The prince stopped next to his father and observed the frightened man kneeling in front of them more closely. Heero found it strange that a man would have such long hair. Strangely enough it made him look more feminine. Though the firm lines of his well muscled body clearly stated that Duo was indeed male, the young prince couldn't deny that he more or less saw a beautiful *woman* rather than a man.
The King patiently waited for Heero to complete his observation before calmly speaking.
"Stand up and introduce yourself to my son." Duo remembered that introductions usually required for one to curtsy. ::curtsy or bow?? Damn now I don't remember! Ah well since scums bow to women, it'll be the opposite for royals.::
Clearing his throat Duo came to the decision. "Duo Maxwell at your service." He grabbed to the side of his pants and promptly bend his knees in a curtsy. As an uncontrollable laughter spread through everyone except the noble king and his son, the poor farmer could feel himself melting to the floor. ::Oh shit::
The King raised his hand bringing the audience to a silence. Duo's last demonstration was not amusing to the royals. "Have you not learned the ways of the nobles young man?" He asked sternly.
Duo straightened his posture and forced himself to concentrate. "No Sir. Where I come from, there are no nobles...sir."
The King narrowed his eyes but turned his gaze to his son. Heero had been quite throughout the demonstration. Even more irritated that he had to leave the palace for this nonsense he merely bore his angry eyes into Duo. "Heero, make your decision." The King ordered.
Prince Heero merely grunted and angrily turned his back to his father and Duo walking back towards the royal carriage. "I don't have time for fools. If this man wishes to be a woman, let him. I have no interest in talking to the son of a swine!"
Duo blinked twice before the information finally sank in. This was his weakness. He couldn't stand it if people insulted that which they did not know. And between action and thought he spoke
"I don't wish to be a woman. I'm not a son of a swine. And I consider myself fortunate for not being chosen. Being around someone as spoiled as yourself is not very promising."
The young prince stopped in his track. Duo held his ground. He knew that he'd crossed the line, but in his sudden urge of anger he gave into his instincts. There was a deadly silence. Time in itself stopped as only the wind continued to softly howl. The King was taken by surprise that such an obviously poor young farmer would voice his opinion against the future king.
Heero on the other hand was struck dumb. All rational thought fled away as he debated the current situation. Never had anyone dared to disagree with him much less directly insult him. Sometimes not even his own father. He wasn't sure how to react to this new experience.
He slowly turned around fixing his gaze on the poor farmer. Duo felt his back stiffen and his head became light with the incredible tension. He knew he would pay for this. But what had been done had been done.
The very focus of the people was upon the two young men. Heero glared at Duo. As another wave of shock spread through him, the prince had to control himself from not to visibly express his emotion. Never before had anyone held his grounds as this poor farmer did. Everyone who'd ever been around the prince had always been frightened of him. Normally just one glare would send the other man squirming. But this man was different. Again Heero found himself in an unusual situation.
A sudden clapping of the hand brought the tension to a startling halt. The King softly clapped his hands as he raised an approving smile to Duo.
"Congratulations Mr. Maxwell. I think we have found our eligible guide."
Heero *almost* choked. Everyone was thrown off guard as the clear print of shock was written across his face. ::Him?!?! I have to move in with him?!?!:: After a tense moment the main judge walked towards Duo handing him the closing papers.
Briefly the people looked around for something else to happen. Everything phenomenal had already happened so far. The Prince had been confronted by a scum, the King finally smiled again, prince Heero had actually been shocked, and a non-citizen had been chosen out of all of the more suitable contestants.
~~~~~~~~~~~End part 3~~~~~~~~~
Continue to part 4
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