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" Last of the Royal Lovers "Written By: trowas_lil_troublemaker Disclaimer: I don't own the characters they belong to their original copyrighters. The story and concept however are mine. Pairings: ?X3; RX3; 4+3;
3+1; 2+1; 5+13 " Last of the Royal
Lovers" Chapter 2 Wu Fei took his usual spot at the servant's table next to Duo. Quatre was sitting on the other side of the braided boy; both were quiet and withdrawn from the others. "Something wrong?" Wu Fei wondered as he looked at his friends. "Prince Heero saw Trowa." Duo whispered, keeping his voice low so that only the three of them could hear. "And neither of us have seen him since this afternoon when the king called for him." Quatre's eyes misted over as he thought about the object of his affection. "He is fine." The wizard apprentice assured. "He was only whipped. I sent Sally to watch over him." "What is Sally to do? She is but only three inches long." Duo griped as he pushed away his food. "But she is still a dragon." "So what? You sent a mini dragon who could not burn a match." "Dragon saliva tends to heal wounds ten times faster and greatly decrease pain and infection." "Oh." Just at that moment, the subject of the conversation appeared on Wu Fei's shoulder. "How is Trowa?" Quatre asked as he looked over at the new arrival. "I did what I could. His wounds should be healed soon." "How badly did they whip him?" "He will be fine Quatre. I have taken a great deal of his pain." "Thank you Sally. . .you may help yourself." The dragon climbed down Wu Fei's arm and nipple at the food on his plate. "Amazing, a dragon that eats carrots." Duo chuckled, hoping that Quatre too would take a light heart at the sight. At one point, Sally had been human. Unfortunately, Wu Fei had accidentally transformed her into a pint size dragon, during a lesson. Since he was still only a wizard in training, he could not restore her to her true form. Thus, they sought the aid of his master, who could not offer any help; for the spell was too strong. So they were stuck waiting until the day Wu Fei would become strong enough to undo the spell. "So Trowa will be released?" Quatre wondered, staring at the small dragon. Sally swallowed hard and glanced into the sadden features. Her heart ached to tell the young servant of his friend's fate. "He was sentenced to the tower, and can only leave when he is summoned." "For how long?" Sally turned from the blond and tears spilled down his cheek. "This is unfair." He whispered softly. "Quatre." Duo attempted to comfort his friend. "Trowa is strong, he will be fine." "No. He will not. It is because of that stupid prince." His voice raised as he thought of the love of his life laying in the dark tower alone. "I hate the prince!" He screamed as he bounced to his feet and ran from the room. Every servant had stopped what they were doing at the storyteller's outburst. The questioning eyes landed on Duo and Wu Fei in the silence. "It is part of one of his stories." Duo explained slowly as he stood. "He wished to see the result of some of his lines before presenting it to the king this evening. . .and now. . ." He back toward the exit. "Now that I can see your reaction. . .I shall go inform him that he. . .may use it." With that, Duo dashed after his friend. "Quatre!" He caught up easily with the blonde. Lord Heero leaned against the pilaster and stared up at the stars. He thought about what his father had told him about the possible lost peasant. Though he couldn't recall a time when his father had presented him with false statements, he couldn't fully accept what was said as true. Somehow, he felt that he knew the brown haired boy. . .but couldn't quite remember where or how. Ever since first seeing him, the prince could not cease his thoughts from returning to the deep green eyes. It was this problem that kept him from joining his family for dinner. Hunger was not with him right now. In truth, it was the only time he had alone to fully think and try to remember where he had seen the boy. His thoughts were interrupted by the familiar voices of the court jester and storyteller. Staying from view, he listened to their conversation. "Quatre, stop. You must not speak poorly of the prince." "I care not! I hate the prince!" The blonde screamed, catching not only lord Heero's full attention, but the interest of a pair of guards standing nearby. "Yes Quatre, that would make a grand story. A lowly servant enraged at a prince. . ." Duo chuckled loudly. "It would make for a comedy." The guards seem to forget about the blond and Duo seized his upper arm. As he pulled the storyteller away from ear shot of the guards, he was unknowingly leading him closer to where the prince was hidden. When Duo spoke again, it was in a low voice so that the guards could not hear. "They call me the fool and yet you are the one ranting as a mad man. If they hear such words, your fate would surely be dangling in the gallows." "I care not." Quatre hissed and pulled free from the concerned grasp. "It is not right that Trowa should suffer from innocence. It is not his fault he was seen. It was the princess for acting hastily. She should be scorn, not Trowa. He was doing only what he was told. The whole kingdom is unjust, and it is all because of the prince. I wish him a plague of impurity." The blonde sobbed, and Duo hugged him comfortingly. Lord Heero glanced around to find the two boys hugging. It was unfair that servants were granted with such blessings. His entire life, people acted as if they were afraid to touch him. Not even his mother so much as held his hand, let alone hug him. Could he be cursed? That would explain why others would fear his touch. . .but then, the jester did not worry of as much. . .perhaps the jester was just lacking common sense. His thoughts were interrupted by Duo's voice. "Hush Quatre. Do not wish such things." "Am I not correct? Is Trowa not where he is due to the prince?" The heir wondered who this "Trowa" was and what had happened to him. Whoever it was, was definitely important to the storyteller for whatever reasons. . .but one thing was certain, this person was suffering because of him. "Quatre, you can not blame the prince for some thing of not his fault." The blonde pulled from the embrace and narrowed his eyes. "You only speak as such because you fancy him." "I fancy him for a reason Quatre. He is of good heart and wisdom. One day he will become king and life in the palace and out will be joyous." Hearing that someone believed in him lighten the prince's mood. His father and mother were constantly telling him what to do and how to become the king that the jester was speaking of. . .neither of them ever encouraged him that he would be. "And I am deemed the storyteller? He trains under his father, and so will rule as unjustly for he would know no different." "That is not true. Lord Heero's kind heart prevails. This afternoon, he protected me from his sister and defended me to his father, knowing that what had happened was forbidden." "If you believe in him so faithfully, then tell him. . .tell him of the injustice that has taken place. Tell him, and test your beloved prince's kindness." "You wish for my leaving well. Though lord Heero is a prince, that is all he is. The king is still king and having his son rival him without proof is uncanny. The king would only deem me a mad man, but all will remain. . .and Trowa will remain in the tower if luck is with him. Quatre, I feel your pain. . .I can see it in your face. . .but for now, this is how it has to be. We cannot change our world. Only Lord Heero can do that, so all we can do is wait." He reached over and wiped the tears from the still leaking sapphires. Quatre closed the gap between them, allowing his braided friend to hug him. "I will test your prince's wisdom." Quatre sniffled. "We shall see how much truth you have." He pulled away and headed toward his quarters. "Do you not wish to finish your meal?" "Hunger has eluded me. I must prepare for tonight." Prince Heero watched the blonde boy run toward the servant quarters, then turned to the opposite side to witness Duo heading back to the dinning area. Finding that the jester is fond of him was a bit shocking. . .but at the same time comforting. The way the storyteller spoke, not too many servants were fond of either his father nor himself. "What has come to pass?" As Duo returned to the meal, there was a new topic spreading among the servants. He sat next to Wu Fei, waiting for an explanation. "The prince has refused to attend dinner. Rumor spreads that he has overlooked lunch as well." Duo stared at his friend's features. "They are fearing that he has fallen ill." "What of Quatre's outburst?" "The servants believe that it was nothing more than what was explained. They each look forward to his story this evening. Did you manage to calm him?" "I hope. His ranting surely would have betrayed him otherwise. . .where is Sally?" Wu Fei remained silent as he sipped on his water. "Did you turn her into a tomato in hopes of restoring her?" "Continue to make your jokes fool. . .and I may one day turn you to a swine." "Do you not mean a frog?" "Only a prince becomes a frog. Servants are swine." "That may be true, but do you not desire to walk on the outside of the crowd?" "I do. . .but I am also fond of the ideal of you as a pig. It suits you and your stomach." Even the servants were privileged to gather in the throne room after dinner to hear the storyteller's tale. It was a nightly routine that everyone looked forward to from the minute that food was set on the table till the final bite was swallowed. With each passing evening, the stories became more realistic, and intriguing. "Your majesty, if I may. . ." Quatre started from his position of kneeling in the center of the room before the royal family. "Speak young storyteller." "Your majesty, I am honored to be able to bestow great stories to you every evening. . .and even more honored that you find much joy in the tales that you request. However, I request permission to relate a special story as a tribute to our young prince in honor of his approaching birthday." Duo watched his friend closely, wondering what thoughts were plaguing the creative mind. He could only hope that Quatre's anger toward the prince had vanished, for it if did not, Quatre himself, would. The king thought about the request. It was rare that anyone would purpose their own suggestion rather than accepting the his. However, he seemed pleased that the blonde servant was wishing to honor the prince in the only way he could. "Proceed." The king waived his hand nonchalantly. "Thank you your majesty." That evening's story was, by far, the best. He told of it with emotion like never before. Duo was so infatuated that he wondered if lord Heero felt the same. Risking a quick glance at the royal family surprised the jester. Each of them were near the edge of their seat, listening intently to Quatre's fable. Lord Heero, however, seemed distant as he had earlier. . .and completely immune to the story dedicated to him. . .or perhaps he was listening closely to Quatre's words, and greatly turning them over in his head. The night's story was basically the story of the royal lover's existence. . .but it was so glamorized that even Duo hadn't realize the meaning until Quatre related to him after words as they prepared for bed. They had just climbed between the sheets and blew out the candle when the door opened and the royal summoner appeared. "Court jester, the prince awaits you in his quarters." Duo sprang from his mattress and quickly redressed. It was odd that any of the royal family would call on any servant, aside the lover, at this time of night. "What do you think he wishes?" Quatre asked as he watched his friend dress. There was a sense of fear lurking in the worried sapphires. "I know not Quatre. . .but I will relate when I return." With that, the braided boy left the room and headed toward the prince's bedroom. When he reached the door, he heard soft voices just inside. "I am well mother. I was just not of hunger." "My little prince, you need to keep your strength. The week to come will surely be draining for you." "Indeed, if I am to tolerate Princess Relena." "Hush. Do not speak as such toward the princess of the Sanc kingdom." "Mother, you have still eluded my question." "And the answer remains the same. You will learn this when you become king and have a beautiful queen at your side." "It is but three weeks till then. How do you expect me to become the king that you desire if I know nothing of simple matters?" Duo didn't need to catch the first part of the conversation to know what question was being avoided. It was perhaps one of few questions that never went answered throughout the young prince's life. "My son, you must remain innocent as long as possible. Only by being pure until the day you wed will you have pure descendants. If you become tainted anytime before, your children will be of vile nature." Duo snickered to himself. Though he knew the prince to be wise, it was surprising that he continued to accept such childish fantasy. . .but then, that's all the king would allow him to accept. Seizing the break in speech, the jester entered the room and kneeled before the prince and queen. "What is it?" The queen questioned, clearly unaware of the reason behind the entrance. "I summoned him." Lord Heero answered quickly. "I wish to hear his jokes in hopes of lightening my dim spirits." The queen eyed Duo suspiciously; no doubt she was aware of the manhandling incident, and did not approve of the king's favor in the prince. "Just stay fast to my warnings my little prince." The queen reminded and rose to leave. Duo entered his newest lines of jokes to entertain the prince until his mother left. Once the two were alone, lord Heero climbed from his bed and headed toward the door. Curious, the jester stopped the jokes and readied to question the actions, but was cut short by the prince. "Keep going." Lord Heero whispered in a low voice. Duo did as commanded in confusion as he watched the youngest of the royal family place his ear against the wood. "You may stop now." He informed and sat on his bed again. "Does my jokes not please you my lord?" "Your jokes are not the reason I called for you fool. I have a question of great seriousness." "What is it my prince?" "Am I cursed?" Duo placed his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. . .but couldn't help it. "Do you find this humorous?" The tone of the prince's voice wiped the smile from the servant's lips. "No your majesty. . .but why would you believe that you are cursed?" The prince slumped further onto the soft mattress and averted his eyes to the sheets. "Everyone fears to touch me. . .I understand the servants. . .but my mother and sisters? You are the only one brave enough to lay finger to my flesh. Do I cause horrible things to happen if I am touched?" "No my lord. People do not fear you. . .but your father. You are forbidden to be touched because he proclaimed it to be. He wishes to keep you pure and will do all he can to do as much." "It is foolishness. Touch does not defile someone. My sisters do and they remain kind and pure. . .at least two of the three do. How can I become stained with such actions, but they do not?" The prince was more or less thinking aloud to himself. "I. . .uh. . .that is. . .because you are a prince. . .and they are princess?" Lord Heero glared at the servant. What was just said made even less sense to him than the real question at hand. "I am a servant. Why do you question me of matters I do not know?" "You dare question my actions?" "Of course not my lord, I. . .I was merely curious. I did not wish to pry. Please forget that I had questioned you." The prince's anger fell. He had hoped that the jester would stand up to his questions, but realized that he had asked for too much from the servant. After all, he was a prince and such rumbles could cost the fool his head. "It is forgotten. I merely asked because you spoke so bravely against my father when you spoke with your friend, the storyteller." "You. . .you heard that?" "I did." "My lord, please have mercy on the storyteller. He spoke of anger and not of mind." "I am aware of this. I just do not understand his anger, and I do not understand who this 'Trowa' is. Has my father truly been unjust to him?" Duo racked his brain for an answer, but was unsure. The awkward silence that followed was enough to tell lord Heero that he would not receive an answer from the jester. There were too much fear and uncertainty in the violet eyes. "I understand that you have served in this palace most your life, and that you enjoy your life as a jester. I also know that, for now, your loyalties are with my father. . .and I realize now that you can not answer fully. . .but could you at least tell me if an injustice has taken place. You need not tell me what it is, just that it has happen." Duo stared into the prince's face. He could see the thick depression, and wanted greatly to remove it. For the first time, he realized what lord Heero wanted the most. . .not an answer, but someone he could fully trust. . .he wanted a friend that wouldn't fear him. "Yes. The king has done something that held little justice." The jester answered in a voice that only the two of them could hear. For the first time ever, lord Heero reached out to someone as he placed his hand over Duo's. "I will work hard to become the king you spoke of. . .and I will find a way to make amends for what my father has wronged. Tell that to your friend." "I will my lord. I have faith in you. I know you will do what is right." "Duo, I have a favor to ask you. . .whenever we are alone. . .do not call me 'lord' or 'prince'." "What do you wish for me to call you?" "Just Heero." Duo smiled, enjoying the fact that he was the only one asked to call the prince by his first name. Not even the queen was as privileged. "I have more to ask of you." "Yes, Heero?" "Where do servant children come from?" Duo stared at the prince in shock. So much for being truly honest. Answering this would cost him a lot more than losing his tongue or hand.
to be continued |
