The Duchess' Enchantment

Chapter 14

Marceline was crying.

It couldn't have happened. It shouldn't have happened. She held on to the nearest chair's arm, attempting to steady herself. To compose herself.

It was futile.

It was her third in the space of a little more than a year. The nobles were getting restless. Her husband was trying his best to hold off their evaluation of the still childless couple. It was such a happy feeling when she learned she was pregnant for the first time, so consuming, so loving. But she kept miscarrying.....

She didn't think she could bear to try again. It was painful, losing a child that wasn't yet born. She was questioning herself these days. Could she really have children? They had been trying for so long.. And every time they thought it was within their grasp, it slipped away.

If only... She wished she had a child. She wished she could give her husband at least that. He had been so patient, so painfully heartbroken every time he heard. She couldn't bear to tell him this again. She didn't think she could handle it.

But her Husband had always been so cheerful, that it was hard to see what was beneath that facade. Even his own brother, someone who was quite known for his shrewdness could not see beneath that happy image. Sometimes even she couldn't. It was his way of shielding himself. She understood that. Because, projecting an image, selling an illusion of everything being perfectly fine.... That was her way of coping.

She wiped her tears using the sleeve of her gown. Her exquisite, expensive, extensively decorated gown. And she was ruining it.

No matter. It could always be replaced.

But a baby could not.

She stifled a cry. She could cope. She had to. This was her way. She must get up and ...keep going....

She must show her face at the latest assembly. For she was an empress with duties not only to herself and her family but the whole country. She could not afford to not do her duty.

Times were becoming so much more tenuous, especially with the Sallerian prince making absurd demands from other nations on behalf of his brother the king. The nobles desperately wanted an heir, and would no doubt pressure her husband to annul their marriage if she could not produce one. And he would have to succumb, because the nobles tended to the individual plots of land that the monarch could not.... And as a result held power in the council. To not agree would mean rebellion. And rebellion.... Well, that would mean all their deaths.

Her husband could always abdicate. But that would mean, the throne would go to his brother...

While she knew that her brother- in- law was very much capable of handling a country well...... He had absolutely no idea on how to handle politics. He preferred to be strict, straight to the point and did not handle any sort of nonsense. The nobles thrived on nonsensical talk laced with honeyed words.

Cassius would not be able to handle it. Cassius would... She laughed at that thought. Cassius would most likely throw the nobles out and make them beg on his foot. He had absolutely no patience for diplomacy.

And that would be his downfall.

She sighed. While Cassius was quite capable, he lacked knowledge or patience for politics and diplomacy, without which... well they would have a war on their doorstep without being prepared for it.

And it all depended on her. The fate of the nation was lying on her.

It all depended on her giving her husband... and .. the country ..an heir.

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The emperor strolled through his balcony to the adjoining passage to his wife's room. He whistled happily, imagining his wife holding a baby, and him holding both of them. He couldn't believe how much love he could give to someone he hadn't even met yet. He was already very excited, and the fact that the happy news of him and his wife expecting made her glow divinely was even better. Even the meetings with his council members and advisors had not yet dimmed his bright, infectious smile. No, not even his brother's harsh demeanour and frustration could affect him.

He pushed the intricately carved door to his wife's room open, but the sight of what lay ahead of him made his happiness crumble.

"My sweeting?" He whispered.

His heart shattered. He could not see her like this. Her beautiful azure eyes were red rimmed, and teary. Her lips were drawn tightly, refusing to speak, unable to speak and he knew she was doing her best not to acknowledge what had happened. Her usually regal shoulders were downwards, while her arms were hugging her legs to her chest. But it was the pain, the pain on her reflected on her face, that caught his attention the most.

He slowly walked to sit down next to her and held her in his arms, leaning his chin on her head. She sobbed, trying to be quiet, but her tears fell down his chest felt as if a knife was put through his heart. After what felt like an eternity, she raised her head, and held her tears eyes to him. He knew it pained her immensely everytime she lost a child. It had been the third time now, and she desperately wanted a child. Royal life could be lonely and suffocating- especially if one could not produce an heir. The nobles would shun her and demand him to remarry.

He could not let that happen.

Hello! It's been a while. I apologise for my long break, but guess what! 

Your girl just graduated school!!!!! 

Well, that happened a while back, but still, its something to celebrate. 

I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit short. I've been having writer's block for a while now, so I'm taking sometime to plan and develop the story. But, keep an eye out for new chapters soon!  

XX

Reya

P.S I wonder what will happen when someone finds out!