Not that many chapters left in the story. What have you thought of it so far and what was your favorite part?

Kairi could eat nothing the following morning, but she felt no hunger, only fear, when she eventually stood outside Mickey's chambers. When they had left their rooms, Kairi fund dozens of speculative eyes resting on them. It was almost more than the young countess could take.

She had tried to give herself and the situation to God, but still her stomach clenched. The apprehension was not just for herself, but Sora. He had proven himself a loyal lord, and now Kairi, in a moment's time, had evidently ruined his reputation. She felt more grief for that than anything else she'd ever done.

Sora had not laid such a claim at her door, but it was the truth. He had been very kind to her when he'd returned yesterday, they had spent a pleasant evening on their own rooms, but Kairi knew well what she had done.

"His royal highness, King Mickey will see you now."

The footman seemed pompous enough to be a king himself. But Kairi took little notice. Sora stepped back to let her precede him and within seconds they stood before the king of the magical kingdom.

"Come forward."
The two approached, and Kairi found herself under Mickey's close-eyed scrutiny.

"I hope you will grace my court often, Lady Kairi, but it is to be hoped that you will learn to control your tongue."

"I am sorry, your grace. It was very foolish of me."

Mickey nodded and felt solid confirmation that Kairi was nothing like Namine. That blonde creature would never have admitted to a wrong. An instant later he transferred his attention to Sora. Kairi was forgotten.

"I have some lands for you, Sora of Twilight Crest. Are you up to the added responsibility?"
"Yes, my liege. I accept them with humble gratitude and the hope of serving you better."
"Very good. I also have a new title for and anticipate that you will continue to serve me well as the Duke of Twilight."

Sora's head bowed. "This humble duke thanks you, my king, and offers his sword to defend your crown as you rule this kingdom, the greatest country in the entire world."
"It is good," Mickey's voice rang out. "Journey home safely now. I will like as not send for you soon."
Sora and Kairi bowed their way from the room, and a moment later the footman announced their presence into the hall.

"The Duke and Duchess of Twilight."
Kairi's hand rested calmly on Sora's arm, but she could not for the life of her understand why. Sora had been made a duke! It was all too fantastic to be real, but the fact that he had not been rebuked caused her no end of relief.

Kairi realized then how proud she was of her husband. She had never heard him talk as he had to King Mickey. Where had he learned to say all the right things?

The same eyes studied them as before, but this time Kairi took little notice. She was too busy working through all that had just occurred. They were back at the rooms before Kairi even felt her feet on the floor, and once inside Kairi could only turn and stare at her husband. Sora stared right back, his face solemn.

"Were you surprised?"
"Yes," he admitted. Indeed, his voice sounded like he was trying to take it in as well.

"I am very pleased for you, Sora. I thought Mickey might banish you from court because of me."

"Oh, Kairi, why did you not tell me of your fear?"
She shrugged. "I thought you would only say 'twas my fault and that would be true."
Sora shook his head. "It was unfortunate, but not that severe. And also keep in mind—Mickey does not do things impetuously, Kairi. His plans for me were most likely settled long before now. Do not forget that I rode into battle for him over a year age. He does not forget such things."
Kairi nodded. "Nevertheless, I am pleased for you, Sora. You will serve well the title of duke."

"What of yourself, Kairi? You are now a duchess."
Kairi shrugged. "It is you I care about."

Sora was very moved by her words. He would have shown what was in his heart, but the situation was not private enough; they could be disturbed at any moment. Unfortunately for Kairi it never occurred to Sora to just reach out and touch her hand or gently kiss her lips. And just as unfortunately, it would take some time for Sora to understand that this was the very reason she stiffened at his touch.

(&)

Kairi spent her first Christmas at Twilight Crest alone. Sora had been called to Mickey in the middle of December. The king, weary to death of losing men, money, and time, sent Sora and several other lords north. As emissaries of peace, they rode out with a full battalion of men to the border of Dragon Land.

Still just a bride, Kairi stayed at home in the country. Many young women in her situation would have gone to tier parents' home, but even thought Kairi had heard from both father and mother, she did not 

feel welcome at Hallow Bastion for prolonged stay. Also, the fact that she didn't know when Sora would arrive home caused her to stay put.

This did not bother her, and the castle spent one of its busiest winters with Kairi at the helm. Aerith came for a visit, staying for almost a month. While she was there, a group of knights stopped in long enough to deliver a letter to Kairi. They have seen Sora, and although he didn't know when he would be able to come home, he had wanted them to bring word to Twilight Crest.

Kairi waited until she could find time to go to her room and be alone to read her letter. It was very short, and Kairi could see that he'd ordered a scribe to write it, but it nevertheless touched her heart.

Kairi,

I am well. Thinking of you. If you are with child, please take care. Will be home soon. Act in wisdom.

Sora.

Although it was short, the letter meant a great deal to her. She was not with child, and for the first time Kairi wondered just how disappointing that might be to her husband. Every man wants sons to continue the line, but note ever man receives his wish. Her father was a fine example of that. Ansem's only brother was dead. Kairi assumed some distant cousin would take Hallo Bastion Castle on her father's death.

Who would inherit Twilight Crest if there was never a male heir? One of Sora's brothers most likely. Kairi would like to present Sora with a child; indeed, she was sure it would make him quite glad if only it didn't require…Kairi refused to finish the thought.

You are positively wicked, Kairi, she told herself. How can you expect Sora to see you as a godly woman if you act like that? If you can think of nothing better to dwell on, you had best get back to work.

(&)

Sora's back ached some, but the castle was in sight, and that was all that mattered. A night here at Olympus, as a guest of Lord Hercules Osborn, and then tomorrow he could ride for home.

The men had never met before Mickey's call, but they had been together in the north country for over 12 weeks, and there was little they didn't share. Sora found Herc, who was ten years older, to be a man of his word, a mighty warrior, and a lover of all that was right. Sora had come to admire him greatly.

Being to the south now, since they had just reported to Mickey in the Magical Kingdom, and being just a days' ride from Twilight Crest, make it difficult to stop over, Herc pressed him and Sora agreed. It would be good to sleep in a bed and sup from a table and trencher.

They rode side by side through the massive gates, their men stretched out behind them. All the keep seemed to cheer over their lord's arrival. Hercules was the Marquess of Overton, and he had shared with Sora many times about the loyalty of his servants.

Hercules had also shared about Megara. The men were dismounting in the inner bailey when a woman care running, and Sora knew it was she. She was tall, slim, and a brunette, and in a moment she had thrown her arms around her husband. Hercules swung her around with a great laugh, and when they stopped, he looked down only at her. Sora watched unashamedly as Meg's hands tenderly cupped her husband's face and she reached up on tiptoe to kiss him.

"I missed you so," she said.

"And I you."
"I love you, Herc," she said, and kissed him again.

Sora turned away then and did not hear his friends' reply. He didn't have to take his imagination far to know that his reception from Kairi would be vastly different. She ran Twilight Crest to perfection, and he knew she would do anything he asked, but she was not an affectionate woman. Indeed he was finding, quite the opposite.

"Sora," Hercules now called to him, his arm still around his wife. "Come, and meet my Meg."
Sora came forward and was rewarded with her warm smile.

"YOU have ridden far, Sora, and I am glad you have taken time to stop before going home."

"My men and I appreciate you hospitality."
Meg smiled again. "I will go now and see to your needs." She smiled at Sora and then said to her husband, "The children are anxious to see you."
"We will be right along." He watched her go and turned back to Sora with a huge smile. He threw an arm around the younger man's shoulders and urged him to the house.

"Come, Sora, come and eat. Before you know it the morning will be upon you, and you can go home to Kairi." Out of pure contentment, Hercules gave a great shout of laughter. "Then it will by your turn to be greeted as I have been."
Hercules happened to glance at Sora's face then, and what he saw stopped him short. It was gone now, but he had very definitely seen hardness in Sora's eyes.

"Did you fight with Kairi before you left?"
"No." Sora faced him, but his body was a bit stiff.

"What is it then?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Yes, you do. I said you would be greeted as I was, but that's not so, is it?"

"You overstep yourself, Herc," Sora warned.

"Nay, Sora, I do not." The older man was not easily intimidated. "WE have shared nearly all and learned much from each other in these last weeks, but each time we spoke of our families I sensed emptiness in you. Do you love your wife?"
"Yes," Sora answered without hesitation.

"Have you told her?"
Sora frowned. "I protect her and provide for her. I tell her in a thousand ways every day."
Hercules shook his head. "It's not the same, Sora. A woman needs to hear."

"That's ridiculous!" Sora disdained. "She is not an affectionate woman; it would change nothing."
"Sora, you are wrong. Do you court her? Do you romance her?"
This was the second time someone had advised him to do such. His mother's words seemed so long ago that he had completely forgotten about them. Still…

"You do not know her—" Sora began, but Hercules laid hold of his broad shoulders.

"I do not need to know her to know about her. Meg and I knew each other two hours when we became husband and wife. I found her beautiful, so 'twas no difficult thing. I learned later that it was torture for her. For months she froze at my touch.

"Then she began to grow thin and depressed. It took some time, but I finally understood that it's different for a woman. I began to bring her flowers, hold her hand, and even kiss her without presence."
Sora stared at the older man. It had never once occurred to him that Kairi was responding to his treatment of her. He thought now about the way she hugged his family and even the children who lived at Twilight Crest. She was certainly affectionate with them. He was doing something wrong—quite possibly everything.

"I do not wish to pry into the most private part of your life, Sora, but what I have told you is true."
Sora finally nodded but didn't speak. A part of him still wanted to deny all of this and lay the blame at Kairi's feet.

"Come along," the older man continued. "We will wash and eat, and you can think on what I've said. 'Twill be no embarrassment for me should you want to discuss this again."
Sora thanked him sincerely, and the men walked toward the high, stone edifice. Olympus was a fine home, a showplace, but Sora took little notice. His heart was completely centered on the little redhead awaiting him at Twilight Crest.

(&)

Hallow Bastion

"Why, Namine." Larxene's voice held surprise at the sight of her oldest daughter but no particular pleasure. She hadn't been home for months, and even though Larxene had worried for her, she had also enjoyed a better relationship with Ansem than she'd ever had in her life.

"Hello, Mother." Namine's voice was very sweet, but for the first time Larxene did not respond I kind.

"Where have you been?" Larxene wished to know.

Namine hesitated. Her mother was not happy with her, and this was something new. In truth, she was only home because she needed money, but that wasn't going to work if Larxene was vexed with her. A new tactic was needed.

"Why, Mother, did you not receive my letter?"
"No." Larxene's voice was cold.

Namine sigh was deep. "No one is dependable these days. I wrote telling you I was spending the winter in Wonderland. I hope you weren't worried."
"Not overly," Larxene said, suddenly realizing it was the truth. Again this perplexed Namine.

"Oh, Mother," she remarked, as thought she just had a thought. "You're not sill upset about my missing Kairi's wedding, are you?"
"No, Namine, I'm not." This, too, was the truth. "Kairi has done well for herself. I am quite proud of her."

Namine nearly panicked. Her mother had never in her life had a good work for her younger sister. What in the world had gone on? For the first time Namine saw that she'd been away too long.

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked, just managing to keep her voice light.

"Oh, hadn't you heart?" Larxene's voice was triumphant with genuine pleasure. "Sora's been made a duke. Your sister in the Duchess of Briscoe."

Under the guise of adjusting the hem of her gown, Namine managed to duck her head and turn away. Her face was a mask of rage. She didn't speak until she had her voice under control.

"Well, now, isn't that grand! Maybe I should go and visit to extend my apologizes and then my congratulations."

Namine turned with a smile, and Larxene, still wanting to think the best of this selfish child, was swiftly taken in.

"Oh, Namine, that's a wonderful idea. I know they would love to have you."
Namine nodded serenely before the conversation went to general topics. Larxene's heart was filled with well-being over Namine's benevolent attitude. Namine's heart was filled with hatred, first for 

Mickey, the man who had increased Sora's title, and then for her sister, that redhead cow who had been lucky enough to land on her feet.

With this another chapter comes to a close. Now Namie is a rather dangerous character, you don't suppose that she would do something to destroy Sora's and Kairi's fragile relationship, would she?