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"The Ancient Kingdom "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, lemon (copious amounts, probably), slavery, magic, nekos, some smut, sap, peril, abuse, AU/Fantasy/Drama Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 4+2, 3+1, 5x6, 6+2, 5+1 (good grief!) Summary: When Heero, son of the Warrior
King, conquers the kingdom Sheneva and executes the king, he finds
something unexpected " The Ancient Kingdom "
The Masque Ever been backed into a corner? Trapped like a rat with nowhere to go? That was exactly how Heero felt when it was time to attend the masquerade. It occurred to him he hated these kinds of events. Why had he ever thought this would be a good idea? Give him a war and he could plan and conquer his way to victory. Give him a ballroom full of stuffy aristocrats and he balked. Go figure. "You'll look fine," Wufei soothed. Heero glared in the gilded, full-length mirror at his reflection. He thought he looked ridiculous. For whatever reason, Wufei had decided fire should be the theme tonight. The costume was a luxurious velvet robe the color of blood. The body and sleeves were brocaded richly with gold sewn to look like fire. Falling down his back in a gentle curve were red-and-gold Phoenix wings. The mask curved up into individual flames, and at the corner of the eyes matching feathers demanded notice with small hints of glitter. It was a nice costume, but it was intensely dramatic. "I'll be the center of attention," he grumbled. Wufei just smirked at him. "That's exactly what you want." That was true, Heero had to concede, but he didn't like it. At least, not in this context. He wondered how Duo and Quatre would feel about this ensemble. Trying to imagine their reactions made him grin. "What are you wearing?" "This," Wufei replied, motioning. Heero frowned. 'This' was an overly somber robe of jet black. The only bit of interest was an uninteresting belt of white silk. The robes did have a hood, but Heero thought he looked more like an executioner than a court sorcerer. "Why so drab?" "To draw attention to you. And to keep attention from me. I will be 'listening' for you all night, and for my purposes it's best to be invisible." Heero bit the inside of his lip. "I'm sorry, Wufei, but that's impossible. You draw stares everywhere you go. You're a sorcerer from An'Cresse. People are insatiably curious about you." All at once, Wufei was right in front of him. He took one of Heero's hands and raised it to his lips, pressing a slow kiss to each knuckle. "And insatiably curious about how it is I belong to you, no doubt." A shiver ran up Heero's spine, and his heart beat a little faster in his throat. "A-actually, they will rather think I'm your puppet," he countered, "since you have all this power and I am never far from you." "And I'm always whispering in your ear," Wufei added, leaning down so the last words feathered over Heero's ear. His eyes fluttered shut without permission. Sucking in a somewhat sharp breath, he backed up a single step and turned. "Trowa probably escorted Relena down by now. I don't want to leave him alone with those people too long." He didn't look, but he could feel Wufei smirking at him. The main audience hall was decked out with probably every ornamental piece in the city. Heero made sure to school his face into careful neutrality as he, with Wufei at his side, stepped into the enormous hall. It looked like every noble, major and minor, was in attendance. Of course. Who would deny the Warrior King's son? The herald noisily announced Heero with his full title. "His Highness, Prince Heero Yuy of Venya, Warrior Prince of the Highlands, Overlord of the North." Technically Heero wouldn't be Overlord of the North until he was king, but who here would argue semantics? He smiled inwardly. The herald announced Wufei only slightly less noisily, but he merely called him "Court Sorcerer of Venya," which was certainly an oversimplification. Heero paid it little mind as he walked down the stairs into the hall. He was accosted at once by an impressively large man in his late fifties. "Prince Heero," the man said, bowing low. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am -" "Arch Duke Withen," Heero interrupted with a small smile. He inclined his head. "A pleasure to finally meet you." The man looked ridiculously pleased Heero knew his name. "The pleasure is all mine," he said. "Allow me to introduce my son and two daughters. This is Korall, and these are Senia and Seva. I believe Seva is of an age with Your Highness." She was a year older, but Heero just nodded. "A pleasure, ladies. Perhaps you would both honor me with a dance?" Senia was too composed to react with anything more than a gracious nod and curtsy, but Seva blushed and giggled like a fool girl. It annoyed Heero. It obviously annoyed her father, for he shot her a Look. He talked with Withen and his son but a few moments before the other major noble houses were demanding his attention. Each of them had daughters that were close enough to Heero's age to court, though Heero himself was too young to marry. It didn't stop them. Wufei remained silent at his side, speaking only when addressed directly, and he kept his answers so short and cold most didn't engage again. Heero was amused to see the sorcerer made everyone uncomfortable. He made sure never to draw attention to Wufei, knowing the man was listening carefully for lies or ill intent. "We really don't know Princess Relena," Senia said when Heero directed the conversation toward her with a seemingly-idle question. "A few of us have had the chance to spend afternoons with her, but her father was strangely reluctant to allow her any company." "It's disgraceful," Tiria Aroshe said with some vehemence, "to lock a lady up in her bower. I'm amazed she didn't wilt like a neglected blossom." The youngest member of the Beryl household, Dacia, obviously Tiria's close friend (and younger than Heero by only a year), spoke up quickly. "She was always strong, though." Pleased by the opening, Heero smiled absently. "I've had the opportunity to speak with her," he said as if he found it of lesser importance. "Really?" Dacia said, beaming. "Surely you must have been as impressed by her quiet strength as we?" "Be careful how you reply, Heero," Wufei's voice suddenly sounded in his head. "It would not do if you allowed them to think you are in any way enamored of her. It will give her too much power in their eyes." Heero lifted one shoulder lazily. "We didn't speak long. In fact, I'm curious about her older brother. Have any of you met him?" Tiria and Dacia exchanged glances that told Heero they had both been infatuated. "Oh yes," Tiria replied. "He was an absolute gentleman. To his core. Truth be told, none of us could understand why his father exiled him. It was a horrible thing." Lady Amarila Gossyn shifted long gold hair off her shoulder. She was ten years older than Heero. "You really did Sheneva a justice by freeing us from the tyrant," she said in a cultured, smooth voice. Heero wondered if she had to practice at it. "Relena would make a wonderful queen," Dacia piped up. Causing Amarila to give her a cool look. "That is for Prince Heero to decide," she said tartly. So Gossyn and Beryl were enemies. Dacia flushed, but it was Tiria who came to her immediate defense. "Surely you don't harbor any ill will toward the princess?" she asked innocently. "I know it was your wish to be betrothed to Prince Zechs, but he is long gone, after all." To Amarila's right, the young Lady Cymone Dagain leveled Tiria with an icy look. "I can't believe you're twenty-three years old and still acting like a fifteen-year-old child." Dagain and Gossyn were allies, then. "Don't defend Amarila," Dacia said airily. "She is jealous because she's practically a spinster." That, Heero thought distantly amidst his amusement, was far too tactless. A lady of breeding ought to have her insults more buried beneath her sweetness. He wondered if they would start catfighting. "How many of you attended Relena?" he asked, successfully diverting their attention. "Most of us," Amarila answered, recovering with lightning speed. "She, at least, is not a goose-brained child." "She would make a good wife," Senia said. Dacia made a rude sound. "She's too old for Prince Heero. Better someone closer to his own tender age." Heero didn't like being so impolitely reminded of his young age, but her comment started them up again. "Don't make such absurd comments!" Senia reprimanded coolly. "It's rude to both the princess and His Highness." "As if age increases your chances," Cymone added. Tiria abruptly wound her arms around Heero's. "Would you dance with me, Your Highness?" she asked, smiling sweetly. "I'm afraid all this dull talk is boring me." Amarila glided to his opposite side. "I'm certain you've grown weary of these silly girls chattering all evening," she purred, taking Heero's other arm. "Come dance with me, my prince." Heero caught the edges of an amused smirk on Wufei's face and resisted the urge to bare his teeth at the man. Instead of put on his most charming smile. "I would love to dance with each of you," he said smoothly, "if only the night weren't so short. I still have business to put to your fathers, and I do wish to learn more of the princess's missing brother. She beseeched me to find him." "Oh, we could help you with that!" Dacia immediately said. "I'm certain we all hear our fathers nattering enough about affairs of state that we could piece together many clues for you, yes, ladies?" To Heero's startled amusement, the gathered women instantly set aside familial differences to keep their dainty claws in the prince. Murmurs of agreement went around, and Heero had to swallow a chuckle. "Again, you simply astound me, ladies. Then let me part with you long enough for a drink, and I believe I will ask the princess to join us, as well." He slipped away. When he reached the tables lined with meticulously prepared food, Wufei let out a soft laugh. "Like little vixens," he snorted. "I believe even best friends would stab each other in the back if it meant getting her hooks in you. You must be careful, my little prince. Those ladies would give Grascien a run for his money in terms of sheer ruthlessness." Heero had never, ever liked hearing Wufei call him "my little prince," but all his protests hadn't stopped the man from calling him that. He'd given up years ago. "Perhaps. What is their general state of mind?" "At the moment, they're floored by your beauty, your charm, and your position. Each and every one of them would do just about anything to secure her position as your queen. Especially the eldest, Lady Amarila Gossyn. She's well aware that she's nearly beyond marrying age." "I wonder why she has not married," Heero mused, pouring punch into a round crystal goblet. "Listening to the men, the Gossyn family is not well-liked," Wufei answered. "They are old blood, and the lady's mother, Duchess Emeria, is-was-Grascien's half-sister. She had visions of her daughter on the throne one day." Heero swallowed a grimace with the punch. Political intrigue had always nauseated him. There was almost none in Venya, because most of the major nobles were officers in the Imperial Army. Soldiers seldom dabbled in such nonsense, which was how Heero liked it. And very, very few people were bold enough - or stupid enough - to plot behind the back of the Warrior King. "Wufei, earlier today when I spoke with the two My - " "Softly, softly," Wufei cut him off. Heero felt Wufei's presence blanket his mind, and he fought not to shudder. "They spoke of a woman who knew of Grascien's plots," he continued silently. "Perhaps it was Emeria. Or her daughter." "Either of them or Relena is the most likely," Wufei agreed. "Have you thought of a way to find out?" "Yes," Heero said, swallowing the last of his punch. "I'm going to go rescue Trowa from that group of women." o0o 0o0 Trowa looked up when his brother approached. He'd remained mostly silent for the better part of the last hour, listening to these women and few men talking. Relena had joined smoothly, of course, the center of attention. He was relieved to see Heero, but he sent Wufei an intense look, hoping the sorcerer would take the hint. He did. "What is it, Trowa?" "This woman, Emeria Gossyn," Trowa replied allowing his eyes to pass briefly over her as if uninterested, "I don't trust her at all. She laughs too quickly and a little too long. Something is making her desperately uncomfortable." He hadn't been the General of the Imperial Army without learning a few things. Wufei was far too experienced to allow anything to show on his face. "Any idea what it is?" "No, but she has been watching Heero closely." What he didn't say - but it was unnecessary - was that if she did anything to his brother, he would sever her head from her neck himself. He'd been on edge, wondering if something would happen, anxious for the chance to warn Wufei that someone might be plotting something dangerous to Heero. Only Trowa saw the sudden, dark gleam that passed through Wufei's eyes. "If she is planning anything, her daughter isn't aware of it. I've been keeping a close watch on him all night, but I see what you mean about this woman. She radiates unease. And she's definitely hiding something." Emeria Gossyn immediately drew Heero into the center of attention, and Trowa watched his beautiful younger brother go without hesitation. His smile was indulgent as he allowed them to draw him into conversation. Trowa, half expecting an arrow or something to come winging down out of the rafters, prepared to fling himself in front of it to protect Heero if needed. "It won't come to that," Wufei said into his mind, sounding amused. "I'm watching him. Don't be so tense. There's no need to alarm Heero." Yes, Trowa thought, forcing his shoulders to relax. Let his brother enjoy himself. He could trust Wufei to protect him. Indeed, the sorcerer could do it far better than him. "Forgive me, ladies," Heero said smoothly, holding his arm to Relena, "but your daughters only let me escape to collect the princess and my brother." Emeria Gossyn laughed slightly. "We will forgive you if you promise to return as quickly as you can. We can't let them steal you away all night." Heero gave her a smile. "Of course. By your leave." Trowa went easily, glad to be away from them. o0o 0o0 The masquerade didn't dwindle until the early hours of the morning. Heero, among the very last to leave, offered Relena his arm. "May I escort you to your room, Lady?" She acquiesced with a slight smile, placing her hand lightly on his arm. Heero led her through the halls of the castle, responding to her idle comments about the night but not initiating conversation. He didn't lead her to her rooms, and eventually she noticed. "My Prince?" she inquired. He gave her a reassuring smile. "I thought you might like to see how the two Myda are doing." "Ah, yes," she murmured, "the poor creatures my father had imprisoned. I would very much like to see how they are faring." Quietly pushing open the door, Heero led her inside. There was very little light, but it reflected off two sets of eyes. Both Myda were awake, ears perked and alert. Neither displayed open aggression, but neither was relaxed and at ease, either. "Duo, Quatre, this is Relena." "His Highness told me how he found you," Relena said, "and what had been done to you. I'm so pleased to see you looking much recovered from your imprisonment." Heero watched Duo closely, but nothing discernible crossed his gamine face when she spoke. Not the one, then? Heero felt almost disappointed. Neither Myda spoke, unsurprisingly, and Heero drew Relena away. "What will you do with them?" she asked as he came to her door. "I leave for Venya in a few days' time," he replied, "and they will come with me. Once they are both sufficiently recovered, I'll return them to their home. In Wythiera." She nodded slowly. Before entering her chambers, she gave him a look that radiated her sincerity. "Thank you so much for helping them," she said. "I was distraught to hear my father had captured and so brutally treated such magnificent creatures." Heero smiled slightly. "Good night, Lady." She curtsied. "Good night, my prince." When she closed the door behind her, Heero returned to the Myda's room. They were still awake, watching the door as though waiting for his return. Heero latched it and moved to the bed. "Well?" he asked softly. Duo's eyes, shadowed in the dark, were full of muted
danger as he met Heero's. He nodded once. "She's the one. It's
her voice I heard."
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