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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13360 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Chapter 28

“Enter.”

Duo opened the door to the marital chambers and dropped to his knees.

“Is the healer coming?” Relena demanded.

“Yes, mistress. She was just packing her bag and will be here any moment.”

“Good. I don't want you here while she's attending to me. There's some things that need taking to the laundry, Dorothy will show you where they are. I expect you to return afterwards, there's several things here that need attending to.”

“Yes, mistress.” Duo rose to his feet and followed the smirking maid into the bed chamber where a large pile of clothing sat.

“That's the laundry there. Be careful with it too as I don't want any of my mistress' things getting damaged because you're rough with them,” Dorothy sneered.

Eying the rather large pile, Duo debated how best to try and carry all of it along with his master's clothing and boots. He'd rather not have to make two trips. Fortunately for him, Dorothy left then as there was a knock at the door – the arrival of the healer, Duo thought. With Dorothy gone for the moment, Duo slipped into his own quarters and pulled one of the sheets from the bed. Taking it back into the bed chamber he piled all of the soiled clothing from the princess, along with his master's clothing into the center of the sheet. Grabbing the four corners he managed to bundle it all together. Feeling pleased with himself at having solved his problem, Duo picked up his master's boots and with the 'sack' of washing over his shoulder, he made a hasty exit from the chambers.

Sally watched as the slave moved quickly through the sitting room and out of the door. She was well aware that Duo would have his duties to do whilst his master was away, but that looked like an awful lot of laundry to her. Dismissing the thought, she turned her attention to the princess. “The prince requested I attend to you, your highness. He said you weren't feeling well?”

“That is correct,” Relena replied, her tone short.

Ignoring the tone from the princess, Sally pressed forward. “How about you start at the beginning, tell me exactly how you are feeling, any symptoms and such...”

*

Duo deposited the bundle of clothing at the laundry area in the bowels of the castle, letting the slaves working there know that it was the prince and princess' clothing and to please be careful with it.

The laundry slaves promised they would do their best and would have the clothing ready later that afternoon. They were a cheerful bunch and didn't mind their job. Duo was always polite when he spoke with them and each of the slaves was happy to assist the younger one. In fact, all the slaves and staff in the castle were fond of Duo; he was a quiet spoken, shy yet polite slave and everyone he met was instantly warmed and charmed by his sweet nature. Those that knew of his background were horrified that such a gentle creature could have been treated in such a way and suffered the abuse that he had.

Having left the soiled clothing in the capable hands of the laundry slaves, Duo headed to another section of the lower castle to clean his master's boots.

*

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Relena pushed herself up into a sitting position and faced the healer. “Well? Do you know what is wrong with me?” she demanded.

Sally placed the last of her items into her bag, retrieved a small pot and glanced at the list of contents written on the label. Turning to face the princess, she took a breath before speaking. “Yes, your highness, I'm very sure of my diagnosis.”

“Then what is it? What is wrong with me?”

Out in the sitting room where she was waiting for her mistress, Dorothy strained her ears to pick up on what was being said in the bed chamber.

“Congratulations, Princess Relena. You're pregnant,” Sally said.

The words hit Relena and it took a few moments for them to sink in. “P-pregnant?” she whispered.

“Yes, your highness. You are with child and I estimate you're around five to six weeks along.”

Still thinking on the healer's words, Relena managed to ask, “When will this child be due?”

Sally paused and did the math in her head. “I would expect to deliver the child somewhere around the end of winter to early spring.”

“I see.”

“Your highness?” When the princess gave her full attention back to her, Sally continued. “I have in this pot some mild herbs that will help you with any nausea and discomfort you may be experiencing. Just have Dorothy place a spoonful into a cup of warm water and leave it to steep a little while. Once the water has changed color to a yellow/brown, drain the liquid off and drink it. You will need to drink one cup of this each morning and as the contents run low, have your maid stop by my chambers and I'll give you a fresh batch.” Sally gazed at the princess to see how all of this was sinking in before asking, “Do you have any questions?”

Relena shook her head. “No, not at the moment.”

“If you do, either send for me or drop by my chambers and I'll be happy to answer them for you. I'll continue to check you and monitor your progress.” Sally picked up her bag. “If there is nothing else I'll be returning to my rooms as I have work to do.”

“Yes, yes of course. Thank you.” Relena stood, her mind still occupied with the news. “I'll have Dorothy see you out.” Relena called for the maid, Dorothy appearing within seconds. “Please see the healer out, Dorothy. Oh, could you explain to Dorothy about the herbs, Sally?” Relena asked as Sally was about to leave.

“I will. Good day, your highness.” Sally gave a bow and stepped out of the bed chamber, the maid moving to one side and then following. Once they were in the sitting room Sally paused and handed the jar of herbs over to the maid. “Put a spoonful of these into a cup of hot water each morning and let them steep. Once the liquid is a yellow/brown color, drain it off and make sure your mistress drinks all of it.”

Taking the pot of herbs, Dorothy looked at them as she listened to the healer's instructions. “I will. May I ask what is wrong with my mistress? Should I be concerned in any way?

“It is not for me to say what I have found and I'm sure your mistress will tell you if you ask, but no, it's nothing to cause any concern. You know where my rooms are if you should need me.” Turning, Sally left the chambers to return to her own duties.

Once the healer had left, Dorothy set the pot down on the table and aimed for the bed chamber and her mistress. Entering she noted Relena sitting on the edge of the bed, a lock of blonde hair being toyed with absently between fingers and a far away look on her face. “Mistress?” Dorothy called as she ventured closer. With no answer forthcoming, the maid sat carefully on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on the princess' arm. “Mistress?” she prompted again. “Is everything alright?”

The maid's presence finally registered, Relena turning to gaze into pale blue eyes. “Dorothy, I've just had the most wonderful news.”

The maid raised an eyebrow. “I'm not sure I follow, mistress.”

“I'm with child, Dorothy. I'm going to have a baby!” Relena positively beamed.

“Oh... OH!” Dorothy's face lit up when the words sank in. “Oh, mistress, that's wonderful, congratulations.” Dorothy gave the princess a hug.

“I can't wait to tell Heero. Surely now he will slow down a little in his duties and spend more time with me,” Relena stated.

“I'm sure he will, mistress. Oh, this is great news. The King and Queen will be so happy as will your own father.” Dorothy's smile was very wide. “I can't believe it, you're carrying the heir to the throne...”

“I can hardly believe it myself,” Relena whispered and ran a hand over her abdomen.

“When will you make the announcement, mistress?”

“I want to tell Heero first, then I guess we will tell his parents. I'm not sure what the protocol is when it comes to news such as this and letting the rest of the people know so I'll let Heero and his parents decide. I think it would be best to let them know at dinner tonight. I'll get you to ask the queen if it would be possible for Heero and myself to have dinner with them this evening. In the meantime I expect you to keep this information to yourself.”

“Of course, mistress.”

“Good.” Relena rubbed her hands together. “I think we should have some lunch, I'm feeling a bit hungry now. Do you happen to know where that gutter slave is?”

“No, I don't, mistress. The last I saw of him he was taking the soiled clothing to the laundry to be cleaned. I can go and find him if you wish?”

“Yes, do that, Dorothy and stop by to speak with the queen regarding my request for dinner this evening. Find him first though and tell him to fetch lunch for us; he can clean these chambers up too while we eat.”

“As you wish, mistress.”

* * *

Having finished cleaning his master's boots, Duo was on his way back to the royal chambers when he met Quatre coming the other way.

“Ah, Duo,” the blonde slave greeted. “I've finished my work for Prince Trowa and was just on my way to the kitchens to have lunch. Would you like to join me?”

Knowing he'd finished all but the tidying up of his master's study and reluctant to return to the marital chambers with the princess and her snooty maid there, Duo paused and then agreed. “I'll drop my master's boots back and be there shortly.”

“I'll see you in the kitchens then.” With a warm smile, Quatre continued on his way.

Duo decided to put his master's boots into his old rooms for now, he could return them to the marital quarters later once he'd finished tidying up his master's study. Entering the old chambers, Duo aimed for the study and set the boots down beside the large desk. Taking a quick look around, he was pleased to note there wasn't a lot of work for him to do and he should manage to get through it all pretty quickly. That would leave him with enough time to not only fetch the clean laundry and return it to the marital chambers, but he should have enough time left over to bathe and prepare for his master's return. With a smile on his handsome face, the slave turned to leave and ran straight into Dorothy.

“Watch where you're going you useless excuse for a human being,” Dorothy snapped, barely stopping herself from falling over.

“S- sorry,” Duo stammered out, reclaiming his own balance and lowering his eyes.

“The mistress wants you to fetch our lunch and bring it to the chambers. She also requires you to clean up the chambers whilst you're there.” Dorothy gave the slave a hateful glare. “Unless you want a whipping you'd better hurry up, my mistress doesn't like to be kept waiting, especially when she's hungry.” Sticking her nose in the air and turning on her heel, Dorothy left the study.

Swallowing hard, Duo gathered his scattered wits and with a resigned sigh, set out for the kitchens. Looked like he wasn't going to get anything to eat for a while.

*

“There you are, Duo. I was beginning to wonder where you'd gotten to,” Quatre said as the long haired slave entered the kitchens. “I have your lunch here all ready for you.”

Giving the blonde a small smile, Duo replied apologetically, “I'm sorry, Quatre, I won't be able to join you for lunch after all. I have to take the princess' lunch up to her and then clean up the chambers. I don't know how long that will take so I'll get something to eat afterwards.” Duo made to move off but a hand to his arm stopped him and he flinched.

“Why can't the maid take the princess her lunch?” Quatre asked, the irritation he was feeling masked from his voice but clear in his eyes. “For that matter, surely she can tidy up the chambers too, I'm sure Prince Heero would have asked you to do it if he'd thought it necessary.”

“I can't answer that, Quatre,' Duo replied and bit his bottom lip. “Al I know is I'd better hurry up otherwise I'll be in trouble. My master did say I was to serve the princess too.” Giving the blonde a small smile, Duo pulled his arm free and continued deeper into the kitchens to fetch the requested lunch tray.

Watching the slave disappear, Quatre frowned to himself. This wasn't right, Duo seemed to be spending a lot of time looking after the princess and trying to complete his own duties too. It should be the job of the maid to tend to the princess, not Duo. The more Quatre thought about it the more irritated he became, but there wasn't anything he could do about it, he was just a slave himself and had to remain in his place. Putting the thoughts from his mind for the moment, Quatre continued to eat his meal – he would question Duo a little more later, if he had the chance.

*

“About time,” Relena snapped when Duo entered the chambers, tray in hand. “What took you so long?”

“I'm sorry mistress. I had to wait for the cook to set the tray ready,” Duo replied and placed the tray down on the small table in the sitting area.

“I can see I'll have to have a word with my husband in regards to yours and that cook's lack of consideration.”

Duo visibly trembled at the threat.

“Bring the food over here and it had better still be hot.” Relena reclined back in her chair,waiting for Duo to serve her.

Picking up a plate from the tray, Duo removed the cover, grasped the utensils and took them to the princess. Once he'd handed them over he went to drop to his knees, only to be stopped by a sharp word from the mistress.

“What about Dorothy?” she snipped. “She has to eat too.” With a cold look on her face she indicated for Duo to fetch the maid's lunch as well.

Keeping his head bowed, Duo turned back to the tray and picked up the other plate, handing it to Dorothy along with the utensils.

“Go through to the bed chamber and tidy it up, I do not want to look on your disgusting form whilst I eat,” Relena ordered.

“Yes, mistress.” Duo turned and with a heavy heart went through to start cleaning up. Laughter followed behind him.

* * *

Dusk was falling by the time Duo was released from serving Relena and her maid, the pair having retired to the bathing chamber to prepare for Heero's return. With hurried steps he made his way to his master's study to quickly tidy up and fetch the boots he'd cleaned earlier. It didn't take long for him to finish up and within a candle-mark he was done and ready to take his own bath. Giving the study one last look over, he went to the side of the desk to retrieve the prince's boots only to find they were not there.

He scratched his head and looked around. No sign of them. Carefully he scanned and searched the room, even going into the bedchamber, but there was no sign of the boots anywhere. With time getting on, Duo gave up the hunt thinking he must have returned them to his master's chambers earlier and simply forgotten about it.

With one last look around, he left and headed back to his own chambers to fetch his clothing and change to meet his master. Striding quickly into his quarters, Duo rummaged through the chest that held his clothing, selected a pair of pants and matching vest and aimed for the bathing chamber. His master was due back at any given moment and Duo really wanted to be there to greet him.

The tub filled and Duo slipped into the warm water. Picking up the soap he scrubbed himself clean, careful to keep his hair out of the way as he didn't have the time needed to wash it too. His stomach gave a loud rumble, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast with his master. That would be rectified soon though so Duo pushed all thoughts of food from his mind. It wasn't as if he hadn't gone without food before. Pulling the plug, he hopped out and dried himself quickly and efficiently. Slipping the pants on, the vest followed along with the anklets and wrist amulets. The collar was the last thing to be placed back around his neck. A glance around the bathing chamber and Duo was done.

Hastily he brushed his hair and plaited it, moments later pushing his feet into the soft slippers. Finally ready, Duo left his chambers and made his way through the castle to the main entrance. As he approached he spotted Quatre standing just outside the main entrance and made his way towards his fellow slave. Just as he reached Quatre's side they heard the sound of hoof beats rapidly approaching.

Quatre turned to his fellow slave and gave a smile. “I was wondering where you had gotten to.”

“I was finishing off my duties,” Duo replied and looked eagerly out to the courtyard.

Frowning slightly, Quatre glanced over his fellow slave, noting the lines of fatigue etched into those handsome features. Something wasn't right with the other slave, but Quatre couldn't put his finger on exactly what was wrong. His empathy picked up on Duo's feelings, but there wasn't anything to be learned there either. All he could feel coming from the other slave was a sense of joy and happiness – no doubt relating to the fact that his master was returning. The blonde filed it away in his mind along with his earlier thoughts to be studied later, when he could think on it properly. For now his master was riding into the courtyard and thoughts of anything else all faded into the background as Quatre moved forth to greet his master.

*

“Is the princess in our chambers?” Heero asked as he strode along the hall of the castle, Duo just behind him. He was annoyed that his wife had yet again failed to be there to greet him, although she had yet to make the effort and Heero was starting to doubt that she ever would.

“I believe she was bathing and getting ready to greet you, master,” Duo replied honestly.

Heero grunted and continued in his walk. He was tired and hungry, the day's work having worn him out. Although he was simply checking the harvests on the farms and not directly involved in anything physical, it was still tiring and taxing on the body riding from farm to farm. The news he was going to break to his wife that evening he knew would not go down well either and he just wanted to get it over and done with so he could relax, bathe and have Duo give him one of those delightful massages.

Entering the sitting room of his chambers, Heero glanced around and noted the absence of his wife. Striding through he entered the bed chamber.

“Heero, you're back,” Relena said with a smile as her husband entered. Dorothy paused in her lacing of the princess' dress and sank to her knees with the arrival of the prince.

Having followed his master into the chambers, Duo hesitated at the door to the bedchamber and decided to wait out in the sitting room for his master's orders. He really did not want to face the princess and her maid, especially if the princess was still getting dressed.

“Relena,” Heero greeted and placed a peck to her cheek.

The princess wrinkled her nose. “Heero, you smell of sweat and horse, please go and bathe.”

“Of course I smell of horse and sweat,” Heero replied in an annoyed tone, “I have been out all day traveling from farm to farm.”

“I know you have,” Relena soothed. “I've arranged to have dinner with your parents tonight.” She glanced across at the candle. “In another two candle-marks so I suggest you get bathed and ready.”

With a scowl, Heero removed his cloak and realized that Duo wasn't in the room. “Duo!” he snapped.

Hearing his master's call, Duo hesitated once more but then decided his master's wrath would be worse that the princess' so he stepped into the room, sure to keep his head bowed and eyes firmly away from the princess.

Relena squeaked when Heero called for Duo and the slave actually stepped into the room. “Heero! I've not finished dressing yet. Send that slave out of here now!” she demanded.

Dorothy rose from her knees and quickly returned to lacing up the back of her mistress' dress, sending a scowl in Duo's direction.

“Don't be ridiculous, Duo is required to serve me, he will keep his eyes averted from you,” Heero growled and handed his cloak to the slave. “Prepare a bath for me, Duo.”

“As you wish, master,” Duo whispered and hung the cloak up before disappearing through to the bathing chamber.

“Did you speak with the healer?” Heero asked, sitting on the bed to remove his boots.

“Yes, I did,” Relena replied and gave a mysterious smile.

Gritting his teeth, Heero questioned further. “And what did she have to say?”

“I will tell you when you return from your bathing,” Relena replied wrinkling her nose in disgust.

She did have a point, Heero thought, getting a proper sniff of himself now that his cloak was removed. Eu de sweat and horse was not exactly the best of perfumes. “I will return shortly,” he stated and left the chambers.

Smiling to herself, Relena moved to allow Dorothy to finish dressing her.

*

“Master, your bath is ready,” Duo said, sinking to his knees as Heero walked into the bathing chamber.

“Thank you, Duo. Please, remove my clothing.”

It didn't take long for Duo to strip the prince, folding the soiled clothing whilst his master sank into the warmth of the water.

“Join me and wash me, Duo. I also require you to give me one of those wonderful massages,” Heero said and reclined back against the stone wall of the tub.

Shedding his own clothes Duo joined his master in the bath, picking up the soap and washing the golden skin. Heero closed his eyes and enjoyed the gentle cleansing of his skin by his slave's hands. When those hands began their massaging of his tired muscles, Heero groaned.

“You are way too good at that,” Heero moaned. Duo smiled to himself and continued, happy to know he was able to give his master some pleasure. “Duo?”

“Yes, master?”

“The healer attended my wife this morning, did she not?”

“Yes, master. I fetched her myself.”

“Do you know what the healer found?”

“No, master. The mistress has not told me anything.”

“Okay.” Heero shifted forward a touch to allow Duo easier access to his neck and shoulders, mind puzzling over what the healer had found. The water started to cool off a touch and Heero decided he'd better get out and moving if they were having dinner with his parents. “That is enough, Duo.” Rising from the tub, Heero stepped out and waited for Duo to fetch a cloth and dry him off.

*

Relena was waiting in the sitting room when Heero returned from his bathing. Duo quickly joined his master and fetched the required clothing, assisting his master to dress. Once he was dressed, Heero addressed his slave.

“Fetch my boots and join me in the sitting room.”

“Yes, master.” With the prince's departure, Duo began to hunt around for the boots he'd cleaned earlier.

Taking a seat opposite his wife, Heero leaned back and made eye contact. “Now tell me, what did the healer have to say?” he asked quietly.

The smile on Relena's face grew wide, her eyes sparkled and she gave her husband her full attention. “I'm not quite sure how to say this.” She paused for a moment, Heero gave her a frown. “It would appear that I am in a delicate condition.”

The furrow between Heero's eyes deepened. Clearly he didn't follow what his wife was trying to say. “Could you be a little more specific?” he requested, patience starting to wear a little thin.

Taking a breath, Relena tried again. “I am with child, Heero. I'm expecting a baby. You're going to be a father.”

~ * ~

tbc...
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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed