A/N: So, my beta PippElulu (THANKS BRUH) said I'm rushing chapters a little… I will certaintly be fixing that when I go through and clean up this story when it is finished.

Jeffery Mewtamer: I checked, and, if I go by English Peerage, then the feminine equivalent to an Earl is a Countess, so I've decided to just go by that.

Chapter 4 – The New Girl
Osaka Castle
27 June 073

Leon sat as his desk in his bedchamber, looking at the portrait miniature of Princess Momoko that Akatsuki had ordered to be done. He sighed; he didn't know if he wanted to marry her or not. However, he knew that Akatsuki would be pleased by it, and, although he didn't show it much, Leon wanted what was best for his brother. As he looked at the portrait, he couldn't help but feel enchanted by her: Her hair was golden and her eyes shone with happiness. He started to wonder if he should actually do it. It's not every day that the King suggests a marriage between you and a Princess.

His thoughts were interrupted, however, by a knock on the door. Leon turned in his chair as it opened.

"Your Grace, we are about to depart for the King's wedding. Are you ready?" Leon's best friend, and illegitimate brother, Yabu, the Earl of Kawasaki said. Yabu is only a few months younger than Leon, as his father had a mistress while their mother was carrying Leon and his twin brother. Leon's siblings were not especially fond of him, but Leon had a soft spot for him. After all, one can't decide who one is born to.

Leon sighed, "I guess I am." He put the miniature down. It made a small noise as the gold frame touched the table.

"Are you okay?" Yabu asked, stepping closer. He noticed the portrait, "My Goodness, who is that?"

"Princess Momoko of Albany; the King has suggested that I be betrothed to her." Leon said.

"I'd take it," Yabu said, after a moment of silence, "You don't get many Princesses looking like that these days." He was actually quite envious: He would marry the Princess based on looks alone in a heartbeat if he had the chance, and he probably would, if he weren't illegitimate.

"Well, I can't worry about that at the moment; I have to go watch my big brother get married, don't I? Took him long enough! He's nearly twenty-one!" Leon laughed and slapped Yabu on the back. Usually men were around Leon's age when they were married – eighteen.

Yabu laughed in confusion at Leon's sudden mood change. Although, considering it was Leon, he shouldn't be surprised at all.

Yabu walked to the door, "Come on, Your Grace, we mustn't leave everybody waiting. We can discuss the marriage later if you wish."

Osaka Abbey
27 June 073

Everyone sitting in the abbey cheered. The cheering carried on outside the abbey to all the citizens of Osaka standing outside.

Akatsuki and Doremi pulled away from the kiss and turned towards the screaming crowd, Akatsuki's arm around Doremi. Each had a huge smile on their face. Doremi spared a short glance at Poppu, who was sitting with their parents. Poppu looked back with a smile.

Akatsuki and Doremi slowly made their way out of the abbey, and were about to start entering the carriages for the journey back to Osaka Castle, when Doremi's father came up behind her.

"Doremi, my precious daughter."

Doremi turned around and embraced her father, "Oh, Lord Father, are you proud of me?"

Keisuke smiled, "Most proud. I never expected this when your mother delivered you seventeen years ago. You truly have risen to the top, and shall lead yourself and our family to greatness."

It was true; now that Doremi was Queen, Akatsuki would possibly grant Keisuke and his wife, Haruka, with lands and money. No matter who you were, you'd look forward to that.

"Are you coming to court with us, Lord Father? You should join in the celebrations. You can meet the King." She looked over at Akatsuki, who was talking to a few civilian people, a smile on his face.

Keisuke shook his head, "No, my dear. It took your mother and I a while to get here, we would like to get back."

"If you spend the night at court, Lord Father, you can leave tomorrow morning; you will not have to worry about nightfall. Please do so; I would greatly enjoy it if you were there." Doremi said

"Alright," Keisuke agreed, "How do we get to the Castle?"

"We could squeeze you into a carriage," Doremi turned around, "Your Majesty, my parents wish to come to court with the rest of us. Where shall they go for the journey back?"

Akatsuki looked around at the many carriages assembled, "They can go with your sister and the Earl of Kawasaki." He couldn't hide the small look of disgust that flittered across his face when he said the name of his illegitimate brother.

Doremi turned back around to her parents, "Follow me, then," she said, spotting Poppu not to far away. When she reached the carriage, she helped her parents inside. Poppu and Yabu sat facing opposite to Keisuke and Haruka.

Just as Doremi turned to leave, Haruka put her hand on Doremi's arm, "Be careful, my dear. You do not know what he may become. You do not know what he may do to you. You have heard it before, but until you have a son, you will never truly be safe."

She had heard it before; yet, her mother had a point. If Akatsuki died without a son of his own flesh and blood, who knows what Leon and Tooru would do.

"I will be careful, my Lady Mother. I swear to God that I will."

Haruka smiled and nodded at her daughter, and Doremi left to find Akatsuki.

(Line)

About ten minutes later, the carriages started to move, on the way to Osaka Castle. Haruka and Keisuke looked at the gathering people in awe.

"There's so many of them…" Haruka exclaimed.

"Not as many as there were at the coronation, Lady Mother." Poppu pointed out.

"Will you be staying with Doremi, Poppu?" Keisuke asked

"Yes. For the only other lady she knows before coming to court is Duchess Fujiwara, and she only remembers her slightly. I don't want her to be uncomfortable." Poppu replied

Haruka gasped and turned her face from the outside of the carriage to her daughter, "The little Fujiwara girl, the daughter to the Duke and the Countess? She was so sweet. How is she now?"

Poppu was a little surprised that her mother remembered her, "She is well, Lady Mother. She now goes by the title of Duchess Fujiwara, due to her having no brothers for her father to pass his title to."

"I am glad to know she is doing well. She got along so well with Doremi when they were companions…" Haruka sighed wistfully.

Poppu hesitated, "Lady Mother, did I have a companion when I was a small girl?"

"No," Haruka said, "You had Doremi; you already had somebody. Doremi was quite lonely when she was born, and Duchess Fujiwara was lonely too, as her older brother and sister both died when she was an infant."

It was silent for a minute or so, as nobody quite knew how they could continue the conversation. Keisuke, however, changed the topic.

"I take it you are the Earl of Kawasaki?"

Yabu nodded, "I am. And you are Lord Keisuke of Misora?"

"Yes, I am."

"Just Lord? Why not a peerage?" Yabu dared to ask

"The previous King never bothered to give me one, although he did give me title deeds to all land in Misora, and said that I could be the Lord of it all. I hope His Majesty, the current King, will upgrade my title." Keisuke said.

"I hope so too, although, with your daughter as Queen, it would be foolish not to expect it." Yabu grinned.

Keisuke laughed in agreement, "I agree completely!"

Poppu and Haruka looked at each other, having already given up at Keisuke's behaviour. They sighed.

"Lord Kawasaki," Poppu suddenly said to Yabu, "Is it true you're the King's illegitimate brother?"

The smile instantly dropped from Yabu's face. This wasn't a topic he enjoyed, "Yes. And I wish it weren't true every day."

The rest of the trip was a quiet one. Nobody dared to speak after that.

Osaka Castle
27 June 073

Akatsuki led Doremi onto an open space on the 'dance floor' – in reality, it was the open court area adjacent to the dining hall, yet so many people were dancing there, that quite a few had nicknamed it the dance floor. Doremi giggled as Akatsuki twirled her around and danced with her.

"I have to visit your chambers tonight… I trust you know why." Akatsuki said

"No…" Doremi replied, confused.

Akatsuki sighed, "Doremi, it's our wedding night. I'm going to be taken to your bedchamber, no matter what."

"Oh…" Doremi said, realising what he meant. She suddenly felt very nervous.

"Are you okay?" Akatsuki asked, feeling Doremi tense in his arms.

"Yeah, I just wish to sit down… too much dancing."

Akatsuki led Doremi over to her throne so she could watch everyone dance and, of course, sit down, "You don't have to stay," she said, "Go and have fun. I won't be moving."

"…Alright," Akatsuki hesitantly agreed, and walked into the crowd.

Doremi calmed herself down and amused herself by watching others dance and have fun. She soon saw Lady Megumi walking towards her.

"Your Majesty," she said, "Are you well?"

"Most well," Doremi replied. She looked at Megumi's swollen abdomen; she was eight months pregnant, "You're leaving for your confinement, aren't you now?"

Megumi nodded, "I am, but I will be back as soon as my body permits me."

Doremi shook her head, "No, you must make sure your baby is strong and healthy and doing well before you come back. I don't want you to leave a weak babe. I have other ladies, I'll be fine."

Megumi smiled, "You're so generous, Your Majesty. However, I will still come back to court once I know all is well."

"Okay, my dear." Doremi couldn't believe how queenly and polite she sounded. Just two weeks ago, she was throwing mud at Poppu after a storm while screaming about how she'd be lucky to marry a baron. She destroyed a great dress that day.

Megumi curtsied before Doremi and bowed her head, "I shall see you soon, Your Majesty."

Doremi sighed as she watched Megumi walk off. Soon she'd be losing another lady; Hiriko was five months gone with a child also.

Hazuki suddenly caught Doremi's eye. She stood and made her way over to her.

"Duchess Fujiwara, how are you?"

Hazuki curtsied, "I am well. I was just talking to Prince Fujio… he is very sweet."

"I am glad to hear that. The King thought that you two looked quite nice together." Doremi replied.

Hazuki couldn't help but blush. She tried hard to stop the red from growing on her cheeks, but it didn't work. She changed the subject, "There's a lady here who wishes to meet you. I believe she's the daughter to a Lord. I think he's a bit of an odd man in my opinion, but, who knows, she may be different."

"Is she in my chamber now?"

"Yes, she is waiting for you, although I can't say she's in a hurry." Hazuki replied

"Well, let's go anyway. Will you walk with me?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Doremi and Hazuki made their way to Doremi's chambers. They entered the presence chamber and found someone sitting in one of the chairs.

She wore a deep blue gown with green trailing the edges of the fabric. Her hair was left bare without a headdress, it reaching about her elbows, curling slightly at the end. If a woman's hair was down, it suggested virginity, although the fact that it didn't have a headdress with it was a bit odd.

The girl looked up at Doremi's entrance and hopped up and curtsied to the floor, "Your Majesty."

"You may rise."

The girl obeyed and stood, seeing Hazuki for the first time, "Duchess Fujiwara." Hazuki was a well-recognised girl. Hazuki nodded her head in response.

"What is your name?" Doremi asked.

"Lady Aiko Senoo. Daughter to Lord Kouji Senoo, he's a baron, by the way." Aiko quietly laughed to herself, as if the fact that her father was a baron was a surprise.

"A strange man at times, yet quite influential," Hazuki whispered into Doremi's ear.

Doremi nodded, "I hear you want to be one of my ladies?" she sat down; Hazuki and Aiko copied.

Aiko nodded, "I do. I'm hoping that coming to court will give me a higher chance of finding a husband. I don't wish to grow old and bitter."

"That is the only reason?" Doremi asked suspiciously. Isn't she supposed to want to serve her? Not get a husband.

"Oh, well, I want to serve you, of course. I'm a bit lonely back home."

"And where would that be?" Doremi asked

Aiko looked around, "Eh… not too far away, actually. My father is the Baron of a small city here in Osaka."

Doremi didn't quite know how she felt about Aiko, yet, she couldn't turn her down.

"You may be one of my ladies. Come down to the wedding celebrations with the rest of us. I can't leave you here."

Aiko laughed, "Oh, that's a relief. I thought you wouldn't want me."

Doremi looked at her for a second before standing up, which meant Hazuki and Aiko had to do the same. She left, with Hazuki and Aiko still standing in the chamber.

Hazuki eyed the new addition suspiciously.

"What?" Aiko asked

"Don't go causing any trouble."

"How and why will I cause trouble?" Aiko asked, "Don't worry about me. I just wasn't raised quite formal. I hope you can help me change that."

Hazuki made a small noise of acknowledgement and left.

Doremi was sitting on her throne once again. Prince Leon was sitting next to her and keeping her company. He was talking about the marriage suggestion to Princess Momoko.

"What if I take it and a better suggestion comes up? Then what?"

"But what if you don't take it and then you never get a chance to marry wealthy again." Doremi said.

Leon sighed. He was about to respond when Poppu walked up to them with Hiriko at her side.

They curtsied, "Your Majesty, my dear sister," Poppu greeted, "Are you ready to come to your chambers?"

Doremi paused, "Uh… Yes," she turned to Leon, "It was pleasant speaking with you, Prince Leon, I hope you are able to make a decision soon."

Leon nodded, "It was a pleasure for me also."

Doremi got up and followed Poppu and Hiriko to her bedchamber.

"I'm really nervous," Doremi admitted as Hiriko closed the door. Her ladies were going to prepare her for her and Akatsuki to consummate their marriage.

Hiriko smiled, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. It isn't bad at all. And soon you will conceive an heir. All will be well."

"I hope so."

Hazuki and Aiko helped Doremi out of her heavy gown and into a very pale pink nightgown. It went down to about her knees and slightly showed off her cleavage.

It wasn't that long before Akatsuki entered Doremi's bedchamber. Her ladies bowed their heads and excused themselves. Now it was just Akatsuki and Doremi.

"Hey," Akatsuki said, walking up to Doremi. He sensed her nervousness, "it's okay."

Doremi nodded, "Okay."

They kissed, and as it intensified, Akatsuki led Doremi to her large bed. It was in this moment that she knew she loved Akatsuki – that she was a lucky woman to be with someone she loved, not with someone that would grant her family power, or her his. Sure, he was King, but that wasn't the point. She loved him and he loved her.

And that's all that matters.

A/N: Okay, so I actually didn't know how to end this chapter because I felt that it was getting quite long. I never got to include more stuff with Leon and Momoko… that'll be in the next chapter.

Doremi will be having her 18th birthday soon… And don't worry about legal ages. In Medieval times, girls could be legally married at age 14.

I would've changed the very end of this chapter, however I couldn't think of anything else to put there.