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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13359 -:- 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
- 34
- 35
- 36
"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"
Chapter 34

The exchange of words that Quatre heard from the pair in the parlor was the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle for him. Keeping very quiet, he escaped from the library and headed back to his own quarters. He needed to do some serious thinking. Stepping back into his quarters, Quatre sat down heavily on his bed and let go a long breath of air.
Now everything started to slot into place for the blonde. The words he'd overheard confirmed what he'd been thinking. He'd watched Duo recently, noting the other slave was constantly on the go, and not all for his master either. In the past, when he wasn't with Prince Heero, Duo would return to the slave quarters and spend time with Quatre, the pair of them talking or sharing fun times with each other. Not long after the princess' arrival, and marriage to the Prince, Quatre noted that the time he spent with Duo began to grow less and less. He hadn't really noticed when it had first started happening, so subtle was it; but now, when he actually sat down and really thought about it, Duo's entire demeanor had begun to change around the time of the princess' arrival.
Quatre already knew that Duo had been worried about the arrival of the princess, they had shared many a conversation regarding the woman and Duo's role as Heero's slave, to the point where Duo had all but asked his master what would become of him after the marriage. He knew from Prince Trowa that Prince Heero had told Duo he would not be going anywhere, that the prince would still require his services and Duo had seemed happy enough with that. Duo had also confirmed that his master had stated that Duo would stay.
Thinking back over his observations of Duo's slow but steady change, Quatre had had his suspicions that the princess' maid was responsible for a lot of it. He recalled the day Duo had cleaned his master's boots and put them in his study, only to find them gone when he went to fetch them later. He remembered the punishment Duo had endured when Dorothy had found them and they were dirty. He knew Duo had cleaned them; he'd met the slave in the castle hall with the clean boots in hand. He'd wondered for some time how those boots had vanished and turned up filthy.
It would appear he now had his answer.
But why would the princess and that maid of hers want Duo gone? Duo was a sweet, gentle soul who only wanted to please. He didn't have an ounce of malice in him so why did the princess hate him so much?
Quatre bit his lower lip. He simply didn't know what to do. He thought about speaking with his own master. Prince Trowa was a calm, steady presence who would listen to Quatre's words and offer up an explanation – or so he hoped. But then his master was also bound by his position as Prince and if Quatre didn't have any proof, his master would be forced to punish Quatre, or worse.
The blonde shuddered with that thought.
But the problem still remained. If he were to speak up to his master it would be his word against the princess' word, and who would take the word of a lowly slave over royalty? It could also make things a whole lot worse for Duo.
Quatre was literally caught between a rock and a hard place.
After thinking about the problem a little more, Quatre decided his best hope at this point would be to try and speak with Duo; see if he could get the other slave to open up to him a bit and maybe, just maybe he would learn exactly what was going on.
Now all he had to do was try to get Duo alone long enough for the pair of them to talk, and given how Duo was always busy lately, that would be a feat in itself.
“Of course!” Quatre jumped up off his bed. “That's it. Why didn't I think of it before?” He gave himself a smack to the forehead before leaving his quarters and going in search of his master.
*
“Enter.”
Quatre opened the door to his master's study, pushing it closed behind him with his foot. He crossed the room and placed the tray upon the small table by the fire then crossed to the desk where his master sat, he dropped to his knees. “Your lunch is ready, master.”
A hand dropped to caress the blonde locks. “Thank you, Quatre. I will partake of lunch in just a moment.” Trowa finished off what he was doing and leaned back in his chair to stretch his arms above his head, effectively popping his spine and easing the kinks from it. Pushing the chair back, he rose and made his way to the large, well padded armchair beside the fire.
Once his master made his move, Quatre stood and followed, fetching the tray and placing it on his master's lap before dropping to his knees once more alongside the chair.
As Trowa ate, he fed his kneeling slave, the pair exchanging conversation as they ate their meal. With the food nearly all gone, Quatre knew he had to make his move now.
“Master?”
“Yes, Quatre?”
“May I ask something?”
“Of course,” Trowa replied, curiosity sparking.
“Do you recall when Prince Heero took Duo along with us all when visiting the farms recently and how Duo was having trouble with his horsemanship?”
Trowa chuckled softly. “Yes, I do recall that very well. I hope young Duo is all healed up by now.”
“He is, master.”
“Then what is it you wish to ask?”
“Prince Heero did suggest when we returned to the castle that once Duo was healed up that I spend some time with him in teaching him horsemanship.”
“I recall my brother saying that too.”
“Would it be alright if I started to give Duo some lessons? Do you think Prince Heero would mind?”
“I think that's a wonderful idea, Quatre. With tax time approaching no doubt we will need to ride out to some of the farms to collect the taxes. I'm sure my brother would have Duo accompany him on some of those trips and it would be to both their benefits if Duo knows how to ride.” Trowa looked down to his smiling slave and cupped the rosy cheek. “I have to meet with my brother a little later so I will approach him then in regards to riding lessons for Duo.”
“Thank you, master.”
* * *
“I don't know, Quatre,” Duo said, his words unsure.
“You want to be able to ride out with your master to the farms and through the kingdom, don't you?” Quatre asked. “Or would you prefer to be left here at the castle by yourself? Oh, that's right, you wouldn't be by yourself, you have the princess' maid to talk to.” Quatre watched his fellow slave closely. He hadn't wanted to say that at all, but he needed to see Duo's reaction to his words.
At the mention of the snooty maid, Duo's eyes darkened and a scowl crossed his face. “No thanks, I'd rather suffer through a bruised and sore backside.”
“That's why I want to give you lessons, then you can ride out properly and not be sore. Come on, Duo, it will be fun and Prince Heero already said I could teach you once you'd finished tidying up his study,” the blonde cajoled.
Duo gave a quick glance around before sighing and giving his fellow slave a small smile. “Okay.” How bad could it be? he thought to himself. At least he would be able to escape the princess and her evil maid for a while.
“Great!” Quatre enthused. “I've already finished my tasks for the day so I'll give you a hand and then we can get started.”
Duo shook his head but smiled in amusement at the blonde's enthusiasm.
*
“That's much better, Duo,” Quatre praised as Duo managed to start, walk to the marker, turn around and come back to a halt beside the blonde.
“Thanks,” Duo smiled. He gave the neck in front of him a soft pat. “She is a good girl,” he said.
“Lily is a sweet thing and wouldn't hurt you, Duo,” Quatre agreed as he patted the mare. “I think we will try a couple more of those and then stop for today. You've done very well, Duo and I'm proud of you.”
Duo flushed a little with the praise.
The pair practiced a little more, Quatre not only pleased with Duo's progress, but happy to see the other slave relaxing and returning to his usual, sweet demeanor. Quatre hoped that after a couple more lessons he would be able to take Duo out and ride around the castle grounds together for a while. It would give him the perfect opportunity to question the other slave and hopefully find out exactly what was going on without fear of anyone overhearing them.
* * *
“Where have you been?!” Dorothy hissed when she spotted Duo walking down the hall towards the prince's study.
The long haired slave cringed and did his best not to shudder with the maid's tone. “I have been taking riding lessons,” Duo replied, keeping his head bowed.
“Riding lessons?” Dorothy sneered. “You don't have time for riding lessons; the mistress is not at all pleased with you. There is a pile of laundry that needs to be taken to the castle wash house and then the chambers need tidying up and the lunch dishes returning to the kitchens. I suggest you get your sorry ass moving before the princess has it whipped,” she snapped.
Feeling his heart sink, Duo was about to turn around and head for the marital chambers when Prince Heero stepped out of his study. Both slaves immediately dropped to their knees.
“Ah, Duo,” Heero said as he strode towards his slave. He frowned a little when he saw Dorothy there too and wondered what the maid wanted.
“Master,” Duo whispered.
“How was your riding lesson?” Heero questioned, ignoring the maid.
“It went very well thank you, master.” Duo risked a peek at the maid from under his bangs and noted she seemed to be annoyed.
“Good. I want you to continue with daily lessons, it will be tax time soon and I will require you to accompany me to visit some of the outer lying properties when the time comes and it will be much easier on you if you can ride properly.”
Duo could almost feel the anger radiating off the maid with the prince's words. “I will try my best, master.”
“That is all I expect, Duo.” Heero dropped a hand to caress the top of the slave's head. “Come, I wish to bathe and require you to attend to me.” Heero turned and began to walk in the direction of the marital chambers. Duo stood and fell into step behind his master. He noted Dorothy also standing and tagging along behind.
“Where is my wife, Dorothy?” Heero asked as he walked, well aware of the maid following along.
Dorothy was startled by the question but quickly recovered. “She is in the sitting room, sire,” she replied smoothly.
Heero nodded and continued to walk. Reaching their marital suite, Heero didn't wait for Duo to open the door, he grasped the handle and walked in.
“Ah, Dorothy, did you manage to find that piece of -” Relena stopped in mid sentence as she realized that it was Heero that had stepped into the room. Her eyes quickly darted around him to spot that gutter rat and her maid entering the room. “Heero,” she said, her tone changing to one of sweet innocence. “I wasn't expecting you for another candle mark.” Relena stood up and stepped towards her husband.
“I finished a little early as we are to have dinner with my parents tonight,” Heero replied and gave Relena a peck to the cheek. Moving back slightly he noted the lunch dishes still sitting on their tray on the small table. He took a quick look around, the sitting room was a little untidy, but not too bad. “I am going to bathe,” he told his wife and moved through to the bed chamber, motioning for Duo to accompany him.
Not daring to look at either the maid or the princess, Duo quickly escaped to the bed chamber.
“What on earth?” Heero said when he stepped into the bed chamber. Duo's eyes also widened in surprise.
There was a pile of clothes heaped into the corner, the bed remained unmade and a few items of Relena's clothing lay draped over a chair and the end of the bed. Heero frowned as he took in the state of the room.
“Master?”
Duo's tentative calling of his name drew him from his thoughts and Heero turned to his kneeling slave. “Yes, Duo?”
“Do you wish for me to clean this up?”
Anger flashed in Heero's eyes. “No, Duo.” Without further words, Heero spun on his heel and went back out into the sitting room. Duo remained kneeling on the bed chamber floor; he really didn't want to be in the sitting room right now.
“Relena, why is there a mess in our bed chamber? There's laundry piled in the corner, the bed is unmade and clothing lying around.” Heero's eyes narrowed as he addressed his wife.
Relena swallowed and turned her eyes to her husband, but before she could speak, Heero quickly spoke again.
“And why are there lunch dishes still sitting here? Surely your maid has had more than enough time to see to these tasks?” Heero's voice held a sharp edge to it as he questioned his wife.
Kneeling on the floor, Dorothy seethed with annoyance. How dare the master speak to her mistress like that!
“Now, Heero, calm down,” Relena began, putting a soft pout on her lips and a shimmer to her eyes. “Dorothy has been very busy looking after me-”
“And not doing a very good job of it by the looks of things,” Heero snapped, pointedly looking around him once more.
“I haven't been feeling very well and she's been doing her best to make me comfortable,” Relena replied curtly. “Besides, why can't that slave of yours clean up the bed chamber and take the laundry to be washed?”
“Duo looks after me and my needs first and foremost, you already know that. He fetches my meals, keeps my study tidy and looks after my clothing. You have your maid to look after you and the tasks involved with that. I do not see that Duo should be doing tasks that your maid is more than capable of accomplishing. Now, I am going to bathe and prepare for dinner. When I return I expect to find these chambers neat and tidy as they are supposed to be,” Heero said, his tone frosty. Turning on his heel, Heero left the two women and went back to the bed chamber where his slave waited for him.
When Heero had started his little tirade, Relena's hand went to her mouth in shock. Heero must be really annoyed, he'd never spoken to her in that tone before.
Kneeling on the floor, Dorothy was seething with both anger and humiliation. She couldn't believe that her master had spoken to her mistress in such a manner! Once she was sure the prince had left, she stood up and wrapped an arm around Relena's shoulders. “Don't worry mistress, it will all be okay.”
“But Dorothy, you heard how angry he is, we have to get these chambers cleaned up before he comes back.”
“And we will, mistress.” Dorothy's eyes narrowed and a look of hatred passed over her features. “This is all the fault of that piece of trash slave,” she snarled. “He should have been here, cleaning up and not off learning to ride.”
“Yes, I agree with you, Dorothy. If that piece of filth had done his job then the chambers would be all clean.” Relena's eyes narrowed a touch. “Dorothy? You don't suppose that gutter snipe has told the prince that he cleans up in here from time to time, do you?”
“It wouldn't surprise me,” Dorothy muttered under her breath. “But somehow I don't think he would have the guts to do that. He's more of a mouse than a slave.”
“Still, I just might have to have another talk with him and see if he has said anything. I think I'll also have to remind him what I told him before; if he says anything at all to Heero then I'll have him whipped.” Relena's mouth took on a firm line.
“That could be a good idea,” Dorothy agreed.
“We have to step things up a bit, too. We need to get rid of him and the sooner the better.” Relena stated.
“Yes, we do. You rest, mistress and I'll get on with tidying up otherwise the prince will be back and we'll be in even more trouble from him,” Dorothy soothed. With Relena sitting down, Dorothy headed through to the bed chamber and quickly tidied it up, placing the princess' clothes back in their closet, making the bed and gathering all the laundry together. As she did so her mind continued to seethe over having to do such menial work and she vowed to get back at that gutter slave. When she stepped back out into the sitting room, Relena had tidied up a little out there and put all the dirty dishes onto the tray.
“Mistress, you shouldn't be doing things like that in your condition,” Dorothy chastised. “I could have done them.”
“It's okay, Dorothy. There wasn't much to clean up.”
“I'll run these clothes down to the laundry room and come back for the dishes. Once that's done I can bathe you ready for dinner.”
“Thank you, Dorothy.”
*
From his kneeling position in the bed chamber, Duo couldn't help but overhear the conversation taking place in the sitting room. He cringed at the angry tone of his master's voice, the prince rarely raised his voice, in fact, Duo couldn't remember the last time he'd seen or heard his master so upset and angry.
But that fear soon changed to something else when he heard Heero tell the princess and that snooty maid that he was Heero's slave and was there to serve him. That warmth soon turned back to fear though as he suddenly thought what this could all mean for him now.
No doubt the mistress and her maid would be sure to try and hold him responsible in some way for all this and would find a way of making him pay.
But for now, Duo would savor this little victory.
~ * ~
tbc...
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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed