A High Class Arrangement II -Sovereignty- Chapter Eleven

Oh my gosh, I just want to say that I am SOOOO sorry this update took so friggin' long. Life came up and I didn't have much time to update and... I promise that it won't happen again anytime soom. I'll write five chapters ahead if I have to. I'm also sorry this chapter's kind of all over the place and kind of poorly written. Like I said, life happened.
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Two months crawled by and Pseaudal hadn't retaliated, which was comforting yet at the same time completely worrisome. Something else completely worrisome had also been plaguing my mind for some time. It started with what I thought was a simple case of the stomach flu. When the stomach flu continued to plague me every morning and I was continuously sick as a dog, I had a sneaking suspicion that it was something completely different that was wrong with me. By the time the end of the second month rolled around and a certain visitor hadn't paid me a call for the second time, I was sure of it. There was no way around it. I was pregnant. It had taken five years, but I was finally pregnant.
I spent a week trying to figure out how to tell Lucus. I was sure he'd freak out. I'd been attempting to drop subtle hints. When ever he was around, I'd try to keep a hand on my stomach. I flipped through department store catalogues and made exclamations of 'Aww ' and 'How adorable ' while looking at baby clothes and baby furniture. When ever I'd see the councillor's children at play, I'd sigh and ask Lucus something like "Wouldn't you just love some of your own?" It was just my bad luck that he never picked up on any of my oh so subtle hints.

Lucus and I were both in the study. Lucus was reading, and I was staring at him from across the room trying to get my nerve up.
"Hey, Lucus?"
"Hmm?" he looked up.
"I... Never mind."
Lucus dropped his head and went back to his book. Several more minutes passed before I tried again.
"Lucus?"
"Yes?" he looked up again.
"Never mind."
"Drucilla, please. I'm trying to read."
"Sorry."
He went back to reading.
"Lucus?"
"What is it?" Lucus demanded.
"You know that empty room that's right next to ours?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Well, I was thinking we could re-decorate it. You know, turn it into a nursery or something."
"A nursery?"
"Mmhmm."
"Why would we do that?" he looked at me skeptically.
"Because I'm pregnant."
Lucus leapt up. He crossed the room in two strides and took me into his arms. "Sweetheart, he said. "You've just made me the happiest man in the world."
"I expected you to freak out." I said.
"Why would I freak out? You have no idea how happy I am. Oh, my darling, this is wonderful news!" he kissed my forehead.

The next few days flew by in a flurry of excitement. A doctors appointment was made, catalogues amongst catalogues were delivered to the castle, a formal press announcement was made, a phone call to my mother was made (complete with a formidable amount of gushing on her part) and the worrying, war-torn atmosphere of the castle was replaced by that of a gay and glittering nature.
Lucus seemed like a whole new person. He was beamingly happy all the time, and he was ever so attentive. Almost to the point of being completely annoying. I could scarce get through a whole hour without him asking me things like "Are you hungry?" "Are you too cold?" "Are you comfortable enough?" "Can I get you anything?" "Are you sure you're not hungry?" "Do you want me to get you a pillow?" and "Do you feel alright?" I found his attentiveness endearing, but I wished he'd lay off a little. He acted like I had some sort of fatal disease.

About halfway through the week, I decided to invite Belle to come and stay with us. After all, we had more than enough room in the palace, and I was starting to miss her since it'd been so long since I'd last seen her. Besides, I had a sneaking suspicion that some of the councillor's wives had banded together in an attempt to become my posse. I was wary of their attempts and hoped that Belle would deter them.
Belle moved into a nice cozy room on the second floor near the library. She made it clear that she wasn't going to stay long, since formal visits, she said, were usually more trouble than they were worth. I was determined to change her mind since I was so overjoyed to have her.


Though household matters were pleasant and bright, things outside of the palace walls weren't so peaceful. There was a large quantity of citizens who were unhappy with the way Lucus and I were handling the war. They thought that we should be doing more to win back the lost provinces. They felt like we were abandoning the residence of Favile and Levere by not fighting for them. They were saying that Lucus and I were unfit to rule. The press was devouring it, spitting out more and more slander every day.
Of course, I was furious. What did they know about anything? It was hard enough winning back Marsale. The truth was that we didn't have the military strength to win back Favile and Levere. We just weren't strong enough. It's not as if Lucus and I were purposely not doing anything. We had few options. Unless something happened to turn the odds in our favor, there was not much we could do to win back the provinces.
Lucus wasn't too happy about it either. "Damn the press." he said, slinging a news paper across the room. "I'd like to see one of those God forsaken reporters in my shoes."
"Calm down, they're only words." Belle said. "War turns people stupid. They get so anxious and worried that they have to find someone to push the blame on, and the most obvious choice are the leaders."
"I guess you're right."
"You know I'm right." Belle corrected.


Lucus and I were both tucked in for the night. The room was silent and dark, the only bit of light a thin bar of moonlight that fell across the foot of the bed. I was having trouble sleeping, because I was freezing. I was cuddled up to Lucus as close as I could be, hoping that his body heat would warm me up. Unfortunately it wasn't having much of an impact.
Suddenly, the door burst open. It scared me half to death.
"Your majesties," it was Thomas' voice that echoed through the darkness. "My most sincere apologies for disturbing you but it is of utmost importance that you get up." his voice was frantic.
"What's happened, Thomas?" Lucus groggy voice asked. I flicked a lamp on.
"Pseaudal has taken Greening and Evanson. They are approaching the border of Castel. Troops have been dispatched to protect the border at all costs but we are afraid that it will not be enough."
I was wide eyed in horror. "They can't take Castel!" I exclaimed.
"They intend to, Madame." Thomas said.
"Is Naville still safe?" Lucus asked.
"Yes, Naville is still secure."
"Rouse everyone in the castle who isn't already awake. Tell them to pack and be ready to leave for the castle in Beviel in twenty minutes. Tell anyone who doesn't have their own car to squeeze in with someone else because there is no time to get anyone's limo ready. Tell Belle that Drucilla will be riding with her." Lucus commanded. Thomas nodded and was out of the door like lightning.
"Drucilla," Lucus said. "Start packing, and hurry. You don't have much time."
"Why am I riding with Belle?" I demanded. "And why did you say that 'you' instead of 'we'?"
"Because I'm not going to Beviel." Lucus said.


Rest in results
"The hell you're not!" I cried. "Lucus, it's suicide to stay here!"
"Someone has to stay, Drucilla, if only for a few days. Pseaudal can't think that we're spineless. Our people can't think that we're spineless."
His attitude sounded to me like a captain going down with his ship. "Lucus, you can't! What about me? What about the baby?"
"I'll be fine Drucilla. I'll only stay for a few days. I'll be in Beviel before you know it."
"What if they get you?" I was having a very hard time trying not to burst into hysterics.
"They won't get me. Besides, if they do the worst thing that would happen is my being held for ransom."
"Damn you Lucus. Why do you have to be a hero?"
"Someone has to be."
"But why you?" I said. "Lucus, just think for five seconds about what you're doing! What if you... you... You wouldn't want our child growing up without a father, would you? And you know that I can't live without you! What would Arsantia do if something were to happen? There's no one to take your place with Felicity in jail, and she'd bring the country to ruin the second she got near the throne!" I was begging, pleading with him. I knew that I wasn't making any progress. Once Lucus got an idea in his head, it was nearly impossible to get it out.
"If something happens to me, and it won't, you'll act as regent until our child is old enough to rule on his or her own. It's the custom. Now listen to me, Drucilla. Nothing is going to happen to me." he took my hands in his. "I'll be back at your side before you even realize I'm not there."
"Do you promise?" I asked, sighing in defeat.
"I promise. This isn't goodbye. It's just I'll see you later." he kissed me deeply and passionately. Somehow, despite his words it almost felt like a kiss goodbye anyway.