A story about Une and the first time she met Treize.
"Lady Ann? Lady Ann?"
I turned around, once I realized that I was the one being called. My personal assistant, May, had just finished carefully draping my uniform over the padded hangers and putting it into the closet and was awaiting further orders. "I apologize. I was lost in thought."
May took out a pretty blue floor-length sleeveless dress from the closet.
"I believe this would be fitting for tonight's occasion." Then she paused.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I just think that you look much prettier with your hair down and those glasses off."
I smiled. "Yes, Treize-sama also said that. I must say I agree."
"Then why put on all that?" Then she stopped, "I'm sorry I shouldn't question... "
"It's quite all right. When I put on the glasses and put up my hair, people take me more seriously. I suppose I look more authoritative. If it works, it works."
"Ah. Will you be needing anything else? It's two hours before this evening's function."
"No thank you."
"I will tell the chauffeur to be here at a quarter to five then." With that, she slipped out and quietly shut the door behind her.
What a wonderfully efficient assistant, I thought. However, I only told her part of the reason I do this. The real reason is that it is all for Treize-sama.
Four years ago
"So, what did you think of Treize Khushrenada's speech about joining the armed forces?" said Zechs Marquise, the blond boy sitting next to me in the auditorium.
I still felt a little dazed and starry-eyed even though Treize had left the stage for other engagements five minutes ago. "I thought that he was magnificent. My father says that he has the makings of a great man with a brilliant future. Don't you think so?"
"He is... quite impressive." Zechs stood up and put his books in his backpack. "They say that the men under him absolutely adore him."
"I wouldn't be surprised."
He left for one class and I left for another. Strange, I thought, there's nothing known about him except that he is an orphan with some highly connected benefactors. One of these days, someone should find out exactly who he is.
After school had ended for the day, I was driven home by my father's chauffeur. Today was the last day of school before spring vacation. I'd been feeling rather homesick though I wouldn't admit it to any of the people at school. If I was going to succeed, then I'd have to show that I could handle anything.
"Miss?" said the chauffeur.
"Yes, Robert," I answered.
"There will be a guest tonight for dinner. Your father requests that you put on your best dress."
"Of course. Is it a business associate? A cousin? An official?"
"A military officer named Treize Khushrenada."
I gasped. "Treize?"
"Yes, you've heard of him?"
"He lectured at one of my classes today."
"Ah, then you get to meet him up close."
I looked out the window and mused, What was it about that man that made me want to see him again? Is it a schoolgirl crush for some man I can never reach? It's not just that he's handsome. . . No, what he said about his philosophy about honor and fighting and the way he said it... Then I shook my head. Many men are completely different from the image they project. He may yet prove to be quite a boor at dinner.
"Treize Khushrenada, this is my dearest daughter Ann." We stood in front of each other while my father stood off to the side, looking quite proud.
Treize took my hand, bent down and gave it a gentle kiss. "I'm happy to make acquiantance with such a lovely young lady," he said, standing up.
I curtsied and said, "Your flattery is most gracious." His manners and smile are impeccable, I thought.
"I believe you were in the auditorium this morning, listening to my speech."
"You remember?"
"I have a very sharp memory, almost photographic, actually. It's both a blessing and a burden." He frowned slightly, then smoothed his brow. "I also remember you were sitting next to a boy with long blond hair. Are you two... "
"He is merely an acquiantance, I assure you," I said quickly.
"I should stop teasing or I shall cross the line into rudeness."
A servant came up and said, "Dinner is served."
We all sat down to a dinner. The chef had outdone herself with her seafood pasta with white sauce and her warm rolls. There was also Caesar salad, steamed asparagus and sliced fruit. I sneaked glances at him between bites. What am I thinking, I thought. He probably already has a lady friend. Yet, how do I bring up the subject?
"Treize, how have things been?" my father asked.
"Things have been extraordinarily busy. I have had very little time besides my work. This is one of the few moments that I've allowed myself to relax," he replied. He took a sip of white wine. "Excellent vintage, by the way."
"You should get someone to help you," I said.
"Perhaps." He sighed, suddenly, looking very tired. One usually looks sad when one is tired and he was no exception.
"You must rest, Treize-sama," I said.
My father spoke up. "You should go hunting with us tomorrow. I know it's one of your passions. Ann is an excellent markswoman."
"Oh, really?"
"You spoke aboutjoining the armed forces. I'd like to be one of them who does."
My father and mother turned to me with surprise on their faces. Even Treize arched an eyebrow.
My mother exclaimed, "You never said anything!"
My father coughed, "Oh!"
Treize thought for a second and said, "Being a warrior can be hard and brutal. It's not for everyone. It changes you into someone else. I rather like the way you are now."
Yes, but you don't need me the way I am now. You need a soldier who'll follow your orders without question, someone who can help you lift at least part of the burden off your shoulders. I can be that person. Yet, I did not say this out loud. After all, right now, I certainly didn't look like I could.
My mother then smoothed things over by saying, "I believe it's time for dessert."
After dinner, my father and Treize talked by the fire. While I was watching the television nearby, I heard them talk about people he was thinking about recruiting.
"What have you heard about Zechs Marquise?"
"He is intelligent and very athletic."
I felt a stab of jealousy, the first time I had ever felt jealous in my life.
I went upstairs slowly and went to my room to sit down on the bed My mother stood at the doorway. "Ann, can I come in?"
"Yes."
"You like him, don't you?" she said, sitting next to me.
"I admire him deeply," I said.
She sighed and stroked my hair. "Your father used to be in the army, but he quit after you were born. Before that, we used to travel almost every six months all over the world, even into outer space. It was hard to adjust every time we moved. It´s tough being a soldier's wife. I felt lonely when he was away; and he was away much of the time. I worried about something happening that could get him killed."
"I spent 8 years of our marriage doing that. After a while, I told him that if he wanted children, we had to stay in one place and that he had to be there for us. I could put up with the moving and the uncertainty, but I didn't want you to have go through it. You can't believe how happy I was that we could finally stay in one place and that we could spend more time together."
"But doesn't father ever miss the army?"
Her mother looked down. "Well, he realized that when it came down to having to choose the army or me, he would miss me more. However, I've got a feeling that Treize is not like your father that way. I believe that being a soldier is who he is and that anyone around him will have to understand that."
"I see."
"I want to make sure that you learn from my own experiences. I don't regret being with your father or having been with him during those times, but it's not easy. If you become a soldier, then you have to worry about being killed. Being a soldier is about being ready to kill if necessary. It's also about boredom, leaving loved ones behind for months at a time, and traveling to places you really don't want to go. It's not easy for anyone, man or woman. I just want you to know about the reality of being a soldier."
"But the world needs people like Treize and he needs people to help him."
My mother got up and sighed. "Well, it's really up to him whether or not he wants your help."
The next morning, I came into the dining area for breakfast.
Treize looked rather surprised. "You look so different."
I knew I looked rather severe with my hair up and glasses, dressed for today´s sport. I smiled. "Treize-sama, shall we go hunting?" I was going to show him that I was capable of being the person he needed.
Treize suddenly looked a little sad, then he nodded his head. "As you like."
I toyed with the glasses. That day we went hunting, a wild boar came towards us. I was the one who killed it with two shots. I think I handled myself well that day. I know it makes you sad to see me when I'm wearing these, but I know that it's the only way I can be of any use to you. This is the only way I can do the things I do and still have a part of me that's the person you met five years ago. That way I can be both the person you need me to be and the person you want me to be.
It's gotten so I've forgotten which is the real me, the ruthless soldier or the gentle lady. Ah, Treize-sama, you have no idea how much you've asked of me, I thought. Yet, even if that moment could be taken back, I would still choose to do this if it meant I could be with you. I put the glasses down, put on a pair of elbow length gloves and walked out the door.
The End
(:./mk/shattered)
