A/N: Sniff, sniff. Please don't forget to review. I'm trying to keep up, sorry that I have chronic writer's block everyone.
Chapter 7: My gracious lady, and my son
She appreciated that he had acted boldly before such an important presence, but she really couldn't believe why he had acted like that. Sesshomaru was up and well, he had already resigned his efforts to gain the trust of the Marchioness back. Instead, he was now watching his back a lot and that of his bride. He had granted her another title and gained nothing but the anger of the Monarch who was most likely plotting his gracious Lady's death by some means.
She became Ayame of Guise and Willoughby. And people cheered her, especially hose whom she had helped in the past with economic troubles and starvation. She gained territory, a lot more than she needed, in the West. A grand palace, two middle sized ones and for some odd reason, since the past Duke of Guise had conquered so many forts alongside the East she had gained those thirteen forts. Some questioned the possession of thirteen forts at once, if she were but a mere woman. Others thought she might have a reason, and some didn't even ask.
Sesshomaru gave her more than he realized, but then again, who could tell him what to do with his own lands.
Sesshomaru didn't know what he was doing wrong, but she would not let him do anything but caress her in bed anymore. He would lie there all night hoping that she would change her mind because he could take his desire in no longer.
Ayame bathed and ate and slept during most of the day if she wasn't knitting or working on embroidery. He also feared for her unstable temper and the lack of exercise making her noticeably chubby.
The three foreign princesses had arrived to Sesshomaru's utter bewilderment and how would he dare explain to the weeping maiden in his bed.
"You should have swallowed your love for me…I am nothing compared to Margaret of Austria…the Duchess of Alva! How could not even mention anything…you greedy selfish dog!" she sobbed hoping not to disturb the being within her womb.
"I couldn't help it…stop crying woman. I can't have a hysterical woman on my bed like this…it'll be all over the country. You'd better be good for our sakes" he half threatened half pleaded
"No I will not stop crying you insolent man! I want peace…leave me and my baby in peace…leave us alone!" she cried looking down at her slightly rounded belly. Sesshomaru noticed it just then… she was pregnant!
"Ayame…you are pregnant!" she almost felt like dropping dead then
"You have been so busy lately, that you have failed to notice!" she cried. His expression changed completely…he was going to be a father!
"…ba-b-baby!" he stammered pulling the covers from her shoulders to her knees. He couldn't help when tears fell from his eyes at the sight of her rounded womb. He threw his arms around her nude body and hugged her tenderly.
"Let it be a boy…" he muttered
"Yes, a boy. He'll be our boy…a prince…we have five more months yet to wait though" she said rather disappointed.
She was left dumbfounded when he ran out of the room for some unknown reason to her. He came back.
"Will you marry me, my most Gracious, virtuous, gentle loving Lady?" it was her turn to cry to the sight of a large golden diamond ring. She covered her face in hands and then looked up again. He was unusually happy he took of another ring in her hand to place the new one in. It was too costly for a regular ring.
He noticed the tiny black pearls typical of the north and frowned bitterly remembering her previous marriage to the former King of the Borders. She noticed this, and gave him an apologetic look.
"You have been with another man" he said still holding the ring in his hand
"…he is dead" she said. He looked stern, just for a little bit. But it all went away as he caught sight of her swollen stomach; Sesshomaru proceeded to put the ring on her engagement finger and kissed it lovingly.
"You, my gracious lady, are to be my wife. And my son…we must make preparations for our wedding and his christening!"
Ayame giggled. He was exited, and they still had yet many months to go.
They all watched her eat sweetmeats and only the most proper foods during her pregnancy. Even the Lord would not let her go unprotected and he took the most rigorous precautions. The she had not only to protect herself but the baby, their son.
"This sword!"
"Yes" he untied a red and yellow ribbon from his waist and tied it around hers and arranging the sword on her side.
"No" she said undoing it
"No?"
"I know not how to use swords Sesshomaru. My strength will suffice. Don't you forget I have been brought up in the mountains" she reminded. He ignored her and replaced it.
"You don't need to use it. It is a shield…from my father. It will protect you both" said the Lord looking at her belly.
He bent and kissed it. She smiled, how could she have not told him? He was a loving man, and would be the same as a father.
A/N: It's not to long. I apologize, but things happen fast enough in this chapter. Also I will put something regarding Inuyasha's arranged marriage next time…hey, how's a double wedding?