Chapter One: The Wedding
The chapel was full to capacity for the wedding of Vice-Minister Relena Peacecraft. It had all the common appearances of a happy event: a decorated cathedral, elegant music, and lively guests.
However, the bride was extremely upset with the entire event. The person waiting at the alter wasn’t the one she loved. He was selected by her brother when he found out who she did love. It probably didn’t help she was caught on the balcony while being kissed and felt up by that person. The culprit had a Cheshire grin on her beautiful face. Relena’s hands were tangled in platinum blond hair that fell down past her waist. Although it was intensely shocking to see Relena with a girl, the biggest shock was who the girl was.
It wasn’t the protective Noin or lovely, yet serious Une. It was Dorothy Catalonia. It just had to be the girl who took every opportunity to oppose Relena, the girl who defined Relena’s work for a lasting peace as “foolish dreams.”
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Relena gasped when she saw her brother’s face filled with rage. She desperately clung to Dorothy, who suddenly looked somber.
“Milliardo, please listen to me! I love her!” Relena pleaded.
“Guards!” Milliardo was beyond words. Two soldiers arrived. “Take her away!”
“No, brother! Please!” Relena grabbed a hold of her brother’s arm. The two guards took Dorothy’s arms and started to lead her away. “Stop, I command you!” The guards froze. They knew there would be a problem with conflicting orders. “Let her go, now!”
“I said take her away!” Milliardo growled out. The guards immediately resumed their arrest. A tear made its way down Relena’s face. She started to go after her love, but an arm barred the way. Her brother looked down at her coldly. “As for you, you’re going to be married. Maybe after you settle down with a man, you’ll forget about this foolish crush. That or I’ll have to dispose of her some other way.” Her brother left the threat hanging in the air as he left. The girl, who was once the most powerful politician on Earth, sank to her knees and wept.
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Dorothy was officially under arrest for treason. Relena’s objections fell on deaf ears as everyone was afraid of her brother or powerless to stop him. Milliardo spent several days searching for a suitable candidate to wed his sister. He found a son of a wealthy noble. He was handsome, but known for his lack of concern for “the commoners.”
Wedding preparations were record-breaking. Relena was shoved into various bridal gowns by maids until Milliardo found one he approved of. Relena refused to assist in any manner. It was painful on more than one level. Noin and Une tried to talk to him with no effect. It didn’t help that they had recently announced that they were “together.” Milliardo had ignored them since then. The gundam pilots were spread across the galaxy on various missions. Worst of all, she had receive no word from Dorothy since they were caught. Une had informed her that Dorothy had been placed under house arrest with an extensive guard.
Now, Relena was being led down the aisle like a prisoner on her way to an execution with her only living relative pushing her all the way. True, she could later divorce the young man, but she didn’t want to make the vows at all, at least until it was with Dorothy.
The guests were in awe of the beautiful, if reluctant, bride. Noin and Une looked away, ashamed at their powerlessness.
At the alter, the minister proceeded through the rites agonizingly slow. Relena did everything she could to disrupt the ceremony: she refused to repeat the vows, purposely set fire to the groom with the unity candle, and threw the ring into the crowd. The audience looked confused, but remained somewhat quiet. Milliardo growled, but kept his composure and continued to pull the minister’s puppet strings.
When the minister asked for objections, Relena prayed for a miracle. Milliardo stared directly at Une as she clenched the pew. There was a tense silence.
Relena couldn’t take anymore. “I object!” The crowd gasped at the bride’s outburst. They were clearly ignorant of the true circumstances of the wedding.
Her brother gave the minister a death glance. “Continue…”
“Brother, please! Stop this farce. I do not love this man and never will! I love…”
Milliardo cut her off. “Continue!” The congregation jumped.
The minister swallowed heavily under the intense stare of the Lightning Count. He went into the final part of the ceremony, the “I do’s.” The young noble instantly responded affirmatively. Relena felt tears form. She knew she wouldn’t be allowed to see Dorothy ever again.
Then, the doors came off their hinges and crashed to the floor. Everyone turned to see if they were under attack. It was a white horse. Upon the saddle sat Dorothy Catalonia, dressed in her White Fang uniform. She looked somewhat like a handsome hero come to whisk the damsel away. The rapier on her belt added to that effect. The woman directed the horse to the alter.
“How dare you! I should have had you killed!” Milliardo roared. In the next instant, the rapier was at his throat. He grimaced, but made no move.
Noin and Une acted quickly. They help Relena into the saddle after tearing off the train of her dress. Before they could ride off, Milliardo attempted one last grab at his sister. Dorothy’s boot knocked him into a crowded pew.
Together, they rode out of the chapel and disappeared.
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A search party was formed, but nothing came of it. The elder Peacecraft was furious.
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Later that evening, Noin and Une stood in front of the cathedral alone.
“I’m so glad they made it out.” Noin said with some relief. However, confusion was apparent on her face. “But it’s been bothering me… How did Dorothy escape?”
“Relena’s always had allies that are loyal only to her. Quite a few personal friends knew about her relationship with Dorothy. That and Heero and Duo were nearby. Escape was inevitable.” A smile appeared on her face, one she had shown only to a select few. The two women joined hands and walked to their car.
“How about we celebrate?” Noin suggested.
“Italian?” Une shot back with a smirk.
“Sure.” Noin replied as she opened the door for Une. She looked back at the cathedral. “Wherever they are, I'm sure they’re happy.” She got in the car and drove off.
End Chapter One