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Jupitor Knight - Quatre will be in the first "new" chapter after I finished revising all the existing ones. That would be chapter 28. I believe I mentioned this already.

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A Small Piece of Heaven - Part 26

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Wufei?" Milliardo asked, as he took one last gaze into the mirror; apparently satisfied with the way that he looked.

Wufei, who was sitting on his bed, waiting for Milliardo to leave so that he could meditate in peace, looked at the blond.
"I have better things to do than spending an entire evening with boring people and paintings."

"Spoken like a true art lover," Milliardo mocked.

The dark-haired slave snorted, obsidian eyes narrowing. "Now you are considering yourself an "art lover" just because you are being dragged to a museum?"

"I beg your pardon? I happen to like museums. Some people have just more culture than other I suppose."

Wufei growled and grabbed one of the pillows beside him. He was fast, but Milliardo was faster. The blond dodged and pillow only hit the wall behind him.

"Get out!"

"Milliardo was still laughing as he walked downstairs.

"Are you teasing Wufei again?" Treize admonished.

"What would make you think that, master?" the blond slave asked innocently.

"Because you always do."

Milliardo smirked. "He is just so predictable, which makes it so much fun to irritate him."

*****

Security was tight at the National Museum of Arts, which wasn't surprising considering that some of the richest and most powerful people in Europe were attending the event. Whoever had come up with the idea of combining the opening of the new "Masters of Italy" exhibition with a charity fundraiser had to be pleased with the turnout.

Limousine after Limousine pulled up at the curbside, to drop off women in expensive party gowns and men in formal evening wear. Inside the museum a small orchestra welcomed the visitors. Dozens of servants provided the guests with champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
Treize exchanged curt greetings with a number of people, as he and Milliardo crossed the foyer.

"Your Excellency?!"

The duke stopped and turned, smiling as he recognized the young woman. "Miss Dorothy, what a pleasure to see you. It's been a while. Are you on school break?"

"Actually, I'm home for good," the longhaired blond girl replied. "I transferred to St Gabriela School last semester. Grandfather isn't getting any younger you know and the household needs a woman's touch, though if you ask him he would probably deny it."

"I'm sure he would." Treize agreed. "Miss Dorothy, you have never met Milliardo yet, have you?"

"No I haven't, but I have heard about him." She eyed the young man from head to toe.

"Milliardo, Miss Dorothy Catalonia is Duke Dermail's granddaughter." Treize introduced them.

"I'm pleased to meet you." The blond slave bowed respectfully.

"Come to think of it, I believe I saw you last week practicing at the jumping range."

"That's quite possible," the ex-colonel agreed. "Milliardo has been training Napoleon for me lately."

"Does this mean you are planning to enter the Hunters and Jumpers Cup in Hosheid?" Dorothy asked.

"Most certainly. And I have all intention of winning it too." Treize answered self-confidently.

The young girl didn't seem impressed. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, your Excellency. Grandfather bought me a new mare for Christmas. She comes from a long line of excellent jumpers and we are planning on giving your Napoleon a run for his money."

"Is that so?" The ginger-blond man raised one eyebrow in amusement. "I'll be looking forward to the challenge."

"Maybe we should have our own little competition some day."

"That sounds like an excellent idea."

"Then it's settled. And I won't keep you any longer. It's been very nice talking to you."

Treize nodded politely. "It's been a pleasure."

"That's Duke Dermail's granddaughter?" Milliardo spoke, once Dorothy was out of earshot. "It's hard to believe."

"Believe it, Milliardo. She might be a charming young girl, but behind that façade of innocence she can also be a cunning little devil."

The blond chuckled. "You seem to know her well, Master?"

"Our families used to be rather close. When Dorothy was younger she would spend a lot of time at our house, and my father made me earn my allowances by giving her lessons in fencing and riding. So yes, I got to know her very well. - You know, with Dorothy being here, chances are that her grandfather is at the exhibit as well."

"Speaking of the devil…"

Dermail, in spite of his age still a very imposing figure, was coming across the room straight toward the two men.
"I would like to talk to you," he snarled, not wasting any time on polite salutations, and with a quick glare at Milliardo added. "Alone."

The blond looked at his master, awaiting his orders.

"Milliardo, why don't you go and take a look around. I'll catch up with you when I'm finished here."

"As you wish, Master."

"Treize, I have always considered you as a man of honor. We might have had our problems in the past, but I would have never thought that you would sink as low as calling authorities with unfounded accusations against me."

"I beg your pardon?" the duke asked in bewilderment. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Are you denying that you called the S.A.U. on me?" Dermail spat.

"I most certainly did not. Why would I do such a thing?"

"I don't know, perhaps because I bought the property you were after?"

"Now that would be very spiteful now, wouldn't it? I assure you that I would never engage in such a petty undertaking."

"Ha," the Duke snorted. "Who else could have done it?"

"I wouldn't know. - But I don't think this is the place to discuss this any further. If you wish to continue this conversation I suggest we go outside." Treize suggested calmly.

"That won't be necessary." Dermail glared at him. "I have nothing more to say."

"Very well then, let me just give you a few words of advice. Perhaps if you would get rid of those goons of yours and hire somebody who treats your slaves like human beings you might have fewer problems with the S.A.U."

"And here is my advice for you. Stay out of my business!"

***

Treize found Milliardo looking at one of the paintings up for auction. The picture showed a little girl of three or four years, a pink bow in her blond hair, with a cute little dog on her lap. The young man was so lost in thought he didn't even hear his master approach.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" the ex-colonel whispered close to his ear. Milliardo almost jumped.

"Indeed, it is beautiful. I believe it is by an 18th century French artist. The girl was his daughter. It's one of the few portraits he ever painted."

"I had no idea that you are so knowledgeable about art." Treize sounded impressed.

The younger man gave him a wry grin. "Not about art in general, just about this particular painting. How did it get here?"

"I'm not quite sure. Let me see." The duke opened the brochure he had picked up at the entrance, checking out the information about the painting. "It says here that Young Girl with Dog by Pierre Renoir was donated by the Peacecraft family, or more precisely by Princess Relena Peacecraft."

"I see."

"If you like it that much, maybe I should bid on it. It is a rather lovely work of art. - Lets go and reserve seats for the auction before we start making our round through the exhibition." the ginger-blond man suggested.

Milliardo nodded. It sounded like a good idea. On their way out the two men met with Dorothy Catalonia once again.

"Miss Dorothy! Checking out the auction pieces?"

"No, actually I was looking for you. I wanted to apologize for the way my grandfather behaved."

"Please, there is no need for that." Treize told her.

"Yes, there is. I know Grandfather is still upset about you taking Wufei away from him, but that's no excuse. Besides, he seems to be blaming you for something I did."

The ex-colonel raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Are you saying you called the S.A.U.?"

"I didn't have much of a choice." She sounded rather defensive. "As much as I love Grandfather, I just wish he wouldn't be so terribly stubborn and old fashioned. In his opinion dealing with slaves is a men thing, and he would never listen to me when I tell him to get rid of Miller and Alex. He doesn't even see that those two are the cause of most of his trouble."

"Strangely enough I just told him the very same. But the chance that he will be taking my advice is very slim."

"I wish he would. He risks loosing all of his slaves. - Anyway, I would appreciate it if Grandfather wouldn't find out…"

"That goes without a saying, Miss Dorothy."

"Thank you. And once again I apologize that Grandfather got angry with you over this. I'll see you later, I suppose."

****

True to his word, Treize had bought the Renoir painting of the little girl and her dog; and severely overpaid in Milliardo's opinion. The duke didn't seem too concern about it though and had just said: "Remember, this is for a good cause."

For the time being, until a better, more permanent place was found, the painting was hanging in the library. Milliardo found himself once again standing by the fireplace staring at the picture.

::: Begin of Flashback:::

"Did you paint this picture too, mom?" A small boy bright eyed and with pale blond hair turned toward the young woman by the easel. She was cleaning a handful of paintbrushes that she had been using earlier.

"No, Milliardo," she laughed. "I wish I was that talented. This picture was painted a long time ago. The artist lived before your mother was ever born. The little girl in the picture was his daughter."

"She is pretty." Milliardo exclaimed. "She looks a little like Lena."

"She does, doesn't she?" his mother smiled. "You father and I thought so too when we bought the picture."

"Are you going to paint a picture of Lena or of me?"

"Maybe, some day. Your mother isn't quite ready yet to for that. I still have a lot to learn."

"No you don't." The boy walked over to his mother, eyeing the half-finished painting on the easel critically for a moment. "You are already very good."

"Well, thank you Milliardo. I'm glad you think so."

::: End of Flashback:::

When Milliardo turned he noticed Wufei standing by the door, watching him. "Are you alright?"

The blond nodded. "I just remembered something." With that Milliardo's serious expression disappeared. It happened so quickly and easily; that for the first time Wufei wondered if the blond's usual light-hearted attitude was some kind of mask he was hiding his true feelings behind.

"So, what are you up to tonight?"

"I came to ask you if you are up for a fencing match." The younger slave explained.

"So eager to get your butt kicked again?"

Wufei snorted. "If I remember right, you are the one who lost the last two matches."

"Exactly," Milliardo smirked. "That means I won't have to hold back anymore because I feel sorry for you."

"You are so full of it, Milliardo."

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T.B.C.

Author's Note:

Feedback is greatly appreciated, constructive criticism is welcome :-)