The Queen

28. No power over god's will

Samira stormed into her father's chambers, heart pumping hard, short of breath and eyes full of tears. Her warm hand held his cold one as she sat on the bed facing him. She watched his hand, trying really hard to memorize it, she knew that was the last time she will hold and see it. Philip stormed into the room right after, and standing right behind her placed his right hand over her right shoulder.

"My sweet child, the old man finally found the strength to speak."

"I'm here father, please don't force yourself speaking, I'm here and I won't be going anywhere." She said with shaky voice.

"What difference will that make? We have no power over god's will, there's no point fighting the inevitable, on the contrary... these last breaths are our last chance to a proper goodbye. My love, I want you to know how proud of you I am, I always have and always will. Promise me one thing only."

"Yes father... anything." She said wiping tears off her face, then placing the hand on top of his again.

"Promise me to always watch over your people and your kingdom... and ... you young man" he now spoke to Philip. "promise me to make my daughter happy, and always put her first."

"I promise Sir."

"I promise too father." Samira kissed his hand and continued. "Theres one more thing you need to know. I am with child father."

King Odo smiled very weakly, by his will he will be jumping and screaming in excitement and happiness, but his body was too weak.

"You know, if I had my way I will be jumping from one side to the other in this room but my body isn't up to the task. Thank you for giving me this last piece of happiness. I die a happy man, you two don't know how happy this makes me. This child brings hope to our nations, we will finally be one big and powerful kingdom one day. I wish with all my heart to be able to be part of his or her life, but if there's something life have taught me is that not even a king can have every single one if his wishes become real. But I will die happy, because I know that wherever I go I'll be able to watch over and guide him or her, if she is a beautiful strong willed flower like her mother. My time is up, don't cry too much my child, I'm never leaving your side even if you can't see me I will always be there and you take something. mine with you, something the no one will ever be able to take from you, my love."

Those became king Odo's last words, Samira sobbed holding his hand until his body was taken for funeral ceremonies and burial. Philip never left her side, always making sure she ate and rested enough.

Five days have passed, now in a carriage in their way to Esparcia Samira vaguely recalls the events of the past five days, it felt like an outer body experience, or maybe she felt numbed by the harshness of her new reality, her father was no longer alive, she was no longer going to hear his voice or his stories, his contagious laughter was not ever going to provoke her own laugh.

Her unborn child was the light at the end of the tunnel, her plan was to focus on her own growing family in order to come up to the surface of light again, she placed a hand over her bump while the other held Philip's right hand, knowing that only they could take her from that world of darkness and shadows and back to light and happiness.

As if Philip could read her thoughts, he placed his other hand over her bump too and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Everything will be just fine I promise. You trust me?"

"I do trust you, Philip." She said, smiling back at her husband.

"Looks like we have arrived home, are you ready?" He said as the carriage came to a halt.

Samira was about to say yes, but a breeze of cold air washed over her erasing her smile. Something wasn't feeling right, and she knew the moment she stepped a foot out of that carriage her life was once again going to change.

"Are you alright my love?" Philip asked.

"Yes, I just need some water." She replied.

" Let's go then." He held his hand out for her to hold into, he stepped out of the carriage first and then helped her out.

All of the Esparcian court was gathered outside, welcoming their king and queen. Philip noticed how some showed nothing but worry in their faces, specially his own mother. He looked around in the crowd, hopping to see something that hinted what the problem was, and he sure saw it. He looked over to Samira only to realize that she saw it too, her face and lips became instantly pale and he felt how her body loosened right next to him. He was quick to react and carry her in his arms after she fainted and before she was able to hit the ground.

Philip ran to his room, with his wife in his arms, her body loose and light like a feather, his heart in dismay.

"Fetch a physician, NOW!" He yelled.

The physician arrived to the chambers in no time. Philip was desperate walking from one side to the other, while Samira laid in bed unconscious. The queen mother said nothing, just looked at her son ashamed and worried just as much as him.

"I need to examine the queen, if your highnesses please wait outside, I need to open the room and allow the flow of fresh air." The physician spoke. "Queen Samira's maid, Esma will assist me."

Philip looked at his mother. "We need to have a conversation, follow me to the study."

"Indeed." The queen mother followed her son out fo the room making on unsuccessful attempt to pretend that nothing else was wrong other than Samira's condition.

END OF THIS CHAPTER
Hope you liked it!

**I apologize for taking so long in writing this, I just couldn't get myself to do it. I experienced a loss in my family and even though writing for me is a way to keep my mind off things, this chapter in particular kept bringing me back to a very sad moment in my life. I'm still not 100% satisfied with how it came out but I knew I had to get it done sooner or later. So here it is**

If you thought this story was over... let's just say the best is yet to come. Please comment your thoughts of what's happening now.😃