Gundam Wing Works Fanfic by Sheila Benedicto and Fanart by Nicole Lim

 

Words I Don't Need …Peacecraft…     Relena stood in front of a large window and slowly drew her finger against the glass. After repeatedly making trips from colony to colony to Earth and back, meeting with each and every significant political figure, and constantly rebuilding alliances between space and earth, she was exhausted. Still, she was not one to complain. Yes, she was lonely, and she sometimes longed for normalcy. But she chose this path; she was going to stick to it. She knew it would be hard being Peace Minister at 15, but she didn’t care. If she was the only one who can preserve peace, then she would serve as its minister until the day she died.  …War…     She did not want that to happen. Even though peace was in their grasp, it was still on shaky ground. A slight provocation and war might start all over again. Then everything she, the Gundam pilots, and the Unified Earth Alliance had worked for all these years would be in vain.  … The Gundam Pilots…     She looked at her reflection in the glass. A memory of a face stirring in her that she desperately pushed away.     “Miss Relena? Care for some champagne?”      Relena was startled out of her reverie by Lady Une. She absentmindedly took the champagne flute being handed to her, and whispered her thanks.     “Miss Relena, if I may ask, what is troubling you?”     Relena smiled wanly. “Nothing. I’ve been thinking about the coming establishment of the new colony on L5, as well as the coming elections for Prime Minister of the L2 and L3 colonies.”     Lady Une shook her head. “Even in the middle of a party you’re thinking about those things. Why don’t you have fun for once? Dance with anyone? I know the Prince of France has been dying to ask you.”     “I’m sorry. I don’t dance. And since when have you started giving out advice on having fun?” Relena teased good-naturedly.     “Ever since you turned 21 and I saw you at your desk, signing papers instead of going out with friends.” She paused. “I know you dance.”     “Not anymore,” she replied, then changed the subject. “How is Mariemaia?”     “She’s gotten over her fever. I’m keeping her at home until the virus is out of her system. After that, I’m sending her back to boarding school.”  Lady Une smiled fondly at the memory of her “adopted” daughter. “She’s growing up to look so much like her father…”     “Do you miss him, Lady Une?”     “Sometimes. But I have my memories. And I have Mariemaia.” She gently caressed Relena’s hair, before turning away. “I wish you’d make your own memories, too, Relena-sama.”      Relena faced her reflection.  … I have memories...      A face appeared in her mind. This time, she did not push it away. … I just wish I also knew the emotions that went with them…  ***     Relena succumbed to the invitations of some of her more persistent admirers to dance, trying to tune out their mindless words of praise and empty flattery. She was very tired yet continued to smile, if anything, out of courtesy. Now if they would just be quiet…     “You look very lovely, tonight, my dear Relena. Your eyes are positively shining,” the 79th Duke of York complimented.     “Thank you.”     It was strange, she thought. All of the men who had asked her to dance must be mad. Or else, they were sorely lacking in perception.  Can’t you see I’m exhausted?! How can my eyes be shining?! Relena screamed inwardly. She knew she must look very pale, considering she had less than five hours sleep in the last six days. She sighed. Maybe they’re just being polite, she thought, and looked up into her present dance partner’s gray eyes when he complimented her yet again. Lately, she found she was very good at seeing people’s emotions, or lack thereof, when she stared them in the eyes. As she intently looked at her partner’s, she saw no warmth, no sincerity that came with the compliment… as with her other suitors. I can handle the truth. I won’t eat you if you tell me I look like a fright. Why does everyone have to be so artificial? It’s not as if I’m still Queen of the World…