"Congratulations, your majesty!" A servant practically beamed. "It is a prince."
"My wife?" The king questioned instead, apprehensive and impatient. His fingers momentarily paused from pulling on a pearl chain around his neck.
"Queen is resting." One of the midwives joined the conversation. "The birth wasn't hard, but we will not leave her side."
His Majesty, King Azusa, Second of his name, finally took a breath he had been holding. His warm brown eyes crinkled as a smile spanned across his face. He snatched the necklace he had been pulling on earlier and handed it to the midwife. "Thank you for your service. All midwives shall receive the rewards."
He then turned to the servant and handed her one of his rings as her reward.
"Thank you, your grace." The women appreciated.
Not wasting another moment, Azusa barged into the birthing chambers. His features relaxed, and love accompanied his delight when his gaze locked on his beloved wife.
Laying there with her eyes closed, she looked as if she had no care in the world as if she hadn't been crying to bring their son. She looked ethereal. And she was to him - the most beautiful woman. He then turned his attention towards other occupants of the chambers. Nodding his head, he silently demanded them to give him solitude with his family.
Azusa inhaled deeply. Managing to resist the urge to caress her face, for the worry of waking her up, he cautiously narrowed his distance from his newborn son.
It had been long since he held a newborn in his palms. However, as a father beheld the miracle of his newborn son, a flood of emotions filled his heart, leaving him breathless in awe. Holding the tiny bundle of life in his arms, he got captivated by the delicate perfection. The weight of responsibility and joy intertwined, creating a profound sense of purpose that resonated deep within his soul.
His eyes were closed, but as if the new prince already knew he was his father, snuggled closer. Azusa smiled in contentment. His son was a reflection of his mother, a manifestation of their love.
Gazing at his face, Azusa sees a universe of potential and endless possibilities. The innocence, purity, and vulnerability reflected in his features burned the father with fierce protectiveness.
He traced the contours of his son's face with new-found gentleness. His son was a replica of his wife, yes, but the king marveled at the tiny traces that mirrored his own. The curve of his son's nose, the shape of his lips, and the dimple on the right side were a testament to their bond, a connection that transcends words.
Azusa discovered a tenderness of his touch melted his burdens. The warmth of tiny fingers wrapped around his own filled him with a profound sense of love and purpose as he realized he then got the privilege of guiding that precious life towards a future filled with love, growth, and happiness.
Lost in the prospect of the future, he held his son. His eyes brimmed with unshed tears of happiness. And so, it took him a moment to hear her melodious voice.
"My king!"
Azusa turned around to look at his woman. His big smile was indispensable. He bent his head and kissed Queen Isla's forehead. He placed their bundle of joy beside her and settled down. His eyes didn't divert as he watched his woman looking at their son in marvel. He saw her counting his fingers. Her touch was delicate, as if afraid to break him.
"Thank you, my love." Azusa's voice brimmed with emotions.
The queen managed a smile. She was fatigued, yet she never felt more alive.
They had done it.
Their child was breathing.
After fifteen years of marriage, she finally managed to erase the blot of barrenness.
People wouldn't dare to call her less of a woman behind her back anymore.
No one would call her - the king's bane.
Then she shook her head. Her fingers quivered as she traced her son's cheek. It didn't matter anymore. This child was the queen's boon.
"No, thank you, my king!" Isla whispered, bedazzled. "What is his name?"
Azusa smiled. "He awaits for his mother's blessings."
Isla felt gratified.
It was ordinary for sires to name their children.
Yet, Azusa was no ordinary.
Their love was not ordinary.
"Yuvaan!" Isla whispered.
"Yuvaan? I like that." Azusa agreed wholeheartedly. "Prince Yuvaan, the first of his name, Prince of Saragar, has a nice ring."
Isla crooned her agreement. It indeed had a nice ring.
"When is Sage coming?" Isla asked, already impatient to know the future of their child. "It usually doesn't take him long to interpret stars' alignment."
Azusa chortled. And to think, this was his calm Isla. She hadn't even stepped outside the birthing chamber, and yet... His woman always knew what she wanted.
"I suspect he is on his way."
And as if the royal sage was waiting for the formal announcement, white light appeared in the room. The couple blinked a couple of times, vexed with the sudden brightness.
"Of course! You wouldn't use a door like a regular person." Azusa was jovial. "Then again, you aren't a regular person."
Isla laughed along. It was no mystery that Azusa shared a bond with their royal sage Sidor. It was always a delight to see their bond. Three of them had grown up together since their childhood. However, her laughter famished as she noticed a severe look on Sidor's face. The chambers quietened as her husband caught up with that look.
"What is it, Sidor?" Azusa demanded. Gone was the jovial friend, and instead stood a rightful king.
Sidor's gaze locked on the bundle beside Isla. His usual soft brown eyes darkened to appear a pool of black. Contorting muscles of his face and clenching his jaw sang his anger.
Reading all those signs, Isla held her son closer.
What was it? Her son was just born. He was innocent. He didn't deserve the hatred.
"That -" Sidor struggled to word his thoughts. The thing in that bundle didn't deserve to be called a child, but Sidor couldn't outrightly tell the king that he had sired - a devil. "He is cursed."
~*~*~
Etymology:
Kingdom: Saragar (Pronunciation: Sara-ga-)
King: Azusa (Pronunciation: A-zoo-sa)
Queen: Isla (Pronunciation: eye-la)
Prince: Yuvaan (Pronunciation: You-va-ann / You-one)
Sage: Sidor (Pronunciation: See-door-) (Did you see what I did there? I am basically asking the sage to see a door. For ruining royal family's moment. LOL!)
~*~*~
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Flower of Maeve
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