Claimer: I own Inuyasha!

-Rumiko Takahashi brandishes a machine gun-

I mean…

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Set Me Free
Chapter Four

"Then Miroku…why don't you tell her?" Kagome asked.

"Well-" Miroku started; only to be interrupted by Inuyasha coming in with breakfast.

"Four breakfasts ready to serve!" he called as he placed the plates and drinks on the table in front of Kagome and Miroku.

"Thank you Inuyasha" Kagome said, taking a plate from the table and beginning to eat her breakfast. "Sango! Come eat breakfast!" she called

Sango emerged from Miroku and Inuyasha's room and sat down on a chair next to Inuyasha and began to eat.

There was a knock on the door and Kagome's mother peeked her head into the room. "Kagome? May I have a word with you please?" she asked.

"Of course mother." Kagome said, standing up and walking towards the door. Before leaving she turned back to look at her slaves. "Once you are done with your breakfasts, Sango you need to clean the chambers. Miroku, I need you to bring the laundry downstairs and bring up clean sheets for Sango to make the beds. And Inuyasha, I need you to bring the dishes back to the kitchen and place an order for our lunch." She said, they all nodded and she left the room.

"Yes mother? What do you need to talk to be about?" Kagome asked her mother as the walked down the hall towards Lady Higurashi's room.

"I just wanted to commend you on how well you are handling your slaves. I know that this isn't what you wanted, but I am glad that you seem happy." Her mother said.

"Thank you mother. I am trying my best to make you proud in everything I do." Kagome said, "Is there anything else you need from me mother?"

"Yes, I need you to go to the court today to fill out the paperwork regarding your new slaves. Your presence was also requested in the queen's chambers in two hours. So I suggest you go and begin getting ready."

"Yes mother" Kagome said and left her mother's room calmly. As soon as the door closed behind her Kagome was thrown into a panic. She ran down the hall and into her chambers.

"Sango! Come here!" she yelled and Sango came running out of Kagome's bedroom.

"Yes Miss Kagome? What do you need?" Sango asked, bowing quickly.

"My mother has chosen now to tell me that the queen wants to see me in two hours. I need to get ready and get ready fast!"

"All right Miss Kagome. Calm down. We can do this, let's go get you dressed." Sango said, walking into Kagome's room.

Sango opened Kagome's armoire, revealing all of her best gowns. "What color do you want to wear Miss Kagome?"

"Well if I am appearing in court I always where blue and white because they are the colors of the Higurashi family."

"All right, well I suggest this one" Sango said, pulling a blue velvet and white lace dress; it was simple and yet incredibly elegant.

"That's perfect Sango, thank you. I need your help lacing the back and then I need you to go and get Yura to do my hair.

"Yes Miss Kagome." Sango said.

Kagome slipped out of the dress she had been wearing and Sango helped her into the other dress. She pulled the laces tight as Kagome's body would allow and she then tied the dress, tucking the laces in and then exited the room to go and find Yura.

"Miss Kagome! Yura is here!" Sango called into the chambers when she returned fifteen minutes after she had left and Kagome walked out of her room. She sat down on a stool in front of Yura, who immediately dove into her job.

"How would like your hair done Miss Kagome?" Yura asked

"Well I am appearing in court in less than two hours and I need to look presentable for my audience with the queen." Kagome explained, hoping Yura would know what to do based on that.

"All right. I think I can do something that will certainly impress her majesty." Yura said.

"Thank you" Kagome said, tilting her head back so Yura could brush her hair and she then glanced over to Sango, "Thank you very much Sango. You can go back to what you were doing now."

Sango bowed, "Yes Miss Kagome" she said and then left the main room of Kagome's chambers.

It took Yura almost an hour to finish Kagome's hair, but it looked perfect. It was drawn back into an elaborate curled bun with strands of peals woven into her thick black hair. A few tendrils fell out of the bun to frame her face.

Kagome looked into the mirror and smiled, "It's perfect, thank you Yura."

"You're very welcome Miss Kagome." Yura said with a bow and she left the room. Kagome slipped into her nicest pair of blue high heeled shoes and walked out of her chambers. She walked to the front door of the manor and walked out into the sunshine. The carriage had been waiting for her so she climbed in and was on her way to the castle.

Why would the queen want to talk with me? Kagome wondered to herself as she looked out the window of the carriage. I don't even appear in court yet, and I won't until next year, so why would she want to see me? I don't understand at all.

The carriage came to a gradual stop as it pulled up in front of castle. The doorman opened the door and helped Kagome out of the carriage. She walked up the stairs and through the large stone doors and into the castle. She walked down the great hall before someone found her.

"Kagome Higurashi?" the maid asked.

"Yes. I was sent for; do you know where I am supposed to go?"

"Yes, I am here to bring you to the queen's chambers, follow me please Miss." The maid said, with a quick bow.

Kagome followed her up two flights of stairs and down a long hallway until the maid stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. She knocked on the door and opened it enough to get her head in and Kagome heard her say, "Your majesty? Kagome Higurashi is here to see you."

"Yes, show her in."

The maid withdrew her head and closed the door, "The queen will see you now." She then opened the door all the way, bowing to Kagome and she closed the door behind her.

Kagome looked around her surroundings in awe. Everything so regal and beautiful definitely fit for a queen. She looked in front of her to see the queen seated on the couch wearing an elegant dress of purple and white, the royal family's colors. The room was littered with ladies-in-waiting and there was one man sitting on the queen's right hand side talking to her. Kagome slowly approached the queen and curtsied low to the ground in front of her.

"Your majesty, I am honored that you wished to speak with me." She said; her eyes directed at the floor.

"You may rise Kagome Higurashi. I am very glad that you have come. I would like to introduce you to Prince Hojo; he is visiting from the Eastern Kingdom for a while."

Hojo stood up from his place on the couch and approached Kagome. She curtsied and he kissed her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Kagome." he said.

"The pleasure is all mine Prince Hojo, I hope that you enjoy your stay here in the Central kingdom." (A/n: my kingdom system might be a little confusing. So I'll break it down: there are four main kingdoms, north, south, east and west. The central kingdom is where all the kingdoms come together, so it's basically where the king and queen of all four lands rule and the other four kings from the other kingdoms go to the main court on occasions. Got it?)

"I am sure I will. It was very nice meeting you. Your Majesty, I must be going now." Hojo said, addressing Kagome and then the queen.

The queen nodded, "Thank you for visiting Prince Hojo. I hope you will visit once more before you leave so we can discuss the matter further."

"Of course your majesty." Hojo said with a bow and then he left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Come sit down Kagome" the queen said, patting the space next to her.

Kagome moved over to the couch and sat down next to the queen.

"So, Kagome; what do you think of Prince Hojo?" the queen asked.

"Well, he seems like a perfect gentleman, very nice and very handsome."

"Oh, that is what I think too!" the queen said, "I'm glad you think so Kagome, because I called you here today to talk about your marriage."

"My…my…marriage?" Kagome asked, not knowing what else to say.

"Yes dear. I would very much like you to marry Prince Hojo. It would be a wise move politically and you would be doing your kingdom quite a service. Your mother agrees with me."

"You have talked to my mother about this?" Kagome asked, getting angry at her mother for not mentioning marriage sooner.

"Yes."

"But, your majesty, wouldn't it be more appropriate for Prince Hojo to marry a princess? I am only a Lady." Kagome said, trying to get herself out of the situation.

"Kagome, do not worry. This marriage will go through, and will help our kingdom greatly. You do want to help your kingdom don't you?"

"Of course I do your majesty. I am honored you have chosen me and I will do all I can to make you happy." Kagome said submissively.

"Thank you Kagome and your kingdom thanks you as well. You may go now."

Kagome stood up and took a few paces away before turning and curtsying to the queen one last time.

"I will send for you again in time Kagome. I cannot wait to talk to you again." The queen said warmly.

"Nor can I your majesty" Kagome said with a smile. She then turned and exited the room. As soon as she exited the room so took a few steps and then leaned against the wall. Her legs gave out under her and she slid down to the floor. It was hard for her to breathe in that position, but she couldn't have cared less. She put her head in her hands and took a deep breath.

What am I going to do? She thought to herself, what am I going to do?

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Authoress' note: so…how was that? How about that plot twist? I know you love it! Well review and I'll have the next chapter up as soon as possible!