WE BELONG TOGETHER

Sorry for not updating for awhile guys. I was on a trip these last few days. Was gonna post this chapter before I go but was having some technical issue doing it. So here it is, enjoy!
Chapter 10: Hidden Agenda

"Kira!" Lacus called sweetly to her prince charming. "It's been a while…Have you been busy lately?"

"I'm sorry, but there's been quarrel about some territorial disturbances that I had to take care of." He apologized.

"I see. Have the matter been resolved?"

"Not yet, I think it'll take a bit more time."

"May I be of assistance?" She offered.

"No...No…" He rejected politely, coughing nervously. "That's okay. It's just some trifling matter. There's no need to get involved. Now please excuse me, I must be off."

Lacus questionably watched him go. Kira was acting so strange lately, spending much more time outside of the palace than usual. Even her attendants Aisha, Fllay and Andrew were taking leave from their post from time to time to complete personal matters.

Lacus wasn't worried about her safety inside Alliance's palace, but with all of them gone at the same time seemed a bit too coincidental. She wasn't a fool. Something was definitely not right and she intended to get to the bottom of it.

"Come, Lady Fllay. We must get going now." Kira offered his hand to lift Fllay into the carriage.

Fllay blushed and took it willingly. "Of course, my prince."

"Kira," Aisha called out from the carriage, "Are you sure the princess isn't suspecting anything at all? It is rather strange for all of us to leave her. Especially Lady Fllay, who is her closest friend."

Fllay secretly shot Aisha a deadly glare, but turned to smile sweetly at Kira. "Do not worry. I have told the princess I needed to go into town for private affairs. The princess is too kind; she does not question me about such trivial things."

Aisha gave her a dubious look.

"It's alright, Aisha. I believe in Fllay. She was the one who came to me for the matter and I appreciate it. Plus I have already asked Sir Waltfield to start the project ahead of time. As long as Lacus remains oblivious about it, it is fine with me. Let's go."

"Excuse me," Fllay called out just when Kira got on the horse. "Might I ask the prince to accompany me on a special mission today? There's someone you should meet." Fllay asked, waiting for Kira's reply.

Kira thought about it for a moment and finally agreed. Aisha looked disapproving at him for his decision.

The prince, seeing Aisha's expression, gave her a reassuring smile and the party took off.

Unaware to the group, a slender figure was listening just around the corner.

"What were they talking about? A project? Whatever could that be?" She said puzzled. In truth she was quite hurt by her friends. Why are they keeping a secret from her? Kira had told her that it was a territorial problem that had kept him away but after hearing what they said, she wasn't sure if she could trust him or the other's words anymore.

Lacus kneeled down on the ground, trying to sort out her baffled mind. Without any warning, a hand patted her on the shoulder that almost made her scream in fright. She turned around quickly and saw Heine smiling down at her.

"May I inquire what the princess is doing here by herself?"

"Heine? Oh it's nothing." Lacus said, trying to conceal her unhappiness.

Heine decided to go along with Lacus but in truth, he had heard everything. He almost jumped out and questioned Kira, had he not spotted Lacus eavesdropping in the corner.

How can Kira do this? He should never hurt the one you love, he thought.

"How about me walking you back to your quarters? It's getting chilly at this time of the year. The king and the queen will probably kill me if you were to catch a cold."

Lacus thanked him for his consideration and allowed him to take her back.

"Who is it that you want me to meet?" Kira asked Fllay in a distance. After dropping off Aisha in town, he followed Fllay's instruction to the outskirts of town.

"I heard there's a man here who was once a famous musician when he was young and was hoping to have him perform for the princess."

"Oh, I see. Lacus will love it." Kira grinned when thinking of his princess' joyful reaction. Since Fllay told him of Lacus' homesickness, he has wanted to do something. Fllay came up with a great plan of setting up a concert for the musical princess. The Lady-in-waiting has told him that back in Orb, Lacus used to hold small concerts for both people in the court and sometimes civilians. Music, as Lacus said, was one of the best medicines to heal the soul. People should enjoy it as often as they can. Since her arrival to Alliance, Kira has never had the chance to hear Lacus sing. Therefore, it was his decision to ask for Aisha and Andrew's help with this project. Now, even though it was still awkward for him to be near Fllay, he needed her help on giving him ideas of what Lacus would like.

Through the days, Kira found the lady to be quite helpful but there was something about her that just seemed so out of sort. Kira caught her a few times staring at his face without a word. When he questioned her about it, she would tease him about how wonderful he looked today. Sometimes it made him feel a little tense thinking about it but Kira chose to disregard such thoughts.

"Prince, we are here." Fllay said, breaking his attention.

"Right, let's go."

Kira hopped down his mount and went to offer Fllay help from the carriage. Fllay smiled once again to accept it. When she was half way out, she tripped on her long dress and fell into Kira's arms. The prince gently set her on her feet and back away two steps. She thanked him and secretly smiled to herself for being so close to him.

He wanted to shake the strange feeling off so he head to the door of the small house they have arrived at. "Excuse me, is there someone here?" He knocked.

For a while no one answered, then the door slowly cracked open and a middle-age man came out. "What can I do for you?" He even refused to open his eyes to them. Kira felt a bit discouraged.

"Sir, I am Prince Kira and she is Lady Fllay from Orb. We came hoping you could do us a favor for singing at Princess Lacus' concert in two nights." He pleaded.

The man remain silent and replied, "Surely you must have heard about me, the Great Malchio. But you see me now, with my eyes blinded, I have lost all passion for music. Please go, there is nothing for you to seek here."

Malchio turned to leave but Kira held on to the door. "Please, Malchio. Forgive me for intruding but the value of a musician comes from the soul, and not from the eyes. Can you find it in your heart to start over again?"

The musician reached out his hands. "Give me your hand and her's."

Kira did not understand his intention but both he and Fllay did as asked.

Malchio took a hand in his palm and felt it. He smiled at Kira and said, "You have a great future ahead of you, my noble prince. But to find true happiness, you have a long way to go."

Then he turned to Fllay and simply said, "I'm sorry, child. But your heart's true desire will not be easy to acquire."

Fllay stared in awe but inside, she refused to let Malchio's words affect her. I will have Kira and no one can stop me!

"Can you read fortunes, sir?" Kira asked politely.

The man chuckled. "Not fortune, just a gut feeling. I believe in your sincerity. Since you have both traveled a long way here, I can at least give it one last try."

"Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate it." Kira shook the man's hand.

"I shall be at the concert in two nights and await Princess Lacus' appearance." Malchio promised.

Kira and Fllay left and Malchio stared at his house in silence. He didn't want the prince to know about Fllay's plan for him. Young people these days have to fight for the one they love and to have the other person reciprocate that feeling. He has a feeling Prince Kira will need his help in the future and it would be a shame if the compassionate prince were to be trapped.

"We're almost ready. I can hardly wait!" Kira was already dreaming about how surprised Lacus will be when she finds out.

Upon hearing this, Lady Fllay clenched her fist. For the past few days she had done so much for the prince. Can he not feel her heart? All he ever talked or thought about was Lacus, Lacus, and Lacus! This has to stop!

I'm not done with you yet, Kira Yamato! Just you wait for what I have in store for you…

What exactly is Fllay planning to do? Next chapter, Lacus will finally perform for Kira and someone will surprise KxL big time! I'll get back to AxC real soon!