Notes: At least two babies were born into my family as I was writing this chapter, so thankfully I got lots of cuddle time and inspiration to write.
This is the final chapter and it has been a pleasure to write. Thank you for all your kind words and support. They have been wonderful and I appreciated it greatly.
Thank you.
The bright red flags of the Kou ships stood out starkly against the ocean landscape of blue and white. The tall flag ship at the armada's helm was Kouen's. Grinning, Hakuei swivelled so that Kouhime was facing the sea. Her bright little woollen wrap protecting her from much of the windy day as she peered out at the ocean with sleepy disinterest.
"There's daddy." Hakuei whispered quietly, watching Seisyun grin as he stood beside her. "Are you happy to meet daddy?" Sleepy eyes blinked as the baby stared out the sea, ignoring her mother's fussing.
"I wish you the best of luck." Leaning down to whisper in her ear, Mu rubbed the Hime's soft, downy head. "If you ever need Reim's aid, just remember your daughter is technically a ward of Reim." Laughing as he pulled away, Hakuei couldn't help but smile. She was thankful for all the support and help but she was now very willing to head back to her homeland, even if it meant dealing with her mother. Kissing the napping child on the forehead, Hakuei stared longing towards the incoming ship. Soon.
At least they were finally out of Balbadd. The Saluja brat had posed no such challenge, much as Mei had predicted. The issue had come with the outrageous demands Gyokuen's flunkies had tried to install. As hard as Mei tried not everyone was so being helpful. Poor Kougyoku, whatever the bitch had done to her, it had left the girl a wreck. Unable to go through the motions of meeting her brothers, she'd stayed bound to her bed, a shadow of her former self. It made Kouen sick, sick, angry and even more hungry for Gyokuen's head. But Hakuei would be here soon, his heart clenched at the thought. If he was lucky she would still be carrying. Mei had doubled checked the dates and had faith that the baby would hold until their arrival. Glancing side ways at his brother as they entered the harbour, a small smile graced Koumei's chapped lips. Seeing the great and noble future King all flustered and nervous as any expectant father gave him a warm sense of humility. Regardless of the power of the djinns, they were all still human.
Kouen had seen babies before, many in fact. Some of which he'd sired himself, but this was different. Hakuei was there and she was beautiful and so was their baby. Their baby. It was real now. His heart skipped a beat as he approached her, his face set in a firm state of emotionless disinterest. Showing any affection for his cousin in front of their shady allies could spell disaster for them in the future. Not that it truly matter he admitted to himself as he bowed to Hakuei. Moving closer to inspect the bubbling lump in her arms. He almost chuckled, the child's heritage would probably be impossible to hide, especially with the bright red hair of the baby, it was distinctly Ren.
"Hakuei-sama congratulations on the safe delivery of your child. What a lovely surprise, Kou shall rejoice at this development." Struggling to hold back a smile at his formal words, Hakuei bowed briefly in acknowledgement.
"Thank you Kouen-sama, I look forward to returning home."
The people around them had all melted away, Kouen could hear the muffled voices behind him. Koumei finalising the trade deals with the Reim ambassador and that Fanalis upstart, but he couldn't focus. Not with Hakuei so close and after so long and with their baby right there. He wanted to hold the baby, bless it, spend the time he'd sorely missed with his heir while it was in the womb.
"What's its name?" Unable to hold back the question burning on his tongue, Kouen steadied himself before touching a hand to the baby's head.
"Kouhime, her name is Kouhime." Hakuei answered quietly, the longing in her eyes reflecting his own. "Our princess."
The hours seemed to drag on. Formal meetings and nicety were an absolute nightmare. It seemed like an age before Kouen even saw Hakuei again. Perhaps he was just being paranoid. Scared even. Every time he'd gotten close to Hakuei in the last few months, she'd been wrenched away. Even if she was only gone for a couple of hours, he was certain she would be kidnapped and whisked away before he could see her. With the final arrangements for their short diplomatic stay and departure finalised, Kouen and his weary brother went in search for their cousin. Following the direction of the Reim guide, they arrived beyond the Imperial palace, to a small, quiet courtyard tucked away from the city walls. The peaceful gardens were awake with the shrill cry of a child as they entered. Walking up a path and stairs to a wide open porch, Kouen upped his pace as the crying subsided into a fit of giggles.
"You're so easy, pick you up in one hand and you go all floppy. You just want attention." Pausing at the top stair, En's eyes narrowed as he watched the Fanalis Captain and his baby... The slave upstart and his princess...
"En! Mei!" Standing from her kneel, Hakuei quickly dashed across the porch, unable to help herself as she pulled Kouen down into a hug. "It's so good to see you." Reluctantly bending into her embrace, Kouen didn't take his eyes off the squirming baby and large redhead.
"What is he doing here?" Brushing past the stiff Kouen, Hakuei pulled Koumei into a hug, feeling the uncomfortable jab of his spine and ribs through his robes.
"Kouhime is his ward. He looks after her sometimes. Mei you need to eat more. You're thinner then ever. If you're going out on campaign you'll need to move up at least two weight levels." Shaking his head, Kouen clenched his fists, temper flaring as the Fanalis dog had the balls to wave at him with his daughter's small hand.
"Why?" Frowning Hakuei took his hand, pulling him towards the small set of chairs and table overlooking the garden.
"The Fanalis like babies, him especially." As if to emphasis the point, Mu kissed the downy hair on Hime's crown, watching slyly as Kouen's eyes flashed dangerous. "He's also a powerful djinn user and took me under the Alexius protection when Reim found out I wasn't fit for marriage." Squeezing his hand gently, Hakuei tried desperately to diffuse the situation. "I'd have been cast out otherwise and Gyokuen would have succeed." Setting his lips in a thin frowned, Kouen refused to agree, their plan would have worked regardless, Mei was certain of it. Plucking the squirming child from Mu's hands, Hakuei quickly deposited her in En's arms. "Here, she's missed you." Fumbling slightly, Hakuei laughed at the suddenly change that crashed over the prince. Tense shoulders and rage were replaced with gentle hands and concern.
"Kouhime... Hmm, it's fitting." Peering over his brother's shoulder, Mei cocked his head to the side, watching his baby niece and struggling brother with quiet humour. "She looks nice and healthy." Touching her hands and feet with quick, calculated movements the slender man nodded.
"All ten fingers and toes. Yes, she's perfect. Isn't she En?"
Kouen was speechless, his hands were full of wiggling baby and his heart was overflowing. This was what they'd been fighting so hard for. It had been so worth it. Bringing her up close, he nuzzled her face, smiling as tiny hands touched his cheeks.
"Yes, she perfect."
Standing up stiffly Mu bowed to the Rens before making for the open garden and its exit.
"I'll take my leave Kouen-sama. Please enjoy this moment with your family. I wish you the best of luck and love in the future." Hakuei almost moved to hug him. To hold the giant close and thank him for all he'd done. For his humour, his security and his friendship over the last couple of months. But now was not the time for that. And that time may never come, not with Kouen loitering so close. They were unlikely to meet alone again.
"Thank you Mu-dono." It was too plain, too simple, but it would have to do. He'd know, he always had a way of knowing.
"And the same to you Hakuei-sama. We shall meet again." Eyes wet with tears the princess nodded, waving goodbye to the fiery redhead as they parted.
"He has some nerve that one." Entranced by the baby, Kouen nodded, barely acknowledging Mei's words as he watched his daughter intently. She was so small! Were babies always this small? And her little nose was all squashed up, was that normal? Perhaps he'd never seen a baby this new born before, or maybe he had and he'd just never noticed.
"En?" Looking up with what he knew must have been a dazed look, the prince could only smile.
"Yes?" Hakuei's smile was the like sun, his light, his everything. "Am I holding her wrong?"
"No" crossing the room, she glanced quickly over her shoulder. With Mei's presences the only one she saw, she quickly stole a kiss from her flustered lover. "I just missed you." Kissing her back as Hime started to cry, Kouen smiled back at her.
"So did I."
Sleep was a privilege these days. Hakuei had learnt to appreciate it more now then she had while on campaign. Drifting in a naked state of weightlessness, she slowly become aware of Paimon's presents, her arms looped around her waist in a loose hug.
"I want to thank you and curse you. At the same time."
"Oh?" The dark haired beauty gave her middle a quick squeeze. "A thank you would be nice. I've been working hard you know." Rolling her head back against Paimon's shoulder, Hakuei smiled.
"She's perfect. I am very thankful." Huffing the djinn nodded.
"Of course she is. I made her." Smiling Hakuei nodded.
"But you could have told me she was coming." Tisking, Piamon rolled her eyes.
"I was busy!" Grinning the princess tapped the djinn's hand teasingly.
"Gyokuen's influence reaches this far?" Sighing, Piamon appeared to admit defeat.
"Not entirely..." Confused, Hakuei pulled out of her grasp, staring her down.
"So you've been doing what?'"
"Barbatos." Frowning, Hakuei thought over the familiar sounding name.
"Barbatos?" Gesturing airily, Piamon almost looked flustered.
"The Red Lion Prince, his djinn. We knew each other once, a long ago."
"Mu's djinn? You were with another djinn?" Grinning cockily at her, Piamon wiggled her eyebrows.
"He was a close friend. A very close friend." Blushing at her innuendo, Hakuei shifted uncomfortably, her concious shifting as she slept.
"That is perfectly acceptable. You deserve a break, especially with company." Laughing Piamon gave her another kiss, feeling the weightless fade. "Thank you again Paimon, thank you so much."
"You're welcome my Queen, you deserve it. The witch will not spoil this for you, I will protect her with my life."
The linger sensation of Piamon's embrace around her shoulders gave comforting sense of security as the world filtered into her vision. Kouhime's piecing cries cut through her peaceful dozing as she rolled over. Struggling up on her elbows, a hand on her shoulder stilled her.
"I can do it. Is she hungry?" Smiling at the eager tone in En's voice, Hakuei nodded, laying back down as he hopped up and moved to the crib beside the bed.
"She might be wet, or she just might want cuddles.'' Watching her lover reached down and hold his daughter close almost brought the princess to tears. He was so gentle with her, hefting her up in a single hand and bringing her up to his shoulder.
"She doesn't smell so she's not wet right?" Giggling Hakuei shrugged against the bed.
"Sometimes, you'll have to check." The fearful look that crossed his face was worth it. The blood and gore of a battle didn't phase the noble prince, but changing a dirty nappy was a complete travesty. "Relax, she should be fine. Just hold her, talk to her, she likes people." Kneeling on the bed awkwardly, En twisted his body around the crying infant, rocking her gentle.
"I'm so happy your here." Blushing at the absurdity, his words were drowned out by wailing. Was he holding her wrong? Maybe she was wet? How did he check? Glancing at Hakuei for help and getting none as she giggled, he tried again. "Your uncle Kouha will be so happy. He wanted you to be a cute little girl, you're going to be so pampered. He'll teach you how to dress properly." The breathless crying was slowly subsiding, leaving a red faced babe whining in his arms. ''You like that? Well uncle Koumei will teach you about numbers and strikeout and-" Struggling to remember his brother's varied interests, En fumbled. "Pigeons." Laughing, Hakuei moved up beside him, taking Kouhime's small hands and feeling the strength of her grasp as they wrapped around her finger.
"Mei more then just pigeons and numbers." Her crying postponed as her mother appeared, Hime gurgled happy, wiggling against her father's hold as he continued to rock her.
"Is he? I never noticed." He was teasing her, which was a rare and beautiful thing. Running a hand up and down the flat of his back, Hakuei leant on his shoulder, hand still linked with her daughter.
"He's the best stealth napper I have ever met, it's so scary." Teasing aside Kouen was tempted to agree straight out. There had been at least three times in the last three months he'd walked in on his brother, slumped over his desk and taken him for dead. He just really liked sleeping. A twist in his stomach saw his rocking falter.
"Can we really send Mei out on campaign?" If the last three months had highlighted anything, it was how inept his brother was concerning war and conflict. Frowning, Hakuei bowed her head, watching her daughter intently before replying.
"I don't want to, but what choice do we have? Gyokuen will always find a way to keep us apart." The sorrow in her voice broke his heart, the fear and pain he'd been feeling for the last nine months resurfacing again.
But then Hime smiled. And everything was right with the world.
"We'll be fine" Turning, the future King kissed his future Queen softly, their child bubbling and happy in his arms. "We're a family now and she'll never tear as apart."