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"Baby Series 3"Written By: Karina Rating: PG Spoilers: None Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine. Pairing: Heero + Anastasia Notes: Challenge 177. Baby Series 3 #307. Takes place following Never Be Too Careful. Many thanks to ShenLong for her work betaing
this fic.
Cause and Effect "Madam." Heero lowered his head in a respectful bow. There were few people in the entire ESUN he considered to be worthy of the gesture, but he had learned to have a genuine respect for the formidable old woman. To his initial horror it had been the Dowager who had been requested by Milliardo to `polish' him to an acceptable refinement that he might deal with a certain Princess and her peers on a more even footing. The Dowager Duchess Anastasia had been awaiting him upon his return to Sanc and announced herself his tutor in the `fine art' of small talk and social interaction. Maxwell had laughed his head off before her dark eyes had fallen upon him. It was more than a rarity to find someone who made the jackass shut up and ooze out of the room with a simple stare. Her mildly uttered "Attend me, Mr. Yuy." had been enough to have him obediently escort her from the room. "Heero. Come sit." He did not hesitate, he sat. He had learned over the last few days that the old lady was a force to be reckoned with, perhaps she was even more deceptive and frightening than Pagan. A tilt of her lips could have the palace buzzing with rumours, the arch of a grey eyebrow could signal the social disgrace of an offender, a glint in her eye could bring favour upon the deserving and shame upon the disgraced, without a word needing to be spoken. Strangely enough they got on tolerably well, in fact, he rather liked her. Somehow she seemed to understand him, was comfortable with what others saw as his `sullen' standoffish attitude. He was not comfortable around people and she had determined to instruct him in how to maintain at least the outward semblance of acceptance and ease of comfort in the highest of social standings. "Rest easy, I will not keep you long. I am well aware of your afternoon's assignment from Hunter. We will be foregoing our usual session in favour of dealing with another matter. Surviving in so called `polite society' is all a matter of preparation, Heero. If we are unprepared we will be uncomfortable and it is difficult to function adequately when one is not at ease. Now, the rumour mill is grinding a hundredweight of gravel into dust where it should be grinding grain into flour. Enlighten me on the Investiture I hear being whispered about in dark corners and back hallways." Pagan had wanted him to brief her and it really did astound him just how quickly word travelled in the palace. "Word travels quickly." The old lady smiled, her hands folded neatly on her lap, a lacy fan clasped in relaxed fingers. "Indeed it does, dear boy. You will find no where else in modern civilisation where word travels faster than the back hallways of a royal palace. To best feed the inquisitive masses a wholesome intake of nutrients I find it pays to prepare the mill as speedily as possible, greasing its mechanics in all the appropriate places. My blue eyed wonder child is stirring a severely depleted nobility, who will be all agog within a day, and with timely preparation one can have allies where enemies might have risen." "Chang. Without warning he made an oath of fealty. No prompting, no preparation." The Dowager inclined her head slightly, dark lashes lowering to shield her eyes. "You witnessed the moment?" "I did." "Tell me the exact wording he used." She had learned he retained information well and in a coldly clinical manner. He forgot nothing of importance. Heero closed his eyes, reaching for the memory. It had been so surprising that it was easy to recall. Surprising, yes, but somehow he was not shocked, even as it had happened, that Chang had acted as he had. He certainly had not been expecting it, but he was not shocked by it. "I believe his words were, `The Clan of Chang, that is the Clan of Long, the blood that flows from this clan within my veins, swears fealty to the House of Peacecraft. For so long as my blood flows within these veins, for so long as my blood flows within the veins of my heirs, shall the Clan serve the House of Peacecraft.'" Anastasia observed the view from her window as she considered the revelation, wondering at the exact inflections of voice that might have been used. Heero repeated words in a monotone, little to no inflection reflected in his voice, and it made interpreting the situation that much more difficult. She needed to get all of the facts in order to have the desired effect in the aftermath. "The King's response? As accurate as you can be, Heero. It is of more importance than you can know at this time." " Hai. `The House of Peacecraft welcomes the fealty of the Clan offered freely and without coercion this day. Further the House of Peacecraft bestows upon the Chang of Chang, Wu Fei by name, the title of Dux Ducis Draco and tithe to you and your heirs in perpetuity, estates in accordance with the Charter of Lands, circa 1382. A deed of entitlement will be finalised and presented at the formal investiture to take place at an agreed upon date.' " Thin lips pursed and once again delicate lashes lowered to shield her eyes from view. "That was all that was said?" "He did mention that Chang would have to be naturalised as soon as possible." "Indeed. That is only the beginning of the iceberg. Charter of Lands, circa 1382, eh? Clever boy. Clever, clever boy. He has a good grasp on history and the wits to take advantage of a situation without wasting time. Heero watched her, waiting. Pagan had wanted her to know and she had heard whispers even after so short a time. Her connections had been made use of in the past to assist in the protection of the family and he knew Milliardo trusted her. Even called her grandmother. He supposed there was some kind of kinship between them, but he doubted it was so close. What did surprise him was how much Pagan, as Hunter, appeared to place his trust in her. "Dux Ducis Draco. A fitting title. I must request that I view a copy of the recording. It is necessary I gain as much information of the moment as possible to best effect the outcome… and as quickly as possible. Body language reveals more than the spoken word." "I will arrange it." "Very well then, I shall see to preparing the way amidst the realms nobility and smooth any feathers that might be ruffled. Cause and effect, Heero, we must ever be aware of it. I trust Pagan has begun the preparations for the investiture?" "He said something to that effect before he left." "Best be about your duties for this afternoon. I will keep you no longer. In light of the sudden turn of events we will forego our session tomorrow evening and resume the day after. I believe I feel a sudden desire to attend Lady Kathleen's little social gathering tomorrow evening. Be sure to extend my apologies to His Majesty on my behalf. I am certain he will understand." ~ * ~ |
