Authors Note: Sooooo sorry about all the spelling and grammar errors in Chapter One. I did not do a good enough job at reviewing!

Also, I can't believe it's been so long since my first update. I'm not sure how the time passed me lol.

The POV will be split in two this time. All feedback is welcome.

Enjoy!

Sovereign

Chapter Two

The hall had finally started talking again after going dead silent. They were staring at the girl who had foolishly broken royal protocol. The girl who belonged to me.

As Kikyo watched Kagome make a fool of herself she just let out a sigh. That girl couldn't stay on the straight and narrow if she was paid to, but in her defense, she wasn't afforded the same upbringing as probably everyone else in this room.

For all intensive purposes Kagome was a simple peasant, and everything about her echoed that fact. She was clumsy, loud, and many times could not control her facial expressions, as was one of the first rules taught to high-class women. She could never pass for anything other than what she is.

But, despite her uncouth behavior and rough exterior, she was literally the nicest person she knew. She was kind and a very hard worker. Kagome probably thought she didn't notice, but she knew that everything that got done was because of her.

But Kikyo never complimented her, or thanked her, as this was her job. It wasn't her way. And, she was probably the only one of her hand-maidens who wouldn't double cross her if it meant propelling their own agenda.

As I turn to the king I notice him still staring in her direction. I hope he isn't thinking of punishing her. She doesn't know any better. I thought she would have a little bit more of royal education but I over estimated her aptitude on the subject. I would have Tanada give her some basic lessons.

"Forgive my servant your highness," I say, breaking the kings attention, "this is her first time at court. She has yet to learn protocol." The king turns to me at my plea for leniency, and I'm taken aback by his clear complexion and expressionless face.

"It's fine. She'll learn her place soon enough." I give him a small smile, because he is right. During the time Kagome is here she will learn her place. She won't have a choice. She'll see how conniving and ruthless all these courtesies can be and it'll change her. No one comes her unscathed.

The first course is brought out. I'm starving but I have to give an air of a queen, graceful and poised at all time, so I can only eat slowly and intentional. Everyone In the hall is staring at us. Mainly because no-one can eat until he does, but they are also assessing me.

Acting as judge and jury about whether I could really be the future queen. They stare at me and I stare right back, unabashed and unafraid. I've never seen so many demons in one place before. The hall is evenly mixed, but seeing them all is a new sight to me. I will get use to it though. I'll have to.

When he begins eating so does everyone else, and the attention is temporarily taken off me. To my right are my ladies sitting further down and to his left are his most trusted advisor, some of his chief assessors, and his guard flanking us.

Myself and everyone here knows the guard is just tradition. He could take out anyone at anytime without struggle. Word of his strength has traveled far.

I take my first spoonful of the potato soup dish. It's rich and decadent and the best thing I've ever had, but I must remember my purpose. I am vying for a title, and nothing will stand in my way. I carefully assess the king as I eat. His manners are royal and refined, gained from years of practice, since he was bred for the title since he was a child.

In his royal garb he looks every bit of the king I've always known him to be. I've met and interacted with him on just a few occasions, but he never disappoints.

Despite his pedigree there is still a roughness about him that screams strength and fortitude.

Just like he was bred for this, bred to be Sovereign, I was bred to be at his side. Or any kings side for that matter. It's just an added perk to be Queen of the entire continent.

Sometimes, when I really think hard about it, I don't know if I'm here for him, or just for the crown, but either way, they'll both be mine.

When everyone again begins light cheerful chatter, I inconspicuously began to asses Kikyo. I take in her eyes roaming over me and realize she is doing the same.

We hadn't seen each other in almost a year, but she was still as beautiful as I remember. I had never seen a woman so graceful and confident, not since my own mother, whom wasn't even a queen but deserved the title.

We hadn't really spoke since she arrived other than the normal formalities, so I couldn't make out her character. Has she changed? has she matured? Is she less rigid than I remember?

If I think about it, I guess I had never been able to read her. She has always been cold and closed off, calculating even. But that is exactly how a queen should be.

She could command a room without even speaking and have everyone's attention on her without even lifting a finger. She was everything a empire would need. She was everything a king needed at their side.

And she certainly looked the part. Her long hair, even longer than mine, was free and flowing. It was bone straight, her signature, and was adorned with pearls and pins, a sign of a high-ranking lady. She comes for noble blood and her poors drip that fact.

There was a tell of status in a woman's hair at court. If it was down that meant a lady was wealthy and could afford to keep it maintained. Women of less status kept it it up and wealthy women who had it up had it twisted, braided, curled, and pinned in intricate styles.

That was the only acceptable style if it wasn't down. Looking around, almost 90% of the women followed those rules. It was unspoken.

Even Kikyo's gown looked like it was meant for this. It was bright, shimmering, and expensive. There was detailed designs stitched and there wasn't a single wrinkle in it, despite the fact we had been sitting for some time.

After I consumed the soup the second course was served, a hearty dish of chicken, potatoes, carrots and a cheese sauce. We were potentially dining with the future queen after all so we wanted to serve up a hearty meal.

I don't know if she liked it or not, as she barely touched her plate. But that was usual here. For some unknown reason women though that by showing they were mortal and had an apetitie that would make them less desirable. It was strange.

Despite having the woman who's beauty is known across the consent sitting beside me, my eyes drifted without my permission back to the girl as I ate. Even though she was at least 50 feet away, thanks to my demon blood I could see her clear as day.

When I first saw her, I was shocked, not believing my eyes. It was the girl from the forest. The one that spoke to me so openly and unabashed. Granted, she didn't know who I was but even to a stranger her tongue was fast and viscous. Similar to mine. Only Sango had a more reckless mouth for a woman. But she doesn't count, as she could take out most demons and damn sure any human.

I smelled her as soon as I entered and my eyes scanned the room all at once, trying to find her. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I didn't know if I had unconsciously wanted to see her again or if I was just going crazy.

When she came into my view I almost stopped walking in the procession. When I got closer to her and took in her small frame and large brown eyes, I smiled because she looked so taken aback at me. I don't know if the look was surprise, or fear, or lust, but according to my nose, it was the latter. She liked what she saw. I could smell attraction in her scent.

She didn't realize it was me from the forest but how could she. She doesn't have demon blood like me. She couldn't smell me to know. Only when she heard me would my secret be given away. For some reason that I wasn't sure about, I wanted to postpone that reveal for as long as possible. For some reason, having the upper hand over the girl was pleasing to me.

I can only imagine the tongue lashing I'l get when she finds out I tricked her. I don't know why but I look forward to the heated banter.

"Your highness", I look up to see one of my servants asking to refill my cup, and notice Kikyo also looking at me. I was staring at the girl and hadn't even realized it.

I nod my head yes and my cup is filled to the top. It's tradition not to let the King's cup go empty, but it's pointless. I could drink a room full of liquor and I would barely feel a buzz.

"Your highness, what do you do in your spare time?" Kikyo asks while taking a delicate sip of water. That's an interesting question from her. I wonder if she's asking to be polite or because she's genuinely curious.

I actually like to go for long runs barefoot, go to the midlands, train, spar, and watch the stars. But that isn't a kingly answer, so I don't say that. Instead, I tell her what I think she will want to hear.

"I enjoy reviewing matters of the kingdom, meeting with my committees, and occasionally taking trips outside the court to assess the neighboring villages." At least the last part wasn't a total lie.

Kikyo is pleased. I can tell by the way her lips go up into a smile. It makes her face look even prettier. She is probably envisioning herself accompanying me on those endeavors, having servants and courtiers alike bow to her, draping her in attention.

"What do you like to do?", I ask in return.

"I sew and knit, and read, and I also like to take strolls around the village, to speak with the people. As you know my family is noble, so I make it a priority to hear what matters to them."

I nod and eye her for a moment, using my nose to try and sniff her out. I can't tell if she's lying. She's either masked her scent, or she's telling the truth.

The third course is brought out. This time it's a cheese board, and my plate has extra servings of meat. Kikyo and her ladies dive into small talk and I assess them. They all seem like your regular courtiers, petty and cunning. I wonder how much Kikyo is like them.

Judging by their appearance I can tell they all come from wealthy houses, and my thoughts travel back to the girl. Why isn't the girl sitting with the rest of the Kikyo's ladies?

Is it because she does not have wealth? She came with them so she must be one of her ladies-in-waiting. Or could she just be a servant of Kikyo's house? I want to ask, but asking would show interest so I resist the temptation.

When Kikyo first apologized for her behavior my first thought was to ask her name, but instead, I gave a more royal answer, shrugging it off and feigning indifference.

My speech and dialogue has been well rehearsed for years. It's all a show I'm forced to put on, but Kikyo seems to like it. I don't know how that makes me feel.

The final course comes, dessert, and I decline, instead choosing to look outside and around the room. I'm not one for sweets.

The windows allow us to view the night sky, and my eyes wander up without me noticing. I pull my self back to the present knowing if someone caught me I would seem uninterested to my people.

I wanted to get up and leave right at that moment and hop to the tallest tree so I could be even closer to those stars, but I just sit still instead and wait for the evening to end.

The banquet attendees eye me constantly. They look at me me like I'm something far away and untouchable. I rule them and their existence, in a sense, revolves around me, but none of them know me, not really, none of them except the few people I begrudgingly call friend.

One of those people is sitting directly on my left, my chief adviser Miroku,and the other is the daughter of my top general in my guard and she's out on patrol. They are the only people I can be self with. They are the only people I trust here in the entire kingdom. Hell, in the entire world.

Outside of them I cant be myself around these people, around my people. That fact is why I keep going back to the earlier conversation/fight I had with the girl. I'm never allowed to speak so freely with people, lest of all with people whom I just met.

When I was with her, arguing with her, I felt free and unchained. I can't help but wonder if that was a one-off situation or if she would ignite those feeling again.

Deep down, I know I won't get to find out.

If everything goes well over these next months, I'll be engaged to her mistress and she'll leave the court or stay here and turn into one of the exact people I hate, these selfish courtiers.

With the sound of the trumpet dinner was over. Traditionally I am to leave first, but I allowed everyone else to depart instead.

I may have had selfish motivations for that, but I won't think about them now.

I watch as she watches Kikyo and when she notices the other ladies in her party stand up, she makes her way to us.

She stands out against the other courtiers like a sore thumb, and they all turn and eye her as she walks over. I know that look, they are judging her. Without knowing her they have deemed her as less than, all because she doesn't look like she is wealthy.

Her walk isn't graceful at all either. Yes, there is no way she's ever been to court. That is a comforting thought.

Now that she is closer I can really see the difference between them now. All other other ladies are in nice gowns made from expensive fabrics and covered in jewels. Their hair is flowing freely flowing having been treated to oils and softeners.

She's in a plain rough-looking gown and her hair looks to have been put up with no care for it's look. For some reason the look doesn't look bad on her though. It suits her.

The little fox demon is on her shoulder still, but I see her pull him off and I listen in to their conversation.

"But I don't want to leave you, Kagome, you're my only friend."

Liar, he's just sucking up. Even though he isn't royal he gets treated like it here. His parents were killed years ago so the palace took him in. He's annoying as hell, but no-one messes with him or they'll go through me.

"I'll come find you tomorrow Shippou, I have to work now." Shippou makes his eyes extra big and pouty but Kagome sends him on his way.

Kagome. That's her name. It suits her.

As she walks up to Kikyo her eyes meet mine, and I stare at her as she looks at me. I can hear her heart beating rapidly and I don't know if it's because she's scared of me or something else.

I am a demon after all, even if its only half so, if she's never seen one before it may startle her. Shippou doesn't count. According to all women he's 'the most adorable thing they've every seen'. I roll my eyes at that.

"Kagome!", she flinches at the sharp tone of the woman who seems to be the head lady-in-waiting and hurriedly walks over to them and takes her place behind all the other ladies at the back.

You don't make eye contact with the Soverign unless you are directly invited or are gazing at him from afar.. Kagome has already broken several rules that have been ingrained in mostly everyone else.

"Thank you your highness, tonight was lovely", Kikyo says and then goes into a deep curtsy. I take her hand and kiss it, as is expected of me.

For some reason, I still din't say anything, I just stand there in silence as Kikyo and her entire group wait for me to bid them goodbye and end the evening. When the time is right, I'll reveal myself, but not before then.

My eyes flicker to the girl, but she's looking at the ground. I keep my face impartial and straight. For some reason the fact that she seems closed in on herself doesn't sit well with me.

Miroku, noticing my silence steps in, "No, the pleasure is ours laidies. The servants will show you to your quarters." Kikyo gives me another curtsy and they all exit the great hall, with Kikyo leading them.

One by one they pass me and they all courtsey, slow and deep. When Kagome passes she looks me straight in the eye, she bows instead. I see the head lady, Tanapa or something roll her eyes at her. Bowing is acceptable, but most ladies don't usually do it.

As they all exit the hall, Kagome is the last one. Right before she crosses the threshold she turns back around and gives me a very shy smile, and then she's gone.

I'm perplexed and frozen in the my spot at that. People stare at me, or people talk about me, or people act friendly towards me only because they think it'll put them in my favor. They never ever are just kind to me just to do so. And they never just smile at me.

She is a strange one.

When they depart, so do I, and I head to the castle. Behind me is Miroku, my other advisers, and then my guard.

It's deep into the night, but the last thing on my mind is sleeping. I'm still thinking about that smile.

It's going to be a long night.

Thanks for Reading!

- V.L