WE BELONG TOGETHER

Chapter 18: Nuptials at Fault

Cagalli sat in her room alone, thinking how she will deal with her current situation. Miriallia had been worried about her sudden quietness but the princess refused to let her friend know about the humiliating truth she overheard.

It was tough for Cagalli since her friends were all paired off and making the best of their relationships. Miriallia has Dearka while Mwu was usually off courting Murrue. Even though misery loves company, Cagalli didn't have the heart to tell her friends and ruin their mood as well.

She pulled her hair and moaned loudly. Why is life so complicated? She will not let this defeat her; she will not let this defeat her…

On and on she chanted the words. If this was how Zala wanted to play the game then so be it. And Meer, the princess thought she was her friend. It only worsened the pain knowing someone who she had come to see as a sister also betrayed her.

I am the Imperial Jewel of Orb, Cagalli Yula Atha. I will not yield to anyone! They shall see how a princess fights back, this I promise!

"It's been quiet after the attack, hasn't it?" Miriallia asked.

"It sure has been." Dearka answered.

"Then what's the problem? All of you seem even more tense than usual. At least we know now who's the culprit, don't we?"

"Yeah," He replied, taking her hand in his. "But it's not that simple. It only makes matter worse knowing it's Le Creuset behind it. Milly, you don't know how dangerous this guy is." He started calling her Milly because all those around her call her Mir. Dearka wanted to call her something special, something that was for him only. He came up with this name and has stuck to it ever since they started going out.

"Knowing him, he won't give up that easily. Heck, I want to know why he's doing this. Didn't he swore loyalty and served Zaft before? What has changed so drastically?" Dearka wondered. How can someone change so fast and so completely?

"It's no use wasting you time on it. I'm not from Zaft, but I do know he's appearance has affected everyone, even the princess. She's been so different lately. Cagalli no longer smiles anymore. She spends so much time shutting herself in her room that I'm beginning to worry about her. Mwu and I have tried over and over again but she just won't open her mouth to tell us what the problem is."

"I know, not to mention Athrun…" Dearka quickly shut his mouth but Miriallia eyed him suspiciously.

"What about the prince?"

"Um…Nothing…Really…" He avoided eye contact and started to cough uncomfortably. But Mir wasn't someone who could be dismissed so easily. She slowly slid her arms around Dearka and yanked his head down. "Dear, didn't you promise to not keep anything from me?" She said with innocent eyes. Dearka kept shifting his sight, cursing himself for his quick words.

"Come on Dearka, I'm waiting." Mir continued to press. "What ever has happened to Athrun might very be the reason for Cagalli's change."

"Alright…I give up." He said, unable to take anymore pressure from her. "It's about Athrun and Meer. You have to understand that they have always been close. But they've gotten a lot closer than usual."

"You mean…Lady Meer has got between the prince and the princess?"

"Or so Yzak, Mwu and I think so. Normally we could care less about who Athrun chooses to be with. But with the marriage so close, his attention seems misplaced."

"I see." Now Miriallia understand why Cagalli changed so much. Is it possible that Cagalli already knew about it? If this is true, then Mir pitied the prince. The princess will make his life miserable for such an insult.

"Dearka, I hope you're wrong for all of our sake."

He nodded his agreement. "We should really push the marriage ahead to secure the ties between Zaft and Orb. But with the current situation, I don't know if it's practical to do so."

Dearka's sudden reminder of the marriage date made Miriallia realize she has little time left to spend in Zaft. After Cagalli's marriage, hence the end of her three months period with Dearka, she has to soon return to Orb and Tolle.

Mir looked up at Dearka's face, unable to think of what she will do when the time to leave arrives. As the day drew near, she tried numerous times to tell her love about her soon departure but whenever she tried, she found herself glancing at his energetic smile without words. Up to now, Dearka still does not know her time in Zaft is limited.

Despite the outcome, Miriallia didn't want to think about it for now. She launched herself into surprisingly delighted Dearka's arms. "Whoa! What's this for?"

She smiled but said nothing. Mir only hugged him harder and tried hard to remember the every moment spent with him.

"It's hard to flush Rau out. He's too sly and experienced to leave his tracks open." Yzak frowned. They were all in the throne room trying to find a way to get Rau out in the open.

"I agree." Meer said. After her agreement with Athrun, they were always seen together in public. Though it was sudden, no one had the nerve to question Athrun about it. His parents did ask him a few questions as to the change, but Athrun shrugged it off. He told them this will not affect his relationship with Cagalli, the treaty only required them to get married and everything else he was free to do. The king and the queen could not dismiss Athrun's arguments so they had to let him do what he wanted.

Evidently, at the same time, Cagalli was rarely seen. For days she excused herself with only Miriallia and Mwu allowed to visit her. There was definitely something not right but everyone kept their mouths shut.

"Does anyone have anything to offer?" Athrun asked sternly.

"I think I have something." A voice cut across from the entrance of the room. To everyone's surprise, it was Cagalli at the door. She smiled gracefully at all and held her head high.

Athrun did not show his surprise at seeing her. He had been worried about her in the last few days and seeing her looking as energetic as ever has brought him much relief.

When Cagalli had become withdrawn, he almost thought she knew about him and Meer. But knowing the princess well, she would have been so mad that she would probably confront him about it. But there was nothing so it couldn't have been that which had affected Cagalli so much.

"Cagalli, how nice to have you finally join us again." Athrun said.

Cagalli's eyes flashed angrily for a split second, so fast that Athrun did not catch it. It really pissed her off to see Meer sitting next to Athrun, like trying to take over the princess' rightful seat. But she held her cool and kept her temper in check. Now's not the time. I will deal with it later.

"You were saying. Princess?" Yzak was also asking.

"Well," she began, "Both of you said he was used to the way of how Zaft's soldiers move. It's simple actually. Just use his knowledge against him. This will bait him out into the open and we'll have our chance."

The rest of them looked at each other and thought this through.

"It could work." Dearka said. "It's a dangerous bet but it's got possibilities. Le Creuset knows Zaft too well. We'll have to catch him off guard to get him."

"Perhaps." Athrun said. "What do you think, Murrue? You think he'll fall for it?"

"…" Murrue didn't know how to answer. Mwu stood beside her, feeling concerned about her reaction.

"It might." She sighed. It was still hard for her to accept the fact that her ex-fiancé was a traitor.

"Alright, let's give it a shot." Cagalli said. "Here is what I propose to do. I will be the bait to draw him out."

"No!" Athrun jumped at her decision. There was no way he was going to let her near a dangerous mission like that. "I don't think so."

"I have already made up my mind. All of you have just agreed to the tactic so I don't see what the problem is."

"The problem is that we don't know what's going to happen."

"Exactly. So it's highly possible that we will succeed."

"Are you insane? There's no guarantee you will find anything besides your own death. We're not even married yet and you are thinking of getting yourself killed before the treaty is consummated?" Athrun raged.

"The marriage has been postponed!" She announced quietly.

Everyone in the room gasped at the sudden news.

"What?" Athrun asked. When did it happen?

"I have already spoken to the Majesties about it. They have both agreed to push back the wedding until the situation here in Zaft is more stable. I have also send word to father explaining my reasons."

"Cagalli, I need to talk to you alone. NOW." The prince said through clenched teeth.

"That's not necessary. There's nothing you can say to me that my friends cannot hear. Whatever is on your mind, you can announce it here." She retorted.

Athrun was visibly trying to control his temper. He couldn't understand why Cagalli had become so difficult. Sure, she has always been stubborn, but hardly unreasonable.

Meer, who was sitting to the side cheered secretly at their open arguments. The royal couple was already having problems and she was just getting started.

"Fine! Why didn't you consult with me about the wedding date?"

"You've been too busy so I thought I should make the decision." She glanced shortly at Meer.

"It was not your decision to make!"

"Oh, but it is. There was no way our wedding can proceed as plan base on how things have turned out. I'm just glad I was able to delay it to clear things up."

"Okay, let's put that aside for now. You are not to go as bait. I'm ordering you to stay in the palace until a better solution has come up. Do you understand me?"

Cagalli's anger was flaring at this point and her stubbornness kicked in. "What did you say? Am I a prisoner now? I am not a wallflower who sits idly by when there's trouble. I will go as planned and no one is to stop me! It is you who does not understand!"

They both stared at each other while their friends watched helplessly, not knowing which side to take.

Athrun did not and could not let her do this. He calmed down a little and tried to make amendments with her. "Sweetheart, come on. You know I'm just worried about you, don't you?" He went to embrace her.

Cagalli pushed his outstretched hands away and glared at him coldly. "Athrun Zala! Don't you dare touch me! Not Ever!"

The prince took a step back at her outburst. The rest of them froze on the spot, too shocked at what she had just said. Just days ago the relationship between the prince and princess was going so well, and now he wasn't even allowed touching her?

Athrun's face slowly flushed from anger. "If that's what you want to do then so be it!" He silently replied without taking his eyes off of her. "I have asked for you compliance and this is what you give me! Orb should have done better to send Lacus to me after all!"

Cagalli couldn't stand the insult anymore. She grabbed whatever she could put her hands on, which was a vase and threw it at Athrun. He dodged with ease and the poor vase broke into pieces on the floor.

Cagalli messed her hair in frustration and ran out of the room with Athrun turning his back to her.

An official letter from her sister has just reached Alliance and Lacus was informed by the King to present herself for some news. Lacus wondered what has changed in Zaft that has prompted Cagalli to send the news.

Lacus quickly prepared herself and make way for the throne room with Fllay. Once inside, she saw Kira standing next to the window with a stern look on his face.

"Lacus, come here." Queen Caridad called out. Lacus obeyed and went to the queen's side.

"Your Majesty! Might I request the reason of this summon? I heard a letter from my sister has arrived with some news so…" Lacus started.

The king and the queen both look at each other with a strange look. Lacus noticed it and her concern for her sister grew. Stellar gave her a worried look as Shinn remained solemn.

"Dear, we don't know how to tell you this. Maybe Kira should tell you instead." The queen called out to her son. At first, Kira didn't seem to hear her but then unwillingly turned around.

When his eyes met Lacus', he quickly diverted his sight. The princess bit her lips and swallowed the pain of seeing him like that.

"Actually Lacus…Where should I begin? The truth is that Prince Athrun and Princess Cagalli's wedding has been postponed due to recent unrest in Zaft."

"What?" Lacus widened her eyes with surprise. Just days ago Cagalli had seemed so happy and fulfilled in her letter that the sudden news the setback came as a huge surprise.

Not to mention the effect it has on the state relationship between Orb and Zaft.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I have heard nothing of it when I was still in Zaft. It too was sudden for me." Shinn stated apologetically. Even Andrew and Aisha felt sorry for the princess.

"Oh my…How can this be happening? I thought the wedding is just a short while away like ours." She breathed restlessly.

Fllay shivered at hearing about Kira and Lacus' wedding date. She preferred not to keep the thought in mind. She still needed time to put her actions in plan.

"There's something I've been thinking about and though it's not the best time right now, I think I should let it out in the open." Kira interrupted suddenly.

Everyone waited for him to continue.

"Please believe me when I say this is a coincidence. But I too would like to postpone my wedding."

Kira's statement completely blew everyone in the room away.

"Kira!" The king could not believe his ears. "Why the sudden announcement?"

Lacus was affected the most. She walked shakily next to her fiancé. "Kira…Why?"

Kira beheld her angelic face and stared into her aqua eyes. "Lacus, I'm sorry. Please don't take this the wrong way but Alliance does not have the time and energy for a festivity like this right now. Azreal is planning something and a wedding is the perfect opportunity for the palace to loosen up on security. I cannot and will not give them the upper hand. Therefore, I think it's wise to keep the wedding on hold till things have settled down a bit."

"Have you decided for sure, cousin?" Stellar asked.

"Yes, I have made up my mind." The prince said strongly.

"…" Lacus slowly closed her eyes. In her heart she knew Kira was hiding the true reason for changing the wedding date. Though she did not want to agree with him, she realized his mind was already made up and it's no use talking about it anymore. "I understand," The princess said calmly, "If this is your wish then I will abide by it."

Lacus did her best to keep herself from breaking down. She took a weak step back as Fllay held on to her for support. The lady-in-waiting put her arm around the princess and whispered words of comfort into her ears.

At this point Fllay just wanted to jump up and howl in joy. Azreal will be pleased to hear about it. Kira had just presented the opening for them to break the couple apart.

Now it's up to Azreal for the next phase in plan…

Wow, two marriage delays at the same time! It's hard for our princes and princesses. Sorry if this chapter is a bit boring. I promise the next one will be better. Next chapter, Cagalli puts her plan into action and Azreal will start rolling events along. Please read & review!