A/N: Eh. There's a four month time-skip.
I didn't plan on this chapter happening on Christmas so soon after Christmas… it was just the time I needed.
I'm writing this chapter with a winter setting on a 39°C day. Help me. (102.2°F)
P.S: Reading reviews for previous chapters, I can see that some of you want there to be more LeAi scenes. Wait a few more chapters and there will be.
Chapter 7 - Christmas Surprise
Kyoto Palace
23 December 073
Brother…
My wife, Princess Momoko has felt her child quicken. We were all very pleased with this event and continue to hope for a healthy child. We will not be joining you for the Christmas festivities. I will be staying here in Tokyo with the Princess, for I do not wish for her to travel in this weather. I have sent you and your wife's gifts along with this letter. I hope you enjoy.
Leon.
Akatsuki looked down where the page boy had placed the small package that came with his letter. He folded the letter back up and put it down. "Page!" he called.
A young man walked in wearing the colours of Akatsuki's royal house; burgundy and white, "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Please fetch me the Queen."
The page bowed his head and left, returning a few minutes later with Doremi, and left the two of them in private.
"What is it?" Doremi asked, making her way over to Akatsuki.
"My brother, Prince Leon, left his Christmas gifts for us. They came in one package, so I thought we may open them together." Akatsuki replied, sitting down.
"Of course," Doremi took a seat next to him.
Akatsuki opened the package, finding two boxes inside. He handed the one with Doremi written in a neat cursive hand on it to Doremi, and brought the one with his own name on it closer to him.
Doremi opened her box. Inside was a thick golden chain necklace with a pink flower on the end and an expensive ring. She smiled and glanced over at Akatsuki, who had received a burgundy cloak with silver embroidery.
"They're lovely. We must send my brother his gift, along with his wife's." Akatsuki said, rising.
Doremi rose, "I shall leave you to it, then, Your Majesty. However, before I go, I ask of you to please order me some more of those expensive pastries I like. I have a craving for them."
Akatsuki smiled, "Of course."
Doremi kissed Akatsuki on the cheek and left, taking her new jewellery with her.
"Doremi what is that?" Poppu gasped with excitement, joining her sister on the trip back to Doremi's chambers.
Doremi smiled and held up the gifts she received from Leon. Poppu's jealousy was clear on her face, causing Doremi to laugh, "You can wear them sometimes, sister. You've worn practically every piece of clothing or jewellery I own!"
"I have to make sure they fit and are comfortable!" Poppu laughed.
The two of them entered Doremi's chamber and made their way through to the inner part. Nobody else was inside. Nobody was permitted to be in the Queen's inner chambers without the Queen present.
Doremi handed Poppu the jewels and immediately headed over to a chair sitting beside the large fireplace and grabbed the big fur cloak that was draped over it. She wrapped it tight around her.
"You're cold, Doremi?" Poppu asked. She set down the jewels, "It's not too bad today." She checked the window to make sure it was fully shut and added more wood to the fireplace. Doremi sat down in front of it to warm up.
"Today's just been one of those days. I woke up feeling ill and got a headache once that passed. I don't know what it is, probably the weather. It happened yesterday too." Doremi told Poppu nonchalantly.
Poppu sat down opposite her sister, "Perhaps you're with child. When was the last time you bled?"
Doremi shrugged slightly, "I don't know. It has been a while. But then again, it usually is."
Poppu's face filled up with happiness and she leaned forward and grabbed Doremi's hands, "Doremi, you could be with child! You must go and get the midwife and see if it's true."
"We mustn't get too ahead of ourselves, Poppu," Doremi said calmly, thinking of the time where she thought she was pregnant in October.
"Can't you at least be hopeful," Poppu whined, standing up, "What happened? You're way too serious to be the real Doremi."
Doremi sighed, "I'll see the midwife if it'll make you happy."
Poppu smiled and hugged her sister, "It will! I'll get her to come here to court. You can see her tomorrow."
Kyoto Palace
24 December 073
"I'm sorry to bring you here so incredibly close to Christmas, my Lady, but I believe I may be with child." Doremi said to the midwife.
The midwife pursed her lips. It was the same woman who told Doremi back in October that she wasn't with child. The symptoms were simply a coincidence.
"Well, come on then. Let me examine you." She led Doremi into her inner chambers.
The midwife exited the chamber, only to find Poppu right in her face, "Is my sister the Queen with child?" she exclaimed.
The midwife stepped back. She was a middle-aged woman with greying hair and a wrinkled face. She had attended Akatsuki's mother at almost all of her pregnancies and births. Poppu's actions didn't surprise her.
"I believe so. It's very early though, any earlier and I wouldn't be able to tell. Take care of her, and don't let her lose the child." She started to leave.
"Wait!" Poppu called, "Aren't you going to stay with the Queen throughout the pregnancy?"
"Of course not, I'd rather be at my home in Chiba right now. I'll come to court in spring. Surely you can keep her safe until then."
"That was a bit rude," Poppu thought. She entered Doremi's chamber and saw her sister sitting on the end of her four-poster bed.
Doremi looked up at her fourteen-year-old sister, "I'm… I'm with child," she said with tears in her eyes.
Poppu smiled and wrapped her arms around Doremi, "Finally, your day has come. I can finally be an aunt." Doremi laughed at that comment.
"I'll tell Akatsuki tomorrow. This is a true Christmas miracle." Doremi sighed happily.
Akatsuki was sitting in his privy chamber with Fujio, continuing to organise Fujio and Hazuki's wedding. It took a few months, but Fujio finally agreed to it. Akatsuki wouldn't admit it openly, but Fujio was his favourite brother and he wasn't going to force him into a marriage. Besides, it kept his mind off of finding Tooru a match.
"I'll give you Osaka as your primary non-court residence if you wish. You are the Duke of Osaka, after all." Akatsuki offered.
"Thank you," Fujio said, "And you can of course bring the court to visit sometimes."
"That would be nice," Akatsuki said, "Duchess Fujiwara is at her home in Nagoya right now, but when she returns after Christmastide, we will get her fitted into a wedding gown, and your wedding will happen mid-January. Or we can wait until spring."
Fujio shook his head, "No, brother. Mid-January is fine."
Akatsuki nodded and scribbled something down.
"So, how is Leon going? All is well, I trust?" Fujio asked, trying to start a conversation.
"He is well, yes. I received a letter from him yesterday. The Princess has felt the child quicken." Akatsuki replied.
"Oh, that is such wonderful news!" Fujio said with happiness, "I can't wait for the day where I can experience joy like that!"
"Neither can I," Akatsuki drawled without the emotion that Fujio expressed.
Fujio's smiled dropped and he patted his brother's back, "Don't worry, brother. We are a fertile family, it shan't be long now."
Akatsuki sighed, "But what if Doremi's family isn't? What if she's barren? I can't let Leon and Tooru fight over the crown, and they wouldn't let me hand it to you. I should've married Princess Momoko instead."
Fujio shook his head, "Don't be ridiculous. You are meant to be with Doremi, and the Princess is meant to be with Leon. They are great together."
Tokyo Castle
24 December 073
"Your Grace, are you alright?" Onpu asked, rushing up to Momoko who was sitting on her bed crying.
Momoko shook her head and furiously wiped her eyes, "No… I just saw my husband with a mistress."
"What did you see?" Onpu gasped, sitting down.
"Things that I shouldn't have," Momoko replied dully, "That is no way to treat your wife."
"But you're with child. The midwives say it is bad to engage in intercourse while in that state." Onpu said.
"Leon thought that it didn't apply to him, I guess. He doesn't care about me anymore. He was so nice to me until he found out I was with child. Then he got bored and turned his eyes elsewhere. He doesn't find pregnant women attractive."
Onpu frowned, "Don't let it get you down. He's a young man who used to sleep with every woman at court before he married you. People say he has rights as a Prince to take a mistress while you're with child, but that's absolute rubbish. He'll return to you afterwards."
"I hope so." Momoko replied.
The door opened, and a guard stood aside to allow somebody to walk in. Both ladies glanced over and saw Beth walking in. She curtseyed, "Your Grace."
Onpu jumped up, "It wasn't you, was it!?"
"I'm sorry?" Beth replied with confusion.
"No, it wasn't," Momoko said, grabbing Onpu's arm and sitting her back down.
"May I ask what it was I didn't do?" Beth said.
"The Princess found His Grace with a mistress," Onpu said with disgust showing on her face.
Beth shook her head, "Disgraceful. He doesn't deserve to be the Prince of Kyoto. Not even his twin brother does. The King should make the youngest brother heir. He is much more suited."
"Beth!" Momoko hissed and dragged Beth down into a seat, "You cannot say such things here. We aren't in Albany anymore."
"I wish we were. I hate it here." Beth said.
Onpu nodded, "As do I. The Prince's brother, Tooru, was looking at me as if I were a piece of meat while we were still in Kyoto. How pathetic."
"It's not exactly a pleasant vacation," Momoko muttered, "However, it is my duty to be Leon's wife, as it is your duty to serve me. You must do your duty, no questions asked."
Kyoto Palace
25 December 073
What was currently of the court sat in the Great Dining Hall eating a great Christmas feast: Many had returned to their homes to celebrate the season. Those who remained either couldn't do so, or had nowhere to go. Akatsuki, being the kind king he was allowed half the servants to eat for the first half of the feast, and then switch them with the second half of the servants afterwards. He didn't want them to be stuck in the kitchen eating the scraps. He wanted them to enjoy the holidays.
Akatsuki sat at the head of one of the long tables that he could barely see the end of. Doremi sat to his left and Tooru to his right. Everybody sat at the table in order of power. The lowliest of servants sat at the very end. He glanced over at Doremi's plate and saw just a few of the sweet expensive pastries she liked on it, "My dear, are you alright?"
Doremi smiled in response, "Yes, Lord Husband. I am just feeling a little ill. However, I still have a strong craving for these pastries," her smile grew, "Would you like to know why?"
"Of course. I care about you and your health."
"I am with child, Your Majesty."
Joy quickly spread over Akatsuki's face, "Really?" He got a nod in response.
Akatsuki shot up from his chair and made a small gesture to stop everyone else from standing. That'd definitely ruin the happy moment. "My wife the Queen is with child! I shall have a child!"
"Bless our sacred Queen!" everyone cried in unison.
Akatsuki sat back down with a huge grin on his face. The hall echoed with cries of happiness from the people sitting at the tables.
Doremi smiled, "I take it you are happy?"
Akatsuki leaned over and kissed his wife, "I couldn't be happier." He kept his face close to hers and whispered: "I swear to you right now that I will not take a single mistress while you are in this state. I shall not be like my father."
Doremi's smile morphed into a beam, "Your Majesty is so kind."
Tokyo Castle
27 December 073
"Lord Kawasaki," Momoko said, stopping Yabu as he made his way out of Leon's chambers.
"Yes, Your Grace?" Yabu said with a bow.
"May I please ask a favour of you?" Momoko asked nervously.
Yabu paused. What could she possibly ask him to do? "Yes, of course, Your Grace."
"I wish for you to speak to the King on my behalf. I caught him with a mistress the other day and I know it is not the first. Please can you try and persuade him to stop. I cannot handle it. He is supposed to respect me as his wife." Momoko murmured.
"I shall do it right now," Yabu replied. He felt a deep sympathy towards this Princess. She seemed so wonderful and kind, yet Leon treated her like nothing. If Momoko hadn't spoken to him now, he wouldn't be surprised if he had gone to speak to Leon about the mistresses by his own good will, with no other influence aside from what he saw in the Princess.
Momoko bowed her head, "Thank you, Lord Kawasaki."
"Yabu," he replied as he kissed her hand. He bowed and left, throwing his cloak around him with a special sort of sass that only Yabu possessed. Momoko couldn't help but giggle.
Leon sat in his chambers with a young girl sitting on his lap. She had fair skin, light blue eyes and bright blonde hair that Leon twirled between his fingers.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered and kissed her neck.
"Your Grace!" Leon turned around to see who had just entered. It was Yabu.
"Yes, brother?" Leon replied.
"I wish to speak to you in private," Yabu said, shooting a glare at the blonde woman. She looked down with embarrassment.
"Whatever it is you feel you need to say, brother, you may say it to both me and dear Lady Etsuko." Leon stated with overdone kindness.
"Fine," Yabu sighed hiding the annoyance in his voice. He sat down, "Princess Momoko spoke to me about how you have been seeing many mistresses. She appeared quite distressed and wished for me to ask you to refrain from doing such a thing."
Leon sighed, "Etsuko, I think it would be best if you left."
The girl stood, bowed her head, and left. It was silent for a few moments after the door closed.
"Why does the Princess concern you? She is not your wife. She is mine. And anyway, I have a right to take a mistress if I see it necessary while my wife is with child." Leon told his half-brother.
"That's rubbish," Yabu snapped, "You're overdoing it. I'm sure the Princess would be able to accept it if it is was just once or twice, but walking around the castle showing off your whores isn't doing her or her child any good."
Leon stood up, anger starting to show on his face, "Yabu, you do not control me. I can lie with as many women as I wish and there is nothing you can do."
Yabu sighed, "I am not trying to stop you, Your Grace. I only wish to ask of you to think about what you are doing. You may not be able to sleep with your wife, but you could at least show her respect and some sort of love. If not, the King may start to regret his decision."
"As he should," Leon growled, pacing around the room, "She does nothing to interest me."
"I beg to differ," Yabu argued, "She is a very lovely woman who can do a lot to make you smile. You clearly wouldn't know because you never see her. Farewell, Your Grace." Yabu stood, bowed and left, before Leon could argue.
After a few moments, Leon sighed and sat down, "Page!" The door opened, "Yes, Your Grace?"
"I wish to have a private dinner with the Princess tonight. Please get it prepared."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Your Grace," Momoko said with a curtsey as she walked up to Leon who stood in front of a small table.
Leon bowed slightly in response, "Princess," he held out his hand and led her to a chair and sat her down.
"I must admit, Your Grace, I was quite surprised when you said that you wished to dine with me," Momoko stated sincerely.
Leon smiled, sitting down, "Well, Lord Kawasaki suggested it. He said that you spoke to him."
"I did…" Momoko paused for a second, in thought, "Although he said nothing to me about us dining together. In fact… he said that…" Momoko went quiet, "He said you started to scold him."
Leon frowned, "You spoke to Lord Kawasaki after he did so to me?"
"He… he came and spoke to me." Momoko replied, "Is that okay?"
"Of course!" Leon said, "I don't mind at all!" That was a lie. He really did mind.
"I'm glad," Momoko replied with a smile.
"How is my child?" Leon asked.
"Well," Momoko beamed, "Although, I am often disturbed from sleep due to the child always moving in my womb."
"He shall be a strong Prince," Leon grinned.
Momoko didn't suggest that it may be a Princess; she just had to agree with him, "Of course he shall be. Have you been thinking of names for him?"
"Oh, many, my dear, but I must not tell you yet. You must wait until he is born." He reached over and kissed Momoko's hand, "Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Your Grace. I can tell that you will name him well."
Leon smiled, "When you return to your chamber you will find a gift from the King and Queen. They have sent them to us."
"Did they like what we sent them?" Momoko asked.
"It appears so. Although, knowing my brother, he'll already have a heap of cloaks just like the one I sent him. The Queen will only wear what you got her when she sees you." Leon said disapprovingly.
Momoko frowned, "I don't think so. The Queen told me in a letter that she loves receiving new jewellery. I think she will wear it often."
"If you say so," Leon said, clearly not caring about what Momoko had to say.
Momoko sighed. Why did he have to make every good thing seem bad?
A/N: WELL THERE'S CHAPTER SEVEN. Look at all of that Leon and Momoko conflict. And that YaMo scene… how sweet… ish…
Fujio and Hazuki's wedding is in the next chapter.