I can't believe that mother actually agreed to let me stay here for longer to visit so quickly! Thought Noin to herself, it's kind of strange that she's so… I don't know, happy I guess that I'm staying here for the next week while she and father fly home first. It's too bad that the first thing I'm doing on my visit is attending a stupid ball.

Noin quickly tried to dismiss these thoughts from her mind as she saw Relena start heading her way. Smiling at the younger girl, she waited till she was within hearing range.

'Hope you didn't get into too much trouble about your dress' Noin commented softly

She anticipated the other girl's grin before she saw it.

'Nope- mother was too happy that I wasn't going to make a fuss about getting ready for the ball because all I could talk about was what we're going to be doing on your visit.' She replied jokingly.

'Yeah, well I could think of better things to be doing than attending a ball- the time it took before mother was satisfied that I was ready…'

'But it was worth it. You look great-'

'Yeah right.'

'Its true' insisted Relena, who glanced mischievously around them. 'Don't believe me? Take a look around you.'

Noin tried to casually glance around them and gulped. Evidently, most of the young males of the aristocracy had decided just where the two best-looking ladies were in the room, and there were many bold stares, as well as the more polite glances of interest.

Noin tried to stare defiantly back at them, but them sighed, and looked away in defeat. There was just too many of them. Here we go… she thought to herself, dreading what she knew was to come next. It wasn't as though she disliked dancing. It was just… There was so many of them- surely they didn't expect she and Relena to dance and converse in the softly spoken feminine ways of the nobility with them all?

Noin reached up and unconsciously wrapped her fingers around the chain on her neck again, as several of the owners of the bolder stares began to approach.

Milliardo!!

Noin blinked, and looked curiously at the people around them, who showed no signs of having heard any disturbance. She shook her head slightly- not now of all times…

Noin started. Surely that hadn't been Relena calling out, had it? Her friend had been right beside her the whole time, and not a sound had issued from her.

The rest of her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Relena's brother, as he strode confidently up to the girls.

'Ah, Relena, there you are. Mother wishes to speak to you concerning the matters of next week I understand.'

Relena looked up at her brother with a glare.

Milliardo glanced down at his little sister in amusement.

Milliardo looked away from the face of his silently fuming little sister, to look at her companion.

It was her… the daughter of that Duchess he had met earlier today. He paused, struggling to bring to mind her name. Lucretzia. That was it. Lucretzia Noin, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Erathia. His eyes swept over her, taking in the gown she was wearing, of deep violet, matching her eyes and hair to perfection… Milliardo frowned slightly, clearing the thoughts from his mind, before letting his gaze come to a rest on her face.

Noin forced herself to keep from looking down at her feet as the prince's cold blue glance swept over her, her fingers tightened on the chain, turning white at the knuckles as the strain on how hard she was really gripping the necklace began to show. I will not back down… to anybody. She thought desperately to herself. Never again- she wasn't going to back down from people like him. It had been the likes of him who had killed her best friend… her home.

Milliardo recoiled slightly, at the fierceness of the girl's gaze, then collected himself, and looked coldly back at her, ending their little staring competition once again with a small bow.

'Lady Lucretzia, I believe that your mother is also seeking to speak with you.'

'Thankyou. I shall go attend her as quickly as possible. If I may be excused.'

Relena looked up at her friend, a tiny smile replacing the frown on her face.

'If it's all right with you Lady Lucretzia, we shall accompany you- I believe that your mother is still conversing with mine.'

'Of course, princess.'

Relena's frown returned as she focused her glare back onto her brother, her blue eyes every bit as cold had been as he had looked at Noin.

Lead the way, your highness. Noin heard Relena comment sardonically. She was obviously still angry with her brother.

Milliardo turned, and began to lead the way out of that confining ring of persistent young men, his over protective glare warning them to back off as he advanced, clearing for the three of them a pathway out of the girls' unwanted suitors.

Author's Note: Sorry about the wait for this chapter… thankyou to everyone who reviewed my last chapter- loved all your comments; you guys are all so nice ^_^ !!!

Anyway- hope you all liked this chapter. Remember, I'm always still open to any suggestions you might have as to what might happen, how to make the characters seem more like themselves… EVERYTHING!!!

To tell you the truth, I didn't start this chapter till two days ago. This chapter was sort of in thanks to Chibi Tsuki and her friend, coz she asked me if this story could be posted on their site- I couldn't just leave and not write another chapter after that, could I? I'm so happy that my first fic ever is gonna be posted!!! Thanks guys!

Thankyou also to Lady Dante, Chibi Tsuki (again), Sonflour, Maria Khushrenada, Kero and michelle… and anyone else I've missed who reviewed my last chapter!

Disclaimer: Opps… almost forgot to write one of these. Well, since I'm in a good mood, I guess I'll do one… *sigh* here we go again.

I don't own Gundam Wing, I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Wing, I don't own ANYTHING!!! Too stuffed to write anything even remotely creative in a disclaimer at the moment. Anyways, disclaimers aren't worth it.