Love and Pride
Summary : She, the aristocrat who lost her parents. He, the right hand of the Queen in his country. Will they fall in love when they met? Medieval time (AC), AU and OOC
Special thanx for my beta-reader asucaga4eva
Disclaimer : I don't own the characters.
Chapter 4
"Cagalli, what's going on between you and Athrun?" Kira sat on the side of her bed.
"Nothing." She answered flatly.
"I know there is something wrong, you know you can't lie to me. And for Athrun, Dearka said that he's been having a sour mood lately."
"Kira, please can you drop the topic, I don't want to talk about it."
Kira shrugged, "Okay, but don't forget you have an appointment with the Queen." Kira rose from the bed and headed toward the door.
During the afternoon, Cagalli went to the Palace. There she met the Queen and bowed to her. "Good Afternoon my Lady."
"Stop the formality Cagalli, I consider you as my friend." Talia informed her.
"Thank you for your kindness, and may I know why you called me today?"
"Oh, I need someone to talk with and I want to show you around. You've never been here before right?"
Cagalli nodded her head, "Yes, thank you for the generosity."
"Then follow me," Talia showed her the HQ, Cagalli looked at it with interest. There are so many soldiers that trained, she was excited, and she has never seen something exciting like this.
But her face fell and she stopped walking when she was someone she knew, 'Athrun Zala?'
"Athrun is one my best soldiers, his sword skills are beyond my questions." Talia said to Cagalli.
"I – I see," she stammered and eyed him 'He is indeed a talented swordsman, and charming.' Cagalli mentally slapped herself and shook her head 'What am I thinking?'
"What's wrong Cagalli?"
"Oh nothing."
Talia looked at Cagalli's face and she smiled understandingly, "Oh, I see now. It seems you are the cause of Athrun's foul mood."
"I beg your pardon?" Cagalli said puzzled.
"Three days ago, do you remember the day when we were riding together right? Since then he's had a bad temper and I heard he muttered 'Damn girl' or 'Stupid woman'. Well Cagalli I must congrats you, I've never seen Athrun act like this before because of a single woman. You have a great impact on him," Talia told her and she sighed, "And perhaps you could change him."
"Cha – change him?"
"Yeah, I heard he's had a bad experience with a woman before, and since then he never trusted any single women except me. I do hope you will change his view towards women. I am asking you because I know you can do that. Will you do that Cagalli?"
Cagalli was stunned by her request, but she knew she couldn't accept it, "I – I am sorry Queen Talia but, I am afraid I wouldn't be able to do that."
She sighed and nodded her head, "No need to worry, I wont force you. I am sorry for asking this. Please forget what I said and don't tell him about it."
"I promise."
"Lady Cagalli!" Cagalli could hear someone call her. Cagalli turned her head and she saw someone with brown hair. She gasped, "Conrad?"
"You know him?" Talia asked.
"Yeah." She replied. 'But I don't like him.'
Conrad came toward her, "How do you do my Lady?"
She knew it would be impolite, but she couldn't help replying to him icily, "I am fine Sir Conrad. Thank you for your concern."
Conrad chuckled and then he greeted the Queen.
"What are you doing here?" Talia spoke to him. From her tone Cagalli realized that the Queen and her were the same, they both didn't like him.
"Forgive me, but the King invited me and he said that we have something to discuss." He bowed courteously.
"I see, then leave us alone, and go to your King." Talia ordered.
"As you wish My Lady and Miss Cagalli if you don't mind will you have dinner with me?"
Talia cut him before Cagalli could answer, "She will be having dinner with me perhaps another time."
"I see, how about tomorrow then?"
"I am sorry, but I can't." Cagalli declined.
"Please just one dinner."
Cagalli sighed, she didn't want it, but he was persistent, "Okay, but I can't promise I will come."
"I'll be waiting." He replied and he bowed to Talia, "Sorry for taking your time. Have a nice day." He turned to Cagalli and grabbed her right hand to kiss it. Aware of the pair of emerald eyes watching them, Cagalli quickly snatched her hand from him.
After he disappeared from sight, Cagalli thanked the Queen, "Thank you, you saved me back there."
"Don't worry, from your face, I can see you don't like him, and I am the same as you. Come on, let's continue our touring."
Cagalli nodded her head and she walked with her.
As Talia said, she invited Cagalli to dinner. To her dismay, Athrun was there. He sat beside her. They ate silently and Cagalli felt uncomfortable with it, but soon she was glad that Talia occupied the conversations.
Cagalli wanted to protest when she ordered Athrun to escort her home but, she could only agree. It would be impolite if she refused her kindness. Again they traveled in silent.
When she reached her house gate, she bid him goodbye and started to turn away, but Athrun caught her wrist and spoke, "What is your relation with Conrad?"
"It's not your business." Cagalli glared at him, "Could you let me go? Your grip is too tight."
Athrun quickly released her and his eyes softened, "Sorry." He felt upset, angry and ashamed at the same time. When he saw her with him, he couldn't help but be angry towards him.
Cagalli looked at him and she blurted, "I'm sorry."
Athrun looked at her and narrowed his eyes, "For what?"
"Three days ago, I didn't mean to insult you, but you are also wrong."
Athrun stared and amazed that she apologized?' "Apology accepted."
"But don't forget, I still hate you."
Athrun looked at her and he chuckled, "I know."
Cagalli was annoyed, 'She said she hated him, but he smiled?' She would never understand him.
"So will you have dinner with me tomorrow?"
Cagalli remembered Conrad's invitation and frowned, "Conrad asked me this afternoon."
"I see." Athrun turned away from her, annoyed with her and himself.
Cagalli yelled, "Wait."
"What do you want now?" He spoke coldly.
Cagalli frowned, 'How come he changed so fast, he's kind a minute ago and now he's aloof and cold again.'
"He invited me, but I didn't promise him to come. I'll go with you tomorrow."
"Why should you? You hate me right."
"Yes. But I prefer you than him." She said honestly.
Athrun smirked, "Than tomorrow I'll send someone to fetch you."
"Okay, goodnight." Cagalli bid him a farewell and she went inside the house.
She sank into her bed and thought about him, she was confused with him and importantly Talia's request. 'Why did she ask me to do that? She knows that I don't like him." She shook her head and went into dreamland.
AN: Thank you for the entire reviewer from the last chapter,it's mean a lot to me. Forgive me for the slow update. And please R & R.