Marriage vs. Love

Aeris sat in the King's study, looking over a map of the kingdom's lands. "I don't understand.." she said, tracing her finger along a line of the map and glancing up at the brunette girl who was now her personal bodyguard.

"See here.." Tifa said tracing her finger over a red line that surrounded the capital of Midgar. "This is the border of the kingdom.. and this over here.." she pointed over the mountains to Junon. "This is our sister city, her ruler is loyal to us no matter what.. this is where our King is right now."

"Loyal? What is his connection to us?"

"Duke Oterel?" Tifa smiled. "Reeve helped us design and built our castle and town here, m'lady."

Aeris smiled. "I remember him at my wedding, rather a handsome fellow I thought at the time. Though nothing compared to my husband." She grinned and Tifa laughed faintly.

"Indeed, King Sephiroth has no comparison in that account."

Aeris smiled lightly and ran a hand over her belly, it'd been eight months now since the King had left for the peace negotiation talks in Junon, and Aeris had spent the time learning about the kingdom, how it's run and who it's allies and enemies are, learning.. just incase something happened, incase she'd have to run the kingdom.. alone. Eight months since she was told of her pregnancy.. eight months since she'd last seen her husband, Sephiroth. "I miss him, Tifa.."

Tifa smiled. "Don't worry, m'lady. The King and Captain Valentine will return soon.. they are due back within the week."

Aeris looked up. "That's this week? I must've lost track of time."

"You have been studying rather hard, m'lady. But now it's advisable that you get some rest, you know what the physician said."

"Of course." She held out her hand and stood up from her seat, with Tifa's help. Seph will be home soon.. she thought with a smile. "I hope he's back in time for the birth."

"He will be, m'lady.. I know he'd never wish to miss the birth of your child." Tifa replied as she led the Queen back to the royal chambers.

* * * * *

Sephiroth was standing at the window of the room he had been staying in and was looking out over the sea. Sighing lightly he ran a hand through his hair and turned around to check on the pair of servants who were packing up his clothes.

"Would you calm down already." A voice chuckled from Sephiroth's left.
Turning his head slightly he frowned lightly at the man with short black hair who stand there. "Easier said than done, Reeve."

Standing up, Duke Oterel walked over to Sephiroth and laid a hand lightly on the King's shoulder. "You'll be fine, sire. Tomorrow you'll leave here and you shall be home before you know it, and in time for the birth of your heir."
A small smile formed on Sephiroth's lips. "My heir.. yes. I wonder if the child will be a boy or girl.."
"Whatever it turns out to be, I am sure that they'll be a fine ruler after you leave us."
Sephiroth smirked and glanced down at Reeve. "Oh?"
"Not that that'll happen for a long time yet, my king." Reeve grinned back at him and they both laughed as Reeve bowed and left to check on the King's coach.

I'll finally have an heir.. Sephiroth thought to himself, smiling lightly as he looked out the window again, watching the setting sun disappear behind the waves, casting the sky in tone of red, yellow and gold. I hope Aeris has been ok without me.. I miss her. He sighed and closed his eyes against the setting sun then shook his head and turned around, gesturing for the servants to leave as he sat down on his bed, deep in thought, promising himself he would not be as cruel to his child as his father had been to him.

* * * * *

It was just before noon on the fourth day of the week as Aeris sat in the main hall, presiding over the day's court when word came the King's coach was sighted just outside the city gates. Aeris looked up at Tifa and smiled, rising to her feet as Tifa declared that court was over for the day and then followed the Queen out into the courtyard, arriving there a few moments before the coach pulled up.

Vincent opened the door of the coach and stepped out, standing to one side of it as Sephiroth climbed out. A cheer went up from the guards and courtiers at the safe return of their King and Sephiroth nodded his thanks slightly, his eyes fixed on Aeris' as he walked up to the Queen to hug her. The pair of them walked back into the palace with Tifa close behind as Vincent set orders for the King's luggage to be taken care of before following after them to the King's study.

The four of them soon stood around one of the large tables in the study as Sephiroth unrolled one of the maps that were upon it. Pointing at various places and making new marks on the map, he revealed to the others the agreements and arrangements that had been confirmed during the peace summit.

* * * * *

It was later in the evening when Aeris was sitting up in bed, watching as a servant girl unbraided and combed out Sephiroth's hair gently. "I'm glad you've return to us safely." He smiled warmly as her hand ran over her swollen belly lightly.
Dismissing the servant, Sephiroth walked over to the bed and sat on it gently, taking Aeris' hand in his on and bringing it up to his lips, kissing it lightly before leaning down and placing a light kiss on Aeris' forehead. "The path was very dangerous and we had to fight a few times.. but everything is fine."

to be continued?