Chapter 3

Wufei woke up slowly the next day. He had stayed up too long thinking and now he was exhausted. He sighed and laid there for a few minutes until he heard some voices outside of his room. They weren't either Quatre's or Prince Heero's voices. They were female voices!

He sat up quickly and looked down at the white nightgown he had to wear. It was freezing in the palace and he wasn't going to risk getting sick because he didn't want to wear a nightgown. He leaped out of bed and looked around frantically. He wasn't dressed! No one could see him like this!

He ran over to the closet and threw it open. He searched through it and pulled out a heavy peach dress. He pulled off the nightgown and pulled on the dress quickly, shoving down the scarves to make the breasts. He smoothed it down and grabbed a brush, running it quickly through his hair. Grabbing a pair of matching shoes, he pulled them on and slipped on his jewelry. He thought he'd be left alone! He looked in the mirror and picked up some make up, carefully reapplying it just like how Quatre did it yesterday. He felt a bit of pride of actually pulling it off right the first time.

Looking at his hair Wufei had no idea what to do with it. He didn't know how to tie it up! Biting his lower lip, Wufei grabbed his hair and began to quickly braid it. He knew how to do that. When he finished the braid hung a few inches from his shoulders and was tied off with a peach ribbon. He picked up all the weapons hidden in the vanity table and quickly slipped and strapped them on so he was armed.

He then walked over to the door and listened on in the conversation going on outside his door.

"...true!"

"I thought he was with Princess Relena! But I heard from the servants yesterday that Prince Heero has a new lady," a sly voice said in that strange Derrath accent that Wufei could found a bit annoying.

"Yes! Her name is Lady Celeste, is it not?"

Wufei narrowed his eyes. This is why he didn't like palace life! Everyone knew everything! There was no such thing as privacy!

"She's a strange girl from what I heard. She's certainly not Derrath!"

"I saw her actually. Walking down the hall with Sir Quatre," a third voice said. "She has the blackest hair! Sin, I tell you!"

Wufei rolled his eyes. Lord, he hated gossips! They were probably one of the most annoying people alive! The gods sent them down onto Earth to punish those who were unworthy and get caught in the gossip line. Just like lawyers were sent down to punish those who demand Justice that is never served in this world!

"I heard he brought her back from his trip to Oz."

"I thought she came to join court."

"I don't know what either of you have heard but all I know is that Princess Relena is out of the picture and Prince Heero is still free. We had nothing against a princess, but now it's back to ladies. Something we *can* deal with," the one who had remarked on his hair said.

"True!"

Wufei decided he had taken enough of this. He grabbed the knobs and pulled it open, startling the three girls outside of his door. He smiled sweetly at them, his expression betraying nothing of what he had heard.

"Good morning ladies," he said in a soft, feminine voice that Quatre had made him practice over and over yesterday.

"Lady Celeste," a red head said, curtsying slightly. "I am Lady Rachel of Vileta."

"And I am Lady Aileen of Corenth," the tall blonde said, curtsying slightly as well.

"I am Lady Vivian of Gael," the dark brown haired lady said, nodding politely. Wufei could take a pretty good guess at who this snooty one was.

"It's wonderful to meet you three," Wufei said, curtsying gracefully. He mentally thanked Quatre for forcing him to do it over and over until he got it right. He was sure he would have fallen over--like the first time--if he hadn't practiced and he wanted to make sure that he was just as good as these girls.

Lady Rachel stepped up and slid her arm around Wufei's pretty friendly and smiled sweetly as she led Wufei away from the room.

"I hear you're living in Lenda now? Where did you come from before coming to Derrath's capital?" Lady Rachel asked smoothly.

Wufei smiled. "I came from Cimmura."

"Cimmura? Well, that's a very prosperous city. What was your father?"

"He was a very rich merchant," Wufei said, nodding at Rachel.

"A merchant?" Lady Vivian repeated snidely. "My father is a count."

"How very good for you," Wufei said with a slight edge. He slowly pulled away from Lady Rachel. "If you don't mind me, I have some things to attend to." He nodded at them and moved swiftly down the hall before they could stop him. He turned the corner and breathed a sigh of relief. He needed to get away from those girls! They were far too suspicious and it wouldn't be healthy to stick around.

He blinked as he looked around the unfamiliar hall. Damn. He was lost.

Wufei stood there for a moment, wondering if he should retrace his steps even if he meant bumping into those girls again. And it would be humiliating. He was supposed to be gone. Not back where he had started.

He was saved when a guard suddenly appeared.

Gathering up all his skill, Wufei moved towards the guard with the grace of a cat. "Excuse me, sir?"

The guard blinked and smiled at the beautiful nymph of a vision standing before him. "Yes, my lady?"

"Could you please be kind enough to show me where His Highness is? I was suppose to meet him for breakfast," Wufei said in that soft voice he was suppose to use. He managed to force a slight flush. "But it seems I've lost my way."

"Of course," the guard said, nodding. "Follow me, my lady."

"Thank you ever so much," Wufei said, smiling sweetly.

The guard looked like he was going to die from a nosebleed.

~*~

"Ah-ha! There you are!" Quatre exclaimed when he saw Wufei walking down the hall with a tall guard beside him. "I've been looking all over for you." He looked at the guard and waved his hand dismissively.

"If you ever need help again, I'd be happy to be of service to you, my lady," the guard said, smiling sweetly at Wufei as he took the small hand and brushed his lips against it.

Wufei blushed. "Thank you."

The guard nodded to Quatre and walked off.

Quatre raised an eyebrow at Wufei. "My, haven't you been doing some practicing."

"I had to get away! There were these horrid girls outside my door," Wufei said, mimicking the strange Derrath accent. He came from the mountains and knew nothing of this weird city accent that everyone used.

"Lady Vivian, Lady Rachel and Lady Aileen?" Quatre asked a bit sympathetically.

"How did you know?"

"They're the palace gossips. They also have an eye out for any competition when it comes to Prince Heero. Prince is a very good status in life," Quatre said as he pulled open the door and ushered Wufei in.

"What about King?"

"Prince Trowa is already betrothed to Princess Ehlana of Elenia [1]," Quatre said as he pushed open another door to reveal Heero sitting at the table with breakfast already laid out.

Heero stood up when Wufei appeared and bowed slightly. "Good morning, Lady Celeste."

Wufei curtsied, forcing himself to be polite although he wanted to deck Heero good for calling him 'Lady Celeste'. "Good morning, Your Highness."

"You had a good night's rest, I hope," Heero said politely as he pulled out a chair for Wufei.

"Yes, I did," Wufei said, nodding his head gracefully as he sat down.

Heero smiled slightly as he took his place at the head of the table. He looked over to Wufei who was seated with his back impossibly straight and his head angled perfectly to the side. Taking a inaudible yet deep breath, Heero wondered why he suddenly felt so strange while looking at Wufei.

The servants entered the room and began to pour the tea. Once Heero and Wufei were comfortable they left.

"I will go and attend to business, Your Highness," Quatre said, bowing before turned and left the room.

Wufei waited until Heero started eating before he followed in suit. He had to get used to this. Usually, no one waited for anyone to eat. They just did. He missed his old life already. The pure freedom of doing anything he wanted when he wanted to. The friendship that was true, unlike the false people here in the palace. He missed Tian.

Heero noticed Wufei's distance and decided to ask if something was wrong. "Is anything of the matter, Lady Celeste?"

Wufei blinked and looked up at Heero, surprised at the question. He had no idea Heero actually *cared*! "No, Your Highness. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Wufei said without gritting his teeth. He just wanted to be left alone with his thoughts.

"Good. I'm going out to hunt tonight with the other lords and ladies. Will you care to join me?"

Wufei looked at Heero for a very long time. Why was Heero asking when he knew Wufei *had* to go? He shrugged, not wanting to bother dwelling on stupid things like that. "Yes, I would love to join you." The 'love' had just a bit of edge to it.

"Wonderful. Quatre will get you a riding habit and we'll go before lunch and have a picnic later in fields," Heero said, nodding while a small smirk graced his perfect mouth.

"Just...peachy," Wufei said, smiling tightly as he downed his tea like a good bit of ale.

~*~

"And how, may I ask, get on a horse with a goddamn dress on?!" Wufei hissed to Heero as he smoothed down the wine red and white riding habit that Quatre had given him to wear. He now had a velvet hat sitting on his head with a riding crop in his left hand and heavy boots. The dress, like everything else, fit perfectly, accenting his small waist--which actually came from not eating very much and excessive training. Again, scarves had been shoved down his dress to give him a pair of breasts. They were starting to itch to his discomfort and there was no way in hell he was going to scratch them in public! He almost shuddered at the thought.

"Just give me your hand and I'll help you up," Heero said, holding out his hand.

Wufei stared at the hand before slowly putting his own gloved hand in it. He almost jumped when he felt Heero closed his bigger hand over his own. He glared at the prince and allowed him to help him up onto the dark amber colored horse. He sat with his legs over one side on the side-saddle. He almost fell off if Heero hadn't grabbed his leg and pushed him back up. He glared down at the prince and tried to ignore the sudden warmth running up the leg Heero had touched. He turned resolutely and gathered the reins in his hands, all the while his heart pounded against his chest. No! Think of Tian! Tian is your lover, Wufei. You're not gonna bother with that prince...No matter how goddamn handsome he is.

Heero smiled up at Wufei before moving over to his own white horse. He leaped on easily and rode next to Wufei.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked softly, leaning close to the other boy. He caught the light scent of perfume that Wufei had sprayed on (Translation: Quatre had sprayed him before he could stop the blonde). It smelled like wild flowers, sun, and something else that was purely Wufei.

"I've ridden horses before, thank you," Wufei snapped, shaking just a bit from close contact between him and the prince.

"But you've never ridden a side-saddle, have you?" Heero asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll be fine," Wufei said tightly. "Don't you worry yourself about me."

"Good." Heero flashed Wufei a quick smile before riding ahead of the group where his friends where.

The horn sounded and the hunting party rode out.

Wufei stayed close to Heero yet remained a good distance away so nothing was noticeable. He busied himself by staring at the passing scenery. He smiled as the wind blew and tore at the stupid hat he was wearing. Why did women bother themselves with such stupid things? He held the hat down as the wind picked up, ruffling his dress and revealing a bit of his leg to every other man's delight. Wufei was oblivious.

"Excuse me?"

Wufei turned and promptly glared at the man who was talking to him. He was a tall with laughing violet eyes and a long thick braid of hair. He was dressed in a white ruffle shirt with black breeches and a hunting coat on. He held a short hunting bow in one hand while the other held the reins to his midnight black horse.

"Excuse me, Lady Celeste, but I've only come here to tell you that you're dress is inappropriately revealing your leg," the man said, looking down at the bared flesh.

Wufei reached over and tugged down the dress. "There. Happy?"

"Are all the women from Cimmura like you?" the man inquired dryly.

"No. I'm one of a kind. Go away," Wufei said, turning away from the man.

"Aw, must you be so rude?"

"Yes," Wufei said. He gasped when a hand suddenly touched his chin and turned his head over. "Why are you bothering me?"

"Because I love to bother beautiful ladies," the man said, smiling charmingly.

What if I told you I wasn't a lady? Wufei thought nastily. He seriously hated this. Another man was flirting with him! I don't know whether or not I should be angry or flattered. Gods, I look woman enough to fool people...

"I am Lord Duo of Maxwell," the man said.

Wufei sighed mentally and decided to play along. It was better than protesting. It was obvious this man wouldn't go away if he kept on turning him away.

"Lady Celeste of Cimmura," he said, holding out his hand.

Duo smiled as he took the hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "It's a pleasure. Would you like to be my riding partner for the hunt?"

Wufei managed a small smile without it being bitter or mocking. "I would love to be your partner, Lord Duo."

~*~

"You see that hill over there?" Duo asked as he pointed to said hill. "If you ride over there you'll come to a wonderful stream. It's wonderful for fishing but it'd also be a nice place to swim. I can take you there some day."

Wufei smiled and laughed lightly. "That would be delightful, Lord Duo, but really, I can't fish!" Well, ain't that a sweet lie.

"Then I guess we can swim, Lady Celeste," Duo murmured in Wufei's ear.

Wufei managed a blush and stepped a little away from Duo. "You are a rake, Lord Duo." Gods, Tian, what would you think if you saw me now?

Duo laughed. "No lady as ever told me such a thing out loud before, Lady Celeste!"

"I'm not any lady," Wufei said, shaking his head while a smile played on his lips.

"I can see that," Duo said, as he reached out and took Wufei's hand in his own, smoothing his thumb gently over his knuckles.

Wufei, to his surprise, was actually having fun flirting with the Lord of Maxwell. He was an intelligent man and it was nice having a conversation with him. He joked a lot though and had pulled far too many pranks but Wufei liked him. Even though he insisted on continuously flirting. So, this is what onnas have to deal with. Do they like this?? Wufei wondered as he tucked a strand of loose hair behind his ear. He had taken off his hat and loosed his hair which was now flying behind him as the wind blew.

The other women were seated on the large thin blanket laid out for the picnic, talking and gossiping among each other. The men were standing up, talking and eating while they traded stories. Heero was with that group and Wufei made sure to keep the prince within his sight. He might have been half-forced into this but he wasn't going to fail his duty.

"Ah, what is going on through that pretty mind of yours?" Duo asked as he reached out and gave Wufei's hair a quick tug.

"Oh, just thinking how nice this is," Wufei said easily as he shaded his eyes and stared off in the direction of the mountains. His home. Everyone, I miss you. I wish I was with you guys but I guess that can't happen right now. Maybe after all the danger is gone Heero will let me go.

"Lady Celeste," Duo began.

"Yes?" Wufei prompted.

"Would you like to go out into the city tomorrow? That is, if His Highness will allow you freedom," Duo said, waving his hand a little and smiling warmly at Wufei.

"Out? To the city?" Wufei was mildly stunned. He didn't know if Heero would actually let him go. But something inside of him did want to. He wanted to get out actually and going with Lord Duo wouldn't be so bad.

"Yes, to the city," Duo said with an affectionate smile as he tapped Wufei's nose with his long finger. "Well?"

"I'll have to ask," Wufei said, frowning slightly. "But I hope I can go out tomorrow with you."

"Good. Convince that prince to let you go. It's no fair that you've been in the palace for a few days and you haven't seen the city yet."

"I've only been here for two days."

"You should have seen the city today."

"But the hunt--"

"Hush. Try to convince him to let you go. I'm trying to make a point here."

Wufei chuckled and nodded. "Very well. I will try."

"Good! Now, let me tell you about these flowers here. There's a special story behind them..." Duo said as he grabbed Wufei's hand and pulled the boy over to a small patch of multi-colored flowers.

~*~

Heero watched as Lord Duo pulled Wufei over to the flowers and began to extravagantly weave a tale about lovers and despair. He smiled slightly, not even listening to the men around him talk anymore. He just watched as Wufei laughed and shook his head as he said something that made Duo mock indignation. The dress fluttered around Wufei, his hair whipping carelessly as he laughed and joked with the Lord of Maxwell. Suddenly, Heero was very jealous of the lord. He had been able to spend the whole day with Wufei while Heero had to spend it with his friends who were utter bores at the moment.

He lifted the wine to his lips and took a small sip as he continued to watch the two.

"...beautiful one," Lord Richard was saying.

Heero blinked and turned his head back to his friends. "Excuse me?"

Lord Richard grinned while the other men chuckled. "I said Lady Celeste is a beautiful one, Heero. Where ever did you get her?"

"She came from Cimmura," Heero said, shrugging slightly.

"Oh, come on, Cimmura might be a rich place but I've never seen them come out with any girls as beautiful as Lady Celeste," Lord Richard said, smiling as he also watched 'Lady Celeste' talk animatedly with Lord Duo. "Duo's a lucky one right now."

"Damn straight he is," Lord Jason said, nodding in envy. "I wouldn't mind being able to touch Lady Celeste right now. I bet she's as soft as a rose petal."

"Touch Lady Celeste?" Heero repeated in confusion.

"Oh, come now, Heero. Haven't you seen him flirting with her? Taking her hand into his, touching her hair or face at every opportunity. I dare say the lord has finally fallen for someone," Lord Kenneth sighed. "Lucky man. It also looks like Lady Celeste likes him as well."

"I thought she was your new lover, Heero," Lord Richard said, his expression slightly confused.

"No, she isn't. She's just another girl my father had me escort while she's staying here in court," Heero said a bit distractedly as he saw Lord Duo reach out and tuck a few strands of hair behind Wufei's ear while they talked. Wufei didn't glare or slap his hand away at all. A sharp sting of jealousy made itself known in Heero.

"Well, Heero, if I was you, I'd think of a way to steal Lady Celeste away from Duo before you start hearing wedding bells. She's far better than Princess Relena," Lord Jason laughed.

Relena. Heero almost winced. She should be back in a few days. Right now he didn't want to deal with her, no matter she's a virgin. He wanted time with Wufei. He was never explicit about his preferences and he had to admit right now he wouldn't mind having Wufei in his bed. The damned bandit was far too beautiful for his own good.

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Oooh! I'm having fuuun! *laughs* I never knew this was gonna be so fun to write! *V* Yea! My first Heero and Wufei long fic! Tell me what ya think!

[1] Ah! I love David Eddings! He's the best fantasy writer ever!! This name is in reference to the Queen in the The Elenium series. Cimmura is also a city in The Elenium series.