It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

The Lost Queen's Decision

"Ruki…" she whispered, stumbling through the hallways as she entered the shiny, grey kitchen. She'd untied her hair, letting it fall wildly as she gnawed at her lower lip, the test held tight in her hand.

"Yes, Love?" He looked up, placing the sharp knife down as he moved the sink, quickly and carefully washing his hands as his girlfriend held the test out infront of him. Glancing from her to the test, he gulped as he took it in his pale hands, eyes widening as he looked back to Athena. His lips parted as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. "You're pregnant."

"I am," she nodded, swallowing as Ruki placed the test down, "two months pregnant… with Reiji's baby."

He made his way towards her, caressing her face with his hands before he dropped to his knees, coming face-first with his stomach where he rested his forehead against it. Athena stiffened at his actions, her heart aching because she'd wished Reiji were here. She sniffled as Ruki's arms wrapped around her legs, holding her in place as she gently placed her hand in his hair.

She wanted to feel happy - it was what she'd planned afterall… but she needed her husband by her side, she needed the man that she loved more now than ever. She couldn't stop her shoulders from shaking nor the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She let out a loud cry as her legs wobbled and she collapsed to the floor, her hesd colliding with Ruki's chest.

He said nothing as his arms wrapped around her, holding her close to his chest as she wailed desperately.

-_-_-_-

Kanato had dropped his pencil as he paced back and forth in his study, frowning down at the sheets before him. He'd arranged three of them by now after noticing small numbers concealed within the pages. Page 1 for the use of 1 rose petal, page 2 for the use of 2 ounces of water and page 3 for 3 spoonfuls of salt. The numbers were written discreetly despite the other mumbers on the page, making them stand out ever so slightly. He squinted beneath the harsh light as his eyes raked the pages.

After noticing the tell-tale signs, Kanato quickly worked through the sheets, piecing them together efficiently before letting out a long sigh of relief. He stacked the papers properly, securing them in place with a paperclip. He was about start making his notes when he heard a noise come from the camera.

He stepped back from the desk, slipping the papers into the drawer as he headed towards the screen where he saw Athena bawling her eyes out. She appeared to be alone as she cradled Teddy, rocking back and forth from where she sat. "I'm pregnant," she whispered as she sniffled loudly, causing the vampire to flinch, "with Reiji's baby," she hiccuped, "I-I planned this but I… I'm so scared."

"Are you alone?" Whispered Kanato.

"Yes," she replied, placing Teddy infront of her.

"When did you find out?"

"Today."

"Calm down, stress is bad for the baby." He frowned as she took deep breaths.

"I need Reiji," she whispered, "I can't keep pretending like everything's okay."

"I need the ingredients," he said, "but it's difficult. Shu is started to get angry and I fear he will kill us all if this throne issue isn't solved."

"What?"

"He wants the throne desperately," Kanato sighed, "we've all been questioned - he'll resort to torture, I just know it."

"Hide the documents," she said, "give them to Christa - he wouldn't touch her."

"He's already tortured her," said Kanato, "she can't talk anymore, she's lost her mind."

Athena's heart sunk as her eyebrows furrowed.