The Prince and The Assassin chapter 08 part 02/10
Continuation of Chapter 08 Part 01
*
Sitting around the meeting table in the advisors’ room there were three empty seats and silence had fallen like a lead weight over the room.
Duo sat picking under his nails as he waited, seemingly unconcerned with the absence of three of the advisors. Of course he knew where they were and that they wouldn’t be coming back. That is unless he hired a necromancer, but Duo wasn’t likely to do that.
“Your Highness,” spoke up a graying old man with wrinkles and a long beard, “where exactly are the other advisors?”
“Probably in Hell by now.” Duo answered nonchalantly. If he noticed the uncomfortable and paling faces of his advisors he didn’t mention it.
“Who then, Your Highness,” asked Dorothy rather annoyed, “are we waiting on?”
Glancing up at her and giving her a flashy mischievous grin, Duo said simply, “The new advisors.”
Realizing that she wasn’t going to get much more out of him, Dorothy nodded resignedly and sat back in her chair pointedly ignoring the pleased grin Zecks was trying to hide beside her.
The door opened abruptly causing everyone but the prince to jump. “I apologize for my tardiness.” Wufei bowed then assumed the empty seat to the left of the prince.
Advisors on both sides of the table turned to each other to whisper hurriedly and confusedly. They were not aware that they were replacing the three traitors and had no idea who the new advisors would be.
Just as they were beginning to get more vocal about their confusion and outrage, the door burst open again and the room fell into a stunned silence.
In stumbled Trowa and Quatre their cheeks flushed and their hair mussed. Duo fought not to burst out laughing but Zecks didn’t hold back and practically fell out of his chair by the time Dorothy finally pinched him enough to stop his guffaws.
“Ahem,” Quatre cleared his throat with a deep blush inching up his throat. “Sorry we’re late. We uh… had some business to attend to.”
“I’ll say.” Muttered Duo to Wufei causing the body guard to roll his eyes and sigh.
“Your Highness.” Dorothy fought down her frustration as Quatre and Trowa took the seats on Duo’s other side. “May we continue on with the meeting now?”
Clearing his throat, Duo straightened in his seat and tugged almost nervously on his coat. “Sure, yeah. Let’s get to it.”
Everyone settled in to listen to their prince.
“I went through Dekim’s papers this morning and discovered some very interesting things.” Duo tiered his fingers in front of his face as he spoke. His nervousness fading as his need to get down to business rose to the surface. “Would any of you like to explain to me how he was able to get approval for an order of luxury items of this size while he was starving my people?” He pulled out the enormous roll of parchment and slammed it down on the table.
Immediately everyone in the room with the exception of Dorothy, Zecks, Quat, Tro and Wufei looked extremely uncomfortable.
“I told you idiots not to approve it.” Dorothy muttered under her breath, but Duo heard her.
“What I don’t understand is that you did not come to me.” Duo went on, giving Dorothy a significant look. “Someone explain it to me.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” said a snooty looking advisor at the end of the table, “you were quite busy enough with your own entertainment to have been bothered.”
Raising an eyebrow, Duo studied him. He looked well fed, dressed in the finest of materials available in Sanq, and didn’t think much of Duo’s authority. “And you’re name, Sir.”
He stood and bowed his head with a condescending bob. “Sir Allen.”
“Well Sir Allen,” Duo smirked, “Your property is hereby seized by the kingdom and every belonging in your position donated to the needy including those fancy duds covering your over sized gut. You may leave now.”
He gaped. “You cannot do that.”
“Mm.” Duo tapped a finger on his chin thoughtfully. “Yes I can.”
“You have no justification!” Sir Allen exclaimed outraged. “On what grounds are you to take such unfounded measures?”
“On the grounds that you piss me off, I have absolute power, and that you were receiving hand outs from Dekim and therefore will make my life very difficult in the coming future.” Duo smiled unkindly and leaned forward menacingly. “Is that enough justification for you?”
“And what proof do you have of those outrageous accusations?” Sir Allen looked around at his fellow advisors for support and found none. They looked on with carefully blank faces.
“Besides that fact that you are dressed more richly than I am, Dekim kept impeccable treasury receipts.” He pulled another roll of parchment from his bag and placed it next to the aborted orders. “He had been feeding you a nice little coin bag for the past four years.”
Suddenly Sir Allen was aware of the other advisors’ unsympathetic scowls centered on him.
“I suggest,” Duo smirked, “That you leave before I decide to behead you like your traitorous colleagues.” Sir Allen bowed with a sour face then quickly rushed out of the room.
“He going to run?” Wufei asked under his breath.
“Yep.” Duo nodded than turned back to business. “If any of you have a problem with what just happened then you can leave with your estates intact.” He waited a beat and when no one moved he decided to head to the next matter of business.
“In my searching of Dekim’s desk I found a list of Dekim’s next attack points in his expansion plans.” He shuffled through the papers and separated it from the rest. “I have called off all pending attacks. We need to concentrate on the people we have already before decided to send our soldiers to die in the pursuit of more. Any objections?”
There were none so Duo plowed on. “I also came across both Dekim’s and my father’s journals. It would seem,” he had to pause to gather his still frazzled nerves on the subject, “that Dekim orchestrated my father’s murder himself.” There was a gasp but not a surprised one. King James’ murder had been under suspicion but when Dekim had seized the throne for his temporary reign he had quickly quieted every inquiry.
“And in discovering that, another piece of paramount information was brought to my attention.” Duo looked to his left and gave his cousin, brother, a knowing grin. “It would seem that King James’, my father, had fathered an illegitimate son with the Duchess Barton before he was crowned King.”
Now that got several extremely astonished, gaping mouths. Zecks could hardly believe his ears. “Your Highness, you have got to be fucking with us.”
“I assure you,” Duo smirked, “I am not. Trowa Barton, upon my coronation as king, will then become crowned prince of Sanq.”
Dorothy just about fainted. “Sir, that means that Trowa is the heir to the throne and you are not.”
“Actually,” Trowa stood and addressed the assembly for the first time, “I have relinquished my claim on the throne to David. I have no aspirations to become king unless I absolutely have to.”
“Trowa will act in my stead when I am away from the kingdom or incapacitated until another heir can be found.” Duo added to ease the panicked advisors.
“But Your Highnesses,” the gray bearded man spoke up, “Sir Barton is the heir to the throne in your stead.”
Duo regarded the old man with a sad expression. “Trowa has no aspirations to the throne and frankly I don’t blame him.” Looking back over to the empty seat at the table, Duo’s frown deepened. “Ruling a kingdom such as Sanq is a lot of trouble with, so far, little to no reward for any effort.”
“Sir.” Dorothy looked at the prince with an uncertain expression. “It is clear that Sir Barton will not be taking the throne, the circumstances prevent that, but there is still the matter of an heir when you can no longer sit on the throne.”
Sitting back in his seat Duo seemed to regard the top of the meeting table with great concentration. Finally after a long silence he lifted his head and eyed the advisors with determination. “If you all will remember, I had already asked for an audience before the ever living shit hit the fan. It was to discuss something other than my assuming the throne.”
He waited till he had their full and curious attention. “I had become aware of Heero Yuy’s true identity and had also begun to take steps to ensure our future together at the time I requested the meeting.”
“D-Your Highness?” Quatre caught his informal slip but couldn’t help his obvious confusion.
“I had arranged this meeting to discuss making a permanent arrangement with Mister Yuy.” He held his breath and waited.
Wufei, Quarter and Trowa had all stared at him in a mixture of surprise and happiness. They knew exactly what he was asking, but as for the other ten or so people in the room, they were still lost in confusion.
Dorothy and Zecks had a better idea of what their prince was getting at, but they still had to make absolutely sure it was what they were thinking. “You mean to put him on your guard detail, Your Highness?”
Duo blushed then threw his head back and let out an amazing laugh. “No! Zecks I would have thought you would comprehend at least a little quicker than that.”
“I was just trying to clarify, Your Highness. With you all bets are off.” Zecks smiled and shared an identically knowing look with Dorothy.
“Please, Your Highness!” Another advisor exclaimed in nervous confusion. “Explain so the rest of us will understand.
Calming his chuckling down, Duo smiled brightly and nearly bounced in his seat at the head of the table. “I know you all aren’t as thick as you like to pretend. You know Heero and I are lovers, are in love. Therefore there will be no blood heir because I intend to draw up a binding contract that will be equivalent to marriage.”
There was a cacophony of sputtering and exclaiming then one voice panicked above the others. “But surely Sir Barton will have a child in the future you can name as heir!”
Glancing at a suddenly blushing Quatre and an amusedly smirking Trowa, Duo grinned and turned back to the speaker. “Unless God himself steps in, I don’t think that’s likely to happen.”
It took an amazingly short amount of time for the whole room to erupt in abject panic. Shouts and exclamations of despair such as: “There’s no heir!”, “Our king won’t have a queen!”, and “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning!” echoed through the meeting room thoroughly entertaining at least four of its occupants.
Finally Duo was beginning to get a headache from all the squawks and stuck his fingers in his mouth releasing a whistle loud enough to have every old, balding, bellied advisor stopping in mid panic. It was really rather comical but Duo was getting antsy to return to his love who was still locked in the infirmary.
Motioning for every one to sit back down, Duo cleared his throat and hit them with his most charming smile, though he still looked like a fox out for mischief. “Never fear, my good old coots. I, in my infinite wisdom, have already figured out the perfect solution.”
“Since when did David get infinite wisdom?” Quatre queried out of the corner of his mouth, making Trowa burst into a chuckle and invoking a stern scowl from Duo.
“It came to my attention yesterday, that two very good friends of mine are about to have a baby. Now,” he raised a finger to halt any protest or questions, “I would not be suggesting anything like this if I was not sure that their child would be intelligent and up to the challenge, but even so, the child will taught and schooled as I was and should they wish to refuse the throne their wishes will be heeded.”
“My prince,” Zecks asked playing the devil’s very interested advocate, “do you have any claim on the child? How can you be sure that its parent’s will want their child to be your heir? It’s not just the throne they will have to take on. It’s all of the danger and obligation that goes with it.”
“Those are very valid concerns, Zecks.” Duo nodded. “They had asked me to take their child in and raise him it the castle, to be its godfather. I fully intend to do both of those things to the fullest extent of my ability regardless of their acceptance of my proposal. Going so far as to take in the whole gang and put them up in the castle; educate them and help them grow until they can stand on their own feet.”
Duo ignored the murmurs of surprise when the word gang penetrated all those thick skulls. “I will discuss my proposition with my friends and should they refuse I will simply have to look elsewhere for an heir.” Duo was sure there was no shortage of orphaned children that he and Heero could take in, but he would much prefer to give Solo and Hilde’s child the throne, it was sure to be an extraordinary child.
Besides, Duo was already marinating scores of ideas on how to help the many abandoned and orphaned children across his kingdom.
Clapping his hands together, Duo smiled winningly at the conceding advisors. “Well, now that that’s in the oven, shall we move back to my partnership with Heero?”
“Sir,” an advisor pointed out, “the only personal partnership that a king can enter into such as this is with his queen.”
“Don’t let Heero hear you say that.” Trowa mumbled under his breath causing Wufei to bit back an amused chuckle.
“Actually, you are mistaken.” Duo smiled proudly. He was going to get what he wanted even if he had to beat some sense into these old geezers. “After I went through Dekim’s personal belongings I poured over the Sanq constitution and all of its laws and regulations. Nowhere in all of that did I find a single thing that specified a king had to have a queen at his side. It mentioned ‘spouse’ quite a lot but never ‘queen’. So truly there is no reason why I shouldn’t have a partnership with Heero and share my throne with the man I love.”
The advisors all looked at one another in silent communication. They questioned the wisdom of tying him self to an assassin that was at one point hired to kill him, but they could only offer their advice and pray that they weren’t short one king after the wedding night.
Standing up, Dorothy addressed the future king. “I speak for all the advisors when I say that we will begin drawing up the paper work and congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials.”
Duo grinned wide enough to split his face. He would have done it anyway even if the advisors hadn’t approved, but at least this way is less hassle for him.
Suddenly very impatient he adjourned the meeting and was the first one out the door and on his way to the infirmary. He had a lover to see and propose to.
*
Duo stood outside the infirmary and twisted his fingers together in nervousness. He didn’t think he should be nervous, but then again he had always heard that no matter what response you expected you are always nervous before offering up your whole life to someone.
Fighting down the chaotic butterflies Duo patted at his braid to make sure everything was in place before pushing the infirmary door open and stopping dead at the scene before him.
“I told you. Under no circumstances are you aloud out of bed at least for another three days!” Sally pushed failingly against Heero’s shoulders trying to get him back into a lying position.
“Get out of my way.” Heero struggled with the black fuzz encroaching on his vision and the pain in his chest, but he had stayed in that bed long enough. When Duo was with him it wasn’t so bad, but with his lover gone, the walls had begun to close in and Heero couldn’t fight the feelings of panic and helplessness any longer. “I’m going to see Duo and you can’t stop me!”
He stood and promptly began to tip forward almost crushing Sally underneath him. It felt as though his head had gone missing and his arms had gone tingly. His knees buckled and he waited for the painful impact with the solid marble floor, but was brought up short when a strong pair of familiar arms wrapped hastily around him and saved him from further injuring himself
“Fuck! Heero!” Duo’s breath rushed out of his lungs as he struggled to support Heero’s significant weight and keep his lover from hitting the floor. “You’re heavier then you look, love.”
“I-I think I can stand on my own now, Duo.” Heero was still fighting to control his vision seeing as how the room was spinning in a dark gray haze, but he was determined to be out of that infirmary cot.
“Really? Then how come your legs are splayed like a new born faun?” Sally raised her eyebrow and moved forward to help the prince wrestle his stubborn lover back onto the cot.
“What were you thinking, Heero?” Duo asked as they finally got him back into the cot and lying down with Sally poking around his chest and checking his stitches.
Heero grunted in pain as Sally prodded a sensitive spot on his wound. “I was crawling up the walls Duo. I can’t stand the infirmary when you’re not here.”
Sighing and sitting on the edge of the cot, Duo took Heero’s hand in his and squeezed, trying to comfort him. “You’re really not good with any kind of doctor related thing, are you?”
Scowling petulantly, Heero lifted Duo’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’ve always had to care for my own wounds. I’m just not used to being at someone else’s mercy in such a vulnerable state.”
“That’s the most I’ve heard you speak since David left this morning.” Sally grumbled then proceeded to slather on more of Helen’s ointment before rewrapping the wound. “He didn’t pop any stitches, thank God, but he came close and irritated the healing skin.”
Leaning back from her bent over position above Heero’s chest Sally finished tying off the bandage and turned to Duo. “Even in his weakened state I don’t think I would have been able to keep him here. It’s a good thing you showed up David.”
“Thank you for trying anyway, Sally.” Duo sighed but couldn’t keep from smiling as his lover glared at the doctor, obviously very unrepentant for his behavior. “Maybe I should get Trowa and Wufei in here to watch over you while I’m out.”
That got a panic out of his unhappy lover. “Duo! I just wanted to see you.”
“I know love, but you can’t just waltz out of here. You nearly injured yourself.” Duo ignored Sally’s eye roll as he leaned forward to kiss Heero’s pouting lips and brush his bangs away from his forehead.
Returning the kiss and running a hand down Duo’s braid, Heero confessed, “I don’t feel comfortable here, Duo. I don’t know when someone is going to come in; I have no way of defending myself.” Heero tugged on the braid when Duo opened his mouth to protest. “I know I don’t really have to worry about an attack in the middle of the day or night here in the castle, but my training is hard to deny.”
Sighing Duo rested his forehead against Heero’s shoulder. “I’m sorry love. I didn’t realize it would be this hard on you.”
Turning just so that he could meet Sally’s eyes Duo asked, “Would it be possible to move Heero to my rooms until he’s able to move around freely again? It might help him relax.”
Sally frowned in thought then finally nodded. “I don’t see how that would hurt. He could actually get the rest he needs.”
“Good.” Duo smiled and kissed Heero’s shoulder than sat up again. “It’s settled. You’ll be moved into my rooms where I can be with you while I work and you can rest as much as you want.”
“Duo.” Heero gave his lover a pained look. “I don’t think I can go back into that room. Not without remembering what I… what I almost did.”
Feeling an ache in his chest when he saw that tormented light in Heero’s eyes, Duo intertwined their fingers and kissed his hand. “It’s alright, love. I’m moving into the King’s rooms. You won’t have to go back there.”
His relief was evident as he closed his eyes and relaxed back onto the cot. “Alright, Duo. I’ll move as long as you redecorate your new rooms. Last time I was in there all I could think about was how I was going to have to hunt down Dekim’s designer and put him out of his misery.”
Duo couldn’t hold it in and burst into a fit of giggles that had him almost rolling off the cot. “I think Trowa already took care of that, love. But I’ll be sure to do some major redecorating after the coronation and the wedding.”
“What wedding?” Heero frowned in confusion. “Are you throwing Solo and Hilde a wedding?”
Duo could feel the butterflies start up again and bagger at his esophagus for a way out. It was now. He was going to do it now. But God he thought he was going to die of nervousness. “No, it’s not Solo and Hilde’s wedding, though that is a good idea. We should talk to them about it when they come for the coronation.”
A very indiscrete cough made Duo jump guiltily. “I think I’m finished here.” Sally wiped his hands together and walked toward the door, then turned and glared meaningfully at Duo. “Come and find me when you’re ready to move Heero.” She slid outside leaving a confused Heero and a furiously blushing Duo behind.
“Whose wedding is it, Duo?” Heero had a horrible feeling. His stomach was suddenly tied in knots and his heart began to pound frantically. “Duo?”
“I was trying to find a good time to tell you er… expla-… ask you. But everything just sort of happened to so fast and I just got finished discussing it with the advisors and they gave me the go ahead, not that I needed it, but it never hurts to make my life easier-”
“Duo.” Heero couldn’t take it. His heart was breaking. “I know you need an heir and I understand that. I-I’ll not stop you from marrying to fulfill your duty.”
“What?” Duo stared owlishly at his saddened lover. Heero was near to tears and it was no less disconcerting then it had been the only two other times he had witnessed it. “That’s not-”
“You don’t need to explain it, Duo. You are going to be a king and a king needs a queen to give him things like an heir. I can’t give you that.” Swallowing passed the lump in his throat Heero closed his eyes; he couldn’t look at his beautiful lover as he said this. “I’ll be content to just be by your side as your lover even if I have to share you.”
“No!” Duo clasped both sides of Heero’s face in his hands and forced his lover to look at him. “Heero that is not what I was going to tell you. I’m not getting married to anyone else but you.”
Looking into Duo’s deep violet eyes, Heero blinked in confusion. “What?”
Smiling wryly, Duo explained, “I went to give the advisors the run down in the situation this afternoon after I looked through Dekim’s things. I also went to ask them for their permission to claim you as my partner.”
Seeing that Heero still didn’t quite understand, Duo kissed his nose placed their foreheads together. “As my partner in life and on the throne. Heero,” he chuckled, “what I’m trying to explain is that I just asked you to sort of marry me.”
And just like that the fission in Heero’s heart mended, his tears dried up and his couldn’t stop himself from tugging Duo down on top of him to cover his laughing face in kisses.
After a moment or two of frantic laughing and kissing, Heero pulled back. “Is that possible? There isn’t a law against or preventing it or something?”
Shaking his head with a goofy grin on his face, Duo giggled as Heero resumed peppering overjoyed kisses all over his face. “I checked the records this morning. Not a single word against it. And even if there was I would still do it anyway.”
“That’s wonderful! Duo, we’re getting married! Sort of.” Heero conceded with an amused chuckle.
“Well, it’s more of a partnership.” Duo explained as Heero began to work kisses down his neck. “There will papers to sign, but after that we can have a ceremony to, you know, show our commitment.” He blushed and averted his gaze, as Heero stopped kissing him and looked in him the eyes.
“Yes, Duo. That sounds perfect.” Heero pressed his lips to Duo’s and their tongues twisted together in pleasure and love. “It’s perfect except for one thing.”
“What?” Lifting his heavy lids, Duo searched Heero’s face for any sign of dissatisfaction.
“I want my mother here.” Heero said uncertainly.
“I didn’t realize… well I guess I never asked. Heero, why didn’t you tell me you still had family?” Duo threaded his fingers through Heero’s hair.
Shrugging, Heero ran his hands up and down Duo’s back, loving the feel of his muscles underneath his thin shirt. “We haven’t spoken in a long time. She didn’t approve of my… choice in career.”
“I would think not.” Duo chuckled.
“I know it’s a lot to ask.” Heero reiterated. “But I really want her to see me now. I want her to meet you; I know she’ll love you.”
Duo felt his chest swell with the pride Heero so readily displayed in him. “It’s not a lot, Heero. I’ll do anything for you, love.”
“Thank you.” Heero buried his face in Duo’s neck and inhaled his familiar and comforting scent. “I knew I loved you for a reason.”
Chuckling, Duo wrapped his arms around Heero and leaned his head on his shoulder. He was ready for a small nap. “As long as that’s not the only reason.”
They both laughed and settled down to get some rest before dinner. The plans for the coronation, redecorating, logistics of housing a gang of twenty street urchins, and traveling Heero’s mother from almost all the way across the globe were conveniently forgotten as they relaxed in each other’s presence and drifted into a dozing sleep.
~*~
TBC…
Chapter 09
*
Sitting around the meeting table in the advisors’ room there were three empty seats and silence had fallen like a lead weight over the room.
Duo sat picking under his nails as he waited, seemingly unconcerned with the absence of three of the advisors. Of course he knew where they were and that they wouldn’t be coming back. That is unless he hired a necromancer, but Duo wasn’t likely to do that.
“Your Highness,” spoke up a graying old man with wrinkles and a long beard, “where exactly are the other advisors?”
“Probably in Hell by now.” Duo answered nonchalantly. If he noticed the uncomfortable and paling faces of his advisors he didn’t mention it.
“Who then, Your Highness,” asked Dorothy rather annoyed, “are we waiting on?”
Glancing up at her and giving her a flashy mischievous grin, Duo said simply, “The new advisors.”
Realizing that she wasn’t going to get much more out of him, Dorothy nodded resignedly and sat back in her chair pointedly ignoring the pleased grin Zecks was trying to hide beside her.
The door opened abruptly causing everyone but the prince to jump. “I apologize for my tardiness.” Wufei bowed then assumed the empty seat to the left of the prince.
Advisors on both sides of the table turned to each other to whisper hurriedly and confusedly. They were not aware that they were replacing the three traitors and had no idea who the new advisors would be.
Just as they were beginning to get more vocal about their confusion and outrage, the door burst open again and the room fell into a stunned silence.
In stumbled Trowa and Quatre their cheeks flushed and their hair mussed. Duo fought not to burst out laughing but Zecks didn’t hold back and practically fell out of his chair by the time Dorothy finally pinched him enough to stop his guffaws.
“Ahem,” Quatre cleared his throat with a deep blush inching up his throat. “Sorry we’re late. We uh… had some business to attend to.”
“I’ll say.” Muttered Duo to Wufei causing the body guard to roll his eyes and sigh.
“Your Highness.” Dorothy fought down her frustration as Quatre and Trowa took the seats on Duo’s other side. “May we continue on with the meeting now?”
Clearing his throat, Duo straightened in his seat and tugged almost nervously on his coat. “Sure, yeah. Let’s get to it.”
Everyone settled in to listen to their prince.
“I went through Dekim’s papers this morning and discovered some very interesting things.” Duo tiered his fingers in front of his face as he spoke. His nervousness fading as his need to get down to business rose to the surface. “Would any of you like to explain to me how he was able to get approval for an order of luxury items of this size while he was starving my people?” He pulled out the enormous roll of parchment and slammed it down on the table.
Immediately everyone in the room with the exception of Dorothy, Zecks, Quat, Tro and Wufei looked extremely uncomfortable.
“I told you idiots not to approve it.” Dorothy muttered under her breath, but Duo heard her.
“What I don’t understand is that you did not come to me.” Duo went on, giving Dorothy a significant look. “Someone explain it to me.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” said a snooty looking advisor at the end of the table, “you were quite busy enough with your own entertainment to have been bothered.”
Raising an eyebrow, Duo studied him. He looked well fed, dressed in the finest of materials available in Sanq, and didn’t think much of Duo’s authority. “And you’re name, Sir.”
He stood and bowed his head with a condescending bob. “Sir Allen.”
“Well Sir Allen,” Duo smirked, “Your property is hereby seized by the kingdom and every belonging in your position donated to the needy including those fancy duds covering your over sized gut. You may leave now.”
He gaped. “You cannot do that.”
“Mm.” Duo tapped a finger on his chin thoughtfully. “Yes I can.”
“You have no justification!” Sir Allen exclaimed outraged. “On what grounds are you to take such unfounded measures?”
“On the grounds that you piss me off, I have absolute power, and that you were receiving hand outs from Dekim and therefore will make my life very difficult in the coming future.” Duo smiled unkindly and leaned forward menacingly. “Is that enough justification for you?”
“And what proof do you have of those outrageous accusations?” Sir Allen looked around at his fellow advisors for support and found none. They looked on with carefully blank faces.
“Besides that fact that you are dressed more richly than I am, Dekim kept impeccable treasury receipts.” He pulled another roll of parchment from his bag and placed it next to the aborted orders. “He had been feeding you a nice little coin bag for the past four years.”
Suddenly Sir Allen was aware of the other advisors’ unsympathetic scowls centered on him.
“I suggest,” Duo smirked, “That you leave before I decide to behead you like your traitorous colleagues.” Sir Allen bowed with a sour face then quickly rushed out of the room.
“He going to run?” Wufei asked under his breath.
“Yep.” Duo nodded than turned back to business. “If any of you have a problem with what just happened then you can leave with your estates intact.” He waited a beat and when no one moved he decided to head to the next matter of business.
“In my searching of Dekim’s desk I found a list of Dekim’s next attack points in his expansion plans.” He shuffled through the papers and separated it from the rest. “I have called off all pending attacks. We need to concentrate on the people we have already before decided to send our soldiers to die in the pursuit of more. Any objections?”
There were none so Duo plowed on. “I also came across both Dekim’s and my father’s journals. It would seem,” he had to pause to gather his still frazzled nerves on the subject, “that Dekim orchestrated my father’s murder himself.” There was a gasp but not a surprised one. King James’ murder had been under suspicion but when Dekim had seized the throne for his temporary reign he had quickly quieted every inquiry.
“And in discovering that, another piece of paramount information was brought to my attention.” Duo looked to his left and gave his cousin, brother, a knowing grin. “It would seem that King James’, my father, had fathered an illegitimate son with the Duchess Barton before he was crowned King.”
Now that got several extremely astonished, gaping mouths. Zecks could hardly believe his ears. “Your Highness, you have got to be fucking with us.”
“I assure you,” Duo smirked, “I am not. Trowa Barton, upon my coronation as king, will then become crowned prince of Sanq.”
Dorothy just about fainted. “Sir, that means that Trowa is the heir to the throne and you are not.”
“Actually,” Trowa stood and addressed the assembly for the first time, “I have relinquished my claim on the throne to David. I have no aspirations to become king unless I absolutely have to.”
“Trowa will act in my stead when I am away from the kingdom or incapacitated until another heir can be found.” Duo added to ease the panicked advisors.
“But Your Highnesses,” the gray bearded man spoke up, “Sir Barton is the heir to the throne in your stead.”
Duo regarded the old man with a sad expression. “Trowa has no aspirations to the throne and frankly I don’t blame him.” Looking back over to the empty seat at the table, Duo’s frown deepened. “Ruling a kingdom such as Sanq is a lot of trouble with, so far, little to no reward for any effort.”
“Sir.” Dorothy looked at the prince with an uncertain expression. “It is clear that Sir Barton will not be taking the throne, the circumstances prevent that, but there is still the matter of an heir when you can no longer sit on the throne.”
Sitting back in his seat Duo seemed to regard the top of the meeting table with great concentration. Finally after a long silence he lifted his head and eyed the advisors with determination. “If you all will remember, I had already asked for an audience before the ever living shit hit the fan. It was to discuss something other than my assuming the throne.”
He waited till he had their full and curious attention. “I had become aware of Heero Yuy’s true identity and had also begun to take steps to ensure our future together at the time I requested the meeting.”
“D-Your Highness?” Quatre caught his informal slip but couldn’t help his obvious confusion.
“I had arranged this meeting to discuss making a permanent arrangement with Mister Yuy.” He held his breath and waited.
Wufei, Quarter and Trowa had all stared at him in a mixture of surprise and happiness. They knew exactly what he was asking, but as for the other ten or so people in the room, they were still lost in confusion.
Dorothy and Zecks had a better idea of what their prince was getting at, but they still had to make absolutely sure it was what they were thinking. “You mean to put him on your guard detail, Your Highness?”
Duo blushed then threw his head back and let out an amazing laugh. “No! Zecks I would have thought you would comprehend at least a little quicker than that.”
“I was just trying to clarify, Your Highness. With you all bets are off.” Zecks smiled and shared an identically knowing look with Dorothy.
“Please, Your Highness!” Another advisor exclaimed in nervous confusion. “Explain so the rest of us will understand.
Calming his chuckling down, Duo smiled brightly and nearly bounced in his seat at the head of the table. “I know you all aren’t as thick as you like to pretend. You know Heero and I are lovers, are in love. Therefore there will be no blood heir because I intend to draw up a binding contract that will be equivalent to marriage.”
There was a cacophony of sputtering and exclaiming then one voice panicked above the others. “But surely Sir Barton will have a child in the future you can name as heir!”
Glancing at a suddenly blushing Quatre and an amusedly smirking Trowa, Duo grinned and turned back to the speaker. “Unless God himself steps in, I don’t think that’s likely to happen.”
It took an amazingly short amount of time for the whole room to erupt in abject panic. Shouts and exclamations of despair such as: “There’s no heir!”, “Our king won’t have a queen!”, and “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning!” echoed through the meeting room thoroughly entertaining at least four of its occupants.
Finally Duo was beginning to get a headache from all the squawks and stuck his fingers in his mouth releasing a whistle loud enough to have every old, balding, bellied advisor stopping in mid panic. It was really rather comical but Duo was getting antsy to return to his love who was still locked in the infirmary.
Motioning for every one to sit back down, Duo cleared his throat and hit them with his most charming smile, though he still looked like a fox out for mischief. “Never fear, my good old coots. I, in my infinite wisdom, have already figured out the perfect solution.”
“Since when did David get infinite wisdom?” Quatre queried out of the corner of his mouth, making Trowa burst into a chuckle and invoking a stern scowl from Duo.
“It came to my attention yesterday, that two very good friends of mine are about to have a baby. Now,” he raised a finger to halt any protest or questions, “I would not be suggesting anything like this if I was not sure that their child would be intelligent and up to the challenge, but even so, the child will taught and schooled as I was and should they wish to refuse the throne their wishes will be heeded.”
“My prince,” Zecks asked playing the devil’s very interested advocate, “do you have any claim on the child? How can you be sure that its parent’s will want their child to be your heir? It’s not just the throne they will have to take on. It’s all of the danger and obligation that goes with it.”
“Those are very valid concerns, Zecks.” Duo nodded. “They had asked me to take their child in and raise him it the castle, to be its godfather. I fully intend to do both of those things to the fullest extent of my ability regardless of their acceptance of my proposal. Going so far as to take in the whole gang and put them up in the castle; educate them and help them grow until they can stand on their own feet.”
Duo ignored the murmurs of surprise when the word gang penetrated all those thick skulls. “I will discuss my proposition with my friends and should they refuse I will simply have to look elsewhere for an heir.” Duo was sure there was no shortage of orphaned children that he and Heero could take in, but he would much prefer to give Solo and Hilde’s child the throne, it was sure to be an extraordinary child.
Besides, Duo was already marinating scores of ideas on how to help the many abandoned and orphaned children across his kingdom.
Clapping his hands together, Duo smiled winningly at the conceding advisors. “Well, now that that’s in the oven, shall we move back to my partnership with Heero?”
“Sir,” an advisor pointed out, “the only personal partnership that a king can enter into such as this is with his queen.”
“Don’t let Heero hear you say that.” Trowa mumbled under his breath causing Wufei to bit back an amused chuckle.
“Actually, you are mistaken.” Duo smiled proudly. He was going to get what he wanted even if he had to beat some sense into these old geezers. “After I went through Dekim’s personal belongings I poured over the Sanq constitution and all of its laws and regulations. Nowhere in all of that did I find a single thing that specified a king had to have a queen at his side. It mentioned ‘spouse’ quite a lot but never ‘queen’. So truly there is no reason why I shouldn’t have a partnership with Heero and share my throne with the man I love.”
The advisors all looked at one another in silent communication. They questioned the wisdom of tying him self to an assassin that was at one point hired to kill him, but they could only offer their advice and pray that they weren’t short one king after the wedding night.
Standing up, Dorothy addressed the future king. “I speak for all the advisors when I say that we will begin drawing up the paper work and congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials.”
Duo grinned wide enough to split his face. He would have done it anyway even if the advisors hadn’t approved, but at least this way is less hassle for him.
Suddenly very impatient he adjourned the meeting and was the first one out the door and on his way to the infirmary. He had a lover to see and propose to.
*
Duo stood outside the infirmary and twisted his fingers together in nervousness. He didn’t think he should be nervous, but then again he had always heard that no matter what response you expected you are always nervous before offering up your whole life to someone.
Fighting down the chaotic butterflies Duo patted at his braid to make sure everything was in place before pushing the infirmary door open and stopping dead at the scene before him.
“I told you. Under no circumstances are you aloud out of bed at least for another three days!” Sally pushed failingly against Heero’s shoulders trying to get him back into a lying position.
“Get out of my way.” Heero struggled with the black fuzz encroaching on his vision and the pain in his chest, but he had stayed in that bed long enough. When Duo was with him it wasn’t so bad, but with his lover gone, the walls had begun to close in and Heero couldn’t fight the feelings of panic and helplessness any longer. “I’m going to see Duo and you can’t stop me!”
He stood and promptly began to tip forward almost crushing Sally underneath him. It felt as though his head had gone missing and his arms had gone tingly. His knees buckled and he waited for the painful impact with the solid marble floor, but was brought up short when a strong pair of familiar arms wrapped hastily around him and saved him from further injuring himself
“Fuck! Heero!” Duo’s breath rushed out of his lungs as he struggled to support Heero’s significant weight and keep his lover from hitting the floor. “You’re heavier then you look, love.”
“I-I think I can stand on my own now, Duo.” Heero was still fighting to control his vision seeing as how the room was spinning in a dark gray haze, but he was determined to be out of that infirmary cot.
“Really? Then how come your legs are splayed like a new born faun?” Sally raised her eyebrow and moved forward to help the prince wrestle his stubborn lover back onto the cot.
“What were you thinking, Heero?” Duo asked as they finally got him back into the cot and lying down with Sally poking around his chest and checking his stitches.
Heero grunted in pain as Sally prodded a sensitive spot on his wound. “I was crawling up the walls Duo. I can’t stand the infirmary when you’re not here.”
Sighing and sitting on the edge of the cot, Duo took Heero’s hand in his and squeezed, trying to comfort him. “You’re really not good with any kind of doctor related thing, are you?”
Scowling petulantly, Heero lifted Duo’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’ve always had to care for my own wounds. I’m just not used to being at someone else’s mercy in such a vulnerable state.”
“That’s the most I’ve heard you speak since David left this morning.” Sally grumbled then proceeded to slather on more of Helen’s ointment before rewrapping the wound. “He didn’t pop any stitches, thank God, but he came close and irritated the healing skin.”
Leaning back from her bent over position above Heero’s chest Sally finished tying off the bandage and turned to Duo. “Even in his weakened state I don’t think I would have been able to keep him here. It’s a good thing you showed up David.”
“Thank you for trying anyway, Sally.” Duo sighed but couldn’t keep from smiling as his lover glared at the doctor, obviously very unrepentant for his behavior. “Maybe I should get Trowa and Wufei in here to watch over you while I’m out.”
That got a panic out of his unhappy lover. “Duo! I just wanted to see you.”
“I know love, but you can’t just waltz out of here. You nearly injured yourself.” Duo ignored Sally’s eye roll as he leaned forward to kiss Heero’s pouting lips and brush his bangs away from his forehead.
Returning the kiss and running a hand down Duo’s braid, Heero confessed, “I don’t feel comfortable here, Duo. I don’t know when someone is going to come in; I have no way of defending myself.” Heero tugged on the braid when Duo opened his mouth to protest. “I know I don’t really have to worry about an attack in the middle of the day or night here in the castle, but my training is hard to deny.”
Sighing Duo rested his forehead against Heero’s shoulder. “I’m sorry love. I didn’t realize it would be this hard on you.”
Turning just so that he could meet Sally’s eyes Duo asked, “Would it be possible to move Heero to my rooms until he’s able to move around freely again? It might help him relax.”
Sally frowned in thought then finally nodded. “I don’t see how that would hurt. He could actually get the rest he needs.”
“Good.” Duo smiled and kissed Heero’s shoulder than sat up again. “It’s settled. You’ll be moved into my rooms where I can be with you while I work and you can rest as much as you want.”
“Duo.” Heero gave his lover a pained look. “I don’t think I can go back into that room. Not without remembering what I… what I almost did.”
Feeling an ache in his chest when he saw that tormented light in Heero’s eyes, Duo intertwined their fingers and kissed his hand. “It’s alright, love. I’m moving into the King’s rooms. You won’t have to go back there.”
His relief was evident as he closed his eyes and relaxed back onto the cot. “Alright, Duo. I’ll move as long as you redecorate your new rooms. Last time I was in there all I could think about was how I was going to have to hunt down Dekim’s designer and put him out of his misery.”
Duo couldn’t hold it in and burst into a fit of giggles that had him almost rolling off the cot. “I think Trowa already took care of that, love. But I’ll be sure to do some major redecorating after the coronation and the wedding.”
“What wedding?” Heero frowned in confusion. “Are you throwing Solo and Hilde a wedding?”
Duo could feel the butterflies start up again and bagger at his esophagus for a way out. It was now. He was going to do it now. But God he thought he was going to die of nervousness. “No, it’s not Solo and Hilde’s wedding, though that is a good idea. We should talk to them about it when they come for the coronation.”
A very indiscrete cough made Duo jump guiltily. “I think I’m finished here.” Sally wiped his hands together and walked toward the door, then turned and glared meaningfully at Duo. “Come and find me when you’re ready to move Heero.” She slid outside leaving a confused Heero and a furiously blushing Duo behind.
“Whose wedding is it, Duo?” Heero had a horrible feeling. His stomach was suddenly tied in knots and his heart began to pound frantically. “Duo?”
“I was trying to find a good time to tell you er… expla-… ask you. But everything just sort of happened to so fast and I just got finished discussing it with the advisors and they gave me the go ahead, not that I needed it, but it never hurts to make my life easier-”
“Duo.” Heero couldn’t take it. His heart was breaking. “I know you need an heir and I understand that. I-I’ll not stop you from marrying to fulfill your duty.”
“What?” Duo stared owlishly at his saddened lover. Heero was near to tears and it was no less disconcerting then it had been the only two other times he had witnessed it. “That’s not-”
“You don’t need to explain it, Duo. You are going to be a king and a king needs a queen to give him things like an heir. I can’t give you that.” Swallowing passed the lump in his throat Heero closed his eyes; he couldn’t look at his beautiful lover as he said this. “I’ll be content to just be by your side as your lover even if I have to share you.”
“No!” Duo clasped both sides of Heero’s face in his hands and forced his lover to look at him. “Heero that is not what I was going to tell you. I’m not getting married to anyone else but you.”
Looking into Duo’s deep violet eyes, Heero blinked in confusion. “What?”
Smiling wryly, Duo explained, “I went to give the advisors the run down in the situation this afternoon after I looked through Dekim’s things. I also went to ask them for their permission to claim you as my partner.”
Seeing that Heero still didn’t quite understand, Duo kissed his nose placed their foreheads together. “As my partner in life and on the throne. Heero,” he chuckled, “what I’m trying to explain is that I just asked you to sort of marry me.”
And just like that the fission in Heero’s heart mended, his tears dried up and his couldn’t stop himself from tugging Duo down on top of him to cover his laughing face in kisses.
After a moment or two of frantic laughing and kissing, Heero pulled back. “Is that possible? There isn’t a law against or preventing it or something?”
Shaking his head with a goofy grin on his face, Duo giggled as Heero resumed peppering overjoyed kisses all over his face. “I checked the records this morning. Not a single word against it. And even if there was I would still do it anyway.”
“That’s wonderful! Duo, we’re getting married! Sort of.” Heero conceded with an amused chuckle.
“Well, it’s more of a partnership.” Duo explained as Heero began to work kisses down his neck. “There will papers to sign, but after that we can have a ceremony to, you know, show our commitment.” He blushed and averted his gaze, as Heero stopped kissing him and looked in him the eyes.
“Yes, Duo. That sounds perfect.” Heero pressed his lips to Duo’s and their tongues twisted together in pleasure and love. “It’s perfect except for one thing.”
“What?” Lifting his heavy lids, Duo searched Heero’s face for any sign of dissatisfaction.
“I want my mother here.” Heero said uncertainly.
“I didn’t realize… well I guess I never asked. Heero, why didn’t you tell me you still had family?” Duo threaded his fingers through Heero’s hair.
Shrugging, Heero ran his hands up and down Duo’s back, loving the feel of his muscles underneath his thin shirt. “We haven’t spoken in a long time. She didn’t approve of my… choice in career.”
“I would think not.” Duo chuckled.
“I know it’s a lot to ask.” Heero reiterated. “But I really want her to see me now. I want her to meet you; I know she’ll love you.”
Duo felt his chest swell with the pride Heero so readily displayed in him. “It’s not a lot, Heero. I’ll do anything for you, love.”
“Thank you.” Heero buried his face in Duo’s neck and inhaled his familiar and comforting scent. “I knew I loved you for a reason.”
Chuckling, Duo wrapped his arms around Heero and leaned his head on his shoulder. He was ready for a small nap. “As long as that’s not the only reason.”
They both laughed and settled down to get some rest before dinner. The plans for the coronation, redecorating, logistics of housing a gang of twenty street urchins, and traveling Heero’s mother from almost all the way across the globe were conveniently forgotten as they relaxed in each other’s presence and drifted into a dozing sleep.
~*~
TBC…
Chapter 09