Lady Anne's love for Treize-sama even after his death
Lady Anne carefully wiped the dust off the plaque that parked Treize's grave, then laid roses before it. I am the only one who comes here any more. Even Dorothy has stopped, she thought, and she loved him in her own way. She told me that the only way she could start living again was not to reminesce over the past. But when your heart is full of memories, how can you stop thinking about the past?
"Treize-sama?" said Lady Anne. She had her hair down and her glasses off. In her hand was two brandy snifters and in the other was a bottle of the finest cognac. She looked at the man who was looking out the window. Rarely out of uniform, it was refreshing to see him wearing a simple white shirt, sleeves rolled up, black slacks, and bare feet. She felt somehow honored to see him so casual. Only a few ever saw this side of the great Khushrenada.
He turned around to see her. "You needn't add the honorific of 'sama' to my name. Especially when I'm dressed like this."
"Oh, but I want to. It's a token of my respect."
He chuckled. "I see. Is that an AC 174 vintage in your hand? It must've been hard to find."
She cocked her head to the side coquettishly and said, "Only the best for the man who will lead us to the future." She handed him a glass.
"I wonder," he said, looking into the empty snifter.
"Treize-sama?"
"I'm fine. Could you pour me some of that cognac?"
She gently poured a small amount into the vessel. Things like this were meant to be savoured, not gulped like second-rate beer. Treize swirled the liquid, warmed by the presence of his hand. Then he drank just enough to coat his tongue. "Excellent," he said.
"You're quiet tonight, Treize-sama. Is something bothering you?"
A look of pain flitted across his face. "I was forced to turn against the best friend I have in the world. He must utterly hate me now. There are few people who understood me and he was one of them. I don't think he will forgive me until the day I die."
So, that's why he's been avoiding everyone by staying inside his office, she thought. "I am sorry, if you need to be alone... "
"No, Lady Anne, I would prefer that you indulge me with your presence."
"Simply call me Anne, Treize-sama."
Treize drank the rest of the cognac and smiled. "As long as you use the honorific 'sama,' I will use the word 'Lady.'"
Lady Anne smiled at that. Always the honorable gallant, she thought. "I'm sure that one day Zechs will forgive you. How far away that day is, I do not know, but even if the world doesn't understand your principles, feel secure in the knowledge that what you believe is right. It is what's inside one's heart that is important, not what nonsense happens to be fashionable at the moment. As you taught me, that is the only true freedom."
Treize's smile turned melancholy. "Yet that is what I want to do, change people's hearts so they could be free. Peace is much harder than war. Changing the world so they will make that effort will probably require even more sacrifices, perhaps even my life."
"Treize-sama!" said Lady Anne.
"It is probably why I admire the Gundam pilots so much." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Lady Anne, make me this one promise."
"Anything."
"If I die in this war, don't cry for me."
"But... "
"I have lived my life according to my beliefs. There are very few who can say that. No one can ask for more than that. I may regret that things have not turned out like I wanted them to and that there has been so much suffering; but as for myself, I will be satisfied if I can end my life still true to myself."
"If that is truly what you want, then I will make that promise. But that is only because I know that it won't happen."
"I will drink to that," said Treize. "Another sifter, please."
"As you wish."
I made that promise only because you insisted. I've kept it for two years, telling myself that I should put all my energy into making this the world of your dreams. I know that you would be pleasantly astonished at everything that has happened. I think you would be proud of how your daughter has turned out, so bright and full of promise. I have tried to live according to my heart as you have always told me to do.
But there is not a day that I do not miss the sound of your voice, the sometimes melancholy expression of your eyes and the kindness of your smile. And the grief that is in my heart has not yet faded; nobody has taken your place. Lady Anne felt her warm tears fall down her face. Treize, my tears are not for you; they are for myself.
The End
(:./mk/promise)
