Kingdom of Blossoms

Chapter 1

3 months later

Prince Li sun and Princess Riku walked in their garden just as the sun was beginning to rise; enjoying the cool breeze of the early morning. Riku saw a bench under a cherry blossom tree and sat down to rest with Li sitting beside her. She was now heavily pregnant and was due to give birth any day. As Riku sat enjoying the morning breeze, watching the sun rise over the mountains, she did not say anything to Li sun at first since she was deep in thought. 

Her belly had grown much bigger than she had expected, and she was beginning to feel more movement within her. She thought she might be carrying twins, but she did not want to voice her thoughts just yet. Li sun finally broke the silence, "Are you alright, my love?" he asked as he slipped his arm around her waist and rested his hand on her belly. Riku looked up into her husbands eyes and smiled, kissing him on the cheek she answered his question. "I am fine love, just a bit tired. I find myself getting tired quickly lately!" she said with a small laugh. Li sun laughed softly and said "You're having a baby my love, and growing a new life is hard work. That's what the women of our kingdom tell me." Riku was about to answer him when she heard footsteps behind them. 

It was Shi shi, Li sun's younger sister. Li sun was her guardian and had been since the death of their parents almost three years prior. Shi shi was a sweet girl who loved her brother and sister-in-law, and even though she was royalty, she was learning how to be a midwife much to Li sun's chagrin. "Good morning Li, Riku!" she said with her usual bubbly personality. Shi shi kissed her brother and sister-in-law on the cheek, and sat down on Riku's other side facing Li sun. "Where have you guys been?" she asked. "The servants went to your chamber to tell you breakfast was almost ready, and you weren't there! They were worried about you guys." "We're fine." Riku said "The baby was kicking and woke us up early, so we came out to see the sun rise." "Well I am glad, breakfast should be ready by now; I can smell it." Li sun stood to head in, but Riku did not follow. "Coming love?" Li sun asked "I will in just a sec; I wish to speak to Shi shi for a minute." Riku said. "Alright, I will see you inside." Li sun said and headed towards the palace.

"What did you wish to speak to me about?" Shi shi asked puzzled. Riku placed Shi shi's hand on her belly and moved it to a certain spot. "What can you feel? I know you have been observing the midwife's examination of me throughout my pregnancy; I want to know if you can feel movement here." Riku asked intently. Shi shi was quiet for a minute, then as she moved her palm across Riku's belly, she caught on to what Riku might have been wondering about. "You might be carrying twins. I can feel more movement than what would usually come with one baby in there!" "I was hoping you'd say that!" Riku said more relaxed. "I thought it might just be my imagination! But please don't say anything to your brother until we're sure." Shi shi smiled, kissed her sister-in-laws cheek, and hugged her tightly around her waist. "Your concerns are safe with me!" 

"Thank you, now lets head in to breakfast. I am getting hungry and if we stay out here much longer Li sun will get suspicious." Riku said with a laugh. "Ok, lets head in!" Shi shi helped Riku to her feet and they walked arm and arm through the garden heading to breakfast.

End of chapter 1