Title: The Little Cinder Boy
Author: Angst Faerie
Rating: T
Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing our Cinderella written by the Grimm brothers.
Notes: The much awaited slipper scene. From here on out it's the final stretch.
Duet – Don't worry I'm writing more now I'll even glue my butt to the chair if I need too
Jaded Soul – If you like stories with a twist then I think you'll be happy with what I came up for the end.
Sayo-chan – Yeah 20 does feel old but at my new job everyone is like 23 to 25 but most still look younger than me T.T
YukiNoHana1 – I am so glad you liked it and I hope you like this next chapter as well.
The Yaoi Mistress – I'm sorry I didn't update sooner but I am going to stick with it till the end.
Nolwe the Lady Dragon – Like I said before I am SO sorry for not updating any sooner.
Sadistic pistol – Thanks for the wishes I did have a good birthday…though that was months ago.
Da-Ku Hisaki – LOL now the only thing I hate is me for my such late updates.
shady gurl – No it's all right I know they are slow but hopefully I'll be able to pick up the pace again.
Ch3rryphr34k – It's close to the original and the ending will be completely made up its one of the reasons I'm glad I stuck to no magic or else the ending would come too easily. The next story I have planned will be entirely supernatural so it will be quite different to write.
Angelmidori – And I'm so sorry for making you wait but here it is, and if you like seeing me bitch about being 20 wait till I hit 30 and beyond.
catch-katch – I hope this is soon enough.
Chapter 5: The Slipper and Its Quest
"Is this true son? Are your sure you're willing to go to such lengths to find this blonde of yours?" King Triton asked his son Trowa during breakfast.
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Triton had originally planned to interrogate his son about the mysterious blonde he was with, but was surprised to learn the blonde had gotten away from his son without leaving any clues as to who they were besides a simple slipper. What surprised the King even more was his son's desperate plea to search the entire Kingdom for this person. It was a great step on his part if they found the blonde he would no longer have to whine and beg Trowa to hurry up and chose a bride.
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"I'm sure father. I can't really explain it but I know it's the one. I need them back and fast." Trowa got up and started to pace.
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"All right Trowa I'll help. Rashid," Triton said with a clap of his hands and the Captain of the guards made his way over to him. He knelt before the king and said "Sire?"
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"You are to get some men ready and form a search party with Prince Trowa. I know it might take a few days but search every house in my Kingdom until you find the one that this slipper fits. Is this what you wanted son?" Triton turned to study his son's face.
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"It is exactly what I wanted father." Trowa was amazed at how his dad just agreed with his plan, no arguments involved.
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"Very well go get ready you both are dismissed." he watched in pride as his son strode out of the room with every nerve filled with eagerness. "Watch him for me Rashid I trust you will do well." Triton said to the man's back as he watched him also leave the room. With a slight laugh he went back to his breakfast.
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Quatre had been living in a dream ever since the ball two days ago. He was in an extremely good mood and nothing Dorothy and Relena did could bring him down. He hummed to himself as he feed the hens. What the greatest thing was after that night Quatre's empty dreams were now filled with Prince Trowa. He could escape to Trowa's strong arms whenever things got a little hard or boring around the estate with a mere daydream.
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He ignored the twang of pain he felt as his chest tightened at the thought. He missed the prince so much he had him in his dreams and sadly Quatre knew that's all he would ever have. He looked over at the servant's quarters and noticed Duo heading out the door and down the path to the main road.
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Duo told him the day after the party about his run in with the knight that saved him. Sir Yuy, his real name Heero Yuy. It seemed Duo had followed Heero to his private quarters, of course Heero didn't know that at the time, and the two talked. Duo told Heero how much he appreciated being saved by Heero and how he couldn't get the other guy out of his head. Heero pushed it away but Duo told him who he was, Heero wasn't surprised he was a boy since he had seen him before in normal clothing, and where he came from.
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Duo spent the night with Heero and it seemed the two must have gotten a little intimate. Duo snuck out to meet Heero at least once every day since that night. Quatre was a little jealous but Heero wasn't royalty so Duo did no wrong falling for him. Shaking his head a bit he went back to feeding the chickens and started to hum to himself.
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Une watched Quatre from an upstairs window a scrawl on her face. He had been too happy this week for her tastes. Something happened and Une swore she would find out. Turning away she carried the book she was trying to read back on its self. She took off her glasses and sighed. "Aaaiiiiieeeeeeeeeeee!" Une cringed at the scream that came from downstairs. "What is it now?" She said tiredly before heading downstairs to check it out.
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Dorothy stood in the entryway pale white holding a letter in her hands and Relena jumped up and down right next to her. "What is going on?" Une spoke looking back towards the kitchen as she heard Quatre enter. Dorothy finally looked up and opened her mouth but nothing came out. Une let out an angry breath before marching over and snatching the letter away. Her eyes scanned it before she too let out a gasp.
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Quatre just happened to walk in to see what was going on, he heard the commotion from the kitchen and grew worried. "Baroness Une is there a problem?" he asked attentively. "Be quiet." Une spat back at him before reading the letter out loud.
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"The Baroness Une and keeper of the Winner fortune,
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In the name of Lynnet, we hereby declare that his young majesty, the humble Prince Trowa, will indulge in your presence. You are to expect us today at three of the hour we have some urgent business to discuss." Une folded the paper and looked up. She had heard rumors the Prince was visiting people from some of the villagers but kept quiet till she knew for sure. It seemed it was right.
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"Dorothy it seems you have another chance you and Relena need to get ready." Une turned to Quatre next, "As for you get some treats made and tea I want the Prince to be as comfortable as possible. Hurry it up everyone we don't have time to waste."
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Quatre was stunned he would get to see the Prince again. In a trance like state he nodded. "Tea and treats yes." He turned still in the dream like state and went back into the kitchen. Happily he started to hum to himself again as he prepared the biscuits. Une walked to the doorway and a glare formed on her face as she watched Quatre.
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Time passed quickly Dorothy and Relena sat in the parlor nervous in anticipation. Quatre put the silver tray with the teapot and biscuits down on the table and went back for the cups and saucers. When he got back to the parlor Lady Une was there complaining to Dorothy and Relena about everything they were doing wrong before she took a quick glance at the tray.
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"Honey, where is the honey." She yelled looking at Quatre. "You worthless boy everyone knows the Prince takes honey with his tea. Well don't dawdle go get it now." She shoved him from the room.
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Quatre hurried into the kitchen and into the pantry. He looked on the self the honey was usually on and noticed it was missing, confused he began to frantically search all the other selves. When he got on the ground to check the bottom on he noticed it behind a few other things. He kind of wondered how it got there but didn't have much time to ponder it. As he reached for it a door slamming shut startled Quatre and he hit his head on the self above. Quickly he grabbed the honey jar and got up just as the pantry door was closed and he heard the lock on the outside slide into place. Quatre moved to try the door when Une's voice spoke.
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"Sorry Quatre dear, but I don't want you to embarrass the family. You won't be needed anyway, it's not like you of all people are worthy of meeting the Prince. I'll let you out once they are gone for you to start cooking dinner. Please remain quiet, remember you don't exist unless I say so." Quatre listened to Une as she left the room.
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He leaned against the door and slide down to sit on the floor. Quatre stared at the jar of honey in his hands for a bit before the tears came. He couldn't believe he was so stupid to actually believe his step mother would allow him to join them at all, even if it was just serving the tea. Deep down he knew he had to see the Prince even if it was just once but he was stuck and Duo wasn't here to save him.
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Trowa sat in the carriage more irritated then excited. His uncle Dekim sat next to him, he didn't want to be here nor did Trowa want him to come. His father appointed Rashid to be his guard and Dekim his guardian. Since Heero was too busy now a days which he wouldn't even tell Trowa what it was he was so busy with. This seemed like a great idea at the time but now Trowa was growing tired of it quickly. He still wanted to find the blonde from the ball but wished his search company consisted of other people.
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The carriage turned and headed up the lane to the Winner manor and stopped at the main doors. Waiting in front of the door was the Lady Une herself and a few of her manors servants an older woman and a younger girl. "Here I go." Trowa said on a puff of breath. Getting out he and his Uncle approached them.
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"Good afternoon your Highness." Une said with a bow. "Please come inside we have tea ready in the parlor room." With a nod from Trowa they all moved inside. In the parlor waited Dorothy and a disappointed Relena when she noticed a certain somebody wasn't with Trowa.
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"Welcome your highness, won't you please sit next to me." Dorothy said with a smile as she pushed Relena to the floor making a spot for Trowa next to her on the love seat. "Um.." Trowa started to speak before his uncle laughed and pushed him down onto the sofa with Dorothy.
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"Don't be so shy Trowa I know they are blondes and all which you have a thing for but we do have important business to discuss." Trowa glared at his uncle.
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"They aren't the ones I meet them before..." Once again he was cut off. "Now Trowa it was a masquerade I am pretty sure you couldn't put name and faces together as well as you think you could. Also your father said to find the lad or lady the shoe fits and bring them back so now be fair and let's get on with this."
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Dekim grabbed a gold encrusted box from Rashid just as Colette came in and began to prepare everyone's tea. "Now I want you all to look at this and let me know if it looks familiar." Dekim said as he opened the box and inside laid the slipper. Colette noticing it tried not to spill the tea in shock as Une furrowed her brow in concentration it looked very familiar to her but she was not sure why.
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"You see," Dekim continued. "His highness is looking for the young lady that lost this slipper the night of the ball the one he forgot to get their name from." Trowa groaned why didn't he just scream it out to the world now it was obvious the girls would try and claim it and sure enough.
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"Oh thank goodness you found it." said Dorothy jumping up and grabbing the slipper. "They were a gift from my daddy the Baron Khushrenada I was so upset they were gone." Smiling she sat back down and hugged Trowa.
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"Not so fast can you prove it was yours like showing us the other slipper." Rashid finally put in and saved Trowa. Dorothy bit her lip before saying sadly. "No the other one was accidentally thrown away after the servants noticed one of the shoes was missing."
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"Then try it on and let's see how it fits. It should fit just right or else you wouldn't of been able to dance at the ball am I right? And the girl we are looking for danced quite a bit with Trowa." Dorothy quickly took of her shoe and tried to put the slipper on. It didn't fit the foot was far too long for the slipper to slide on. "Oh dear me I must of grown." she grunted out as she continued to try and put it on. Une quickly grabbed the shoe from her and with a slight laugh handed it to Relena.
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"Oh their father gave them both a pair of these slippers it's obvious Dorothy was a little mistaken by it but it must be my other daughter Relena's. Try it on honey show them it's yours." Relena then tried the slipper but again it didn't fit. Her foot was far too fat for the slipper to go on. With another short laugh Une grabbed Relena's foot and tried to pound it on. "I told you not to put so much salt on your eggs this morning didn't I? Don't worry it will fit her again in no time." Relena struggled to get away from her crazy mother while she whimpered in pain.
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Seeing enough of this Rashid went to grab the shoe but ended up having to wrestle it from Lady Une. Trowa was relieved it fit none of the girls so he wouldn't end up marring one of them. "Now Baroness Une is your two daughters the only ones in the house to try the shoe on?" Trowa asked.
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"Yes just these two." Une replied without any hesitation.
Trowa looked at the records he had and frowned. "What about Lord Winner's son? Whatever happened to him?" Une let out a small cry.
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"Poor boy. After his father died he couldn't cope with it. I woke one morning to find him gone I gave him time to come back but he never did, so as I was going to look for him I found him outside the stables, his neck broken. It seems he tried to run away but his horse must have spooked and he fell off it. He didn't have a very long life and it was such a tragedy it's hard to speak of in this house." Une covered her eyes with a handkerchief and pretended to cry. Colette now standing by the door frowned in disapproval.
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"I'm very sorry to hear that my Lady I didn't mean to drag up bad memories. We will take our leave now, please try and cheer up." Trowa said with an apologetic smile as he stood up.
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"I will be fine in a little bit I just need to calm down some. Dorothy will you see them to the door, Colette come here I need you." Dorothy grabbed Trowa's hand and began to lead him out while Colette shut the door and turned to Une who now sat as if nothing happened. "My lady if I may say so claiming him missing is one thing but claiming the boy dead was totally uncalled for."
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Une laughed. "Now Colette I know you raised Quatre and grown a little fond of him, why I don't really know, but trust me. I rather not claim the child of a whore my own, even if it's not by blood. Trust me, I'm doing the kingdom a favor by killing off the name of an unworthy child with noble blood." Une stood up and stared at the old lady. "Also I have come to believe you are hiding something from me which is not very wise. So my advice to you is come see me any time when you're ready to tell." with one last glare Une too left the room.
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Duo noticed the royal carriage pulling away from the main gates as Heero and he rode up to the side of the servant's quarters. Tapping Heero's shoulder his boyfriend turned around to face him. "What do you think that's all about?" Duo asked nervously.
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"Oh I guess I forgot to tell you the Prince Trowa has been searching the lands for your little blonde friend." Heero replied back as he dismounted and helped Duo down too.
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"Heero, if he was searching why didn't you just tell his highness where Quatre was at?" Duo gave Heero a quizzical look. "Hn I never even thought about it. Besides figuring out the truth by himself would do Trowa some good."
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Duo looked back at the main house excitedly. "Do you think that means Trowa just came and found Quatre and they both are going back to the castle to marry and live happily ever after? I can't wait, I got to find out." Duo took off for the main house as Heero just shrugged and mounted his horse again. Heero rode off to the castle determined to find out for himself what had happened.
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Duo ran through the side doors and began to look for Quatre. It didn't take long for him to notice he was nowhere in sight working on his evening chores. Duo's mind raced with the ideas of Quatre being with his Prince. "Colette!" he yelled out as he entered the entrance way and noticed her cleaning up. "So was it romantic when Quatre was swept off his feet by the Prince." Duo said while batting his eyelashes.
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"Duo what on earth are you talking about now." The older lady turned around shaking her head. "Is your imagination playing tricks on your mind again?"
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"No its not I saw the royal carriage leaving didn't Prince Trowa recognize Quatre and save him from this place." Colette sighed. "Now Duo you know better than to believe in silly fairy tales. Quatre wasn't even allowed to be seen, Trowa didn't notice him and he is still here."
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Looking a little disappointed Duo asked, "If he is still here then where is he? I was looking all over but couldn't find him." Colette took in a sharp breath. "She didn't let him out? Quick Duo go and unlock the pantry." She gave him a slight push in the direction.
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A little confused and worried Duo ran towards the kitchen and pulled the deadbolt on the pantry door out of its position. He swung the door opened and noticed Quatre asleep on the floor. Duo walked in and kneeled next to him. "Quatre." He shook him a bit as the boy stirred. "Hey buddy time to get up. It's almost time for supper."
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Quatre sat up and stretched. "I've been asleep for that long." He stated as he watched the jar of honey roll off his lap and onto the floor. "I forgot I was holding that." Quatre picked it up and put it back on its proper shelf. He stood there for a bit in silence. "Duo I just missed my chance again and deep down I feel like it was my last one too." He fought to hold back the tears and knew Duo would understand what he meant. There was no way he couldn't have heard about their visitor Quatre was sure the whole household would be talking about it for days.
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"You really like him don't you?" Duo asked as he watched Quatre nod. "Do not worry everything will work out, it always does." Duo laughed. "Don't give me that look I'm just saying it will get better for you one day, and your wicked family will pay for their crimes. I love you silly and I will make sure to see that it does."
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Quatre gave a half smile. "Duo don't waste your time on me it will be years before anything like that will happen. By then you and Heero are bound to marry and move on. I don't want to be the reason it all goes wrong." Duo pulled him into a hug.
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"Did anyone ever tell you that you think things over to much?" He teased as he held Quatre and allowed him to cry out his frustration in his comfort.