WE BELONG TOGETHER
Finally another chapter done! It actually getting pretty hard to keep track of all the character development. But I'm doing my best. Hopefully many of you will enjoy this one.
Chapter 13: Players In and Out
"Meyrin…How could you do such a thing?" Athrun demanded in a softly dangerous tone. Yzak, Dearka and Shinn all shivered when they heard his words. Whenever Athrun talked like that, it meant he was beyond furious.
The king and the queen decided to keep out of the affair and let the prince handle this himself.
"You would commit treason again Zaft? Again me?"
Meyrin backed away, with tears falling down her face. "No…no…I didn't mean…"
Cagalli has never seen Athrun like this. This was the first time witnessing his authoritative side. She felt sorry for what Meyrin was going through because Cagalli did not believe Meyrin was the type of person who would commit such a deed.
Before she asked for Meyrin's pardon, Meer rushed out from the crowd and kneeled in front of Athrun. "Please, my lord. Please have mercy. She is young and I'm sure she does not mean to do any harm. It must be an accident."
"Really?" Athrun didn't believe a word of it. Just minutes ago Meyrin crashed into the room, trembling and telling everyone of what had transpired before they all came to Cagalli's rescue. "There is no denying the facts. She has admitted her crime in front of everyone. All of you know what the punishment for treason is death."
Meyrin stopped her tears and completely broke down on the ground. All the spectators became mute at his announcement. Meyrin had always been a close friend of his and now the prince is personally signing her death warrant.
"My prince, surely it does not amount to so serious a crime. I beg of you." Meer pleaded once again.
"Cagalli's safety and joining to the Kingdom of Zaft is a sign of peace. Anyone who would try to harm her is trying to break the ties between Zaft and Orb. You tell me if it's treason or not." He continued coldly.
Meer could not find fault in his explanation. She buried her face in her hands and wept for her lost friend.
Cagalli, on the other hand, did not like seeing Meer (who is so much like Lacus) to be so miserable. She pulled on Athrun's sleeve and said, "Athrun, I'm fine. It's an accident, I swear. Meyrin is regretting her recklessness. There's no need to talk of death."
Shinn also came forth to beg for forgiveness. "My prince, I also share the opinion of Princess Cagalli. Please reconsider."
Many others in the crowd muttered their agreement. Athrun scanned everyone and rest his sight on Cagalli's begging eyes. Finally, he relented. "Since many of you feel so strongly about her punishment, then she is spared from death. Rather, she is to return at once to the Hawke Manor and never to return until notified otherwise. Is that clear?"
Meyrin nodded again and again, thanking the prince's generosity. It will be sad to leave all of her friends behind but she realized Athrun has bent the rule for her already. All of a sudden, it's as if she has matured in one night.
The king and the queen looked in agreement to how Athrun handled the situation. The punishment was just and reasonable. This will hopefully make Meyrin grow up and perhaps one day reestablishes herself in the court.
Without another word, Athrun helped Cagalli up and took her away from the garden.
Athrun brought Cagalli back to her room and closed the door. He put her down gently and sat beside her.
"Are you sure you are okay?" He asked again.
"Yes!" Cagalli insisted, on the millionth time. She feinted anger, but could not refrain from laughing a little because of how he's being so paranoid.
Athrun looked seriously at her as Cagalli slowly let her laughter died out. She felt a little sheepish for her insensitiveness.
She leaned close to him and put her head on his chest. "I'm right here beside you aren't I?" She reassured.
He closed his arms around her and pulled her closer. "I know you are. Don't you know I almost had a heart attack today?"
"Did you? Your heart beat sure sounds alright." She joked, while listening to his steady heart beat. The couple enjoyed a moment of silence.
"Athrun," Cagalli looked up. "Weren't you being a little harsh to Meyrin?"
"No…Unfortunately for her, I really did for a moment thought about killing her for what she intentionally or unintentionally done. I care not now. Even if I want to let her go, there are those in court who would use this opportunity to stir up trouble. I have to handle this with swiftness and with control. You understand, don't you?"
Cagalli understood. The political playground was her backyard. She grew up in it. Athrun was right. Even if they had given her a full pardon, those who seek trouble in court would never let this go. The prince could very well be labeled as unjust and in Zaft, where law means almost everything; even royalty couldn't do whatever they want. Laws were held in the highest esteem and anyone who breaks it, will be broken.
"I just hope Meer can comfort her a little for what she's going through." She sighed.
Athrun pulled her back to him and smiled wickedly. "What about me? I need a little comfort too."
Cagalli could feel the heat rising to warm her cheeks. She twitched a little while Athrun waited. After struggling a little, Cagalli gave him a small peck on his cheek and looked away.
"What? Is that all? What happened to that little spicy pepper from Orb?" He challenged. "Has the flame been tossed out by the big bad prince in Zaft?"
Upon his words, Cagalli looked defiantly at him. She smiled seductively and slowly slid her pale arms around his neck, breathing besides his ears. "I'm just getting fired up, handsome…" She took her time kissing his cheeks until finally she glued her lips to his.
Athrun knew Cagalli was easy to tempt but he did not expect her to taste so delicious. He turned on the offense, making Cagalli feel hotter than ever. The joy of being so intimate with Athrun was so limitless and free.
Both of them lost all track of time and it was Athrun who broke off first. Cagalli tried to catch her breath after such an intense experience.
"I have to leave, but I'll be back to see you soon. Sleep tight, Cagalli." He gave her one last kiss on head and reluctantly bid her goodnight.
Cagalli tossed and turned in her bed, thinking how wonderful it was to be with her love. Wait…love?
Cagalli sat up and realized for the first time. I love him? I'm in love with Athrun? When did it happen? I…I…
She couldn't decide when it happened…But it did. There's no use to deny it to her heart. It actually felt good to admit her true feelings to herself. Cagalli chuckled, thinking how she first thought Athrun an arrogant jerk. But now he's just such a loving man who cared about her so much. Switching places with Lacus had first seemed like a reckless idea, but as it turned out, it was her best plan ever. Eventually, Cagalli smiled herself to sleep.
After the party…
Meyrin took all of her belongings she had brought to the palace and had her servants packed it on the carriage. She was ordered to leave instant from the palace grounds. The king and queen said their sorrowful goodbyes and left her with Shinn and Meer.
"I'm going to miss all of you." Meyrin cried.
"As I will miss you as well." Meer embraced the young girl. They have always been at court together and shared many secrets. Now she was to be left alone without her best friend in the world.
"Be strong, Meyrin. You'll be back once Athrun cools off. Just be a good girl and stay out of trouble." Shinn lectured.
"I will, big brother. Promise you'll visit me and tell me everything."
Shinn gave her a pat on the shoulder and helped her into the carriage. "Give my regards to your parents."
"Okay."
Meer walked next to the carriage and with her back to Shinn, she whispered into Meyrin's ear. "I promise I'll get even with them. Just you wait and see." She stared into Meyrin's wide eyes and gave Meyrin her usual gentle smile.
The young girl looked as if she saw a ghost. Never in her life had Meyrin heard such cold words coming from Meer. Now she wondered if she actually really knew her friend. It was too late to explore the issue now as the footman closed the carriage door.
Meer and Shinn watched as her carriage took off into the night.
"It must be even more miserable to come back and witness this at this time of the year." Meer said, looking at Shinn's obvious pained expression. He did not reply but turned away from her.
Shinn could not believe his timing. Being a foreign ambassador of Zaft, he spent much time traveling on the road. The only time you can catch Shinn Asuka in Zaft was this time of the year. Every year at this time, he came back to Zaft to visit his late wife, Lunamaria's anniversary.
His wife died two years ago when they were only 18. Lunamaria Hawke was Meyrin's older sister and his childhood friend. Shinn knew they were meant to be ever since they were kids. Unfortunately the sweet time with his wife did not even last 2 years before an unknown sickness claimed her life. Perhaps it's the desire to escape the pain that's driving him any other places except Zaft.
Shinn's just glad Meyrin was spared. Luna would be extremely sad if anything were to happen to her baby sister. Shinn would protect Meyrin in Luna's stead. This was one of the promises Luna made him agree to before her deathbed. He will honor his promise with his life.
"I will guard Meyrin, as I promised Luna. Shinn Asuka never forgets his promises."
"Well, I guess this is goodnight for now." Miriallia whispered. It was late after the party with all the guests leaving the palace. Dearka has offered to walk her back to her room which Mir shyly accepted.
"Lady Miriallia, you will give me an answer tomorrow I hope?" Dearka said eagerly.
She blushed and replied in a tiny voice. "I will think on it." She opened the door to her room and with a curtsy and closed the door gently.
Mir leaned on her door and thought about Dearka. He had asked her to allow him the chance to get to know her better. Mir was speechless and could not give him a straight answer. Until finally she found her voice back and asked him to give her a day to make up her mind.
Ever since her arrival to Zaft, Dearka had been the perfect gentleman with nothing but kindness to her. He also saved her on several occasions which she really appreciated. So if he's so wonderful, what was keeping her from saying yes?
The answer was Tolle Koenig.
Tolle and Mir's family were on the best of terms and Tolle had always acted like Mir's protector. As long as Mir remembered, she had always considered Tolle as her future husband. She only came to Zaft because of Cagalli and Mir had always thought she would return to Orb once Cagalli is married. She has only been a short while away from Tolle and already another man is trying to intrude into her heart.
Miriallia pulled on hair in frustration. Should she wait for Tolle or give Dearka a chance? The answer to the choice plagued her for an entire night. Unlike Cagalli, who's in the next room, sleeping blissfully with love for the prince, Mir was deprived of any sleep trying to find the direction of her heart.
Finally, at the first hint of dawn, Miriallia has made her choice at last.
In Alliance, a man fussed over his decision.
"Should I confess to the princess or not?" Heine said to himself. "She seems so happy to be with Kira but if I remain silent, I will truly regret it for the rest of my life."
Heine continued to speak to himself, weighing the pros and cons of confession.
Not far behind him, a pair of calculating eyes and sharp ears, took in everything Heine said.
"My dear Lord Heine…You came just in time. Better put on a good show for my dearest prince. Hehe…" She grinned to herself.
I'm not sure if it suits Athrun's character to want to kill Meyrin. I guess if anyone were to hurt a person you love, you would probably feel the same right? Sorry to the Lunamaria fans, but I have other plans for Shinn. Next chapter, it's back to KxL. I think I left them hanging for too long! Please R & R please!