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An hour later, Rubeus -- in his usual attire plus earrings and a black crescent on his forehead -- and Aegea stood before Prince Diamond. "Alright, Rubeus. Sapphire, give them to him." the prince said. His younger brother did as he was told and handed earrings, identical to Diamond's and Rubeus's, to him. Rubeus put them on Aegea's lobes. After he finished, Rubeus just stood there, unsure of what to do. "You can kiss her now, Rubeus." Prince Diamond said, ignoring the look of what was almost horror in Aegea's pleading eyes. Rubeus leaned down and kissed her, and as he did so, Aegea began to wince in pain. Pain not from the kiss, but from her forehead. It had begun to feel like a hot brand was pushing through her skin. She was about to try to pull away from Rubeus when the pain stopped. Then Rubeus pulled himself away, his gaze locked on hers. His eyes strayed to her forehead and widened. "Don't worry, Rubeus. She'll be fine. Of course, if you hadn't waited..." The prince assured him, leaving his last sentence hanging to show that he wasn't to be disobeyed. Rubeus just nodded. Aegea was still confused, until she noticed a mirror on the wall behind Rubeus. She gasped and walked toward it, touching her forehead. There was a black crescent moon, just like the one on her husband's forehead, on her own forehead. "Then there truly IS no way out of this." She said, sadly. "Did you honestly think there was?" Prince Diamond asked mockingly.
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"Your turn." Aegea said to Rubeus after laying a card down on the table between them. "Aegea?" a voice called from the entrance to the room. She whipped her head to the right, to see who it was. There stood her brother, Lord Ashka. "Ash!" she cried, flinging her cards down onto the table and running to hug him. After they separated, her brother stared at her forehead. "My god, what have they done to you?!?" "We didn't do anything." Ashka looked at Rubeus angrily. "Now get out." "Rubeus, please. Can't we visit for a little while?" Aegea's pleading eyes turned to Rubeus and softened his heart. "Alright. Five minutes." he agreed reluctantly. After exchanging a dirty look with Ashka, he left. Once he was sure Rubeus was gone, Ashka spoke. "What have they done to you?" he repeated, calmer this time. Aegea just sighed with exasperation. "Just as Rubeus said; nothing." "I've come to take you back. Our father had no right to do this to you." "Ash, it's been three months. I can't just leave. Not now." "Why not?" he asked, startled. His gazed drifted to her waist. Seeing him, and knowing what her elder brother was thinking, she quickly reassured him. "No, Ash. I'm not pregnant. Not YET, anyway." "What do you mean ‘not yet'?" "Well, we ARE married. It's entirely possible." "With HIM?!?" He's evil! And I've heard he's not even a good villain!" "Ashka! I'll NOT have you talk about my husband that way!" "Your husband? You mean you actually think of him in that way?" "Well, .... y-yes." Ashka sighed disgustedly. "I can't believe you. You're in love with him!" "No, I'm not! I'm just ---- fond of him." "Sure." Ashka walked to the door and opened it. "Our five minutes are up." After he left, Aegea sat down on a sofa and sighed. "Oh, dear. He's right. I DO love him." she said quietly. She jumped when she heard the door open. She turned to see who it was. It was Rubeus, the last person she wanted to see right then. She fought the urge to throw her arms around him and kiss him. "He gone already?" Aegea nodded. Worried, Rubeus came and sat beside her, although she wished he wouldn't. "Are you alright? What did he say to you?" "Not much." She said, trying to ignore the fact that his strong arm was around her shoulders. "He wanted to take me home." "What did you say?" He sounded worried, afraid that she'd leave him. She turned to stare into his dark brown eyes and saw that he was afraid of losing her. "I said I couldn't leave. Not now. It's been too long. He should have come earlier, when I wasn't attached." "Attached?" "Yes, to you. I've grown.. accustomed to being around you every day. And, now, I really can't leave you." Noticing his questioning look, Aegea moved her hand to her abdomen. He raised his eyebrows. "Y-you mean... B-but..." She smiled, and placed a finger on his lips to silent him. She nodded. "Yes, Rubeus. You're going to be a father." They both smiled and hugged each other. Rubeus gave her a big kiss, then released her. "Is that why your brother was in such a big hurry?" he asked. "I didn't tell him." She said, looking at the floor. Rubeus, sensing something was wrong, cupped her chin in his hands. "Why not?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "He'd have been so angry. I'm afraid of what he might do to you. He's always been more of a father to me than even my own." "I don't think he'll hurt me. Especially since you're carrying my child." "Is that all I am to you? A transport? Something to give you children?!?" Aegea asked, shocked. "No, no, of course not! Aegea, I love you! More than anything! How can I prove that to you?" Rubeus replied quickly. He grew distressed. He couldn't lose her. He DID love her. And now that she was pregnant, he loved her even more. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm acting like this. I love you, too." She hugged him tightly.
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Chapter 3 : The Departure
