A/N: Whoops, it's been almost two years since I last updated… I know the Ojamajo Doremi category is kind of dead but I still feel bad… hopefully now that I'm about to finish high school I can finally finish this story!

Chapter 13 – Conceive First, Love Later
Kyoto Palace, 12 May 074

News had just reached the palace that the day after Fujio and Hazuki had returned to Osaka, Hazuki had suffered a miscarriage, losing a daughter. Fujio blamed the journey and told his brother that he wished he had remained at Kyoto for a while longer. Akatsuki wrote back to him telling him not to stress, and that he was sure that Hazuki would recover quickly.

Doremi was sad to hear of the news, however she no longer felt alone in having lost a child. In a few days, the physician would tell her if she could resume her marital duties with Akatsuki, and she desperately hoped she would get the all clear. With how long it took her conceive the first time, she was constantly full of worry about how long it would take her the second time, or if she would at all.

Doremi had been making a strong effort to attend public functions and be present at court, and found it to help with the pain of her loss. Having Akatsuki's brothers at court after Tooru's wedding did help her as well.

After Momoko and Leon returned to Tokyo, Doremi tried to turn her attention back to Poppu and finding her a betrothal.

She sat with Akatsuki, eating breakfast in private. Doremi wore a casual, yet still expensive gown in a pastel pink colour. Akatsuki still had his nightwear on, not bothering to change since it was only breakfast with his wife.

"You're seeing the physician tomorrow, aren't you?" Akatsuki asked.

Doremi nodded, "I am. Will I be sending them to you afterwards so they can tell you what happened or would you like to hear it from me?"

"I'd prefer to hear it from you, of course."

Doremi smiled and took a sip of her drink. "I also have something I've been meaning to ask you, it's just been forgotten about."

Akatsuki raised his eyebrows slightly, "Oh, really? What would that be?"

"It's about Poppu. I asked you about possible betrothals, then it was sort of forgotten about. Have you had a look?"

"Not yet. Do you have any idea what type of man you want for her? A duke, or perhaps something less, like a baron?"

"It doesn't bother me too much as long as she will have someone who can love and support her."

Akatsuki nodded, "I understand. I'll see what I can do."

Doremi smiled, "Thank you." She leant over and kissed him on the cheek.

"She's fourteen, isn't she?" Akatsuki asked. Doremi nodded in response.

"Alright, well I wouldn't want to have her married straight away. Not until she's closer to sixteen, maybe."

"I understand. I'm sure a betrothal would make her very happy, anyway." Doremi concluded. Her face lit up as she remembered something. "The physician says I can return to your bed now."

Akatsuki smiled, "Shall I see you tonight then?"

Tokyo Castle – 16 May 074

"What's wrong, bro?" Yabu casually asked his half-brother, who sat at his desk looking at a letter with an annoyed expression.

"I sent Akatsuki a letter asking if there would be any opportunities for marriage for you. Nobody mentioned anything at the wedding and I was worried you were forgotten about."

Yabu cut him off, "I usually am, don't you remember?"

"You shouldn't be when it comes to marriage; you're the only one of us still without any possible marriages. Even Tooru is married now," Leon said with a sad tone.

Yabu almost rolled his eyes and said "more like even you're married now." Instead, he said, "Thanks for your consideration. However, I'm guessing the King's response wasn't what you were hoping for?"

Leon shook his head, "No, it wasn't. He said that he didn't want to have to spend his time on your marriage when he had more important things to focus on. I know for a fact that the Queen asked him to find her sister a husband and he agreed without hesitation."

"Don't worry about it, Leon. I really do appreciate your concern, but I'm not fussed about finding a wife right now. I'm sure the King will organise something one day."

Leon suspiciously eyed his half-brother, "You sure do have a lot of faith in the man. He hates you and you know that."

Yabu shrugged, "Yeah, but I still hope that one day he realises that it's not my fault my parents were who they were. I thought he might when he became King, but that was almost a year ago, so I guess not."

Leon patted him on the shoulder, "You're a good guy."

"Thanks. Hey, how's my little nephew doing?"

"He's full of energy and always wants to eat. Clearly he takes after me."

Yabu laughed, "I'm surprised. It's not like he eats much."

"Well, he's with the wet nurse whenever possible, so I'd say he's always hungry."

"Good to hear that he's thriving. How about the Princess?"

"No clue. She hasn't come out of her chambers in the past few days. Perhaps she misses her lady in waiting? They'll come visit soon, she shouldn't be so down about it." Leon didn't seem too worried.

Yabu's eyebrows knit together, "are you sure she's alright? That doesn't really sound like her; usually she's always out and about."

Leon shrugged, "Maybe she's unwell. I went to see her yesterday and she refused to let me in."

Or maybe you're just being a huge jerk to her right now and she doesn't want to see you. Yabu decided not to voice his thoughts, instead saying "would you like me to go talk to one of her ladies in waiting and see if they know what's happening?"

"If you feel as though you must."

"I do," he nodded his head and left, not bothering with formalities.

He wandered through the enormous estate making his way to the nursery. Taking Hikotaro with him, he made the short journey to Momoko's chambers.

The door opened shortly after he knocked, revealing a young girl dressed in a pale blue gown, "Lord Kawasaki." She curtsied.

"My lady. Could I be granted an audience with Her Grace?"

The girl ducked back inside for a second before opening the door fully, "do you wish for it to be private?"

Yabu looked at Momoko's face for a second, "Yes."

The ladies filed out of the room until it was just Momoko, Yabu and Hikotaro. The Princess's face lit up the second she saw her son.

"Hello, Taro," she smiled as Yabu handed him to her.

"Leon says you've been rather secluded these past few days, and I've noticed it too." Yabu started.

"Was Leon overly spoilt as a child?" Momoko asked suddenly.

"I'm sorry, Princess?"

"Compared to his siblings. Did he receive more attention, gifts, all those things?"

"It did seem like he was the favourite." Yabu answered honestly.

Momoko looked down at the infant in her arms, "I guess that explains the problem." She smiled at Yabu's confused face. "I've been trying to understand why he acts the way he does compared to his brothers. He's more immature. Tooru is apparently a great husband, and he was a lot like Leon before. It looks like he's just so used to being "perfect" and getting whatever he wants that he never got to understand what marriage really is. He doesn't think about the partnership behind it, even if it was a planned marriage. And he's not happy, I can tell."

"But you're not happy either."

"Yes, but for me it does not matter, for I am a woman. All that should matter for me is if I am bearing healthy children."

"You are much more important than that, Princess. I am certain of that."

"Thanks." Momoko smiled.

Kyoto Palace - 19 May 074

"You look quite well today, Your Majesty." Aiko smiled as she poured Doremi a drink and handed it to her.

The small smile on Doremi's face suddenly grew, "The King and I are finally happy again. It's been a week since I could return to his bed and… we're finally happy."

"I am so glad to hear that. Just, please do not put so much stress on yourself worrying about conceiving, you will have a child soon, I am sure."

"I know," Doremi said, "I cannot help it. The child will be the next King, how can I not worry?"

"Stress is never good when it comes to matters of the womb. That's what my mother always told me."

Doremi smiled at Aiko's advice. "Does she have many children?"

"I am one of four. She married when she was twenty-five, so she didn't have as many years to have children. Everyone was very surprised for her to deliver so many. And healthy."

They both whirred their heads around when the doors to the chamber opened, revealing Poppu.

"Doremi," she began, "I just spoke with the King. Apparently you asked him to find me a husband. And he said he's already found someone."

"Really?" Doremi gasped, "who?"

Poppu gave her a blank look, hiding her annoyance.

"What is it?"

"Doremi, I'm fourteen! I don't yet wish to be married! I'm too young."

Doremi frowned, "well of course. Not now. I thought you would be happy to have a betrothal?"

Poppu pursed her lips and folded her arms, "His Majesty has told me much about the man he has suggested for me. He is seventeen, and is willing to wait until I am the same age. That, however, does not mean I'm content with this decision. I don't want an arranged marriage. I am just glad that I have three years before I am bound to him."

"I… I am sorry, Poppu. I thought you wanted this."

"Maybe you should focus on the Queen stuff first. I was fine without you interference." She turned towards the door, "I am to meet Itou on Wednesday."

"Itou…?" Doremi mumbled as Poppu stormed out of the chambers. She sighed, "there goes my mood. I was not expecting that reaction from her…"

"Sounds as though she will still go through with it." Aiko remarked.

Doremi sighed, "yes, but I want her to be happy doing it."

Tokyo Castle - 29 May 074

Momoko picked up the letter at the top of her pile of mail. The familiar seal of Onpu's shone against the bland colour of the parchment.

Opening the letter, Momoko found Onpu's familiar handwriting. In it, she wrote about her new marriage to Tooru, and how she was treating her. He is absolutely wonderful. His treatment of me is not as I expected and I could not ask for anything more. I know it won't be long until I am with child.

Her heart ached to see Onpu again. She missed her friend dearly, and just wanted things to go back to the way they were. Of course, she was happy for her friend. Onpu too deserved to be happy, but she was only married to Tooru because she had to follow Momoko here to marry Leon, and look what she got.

She stood, hoping to find some fresh spring air. As she walked towards the small courtyard near her chambers, she came across Yabu, heading in the opposite direction.

"Princess," he bowed his head, "lovely day today."

She looked out the large glass doors behind him. It did look lovely. "Would you like to join me?" Momoko desperately needed someone to talk to, but none of her other ladies in waiting understood her like Onpu did.

"Of course," he offered his arm, and Momoko rested her hand in the crook of his elbow.

"How are you today, Princess?" Yabu asked, wanting to know if she was any different to the last time he had seen her.

She sighed, "I'm out of my chambers. There's so much happening right now I need some air."

"What do you mean?" Yabu asked. The only things he could think of had been happening for a few weeks, and this sounded like something new.

Momoko took a moment to reply. "I think I'm with child again."

"So soon?" Was the first response from Yabu. "You have only just returned to his bed."

Momoko nodded, "I know. At this time, I have no way of knowing for sure. I haven't had my monthly course this month, however that has happened before without me being with child. There is no reason for me to alert the midwife right now. I just have a feeling."

"That would be good anyway, wouldn't it? To give Leon another child? He would appreciate you more."

"He doesn't see Taro much to begin with, I don't know what different a second child would make."

Yabu frowned. He could see how unhappy she was, how much she hurt inside. He wanted to do something to make it better, but he was powerless.

He wrapped his arms around her, "you'll be alright. You can get through this."

A/N: I think this is where all the drama I was intending actually starts so let's hope we can actually get there! Congratulations if you're still reading this story!