|
" 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 8
Quatre slumped onto the bench in the courtyard. After seeing Trowa that afternoon, the pain in his heart had grown considerably. He found himself wishing that he was a wizard instead of a storyteller. He would surely use his magic to set Trowa free. Ever since their reunion, he couldn't help but wonder the true purpose of the royal lover. For all he could see, the only purpose was to have someone to rape. Suddenly his attention was snatched as Dorothy emerged into the courtyard. The sapphires watched the blonde girl with only one question in mind. All at once, the storyteller bounced to his feet and chased after the foreign girl. Dorothy smiled to herself as she heard the approaching footfalls. Just as Quatre was upon her, she spun around to face him. Her smile grew even wider as she beheld the hurtful eyes. "Is there something you wish for?" She asked with mock friendliness. "Please Dorothy. . .please tell me what it truly means to be a royal lover." "You honestly do not know?" "I do not." "Because my heart begs for it." She closed the gap between them and stared him straight in the eye. "Why do you not ask the jester or the wizard's apprentice?" Quatre's eyes fell to the grass. "I fear they will tell me untrue things. They wish to save me from hurt. . ." "Because?" "Because I am in love with the royal lover." He fought back his tears and tried to remain strong. "Then I will tell you. . .but first, what do you know of the royal lover?" "Only what you have told me in the servant's tower." "With the dawn of every king, a royal lover is found, trained and presented. A royal lover is a child that is born of the purist conditions. Normally the royal lover is a female for two reasons: first, females tend to be more pure than male; secondly, females tend to be more obedient." "So why is Trowa the lover when he is of male gender." "It is extremely rare for a lover to be a male. Usually having a male lover is deemed as a omen of good luck. It is foretold that the kingdom with a male lover will, soon after his death, live a golden age of peace and prosperity. "The role of the royal lover is simple: they must please the king in any way that he is commanded to. When the lover is a male, he often carries the role of also training the princess of the kingdom to satisfy their king once they venture out and marry. It is proven that princess that are trained by lovers will better satisfy their king, and produce more, healthier children." "What is the true purpose of the lover?" "While lovers are born of pure birth, when they die, they will be full of disgrace and impurity. During their lives, the king bestows upon the lover his shame and disgrace. Which is why they are discarded at the beginning of each new king. The lover will carry the king's shame and disgrace to hell, and create a new slate for the next king." "Are lovers aware of these affairs that you are telling to me?" "Yes. They are told during their training. I have never seen a lover yet that does not take pride in carrying the holiness of the king in their hands. . .however, your lover does not. As I have told him, this is truly a strange kingdom." "When will lord Heero learn of the lover's existence?" "Prince Heero will learn the day after he weds princess Relena." "If he choose, could he dispel the lover?" "No one has ever given thought to such an act. Obviously, you do not fully understand just how important the lover's role is." "Perhaps you are the one that does not understand the role. Have you ever spoken to the lover of your kingdom?" "No." "Then how can you glamorize what you do not understand?" "I know that the lover of our kingdom is joyous
for her role." The crowd grew around the village square. Many of the peasants ventured far from their homes to witness the execution. The afternoon sun was warm, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Wu Fei stood on the pillar next to Treize. The crowd parted and a figure, with a guard on either side, began walking toward the platform. The peasants ridiculed, spit, and insulted the person between the guards. The prisoner's head was bowed and hidden from view of everyone, for the long braid had been released and served as the shield. Wu Fei's heart stopped dead in its tracks as he realized who was up to be executed. His coal eyes turned toward the prince. "Father, spare him. It was my fault, not his." Lord Heero pleaded, and was ignored. Wu Fei looked back toward the boy who was now having a noose adjusted to his neck. The sadden violet eyes turned up to look into Wu Fei's face. The king rose from his seat and all grew quiet. "Behold, Duo Maxwell, the royal jester. He stands before us as a criminal of the worse kind. . .his crime? Treason to the kingdom, and the crown. May your soul burn in hell." With that, the trap door was released. Wu Fei sat up straight in bed, sweat pouring, and heart beating nearly out of his chest. He could still hear the snapping of Duo's neck. . .could still see the form hanging against the setting sun. Sally crawled onto his knee, her red eyes glowing brightly in the dark. "Wu Fei, what has happen?" "I had a dream Sally. . .the king is seeking to execute Duo." Tears burned the coal eyes. "I must save him before the king destroys him." "How?" "I know not. . .but I must find a way to protect him. He is too important to lose."
Wu Fei did as he was told. The bottle sitting on the garden wall transformed to a white rabbit. The teacher chuckled as he pulled from Wu Fei. Even Sally, who was perched on a low tree branch snickered. "You have a great interest in white rabbits today." The small dragon teased and received a coal glare. "That is because your concentration is off." Treize explained. "You start out fine, but you lose what you were focusing on." He smiled down at the boy. "Within time, you will learn. You possess great power Wu Fei. You just need to trust in yourself to awaken them." He lightly cupped Wu Fei's chin in his hand. "You are close to mastering being a hand wizard. You just need to focus better." "How can I focus master Treize when your flesh greets mine so often?" Sally rolled her eyes and took flight as the two wizard's lips met briefly. "Sally, where are you off to?" Treize wondered once he pulled from the gesture. She did not answer as she left the garden. "I believe Sally has a crush on you young one." "I do not believe that is her source of scorn. It is tough to be the only dragon of this land. I wish to restore her." "If you seek to do as such, then you must continue to practice. . .as well as to limit your magic." Wu Fei looked up in surprise. "I know of your exhaustion yesterday. I am not pleased that you are pushing yourself." "Forgive me master Treize." "Wu Fei, I want you to continue with your spell log. Keep a day to day recording of how you use your magic." "But such a log is for beginning incantors. . .not hand wizards." "This is true, but after your exhaustion, I believe that you are misusing your powers. You know you are to only use, at the most, five spells a day outside of practice. Perhaps you have forgotten that. . .but I still request you to tend to your log." "Do you wish to still see it?" "As you have said. Logs are only for beginners. I want you to keep your log to yourself. Make sure that the spells you cast are for the good of this kingdom. If they are not, then you need not to being doing such acts. . .now, return the rabbit to it's bottle form." They turned back to the wall to find that the rabbit was gone. "It appears that my bottle has fled." The library was still. Princess Relena was seated as usual across from lord Heero. The prince was reading silently, but not comprehending the words. His mind was elsewhere as he was, once again, thinking of his dream. Dorothy was standing before the window watching Wu Fei in the garden. "Lord Heero, if I may. . ." She started slowly and turned toward the prince. "Speak." "Why does your wizard make so many errors?" "He is not yet a wizard." "Are any safe from his magic lord Heero?" "None. Why do you ask?" The prince looked up at the blonde. "Is the jester not the boy entering the garden at this moment?" Dorothy questioned and Heero look toward the window. Dorothy was right, Duo was entering the garden. He didn't seem to notice the wizard. Nor did the wizard notice him, for his eyes were closed. The prince leapt to his feet and dashed to the window. "Apprentice, cease your magic!" Too late. The court jester glowed mysteriously before disappearing. Lord Heero watched in horror as the jester's tunic fell to the grass. Wu Fei appeared surprised at what had happened. The prince wasted no time in jumping through the open window and running to the tunic. He kneeled and pulled the garment away to discover a white rabbit beneath. "Duo?" The rabbit looked up at lord Heero's voice. Wu Fei stepped to the prince's side. "Return him to normal." "Forgive me my lord, but I cannot till I report to the king." "Do no such thing." "What has come to pass?" Princess Relena asked as she and Dorothy entered the garden. Lord Heero scooped the floppy ear rabbit into his arms. "Restore him now." Wu Fei bowed his head, closed his eyes, and appeared to be concentrating. When he opened his eyes and waved his hand, the rabbit glowed, but remained as much. "I can not my lord. Perhaps master Treize can." Lord Heero looked down at the rabbit. It seemed well content in the royal arms. "Then we must consult father." The tone in the young heir's voice was sadden as he turned and headed for the throne room, with his companions close behind. Wu Fei fetched the garment before following. There was a short line of matters waiting to be tend to, however, the prince need not to have wait. Lord Heero stood before his father, rabbit in arms, face downcast in grief. Wu Fei kneeled behind the prince, eyes to the floor. "What is your matter?" The king bellowed. His voice showed anger toward his son. "Father, I request the assistance of the wizard Treize." "What has happened?" "The apprentice has placed a spell on a palace servant, changing them into a rabbit. He cannot restore the servant." The king looked pass his son to Wu Fei. "You dare attempt to rectify your error without first consulting me?" "Father, I demanded the apprentice to try." "Which servant do you hold so close Heero?" "It is the court jester." The king laughed heartedly. "I request you to call forth the wizard Treize." "My son, did you not say you would defy my law?" "Do not pass my punishment to innocence." "The jester is to remain as he is. If you seek Treize, I will feast on rabbit." "Father, I beg you, for once in my life act as my father, not my king. Restore the jester to his true form to make amends. Please." "My son, you are weak. Kings should not show such weakness. Though your heart aches now, you will thank me later. . .you are dismissed." Glaring, lord Heero turned to leave the room. Wu Fei stood to follow, but the king's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Apprentice, I did not dismiss you." The apprentice turned and kneeled again. "Forgive me my lord." "You have defied me. You attempted to fix what you have wronged without informing me. . .guards." "Brother, why ever do you carry a rabbit?" The prince ignored his sister's question. "Such a beautiful rabbit. Was it a gift from someone?" "That it is." Lord Heero lied, knowing what his sister would do if she learned that it was the jester. "What did you name it?" She picked the rabbit from the table and kissed it on it's head between the ears. "You should name it little bunny Fu-fu. It is a perfect name for this bunny. Fu-fu, it is." "His name is Duo." "You named such a beautiful bunny after such an ugly servant?" "You only say as much because the jester shuns
you." "Because he has none for you." The princess placed the bunny on the table and stuck her tongue at the prince before leaving. Lord Heero's words were true. His youngest sister fancied the jester for quite some time till she learned that he did not share her interest. That was when she started to be harsh toward the jester. The princess had only taken a few steps when she fell. Lord Heero stood and searched for what she had tripped on, but found nothing. He walked over to the young princess and extended a hand. "Whatever did you trip on?" "I have no clue." "Have you been in the wine cellar again?" "I have not." She pulled her hand free once she regained her footing. "And I'll have you spread no such false bearings." She stuck her nose in the air, turned and prepared to leave the library. Suddenly, her dress became hung. She did not notice until the bottom half ripped away, revealing her petticoat. Her face turned a deep crimson as she screamed and fled the room. There was a familiar chuckle in the room that sounded much like Duo. The prince turned toward the rabbit for a moment. It was still on the table, its small nose twitching rapidly. Confused, lord Heero kneeled and picked up the ripped dress. There was no crack in the floor, nor was there anything perturbing. So what had caused it to become snagged?. . .and why had he heard Duo's laughter after it had happened? Curious, he walked over to the bunny and stared into its face. The bunny seemed to be doing the same to him. It was then that he realized that the bunny carried a scent of apples and mud. . .much like Duo. When turned into animals, would they not smell like animals? Would not the bunny have purple eyes instead of blue? Then again, the prince never came across a animal that at one time was human. It would be better to place such a inquiry toward the wizard responsible. Wu Fei fell to his knees, his back blazing with pain. They had returned him to his chamber when they had finished. "Wu Fei, what have you done?" He kept his eyes down cast from Treize. "You angered not only the king, but the prince. It is not wise to lose favor at such a crucial point young one." The older wizard kneeled before his apprentice and cupped his forehead. "Master Treize, please refrain. "Wu Fei whispered and pulled from the touch. "Do not read my thoughts." "Then tell me what is happening." "I do not wish to see harm upon you." "Are you sure of your plan." "What has become of the jester?" Wu Fei remained silent. "You are certain that your intentions are for the king and not of your friend?" "My intentions are with the king." "Is the pain you have now worthy of your cause? For if it is not, I will heal them in exchange of a confession." Treize studied the determined features. "Then keep your wounds as holdings of your sacrifice." The royal wizard stood, his eyes never leaving his apprentice. "You are strong young one, but even you have your limits. I pray that the king does not find them, for that is now what he is searching for. When he does, I will be powerless to help you." "I am not afraid. I am right. For that, he will not defeat me. I will not allow it." He remained kneeling on the floor as Treize left. His mind was twisted with the recent events and how to deal with them. They were destroyed upon hearing Sally's voice. "What happened Wu Fei?" "Both the prince and the king were more angered than I expected." The dragon looked into her friend's face. "Perhaps this wasn't the best of plans." "That, it wasn't. . .it is better." "How so when you are bringing forth a royal rumble?" "That is my desire. Lord Heero is seeing for himself how cruel and vile his father is. . .thus his desire of correcting it will increase." "What if something goes amiss?" "Then I shall attempt to counter it." "Do you believe Duo would distance himself from the prince?" "I only pray that he does, or else, the whole scheme
is pointless." "I believe we will make it with the lost of but one." "Remove your tunic and I shall. . ." "But Wu Fei. . ." "I will not have it any other way." to be continued |
