AUTHOR'S NOTES: SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! But I made it… I found my old notebooks and managed to finally type this chapter. Hope you enjoy.
I've added another scene to this chapter, for those who are wondering why I've reposted this twice.

DISCLAIMER: Standard disclaimers apply.

Beauty and the Beast
-Chapter Eight: Still Climbing-

The sun had reached its zenith the moment in which two brothers returned from town. As the younger Maxwell dismounted from his horse, he could not shake off the feeling that something significant occurred during his absence. Separating from his brother, Solo, Duo stalked off to find the Duke.

He didn't have to go too far, as the nobleman was wandering outdoors, just beyond the stables. Duo realized that the direction his Master was staring off was that of the forsaken garden which was once tenderly looked after by the late Lady Naoko. Even more strange, Duo also saw that the Yuy had his left arm bandaged up.

"Wha' happen'd to ya?" the braided boy asked, getting straight to the point.

Heero's eyes shifted a bit to acknowledge his friend. "An accident."

Duo whistled. "It looks like 'twas a damn bad 'un," he said. "S'not like ye to let yaself get hurt, Heero."

"Hn."

"Ah, ye took my advice, didn't ye? Had fun playin' hero, hm?" The Maxwell chuckled. "What'd ya do? Pushed 'er outta th' way when a butcher's knife came flyin' at 'er? An' th' blade cut yer arm?"

"You're more of an idiot than I thought."

This only made Duo laugh harder. "Well then? What's th' story?"

"It was late. She rode. I found her. Wolves were hunting. Shot them down."

"An' tore your arm in th' process?"

"Hn."

"Wow, th' Countess must've been mightily impressed by that!" mused Duo. "I'd surely be if I was a lass rescued by a handsome man such as ye." He fluttered his eyelashes suggestively at the Duke.

"Are you so eager to be unemployed, Duo?"

The beam did not waver. "Maybe."

"What news have you concerning Cinq?"

Duo's stance suddenly grew serious. "Not lookin' too good, Sir."

"Is it as dire as Relena claims?"

"Oh, already on a firs' name basis now wit' th' Countess, I see." Heero glared at his messenger. "Alright, alright," Duo raised his hands in defense. "Well, yeah… th' situation th' li'l miss told us about is happenin' as we speak. Th' Marquis is wounded an' bed-ridden, th' nobles are livin' in fear, th' townspeople are gettin' mo'e hyped ev'ry time this Quinze guy preaches in th' town square."

"Quinze, you say?"

"Aye. I reckon he's th' leader of this growing rebellion. He's always talkin' about injustices o' th' higher class, blah blah blah."

A memory of Relena's first night at the Estate emerged onto Heero's mind. That was the same man she mentioned. "And what about the royal Prince? Has he done anything to pacify the crowd?"

Duo scoffed. "Las' anyone checked, th' Prince was no where to be found. Accordin' to Master Vladimir an' some others I spoke to, His Majesty's attendance ain't been all that dependable. He disappears from time to time wit' some secret lover. Oh, an' get this! Th' Countess and 'im used to be engaged! They broke it off, though, an' it's anyone's guess why."

A pause. Duo had hoped more of a reaction from Heero, but the Duke apparently would not give it. Instead, the aristocrat asked, "How much longer, would you say, before there is an actual breakout of the peasants?"

"Not much… p'raps 'nother two weeks? Maybe less." When the Duke did not speak again, Duo lightly added, "Y'know Heero, jokes aside, they really do need yerr help. I know ya don't like people so much, but it'll do the town good if ye visit." Duo clasped his hand on Heero's shoulder. "Well, I'ma go see wha' Miss Hilde's up to. I bet she missed me," he grinned. "Take care o' that nasty injury, m'friend!"

The braided Maxwell left, leaving the Duke to resume his musings. He continued to stare off into the distance, as if considering whether or not to enter the wild gardens. Five minutes later, he seemed to have finally made a decision and took steps towards the thriving patch.


Sunday passed by lazily. Relena spent most of her day reading her letters (and replying) in the Duke's library, a shawl draped around her shoulders. Eventually, Heero Yuy would enter his own study, smelling of the outdoors. He glanced briefly at his houseguest, who sat serenely beside one of the windows, before taking up a book from a nearby table and sitting down on his own armchair next the fireplace. There was some comfortable silence between the two, until Relena finally grasped the opportunity to speak, without even looking up to meet his gaze.

"So, dear Duke… What has Duo got to say about the town's status of chaos?"

Heero allowed one eyebrow to rise, slightly. So, she figured it out. His lack of a verbal response caused Relena to lift her head, at last, and Heero saw a smile directed at him.

"Honestly Duke, I may be a woman, but that doesn't means I was born without a brain."

"Everyone is born with one, yes, but usually females are not taught to use it," Heero remarked, suddenly realizing how much he enjoyed their banters.

"I suppose I'm lucky then," the honey-blonde said, her smile unfaltering.

She turned her attention back to her letters, scribbling down a few more words before the Duke managed to inquire, "How is your family and friends?"

Relena looked up again, clearly a bit surprised at his first show concern. "They're safe, for the time being… coping with caution about their circumstances. I'm happy they are able to stay sane throughout the whole ordeal." The Countess lifted up a paper with untidy handwriting. "My nephew is still practicing his handwriting, despite everything going on!"

A ghost of a smile seemed to appear on Heero's face. That reminded him a little bit of his childhood… All at once, Heero remembered the flower snugged gently in his inside pocket, the one he took from the rose tree that belonged to his parents. The dark-haired aristocrat took it out, revealing the full blossom of one single red rose to the Countess.

Relena blinked at the flower's materialization. Heero handed it to her, wordlessly, waiting for a reply of some sort. When it didn't come, he started, "It's a humble gift – "

"I love it," Relena interrupted, her face glowing. "It is deeply appreciated, Duke."

"Heero. Call me Heero."

Relena smiled prettily. "Heero." Somehow, his name on her lips seemed absolutely right.


"That's a change from Lady Noventa, isn't it, Master Yuy?" Pagan said to the handsome nobleman about the flower gift.

Heero had to agree. "Hn." Sylvia was overtly materialistic and fancied luxury. To her, the more expensive the gift, the greater it was… quite the opposite of the Countess, who seemed entirely delighted of the solitary red rose.

"Pagan, where is the Countess right now? I didn't see her at breakfast."

"Oh, she had a light breakfast with Hilde in the kitchens, Master Yuy. She meant no ill will, but I suppose she got carried away talking."

"Hn."

"But surely the Countess is out about somewhere. She has an interest in making walks around the castle. She rather enjoys it."

Heero felt some satisfaction in hearing that. Relena seemed was clearly growing fond of his estate, and vice versa.

Just as he was thinking this, the pair passed by an open door. The Duke's skillful eyes caught sight of the very same blonde he was thinking of. He paused, and strode calmly into the room where Relena stood. Pagan followed, of course, curious as to what in the room had snagged The Peacecraft's curiosity.

"Relena," Heero's deep voice greeted. She was admiring an old, large instrument.

The maiden turned and smiled at the two. "Heero," she nodded at him, almost shyly. To the old butler, she had smiled with more ease "Pagan, hello!"

"Good day, Countess. I see today you've found the dusty, grand piano. It's almost as old as I am!"

"It's a lovely piano," Relena remarked, as her slender fingers trailed along the ivory keys. It was a shame that it looked as though no one played it often.

"Do you play, Countess?" asked Pagan.

"A little," replied the honey-blonde. She was all too aware of Heero's eyes on her. "I wasn't truly interested in my lessons, to be honest. My close friend, however, Quatre Raberba Winner, is quite passionate about music and plays the violin and piano beautifully." Relena smiled. "If it interests you, I may sing as a companion to the piano. Can you play, Pagan?"

"Oh yes. I'm afraid I might be a bit rusty, though…"

"Being modest, are you?" Relena grinned.

The old butler chuckled. "Not at all. You are much better off asking Master Yuy here to play alongside you." Pagan glanced at the grandfather clock situated in the room. "I ought to be going. Lunch is swiftly approaching and your tables need to be prepared." He bowed slightly and left the couple to go on their merry way.

The Duke was the first to move after his faithful butler's leave. He sat expertly before the grand piano, and turned to Relena, asking, "What song would you like to sing?"

Another smile blossomed into Relena's face. "Are you familiar with the tune of 'My Lagan Love?'"

Heero nodded in confirmation. He began to play the popular music notes with modest grace and agility.

"Where Lagan stream sings lullaby," Relena sang, beguilingly "there blows a lily fair. The twilight gleam is in her eye, the night is on her hair. And like a love-sick lenanshee, she hath my heart in thrall. Nor life I owe, nor liberty for love is lord of all and often when the beetles horn hath lulled the eve to sleep. I steal unto her shieling lorn, and thro' the dooring peep. There on the cricket's singing stone, she spares the bog wood fire and hums in sad sweet undertone, the song of heart's desire." (1)

Heero concluded the song, finding Relena had taken the vacant seat beside him before the piano. "Well, that was wonderful performance, I would say."

"Hn," grunted Heero. He did not know what compelled him to ask the next thing that would fall out of his mouth, but somehow… it just came out. "Did you often play duets with your former fiancé?"

Relena visibly tensed. Her smile wavered into a cool expression. "So, you discovered news of my previous engagement with the Prince… Now you know why I could not bare speak with Jonathan for help… apart from he being away, of course."

"What ended the wedding arrangement?"

"Oh, it was so long ago…" Relena rubbed her left ring finger, where a small band once was. "He… he decided he loved someone else," she told her companion, softly. Almost immediately, she brushed off her nostalgia. "But as I said, it was a long time ago. In fact, had my plan to get you to town had not fallen through, I would've tracked down Jonathan to the ends of the Earth to get the help Cinq needed."

"That won't be necessary," Heero said, gruffly.

Relena's eyebrows shot up. "Does that mean… you've agreed to come to town and help?"

"Hn. I've decided to leave by the end of this week. I advise you to get your bags ready by then."

"Of course!' Relena nodded, enthused. She was practically beaming, now.

"You have to know though, Relena… I can't promise anything. I can't promise all the problems of Cinq will be solved by my appearance."

The Countess' hand reached over to Heero's arm. "That may be true, but at the very least, I know your authority figure will help settle the commoners, and thus also aid the well-being of Cinq. Of this, I am sure, Heero." She placed a feathery kiss on his cheek, quietly shocking the Duke. "Thank you for this."


"'Tis been a busy a day, hasn't it, Relena?" remarked Hilde, as she readied the Countess' bed for a good night's sleep.

Relena nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "Indeed, it has."

"Stealin' th' heart of our Master Yuy must've been tiring," Hilde teased.

Relena blinked, modestly. "I did nothing of the sort," she assured, settling onto the mattress. "Where ever did you get the idea, Hilde?"

The maid-friend shrugged. "Jus' around."

"Let me guess: Duo?"

Hilde grinned.

"Hm, I see you've been rather busy yourself."

In response to this, the petite girl poked the blonde good-humoredly. "I decided yesterday to follow a good friend's advice, is all."

"I'm glad."

"Yeah, so am I. Duo, too, I reckon."

"Oh, I've no doubt about it!" exclaimed Relena, and then afterward shared a giggle with Hilde.

When their laughter subsided, Hilde's expression grew tender. "Y'know, Relena, am even mo'e glad ye came to our castle. You've brought mo'e joy here than we've had in years! An' even though Master Yuy ain't said it, he's thinkin' th' same thing, too... prob'ly mo'e than us."

The Peacecraft blushed at Hilde's statement, realizing how truly sincere it was. "I… thank you, Hilde."

Hilde hugged her then, clearly having fully accepted her friendship with the upper-class woman. "Ya sleep well tonight. I'll be real sorry when ya leave, y'know."

"I still have four more days 'til my departure. And even then, I promise I'll visit, if Heero wishes it."

"I know I can't speak for th' Master, but am pretty sure that ain't gon' be a problem," Hilde teased, again. She arose from Relena's guest bed and walked off towards the door. "Well, I'm off to mi own bed. G'night, Relena!"

"Good night, Hilde." The door closed, and Relena turned to her bedside and blew the candle placed upon it.

Now, her mind was a little more hopeful and her heart feeling fuller and warm at the thought of the Heero Yuy. She fell asleep easily, not at all expecting the bad dreams that would come that night.

-tbc-

(1) Charlotte Church sings this song. You can find it on her album, 'Voice of an Angel.'