The year is 1479, King Morgan the Great of Wales, Ireland and Scotland just died at 51 after serving 30 years on the throne. Now King, William is looking to cut out a new legacy.
Alix will soon give birth, I'm excited, yet nervous. I hope I can be a great father, but time will tell. Joann is well and gave birth two months ago, Leopold Dinefwr. It is lovely. Andreas married Princess Mary of France, it was magical in Munich. I hope I can be blessed with the same happiness.
Dylan bursts through the door, he breathes heavily. I sit down my quill, " What ever are you doing Dylan?", I ask angrily. Dylan bows fervently, " The Queen is in labour sire". Labour, my lord. I jump out of my seat and sprint down the hall. My steps thud as I enter the nursery.
Alix lies in bed groaning in pain, she's pale as a ghost. I shut the door and sit next to Alix, " It's okay, breathe dear", I say as Alix clutches onto my hand tightly. " One final push Your Royal Majesty", Bjorn says. Alix grips my hand tighter and wails in pain.
The baby screams as Bjorn lifts the baby up. " Congratulations Your Royal Majesties, it's a boy", Bjorn says happily, he hands the baby to Alix. The baby stops screaming, the room becomes silent. I can't believe I'm a Father, this is what I've always dreamed of.
" What would you like to name him?", Bjorn asks. " Edward David Dinefwr", Alix answers breathing heavily. I nod in approval, " Yes that's good, thank you Bjorn", I say smiling. Bjorn smirks and bows, he saunters out and shuts the door. I smile towards Alix, " You were so brave dear".
" I love you Icarus", Alix says as she hands me Edward. Edward wraps his warm hands around my arm. I smile and sit Edward in the crib. " I love you too Alexandra, get some rest". I kiss Alix's forehead. I quietly step out and shut the door. " Please keep an eye on her", I command a nurse. The nurse curtseys, " Yes sire".
I saunter down the hall, I hear a man hacking and coughing. I open the door to the bathroom, Dylan stands in front of the mirror. " Are you okay Dylan?", I ask with concern. Dylan quickly shoves his bloody pocket square into his pocket. " Your Royal Majesty, of course", Dylan lies, he bows subtly. "
" What's really wrong?", I ask with sorrow. Dylan sighs, " It is lung cancer". A thickness fills the air, sorrow blows through the entire Abbey. " I'm so sorry Dylan, you need some rest", I grab Dylan's arm. Dylan shakes me away, " I'm going to die anyway, might as well die doing what I love".
I take a heavy breath, " I love you Dylan, you're like a Father to me", I say as tears fill my eyes. Dylan hugs me, " I love you too Icarus, I'll work till the end". Tears drip down my face, I quickly wipe them. I release Dylan, " Thank you for your service sir", I say as I bow. I kiss Dylan's hand.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I push my pin and brooch into my coat. I fix my crown to my head and swipe my hair out of my face. Calm, you can do this. " Are you okay dear?", Alix asks as she holds Edward. I take a sip of wine, " Yes, I'm just a little nervous". Alix smiles, " You'll be fine, come". We walk down the hall and down the stairs.
Dylan coughs and bows, " Your Royal Majesties, Duke James of Albany and Princess Royal Joann, Duke Abel of Moray, Duchess Sigrid of the Isles, Duke Kane of Morganwgg, Duchess Matilda of Powys and Prince Andreas of Wales, Ireland and Scotland", Dylan says in a frail voice, he opens the door. Nobles quickly flood into the room.
" I think you already see the surprise, say hello to Prince Edward David, Duke of Dinefwr", I say smiling. " This is great news", Andreas says approaching me. " Thank you all for coming, let us eat", Alix says as we all walk into the dining room, we all find our seats.
Plates are laid in front of us. I take a drink of wine, " Thank you all for coming, to greet the heir to the Kingdom of Heaven", I say firmly. " How has Leopold been?", Alix asks after taking a bite of venison. " Good, we are incredibly blessed", Joann answers.
" Your Royal Majesty, Ambassador Kelly is outside to see you", Dylan says as he steps in, he bows. My eyes widen, what could he want? I stand up and follow Dylan, he opens the front door, Cormac stands ten paces away from me. I step outside and shut the door, " What do you want?", I ask firmly.
" I'm just here to congratulate you, on the birth of the Prince", Cormac says softly. " How did you get here, I banned any carriages from carrying you here?", I ask. " I walked William, I just wanted to see you", Cormac answers. " You need to leave, right now. How dare you come here, at such a time", I say firmly.
Cormac sighs, " I wanted to say goodbye, I am staying in Dinefwr Castle for the rest of my life. You'll never have to see me again". My heart aches a little, " You could have sent a letter". " What we had was special", Cormac says, he rubs my arm. I yank my arm away, " I am king, maybe in a different life we could have worked. But not this life".
Cormac bows and kisses my hand, " Goodbye my friend", Cormac says softly. I wipe a tear as Cormac disappears into the fog. I have to stay strong, for Alix, Edward and Mummy. For the Kingdom.
