A/N: Sorry for taking so long again! I'm writing as I go, but maybe I'll end up building up a few chapters. If the different POVs are confusing, I'm sorry about that too, because I'm just trying to tell the story from different views. Anyway, I've been thinking, I need a beta reader, so if anyone's interested, it would be really awesome if you pm me or put it in a review. Thanks, once again, and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Red River manga.
Bastet
"They have arrived, your Majesty. It's time to get ready." Ilbani informed Prince Kail. I continued glaring.
"This wasn't part of the plan." I said through gritted teeth.
"What else would you be here for? You wouldn't be a musician in your condition. They'd accuse you of being a disobedient woman." Prince Kail explained.
"First of all, I already know I'm a disobedient woman. I walked away from the User Ramses, remember? Second of all, what does my condition have to do with anything? I can be a widow or something that has no man to take care of her."
"Anyone can see you are already a woman with a fine life. You can't just go act like a beggar." He replied. "Do you want to give us away? Now hurry and sit down. You shouldn't be so stressed right now."
"Mention my pregnancy one more time. I really want you to, because I'm still capable of knocking someone into next week." Kail stopped me.
"Before you go threatening royalty, remember that is a capital offense, Bastet. I'd recommend you sit down quietly, before I have you brought back to Hittite."
"It's not fair to Yuri." I grumbled. "Even in pretend, she should be sitting beside you, not me."
"I really don't mind, Bastet. Just sit down." Yuri said, worried. But, I knew it was only because she knew I could go into premature labor because of the stress. I sighed.
I cried in defeat, and eased myself into the throne next to Prince Kail's. Yuri took her place next to the girls, as a servant. We were about to meet instrumental people in the capture of the city, but I didn't care. I leaned on the side of one of the chair's arms in exhaustion.
They'd prepared me the whole day with all the Hittite clothing customs. My strapless white dress was gone, and in its place was a blue dress with butterfly sleeves. The curly hair I barely managed with a braid was forced out of its twist and the gold headband I usually wore was replaced with a simple silver chain that fell slightly into a V to support a teardrop gem's weight. It was all very different, but it was comfortable at least.
"I know you're tired, but you've got to sit up, Bastet." Yuri urged. I yawned, and sat up straight.
"Meet the prince and princess of Hittite!" Ilbani announced, grandly. The doors opened, and in walked bearded men with scrutinizing faces. They bowed before us, and kissed our hands.
"Your Majesty, I did not hear of your marriage!" One man said in surprise. "And a child on the way as well! I wish you both the best." He feigned. I smiled a small smile, acting like the obedient wife I was supposed to be.
"Oh, yes. And I'm hoping for another." Yuri was on Prince Kail's other side, and he bent down and picked her up. She became rigid, but tried to act as ditzy as possible.
"A concubine too? Smart man!" he told Prince Kail. I rolled my eyes inwardly. Funny how these situations keep occurring.
"Anyway, I'd like to keep this meeting brief, as I know you're busy. We've come to invite you to a feast."
"And is the invitation extended towards my wife and servants?" I winced at being called his wife, and prayed no one was particularly paying attention.
"Unfortunately, this is a man's feast. No women allowed." A gruff man said quickly. They most definitely didn't want anyone else here. Very suspicious.
"What a shame." I chimed in, a beautiful smile on my face. "I may be in my condition, but it would have been such a nice way to enjoy my last few weeks."
"Yes, well, it's not possible by law; therefore, there is a death penalty for it. You should rest, and stay as far away from that feast as possible." The same man replied. My smile turned cold instantly.
"Oh, come now, something so secret it must be kept from a woman? It couldn't be-." Then I saw how many people were glaring at me, including people on my side.
"You should practice keeping your wife in check, Your Highness." The man growled.
"I am not a dog at someone's beck and call! I-."
Oh crap.
Yuri
Bastet stood up as quickly as possible, as if something was in her seat. Then, I looked down, and saw there was. There was a simultaneous gasp in the group—her water broke.
Oh crap.
"I'll contact you later about this subject, gentlemen." And Prince Kail, acting as if he was actually the father, helped Bastet walk to a bed.
"Are you okay?" I asked, straggling along. She nodded.
"Other than the fact that I just went into labor in the middle of a meeting? Yeah, pretty much. It doesn't even hurt yet, really. But, uh, no one would know how to deliver a baby, would they?" she asked, nervous. Hadi stepped forward.
"I do." She said, and took the lead. We finally got down the long corridor to a room, and she nearly slipped if it wasn't for Prince Kail's hand.
"Wow. That's pretty embarrassing." Bastet mumbled, sitting down on the bed.
"Ryui and Shala, go get some sheets. This might get messy." Hadi directed. Just then, Bastet's face grimaced in pain, and she started breathing harder, but she still pushed words through.
"Hadi, I know you don't like me, but if you mess this up on purpose-." Bastet left her sentence opened. Hadi rolled her eyes.
"I won't take out my contempt on a child. Now just breathe, and stop trying to talk."
Bastet cried out, and she grabbed for Horus's hand. He knelt down beside her.
"I know you are in pain, but it'll get better, Bastet." He reassured.
"Just a few more seconds." Hadi added. I watched as Bastet's face slowly returned to normal. She sighed in relief.
"Prince Kail, you won't want to see this. You should go back to the men." She said. He nodded, and left along with Ilbani.
"You need to rest." Hadi told her. "You probably won't be able to sleep through the pain, but just try to relax." Bastet nodded in compliance.
The twins returned with sheets, and Hadi instructed Bastet to turn over so she could put them under her legs.
"You should change into something more comfortable. Where are your night clothes?" Hadi asked.
"In that bag over there." She told her. I helped her change when Ryui found them and Bastet laid back down.
"Isn't it too early for this, Hadi?" Bastet asked, worry splayed on her face.
"It is. I'm a bit worried about that." She replied. "But you need to just worry about getting the baby out when you need to."
"But if she's not big enough, what happens then?" she asked. Hadi looked down, then back up in determination.
"She won't be. She'll be okay, Bastet. She must just be ready to come out. You are huge, you know. It might as well be now than later, so you don't injure yourself. Now, I'll let a few contractions go by before I see how far along you are."
"You know I'm 33 weeks today."
"That's not the number I'm talking about." Bastet puzzled this for a moment.
"Oh!" Bastet suddenly looked very bashful.
She went through several more contractions, each one spaced about fifteen minutes or less.
"Bastet, you're way ahead of schedule. Honestly, I can see her head already." Hadi informed her.
"What?" Bastet screamed. "Oh no, there is absolutely no way I'm ready to-." She was cut short by a contraction.
"Bastet, you need to push really easy. Don't hurt yourself." Hadi instructed.
"Hadi, I shouldn't have to push yet!"
"Just be quiet and do it!" Hadi shouted back. Bastet's face scrunched up as she started to push.
"Help me hold her leg, Yuri." Hadi commanded. I was instantly by her side. "Ease up a bit, Bastet, you're going to tear." Bastet stopped trying to push.
"Good job, wait a few seconds before you push again."
That happened a lot more throughout the night, but finally, an exhausted Bastet pushed the baby out completely.
"Bastet, he's perfect!" I told her as Hadi washed the new born baby boy off. She just smiled though, as tears streamed down her cheeks and her chest heaved. She looked exhausted. Hadi lowered the baby into his mother's arms.
The baby was a golden color, lighter than Bastet, and had the strangest eyes: one brown and one gold. The eyes were scrunched up then, as his little fists thrust into the air. Blond hair was already growing on his head in tufts.
"Hi, baby." She whispered hoarsely, smiling down at the child. "Your father was right, you know. You look just like him."
And that was when chaos set in.
Bastet's face suddenly showed pain again.
"Hadi, what's wrong?" I ask. Bastet allows Horus to take the baby through the pain, causing him to start crying.
"It could be the afterbirth, but-." she started as she looked down. Her face turned white.
"What's happening?" Bastet groaned.
"You're going to have to push again." Hadi replied urgently.
"What do you mean?" then realization dawned on her face. "Oh my God."
"Push, Bastet, one should do it." Bastet did as she was told. I resumed my job holding her leg. Bastet was full out sobbing now, and she looked like she was about to throw up. With the baby wailing as well, it was very loud.
That push got the second baby out.
A/N: Did you see that one coming? Probably. But I really hope ya'll liked it anyway! And whether you did didn't, tell me in a REVIEW so I can fix it or know to keep it. ;)
Oh, and sidenote: sorry for the short chapter, I'm trying to make an effort to SLOW DOWN.