A/N: Diarmuid is in the story at a friend's request, therefore not for any possible 'love triangle' some people asked about; besides, he's Arturia's cousin, so no incest, please.

Thank you to Jolanikati for editing ;)


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Before Arturia fully realized it, time suddenly seemed to start to flow by with a little more normalcy.

Her sister's conditions were constantly improving and, as her belly continued to grow, her pregnancy was confirmed to be proceeding well, too.

Diarmuid, the head medic, seemed to have realized that her husband looked at him as if he wanted to shoot him on sight, therefore the cousins had an implicit understanding of keeping some distance and maintaining their interactions short, since he was very busy with work and she had a million things to do as well.

It wasn't too difficult: while they had respect and something akin to fondness for each other, they had not grown up together, didn't know each other very well and weren't particularly close.

Most of the nurses were polite and gentle; the head nurse, Sola-Ui – even though she insisted upon being called Madam Sophia-Ri – was the most acerbic one, while a kind man named Kariya was the nicest one.

Shirou had begun his lessons with the private tutors, something that would ensure he did not stay behind in school, and Arturia made sure to leave the hospital with him at least twice a week. Even if the boy had quickly made friends with other children at the clinic and the blonde woman approved of that, there was the whole city of Tokyo they could visit.

They never had enough time to truly go sightseeing – she had work and he refused to stay away from his mother for a long while – but they did go to several places, sometimes even just to have a meal outside, always making sure there were no reporters nearby.

Going around on foot was also a good way for Arturia to keep fit, since she did not have the opportunity to practice any sports; she had never gone to the gym, as she and her sister had had to save money as much as possible, but she had always kept an active lifestyle. She knew that in the mansion there was a gym-room where the housekeepers had told her Gilgamesh would occasionally work out, but she wasn't interested in following his example; seeing him shirtless once had already been enough, and since in such an environment it was doubtless it would happen again, she resolutely kept away from there.

Shirou was learning, she was working and taking care of him, and she did not have to see her husband that often. One thing that was positive about Gilgamesh was that he was not invasive when it came to what she did with her family. It was probably because he did not care much about it, but that was beside the point.

One morning, however, she was surprised to find him sitting at the breakfast table in the kitchen, staring at the newspaper's magazine's front page so intently that he didn't even notice her as she came in.

Arturia blinked, and stared. He always left before her in the mornings, and she knew that he had the newspapers delivered to his office. Therefore, it was strange to see him there, especially because it was already somewhat late and he was supposed to be in Osaka the whole day.

When she greeted him and got his attention, however, he dismissed her as curtly as usual, which meant that there was nothing anomalous. She decided not to ponder over his behaviour, especially not at such an hour in the morning; her husband was a strange man, after all, and she would not have the beginning of her day disrupted only because he behaved more strangely than usual.

Soon afterwards, as she began to eat the meal Miss Tohsaka had prepared, he stood up, folded the whole newspaper and put it in his jacket as he went to work, not before briefly taking his leave from her.

Arturia blinked once again. There was now something seriously odd. That had been her newspaper – and Gilgamesh had taken it away… why?

Was there something he did not want her to see…?

That was even odder: they had an unspoken agreement that said that, whenever there was anything reported by the media that could potentially be harmful, it was to be discussed.

She looked out of the window. There weren't that many reporters at this time of the day, but it was best not to risk catching their attention; however, since the deliverers had already left after bringing the fresh food, she called sweet Miss Tohsaka, asking her if she could please go buy her a copy of the day's newspaper.

The girl seemed confused and, noticing her strangely reddened eyes but avoiding commenting on them, Arturia elaborated, "My husband took the newspaper that was here with him to work. I'd like to read the news as well."

Miss Tohsaka nodded quickly and rushed out to buy what she asked, before excusing herself to go back home; she was supposed to be there again only later in the day to cook dinner.

As soon as the newspaper – with its week's special, the magazine Gilgamesh had been studying – was in her hands, the blonde woman stared at it, dumbfounded. Then she looked at the date, to double-check.

It was exactly one month since she and Gilgamesh had gotten married. On the front page, there was a large wedding picture of the two of them, followed by a long article with all the details on the exclusive wedding of the wealthiest man on the planet.

An entire month had already passed. And so many things had happened in the meantime…

Arturia remembered little of the ceremony, it was quite a blur in her memory, but she instantly recognized the moment captured in the picture nonetheless. It had been when she had reached the altar, when their eyes had locked after her nephew had called her name to compliment her.

She had to admit that the picture was a very good one. They both looked very handsome and even reasonably happy. She was smiling there, and he–

Arturia frowned as she looked at the photo.

On the wedding day, she had thought she had seen Gilgamesh have something gentle in his eyes when he looked at her, but she had been certain that she had only imagined it. Now she had proof, right there, in the picture in front of her. He truly had that slightly softer look that she had thought she had only made-up at the time.

Gilgamesh… had been late for his beloved work… remaining there at the breakfast table… just to stare at this picture?

It was possible that he had just been staring at himself, but she did not associate that kind of vanity with her husband; the only realistic conclusion was that he had been examining their picture. He had been staring at the front page and she had not seen his eyes move much, therefore it meant that he had not even bothered reading the article.

It was too long for her to have the time to read it in full – it also continued on page four, five, six, seven and eight – but some sentences caught her eye as she quickly scanned the whole thing.

incredibly wealthy and successful businessman Gilgamesh Uruk tied the knot with his lovely fiancée Arturia Pendragon one month ago

highly regarded but notoriously ruthless in his field of work, astonished the world by marrying an outsider, a woman so beneath his status

but all the doubters were quieted when seeing the look on his face as the bewitching bride walked down the aisle, for no one had ever seen Mr. Uruk express so much affection

Mrs. Uruk has never been intimidated by the attention and seems to be at ease in her role, as the art galas in Kyoto have shown

this newspaper's editorial staff sincerely congratulates the happy couple on their one-month anniversary, and hopes their fabulous marriage sets an example for the future generations.

Arturia put the newspaper's magazine back on the table. She was a bit uncertain about what to think in regards to the article.

It was very positive that there wasn't anything particularly malicious written in it; as far as she had been able to see, in fact, it was full of praises. That was what she and Gilgamesh had wanted: give the impression of a 'happy couple'. They had apparently succeeded, even though she felt the deception weighing down on her more strongly than ever.

Yet as Gilgamesh had said, it could not be helped. They had agreed on this very deception and on everything that came with it.

Well then. As the newspaper had just reminded her, it was their one-month anniversary. They had been living together for a month without any attempt at killing each other – their discussions had never reached truly angry levels – and that had to count for something.

Gilgamesh was going to be in Osaka for most of the day, but he was going to be home by half past six in the evening. She didn't have work – it was a Saturday – therefore she was going to spend the morning with Shirou at the hospital. Miss Tohsaka would come in the early afternoon to clean the kitchen and start preparing dinner, and the blonde woman decided she was going to talk with the girl about cooking together for the evening.

Arturia enjoyed cooking, but she had never had the opportunity to do so since moving to Japan – they had staff for a reason, as Gilgamesh stressed – and she missed it. However, it was supposed to be a special day, more or less, and just this once, she wanted to try and make an effort.

Maybe, if Miss Tohsaka was not keen on sharing the kitchen with someone else, she could give her the evening free; that would be a possibility too.

Mind made up, Arturia finished her breakfast, cleaned up the table and left for the hospital.

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When Arturia arrived home, it was later than she had planned.

Shirou had had a lot to tell her about his lessons, and therefore lunch had lasted longer than usual. She had also decided to walk home, since it was true that it was the 'one-month anniversary', but the reporters had not increased in number around the house, and therefore she had managed to slip towards the garage and then make her way inside the house without being seen by any of the usual stalkers of the mansion.

As she was going to the kitchen to talk with Miss Tohsaka, she was very much taken aback at hearing peculiar sounds coming from the room. To anyone else, they would have probably been nothing particularly strange, but Arturia recognized them instantly.

In the month before her coma, following Kiritsugu's death, she had heard Iri cry herself to sleep too many times to ever be able to forget it. Someone was sobbing in the kitchen, and she could make an accurate guess on whom it was.

Arturia opened the room's door to find Miss Tohsaka sitting on a chair, a cuisine book open on her knees, and sniffling and weeping as she went through the pages. The girl squealed when she heard the noise, and immediately jumped up – the book falling on the floor – rapidly drying her face with her apron and trying in vain to plaster one of the most awfully fake façades of cheerfulness on her face.

"Mrs. Uruk–! I… am so sorry…! I didn't mean…–"

Arturia ignored her apologies and took a few steps forward to get closer to her.

"Miss Tohsaka," she said gently, displeased to see the girl avoid her gaze and desperately try to hold back her tears. "Miss Tohs-… Sakura," she said, voice getting firmer. "Please tell me what is wrong."

She stared at the eighteen-year-old girl until she collapsed on the floor, clutching herself and sobbing again, no longer attempting to uselessly hide her feelings, clearly having been trying to suppress them for far too long. Arturia kneeled down next to her, pulling her closer and letting her cry her tears out, at the same time observing her keenly.

Sakura had always shown to be a kind and shy girl, and the blonde woman was determined to find out what was upsetting her. As soon as she was coherent enough to be able to speak again, Sakura quietly informed her of the reason for her tears.

Just a few months before, both her parents had died, leaving her and her younger sister without much money and alone in the world. Sakura had been very lucky to find a job at the Uruk household, which was not full-time yet was paid very well. However, her sister – Rin was her name – was only five years old, and since they could not afford a babysitter, when she was not at school she was often left alone at home.

On this particular day, Rin had gotten a very high fever, and Sakura was beside herself with worry, having had to leave her alone – yet again – to go to work. Their neighbourhood was not the safest either, and she was even more fearful because of that.

Arturia immediately stood up, taking a few tissues and calmly drying Sakura's tears, which were still flowing. Then she went to the fridge, looking for the large amount of soup the girl had cooked the evening before that she and Gilgamesh had not touched because they had had dinner at a small restaurant next to the offices. Pouring it into a pot and carefully closing it hermetically, she gently shoved it into Sakura's hands.

Looking her in the eye seriously, Arturia said, "Sakura, you're taking this soup home to Rin right now, and you are free for the day. Here is the pharmacist's number," she quickly wrote it on a piece of paper and attached it to the pot, "to go take paracetamol for your sister and ask for a doctor's visit. Give them my name and it will be put on the Uruks' list."

Sakura stared at her, wide-eyed, and then shook her head vigorously.

"Mrs. Uruk, I could never…!"

Arturia shook her head as well.

"Sakura, please, I go by the name Ria, and I'd like you to use it. Besides, I can cook, and if you're not here for one evening, it will be perfectly fine. Go take care of your sister, and don't be worried, you haven't lost your job. I will call tomorrow morning to check on you."

Lips trembling, Sakura bit on them and then, shaking, nodded, tears gathering in her eyes again.

"Mrs. Uruk, I mean, Mrs. Ria… I… I don't know how to thank you…"

Arturia gave her a sharp look.

"If you really want to thank me, then make sure that the next time something serious happens, you will ask for the day off immediately."

The girl looked floored at those words; she shifted uncomfortably on the spot, and suddenly, Arturia understood why she had not said anything and had tried to keep up her work even though she was distressed.

"It's because of Gilgamesh… or rather, Mr. Uruk, isn't it?" she gently asked, and Sakura turned ashen.

But the blonde woman gave her a small smile. She had guessed where the problem lay.

"I understand that my husband can be quite… intimidating. Please confer with me on such matters from now on."

She then helped her hold the pot more securely. "Now, off you go. Until tomorrow, Sakura."

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Osaka was a city Gilgamesh found decent enough, but that did not mean that he wasn't glad about coming back to Tokyo. The negotiations had gone well, and on Monday the deals were going to be signed right away. The new offices in Hong Kong had been opened very recently and were now already fully operational, and that meant that his business was going to grow even more.

Work had been hectic that day, and it was just as well, since he had needed to occupy his mind after seeing the newspaper's magazine in the morning. He refused to indulge in such thoughts any longer though.

What Gilgamesh had expected was to arrive home, have the usual quiet yet strangely comfortable dinner with his wife, take a shower before or after that, and get some sleep. What he had not expected was to find Arturia in the kitchen, calmly cooking a typical European dinner all on her own.

"Good evening and welcome home, Gilgamesh," she said, seeming to be the picture of complete serenity.

He raised an eyebrow. What was his wife doing in the kitchen? Where was the cook?

"Arturia," he greeted evenly, his eyes briefly scanning the room before landing back on her. "What are you doing? And where is the Tohsaka girl? I pay her a very substantial salary. Why is she not doing her work?"

"Sakura has gone home," she replied, still perfectly calm and composed.

His eyes narrowed. He did not miss the fact that she used the cook's first name, and that made him suspicious.

"On whose orders?"

"Mine. I am your wife, Gilgamesh. And even though we both know our reasons for marrying, when we wrote the contract we made sure that we would take part in an equal marriage. You said yourself that this house's employees are not just your employees anymore."

She sighed, knowing that he expected – and she owed him – a little more clarification. "Sakura's younger sister is very sick – she didn't even want to tell me until I forced her to – so I sent her home. And I am perfectly capable of taking care of dinner, if that's what worries you."

He narrowed his eyes even more.

"Dinner itself is of small importance. The real matter is that employees do not have the right to leave whenever they please; and if they indeed have emergencies, they should make the effort of informing me of them."

Arturia had reprimanded Sakura for the same reasons, but she had also understood why the girl had not been able to tell them of her personal problems.

Her eyes were sharp and cold, as was her voice.

"Gilgamesh, don't tell me that you don't to see that your staff feels frightened by your unapproachable ways. They would never dare ask anything, as they're too afraid of the consequences. Your reputation as a fair but ruthless businessman is not limited to your field of work."

Her eyes were glaring at him fiercely. "Sakura is young and shy. She is terribly scared of you, and she truly needs this job she's actually very good at. She didn't even have the courage to ask me for anything – it was entirely my decision to send her home. So don't even think about having the girl pay the consequences for something I am responsible for."

Mildly impressed and at the same time amused by her words, he was silent for a moment. He couldn't really complain about anything, since Arturia had taken care of things already. It was also likely that she had taken the matter to heart because the girl's situation reminded her of what her own had been like merely a few months before.

He suppressed a sigh. Just this once, but only this once, he would leave the matter be.

"I understand your point. However, make sure to keep the staff under control from now on. Tell the girl she should speak of her emergencies, instead of hiding them."

However, Arturia shook her head, making him raise an eyebrow again.

"If that's what you want, then tell her yourself, Gilgamesh. You owe that to her, because she is not scared of me, but of you. Prove that you can be human towards the people you employ."

There was silence again, until he heaved a small sigh, no longer feeling like suppressing it. It had been a long day – and his wife did have a point, as much as he detested admitting it.

"Fine. I will speak to her."

He left the room to go take a shower, feeling strange. Since when had conversations with Arturia become such an unsettling experience?

Gilgamesh shook those thoughts away. He was just feeling fatigued because of the long day. In a few minutes, during dinner, everything was going to be back to normal.

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