Ch 6

A knock on the door woke her from her nap. It had not been as restful as she would have liked, but she did feel a bit refreshed. She scooted herself to a sitting position and cleared her throat.

"You may enter." The door opened and two young ladies, perhaps a few years her junior came in.

"Good evening, your majesty." The taller one said and curtsied. She gave a polite smile, green eyes sparkling. The other girl, shorter and with brown eyes did the same as her fellow servant.

"We came to help dress you, my queen."

"Of course." Relena pulled back the covers and swiveled her feet off of the bed. Immediately, the brown-eyed girl was next to her.

"How would you like your hair this evening, my lady?" Relena looked at the girl and noticed a slight tremble in her hands.

'She's afraid of me?' Relena turned and offered the child her kindest smile.

"I am not sure. I used to wear it down often with two braids at my temples. I suppose you could just make it look regal?" The maid nodded.

"Of course, my lady."

"I see you have laid out the dark blue gown. A good choice, your highness. You will look like a dream." The other maid said.

"Please, could you both tell me your names?"

"Our names, your majesty?" The two froze; eyes wide. Relena offered a reassuring smile.

"Yes, if I am to be tended by you, I think it is only right that I know your names."

"My name is Anna, Miss." The tall green-eyed girl said.

"And I'm Abby, Miss."

"It's nice to meet you both. I hope we can become good friends."

"Friends?" Their eyes widened again. She couldn't help the small laugh and nodded.

"But My Lady, you're the queen." Anna stated.

"I am also new here and very far from home. It would be nice having more people here to talk to." The two girls looked at each other and then back to her. They smiled.

"We would be honored, my lady!" They said in unison, their smiles going from ear to ear.

"Excellent!" Relena smiled. Now, let's get me dressed. I wouldn't like to be late." They busied themselves immediately, combing her hair and pulling it into a long, but intricate braid.

"Would you like any jewelry tonight?" She thought about it for a moment. The crown she brought from her homeland was simple; more of a tiara, really, and fit delicately at the front with a matching necklace. Both pieces, while elegant, would be better suited for the official dinner. She shook her head.

"No, I believe keeping it simple for tonight would be best."

"As you say, my lady." They proceeded to aid her with her dress. The blue gown was long, satin, and stuck an elegant figure. She looked at her reflection with a satisfied smile.

"You look beautiful, my lady." Abby sighed, smiling.

"Every bit the queen you are, I'd say." Anna added. Relena smiled at them warmly.

"Thank you both for working so hard!" They both smiled.

'Now. If only my husband will feel the same…' she steeled her nerve.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, My lady." They curtsied and followed her out. "We will show you to the banquet hall." Relena nodded, butterflies in her stomach once more. He was to meet her there. To have their first supper together in her new home with her husband and king. The idea still seemed so foreign but thrilled her as well.

'Come on, Relena. We have to put our best foot forward. The kingdom, no. My very life depends on this going as well as possible.' With one last smile at the two maids, she followed their lead.

Heero Yuy stood in his office staring at the dark-stained finish of his hard-wood desk. It wasn't that he found the desk interesting or important. No, his eyes simply wandered there as he considered his current predicament. He was to join his new wife for supper but he felt neither hungry, nor in the mood for company of any kind. It wasn't realistic to expect her to wish to spend time with a man who was basically no more than her jailer.

She had agreed to the arrangement; that much was true. She even had the courage to make her own demands and agreed to the terms and conditions set forth by his advisers. She said her vows with a conviction and devotion that most rulers would appreciate in anyone under their rule. But she wasn't just anyone and she wasn't under his rule exactly. She was his queen. His wife. And he knew nothing about her or how to proceed.

Heero ran a hand through his bangs. He was no stranger to the fairer sex, but his experience with them overall was minimal. Certainly, there were women in his life. He barely remembered his mother, but Catherine and Hilde were nearly sisters to him. Dorothy was… something different. But none of that helped with his current predicament. He had a wife now and no idea what to do with her. Of course, he knew things he could do with her, and sooner or later he would- they would have to… He sighed. In the past, he had bedded a few willing women, but this was quite different. Relena was a lady; clean and pure. And he forced her into this. The chance that she would be willing anytime soon… He half growled out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

"Knock knock, buddy! I've come to get you for supper!" Duo walked up and slapped him on the back.

"I am aware of the time." Heero stated and took a seat at his desk.

"Oh. Well then, shouldn't we get going? She'll be waiting for you."

"Apologize to her for the inconvenience."

"You're not going?" Heero poured himself a glass of whiskey. "Unbelievable! First, you ignore her all of the way here, then you order whisked away from you without a word to her, and NOW you aren't going to join her for supper! I don't understand you."

"You may go."

"Oh, no you don't, pally! Explain this to me because I don't get it! You agreed to marry this gorgeous princess just to ignore her?" Heero didn't know what to say. He took another drink. "You really know how to make a girl feel welcome." Heero felt his ire rising. "Tell me why."

"I don't have to explain myself to you." Heero growled. "Go to her and give her my message."

"Fine! Jeeze! I'll do your dirty work for you. Should I tell her not to expect you tonight too?" That was it. Heero got out of his chair, closed the short distance between them and grabbed Duo by the collar.

"You. Gone. Now."

"I'm going!" Heero released his braided adviser and Duo pushed toward the door. Heero could hear the retreating steps as Duo left.

Relena took a sip of her wine as she awaited his arrival. It had been nearly a quarter of an hour and her soup was getting cold. She looked over to her ladies who sat waiting politely. Middie, though obviously perturbed, merely folded and unfolded her hands in her lap repeatedly while Sally chatted quietly to Wufei. It was clear Sally had several things she wanted to say about the current situation but she thankfully kept it to herself. The longer she sat waiting; the less and less hungry Relena began to feel.

'Perhaps he merely got caught up on an urgent piece of business?' She hoped silently.

Footsteps behind her interrupted the relative silence of the room. The braided adviser, Duo, walked up to her and offered a polite bow. He smiled, although it did not reach his usually jovial eyes. His eyes went from her, to the untouched soup, and back to her, lips turning down in a small frown.

"You haven't touched your dinner?"

"I was waiting for the king to join us." She answered. She could have sworn a bit of color drained from his face. It didn't take her long to realize why. "He's not coming, is he?" Duo's brow crinkled in a grimace. She must have sounded more hurt than she thought.

"Well, you see-" she sighed and gracefully put her napkin from her lap back to the table. She stood and Sally and Middie did the same. "What are you doing?"

"Please apologize to the cook for me. I'm sure everything is delicious, but I am not hungry." She turned to her friends. "Sally, Middie, please do not leave on my account. Stay and eat." And with that, she turned and made her way back to her room. Her chest was tight and yet felt empty. As the door closed behind her, the tension she felt turned into a shaky sigh as she fought back a sob.

"He must truly despise me." She spoke to the room and felt the first stubborn tear escape her eye. Not a single word had been spoken, no time spent with her that had not been necessary. There was no other explanation that made any sense. She was trapped, miles from home, in a loveless marriage where her husband clearly could not bear the idea of being in her presence. It was all so disheartening.

Sally and Middie knocked on her door but did not bother to wait for an answer. Without a word said, Sally embraced her. The older woman had become an extra sister to her. She had arrived with Wufei as part of Lucrezia's entourage when she Lucrezia married Milliard. It was Sally's idea to accompany her on this journey and she has never been more grateful.

"Who does he think he is!?" Middie said. "Treating you like this after all that you-"

"Middie." Sally chastised. "That won't help."

"Seriously? You don't think we should say anything at all? He's being so disrespectful." Relena pulled out of Sally's hug and straightened her posture. She would not cry in front of her friends.

"There was nothing in the terms of the contract that demanded he and I spend time with one another. If he wishes to be on his own then so be it."

"Except you do need to spend at least a little time together. I saw the terms! You have two years to-"

"Two years is a long time, Middie. He and I just met. From what I have seen, I do not think he is the sort of man who warms up to anyone easily."

"That is still no excuse!" Middie continued.

"I agree with Middie, Relena. This treatment is unheard of." Sally added. "Perhaps you should say something to him." She felt her frustration growing much like the lump in her throat. How could she make them understand?

"I cannot force him to be around me." Relena looked down at her hands.

"But Relena-"

"Please, Middie. Respect my wishes." Middie opened her mouth to respond, but closed it and nodded. "Thank you."

"I'll tell Wufei that you are alright. He was concerned that you didn't eat." Relena nodded. Sally walked to the door, opened it and stepped out for a moment before stepping back in, face a bit pale.

"Sally, what's wrong? What did he say?" The older woman looked up at her, eyes full of concern.

"He didn't say anything. He's gone." Sally's expression was serious. "And I fear I know where he has gone."

"You really screwed up, pally." Duo's annoyed voice held an undone of contained anger. Heero looked up from his paperwork.

"What?"

"When you didn't show up for supper, she left! She didn't touch her food!" Heero was surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought what I said was pretty easy to understand. She didn't eat. You really must have upset her!"

"Duo's right, Heero." Quatre's brow was pinched in concern, tone soft but disapproving. "I could almost feel her disappointment. You need to talk to her."

"But he won't. When it comes to the fairer sex, our friend here is an invalid." Heero bristled.

"Forgive me for not using them with the efficiency that you seem to prefer." Heero retorted. Trowa's reputation as the resident ladies' man never bothered Heero, but when Trowa's experience was to be used to call out Heero's lack thereof, it became an issue.

"It's so easy to hurt a woman's feelings but you seem to have no problem with that."

"Watch yourself." Heero growled. Suddenly, there was a disturbance outside his door. It flung open and the dark-haired man traveling with his queen burst in, sword drawn. Heero motioned for his friends to stay where they were. The sword tip found its position about a foot away from Heero's throat.

"What do you want?" Heero asked. The other man's dark eyes narrowed.

"You are a coward, Yuy."

"What?" Heero felt his anger rise.

"I cannot abide the way you have treated the princess." His voice was sharp with determination. "You have no honor." The man's gaze remained unwavering. Heero admired the loyalty this man had toward the new queen. But it was more than admiration. This man was right. He had been a coward; avoiding his obligations.

"Wufei! What on Earth are you doing?!" An angry, feminine voice broke through the tension. His wife stood in the doorframe, her two ladies' maids with her. "Lower your sword and stand down immediately." Dark eyes flicked to her before he nodded, sheathed his blade and backed away. "I apologize for my guard. I promise nothing like this will happen again." Her eyes were as cold as her voice but he could see the pain… He had hurt her… why did seeing it hurt him? "Good night, gentlemen." She curtsied and turned to leave, clearing the door frame before he could say a word. One last glare and then her guard followed.

All eyes in the room fell on him. He knew what he needed to do... He just didn't know how. A hand on his shoulder brought his attention to Quatre. The blonde smiled warmly.

"Start small. Even the tiniest ounce of kindness can do much to right a wrong." Heero sighed.

"I'll be back."

He stalked out of his office, down the halls and the stairs and into the kitchen. He ignored the confused looks from the kitchen staff as he ladled the soup into two bowls and piled fruit, cheese and bread onto a tray. He barely had the presence of mind to grab the utensils before storming out of the kitchen and back up the stairs, down the hall to her chambers. Somehow, he managed to balance everything well enough to knock on the door. A muffled voice-was she talking to herself? Or were her maids still there? A shuffling of feet and then the door opened. Relena's eyes widened with surprise, mouth slightly agape. Her eyes went from him, to the tray of food and back to him. She was clearly confused, and more than a bit surprised.

"Your majesty?" The term felt so cold though there was no hint of disdain in her voice.

"I heard you did not eat." She paused a moment before her eyes flashed with something he couldn't read.

"I wasn't hungry." Her tone was firm and confident, but he did not buy it for a moment.

"I've come to eat with you."

"I said I am not hungry. Besides," she continued, "I'm sure you have far more important matters to attend to." Again, her eyes were as cold as her words. Should he have left her alone? Should he walk away? No. He had to fix this. Somehow.

"I was busy in the office. I am free now. Let me in." Her face turned a strange shade of pink.

"You cannot come in here." He heard a slight hesitation in her voice. She was nervous. That made two of them.

"Can't I?"

"It wouldn't be proper." He almost smirked at the absurd irony of her statement.

"I am your husband. There is nothing improper about it." Her face turned a darker shade of pink at his insistence. It was amusing. "Now, let me in." She seemed to think it over for a moment before stepping aside and letting him in.

A brief look around the room pleased him. They gave her comfortable living quarters just as he instructed. He spotted the small table and chairs and placed the tray down gently. She remained frozen at the door watching him as he set their places. He saw the bottle of wine and the goblet, popped the cork and poured her before gesturing to the chair.

"Have a seat?" It was only half a question. He needed her to sit down. He couldn't sit until she did. To his surprise, she did as he bade and sat herself. He remembered to scoot her chair in and then walked to his side. Ever the lady. Her posture was perfect and each bite was taken with such care. He watched the food disappear between her lips. Beautiful lips. He wanted to-

"Are you not going to eat as well?" He realized he had yet to do so and took a bite of bread. "I… must admit, I wasn't expecting you to show up. Here." He swallowed.

"Hn?" He looked at her and she blushed again. It was a peculiarly attractive expression on her.

"You haven't exactly gone out of your way to make me feel as though you wanted to look at me, let alone…" she paused and looked down. "I'm sorry." She looked back up at him. "It's just that I waited. All this time. And you didn't say anything."

"I'm sorry." He meant it. "You deserved better." Her eyes widened briefly, before a soft smile curved on those lips.

"You're here now. That's enough." He found he could not look away from her. Her aqua eyes seemed to be asking him for something, but he had no way to tell what, but he wanted to know. He wanted to close the distance between them, claim her lips with his and... He needed to change the subject. He cleared his throat.

"Your guard is very loyal." He stated. It seemed a bit random, but he needed to change the subject. She nodded.

"Wufei has been with the family for years now. He did not take kindly to how he believed I was being treated."

"I gathered that." An awkward silence fell between them.

"I'm glad you're here, Heero." Her words surprised him. He looked up at her. "I know this arrangement isn't... ideal," she paused and her eyes met his again. "And I know it will be a big adjustment for both of us, especially given the… details of the treaty." The details. He knew what she referred to.

"I would never force you." He reassured her. Her eyes widened, before she gave him an understanding smile.

"I know." Her gaze never wavered. "But I think I would be correct in saying that we both want this arrangement to succeed." He did. He wanted to make this work… and he wanted her. He had since the first moment he saw her. Without hesitation, he stood, closed the very short distance between them and looked down at her.

"Relena…" she looked up at him, eyes wide. He leaned down. Her lips were parted in an unspoken question. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and do his part in their arrangement… but this wasn't the time. And he knew it. He straightened back up. "I know you're still tired from the journey. I will leave so you can rest." He turned to leave.

"Heero." He paused and looked at her. She looked like she wanted to say something, but instead, she smiled. "Good night, Heero."

"Goodnight." He answered and left the room, knowing sleep would be a difficult achievement tonight.