WE BELONG TOGETHER
This is the first time I have not updated on a daily basis. I actually feel a little guilty! I'm a little occupied by work so not sure if I can keep up with the daily update. I'll definitely try my best!
Chapter 9: Tender Side of You
It was Cagalli's first real trip out on the street of Zaft. Athrun decided to take only Mwu, Yzak and a few elite guards with them. The men were patient enough to answer Cagalli's never-ending curiosity about the kingdom.
"Princess, as you see, Zaft is a militant country. We have strict rules set up and defined. If a person breaks the law, there is no forgiveness. Without regulations, there can be no order. Our country is generous to those who abide by its rules and you can see we're pretty ruthless to those who do not." Yzak explained along the way.
"Princess Cagalli, Zaft holds a very different legal view than Orb." Mwu inputted.
"Yes, very different." Cagalli replied. Base on what she saw so far, commoners were weary as well as curious about her little entourage. Everywhere they went people bowed down before them but none had the courage to talk to her, let alone get near her. It made Cagalli unhappy to know her new citizens, the very people she should be protecting, were afraid of her. This was not how she wanted to establish her role in Zaft.
Cagalli decided to try a new approach. She commanded the soldiers to make way while she approached a young blacksmith on the side of the road.
"Hello," Cagalli said. "I'm Cagalli, what's your name?"
The young man blinked and stared at Cagalli's blonde features. The princess waited patiently for a response. Finally, after recollecting his voice, the young man told her his name was Tomas and gave her a small smile.
Cagalli asked him more questions about his family and work, slowly understanding and establishing a connection. Other commoners saw how easygoing she was and visibly relaxed around her group. Seeing many others staring in awe at him and the princess, Tomas gathered his courage and asked Cagalli to visit his shop.
Cagalli silently congratulated herself on her success and was about to agree to the idea, when Athrun appeared next her.
"Why don't I accompany you?" He said with a serious expression on his face.
Tomas paled and took a few steps back. The crowd also moved away from Cagalli and slowly backed away.
Athrun swept the gathering citizens with his gaze and asked again, "Tomas, is it? Did you just offer to take Her Royal Highness to your shop? I think I should be there with her, don't you think?"
The young blacksmith gulped and trembled. "Of...Of course, Prince Athrun. You can both visit anytime. Please excuse me for I have work to do." He turned, walked fast into his shop and had the door closed with a bang.
Mwu shook his head at what happened. Cagalli was furious with what Athrun had just done. "Why did you do that? I was making progress here."
"Progress? Is that what you call it?" Athrun's eyes flashed coldly. "Do you realize what could have happened had I not intervened?"
"If you had not interrupted me so rudely, the people would have open up to me and I could have learn much from their experience. Isn't learning the wellbeing of her people part of the job of royalties? Or do you enjoy having them cower before you?"
"I should really punish you for your foolishness, woman. How do you know what his intentions were? Why do you think we have soldiers, Yzak and Mwu with us today? Do you think this a game? That young man could have been a criminal, or a rebel seeking to do you harm. Not only do you not have any sense of danger, you are standing there blaming me for thinking of your safety?" Athrun gritted his teeth to avoid yelling at her in public.
Cagalli couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Athrun protecting me?
She lowered her head, her anger all evaporated. Cagalli allowed herself a short time to think about what Athrun said. He did make some good points though she believed in Tomas' integrity. But on the other hand, Zaft did rule her country by a strict martial law. It was natural for Athrun or anyone in Zaft that was with her to think this way. Cagalli was not so unreasonable a person to mistaken their concern.
She walked closer to Athrun and muttered a soft apology for her rash behavior. Athrun said nothing but turned to continue down the road, leaving Cagalli frustrated with his reaction.
Athrun walked on without turning back. Inside, he knew he had told her lies about what happened. It's true he was concerned about her safety, but he had a reason that was more important. Inside, he admitted it was jealousy that drove him to react this way.
Every other woman he's been with had their complete attention focused on him. Yet Cagalli, his fiancé, had turned to ignore him and was openly talking to another man.
That was unacceptable! What's Tomas got that's better than I? Why can't this girl just act like all of the rest so I can get on with my life? Athrun has all these questions in his head but no answers. He found himself thinking about Cagalli more and more these days and it was beginning to haunt him a little.
Athrun had first accepted this marriage with an understanding that his wife would be there for the official dealings while he be able to remain free and do without his parents' watchful surveillance. Especially his mother, whose constant nagging was giving him leave from the palace.
Yet never in his wildest imagination did he expect a princess like Cagalli to bump into his life. She's boyish, hotheaded, hateful sometimes but completely honorable. Every time he looked into her eyes, he could see how pure she was (and sometimes naïve). It really wasn't his style to deal with idealists like her, but she actually impressed him in some ways. For example, her relentless effort for Yzak's respect, who in turn was starting to look up to her more and more. Cagalli was starting to prove herself as a diligent leader who always strive her hardest to do what she believe was correct. The realization of her as a potentially effective future queen cooled Yzak's head, as he started evaluating her in a new light.
He agreed that she wasn't your average gentle princess. Cagalli was a woman full of fire and action. Just now she noticed how tense the people felt about the Zaft soldiers and immediately took action to lessen the fear. He's really looking forward to see what influences the princess will bring in the future.
Cagalli walked next to him and pulled on his sleeve. "You still angry with me?"
He turned and looked at her sideways. "Forget it, let's keep going."
Next, they made a stop at a petite cottage at the edge of the city. A small boy rushed out of the house before the horses barely stopped. Athrun jumped off Nova and lifted the boy up.
"Prince Athrun! You came like you promised!" The boy shouted in joy.
"Sure, I told you I would." He put the boy down as Cagalli looked in wonder. She never thought Athrun was popular with kids, seeing as how the townspeople were so afraid of him.
"Is it her?" The boy, who Athrun introduced as Gray Aiman, looked at Cagalli up and down.
Cagalli felt a bit awkward in front of the kid. She bent down and shook the boy's hand. "Nice to meet you, Gray."
"Wow, you sure are nice, princess." The kid beamed at her. He hopped back to Athrun, asking for his permission to ride Nova.
Gray's older brother came out to meet her afterward. "His Highness Prince Athrun has helped us so much over the years." Miguel Aiman expressed.
Cagalli did not expect such words from him. Her curiosity got the best of her and she pushed on. "How so? Tell me about Athrun."
"What do you know of him, princess?"
"Besides the fact that he is an overconfident and arrogant prince, everything else is peachy." Cagalli sniffed.
"Haha, that's one way of putting it. But that's not the prince we know." Miguel chuckled. "You see, my little brother and I lost our parents in the war when we were very young. There was no way I could provide for both of us. I'm ashamed to say I resorted to stealing to keep us fed. On my last attempt so many years ago, I was caught by Athrun's guards and was to be whipped for my crime. The prince took pity on Gray and I so he made a special pardon. Ever since, he has been so generous as to keep us sheltered and fed."
"I see…Why are you telling me all this?"
Miguel looked into her eyes, trying to see deep inside of her. "I just don't want you to have the wrong impression of him. It takes time to get through his cold exterior to reach that kind heart of his. But I'm sure you will be able to do what no others can if you set your heart to it."
"What makes you think I want to?"
The man only stared at her tenderly and grinned. Cagalli glanced away in embarrassment, knowing Miguel has pierced through her defensive. She felt as if her emotions has been laid bare in front of him.
He has no reason to lie to me. Athrun…Sounded so different from what I know. Could he be hidden that compassion somewhere deep inside of him? What can I do to melt his frozen shell so he will open up to me like he has to Miguel and Gray? Surely it can't be that difficult if I try my best. Cagalli shared a silent promise with Miguel to give it a try.
The princess now felt so certain of herself after learning about Athrun's soft side, she turned back to see if Athrun was still with Gray, but the sight in front of her made her see red.
Gray was no longer there and her prince…Her lovely prince was flirting with not one, but three country maidens. She saw Athrun reached out his hands and stroke one of the girls' long dark hair. It was such an infuriating sight for her. Just when she's about give him a chance, he weny and turned his charm on some wench.
The blonde girl can on longer stand it. She stomped forward and got on her mare as soon as she could with Yzak and Mwu following beside her. Her tight grip on the rein made Swordance cried out in pain.
Athrun, hearing the mare's cry, noticed just in time before Cagalli galloped off. He grabbed the rein and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Get out of my way! I'm leaving now!"
"What's your problem? I thought you were having a good time."
"I WAS having a good time. Before you ruined it." She fumed.
Athrun sank into confusion. He could not remember what he had down to make her upset. Then he followed her gaze to realize it was the girls he talked to before that bothered her.
"Is that all that got you mad? Because I was talking to the girls?" Athrun smiled.
Cagalli couldn't believe Athrun had the nerve to smile! The insufferable man! Just before he asked me to love him, and now he's standing here thinking I'm over-reacting?!?
"Mwu, let's go! I'm going to give you three seconds, Athrun. If you don't let go, I'm going to use this whip to make you let go." She threatened.
Athrun realized she was serious and had no choice but to let her ride off without him.
He couldn't help but grinned to himself. Cagalli may not have grasped it but she has already fallen into his trap.
She has taken the bait so now it's his turn to reel her in…
Sorry. Not a lot of fluff in this chapter. I needed to show Cagalli's political dedication and intelligence just so her character does not stay an always angry and useless image. I'll make it up to you guys!
Please R & R! Thanks!