Prologue

The wind blew lightly, causing boughs to waver and flowers to dance within the grasses. A beautiful day, really, with a bright sun and only scattered, white clouds. Beneath the glowing sun, the white-stoned castle sparkled like crystal. It was appealing to the eye and farmers in fields nearby would rest every once and a while to look back and see where their nobles lived.

Sanq, as the kingdom was titled, was almost always peaceful. The standard of living was well-enough for the majority and for the past two decades or so the rulers had been wise and considerate of their people. The current ruler was a man by the name of Zechs, and occasionally known as Mirialdo. Although unmarried, he had entitled the children of one of his advisors as his heirs. The one earning the title of Crown Prince went by the name of Duo - actually once having a twin who died early from a disease. The other two were Quatre and Relena. Differing from their brother, they both had golden hair - to their brother's brown; and crystal blue eyes - to Duo's violet-blue.

With such a pleasant day offered, Noin, one of the chief advisors, planned a picnic trip for the heirs of the kingdom. With that agreed upon happily by the three, they set off just a little before midday with a friend in tow.

Brushing it off, the woman smiled towards Meiran, the fifth coming with them. “It is nice to see you still have time to be with your friends even with your training.”

“It has been a while since I've had this much of a break. I'm just glad I have this chance, it out to be fun.” She looked up at the sky and smiled, ebony eyes sparkling. “It's a very nice day. Perfect for the middle of spring.”

A neighboring kingdom basked in the same glow of a warm sun and clear skies. The palace gleamed, but with regular grey stones typical of the lands surrounding it. Here the previous ruler had matched his son, Treize, with a Lady of the court named Une. The two were presently the rulers of Oz. Even with three heirs borne to them, their status with one another never appeared more than friends. And in most senses, that was completely true.

Their three heirs were quiet, mysterious boys that were more likely to observe with a keen eye than argue a point verbally. Heero was Crown Prince with cool, calculating Persian blue eyes and rich brown hair. Tallest of the three was Trowa, an almost completely silent boy who only spoke when it was absolutely needed. His emerald eyes always seemed to place a barrier and few could actually get to know who he was. His unusual feature were his bangs shooting off the front of his face a few inches; its tone a rich brown. Last was Wufei, an ebony-eyed and haired boy with tanned skin over a well-trained body.

With the bright day came the perfect opportunity to take a hunting trip through the forest nearby. Or, for Trowa - for he had a knack with animals and cared greatly for them - it would be a time to observe the flora and fauna of the area. More than likely the three would end up being a sort of training trip.

At that time the oldest of both kingdoms were coming to the age for marriage and their siblings, too, were in the position to start looking for suitors. The ruler of Sanq, Zechs, had planned a three-night masked ball for his heirs just for that reason. Nobles of neighboring lands were already arriving a week in advance and settling and arranging last minute preparations.

However, the kingdom of Oz was not involved. For a great many years Oz and Sanq had been at bad terms with one another - mostly over land arguments - and had sworn to be enemies with one another. The children of both lands had grown up with this knowledge and were always suspicious of their neighbors.

Which would be why, of course, the three male heirs of Oz were sent on an assignment to join the masked ball to find any information to use against the Sanq kingdom. Lately the strain between the lands was increasing and war seemed just about to break out. Dutifully Heero took charge of the operation and went with his two brothers to prepare for their journey.

“I thought we would never be finished with those women,” Wufei snorted. They had been measured and fitted for proper clothes that they would wear to the ball.

Silently Heero nodded, turning his gaze from the window to look at his black-haired sibling. “It's over now. We will have to prepare tonight and leave tomorrow morning.” It was understood that they would arrive, hopefully, just an hour before the first night of the ball so as to have only enough time to prepare for the ball.

“I suppose we should.” Wufei rose from the chair he had been sitting in and moved towards the door and to his rooms. “I will meet you at dawn.”

“I cannot believe you've dragged me into this childish game,” Meiran huffed, rolling her eyes. She was sitting in Quatre's room along with Relena and Duo two hours before the masked ball would begin and they would have to go down to the large, shining ballrooms.

Both girls were in their plain, sleeveless under-dresses. Meiran wore one the color of a deep, royal blue since her gown was to be a midnight blue and her butterfly mask made of shining blue and purple-dyed feathers. Relena's being cream-colored and her ball gown a soft, snowy white. Her own mask covered only her eyes with glistening beads sewn onto the face piece.

The boys carefully knelt in their dark-colored dress pants and white shirts. Fancy jackets were laying out on Quatre's bed nearby so as not to be disturbed.

“But you agreed to it,” Quatre reminded, smiling. “And it doesn't have to be very childish… think of what you can do with dares!”

Both of his siblings look at him with raised eyebrows. “My, Quatre, what's gotten into the sweet, innocent blonde I knew?” Duo questioned, grinning. With a warning glare, Quatre turned to look at Meiran expectantly.

She sighed and finally slumped her shoulders in defeat. “Alright. Relena, I'm going to say that you must approach three men tonight at the ball and kiss each on the lips.” She smirked triumphantly as the blond-haired girl blushed.

“Take it and it's your turn, Relena.” Duo grinned impishly at her. “And if you don't follow through on that there, with all of us there to see, you'll have to deal with a nice, big stain of punch being spilled onto your white dress.”

Glaring fiercely at him, Relena snapped out, “Alright, that's it! You have yourself a challenge coming up that will utterly humiliate you!” Giving her a bored look, Duo rolled his eyes and motioned for her to get on with it. Her lips turned up wickedly and a gleam came to her eyes when he wouldn't acknowledge her threat to its extent. “Alright you long-haired, braided maniac - my dear brother of mine,” she added sarcastically, “I dare you to attend each night of the ball dressed…”

Everyone leaned forward, noting her countenance. She smiled wider as she knew that all of their attention was completely focused on her. This would top anything that would be brought up later. Having kept them in suspense for quite some time, she finished, “…dressed as a girl. Completely… makeup, dress, hair, mask… everything.”

There was a silence, then Duo nearly tackled her but was, luckily, held back by Quatre and Meiran. “Are you kidding? Relena, you know the dumb thing is taking place just to find some `companion' and how the hell am I supposed to do that dressed like a girl?”

Quatre hated to admit it, but he was quite intrigued by the dare and strived to subtly argue in Relena's favor. “She does have a point, Duo… Why not? It's daring… you'll be wearing a mask… No one will be able to tell. Why not?”

After dragging Duo into Meiran's room - who was amazingly about Duo's size and had dresses that would suit him much better than any of Relena's - the three had to work together to pin him down to a chair and start rummaging around for a dress that he could wear. Eventually he was set with a black gown with rustling skirts. His feet were fitted with simple, dark hard-soled slippers. The sleeveless under-dress was a deep purple in tone and was revealed with from the front of his gown where the black cloth was spilt in a triangle shape to his thighs. Just below his collarbone, where the cut curved low over his chest, the deep purple also was revealed for a good amount of decency.

Meiran cheerfully patted Duo on the head as Relena undid the long, brown braid. “Don't scowl, so, my dear Prince. It's not ladylike.”

There was no response so Meiran kept her hands rested on Duo's shoulders, keeping him in place, and watched with a smile on her face as Quatre and Relena worked together on fixing Duo's hair and then face. After they had done, there wasn't too much to reveal that the pretty brown-haired creature before them was actually male.

Relena handed over the basic butterfly style mask. Without meeting her eyes, Duo snatched it from her and placed it on his face. “Damnit, I don't know why the hell I'm doing this.”

“Or else I'll have to tell our dear King about - ” Relena began. The widening of Duo's eyes beneath the mask was signal enough that he knew what she was about to say. She winked at him. “Oh no! We have to hurry and dress! There's only half an hour left before the ball!” She and Quatre fled the room and Meiran shoved Duo out after them so that she could change.

Not sure what else to do, Duo trailed into Quatre's room to talk with him before they left. Self-consciously he plucked at the fabric of his dress. “Quatre… do you think this will be all right? The King will be very upset… but then again I can't help but enjoy this thought of playing a new role…” He wrinkled his nose and looked up to meet his brother's crystal eyes.

The blonde regarded him with a serious look. “Listen, if you really don't like it tonight we'll find a way to get you out of Relena's dare.”

“That reminds me, neither you or Meiran ever were dared! No fair!” Duo fumed momentarily, then glared daggers. “You two will be due to have quite a challenge tomorrow.”

“I don't like that sound of that…” muttered Quatre. He finally place on his face mask and walked up to Duo, offering his arm. “My lovely lady, will you not accompany me to the ball?”

With a sarcastic sweet smile, Duo stood and curtsied prettily. “Why would I not, dear Prince?” As they walked into the hall he murmured, “You know it's lucky we don't have to be greeting everyone tonight? Gods I'd be so mortified… actually I think I'd risk my dear King's anger than great guest in a dress.”

It was a dull night, mostly a time for greeting and seeing one another. Not much excitement drew everyone into an attentive mood so Duo easily was able to keep off to the sidelines and avoid and questions. He wasn't sure how he'd sound when speaking and he certainly didn't wish to give away his cover. He fully had to act like a lady, now, or risk being utterly humiliated in front of his entire future court.

“Hello,” came a familiar voice in a quiet tone. Duo turned his head to meet his brother's gaze. “Bored to death? Miserable?” He quirked a smile.

Glaring through the butterfly mask, Duo felt tempted to cut his brother into tiny pieces with his scythe. Unfortunately his weapon wasn't on hand… “You're entirely too calm! You'll have to put up with absolutely anything I challenge you to.”

“Pardon me, am I interrupting something?” The smooth voice belonged to a tall boy possibly around Duo's age. His mask shadowed much of his face but through the eye holes the two princes could see deep emerald irises. His dress uniform consisted of dark-colored pants, a black dress shirt, and an emerald vest. His hair drew attention with its unusual style of having long bangs brushed to sweep to one side, almost covering one eyes.

“Uh… not at all,” Quatre managed, gathering his wits together and praying that Duo could manage to sound feminine if he had to speak.

The boy swept an easy, elegant bow before rising again. “May I introduce myself? My name is Trowa. I am the second son of a Lord some miles away.”

“It is pleasant to meet you, my Lord,” Quatre replied politely, bowing in turn. “I am the second prince of Sanq, Quatre. This is Lady Dahlia.” He could hear Duo's mutter of `Dahlia?' but hopefully it wasn't loud enough for the lord to hear him.

Throughout the exchange there was no change in expression on the shadowed face. He nodded to them and then turned his attention specifically on the `Lady Dahlia.' “Might I be honored with a dance with you, my Lady?” he questioned.

“I…” Duo stammered. Instinct kicked in and he could feel Quatre's warning glare on his back. “Of course… my Lord… My pleasure.” Swallowing hard, he took the offered arm and let himself be led onto the floor. He worried over the dance steps, then just followed as his body flowed into the correct movements and luckily he didn't give away any cover.

Relena and Meiran had found themselves in company of two boys who listened to them intently. Meiran had chanced upon meeting Wufei after he overheard a conversation where she mentioned her studies of martial arts. Intrigued with the young lady, they had fallen into discussion when Relena approached, looking ready for some rest. Heero, introduced as Wufei's friend, had chanced by a while later and stayed on.

Quatre approached the quartet with an interested look placed under his mask. “Good evening sister, Meiran… Gentlemen.” He bowed, smiling kindly. “May I introduce myself as the second prince of Sanq, Quatre.”

Had it been anyone else, it was most likely they would have taken that opportunity to reply with “only if you are the prince”, but nether of the boys would be inclined to respond in such a way.

The five of them talked for a time before Duo approached, looking as if he was barely keeping calm, with Trowa not too far after him. With a quick curtsy, Duo murmured a greeting and tried catching Quatre's eye. The blonde refused to meet that look and instead introduced `Lady Dahlia' once again and then letting Trowa make his own introductions.

Duo watched, remaining quiet and not wishing to wreak his disguise. Already he had dealt with a trying time while dancing for quite some time in the lord's arms. He still felt nervous about the whole ordeal, sure that the boy had found him out.

But nothing had been said and it appeared he was still safe. And then, as he glanced over the three boys, he noted a silent exchange between the two brothers, Trowa looking significantly at Heero and just a slight moving of his fingers. Confused on what it was all about, Duo was startled when Heero approached and offered him his arm for a dance.

`Oh no… not again,' his mind screamed. Still, he managed an uneasy smile and was led away. He cast one glance back, looking panicked. Relena smirked at him but otherwise he had no response to his silent plead.

It was just his luck that the second song that they danced to was one of slower, closer, more graceful movements. He felt his face heat in embarrassment and refused to meet the intense cobalt gaze that was pinned to his face.

Silently Heero nodded and led him towards the refreshment table. Duo took up a delicate glass of wine and sipped at it, catching glances of the boy next to him. The more times he looked over Heero, the more he realized how well-built the other was. `Hard training… Extremely good training… What was that earlier? That exchange… and without any words. Then again, he's hardly said more than five words since we left the others. The silent sort, like his brother.'

“Do you know your way around the gardens?” Heero questioned, gaze moving to gaze out the open balcony doors and onto the gardens that spread out for a good distance.

“Yes… would you, care to go walking in them?” The moment the words escaped his mouth, Duo wanted to curse aloud. Instead he settled for using every curse he knew to yell at himself mentally. Heero offered an arm and the two headed out into the night air.

Amazing their walk was quite pleasant and rather quiet unless Duo decided to point out some of the flowers or Heero would question about the palace and its people. As he calmed, realizing nothing was going to happen, Duo talked more freely, smiles more loose and genuine.

“Here's a wonderful spot,” Duo announced as they came by a pond with an old stone bench sitting not too far from it. He settled himself down, careful to smooth his skirts. “In the day there are swans that glide by.” He glanced up towards the sky and then back down at the water, “It's a beautiful night, isn't it? The stars are bright enough to be reflected.” He laughed, “Like a double-sky!”

Heero studied Duo carefully before sitting down beside his companion. Duo glanced to him, unsure momentarily. Slightly wary, he offered another smile before averting his eyes, feeling a flush rise on his cheeks. Something wasn't clicking at the moment…

On impulse Heero's hand rose to trail lightly along the back of Duo's neck, then rest lightly there. Surprised, Duo began to jerk away, prepared to stand. Heero moved his other hand and caught his arm. Without any other warning, his lips suddenly touched the corner of Duo's own before fully meeting the other's.

Squeaking in surprise and embarrassment, Duo only had to struggle briefly before the strong boy let him go and stared up at the heavily breathing `lady'. “Ah… uh… I don't think… th-that was very polite…” Duo stammered, jittery. He began backing away. Heero rose, his lips slightly quirking. Gulping, Duo turned and fled, not caring of his gown - or rather, Meiran's gown - any longer.