a/n: Just so you all know, I write up the glossaries after I write a few chapters at once, so some terms may not make an appearance in the chapter. Hope that is alright with you all! Thank you for your support :)
Previously in Silk Road
Heero noticed, but he didn't give her away.
He raised an eyebrow, which she caught on to immediately. She felt her body back away from him. He shook his head at her, as if to reassure her that he wouldn't say anything to the others.
How strange. Had she misread him?
Chapter 3
Lucretia sat silent, her breathing slow and intentional. The sleeping princess lay peacefully next to her. Their hands still tied together at the wrist, bodies facing each other.
Even if she got hold of a weapon, it would have been impossible to wield it with Relena so close. And an escape on foot would likely get them nowhere. The Chinese bandit had seen to it that she could only see the forest floor as they traveled earlier.
Still, an escape was an escape. She'd have to come up with a plan for them to leave during the day, while everyone was awake. It was too risky at night. Perhaps the brothel wouldn't be a bad stop. If they untied them there, Lucretia and Relena could make a break for it.
Or perhaps the brothel would take pity on them if she explained the situation, and they'd simply let them go.
No, if they were sinister enough to accept women from bandits, they couldn't be trusted.
Just how far off course had they gone? They had been traveling West on the Silk Road, to the first stop on their journey home.
Relena would have met the person that could have explained everything to her next, then they would have a place to rest before they continued on.
Lucretia closed her eyes. There's no way they could have veered so far from their route. There was no need to agonize over what has already gone wrong on the trip. She needed to sleep, she was worth more to the princess well-rested.
Heero wrangled his two hostages the next morning while the others took down their tents. He was moving slower than usual, he hadn't slept, too preoccupied with watching the two of them.
He noticed the one dressed like a man had faked most of her slumber, likely planning an escape. The one they thought was a princess slept restlessly through the night.
Had they captured the wrong person?
Come to think of it, their carriage had been bare. The two women carried barely anything between them, as if they were mere peasants. It was the clothing that had them convinced of their status.
What peasants wore garments like that?
The whole situation seemed suspicious.
If she truly was the mythical princess Relena, wouldn't she have had a more suitable guard? She traveled with a woman no less. A woman she called "sister" over and over again. Were the two related?
He watched as the one dressed like a man helped the "princess" to her feet. She sure was doting. There was something going on here.
He decided he would find out.
"Who are you." He growled in Japanese to her, no inflection of a question in sight. Her answer was mandatory.
"I haven't the slightest idea. Please, can we have some water?" Relena answered, and he could feel the truth in her words. It confused him.
She spoke with the conviction of a royal, but thought she was no one special. What was going on here? Was she a decoy of some sort?
No, Heero would recognize her anywhere. She had to be the princess Relena.
"You appear to bear a striking resemblance to someone very famous, young lady." He offered. Perhaps if he played her game, he'd catch her off guard.
"Pfft. Young lady. What are you, an old man?" She pointed out, her cheeks going pink. Heero handed the two women a skin filled with cold water. He watched as the older woman let the "princess" drink first. What a brat she was. Always had been.
"Yes, you do seem to be a doppelgänger for a legendary princess. One that disappeared ten years ago." Heero swallowed as he watched Relena take one last gulp before handing the skin over to her companion.
Heero watched her companion drink the rest of the skin while keeping her eyes trained on him. There was no doubt in his mind, the woman had some type of protective role over the girl.
"Well, I'm sorry that you've got us mistaken for someone else. I'm just an orphan from an abbey." Relena said, tucking her hair behind her ears and facing Lucretia.
Heero studied her from head to toe.
"Where'd you get your clothing? Christian abbeys don't let their women dress like this. Even orphans wear some type of habit."
He watched as she searched herself for an answer. She looked up at her companion, who offered her nothing. The girl didn't know, but the woman did.
"No food until we get some answers out of you." Heero said to Lucretia. "You," he addressed Relena. "You will eat with me."
The handsome bandit left Lucretia tied up even tighter under the watch of the unruly one. Relena let herself smile— there was no way that one would be able to control Lucretia. She followed the one called Heero to the last standing tent in the camp. It was small and indigo in color, decorated in symbols the color of golden rod. She swore she recognized them.
Inside was a small bedroll and low table, outfitted with what appeared to be a meager breakfast. He sat her down, then took his place blocking the exit.
She stared wantonly at the food, but didn't dare take a bite. After what she had seen at the abbey, she couldn't be sure the food was safe.
"It's not poisoned if that's what you're thinking, princess." Heero offered. "Watch."
The handsome bandit reached over the table to a bowl of rice that sat in front of her and grabbed an amount with his forefingers. He brought the fingers to his mouth and gingerly ate the rice in one bite. He never broke eye contact with her.
Relena shuddered.
He reached over again, this time choosing a small piece of grilled fish in front of her. Without lowering his gaze, he put the food in his mouth and chewed.
"See? Not poisoned. Eat." He said.
Relena looked at the table, searching for a utensil of some kind.
"Eat with your hands, princess." He directed. Blushing, Relena took a bit of rice in her hands and popped it into her mouth. It certainly was plain white rice, fluffy and warm. Not much flavor, but comforting nonetheless.
The fish was grilled well, with a bit of salt. The meal was meager, but healthy and satisfying.
Relena was hyper aware of Heero's eyes on her as she ate with her fingers. Occasionally her eyes met his, and she could feel her cheeks flush.
Why was he staring? And why was she reacting this way?
"Are you quite done, your highness?" Heero asked. She nodded in return, reaching for a small bowl of water.
"Why are you playing games with us? We know who you are." He glowered, more serious now.
"I really don't know what you are talking about. You must be mistaken." Relena put her hands on the ground in front of her, steadying herself as she rose to her knees.
Heero's hand was faster, encircling her wrist easily.
"Sit down, princess." He said, voice dripping with a sinister politeness. Relena did as she was told.
"I'm not done with you." The bandit said as he fished for something from inside his dofuku. Relena flinched, expecting a dagger or weapon of some sort.
She was surprised when he pulled out a small brass locket. He opened it in front of her.
"I do believe this is yours. And THIS," he said while pointing at a small painting. "Is you." He deposited the locket in her outstretched hands. When she brought the small painting up to her eyes, she let out a sharp exhale.
It indeed was her, albeit as a young child. And she was accompanied by a taller boy, a man and a woman. She and the boy bore a striking resemblance to the two adults in the portrait.
"Are these? Are they-"
"You really have no idea who you are, do you? Shit." Heero said, sitting back onto the floor and running his free hand through his hair. One hand still remained around her wrist.
"Even better. You're worth even more now. Long lost princess Relena Peacecraft."