Marriage vs. Love

Sitting at the head of the table in the dining hall, Aeris smiled warmly at Sephiroth as he sat down to the applause after his speech. "Well said my King."

"Thank you, my love." He placed a light kiss on her cheek as the food was served. It was the dinner banquet that ended the coronation evening and the day had been full of festivities.

Never had the kingdom seen such a feast in many a decade, the local farmers and bakers had sent their finest produce to the palace kitchens for the meal. The hunters had been out all the day before hunting down the best wild beasts and game for the spits, while the trade carts brought in the goods from the local markets.

The dinner past with much laughter and enjoyment, the musicians played requests from lords and ladies alike and everyone enjoyed themselves, including the guards, although Captain Valentine would never admit he had fun. Cloud on the other hand was joking and laughing with his friends and every now and then making a witty enough remark to make Aeris laugh, and even to cause the king to smile faintly.

* * * * *

Things past quietly for the pair and the kingdom for several weeks when Aeris got the report back from the palace physician. "Are.. are you sure?" She gasped.
"Your fatigue is quite common, m'lady. You are indeed pregnant."
Aeris smiled. "Wow..." she blinked, "thank you."
The physician finished packing up his things. "I recommend a few days of bed rest for now." Bowing deeply to the pair, he left their room silently and quickly.

"Pregnant.."
"We're going to have a child." Sephiroth whispered lightly, he was staring out the window of their bedroom, having been there during the examination.
"An heir to your kingdom my King."
"Out kingdom, Aeris." He turned and sat on the bed beside his wife, taking her hand and kissing it lightly before placing a warm kiss to her lips. "So, boy or girl?"
"It's too early to tell." She laughed.
"I know, but I was told mother's have a sixth-sense about these things."
Aeris grew thoughtful at that. "I'm not really sure yet.."
Sephiroth nodded and kissed her forehead. "I have to go now."
"Do hurry back and please be safe, I wouldn't wish for our child to grow up without a father." Aeris hugged him tightly.

"It's only negotiations, Aeris. It shouldn't take too long and I'll be fine. Valentine is coming with me after all." Sephiroth stood from the bed and left the room.
Aeris sighed lightly and hugged herself, she had a bad feeling about this trip. Sending the servant girl that was making the bed around Aeris out of the room for Cloud, Aeris felt like she needed a friend around her at that point in time, and her and the blonde guard had become closer friends now that Zack was no more.

Cloud entered the room and bowed to Aeris. "My lady, you sent for me?"

"Yes Cloud." She smiled and patted her bed for him to sit. After the blonde had sat on the edge she sighed. "Cloud. I'm pregnant."

He gasped. 'Congratulations Queen Aeris, does the King know?"

"Indeed he does, he was here when I got the news. But.." she trailed off with a sigh, looking down at her hands that fidgeted in her lap.

"But?"

"But I have a bad feeling about this peace summit he is going to, I just can't shake it."

Cloud frowned then grinned again. "I'm sure everything will be ok, the Captain is going with him, and we must never forget that his highness is an excellent fighter himself."

Aeris nodded and smiled again lightly. "You're right Cloud, I'm just being silly aren't I?"

"Not at all m'lady. A woman's instincts are rarely ever wrong, just believe in their strength and everything will turn out fine."

Aeris grinned, mocking her friend. "Did you just say something intelligent?"

Cloud rubbed the back of his head with a nervous laugh. "Yeah, it happens on rare occasions."

"Thanks Cloud, I mean it.. I don't what I'd do if you'd gone to." Aeris laughed lightly and shrugged. "I need to make some more friends in the palace, or at least find something to take up my time again." She sighed then added lightly. "Especially while Seph is away."

* * * * *

Sitting in the coach as they travelling through the countryside, Sephiroth sighed and rubbed his forehead. Vincent frowned lightly and glanced at the silver-haired king. "Something wrong, majesty?"

"Nothing," Sephiroth shook his head as he glanced out the window again, "I'm fine, Captain.. I'm fine."

Vincent brushed a lock of hair from his ruby red eyes and nodded silently as he glanced out the other window of the coach, always keeping an eye out for any sigh of possible attack.

"Aeris is with child." Sephiroth stated lightly.

Vincent glanced back at Sephiroth and nodded. "Congratulations, majesty."

"I fear for her safety, Valentine. Especially while we are gone, if someone were to find out she was pregnant.."

"They could see it as a means to put an end to the royal line." Vincent concluded, nodding slightly. "Do not worry your majesty, the queen is safe within the palace where my guards can keep a eye upon her."

"Safe with the guards." Sephiroth sneered. "We thought that once before, Valentine."

Vincent frowned. "Zack was and exception to the rule, majesty. She will be safe."

Sephiroth nodded silently with a faint sigh. Please be safe, Aeris. I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you.

Vincent glanced at Sephiroth once again before looking out the window as the carriage moved onwards through the countryside.

* * * * *

To be continued..

Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out minna-san, I've been ultra busy lately.. ^^;

Please R/R