I know it has been forever since I've updated any of my stories. I started thinking about this one the other day have begun working on it again. This is something I do in my free time, which I don't have very much of. Updates will probably be very slow. Please enjoy and review.

Chapter 9

Angelus awoke to a knock to his door. He opened his eyes and smiled as he peered over at his lover. Gently he gave her a kiss then stood from the bed careful not to wake her. He grabbed a cloth and wrapped it around him and stalked to the door his mood instantly changing. He pulled the door open angrily and barked out "What is the meaning of this?" His mother stood there with a bemused look on her face. She was ecstatic to see that the new queen had such an effect on her son. The anger instantly melted from his face as he saw it was his mother calling on him.

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" she asked bemusedly.

"No mother we were just sleeping," he explained.

"Well the reason for my visit is court starts in an hour and you haven't presided over it in a month now," she told her son.

"In my defense I have been busy mother," he chuckled.

"Well I expect you to start making time for your kingly duties," she chastised him.

"I will be there… would you please send the Queens lady Willow up in an hour? I'm afraid the Queen is still sleeping and I would not want to bore her with the courts," he asked.

"Of course, son, I shall see you in the hour," she said as she turned and left.

Angelus crept back into the room and readied without waking the queen. Soon he was dressed and ready to make his way down to the great hall. He stopped and stared at his wife for a long time. He had been neglecting the kingdom since their wedding night, but he didn't seem to care. He had advisors he had put in charge and they knew to come to him on truly important matters. He knew he couldn't leave the country in his advisors hands indefinitely, but he felt like he could stay in bed with his queen that long. Once her belly began to swell he wound no longer be attracted to her. She would have served her purpose and they would no longer need to be wrapped up in carnal delight all the time. Idly he wondered if the attraction would be the same after she bore him a child or two. Shaking the thoughts from his head he turned and crept out of the room.

He merrily walked down the hallway seeing Willow on his way. "Lady Willow the Queen she is still sleeping. Feel free to just go in and wake her," he bade her. Willow smiled and curtsied, "Yes your highness." He smiled in return then both went their separate ways. Willow stowed into the room and gently prodded Buffy awake. Buffy smiled and let out a big yawn then stretched her limbs out.

"Willow? What are you doing here?," she asked.

"The King sent for me to keep you company. He's presiding over court," Willow explained.

"I fear we were the last to leave the ball last night and I was over tired," Buffy said as she sat up in bed.

"I'll run your bath then have breakfast sent up," Willow offered as she stood and went about her duties.

Angelus was already bored to tears and it had only been one hour. He hated to hear the petty crime cases brought before him. If he had to hear one more story about a neighbor stealing another neighbors chicken, pig, or goat he was going to go crazy. After another hour the Queen slid into her chair beside him. He was pleasantly surprised to see her there. He turned to her and whispered, "While I am pleased to see your beautiful face there is no need for you to sit here in boredom." Buffy smiled kindly and leant in for a chaste kiss. "I don't mind," she said simply and settled back into her chair. Angelus smiled at her then returned to the droning's of the court.

Dru hated court days. They seemed to drone on and on. She snuck out the back of the room and out to the gardens. She thought a nice walk might wake her up a bit. She smiled at servants as she walked past and into the labyrinth. A guard watched as the princess walked by. He'd always liked the girl since she was just a tot. She'd always been kind to everyone no matter their station or status. He watched as she made her way into the winding twists of shrubbery. He'd never said a word to her and doubted he would ever have the courage to. It wasn't proper from him to start a conversation with a member of the royal family. He was about to walk away when he saw that bastard Finn go into the labyrinth after the princess.

Dru sat down on the stone bench in the very center of the labyrinth. She pulled a book out of the apron she wore and began to read. She loved to sit in the quiet of the gardens and take in a good book. Finn walked through the maze trying in vain to find the princess. He had went to Angelus asking for the young girls hand in marriage. He couldn't believe his ears when the King told him it was the Princesses choice. He would just have to romance her and make her want him. Finally he found her in the center sitting upon a bench reading a book. He stood and watched her for several minutes.

Dru was startled when she heard footsteps coming towards her. She looked up and saw Captain Riley Finn stalking towards her. She tried not to show her disdain on her face, but it was rather hard. Riley ignored the look of hatred plastered across her face and sat down beside her. Dru squirmed away uncomfortably, but Finn proved to be rather persistent in his efforts.

"You have grown up so much since I've been gone," Riley said as he leered at her.

"Yes that's what happens when time passes," she said rather rudely then abruptly stood from the bench they both shared.

"Well yes I suppose it is, but you have gained so much beauty in just a years time," he said as he stood and followed her to where she stood.

Dru began to back away from him and soon found her backed into a wall of foliage. Riley smiled slyly and lifted his hand to her face. Slowly he stroked the side of her cheek. "I could get lost in your eyes all day," he said as tried to bend in for a kiss. Dru quickly turned her face from him and tried to wiggle out from beneath him. He quickly stunted her efforts by placing his arm in her way effectively blocking her exit. "Please let me go," she begged. Riley chortled at her then forced his lips on her own. Finally he pulled away, "Now is that anyway to respond to such a compliment?" Dru tried to push him away from her to no avail. He grabbed her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head. She tried to wiggle and squirm free, but he was too strong for her.

The guard had discreetly followed Finn into the labyrinth. He never liked the look of the Captain and couldn't understand why the King favored him so. He heard the Princess ask Finn to let her go then a struggle in sue. Quickly he made his way to the center to see Finn with the Princess pinned to a wall with vines running along it. His stomach tied in knots as he saw Finn forcing kisses on the poor girl. Without taking a second to think he ran up and grabbed Riley pulling him off the young girl. Dru was still shaken from everything that happened and remained frozen where she stood.

"I believe the Princess asked you to let her be," the guard said as he stood straight and tall blocking the Princess from the despicable creature.

"How dare you lay your hands on me you lowly scoundrel," Captain Finn said as he stood.

"And how dare you lay your hands on the Princess," the guard countered.

"You know naught of what you saw. I shall have your job over this," Finn hollered at the man.

"I care not what you say, but I'm sure the King would be mighty interested to hear why I put my hands upon you," the guard threatened.

"He'll never believe you… now leave us be now," Finn barked out.

The young guard bravely drew out his sword and pointed it at the Captain. Riley laughed at the young man thinking him daft. "You dare raise your sword to a decorated member of the King's army?" Riley questioned. The guard took a step forward, but didn't utter a word. "I can have you hung for this you know," Riley warned. Finally Dru pulled herself from her shock and took a few steps forward.

"I doubt my brother would believe your lies over my truths," Dru hollered.

"Sweetheart, what do you mean? You know how I care for you," Riley fibbed.

"Leave now or I will go directly to court and accuse you of being the monster you are," Dru threatened.

Riley cast a glare at the young man who had fouled up his plan then left the garden. The young man let out a sigh of relief and placed his sword back in its holster. Dru let out the deep breath she had been holding then leaned against the wall for support. Finally the guard turned around, "Would you like me to walk you back to the castle?" Dru looked up and her breath hitched in her throat at the beauty she saw.