"Sakuno." Akio stopped and looked at his wife. They were completely naked on her bed. The queen had returned to the capital after spending two more days on the violet country. Meeting the oracle made her worried. She was able to hide it with her usual smiles, avoiding the worry Ryoma, Ayama and the general, but, the words from Ragna did not leave her head. Her husband returned from Murasaki one night after she arrived. They had dinner together before going to bed. Akio kissed her hard and took her clothes off, but, as touching her body, he noticed she was not responding as usual. His hand and mouth were on her breasts when he realized her thoughts were somewhere else. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." She responded, averting her eyes. "I am just a little tired, that is all."

"I know you already, wife." Sitting down, he touched her face and the grey eyes investigated hers. "What is bothering you?"

"I do not want you to be disappointed with me." Her voice was sad. "I am already disappointed with myself."

"What is wrong?"

"I am not expecting yet." Sakuno lowered her head and the red bangs covered her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Ragna told me." She crossed her arms over her naked belly. "I am so sorry."

"Did she tell you it is never going to happen?"

"Not at all. She said that I will definitely be a mother." His arms were around her frame and he brought his wife to his chest, his chin on the top of her head.

"Do not be so hard on yourself. If the oracle told you it is going to happen, you just need to have some patience."

"Akio…"

"You could never disappoint me." He looked at her. "You will make all my wishes come true."

She finally smiled at him, touching his handsome face.

"Is it really okay? Are you still pleased with me?"

"Yes." The human king made her straddle him. "I will prove it to you."

#########

Ryoma sat under the great willow tree on the royal gardens. It was the only place his heart was a little more at ease. He closed his eyes and listened to the night wind moving the branches. The young human couldn't sleep at all since he met with the white elf. Her words and the gelid sensation of being touched by her still affected him after all those days. Every time he tried to close his eyes, the sight of the white eyes invaded his mind.

He wanted to talk to Sakuno about it, but she was so busy on their last days in Lubjica they were not able to have a private time and talk about that encounter. She was also very occupied when they returned to Aubree and now, with her husband back, he knew he wouldn't see her for a while.

Taking a deep breath, he felt terribly tired and lonely.

"That is an odd place to sleep, Ryoma-kun." The soft voice of Syuusuke called his attention and he opened his eyes. The counselor was in front of him, amused.

"I wish I was able to sleep." The elf noticed his concern and sat by his side. " I think Ragna made me crazy."

"That elf has such effect on people."

"She told me not to waste time. How I am wasiting time, if I have no purpose?"

"Even the smallest drop of rain has a purpose, Ryoma-kun. Do not belittle yourself so much. I know everything that is happening to you is overwhelming, but try to take one day at the time. I am sure you will find your path somehow."

#########

"Mizuki-sama?" Koharu entered her chambers, after knocking with no response. She found strange when the servants told her she was skipping meals lately. The captain found her vomiting on the porch outside. Rushing to her side, she rubbed her back, worried. "Mizuki! What is happening?"

It took her a while to feel better. She was pale and Koharu noticed her skin was trembling. They have been childhood friends. Since she started the relationship with Akio, Koharu scolded her for trowing her reputation away and giving herself for someone who would never love her back. Their friendship ended for good when the captain found out that she was still sleeping with him even after he won the tournament, helping the king to cheat on his wife as well. Even so, she just couldn't turn her back away as seeing her old friend so hurt and sick. Kneeling in front of her, Koharu offered some water.

"How long are you feeling like this? Does Waga know you are sick?"

"I am not sick." She said, quietly, after drinking the cup of water. There was a deep sadness on the pink eyes. "I am pregnant."

"What?"

"I do not know what happened. I have always been so careful. Akio was always clear he did not want to have a child with me." Big tears started to roll down her face. "Why is this happening now?"

"You cannot control life." Koharu's voice was kind. "Go back to your father's house; I am sure he will not turn his back on you."

"He disinherited a long time ago, when I kept turning down the suitors he arranged for me. The last time we saw each other, he called me the king's whore."

"Mizuki…"

"Akio is going to make me take it off." She said, quietly, a sad smile on her face as accepting her tragedy. "He will not have a bastard in his bloodline."

"Do you want to ran away?" touching her face with both hands, Koharu was serious. "I can find you shelter, you and your child would be safe."

"That is not what I want!" pushing Koharu away, the pink eyes were filled with despair. "I do not want to be apart from him! "I have nothing but Akio and even thought I love him so much, he will never be mine!"

The captain didn't know what to or say and she felt extremely useless. That was not love, it was a disease. Mizuki was totally taken and lost. She took a deep breath, before standing up. The blond looked so small, her shoulders trembling over her loneliness.

Koharu walked away, holding back her own frustrated tears. She thought about Ryoma again and her absence of news about him. Who was she to judge Mizuki? She had also fallen in love for someone who was not by her side and left her in complete darkness.

At the same time, Koharu wished to see his face just one more time, at least to be sure he was alive and well, so her tired heart could give up at peace.

#########

Sakuno 's back arched from the bed, as feeling Akio's mouth between her legs. Two of his long fingers slid easily inside of body.

"Please, husband, stop." She begged, her voice shaken by pleasure. Three days have passed since she last left her chambers. The queen skipped her meetings and the maids would place the meals there so they wouldn't have to leave. Nakedness was almost a natural state for her by now and they slept just a few hours per day. They were like animals on heat. She had climax over and over and the thoughts on her head were cloudy.

"I will not." He whispered on her folds, the warmth of his deep voice acting like a torture. "I told you I was going to prove to you how much you please me."

"It is too much already." The scarlet eyes were semi closed, as he stood in front of her. The long dark blue hair was over his body and Sakuno felt the heat of his hardness.

"It is not." The human king easily pulled her body close and kissed her knee before placing her leg on his strong shoulder. The grey eyes never left hers, as he claimed her body again, his larger hands holding hers over her head. He was being deliberately slow with his hips. Sakuno's need for climaxing was almost painful. Akio could feel her hotter and wetter than ever and there was a very subtle smile on his features as controlling her so much.

His wife pulled him close, holding his broad shoulders.

"Please." She begged, as raising her body to meet his in a desperate need. The human king finally gave in to Sakuno's desire, releasing himself deep inside of her.

#########

"Mizuki?" Koharu entered hers chambers again. It was night already and the servants informed her the young lady spent all day inside. She was worry. It was not good for her future child if the mother did not eat properly.

The captain found strange when her tabi touched some liquid on the floor and became wet. Coming close to a small lamp, she lighten it up. But, as looking at the bed, the light started to shake on her hand.

Mizuki's body was over the king's bed, surrounded by her blood. Her pink eyes had lost her glitter to death. She had cut her wrists using one of his katanas and her beautiful skin was already extremely white.

Koharu feel on her knees, dropping the lamp. Between a complete darkness, her tears wet the floor, as she bit her lips to avoid crying and screaming over such heartbreaking sight.