A Small Piece of Heaven

A Small Piece of Heaven – Part 7
The annual, high society Christmas party at the Khushrenada manor was a long-standing tradition. A tradition that Treize had inherited along with the estate and the family fortune. Dozens of aristocrats had been invited. Many arrived with a daughter or pretty little niece in tow, in hopes that she might catch the eye of the handsome, unmarried and incredibly wealthy, young nobleman. Being the gentleman he was, Treize attended politely to each and every one of them.
The ballroom was tastefully festooned with holiday decorations including a 15-foot Christmas tree. A small orchestra was playing classical music from Mozart to Tchaikovsky. The banquet includes such delicacies as Russian Beluga Caviar, French Foie Gras and smoked Alaskan Salmon, all flown in fresh from the country of origin. Chilled Russian vodka and French champagne were served alongside of holiday beverages like punch and eggnog. Only the best of the best was good enough for Europe’s blue-blooded elite.
Treize went to welcome Count Prushovski and his wife who had just arrived.
"Milady, Count, "he greeted the couple with a slight bow. "I’m pleased that you were able to make it."
"The pleasure is ours," Prushovski, a long time friend to the Khushrenada family, answered. " It looks like you have outdone yourself once again. You have to tell me Treize, how do you manage to do that every year?"
"That…" Treize replied with a smile "Is one little secret I’d rather keep. Can I get you something to drink?"
He gestured for one of the servants.
"Say, are we going to meet that gorgeous slave of yours everybody is talking about, or are you keeping him hidden away?" the countess wanted to know.
The ex-colonel laughed. "No, I’m not hiding him. He is supervising the caterers but he should be here any minute."
And as if this had been his cue Milliardo walked into the ballroom dressed in a white tuxedo with black and gold trimming.
Milliardo’s entrance did not go unnoticed. Conversations stopped and heads turned all over the room as the blond walked over to Treize.
"The banquet is set up, Master."
"Thank you," the ex-colonel said, and then directed at his guests "Lady, Count meet Milliardo."
"Oh my, he truly is stunning," Mrs. Prushovski exclaimed.
Smiling politely Milliardo gracefully placed a ghost of a kiss onto her hand before he greeted the count with a deep bow.
It seemed that the countess wasn’t the only woman enchanted by the blond. It took a whole two minutes before he was approached by a young lady and asked for a dance.
"Master?" Milliardo asked the ex-colonel for approval, but looked at him with a hidden plea in his eyes.
Please let there be something else to do for me, like dusting the wine bottles in the cellar, or shoveling snow at the North Pole.
"By all means, go and enjoy yourself. It’s Christmas after all."
"Thank you, Master. You are too kind," the blond said, but his eyes sent a very different message.
Treize just smiled. If he had to "suffer" through this evening, it was only fair that Milliardo "suffered" with him.
"Treize I should congratulate you on your purchase. It looks like you got yourself a great slave," Prushovski sounded genuinely impressed. "He is not only handsome but has a natural charm and grace that indicated good breeding. You just can’t attain those qualities through training. Whatever you might have paid for him, I’m sure he is worth every penny of it."
"Well, thank you."
***
As soon as Treize had excused himself from the count and his wife to attend to some of his other guests Duke Dermail approached him. The gray-haired man was one of the ex-colonels neighbors so to speak. His land bordered Treize’s estate in the east. The Duke was well known for his exotic taste not only in horses but also in slaves. It was said that his personal harem consisted of more than two dozen pleasure slaves from around the world, male and female alike.
"I know this might not be the right time to discuss business, but I’m afraid that if I don’t ask you now somebody else might beat me to it. – Would you consider selling that slave of yours?"
"I’m sorry Duke, but I don’t have any plans to sell Milliardo."
"Are you sure? You haven’t even heard my offer yet. I’m willing to make you a deal you might not be able to refuse."
"It’s not a matter of money. I wouldn’t sell him for any amount," Treize answered politely, but Dermail wasn’t ready to give up yet.
"How about a trade then? I would offer you two slaves of your choice for him."
"I’m afraid you are only wasting your time. Milliardo is neither for sale nor for trade. "
The Duke sighed in defeat. "I can’t say that I blame you. I would probably hold on to him too if he were mine. But you can’t blame me either for trying. "
***
Treize tried hard to suppress a yawn as he listened to yet another one of General Carter’s wartime stories. A dozen or so young ladies were hanging on the general’s lips as he recalled his tales of bravery and camaraderie, making it sound like war was an exciting adventure.
Lady Une slipped her arm around the ex-colonel’s moving him gentle away from the small group.
"What about you, Colonel? You have been in the war. Are there any interesting tales you would like to tell me?"
"I’m afraid I’m not as good with words as the general. I would probably just bore you," Treize answered evasively.
"How could I ever be bored by anything coming out of your mouth," Une replied.
The young, German duchess had arrived at the party with a friend who had abandoned her soon for the benefit of a handsome young gentleman. And being the perfect host and cavalier he was Treize had made sure Une still had a good time. Unfortunately the duchess seemed to mistake his actions for more than mere hospitality.
The ex-colonel was desperately trying to come up with a good reason to excuse himself before she would drag him to the dance floor once again, when Milliardo approached them.
"Master, my apologies for bothering you, but there is a phone call for you. It sounded rather important so I put it through to your office."
"Thank you, Milliardo," Treize nodded in acknowledgment. "Please excuse me, Lady."
He walked away quickly. Lady Une gave Milliardo a look that was cold enough to freeze an active volcano as the blond followed his master upstairs.
Picking up the phone in his office Treize frowned then turned to Milliardo. The blond closed the door behind them.
"There is no phone call."
"I know," Millias sms smirk made one of his master’s eyebrows raise in surprise. "You just looked like you desperately needed to be rescued from that woman."
Now Treize smirked as well. "Milliardo, you truly are…"
"…an angel!? You keep telling me that and I might really believe it, Master." The blond stopped in front of his master, letting Treize take him into his embrace.
"But it’s true. You are an angel and you are beautiful. You don’t think I would lie about something like that, do you?"
"You wouldn’t?" the younger man replied with a mischievous grin. "You also told General Carter’s wife that she was looking lovely in her party dress."
Treize laughed, kissing Milliardo fondly. "That, my dear, is called being tactful. Besides, the general is one of my best business partners. So it was also a tactical move so to speak."
"Who is to say you are not just being tactful with me right now?"
"If you don’t believe what I tell you, I suppose I’ll just have to show you how beautiful you are," Treize whispered huskily into Milliardo’s ear.
"Right now and here?"
The ex-colonel moaned as the blond pressed a leg between his thighs.
"I wish. But I still have to play the dutiful host for another few hours. So behave, will you."
"Don’t I always?" the younger man asked innocently.
"You are really not making this easy, you know." Treize growled. "But before I leave let me remind you, my fair-haired angel that you belong to me." The ex-colonel nipped at the blonde’s earlobe before continuing. "You are mine to do with as I please, and only mine. I have seen those looks you are getting out there."
"You got nothing to worry about, Master," Milliardo assured him. "I’m yours and only yours."
"Good. Because I don’t share well and I’m fiercely jealous." Treize took another playful nip. "I would have to kill anybody who puts his hands on you. And I don’ think Christmas is the best time for a duel."
With that he claimed Milliardo’s mouth again, the soft lips parting for him willingly.
One of the younger man’s hands buried itself into his master’s hair, while the other arm snaked around the man’s hips in an attempt to keep him close. Treize pulled away gently, provoking a moan of frustration from the blond.
"I’d better go back to my guests before anybody is missing me." With a final affectionate nuzzle the ex-colonel departed, leaving the younger man behind.

***
As the last of the guests had finally left Treize sighed tiredly. He was standing with Evans at the front entrance, watching the last limousine disappear down the long paved road.
"Will there be anything else I can do for you tonight, Sir?" the butler asked.
"I don’t think so, Evans. I’ll probably retire soon myself. Thank you for all your help and Merry Christmas."
The man bowed lightly. "Merry Christmas to you too, Sir."
"Evans, do you by any chance know where Milliardo is?" Treize asked as the man was just about to leave.
"Last time I saw him he was tiding up in the ballroom, Sir."
"Thank you."
***
"Just leave it, Milliardo. I have a cleaning crew come in tomorrow. They will take care of everything."
Milliardo turned at the sound of his master’s voice.
"Shouldn’t we at least put the dishes away?" he wondered.
Treize just shrugged. It had been a long day and a even longer night and right now all he wanted was to curl up by the fireplace with Milliardo in his lap.
"The dishes won’t be going anywhere," he said as he gently took the glasses out of the blonde’s hand putting back on one of the tables that had been arranged in the room. "Come with me. I have been waiting all day to give you your Christmas present."
"Christmas present?" the younger manoed oed as he followed the ex-colonel.
Treize dimmed the lights in the living room as the two men settled down by the fireplace. He retrieved a small rectangular box, wrapped in silver and red paper from the mantelpiece, handing it to Milliardo.
"Merry Christmas."
"Thank you."
"Open it," The ex-colonel encouraged him as he hesitated. "I want to know if you like it."
Milliardo removed the red bow and ripped away the wrapping exposing a silvery box with the name Cartière printed on it. Opening the box the young man gasped. It was a wristwatch and it was exquisite. Band and casing were made from white gold, with a black face and diamond inlays between the numbers.
"It’s beautiful," Milliardo kissed the older man warmly. He couldn’t even remember the last time somebody had given him a present. "Thank you so much, Master."
Treize smiled.
"I’m glad you like it. Let’s see how looks on you." He helped the blond putting it around his left wrist. "I think it goes great with the color of your hair." When the ex-colonel looked up he noticed the somewhat solemn look on Milliardo’s face.
"What is it? Do you really like it?" he asked.
"No I do," The younger man assured him quickly. " It’s wonderful…"
"…but?"
"I don’t have anything to give you."
The ex-colonel smiled softly as he embraced Milliardo, pulling him into his lap.
"You have already given me more than you think, my sweet Angel," he whispered into the younger man’s ear. "Having you here with me is more than I could ever wish for."
Milliardo returned the smile as he rested his head against Treize’s muscular chest.
"Thank you, Master, for everything."