Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of a Thousand Miles ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

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Journey of a Thousand Miles

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

-Confucius-

Part 8

Early in July I went with my cousin to London to attend the opening of Zechs' art show. I wasn't just 'tagging along; no I had been officially invited, complete with a formal invitation baring my name. Somehow that made me feel very grown up and important.
Treize and I traveled alone, since Zechs had left a few days earlier to take care of some last minute preparations. When we arrived in London late in the evening, the streets were still bustling with people and carriages. Regent Street was easily the most elegant and exclusive street I had ever seen in the way it was; illuminated by gaslight and wide enough for three carriages to pass each other with ease.
The duke had rented a room in what was called a hotel. Unlike the shabby roadside inns I was used to staying in when traveling, the hotel was large and exquisite. Our room was enormous and expensively furnished. It had two beds, discretely hidden behind heavy velvet curtains, an elegant sitting area and its own little private bathroom. I couldn't even begin to imagine how much my cousin must have paid for all that comfort.
Zechs stayed in a smaller, but no less beautiful room just across the hall. The three of us had supper in the hotel's elegant dinning room. Afterward the duke went to visit Zechs in his room for some conversation and a bottle of wine - or so he said.

*****

The next morning I woke up bright and early as usual. By the time Treize finally got up I was already sitting on the couch reading, and all dressed up in the new trousers and coat that my cousin had bought me especially for the occasion.
"Good morning," I greeted him with a smile.

My cousin looked at me, rolled his eyes and huffed. "How is it possible for anybody to look so fresh and cheerful at such an ungodly hour?"

"Perhaps going to bed before the sun comes up helps."

My comment elicited another huff from him and he mumbled something about "cheeky little boys" as he shuffled toward the bathroom. "Go have somebody bring some coffee up for me and whatever you want for breakfast," he told me before the door closed behind him.
I chuckled as I put aside the book I had been reading and went to order the coffee and a large serving of bacon and eggs, knowing that a good breakfast would change my cousin right back into his own charming self.

About an hour later - we had finished our meal and were all dressed and ready to go - one of the servants came to inform us that our carriage was ready and waiting to take us to the exhibition hall.

"Do you have your invitation?" my cousin asked before we left our chamber.
I nodded and showed it to him. Treize knocked at the door to Zechs' room. The blond aristocrat opened it with a somewhat somber expression on his face.
The duke must have noticed it too, because he asked: "Is everything alright?"

Zechs nodded. "Yes, everything is fine. Let's go."

"Zechs, please don't give me that 'everything is fine' line. I can tell something is bothering you." Treize looked at the younger man firmly.
Zechs shrugged. "I'm just a little anxious that's all. What if nobody comes to the show, Treize? Or worse, what if those people who do come don't like my paintings."

"What are you talking about, Zechs? The exhibition starts in little more than an hour. This is not the time to start second-guessing yourself. Besides, you have nothing to worry about, you are a talented artist, and your work is wonderful. Don't you think so too, Quatre?"

"Cousin Treize is right. I have never seen such beautiful paintings." I nodded.
Zechs gave a little smile. "Thank you. I'll take your words for it, although somehow I have the feeling the two of you are a little bias."

*****

A few hours later it was clear that Zechs' concern was absolutely unfounded. A steady stream of visitors filled the gallery where his art was displayed. They came alone, in pairs, or even in small groups. And from what I was able to overhear most people seemed to like the paintings. Of course, how much they really liked them would show later in the afternoon, when some of Zechs' work was going to be auctioned off.
For a while I strolled around the exhibition by myself, then I met up with Treize and Zechs again, just as the two of them were talking to a serious looking, bearded gentlemen and a young lady with long blonde hair.
"Quatre, come join us, don't be shy," my cousin smiled encouraging at me. "Your Excellency, Lady Dorothy please let me introduce you to my cousin, Quatre Winner. Quatre, meet Duke Dermail and his granddaughter Lady Dorothy Catalonia."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, your Excellency, Lady Dorothy." I greeted them with a polite bow.
"So, this is your ward, Duke Khushrenada," the Duke spoke as he looked me over. "I have heard about him. Losing one's parents at such a young age, what a tragedy."
"But it is so very kind of you to take him in, isn't it Mister Merquise?" the young lady added.
Zechs nodded. "Yes, Duke Khushrenada is a very good-hearted person," he confirmed.

"Perhaps we should not be talking about me, but rather about Mister Merquise and his art. After all, that is the reason why we are here, is it not? " My cousin suggested, and I was very grateful for the change of subject.

"How true," Duke Dermail agreed.

"Now that you are going to be a very famous artist soon, are you still going to have time to give lessons?" Dorothy asked. "I really hope you do."
"You have nothing to worry about, Lady Dorothy. I have no intention to stop teaching any time soon."
"Oh, that is so good to hear."

We talked for a while about Zechs' paintings, the exhibition and art in general. I couldn't help but notice the fascinated look on Dorothy's face as she listened to the blond aristocrat; her eyes never left his face.

"So, she is one of your art students. I'm sure she must be very talented." I spoke after the Duke and his granddaughter departed.
"Dorothy?" Zechs let out a short bark of laughter. "I know this is a terrible thing to say, Quatre, but Dorothy has about as much talent as an average toy poodle. In the beginning I tried to tell her, politely, that it would probably better for her to find herself a different pastime, but she insisted carrying on with her lessons. So, I suppose as long as her grandfather is willing to pay I'll continue to teach her."
"Perhaps, she is not as much interested in the lessons as in the teacher," my cousin remarked with a smirk.
"Am I detecting a trace of jealousy, your Excellency?"
"Please!" Treize snorted. "Why would I be jealous? I have enough self-confidence not to feel threatened by a little girl."
Zechs rolled his eyes. "Quatre, tell me have you ever met a person who has a bigger ego that this man?"
"What's wrong with a little ego?" the duke asked innocently.
I just smiled in quiet amusement, knowing that those little taunts were nothing but good-humored fun.

A short time later my cousin excused himself and went to meet with some acquaintances of his while I stayed with Zechs. At one point I left to visit the bathroom and when I came back I saw the blond aristocrat speaking to a man in a red and white uniform. The man left before I reached them, so I didn't know what they had been talking about. But whatever it was, Zechs seemed distraught about it.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
"Yes and no," he answered. "I just found out that my sister is here."
"Your sister?"

"Yes, she is waiting outside and she wants to speak to me. Quatre I really hate to ask you this, but would you accompany me? I haven't seen her since the day I went to Sank to renounce my birthright. She was rather upset then, and probably still is. The last thing I want right now is for her to make a scene, and I know she wouldn't in front of a stranger."

"But of course, I'll gladly go with you. Unless you'd rather want me to go and find Treize."
Zechs shock his head. "No, thank you. To tell the truth, I would prefer for the two of them not to meet."

I nodded understandingly and followed Zechs outside. Near the entrance stood a large and very exquisite looking carriage. The uniformed man that I had seen talk to Zechs earlier was waiting next to it. He bowed deeply, opened the door and withdrew discretely.

The lady in the carriage was younger than Zechs by several years. Her long hair was darker, almost golden brown, but her eyes matched the color of his.
She looked at her brother than at me. Obviously she had expected him to come alone.
"Princess," Zechs nodded at her. "Please meet Quatre Winner. Quatre, may I introduce you to my sister, Princess Relena Peacecraft."
"Your Highness," I greeted her with a bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She gave me a polite smile. "The pleasure is mine."

"Why are you here, Princess?" Zechs asked.
"I've heard about this exhibition - unfortunately not from you - and wanted to check it out," she answered. "And I also wanted to talk to you. Can we go somewhere where we have a little more privacy?"

"Whatever it is you want to tell me, Princess, you can say it in front of Quatre. Just make it short, I have to go back inside soon."

"Do you have so little regard for me left that you can't even call me by my name, Milliardo?" There was an unmistakable trace of pain in her voice. "Very well then. I came to tell you that Father has fallen ill. The doctors are not sure how much longer he will live. I was hoping to convince you to come home and make your peace with him."
"Did he ask to see me?"
"Does it matter?"

"It matters to me. Tell me, did he ask for me?"
"Not directly, no he didn't." she admitted.

Zechs snorted. "He doesn't even know you are here, does he?"

The Princess didn't answer.

The blond aristocrat shook his head. "You are wasting your time, Relena."
I felt terrible for the two of them. It was obvious that they both were hurting.

"There you are. I have been looking for the two of you everywhere. The auction is about to start soon."

Zechs and I spun around simultaneously at the sound of the duke's voice.
"What are you doing out here anyway?" my cousin asked as he stepped closer. His face darkened instantly as he recognized the young lady in the carriage, but being the gentlemen he was he greeted her with a polite smile.

"Your Highness."

She on the other hand barely acknowledged his presence and turned her attention back toward her brother.
"Milliardo, I beg you. Please reconsider and come home with me."

"Home," Zechs spoke. "I don't think you and I have the same home anymore. If I remember right, Father's last words before I left were - 'As far as I'm concerned, I do not have a son anymore. Leave the palace at once!'"

She sighed. "You know Father can be stubborn at times, but I'm sure if you apologize to him he will forgive you."
"Apologize?" Treize snarled. "Milliardo did nothing he has to apologize for. The king should be the one asking him for forgiveness for the way he treated his son."
"You… How dare you?" the princess spat back at him in a very unladylike manner. "If it wasn't for you Milliardo would have never left his home in the first place. You are... "

"Enough," Zechs intervened sharply. "I have no intention of listening to the two of you putting blame on each other, not here and not now. This is supposed to be a special day for me. I have been working long and hard for it. I'll not let anybody ruin that for me."

Both Princess Relena and my cousin looked baffled.
"Please forgive me, I didn't even realize…" Treize seemed embarrassed. "Perhaps Quatre and I should go and wait inside."
Zechs just nodded. "Thank you. I'll follow shortly."

*****

Zechs joined us just as the auction was about to begin.
"Is everything alright?" Treize asked, concerned.
"Yes, everything is fine," Zechs nodded, giving the duke a tiny smile, as he took his seat next to him.
Bidding for the first painting started out rather slow, but in the end it was sold for a surprising thirty-seven pounds to an elderly gentleman. The second picture went for even higher.
"See," Treize remarked. "I told you people would love your work. You will be famous."

"And I'm not even dead yet." Zechs replied with a nervous grin.
My cousin put his hand over that of the younger man, squeezing it reassuringly.
When I turned my head I saw her. She was standing near the entrance to the auction room. Neither Zechs nor the Duke noticed the Princess, and I saw no reason whatsoever to bring her to their attention. When she turned away and left I excused myself quickly and followed her.
"Your Highness…Princess Relena."
She turned, recognized me and stopped the uniformed guard who was putting himself between us with a hand gesture. "It's alright, Henrick."
"Thank you, your Highness. I was wondering if I could talk to you?"
The princess seemed surprised about my request but nodded nevertheless.
"Of course. Let's sit down in my carriage where we have a little more privacy."

I followed her, climbed behind her into the coach, and took a seat across from her.
"How may I help you, Quatre? It is Quatre isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes, your Highness. But to tell the truth, I was thinking that perhaps I might be able to help you."

She gazed at me puzzled. "How so?"
"I can tell that you love your brother very much, your Highness. But so does Duke Khushrenada."

Her eyes narrowed at the mentioning of his name.
"I realize you don't like him very much, even though you know very little about my cousin."

"Your cousin?"

"Yes, he is my cousin, and he is also my guardian. He took me in after my parents died. He is not the horrible person you think he is. He had done nothing wrong, unless you consider it a crime to fall in love with somebody. Perhaps you think I'm a little too young to talk about these things, but I happen to know that your brother and the duke care for each other very much. And if you could take some time to get to know the duke better you would realize that too. Your brother means the world to Treize and he would do anything to make him happy. But unfortunately Zechs will never be truly happy, as long as he is forced to choose between the man he loves and his family. I think, if you and Duke Khushrenada could work out your differences, all three of you would greatly benefit from it."
She looked at me thoughtful and somewhat surprised. "Thank you, Quatre."

"No, thank you, your Highness, for listening." I bid my goodbye and went back inside where Zechs and Treize were already waiting for me.
"Where have you been, Quatre?" the duke asked.
"Oh, I just had to talk to somebody."
"Talk to whom?"
"You are prying, Cousin." I answered cheekily. I could almost feel the baffled look the two of them exchanged behind my back.

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T.B.C.

Author's Note:

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