|Chapter Eight|

Heero had dealt with the news involving his friends with Wufei to back up his story as planned. Feeling pity for their friend, Heero decided to end the trip early and head back to his apartment. The news hadn't been a good friend to him over the past few weeks after seeing the engagement announced to Milliardo Peacecraft as well as gazing at her beautiful face in photos. He could see the fake smile she put on for the press while he ignored the phone calls from his friends trying to elaborate on the situation of how his wife went from him to suddenly marrying into the Sanq Kingdom. Finally accepting an invitation to Quatre's, Heero knew it was time to let the cat out of the bag. Sitting in the parlor had been silent under the watchful eyes of his old comrades until Wufei let out a sigh.

"Would you care to explain?" he asked impatiently only for Quatre to cast a glare in his direction.

"I apologize for the brute force Heero, but it would ease the confusion if we heard it from you," tried Quatre, watching Heero nod.

"It was true, we met in Vegas but we never knew each other at the time," answered Heero. "I was searching for some 'lucky lady' to play the role of my wife to impress you all for our reunion. I caught her drunk and was able to swindle my way into getting her to agree to the role."

"It didn't look like an act," said Duo, managing a small grin but it quickly disappeared when Wufei gave him a punch in the shoulder.

"No, in the end it didn't feel like an act anymore," answered Heero honestly, finding a bit of relief when he was able to admit it.

"Where does Trowa come in?" asked Wufei.

"During our brunch, I noticed their eye contact and knew they must had known each other from somewhere before. Makoto believed I was asleep and snuck out that night to meet Trowa where I found out the truth. She wasn't just a business woman from Crystal Tokyo as her file suggests, but instead one of the members of the royal court to Crystal Tokyo," replied Heero, feeling a tinge of pain. "An agreement was made between the Sanq King and Crystal Tokyo before we had met for an engagement to Milliardo. Makoto had decided to go along with the role for a last chance at fun and adventure before resorting to married life."

"Did you tell her you loved her and she still left?" asked Duo, bracing for another punch to the arm. Heero felt a smirk push to his lips as he remembered their last night in the parlor.

"I'm sure no matter how much I told her, she would have needed to leave. An agreement of great importance with the Sanq Kingdom could not be dissolved so easily. It was her duty and would put her reputation on the line. Trowa and her devised a plan to make the separation bitter so I wouldn't go looking for her, or so Trowa thought. They never planned for me to stumble on the information of her true status," said Heero. He still was in disbelief of her status, but felt triumphant to have found out.

"Then what happened when you confronted her that night?" asked Wufei, remembering that he was instructed to give them privacy in that room for a bit while Trowa packed his things to leave.

"I saw the real her…and she apologized," finished Heero, knowing he wished to speak no more on the matter as Wufei wrinkled his brow for a moment. His friends seemed to be understanding but Heero felt better to get it off his chest. It had been a month since he watched the news after their announced engagement that a part of him wished to know how she was doing. Had she forgotten him? They did their best to cheer him up and Heero appreciated the gesture.

Milliardo noticed a new light to Makoto as they changed to another colony, settling in nicely that morning with plans for a dinner party and opera that evening. He was glad to see how well she fit in with the citizens and how excited she looked listening to him explain the mechanics of the structures. He found a slight weight loss in her figure, wondering if the traveling was beginning to get too much for her and all the events they attended. Sticking carefully next to his side, Milliardo felt something budding between them as she by accident brush his hand with hers. The opera had proven entertaining while they sat in a private booth gazing down. It was one he had seen before, and so Milliardo spent the evening whispering the translations into her ear softly.

The emotion jolted through her as she watched the tragic love story unfold to his narrative. His warm, husky voice sent shivers through her while the scenes flickered memories. Ignoring the story, Makoto let her fingers find a way to his warm hand and was surprised at the accepted of affection. Milliardo was glad to have made it in time for this opera, finding the experience more enjoyable than watching it alone the first time. A smile crept to his lips at the ending as Makoto gave his hand a soft squeeze before producing a smile. Feeling her so close when she turned to him, Milliardo saw a softness to her eyes as she began to lean in. Surprised at her advances, Milliardo grinned at the courage as he moved to meet her until a voice interrupted.

"How did you enjoy your box, lovebirds?" boomed a voice with a hearty laugh. Milliardo pulled back, inwardly frowning, to gaze at one of the counts entering unannounced while he caught a glance from an irritated Trowa straightening his suit as if pushed out of the way.

"It was very lovely," commented Makoto, giving Milliardo's hand a slight squeeze before moving to her feet. "If I remember correctly, wasn't it you who wrote that magnificent master piece?"

The count bowed, his bushy black brows raised in surprise before his beard moved with his lips into a grin.

"I am surprised you were able to know who I am without an introduction," replied the count, his dark brown eyes flickering for a moment. Milliardo was surprised as well, never having met the writer and producer of the opera before.

"Sitting next to Ms. Minako Aino was a dead giveaway," answered Makoto. As soon as her name was spoken, Minako came through the curtains with a large grin.

"It took me some time to 'conveniently' happen to be on the same colony," said Minako, closing the distance to give Makoto a warm hug.

"Please, join us for a nightcap," offered the count, gazing to Milliardo for acceptance to the invitation.

"I apologize but this evening we are unavailable," replied Milliardo, finding an agreeing glance from Makoto for his decision. Minako kept her smile as she looked to Trowa as some sort of planner.

"Is the schedule open for tomorrow for brunch?" asked Minako, watching Trowa look over to Milliardo for approval for opening the schedule. At the consent, he checked to see it was open but would push back a few of their plans for other days.

"Tomorrow it is," said the count, joyfully as Minako encircled her arm around his.

"I will see you tomorrow Mako, and let's make plans for shopping again," replied Minako before giving a wave as they left. Trowa knew he had to be more careful since Milliardo did not like unexpected guests that were as…animated…as the prior two had shown to be. Makoto gave Milliardo a small sympathetic smile before taking his offered arm to leave. Trowa sat up front with the driver as if giving Makoto a hint when they entered the car. Touching Milliardo's hand affectionately once more, Makoto saw his attention cast in her direction as a smile came.

"Thank you for the narration," started Makoto, letting her shoulder lean against his.

"Was the opera as enjoyable as you expected?" asked Milliardo, trying to make conversation to stop his mind from their thoughts.

"I found you more enjoyable," answered Makoto without pausing, watching a grin move to Milliardo's mouth at her flirtation tactics. This was a side he never thought he could see so soon but he wanted to get straight to the point. Was there something she wanted?

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Makoto didn't think that Milliardo would be so straight forward and wondered if it would work. Crossing her legs and slightly turning her position away from him, Makoto put on a slight pout.

"Only if it is working, but I see I failed terribly," replied Makoto, turning to look out the window. A shiver pushed through her when she felt his fingers barely skim over the exposed flesh of her knee. Facing him, Makoto saw the smokiness cloud his eyes as he stared in a new light. Milliardo never thought a princess would use such tactics, especially during an engagement. It was surprising, but he liked it.

"It's tantalizing," whispered Milliardo, his voice becoming a rich, velvet husk. Makoto changed her position, sparked by the possibilities as she reached up to stroke his cheek and trailed her fingers down his throat. Trapped in his gaze, Makoto felt him shift to close the distance as she was greeted by a soft kiss that began to turn hotter. His moved up the skirt of her dress, caress her thigh as a wave of pleasure pushed through her. Suppressing a moan, Makoto managed to wrangle back just in time for the vehicle to stop at their location. "Next time, I might not be able to stop."

Makoto felt it was a warning as they exited the car toward their rooms. Trowa somehow managed to swindle his way between the two in the elevator as he gave a glance to the blushing Makoto.

"Are you feeling well? You look a bit flustered," commented Trowa only for Milliardo to let out a chuckle as Makoto gave a nervous smile.

"I am well, thank you for the concern," replied Makoto. Trowa lead the two to their suite as the three made their way to the living room where Milliardo made drinks and Trowa was able to relax for once. Sensing the lingering eyes, Trowa excused himself to retire early as he left the two in silence. Makoto was unsure how to approach the situation but thought it would take more time to trap his smoldering eyes roaming her face patiently. Taking the empty glasses into the kitchen, Makoto started to turn the water off until a hand stopped her. Makoto rinsed his glass as she felt his presence close behind her until she was locked in against the sink with an arm on either side.

"I will escort you to your room," rumbled his chest behind her. Makoto nodded and followed Milliardo down the opposite hall from where Trowa's room was located. Pausing before her door, Makoto turned to Milliardo with a smile as she leaned against door frame under his watchful gaze.

"I suppose you are expecting a good-night kiss at the end of our date," joked Makoto, watching the smirk spread rapidly as Milliardo leaned in. Remembering his words, Makoto wrapped an arm around his shoulder as her fingers dug into his hair where she heard a groan. Backing her into the room, Milliardo used his foot to shut the door behind him and keep his promise.