A/N: Chapter 10. I've wanted to write this for a while.
And when I say 'get dressed', chill. He was wearing linen.
I used a new term this chapter; 'apartments'. Just another word for chambers.
*Laughs* It's April 2nd and the first date in this chapter is April 2nd. I didn't plan on that.
Chapter 10 – The Lost Prince
Tokyo Castle
02 April 074
"Your Grace!" Onpu exclaimed, running into Leon's chamber, "The Princess is having her child!"
"What?" Leon mumbled, waking up and hoisting himself onto his elbow. It was about 2AM, a time that everybody could agree was a horrible time for childbirth.
"Princess Momoko has started having her pains. The midwife believes her child will be born soon." This time, Onpu spoke more calmly.
Leon gasped, "She is?" He stood up, "Go and find out what is happening."
Onpu curtsied and left, leaving Leon in his chamber to get dressed. As soon as he deemed himself decent enough, he rushed out of his room and to the entrance of Momoko's outer chambers. He found his half-brother, Yabu standing there.
Yabu smirked, "I knew you cared enough to be here."
"Of course I do." He retorted, looking affronted, "She's carrying my child, and childbirth can be dangerous. I can't just leave her alone."
Yabu looked at the closed doors in front of him. It was silent inside Momoko's chambers. "She worried that you would be with a mistress. Obviously, it's an awful time for that."
"No kidding," Leon muttered. "You're talking to her far too much. Why?"
"That's where you are incorrect, brother; I haven't spoken to the Princess since before her confinement." Yabu corrected.
"No man has," Leon remarked with an annoyed tone. He decided to drop the topic; this wasn't the time, "Do you know how long it will take?"
"The midwife said a few hours at least."
"I don't know if I can wait that long," Leon groaned, grabbing a chair.
"Looks like we'll have to," Yabu commented, taking a chair also.
It had been a good four hours. At about 3AM, cries of pain from Momoko could be heard by Leon and Yabu, and as time went on, the cries got worse and worse.
"This is horrible; I cannot bear it," Leon said as a scream could be heard.
"She'll be alright," Yabu murmured.
"I hope so…"
At that moment, the sound of a baby's cry was heard. Moments later, Onpu opened the door.
"Your Grace, you have a healthy Prince!"
A huge smile erupted on Leon's face and he leapt out of the chair and passed Onpu, into Momoko's chamber. The midwifes were changing sheets stained with blood and carrying them out of the room, all curtseying as they passed Leon.
Momoko didn't notice Leon enter the room; her eyes were fixed on the newborn baby in her arms. He was the spitting image of his father; his eyes were a light-ish blue and his hair was bright blonde. She gently stroked his face and he gurgled.
"He is beautiful," Leon said suddenly, causing Momoko to jump.
"…Were you out there the whole time?" she asked quietly.
"Yes. From the moment Lady Onpu woke me up."
Momoko smiled, "What do you want to name him? I thought as a son you would pick his name."
"I already had a name picked out; Hikotaro."
"That is not a name I expected…" Momoko said honestly.
"Do you like it?" Leon asked.
Momoko nodded; her eyes still on her son, "I do."
The little Prince yawned, "Hello, Hikotaro," Leon whispered.
Kyoto Palace
03 April 074
Brother,
I am overjoyed to tell you that my wife has safely delivered a son we have named Hikotaro. I trust you will organise him a christening fit for a Prince?
Leon.
Akatsuki laughed, of course Leon would expect him to organise the christening.
Secretly, however, he was envious. Doremi was having a difficult pregnancy, and the midwife wouldn't arrive for a few more days – which was ridiculous since there should always be a midwife at court. Leon and Momoko had been married for ten months – if Doremi had gotten pregnant as quickly as Momoko did, they would have a child now, quite possibly a son. He wasn't mad at her for not falling pregnant straight away, but he couldn't help but be jealous of his brother, faithless in his marriage, who already had a son after less than a year of marriage. Akatsuki hoped every day that Doremi would bear a healthy son in a few months that could stop the threat of the twins usurping each other if he suddenly died.
He headed over to Doremi's apartments to tell her of the news.
"Hello, wife," he greeted with a smile.
Doremi looked up from her sewing and smiled at the sight of her husband, "Akatsuki."
"I have some news; Princess Momoko has given birth to a son."
Doremi smile grew greater, "I am happy for her. What was he named? Did Leon name him Katsu, after your father?"
"Surprisingly not; he was named Hikotaro. That's alright however, when we have a son, we'll name him after my father."
"That should be very soon," Doremi said, "I think the midwife said September when she confirmed it, but I cannot be sure until she arrives later this week… autumn for sure."
"Did you sleep well last night?" Akatsuki asked.
"I suppose; I only woke up once."
Akatsuki felt pity for his wife, suffering through her pregnancy, "It'll be alright dear, for soon you will have a child."
Doremi smiled, "I know."
She watched her husband bow to her slightly and exit the room, nodding his head at Megumi, Aiko and Poppu as he passed, who were standing to obey protocol. As soon as he was no longer in the chamber, they sat down.
"Isn't that sweet, Doremi?" Poppu said with happiness, "You have a nephew!"
Doremi nodded her face not showing the same joy as Poppu's, "It is. I cannot wait to meet him."
Megumi frowned, "Your Majesty, you must not feel jealous, remember how I told you negative emotions may harm your unborn child?" With no midwife around and Megumi being the only woman Doremi knew with children at court, she took the motherly role of helping Doremi through her pregnancy.
"I'm not jealous," Doremi lied.
"I hope not; if you deliver a deformed child, many may think you are a witch." Megumi said.
Tokyo Castle
03 April 074
"The King says the christening will take place in three days at Osaka Abbey. Fujio says he'll house the court during that time," Leon told his wife as they sat together having a private dinner in Momoko's apartments.
"What did he write to you about Taro?" Momoko asked. It didn't take her long to come up with a nickname for her son.
"He said that he was pleased to hear of such great news. He cannot wait for the christening where he can meet him."
"He is a beautiful baby…" Momoko smiled, "The wet nurse told me she hasn't cared for a stronger infant. I sent a letter to my mother about him this morning. I hope a portrait can be done soon, my parents must see our child."
Leon gently placed her hand on Momoko's, "Eventually we shall dear, probably when he is a few months old."
"I just love him so much…"
Leon internally groaned. Their child had been out of her womb for only 36 hours and already he's heard enough about him. It's all she talks about now.
"I do too, dear."
Kyoto Palace
04 April 074
Doremi placed her sewing back on her lap and rested her head against the back of her chair, closing her eyes.
"Poppu, could you please open a window? I could really use some fresh air."
"Another headache, Your Majesty?" Aiko asked. Doremi nodded in response.
"Would you like me to find a physician?"
"No, Lady Aiko, that's quite alright." She took a deep breath and picked up her sewing, finishing a stitch.
"Lady Megumi, do you know why this keeps happening?" Poppu asked.
Megumi shook her head, "No, unfortunately. You would have to ask the midwife."
"I cannot wait for when she will arri—" Doremi was cut off as she felt a slight movement in her abdomen.
"What is it?" Poppu asked.
"I… I think I just felt my child quicken…" Excitement filled Doremi's face, "That's a good sign, isn't it, Lady Megumi?"
"Yes… but… my children never quickened that early…" Megumi said uncertainly.
"Perhaps my child is more active…?" Before anybody could respond, a sharp pain filled Doremi's abdomen. The unexpectedness caused her to grab the arms of the chair she was sitting on.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Aiko asked.
"Poppu, unlace my gown," Doremi commanded as she stood up slowly, not responding to Aiko's question. Poppu rushed over to do as her sister asked.
"What is it, sister?" Poppu whispered into her sister's ear.
"I think I'm bleeding," Doremi murmured back with a calm seriousness.
Poppu kept her face straight as she helped Doremi get her gown off and knelt down to pick it up. As she did, Doremi's fears were confirmed.
"You are; it's on your linen," Poppu whispered before leaving the room with the gown, calling, "One of you two get a physician," to Aiko and Megumi as she left.
"I will," Megumi said, picking up on what was happening, "Lady Aiko, stay here with the Queen."
"Wait, what's going on?" Aiko asked. She turned her head to Doremi, who was looking over her shoulder to see behind herself in the mirror. On her bright white linen was a small mark of blood, "Oh, my God." Aiko said with realisation.
Doremi turned around to Aiko with tears forming in her eyes, "My child." She looked down and saw a small drop of blood trailing down the inside of her left leg, "Lady Aiko, what do I do?"
Aiko couldn't form a coherent thought with the panic that rushed through her, "Uh… just… hop into bed."
Doremi slowly walked over to her large bed and sat down gingerly before shifting herself so she rested against her pillows.
Poppu walked back into the room carrying some cloths, "No, Doremi, lay on this."
"Where's Megumi?" Doremi asked quietly.
"I didn't see her," Poppu replied, "She'll be here soon, don't worry."
"Somebody needs to tell the King," Doremi squeezed her eyes shut as another pain hit her.
Poppu shook her head, "I'll go and tell him after, it's alright."
"No, I'll go and tell him," Aiko said as she left the room, a moment later, she poked her head back in, "Lady Megumi is coming with a physician."
"Your Majesty, one of the Queen's maids wishes to speak with you."
Akatsuki glanced up from his desk to see the page standing at the door, "Show her in." He smiled when he saw Aiko enter, "Lady Aiko, what can I do for you?" His smile dropped when he saw her grave expression.
"What's wrong? Is it the Queen?"
Aiko nodded slightly, "She's… she's bleeding."
Akatsuki felt a pang in his chest, "She is?"
"Yes, and she's experiencing pains. Lady Megumi found a physician, she's there now."
He stood up, "I have to see how she is."
"But, Your Majesty, I thought men could not be present during… female events such as this…" Aiko said uncertainly.
"I don't care." He headed further into his chambers and through the door that linked the King's and Queen's chambers. Aiko quickly followed him through the dark tunnel.
Akatsuki opened the other door and Doremi gasped when she saw him, "Akatsuki, I thought you cannot be here!"
He shook his head and rushed over to Doremi, "Are you alright?"
"No," Doremi said with tears in her eyes.
"Will the child live?" Akatsuki asked desperately.
The physician hesitated, "I don't believe so, Your Majesty."
Moments later the physician gathered up the bloody cloths and rose from her crouched position, "Somebody get her changed," she ordered, causing Aiko to rush out to find another linen shift.
The physician looked at Doremi, "Do you wish for me to bury the foetus, Your Majesty?"
"Yes," Doremi replied quietly, "Can you identify its sex?"
She wrapped another cloth around the ones in her arms, "Yes; a boy."
It was silent in the chamber as the physician curtsied and left the room, which slightly smelt of blood. Akatsuki sat down next to Doremi and wrapped his arms around her.
"A boy…" she whispered, dumbfounded. She leaned her head on Akatsuki's shoulder, "I'm sorry."
Akatsuki had no words; he had lost the boy he could've called his heir.
Osaka Abbey
06 April 074
On the fifth, the court had travelled to Osaka Castle, Doremi forced to go due to her position as Queen. She would've much rather stay in her chambers, in her bed, the windows closed, curtains pulled shut, where she could sit and cry and not have to worry about the responsibilities of the outside world. She desperately didn't want to go to Hikotaro's christening; she felt like Leon and Momoko would be showing off their healthy newborn child – a son at that, when all she had was her dead one in the ground. There was no point in arguing to Akatsuki about it, he was suffering a loss too, and, besides, she was one of Hikotaro's godmothers, she had to attend.
When Fujio welcomed the court into the Castle, it didn't take long for him to find out the news of Doremi's loss. He told her she may excuse herself from the courtly activities and stay in Hazuki's chamber, but she refused, hiding her emotions, just as Akatsuki was doing.
The next day rolled around and everyone made their way to the court for the christening. As they were leaving, Tooru sought out Akatsuki.
"Hey, Akatsuki," he said, "I told you I'd keep my eyes open."
Akatsuki sighed, "Who did you find?"
Tooru smirked, "One of the Princess's maids; Lady Onpu. I spoke to her. She didn't really like me, but… everyone seems to like me eventually," he shrugged as if he couldn't help his apparent charisma.
"Sure they do," Akatsuki murmured with an eye roll.
"I hope the Queen gets pregnant fast," Tooru said suddenly, "I mean, Leon has a kid, Fujio's expecting one and," he chuckled slightly, "And I see a marriage in my future. The King can't be the last of the bros to have a child, can he? That sort of goes against the whole… thing…"
Akatsuki had to restrain himself from hitting his brother, "Oh really?" was all he said.
"Yeah," Tooru said with a nod before walking off. Same obnoxious apathetic Tooru he's always been. Even so, Akatsuki noted who Onpu was and decided to look into it later.
As the court prepared to return to Kyoto, Akatsuki had a quick word with his favourite brother.
"This family is full of drama. I hope you and Lady Chiba can live in peace without experiencing some of it also."
"Everything will settle soon," Fujio said, "Give it a few years and life will be calm. Years may sound like a long time, but you cannot expect these things to settle in a few months, can you?"
Akatsuki shook his head, "Certainly not," he said, thinking of Doremi's miscarriage. It'd take him a long time to fully recover from that; he couldn't imagine how she was feeling.
Fujio's expression softened as he saw the pain in Akatsuki's eyes, "It'll be alright, brother. Even the most fertile of women can lose a child."
Akatsuki nodded slightly, "I know. It's just very hard…"
"Time is the best healer," Fujio replied before being called away by another person. He bowed, "Brother."
A/N: Yay, double digit chapters. I didn't even realise how ironic Megumi's witch-line was until the day after I wrote it. Go me.
This chapter probably could've been longer but… I couldn't think of anything else to write right now.