Chapter 5

The gates of the city surrounding the castle loomed ominously before them, dwarfing their small caravan. Relena tried in vain to get a better look from within the carriage, but the side windows were not very accommodating. She did, however, get a decent look at the city around her as they passed over the threshold. No cheers greeted the returning king. No fanfare proclaimed their return and no one came out to greet them. The people were shuttered inside faded, dilapidated structures which Relena reluctantly acknowledged as houses. A few shops strewn here and there were manned by one person a piece and the wares offered were less than appealing. It wasn't that she was too vain to consider anything valuable. She loved the artwork and effort of the people; however, everything seemed to just exist within a simple understanding of sheer usability and practicality. All artistic style and pride seemed discarded in favor of functionality and -most likely- cost efficiency.

The road was bumpy and from what she could tell was filthy with dried mud and animal waste and the unclean smell wafted through the air, making her recoil back inside.

"It appears as though we have our work cut out for us." She stated, and shivered as a draft followed her in. Middie pulled down the blinders on the windows.

"The city gates were impressive." Sally offered, arms crossed. Wufei grunted.

"Just goes to show how hated this kingdom is. Men with many enemies need such intense fortifications." Relena thought about that for a moment. Her new husband was a formidable man by all accounts. It stood to reason that he would have garnered the hostility of many through his conquests.

"These walls and problems most likely existed long before King Heero." She said. "I only pray I can help with that. Whatever we may have heard of the king, I believe his heart is in the right place."

"If he has a heart." Middie retorted. Relena did not have the time to rebuke her, for the carriage came to a stop.

When the door opened, the green eyed man, Trowa, held out his hand to help them down. Middie went first. Wufei followed and assisted Sally. When it was her time to get down, her eyes widened and she stifled her gasp. The hand that waited for her belonged to her previously absentee husband.***

As his hand made contact with hers, she felt a thrill go up through her arm and to her spine. Their eyes met and she felt her cheeks heat in a blush. She had no idea how to read what was swirling in those deep blue depths but she found herself hoping to one day find out. He assisted her down and offered his arm. It seemed as though it might be a customary gesture, perhaps to introduce her as their new queen. Whatever the reason, she found that his sudden attention pleased her.

'Perhaps this arrangement can work after all.' she hoped silently.

The castle was large and intimidating, made of a dark limestone intricately carved and strategically placed. It was clear to her that the structure had been built to last as all castles must. She nearly laughed at the silliness of her own thoughts. It seemed to help keep her mind off of the butterflies in her stomach that threatened to overtake her entire being. She made note of the tapestries that lined the walls. Many of them depicted family crests with large slashes through them, while some depicted images of still-life portraits. Such simple, everyday images seemed rather out of place in such an imposing atmosphere but it did help humanize the rather dark entry hall. The torches that lined the walls cracked and hissed as they passed almost as though trying to warn her away, but her husband held fast to her hand on his arm and they continued in. At the end of the hall to the left, was a large room; the throne room, she noted. Two men waited at the front, next to two large silver thrones. The deep purple satin cushion was accented by the intricate molded designs that were cast into the structure. She was quite impressed.

As they neared the thrones, the two men bowed low. Something about the way their eyes bore into her put her ill at ease. It was wrong to tell a book by its cover but even so, these men had a sinister feel to them that made her wary.

"Your majesty," the tall, white haired man spoke. He was dressed in a puffed sleeve doublet and matching tights. "Welcome home to you, and to your new bride." At the mention of her, his eyes flicked up to meet hers and she could have sworn that she saw something dark in his gaze.

"Yes, my king, we are all too pleased to see that all went well." Her husband nodded.

"Gentlemen, may I introduce you to my wife?" The two men rose, the first took her hand and smiled. His touch made her nearly recoil. His hands were cold and though his lips did not touch her skin, the mere proximity made her skin prickle. The other man, taller and thinner with dark hair and a strange mustache repeated the behavior of the first. The same sickening feeling shot through her. No; these men were not to be trusted and she would inform her entourage of such as soon as she was able.

"Tomorrow night we will hold an official dinner welcoming her as my queen." The two men looked to one another and it made her skin crawl.

"As you wish, my king. We will make the preparations at once." The men bowed their heads.

"Is this the famous Princess Relena?" A tall young woman not much older than she walked into view, skin pale as alabaster and hair of such light blonde Relena thought it to be an illusion. Her grey-blue eyes sparkled with what appeared to be amusement and her forked eyebrows were quite the odd trait. "I am Lady Dorothy Catalonia-Winner. You most likely met my husband Lord Quatre on the trip?" the woman took both of her hands in hers and smiled wide. "It is an honor to meet you!"

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Dorothy." Relena smiled. This woman seemed genuinely welcoming but there was an unmistakable spark of mischief in her eyes.

"Dorothy. Show the queen to her chambers. Hilde, please do the same for her ladies." HER chambers?

'Does this mean he has no intention to-'

"Of course, my King, it will be my honor." There was something… off about her tone. Not threatening or menacing as it had been with the two gentlemen. Just… off. She decided to shrug it off. As Dorothy quickly laced their arms together.

"Come with me, Queen Relena! Oh, I have so many questions for you!" Relena suddenly felt very weary. The idea of being barraged by conversation after such a long ride was tiresome, but she found she was not entirely ungrateful for the enthusiasm after the greeting she received from those advisers.

"Please, Lady Dorothy, I would much prefer it if you would call me Relena."

"Oh, no, I couldn't do that! I am much too excited by your new post as our queen. It was my idea to after all."

"It was?" Relena felt her brows rise in surprise. Dorothy nodded.

"If I may be frank with you, the kingdom is in a terrible state. The people are restless and restlessness can cause other, more dangerous problems. You understand?" Relena nodded. "By bringing you here, I have all but ensured a chance at stilling some of those troubled waters." She stopped in front of one of the large doors at the end of what could have once been a grand hall. "Not to say that I do not enjoy a good intrigue, but self preservation often demands a hint of tactful strategy. Don't you agree?'

"I suppose." Relena answered, still unsure of whether not to trust the blonde.

"This will be your room. Supper is usually served around seven but you may take it whenever you wish either here in your chamber or down in the hall." Dorothy opened the door. The fire in the hearth had been lit as well as several candelabras casting a warm glow on the otherwise cold room. The bed was turned down, pillows had been fluffed, and a tray of meats and cheeses sat ready next to a goblet and bottle of wine. It was all quite an elegant and elaborate setting. Her husband clearly intended to see that she lived in comfort at the very least.

"Now, I know what you're thinking."

"Excuse me?"

"I saw the look of disappointment on your face when she told me to bring you here." Dorothy stroked one of her obscenely long brows. "But Heero is not one to trust or let people in so easily."

"I'm sure I don't know what you are implying."

"Of course not, my queen." Dorothy's sickeningly sweet smile irked her. In truth, she was relieved that Heero seemed to have no intention of joining her. Her cheeks heated involuntarily as the thoughts of what brides and grooms typically engaged in when alone began to run through her mind.

"Why, Miss Relena, wherever has your mind gone! You're positively crimson!" Relena turned away to hide her face from the taller blonde woman.

"Please, Lady Dorothy," Relena tried to change the subject. "Could you tell me what time meals are typically served? I think it would be terribly rude to be late for anything on my first day."

"Fear not, Miss Relena. I have already taken the opportunity to write everything down and leave the information for your ladies in waiting. They are being shown to their rooms by Lady Hilde as we speak." Relena nodded, suddenly feeling very tired. The whole affair of the wedding, the trip, and the arrival weighed heavily on her consciousness. As if picking up on this, Dorothy offered a sympathetic smile.

"Oh, dear, I do believe you are quite ready to be left to rest for the evening." Dorothy made her way to the door. "Supper will be served around seven. I suggest you take this time to rest and refresh yourself. I will have hot water sent up for a bath and I will send servants to help you prepare for supper."

"Thank you, Lady Dorothy."

"Of course, Miss Relena. Until supper." She curtsied low and left the room. Relena sighed and all but collapsed on the bed.

"Now what, Relena?" She asked herself as she stared at the top of her canopy bed. "I suppose I should unpack and select a gown for dinner." Letting out a rather unladylike groan, Relena got off of the bed and made her way to the trunks that contained her clothes. The old, wooden chests creaked as she opened them and she pulled each dress out one at a time. She couldn't help but catch sight of herself in the mirror.

Her hair, though braided and pinned on top of her head for convenience during travel, looked lazy and mussed. Her face was clean, but her plain, gray travel dress did her figure and complexion no favors. She frowned and reached up, pulling the pins from her hair. She unbraided it and let it cascade in waves down her back. She wore no makeup, jewelry and all in all looked rather plain.

"It's no wonder he wants nothing to do with me." She frowned. A knock at the door interrupted her musings. "Come in." Four servants entered the room, each carrying two large buckets of steaming water on their shoulders.

"Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but Lady Dorothy commanded we bring this for your bath." One of the young men said. She nodded with a warm smile.

"Of course. Thank you for the effort. I know it could not have been easy getting all of that water up here." The servants' eyes widened and they looked between the four of them in surprise.

"N-not at all, majesty." He answered. "It is our honor to serve you." After saying this, the four emptied their buckets and returned to the doorway where they all bowed low.

"Wait, what are your names?" The four looked up, shocked again.

"Us, your majesty?" She nodded. "I am Thomas. This is Mathew, Charles, and Sam."

"I am pleased to meet you all." Relena smiled.

"The pleasure is ours." Matthew answered.

"Now we will leave you to your bath. We still have water to carry for your ladies in waiting." They bowed again.

"I understand. Thank you." They nodded and made their departure.

Left on her own, Relena undid the bindings of her gown and let it slip from her shoulders to pool on the floor. She walked to the tub and gingerly stepped in, letting her skin adjust to the temperature. As she let herself sink willingly into the water's warm embrace, a heavy sigh rumbled up from her chest. Her muscles relaxed and she leaned her head back against the cool side of the tub. It had been a stressful, terrifying, and yet exciting ordeal, but she was now married. To a warrior. She was his Queen. And it would be up to her to try and keep the promises of their treaty in the short, two years allotted.

"The prosperity will be the most immediate issue." She stated as she began to clean herself. "I will need to teach them proper agriculture and try to clean up the city as much as possible. I should make it a point to investigate the irrigation and waste systems of this country. It all seemed so unrefined." Her mind continued to run over a basic plan of attack, itemizing issues into a mental check list. All the while, she refused to think of the final, and hardest detail to fulfill. "But that will require more than I can do on my own…" she frowned. She rinsed off the soap, stood, and stepped out of the tub. She wrapped her hair in a towel, towered herself dry and changed into a nightgown. She still had several hours until dinner and Dorothy did say she would send someone to help her prepare. Relena covered a yawn with the back of her hand and made her way to the bed. Sleep claimed her restless mind almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.