Deadly Nightshade

CHAPTER 1

King Roz was hurrying out of the conference room, followed by his most trusted vassals "My King, please calm down, the royal physician has already arrived at the Queen's quarters," one of them said following closely behind the king, "Regina is about to give birth to our very first child," he said in annoyance "Helios, do you really expect me to calm down?" the king added, although he seemed irritable the delight in his voice can be felt. Although, the excitement in his face and quickly faded, the vassals who followed suit in the King's track held their breath. There was tension in the air as they approach the Queen's quarters and saw baskets of towels of blood coming out from the room. The king pulled aside the nearest midwife "What is going on? Why is there so much blood? How is my Queen? Our child..." he asked in one breath until the midwife cut him off "My King please this is very normal during labor," she said in a calm soothing voice "I can assure you that the Queen and your child shall be safe, now please unhand me your majesty as Marchioness Shanette needs all the need she can get if we were to ensure the majesties safety." She said hurriedly as Queen Regina screamed from within the chambers, the King loosened his grip as worry filled his heart, the midwife scuttled away into the room.

"Your majesty, worry not as it is Madam Shana who is tending to the Queen," Helios said as the King started pacing in front of the Queen's chamber.
"I know, but how can I not worry when I can hear my wife screaming in pain?" The king said indignantly.

"Roz, it was Marchioness Shanette who helped me gave birth to you, and it was such a difficult labor," The Queen Regent called as she made her way to the now crowded hall of the Queen's palace "And yet I was able to make a safe delivery and regained my health almost immediately." She said calmly as she approached her distressed son.

"Mother, I am aware the Marchioness Shanette is the most reliable and talented midwife in all of Lobelia," he said as he greeted the Queen Regent "I simply cannot help but worry." He said anxiously.

"Regina is a strong woman, you should know that better than anyone my dear," the Queen Regent said amusingly, "I doubt that this will even take a toll on her, she stood by your side as you both took control of the war against Devonshire." Before the King can refute Her majesty's words the loud cry of the newborn baby drowned them in silence. A few more moments passed and the crying has now subsided. Marchioness Shanette came out of the room "The child and the Queen are both safe your majesties," She said as she greeted them outside, "You may enter the room. However, the child has fallen asleep in the Queen's arms it would be better to make as little noise as possible." She said as she stepped aside the door.

"You have my gratitude, Shanette." The Queen Regent said warmly towards her dearest friend. "Both then and now."

"You don't have to be Iris," Marchioness Shanette said as warmly "It is both my duty and honor, and I give you my congratulations." She smiled.

The King immediately burst into to the Queen's chambers his mother, the Queen Regent calmly following him inside. Queen Regina has successfully given birth to the very first princess of the Kingdom. "Why isn't she such a dear, she must have taken after her grandfather Felix," the Queen Regent said as she approached Regina and the baby. "She does have Father's raven hair but she definitely takes after me for how beautiful she is." Regina said as she happily held the baby in her arms. "Aren't you going to see your child dear?" she called as the King stood still in front of the door.

He carefully approached closer and gazed upon the most fragile thing he had ever laid his eyes on. "Would you like to hold her?" The Queen asked as she held the baby towards her husband. "I'm afraid I cannot, she looks so fragile she might break at the slightest touch, my hands are rough from holding a sword for too long." The king said nervously as he looked on.

Both the Queen Regent and the Queen were stifling their laughter as the strongest man in the entire Kingdom flinch upon the thought of holding his child. "She's not going to break from your touch my dear," the Queen Regent said as Regina passed the baby to her. "Here, why not try holding her." The Queen Regent said as she held the baby in her arms towards her son who had barely moved closer to the bed.

"Mother, I think I better not, I--" he stammered. "Roz, Regina is not the only parent of this child, I expect you to take care of her," his mother cut in and with that he held up his arms. "Belladonna," he muttered as he held her in her arms. "You shall be known as the most beautiful flower of the entire Kingdom." He said as he smiled down his daughter.

The princess awoke in her father's arms, but as soon as she opened her eyes what greeted her was not the loving smile of King Roz for, he had gone pale as he gazed on his daughter's eyes.

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