After Treize's visit, Relena became different.

Since the day she became a prisoner of Alliance, she barely ate and was not speaking at all. Quietly, she waited and longed for her death. Had General Septum not ordered physician and guards to feed her forcefully, she would've starved herself to death. Treize's presence was like a mojo; she was eating regularly and responded like a healthy, normal person when spoken to.

Lemon cake was served to her on daily basis. Relena loved lemon cake; as did her brother Milliardo. When Treize mentioned how his friend Zechs Marquise loved lemon cake, she instantly guessed that this Zechs Marquise must be Milliardo. To her disappointment, Treize also said that he is missing.

At least he is not dead, Relena assured herself.

She still had family.

She had finished reading "The Prince". She did not enjoy it, and found it difficult to understand. The words and phrases contradict each other, like ying and yang. While it was good to have something to read, she wondered why did Treize give her this book to begin with.

Obviously, he had read it and agreed to it.

Maybe...he wanted her to know and understand him?

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. As expected, it was Treize.

He brought a small, fancy box. With a smile, he opened it. Inside, it was a bracelet made of pearls, diamonds, and sapphire; beautifully designed with elegance and taste.

"For you," he said. "Happy birthday."

"Oh it was...weeks ago," Relena replied, blushing and then recalled what happened after her sixteenth birthday.

"No," Treize said. "It is today."

"But today is..."

"First day of your new life," he said. "General Septum has agreed to release you."

Her eyes brightened. "He did?"

Treize nodded. He took out a document and placed it before her. "Under the condition that you accept a new identity and live as an ordinary citizen."

Relena looked over the document. It stated her name as Relena Darlian with a different date of birth.

"As I've said, happy birthday," Treize chuckled, referring to the current day used as her new birthday. "A new day and a new life." He studied her face and noticed that she looked troubled. "What is on your mind?"

"Where can I go?" Relena asked.

Indeed, she never had lived anywhere other than her palace in Sanc Kingdom. A life on her own in a world she doesn't know - it frightened her.

"You have somewhere to go," Treize assured her. "Tell me, Miss Darlian, you are sixteen now, aren't you?"

"I am." Even with this new date of birth.

"Under the law, you can marry."

"I am to marry?" Relena was surprised. "To whom?"

"I cannot say at this moment."

She rose and went to the window. Looking outside, she was looking forward to leave this prison of hers. But then, would she enter another one?

"I am to wed a man I don't know," she said slowly.

"Why does that bother you?" Treize questioned. "When you first met me, how well did you know me? We got to know each other and it only has been several days. I know that you are beautiful, intelligent, and strong. I'm not going to ask what you think of me, but whoever this man is, I have faith that you will get along just fine."

"I will never marry anyone whose hands stained with blood of my family and my people," she said, not forgetting that Treize is part of Alliance.

"You think I will allow that to happen?" Treize said as he removed his white gloves.

Relena noticed that he does not wear any ring.

"Can you give me three days?"

Alone, Relena leaned against the wall.

The lemon cake on the table, the book, the bracelet - all were gifts from Treize. She did appreciate his company. He had been a friend to her, though she couldn't think, or rather did not want to think, of his role in massacre of Sanc Kingdom. If she were to marry him, at least she could find protection and safety. Even better, she could find her brother Milliardo; or maybe find a way to avenge her family and her kingdom.

Quickly, she threw the last thought out of her mind.

Avenge her family, how? What can she do? She was powerless.

As princess of Sanc Kingdom, she had attended weddings.

What would her wedding be like?

Would she wear a white dress and a long veil?

She would wear the bracelet, as a gesture of gratitude and acceptance.

Marriage, as she remembered what her mother had once said, has nothing to do with love. It is all about duty and protection.

With that thought, she placed the bracelet on her wrist.

It was a perfect fit.

She went to bed that night and had a decent sleep.

Her very first one since the fall of Sanc Kingdom.

Three days later, two guards came to her room. Relena allowed them to escort her to General Septum.

Along the way, Treize came to her. He dismissed the guards and walked with her. He was pleased seeing her wearing that bracelet he gave her.

"Miss Relena Darlian," he muttered her new name. "Darlian...do you know origin of this name?"

She shook her head.

"Vice Foreign Minister Darlian," Treize told her. "He was an honorable man. He wanted peace between earth and the space colonies. And yet, he was assassinated by the colonists. "

"Why?"

"Pacifism is not what everyone wants, Relena," he said. "Wise and fools."

It was the first time he addressed her by her first name.

"You can hate the Alliance for the fall of Sanc Kingdom, but there is an even more dangerous threat out there. Space colonies are attacking Earth with acts of terrorism. My duty and dedication is to protect Earth because I truly love it."

"Does General Septum agree?" Relena asked.

"What?" Treize raised an eyebrow.

"It seems like General Septum is more interested in taking tyrannical control over the Alliance than the threat from Space Colonies."

Treize let out a loud laugh.

"Do I need a dress?" She asked, changing the subject.

"There's no need," he said.

Following Treize, Relena found herself in office of General Septum. She tried not to look at him.

"Miss Relena Darlian," General Septum said, chewing on each word. "I congratulate you on your release. Colonel Treize Khrushrenada had expressed his concern. You have nowhere to go, and no family to take you in. Well, that will not be a problem anymore."

"Why so solemn, General?" Treize questioned. "After all, it is a happy occasion."

General Septum glared at him.

"Something is missing," Treize continued. "I shall fill the void."

He pulled out his pistol and shot General Septum right in between his eyes.

It happened so fast that Relena didn't even realize what had happened until she saw General Septum fell over his desk.

Her face paled.

Treize, on the other hand, was calm. He brushed a strand of her hair.

The man who slaughtered your family is now dead - by my hand.

He did not use a silencer. The gunshot was loud.

She heard footsteps. Loud footsteps. Men - soldiers and guards - entered. Soon, they had the entire room surrounded; all pulled out their guns, pointing at Treize and Relena.

"General Septum is a traitor," Treize declared. "He had collaborated with Space Colonies and had Vice Foreign Minister Darlian murdered! This is a new beginning. I shall take over the Alliance and defend Earth from the Space Colonies. When it ends, there will be peace. If you desire to avenge your General, you may."

He took his pistol apart and let it drop on the floor.

The room was full of silence and intensity.

Then, one soldier lowered his gun.

And another followed.

And another.

And another.

Their gestures were clear: they decided to follow Treize. Within minutes, all of soldiers lowered their guns, except for one.

Treize walked up to him. He studied his face and smiled.

This soldier looked rather young. His eyes were determined and cold.

Easily with sway, he took away his pistol. "You are very brave," he praised the boy, taking the gun apart. "You discharged and released from your duty." He then turned to Relena. "He could use some company, don't you agree, Miss Darlian?"

The young soldier looked at Relena.

"Heero Yuy, it's a pleasure."

"Wishing you lifetime of love and happiness," Treize said.