Heavy Lies The Crown: Chapter Five

by Starrify

And I can't fall asleep without a little help.
It takes a while to settle down my shivered bones until the panic's out.
It takes an ocean not to break.

Cagalli looked down at her legs which were swinging back and forth in her anxiety. She had refused to wear the different dresses Erica had brought to her room for her and now she was wearing a loose pair of trousers that bared her calves. She didn't bother for the colorful tunics and instead put on an orange Morgenroete jacket—everyone in the safe house was wearing one anyway.

She didn't mind looking as plain as a commoner, but the people around her probably did.

It was already her third day staying at the safe house, but Cagalli still couldn't get the people around her to like her. The children didn't approach her as easily as they could to Mayura or Kira and their parents wouldn't indulge her in a light conversation in the small parlor when she sat on a chair with obviously nothing to do to pass the time.

Cagalli wondered if there was something she was doing wrong for the people in the household—her supposed future subjects—to be avoiding her like they were. She was actually very humble, wasn't she? Not acting snobbish like some of her former governesses advised her to be?

The mirror in front of her wouldn't lie. As she sat on a stool, she stared at her reflection and thought that if it wasn't how she acted, it must have been the way she looked. Was there really anything wrong with her appearance? She was of fair height—a bit taller than the average, but she was definitely not lanky or gangly in any way. She was maybe a bit underweight and her face was a bit hollow, but she was sure she was gaining weight what with all the food she's been stuffing down her throat the past few days.

She'd justly blame it on Juri's amazing cooking and Kisaka's constant fussing over her health.

Was it her skin? She wasn't porcelain white due to her frequent exposure to the sun. She was fair—her skin tanned in a beautiful, sun-kissed way. Sure, there were freckles here and there, but didn't that make it...cuter? Her skin complemented her hair and vice versa—both golden and shining healthfully enough. Maybe it was the way her hair was too short for comfort? She'd grow it out for them if they wanted her to.

At this point, Cagalli was sure she was desperate for their acceptance.

"Cagalli, do you really need me to say it? You look perfectly fine."

Of course you'd say that, Kira, Cagalli thought dryly. You're saying that because we look alike. We're twins, for Haumea's sake!

Kira couldn't understand why his twin was busy looking at her reflection. He knew that she wasn't vain—she never was and never could be. It just wasn't her to think so highly of herself. But what was she doing now? Appreciating her own beauty? She would probably have her own share of admirers if she was exposed to the rest of the world now and—his protectiveness kicking in—he wouldn't have it.

"Cagalli, earth to Cagalli? Can you even hear me?" Kira asked, exasperated. "Cagalli, now's not the time to be vain—we still have to get back to your training. You wanted to practice on your archery skills, right? Right, Cagalli?"

Her right eye twitching in annoyance, Cagalli threw the brush on the desk at her twin. "I'm not being vain, you idiot! My muscles are aching and I got Kisaka to give me a day off, okay? So shut up before you irritate me some more!"

Kira had managed to evade at the last second, letting the brush hit the headboard of the bed he was sitting on. Horrified at the small dent it had made, he turned to the volatile princess. "You're not supposed to be breaking things, Cagalli! We don't really have the money to afford repairing everything!"

"I told you to shut up, damn it!" she retaliated, shouting. She stepped off the chair and stood in front of Kira with her arms crossed. "Why are you even here? This is my room!"

"You're just mad that I caught you eyeing yourself in the mirror!"

"No, Kira! I'm mad that you went in without permission!"

"No, Cagalli! You really just don't like being caught doing something so conceited!"

"Kira, get out!"

"Is it that time of the month or something, Cagalli?" Kira cried as he defended himself with a pillow. His sister was attempting to slap or punch him, but her hands were instead hitting the rather fluffy cushion. "Come on, I just wanted to check on my dearest younger sister!"

Cagalli stopped and replaced her hands back to her side. Growling, she said, "Get it through that shaggy brown hair of yours, Kira—I'm the older one!"

Kira, seeing that Cagalli has put down her arms, assumed that she was calmer. "See, it's not that bad? Now, since we're not going to practice, I wanted to talk about something—Cagalli, hey, let me go!"

Cagalli, grasping his wrists tightly, gave a smug grin as she reached for the bolt of her door. "Kira, I told you to get out, didn't you?"

"I just wanted to talk to my little sister!" he defended himself, trying to pull away and push his way into the room, but Cagalli wouldn't let him. "Cagalli, come on! You know we need to talk! Wait, you're a girl—why are you so strong, damn it?"

After successfully kicking him out of the room (with an actual painful kick to her brother's shin), Cagalli gave a triumphant smile. "We'll talk later when I'm not that angry anymore, Kira! Bye!"

And she promptly slammed the wooden door to his stunned face.

Kisaka, standing at the end of the corridor, heard most of the argument and now smirked at the helpless brunet. "She's not going to talk to you, is she?" he asked with a careful tone—he still couldn't help snicker as Kira walked up to him.

Kira shook his head. "I tried to make her talk to me that night I found out she was here, but it's like she's purposely shutting me out. She accepts that we're twins—perhaps with a bit of bitterness, though. I'm just worried for her, Kisaka. You understand, don't you?"

The almost thirty year old former general nodded. "She's long accepted the fact that King Uzumi did what he did, that you're her brother, and that Orb is in danger, but as of now, she's just not yet able to confront these things directly. Cagalli's unprepared for the reconquering of Orb—she might not know it, though. That's why she's here right now—we're making sure she's ready when the time comes. And when we take Orb back, she might also not be able to face her father's body or tomb or whatever remains of the King."

Kira bit his lip, not really knowing what to do with this knowledge.

"She also can't talk to you about…you know, being twins and all. She'll be ready one day. And it'll be within the week, I'm sure. You just need to give her some space, okay, Kira?" Kisaka eyed at the young man furrowing his eyebrows.

Kira looked back at the locked door and let out a sigh. "Yeah. Say, do you have some spare targets I could shoot?"

"This was a trap," Cagalli said with a click of her tongue. It was a futile attempt at hiding her disdain. "You so knew I was going to be tempted to come down and shoot things!"

Kira raised a brow, trying to put his smirk into a straight line instead. "Perhaps contrary to what you think, I don't know you that well, Princess. I mean, Kisaka just happened to have spare targets—and they were set up twenty yards away from your room's window. Who knew? You can't blame me, my dear sister. You should've just turned away."

"Yes, but—" Cagalli bit back her tongue. She knew it wasn't the best idea to lie at the moment. "Fine, you win. My arms hurt from swinging that damn sword all afternoon yesterday, but I'm still up for the challenge. Happy?"

"Me? Happy?" Kira asked with a grin and then threw his arms around the blonde. "Of course! I'm finally with my sister!"

Cagalli coughed awkwardly. She still didn't have it in her to say the same to him—though she was sure that she was very much relieved that she was finally with family, people she could trust. Kira, sensing this, retracted his arms and stepped back. His purple eyes twinkling, he said, "Hey, Cagalli. It's fine if you don't feel the same way. I'm sure you'll open up to me soon enough."

"No, no; don't get me wrong!" Cagalli shouted, reaching for his hands and pulling him near her. "Kira, I've long accepted that you're my brother, and I'm genuinely pleased about our reunion! I mean, I've had a few years to think it over. It's just that…what with all the new information I've gotten in the past days, I don't know what to make of my thoughts and my emotions. Even just finding out that Kisaka is alive and that…he knew I was out there in the forest. I'm so confused, but I think I'm slowly understanding why these things happened—are happening."

Kira looked at her with a rather odd expression; Cagalli couldn't decipher what it meant.

"Are you so sure about that?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper in the light breeze.

What's that supposed to mean? Cagalli wanted to ask, but thought better of it and instead let go of his hands. She looked up at him and mustered the most sincere face she could. "I don't know for sure, but…I know that being here at the safe house with all you guys—it's what's right for now. I can't explain it, Kira, but it's like…I'm meant to be here. If it was earlier, I wouldn't have—" Cagalli's eyes opened wide because she realized what she was just about to say.

I wouldn't have met Athrun in the same way.

"You wouldn't have?" Kira asked and looked amusedly at his sister's very startled and flustered face. "Cagalli, I thought you were taught to finish what you started or so."

"I was, but does it really look like I care for the things those snotty governesses taught me? Stand like this, walk like this, eat like this; sit on a horse like this!" Cagalli had started gesticulating at this point and Kira, ever amused, stayed silent, watching curiously. "I will ride my horse any damned way I want to!"

"Language, my dear sister," Kira reminded with a chuckle. "And also, let's not digress. Err, so—would you like me to teach you how to hold that bow?"

Cagalli had picked up a longbow and looked down at the long piece of curved wood. "Is this really how this is supposed to be? It's just as tall as me!"

"It's usually for defense at the borders. Meant for...I don't know how to explain it to you, Cagalli. There should be a lot of you, and you're behind a wall, and you are basically raining it down on your enemies. Does that make sense?"

She eyed the longbow cautiously before dragging it back into the storage room. "You'd think I'd finally get a break from training—but no, Kira decides to visit again! My arms haven't even fully recovered yet!" She got a smaller bow that was about her arm's length and decided it was of better use to her. Trudging slowly out of the shed with the bow in hand, she glared at the brunet. "This is all your fault."

"I won't be able to come here tomorrow and the day after that. I'm busy earning as much as I can for this place, you know?" Kira commented with only a hint of irritation. Not that he was irritated at Cagalli for not acknowledging his hard work, but he was only disappointed that she wasn't as eager as he was in trying to catch up with their lost twin time.

"Do you see that target, Cagalli? Yeah, the one by the tree. I want you to try to hit that," he declared with an excited grin. The blonde looked at him almost hopelessly with the face resembling that of a lost pup.

"That's so far away!"

"You can do it, I'm sure," Kira encouraged with a small smile. "Go and give it a try first then we'll work from there."

Nodding, Cagalli raised the bow to her eyelevel and fumbled with the wood and the string. Biting her lip quivering lip down, she looked at the target Kira had set up a good twenty meters away from where she was currently standing. Drawing the string back, she let out a nervous breath before releasing it. Cagalli also closed her eyes as to not see where the arrow ended up and Kira's judging eyes.

Okay, maybe I shouldn't have tried at all.

"Cagalli, you—" Kira spluttered, the disbelief in his tone evident. "You—"

"Did she—did she really do that?" another voice quipped in. Cagalli opened her eyes and turned to the direction of the voice. Kira followed suit, only a tad bit irked at the interruption.

"Ahmed?" Cagalli's voice suddenly had a…feminine quality to it, but Kira was sure that was only in his head—which irritated him greatly so. It wasn't as if Kira believed that Cagalli could return the younger boy's affections, but it was no secret that Ahmed admired her and Kira, his overprotectiveness kicking in once more, didn't like that fact at all.

With a frown, he started, "Ahmed, I thought you were supposed to be…I don't know, doing something else?"

Cagalli approached him and nudged his ribs, making him cough rather loudly. "He doesn't mean it, Ahmed. What brings you here?"

Ahmed, with a boyish grin and a blush on his face, answered, "I was inside playing with the younger children when I heard some shouting from out here. I checked it out and I…I should have known it was just you two arguing again."

"We weren't arguing, really," Cagalli chuckled. "I was just trying out some archery and I guess I really suck at it."

"Are you kidding, Cagalli? Your arrow hit the target's head!" Kira shouted excitedly, grabbing his sister and turning her to face the target. "You're amazing for someone who's never had to use a bow before! It's like, it's like you're…a natural at these things!"

"A natural, huh?" Cagalli absentmindedly mumbled as she stared at the arrow which was firmly set in the target. Was she really the one to do that? She couldn't believe that she was able to achieve something on her first try. "Perhaps it was just beginner's luck, Kira. That happens, doesn't it?"

"Try again and we'll see, okay?" He handed her another arrow and again, she aimed with her bow and shot. Like her earlier attempt, the bow hit the target—except this time it ended up on the torso part.

"Princess, you're amazing!" Ahmed burst out, grabbing a hold of the blonde princess's hands. "Amazing, amazing! I can't even manage to get a direct shot like that! Princess Cagalli, you are really amazing, have I told you that? To even be in your presence is such an honor, Your Highness, but I'm standing here just a few inches away from you! I really can't—"

"Ahmed, shut up and let go of my sister before I punch you."

Kira rubbed his sore arm and took a seat across his sister. Just a minute ago, he tried to offer her a seat properly—the way a gentleman should—but instead all he received was a punch and a degrading speech about how sexist and inconsiderate he was.

He sighed, thinking that if she was anything like Lacus, he would have gotten a polite 'thank you' and a soft kiss to his cheek.

But she wasn't Lacus—she was Cagalli, and he had to remind himself again and again that she was different and that she was his sister and that he would love her unconditionally. It would be difficult for them both, he was sure, but he thought that they were having a good start. He believed that they could make it through whatever ordeal together and that he could make their weird relationship work.

And he believed in her, definitely. He believed in her strength and faith and admired her greatly for the courage she's shown in the past years when she was alone. He didn't think he could have handled isolation and independence just like that.

"Kira, please stop…smiling at me. It's embarrassing."

Kira looked up to meet the eyes of his sister which were taking up a more orange tone from the candles lighting the room. There was something off from seeing them in such a color, but he chose to shrug it off and laughed in response.

"I've missed out on years embarrassing you. Do you remember that one time at the orphanage when you tripped and brought Sai down with you? His head went under your skirt and—"

"Kira, that's a story not for dinner conversation!" Cagalli cried out, almost stabbing the poor green vegetable on her plate. The high frequency, caused by the scratching of metal against ceramic, made the other adults around the dining table look at the two teenagers. Cagalli, in turn, blushed and hung her head down—an action she knew was not befitting for someone of her supposed stature, but still, she couldn't help feel self-conscious under the scrutiny of the people she still couldn't get to like her.

"I guess you're right," Kira merely chuckled, playing with the small serving of broccoli on his own plate. Cagalli stared at him queerly before nodding in acknowledgment of his answer and then returning back to her food.

It was a slice of steak—which she was sure she was the only one who had that kind of food on her plate—sided with herbed potatoes and some other vegetables. It was a very filling meal and obviously special, but she didn't want that kind of treatment. She didn't know how to tell it to Kisaka or Kira or Erica (who was also sneaking in some nice things in her room) without sounding rude in any way.

When Cagalli found Kisaka eyeing her with a look reminiscent of the one her father used to make when she refused to eat, she smiled and took the knife to her right and cut a small portion and put the piece in her mouth as daintily as she could with her fork. When she saw that he was satisfied with her eating, she put the knife back on the table and frowned.

Here in front of her were some of the people who kept fussing over her but didn't do anything to reach out to her or ask her if she's actually okay. Even Mayura kept a certain distance from her. It was her third night staying over at the safe house, and she still couldn't understand why they weren't approaching her at all.

"So." Kisaka's low voice came to their ears. "How was everyone's day?"

Erica put her own spoon down and snickered. Cagalli looked at her confusedly, but the others seemed to know why the woman was laughing and went along with it.

"Oh, Kisaka, everyone here knows there's only one person whose day you'd want to know of. Given the banal state of our lives here in the forest and all, I think there's only Cagalli here who would have an interesting day, don't you all agree?"

"Yes, Cagalli, why don't you tell us how your day went?" Kira supported, grinning. "I'm sure it today was fun for you!"

Cagalli grumbled and slid down her chair a bit in an attempt to reach Kira's shin with her foot. Luckily, Kira saw what she was trying to do and moved his chair further, smiling at his sister's futile attempt to get back at him. Cagalli, growling, sat upright again and tried to smile cheerfully when she realized that all eyes were on her.

"Well," she started, directing her attention to Kisaka instead of everyone else. "Today, I tried on the bow and arrow for the first time. I got both of my targets and I think that was quite a feat."

"Quite? Cagalli, you're really great. Even your swordsmanship is at an entirely different level! I mean, considering you're a girl and all—"

"Excuse me? So what you mean to say, Sir Kira Yamato, is that a lady isn't capable of excelling in such a sport? Or perhaps it's not just that, perhaps you're extending it to the general abilities of a woman? That a woman can't match up to the skills of a man in whatever task she chooses to undergo? Does it mean that some people are simply inferior because of the circumstances of their birth, gender-wise? Is that what you mean to say, Kira? Hm, Kira? Is that it?"

"No, Cagalli! Not at all, it's just that—"

"That suddenly it's a fault for being born different from you? My apologies if I was born not a man, Kira, but I do get your point. I've never known you to be such a bigot—"

"Because I'm not, Cagalli! Geez, would you just relax and not be so serious about these things—"

Cagalli's eye twitched and for a moment, she considered throwing the knife at her very flustered brother, but despite Kira's earlier praise, she still wasn't so sure of her aim and decided it was too risqué for her to even try. So she sat still in her chair and decided that the knowledge that she could easily beat him in a rather intellectual spat.

"I think that's enough, you two," Murrue commented with a soft smile. "While I do enjoy seeing you two, err, get along well, if that's how it is, I'd prefer to end the night on a lighter note."

"Nah, don't listen to her, kids. Go on, it's entertaining," Mu encouraged with a wink of his right eye, earning him a resounding slap on his arm from his fiancée. "Or not. Well, it was nice while it was lasted."

Cagalli nodded. "Indeed. Congratulations, Kira. I've found a competent verbal sparring partner in you!"

"As much as I love you and indulging you, I'd rather not go through that again, Cagalli," Kira admitted, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "You're terrifying with words."

"If you don't mind me asking, Your Highness," Erica interrupted, raising her glass up to her lips to take a sip before continuing. "But where and when exactly did you learn such diplomatic speaking? It's admirable and inspiring, rest assured, but my curiosity of its origin isn't as satiable as I'd like it to be."

"I'd like to think that I've been speaking like this since I was younger, when my governesses taught me how to use my words properly, but I guess it's more from reading," Cagalli answered after a minute of thinking. "I had books back in the forest—now don't ask me where I got them; for the sake of my explanation, just believe that I do—which I read and read and read every day because I literally had nothing better to do."

"Ah." Erica suddenly sounded guilty that she asked such a question. "I'm sorry, Your Highness—"

"It's quite alright, Erica. As you said, it's your curiosity. There's nothing to do but sate it, is there?" Cagalli responded, taking another slice off her steak and chewing it in her mouth.

"So." Again, Kisaka's awkward voice filled the room. "What else happened today?"

"What was eventful today? Today? Ah, Kira punched poor Ahmed."

"Only because he was hitting on you, damn it!"

Cagalli didn't mind the bead of sweat rolling down the side of her face, but when her nose started to itch and she couldn't get her hand free from the ribbon tied around her wrist, she shook her head and sniffed in an attempt to quell the irritation—causing the books placed on top of her head to fall down in front of her and land on her lap.

Aggravated, she ranted, "You know, I thought that I would be free from social graces and the like when I was in the forest, but no! Apparently, I have to act like a proper lady now! Erica, please, please, please tell me why I have to do this again."

With a feminine laugh, the older woman walked toward the young monarch-to-be and sat on the seat next to her. Smiling, she said, "I'm not quite sure of the exact reason, Cagalli, but Kisaka's the one who asked me to be your acting governess for the duration of your stay here. I don't think you need it, but there are things you could be…better versed on."

"Like?" Cagalli asked, almost dumbfounded. "I don't understand, really—"

"And we'll get to those later on, I assure you, Cagalli," Erica continued with an awkward laugh. "But for now, we'll just be refining your manners, etiquette, and etcetera. But I don't think you need it, really. Your conduct's impeccable as is."

"I think so, too!" When Cagalli realized what she had just said, she cringed and tried to amend it by saying, "I mean I know when to act decent and how to act that way. Manna, my caretaker back in Orb, always reminded me to be proper and such that I don't know how to…not be that way."

"I know what you mean," Erica replied understandingly. "It's ingrained in you…like you know nothing else. It's what I do with horses, too. I always want to take care of them—isn't that funny?"

"Speaking of horses, how's Kusanagi doing?"

"Fine, fine. He's very worn out, but not really. He's almost ten years old, isn't he?"

"I don't really know."

"In any case," Erica said excitedly. "He's eating well and gets along with the other horses in the stable. We only have ten other horses here which the men sometimes use to go around the forest to get wood and other things."

"That's nice," Cagalli commented. "Lucky him."

"I've been noticing that you two have been looking healthier. That's good, isn't it? Except…you don't get along so well with the other people here. Would you like me to explain?"

Cagalli looked taken aback. So someone has noticed. "If you don't mind," she answered, looking down shyly at her lap. She fumbled with the loose end of the red ribbon binding her as she awaited an explanation from the older woman.

"I notice you've been looking around—and since Kira wasn't here for the last three days, your loneliness is slightly more prominent. Honestly, I'm not intimidated by a little girl like you—Cagalli, I'll tell you this once: I know the truth around here, so you can trust me, okay? Do you?"

Cagalli looked up to meet the blue eyes of Erica before nodding solemnly.

"That's good. I trust you, too." Erica smiled before continuing, "As I said, I'm not intimidated by you, but the others are. The others from Orb accept the fact that you're their rightful queen, but you know, it's different from being face to face with you or having to interact with you every day. Do you understand?"

"So it doesn't have to do with how I look or anything?"

Erica laughed again. "Of course not! You're very beautiful—Ahmed, maybe, steers clear of you because of that."

Cagalli blushed and tried to hide her face. She only thought of Athrun's maybe feelings for her and how she wanted to meet him again.

Erica seemed to notice and asked warily, "Is Ahmed not good enough for our dear queen? Oh, of course, you must be engaged to someone of royal blood, right? So, was there anyone you used to fancy from the noble families of Orb?"

Cagalli shook her head vehemently in a manner not befitting for her, but still, she couldn't agree to such a notion when there was only Athrun in her heart—or so she thought. She was no expert with feelings, having to deal with her own mixed ones alone for years. "There's this guy I like…I met him in the forest. He saved me and I led him back to Plants. That was the day before Kisaka found me."

"Ah," Erica replied almost tactlessly. "A boy! Which leads us to another lesson I have to teach you, Your Highness: suitors. Did you know that when I was your age, I was already married?"

"But I'm so young!" Cagalli said, clutching her fists in surprise—there were only a few things she could do, after all. "Married at seventeen—no, I think that's just right."

"It is. Some even marry at fourteen. My husband…he's in Orb, still—hopefully. My son, Ryuta—"

"Ryuta's your son?" Cagalli thought of the younger boy she saw around, playing with the other young children in the household. Of course, she should have seen the resemblance!

"Yes, and he's the thing that matters most to me," Erica said with a motherly smile gracing her young face. "And you, Cagalli, what matters most to you?"

After a minute of wistful thinking, Cagalli was about to open her mouth to respond, but there was a rapping at the door of Erica's room. They both turned their heads to find Kisaka's head peaking in.

"Is it a bad time?"

"You say it as if there's no time for us here in the safe house, Kisaka."

"Ah, right." Kisaka coughed and then said, "Well, I got a letter. They'll be arriving in an hour. Is that enough time to get her ready?"

"Get who ready?" Cagalli asked, standing from her chair. Her hands fell limply in front of her and she frowned.Someone should really untie me soon, she thought to herself.

"Who else, Cagalli?" Kisaka teased with a low grunt for a laugh. "So, Erica, could you?"

"If I can prepare a horse for a pageant, I think I could do the same for an adolescent girl, don't you think?"

"But I'm not a horse—" Cagalli tried to argue, but she was already being pushed down the corridor to the bathroom with a towel and a weird bottle of…something.

"There's still water in there. Use that on your hair and shout when you're done!" Erica said excitedly before slamming the wooden door to her face and leaving Cagalli in the only tiled room in the cottage with a large fluffy cloth and a small jar of what she assumed to be hair product.

"Erica!" she called out.

"Yes?" The eccentric brunette's head popped out from behind the door. "Princess, I told you to call me when you're finished, not when…oh."

"Yeah, would you mind untying my hands?"

Cagalli sat on one of the settees in the spacious parlor. Beside her was Erica, rubbing her back when the woman probably sensed the poor princess's nerves. Cagalli tried to shake her feet, but the heels of her shoe were firmly stamped on the ground, limiting her movements. She then thought of raising her hands, but thought better—she was tied, after all, because she wouldn't sit still in her chair earlier.

She was nervous, obviously. She was to have an audience with two important people, Kisaka told her, and she didn't know what exactly to do. Converse? Perhaps, but what knowledge would she be able to share? That there were some poisonous berries in the forest?

"It'll be fine, you know," Erica encouraged. "They're a nice couple. They've helped us a lot, you know. Has Kisaka mentioned this to you?"

"I don't know. Is he the one who, um, personally knows the king?"

Erica nodded. "Now, where are they? They should be here any second now."

Just on cue, there was a knock on the door and Juri rushed to open it. Cagalli struggled to stand with her heels and Erica assisted her with an amused smile. The fabric of Cagalli's light green dress swayed beneath her, causing her to blush at the feeling of cold air reaching her legs.

"Don't be too shy, Cagalli. You're the heir to Orb and what kind of impression would you make if they just saw how deflated your ego is? Come on, you've already got the posture and manners. Just charm them," Erica whispered to her before letting her arm go to greet the guest before her.

The door opened and Kisaka stepped in and handed the lamp he used to Juri, who took it and went away to store it somewhere. After Kisaka went in, a tanned man with spikey brown hair entered with a blue-haired pale woman hanging on his arm. The three were laughing, as though one had made a joke before they entered the house.

Erica smiled and walked up to the three. She hugged the man and then kissed the cheek of the woman—showing how close she really was to the two. "Andrew, Aisha, it's nice to see you two again!"

"The same goes to you, Erica," the man—Andrew—replied with a slightly arrogant-looking grin. "How has things been around here?"

"The same. Kira was here the other day. He was supposed to come today, too, but he's been held up at the palace by…I'm not quite sure, actually. Whatever duties he has to attend to there."

"That kid's really hardworking," he chuckled. "But somehow he doesn't like me."

"You know how bashful he is. He's just being bashful about causing that scar on your eye in one of your mock duels," Erica chirped back, laughing along.

"Oh, you mean this?" He pointed to the welt above his right cheek. "Nah, Aisha says I look even more handsome with it!" He then turned to face his wife, but it seemed that she already unhooked her arm and went ahead to the parlor.

"Aisha!" he called out, and then sighed. "She was really excited to meet her, you know?"

Kisaka locked the door behind him and laughed heartily. "Everyone is. Except maybe Erica here who had no clue who she was when she first saw the princess."

"Well, excuse me for not recognizing royalty dressed so inappropriately!"

Meanwhile, in the parlor, Cagalli stood still as the woman—Aisha—scrutinized her and her outfit, muttering things to herself.

"How discourteous of me!" she suddenly called out and then did a curtsy in front of the immobile blonde. "Your Majesty, I am graced with your presence, and how you've grown! I remember you were so small and, and—how do I say this without sounding too rude, Your Highness? Never mind that thought—you're so beautiful! Such a lady, you are! I've met the Queen myself when I was a little girl and you really look like her—"

"Aisha!" Andrew scolded, a frown on his face. "Don't speak of those things to Her Highness—"

"No, it's quite alright." Cagalli finally mustered the courage to speak and move. She took a step forward and put her hand on the shoulder of the blue-haired lady. "Miss Aisha, Mother, you say?"

"She was the kindest and loveliest person anyone could have the honor of meeting. I'm sure you'll grow to be just as inspiring as her," Aisha finished with a smile. She looked back at Cagalli, her midnight blue eyes twinkling with unadulterated delight. "I remember seeing you when you were eleven. I don't think you would remember me, but I was the one to design what was supposed to be your thirteenth birthday gown."

"How could you? I don't recall you being one of the official tailors—"

"My father was one. I was apprenticing under him at a young age. I've always been interested in textile works," Aisha admitted with a shrug. Andrew walked slowly to his wife and wrapped his arm around her waist before smiling along with her. "Since Kisaka and the others rescued me from Orb, I wasn't really able to finish my years. Maybe I'll get a chance to show off a masterpiece soon. What do you say, Cagalli? When all of this drama's over, would you like the honor of showcasing my masterpiece to the world?"

"I think it's the opposite, dear," Andrew answered for the confused blonde. "I think it's you who should be honored to have someone like her—if ever—to wear the piece that would prove your brilliance."

"Why, forgive me then, Your Highness," Aisha said, curtsying and lowering her head once more.

Kisaka and Erica stood silently at the back, and Cagalli looked at them accusingly—as though they knew that she wouldn't know how to handle Aisha's eccentricity. It didn't matter; Cagalli rather enjoyed Aisha's stories and she'd make the most of it. Defiantly, she held her chin up and displayed a ferocity she hadn't known she could pull off simply by slightly parting her lips and narrowing her golden eyes at a person.

"It would be my pleasure, Aisha," she said. "I'm assuming you both came from the heart of Aprilius—ten miles or so away? You came for dinner, didn't you both? We should all settle ourselves in the dining room now."

"You're right, Kisaka," Andrew whispered to the bulky former general. "She's quite the charmer."

"I just fear she'll learn how to use it to her advantage soon," he replied with a knowing smirk.

"How's Lagowe?" Erica asked as they seated themselves in the wooden chairs. "He's recovered from his sprain last month, hasn't he?"

"And here we thought Erica would actually ask us about how we were," Andrew commented, laughing as Asagi came in and put the meal—a roasted chicken—in front of their plates. "This looks good. As always, Asagi, I'll commend you for your cooking."

Cagalli watched from the corner of her eye as the blonde nodded and blushed, then scurried back into the kitchen. She laughed in inwardly, amused at her friend's humility. Cagalli smiled and looked at the adults surrounding her, as if waiting for her signal to start the meal.

"Please go ahead and eat," she said politely. "I'm waiting for my appetite to settle."

Not questioning her, the others went ahead and dug into their plates.

"Don't mind her as much. She was very nervous earlier," Kisaka said, biting off a piece of the chicken leg he took. "She's a lot to learn before she can handle people accordingly."

The rest of the meal continued in casual conversation, with Cagalli occasionally butting in to give her own regards to the more serious topics they covered—including the more recent news of Plant's prince disappearing a week ago.

"According to the official report, a bandit ambushed their carriage on their way back to Aprilius from Copernicus City. I heard he stole something precious—the late Queen Lenore's ring which he was supposed to give to Lady Lacus Clyne, his fiancée. Of course, Prince Athrun had no choice but to go after the scum. He must have been unaware of the value of the item, but to steal the Queen's ring! Only someone so low would dare try committing such a crime," Andrew finished with a stab to his piece of chicken breast.

Cagalli started to choke somewhere in the middle of Andrew's dramatic monologue and immediately took the glass next to her to swallow the food stuck in her throat. When Andrew and Kisaka stood up and took a step to her, she put her hand up, signaling she was fine.

"The chicken's just really good!" she declared. "I tried to swallow more than a spoonful at once—see where that got me, haha!"

Aisha laughed and then when she had calmed herself, whispered loud enough for the people around the table to hear, "Queen Cagalli—it really fits you, even if you're so young. Queen Cagalli, the liberator of Orb citizens—the Goddess of Victory."

"I remember being haunted by that title back in Orb. It's quite ironic since I didn't really bring back any victory. I was just this…trinket, some sort of good luck charm sent by Haumea." Cagalli tried to recall the stories Manna and some of the other palace maids in the castle would tell her before she went to sleep—this one was the most common, how her so-called birth had brought home victory while her father was out fighting with or commanding the troops (it really depended on who was telling the story) in Ame-no-Mihashira. For her, it was weird and awkward, but perhaps the other children enjoyed the tale.

Still, Cagalli had to wonder, why she would be blessed with such a title if her so-called birth caused the death of Orb's beloved Queen Via. She knew the truth—at least parts of it from the letter her father had given her before he had died. She and Kira were twins—who were their parents, she didn't know, but she had a feeling it just wasn't King Uzumi and Queen Via.

"But you have to admit, though, it's quite a name." Andrew raised his mug which was filled of coffee he had prepared and then stood from his seat. "I propose a toast to my awesome coffee and to Cagalli."

Erica, Aisha, and Kisaka raised their own glasses and put it back down. Out of courteousness, Cagalli also put up hers and smiled meekly back.

"Long live the queen."

Cagalli sat primly on the stool in front of her mirror. A week has passed and now she's definitely noticed the changes in her.

For one, Erica was right—she did look healthier. She was still thin, but thanks to the scrumptious meals (and the generous servings she received); she wasn't as bony as she was before. Her hair was still wild, but at least now it was tamed down a bit. And she was smiling more often—her cheeks wouldn't feel so strained if she wasn't.

And after last night's dinner, Cagalli realized how important it was that she starts acting her role.

She continued to look at the mirror and couldn't help but study how different she looked wearing a lace blouse and a really puffy skirt. The embroidery was exquisite and reminiscent of the gowns she remembered wearing when she was younger. And the gloves she had on were made of a fine silk and slightly tickled her arms. She smiled, slipping them off.

How did Aisha know this would fit me?

There was a knock on the door and the sound interrupted her musing. Come in—she didn't know if she just thought that or if she was actually able to say it out loud. Either way, the door opened and just from the scent, she could tell who it was.

"Kira." Somehow, her smile turned into a frown. "What took you?"

"I was stuck at work, Cagalli," the brown-haired teen tried to reason, moving into the room to sit on the bed. Somehow, he felt a sense of nostalgia as they were in the same positions they were in just a few days ago. Yet, he could feel a different aura from his sister—as though his leave brought a change in her. "I'm usually quite busy, but there was a sudden influx of reports that needed to be signed by His Excellency of Plant and filed, so I couldn't just leave—"

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Kira, but what exactly do you do?"

"I'm an aide at the castle," Kira said. "I do secretarial things, but I'm a trained soldier as well. Why?"

"Of course, soldiers live such busy lives," Cagalli muttered absentmindedly, only really thinking of Athrun. Does that mean Kira knew him? Or perhaps even interacted with him on a daily basis? She wanted to ask if he knew how the prince was doing, but she thought it would cause suspicion and went with a more general question instead. "How are the affairs of Plant? All is well in their kingdom, I hope."

"Fine, yes. King Patrick's an excellent ruler," Kira answered, doubtful. He could only see his sister's back and when he saw how stiff her posture was, thought that he could ease her by massaging her shoulders, but when he reached for her, she immediately flinched and Kira retracted his arm. "Cagalli, what's gotten into you? Have you been alright?"

Cagalli bit her lip. "Yes, I've been well."

"I'm sorry I didn't come back earlier. I'm usually busy back in the castle anyway. I forgot to consider that you might be waiting for me here—"

"I said it's okay, Kira." Cagalli didn't know why she was acting so coldly to him. "I think…I think I'm ready to talk to you now. About everything, maybe."

"Are you sure?" Kira asked; Cagalli nodded.

"After the coup five years ago...I'll start there. Kisaka tried to get me away, to safety in Plant, but he died—or so I thought, and I didn't want to go to Plant, so I stayed in the forest. You couldn't blame me for choosing that, could you? I actually wanted to go to Plant after that, but I didn't know what I would do, so. So, there. For five years, I lived alone.

"Now, the letter—Father left me a letter and it was in the bag Kisaka prepared for me. I couldn't understand anything at first. Or maybe I did, but I was too shocked to get it through properly. I was too young back then. What did he write in that letter? Not much, really. It was very rushed. Just told me to be strong and to never forget Orb and him. That I should find you so that I'd never be alone because if I was with you, I'd be with my brother.

"Imagine how that tortured me so during the five years I was by myself, Kira. Knowing that my father died and…thinking that I could've lost you, too. I just felt so…alone."

"You don't have to be alone anymore, Cagalli. Not ever again, I promise." Kira bit his lip down and tried to sniff back whatever was accumulating in his nose. He was not going to cry now, of all possible times, but he felt so much emotion when it came to his sister, and he couldn't simply brush those familial feelings off. "Damn it, Cagalli, I promised to never cry again, but you're making me cry and—"

Cagalli stifled a giggle. "I've always known you to be such a crybaby, Kira. You didn't change at all."

"It's nice to feel you back, Cagalli," Kira stated with a breath of relief and a tear rolling down his cheek. "Damn, this is the last time you'll see me like this, Cagalli—"

Kira's words were cut off when Cagalli turned around from her chair and threw herself at Kira, pushing them both on the bed. Kira was surprised, naturally, but he soon returned his sister's embrace and ran circles on her back to calm her down from her sobbing and hiccups.

After a few minutes, Cagalli finally lifted her head from Kira's chest and pushed herself to his side, grabbing his hand and putting it on her cheek before continuing, "You know, Kira, I don't recognize you. Not really. You're so grown up and I feel like I missed out on so much."

"You could speak for yourself, Cagalli. You're so beautiful now," Kira muttered with a smile to his sister. "That's not to say that the princess wasn't pretty back then. I wish I had grown up with you."

"You grew up in Plant then, I assume?"

"I was on my way back to Orb for our birthday, but then we saw people running away. They warned us to not cross the border because it wasn't safe. I went back to Copernicus and I met with my best friend, and I told him what I saw. His father wrote him a letter telling him that Orb was taken over, so we went back to Plants together.

"Not much has happened to me since then. Kisaka found me while I was doing something in Maius City. He was looking for you there, and I helped him in the rest of the cities—but you were nowhere. We were both so scared, Cagalli. But…somehow, he knew where you were and that you were safe. He said he did that and that you'd find your way back when the time was right—"

"Do I look like a damned dog to him?" Cagalli scoffed, squeezing Kira's fingers. "So this means me being here is…it's like the work of the fates?"

"Ruling Orb is your destiny. I personally don't believe in those things, but…I guess it's inevitable that you'll take on the throne. I don't know how you'll win, but know that we'll be here and we'll fight for you. Like your own personal army."

"I thought Kisaka was enough when I was younger. Father thought so, too, since he was the only one in charge of protecting me."

"Well, back in Orb, you didn't really have to worry about anything, did you? The people adored you. That's why you were allowed to roam around the village—because you needn't worry about all those bad things," Kira said with a light chuckle. "Your life was so perfect back then, wasn't it?"

"And when I had to learn about those bad things by myself, Kira? What's exactly is blissful about ignorance?" Cagalli turned her head to look at her twin. "Doesn't it make it all the more difficult when you learn of the truth?"

"I guess you're right," Kira replied uneasily, scratching his head with his free hand. "Don't be so negative now, Cagalli. I'm trying to be happy while I'm with you, geez."

"I think I understand you better now, Kira. It's like…things make sense when I'm with you. No matter how you put your ideas into words, I'd find a way to figure out what it means," Cagalli commented and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply before exhaling and sitting up, dragging along Kira with her. "You don't know how thankful I am for that."

"I think…I think I understand you better now, too, Cagalli," Kira said, frowning at the realization. "And I think I know why you were looking at the mirror. I haven't seen much, but I don't know. I think it's because...you look like her. That's it, isn't it? You look so much like her."

"Like who?"

"Queen Via."

End of Chapter Five

Song of the Chapter: Terrible Love by The National

V

V

V