Amelia smiled contentedly. She was seated primly behind her desk in a simple, yet elegant dress, her gloved fingers sifting through a small pile of papers and plucking out a letter she'd received the day before so she could read it. Opening it with a delighted grin, she scanned it first before settling back into her chair to read the letter properly. It was from Sylphiel. It seemed that Gourry was doing well and seemed quite content to remain with the priestess in Sairaag. The two were in fact to be wed the following month. The letter also held their response to the invitation sent to them to join the Royal Family of Eshynal for a ball to celebrate their anniversary. The rest was typical questions from the priestess on their health and affairs of state before the closing.
Her smile widened.
She chose another letter sent to her, this one was signed Zellas Metallium. Like that of the shrine maiden, this letter held good tidings and was merely an update of the past month since Zelgadis had regained his normal "awareness". The chimera was well, and despite being back to his usual distant demeanour, was slowly opening up and genuinely seeming to enjoy his new lifestyle in the small city of Canyon. The letter also held the pair's answer to the invitation they'd received.
"Wonderful!" the young queen, now quite used to her role, cheered, startling one of the servants.
"My Queen?" she inquired respectfully. Amelia knew the girl was deathly curious, being only 10 but knew her place and manners.
"My companions have written me and are all doing well, Mira," Amelia explained lightly, her smile never leaving her painted lips. "Now I am waiting only on one more letter."
"From who, Your Highness, if I may ask of course."
"Of course. From my mentor, Lina Inverse and an… ally of ours, Xelloss."
"Oh. Well I am pleased to hear of their well-being, my Queen. Please excuse my rudeness of asking," Mira pleaded with a bow before leaving to allow the queen her privacy once more.
Amelia smiled gently. "What a sweet child," she murmured.
"Very inquisitive but so polite," the voice in her head agreed, likewise pleased at the girl's behaviour. "She reminds me so much of your sister."
"Gracia?"
"Yes. Before she ran away, while you were very young, she was much like little Mira."
"You sound almost… sad," the young woman noted softly. Her sister was a sensitive subject for the both of them and they generally tried to avoid it completely.
"Not anymore," the voice quipped, almost cheerful now as it continued. "The past is the past and it should stay there. Come, it is time for your meeting with the runner to Shylenan."
"Right."
The young queen rose gracefully from her seat and quickly made her way to her study in the next wing where a man in his late twenties sat waiting. She entered and seated herself across from him with a businesslike air about her regal form. With a gesture of a gloved hand, the man began his report.
"Highness, I went to Shylenan as you ordered," Amelia nodded approvingly, "but the sorceress Lina Inverse and Mazoku Xelloss were not to be found there."
"What?" Amelia gasped her eyes hardening. "What do you mean they weren't there?"
"I found them leaving Zephilia, Majesty," the runner rushed on not wanting to distress the normally happy young woman. "They are heading this way. I suspect they will be here in about three days if they make minimal stops."
She closed her eyes in thought before smiling and gazing at the man again. "Three days?" He nodded. "So be it. Did you at least find out why they left the city and went to Zephelia?"
"I did, Majesty. The sorceress had gone to the midwife there. I know not, however, the definite news that she received. They did not appear to be a couple as they traveled."
"Perfect! Thank you for doing this for me, Derran. May I call upon you again another time?"
"Of course, my Queen," Derran assured with a low bow. Amelia smiled and nodded her dismissal, allowing the man to show himself out.
"What news do you have, dearest?"
Amelia smiled up as her husband entered smiling. "Well, Lina is coming here with Xelloss."
"And?" Akkari prompted. He knew that impish glint to his wife's eyes meant there was something more.
"She may be pregnant."
The king's jaw dropped in open surprise. "Excuse me? I thought you said that Lina Inverse may be pregnant," he said, wiggling a finger in his ear as if to clear it.
"I did," Amelia giggled.
"Who in L-sama's name would… would… with Lina?"
Amelia giggled again. "You don't mean," Akkari said with a shake of his head. The woman across from him nodded. "But…But… I thought she didn't li…He's a… Isn't he?…Oi, my head hurts! When are they getting here?" he finished quietly with a shake of his head to clear his headache.
"Three days according to my runner."
"Ok," he said slowly. "That gives us some time to stock everything and prepare the servants."
Amelia nodded and smiled gently. "Don't worry too much, just don't ask her or Xelloss about the baby straight off and I'm sure everything will be fine. What could go wrong, hun?"
"AMELIA!!"
The queen flinched against her husband at the sound of the voice entering the castle. "Ooh, she sounds mad doesn't she?"
Akkari nodded and smoothed his hand down Amelia's back comfortingly as they both descended the stairs around the main hall. "Good evening, Lina, Xelloss," he hailed, his voice much calmer than either of the monarchs felt.
"Good evening, Amelia, Akkari," Xelloss returned easily while having to restrain a fuming sorceress from physically and verbally attacking the queen.
"Hi guys," Amelia called somewhat meekly from the bottom the stairs where she and Akkari now stood. "How was your trip?"
"Informative," Xelloss answered, still keeping one arm about Lina's waist and one hand clamped firmly over her mouth. Finally he leaned close to whisper in her ear and the sorceress immediately settled down though her eyes, still trained on Amelia, were still furious. "Be civil."
He was promptly elbowed in the ribs. "Shut up," she snapped angrily. "So, Amelia, I see you are doing well," she growled.
The young queen nodded slowly. "I am. I'm happy here. By the way, my father sends his regards."
"Wonderful," Lina spat. "Now you mind explaining just what was going through that justice crazed little skull of yours when you drugged me?"
"I… I just wanted you to be happy, Lina-san. Aren't you happy?"
"No, I'm seriously pissed. Thank you for asking," the redhead snapped, barely containing the urge to pound the daylights out of the young woman only a few feet before her.
"Lina-chan," Xelloss chided gently, earning himself another elbow in the ribs. "Lina, please, calm down," he whispered. "It's not good for you to get so worked up. You'll make yourself sick again."
"Oh please," she rolled her eyes. "You're more uppity than that fricken nurse in Shylenan was."
"I have a right to be," he reminded gently.
"Lina, what does he mean?" Akkari asked, an expression of confused curiosity on his handsome face. A look that was mimicked by the woman next to him.
Lina paused. "Nevermind."
"Well, if you say so, Lina-san," Amelia called, her usual brightness returning. "Well since you are here, you must stay a while!"
"Yes," Akkari agreed. "Come, have you eaten?"
Lina nodded, her fire seeming to have dimmed somewhat.
"Oh, well come on then, Lina-san, I'll show you to a room. Akkari, dear, could you show Xelloss his?" When her husband nodded and waved for the demon to follow him, Amelia took Lina's hand and tugged her up the stairs. "C'mon, Lina-san. Come see my new home!"
Lina huffed slightly to hide her smile of amusement. Still the little kid inside, she noted with amusement. Damn mood swings, she cursed, I can't even stay mad at the little brat! "So that's Akkari?"
"Yeah," Amelia sighed, her smile one of pride. "I'm so happy. He's so kind."
"I'm glad." And she meant it too. The princess deserved to live a happy life, even if she ought to get her butt Dragon Slaved to Hell and back for that stunt she pulled!
"Thanks. Oh, here's the library, and the general study," the queen informed with gestures to specific doorways. "Empty rooms and yours!"
The young woman led her mentor into an elegant suite suitable for a dignitary rather a guest but Lina wasn't about to complain. Against the left wall was a huge canopied bed with a night-table next to the head of it. Across from her was an ornate vanity of elaborate scrollwork around the mirror and a beautiful antique washbasin and pitcher, obviously a decoration rather than for use, Lina noted. To her right was a set of double arched doors leading out onto a small balcony with the gardens visible just beyond. The floor itself was a sleek black and white marble with a plush ebony rug next to the bed so that one getting up in the morning wouldn't freeze their feet against the polished stone.
The sorceress let out a low whistle of approval making Amelia smile, delighted with her choice of rooms for her friend. "A private bath is available in the back through the door next to the vanity. Towels and such are already there."
"Thanks, Amelia. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Lina-san. If you need anything else," she moved over next to the bed where a thin rope of braided satin hung from the ceiling, "just pull this and a servant will be here in no time."
"Great!"
"Do you want to come and join us for some tea before bed?"
"Uh, sure."
"Kay, this way." Amelia led the way back to the library and down a circular flight of stairs near the back, leading them down to a large open area before a magnificent fireplace with several chairs and pillows strewn about. Akkari and Xelloss already occupied two of the overstuffed padded chairs, cups of tea in their hands. The pot and a pair of clean cups rested on a low glass table centered between the arranged furniture, all spread before the roaring fire.
"Tea, ladies?" Akkari offered while he stood and poured Amelia's. When Lina nodded, he handed Amelia hers and poured another for the sorceress, walking over to the large pile of pillows Lina had situated her self in to give it to her. "I hope you do not mind Midnight Rose."
Lina shook her head and took a sip to assure the king. Satisfied, Akkari took his place in his chair once more and pulling Amelia into his lap. Amelia squealed like a child for a moment before leaning back against her husband and settling more comfortably into the chair with him, tea firmly in hand while the other idly brushed his leg.
"So when were you two married?" Xelloss inquired, settling his teacup into the saucer in his other hand.
"A year ago tomorrow," Akkari answered giving his wife a tender squeeze. "We're having a ball to celebrate. You will both attend wont you?"
"It would be our pleasure," the demon answered for both invited.
"Yeah, it'll be fun, I'm sure," Lina agreed after throwing a glare in the demon's direction.
"I'm so glad the others are coming too," Amelia chimed happily. Her excitement was clear and infectious.
"When do they get here?" Lina asked, smiling and her eyes alight with anticipation. "It'll be great to see the others."
Xelloss frowned. He did not want the others there, least of all Gourry. He didn't want to give the swordsman the slightest chance to steal the sorceress away from him now, especially with her carrying his child!
"Tomorrow," Amelia was saying, oblivious of the Mazoku's inner turmoil. "Oh, did you know that Sylphiel-san and Gourry-san are getting married next month?"
"Sylphiel?" Xelloss echoed, his train of thought interrupted.
"A shrine maiden from Sairaag," Lina explained. "I don't think that you ever met her, but she's a good match for Gourry, the jellyfish," she laughed. "She'll love him and doesn't mind his idiocy, although I do and will miss him."
"Did you love him, Lina?" Akkari put in having seen Xelloss' frown before and having no compunction to beat about the bush.
Lina laughed. "Not to marry him! He's like the big brother I never had and a good friend… I just couldn't love him like that."
Amelia grinned and Akkari smiled, his gaze swinging back to Xelloss who was smiling once more. "And you'll never guess who Zelgadis-san is coming with!" Amelia went on, thrilled she knew the secret no one else did.
Lina's brows creased in thought. "Who? I can't think of anyone Zel would bring that I've met. Do I know them?"
"You know of her," the young queen hinted enigmatically, giggling excitedly.
The sorceress shrugged in defeat and glanced at Xelloss who had one eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Dunno," she finally answered, looking back to the grinning woman across from her.
"The Zellas Metallium, Darklord of the Mazoku race."
Xelloss paled and his smile vanished. Lina's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! Has Zel completely gone off the deep end or what?"
Amelia laughed. "Oh no. You see, she took human form a while back, hooked up with Zelgadis-san, and has been helping him overcome his… dim outlook on life. They're not together as far as I know. But she's really on the side of Justice, helping Zelgadis-san like this!"
"Xelloss," Lina called after a moment, looking up at the priest, completely ignoring the justice-crazed queen. "Isn't that your Master, er, Mistress?"
"She is."
"Oh shit," the sorceress swore yet again and buried her face in her free hand. "This is not gonna be good."
"I think it's time for us to call it a night," Xelloss said suddenly. He set down his teacup and took Lina's to put next to his before helping her to stand. "Thank you for the tea and goodnight."
"Uh, Xelloss, wait up! Good night guys," Lina called over her shoulder as she hurried after the demon already ascending the stairs. "Xelloss, damnit! Slow down a sec!"
Amelia and Akkari looked at eachother and shrugged before going back to their tea in the comforting glow of the roaring fire.
"Xelloss!" Lina nearly yelled as she crested the top of the stairs and the priest was nowhere in sight. Cursing, she ran from the library to see him enter her room down the way. Unsure of why he'd acted so strangely, she ran after him, rushing into her room to find him sitting cross-legged in the center of her bed, his staff laid next to him. She closed her door then moved to sit on the side of the bed, half facing him. "Xelloss?"
"Lina-chan…Lina, I…" he trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Lina was surprised at her own concern for him. She too couldn't think of anything to say but felt that somehow he needed to be reassured, but about what she wasn't sure exactly. "Tomorrow will work out fine. Ok?"
"You don't know that any more than I do."
Lina sighed. Alright, so that didn't work. "Look. No one knows and I'm not about to tell them just yet. Relax, we'll work it out," she promised, rubbing her stomach.
"Will we? I can't disobey her, you know that," Xelloss voiced quietly, opening his eyes to look into hers. Lina nodded slowly with a small smile to hide her worry at what she saw in those amethyst depths: worry, frustration, desperation, confusion, and something she'd never seen in another's eyes when they looked at her. Love? Impossible. Lust? More probable, but still unlikely.
"I know. But I also know that I will fight it as much as I can… But for right now, is there anything I can do?"
The Mazoku merely shook his head, his violet hair falling over his eyes once more as he bowed his head slightly . "I should go. You need sleep."
"Please," Lina begged, surprising them both when she clutched his arm. "Not yet. Just wait till I fall asleep."
A small smile quirked the corner of the priest's mouth as he nodded his assent. "Perhaps you'd care for a bath before bed?"
Lina smiled brightly as she nodded. "Yeah… I'll be out in a bit!" And with that she ran through the door next to the vanity, closing it quickly behind her.
Smiling at the young woman's antics, the Mazoku slowly moved off the bed to go stand before the large windows, gazing out into the starlit darkness beyond. As he stood there, he let his thoughts wander to the coming days, and nearly missed the quiet click as a door closed. A moment later, he felt Lina's hand rest gently on his arm.
"I'm all done," she said softly, and he knew she wouldn't press about his thoughts.
Moving his arm from her grasp, he reached out, hooked the sorceress by the waist, and carried her carefully to the bed. As she slid under the covers, he sat back against the headboard atop the blankets until she was ready, then he opened his arms to her. She uneasily leaned back against him, uncertain of herself as he tucked her head beneath his chin and curled his arms lightly around her. After a moment she relaxed into his comforting embrace and allowed her eyes to close contentedly. A slow smile graced her lips sleepily when she felt a hand begin to caress her still flat belly with surprising softness. It was to this gentle touch she drifted off to sleep, her fingers loosely curling into the sleeves of Xelloss' shirt.
With infinite care he shifted slightly and gingerly pulled his arm from beneath hers so he could gently lower her onto the bed. Just as he settled her onto the pillow, she mumbled softly and rolled towards him, curling up against his chest while successfully trapping his arm below her once more. Deciding he didn't particularly want to move anyway, he stretched out next to the young woman and slid his other arm gently over her.
Morning found the sorceress sprawled on her back beneath the plush blankets of her bed, Xelloss missing. Lina sighed. Just as well, how to explain that to anyone would have been interesting to say the least, she decided. With a yawn and a stretch, the sorceress slid out of her bed to change, opting for a new set of clothes she'd received from the maternity ward of the hospital. It turned out to be a pair of form-fitting black stretchy pants and a red sweater three sizes too big for her.
"Comfy," she grinned at her reflection in the mirror atop the vanity. Running a brush through her hair, she tamed the fly-aways that jutted away from her head in a rough and tumble halo. Much better, she deemed, satisfied. Ready now, she turned on her heel and left the room, making her way down to the dining hall where the others sat over morning coffee.
"Good morning everyone," she greeted as she pulled out a chair for herself.
She was welcomed with cheery good mornings from those about the table. "Long time no see, Lina," Gourry, dressed in the uniform of a knight, commented with a grin at the sorceress.
Sylphiel smiled shyly as she entwined her fingers with the swordsman's atop the table though she watched Lina for an adverse reaction. "Hello again, Lina-san. It's good to see you again."
"You too Sylphiel, Gourry." Lina beamed delightfully at those around the table as she seated herself.
The waiting servants placed several dishes before her as soon as she was comfortable. The still tiny sorceress dug in, listening while the others continued their conversation. She guessed that they had already eaten.
"Yes, Zelgadis-san and Zellas-san should be here shortly," Amelia was saying from her place to the right of her husband at the end of the table. She smiled brightly at them all and Lina wondered how the girl could be so happy all the time; she was married!
"Right," Akkari agreed with a nod. "They know of the party and so should be here before. I'm actually hoping to meet them before hand as Amelia and I will be kept busy for most of the evening." Reaching over, he squeezed Amelia's hand lovingly before turning his attention back to the others. "The joys of being royalty," he shrugged, making the others laugh.
"This meeting should prove to be interesting at least," Xelloss put in lightly. Taking a sip of his tea he glanced over at Lina through closed eyes.
She'd finished eating and had leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach habitually as the servants cleared away her dishes. Her amusement still danced in her ruby eyes and a smile pulled at her mouth. He smiled behind his cup. She looked radiant and the slow swelling of her belly was minute, hardly noticeable unless you were looking specifically.
"By the way, Lina, have you gained some weight?"
Gourry was immediately elbowed in the ribs by his fiancée with a cup of cold water, glass and all, hurled at him for good measure by the blushing sorceress. "Gourry! You never ask a woman that!" she snapped, flopping back into her chair and folding her arms over her middle defensively while glaring at the blonde.
"But you were always so thin before," the swordsman protested weakly, rubbing the tender red mark on his forehead. Lina only glared harder. Under normal circumstances she would have pounded the living-day-lights out of him but she didn't want to give the others a chance to see and make surmises of their own. This train of thought only made her blush slightly. It wasn't like that at all! … was it?
Xelloss hadn't said anything though he watched the sorceress carefully, noticing her blush. Is she ashamed that it is my child? The thought rang clear through his mind and he was surprised at his own dismay each time that he pondered the possibility. Perhaps he'd been wrong. That all this time she'd been pretending to actually have accepted the fact and was willing and happy to bear the child, but truly didn't want it at all. How could he have been so wrong in his assumptions?
"Come, Lina-san, let's go take a tour of the gardens, they're beautiful this time of year," the queen offered quickly in hopes to change the subject. Turning to Sylphiel, she extended the invitation. Quickly the three women left leaving the men to converse among themselves.
Gourry, still looking mildly confused, continued to rub his forehead. "Well she certainly hasn't lost her temper. But, what'd I do wrong?"
"Gourry," Akkari chuckled, "you should know that women are very sensitive about their weight and hate to be asked something like that. Why'd you ask anyway?"
The blonde shrugged slightly in response. "Just cuz I was curious. She's always been like a stick so I wanted to know why she let herself gain weight."
Akkari didn't know how to reply to that but his gaze swung to the demon who sat smiling back at them both. "So, Xelloss, do you have any idea why she'd have gained any, though it isn't much? Heck, I didn't even notice..."
"What about your dear wife," the Mazoku countered smoothly, his smile never wavering, "she's looking a little larger about the middle."
"So she is," the young king agreed with a proud smile. "But then, she's also got a very good reason."
"Oh?"
"She's pregnant with our first child."
Gourry's jaw dropped and Xelloss nodded as if he'd expected such an answer. Akkari still smiled proudly and the importance of questioning the priest fled his mind as he thought about his own wife and their future; just as the priest had planned.
"Ahem, Your Majesty?"
The three men turned to look at the guard standing at the door. "The two you were awaiting have just arrived, Sire."
"Good, show them in."
The guard bowed and quickly left to do his lord's wishes. Minutes later he returned followed by an ivory-cloaked man and a blonde woman in a black dress and golden jangles. "Introducing Zelgadis Gre…
"Xelloss!" the woman called, having caught sight of the priest seated at the table. He promptly stood and bowed to the woman as she strode over. "So this is where you've been hiding!"
Xelloss' eyebrows rose and he was about to answer when a blue skinned chimera strode over and set a hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"Not now, Zellas." Zellas seemed to pout as she turned to Zelgadis who'd nodded his greeting to the king then the blonde swordsman at his side. "Hello again Gourry."
"But Zel!" Zellas whined, her lower lip quivering slightly. "He's my minion."
"And normally I'd have no problem with you interrogating him but I would like some peace and quiet after our long trip," the chimera said firmly with a small smile to the Mazoku lord. Turning his attention back to those at the table, he continued on as he took a seat, Zellas copying his movements. "Where are Lina, Amelia and Sylphiel?"
"Oh, they're in the gardens," Akkari replied lightly. "It's good to see you again Zelgadis, it has been too long since your last visit. And I may assume that your lady friend is Zellas Metallium?" he asked flicking his eyes to the blonde.
"Hi! Yeah, I'm Zellas. Well I'm gonna leave you boys to do your thing and go find the girls. I'm sure Lina'd be so surprised to see me!" With a wide grin, the Beastmaster left, winking at the guards by the door.
"So is she all that bad to be around?" Gourry wondered with a pointed look at his old friend.
"She's... loopy," was all Zelgadis had to say.
- - - -
AN: Just a quick note about earlier in the chapter…. I've seen all the Slayers episodes except for the last tape (so last 3 or 4 eps) of Next… so I really have no idea if Xelloss and Sylphiel ever met… I have no idea what happened in those episodes except from the little bit that I've gleaned from fanfics… could anyone tell me? Then I could make any needed corrections. It would be greatly appreciated! Any reviews too? On to chapter four!