Rearrange Me

XXIV

Philippe XV

With winter passing, and spring starting, it should be a joyous time around the palace, but it is not. 

There have been no updates on Eleanora's mystery attempted killers.

Jean has gone as far as to hire a private detective, which only stresses me out more because I do not know who I can trust.

I bite down on my fist as my wife's wails fill the palace. She has been screaming for God knows how long.

Eleanora

I grab the collar attached to Alberta's bodice. "I do not care what you were told. You get me my husband this instant!" I let out a loud groan filled with pain as I throw my head back against the pillow. "It is not a law that the King shall not be in here so get him in here!" I yell out through clenched teeth.

"Yes, Milady."

"You must breathe Your Majesty. He shall arrive in a short time." Maryellen strokes my arm, trying to give me some comfort.

'Twas a painful one-and-ten minutes. 'Twas very painful.

My head turns at the sound of the door bursting open. "Mon amour." Philippe offers me an encouraging smile as he rushes to my side. He sits on the edge of the labour bed, taking my hand in his own. His other hand comes up and strokes the top of my head. "You are alright, darling."

I shake my head as tears stream down my cheeks. 

Another shock of pain erupts and I yell out, sobbing harder. 

A cool washcloth is pressed against my forehead by Philippe as he kisses my hand. "Is there a way for this to go faster?" Philippe asks the midwife.

"Your Majesty, this a natural occurrence. Nature is in control. I cannot do anything at this moment."

"Surely there are methods."

"Not for the royals, Your Majesty. They have been known to harm the baby."

Philippe looks at me. "How much pain are you in?"

I scream out in pain as the baby pushes further. He looks back at the midwife. "They are used for the royals now."

"But-"

"Get them!"

After hours, and hours, and fainting, and blood loss, the most pain I have ever felt comes to an end.

I hiccup as I lay back against the pillows. 

"We have a princess, Your Majesties."

I sit up abruptly. "I thought it was a boy?"

"That was incorrect, Your Majesty."

My baby is placed in my arms, and I start sobbing again.

But I hold her for a mere moment before she is stolen from me. "What are you-"

"She needs to be bathed. And fed, Your Majesty." Maryellen responds when she sees my panic. "You will see her shortly. I will go watch over her if you wish."

"Yes, please."

"You need to rest, darling," Philippe says, standing from the bed. "I shall be back soon."

And suddenly the loves of my life are both gone. 

Philippe XV

"I do not understand how a person can possibly be so tiny," I say as I stare down at the baby in my arms. 

"Yes, that is why she is a baby," Jean remarks. "And does the baby have a name?"

I smile down at my daughter. "Catherine Eleanora Genevieve Amelia duc de Beaumont."