Mourning Steps

Arthur had never been close to his brother, King Scott III. His grievances of Scott's treatment of him from when they were younger stretched well into his adulthood. Scott didn't agree with Arthur's lifestyle of male Omegas, or that he was the youngest and somehow also an Alpha. Alfred often heard at Court that the king was quite jealous of Arthur for he had a loyal Omega, rich lands, and favoritism from their mother. While the new prince had yet to be Natured, Scott had already written him off as another Omega. He hadn't even seen his fifth child.

Alfred was to be kept far away from the king's chambers, keeping Princess Halle and Prince Rhye company, although there was nothing pleasant about it. Rhye was quiet, suspicious, and whenever he did speak, it was how he had been slighted in life by his Nature. Halle's accent was so thick, Alfred had a hard time keeping up with her, and often he would just nod and smile to appease her, mainly because if he didn't, the princess would be sharp with him. Oftentimes, Queen Franҫoise would join them, but she always looked a nervous wreck.

"It is terrible," she cried to Alfred one evening after having pulled him into her privy chamber. Even the servants and maids and musicians had been sent away. Franҫoise was lying on the sofa with an arm over her eyes, but not to be overly dramatic. Alfred knew she was hiding her tears. "He is emotional. He yells at me, blames me for destroying his father's and grandfather's work in France, and bringing the kingdom into ruin."

Alfred rubbed his arm nervously as he sat at the edge of her bed. He wasn't allowed to know much of the politics of the kingdom, however what he did know was that things were bad. Because of the 100 Years War, taxes had risen, but debt in the kingdom had increased. Scott had been too gracious to his Scottish loyalists from when he had been Prince of Scotland, and there hadn't been the same gratitude shown to him by the magnates who owed him. And with the loss of lands such as Bordeaux that produced wines for wealthy merchants and traders, sales had decreased dramatically.

London was especially in turmoil over the king's illness. While it was treason to speak of Scott's dubious future, everyone knew. They went to work and walked around the city with a dark cloud that covered the entire area, spreading across the land until the entire kingdom worried what was to become of their monarch.

All but Arthur. Alfred worried his lower lip as he recalled just how happy Arthur seemed to be walking these days. With Scott's illness worsening each day, he knew that his brother had no choice but to pass the crown along. There was no other way. The prince complained to Alfred in secret that his brother was clinging to life until his son's third birthday in the spring for his Naturing, but he knew it couldn't be.

"But…the king has a plan, right?" Alfred asked tentatively. "The crown will pass to Arthur, yes?"

Franҫoise stiffened at this. "Yes… However…"

"However…?" Alfred's stomach tightened. He prepared for something that would not bowl over well with Arthur should he repeat it.

"…Scott is going to hold it off from Arthur in case Charles is an Alpha. If Scott passes on before Charles' Naturing, then…Arthur shall be Regent, and if Charles is an Alpha, then Arthur will remain Regent until Charles comes of age."

Alfred sucked in air through his teeth, putting a hand to his stomach. He imagined the growing life inside him. Too much stress might cause complications. He breathed slowly and relaxed.

"Your Grace, Arthur has waited a long time to be king…," Alfred tried.

The queen sat up with furious eyes, highlighted by the tear streaks down her flushed cheeks. "You cannot possibly imply that Arthur will overrule my mate and go over the head of a rightful ruler should my son be an Alpha."

The woman had practically spat on Alfred, her vitriol causing the Omega to shrink back. "N-no! I just… I meant that Arthur will not be happy with this."

"I do not care if he is happy or not. I have waited far too long for my redemption of being a pitiful queen, and Scott can rest in Heaven happily knowing the Kirkland line continued through him and not through your shrimp of an Alpha mate."

Alfred stood suddenly. His blue eyes hardened to ice as he stared venomously down at the queen. Still, he grit his teeth and kept his patience as Arthur had reminded him constantly to do. "Your Grace, need I remind you…my mate is of royal birth, just as you are. Such words are disrespectful, and I will not tolerate hearing them. If you wish to continue this conversation, then might I suggest talking to Prince Rhye or Princess Halle instead? I'm sure they would love to listen to you."

Franҫoise stared at Alfred, unimpressed and seemingly put off by his outburst. She put her hand out while rubbing her temple. "Yes, yes. My apologies, Alfred. Please, sit. I am not my usual self. I will not say such things about your mate around you again. Mon Dieu you're starting to sound like your mate."

While the queen kept to her word and continued to be a gracious host to Alfred, the Omega couldn't shake the nervous feeling that he shouldered the longer he stayed at court. He missed his daughter and worried the stress would be too much for his pregnancy. Often he would feign tiredness or nausea to escape meeting with the other Omegas, even going so far as to hide from Arthur.

Arthur had become unbearable. He strutted around Westminster as if he already owned the place. Despite Parliament being dissolved until the situation was resolved, many of the Lords and Dukes continued to remain in the area. Therefore, Arthur used that to his advantage, campaigning to get more people in Court on his side, so that when the time came for him to be named Regent, more would clamor to his side. And if he became King, then it would be much easier for him to take the throne with little resistance.

Alfred was on the fence whether or not he should tell Arthur of Franҫoise and Scott's plan. He didn't know all of the details, so telling Arthur might not be the best idea. The Alpha might go into another rage at just the thought of the queen stepping over him.

Late one night, it seemed Alfred wouldn't have to tell him. Arthur came into Alfred's chambers, lying beside him and paying him attention for the first time since their arrival. He kissed Alfred deeply, hands gripping him possessively around his waist and behind as he pushed him into the bed with the force of his body. Alfred moaned, parting his legs, and arching his back up towards Arthur's warm hands.

"A-Arthur…," Alfred whispered. He leaned his head back, moaning softly as his fingers trailed through Arthur's golden locks. "I am with child again…"

Suddenly, Arthur's ministrations stopped. He sat up to stare down at Alfred. His eyes, brimming with joy, bore into Alfred's stomach as if expecting the Omega to already be showing. Then, he took Alfred into his arms and littered his face with kisses, laying the man back onto the soft mattress.

"Again? My dear Omega, my precious pet, you have made this Alpha so very happy." Arthur's hot breath ghosted in Alfred's ear. "And this time… this time, I shall be a proper Alpha. I shall care for you and our future Alpha, and you will have it much easier this time. And should our Amelia, God forbid, turn out to be an Omega, then this little babe shall be the Alpha of our family."

"God, I hope so," Alfred sighed. "I was hoping with this news that we might…go home? I miss Amelia, and it's too stuffy here for me and the baby. I don't like London."

Arthur's eyes steeled, but he continued to smile. He caressed Alfred's bare belly with tenderness. "No, my pet. I cannot go. But you may, until it is nearing your time that you need me. Go and be with our daughter. I have things here to attend to."

Alfred pouted, but didn't say anything more on the matter. Arthur was adamant, and the way things were going with King Scott and the queen, it was only a matter of time before Arthur completely lost his mind with power. Alfred worried daily of these things, but voiced nothing. It was not his place. So, instead, he spread his legs and lay back while Arthur did his duty.

Leaving London was a blessing. Alfred felt he could breathe now that he was in the fresh air of the countryside. With a hand protectively on his belly and a longing look at Arthur as he left Westminster, the group headed back to South Essex. Despite the sour mood that had settled over Alfred at seeing his mate fade into the distance, he kept his spirits up. He was carrying another baby and their daughter was waiting for them back home.

However, it was only a few days before the kingdom was thrown into mourning. King Scott III had passed away. As such, Parliament was dissolved, all those at Court were to be sent home, and preparations for the funeral were to be made. Alfred instructed Amelia to don her black garments, explaining that her royal uncle had died.

"I had an uncle?" Amelia asked, wide-eyed.

Alfred smiled sweetly and pat her head. "Yes, you did. He was an incredible man. It's a shame you never got to meet him, but you will read about him and your great grandfather."

"So who will be my uncle now?" Amelia was watching over her shoulder as the Omega-in-waiting tied the laces to her dress.

"Prince Rhye is still your uncle, but he is to go back to Wales now."

"Why?"

"Well, because he is the ruler of that part of the kingdom."

"Why?"

Alfred sighed. He remembered the one thing about Amelia he didn't find cute or endearing. Still, like a dutiful parent, he persisted. "Because the king decrees it, and whatever the king decrees it must be."

"Degree?"

"Decree," Alfred corrected. "It means it's a rule."

"Why does he get to rule?" Amelia's dressing was finished. She hopped down off of her stool and followed Alfred as he left the bed chambers. Amelia kept a tight hold of Alfred as if she feared her mother might leave again.

"Because God has anointed him as it. Ah, um, anointed means He picked him. So a king is very special, because he is holy."

"Can I be king?" Amelia asked, looking up at Alfred with the same wide eyes from before.

Alfred smiled wryly back at her. "Maybe."

Arthur returned only a week after Scott's passing. He held Amelia as he hugged Alfred tightly. He then bent down to kiss Alfred's belly, even though it was still as flat as always. The manor would normally celebrate the return of their master, but as the entire kingdom was in mourning, there could be no such thing until a year from now.

However, Arthur was all smiles and cherry jubilation as if there already was a party. He drank wine and even ordered meat for his plate, something that was highly suspicious and disrespectful. Alfred was appalled by his mate's actions, but said nothing. He knew exactly why the Alpha would behave in such a way.

"You're convinced the prince is an Omega," Alfred stated later that night. He sat by the fireside as Arthur sauntered about the room.

"Oh yes. I am to be named Regent of the Kingdom until the Naturing, so we must move to London." Alfred groaned. Arthur ignored him. "Then, once the queen is shamed again for being a useless Omega, then I shall take the throne, and our lovely Amelia will be heir to the throne. She'll be named Princess of England to fill my position."

Alfred hesitated, weighing his thoughts and wondering if he should even voice his concerns. Arthur had always been different from the other Alphas. He was tender and kind and, so far, had yet to take on another mate or any Omega lovers. At least, as much as Alfred could tell. He'd be able to smell another Omega on his mate. Arthur was too busy for sex anyway. Still, the thought of hearing Arthur's negative reply was enough to scare Alfred into silence.

And yet, this night, he chose to ask. "So…if Amelia and this baby turn out to be Omegas, and I turn out to only birth Omega children… will I be useless?"

Arthur didn't reply right away. He was still stalking around the room with his mind in other places. For a moment, Alfred worried perhaps Arthur hadn't heard him, or pretended not to, at least. At length, Arthur stopped and finally replied. His voice was low and steady. "Of course not. You were mated with me to please me. The queen was mated to the king to birth him heirs."

"But if you are king, then my job is now to give you heirs." Alfred curled in on himself, his hands on his stomach.

"Fear not." Arthur was by Alfred's side. He reached between Alfred's bent over body to take his hands. He pulled them out until Alfred uncoiled himself. "You shall give me Alphas. And do I not already love our darling Amelia? Even if she does turn out to be an Omega, I will still care for her as I do you."

Alfred's eyes glistened with tears threatening to spill over. He searched for Arthur's eyes, but found the man to be looking down at his hands that pat Alfred's. "You… you mean it?"

"Of course."

Christmas and the New Year were to be celebrated at the manor as Court was still closed. Alfred enjoyed having Arthur home with him and Amelia, like a proper family. His belly steadily grew, on the way for a spring birth. Still, all he thought of was the empty Westminster palace where Franҫoise was all alone with her five children and no mate. How was she handling her first holiday season without a mate in years?

However, spring was fast approaching. With the New Year going into its second month, Arthur was recalled to Court. Parliament was well on its way to organizing itself again. Alfred, though, was saddened to know he was to pack up and leave his beloved home once more. At least Amelia could come along this time. She wasn't old enough to ride yet, so she was to take the same carriage Alfred took his first time traveling. Alfred had joined her in the carriage as he was too far along in his pregnancy to ride horseback.

"Let me know when you need your rest," Arthur reminded Alfred.

Alfred smiled. "She's being a good baby."

Arthur stared at his mate sternly, although his eyes were alight. "You think it is another girl?"

"I do," Alfred replied with a wide smile. He rubbed his belly in emphasis. "And I think she will be another Alpha."

Now, Arthur smiled. He looked up to the sky confidently. "Of course she will be."

London welcomed Alfred and Arthur with pride. Again, they gave the prince and his mate cloths of silver, and again the people lined the streets to cheer on the family. The path to Westminster became too convoluted, and the majority of the concourse had to take to boats on the Thames. Londoners raced to the riverbank to call for them.

"They love us!" Amelia said with pride. Her chest swelled as she inhaled, eyes shimmering, and a wide grin stretching across her young face.

Alfred put a tender hand on her head. He knew she'd be an Alpha. She looked so much like her father. "Yes. We are the hope for a future. You are a hope for the future."

Amelia turned with the same wide, curious eyes as before when she questioned a king's authority. "I am…? How?"

"You are an Alpha," Arthur stated. He pulled Amelia away from where Alfred lounged on his plush sofa, and towards the edge of the boat. "You will rule, after me. And I shall leave you with a glorious kingdom. One you will be proud of."

Amelia nodded so hard, her blonde curls bounced in her face. From where he sat, Alfred saw his daughter start to change. He caught a glimpse of a strong woman, sailing down this same river with a hand raised and an Alpha smile gracing her lips. It sent a shiver down Alfred's spine.

"Amelia," Alfred called. He pat the seat next to him on the seat. "Come here. We're about to dock."

Queen Françoise was weary. She no longer had the same exuberance from before. Alfred's spirits were dampened as he remembered that while his family had come with high hopes, hers and her family's were dashed because they were missing a vital part of their lives. Perhaps the rumors of Françoise bedding other Alphas were false and she had been quite close to Scott.

Regardless, Arthur ignored her. He gave a dutiful bow to her and the young prince, but was soon heading off to do his own work. He barely even stayed to see Alfred and Amelia announced and presented to the queen.

Françoise sneered off at Arthur's general direction. Then, she smiled at Alfred and rushed to him. "Mon Dieu! Look how BIG you are! Not big enough for a boy, but I trust everything is well?"

Alfred flushed and automatically put a hand atop his round belly. "Yes. She is due very soon. I might go into confinement before Charles' Naturing."

"Well, it's a blessing to have you here. I have missed you, and since Scott's passing, I find I am unbearably bored and lonely." Françoise put a tender hand on Alfred's shoulder. "I hope you can stay a long while."

Despite all of Arthur's harsh words towards the queen and their constant scheming against one another, Alfred could tell that she really meant it. His heart ached at ever thinking badly about her just because of what his mate said. He turned his body more towards her and smiled, putting a hand on the one on his shoulder. The queen's smile softened even more, spreading further across her face.

Alfred had only two weeks before he was sent into confinement for the birth of his second child. Arthur came to see him just before he was forbidden inside anymore. He took Alfred's hands in his and reassured him that he would come out strong with a healthy baby. Charles' Naturing would happen after Alfred had been churched and released from childbirth.

"I want you beside me when they announce the final son of my brother is another Omega," Arthur murmured as he nuzzled against Alfred's knuckles.

Alfred was smiling, his hand on his large belly, as he lay back against his pillows. Then, a thought wiped the smile from his face. "Arthur… Promise me you won't find another Omega while I am away."

Arthur's expression hardened. He gripped at Alfred's hand making the Omega wince. Quickly, he released him. "Dearest, you cannot limit an Alpha."

Alfred's heart thudded hard in his chest. He gulped audibly, ducking his head. "Of course."

"However…" Arthur's tone was soft again. He placed a soft hand on Alfred's belly, and then moved it up to his chin, making the Omega look up at him. "I will promise. I doubt I could focus on anyone else right now. You have my full attention. I will be waiting with rapt attention to hear that you have birthed another fine baby, and then that you are free to be with me again."

Alfred's throat constricted, going dry and making him unable to speak. The words he never thought any Alpha would ever say to him had just come out of his mate's mouth. Arthur, to this point, had been loyal to Alfred; an incredibly rare feet. He had heard stories of Omegas going into confinement and finding their Alpha has a new mate once they were released. Alfred's first birth had seen Arthur on foreign shores, and he was certain the Alpha hadn't bedded any French Omegas.

However, it could be because Arthur was betting on Charles being an Alpha. Kings didn't often have more than one Omega as the fight for the crown often resulted in blood should there be two Alphas from two different Queens. It wasn't an official rule, but the people never thought it too popular. Arthur certainly didn't want to be an unpopular king right from the start of his reign.

Alfred pushed aside that last thought in favor of thinking Arthur truly cared deeply for Alfred. He felt a kick in his belly that cemented the idea for him. He smiled confidently.

"I can't wait."

The labor was long, longer than it had been with Amelia. Alfred cried and heaved and begged for mercy from God, and often times he worried that there was a problem with the baby. The mid-Omegas swore that the baby was right side up and there was no breaching. Still, Alfred cried in agony for hours until finally, in the wee hours of the morning, a girl was born. She wasn't loud like her sister, though, and the Omegas fussed over her while Alfred caught his breath.

"Please," he whispered tiredly. He reached his shaking arms out to her. "Please…I want to hold her… She'll cry if she's in my arms…"

The Omegas handed the baby over, and slowly, the little princess began to cry. Alfred hummed happily, closing his eyes, and listening to her strong wails. She was just hungry, it seemed.

When Alfred awoke next, the baby was still in his arms. Alfred stared at her in horror. "Nurse!"

A nearby mid-Omega hurried over. "It's all right. The princess is simply sleeping."

Alfred sighed in relief. "Good… Has she been named?"

"No, Sir. The prince has yet to come by to see you or the baby." The Omega fluffed one of Alfred's pillows, watching the small baby sleep. "Would you like to name her?"

The name came to him instantly. "Rose."

Hoshiko2's cents: Back then, marriage (sex) was seen as a "necessary evil" in England, and having birth meant a woman had sullied herself. It was a sinful act by many accounts, so after she had given birth, it took quite some time before she could come out of confinement as she had to be churched by the church. If you're wondering about Western ideas towards birth and women, I suggest you look at issues like these. It's actually pretty interesting.

By the way, I have a joint writing account "Love Cocoon" and a joint story called "Find/Replace, and Listen to Me". If you like stories that happen over e-mails, then this is the one for you!