WE BELONG TOGETHER

Chapter 8: Unspoken Confessions

Cagalli couldn't believe her eyes. What was Lacus doing here in Zaft and why is she looking at her like that?

Athrun grabbed Cagalli by the shoulders. "What's the matter with you?"

Cagalli mutely pointed at the girl in front of her.

"Is…something on my face?" Meer asked.

"Do you know her? This is Meer Campbell, another one of my close friends." Athrun finally introduced.

"Meer...Campbell?"

Everyone in the room gathered together, seeing Cagalli's strange reaction. When Miriallia saw Meer, she also stifled a gasp.

"Sorry…It's just that..." Cagalli tried to pull herself together. "It's just that Lady Campbell looks a lot like my sister."

"Princess Lacus? I'm quite flatter by your words." Meer smiled. She walked over next to Cagalli and took her hand. "I'm sure we'll be great friends, Your Highness."

Cagalli felt an instant connection to Meer, first seeing how she resembled Lacus and how kind she was being.

"Now that you have all met my betrothed, "Athrun said, taking Cagalli by the waist, "Let's get this party started shall we?"

Cagalli almost jumped out of Athrun's arms. She couldn't believe he would act so intimate in front of so many people. It was making her awfully embarrassed as she's not used to his touch. She struggled a bit but Athrun refused to let her go. Eventually, Cagalli gave up and went along with it. The prince smiled at his small victory.

"Look at the love birds, aren't they sweet together?" Dearka cooed, making Yzak disgusted, and Miriallia and Nicol giggled.

Though different reactions, all of Athrun's friends congratulated them both on fulfilling the treaty and look forward to a new future together.

After getting to know everyone a bit, Cagalli felt much more confident in her stay in Zaft. She can tell Dearka was really interested in Mir and vice versa. Maybe Mir will find her happiness here in Zaft, she thought. Dearka seems like a sensible man who can respect and love Mir as she should be.

Nicol was probably the sweetest man she has ever met. His extensive knowledge and his innocent view of the world made him one of a kind. Cagalli wished him all the best in his theological quest to better serve his country.

Unlike Nicol's friendliness or Dearka's funny comments, Yzak was rough and conservative. He was unwilling to extent his hand of friendship towards the princess. On the other hand, he was honest in his opinion and truthful to his words. Cagalli's deception of her identity made it hard for him to pledge his loyalty to her, not that she blamed him. It'll take time to prove herself a worthy leader and hope in time he will come to respect her as he respects his prince.

The lady friends of Athrun were another issue. Meyrin was probably one of the most spoil girls she has ever met. She kept budging into private conversations just to get attention. Meyrin acted like a jealous lover, trying to sever Athrun from Cagalli.

"Athrun, why are you holding her? It feels weird. You always hold me." Meyrin whined.

Athrun laughed and patted her head. "Alright, I'll play with you another time. Right now I have to be with my fiancé, so be a good little girl." He treated her like a little sister.

Meyrin sulked and went to talk to Meer.

Out of everyone, Cagalli felt very appreciative of Meer. She told her a lot of useful facts she should know here in Zaft and listened to some of the difficulties Cagalli has faced in her new home. Meer was a good listener, careful not to interrupt her when she's talking.

She also has a way with Meyrin's immaturity and had the spoiled girl behave. It was as if Lacus was still with her and everything was the same as before. Before the gathering ended, Cagalli made Meer promise to visit her as often as she can.

Tomorrow, Athrun was supposed to take her out into the streets of Zaft to make her first official appearance in front of his people. There were things he must speak to her about. The royal couple excused themselves from their friends and quietly left unattended.

Meer said her goodbye and deepened her ever graceful smile.

"I really like your friends." Cagalli said suddenly.

"Do you?" Athrun answered without looking at her.

"Of course. You know, I'm trying to tell you my appreciation so it's polite to at least look at me."

Athrun stopped in his track. He turned to her slowly and smirked. "What about me?"

Cagalli was instantly alerted. He was closing in on her!

"What about?"

"Do you like me?"

The question exploded in Cagalli's face. Her face flushed an instant red. "What? What kind of question is that? I don't know what you are talking about." She denied.

He moved closer, until he blocked her against the wall. "Oh, I think you do."

Cagalli tried to push him out of the way. "Stop it, Athrun. I'm not in the mood for you jokes."

"Don't try to brush it off today. I want an answer from you."

"We've only met for a few days and you expect me to tell you how I'm head over heels over you? Don't be absurd."

"That's exactly what I have in mind. Don't try to think, just feel what's in your heart." He lowered his voice until it was just a whisper in her ear. "Feel it."

Cagalli knew he was trying to seduce her. Mir did tell her about his rumored glorious love history. Yet she couldn't help herself. He was being so aggressive and irresistible. Cagalli felt succumbed by his scent and voice. She gradually closed her eyes and started feeling his powerful presence. The princess leaned close to him and placed her head on his shoulder. "What about you Athrun? Do you love me?"

Athrun was quite surprised by her question. Many women asked for his love so why was Cagalli different?

He smiled and bent down to place a kiss on her head, yet he offered no answer. Cagalli looked up at his handsome face and declared. "Athrun, if you want my love, then you must give me what you are asking for in return."

Ever since witnessing Lacus and Kira together, Fllay has waited for her chance to talk to the prince. She knew that to get the prince, she must first break the ties between Lacus and Kira. To do this wouldn't be easy, but it was her only chance at happiness and Fllay was willing to try anything, even at the cost of betraying her mistress.

Finally, after careful observation, Fllay finally trapped Kira by himself one day. "Your Highness, may I have a word please?"

"Um…Lady Allster, how may I help you?" Kira said uncomfortably.

"It's…it's about the princess…" Fllay started.

"Is something wrong with Lacus?" Kira was instantly concerned.

Fllay cursed silently for his deep affection for Lacus. "Well…oh forget it…I shouldn't have said anything…"

"Please, my lady. I insist to know."

"Very well. It's just that my lady has been troubled lately but does not wish to tell Your Highness about her problems."

"What is it?"

"The princess longs for Orb but does not want to mention it in her new home. You know her, she's too sweet to let this be known and I, as her close friend and attendant, is unable to see her mellow in homesickness."

"Perhaps I can arrange for Lacus to take a trip home so she can be cured."

"NO! Please do not do so, my prince. The situation between Orb and Alliance is not yet stable. If the princess were to return to Orb now would only spell trouble. She has to stay until the finalization of the wedding. Besides, being so sweet natured, you know she will never admit it if you were to ask her."

Kira thought about his angel again and agreed with Fllay's interpretation.

"Then what must I do to ease her pain? You should know out of all people."

Fllay curved her mouth and whispered into the prince's ear, making him blush a little. "I've got just the plan for you…"

"Lacus, I'm very happy to see you recovered so fast." Queen Caridad congratulated the princess.

"Ya, you should have seen Kira's face that day when you fainted in the throne room. He looked as pale as a ghost." Stellar added.

Lacus smiled at the thought. She had heard it from Andrew about what happened and Lacus felt proud of her prince for caring so much for her, when she was just a stranger.

"Say Lacus, how do you feel about Kira?" The young girl asked with curiosity.

Lacus blushed and looked away from the others. Stellar leaned closer to her and bid her for an answer. The queen smiled at Lacus' shyness but allowed Stellar to push on.

"So? So?"

"Stellar! How am I to answer? It's so embarrassing…"

"Come on, we're all girls here. This will be one of our….girl talks. Yeah! That's it!"

Lacus, unable to shake Stellar's insistence, finally answered. "Kira…is very special to me. Besides my father, I have never cared about a man like this before. I don't know if it's love, but I do like him a lot. In the short time I have spent with him, he has taken such good care of me that I'm afraid that it might only be a dream."

"This is no dream. You and Kira are destined to be together. Both of your temperament is so closely matched. I'm glad you ended up here with my son." The Queen smiled. "I think Kira's kindness is his strength, but also his weakness. Please watch over my son, my dear."

"I will, Your Majesty. I promise to care for him as he would me."

All three women who were closest to Prince Kira shared a knowing smile, pledging to each other to care for a special purple eyed man.

Sorry is this chapter is a little short and lacks the love-love moment. I promise I'll make it up to you guys in another chapter.