It was quite a sight to behold. As Relena approached the throne she found that it towered over her by at least three feet. Countless fairies sat here before her, protecting the realm with practiced care… and now it was her turn. She walked up and ran her fingers over the carvings. It was all up to her now.
"Relena." Heero started. "Trowa has the two officers outside the door. Are you ready?" She nodded. "They will go no further than the closest pillar." Again, she nodded. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves and took her place on the throne.
"They may enter." With those words, the large, double doors opened to reveal Trowa leading in the two visitors.
The smaller of the two, the woman, had short, dark hair that seemed to look blue in the lighting. Her green uniform was pressed and trim with a short, black Cape over one side. Her eyes were soft, and kind and Relena automatically knew this woman was someone who could be trusted. The taller of the two was an imposing figure of over six feet. He was lean with long, white-blonde hair. His red uniform was similar to his companion's, but what put her off was the silver, domed helmet-mask covering his head. She did not feel threatened by his presence, but she noticed Heero tense at her side.
"Your highness." The woman began, and bowed slightly with her hand over her heart. "I am Lucrezia Noin, former lieutenant of the Romefeller forces. "And this man beside me is the one known as Zechs Merquise, the Lightning Count, and former Romefeller colonel."
"Former?" She heard Duo ask softly.
"I bid you welcome." Relena smiled warmly at Noin. "What business brings you to this place?"
"If it pleases you," Zechs spoke up. His voice was low and soft. "We have come to join your cause and offer any assistance we can to see to the downfall of Romefeller." She could feel distrust in the room from her friends, but looked at Quatre who smiled at her and nodded.
"And why are you offering such a thing? Are you not one of their most respected officers?" Relena asked. The Lightning Count frowned.
"I was, but it was only a position I used to help me in my true purpose."
"And what would that be?" Suddenly, the man smiled, reached up, and pulled off his helmet. Two, ice blue eyes met hers.
"To find my little sister lost so many years ago and restore my father's kingdom." A round of gasps echoed through the room. Relena could barely believe what she had heard.
"Your little sister… and your… father's kingdom?" He nodded. The meaning of his words struck her and she was thankful to be sitting.
"Ah, yes!" Her Godfather stepped forward, cane clanking on the marble floor. "Prince Milliard! I was wondering when you would finally appear."
"Prince… Milliard?" Relena repeated, stunned. Her Godfather knew him. Recognized him. She could not remember a brother being mentioned in the story but that could have been his way of protecting her in case her brother was dead… yet here he was.
"Yes, Relena." He smiled. "I have come to help you take back what is ours, if, that is, you would have me." Relena looked at the faces of her friends. Each looked just as shocked as the other. He was her brother? She actually had a brother? She looked at the man before her and found a hint of a memory:
Chubby little hands reached up with a giggle to touch the curly white-blond hair of a boyish face while two ice-blue eyes smiled at her…
"I… remember you… I think." She spoke this softer than she'd intended. "Yes, Milliard. You and Lady Noin shall join us here."
"Thank you, little sister." Zechs smiled and made his way toward her.
Heero looked ready to attack, but she motioned for him to stop. As her estranged brother reached her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him in an awkward hug. In spite of everything, he was happy to know that some of her family had survived that terrible night. She returned his embrace, as one of the final pieces of her past clicked into place and the last of her loneliness melted away.