The Royal Guard
by little brown sumo
AN: I don't own Sailor Moon
Chapter 4: Usagi's Solution, Mamoru's Problem
Usagi paced back and forth in her chambers. The King reverted back to his old behavior after their argument. He was kind, held her hand at the dinner table, smiled at her, complemented her. To an outsider nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But she was restless, and avoiding High Queen Amber like the plague. 'This just doesn't make sense. Why doesn't he want an heir? Why did he marry me?' Her thoughts had been on repeat for the past three days. 'What if he's gay? That's it he's gay…But plenty of gay men in the Moon Kingdom still father children" Usagi thought. There were too many questions in her mind. Not caring about the hour or decorum Usagi left her chambers in the middle of the night and stalked over to Sapphire's room. Barging in she woke the gray haired King.
"Are you gay?" she asked her husband while shaking his shoulder.
"What?"
"I said, are you gay?"
"No, I'm not gay. Why are you asking? Why are you here? It's the middle of the night Usagi" Sapphire said with droopy eyes.
"Well what am I suppose to think? You have refused to bed me. Why? Why won't you just let me fulfill my obligations?" she asked.
"Children are not supposed to be obligations. They should to be conceived in love, they should be wanted. I don't love you and I don't want to have children with you" Sapphire said with a raspy voice. The old King sat up in his bed.
His young wife sat next him. "As if you've tried to love me, you've barely spent a moment alone with me. We could love each other, won't you give me a chance?" she asked in a small voice.
"No, I know I can not love you."
"But why?" Usagi pressed.
Seeing her determined face Sapphire realized she wouldn't leave without an answer. 'She deserves an answer' he thought. "I loved a woman, very deeply, she died 24 years ago. I just…"
Usagi could see the sorrow etched on this face. "I could help you get over her, it's been so long. Why are you condemning yourself to this loneliness, this sadness?" his wife asked.
"You've obviously never been in love, you don't know."
"They say it's better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all."
"That's bullshit" Sapphire said. He waited for her to leave. She waited for his story. Sighing Sapphire began. "I met her when I was seven. She was the marshal's daughter. Have you ever the feeling where you just know something, it's completely unexplainable why, but you know. When I saw her that day, feeding the horses, I knew, knew she was made for me. I was made for her, I am hers completely. That day when I kissed you under the tree it just felt wrong. I just can't be with you. Can you accept that Usagi?"
Usagi let out a little laugh "Do I have a choice? But what about your people? Who will rule them?"
"They say a divine power has given us the right to rule, I'm sure that power can find someone to take over."
"That power sent ME to you. So our child could rule, but you're being ridiculous" Usagi wailed out in irritation.
"You're right, you'll live long after I'm gone, I can rest easy, the Earth will have a Queen for at least the next 30 years. Now leave" Sapphire snapped.
Usagi went back to her room; she was even more irritated now. 'So he loved someone, big deal. Can't he just get over it? It's been 24 YEARS!!' she thought. Usagi went to Sapphire's chambers every night trying to change his mind. Seduction didn't work, any time she tried to "seduce" him he just pushed her out of the room, and walking back to her room in risqué clothing wasn't exactly fun. Talking didn't work since he just wouldn't listen to her. He was completely set in his ways. And to make matters worse a servant told High Queen Amber Usagi was visiting the King every night. Usagi hated the happiness and joy on Amber face. What would happen when she never became pregnant, would she be blamed? Every history lesson Ami had ever taught Usagi came rushing back. Stories of Queens killed, imprisoned, or banished filled her head. Would the Earth people punish her for this? Would Sapphire protect her? She knew he wouldn't, he couldn't, even if she was in his favor the population would hate her and the court would make her life miserable. Eventually gossip and treachery would start. Duke Diamond would continue whatever plan he had before she came to Earth. Couldn't he see he was ruining everything he had accomplished? Promoting a divided public? But he couldn't see it; he blindly believed it would work out in the end.
Each time Sapphire rejected her she got closer and closer to hopelessness. Usagi began to wallow around the castle; even Mamoru's teasing wasn't prompting the usually comebacks and energy.
Sluggishly Usagi made her way to the library for her weekly lesson with Ami. Upon entering she let out a little sob, 'this is my life, sitting in a library and shooting arrows. No children, no family, no love, no sex, nothing…I'm going to die a virgin' she thought. She sat down in front of Ami's board and waited for her to begin the lecture.
"Good Morning Usagi. Today we are going to go over the customs of India, a province in the Eastern Territories." Ami went on about the food, goods, caste system, and religions of the province. Usagi was half listening through out Ami's presentation.
"In India priest and teachers are hold the highest level of respect and so they are at the top of the pyramid, in the highest caste, the Brahmans. The interesting thing is Brahman influence on politics. Brahmans are advisors to many leaders in the region, noble families also turn the Brahman priests in cases of infertility. If a nobleman was unable to impregnate his wife she was sent into the jungles, to see the families most trusted priest. At the age of twelve male children of noble families were also sent into jungles to be educated by the priests in combat and spirituality."
"Wait, I don't get it what did the priest do to the noble women. Give them a tonic or something?" Usagi asked.
Ami blushed "Oh, well, actually noble women were only sent the priest at times of desperation. When nothing else was working."
"So when she gets there what happens? "
Ami smacked her forehead. 'Obviously she needs it spelled out' she thought. "The priest would impregnate the women."
"What?! The priest, the priest has sex with the nobleman's wife?" Usagi whispered harshly. "Is that allowed? Isn't the kid not 'of noble blood'?"
"Well in that region, priest and teachers are socially higher than noblemen, so they don't consider it a pollution of the bloodline" Ami explained.
"But what about the husband? He just raises this other guy's child and gives him all the property and power?" Usagi asked.
"Basically, the only way to have a peaceful transition of power is through a male heir. No one but the family would know who fathered the child. And a lot is to be said about environment. It is common belief that those in power have a divine right to rule but growing up in a political environment is also a big factor. You remember the Nature verse Nurture argument we discussed last week?"
"Yes"
Ami continued her lecture but Usagi's thoughts were completely wrapped around the idea Ami had presented, essentially getting someone else to impregnate her. 'But who? No one has higher status then the King. And what will Sapphire do when I tell him I'm pregnant? He could have me executed or imprisoned for adultery? But then he'd have to tell his mother he refused to sleep with me. He could kill the child or deny him the throne? Well he can't do that unless he makes it public I cheated on him' Usagi thought. By the end of the lesson Usagi decided she would do it, Ami was right the only way to have peaceful power transitions was through male heirs. She didn't want to get stuck in a bad situation after Sapphire passed, the new King would have no obligation to provide or care for her. She knew without a doubt no one would allow her to rule without Sapphire or a son. The Earth people will want an Earthling in power. Sapphire would have to accept the child. But who should she pick for the task? Who could she trust? Usagi was so involved in herself she didn't notice Mamoru coming around the corner and collided into him. Catching her around the waist he steadied her disoriented body.
"Forget how to see and walk at the same time Odango?"
Looking up Usagi focused on Mamoru's face, behind him was a portrait of Sapphire. In the painting Sapphire must have been around 25ish, around Mamoru's age. Usagi noticed for the first time just how physically similar Mamoru and Sapphire were. Mamoru's hair and eyes were a bit darker, but his nose and facial structure completely matched the King. Come the think of it, they were the same height and had similar body structure. Several thoughts and ideas clicked together at the same time. 'Mamoru is perfect' Usagi thought. 'He looks like the King so if the child takes after him it won't matter, everyone will think the baby looks like the King. I doubt Mamoru will ever blackmail me. We already spend a good amount of time together so no one will think its odd if we are talking or seen together. He's a great politician. He'll definitely protect his own child and I'm sure he'll advise the Prince with good intentions. He's been with so many women I doubt he'll care or get emotionally involved with me.'
"Hello, Odango, are you okay?" Mamoru asked while waving a hand in front of her face. Snapping out of her daze she nodded.
"Yeah I'm fine…what are you made of bricks?" Usagi said with a hand against her nose.
"Haha…don't pout, you know you like bumping into my hard body" Mamoru replied.
'Yeah, he's perfect' she thought. "I'm sure I'll find out exactly how much I like your hard body in a few days" Usagi said, leaving the confused man behind her she headed to meet Sapphire for lunch. While she ate she kept mulling over the details of the affair she was planning. For a moment she thought of asking Sapphire for permission but quickly squashed the idea. By the end of lunch she decided to take Mamoru to the Moon and start the affair there. It was the only place they could have any true privacy and be away from suspecting eyes, getting caught was not a option. If anyone other than Sapphire found out she would fall into the situations she was trying to avoid. Sapphire got up and headed out of the dining room when Usagi quickly caught up to him. "Sapphire?"
"Yes Usagi."
"I was wondering if I could go to the Moon Kingdom, its been six months and I would like to visit my brother."
"Hmm, well I don't see why not. How long will you be gone? There are quite a few balls and festivals in the Fall, you will be expected to attend" Sapphire said.
"Oh, I'll be back before the Harvest Celebrations, I promise" Usagi said.
"Very well then, I can't spare all of my guards for that long, but you can take Mamoru with you. He works mostly with the other planets anyway so he can still do his job from the Moon."
"Thank You, I will leave tomorrow if that's okay" Usagi said with a smile. 'That could not have worked out more perfectly' she thought.
"Yes, that will be fine" Sapphire said with relief, he was glad Usagi was leaving. 'Finally I can sleep at night' he thought.
The next day Mamoru, Usagi, and the ship's horrible cook set off for the Moon. She knew the hardest part of this plan was still to come. Convincing Mamoru wouldn't be easy, he embodied a fierce sense of loyalty. She knew seduction wouldn't work, even if he got turned on he would just find some maid girl and take out his frustrations. No, only reason would. Hopefully he would see her perspective.
When they arrived Usagi was greeted by many smiling faces and warm hugs. Just seeing Crisium calmed her doubts and fears. The first two days on the Moon were spent visiting old friends and catching up. On the third night Usagi slipped out of her room and snuck around all the guards and maids into Mamoru's room. Usagi was quite stealthily, back in her younger days she used to sneak into the kitchens for a midnight snack and spy on Crisium. She never found him doing anything interesting but she always thought it was fun to sneak around. As soon as she closed the door a hand grabbed her around the throat and Mamoru pushed her against the door. "Who are you?" he asked.
"It's me" Usagi wheezed out. Mamoru immediately let go when he saw her face. "Geez, Mamoru talk about a death grip" Usagi said while rubbing her neck.
"What are you doing Odango? Why are sneaking into my room like an assassin?"
"I need to talk to you."
"In the middle of the night…if someone finds you in here…it won't be good. Just leave we'll talk in the morning" Mamoru said.
"No I need to talk to you now. Don't worry I know this place like the back of my hand, no one will find me. And even if someone notices I'm not in my room they'll just think I'm in the kitchen or gardens…I have a problem and you are my solution."
"You mean you need a solution" Mamoru clarified.
"No, you are the solution…Mamoru I'm going to ask you to do something, but promise me you'll hear my full story before you make a decision. Okay?"
"Yeah, sure okay" Mamoru said.
"Promise" she stressed.
"Yeah I promise."
"I want…I want you to…I" Usagi was totally flustered.
"What? Out with it Odango" Mamoru snapped.
Flashing him an irritated look she bit her lip an said in a rush: "I-want-you-to-impregnant-me-so-the-Earth-Kingdom-can-have-a-heir."
"What!" Mamoru yelled
"Shh! Whisper! I'll explain."
"Explain, explain what? You want to have an affair, Usagi that's insane. Just because I fool around doesn't mean I don't have morals. I would never betray my King. What kind of"
Usagi pressed her fingers to his mouth stopping him mid-sentence "You promised to listen to my side before deciding."
He brushed her hand away. "Fine, go, tell me your side" he said in a tight voice.
Usagi recognized his tone, it was the same one Sapphire adopted when he was planning on completely rejecting her. "Ahh, this is so hard" Usagi groaned, pushing past him she plopped down on one of the chairs in his room. She looked out the window at earth with a gloomy face. Throwing on a loose white shirt Mamoru followed her and sat in an opposite chair. He waited for her to talk.
Taking a deep breath Usagi began her story. "He won't sleep with me, Sapphire, he refuses to bed me. He loved some stable girl, who died two decades ago. He can't bring himself to betray her and consummate our marriage. He refuses to give the Earth an heir, he's convinced it will just work itself out in the end."
Mamoru was shocked, but judging by her sad face he was sure she was being honest. "Have you tried talking to him Usagi?"
"Yes! Oh my God, he's so stubborn. I've spent the last month trying to talk to him, trying to seduce him. He's completely obsessed with this girl. He says the separation caused by her death has transformed his love into devotion. What does that even mean? He thinks being with me is repulsive." Usagi said sadly.
"Usagi you're not repulsive, but if that is the King's decision I'm sorry I can't go against it. I have to believe he's doing it for the best."
"You don't get it. Sapphire is 58 when he dies, which will be within the next 10 or 20 years, what will happen to me? I'll only be between 28 and 38. Some Duke is going to rise politically and take over. And who do you think that will be? It'll be Diamond, you know it, that guy is obsessed with power. He has the money, manpower, and pull to do it. Then he'll either force me to marry him, be part of his 'harem', banish me, or execute me. I don't really like any of those options."
"That won't happen" Mamoru said firmly.
"Yes it will, enough history has been hammered into my head, I know what happens to Queen's that don't produce boys. They get screwed. All I'm asking is that you do your duty Mamoru."
"How is impregnating you my duty? I don't remember seeing it in my Royal Guard handbook" Mamoru asked in an exaggerated tone.
"Its your duty to protect me. At ANY cost" Usagi whispered.
Mamoru rubbed a hand over his face. "I don't think this counts as protection and a child between us won't be of noble blood."
"That's okay, the bloodlines of the Royal Guards are still good."
"But I'm…Usagi I'm adopted. Kunzite's family adopted me. I only became a Royal Guard because the fifth never had a son and none of the other four had a second son, so I got the job. I'm not part of the bloodline, no one but the King and Kunzite's parents know. Even Kunzite doesn't know. My blood can't mix with yours. I don't know where I come from, I could ruin the lineage."
"Mamoru, that blood stuff doesn't matter. You are a great politician, a loyal servant of the people, and a fierce fighter. These are all qualities of a Prince, of a King. The King I want our son to be" Usagi said passionately.
"What if the first child between us is a girl?" Mamoru asked.
"Then we try again."
"What will the King do? If he's not sleeping with you its obvious you had an affair."
"He brought this on himself. He will have to accept it" Usagi replied. "I won't tell him its yours. I promise."
"I don't know Usagi, this could ripple out of control."
"We have to be careful that's why I came here. We can do this here without getting caught. On Earth we have to maintain our current relationship. We are in positions of power Mamoru, we need to make hard choices. Our affair is not about lust or betrayal, its is about accomplishing a goal, providing security for our Nation."
'The way she says it makes it sound so patriotic and noble. As I'm making a major sacrifice by impregnating the universe's most beautiful women' Mamoru thought. "I need to think about this."
"That's understandable" Usagi said.
"This isn't exactly how I pictured having my first child" Mamoru whispered.
Usagi leaned over and grabbed his hand. "I know, but you'll always be with him…You can never tell the child you're the father Mamoru."
"I know."
Usagi leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Think about it, let me know what you decide." She slowly slipped out of the room and back to her chamber. Mamoru sat in the soft chair all night, going over everything that had happened. He knew an affair would end badly, they always did. Could he handle having his child raised by another? He wanted to do this for Usagi, but that only made his situation worse. 'God knows I've wanted her for months' he thought. He tried to imagine an Earth without Sapphire and High Queen Amber. Usagi was right Diamond would take over. Did he want to serve under Diamond's rule? The man was ridiculous, power hungry, and stupid. Who knows where he would take the Nation. 'I guess my kid would be a better King then him.'
The next morning Usagi found a small sealed note just inside her door. Breaking the seal the Earth Queen read two words: "I accept"
*****
AN: The bit about Indian priests is true. I'm Indian and my grandma told me some crazy old school stories, it use to happen if a King was sterile in the Pre-Buddha times, way back. So I'm super excited to write the next chapter, the affair is totally my favorite part ;) Thanks for all the reviews I love reading them! And yeah Mamoru is Sapphire's son…so I guess he's actually going to be doing it with his stepmom, but whatever they don't know that.
