Author's Notes: Not much to say, but… IT HAS COME-does imitation of Relena from G-Wing- HEEROOOOOO! P Oh! And since no one apparently really seems to know what Solo from Episode Zero looks like, I've conjured up some description of him. Please bear with me. Again, I would like to send my thanks to you, dear readers and kind reviewers… I appreciate all the encouragement I receive. –smiles-

Disclaimer: ALL MINE ALL MINE ALL MINE ! …hah! I wish. –sweatdrop-

Beauty and the Beast

-Chapter 4: First Impressions-

"Milliardo, please do try to calm down."

"She deliberately ignored my demands and left, Lucrezia. How can you expect me to 'calm down'!"

That morning, the small family of the Peacerafts noted Relena's absence during breakfast. A servant was sent to check on her soon afterward, but the maid found the Mistress' quarters empty. When the information got to the older sibling, Milliardo's horror flared… He had gone to the stables and discovered Hiemis 1, Relena's most favored white stallion, missing. By this, the platinum blonde's suspicions were confirmed. And he was not at all pleased by it.

"I am going to track her down and bring her back home, Lucie!" stated the elder Peacecraft, firmly. He was always, by nature, very protective of the ones close to him.

"Wait just a moment, Milliardo… Tell me, what precisely upsets you so? Relena only does what she believes is most right; this instance is no different. And you trust her judgment, do you not?"

"You know very well I do. But in this case, Relena may be wrong in her instincts. I understand she's doing what she thinks is in everyone's best interest, however… It simply is not right for a young lady of status, such as herself, to stay at a total stranger's domain. I am not one to listen to mindless gossip, but this Heero Yuy… His last affair with the Noventa woman bothers me when I think how it could be Relena. She might be in jeopardy, Lucrezia."

"Dearest, you worry too much, this I am aware. But please keep in mind that Relena was taught by an excellent swordsman: You. I pride myself on my intuition, love, and it's telling me that she can withstand on her own for a while. Have a little more faith, Milliardo. After all, Relena is unquestionably persuasive." The dark-haired woman chuckled. "If anything it is the young Duke who should be careful, not she!"

"…Perhaps you are right," Milliardo conceded, after a moment's silence.

"Of course I am," smiled Lucrezia, impishly. "I am a woman, aren't I?"


The castle, smaller than that of a kings (but still grand), looked awfully eerie at first glance. Its stones were a dark, cold gray, with some overgrown plants which seemed to suffocate the building and even the statues from within looked forlorn.

"This is the Duke Yuy's home?" pondered Relena aloud. She dismounted her horse and studied the grounds further, mostly in awe. "Hm… I suppose one mustn't judge a 'book by its cover.' Isn't that right, Hiemis?" The white stallion neighed, as if to reply a 'yes.' Beside the massive black irons gates, hung a large bronze bell. Having rung it, the young maiden waited anxiously for someone to emerge. Finally, a person did arrive to greet her: a tall gentleman with short, curly brown hair and violet eyes. Relena guessed him to be around eighteen, or so. Taking a good look at his features, Relena simply could not shake off the feeling that she had seen him before…

"Hello, Lady! What brings you to these parts? Are ye lost, miss?" he questioned.

"No, not lost, kind sir. I am here to meet with the Duke, Heero Yuy. My attendance is expected."

"Are you the noble meant to come 'ere?" The lofty man scratched his head, in mute confusion. "With all do respect, but we was expectin' a man – Marquis Kushrenda, to be exact."

"Yes, I know. Unfortunately, just recently he was seriously injured and therefore could not come. I am here as his replacement."

"Well, say no more then," the male said, opening the iron gates. "Welcome to the Yuy estate, mi'lady."


"My brother, Duo, will put your horse in the stables an' take good care of that gorgeous mare," the fellow winked. "Don't you worry," assured the gentleman, who introduced himself as Solo. Having heard the name, it dawned to Relena of her familiar connection to him. He was one of Catherine suitors! She remembered Catherine calling him, "different form the rest." She smiled at the faint memory.

"Many thanks, Solo."

"Aw, take no heed of it, Countess. Master Yuy's in his private study, right now. Pagan, the old butler, will bring you there." Beside Solo, appeared an aging male, who bowed graciously to the youthful dame.


Knock, knock, knock. Prussian blue eyes shifted at the sudden interruption. "What is it?" said the male, loud enough for whomever beyond the door to hear. There was a distinct sound of the doorknob turning, followed by an elderly voice.

"Master Yuy, I apologize for the disturbance, but we have a guest who wishes to see your presence."

"The aristocrat from town?"

"Yes, sir."

"Hn. Tell our visitor I'd rather not meet with anyone, now. Instead, we will meet when we dine tonight. For now, lead our guest to one of the vacant rooms in the East wing," commanded he.

"Will do, Master."

"You may go, Pagan."

With a nod, the long-time employee exited the room and the young man seated continued to read his book. For a moment, he started to regret agreeing to invite this unknown man to his house. He wasn't quite certain what compelled him to concur, in the first place. Now, he thought acrimoniously, he had to deal with his decision.


"I remember having read," he added, "how a Spanish knight, Diego Pérez de Vargas by name, having broken his sword in battle, tore from an oak a ponderous bough or branch. With it he did such things that day, and pounded so many Moors, that he got the surname of Machuca and his descendants from that day forth are called Vargas y Machuca. I mention this because from the first oak I see I mean to tear a branch, large and stout. I am determined and resolved to do such deeds with it that you may deem yourself very fortunate in being found worthy to see them and be an eyewitness of things that will scarcely be believed."

"Be that as God wills," said Sancho, "I believe it all as your worship says it. But straighten yourself a little, for you seem to be leaning to one side, maybe from the shaking you got when you fell."

"That is the truth, said Don Quixote, "and if I make no complaint of the pain it is because knights-errant are not permitted to complain of any wound, even though their bowels be coming out through it." 2

Relena sighed, stopping momentarily to rub the ache in her neck. As much as she was enjoying her novel, she could not deny her restlessness. Her crystalline blue eyes scanned the dormitory for the umpteenth time and she pondered the length of her stay at the unfamiliar habitat.

A soft knock broke the fair lady form her inner-muse. Attentive, the blonde looked towards the entrance of the room and watched as a petite woman – perhaps around the Countess' age, came in and curtsied. "Greetings, Miss. I'll be tendin' to your needs for the duration of your visit. Would you like some tea?" Relena glanced at the tray, wistfully. Her throat did feel a tad dry…

"Yes, please. I'd enjoy it a great deal." The maid, who, Relena noted, possessed pretty blue-gray eyes, began to arrange a cup for the guest, and Relena found her hand shooting outward to stop her. "Oh, there's no need for that. I am quite able to pour my own cup, thank you."

Taken aback, the servant could only nod. As she witnessed the Peacecraft ready her hot drink – milk with honey, she could only fidget, wondering how to make herself useful. "Um… D'you needs any assistance with your unpacking, Miss?" she asked, shuffling her hands.

"Oh, no," replied Relena, nonchalantly. "I've already done so myself, even though it's unsure how long I'll be here."

"Would you like me to depart?"

"Well… no, not truly. 'Tis rather boring in your lonesome, you must know. But if you wish, you may leave."

"Oh… okay…" uttered the maid, slowly. She wasn't used to such behavior from nobility, especially from a high-born maiden! Heaven knew Lady Sylvia never acted in such a way. Mistress Noventa always had something to do for her. What a strange being, this Countess was….

"What is your name?"

The question snapped the servant out of her trance. "Scuse me, Miss?"

"I asked for your name," the honey-blonde repeated, gently.

"Oh," the girl blushed. "Hilde, Miss. Mi' names Hilde Schibecker."

"Well Hilde, it is an absolute pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Won't you have some tea with me? After all, you are the one who carried it all the way here," she smiled invitingly.

The petite woman blinked, before answering. "Y-yes. Actually, I'd love to!"

Relena let out a light laugh. "Good," said she. Before Hilde could go over and prepare her own cup of steaming liquid, the young Countess did so already, for her. As she passed the delicate container to the dark-haired female, Relena offered yet another kind smile.

This time, Hilde did not hesitate to return the gesture. 'I've got a strong feeling I'm gonna like this Mistress very much,' she thoughts, as they shared a passing moment.


This was certainly not Maruis Treize Kushrenda. This individual before him was no man. Relena Darlian Peacecraft, was what she called herself. "You're a Peacecraft… a Countess. You're a woman," were his first words to her. Not 'hello,' or 'good evening,' like a true, gracious host would have.

Relena swallowed the urge to spat a sarcastic comment to counter his plain words. Instead, she responded, "Yes, I am all that you say."

"Hn," grunted the young man. "I don't recall allowing your presence in my castle, Countess. I concurred to Marquis Kushrenda to come – and him alone."

"I am not ignorant of this fact, dear Duke. However, Mister Treize was caught up in an angry dispute – part of this growing rebellion I hope to discuss with you. He was terribly wounded; hence I have come rather than he. My apologies for not sending news, but please recognize my decision to leave was purely last minute."

There was a silence which followed, Heero Yuy, with his messy dark locks falling perfectly into place, stared at the blonde, unfavorably. Relena dared not let herself be intimidated by his hard scrutiny, nor by his attitude.

"I do not care, mi'lady. You are not wanted here," he finally proclaimed.

"With all do respect, Lord Yuy, but I simply will not leave until I tell you of the trouble arising in the Cinq Village."

The Duke recognized a determine character when he saw one. Heero decided to humor her. "Speak what you must."

"There is a peasant man by the name of Quinze who is stirring havoc unto the town. It starts with a respected nurse and mid-wife, Ms. Sally Po-Chen, whom Quinze has convinced the people of the lower ranks as a 'Witch.' Apparently, he holds contempt for the higher class and wishes to further endanger both the lower classes and aristocrats alike… all for the cost of his vengeful purposes," Relena explained.

Heero took his sweet time to make a reply. "I don't blame him. Society hasn't been good nor fair to this man, I take it."

"Be that as it may, it does not make his want to ruin lives right!" Relena argued, as calmly as possible. "I'm afraid blood will be spilled on the streets of the town."

"What do you I propose I do?"

"Will you speak to them? The mob?" the Countess pleaded.

"You ask me to ride to the Cinq Village?"

"Well, yes Duke."

"You should know I do not like involving myself in other's issues. You've heard the rumors about me, have you not?"

"I'm hardly one to listen to unreliable rubbish, Duke Yuy. Pardon my tone, but I don't believe whether or not you care to help, makes any of the troubles disappear. How can you let something so threateningly disastrous continue before you?" Prussian blue clashed with crystalline eyes. This girl had spirit and intellect, Heero noted. Not to mention, a decent bout of stubbornness.

"Simply because I can, Countess." Relena did not bother to hide her disgust at his remark. "I do not have to explain my reasons to you," he added.

"Well Duke, I'd like to stay here at your humble home until I've convinced you otherwise. I don't care if you kick me out, nor do I care staying here without welcome is improper. You must recognize the seriousness of Cinq's perdicament."

"Hn. Do what you like… but I warn you: you are wasting your time, Relena Peacecraft. I won't waver in my decision." He left the table, neither of them having touched their meal.

As he walked out of the dining hall, Relena had but to stare at his retreating figure, and uttered to herself, "We shall see about that, Heero Yuy." She wasn't about to go home, empty-handed.

-tbc-

1 Hiemis (Relena's white horse), translates to "winter," in Latin.

2 excerpt from Miguel de Cervantes' novel, Don Quixote.