The Last Rose Disclaimer: I do not own anybody or anything Treize looked at his young love. She’s so pretty when she sleeps. He looked out at the roses. After the last one dies, she will sleep until the roses bloom again. Before his eyes, the last one died. Lady Une moaned and buried herself in the covers. Treize knew the ritual by heart. The burgundy roses that my Lady grows have blood—hers—in them to give that color. When they die for the winter, she ‘dies’, too. I wonder if there is away to stop this ritual. He gently shook the young woman awake. “Treize-please, just let me sleep. And no, there is no way to stop the ritual.” Treize gently kissed her. “You sleep now, love.” Lady Une snuggled against Treize and into her winter-long slumber. It was March before Lady Une finally woke. Her delicate burgundy roses were in full-bloom. Treize smiled as he watched Lady Une tending to the blooms. Suddenly, she collapsed on the ground. Treize ran over to her. “Anna!” Lady Une didn’t respond. Has my love died? Anna, please wake up, my…. “Laterose.” Who said that? Treize stood up and faced…. Milliardo. “Milliardo, what are you doing here?” “I stopped by to see Laterose. That is her name and that is the name of the roses. Most roses bloom in February.” Does he know what happened to make her collapse? “Milliardo…do you know what happed to make her collapse?” “Yes, Treize. I am the only one who can waken her from this. It’s an evil type of poison. Someone poisoned the roses.” Mariemaia, my daughter, you’re in deep shit, now. You have poisoned my love’s roses and you will pay. Treize screamed mentally. “Milliardo, please, save my rose.” “Treize—I want you to cut off the roses that are in bloom and take them in. Wrap them in foil and put them in the refrigerator. I will bring in the buds and Laterose.” Treize gently cut off the roses in bloom and wrapped them in foil. He placed them carefully in the freezer. Milliardo picked Lady Une up in his arms and placed the buds on her chest. These buds will bloom soon. The poison will kill Laterose if they bloom. Oh Laterose, you must survive. The roses and I need you. Treize stepped outside. “Are you coming in, Milliardo?” Milliardo nodded. “I was just woolgathering.” “Do you want me to take the buds?” “No. I want you to build a fire in her bedroom. I’ll bring Laterose and the buds up in a moment. Just come down and tell me when the fire is built. That fire is the key to her survival.” Treize went back inside and went into Lady’s room, smelling a mixture of cinnamon and roses. Milliardo, I hope what you told me to do is right! Treize stacked some wood in the fireplace and lit them aflame. He ran back down to where Milliardo stood. “Is the fire built?” “Yes. It’s as high as I could get it to go.” “Good. I want you to put a stick of cinnamon in the fire.” “All right.” Milliardo started to sing softly to Laterose as she laid unconcious. “Milliardo!” “Yes, Treize?” “The cinnamon is in the fire.” “I’ll bring her in when I can smell… never mind. I’m coming in now. Get out.” “All right.” Milliardo carried Laterose into her room and laid her on the bed. He went through her closet and found the delicate burgundy colored dress. Milliardo gently dressed her in it. He took the buds in his hands and threw them one by one into the fire. “Laterose!” She moaned in her sleep. “The…poison is in the other…roses…. burn them…Milliar…” “LATEROSE!!!! TREIZE!!!!” Treize appeared in the doorway. “Yes??” “Get the roses in the freezer. Bring them here. I have to burn them too. Then check the plant.” Treize nodded and scampered to get the frozen roses. Milliardo sat down on the bed and took the fragile young woman in his arms. Treize brought in the roses and handed them to Milliardo. “Is she….” “The longer she lays here, the more likely she is to die. Go check the bush and then dig it up. I want you to bring it to me with a large about 18” pot and potting soil. Let the blood drain out of it. I will have to have a small vial and a needle.” “For what?” “I will have to put some of Laterose’s blood back into the bush.” Treize nodded. Milliardo sat down and gently stroked Laterose’s long brown hair. “Laterose.” She remained unconcious. Just then, Treize brought in the bush and some uncut buds and roses in bloom. “Where is the pot and soil? And the vial and needle?” “They’re right here. Everything’s on a cart.” “Just push that right here along side this chair. Give me the roses and buds. “Milliardo, what’s going on? What’s wrong with Lady Une?” “Treize. Don’t question me right now. I have to save poor Laterose. Send your daughter down.” “Why? She poisoned her!” “No, she didn’t. You poisoned my Laterose.” “Your Laterose?” “Yes. Laterose and I have been engaged for three years.” Treize angrily pushed the cart along side the indicated chair and nodded. “I will go get my daughter. Why do you need her?” “I need to speak to her.” Lady Une moaned, and woke. “Milliar…” “Shh. It’s all right, Laterose. You need to get your strength back.” Laterose fell back asleep on the pillows. Treize disappeared upstairs and sent Mariemaia down. Milliardo was sitting in the chair, burning the poisoned roses. “Mr. Milliardo, what are you doing to her roses?” “I’m burning them.” “Why?” “Let me ask the questions for a few minutes.” “All right.” “Did you see your father dumping poison on this bush?” Mariemaia nodded her head enthusiastically. “Yes! Is she going to….” “As long as you can help me, she will live. Now listen to me closely. I want you to take a burgundy washcloth from her bathroom and pour a glass of cinnamon water over it. Rub down the bush and her elbow. Then, come back over to this chair and sit down. I want you to finish burning these roses for me while I do some tests on Laterose.” “That’s such a pretty name. Is it really hers?” “Yes.” Mariemaia scampered into Laterose’s bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. She carefully poured a glass of cinnamon water over it and rubbed down the bush. She then washed the sleeping young woman’s arm with the washcloth. Mariemaia walked back over to Milliardo’s chair and took the roses from Milliardo. Milliardo walked back over to Laterose and gently poked the vein in her elbow. “Mil….” “Shh, Laterose, just go back to sleep. The roses are being burned. You’re going to be all right, love.” “Milliardo.” “Shh, Laterose.” The vein was starting to bleed and Milliardo held the vial under it after that he gently wrapped it with a piece of gauze. “Mr. Milliardo, this rose won’t burn.” “Let me see it, Mari.” Mariemaia handed it to Lady Une. She ran her fingers over it lightly. Laterose gasped suddenly and collapsed weakly against Milliardo. “SHIT! Mariemaia.” “Yes, Mr. Milliardo?” “I want you to wash this rose with hot water. Then bring it right back to me.” Mariemaia nodded her head very fast and ran into the bathroom. “Mill….” “Shh, Laterose. Just rest.” She snuggled close to him and he held her close. “Shh. It’s going to be all right. As soon as Mariemaia burns that rose, I’ll put your blood in the bush and plant it. I’ll put a little of my blood in it too.” “Milliardo, no. Please. These roses are special to me.” Milliardo gently stroked her hair. “I understand, my Laterose. I won’t mix my blood with yours. I won’t harm the plant.” Mariemaia came back in and handed Milliardo the rose. “Laterose, do you want to see the rose?” Laterose nodded and Milliardo handed it to her. “Good. It’s off. Burn it.” Mariemaia flung the rose in the fire and it burned. Milliardo gently poured Laterose’s blood in the rose bush and gently planted it in the pot. She stood up and walked out onto the balcony. Treize poked his head in the room. “Oh, so you cured her. Try curing her of this.” He picked up a bottle of liquid drain cleaner. “NO!!!!” Milliardo pushed the rose bush out of the way. Laterose ran back in the room, her eyes wide and full of fear. “NO! MILLIARDO!” Milliardo stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. “It’s all right, love. Don’t agitate yourself. I’m fine. I don’t know about him.” Laterose started crying. “What’s going on with you, Treize? Why do you want to kill me?” “You know too much about me. You need to die, Laterose!” Treize held up the drain cleaner. Milliardo strode across the room and slapped Treize across the face. “Well fuck you very much, Peacecraft.” Laterose collapsed on the bed. Milliardo muttered something to Mariemaia. “Yes, sir!” Mariemaia ran over to her father and took the drain cleaner out of his hand. She ran back into the bathroom and dumped it down the sink. After checking that there was nothing else her father could grab and try to kill Laterose with, she re-entered the bedroom. Treize was trying to threaten Laterose into making love with him. Milliardo held Laterose close and kissed her. “Shh, it’s all right, love.” Mariemaia screamed. “NO! YOU LEAVE HER ALONE!!!!! DON’T TOUCH HER YOU ONORE!!!!” Laterose started crying. “Shh…it’s all right Laterose.” Milliardo carried her over to the bed and laid her down. He kept her in his arms. The rose bush was starting to bloom again. Milliardo picked the rose bush up. Treize left the room—sickened by what he was seeing. My own daughter has turned against me. I wonder if she’ll leave with Laterose and Milliardo. Mariemaia sat down at Lady’s feet. “Mr. Milliardo, are you going to leave?” “Yes, I am. I’ll be taking her with me. She shouldn’t be around a homicidal manic.” “I want to come with you too.” Milliardo’s smooth brow creased for a moment. He choked. “You want to come with me?” “Yes, sir. I’ve grown to love Lady Une. Please…” “I guess, Mariemaia. I’d have to have your father’s permission.” Mariemaia scampered out of the room and appeared in the hall. “Daddy!” “Yes, Mari?” “Can I live with Mr. Milliardo?? Please??” “All right. Just don’t come back ever again!” Mariemaia popped back out into the room. “My daddy says I can live with you.” “Go pack all your clothing and anything else. I’m going to help Laterose pack up.” Milliardo nodded and pulled Lady’s suitcases out of the closet. He gently packed the beautiful dresses in the suitcases and everything else—even her jewelry. The delicate rose bush was in full bloom—even though all the roses had been cut off for over an hour. Lady’s delicate form was only a shadow on the bed as she slept. Milliardo carried her out to his car and loaded her suitcases in the back. Mariemaia ran outside and tugged on Milliardo’s sleeve. “My suitcases are inside. I couldn’t carry them outside.” “All right. Just stay here with Laterose.” Milliardo jogged up to the house and grabbed Mari’s suitcases. He threw them in the back of the car. Mariemaia was siting quietly by Laterose’s side as she slept. Milliardo smiled and started his cute little Cabrio. When they arrived at Milliardo’s huge house, Mariemaia stared at it in shock and disbelief. “Do you live in a palace, Mr. Milliardo?” “Well, I guess you could call it that.” Milliardo picked up Laterose and carried her inside. “Mari, could you wheel her suitcases to the front door? The servants will get them.” “Yes, sir.” The delicate rose bush was placed by Lady’s bedside. Milliardo gently kissed her forehead and went to get her suitcases. My little Laterose. You have to sleep. Treize didn’t need to try to kill you. Milliardo kissed her as she slept. “I love you, Laterose.” Laterose was still sleeping. Treize sat alone in his room and watched the rain falling on the patio. Ahh, Anna, I love you. I didn’t mean to poison you. I was just jealous of the roses. They were so pretty. He fell asleep. Milliardo meanwhile was watching Laterose as she slept. My Laterose. It is best we don’t wed. You might go back to Treize. Laterose was slowly waking up on Milliardo’s bed. “Where…. where am I?” “Shh, my precious Laterose. You’re at my house.” Laterose pushed her self up, drowsily. Milliardo gently brushed her thick hair out of her face and kissed her again. Treize woke up and realized he had made a mistake. Anna, come back to me! I am so sorry! Laterose, even though she was 3652 miles away, heard his thoughts plainly. “Milliardo, take me back to Treize.” “Yes, Laterose. Do you want me to re-load your suitcases?” Laterose nodded. “Tell Mari to bring hers down, also.” “Yes, Laterose.” Milliardo carried their suitcases out and put them in the trunk. Laterose stood up in the bedroom and picked up her rosebush. Good, they are in bloom again. I need these roses to survive. Milliardo came in and told her that the suitcases were loaded. Laterose nodded and walked out to the car. Mariemaia was already sitting in it. “Mari, hold this for me. Don’t let any of the soil spill out.” “Yes, Mommy.” Lady Une smiled, her dimples showing. Milliardo gently kissed Laterose on the cheeks. They went to the Khushrenada Estate. “Milliardo, you had best wait out here with Mari. I’ll face Treize on my own.” “All right, Laterose.” Laterose took her key ring and slid the house key in the lock. Opening the door, she stepped inside cautiously. “Treize?” Treize ran down the stairs and took her in his arms. “Laterose! Oh my god! I thought you wouldn’t come back!” Laterose threw her arms around Treize and began to cry. “Oh, Lady! Oh my darling!” Milliardo walked in, his boots clopping on the wooden floor. He smiled when he saw Lady Une hugging Treize. Good. They have found each other. I will let Mariemaia out of the car and put her suitcases in her bedroom. I will stay here for a few days just to make sure Treize doesn’t try to kill Laterose. Treize kissed Laterose’s face while he pulled knife from his back pocket. Milliardo saw Treize’s movement and pulled Laterose away from him. “Laterose, I think you’d best come live with me, my love.” Laterose nodded and took one of her delicate roses from the rosebush. She gently placed it on the table and turned away from the insane man who was once her lover. Milliardo gently kissed Laterose’s cheeks and then noticed something about her eyes. Is she blind?? Can she not see me, or her rose bush?? Laterose appeared to read his mind. “Milliardo, my love, I am not blind.” Her voice was soft when she said that. They walked out to Milliardo’s car and went back to his house. Laterose was in deep meditation as they rode back. Milliardo finally decided to ask Laterose to marry him. “Laterose, wilt thou marry me, mine darling?” Laterose looked over at him and nodded. Mariemaia’s pale face peeped out from behind the driver’s seat. “OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Laterose rolled her eyes and smiled. Milliardo smiled and popped Mariemaia across the face lightly. “You hush, Mariemaia.” Milliardo smiled and shook his head. Mariemaia settled back into the seat and fell asleep. Meanwhile, at the Khushrenada estate, Treize was shaking violently. I need help. I’m going to get a psychiatrist. I never thought this would happen to me!! Treize fell asleep. Milliardo, Lady Une, and Mariemaia were at the Peacecraft estate. Milliardo carried Lady Une’s suitcases inside and servants carried Mariemaia’s up. Lady Une was silent, her eyes wide and haunted looking. She disappeared into the large library and buried her nose in a thick book. Milliardo found her there three hours later, still reading. “Good book, dear?” Laterose looked up. “Yes.” Milliardo sat down next to her on the spiral staircase and wrapped his arms around her. A few moments later, Lady Une bowed her head and started to weep silently. “Laterose, what’s wrong, darling?” She didn’t answer for a few moments, save for the tears running down her face. “I never thought…” “What, darling?” Laterose sighed deeply. “I never thought that Treize would go insane. He was always so kind to me at OZ.” “Darling, things change. He’s always been a bit crazy, and I guess that you with that rosebush of yours just set him off.” Milliardo gently nuzzled her neck, trying to soothe her wounded feelings. Lady Une tried to blink back her tears, but found she couldn’t. When Milliardo felt her shoulders begin to shake, he ran his hands up and down her back, trying to get her to calm down. “It’s going to be all right. Everything will be all right. Just calm down.” Laterose looked up at him. “Milliardo, I just want to die. If it’s my fault he’s insane, then I should really die.” “Laterose, stop talking nonsense. You don’t need to die.” Milliardo kissed her forehead softly. A few minutes later, Mariemaia came in. “Mr. Milliardo?” Milliardo looked up from the resting Laterose. “Yes, Mariemaia?” “Um, my father called here a few minutes ago.” Milliardo frowned. “What did he want?” “He said he wanted to speak to mommy.” Laterose woke up. “Milliardo, what’s going on?” “Nothing, Laterose. Just go back to sleep.” Laterose drifted back off on Milliardo’s chest. A few minutes later, Milliardo carried her into his bedroom so that he could talk privately with Mariemaia. Milliardo went back into the library where Mariemaia was sitting on the stairs, looking around at all the books. “You have a lot of books, Mr. Milliardo.” “Thank you, Mari. My parents always encouraged my sister and I to read a lot.” “By your sister you mean Miss Relena, right?” “Yes. What did your father say when he called?” “He said he had to talk to mommy.” “Did he give a reason?” “No, he just said that he had to talk to her.” “I’ll have to call him and tell him that he’s never to call her again & that there will be a restraining order put up against him.” “O.k.” Laterose slowly woke up on the unfamiliar bed. Where am I? I don’t recognize anything here. Oh, that’s right, I’m at Milliardo’s house, away from the homicidal manic that had once been my lover. Oh, how I miss my familiar bed at his house, his strong arms around my waist, his gentle kisses & caresses at night before I retired to my bed. Treize was so kind to me before this. Milliardo came in. “Laterose, darling, what’s wrong?” “I was just thinking about Treize, and his kindness towards me before he became what he is.” Milliardo shook his head and kissed her. “Laterose, just don’t think about him. I’m just trying to keep him under control. He’s got a restraining order against him because he refused to stop calling you.” Laterose rested her head on Milliardo’s chest and he kissed her softly. “It’s going to be all right, my darling. Just keep calm & everything will be fine. It’s all right.” A few weeks later, Laterose and Milliardo were married in a small private ceremony at the local Catholic Church. Laterose was wearing a beautiful white gown with seed beads on the bodice and she was hidden behind a sheer veil. She was smiling softly behind the veil. Once the wedding was over, they retired back to the estate and live happily ever after. The End. * Ok y’all! This is one of the last fics I’m finishing before I get totally lost in my * hopeful * anime, To Challenge The Skies and Heavens Above. I am writing it under a totally different pseudonym, Lady Vivian Anne Kristunchan. So this is Lady Khris signin’ off and sayin’ have wonderful lives!! ^-^; Ok, that’s just a bit of my sarcasm, so ignore it. Bye y’all! LKMK. * |
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