Fairy Tales Book 2 - The Seven Princes
Part 2

Now, there is a special ceremony, which has to be followed exactly whenever an important funeral comes about. The first stage is that at seven o'clock the night before the burial, a three-course meal began, one that would last a few hours and then at ten o'clock a shot of whiskey would be drunk in a toast to the person who had passed away. They would all then retire for the night and not be disturbed until the ringing of the bells at eight o'clock the following morning.

That morning, Duo was wide-awake before the bells went. He made his bath by himself and dressed. He stood in front of the full-length mirror and admired himself.

He was dressed in a pair of black cotton trousers, which fitted him smugly and the bottom of his trousers were tucked into a smart pair of mid high calf black leather boots. He had a black silk shirt on top, and his Christian cross hung round his neck. James had given the cross to him and he chose to wear it instead of the royal seal cross of the Maxwell House. He knew his father would understand. Over the top, he had on the custom robes; it hung open down the middle showing off his shirt and trousers. The robes were black and lined with violet and silver. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, an invisible band holding his hair back.

He traced his lips with his tongue thinking about yesterday...

"Will you do something for me?"

"Certainly."

"Kiss me."

The shocked look on Heero's face was priceless but he quickly recovered.

"P-p-p-ardon?"

"Kiss me."

Duo slide forward, for the first time ever he had never seen Heero look nervous and scared and he was enjoying the power he held over the other boy.

"Please?" Duo asked.

Heero gulped as he felt Duo press up against him. Duo's large violet eyes pleading into his. Duo always knew that pulling the pleading puppy eye look on Heero normally got the boy to give into his demands.

Heero's hands fell onto Duo's waist, unsure of where to put them and Duo's eyes closed. Heero took a deep breath and lent forward.

Heero's lips brushed against Duo's in the lightest of touch.

"Am I disturbing something?!"

Maybe if Treize hadn't come along there would have been more development between him and Heero but Treize had been angry to find the two boys nearly kissing outside of the chapel and his Father's coffin. There was almost a fight between Treize and Heero but Duo prevented the man from leaping at his friend. That evening meal had been one of secret glances at Heero, and left Duo with no doubt that yes indeed, something was happening between him and Heero.

Duo smiled secretively at himself as the bells rang out throughout the Kingdom. His smile vanished and he turned towards the window. He stepped out of his French Windows and onto a balcony.

Above him, unknown to Duo, Heero had just stepped out on to his balcony, wearing a black penguin suit. He raised his head to the call of the bells. He took a deep breath of the morning air.

The funeral had begun.

*   *   *

After the bells had rung, there would be small breakfast held and then at nine the procession was begin. The procession would start at the small chapel, where six men would carry the coffin down and through the palace and onto the beach, where it would be placed into a carriage and then the horses would lead the way along the beach and all the way up to the King's Head. It would take nearly three hours to walk there.

Duo had once asked his father why they didn't just change the burial place, so it was nearer to the Palace. Solo had laughed and explained that King's Head was not a burial ground and it was tradition for the Kings and Queens to be burned on that cliff and then cast into the sea. Duo had only ever been to one funeral and that had been for Trowa's mother. The tradition was different from Queens than it was for Kings.

Duo left his room soon after the bells had rung and walked down the stairs into the ballroom, and then into the dining room behind it. He stopped just out of sight and listened to the only two men who were in the room.

"What do you suggest then?" Treize growled. "I can't just forget about the whole plan!"

"It wouldn't be wise to make the move so close to your Father's death," Millardo replied. "The Sanq Kingdom is already yours as you know. It won't take much for my Father to crave under my pressure. What I suggest is that you wait a few months before acting."

Treize huffed. "Wait for what? Them to build up their armies so that when I do finally attach they made have some chance of defeating me? I don't fear that I can't defeat the Sanq, the Wastelands and the rest. I worry about destroying the Outiche Kingdom."

"It is family to you, I know, but how about whispering sweet nothings in the young prince's ear? He is too naïve to realise what it is that you want until it's too late."

"Prince Duo is far smarter than you think. Besides his relationship with Prince Heero is too close, it could be too dangerous for me to act so irrational towards Duo when Heero is so close by."

"The Lowe Lands will be the hardest to beat. Their castle is a stronghold and their army trained in hand-to-hand combat."

"The ideal situation would be to assassinate the Prince and while the Kingdom goes into its month of mourning."

Duo took a step backwards. He had hardly believed it when his father had informed him that Treize would wage war against the other Kingdoms but here it was, evidence in front of him that not only was Treize planning a war, but he was declaring it, loud and clear to everyone. He had heard more than enough and turned tail and ran.

"What was that?" Millardo asked, hearing the sound of footsteps in the other room.

Treize stood up. "I didn't think any one would be about this time in the morning. Breakfast isn't served for another ten minutes yet."

Both men walked over to the doorway and looked across the empty ballroom.

Duo bit his lip as he stood behind a pillar, searching his mind for an invisibility spell.

"Doesn't look like anyone is here," Millardo commented and he walked back to his seat. Treize moved out of sight but kept his eyes on the doorway that lead to the Entrance Hall.

Duo glanced out from behind the pillar, he couldn't see them anymore and so he slipped out of the pillar and headed to his left and stopped beside the wall. He reached for the hidden door handle and jerked it forward and the wall opened. Duo ducked into the small secret passageway and disappeared into the kitchens.

"Come sit down," Millardo ordered, "there is no one there."

Treize turned his sharp blue eyes onto Millardo. "I could swear that it was Duo that I saw then, but I suppose it could have been a girl."

Millardo laughed. "Who cares? You plan on declaring war anyway, so even if it was Prince Duo, the news won't be a shock."

Treize shrugged and moved to sit down. "I guess you are right."

"Of course I am, I always am."

*   *   *

"Where were you?" a hand grabbed Duo's.

Duo jumped and spun round to glare at his attacker.

"Heero!" Duo snarled.

"I'm sorry. You weren't at breakfast, did something happen?"

Duo took a few deep-calming breaths. "Yes, I'm fine. Just, heard something that I really shouldn't have heard. Have you seen Treize this morning?"

"Yes, talking to my father. Nothing wrong is there?"

Duo looked at his friend. "I don't know," he muttered and began to blurt out words that made no sense when put together.

Heero took hold of Duo's arms and shook the boy gently.

"Hey! Make sense, baka."

Duo blinked and opened his mouth to speak when the bells began to toll nine and Treize strolled up to them.

"Darling Cousin," Treize purred. As his cornflower blue eyes fell onto Duo's frighten look, he had his confirmation that it was Duo that had been in the ballroom that morning, listening to his and Millardo's conversation.

"Good morning, Treize."

Heero's gaze hardened at the sight of the Prince. "You're nearly King," he commented.

"I am. It's the strangest thing to suddenly be in control of a Kingdom, and of course being King makes me a higher position than you."

"Of course, but the keyword was nearly King. Shall we, Duo?" Heero held out his hand to Duo who took it politely.

"Come on Treize, we need to get up to the chapel."

The three Princes walked up there together. Heero was concerned over the way Duo was looking at Treize, and the way he was holding tightly onto Heero's hand. They reached the top of the hill where Odin and Solo where standing, waiting from both Treize and Duo.

Heero had to tug his hand away from Duo's with great difficulty and walked over to where Quatre stood. Duo continued onwards alone with Treize to the chapel doors.

"Are you scared, Duo?" Treize whispered.

"Why should I be scared?"

"I know you overhead us this morning... Uncle Solo, King Odin."

Duo smiled at his father and Odin who would be leading the procession with Duo and Treize following.

"Are you ready to begin?" Solo asked.

"Yes, let's start."

Solo stepped forward to talk to the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you all to this unhappy occasion. Today we celebrate in the name of King James Khushrenada. His death has brought great sadness to the world, and today we lay him to rest. I ask you to join us on his journey to the after world."

The coffin was slowly brought out and Solo and Odin walked beside it as it was carried towards the beach, Duo and Treize fell into step beside the coffin on the other side.

"I know it was you in the ballroom. I know you heard what I was planning."

"It didn't come as a surprise. There has been a rumour of you declaring war on us. Now, I can just tell everyone it's true. But this is your father funeral, have some respect!"

"Respect? For my old man? Don't tell me you haven't guess it yet?"

Duo looked at Treize, scared at the thought.

"You didn't?"

"As you just said, let's show some respect."

They fell into silence.

The journey was in silence until they reached the bottom of King's Head. It was the longest Duo had been silent since he had been taught to speak.

The coffin was removed from the carriage and carried up the hill. The four who were in front of the coffin fell back so they were walking with the rest of the possession. Heero reached Duo and took the boy's hand as they slowly continued the final stage of the journey.

"Are you ok?" Heero whispered and Duo glanced at his friend.

"Yes."

They stood around the burial platform as the coffin was placed on it. Solo again addressed the crowd.

"We lay to rest a beloved son, a happy husband and a proud father."

Treize stepped forward, a bunch of roses in his left hand. "I thank everyone on my father's behalf for being here today, for showing how many friends he had and how many people respected my father," Treize climbed onto the burial platform and placed the roses on top of the coffin. "I placed these roses on this coffin to show my own love, respect and gratitude towards my father. I'll miss him and his guidance."

Treize bent his head and kissed the coffin top gently before climbing down.

Duo then became aware that it was his turn. He climbed awkwardly up onto the platform and stood before the coffin.

"King James was my Godfather, and my Uncle. He taught me a lot of things, like how to fight with a sword and how to braid my hair," the crowd laughed. "But most of all, he showed me that life was worth living and that you should remain a child for as long as you could because being a grown up was not much fun. I love you, uncle, and I'll miss you."

Duo took a deep breath and bent over like Treize had and pressed his lips against the coffin. He straighten his back and placed his palms flat on the coffin top.

"Goodbye," he whispered, and flames sprung up from his hands, engulfing the coffin. Duo stepped off the platform, his lips pressed tightly together to stop himself crying. Heero was there as soon as Duo was far enough way from the burning coffin. His arms wrapping around Duo's waist and the boy turned, his face buried in Heero's shoulder. Heero held him tightly, one hand stroking his hair soothingly.

They stayed there until the sun had set and the fire had stopped burning.

TBC...

Heehee, evil cliffhanger! Thanks to all the reviewers and encouragement from people, please keep it coming. I'll update again soon.

 

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